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Biomedical subjects

L A Cala

Publications and source records attributed to L A Cala.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1978

Computerized tomography of brain and optic nerve in multiple sclerosis. Observations in 100 patients, including serial studies in 16.

Computerized tomography (CT) of the brain was carried out in 100 patients with established or suspected multiple sclerosis (MS). The optic nerves were also examined in 53 of these patients. Areas compatible with demyelinating lesions were found in the cerebral hemisphere white matter and less frequently in the brain stem in 47% of cases. The hemisphere lesions were commonly multiple, typically situated in the deep white matter and periventricular regions, and were often asymptomatic. Small areas with unduly low attenuation coefficients were found in one or both optic nerves in 52% of patients in whom the optic nerves were examined. While these areas may represent demyelinating lesions their significance remains uncertain in view of poor correlation with clinical and electrophysiological parameters of optic nerve damage. Cerebral cortical atrophy and/or ventricular dilatation was found in 44% of cases, the frequency and severity of atrophy increasing with age and duration of disease. Serial studies after intervals of up to 21 months were performed in 16 patients, providing the opportunity to study the natural history of the cerebral lesions. While in some cases no significant change occurred, in others white matter lesions underwent an increase or a reduction in size, and in some cases new lesions appeared. In some patients minor degrees of atrophy became apparent over the period of the study. The value of CT in the investigation of patients with suspected MS and as a means of studying the natural history of the disease is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Brain atrophy and intellectual impairment in heavy drinkers--a clinical, psychometric and computerized tomography study.

The frequency of cerebral and cerebellar atrophy was assessed by computerized tomography (CT) in 26 heavy drinkers. Findings were correlated with clinical deficits, with the results of psychometric testing using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and with the alcoholic history and nutritional status. Cerebral atrophy was present in 19 cases (73%), 16 of whom also had cerebellar atrophy. There was a good correlation between the degree of cerebral hemisphere atrophy and age and length of drinking history, but a poor correlation between neurological deficits and atrophy. Impairment of visuo-spatial and visuo-motor functions with sparing of other non-dominant hemisphere functions and of verbal skills was the characteristic pattern found with the WAIS in 18 subjects; four showed a more global depression of intellectual function. The degree of cerebral hemisphere atrophy correlated significantly with the impairment of non-dominant hemisphere functions but not with total IQ.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Evoked potentials, saccadic velocities, and computerized tomography in diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

One hundred and two patients with suspected or established multiple sclerosis (MS) were investigated by one or more of the following techniques: measurement of visual evoked potentials (VEP); measurement of cervical and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP); measurement of horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities (SV); and computerised axial tomography of the cranium and orbits (CT). Each of the techniques was valuable in detecting abnormalities, some of which were subclinical, in many patients. More abnormalities were found in patients studied by more than one technique, the most being detected in patients who were studied by all five techniques. We conclude that the techniques have a complementary role in investigating suspected MS.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Electrophysiological and computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study.

102 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been investigated by one or more of the following techniques: visual evoked potentials, cervical and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials, horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities, and computerised axial tomography of the cranium and orbits. It has been found that with each technique it is possible to detect abnormalities, which may be subclinical, in a significant proportion of patients. The proportion with abnormal results was greater in patients studied by more than 1 technique and was greatest in those patients who were studied by each of the 5 techniques. It is concluded that the techniques used have a complementary role in the investigation of patients suspected of having MS.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis and Schilder's disease.

Computerised tomography of the brain was performed in 95 patients with multiple sclerosis and in a single patient with Schilder's disease. CT of the orbits was also carried out in 53 of these cases to examine the optic nerves. In 51% of the multiple sclerosis cases low density areas compatible with plaques of demyelination were found in the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres, and less frequently in the brain-stem. A much larger area of reduced intensity was found in the occipital white matter in the patient with Schilder's disease. Varying degrees of central and/or cortical cerebral atrophy were found in 45% of the multiple sclerosis patients, the more severe degrees being found in patients with long-standing disease. Serial observations in 15 patients who were examined on more than one occasion are also presented. Small low density areas were identified in one or both optic nerves in 52% of the multiple sclerosis cases. While these may represent demyelinating lesions their significance is uncertain.

Brain↗
PubMed1977

Computerised tomography of the cranium in patients with epilepsy: a preliminary report.

The findings are presented in 366 patients with seizures who were studied by computerised tomography of the cranium. The relative frequency of normal scans, cerebral tumours, atrophy and other pathological lesions is indicated. A more detailed analysis of the group of patients with atrophy was carried out. The frequency and severity of atrophy correlated significantly with age but not with length of seizure history. However, the more marked degrees of atrophy were found among patients with long-standing or poorly controlled epilepsy, an observation which has important implications with regard to the adequacy of seizure control in epileptic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Posterior fossa, aqueduct and fourth ventricle of the living mouse studied by positive contrast and plain radiography.

Radiographic techniques have been applied to the measure the size, volume and relationships of the posterior fossa, aqueduct and fourth ventricle in two strains of laboratory mice. Significant differences in the size of posterior fossae between strains were observed. Using ventriculography in the living mouse, the outflow tract of the fourth ventricle was demonstrated, together with a communication that exists between the third ventricle and the subarachnoid space.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Computerized axial tomography findings in a group of patients with migrainous headaches.

Computerized axial tomography of the cranium has been carried out in 46 patients referred because recurring migrainous headaches. Increasing frequency or severity of headaches or a change in headache pattern were the usual reasons for referral. Abnormalities were found in 37 cases and fell into 4 categories. The most frequent (21 cases) consisted of a mild degree of oedema in the white matter of one or both cerebral hemispheres. This was usually bi-frontal (15 patients) but was more extensive in 2 patients. Varying degrees of cerebral atrophy, as determined by widening of the Sylvian, brain-stem and interhemispheric cisterns, and/or widening of the third and lateral ventricles as compared to a group of normal scans, was found in 8 cases. Areas of occipital infarction were found in 4 patients with permanent visual field defects. Unexpected small areas of infarction were found in the temporal lobe in 2 other cases. Cerebral tumours were found in 2 cases. The significance of these findings is discussed, as well as the possible role of migrainous vaso-spasm with consequent changes in cerebral blood flow in the pathogenesis of oedema and atrophy in migraine subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Mathematical method to utilize a computer for diagnosis of site and type of intracerebral mass lesions.

A mathematical process has been devised which can utilize full clinical data of symptoms and signs, neuroradiological procedures, EEG and isotope scanning to predict the site and pathological process in a patient presenting with disturbance of central nervous system function. The work is a further expansion and modification of the computer program described by Du Boulay and Price (1968).

Brain Neoplasms↗