1/29. Low-pressure shunt 'malfunction' following lumbar puncture in children with shunted obstructive hydrocephalus.Most shunt malfunctions present with signs and symptoms of high intracranial pressure, and computed tomography scans demonstrate ventricular enlargement. However, several authors have described a rare 'low-pressure' hydrocephalic state in which ventricular enlargement can occur in the face of low, or even negative, intracranial pressures. We report 2 children with obstructive hydrocephalus in whom this 'low-pressure state' followed a lumbar puncture; in both children, the shunts were functioning properly despite increased ventricular size on computed tomography scans, and all symptoms resolved (and the ventricles returned to baseline) following a period of enforced recumbency without shunt revision. We hypothesize that subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the puncture site in the lumbar theca decreases the intracranial pressures globally to a point below the opening pressures of the shunt valves. The ventricular cerebrospinal fluid, unable to be drained through either the subarachnoid space or the shunt, accumulates within the ventricular system under low pressure. One consistent feature in our 2 patients has been the postural nature of the headaches. We recommend enforced recumbency and, if necessary, a blood patch to seal the lumbar leakage. Shunt revision or prolonged external ventricular drainage appears to be unnecessary in these patients. Finally, neurosurgeons should be aware of this potential complication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/29. Use of mechanical thrombolysis via microballoon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of acute dural sinus thrombosis: case presentation and technical report.OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Although conventional superselective chemical thrombolysis is frequently successful for the treatment of severe acute dural sinus thrombosis, the technique has limitations and risks. This prompted us to develop a supplemental technique for achieving more rapid recanalization, using coronary microballoon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheters. We describe a successful application of this technique and technology that has not been previously reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: After several days of severe headaches, photophobia, and vomiting, a 29-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive neurological deficits secondary to complete occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and right transverse/sigmoid sinus complex. Owing to her rapid neurological decline, she was referred for emergency endovascular intervention. TECHNIQUE: Initially, superselective chemical thrombolysis of the SSS was performed using urokinase. However, because of the extensive nature of the thrombus and lack of initial therapeutic response, we elected to attempt mechanical thrombolysis with various coronary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty microballoon catheters. This was accomplished by initial coaxial positioning of the device into an occluded segment, followed by gentle inflation and retraction of the device along the course of the right transverse sinus and/or SSS. These maneuvers were repeated with balloons of increasingly large diameter. Near-complete restoration of venous outflow was obtained within the SSS with preferential runoff into the left transverse sinus. The right transverse sinus was only partially recanalized. Despite the patient's rapid neurological decline on presentation, she experienced a dramatic clinical recovery with near-complete reversal of neurological deficits within 24 hours of intervention. CONCLUSION: This report shows the feasibility of performing safe and effective mechanical thrombolysis with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty coronary balloon microcatheters within the major dural sinuses. This technique can probably accelerate clot disruption and thrombolysis, possibly resulting in a more rapid restoration of venous flow.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/29. Alteration in nature of cluster headache during subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan.OBJECTIVES: To document the relationship between the 5-HT receptor agonist sumatriptan and a change in the nature of cluster headache in four cases. To relate the findings to the literature on the use of sumatriptan in both cluster headache and migraine. BACKGROUND: Studies of the efficacy and adverse effects of long-term treatment with sumatriptan in cluster headache are limited and report conflicting findings. methods: Four cases are described. RESULTS: All four patients developed a marked increase in the frequency of attacks 3 to 4 weeks after initiating treatment with the drug for the first time. Three patients also developed a change in headache character, and 2 experienced prolongation of the cluster headache period. Withdrawal of the drug reduced the frequency of headaches and eliminated the newly developed type of headache. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the effects of long-term use of sumatriptan will result in more precise guidelines for the frequency and duration of treatment with this otherwise extremely beneficial drug.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/29. Psychosomatic disorders in pediatrics.Psychosomatic symptoms are by definition clinical symptoms with no underlying organic pathology. Common symptoms seen in pediatric age group include abdominal pain, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, limb pain, back pain, worry about health and difficulty breathing. These, more frequently seen symptoms should be differentiated from somatoform or neurotic disorders seen mainly in adults. The prevalence of psychosomatic complaints in children and adolescents has been reported to be between 10 and 25%. These symptoms are theorized to be a response to stress. Potential sources of stress in children and adolescents include schoolwork, family problems, peer pressure, chronic disease or disability in parents, family moves, psychiatric disorder in parents and poor coping abilities. Characteristics that favour psychosomatic basis for symptoms include vagueness of symptoms, varying intensity, inconsistent nature and pattern of symptoms, presence of multiple symptoms at the same time, chronic course with apparent good health, delay in seeking medical care, and lack of concern on the part of the patient. A thorough medical and psychosocial history and physical examination are the most valuable aspects of diagnostic evaluation. Organic etiology for the symptoms must be ruled out. Appropriate mental health consultation should be considered for further evaluation and treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/29. MR appearance of interpeduncular lipoma.Interpeduncular lipoma (IPL) is a very rare benign intracranial lesion. Non-invasive diagnosis of this condition is important, as these lesions are usually asymptomatic and are found incidentally. We describe a rare case of IPL in a 35-year-old woman presenting with headache of long duration and a recent increase in severity and frequency of headache. There was no neurological abnormality on clinical examination. MR imaging demonstrated a homogeneous lobulated T1-hyperintense and T2-hypointense lesion in interpeduncular fossa. A T1-weighted fat suppression sequence with chemical shift method confirmed the fatty nature of the lesion. The patient was managed conservatively.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/29. Pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis: a calcium channelopathy? Clinical description of 10 cases and genetic analysis of the familial hemiplegic migraine gene CACNA1A.OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical findings of 10 patients diagnosed with pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis and the results of mutational analysis of the CACNA1A gene in 8 of these patients. BACKGROUND: Pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis, also referred to as headache with neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL), is characterized by episodic transient neurologic dysfunction associated with moderate to severe headache and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis. Episodes are recurrent and the condition is self-limiting. The etiology of this sporadic condition remains unknown, but the episodic nature and its ability to be triggered by angiography is somewhat reminiscent of the phenotypic features of familial hemiplegic migraine, a condition caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene. DESIGN/methods: Utilizing retrospective chart review, we describe the clinical features of pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis in 10 patients. Whole blood was taken from 8 patients (2 were lost to follow-up) and used for dna testing. The CACNA1A gene was screened for mutations using heteroduplex analysis and direct dna sequencing. RESULTS: Clinical features of pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis included transient episodes of weakness, sensory and visual symptoms, aphasia, and confusion lasting minutes up to 4 hours. Sensory symptoms, typically affecting the face and arm, were the most common presentation. Localization of symptoms did not conform to vascular territories. Headache was typically throbbing and most often bilateral. Genetic analysis did not identify any mutations in the CACNA1A gene. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities between familial hemiplegic migraine and pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis include recurrent headache with reversible neurologic deficit, cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis, and triggers such as angiography. Even so, heteroduplex analysis and dna sequencing failed to identify any sporadic mutations or shared polymorphisms in the exons or the intron/exon boundaries of the CACNA1A gene. These results do not support a role of the CACNA1A gene in the etiology of pseudomigraine with lymphocytic pleocytosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/29. Diagnostic challenges in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: case report.Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the most common prion disease. The diagnosis can be confirmed only by histological examination of brain tissue obtained at biopsy or at autopsy. Because of the transmissible nature of the disease, autopsy or brain biopsy cannot be performed at many institutions, which poses numerous challenges in confirming the diagnosis. We report the case of a patient with CJD in which autopsy to confirm the diagnosis was performed after overcoming numerous obstacles and advocating with hospital leadership. This case illustrates the numerous challenges that exist in achieving a definitive diagnosis of CJD and in postmortem disposition of the body, and we provide recommendations to clinicians who face similar challenges.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/29. Phantom bite revisited.The term 'phantom bite' is used to describe an uncommon condition in which patients are preoccupied with their dental occlusion, believing that it is abnormal. The condition is remarkable for the nature of the involved explanations and interpretations that the patients give and for their persistence in trying to find a solution to what appears to be a relatively minor problem. Three clinical cases that illustrate the nature of this condition are presented and problems associated with the management of affected patients are discussed. Phantom bite can be a disabling disorder which is difficult to treat. Available evidence suggests that the symptoms cannot be improved by occlusal treatments. It is therefore essential to avoid extensive irreversible restorative treatment. General dental practitioners should refer patients for specialist opinion and management. Psychiatric assessment with recommendations for management should be obtained if possible. The prognosis is poor for symptom elimination but need not necessarily be poor for patients' overall functioning and well-being. It is suggested that emphasis should be placed on building adaptive coping skills. Further research is needed to elucidate the nature of the condition to improve treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/29. Intravascular lymphoma - a rare cause of hemolytic anemia and neurologic disorders.Intravascular lymphoma is an uncommon and often overlooked form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by extensive proliferation of lymphoid cells within the lumina of small and medium-sized vessels. Clinical symptoms of the disease are variable and often nonspecific, mostly neurologic in nature. With an aggressive course, intravascular lymphomatosis has a poor prognosis and is rarely diagnosed ante mortem. We describe here a 76-year-old woman with the clinical diagnoses of hemolytic anemia and progressive lethargy where intravascular lymphomatosis turned out as the underlying cause of the disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/29. Headaches in patients with traumatic lesions of the cervical spinal cord.We established the occurrence of headache in a group of 20 patients with traumatic transections of the cervical spinal cord. All but two patients had complete sensory lesions at levels varying from C2-3 to C7-8. Only three patients claimed to have no headaches at all although one of them had nuchal pains with fever. Twelve patients had "bladder" or "bowel headaches" or had had them in the past. These headaches were mostly generalized, throbbing or pounding in nature and severe in intensity. They were caused by obstruction of urinary flow and fecal impaction, respectively, and were associated with autonomic dysreflexia. Otherwise the headaches reported by the patients were mild although frequent in four, i.e once per week or more. These headaches were also mostly bilateral and lasted a relatively short time, i.e. less than one or two hours. The causes of these headaches were nonspecific for the group studied except for stimulation of the body which, however, probably depended on a mechanism similar to that of the bladder and bowel headaches. Migraine, either classic or common, was not reported by any of the patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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