5 research outputs found
Serum interleukin 15 levels in patients with seropositive myasthenia gravis do not correlate with disease severity
Aim
To assess interleukin 15 (IL-15) serum levels in patients with seropositive myasthenia gravis (MG); searching for potential relationship between IL-15 levels and clinical features such as gender, age at onset, clinical presentation or treatment received.
Background
IL-15 plays pivotal role in T-cell dependent autoimmunity. Increased IL-15 serum levels have been reported in several autoimmune diseases including MG patients from Japan.
Patients and methods
Sera of 42 seropositive MG patients (66.7% women), mean age 50.6±23.7 years) have been tested by ELISA for IL-15 levels.
Results
There were no statistically significant differences between IL-15 serum levels in MG patients in comparison with controls as well as between subgroups of MG patients (early vs. late onset and thymoma MG). Mean/median IL-15 serum levels were similar in MG patients treated with corticosteroids (CS) and CS naïve. Outliers (very high values) were seen only in untreated generalized MG patients.
Conclusions
Serum interleukin 15 levels in patients with seropositive myasthenia gravis do not correlate with disease severity
Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke – Five years of experience in Poland
Objectives
Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland.
Methods and results
We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures.
Results
Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% – emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization – in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 – in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases.
Conclusion
Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines
Hidradenitis suppurativa and squamous cell carcinoma: a systemic review of the literature
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disease which is often recurrent and occurs as abscesses of the apocrine gland. The most common locations of HS are gluteal/perianal, axillary or inguinal. It is reasonable to assume that squamous cell carcinoma may arise from HS. As researchers in the field of dermatology, HS surgery and conventional surgical oncology, we studied whether there is any correlation between HS and neoplasms. Evidence shows a correlation between HS and squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of the study was to find literature about HS and SCC and analyse potential risk factors. This is a systemic review concerning squamous cell carcinoma and hidradenitis suppurativa
Przeznaczyniowe zamykanie drożnego otworu owalnego u pacjentów po przebytym udarze kryptogennym mózgu
Background: Paradoxical embolism due to the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a well-established possible mechanism of ischaemic stroke of unknown origin. Mechanical sealing of the interatrial septum seems to be the most effective method for the prevention of stroke recurrences.Aim: To assess prospectively the short- and mid-term results of transcatheter closure of PFO in consecutive patients with a history of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke.Methods: Between March 1999 and December 2002, thirty two patients with PFO (15 males, age from 19 to 55 years, mean 41 years) with a history of documented ischaemic stroke of unknown origin underwent transcatheter closure of PFO using an Amplatzer occluder. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia and with transesophageal echocardiographic guidance.Results: In all patients the procedure was effective and no complications were observed. During the follow-up period of a mean of 25.9 months (>12 months in 22 patients), no new neurological events were recorded. Control transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 28 patients mean 22.3 months after the procedure and confirmed the correct positioning of the occluder. A significant (>30 bubbles of contrast) residual shunt was detected in two patients. One patient developed episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia which were effectively cured by radiofrequency ablation.Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of PFO is safe, effective and devoid of side effects connected with extracorporeal circulation. This procedure may become the treatment of choice in patients with the highest risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke
Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke : five years of experience in Poland
Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health
system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in
Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland.
Methods and results: We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire
from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and
outcome measures.
Results: Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work
round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and
neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were
subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset
to groin puncture was 250 99 min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6 h from
stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during
MT and 4.7% - emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases.
The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was
achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization - in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 - in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases.
Conclusion: Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guideline