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Biomedical subjects

C A Tassinari

Publications and source records attributed to C A Tassinari.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Status epilepticus.

This chapter reviews the literature about intensive monitoring (IM) in status epilepticus (SE). The description of the newly developed and suitable monitoring techniques is followed by a few sections devoted to the clinical application of IM in SE. IM is mostly required to establish the correct diagnosis in SE, particularly in the nonconvulsive type. Similarly, the classification and the medical treatment of SE are greatly improved by IM. Although no definitive data exist, the practical relevance of IM in the prognosis of SE is discussed in detail. Furthermore, special emphasis is given to the value of neuroradiological monitoring in SE, as evidenced by a proper case report. It is concluded that a further development and a more widespread employment of monitoring techniques are needed to assist and improve the management of SE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

CT findings in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Computed tomographic (CT) findings of three patients affected by progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are reported. The radiological picture consisted of atrophy of the midbrain and quadrigeminal plate, with prominent interpeduncular, crural, ambient, and quadrigeminal plate cisterns, and dilatation of the aqueduct and third ventricle. These features were not related to the duration of the illness and degree of neurological deficits. In the authors' opinion CT is useful in the differential diagnosis of PSP and other extrapyramidal disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Benzodiazepines: efficacy in status epilepticus.

Both our personal experience and the findings of others indicate that the benzodiazepines (a) are the drugs of first choice for control of status epilepticus occurring in patients with primary generalized epilepsy (90%-100% effective) or control of hemiclonic convulsions in children without brain lesions, (b) are effective in approximately 60% of cases of status epilepticus occurring in partial epilepsy, (c) are effective in only 15% to 59% of cases of tonic status or various types of absence status occurring in secondary generalized epilepsy (but no other drug is more effective), (d) are helpful in status epilepticus occurring in nonepileptic patients if there is no overt brain lesion (but give only temporary relief when status is the result of a severe organic brain lesion), and (e) are generally safe drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Effects of PTZ-induced generalized epilepsy on intestinal activity in cats.

Simultaneous recordings of the EEG, the electromyogram of the small intestine, the electrocardiogram, and femoral arterial pressure were monitored in 24 cats anesthetized with halothane, immobilized with gallamine, and artificially respirated. During pentylenetetrazol-induced generalized seizures, intestinal activity was blocked, as demonstrated by the disappearance of spikes from the EMG. This block was abolished by spinal cord section at C1-C2 level and partially abolished by bilateral adrenalectomy. These results demonstrate the existence of inhibitory sympathetic mechanisms during generalized experimental seizures.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1981

Extreme somatosensory evoked potential (ESEP): an EEG sign forecasting the possible occurrence of seizures in children.

In a population of 15,000 children it was found that tactile stimulation, mainly tapping on the soles or heels of the feet, could elicit high-voltage evoked potentials in the EEGs of 1% of them. A longitudinal study of 16 of these patients showed a stereotyped electroclinical evolution. At first, only extreme somatosensory evoked potential (ESEPs) were observed in nonepileptic children with normal EEG records (first period). Then, after a variable delay, spontaneous EEG abnormalities appeared, first only during sleep, and then also during wakefulness, usually as spikes involving the same parietal and midline regions where the ESEPs were evident (second and third periods). Seizures then began (fourth period) within 5 months to 2 years after the appearance of the interictal focal abnormalities. Such seizures were rare, but in some cases they were grouped in bouts that amounted to status epilepticus. The seizures were usually of the partial motor type, with adversion of the head, but infrequently they assumed the tonic-clonic type; they occurred mainly during the daytime. The fits were short-lived, however, and after a year had mostly disappeared, while the ESEPs and spontaneous interictal focal abnormalities sometime persisted for several year before disappearing, too. The subjects were otherwise neurologically and psychologically normal throughout the observation and follow-up period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

[Benign focal epilepsy and "electrical status epilepticus" during sleep (author's transl)].

The authors describe the electro-clinical state of four children having a type of epilepsy clinically characterized by rare partial motor seizures and frequent absences. From E.E.G. point of view they had focal (mainly frontal) and diffuse abnormalities. Such diffuse abnormalities became continuous during slow sleep, thus realizing an electrical status epilepticus. During such status partial subclinical seizures were recorded. At the onset such cases have electroclinical features resembling those observed in the form of epilepsy so-called "benign partial epilepsy of children with rolandic or mid-temporal foci". All cases, however, have behavioural problems (instability, desorientation) and decreased school performances. The epilepsy evolution, however, is favourable and such form should consequently be distinguished from the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

Child↗
PubMed1977

Phenytoin encephalopathy as probable idiosyncratic reaction: case report.

A case of phenytoin (DPH) encephalopathy with increasing seizures and EEG and mental changes is described. Despite adequate oral dosage of DPH (5 mg/kg/daily) the plasma level was very low (2.8 microgramg/ml). The encephalopathy was probably an idiosyncratic and not toxic or allergic reaction. In fact the concentration of free DPH was normal, the patient presented a retarded morbilliform rash during DPH treatment, the protidogram was normal, and an intradermic DPH injection had no local effect. The authors conclude that in a patient starting DPH treatment an unexpected increase in seizures, with EEG and mental changes occurring simultaneously, should alert the physician to the possible need for eliminating DPH from the therapeutic regimen, even if plasma concentrations are low.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Partial epilepsy with complex symptoms and atrophic occipito-parietal lesions. Value of tachoencephalographic examination].

Eleven of the first 500 epileptics examined by axial tomography presented pseudo-porencephalic dilation (cavitary atrophy) of an occipital horn, associated or not with more extensive ventricular dilation. This lesion was found in 2.2% of all the epileptics and in 5% of the epileptics under the age of 20 in this group, a high incidence when compared with that of lesions of the same type located elsewhere. Clinical investigation and E.E.G. carried out on these 11 children showed that they were suffering from either hemiphegia or hemiparesis (8 out of 11 cases) and hemianopsia (7 out of 11 cases), and had serious epilepsy with partial fits (6 cases), usual temporal lobe epilepsy (5 cases), generalized secondary epilepsy (3 cases) or epilepsy defying classification (2 cases). These cases are compared with those recently published by Remillard, Ethier and Anderman. These authors consider that these cerebral lesions are the result of peri-natal thrombosis of the posterior cerebral artery. But in our group of cases, angiographic results do not appear to justify this claim.

Adolescent↗