Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
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Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is an entity of rare occurrence and unknown etiopathogenesis, expressed clinically by unilateral orbitary pain associated with simple or multiple oculomotor paralysis, which resolves spontaneously but may recur. We present a series of six cases taken care in our ambulatory, which fulfill the diagnostic criteria for Tolosa Hunt syndrome according to the International Headache Society Classification of 2004. There are also emphasized the demographic data of this series of patients, their 12 months follow-up, investigative studies and responsiveness to corticosteroids. As the diagnosis is always of exclusion, literature revision is focused on differential diagnosis of painful ophthalmoplegic syndromes.
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Historical Article
The history of spinal surgery for disc disease: an illustrated timeline.
This article presents the evolution in medical history which leads to the surgical treatment for ruptured discs. Only at the last century the precise diagnosis of a ruptured lumbar disc could be made after tremendous efforts of the many medical pioneers in the study of the spine. The experience gained with the lumbar spine was rapidly transferred to the cervical spine. ⋯ Our understandings of the relation between symptoms and signs and of that between anatomy and pathophysiology have led to more successful surgical treatment for this disease. Nowadays lumbar and cervical discectomies are the most frequent operations carried out by neurosurgeons. Our current care of patients with this kind of spinal disorders is based on the work of our ancient medical heroes.
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Vestibular paroxysmia is a syndrome of cross-compression of the VIII cranial nerve and was first described by Jannetta who used the term "disabling positional vertigo". This syndrome is characterized by brief attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, vestibular and auditory deficits. MRI may show the VIII nerve compression from vessels in the posterior fossa, such as the basilar, vertebral, anterior-inferior cerebellar or the posterior-inferior cerebellar arteries. ⋯ This study describes eight patients with vestibular paroxysmia. Four of them showed also clinical signs suggesting cross-compression of the V and/or VII nerve. Seven patients treated with carbamazepine had significant improvement of vertigo and tinnitus.