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Biomedical subjects

M C Zurrú

Publications and source records attributed to M C Zurrú.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Acute reversible paraparesis secondary to probable fibrocartilaginous embolism].

Fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE) of the intervertebral disc represents a very rare cause of spinal infarct. Up to now only 33 others cases in human beings have been reported in the literature, most of them diagnosed post mortem. We present a 14-year-old boy who developed acute dorsal back pain after lifting a heavy gate, followed by progressive paraparesis. An MRI of the spine showed a degenerative disc at D10-D11 without compromise of the spinal canal lumen associated with an acute Schmorl's nodule situated in the superior endplate of D11. A week later, a second MRI disclosed an intraxial spinal cord lesion at D7-D8 vertebral level involving the vascular territory of the anterior spinal artery. It also showed an abnormal signal located in the posterior third of the D8 vertebral body. These clinical and neuro-radiological findings are similar to those mentioned in the literature and support the diagnosis of an anterior spinal infarct secondary to a probable fibrocartilaginous embolism. This case highlights the importance of considering this etiology among the causes of spinal cord infarct, especially in young people, and underlines the utility of MRI in its diagnosis in vivo.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Hydrosyringomyelia in demyelinating diseases].

Spinal cord cavitation is a frequent finding in optic neuromyelitis (Devic's syndrome) (DS) but it is also, although rarely, observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of our study was to compare the MRI characteristics of the syringomyelic cavities in 6 patients with DS and 3 patients with MS. All the patients with DS had a relapsing clinical form with normal brain MRI. Spinal MRI revealed unenhanced central cavities which extended more than 3 vertebral bodies and remained unchanged in follow-up studies. Two patients presented multiple cavities.MS patients suffered a relapsing remitting form of the disease, they all had hyperintense T2 enhancing lesions on their spinal MRI. Moreover spinal MRI also revealed non communicating cavities which extended less than 2 vertebral bodies. Follow-up studies in MS patients revealed a reduction of both the spinal lesions and the cavities. It is still debated whether DS represents a distinct clinical entity different from MS. These findings help distinguishing both disorders in cases when spinal cavities are present and also contribute to the therapeutic choice.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Central pontine myelinolysis induced by hyperemesis gravidarum].

An 18-year-old woman in her first pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum, presented dehydration, without hyponatremia. She was confused with profound disorientation, apathy, and drowsiness. She presented upbeating nistagmus on upward gaze and gate ataxia recognised as Wernicke's encephalopathy. Laboratory tests demonstrated hypokalemia, hypernatremia and aminotransferase elevation. The serum osmolality was 319 mOsm/kg and the water deficiency 2.73 l. The patient developed weakness in the four limbs, with hypotonicity, absence of tendon reflexes and showed bilateral Babinski signs. A T2 weighted sagittal cranial-magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high signal within mid-pons suggesting central pontine myelinolysis. In this case we highlight the absence of hyponatremia. Furthermore, the central pontine myelinolysis was probably secondary to hypokalemia, hypernatremia and hyperosmolality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Intracranial pressure monitoring and eclampsia].

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has been shown to improve clinical-pharmacological treatment of intracranial hypertension (ICH) in a rising number of situations, assuring effective cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and, concomitantly, reducing the risk of brain ischemia. Although its use in entities such as eclampsia have been reported, the continuous use of ICP monitoring is restricted. We report the case of an eclampsic woman in whom ICP was monitored. Recordings allowed CPP to be correctly stabilized, with strict correlation between ICP and tomographic measurements of density. We also review the pathophysiologic mechanisms that have been proposed to cause ICH in eclampsia and emphasize the usefulness of ICP monitoring to manage this complication.

Adult↗