Hitoshi Sejima

Regional excitatory and inhibitory amino acid concentrations in pentylenetetrazol kindling and kindled rat brain

We determined regional concentrations of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling and kindled rat brains in order to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the PTZ kindling process and kindled state. Compared with control rats, PTZ kindling rats had significantly higher concentrations of aspartate in the striatum and the temporal cortex 24 h after the 14th injection of PTZ. Glutamate and GABA concentrations were also significantly higher in the brainstem of PTZ kindling rats 24 h after the 14th injection of PTZ. These findings suggest that the striatum and temporal cortex may participate in a pathway for propagation of the PTZ kindling process, and that the brainstem may be a primary site of PTZ kindling epileptogenesis or a part of the pathways for propagation. On the other hand, the concentrations of amino acids in PTZ kindled rats and controls did not differ 4 weeks after the 14th injection. This suggests that the alterations we detected in amino acid metabolism are not related to retention of the PTZ kindled state, and that some other mechanism for it must exist.

Rotavirus-associated encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion.

The case is reported of a 2-year-old boy with a rotavirus-induced mild encephalopathy that presented as transient intensified signal on the splenium of the corpus callosum. The boy also experienced persistent diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and sudden disturbance of consciousness. Although cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not manifest pleocytosis, electroencephalography demonstrated global diffuse slow waves and cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated intensified signal on the splenium of the corpus callosum. Methylprednisolone was infused for 3 days. The disturbance of consciousness disappeared within 24 hours without any other complications, and the splenial signal and electroencephalogram returned to normal within 6 days.

Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia syndrome and elevated interleukin-6 : case report

We report a 2-year-old boy who developed hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia syndrome with left-sided hemiplegia after a seizure lasting 35 minutes. The interleukin-6 level in the cerebrospinal fluid 2 hours after seizure onset was elevated to levels seen in patients with encephalitis. At 1 year after onset of the seizure, the patient remained hemiplegic on the left side, and magnetic resonance imaging showed severe right hemispheric atrophy. Acute changes seen on imaging studies and electroencephalograms in this patient were consistent with seizure-induced brain damage. Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 may be related to the severe neurologic sequelae of our patient despite the relatively short seizure duration. (J Child Neurol 2002;17:705-707).

Technetium-99m-HMPAO SPECT in patients with hemiconvulsions followed by Todd's paralysis

Abstract We performed technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene- amineoxime (Tc-HMPAO) single photon emission computed tomography in two patients with prolonged hemiconvulsions followed by transient hemiparesis (Todds paralysis). In both cases, a prolonged post-ictal cerebral hyperperfusion state of approximately 24 h was observed, even after the neurological deficits had resolved. The cerebral hyperperfusion in both cases was of much longer duration than that in previously reported cases of single and uncomplicated focal seizures. The prolonged cerebral hyperperfusion might have been due to impairment of the cerebrovascular autoregulation in seizures followed by Todds paralysis.

Early predictors of status epilepticus-associated mortality and morbidity in children

BACKGROUND Early predictors of status epilepticus (SE)-associated mortality and morbidity have not been systematically studied in children, considerably impeding the identification of patients at risk. OBJECTIVES To determine reliable early predictors of SE-associated mortality and morbidity and identify the etiology of SE-associated sequelae in Japanese children. METHODS We conducted a prospective multicenter study of clinical findings and initial laboratory data acquired at SE onset, and assessed outcomes at the last follow-up examination. In-hospital death during the acute period and neurological sequelae were classified as poor outcomes. RESULTS Of the 201 children who experienced their first SE episode, 16 exhibited poor outcome that was most commonly associated with acute encephalopathy. Univariate analysis revealed that the following were associated with poor outcomes: young age (⩽24 months); seizure duration >90 min; seizure intractability (failure of the second anticonvulsive drug); biphasic seizures; abnormal blood glucose levels (<61 or >250 mg/dL); serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ⩾56 U/L; and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels >2.00 mg/dL. Multivariate analysis revealed that young age, seizure intractability, abnormal blood glucose levels, and elevated AST and CRP levels were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Young age and seizure intractability were highly predictive of poor outcomes in pediatric SE. Moreover, abnormal blood glucose levels and elevated AST and CRP levels were predictors that might be closely associated with the etiology, especially acute encephalopathy and severe bacterial infection (sepsis and meningitis) in Japanese children.

Environmental tobacco smoke and its effect on the symptoms and medication in children with asthma

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) worsens asthmatic symptoms. We analyzed the relationship between levels of ETS and asthmatic symptoms and medication. We asked parents of 282 asthmatic children about the general condition, smoke exposure and medication. Patients were classified into three groups: no-ETS (no smoking), mild-ETS (smoking in the house but not in the same room as patient), and heavy-ETS (smoking in the same room as patient). We classified 116 children in no-ETS group, 124 children in mild-ETS group and 42 children in heavy-ETS group. The symptoms were worst and prevalence of leukotriene receptor antagonist and long-acting β2-agonist use were highest in heavy-ETS group. However, there was no statistical difference between no-ETS and mild-ETS groups in prevalence of anti-asthmatic drug use and symptoms. We conclude that a smoking ban in rooms used by asthmatic children is an easy way to reduce ETS, asthmatic symptoms and the use of anti-asthmatic drugs.

A variant case of congenital bilateral perisylvian syndrome with asymmetric findings on neuroimaging and septum pellucidum defect.

We report a 17-year-old female patient with a variant form of congenital bilateral perisylvian syndrome (CBPS). She had pseudobulbar palsy, partial epilepsy and mild pyramidal symptoms predominantly in the left hand. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed asymmetric perisylvian and perirolandic polymicrogyric cortical dysplasia and septum pellucidum defect. The clinicoradiological findings for this patient met the criteria for CBPS. Moreover, they appeared to overlap those of congenital unilateral perisylvian syndrome. The findings in this case support the hypothesis that these two syndromes are parts of a continuous spectrum of one clinico-radiological syndrome.

Serial magnetic resonance angiography in cerebral infarction after varicella infection

The case of a 1‐year‐8‐month‐old‐boy with cerebral infarction after varicella infection is reported here. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) angiography revealed segmental narrowing of the left middle cerebral artery which became normal 8 months later. The MR angiography well demonstrated the time course of the vascular involvement in the present patient. In cerebral infarction after varicella infection, the proximal portion of the main cerebral arteries were frequently damaged therefore MR angiography is useful for diagnosis and therapeutic decision‐making. Moreover, serial MR angiographic studies can clarify the natural course of vascular changes in varicella virus‐related cerebral infarction.

Underrecognition of the Severity of Asthma and Undertreatment of Asthma in a Rural Area of Japan

Background and Aim. Revised guidelines were released in Japan in 2003 for the assessment, treatment, and management of adult asthmatics, and similar guidelines for child asthmatics were released in 2002. We reassessed the severity and possible undertreatment of asthma according to these guidelines in stable asthmatics. Methods. We reviewed medical records of 861 well-controlled asthmatic patients who, in April through June 2004 were cared for by 47 pulmonologists at 29 medical centers and 13 asthma clinics in a rural community in the San-in area of Japan. The physician obtained completed medical records about their symptoms and current treatment of the subjects, 726 adult and 135 children (aged 6 years or older) who were in stable condition and had had no exacerbations in the previous 3 months. The severity of asthma and current treatment for each patient were assessed according to the newly revised Japanese guidelines for the assessment, treatment, and management of adult and child asthmatics. Results. In adult and child asthmatics, the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1.0) was smaller and has a narrower distribution range than the percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF). When the severity of asthma was classified according to symptoms alone, 50% and 35% of those classified as mildly asthmatics patients with adults and children, respectively, had moderate to severe airflow limitation. Inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed to 90.6% of adult and 14.9% of child patients. When we compared the treatments that patients were actually receiving against the optimal treatments indexed according to a combined symptoms-FEV1.0 classification, we found that 49% of adult asthmatics were overtreated, 21% were properly treated, and 30% were undertreated. Among children, the respective percentages were 35%, 25%, and 40%. Conclusion. In well-controlled adult and child asthmatics, the severity of asthma is poorly judged when symptoms alone are considered. We suggest that the severity of asthma should be assessed through a combination of symptoms and the measurement of FEV1.0 during office visits. We also suggest that the proper dose of inhaled steroid needed to maintain stable conditions should be judged according to this combined symptoms-FEV1.0 classification.

Brain stem glioblastoma with multiple large cyst formation and leptomeningeal dissemination in a 4-year-old girl

The authors report a 4-year-old girl who developed brain stem glioblastoma. Meningeal irritation was present at onset. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intracranial and intraspinal leptomeningeal dissemination, which progressed faster than the original tumor. Multiple large cysts developed at the interhemispheric and prepontine cisterns, resulting in progressive obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient survived only 5 months after presentation. Histology was verified by autopsy.