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OBJECTIVE: Evoked potentials are used in the functional assessment of sensory and motor pathways. Conflicting results have been reported in different studies about the value of evoked potentials in demyelinating diseases. Over 80% of patients with multiple sclerosis present with a relapsing–remitting form of the disease. In this study we aimed to examine the value of each evoked potential to demonstrate the demyelinating lesions in a homogenous group of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. We also aimed to examine the correlation between clinical status and evoked potential abnormalities. METHODS: Twenty patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and ten healthy volunteers were included in the study to evaluate the value of evoked potentials in a homogenous group. Visual, somatosensory and motor evoked potentials were measured and EDSS scores of the patients were calculated. RESULTS: Of 20 patients, 15 patients(75%) had VEP abnormality, 14 patients (70%) had MEP abnormality and 12 patients (60%) had tibial SEP abnormality. All patients had at least one abnormal evoked potential measurement. The abnormality of evoked potentials also had a correlation with high EDSS scores. CONCLUSION: We concluded that evoked potentials, especially used in combination, are good markers to show the nervous damage in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare, non-Langerhans form of systemic histiocytosis of unknown etiology. The disease affects multiple organ systems, including musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, producing protean manifestations. Neurological manifestations are less frequent. We present a 44-year-old patient with Erdheim-Chester disease who had bilateral carotid artery occlusion and cavernous sinus infiltration.

Tuberculous meningitis is the most severe manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis with a high mortality and morbidity rates. It is usually presented with headache, fever, consciousness disturbances and convulsions. Eigth cranial nerve involvement is rarely reported in patients with tuberculous meningitis. There are only a few cases who presented with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in the literature and the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and tuberculous meningitis remains unclear. Acute deafness due to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not reported in the literature. We presented a 64 year old man who presented with an acute onset bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with tuberculous meningitis.

Scientific BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus represents aproximately 25% of all zoster infections. However extraocular gaze palsy in association with herpes zoster infection is extremely rare. OBJECTIVE: We presented here a patient who had herpes zoster ophthalmicus with sixth cranial nerve palsy. CASE: The sixty year old patient had suffered from left retroorbital pain, conjunctival congestion and rashes on the left forehead and the nose and developed ipsilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy. RESULT: Herpes zoster virus infection should be taken into consideration in patients with extraocular paralysis and early treatment may prevent such complications

An increase in triglyceride levels in familial hyperlipidemia during pregnancy has been reported. Severe hypertriglyceridemia can lead to complications such as acute pancreatitis, preeclampsia, maternal and fetal complications. Because of the teratogenic effects associated with fibrate therapy in pregnancy, alternative treatment strategies such as insulin as a rapid and potent activator of lipoprotein lipase are required during pregnancy. We report a case of hypertriglyceridemia in a 33-year-old pregnant woman in whom treatment with merely single one time administration of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin was accompanied by a reduction in the serum triglyceride level; to the best of our knowledge, this has never been reported in the literature. Her triglyceride level was 3616 mg/dL before insulin treatment and 1246 mg/dL after insulin treatment. Although this regimen was used safely and effectively in our patient, comprehensive studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneously intermediate-acting Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia in non-diabetic pregnant women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to recommendations for secondary prevention and the achievement of treatment targets for the control of risk factors in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) who were followed-up at various healthcare facilities in Turkey. Methods: According to the protocol of the international Survey of Risk Factor Management study, questionnaire forms were completed and demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data of CHD patients who were followed-up at a total of 15 selected primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare centers were recorded. Results: Among a total of 724 CHD patients (69.8% male; mean age: 63.3+-10.7 years) included in the study, 18.4% were current smokers, only 19.1% had normal body mass index, and 22.1% had waist circumference below the limit of abdominal obesity. Physical activity was insufficient in 53% of the patients, 47.3% had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value, 46% had triglyceride level above 150 mg/dL, and 67% had glycated hemoglobin value of 6.5% or above. Of all the patients, 88.1% were using antiplatelet drugs, 71.4% were using beta-blockers, 55.7% were using statins, and 41.9% were using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers. Blood pressure was under control in 56.7% of the hypertensive patients using antihypertensive drugs, and the proportion of diabetic patients who reached glycemic control targets using antidiabetic drugs was 35.9%. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was below 70 mg/dL in 12.2% of the patients using statins. Conclusion: According to the data obtained, among Turkish CHD patients, the control rate of cardiovascular risk factors is low, and implementation of the recommendations regarding lifestyle modification and medication use for secondary prevention in the current guidelines are insufficient.