Neurology India back issues from October 2007:
Neuraxial healing
Oct 01, 2007; ... The 2007 multinational medical Nobel to Capecchi, Evans and Smithies 'for their discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells' has set agog the promise-mills of medicalese and journalese ( Outlook - cover story: Miracle cure) ...
Line bisection performance in right-handed primary headache sufferers
Oct 01, 2007; ... Migraine and tension-type headaches are two common forms of primary headache. Migraine is characterized by a unilateral head pain location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity and association with nausea, photophobia or phonophobia ....
Occipitocervical contoured rod stabilization: Does it still have a role amidst the modern stabilization techniques?
Oct 01, 2007; ... The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) represents a unique and complex interface responsible for more than half of the rotation and flexion-extension of the cervical spine. The osseous articulations and their supporting ligaments must resist forces in all axes of motion. [1],[2],[3],[4],[5] Various ...
Anesthesia for awake craniotomy: A retrospective study
Oct 01, 2007; ... There is an increasing trend towards performing craniotomy awake. This is done either for resection of the tumor located in the eloquent areas of the brain or for localization and resection of seizure focus. The challenge before the anesthesiologist is to provide adequate analgesia and sedation, ...
The articles of Babinski on his sign and the paper of 1898
Oct 01, 2007; ... The Article of 1896: On the Cutaneous Plantar Reflex in Certain Organic Affections of the Central Nervous System [1] In 1896 Joseph Franηois Fιlix Babinski (1857-1932) [Figure 1] in a very brief paper of 28 lines described for the first time the sign that bears his name [1] ...
Individualized ventriculostomy in hydrocephalus: An intravital anatomical study
Oct 01, 2007; ... The anatomy of the floor of the third ventricle is of increasing importance for neuroendoscopic procedures. Mixter [1] developed a technique for performing third ventriculostomy on the floor of the third ventricle in front of the mamillary bodies as a treatment for hydrocephalus. During ...
Health-related quality of life using QOLIE-31: Before and after epilepsy surgery a prospective study at a tertiary care center
Oct 01, 2007; ... Epilepsy is both a medical diagnosis and a social stigma, especially in developing countries like India. The possibility of recurrent seizures remains a silent, chronic daily hazard for most epilepsy patients. The stigma and underlying worry about epilepsy are not usually considered in the ...
Intensive care management of head injury patients without routine intracranial pressure monitoring
Oct 01, 2007; ... Societies with advanced emergency medical services (EMS) have reduced mortality in severe head injuries by "aggressive" pre-hospital and in-hospital management including intracranial pressure monitoring (ICPM). [1],[2],[3],[4],[5] However, India has limited resources in terms of infrastructure ...
Brain cells - recently unveiled secrets: Their clinical significance
Oct 01, 2007; ... Twentieth century unraveled the mystery of the atoms and the gene but much to the disappointment of scientists and philosophers alike the hope to achieve a hat-trick by solving the mystery of the mind remained unfulfilled. However, during the latter part of the 20 th century the study of the ...
Treatment of traumatic trigeminal-cavernous fistula by coil embolization and compression of carotid artery
Oct 01, 2007; ... Introduction The trigeminal artery is a persistent, embryonic, vascular anastomotic connection between the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) and the basilar artery. Its rate of occurrence is between 0.1 - 0.8%. [1],[2] Trigeminal cavernous fistula (TCF) is rarely reported in the ...
Teflon sponge shunt for recurrent arachnoid cyst
Oct 01, 2007; ... Introduction Symptomatic recurrence of arachnoid cyst after partial wall resection or marsupialization is a well-known phenomenon. A variety of shunt procedures have been advocated to prevent cyst recurrence. We report a case where the cyst was located anterior to the brainstem and a ...
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in basal ganglia of patients with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers
Oct 01, 2007; ... The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) disease were not specific. [1] The most common one was cerebral and cerebellar atrophy. [2] Some reports stated that the cerebral and cerebellar white matter may have low ...
Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the multiple sclerosis quality of life questionnaire
Oct 01, 2007; ... Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in the world. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS) that affects individuals in their most productive ages and is a tremendous burden for years to come. [1] ...
Gender differences in blood lipids and the risk of ischemic stroke among the hypertensive adults in rural China
Oct 01, 2007; ... Stroke has become one of the leading causes of death in China. [1],[2] Epidemiological studies on stroke in China have showed that ischemic stroke is more frequent. [3] Although hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, data from secondary prevention trials which have evaluated the role ...
Syndrome of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia: Report of six cases
Oct 01, 2007; ... Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia (SCH) is increasingly recognized as an important yet often misdiagnosed cause of new onset headaches. [1] Classically, patients with SCH present with acute onset "orthostatic headache" (OH). [1],[2] Though secondary OH following lumbar puncture is well ...
Survival in rhinocerebral mucormycosis: Is iron the key?
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, I read with great interest, the study by Jayalakshmi et al. , regarding factors for survival in rhinocerebral mucormycosis. [1] The mortality of patients in this series was approximately 50%, despite optimal surgical and medical management. This is similar to earlier series from ...
Postural tremor induced by paint sniffing
Oct 01, 2007; ... Introduction Volatile substance abuse (VSA) is the deliberate and intentional inhalation of volatile solvents, aerosols, gases or nitrates for the purposes of intoxication. It is particularly prevalent among adolescents and individuals living in remote communities, due to the low cost, ...
An incidentally detected third ventricle chordoid glioma
Oct 01, 2007; ... Chordoid glioma (CG) of the third ventricle is a rare low-grade tumor described for the first time by Brat in 1998 as a distinct clinical-pathological entity. [1] The histopathological features of CG are consistent with a slowly growing neoplasm, thus successfully curable by surgery. However, ...
Postoperative reversible deterioration in a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula
Oct 01, 2007; ... Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs), also known as Type I spinal arteriovenous malformations, are treated by endovascular embolization or by surgical division of the draining pathway that connects with the perimedullary drainage (PD) adjacent to the fistula. Favorable treatment results ...
Acute intermittent porphyria presenting with neurological emergency: Review of six cases
Oct 01, 2007; ... Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant disorder, resulting from partial deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) enzyme in the haem biosynthetic pathway. [1] The presentation of AIP as an acute abdomen is well known, but a short duration of gastrointestinal symptoms ...
Paradoxical progression of conus tuberculoma during chemotherapy of tuberculous meningitis
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Simultaneous presentation of both spinal arachnoiditis and intramedullary tuberculoma, which deteriorate during antituberculous chemotherapy, is too rare. We report a rare case and study the clinico-pathological manifestations of spinal arachnoiditis and intramedullary ...
Bilateral thalamic involvement in dengue infection
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, A patient of 11 years presented with fever, headache and vomiting for two days, an episode of tonic clonic seizures, ecchymosis and altered sensorium. Her pupils were 3mm, constricted and reacting and all ocular movements were restricted. She had spasticity with tonic posturing and ...
Association between pituitary adenomas and intracranial aneurysms: An illustrative case and review of the literature
Oct 01, 2007; ... The earliest case reports of the coexistence of anterior circulation aneurysms and pituitary adenomas date back to 1959. [1] Based on the various series reported in the literature, the incidence is approximately 3.6%. The coexistence of pituitary adenomas with anterior circulation intracranial ...
Dysmyelinating neuropathy in benign form of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts: A novel observation from south India
Oct 01, 2007; ... The spectrum of leukodystrophies has expanded with many newer syndromes being identified, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and genetic studies. One such distinct entity, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC), is characterized by large head, variable cognitive ...
Severe phenytoin toxicity in a CYP2C9FNx013FNx013 homozygous mutant from India
Oct 01, 2007; ... Phenytoin / Diphenyl hydantoin (DPH) is a well-established, widely prescribed first line drug for the treatment of simple and complex partial seizures as well as generalized seizure. It is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2C9 (90%) and CYP2C19 (10%). The rate of metabolism of DPH is ...
Intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with Churg-Strauss syndrome
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, A 45-year-old man was admitted with history of painful, sequential multiple peripheral nerve involvement for four months. On questioning he revealed history of allergic rhinitis with recurrent nasal polyps, bronchial asthma for two years, weight loss, joint pains with swelling and ...
Worsening of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula with incomplete superior ophthalmic thrombosis after palliative transarterial embolization
Oct 01, 2007; ... Dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) are abnormal arteriovenous shunts developing in the dura mater, usually within or near the walls of a dural sinus and are most common in the cavernous and transverse or sigmoid sinuses. [1],[2],[3] A variety of treatment strategies for aggressive cavernous ...
Variability of the palmar cutaneous branch median nerve sensory nerve action potential with carpal tunnel syndrome
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, The palmar cutaneous median branch (PCBm) sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) can be useful in investigating hand sensory symptoms. [1],[2] The PCBm SNAP when recorded using an antidromic technique yields two negative peaks followed by the motor potential [Figure 1]a. The first ...
Nuchal extra-abdominal aggressive fibromatosis of desmoid type in a 77-year-old female
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, A 77-year-old female noticed a fast growing, indolent lesion within the left nuchal musculature. Ten years ago, she was operated for renal cancer. Preoperative MRI showed a sharply demarcated lesion [Figure 1]A with a strong uptake of gadolinium [Figure 1]B after administration of ...
Subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit associated with subfrontal hematoma presenting as proptosis
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Blunt trauma to the head may result in extradural hematomas, which are common over the temporoparietal region and associated with injury to the meningeal arteries. Subperiosteal hematomas of the orbit are rare presentations after head injury, with only a few cases reported in the ...
Complex spontaneous extracranial-intracranial collateralization in progressive systemic atherosclerotic disease
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Localized progressive intravascular accumulation of atheromatous deposits represents the leading cause of stenosis or occlusion of the brain supplying arteries in adults. These atherosclerotic changes may be found extra- and intracranially within the anterior and the posterior ...
An extra hill in a poly-hill sign in a patient with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy
Oct 01, 2007; ... An 18-year-old boy presented in the outpatient clinic with difficulty in raising hands above shoulders and inability to sip drinks through a straw. Examination revealed marked weakness of the muscles around shoulder girdle, particularly trapezius, serratus anterior, biceps and triceps muscles ....
Ganglion: An uncommon cause of compressive peroneal neuropathy
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Peroneal nerve injury usually results from fracture of the fibula neck or direct pressure from an ill-fitting plaster cast. [1] Ganglionic cysts developing in the sheath of the peroneal nerve or joint capsule around the knee is a rare cause of compressive peroneal neuropathy ....
Lumbosacral subdural hematoma following a ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, A 62-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgery department for sudden onset headache. Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm. He underwent aneurysmal neck clipping ...
Giant sphenoethmoidal nasopaharyngeal schwannoma with anterior skull base extension managed by a total anterior transbasal approach
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Schwannomas are benign well-encapsulated tumors arising from the schwann cells surrounding the peripheral nerves. Schwannomas of the paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx are very rare lesions, with involvement of the skull base by these tumors very uncommon. [1],[2] Very few such cases ...
Spinal cord involvement and ganglionitis in leprosy
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, We report an unusual case of leprosy to record the MRI changes of leprous ganglionitis and to newly document spinal cord involvement in leprosy, A 20-year-old male presented with progressive loss of sensations and weakness of left hand of eight months duration. Examination ...
Osteochondroma of rib with neural foraminal extension and cord compression
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Osteochondroma (cartilage cap exostosis) is an osseous outgrowth arising from cortical bone. It is the commonest benign bone tumor, which arises from the metaphyseal region of long bones. Commonly seen around the knee joint, osteochondroma can also arise from flat bones (ileum, ...
Scalp and intracranial metastasis from pleomorphic adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland is an aggressive tumor with the tendency to metastasize locally or through lymphatics. Intracranial metastasis through hematogenous route from salivary gland malignant tumor is uncommon and most of the reported cases are from the adenocystic ...
Relapsing myelopathy as the initial manifestation of primary central nervous system angiitis
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare form of vasculitis exclusively affecting the CNS, without association with systemic processes.[1],[2] Symptomatic spinal cord involvement is infrequent and relapsing myelopathy as a presenting manifestation is ...
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of placental alkaline phosphatase and [beta]-human chorionic gonadotrophin in a case of intracranial germinoma with normal levels in blood
Oct 01, 2007; ... Sir, The authors report a case of intracranial germinoma with raised levels of β -human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with normal levels in the blood. A 13-year-old female complained of intermittent ...
Subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral parenchymal hemorrhage secondary to cerebral sinovenous thrombosis: A rare combination
Oct 01, 2007; ... Cortical vein thrombosis (CVT) is increasingly recognized as a distinctive cause of cerebrovascular disease in the young. The easy availability of imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and venography (MRV) has led to better awareness among the neurologists. The clinical ...