Acta neurologica Belgica
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Feb 2020
ReviewSpontaneous intracranial hypotension: review and expert opinion.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) results from spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking. An underlying connective tissue disorder that predisposes to weakness of the dura is implicated in spontaneous spinal CSF leaks. During the last decades, a much larger number of spontaneous cases are identified and a far broader clinical SIH spectrum is recognized. ⋯ If EBPs fail, after the CSF leak sites identification using invasive imaging techniques, other therapeutic approaches include: a targeted epidural patch, surgical reduction of dural sac volume, or direct surgical closure. The prognosis is generally good after intervention, but serious complications may occur. More research is needed to better understand SIH pathophysiology to refine imaging modalities and treatment approaches and to evaluate clinical outcomes.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Dec 2019
Current evidence for treatment with nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review.
Recent discovery of nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide drug, has provided encouragement for improving treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. No therapeutic options currently exist for this autosomal recessive motor neuron disorder. Nusinersen is developed for intrathecal use and binds to a specific sequence within the survival motor neuron 2 pre-messenger RNA, modifying the splicing process to promote expression of full-length survival motor neuron protein. ⋯ Results of these trials are hopeful with significant and clinically meaningful improvement due to treatment with intrathecal nusinersen in patients with early- and later-onset spinal muscular atrophy, although this does not restore age-appropriate function. Intrathecal nusinersen has acceptable safety and tolerability. Further trials regarding long-term effects and safety aspects as well as trials including broader spinal muscular atrophy and age categories are required and ongoing.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Sep 2019
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyTenecteplase versus alteplase in acute ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Tenecteplase is a product of genetic modification of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with superior pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. This meta-analysis was to determine whether intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke has better efficacy and safety outcomes than with intravenous alteplase. PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO International clinical trials registry platform (ICTRP), Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), EU Clinical Trials Register (EU-CTR) and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for trials comparing tenecteplase with alteplase in acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Our meta-analysis found tenecteplase to be significantly favouring one outcome: early major neurological improvement. Other outcomes did not differ between the tenecteplase and alteplase groups. Trials of cost-effective/benefit analysis comparing tenecteplase versus alteplase and tenecteplase versus endovascular treatment are necessary to reinforce the evidence for the potential cost advantage of tenecteplase.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Jun 2019
Meta AnalysisNocebo effect in myasthenia gravis: systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Nocebo refers to the adverse events (AEs) experienced when taking a placebo drug and is believed to be a centrally mediated process. We sought to examine the AEs following placebo administration in Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) for Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients. A systematic literature search was performed on Medline and Web of Science for RCTs for MG pharmacological treatments. ⋯ Four out of five placebo-treated participants (80.1%) reported at least one AE and one in 40 (2.4%) discontinued placebo treatment because of AE. All patients participating in the MG trials reported similar AEs independent of the study arm to which they belonged (placebo or active treatment). This meta-analysis demonstrates a low nocebo dropout rate in MG compared to central nervous system disorders.
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Acta neurologica Belgica · Mar 2019
ReviewCurrent status of endovascular treatment for dural arteriovenous fistulae in the tentorial middle region: a literature review.
The tentorial middle region (TMR) includes the midline and paramedian tentorium. TMR dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) are complex. We performed a review of the literature on TMR DAVFs. ⋯ In EVT, transarterial embolization is the first-line treatment. Many complications can occur when treating TMR DAVFs, but complete EVT can generally achieve good clinical outcomes. In this review, three educational cases with demonstrating figures are provided to elaborate TMR DAVFs.