Acta neurologica Scandinavica
-
Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2001
Autonomic failure after stroke--is it indicative for pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome?
In order to find pieces of evidence for a central origin of autonomic failure in complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I), the pattern of autonomic symptoms in CRPS I patients was compared to patients a few days after stroke. Autonomic failure in the latter group is assumed to represent definite CNS origin. Seventeen stroke patients, 21 patients in the acute and late stage of CRPS I and a control group of 23 healthy subjects were investigated. ⋯ Furthermore, stroke patients had increased TST but not QSART responses on the contralesional limb (P < 0.05) and skin temperature was decreased (P < 0.001). The same pattern of autonomic failure was found in late CRPS (TST: P < 0.02, skin temperature: P < 0.01) whereas in acute CRPS additional, presumably peripheral mechanisms, contribute to sympathetic symptoms. In conclusion, our investigation suggests that many clinical symptoms and the main features of sympathetic dysfunction in CRPS could be explained by a CNS pathophysiology.
-
Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2001
Biochemical evidence of crossed cerebellar diaschisis in terms of nitric oxide indicators and lipid peroxidation products in rats during focal cerebral ischemia.
Cerebral hypoperfusion in the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere after stroke is interpreted as a functional and metabolic depression, possibly caused by a loss of excitatory afferent inputs on the corticopontocerebellar pathway terminating in the cerebellar gray matter. This phenomenon is defined as crossed cerebellar diaschisis and can be diagnosed clinically by positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography in terms of regional cerebral blood flow or metabolic rate of oxygen measurements. ⋯ These findings support the interruption of the corticopontocerebellar tract as the mechanism of the crossed cerebellar diaschisis.
-
Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jul 2000
Screening for thrombophilic risk factors among 25 German patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.
In this study the frequency of inherited thrombophilic risk factors in a population of German CVT patients and their influence on clinical outcome were evaluated. ⋯ Our results demonstrate that screening for inherited thrombophilia should be an integral part in the diagnostic work up of CVT patients. Patients with inherited coagulopathies tended to have a less favorable outcome, corroborating recommendations for a longer period of oral anticoagulation.
-
The development of neuropathic pain involves a series of changes including primary and secondary hyperalgesia, peripheral and central sensitization, and wind-up phenomena. Neurotransmitters play a critical role in this process. For example, glutaminergic subtypes of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and neurokinin prime the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor by triggering the release of intracellular calcium ions, thus unblocking the magnesium ion plug on the NMDA receptor and allowing Ca2+ influx into the cell. ⋯ In the DPN trial, mean weekly pain was significantly (P<0.001) different for gabapentin-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients at endpoint. Consistent with the known side-effect profile of gabapentin, the most common adverse events noted in both studies were dizziness and somnolence. Gabapentin should be considered an important addition to the management of neuropathic pain syndromes.
-
Acta Neurol. Scand. · Apr 2000
Neurological findings in complex regional pain syndromes--analysis of 145 cases.
Early diagnosis is a prerequisite for a successful treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In order to describe neurological symptoms which characterize CRPS, we evaluated 145 patients prospectively. Two-thirds of these were women, the mean age at time of investigation was 50.4 years. ⋯ Motor dysfunction (present in 97%) included weakness, tremor, exaggerated tendon reflexes, dystonia or myoclonic jerks. QST revealed increased warm perception thresholds (P<0.02) and decreased cold pain thresholds (P<0.03) of the affected limb. The detailed knowledge of clinical features of CRPS could help physicians early to recognize the disease and thus to improve therapy outcome.