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Zusammenfassung Die Methode der transkraniellen Magnetstimulation wurde im Jahr 1985 von Tony Barker eingeführt. Sie eröffnete die Möglichkeit, nichtinvasiv die Erregbarkeit der Pyramidenzellen im motorischen Kortex zu untersuchen. Außerdem konnte die zentrale motorische Leitungszeit im Gehirn und Rückenmark gemessen werden. Die neurophysiologische Technik trägt zur Diagnostik und Verlaufsbeurteilung neurologischer Krankheiten bei. Summary The technique of transcranial magnetic stimulation was introduced by Tony Barker in the year 1985. This noninvasive method allows to investigate the excitability of pyramidal cells in the motor cortex. Furthermore, central motor conduction time can be measured in brain and spinal cord. The assessment of central motor conduction is useful in the diagnosis and follow - up investigation of different neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chloroma (syn: granulocytic sarcoma) is an unusual solid extramedullary manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) consisting of deposits of myeloid precursor cells. Most chloromas develop during the course of leukemia or following. In rare cases, they are the first and sole manifestation of AML. In this specific condition, the diagnosis of chloroma can, therefore, be difficult to differentiate from lymphoma or other malignancies using clinical, radiological and even histopathological methods. Chloromas can involve any part of the body, however, bone, periosteum, soft tissue, lymph nodes and skin are the most common sites. Imaging appearance of chloromas is not specific but the diagnosis should be strongly considered in patients with a history of leukaemia who develop a solid tumor. This report describes the CT appearance of an unusual case of chloroma in a 70-year-old man presenting with a suprarenal mass and multiple peritoneal involvements, but no haematological abnormalities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective and purpose: Neurological involvement is a common feature of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). A variety of thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations may accompany the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prevalence of aPL in a cohort of over 350 unselected patients from a neurological clinic and studied the neurological manifestations of APS. Results: We found that within this cohort the prevalence of aPL was about 15%. Most of the patients with aPL suffered from strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). One patient died from spinal infarction. Non-thrombotic manifestations also occurred in 40% of these patients, such as multiple sclerosis, chorea, seizures or cerebral malignancies. No significant correlations of the titres or different types of aPL and the type of the neurological symptoms could be found. In comparison to age and sex matched patients of the cohort where the presence of aPL could be excluded, the occurrence of non-thrombotic manifestations was significantly more frequent and varied in the group of patients with aPL. The higher incidence of stroke in the non-APS group could be explained by the significantly higher presence of other laboratory risk factors, mainly hypercholesterinemia. Conclusion: This investigation indicates that aPL may play an important role in the etiology of various neurological syndromes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of inflammation which has been shown in several prospective studies to independently predict myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease. Patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are at increased risk of recurrent thromboembolic events, but the possibility of predicting this risk seems rather limited. Similarities were recently found between aPL and CRP in the pathology of thrombosis. The current study investigated the predictive role of hs-CRP in a cohort of patients with neurological manifestations. A follow-up investigation was done in a cohort of 55 aPL-positive patients with acute manifestations of neurological disease. hs-CRP levels were measured in all patients at enrolment and were compared to the patients’ condition after a median period of 32 months. Lupus anticoagulants were detected according to the Standardization of Lupus Anticoagulants (SSC) of the ISTH. Anticardiolipin tests were performed by a β2-glycoprotein I-dependent enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (Pharmacia ELISA). hs-CRP was measured by latex-enhanced turbidometry (dimension RXL, Dade Behring). Cerebral infarctions and transient ischemic attacks were the most frequent cerebral events. In patients with aPL, elevated levels of hs-CRP were closely associated with an increased rate of recurrent or residual symptoms (OR, 12.5; 95% CI, 3.72–41.94) and were not related to other risk factors, except smoking (). The rate at which a given patient''s condition deteriorated was also related to the level of hs-CRP. In patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), elevated levels of hs-CRP may identify a group of patients which is at high risk of recurrent or residual neurological symptoms and which may benefit from more careful follow-up and from antithrombotic therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]