Repolarization variability, evaluated by TWV, is independently related to the risk of death in ChD. This noninvasive methodology could facilitate the identification of patients who may benefit from more aggressive therapeutic strategies.
Periodic fever with pharyngitis, aphthous stomatitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA syndrome) is a common cause of periodic fever in children and usually manifests as episodes of fever recurring with a clockwork periodicity. Although rare after adolescence, adult patients with PFAPA syndrome may present with a wider range of symptoms and may lack the clockwork periodicity of fever. A 24-year-old patient presented with a 4-year history of periodic fever with pharyngitis and cervical adenitis. She also complained of vomiting, fatigue and sporadically presented with aphthous stomatitis. During crises, laboratory evaluation showed a moderate elevation of inflammatory markers. Blood cultures and ANA titres were negative. Immunoglobulins and serum ferritin levels were normal. After other causes of periodic fever had been excluded, a diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome was made.
LEARNING POINTS
PFAPA syndrome is characterized by periodic fever accompanied by pharyngitis, aphthous stomatitis and cervical adenitis.
It is a common cause of periodic fever in children but can also present in adults with a wider range of clinical manifestations.
Establishing a firm diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome may avoid excessive work-up and potentially harmful treatment.
Background: The "other Babinski sign" consists in the co-contraction of the orbicularis and frontalis muscles, causing an eyebrow elevation during ipsilateral eye closure. It cannot be voluntarily reproduced. Aims of the study: To determine the utility of this sign in the differential diagnosis of hyperkinetic facial disorders. Methods: The presence of the sign was assessed in consecutive patients with blepharospasm, primary hemifacial spasm or post-paralytic facial syndrome treated in a botulinum toxin outpatient clinic. Results: Of the 99 patients identified, 86 were included, 41 with blepharospasm (32 female, mean age 71 ± 11 years), 28 with hemifacial spasm (16 female, mean age 65 ± 12 years) and 17 with post-paralytic facial syndrome (14 female, mean age 50 ± 17 years). The sign was detected in 67.9% of the patients with hemifacial spasm, in 23.5% of the post-paralytic facial syndrome group and in none of the patients with blepharospasm, exhibiting a sensitivity of 51% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of hemifacial spasm/post-paralytic facial syndrome and a specificity of 76% for hemifacial spasm, compared to post-paralytic facial syndrome. Conclusions: This sign is highly specific for the diagnosis of peripherally induced hyperkinetic facial disorders. Its assessment should integrate the routine examination of patients with abnormal facial movements.
It was suggested that intravenous thrombolysis (IT) leads to larger extent recanalization in cardioembolic stroke. In this work we assess if this has beneficial clinical traduction. METHOD: We evaluated 177 patients undergoing IT, which were categorized into cardioembolic (CE) and non-cardioembolic (NCE). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale were compared. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.4±12.01 and 53.8% were male. The mean NIHSS was: 14 (admission), 9 (24 h) and 6 (discharge), similar in subgroups. The difference between NIHSS at admission and 24 hours was 4.17±4.92 (CE: 4.08±4.71; NCE: 4.27±5.17, p=0.900) and at admission and discharge there was an average difference of 6.74±5.58 (CE: 6.97±5.68; NCE: 6.49±5.49, p=0.622). The mRS at discharge and 3 months was not significantly different by subtype, although individuals whose event was NCE are more independent at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Ours findings argue against a specific paper of IT in CE. It can result from heterogeneity of NCE group.
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