What Happens before Syncope? Study of the Time Frame Preceding Vasovagal Syncope

Objective. The events characterizing the very last part of the vasovagal crisis has not been determined. The aim of the study was to analyze the variations in respiratory pattern preceding the vaso-vagal syncope full-blown and the relationship between cardiovascular functions in order to assess the temporal sequence. Methods. Eleven consecutive patients were studied. Heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory frequency, tidal volume, carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation in time domain from supine and standing recordings were analyzed. Results. The respiratory activity is different in the time frame preceding syncope, both in VT and breathing rate, and that the increase of the lung ventilation does not influence the baroreflex control during the presyncopal period but may be cause of the baroreflex failure during the full-blown syncope

Metastatic oligodendrogliomas: A review of the literature and case report

Oligodendroglioma cells are detectable in the cerebro-spinal fluid in up to 14% of patients [10] and cerebellar and/or spinal cord involvement is a well known phenomenon [3]. Distant spread of oligodendroglioma is exceptional, probably due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier, the absence of lymphatic vessels and the short survival of patients. A review of the worldwide literature yielded 32 previously reported examples since 1951 to the present (Tab1e 1). This review was performed using NCBI-PubMed and "oligodendroglioma, oligodendrogliomas, metastatic, metastasis, metastases, extraneural", in different combinations, as key words and reviewing the bibliography of the consequent selected articles. New therapeutic approaches are prolonging the overall survival of patients with primitive brain tumours and in particular of those with high grade oligodendroglioma which is a chemo-sensitive disease. A longer overall survival could increase the risk of extracranial dissemination of gliomas that in the future might become a less rare clinical complication

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

We have evaluated the efficacy of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in Graves' ophthalmopathy, and have carried out a prospective randomized clinical trial, including a single-blind evaluation, whereby 14 patients were assigned to two different treatment groups: 7 patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and orbital radiotherapy (Group 1) and 7 patients were given intravenous immunoglobulin alone (Group 2). The results of the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were also compared with those obtained in a Historical Control Group (12 patients) treated with systemic methylprednisolone and orbital irradiation. Degree of ocular involvement and response to treatment were assessed by ophthalmopathy index. The mean initial and final ophthalmopathy index showed no significant difference among the three groups. Comparison between the mean initial and final ophthalmopathy index showed a statistically significant reduction (p less than 0.005) in all three groups, the observed changes being confirmed by orbital computerized tomography in Groups 1 and 2. Corticosteroid treatment was associated with major and minor side effects, while no important adverse reactions were observed during intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Even considering our results as preliminary, we conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin treatment is effective and safe in improving Graves' ophthalmopathy

Takotsubo Syndrome: Is This a Common Occurrence in Elderly Females after Hip Fracture?

The prevalence of Takotsubo syndrome in hip fracture is not known

Croton cumingii Muell.-Arg.

原著和名: グミモドキ科名: トウダイグサ科 = Euphorbiaceae採集地: 台湾 恒春熱帯植物園 (台湾省 恒春熱帯植物園)採集日: 1968/3/8採集者: 萩庭丈壽整理番号: JH041343国立科学博物館整理番号: TNS-VS-99134

Comparison of patients under study with historical sample.

<p>Comparison of patients under study with historical sample.</p

In hospital complications during the study period.

<p>In hospital complications during the study period.</p