International consensus recommendations for management of new onset refractory status epilepticus including febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome: Statements and supporting evidence

Objective: This study was undertaken to develop consensus-based recommendations for the management of adult and pediatric patients with new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE)/febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) based on best evidence and experience. Methods: The Delphi methodology was followed. A facilitator group of nine experts was established, who defined the scope, users, and suggestions for recommendations. Following a review of the current literature, recommendation statements concerning diagnosis, treatment, and research directions were generated, which were then rated on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 9 (strongly agree) by a panel of 48 experts in the field. Consensus that a statement was appropriate was reached if the median score was ≥7 and inappropriate if the median score was ≤3. The analysis of evidence was mapped to the results of each statement included in the Delphi survey. Results: Overall, 85 recommendation statements achieved consensus. The recommendations are divided into five sections: (1) disease characteristics; (2) diagnostic testing and sampling; (3) acute treatment; (4) treatment in the postacute phase; and (5) research, registries, and future directions in NORSE/FIRES. The detailed results and discussion of all 85 statements are outlined herein. A corresponding summary of findings and practical flowsheets are presented in a companion article. Significance: This detailed analysis offers insight into the supporting evidence and the current gaps in the literature that are associated with expert consensus statements related to NORSE/FIRES. The recommendations generated by this consensus can be used as a guide for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of patients with NORSE/FIRES, and for planning of future research

Studying sustainability transitions in welfare states. A research agenda for Japan and the Netherlands

While traditional welfare states ‘retreat’, raising fundamental questions about social equity and actors’ responsibilities, pressing sustainability problems remain unaddressed. In the course of a joint seminar, some 20 scholars from the Netherlands and Japan exchanged experiences and insights on studying welfare states from a transitions perspective. This resulted in a joint research agenda that introduces three entry points for researching sustainability transitions in/of welfare states: demystifying ‘context’, the role(s) of agency, and dynamics of and in welfare states

Studying sustainability transitions in welfare states. A research agenda for Japan and the Netherlands

While traditional welfare states ‘retreat’, raising fundamental questions about social equity and actors’ responsibilities, pressing sustainability problems remain unaddressed. In the course of a joint seminar, some 20 scholars from the Netherlands and Japan exchanged experiences and insights on studying welfare states from a transitions perspective. This resulted in a joint research agenda that introduces three entry points for researching sustainability transitions in/of welfare states: demystifying ‘context’, the role(s) of agency, and dynamics of and in welfare states

International consensus recommendations for management of new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) including febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES): Summary and clinical tools

Objective: To develop consensus-based recommendations for the management of adult and pediatric patients with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE)/febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) based on best available evidence and expert opinion. Methods: The Delphi methodology was followed. A facilitator group of nine experts was established who defined the scope, users, and suggestions for recommendations. Following a review of the current literature, recommendation statements concerning diagnosis, treatment, and research directions were generated that were then voted on using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 9 (strongly agree) by a panel of 48 experts in the field. Consensus that a statement was appropriate was reached if the median score was greater than or equal to 7, and inappropriate if the median score was less than or equal to 3. Results: Overall, 85 recommendation statements achieved consensus. The recommendations are divided into five sections: (1) disease characteristics; (2) diagnostic testing and sampling; (3) acute treatment; (4) treatment in the post-acute phase; and (5) research, registries, and future directions in NORSE/FIRES. These are summarized in this article along with two practical clinical flowsheets: one for diagnosis and evaluation and one for acute treatment. A corresponding evidence-based analysis of all 85 recommendations alongside responses by the Delphi panel is presented in a companion article. Significance: The recommendations generated by this consensus can be used as a guide for the diagnosis; evaluation; and management of patients with NORSE/FIRES; and for planning of future research

Brief review: Piriformis syndrome: Etiology, diagnosis, and management

Purpose: In this narrative review, we aim to provide the pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria of the piriformis syndrome (PS), an underdiagnosed cause of buttock and leg pain that can be difficult to treat. Based on existing evidence, frequencies of clinical features are estimated in patients reported to have PS. In view of the increasing popularity of ultrasound for intervention, the ultrasound-guided technique in the treatment of PS is described in detail. Source: A literature search of the MEDLINE® database was performed from January 1980 to December 2012 using the search terms e.g., " piriformis injection", " ultrasound guided piriformis injection", " botulinum toxin", "pain management", and different structures relevant in this review. There was no restriction on language. Principal findings: A review of the medical literature pertaining to PS revealed that the existence of this entity remains controversial. There is no definitive proof of its existence despite reported series with large numbers of patients. Conclusion: Piriformis syndrome continues to be a controversial diagnosis for sciatic pain. Electrophysiological testing and nerve blocks play important roles when the diagnosis is uncertain. Injection of local anesthetics, steroids, and botulinum toxin into the piriformis muscle can serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An ultrasound-guided injection technique offers improved accuracy in locating the piriformis muscle. Optimizing the therapeutic approach requires an interdisciplinary evaluation of treatment