Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
-
Experimental model of intracranial hypertension with continuous multiparametric monitoring in swine.
Intracranial hypertension (IH) develops in approximately 50% of all patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, it is very important to identify a suitable animal model to study and understand the pathophysiology of refractory IH to develop effective treatments. ⋯ The model described here seems useful to understand some of the pathophysiological characteristics of acute IH.
-
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular transmission leading to generalized or localized muscle weakness due most frequently to the presence of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors in the postsynaptic motor end-plate. Myasthenic crisis (MC) is a complication of MG characterized by worsening muscle weakness, resulting in respiratory failure that requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. It also includes postsurgical patients, in whom exacerbation of muscle weakness from MG causes a delay in extubation. ⋯ Most patients have a predisposing factor that triggers the crisis, generally an infection of the respiratory tract. Immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, and steroids are the cornerstones of immunotherapy. Today with the modern neurocritical care, mortality rate of MC is less than 5%.
-
Iatrogenic meningitis can be caused by a number of mechanisms. The recent case reports of fungal meningitis after application of epidural methylprednisolone caused warning in the medical community. ⋯ Several medications can cause meningitis by probable hypersensitivity mechanism. Neurologists should be alert to the recent description of the use of lamotrigine and development of aseptic meningitis.
-
Management of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) can be a frustrating experience for patients since it poses a therapeutic challenge. In this article the authors describe the clinical characteristics of a group of patients with pain after spinal cord injury. ⋯ Neuropathic pain is a common complaint in patients with SCI and presents a treatment challenge. Knowledge of the clinical characteristics of this group of patients may help determine the best approach to intervention.
-
Comparative Study
Hematoma volumes of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: the ellipse (ABC/2) method yielded volumes smaller than those measured using the planimetric method.
To compare two different methods for measuring intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume: the ellipse volume (called ABC/2), and the software-aided planimetric. ⋯ Both methods are reproducible. The ABC/2 yielded hemorrhage volumes as much as 14.9% smaller than those measured using the planimetric methodology.