Rivista di neurologia最新文献

The authors describe the case of three patients suffering from language disorder secondary to mesencephalo-thalamic infarcts. One of them showed the clinical features of transcortical motor aphasia, while the other two presented the typical pattern of the so-called "thalamic aphasia". The CT-stereotaxic method for lesion localization disclosed that the dorso-medial was the mostly involved thalamic nucleus in each case. Since this nucleus is connected both with Broca's and Wernike's areas, the authors suggest that the more or less extensive involvement of the fibres connecting these structures may be responsible for the different aphasic features presented in these cases.

A case of patient with deep frontal brain haemorrhage is reported. The lesion is in the striato-caudate region extended to the anterior arm of the internal capsule. The neuropsychological survey is reported: it shows an impairment in functions implying the central processing while not so markedly spoiled are functions classically considered depending on the damaged areas. A SPECT investigation shows an extension of the functional impairment corresponding to the neuropsychological data.

A critical review of the literature concerning PNS involvement in HIV infection was carried out. This complication was detected a short time ago (1982) and therefore a common classification is not yet available. The authors, through an analysis of the cases reported in literature, suggest a nosographic classification of this pathology.

The study was carried out on 60 patients (mean age 69.9 +/- 10.3 years) suffering from slight-moderate brain pathology primary or secondary to vascular forms. Patients were treated with 1500 mg/day per os of Aniracetam or placebo. Drug efficiency evaluation was performed utilizing the following psychometric tests: Blessed Scale, figures repetition test, Benton test, Corsi test, Rey test, Pieron test, phrases construction test, verbal fluency test. They were carried out during basal visit after two and four month treatment. In Aniracetam treated group the score showed a significant improving during the first and second control. In placebo treated group no change statistically considerable happened in any test. Aniracetam has proved to be a useful drug in slight-moderate brain decay treatment of the elderly.

The paper describes a patient, who developed a "locked-in" syndrome following a cervical trauma occurred during karate training. The neurological picture was determined by an ischemic lesion of the ventral pontine region. The pathophysiological aspects concerning the association between cervical trauma and athletic activities are discussed.

There are a very few reports in literature of inherited intracerebral cavernous angiomas. The majority of them are Mexican-American families. In some of the reported families autosomal dominant transmission is suggested. We report a family in which three members of three consecutive generations were proven to have multiple intracerebral cavernous malformations, without involvement of skin, eyes, or other viscera. An autosomal dominant mode of inheritance is clearly suggested.

The Authors describe the case of a 44 year-old man whose familial and personal histories were negative for muscular diseases. The patient complained slowly progressive wasting and weakness localized to the quadriceps muscles. The bioptic study of the gastrocnemius and the quadriceps showed dystrophic changes, confirming that muscular dystrophy closely localized to quadriceps is of rare occurrence. Muscles other than quadriceps can often be involved by the same pathology even if the clinical signs continue to be localized to the quadriceps muscles for many years.

The Authors report a case of low back pain with sciatica due to a synovial cyst of the interapophyseal joint of the lumbar spine. The diagnosis was made by CT and MRI. A review of the literature confirms the relative rarity of their lesion at the lumbar level and the necessity of radical surgery, best achieved with microsurgical technique. The Authors emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis before surgery.

In two patients with lack of spontaneous activity and emotionality, without dementia or depression and in absence of other neurologic signs, the "athymormia syndrome" has been diagnosed. CT scan and MRI showed bilateral symmetrical lesions in basal ganglia. We discuss the possible pathophysiological basis of the syndrome and the recent data about the functional connections among basal ganglia, frontal cortex and limbic system.