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Introducción. La carbamacepina (CBZ) es un fármacoseleccionado para controlar los síndromes epilépticos. Sin embargo,en pacientes epilépticos refractarios es común la adición de unsegundo anticonvulsionante como la lamotrigina (LTG). Esa asociaciónpuede reducir la frecuencia y favorecer el control de lascrisis epilépticas. Objetivos. Este estudio evaluó la concentraciónplasmática de CBZ durante el período de monoterapia y politerapia.Además, se evaluó también si la LTG provocaba alteracionesen los parámetros hematológicos o en las concentraciones plasmáticasal introducirlo en el tratamiento con la CBZ. Pacientes ymétodos. Para realizar este estudio, se seleccionó a pacientes epilépticosrefractarios que seguían monoterapia con CBZ y poseíanun control nada satisfactorio de las crisis convulsivas. De esa manera,se introdujo en el tratamiento de esos pacientes la LTG paraintentar mejorar el control de las crisis convulsivas. Resultados yconclusión. Al acabar el estudio, constatamos que la LTG no interfirióen las concentraciones plasmáticas de la CBZ, y tampoco provocóalteraciones en los parámetros hematológicos de ningún paciente.Sin embargo, un paciente presentó sarpullido, lo que demuestraque la monitorización terapéutica puede ser una herramientaindispensable, especialmente cuando el tratamiento prescritoincluye dos fármacos con un estrecho intervalo terapéutico

Introduction. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a pharmacological agent used to control epileptic syndromes. In refractoryepilepsy patients, however, a second anticonvulsive drug such as lamotrigine (LTG) is often added. This association canreduce the frequency of the epileptic seizures and favour control over them. Aims. This study was conducted to evaluate theplasma concentration of CBZ throughout a period of mono and polytherapy. Furthermore, tests were also carried out todetermine whether any alterations were caused in the haematological parameters or in plasma concentrations by adding LTGto the therapy with CBZ. Patients and methods. This study involved a sample of refractory epilepsy patients who werefollowing monotherapy with CBZ and who had a wholly unsatisfactory control over their bouts of seizures. LTG was thusadded to these patients’ treatment in an attempt to improve their control over the seizures. Results and conclusions. On endingthe study, we found that LTG did not interfere with the plasma concentrations of CBZ or give rise to any kind of alteration inthe haematological parameters of any of the patients. Nevertheless, one patient did break out in a rash, which shows thattherapeutic monitoring may be a key tool, especially when the treatment that is prescribed includes two drugs with a narrowtherapeutic range

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Retrospective analysis of 982 renal transplants over 21 years (1981 to 2002) sought to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). This analysis included 74 patients: 30 with a past TB history, who had INH prophylaxis since the beginning of immunosuppression, and 44 who only became TB infected after receiving transplants. The diagnosis of TB was made by a compatible medical situation with bacteriological/histological confirmation, which when not possible, underwent a therapeutic test occur. The average time for the illness to surge was 3 years. The mortality rate was 34.9% (15/44). Patients with hepatitis C were more affected. Among those who used INH prophylaxis only one contracted TB, showing that the drug displayed a protection rate of 96.6% (29/30).

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This paper presents the aims of the first unit for treatment of headache crisis in a Brazilian Medical School. The differences between this unit and a neurological emergency unit and the therapeutic schedules are discussed.

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The occurrence of sleep troubles, recurrent abdominal pain, motion sickness, hyperactivity, dizziness, limb pain, cyclic vomiting, pseudoangine and the headache or migraine family history have been studied in 68 children migraine sufferers and compared to 68 non-headache sufferers whose ages range from 7 to 15. Data have revealed a significant predominance of those symptoms and family histories in migraine sufferers except pseudoangine which has had no significance, sleep troubles significant only in males and limb pains in females. The possibility of considering those factors as migraine risk factors is discussed.

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The case of a 42-year-old woman with a 31-year history of continuous unilateral, pulsating headache with occasional exacerbations is described. Complete relief was obtained with 150 mg indomethacin daily.

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