PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

C Roig

Publications and source records attributed to C Roig.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Motion of the cerebellar tonsils in Chiari type I malformation studied by cine phase-contrast MRI.

We studied the effects on CSF dynamics at the foramen magnum and the clinical significance of the abnormal tonsillar motion in 14 patients with Chiari type I malformation and 14 control subjects using cine phase-contrast MRI. Dynamic MRI consisted of axial and sagittal cine phase-contrast sequences. CSF and tonsillar motion were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated, and the subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum measured. In Chiari patients, cine phase-contrast MRI detected the abnormal pulsatile motion of the cerebellar tonsils, which produced a selective obstruction of CSF flow from the cranial cavity to the spine. The amplitude of the tonsillar pulsation and the severity of the arachnoid space reduction were associated with the symptom of cough-strain headache, but not with the presence of syringomyelia. The finding of abnormal valve dynamics of the cerebellar hernia revealed by cine phase-contrast MRI conforms to the pathophysiologic mechanisms suggested in pressure register studies and opens a new possibility in the presurgical assessment of Chiari patients with exertional symptoms.

Adult

Oculomotor abnormalities in motor neuron disease.

To determine whether there are oculomotor abnormalities in motor neuron disease (MND), electro-oculographic recordings were performed prospectively in 16 MND patients and the results compared with age-matched healthy controls. Parameters analysed included random and fixed saccades (latency, velocity and accuracy), smooth pursuit (gain, total harmonic distortion and number of saccadic intrusions) and optokinetic nystagmus (maximal and mean slow component velocity). Increased saccadic latencies and decreased smooth pursuit gain were the main alterations in the MND group. Correlation with clinical variables showed a positive relationship between smooth pursuit saccadic intrusions and the bulbar clinical score and the rate of progression and a lower optokinetic nystagmus maximal velocity in patients with pseudobulbar syndrome. Our results demonstrate the presence of subclinical supranuclear abnormalities in MND, and support the notion that MND is not merely a degeneration of the motor system.

Adult

[Memory changes in Parkinson's disease. Relation with clinical variables].

We studied verbal and visual short term memory, learning capabilities and long term retention in a sample of 96 patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and 42 controls matched by sex, age, years of education and verbal intelligence. We found significant differences between groups in visual short term memory and verbal learning, but not in verbal short term memory and long term retention. Performance in visual short term memory and learning correlated with the severity of disease and motor performance. Forty-one per cent of patients had impairment in visual short term memory, and this impairment is related with bradykinesia and correlated with age of onset. These results suggest that two forms of memory failure are closely related to motor symptoms and other clinical variables probably reflecting the same neuropathological substrate.

Aged

Bilateral homonymous visual field defects as initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis.

Symptomatic suprageniculate lesions in multiple sclerosis expressed as a visual field defect are infrequent. The present case developed a bilateral homonymous defect as the initial and unique symptom of the disease. It was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, which disclosed extensive demyelinating areas in both optic nerve radiations. The mode of onset, perimetric findings, and unusual presentation of this condition are briefly discussed.

Adult

Dementia of frontal lobe type and motor neuron disease. A Golgi study of the frontal cortex.

Neuropathological findings in a 38 year old patient with dementia of frontal lobe type and motor neuron disease included pyramidal tracts, myelin pallor and neuron loss, gliosis and chromatolysis in the hypoglossal nucleus, together with frontal atrophy, neuron loss, gliosis and spongiosis in the upper cortical layers of the frontal (and temporal) lobes. Most remaining pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons (multipolar, bitufted and bipolar cells) in the upper layers (layers II and III) of the frontal cortex (area B) had reduced dendritic arbors, proximal dendritic varicosities and amputation of dendrites as revealed in optimally stained rapid Golgi sections. Pyramidal cells in these layers also showed depletion of dendritic spines. Neurons in the inner layers were preserved. Loss of receptive surfaces in neurons of the upper cortical layers in the frontal cortex are indicative of neuronal disconnection, and are "hidden" contributory morphological substrates for the development of dementia.

Adult

A prospective study of chronic or recurrent headache in systemic lupus erythematosus.

This study was conducted to analyze the prevalence and features of chronic or recurrent headache in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and also the relationship of such headache with other manifestations of the disease. A total of 76 patients (69 women and 7 men) with a mean age of 40 years (r: 24-74 years) were included. An overall severity index for SLE was applied. Fifty-two patients (68%) presented headache, 27 (52%) being vascular and 25 (48%) muscle contraction type. Headache in general was more frequent after the onset of SLE (p less than .001). Prevalence of muscle contraction headache in particular was greater following manifestations of SLE. Family history of migraine was recorded in 54% of the patients with vascular headache. This antecedent was more common in patients in whom migraine started before the onset of SLE (p = .05). A greater number of neuropsychiatric symptoms was observed in the patients with vascular headache and family history (p less than .02). Patients with thrombocytopenia presented headache less frequently (p less than .05). Our results showed headache, of both vascular and muscle contraction types, to be frequent in SLE. We note that there is an increased frequency of muscle contraction headache after the onset of SLE, and that there is a migraine-like headache directly related to SLE. Migrainous patients with familial history have a greater probability to suffer neuropsychiatric manifestations. Finally, it is suggested that severity of SLE is not related to presence of headache.

Adult

Complicated coital cephalalgia. Three cases with benign evolution.

Three patients with a history of migraine and type-II coital cephalalgia with signs of vertebrobasilar deficiency are presented. Extensive studies including angiography did not show any vascular malformation. Together with the few reports in the literature our cases outline a benign form of complicated coital cephalalgia, possibly resulting from ischaemic disturbances triggered by haemodynamic changes occurring in orgasm.

Adult

Clinical symptomatology and computerized tomography in brain metastasis.

In 50 patients with a diagnosis of brain metastasis, a study was made commencing with the appearance of the first neurological symptom. Severe headaches were observed in 48% of the patients, followed by a change in character in 11% and motor disorders in 11%. The search for initial neurological signs will help dictate the precise moment of using the scanner to confirm the diagnosis, thus hopefully allowing for a quicker treatment and improving the survival rates of these patients.

Adolescent