Can J Neurol Sci
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Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently the main surgical procedure for medically refractory Parkinson's disease. The benefit of intra-operative microelectrode recording (MER) for the purpose of neurophysiological localization and mapping of the STN continues to be debated. ⋯ MER in STN DBS surgery demonstrated measurable difference between stereotactic atlas/MRI STN target and neurophysiologic STN localization.
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Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) show poorer balance and greater incidence of falls while turning. We investigated whether a disturbance in timing and sequence of reorientation of body segments is a potential cause of turning difficulty in PD and is altered by levodopa. ⋯ This study further characterized the turning performance of individuals with PD. Our findings have clinical applications and therapeutic value for PD patients with difficulty turning. Understanding the specific deficiencies of turning performance of PD patients allows the therapists to opt for the most effective rehabilitation techniques.
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Electromyography (EMG) for suspected cervical or lumbosacral root compression is often negative, producing expense and physical discomfort that could have been avoided. To improve patient selection for testing, we sought to identify clinical features that would accurately predict presence of radiculopathy on EMG. ⋯ The diverse symptoms and signs of cervical and lumbosacral root compression predict a positive electrodiagnosis of radiculopathy with varying degrees of accuracy, and may be used to guide patient selection for EMG testing.
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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is known to safely result in a high obliteration rate for small and medium sized arteriovenous malformations (AVM). ⋯ Our study shows both obliteration and complication rates in the upper limit of those reported in the literature. SRS seems an attractive treatment option for small AVMs. Unlike other reports, the prior use of embolization did not impact negatively on obliteration rates.