A 1995 National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) study found benefit for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) rate in the NINDS study was 6.4%, which may be deterring some physicians from using this medication.

Starting December 1, 1998, patients with AIS in London, Ontario were treated according to NINDS criteria with one major exception; those with approximately greater than one-third involvement of the idealized middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on neuroimaging were excluded from treatment. The method used to estimate involvement of one-third MCA territory involvement bears the acronym ICE and had a median kappa value of 0.80 among five physicians. Outcomes were compared to the NINDS study.

Between December 1, 1998 and February 1, 2000, 30 patients were treated. Compared to the NINDS study, more London patients were treated after 90 minutes (p<0.00001) and tended to be older. No SICH was observed. Compared to the treated arm of the NINDS trial, fewer London patients were dead or severely disabled at three months (p=0.04). Compared to the placebo arm of the trial, more patients made a partial recovery at 24 hours (p=0.02), more had normal outcomes (p=0.03) and fewer were dead or severely disabled at three months (p=0.004).

The results of the NINDS study were closely replicated and, in some instances, improved upon in this small series of Canadian patients, despite older age and later treatment. These findings suggest that imaging exclusion criteria may optimize the benefits of tPA.

We report survival and pretreatment prognostic factors for survival and chemosensitivity in 53 oligodendrogliomas treated with PCV (procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine) chemotherapy.

A total of 53 patients with histologically proven oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma or oligo-astrocytoma and treated with PCVwere extracted from the London Regional Cancer Center database. A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate overall survival and pretreatment prognostic factors for survival and chemosensitivity.

The median survival time from diagnosis was 123.6 months. The overall five- and ten-year survival rates were 72.7% and 52.7% respectively. Age <40, seizure as an initial symptom, absence of cognitive deficit and presence of a homogeneous hypodense lesion without contrast enhancement on the initial pretreatment CT scan were all factors independently associated with favorable outcome. The presence of increased cellularity, pleomorphism, mitosis, vascular proliferation and grading as an anaplastic lesion using these surrogates on pathological assessment, were all associated with an unfavorable outcome in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, only the anaplastic grading and presence of increased cellularity were significant determinants of unfavorable survival. The only factor adversely associated with chemosensitivity was the presence of a focal symptom at presentation.

Overall survival is significantly longer in oligodendroglial lesions than in fibrillary astrocytic tumors. A two tier grading system using standard morphological features seems accurate in predicting outcome in these patients. The presence of a neoplastic astrocytic component does not seem to impact the outcome. No clinical, radiological or pathological factor could be identified to reliably predict chemotherapy response.

The aim of this study was to estimate population based incidence rates for infantile spasms (IS) and to study our clinical impression that the incidence of IS has recently decreased in the Canadian Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Birth cohorts from 1978 to 1998, identified through the hospital health records, EEG records and physician computerized databases, were followed for two years for the development of IS. Disease incidence rates were calculated using denominators derived from Statistics Canada's reported annual live birth rates.

The inclusion criteria for IS were fulfilled by 75 patients. The overall incidence of IS was 30.7/100,000 live births (95% CI 24.3, 38.8). Etiologic classification was symptomatic for 51 cases (68%), cryptogenic for 18 (24%), and idiopathic in six children (8%). Although there were more males (N=44) than females (N=31), the incidence rates were similar. There was a marked variability in annual and five-year incidence rates.

Although the clinical characteristics of our patients were similar to other reported IS populations, the instability in IS incidence rates indicates a need for caution in interpreting smaller IS epidemiologic studies.

Since 1991 the author has routinely performed awake craniotomy for intra-axial brain tumors with low complication rate and low resource utilization. In late 1996 a pilot study was initiated to assess the feasibility of performing craniotomy for tumor resection as an outpatient procedure.

A rigorous protocol was developed and adhered to, based around the patient's arrival at hospital at 6:00 a.m, undergoing image-guided awake craniotomy with cortical mapping, and being discharged by 6:00 p.m.

During the 48 month period from December 1996 to December 2000, 245 awake craniotomies were performed and of those, 46 patients were entered into the outpatient craniotomy protocol. Pathology in the 46 intent-to-treat group was: 21 metastasis, 19 glioma, and six miscellaneous. Four patients required conversion to inpatients and one patient was readmitted later the same evening due to headache. Thus 41/46 patients successfully completed the protocol (89%). There were five complications in the 46 intent-to-treat group (10.9%).

Outpatient craniotomy for brain tumor is a feasible option which appears safe and effective for selected patients. Besides being resource-friendly, the procedure may be psychologically less traumatic to patients than standard craniotomy for brain tumor. Proper prospective studies including satisfaction surveys would help resolve these issues and will be the next step.

To review the evidence available to support or refute the recommendation to screen for cognitive impairment (cognitive deficits which do not affect daily function) and dementia in primary care.

Medline search using terms listed at the end of this article; consultation with experts in the field; review of other published recommendations.

There were no articles which described a randomized controlled trial of screening versus no screening. Studies were therefore chosen which aided in the definition; natural history; interventions and outcomes including possible negative effects.

No systematic synthesis was performed. Background papers were circulated to a panel of experts prior to the Canadian Consensus Conference on Dementia and conclusions endorsed by consensus.

1. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for cognitive impairment or dementia. (C); 2. Memory complaints should be evaluated and the individual followed to assess progression. (B); 3. When caregivers or informants describe cognitive decline in an individual, these observations should be taken very seriously; cognitive assessment and careful follow-up are indicated. (A) (See Appendix).

The optimal surgical treatment of atlanto-axial instability remains controversial despite the variety of modifications and supplemental techniques currently available.

We describe a modification of the Brooks posterior wiring technique supplemented with transarticular screws for C1-C2 instability.

This method has been implemented in 30 patients in our institution with no radiological failures.

The modification provides several technical advantages and potentially stronger fixation compared to methods currently in use.

To report on an open trial of intravenous methylprednisolone (IV MP) in nondiabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy (LSRPN).

Lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy is a subacute, unilateral or asymmetric syndrome of pain, weakness, and paresthesia of the lower extremity, which is attributed to ischemic injury from microvasculitis in lumbosacral roots, plexus, and nerves.

Eleven nondiabetic patients with worsening LSRPN were treated - ten with infusions of IV MP (1 gm/wk) for 8 to 16 weeks and one with an equivalent dosage of oral prednisone. The main endpoints evaluated were: 1) the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), and 2) the Neuropathy Symptoms and Change (NSC) scores.

The median age of our patients was 67 years, range 49 to 86 years. Seven patients were women. All 11 patients reported improvement during treatment - nine reported marked improvement. The median NIS improved from 42 points (range 9 to 106 points) before treatment, to 20 points (range 5 to 57 points) (p = 0.005) after treatment. Pain was completely resolved in four patients and much improved in seven. The change subscore and the severity subscore of the NSC were statistically significantly improved after treatment. Prior to treatment, all patients had significant weakness with six confined to wheelchairs and four using mechanical devices to aid in ambulation. After treatment, the weakness was markedly improved in nine patients; only one still required a wheelchair and six walked independently (p = 0.03).

1) In LSRPN, pain and neurological deficits improved (often dramatically) with IVMPtreatment. 2) Although our results should be interpreted with caution since this trial is uncontrolled, IV MP may favorably affect the natural history of LSRPN. 3) The results are sufficiently promising to provide a rationale for prospective, sham controlled, double blind trials.

Canadian training in the clinical neurosciences, neurology and neurosurgery, faces significant challenges. New balances are being set by residents, their associations and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada between clinical service, education and personal time. The nature of hospital-provided medical service has changed significantly over the past decade, impacting importantly on resident training. Finally, future manpower needs are of concern, especially in the field of neurosurgery, where it appears that soon more specialists will be trained than can be absorbed into the Canadian health care system.

A special symposium on current challenges in clinical neuroscience training was held at the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences in June 2000. Representatives from the Canadian Association of Interns and Residents, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and English and French neurology and neurosurgery training programs made presentations, which are summarized in this report.

Residency training has become less service-oriented, and this trend will continue. In order to manage the increasingly sophisticated hospital services of neurology and neurosurgery, resident-alternatives in the form of physician “moonlighters” or more permanent hospital-based clinicians or “hospitalists” will be necessary in order to operate major neuroclinical units. Health authorities and hospitals will need to recognize and assume this responsibility. As clinical experience diminishes during residency training, inevitably so will the concept of the fully competent “generalist” at the end of specialty training. Additional subspecialty training is being increasingly sought by graduates, particularly in neurosurgery.

Training in neurology and neurosurgery, as in all medical specialties, has changed significantly in recent years and continues to change. Programs and hospitals need to adapt to these changes in order to ensure the production of fully qualified specialists in neurology and neurosurgery and the provision of optimal care to patients in clinical teaching units.

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken, to consolidate evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of triptans currently available in Canada (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan), and to provide guidelines for selection of a triptan.

Data from published, randomized, placebo-controlled trials were pooled and a combined number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed to harm (NNH) was generated for each triptan. Direct comparative trials of triptans were also examined.

The lowest NNTfor headache response/pain-free at one/two hours is observed with subcutaneous sumatriptan. Among the oral formulations, the lowest NNT is observed with rizatriptan and the highest NENT with naratriptan. The lowest NNH is observed with subcutaneous sumatriptan.

Triptans are relatively safe and effective medications for acute migraine attacks. However, differences among them are relatively small. Considerations in selecting a triptan include individual patient response/tolerance, characteristics of the attacks, relief of associated symptoms, consistency of response, headache recurrence, delivery systems and patient preference.

As part of an investigation of a suspected "outbreak" of Bell's palsy in the Greater Toronto Area, a population-based sample of patients with Bell's palsy was investigated electrophysiologically to help understand the spectrum of abnormalities that can be seen in this setting.

Two hundred and twenty-four patients were surveyed, of whom 91 underwent formal neurological assessment. Of the latter, 44 were studied electrophysiologically using standard techniques. Thirty-two of the 44 patients fulfilled clinical criteria for Bell's palsy.

A wide range of electrophysiological changes was observed. Blink responses were the most useful test showing diagnostic sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 94% compared to the contralateral control side. Needle electromyography was additionally helpful in only one patient of six with normal conduction studies.

There is a wide spectrum of electrophysiological abnormalities in Bell's palsy. Blink reflex latencies may be under-utilized in the assessment of the facial nerve in Bell's palsy. Facial EMG is not generally useful in routine assessment.

To compare sumatriptan responders and nonresponders in a migraine population with regard to a number of clinical, psychiatric and psychologic features.

Patients were drawn from a referral headache clinic population, and classified as responders or nonresponders. Clinical features were assessed by a written questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence of several psychiatric disorders was determined by the National Institute of Mental Health diagnostic interview schedule and personality factors were measured by the 16 Personality Factors (16PF) Questionnaire.

Nonresponders indicated less influence on their migraine by menstrual factors, had a higher lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety, and showed 16PF scores indicating greater shyness, self-sufficiency and perfectionism. Nonresponders were also more imaginative and less socially outgoing.

Although they must be interpreted with caution due to small sample size and the multiple comparisons made, our results indicate that there may be differences between sumatriptan responders and nonresponders with regard to a number of clinical, psychiatric and psychologic factors. These results suggest that biological differences exist between the two patient groups which likely account for both the differences in their responses to sumatriptan and in the clinical features noted above.

Neurocognitive impairment is a frequent complication of HIV infection and heralds a poor survival prognosis. With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), survival times for HIV-infected patients have markedly increased although the effects of HAART on the prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remain uncertain.

To determine the relationship between self-reported neurocognitive symptoms and neuropsychological (NP) performance together with the impact of HAART among HIV-infected patients.

A cross-sectional study was performed in which patients without previously documented neurocognitive impairment attending an HIV community clinic were questioned about neurocognitive symptoms and a NP test battery was administered.

Of the eighty-three patients examined, neurocognitive symptoms were reported by 34% of patients and were associated with a shorter duration of HAART and higher viral loads. Patients reporting neurocognitive symptoms were also more likely to exhibit impaired NP performance (p<0.005) with NP impairment being detected in 46% of all patients examined (12% with HIV-associated dementia). Neuropsychological impairment was directly correlated with age (p<0.001), plasma viral load (p<0.005) and inversely correlated with the number of prescribed antiretroviral drugs (p<0.01).

These results suggest that neurocognitive symptoms are predictive of impaired NP performance and that NP impairment remains a frequent finding among older patients with higher viral loads. An increased number of antiretroviral drugs may be neuroprotective.

At the Vancouver General Hospital Neurosurgical Service there have been a significant number of seriously brain injured snowboarders, seemingly out of proportion to the number of skiers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether snowboarders suffered more serious head injuries than skiers in the Vancouver catchment area.

The British Columbia Trauma Registry was searched for patients incurring head injuries while skiing or snowboarding on British Columbia mountains during the period from January 1992 to December 1997. Patients were included if they were admitted to hospital and underwent neurosurgical consultation.

A total of 40 skiers and 14 snowboarders met the above criteria. Of the skiers, 15% sustained a severe head injury by Glasgow Coma Score, another 30% sustaining moderate head injuries, while 29% of snowboarders had a severe injury and 36% a moderate injury. A concussion was present in 60% of the skiers and 21% of the snowboarders. Snowboarders suffered an intracranial hemorrhage in 71% of the cases compared to 28% of the skiers. A craniotomy was performed acutely in 10% of skiers and in 29% of snowboarders. Three deaths occurred as a direct result of head injury, one while snowboarding. All but one of the surviving skiers were able to return home, whereas four of 13 surviving snowboarders required additional inpatient rehabilitation or transfer to another acute hospital for ongoing care.

Snowboarders suffer more significant head injuries compared to skiers in this series and are much more likely than skiers to require an intracranial procedure. In our opinion, this indicates that additional safety measures, in particular the use of mandatory helmets, should be considered by ski areas and their patrons.

There is little data available on the acceptability to parents, of alternate methods of delivering care to their children. This pilot study explored parents'perceptions of conventional clinic visits and their attitudes to potential alternative methods of delivering care.

Questionnaires were completed by the families of 200 consecutive children before and after a visit to a tertiary-care Pediatric Neurology Clinic in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Responses were received from 172 (86%) for the first questionnaire and 138 (69%) for the second. There were 59 new referrals, 76 follow-up visits and 39 were seen because of new concerns. Visiting the clinic resulted in school absenteeism for 85% of the children and lost pay for 19% of the parents. Telephone, video conference or replacement of the physician by a nurse practitioner were acceptable alternate methods of assessment for only 10%. The only factor which was associated with willingness to accept telephone as an assessment modality was an initial opinion that the visit was unnecessary.

Escalating health care costs and limited specialist availability demand consideration of alternate methods of care delivery. Although adults seem comfortable with care outside the usual clinic setting, there is little data for the pediatric setting. The responses from the parents attending our clinic, indicate that families were happy with services offered in the conventional clinic. In contrast, only 10% found potential alternate methods acceptable. These opinions must be considered in the design of new methods of caring for children.

Informing patients and families about the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex ethical and practical issue. This qualitative study explores the psychosocial impact of disclosing a diagnosis of AD on patients and family members.

This study identified 14 patients and their accompanying family members undergoing a multidisciplinary assessment for dementia at an outpatient clinic for AD and related disorders. Of the group, three patients had probable AD and five had possible AD as per NINCDS-ADRDAcriteria. Six patients were not demented as per DSM IIIR criteria. Disclosure of diagnosis occurred, in a family conference, within six to eight weeks of the assessment. Data collection methods included observation of the assessment and the family conference as well as in-depth home interviews with family members and with each patient whenever feasible. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for recurrent themes.

A total of 40 individuals across 14 families participated in this study. Only two families chose not to have the patient attend the family conference. The disclosure of a diagnosis of probable AD brought on an experience of relief in three families, marking the end of a lengthy period of confusion about the nature of memory problems. Patients diagnosed with possible AD and their families interpreted how indicative the diagnosis was of the presence of the disease with varying degrees of certainty depending on pre-assessment beliefs about the cause of memory problems. In the group diagnosed as not demented, four patients had complaints of forgetfulness likely related to minor depression. The disclosure of a diagnosis of no dementia did not produce the anticipated relief. Two patients continued to believe their memory problems were caused by the early onset of AD or some other “organic” problem.

This study reveals that disclosure of the diagnosis of AD to patients and family members is generally beneficial but that there are variations in the understanding of the diagnostic information, particularly in instances where the assessment results are ambiguous.