Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2003
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: clinical features in 80 patients.
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical spectrum of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAF) in a large group of patients. We studied the records of 80 patients who were diagnosed with an SDAF in six hospitals over a 15 year period (1985-2001). We extracted data on demographic variables, initial symptoms, symptoms at the time of diagnosis, level of SDAF, and medical history. ⋯ Fifteen patients (19%) had become wheelchair bound. SDAF is difficult to diagnose, and the delay between first symptoms and treatment is often long. In middle aged men who present with disturbances of gait with ascending motor and sensory deficits, and who subsequently report impaired voiding or other sphincter disturbance, SDAF is one of the first diagnoses that should spring to mind.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2003
Case ReportsBrain lesions in the course of generalised tetanus.
A 47-year-old woman developed left hemiparesis primarily affecting the lower limbs during the course of severe generalised tetanus. MRI on the 82nd hospital day revealed cortical and subcortical lesions predominantly in the right frontal and parietal lobes in addition to marked brain atrophy. Three months later, the enhancing lesions were still present on follow up MRI. We postulate that structures above brainstem may be involved in severe generalised tetanus.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2003
A study of stereotypic behaviours in Alzheimer's disease and frontal and temporal variant frontotemporal dementia.
To document the prevalence and pattern of stereotypic behaviour in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and frontal and temporal variants of frontotemporal dementia. Secondly, to examine the relationship between stereotypic and other neuropsychiatric behaviours. ⋯ Complex stereotypic behaviours are a core feature of the dementing syndrome in FTD and may reflect early and specific deficits in orbitofrontal circuitry and basal ganglia involvement.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2003
Vestibulo-ocular arreflexia in families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (Machado-Joseph disease).
To identify the presence of vestibulo-ocular arreflexia in patients with Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), which can easily be diagnosed at the bedside. ⋯ The presence of vestibulo-ocular arreflexia, as measured by the head thrust test in a patient with dominant cerebellar ataxia, strongly suggests the diagnosis of MJD.