Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2001
Comparative StudyClinical comparison of the Spiegelberg parenchymal transducer and ventricular fluid pressure.
The Spiegelberg brain pressure catheter is a low cost implantable intracranial pressure measuring system which has the unique ability to perform regular automatic zeroing. A new version of the catheter has become available with a subdural bolt fixation to allow insertion of the device into the brain parenchyma. The accuracy of this system has been evaluated in comparison with a ventricular fluid pressure method in a series of patients to determine its accuracy and utility in the clinical environment. ⋯ In conclusion, the Spiegelberg parenchymal transducer provides an accurate measurement of intracranial pressure when compared with ventricular pressure. The transducer was found to be robust in the clinical environment and very popular with the nursing staff. Further studies may determine whether the complication rate of this system is comparable with other available devices.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2001
Serum concentration of adhesion molecules in patients with delayed ischaemic neurological deficit after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: the immunoglobulin and selectin superfamilies.
Adhesion molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia and may play a part in the pathophysiology of delayed ischaemic neurological deficit (DIND) after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. It was hypothesised that after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, adhesion molecules may play a part in the pathophysiology of DIND as reflected by significantly altered serum concentrations in patients with and without DIND. ⋯ Of all the adhesion molecules examined in this study, P and L-selectin are involved in the pathophysiology of DIND after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2001
Biography Historical ArticleWillem Einthoven (1860-1927).
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialOutcome of unilateral pallidotomy in advanced Parkinson's disease: cohort study of 32 patients.
In a randomised trial to study the efficacy of unilateral pallidotomy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, patients having pallidotomy within 1 month after randomisation were compared with patients having pallidotomy 6 months after the primary outcome assessment. Of the 37 patients enrolled 32 had a unilateral pallidotomy. The follow up study of these patients is presented to report (1) clinical outcome; (2) adverse effects; (3) cognitive and behavioural effects; (4) relation between lesion location and outcome; and (5) preoperative patient characteristics predictive for good outcome. ⋯ The positive effects of unilateral pallidotomy are stable up to 1 year after surgery. Patients taking less than 1000 LEU per day were most likely to improve.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2001
Clinical TrialCombination of cyclophosphamide and interferon-beta halts progression in patients with rapidly transitional multiple sclerosis.
The effects of combined treatment with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and interferon-beta (IFN-beta) are described in selected patients with "rapidly transitional" multiple sclerosis. This form of multiple sclerosis is extremely active with very frequent and severe attacks which produce a dramatic increase on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). ⋯ This particular group of patients benefited by combining cyclophosphamide and IFN-beta. The possibility is considered of carrying out further studies to test the efficacy of the association between the two drugs for patients who are not responsive to IFN-beta or other active disease modifying therapies.