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Philip E M Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Philip E M Smith.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Detecting vigabatrin toxicity by imaging of the retinal nerve fiber layer.

PURPOSE: To quantify retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and macular thickness (MT) in patients exhibiting vigabatrin-attributed visual field loss (VAVFL) and to determine the efficacy of these measures as markers of the retinal damage associated with vigabatrin. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study involving five groups: Group I, 13 patients exhibiting VAVFL; Group II, 8 patients exposed to vigabatrin but with normal fields; Group III, 14 patients receiving carbamazepine monotherapy; Group IV, 20 normal individuals; and Group V, 7 patients receiving sodium valproate monotherapy. At one of two visits, the right eye of each participant underwent two digital imaging modalities: ocular coherence tomography (OCT; StratusOCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO; Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany). At the other visit, participants underwent three-zone, age-corrected suprathreshold perimetry of the whole field and threshold perimetry of the central field (Humphrey Field Analyzer 750; Carl Zeiss Meditec). The order of the visits was randomized. RESULTS: The group mean RNFLT in Group I was attenuated relative to that of the remaining groups (all P < 0.001). At 100% specificity, based on the 95% confidence limits derived from Group IV, OCT exhibited 100% sensitivity and SLO 77% sensitivity for an attenuated RNFLT in patients with VAVFL. All participants manifested an MT within the normal range derived from Group IV. CONCLUSIONS: OCT of the RNFL can efficiently identify vigabatrin-induced damage and will be useful for adults and children unable to perform perimetry and when the perimetric outcome is equivocal.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Levetiracetam as add-on therapy in generalised epilepsies.

Levetiracetam is highly effective as add-on treatment in refractory partial-onset seizures but there are only limited data supporting its benefit in generalised epilepsies. We have reviewed the clinical records of 25 consecutive adult patients with generalised epilepsies (84% females; mean age 34 (range 16-75) years) prescribed levetiracetam for at least six months. The epilepsy was considered idiopathic in 22 patients (88%)--including 13 with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy--and symptomatic in three. Most patients (68%) reported some improvement in seizure frequency on levetiracetam including 16% who became seizure free. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated although 11/25 (44%) of patients reported some tiredness, weight change or rash. Levetiracetam was stopped in five patients, four because of side effects and one though lack of efficacy. In four cases, pre-existing antiepileptic medication was withdrawn, leaving levetiracetam as monotherapy. We conclude that levetiracetam is a useful add-on treatment for patients with refractory generalised epilepsies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The investigation of syncope.

Patients with syncope are usually referred to either neurology or cardiology clinics, yet the facilities for detailed syncope investigation are mostly in cardiac units. The diagnosis rests principally upon the history, but investigations may be required to support the clinical diagnosis. Close collaboration between the epilepsy clinician and a cardiologist is essential for effective investigation and safe management of syncope. It is frequently misdiagnosed and often erroneously treated as epilepsy. Furthermore, it is potentially a marker of sudden death when associated with certain cardiac disorders. Here we review the main syncope types and explore diagnostic approaches.

Brain↗
PubMed2004

Scoring posters at scientific meetings: first impressions count.

Many specialist societies present "best poster" prizes, yet without generally agreed assessment methods. 31 posters at a neurology meeting were divided randomly into two sets; 14 neurologists, randomized into two groups, were each assigned one poster set. They "quick scored" the first half, viewing posters for 10-15 seconds, and "detailed scored" the others. 11 administrators and pharmaceutical representatives quick scored all posters. Neurologists' quick score ranking correlated highly (r=0.75) with other neurologists' detailed score ranking, and identified four of their six top-ranked posters. Correlations were strongest for presentation (r=0.65), message (r=0.65) and star-quality (r=0.64), but weak for facts (r=0.09), originality (r=0.15) or science (r=0.02). Non-neurologists could not identify the posters ranked highest by neurologists. We conclude that quick ranking by specialists can efficiently identify the best posters for more detailed assessment. On this basis we offer poster-scoring guidelines for use at scientific meetings.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Palinopsia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMed2003

Adjunctive therapy versus alternative monotherapy in patients with partial epilepsy failing on a single drug: a multicentre, randomised, pragmatic controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of alternative monotherapy versus adjunctive therapy in partial epilepsy refractory to single antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: In a multicentre, parallel-group, open-label study, patients with cryptogenic or symptomatic partial epilepsy not controlled after single or sequential AED monotherapies were randomised to monotherapy with an alternative AED or to adjunctive therapy with a second AED. The AED to be added/substituted and dose adjustments were determined by the physician's best judgement. Patients were followed up until withdrawal from the allocated treatment or for 12 months, whichever first. Outcome measures included proportion of patients continuing on the assigned treatment strategy, proportion of patients seizure-free after achieving the target maintenance dose, and adverse effects rates. Data were analysed by actuarial life tables, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Of a total of 157 patients (including 94 previously exposed to only one AED), 76 were randomised to alternative monotherapy and 81 to adjunctive therapy. The two groups were balanced in clinical characteristics. The 12-month cumulative probability of remaining on the assigned treatment was 55% in patients randomised to alternative monotherapy and 65% in those randomised to adjunctive therapy (P=0.74). The 12-month probability of remaining seizure-free was 14 and 16%, respectively (P=0.74). Adverse effects were similar in the two groups. No significant differences in outcome within or between groups were identified based on etiology of epilepsy and previous AED exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the low statistical power resulting from the relatively small sample size, alternative monotherapy and adjunctive therapy were associated with similar outcomes. Further work is required to determine whether outcome could be improved through identification of specific AED combinations with synergistic activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Using simulated consultations to develop communications skills for neurology trainees.

Communication skills are essential for clinical medicine yet, unlike in general practice, trainees in specialist and general medicine are not formally trained in them. We have used videotaped recording of simulated consultations to evaluate their acceptability and usefulness for training neurology specialist registrars. Twelve specialist registrars in neurology participated; their perceptions of the method were assessed using quantified scales and focus groups. All but one of the 12 trainees found the exercise useful both for improving clinical skills and for the imparting of information. The median visual analogue scores (0=useless, 100=very useful) for history taking and for imparting information were 91 and 90%, respectively. The median scores [and interquartile range (IQR)] of perceived usefulness for communication skills increased before to after (for use of video) from 68 (58-78) to 88 (80-92)% (P < 0.02), and (for use of simulated patients) from 51 (40-71) to 86 (79-89)% (P < 0.02). The focus groups provided additional qualitative data supporting the technique. We conclude that videotaped consultations with simulated patients are valued by most neurology trainees, both for improving their history-taking skills and for imparting information. The technique could be used more widely in neurology training, and may have a role in assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Self-discontinuation of antiepileptic medication in pregnancy: detection by hair analysis.

PURPOSE: Concerns over teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy must be balanced against the risks of seizures to the mother and developing fetus. Pharmacokinetic changes and vomiting may alter drug levels, but more important may be the patient's decision to stop medication before or during pregnancy. Compliance assessment traditionally relies either on self-reporting or on AED plasma level monitoring; neither provides reliable information on drug-taking behaviour over an extended interval (e.g., before, during, and after pregnancy). METHODS: We have used hair analysis to assess AED-taking behavior in pregnant women compared with nonpregnant female controls. Twenty-six pregnant women [mean age, 27.5 +/- 6.7 (SD) years] and 13 nonpregnant female epilepsy outpatients (mean age, 31.9 +/- 8.3 years) were studied. Carbamazepine (CBZ) or lamotrigine (LTG) concentrations were measured in 1-cm hair segments, and the within-subject variance in segmental hair concentrations of these drugs was calculated for each group. The variances of each group were then compared by using a variance ratio test. RESULTS: The variance of AED concentration in hair differed significantly between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups [variance ratio, 1.59 (p < 0.01)]. Four (15%) of the 26 pregnant patients had little or no AED in their proximal hair segments compared with more distal segments, apparently having discontinued their medication during pregnancy. Only one of these later disclosed having stopped her medication. One pregnant woman whose hair profile was similar to controls died suddenly at 30 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the perception that pregnant women with epilepsy frequently stop or greatly reduce their prescribed medication, usually without reference or acknowledgement to their clinician.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) following previous seizure-related pulmonary oedema: case report and review of possible preventative treatment.

We report a seizure-related death in a patient with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy 3 months following a previous generalised tonic-clonic seizure complicated by pulmonary oedema. Seizure-related pulmonary oedema is rare but may indicate an increased susceptibility to epilepsy related death. We consider possible preventative measures for patients presenting with seizure-related pulmonary oedema.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seizures: assessment and management in the emergency unit.

A first seizure must be investigated and explained. An accurate and detailed history with witness account and previous documentation may not be readily available in the emergency unit. Minor convulsions are a common manifestation of syncope. The best pointers to a seizure are lateral tongue biting and post-event confusion. Emergency units require fast-track links to local epilepsy specialist services, often avoiding the need for hospital admission following a first seizure. Long-term antiepileptic medication should usually be prescribed only by a specialist.

Diagnosis, Differential↗