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Biomedical subjects

A M Kar

Publications and source records attributed to A M Kar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Intravenous methyl prednisolone in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma: a random evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of intravenous methyl prednisolone in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma with new-onset seizures. METHODS: In this open-label, randomized, prospective, follow-up study, 52 patients with new-onset seizures and a single enhancing CT lesion of cysticercus were randomly divided in two groups to receive either intravenous methyl prednisolone for 5 days along with antiepileptic drug (n=25) or antiepileptic drug monotherapy (n=27) alone. The patients were followed up for at least for 9 months. Repeat CT scans were performed after 2 months. RESULTS: After 2 months, lesion disappeared in 60% patients of intravenous methyl prednisolone group and 18.5% patients receiving only antiepileptic drug (p=0.001). As far as seizure recurrence was concerned, a lower number (16% versus 33%) of intravenous methyl prednisolone treated patient had recurrence, the difference was insignificant. CONCLUSION: Intravenous methyl prednisolone therapy helps in early resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Hemichorea resulting from single enhancing computed tomography lesion.

A single small enhancing computerized tomographic lesion is a common finding in Indian patients with seizures, particularly focal seizures. A small single enhancing computed tomography lesion also presents with varied non-epileptic manifestations viz. focal neurological deficits, episodic vascular headache, syndrome of increased intracranial pressure, etc. Here we present a case of hemichorea resulting from single enhancing CT lesion. A 12-year-old female presented with acute onset abnormal movements involving right side of body. A clinical diagnosis of right hemichorea was made and patient was subjected to neuroimaging along with other investigations. CT scan showed a single ring-enhancing lesion with perifocal edema in left thalamic area suggestive of neurocysticercosis. Patient was treated with albendazole, steroids and haloperidol therapy. Patient showed marked improvement at follow-up after one month. Repeat CT scan revealed resolution of lesion. This case has been reported because hemichorea in young female is usually caused by post-streptococcal infection and it is quite rare presentation of small ring enhancing lesion.

Albendazole↗
PubMed2005

Short course of prednisolone in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma: a double blind placebo controlled study.

The study was conducted to confirm the role of a short course of oral corticosteroids in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma with seizures by a double-blind placebo-controlled study. In an open-label trial we, in past, had demonstrated a beneficial role of prednisolone. A short course of prednisolone helped in early resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma. In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study, 60 patients with new-onset seizures and a single enhancing computed tomography (CT)-detected lesion of cysticercosis were randomly divided in two groups to receive either anti-epileptic monotherapy with prednisolone (n=30) or anti-epileptic monotherapy along with placebo (n=30). The patients received prednisolone, 1mg/kg/day for 10 days, followed by tapering over next 4 days. None of the patients received albendazole therapy. The patients were followed up monthly, at least for 9 months. A repeat CT scan was performed after 6 months. The data were analysed by chi-square test. The majority of patients were young. Simple partial seizure, with or without secondary generalization, was the commonest seizure type encountered. Follow-up CT scans at 6 months demonstrated non-significantly better response for prednisolone treated patients. In prednisolone group the lesion disappeared in 52% of patients and in 48% patients who received placebo. However, a significantly lesser number of prednisolone treated patients (n=12%) than controls (n=48%), had seizure recurrence. Our study suggests that short-term prednisolone therapy may not help in rapid resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma, however, prednisolone therapy improves seizure-related prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Predictive value of routine hematological and biochemical parameters on 30-day fatality in acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was planned to study the prognostic value of routine clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters, including platelet aggregation in patients of acute stroke, on fatality occurring during the first 30 days. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study 116 consecutive patients (77 males and 39 females) of stroke (within 72 hours of onset) were included. After clinical evaluation and neuroimaging, blood investigations, hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, platelet count, platelet aggregation, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood sugar, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, serum cholesterol, serum bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT), albumin, and globulin estimations were performed. The patients were followed up for a maximum period of 30 days from the onset of stroke, and patients who expired were grouped as 'expired' and the rest as 'survivors'. Logistic regression analysis was carried out among the significant parameters to identify independent predictors of 30-day fatality. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated that among hematological parameters, high total leukocyte count and ESR, at admission, correlated significantly with an undesirable outcome during the initial 30 days. Among biochemical parameters, elevated urea, creatinine, serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) and globulin levels correlated significantly with death. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score along with biochemical parameters such as high serum creatinine, SGPT, ESR and total leukocyte count correlated with death. CONCLUSION: Impaired consciousness, high total leukocyte count, raised ESR, elevated creatinine and SGPT levels, estimated within 24 hours of hospitalization, are the most important indicators of 30-day mortality in patients with first-time ischemic stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Posterior leukoencephalopathy in a girl with acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis.

In children, posterior leukoencephalopathy is frequently associated with hypertensive encephalopathy, anticancer chemotherapy, treatment with immunosuppressive drugs in patients with organ transplantation, transfusion or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Posterior leukoencephalopathy in these children appears as a complicating illness and resolves once precipitating factor (e.g. cancer chemotherapy) is removed. Here we are reporting a fatal case of acute haemorrhatic leukoencephalitis in a 13 year old girl, imaging abnormalities are also suggestive of posterior leukoencephalopathy. Posterior leukoencephalopathy in our patient possibly, is a part of post-infectious haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis, rather than because of ischaemia or cerebral oedema secondary either to abrupt increase in blood pressure or following administration of immunosuppressive drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Neurocysticercosis like presentation in a case of CNS tuberculosis.

A clinical picture consisting of seizures, multiple non-tender subcutaneous nodules, and multiple 'nodular or ring' enhancing lesions in computed tomography of the brain is considered characteristic of neurocysticercosis in an endemic area. 1,2 A case with a similar clinical picture, in whom serological tests and histopathological examination of subcutaneous nodule established tuberculosis as a cause, is presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effect of age on P300 wave.

30 healthy elderly males (mean age 77.4 +/- 4.3 yrs) were subjects in this study. Equal number of young males (mean age 22 +/- 3.5 years) and middle aged subjects (mean age 46 +/- 3.2 years) served as control. P300 wave was estimated using a Neuropack 4 model of Nihon Kohden EMG machine. We observed a significantly increased latency, poorly defined and non reproducible P300 wave in 90% old subjects while in young the latency was in normal limits and the wave was well defined and reproducible. We presume P300 could serve as a future potential marker of the neurophysiological basis of aging.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1994

Platelet functions and lipid profile in haemorrhagic and thrombotic stroke patients.

The present study was conducted in 17 patients of haemorrhagic stroke (HS), 19 patients of thrombotic stroke (TS) and 14 control subjects. In each subject platelet functions (spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA), aggregation induced with 10, 5, 2.5 microM ADP and 10 micrograms/ml of collagen) and complete lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein [HDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL], very low density lipoprotein [VLDL] and LDL/HDL ratio) were performed within 7 days of onset of stroke. Platelet aggregation with 2.5 microM ADP was significantly lower (P < 0.05), in both the stroke groups in comparison to controls. No other changes were significant. Mean serum triglycerides and VLDL of TS group were significantly higher than that of controls. Mean LDL/HDL ratio of the same group was significantly lower than HS group. It can be concluded that alterations in platelet functions and lipid profile are induced by both types of strokes in acute stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Platelet functions & lipid profile within 24 hours following an attack of TIA, thrombotic & haemorrhagic stroke.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate comparatively the lipid profile and platelet functions within 24 h of the three most frequent types of stroke encountered in clinical practice. Twenty patients of transient ischaemic attacks, 22 of thrombotic stroke and 26 of haemorrhagic stroke (hypertensive putaminal haemorrhage), all within 24 h of the acute event, and 21 control subjects were studied. Spontaneous platelet aggregation, platelet aggregation induced with adenosine diphosphate (2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 microM) and lipid profile (serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein) estimations were performed in all the subjects. Mean platelet aggregation values were significantly lower in haemorrhagic stroke patients as compared to controls. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein levels in ischaemic groups i.e., transient ischaemic attacks and thrombotic stroke patients, were significantly elevated, more so in the former group. It appears that platelet hypofunction has a role in the pathogenesis of hypertensive putaminal haemorrhage while in patients of transient ischaemic attack and thrombotic stroke, lipids may be a contributing factor in cerebral atherogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effect of sodium valproate on serum amylase in epileptics.

Thirty-eight patients of generalised tonic-clonic seizures of epileptics in the age group of 15-30 years were included in this study. Of these 20 were started sodium valproate afresh and 18 already taking it for more than one year prior to inclusion. Serum amylase and serum valproic acid levels were measured in all of them, initially and at every 3 months interval for 9 months. Though no clinical evidence was present, there was significant increase in serum amylase levels in both the groups which has no correlation with dose or serum valproic acid levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Effect of anti-platelet therapy (aspirin + pentoxiphylline) on plasma lipids in patients of ischaemic stroke.

Twenty-one patients of ischaemic stroke were put on prolonged administration of antiplatelet drugs (aspirin 320 mg once daily with pentoxiphylline 400 mg thrice daily). The serum lipids along with other biochemical parameters were estimated before starting the treatment and after completion of 2 months of therapy. No significant changes were observed in any of the biochemical parameters including lipid profile except in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) which increased significantly (< 0.05) after 2 months therapy. It is concluded that 2 months antiplatelet therapy has no adverse metabolic effect in patients of ischaemic stroke and the raised serum HDL may contribute to cerebral protective effect.

Adult↗