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Biomedical subjects

J Alving

Publications and source records attributed to J Alving.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of flunarizine as adjunct therapy in epilepsy with complex partial seizures.

Flunarizine was compared to placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial of 2 16-week treatment periods separated by a 4-week wash-out period. The patients had epilepsy with complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalised seizures. Twenty-nine patients entered the trial, but 7 dropped out. Of the 22 patients completing the trial, 13 were women; the median was 39 years (range 15-58) and the median duration of epilepsy 23 years (range 4-55). There was no statistically significant difference between flunarizine 15 mg daily and placebo as adjunct therapy in total seizure frequency, neuropsychological tests, and patient's preferences. No interactions with concomitant antiepileptic drugs and no laboratory abnormalities were registered.

Adolescent↗

Obstructive sleep apnea initiated by a lax epiglottis. A contraindication for continuous positive airway pressure.

Treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was attempted in a patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, application of nasal CPAP gave the patient a feeling of being suffocated. This was later documented by cine-fluoroscopic examinations of the upper airways with and without nasal CPAP. The epiglottis was large and lax, and upon positive pressure inspiration, it was literally blown down so it occluded the hypopharyngeal airway.

Adult↗

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome caused by oral cyst: a case report.

A 47-year-old man with a typical obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) secondary to a large oral cyst is reported. Although the patient also had a nasal septum deviation with narrowed air passage, removal of the cyst resulted in complete and lasting relief from clinical symptoms despite persisting sleep apnea and unchanged arousal reaction in the EEG. The concurrent mechanisms of OSAS in the present case are discussed, and the importance of searching for a curable underlying disorder in clinical overt OSAS is emphasized.

Cysts↗

Monodose versus 3 daily doses of sodium valproate: a controlled trial.

12 patients with absence epilepsy were treated with alternatively 1 or 3 daily doses of sodium valproate (VPA) in a double-blind cross-over design. Seizure frequency, EEG paroxysmal activity, clinical side-effects and laboratory findings were assessed for both treatment periods. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 dosage schedules, and the simplicity of monodose treatment is an important factor in good patient compliance. The apparent discrepancy between plasma half-life and biological action of VPA is discussed.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Orbital bruits and retinal artery pressure in internal carotid artery occlusion.

Four patients are reported with orbital bruits. They had minor neurological deficits and all proved to have occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery. In three of the patients the retinal artery pressures were normal with no side to side difference, whereas pressure was slightly reduced on the occluded side in one patient. These observations give further evidence that an orbital bruit may indicate occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery with good collateral circulation.

Aged↗

'alpha pattern coma' following cerebral anoxia.

In 30 patients, who were all comatose as a result of cerebral anoxia after cardiac arrest, at least one EEG with activity in the alpha frequency range was recorded. Regionally the activity of the above mentioned characteristic was often diffusely distributed or most pronounced occipitally, whereas a tendency to affect other regions was rarely observed. In 50% of the patients, where more than one EEG was recorded, the 'alpha' rhythm was still present in the following record. Only one of the patients survived, and even so, with considerable mental defects. In 4 patients the level of consciousness improved, but 3 of them never reached a definite level of cortical function and died as a result of cerebral anoxia.

Adult↗

Classification of the epilepsies. An investigation of 402 children.

The frequency distribution of different types of epilepsy (according to the classification model of the International League against Epilepsy) concerning 402 children is reported. The investigation showed a moderate preponderance of partial as against generalized epilepsies. Elemental and complex symptomatology were about equally frequent. As regards generalized epilepsies, the petit mal group was considerably smaller than most often reported previously; conversely, myoclonic-astatic epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut's syndrome) was more frequently encountered. The definitory criteria and the concept of the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome are discussed. 91.8% of the whole pediatric population (age less than 15 years at time of investigation) could be categorized according to the classification model. This, in agreement with earlier investigations on this subject, shows the contemporary international classified model to be useful and relevant.

Adolescent↗

Classification of the epilepsies. An investigation of 1,508 consecutive adult patients.

The relative frequency of different types of epilepsy in accordance with the International Classification of Epilepsies is reported, concerning 1,508 consecutive outpatients with epilepsy, who at the time of investigation were at age 15 years and above. The investigation showed a marked preponderance for partial epilepsies as against generalized epilepsies; partial epilepsies with complex symptomatology were especially frequent, contributing by more than one third of all cases.

Adolescent↗

Chromosome studies of bone marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes from diphenylhydantoin-treated patients.

Chromosome studies were performed on both bone-marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes from ten patients with epilepsy, treated with diphenylhydantoin alone. There was no evidence of chromosome damage. Furthermore, the bone-marrow smears from five of the patients were studied for the presence of micronuclei. There was no increase in the number of micronuclei compared with control persons. Conflicting results about the cytogenetic effect of diphenylhydantoin have appeared in the literature. It is emphasized that, in studies on the chromosome-damaging effect of chemical agents in man, bone marrow cells seem to be most indicative of the conditions in vivo.

Adult↗