Journal of neurology
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Neuropsychology contributes greatly to the diagnosis of dementia. Cognitive deficits can be detected several years before the clinical diagnosis of dementia. The neuropsychological profile may indicate the underlying neuropathology. ⋯ These patterns must be interpreted in the light of the history, rate of progression, imaging results, and nature of existing behavioral disturbances. Moreover, there may be overlap between two or more pathologies, which complicates the diagnostic process. Follow-up of patients is necessary to improve diagnostic accuracy.
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The use of neuroimaging is reviewed in the diagnosis of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Computed tomography (CT) may be used to exclude other causes of dementia than AD. The finding of cortical or subcortical atrophy on CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) itself does not indicate AD. ⋯ CT- and MRI-based measurements of hippocampal atrophy show promise in providing useful diagnostic information for discriminating patients with probable AD from normal elderly individuals. Using a standardized imaging protocol, including some assessment of hippocampal atrophy, can save costs since patients with suspected AD must undergo a cross-sectional imaging study to exclude other (treatable) causes of dementia. Combining an assessment of hippocampal atrophy with cerebral blood flow measurements by single photon emission computed tomography is not warranted either from a clinical or from an economic point of view.
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Journal of neurology · Oct 1998
Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus: causes, treatment, complications and predictors of case fatality.
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 66 patients treated for generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus at the Ege University neurological intensive care unit from 1988 to 1997. Seventy-two per cent of the study group had a pre-existing seizure disorder, and antiepileptic drug withdrawal was the most prominent cause of status epilepticus. ⋯ Overall case fatality was 21%, but death could be attributed directly to status epilepticus and/or treatment complication in 10% of the study group. Major determinants of fatal outcomes were: increasing age, longer duration of status epilepticus before initiation of therapy and central nervous system infection as a causal factor.
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Journal of neurology · Sep 1998
ReviewNeuro-ophthalmology of pupillary function--practical guidelines.
An overview how to examine pupillary function and handle pupillary abnormalities is presented. The following issues are discussed: swinging flashlight test, clinical relevance of a relative afferent pupillary defect, anisocoria with normal light reaction, diagnosis and evaluation of Homer's syndrome, differential diagnosis of impaired light reaction, tonic pupil, third nerve palsy, supranuclear pupillary disorders, iris problems, systemic disease, measurement of sleepiness, and pupillography.
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Journal of neurology · Sep 1998
Clinical TrialQuantification of post-concussion symptoms 3 months after minor head injury in 100 consecutive patients.
Post-concussion symptoms (PCS) (such as headaches, irritability, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue and impaired concentration) are frequently experienced by patients who have sustained a minor head injury (MHI). The post-concussion syndrome has been defined as a clinical state where 3 or more symptoms persist for more than 3 months. This report focuses on the quantification of PCS according to the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ). ⋯ Patients on sick leave owing to the injury reported significantly (P = 0.05) higher RPQ scores (mean 10.3, SD 13.2) than those not on sick leave (mean 5.5, SD 8.6). We observed no association between age, gender, cause of injury, severity of injury, duration of amnesia and RPQ score. RPQ score provides useful information about the severity of PCS regardless of whether the diagnostic criteria for the post-concussion syndrome are met or not.