bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cataleptic postures in thalamic hemorrhage: case report
Authors: Saposnik Gustavo , Mauriño Jorge , Gonzalez Leonardo A.
Published: April 2005

We report a case of catalepsy associated with thalamic hemorrhage. A 72 year-old hypertensive woman had acute onset of right-sided weakness and speech disturbances. She was on anticoagulants because of aortic valve replacement. When postures were imposed, the patient maintained the left upper limb raised for several minutes, even in uncomfortable or bizarre positions. A CT scan of the head revealed a left thalamic hemorrhage. Cataleptic postures have been reported in few cases with acute stroke.
Policondrite recidivante associada a meningoencefalite: relato de caso
Authors: Brucki Sonia M. Dozzi , Rocha Maria Sheila Guimarães
Published: April 2005

Policondrite é entidade com acometimento recorrente de qualquer cartilagem, principalmente nasal e auricular, apresenta evolução progressiva e recorrente. Está raramente associada a afecção do sistema nervoso. Descrevemos um paciente cuja manifestação inicial foi de meningoencefalite, com posterior recorrência do quadro seguido de condrite auricular e nasal. Essa associação distingue-se pela raridade e pelo fato de que o quadro neurológico antecedeu a policondrite. Seu reconhecimento permitiu o tratamento adequado e evolução satisfatória com corticosteróides e methotrexato.
Movimentos involuntários anormais como primeira manifestação do lupus eritematoso sistêmico: relato de caso
Authors: Kakehasi Adriana Maria , Bomtempo Carlos Alexandre de Souza , Vassalo Silviane , Pimenta Renato César , Carvalho Marco Antônio P. , Cardoso Francisco
Published: April 2005

Relatamos o caso de uma paciente, de 36 anos de idade, que desenvolveu quadro de coréia após dois meses do início do uso de anticoncepcional oral, acompanhando-se, posteriormente, de trombocitopenia, úlcera mucosa em cavidade oral, artrite, positividade para os anticorpos antinuclear (FAN), anti-DNA e anti-Sm, preenchendo critérios para lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, segundo o Colégio Americano de Reumatologia. A pesquisa para os anticorpos anticoagulante lúpico e anticardiolipina (IgG e IgM) foi negativa. A paciente foi tratada com prednisona, fenitoína, fenobarbital e clonazepam, obtendo melhora clínica e laboratorial. Discutimos a ocorrência da coréia e outros movimentos anormais como primeira manifestação do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, sua relação com os anticoncepcionais orais e os anticorpos antifosfolípides.
Cerebelite aguda causada por vírus Epstein-Barr: relato de caso
Authors: Teive Hélio A.G. , Zavala Jorge A.A. , Iwamoto Fábio M. , Bertucci-Filho Délcio , Werneck Lineu C.
Published: April 2005

A cerebelite aguda pode ocorrer em associação a infecção pelo vírus da varicela-zoster, enterovirus, caxumba, micoplasma e outros agentes infecciosos. A cerebelite aguda é uma complicação rara da infecção pelo vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV). Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 21 anos com história de 12 dias de evolução com náuseas, vômitos, ataxia de marcha e membros, tremor cefálico e de membros, opsoclono, mioclonias e rash cutâneo. Sorologia para EBV foi positiva. A infecção pelo EBV, com complicações neurológicas, pode não se apresentar com os sinais e sintomas clássicos da mononucleose infeciosa.
Aracnoidite constritiva causada por pantopaque resultando em siringomielia e paraparesia: relato de caso
Authors: Silva José Alberto Gonçalves da , Taricco Mario Augusto , Brito José Correia de Farias , Neves Valdir Delmiro , Farias Ronald de Lucena
Published: April 2005

Relatamos caso de aracnoidite constritiva torácica, verificada 10 anos após o uso de pantopaque, que foi utilizado em mielografia no diagnóstico de cisto aracnóideo.
As contribuições de Charcot e de Marsden para o desenvolvimento dos distúrbios do movimento nos séculos XIX e XX
Authors: Teive Hélio A.G. , Zavala Jorge A.A. , Iwamoto Fábio M. , Sá Daniel , Carraro Júnior Hipólito , Werneck Lineu Cesar
Published: April 2005

Charcot contribuiu significativamente no século XIX na descrição de várias enfermidades neurológicas, em particular na área dos distúrbios do movimento. Charcot contribuiu de forma exponencial na descrição clínica minuciosa da doença de Parkinson, além de introduzir o primeiro tratamento farmacológico. Na área das hipercinesias realizou estudos sobre a síndrome de Tourette, o diagnóstico diferencial dos tremores, das coréias e o estudo inicial sobre startle. Marsden, recentemente falecido, destacou-se no século XX com inúmeras publicações na área dos movimentos anormais.São contribuições seminais os estudos sobre a doença de Parkinson, distonias, mioclonias , tremor essencial, a descrição das síndromes " Painful Legs Moving Toes ", "Gait Ignition Failure" e o "Tremor Primário da Escrita". As contribuições de Charcot no século XIX e de Marsden no século XX na área dos distúrbios do movimento permitem concluir que ambos foram as figuras mais representativas desta área nos últimos dois séculos.
Antidepressants in social anxiety disorder
Authors: Nardi Antonio E.
Published: April 2005

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a marked and persistent fear of doing almost everything in front of people due to concerns about being judge by others. An up-to-date review is needed in order to reach a practical judgement of all psychopharmacological data. Case reports, open and double-blind trials with SAD were described and commented upon from a clinical point of view. The MEDLINE system was searched from 1975 to 2001. The references from the selected papers were also used as a source. MAOIs (fenelzine, tranylcypromine), reversible monoamino oxidase-A inhibitors (moclobemide, brofaromine), SSRIs (paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine) and some other antidepressants (venlafaxine, nefazodone) have proven effective in several studies with various methodologies. The MAOIs have more serious adverse effects and the SSRIs have the best tolerance. SSRIs are efficacious and the first choice of treatment.
Frontopolar and anterior temporal cortex activation in a moral judgment task: preliminary functional MRI results in normal subjects
Authors: Moll Jorge , Eslinger Paul J. , Oliveira-Souza Ricardo de
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: To study the brain areas which are activated when normal subjects make moral judgments. METHOD: Ten normal adults underwent BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the auditory presentation of sentences that they were instructed to silently judge as either "right" or "wrong". Half of the sentences had an explicit moral content ("We break the law when necessary"), the other half comprised factual statements devoid of moral connotation ("Stones are made of water"). After scanning, each subject rated the moral content, emotional valence, and judgment difficulty of each sentence on Likert-like scales. To exclude the effect of emotion on the activation results, individual responses were hemodynamically modeled for event-related fMRI analysis. The general linear model was used to evaluate the brain areas activated by moral judgment. RESULTS: Regions activated during moral judgment included the frontopolar cortex (FPC), medial frontal gyrus, right anterior temporal cortex, lenticular nucleus, and cerebellum. Activation of FPC and medial frontal gyrus (BA 10/46 and 9) were largely independent of emotional experience and represented the largest areas of activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results concur with clinical observations assigning a critical role for the frontal poles and right anterior temporal cortex in the mediation of complex judgment processes according to moral constraints. The FPC may work in concert with the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral cortex in the regulation of human social conduct.
Internal carotid artery stenosis: comparison of duplex scan and magnetic resonance angiography with digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Py Marco Oliveira , André Charles , Azevedo Feliciano Silva de , Domingues Romeu Côrtes , Salomão Rodrigo Ferraz
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: We compare duplex scan (DS) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with digital angiography (DGA) in respect to accuracy in measuring internal carotid artery (IC) stenosis in symptomatic patients. METHOD: Ten symptomatic patients with IC stenosis greater than 70% previously diagnosed by DS were submitted to another DS and to both MRA and DGA. Both ICs from each patient (total 20 ICs) were evaluated by physicians blinded for the results of other tests. DS and MRA were compared with DGA, using the intraclass correlation coeficient (r) and its 95% confidence interval (95% ci). For each diagnostic test, the study group (20 Ics) was also divided in surgical patients (IC stenosis between 70 and 99%) and non surgical patients, using kappa concordance coeficient (k) to compare the results. RESULTS: Main comparisons are: DS and DGA, r = 0.71 (0.4 - 0.87); MRA and DGA, r = 0.61 (0.25 - 0.82). After division into surgical vs. non-surgical groups, k = 0.857 (p < 0.0001) between DS and DGA; and k = 0.545 (p = 0.003) between MRA and DGA. Most DS and MRA errors occurred in IC sub-occlusions. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that when they are used together, DS and non-contrast MRA may substitute DGA in the evaluation of patients for IC stenosis surgery, except when there is discordance between their results or when the methods show sub-occlusive stenosis.
Developmental milestones of vertically HIV infected and seroreverters children: follow up of 83 children
Authors: Bruck Isac , Tahan Tony Tannous , Cruz Cristina Rodrigues da , Martins Luzilma Terezinha Flenik , Antoniuk Sérgio Antonio , Rodrigues Marcelo , Souza Sílvia Mara de , Bruyn Laís Regina de
Published: April 2005

The aim of the study was to detect neurological abnormalities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children. This was achieved by a prospective evaluation, from November/1995 to April/2000, of 43 HIV infected children (group I) and 40 HIV seroreverters children (group II) through neurological exam and neurodevelopmental tests: Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and Clinical Adaptive Test / Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS). A control group (III), of 67 children, were evaluated by CAT/CLAMS. Hyperactivity, irritability and hypotonia were the findings on neurological examination, without statistical differences between group I and II. On CAT/CLAMS, the group I developmental quotient (DQ) was significantly lower than the other groups. The same occurred in DDST, with group I presenting significantly more failures than group II. Nineteen HIV children of group I had brain computed tomographic scan, with abnormalities in three of them (basal ganglia calcification, white matter hypodensity and asymmetry of lateral ventricles). We conclude that in HIV infected children a neurodevelopment delay occur early in the disease, and it can be detected by screening tests.
Ocular cysticercosis: an epidemiological study
Authors: Wittig Ehrenfried O.
Published: April 2005

The objetive of the research was to verify the incidence of the ocular form of cysticercosis among the patients who consulted professionals of the field, during the first statistic inventory accomplished in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The 1996 research was performed through a questionnaire sent to all 220 members of Paraná Ophthalmology Association and to the 17 members of Pathology and Cytology Department of the Paraná Medical Association. A pre-stamped envelop for the return of the answers was included in the package. We received 99 answers from ophthalmologists and 10 answers from pathologists. Retrospective and epidemiological research about the incidences of the ocular cysticercosis in the State of Paraná, added to national related published reports, rendered 95 cases probably adquired in Paraná, 71 of the cases were referred in this research and 24 in prior publication. The most frequent localization was vitreous and subretinal, as literature had already pointed out.
Evaluation of headache intensity in migrainous patients with visual handicap through the tactile analogical scale (TAS)
Authors: Piovesan Elcio Juliato , Lange Marcos Christiano , Kowacs Pedro André , Pacheco Carlos , Werneck Lineu Cesar
Published: April 2005

The tactile analogue scale (TAS) was elaborated to be used in blind subjects or those who can not use the vision during their crises. The objective of this study was to characterize, from TAS, the architecture of migraine attacks in subjects with visual disability. For that, 11 migrainous with visual disturb (MVD) subjects were studied and 22 migrainous subjects with no visual disability as a control group. All patients fulfilled the criteria for migraine and the patients of the group studied showed visual acuteness less than 20/200. To evaluate the results, the patients of the group MVD were subdivide within two groups, according to their visual acuteness: subgroup A subjects with subnormal vision and subgroup B amaurotic ones. In subgroup A measurement 46 attacks with average of the migraine attacks of the 56.50 mm, in the subgroup B 45 attacks with average of the 59.58mm and in the control group 92 attacks with average of the 49.88mm. When subgroup B and control group were compared there was a significant statistic difference (p=0.022). Through these outcomes we can observe that the migrainous subjects with no visual afference show a higher pain intensity during the migraine crises comparing to those subjects with no visual handicap. The study suggests that, as in other forms of sensibility, the total visual loss can also interfere in the nociceptive control of the pain during the migraine attacks.
Dexamethasone decreases migraine recurrence observed after treatment with a triptan combined with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Authors: Krymchantowski Abouch V. , Barbosa Jackeline Soraya
Published: April 2005

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Triptans are effective drugs for the acute treatment of migraine. However, 30-40% of the patients commonly present recurrence before 24 hours therefore requiring another dose. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as tolfenamic acid and naproxen sodium combined with sumatriptan have demonstrated efficacy in reducing recurrence observed with the single use of this drug. Steroids also have been suggested to treat refractory migraine and status migranosus. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients presenting frequent recurrence with the combination triptan plus NSAID, would decrease it with the association of dexamethasone. METHOD: Twenty three patients, 17 women and 6 men with migraine according to IHS criteria were prospectively studied. All patients presented frequent recurrence ( > or = 60%, mean recurrence rate 74,8%) with the single use of sumatritpan 100mg or zolmitriptan 2,5mg or rizatriptan 10mg in at least 5 consecutive attacks, and didn't present a reduction of the recurrence rate superior than 20% with the combination of tolfenamic acid 200mg or rofecoxib 25mg in at least 5 other consecutive attacks (mean recurrence rate 60%). The patients had to treat 6 consecutive moderate or severe migraine attacks with their usual combination plus 4mg of dexamathasone with a maximum of twice a week, and fill out a diary reporting headache parameters. RESULTS: Twenty patients, 16 women and 4 men completed the study. Of those who completed the study, 11 took rizatriptan plus rofecoxib, 4 rizatriptan plus tolfenamic acid, 3 zolmitriptan plus rofecoxib, 1 zolmitriptan plus tolfenamic acid and 1 patient took sumatriptan plus tolfenamic acid, having the 20 patients taken as a third medication, a single tablet of 4mg of dexamethasone. All patients took oral formulations and none presented vomiting after that. Among all 20 patients, one female and one male patient presented recurrence in 3 out of the 6 attacks (50%) while the remaining 18 patients revealed recurrence in 1 or 2 treated attacks (mean 23,4%) (p<0,001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the judicious use of oral dexamethasone might be useful for a limited population of migraine patients still presenting recurrence with the combination of a triptan and a NSAID. Case-control studies and studies with a randomized double-blind design are necessary to confirm these observations.
Knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy among primary, secondary and tertiary level teachers
Authors: Dantas Fábio Galvão , Cariri Gibran Agra , Cariri Gustavo Agra , Ribeiro Filho Antônio Roberto Vaz
Published: April 2005

The attitudes toward people with epilepsy are influenced by the degree of knowledge of the condition. Teachers usually do not receive any formal instruction on epilepsy during their training. This study was done to access three hundred teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy by answering a questionnaire in order to quantify their knowledge, attitude and practice toward epilepsy. Almost all the teachers had heard about epilepsy yet could not demonstrate discrimination among the students. Some teachers still thought that epilepsy was contagious. A few others either objected to having epileptic children in their classes or did not think that an epileptic child could achieve higher studies. The knowledge about the clinical characteristics and initial procedures to attend a person during a seizure was unsatisfactory. We conclude that schools should offer some kind of knowledge or assistance in health services and physicians must ensure that these teachers have sufficient knowledge of epilepsy. Also general public education campaigns should be encouraged in this field.
Seizure's outcome after cortical resections including the face and tongue rolandic areas in patients with refractory epilepsy and normal MRI submitted to subdural grids' implantation
Authors: Cukiert Arthur , Buratini Jose A. , Machado Elcio , Sousa Alcione , Vieira Joaquim , Forster Cassio , Argentoni Meire , Baldauf Cristine , Frayman Leila
Published: April 2005

PURPOSE: To study the seizure's outcome in patients with refractory epilepsy and normal MRI submitted to resections including the rolandic cortex. METHODS: Four adult patients were studied. All patients had motor or somatosensory simple partial seizures and normal MRI and were submitted to subdural grids' implantation with extensive coverage of the cortical convexity (1 in the non-dominant and 3 in the dominant hemisphere). RESULTS: ECoG was able to define focal areas of seizures' onset in every patient. All patients were submitted to resection of the face and tongue motor and sensitive cortex; two patients had resections including the perirolandic cortex and 2 had additional cortical removals. Three patients are seizures' free and one had a greater then 90% reduction in seizure frequency. CONCLUSION: Resections including the face and tongue rolandic cortex can be safely performed even within the dominant hemisphere.
The G209A mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene in Brazilian families with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Teive Hélio A.G. , Raskin Salmo , Iwamoto Fábio M. , Germiniani Francisco M.B. , Baran Maria H.H. , Werneck Lineu C. , Allan Nasser , Quagliato Elizabeth , Leroy Elisabeth , Ide Susan E. , Polymeropoulos Mihael H.
Published: April 2005

A missense G209A mutation of the alpha-synuclein gene was recently described in a large Contursi kindred with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study is to determine if the mutation G209A of the alpha-synuclein gene was present in 10 Brazilian families with PD. PD patients were recruited from movement disorders clinics of Brazil. A family history with two or more affected in relatives was the inclusion criterion for this study. The alpha-synuclein G209A mutation assay was made using polymerase chain reaction and the restriction enzyme Tsp45I. Ten patients from 10 unrelated families were studied. The mean age of PD onset was 42.7 years old. We did not find the G209A mutation in our 10 families with PD. Our results suggest that alpha-synuclein mutation G209A is uncommon in Brazilian PD families.
Tics and Tourette syndrome: clinical evaluation of 44 cases
Authors: Teive Hélio A.G. , Germiniani Francisco M.B. , Della Coletta Marcus V. , Werneck Lineu César
Published: April 2005

We evaluated 44 patients with tics and Tourette's syndrome (TS) emphasising the age of onset of symptoms, sex, classification and localization of tics, associated symptoms and signs and comorbidities. Thirty-three patients (75.2%) had TS defined criteria whereas 10 (22.7%) had chronic motor and/or vocal tics. Simple motor tics were found in 43 cases (97.7%), mainly affecting the eyes (43.2%), mouth (43.2%), face (34.1%). Simple vocal tics occurred in 33 (75%). Coprolalia was found in just 6 cases (13.6%) and copropraxia in just 2 (4.5%). Obsessive compulsive disorder and/or symptoms were found in 26 cases (59.1%) and attention deficit in 17 (38.6%). Eighteen patients (40.9%) had other disorders, such as alcoholism, tabagism, drug abuse, affective disorders, anxiety, sleep and learning disorders. The data obtained are similar to those found by other authors. We highlight the low frequency of coprolalia, as well as the associated neuropsychiatric disorders.
Síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette: estudo clínico de 58 casos
Authors: Chien Hsin Fen , Barbosa Egberto Reis , Miguel Eurípedes Constantino
Published: April 2005

A síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette (SGT) é um transtorno neuropsiquiátrico, de início na infância, caracterizado pela presença de tiques motores e vocais. Cinquenta e oito pacientes com SGT foram acompanhados clinicamente durante período de três anos. Trinta e seis pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 22 do feminino, a proporção entre os sexos foi 1,6:1. A idade dos pacientes variou de 7 a 50 anos, média 20,33 anos. A idade de início dos sintomas variou de 3 a 15 anos, sendo a média 7,81 anos. O tique motor foi o sintoma inaugural em 79% dos pacientes. Quanto aos tiques complexos, a coprolalia estava presente em 27,6%; a copropraxia em 20,1%; a palilalia em 20,1%; a ecolalia em 27,6%; e a ecopraxia em 27,6%. Em relação a manifestações associadas, 25,8% apresentavam déficit de atenção/ hiperatividade e 39,6% transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. O fenômeno sensitivo estava presente em 54,8% dos pacientes.
Acidente vascular cerebral em pacientes jovens: análise de 164 casos
Authors: Zétola Viviane H. Flumignan , Nóvak Edison Matos , Camargo Carlos Henrique Ferreira , Carraro Júnior Hipólito , Coral Patrícia , Muzzio Juliano André , Iwamoto Fábio Massaiti , Della Coleta Marcos Vinícius , Werneck Lineu Cesar
Published: April 2005

Realizamos análise epidemiológica de 164 pacientes com AVC, cujo primeiro episódio ocorreu entre 15 e 49 anos de idade através de um estudo retrospectivo de pacientes ambulatoriais. O principal tipo de apresentação foi AVC isquêmico (AVCI) em 141 pacientes, ocorrendo AVC hemorrágico (AVCH) em16 casos e 7 pacientes com trombose venosa. A presença de fatores de risco aterotrombóticos foi prevalente, em 48,22% dos pacientes com AVCI sendo que a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), nos casos de AVCH, foi a etiologia mais frequente. Em 32% dos casos não se pode determinar a sua causa. Embora a população jovem possua determinantes diferentes e geralmente deva ter uma investigação etiológica mais abrangente, no grupo estudado foram prevalentes os fatores de risco conhecidos e potencialmente controláveis, sugerindo que campanhas de prevenção e detecção precoce devam ser incentivados.
Meningiomas do seio cavernoso: correlação entre a extensão de ressecção cirúrgica e lesões neurovasculares em 16 pacientes
Authors: Landeiro José Alberto , Ribeiro Carlos Henrique , Lapenta Mário Alberto , Flores Marlo Steiner , Lopes Carlos André Ramos , Marins Josildo
Published: April 2005

O tratamento ideal dos meningiomas do seio cavernoso é remover a lesão sem morbidade ou mortalidade. Foram estudados 16 pacientes portadores de meningiomas do seio cavernoso, sendo 11 do sexo feminino e 5 do sexo masculino, cujas idades variaram de 31 a 63 anos e que foram submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. Analisou-se a extensão da remoção tumoral baseado na escala de De Monte, a função pré e pós-operatória dos nervos cranianos, as complicações, a mortalidade cirúrgica e o grau de envolvimento da porção cavernosa da artéria carótida interna. A remoção total foi conseguida em seis pacientes. Dos 10 pacientes nos quais não se conseguiu a remoção total, um faleceu no pós-operatório imediato e quatro foram submetidos à radioterapia. A morbidade nos nervos cranianos que controlam os movimentos extrínsecos oculares foi de 24%: não houve melhora da função trigeminal e cinco novas raízes foram afetadas. A recidiva tumoral ocorreu em dois pacientes com remoção incompleta e em um com ressecção total. A média de seguimento pós-operatório foi de 26 meses. De acordo com estes dados concluímos: 1) a remoção total do tumor depende do grau de envolvimento da artéria carótida interna e seus ramos; 2) a remoção total dos meningiomas restritos ao seio cavernoso é difícil; 3) a morbidade dos nervos cranianos é significativa; 4) a ressecção subtotal é um método eficaz para o controle da doença.
Correlação entre hipótese diagnóstica e laudo de tomografia axial computadorizada craniana
Authors: Nóvak Edison Matos , Terabe Fábio , Nasimoto André Luís , Carvalho Paulo Henrique Migliari de , Loper Ariane Desirée , Büchele Fabiana Schenato , Nogara Júlio César
Published: April 2005

Para avaliar a utilização da tomografia axial computadorizada craniana (TC) em nosso meio, analisamos as solicitações de 367 exames consecutivos no período compreendido entre 07/1995 e 07/1996. Houve ampla variação da faixa etária, com média de 31,7 ± 22,9 anos. As especialidades que mais solicitaram o exame foram: Neurologia (36,2%), Pronto Atendimento (17,4%), Neuropediatria (16,9%) e Clínica Médica (5,9%). As indicações mais frequentes para o exame foram: convulsão (30%), cefaléia (26,2%), déficit motor (20,2%) e redução do nível de consciência (16,9%). As "hipóteses" aventadas com maior frequência foram: afastar lesão estrutural (9,0%), acidente vascular não discriminado (8,2%) e neurocisticercose (8,2%). O laudo da TC foi normal em 50,4% dos exames. Os laudos anormais mais frequentes foram: hidrocefalia (5,4%), acidente vascular isquêmico (5,4%) e neoplasia (3,5%). As maiores taxas de achados normais foram encontradas nas "hipóteses" de cefaléia (94,4%), convulsão (71,4%) e afastar lesão estrutural (66,7%). Os maiores índices de acerto entre hipótese e laudo foram encontrados nas situações de "afastar lesões estruturais" (66,7%), hidrocefalia (50%), acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (50%) e hematoma (50%). Concluimos que a utilização de um recurso auxiliar de diagnóstico como a TC cumpre melhor ainda a sua função se o requisitante do exame preencher com clareza e detalhamento o pedido do exame.
Topiramato: uma experiência em crianças com epilepsia parcial
Authors: Rocha Cristiane , Brucki Sonia M. D.
Published: April 2005

Estudamos a resposta clínica ao topiramato (TPM) em crianças abaixo de 15 anos de idade. O tratamento foi iniciado com doses de 12,5 mg/kg/dia (1-7 mg/kg/dia), com aumentos semanais de 12,5 mg. Foram estudadadas 11 crianças, 9 do sexo feminino e 2 do masculino, de 3 a 14 anos de idade, com epilepsia parcial associada a etiologias diversas. Apenas um paciente teve dor abdominal intensa. Após o início do TPM, um paciente teve controle total das crises, 5 tiveram melhora maior que 75% na frequência delas, 1 paciente apresentou melhora em 50% e 3 não tiveram controle. Ao final, verificamos controle adequado das crises mesmo em quadros mais graves, com doses de até 100 mg/dia do TPM e em associação a carbamazepina, na maioria dos casos.
Perfil clínico e critérios diagnósticos da mielorradiculopatia esquistossomótica
Authors: Santos Eustáquio Claret dos , Campos Gilberto Belisário , Diniz Adriana Corrêa , Leal Juliana Cardoso , Rocha Manoel Otávio da Costa
Published: April 2005

Durante período de 20 anos (1972-1992), 56 pacientes com diagnóstico de mielorradiculopatia esquistossomótica foram internados em três hospitais de Belo Horizonte -- Minas Gerais. Dados de cada paciente foram coletados retrospectivamente de seus prontuários. Em todos os casos, o diagnóstico foi presumido e baseou-se nos seguintes critérios: 1) quadro de comprometimento medular torácico baixo ou lombossacro (síndrome de cone medular e/ou cauda equina); 2) epidemiologia positiva para esquistossomose; 3) comprovação laboratorial de esquistossomose através de exame parasitológico de fezes ou biópsia retal; e 4) exclusão de outras patologias que pudessem causar quadro semelhante. Vários aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos foram estudados para determinar o perfil diagnóstico da mielorradiculopatia esquistossomótica nesta amostra e são apresentados neste artigo. Reconhecendo os vários problemas no diagnóstico da mielorradiculopatia esquistossomótica, enfatizamos a importância de se pensar nesta entidade e sugerimos critérios para definição diagnóstica.
Doença cerebrovascular e neurocisticercose
Authors: Rocha Maria Sheila Guimarães , Brucki Sônia Maria Dozzi , Ferraz Ana Cláudia , Piccolo Ana Cláudia
Published: April 2005

Apresentamos três casos de arterite do sistema nervoso central associada a neurocisticercose. No primeiro caso, relatamos a ocorrência de arterite bilateral das artérias cerebrais médias em um paciente de 36 anos, com quadro de hemiparesia direita e afasia. A ressonância nuclear do encéfalo evidenciou cisto racemoso parietal direito e infarto temporal esquerdo. O estudo angiográfico mostrou oclusão total da artéria cerebral média esquerda e oclusão subtotal da artéria cerebral média direita. No segundo caso demonstramos a ocorrência de vasculite de pequenos vasos em um paciente de 42 anos, com quadro de cefaléia, crises convulsivas, afasia e déficit motor. A tomografia de crânio revelou calcificações intraparenquimatosas e área isquêmica temporal esquerda. O estudo angiográfico cerebral revelou-se normal. O terceiro caso trata de uma paciente de 53 anos de idade com história pregressa de seis episódios de acidente vascular cerebral e quadro atual de distúrbio do comportamento e convulsões. A tomografia e ressonância nuclear magnética de crânio revelaram múltiplos infartos lacunares e cistos cisternais. A angiografia cerebral mostrou arterite de vasos intracranianos tanto do sistema carotídeo como vértebro-basilar. Nos três casos o estudo quimiocitológico do líquor mostrou pleocitose linfomonocitária e reação imunológica (ELISA) para cisticercose positiva.
Hemorrhage in cerebral metastasis from angiosarcoma of the heart: case report
Authors: Gallo Pasquale , Dini Leandro Infantini , Saraiva Glauco André , Sonda Ildo , Isolan Gustavo
Published: April 2005

The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical and pathological features of metastatic angiosarcoma in the central nervous system. Only a few cases of cerebral metastasis from angiosarcoma of the heart have been recorded in the literature; particulary related to intracerebral hemorrhage. A case of secondary cerebral angiosarcoma of the heart in a 33 years old man is presented. The initial symptoms were headache, vomiting, lethargy and aphasia. There was a mass in the left temporal lobe with hemorrhage and edema on the computerized tomography (CT). After 24 hours the neurological status worsened and another CT scan showed rebleeding on the tumor area. He underwent an emergency craniotomy but died two days after. Considering the longer survival of sarcoma patients with new modalities of treatment, the incidence of brain metastasis may increase, demanding a bether preventive and more aggressive approach. Besides, due to the hemorrhagic nature of such lesions, we suggest the imediate surgery to prevent a fast and lethal evolution because rebleeding.
Reversal of severe SPECT asymmetry after venous extra-intracranial high flow bypass in a patient submitted to therapeutic internal carotid occlusion: case report
Authors: Marcondes Jorge , Aversa Antônio , Peçanha Marcio , Domingues Flávio , Nascimento Fernanda , André Charles , Freitas Gabriel , Azevedo Feliciano , Exposito Maria
Published: April 2005

Therapeutic occlusion of the internal carotid artery is the main option for the treatment of the symptomatic intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysms, but the issue of the best way of doing the balloon test occlusion (BTO) regarding prediction of future ischemic events remains debatable. Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) has been offered as one of the best option of monitoring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the BTO, where severe asymmetry is predictive of delayed ischemia. We describe a case of important SPECT asymmetry during BTO clinically negative and its complete reversal with carotid occlusion after extra-intracranial bypass with high flow safenous vein bypass between the cervical carotid artery and the middle cerebral artery.
Complete remission of epileptic psychosis after temporal lobectomy: case report
Authors: Marchetti Renato Luiz , Tavares Alexandre Garcia , Gronich Gary , Fiore Lia Arno , Ferraz Renata Barbosa
Published: April 2005

We report a case of a female patient with refractory complex partial seizures since 15 years of age, recurrent postictal psychotic episodes since 35 which evolved to a chronic refractory interictal psychosis and MRI with right mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). After a comprehensive investigation (video-EEG intensive monitoring, interictal and ictal SPECT, and a neuropsychological evaluation including WADA test) she was submitted to a right temporal lobectomy. Since then, she has been seizure-free with remission of psychosis, although with some persistence of personality traits (hiperreligiosity, viscosity) which had been present before surgery. This case supports the idea that temporal lobectomy can be a safe and effective therapeutic measure for patients with MTS, refractory epilepsy and recurrent postictal epileptic psychosis or interictal epileptic psychosis with postictal exacerbation.
Orbital apex syndrome due to aspergillosis: case report
Authors: Fernandes Yvens B. , Ramina Ricardo , Borges Guilherme , Queiroz Luciano S. , Maldaun Marcos V.C. , Maciel Jr. Jayme A.
Published: April 2005

We report the case of a 73-year-old female who presented facial numbness and pain in the first division of the trigeminal nerve, ptosis, diplopia and visual loss on the right side for the previous four months. The neurological, radiological and histological examination demonstrated a rare case of invasive fungal aspergillosis of the central nervous system, causing orbital apex syndrome, later transformed in temporal brain abscess. She died ten months later due to respiratory and renal failure in spite of specific antimycotic therapy.
Machado-Joseph disease versus hereditary spastic paraplegia: case report
Authors: Teive Hélio A. Ghizoni , Iwamoto Fabio Massaiti , Camargo Carlos Henrique , Lopes-Cendes Iscia , Werneck Lineu Cesar
Published: April 2005

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia and presents great phenotypic variability. MJD presenting with spastic paraparesis was recently described in Japanese patients. We report the case of 41-year-old woman with the phenotype of complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia. Her father died at the age of 56 years due to an undiagnosed progressive neurological disease that presented parkinsonism. She had an expanded allele with 66 CAG repeats and a normal allele with 22 repeats in the gene of MJD. MJD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of autosomal dominant complicated HSP. A patient with the phenotype of complicated HSP and relatives with other clinical features of a neurodegenerative disease should raise the suspicion of MJD.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of cystic lesions of neurocysticercosis: a preliminary study
Authors: Raffin Luciana S. , Bacheschi Luiz A. , Machado Luis R. , Nóbrega José P.S. , Coelho Christina , Leite Claudia C.
Published: April 2005

Neurocysticercosis is an endemic disease in some developing countries. It has pleomorfic clinical and imaging findings, which are variable from patient to patient. In this preliminary note, we studied the magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted images (DWI) of sixteen patients presenting with cystic lesions of this disease diagnosed by clinical and laboratorial findings. All the lesions had hypointense signal and the similar apparent diffusion coeficient (ADC) values as the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Identification of family variables in parents' groups of children with epilepsy
Authors: Fernandes Paula Teixeira , Souza Elisabete Abib Pedroso de
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of the support group in the identification of family variables linked to epilepsy. METHOD: Pre-test were applied to parents of 21 children with benign epilepsy of childhood recently diagnosed, from 5 to 15 years, who participated in the groups at HC/Unicamp. There was a presentation of an educational video, discussion and application of the post-test 1. After six months, the post-test 2 was applied. RESULTS: The beliefs were: fear of swallowing the tongue during the seizures (76.19%) and of a future mental disease (66.67%). Facing the epilepsy, fear and sadness appeared. 76.19% of the parents presented overprotection and 90.48%, expected a new seizure. In the post-test 1, the parents affirmed that the information offered had modified the beliefs. In the post-test 2, 80.95% didn't report great doubts about epilepsy and 90.48% considered their relationship with their children better. CONCLUSIONS: The demystification of beliefs supplied from the groups influenced the family positively, prevented behavior alterations and guaranteed effective care in the attendance to the child with epilepsy.
Doença de Alzheimer e espectroscopia por ressonância magnética do hipocampo
Authors: Engelhardt Eliasz , Moreira Denise M. , Laks Jerson , Marinho Valeska M. , Rozenthal Marcia , Oliveira Jr Amarino C.
Published: April 2005

OBJETIVOS: Obtenção de dados do espectro de metabolitos por ressonância magnética da formação hipocampal no idoso normal e com doença de Alzheimer (DA). MÉTODO: Os indivíduos foram pareados por idade, sendo 20 na amostra normal, CDR=0 e 40 com DA 3 CDR=1 e 2. Utilizou-se aparelho Signa Horizon LX-GE, 1.5T, ¹H-ERM com aplicativo automatizado PROBE/SV, VOI: hc (direito e esquerdo); voxel único (2x2x2cm); TR 1500ms/TE 50ms; PRESS; metabolitos: N-acetilaspartato (Naa), colina (Cho), creatina (Cr), mio-inositol (mI). RESULTADOS: Os presentes dados se referem aos quocientes de Naa, Cho e mI, com Cr tomada como referência e relação mI/Naa. O estudo mostrou o Naa reduzido, o mI e a relação mI/Naa aumentados e os resultados em relação à Cho foram variados. Os resultados da amostra global dos pacientes com DA em comparação à média ± dp da amostra normal foram significativos para Naa, mI e mI/Naa (p<0,01). A precisão, tomando os valores de modo individual das duas amostras, mostrou sensibilidade, especificidade e valor preditivo positivo satisfatórios. CONCLUSÃO: Os presentes resultados podem ser usados como ferramenta útil para detectar alterações patológicas no hipocampo de pacientes com DA, permitindo diagnóstico de maior precisão e mais precoce da doença.
Qual o valor da análise semi-quantitativa dos exames de FDG-PET no diagnóstico da esclerose mesial temporal?
Authors: Duarte Paulo S. , Zhuang Hongming , Couturier Olivier , Alavi Abass
Published: April 2005

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a análise visual dos exames de FDG-PET com uma análise semi-quantitativa no diagnóstico da esclerose mesial temporal (EMT). MÉTODOS: Este estudo incluiu 21 pacientes com confirmação histopatológica de EMT. Os dados referentes à análise visual foram obtidos dos relatórios dos exames. As imagens de FDG-PET foram analisadas de forma semi-quantitativa utilizando-se regiões de interesse (ROIs) desenhadas em 19 cortes tomográficos perpendiculares ao maior eixo do lobo temporal. Estas ROIs dividiram cada um dos lobos temporais em três regiões (lateral, inferior e medial). Um índice de assimetria foi calculado para cada região. RESULTADOS: A análise visual dos exames de FDG-PET demonstrou assimetria no metabolismo em todos os pacientes. Todos, menos 1 dos pacientes foram submetidos a lobectomia temporal do tipo standard do lado descrito como hipometabólico pelo exame de FDG-PET. Utilizando como critério um índice de assimetria maior ou igual a 9% em ao menos uma das regiões, a análise semi-quantitativa demonstrou assimetria considerada significativa em 18 pacientes. Esta assimetria coincidiu com o lado da cirurgia e foi confirmada como correspondente à área de eslerose em todos menos um dos pacientes (o mesmo paciente citado acima). CONCLUSÃO: A análise semi-quantitativa não forneceu qualquer informação adicional em relação à interpretação visual das imagens nesta série de pacientes.
Transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade: proposta de avaliação neuropsicológica para diagnóstico
Authors: Amaral Ana Helena do , Guerreiro Marilisa M.
Published: April 2005

O Transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDA/H) é caracterizado por padrão persistente de desatenção e/ou hiperatividade/impulsividade. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi propor uma bateria de avaliação neuropsicológica e analisar a precisão individual dos testes utilizados. O material compreendeu 10 crianças com TDA/H e 10 crianças sem queixas na faixa etária de 7 a 11 anos. Os critérios de inclusão foram: comportamentos típicos de TDA/H; diagnóstico positivo para TDA/H pelo DSM-IV; nível intelectual dentro da média ou superior; exame neurológico tradicional normal e autorização dos pais. Utilizou-se completa bateria neuropsicológica. Os resultados mostraram que as crianças com TDA/H apresentaram desempenho inferior em todos os testes. O item erros do WCST mostrou diferença estatística levemente significativa entre os grupos, sendo pior no grupo-caso. Concluímos que a bateria neuropsicológica contribuiu de maneira objetiva para o diagnóstico de TDA/H, apesar de não ter atingido níveis estatisticamente significativos na maioria dos testes.
Disfunção hormonal em lesões não hipofisárias das regiões selar e periselar
Authors: Fonseca Ana Luíza Vidal , Souto Antonio A.D. , Domingues Flavio , Vaisman Mario , Gadelha Monica R. , Chimelli Leila , Santos Mario José C.F. , Violante Alice Helena D.
Published: April 2005

OBJETIVO: Analisar a disfunção hormonal pré-operatória, clínica e/ou laboratorial, das lesões intracranianas não hipofisárias da linha média e região peri-selar. MÉTODO: Foram analisados 44 pacientes com lesões intracranianas não hipofisárias, com exames de imagem (tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância magnética) e dosagens hormonais basais; 16 tinham provas de função hipotálamo-hipofisária (megateste) pré-operatórios. Esses pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I - 34 lesões da linha média: 11 craniofaringiomas, 8 meningiomas, 3 germinomas, 3 tumores do seio esfenoidal, 2 síndromes sela vazia, 2 astrocitomas pilocíticos, 1 aneurisma gigante, 2 mucoceles, 1 divertículo do III ventrículo e 1 cisto da bolsa de Rathke; Grupo II - 10 lesões da região peri-selar: 9 meningiomas e 1 aneurisma gigante. RESULTADOS: No grupo I, 25/34 (73,5%) pacientes apresentavam déficit hormonal laboratorial (14 sem clínica evidente), 18/34 (52,9%) hiperprolactinemia (apenas 5 com galactorréia) e, dos 15 megatestes realizados nesse grupo, 8 (53,3%) mostraram deficiência do hormônio de crescimento (GH); 3 (8,8 %) pacientes apresentaram diabetes insipidus central (DIC) pré-operatório. No grupo II, 6/10 (60%) pacientes apresentavam déficit hormonal laboratorial (5 sem clínica evidente), 1/10 (10%) hiperprolactinemia e 1 deficiência de GH (único megateste feito nesse grupo); nenhum paciente apresentou DIC pré-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de manifestações clínicas inespecíficas ou pouco valorizadas não indica ausência de disfunção hormonal laboratorial; na presente série, 19/38 (50%) pacientes com alterações laboratoriais, não apresentavam manifestações clínicas. Disfunção hormonal é frequente em lesões não hipofisárias selares e peri-selares, especialmente, aquelas envolvendo a linha média.
Índice de astrócitos gemistocíticos e imuno-expressão da proteína p53 em astrocitomas, grau II e III OMS
Authors: Martins Dely Cristina , Stávale João Norberto , Malheiros Suzana Maria Fleury , Santiago Lucila Heloisa Simardi , Roman Leonor Cristina Manoja , Aguiar Kátia Cilene Carozzi
Published: April 2005

Foram estudados, retrospectivamente, 22 pacientes com diagnóstico de astrocitomas grau II (n=17) e III (n=5), OMS, no período de 1990 a 1998, cujos laudos histopatológicos descreviam a presença gemistocitos com o objetivo de determinar o índice de astrócitos gemistocíticos, investigar a imuno-expressão da proteína p53 e confrontá-los com o intervalo até a recorrência da neoplasia. O índice de astrócitos gemistocíticos, em cada caso, foi calculado a partir da razão entre o número de gemistocitos e o número total de células neoplásicas contadas, no mínimo 1000. Imuno-expressão nuclear da proteína p53 foi avaliada em astrócitos e gemistocitos neoplásicos; tanto a freqüência (7/22), como o índice de imuno-expressão positiva da p53 em gemistocitos, independentemente do grau histológico da neoplasia, foram inferiores aos relatados na literatura. Não se observou correlação entre o índice de astrócitos gemistocíticos e a imuno-expressão positiva da p53.
Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease associated with a point mutation at codon 210 of the prion protein gene
Authors: Huang Nancy , Marie Suely K.N. , Kok Fernando , Nitrini Ricardo
Published: April 2005

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), the most known human prion disease, is usually sporadic but approximately 15% of the cases are familial. To date, seven CJD cases with codon 210 mutation (GTT to ATT) have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a 57 year-old woman who presented gait disturbances and rapidly progressive dementia, leading to death four months after onset. Electroencephalogram revealed periodic activity, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed hypersignal in basal ganglia, and test for 14-3-3 protein was strongly positive in the CSF. The complete prion protein gene coding region was sequenced after PCR amplification, showing a point mutation in codon 210. This is the first case of CJD with codon 210 mutation diagnosed in Brazil. We emphasize the role of genetic search for prion protein gene mutation, even in patients presenting clinical features resembling sporadic CJD.
Thrombolytic therapy for acute extra-cranial artery dissection: report of two cases
Authors: Zaidat Osama O. , Fernandes Filho Jose Americo M. , Singh Gurwant , Suarez Jose I.
Published: April 2005

Extra-cranial arterial dissection accounts for 10% of strokes in young people. Information on safety of thrombolytic administration in this group is limited. The literature, however, does not favor use of thrombolytics for myocardial ischemia when peripheral arterial dissection coexists. Based on the clinical and radiological features, two patients who presented with acute stroke secondary to arterial dissection were considered for thrombolysis. One of them received intra-venous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), and the other patient received intra-arterial rtPA. There were no post thrombolysis complications. This report supports feasibility of administering thrombolytics in acute ischemic strokes resulting from extra-cranial arterial dissection. Future larger studies are necessary to determine the efficacy, safety and long-term outcome in this patient population.