Acta neurologica
-
We have studied 122 patients (52 men and 70 women) with definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to evaluate the frequency and clinical characteristics of pain in MS. The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression, the Beck-Self Depression Inventory and the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale were used in all patients. We have divided the patients with pain in two groups: patients with pain syndromes at onset and patients with pain syndromes during the course of MS disease. ⋯ We did not find a significant differences with respect to age, sex, disease duration, physical impairment, depressive symptoms between the patients of pain-free group and of pain groups. There was a significant difference in mean disease duration from diagnosis in patients reporting pain at onset of the disease. In conclusion, the pain in MS is not a rare symptom; the role of physiopathological mechanism underlying pain syndromes arise unclear.
-
Multiple sclerosis presenting at onset with clinical signs and CT picture suggesting a cerebral neoplasm or a slowly evolving stroke, is uncommon. We report one patient in whom cerebral tumour was suspected not only clinically but also from CT features. M. ⋯ So they, unlike the M. R. I., seem of no particular usefulness to serially monitor the clinical modification of MS.
-
Clinical Trial
Indication, efficiency and complications of intrathecal pump supported baclofen treatment in spinal spasticity.
In 19 patients, who suffered from severe spinal spasticity of different etiologies and did not respond sufficiently to oral antispastic therapy, intrathecal Baclofen test boli were administered. In 11 patients a DAD (Drug Administration Device) [SynchroMedR Model 8611 H, Medtronic Inc. ⋯ Long term intrathecal Baclofen application was effective in all patients, as reducing spasticity, flexor spasms and spasm induced pain. In some cases the motor performance ameliorated.