No abstract available.

The ketogenic diet has been widely used and proved to be effective for intractable epilepsy. Although the mechanisms underlying its anti-epileptic effects remain to be proven, there are increasing experimental evidences for its neuroprotective effects along with many researches about expanding use of the diet in other neurologic disorders. The first success was reported in glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome, in which the diet served as an alternative metabolic source. Many neurologic disorders share some of the common pathologic mechanisms such as mitochondrial dysfunction, altered neurotransmitter function and synaptic transmission, or abnormal regulation of reactive oxygen species, and the role of the ketogenic diet has been postulated in these mechanisms. In this article, we introduce an overview about the expanding use and emerging trials of the ketogenic diet in various neurologic disorders excluding intractable epilepsy and provide explanations of the mechanisms in that usage.
Diet ; Epilepsy ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; Ketogenic Diet ; Metabolic Diseases ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Synaptic Transmission

PURPOSE: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a fulminant disease of the brain characterized by bilateral thalamic lesions, and is prevalent among children in East Asia. The prognosis of ANE is usually poor with a high mortality rate and neurological sequelae. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ANE. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 399 pediatric patients with encephalitis who were admitted to Samsung Medical Center from December 1998 to March 2011. We enrolled ten patients (11 cases) with ANE and analyzed their demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. The location and extent of the brain regions were checked based on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T1-, and T2-weighted imaging findings; the presence of contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, and hemorrhage. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified, including one patient with two episodes. The median age of onset was 1.5 years (0.4-8.4 years). The mortality rate was 40%, and only 30% of patients survived without neurological sequelae. The definite involvement of the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance imaging was significantly correlated with mortality (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Broad and extensive brainstem involvement suggested the fulminant course of ANE. Early diagnosis of ANE before brainstem involvement, through careful identification of symptoms of brain dysfunction, may be the best way to achieve better neurological outcomes.
Age of Onset ; Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Child ; Diffusion ; Early Diagnosis ; Encephalitis ; Far East ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Neuroimaging ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Encephalitis is an inflammation affecting brain parenchyma. At the time of presentation, it may be difficult to differentiate between viral encephalitis and altered mental status or seizures during febrile illness. The aim of the present study is to identify the predictive factors and to determine the prognostic factors of viral encephalitis in children presenting as seizure with fever. METHODS: From the retrospective review of the medical records, children with seizures or altered mental status during febrile illness who presented to Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and May 2013 were included in the study. RESULTS: 81 patients were enrolled in this study (female:male=32:49). The mean age at admission was 4.9±4.3 years (range 0–14 years old). The patients were categorized into two groups according to the clinical diagnosis: (1) Viral encephalitis (VIRAL ENC, n=66), (2) Complex febrile seizures imitating viral encephalitis(C-FS, n=15). The predictive factors of viral encephalitis were focal and/or lateralized abnormalities in electroencephalography (EEG) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: EEG can be helpful to predict the viral encephalitis, in pediatric patient who shows delayed restoration of consciousness after seizure during febrile illness.
Brain ; Child ; Consciousness ; Diagnosis ; Electroencephalography ; Encephalitis ; Encephalitis, Viral* ; Fever ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

PURPOSE: Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a common inflammatory myopathy in childhood. However, the diagnosis is often delayed because it frequently present with non-specific symptoms. In addition, there are conflicting opinions about the prognostic factors of JDM. The aim of this study is to delineate the initial clinical symptoms and prognostic factors of JDM. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 15 patients who were diagnosed as JDM, in Samsung medical center between Dec 1994 and Aug 2011. RESULTS: We enrolled 15 patients (M:F=9:6). Among the 14 patients who were followed-up for more than six months, six patients were included in remission group, five in partial remission group, and the other three in non-remission group. The initial symptoms were skin lesions (80.0%), muscle weakness (53.3%), and pain of joint or muscle (46.7%). The interval between initial symptoms and clinical diagnosis was mean 0.4 (0.1-2.4) years. Nine patients (60%) were taken more than two months for diagnosis. The symptoms at diagnosis were motor weakness and skin rash in all patients, myalgia or arthralgia in 12 (75%) patients. The mood changes such as depression, irritability, easy fatigability were noted in 10 (66.7%) patients. There were no significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Although JDM may initially present with nonspecific symptoms in children, it should be suspected in case of acute progressive motor weakness with symmetric skin rash and mood change. About three quarters of the patients were under control with treatment and there were no significant prognostic factors in this study.
Arthralgia ; Child ; Depression ; Dermatomyositis ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Joints ; Medical Records ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Myositis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) are X-linked recessive disorders caused by mutation in dystrophin gene. We analyzed the results of a genetic test in 29 DMD/BMD patients, their six female relatives, and two myopathic female patients in Korea. As the methods developed, we applied different procedures for dystrophin gene analysis; initially, multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used, followed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Additionally, we used direct DNA sequencing for some patients who had negative results using the above methods. The overall mutation detection rate was 72.4% (21/29) in DMD/BMD patients, identifying deletions in 58.6% (17/29). Most of the deletions were confined to the central hot spot region between exons 44 and 55 (52.9%, 7/19). The percentage of deletions and duplications revealed by MLPA was 45.5% (5/11) and 27.2% (3/11), respectively. Using the MLPA method, we detected mutations confirming their carrier status in all female relatives and symptomatic female patients. In one patient in whom MLPA revealed a single exon deletion of the dystrophin gene, subsequent DNA sequencing analysis identified a novel nonsense mutation (c.4558G > T; Gln1520X). The MLPA assay is a useful quantitative method for detecting mutation in asymptomatic or symptomatic carriers as well as DMD/BMD patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystrophin/*genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Ligase Chain Reaction ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/*genetics ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Deletion

PURPOSE: We studied 32 children with myasthenia gravis to evaluate clinical features and outcomes. Also, we tried to compare between seropositive and seronegative juvenile myasthenia gravis, and validate the clinical correlation between acetylcholine receptor antibody titers and clinical severity in childhood myasthenia gravis. METHODS: The childhood myasthenia gravis patients were diagnosed and treated in Samsung Medical Center from Oct. 1994 to Aug. 2004. RESULTS: The overall clinical features, responses to treatment and outcomes were nearly same as those of other previous reports in Korea as well as the other countries. The mean age at onset was 5.3+/-3.4 years, and the ratio of male to female was 1:1.3. Ocular types were 78.1%, and generalized types were 21.9%. There were significantly lower mean acetylcholine receptor antibody titers in the ocular groups. There were no significant differences in clinical features and outcomes between seropositive and seronegative groups. However, there was a significant correlation between clinical severity and acetylcholine receptor antibody titers. Steroid add-on treatment was required in 78.6% of the patients. Thymectomy was done in 4 patients, all of whom were in partial remission. Overall, the complete remission rate was 37.5%. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in clinical features between seropositve & seronegative groups. However, there was a significant correlation between clinical severity and acetylcholine receptor antibody titers.
Acetylcholine* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antiepileptic drug (AED)-associated cutaneous adverse drug reactions can lead to the discontinuation of medications. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of performing desensitization to oxcarbazepine. METHODS: This study involved 20 patients who exhibited cutaneous adverse drug reactions associated with oxcarbazepine use between July 2009 and March 2016 at Samsung Medical Center. All of the participants had to discontinue oxcarbazepine despite presenting initially positive responses. Human leukocyte antigen genotyping was performed to detect the genetic predisposition to Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The desensitization to oxcarbazepine was performed with a starting dosage of 0.1 mg/day. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the frequency of seizures before and at 1 and 3 years after desensitization. Adverse events occurring during desensitization and the retention rate after desensitization were also investigated. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (95%) safely completed the desensitization protocol. One withdrew owing to emotional problems that appeared to be associated with oxcarbazepine. The follow-up period was 4.6±1.2 years (mean±SD), and oxcarbazepine was maintained for more than 3 years after desensitization in 15 patients (83.3%). The response rates were 84.2% and 77.8% at 1 and 3 years after desensitization, respectively. Eight patients remained seizure-free for 3 years, and two discontinued all AEDs. Transient adverse reactions such as mild rash and itching were reported by five patients during desensitization. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the long-term efficacy and safety of desensitization to oxcarbazepine in patients exhibiting cutaneous adverse drug reactions. This favorable outcome should encourage the implementation of desensitization in patients presenting with hypersensitivity to oxcarbazepine as an alternative strategy in clinical practice.
Drug Resistant Epilepsy ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Exanthema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Leukocytes ; Pruritus ; Seizures ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

PURPOSE: This study was performed to find the applicable equations which determine the proper needle depth for lumbar puncture in Korean pediatric patients using spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). METHODS: The authors enrolled the patients who had spine MRI from August 2007 to June 2008 and were aged less than 20 years. Eighty eight patients whose height(Ht.) and weight(Wt.) were recorded within 10 days from spine MRI were recruited. The posterior dural depths and dural widths were measured on each L2-3, L3-4, and L4-5 levels of intervertebral space. By comparing the R squares, the most significant independent variables for posterior dural depth were selected, and by calculating malposition rate, the further insertion distance from posterior dural depth and the final puncture depth equation were determined. RESULTS: The proper puncture depths with the lowest malposition rate were as follows. L2-3 puncture depth (mm) = 126.5xWt./Ht. (kg/cm)+7.1 or 0.613xWt. (kg)+16.1 L3-4 puncture depth (mm) = 136.0xWt./Ht. (kg/cm)+7.6 or 0.656xWt. (kg)+17.3 L4-5 puncture depth (mm) = 138.3xWt./Ht. (kg/cm)+7.5 or 0.665xWt. (kg)+17.5 CONCLUSION: Lumbar puncture depth is best predicted using weight and height as independent variables. And the equations of each tap sites were different in constants. Using this formula, the rate of failure and complication in lumbar can be diminished, but it should be validated by further studies.
Aged ; Child ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Needles ; Punctures ; Spinal Puncture ; Spine

Krabbe disease is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the galactocerebrosidase(GALC) gene. The deficiency of GALC activity leads to the accumulation of psychosine, resulting in apoptosis of myelin-forming cells of the central and peripheral nervous system. The patients with typical infantile onset Krabbe disease have extreme irritability, developmental regression, spasticity, and seizures with an onset prior to six months of age. These children usually die within two years after birth. We report a female infant who showed the characteristic clinical manifestations, disease course, and neuroimaging features of infantile onset Krabbe disease that was confirmed by the identification of a compound heterozygous mutation of the GALC gene.
Apoptosis ; Child ; Female ; Galactosylceramidase ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell ; Muscle Spasticity ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroimaging ; Parturition ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Psychosine ; Seizures