1/44. Partial seizures manifesting as apnea only in an adult.PURPOSE: Although several cases of apneic seizures have been reported in neonates, epileptic seizures presenting as apnea only in adults are very rare. We present a case report of a 19-year-old man with viral encephalitis and frequent episodes of apneic seizures. methods: Prolonged electroencephalograms (EEGs), respiratory monitorings, and imaging including ictal-interictal subtraction single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. RESULTS: Ictal EEGs recorded during apneic episodes showed repetitive sharp waves or rhythmic theta activity arising from the left or right independent bitemporal region. Ictal SPECT was performed during one episode of apnea that showed ictal EEG discharges arising from the left posterior temporal area. Ictal-interictal subtraction SPECT coregistered with MRI revealed that the seizures originated from the left, posterior, midlateral temporal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies with ictal EEG or brain stimulation suggest that apneic seizures might be mediated through the limbic and associated cortical systems. Our study reports on a very rare case of partial seizures with apnea only in an adult patient and is supported by ictal EEG and ictal-interictal subtraction SPECT coregistered with MRI.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/44. pneumothorax and pneumoperitoneum during the apnea test: how safe is this procedure?apnea test is a crucial requirement for determining the diagnosis of brain death (BD). There are few reports considering clinical complications during this procedure. We describe a major complication during performing the apnea test. We also analyse their practical and legal implications, and review the complications of this procedure in the literature. A 54 year-old man was admitted for impaired consciousness due to a massive intracerebral hemorrhage. Six hours later, he had no motor response, and all brainstem reflexes were negative. The patient fulfilled American Academy of neurology (AAN) criteria for determining BD. During the apnea test, the patient developed pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, and finally cardiac arrest. apnea test is a necessary requirement for the diagnosis of brain death. However, it is not innocuous and caution must be take in particular clinical situations. Complications during the apnea test could be more frequent than reported and may have practical and legal implications. Further prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the frequency and nature of complications during this practice.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/44. Valsalva-induced syncope during apnea diving.A young man had two dangerous episodes of transient loss of consciousness during apnea diving in a swimming pool. Medical and neurologic examination results were normal. Standard autonomic test results (including heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, tilt-table test, and Valsalva ratio) were unremarkable, with the exception of an increased blood pressure decrease during early phase II of the valsalva maneuver. syncope with arrhythmic myoclonic jerks could be evoked by a strong straining maneuver. Simultaneous physiologic recordings showed extreme blood pressure and cerebral blood flow velocity decreases and electroencephalographic slowing during syncope. The electrocardiogram showed a continuous sinus rhythm with a progressive tachycardia. The authors' findings were not compatible with baroreflex failure or vasovagal mechanisms (Bezold-Jarisch reflex activation) as the underlying causes. The authors concluded that mechanical factors (strong reduction of blood reflux to the heart) in combination with a reduced threshold of the brain for developing ischemia-related arrhythmic myoclonic jerks were responsible for Valsalva-induced syncope in the patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/44. Benign occipital epilepsy mimicking a catastrophic intracranial event.OBJECTIVE: To describe the rare, dramatic, presentation of benign occipital epilepsy. methods: We describe three children who presented to the pediatric emergency department from 1992 to 1996 with a clinical picture of catastrophic intracranial event. RESULTS: The main signs and symptoms were loss of consciousness in all patients, apnea in two, hemiclonus in two, general hypertonicity in two, eye deviation in two, fixed dilated pupils in one, and decorticate rigidity in two. All underwent emergency intubation, brain scan, and lumbar puncture, and all were treated with antibiotics, in addition to antiviral drugs in two. Two patients were also treated for suspected increased intracranial pressure. Two patients recovered within a few hours and one within 24 hours of admission without any residual neurologic deficit. Electroencephalograms, done within 48 hours after the event, revealed the classic pattern of occipital epilepsy in two patients and bilateral occipital slow wave in one. A 3- to 5-year clinical and electroencephalographic follow-up supported the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Benign occipital epilepsy in children can mimic a catastrophic intracranial event. electroencephalography, performed early in the Pediatric intensive care Unit, may avoid or shorten unnecessary and aggressive treatments such as hyperventilation, diuretic agents, and prolonged antiviral therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/44. Unusual arachnoid cyst of the quadrigeminal cistern in an adult presenting with apneic spells and normal pressure hydrocephalus--case report.A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, lower cranial nerve pareses, and pyramidal and cerebellar signs associated with respiratory disturbances. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4.7 x 5.4 cm quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst causing severe compression of the tectum and entire brain stem, aqueduct, and cerebellum, associated with moderate dilation of the third and lateral ventricles. Emergency surgery was undertaken due to sudden loss of consciousness and impaired breathing. The cyst was totally removed by midline suboccipital craniotomy in the prone position. Postoperatively, her symptoms improved except for the ataxia and impaired breathing. She was monitored cautiously for over 15 days. CT at discharge on the 18th postoperative day revealed decreased cyst size to 3.9 x 4.1 cm. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of the arachnoid cyst of the quadrigeminal cistern. The patient died of respiratory problems on the 5th day after discharge. Quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts may compress the brain stem and cause severe respiratory disturbances, which can be fatal due to apneic spells. patients should be monitored continuously in the preoperative and postoperative period until the restoration of autonomous ventilation is achieved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/44. Central hypoventilation during quiet sleep in two infants.Expired ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), frequency (f), and alveolar PCO2 (PACO2) were examined in six normal infants at 41 to 52 weeks post-conceptional age and in two infants who were apneic at birth. Their response to breathing 5% carbon dioxide in air and to 100% oxygen in quiet sleep were compared to those in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. VE in normal infants was 259 ml/kg/min in REM and 200.2 ml/kg/min in quiet sleep with the difference being due to decreased carbon dioxide production and to decreased dead space. VE increased 34.4 ml/kg/min/mm Hg of PCO2 elevation with 5% carbon dioxide breathing during REM and was not significantly different during quiet sleep. During oxygen breathing VE fell by 32.7% at 30 seconds before increasing again. In the affected infants, VE and PACO2 during REM at 1 and 4 months were normal. At 1 month, during quiet sleep, each infant became apneic and PACO2 rose 9 and 8 mm Hg/min respectively. At this time mechanical ventilation was begun. At 4 months, during quiet sleep, VE was 0.064 and 0.063 ml/kg/min at PACO2 of 66 mm Hg in each infant. The change was due entirely to a decrease in VT to 2.3 and 2.5 ml/kg. At this time 5% carbon dioxide breathing given during normal ventilation in REM produced an abrupt fall in VT to 2.0 and 2.2 ml/kg with no change in frequency. oxygen breathing during REM at one month had no effect but at 4 months produced apnea requiring mechanical ventilation after one minute. The findings suggest that the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide is (1) important in initiation of extrauterine ventilation and (2) in sustaining ventilation particularly in quiet sleep. It is not necessary in sustaining ventilation awake or in REM sleep and it represents a balance between the stimulatory and depressant effects of carbon dioxide on the central nervous system.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.63015505690434keywords = central nervous system, nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/44. buspirone treatment for apneustic breathing in brain stem infarct.We report a case of brainstem infarction resulting in apneustic breathing, which was alleviated with buspirone. We discuss apneusis, review the literature, and speculate about the benefit of serotonin 1A receptor agonists in the treatment of apneusis and other respiratory disorders.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/44. A lethal association of congenital apnea with brainstem tegmental necrosis.We present a female with premature birth, polyhydramnios, congenital apnea, cranial nerve palsies, orofacial and limb anomalies. neuroimaging revealed calcifications along the vental margin of the caudal fourth ventricle. Neuropathologic findings at postmortem examination were consistent with brainstem tegmental necrosis and olivary hypoplasia, a rare lethal entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital apnea.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/44. Isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency: clinical and biochemical features in an Italian patient.A patient with isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency presented with seizures at 12 h of life and followed a severe course, dying at 10 months of age. There was mild facial dysmorphism and the brain showed multiple cystic fibrosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/44. brain death: timing of apnea testing in primary brain stem lesion.In a 73-year-old patient complete areflexia of the cerebral and peripheral nerves following the rupture of an aneurysm of the basilar artery was diagnosed. During apnea testing the spectral analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) revealed an irreversible shift of peak from 6 to 3 Hz within the low-frequency bands. These findings suggest that apnea testing in patients with primary lesion of the brain stem should be carried out only after an isoelectric EEG.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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