Biomedical subjects

B Casanova-Estruch

Publications and source records attributed to B Casanova-Estruch.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

[Analysis of long-term results of thymectomy in control of myasthenia gravis].

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We studied 77 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) in whom thymectomy had been done between 1968 and 1992. The mean follow-up period was 7.3 years. Our aim was to analyze their clinical courses with regard to various parameters: demographic, clinical and the anatomo-pathology of the thymus. We classified the patients according to three possible situations: in remission without treatment, in remission with some type of treatment and not in remission. RESULTS: We did not find any data which significantly affected the subsequent course of MG. However, there was a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.008) when the pre-thymectomy and post-thymectomy conditions of the patients were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our series of cases is comparable to the majority of those presented. It should be remembered that although thymectomy has a place in the treatment of MG, and the technique is of low morbidity, precise indication for it has not yet been established. There are a considerable number of patients in whom no improvement is seen after this operation, although in 30% improvement may be expected.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Axonal involvement in multiple sclerosis. Current concepts].

INTRODUCTION: Axon pathology in multiple sclerosis is an emerging concept, not because it is unknown but because it has been forgotten. However, clinical, functional and pathological aspects have clearly shown that it is damaged at a very early stage in development of the plaque of demyelination. There is sufficient clinical, radiological and pathological evidence to permit definition of axonal damage as the central element of the pathology and clinical features of multiple sclerosis. DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: Throughout this article we will see how the axon is affected in multiple sclerosis, how this affects the inflammatory response and which parameters allow us to measure axonal damage and its relation to disability. Finally we will see how a new physiopathogenic concept of multiple sclerosis appears, based on the axonal lesion, and how this fits current clinico-pathological concepts better.

Axons↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Differences in the spectroscopy of the lesions of the remitting relapsing form of multiple sclerosis shown by magnetic resonance].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, characterized by the presence of inflammatory lesions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biochemical profile of the demyelinating lesions of the initial forms of MS (remitting relapsing) by analyzing the proton magnetic resonance spectra (1H MRS) to characterize the process of demyelination and relate it to the metabolites and clinical variables analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the largest demyelinating lesions in eight patients with remitting relapsing MS (RRMS) using the technique of single volume 1H MRS (VOI) with short echo time. The spectra of the white matter of two healthy control were used as reference. RESULTS: NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho value ratios decrease and mI/Cr one increase in all spectra lesions as compared to healthy controls. In four of the eight patients, the Cho/Cr was higher than in the controls. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the resonances of macromolecules were observed, related to the biochemistry of the process of demyelination. These differences in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, mI/Cr and macromolecules probably represent different stages in the evolution of the plaques. CONCLUSIONS: MRS is a non invasive technique able to observe biochemical variations related to the evolution process of demyelination. Activity of the lesion is shown by the increment of resonances around 0.9 1.3 ppm. An increase in mI seems to occur at an early stage of demyelination and later the NAA is reduced. The initial forms of MS show metabolic alterations in the plaques which are similar to the most advanced forms of MS.

Adult↗