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Biomedical subjects

M Guenot

Publications and source records attributed to M Guenot.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson's disease: clinical evaluation of 18 patients.

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of chronic subthalamic nucleus deep-brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). 18 consecutive severely affected PD patients were included (mean age, SD: 56.9+/-6 years; mean disease duration: 13.5+/-4.4 years). All the patients were evaluated clinically before and 6 months after the surgical procedure using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Additionally, a 12 months follow-up was available in 14 patients. The target coordinates were determined by ventriculography under stereotactic conditions, followed by electrophysiology and intraoperative stimulation. After surgery, continuous monopolar stimulation was applied bilaterally in 17 patients at 2.9+/-0.4 V through 1 (n = 31) or 2 contacts (n = 3). One patient had bilateral bipolar stimulation. The mean frequency of stimulation was 140+/-16 Hz and pulse width 68+/-13 micros. Off medication, the UPDRS part III score (max = 108) was reduced by 55 % during on stimulation (score before surgery: 44.9+/-13.4 vs at 6 months: 20.2+/-10; p < 0.001). In the on medication state, no difference was noted between the preoperative and the postoperative off stimulation conditions (scores were respectively: 17.9+/-9.2 and 23+/-12.6). The severity of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias assessed by UPDRS IV was reduced by 76 % at 6 months (scores were respectively: 10.3+/-3 and 2.5+/-3; p < 0.001). Off medication, the UPDRS II or ADL score was reduced by 52.8 % during on stimulation (26.9+/-6.5 preop versus 12.7+/-7 at 6 months). The daily dose of antiparkinsonian treatment was diminished by 65.5 % (levodopa equivalent dose -- mg/D -- was 1045 +/- 435 before surgery and 360 +/- 377 at 6 months; p < 0.01). These results remained stable at 12 months for the 14 patients studied. Side effects comprised lower limb phlebitis (n = 2), pulmonary embolism (n = 1), depression (n = 6), dysarthria and freezing (n = 1), sialorrhea and drooling (n = 1), postural imbalance (n = 1), transient paresthesias and dyskinesias. This study confirms the great value of subthalamic nucleus stimulation in the treatment of intractable PD. Some adverse events such as depression may be taken into account in the inclusion criteria and also in the post-operative outcome.

Adult↗

Evidence of peripheral auditory activity modulation by the auditory cortex in humans.

At the auditory periphery, the medial olivocochlear system is assumed to be involved in complex sound processing and may be influenced by feedback from higher auditory nuclei. Indeed, the descending auditory pathway includes fibers coming from the auditory cortex that are anatomically well positioned to influence the superior olivary complex, and thus the medial efferent system. The aim of the present study was to verify the hypothesis of an implied influence of the auditory cortex on the peripheral auditory system. In three rare cases of patients presenting with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, Heschl's gyrus (i.e. the temporal superior gyrus) was surgically removed in the right hemisphere in two patients and in the left hemisphere in a third patient, in order to minimize epilepsy attacks, as preoperative stereoencephalography had shown the epileptic focus or tumor to be situated in those locations. In all three cases, several weeks after the operation the medial olivocochlear system was clearly less functional on both sides, but especially on the side contralateral to the resection. In healthy controls, no such pattern was obtained. In four other epileptic patients, who were operated unilaterally at the anterior temporal pole, amygdala and hippocampus with the temporal gyrus partially spared, efferent suppression grew stronger in the ear ipsilateral to surgery. These results revealed that, in humans, the primary and secondary auditory cortex play a role in modulating auditory periphery activity through direct or indirect efferent fibers. In accordance with previous findings, this descending influence may improve the auditory afferent message by adapting the hearing function according to cortical analysis of the ascending input.

Adult↗

Neurophysiological monitoring for epilepsy surgery: the Talairach SEEG method. StereoElectroEncephaloGraphy. Indications, results, complications and therapeutic applications in a series of 100 consecutive cases.

OBJECT OF THE STUDY: In some candidates for epilepsy surgery in whom the decision to operate is difficult to make, invasive presurgical investigations, namely depth electrode recordings, may be needed. The SEEG (StereoElectroEncephaloGraphy) method consists of stereotactic orthogonal implantation of depth electrodes (5 to 15, 11 on average). The object of this study is to clarify the indications for SEEG, to expose its complications, and to display its usefulness in terms of surgical strategy and results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients, suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy and selected as candidates for surgical resection, underwent SEEG between 1996 and 2000. A total of 1,118 electrodes were implanted. For each single case, the sites of implantation of the electrodes were chosen in order to determine either the side of the onset of seizures, or the uni- or multilobar feature of them, or a possible operculo-insular propagation from a temporal onset, and also, using direct electrode stimulation, the proximity of speech or motor area. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 5 patients (2 superficial infections, 2 breakages of electrodes, and 1 intracerebral hematoma responsible for death). SEEG was helpful in most (84%) of the 100 patients to confirm or annul surgical indication, and to adjust the extent of the resection. In some cases (14%), SEEG allowed to propose a resection that might have been disputable based solely on noninvasive investigation data. For frontal epilepsy, SEEG was crucial in all cases to delineate the extent of resection. CONCLUSION: SEEG proved to be a relatively safe and a very useful method in 'difficult' candidates for epilepsy surgery. In addition, in some cases the implanted electrodes can be used to perform therapeutic RF thermocoagulation of epileptic foci or networks.

Adult↗

Microdialysis study of amino acid neurotransmitters in the spinal dorsal horn of patients undergoing microsurgical dorsal root entry zone lesioning. Technical note.

The aim of this study was to develop, for the first time in the human spinal dorsal horn (DH), an in vivo method for the study of amino acids (AAs). A microdialysis technique was used to sample AAs in the extracellular fluid of the DH apex in eight patients in whom surgery in the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) was performed. Before making microsurgical lesions, specific concentric-type microdialysis probes were implanted over a 60-minute period in the DREZ and directed to the DH apex (10 implantations). The AA concentrations in the dialysates were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentrations of excitatory AAs (glutamate and aspartate) and inhibitory AAs (gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycine) decreased and were stabilized by 45 minutes after probe implantation, whereas the levels of nonneurotransmitter AAs (alanine and threonine) were not stabilized at 60 minutes. The ability of the probe to track the changes of extracellular AAs was demonstrated. Neither intra- nor postoperative microdialysis-related complications were observed (with a follow up of 18 months). The present study demonstrates that microdialysis can be performed safely in the human DH during DREZ lesioning. Despite technical and analytical limitations related to the intraoperative conditions, this technique offers new possibilities for clinical research on neurotransmitters involved in some relevant pathological states, especially in chronic pain and spasticity.

Adolescent↗

Radiologic anatomy of the spinal dorsal horn at the cervical level (anatomic-MRI correlations).

The spinal dorsal horn is known for its important functional role in the field of transmission and modulation of sensory afferents. Because of this, the dorsal horn represents a target for numerous analgesic and antispastic procedures. Thus, it would be interesting to develop imaging dedicated to this spinal structure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiologic anatomy of the cervical dorsal horn by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1.5T). The first step consisted in the validation of the anatomic information provided by MRI on 5 human cadavers. A spin-echo sequence (T2, 2000/45) enabled the demonstration of good correlations between histologic sections and axial MRI slices performed at the corresponding cervical levels. The second step was the < > exploration of 20 subjects, aiming at the development of a gradient echo sequence (T2*) with a conventional MRI unit, compatible with a routine clinical examination. The dorsal horn was clearly identified in 77% of the axial slices performed (n = 300). The angle between the dorsal horn axis and the sagittal plane was measured as from 25.5 degrees at C2 to 40 degrees at C8 segments. The results of this anatomico-radiologic study of the cervical dorsal horn suggest that preoperative MRI could be useful to design the surgical approach to this structure, as performed during cervical microsurgical drezotomy (DREZ = dorsal root entry zone) for the treatment of selected cases of chronic pain or disabling spasticity in the upper limbs.

Aged↗

Anatomy of optic nerve radiations as assessed by static perimetry and MRI after tailored temporal lobectomy.

AIMS: To determine the course of optic nerve radiations in the temporal lobe, especially their retinotopic organisation and the anterior limit of the Meyer's loop. METHODS: 18 adult patients who had undergone a tailored temporal lobectomy for epilepsy were included in this study between 1994 and 1998. The rostrocaudal extent of the lateral temporal lobe resection assessed intraoperatively by the surgeon and by postoperative MRI was compared with the postoperative visual fields determined by automated static perimetry (ASP). RESULTS: 15 patients (83%) presented a postoperative visual field deficit (VFD) confined to the superior homonymous field contralateral to the side of the resection. All degrees from a minimal upper field loss to a complete quadrantanopia were observed. The VFDs were somewhat stereotyped, predominating along the vertical meridian. The smallest anteroposterior resection resulting in a VFD was limited to 20 mm from the tip of the temporal lobe. A relation was observed between the extent of the lateral resection in front of the second and third convolutions and the occurrence and extent of postoperative VFDs. No patient reported persisting subjective visual impairment. CONCLUSION: The high frequency of postoperative VFDs appears to be due to the greater sensitivity of ASP. The characteristics of the stereotyped VFDs allow new conclusions about the course and retinotopy of optic nerve radiations. The anterior limit of Meyer's loop is likely to be located more rostrally than previously believed.

Adult↗

MRI assessment of the anatomy of optic radiations after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the course of the temporal optic radiations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were included in this prospective study. All of them underwent a temporal lobectomy for epilepsy, including the mesial temporal structures and a variable extent of lateral neocortex (from 2 to 7 cm behind the temporal tip). An MRI was performed 2 months postoperatively, allowing assessment of the extent of lateral resection. Postoperative visual fields were determined by automatic static perimetry (ASP). RESULTS: (1) No patient complained of a disabling visual field deficit. (2) ASP, a highly sensitive technique, however, detected postoperative visual field deficits in 83% of patients, confined to the superior homonymous field contralateral to the resection. (3) A strong correlation was found between the presence of a visual field deficit and the extent of laterotemporal resection. (4) The smallest anteroposterior resection resulting in a field defect was limited to 20 mm from the temporal tip. CONCLUSION: (1) This study confirms a strong correlation between postoperative visual field deficits and the extent of lateral neocortical temporal resection. (2) The anterior limit of Meyer's loop is likely to be located more rostrally than previously believed. (3) Despite this, lateral resection remains useful in some cases for seizure control.

Adult↗

Precentral cortex stimulation for the treatment of central neuropathic pain: results of a prospective study in a 20-patient series.

The authors report a series of 23 patients with central neuropathic pain who were treated with the recently developed technique of precentral cortex stimulation (PCS). Of the 20 patients with a follow-up of more than 1 year (mean of 23 months) 25% had an excellent, 35% a good and 15% a fair relief of pain. In 25% the method failed. On the basis of these findings and the literature data (127 reported cases), the authors advocate PCS in patients with severe and medically refractory poststroke pain.

Adult↗

A new type of microelectrode for obtaining unitary recordings in the human spinal cord.

OBJECT: In this paper the authors report on the conception and adjustment of a microelectrode used to obtain unitary recordings in the human spinal cord. METHOD: To overcome the difficulties related to intraoperative pulsations of the spinal cord, the authors opted to use a floating microelectrode. Because the recordings are obtained most often from spontaneous activities, it is difficult, with a single microelectrode, to separate spikes from electrical artifacts that are related to the switching of devices. Consequently, the authors designed a dual microelectrode made of two tungsten-in-glass-attached microelectrodes separated by 300 microm. Because the two electrodes cannot obtain recordings in the same neuron, it is possible to distinguish unambiguously spikes (recorded on one tip) from electrical artifacts (recorded simultaneously on the two tips). The dual microelectrode is 2 cm long, with a 20-microm tip length, and 800 to 1200-Ohms impedance. This microelectrode can be implanted "free hand," in the dorsal horn, by using a microsurgical forceps under a surgical microscope. The data analysis is performed off-line with spike sorter hardware. In the dorsal horns in 17 patients who were selected to undergo a dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) rhizotomy to treat various pathological conditions, unitary recordings were obtained using this double microelectrode. The authors recorded 57 neurons in good conditions of stability and isolation. CONCLUSIONS: The microelectrode described in this paper was successfully used to obtain recordings in neurons in more than 85% of the patients. This simplified, floating double microelectrode can therefore be considered for use in microsurgical DREZ rhizotomy to obtain unitary recordings in the human spinal dorsal horn.

Artifacts↗

[Chronic hydrocephalus in an adult due to congenital membranous occlusion of the apertura mediana ventriculi quartii (foramen of Magendie). Report of two cases and review of the literature].

Congenital membranous obstruction of the apertura mediana ventriculi quartii (foramen of Magendie) is a rare entity, as only 8 adult cases are mentioned in all medical literature. We report here the cases of 2 patients (35 and 68 year-old) with chronic hydrocephalus due to congenital membranous obstruction of the foramen of Magendie. Both these two patients presented with headaches, nausea, and impairment of gait and memory. CT and MRI examination showed a communicating hydrocephalus, with particular enlargement of the fourth ventricle. Both patients were operated on for microsurgical exploration of the outlet of the fourth ventricle, which demonstrated membranous obstruction of the foramen of Magendie. Microsurgical perforation of the foramen of Magendie was performed, and a ventriculo-cisternal shunt was left in place. The two patients were cured, with a follow-up of 7 years in one case, and 5 years in the other case. Despite its rare occurrence, congenital imperforation or membranous obstruction of the foramen of Magendie must be considered as a possible etiology of chronic hydrocephalus in adult, especially in case of non proportioned enlargement of the fourth ventricle, associated to signs of increased intra-cranial pressure. According to us, the best surgical procedure consists in a microsurgical exploration of the foramen of Magendie associated to a ventriculo-cisternal shunting (from the fourth ventricle to the cisterna magna). Such a procedure can be considered as curative, and has more advantages than a simple ventriculo-peritoneal shunting.

Adult↗

[Interhemispheric transfer and agenesis of the corpus callosum. Capacities and limitations of the anterior commissure].

In case of agenesis of the corpus callosum, four hypotheses may be proposed to explain how compensation of the interhemispheric transfer might take place. These hypotheses include the use of cross-cueing behavioral strategies, the bilateral representation of speech-functions, the increased use of ipsilateral sensory-motor pathways, and the use of noncallosal commissures. Among all these compensatory mechanisms, the last one, namely the increased use of the anterior commissure, is the most significant. It can easily explain that acallosal patients with an anterior commissure (which can be increased in size), have better results in interhemispheric transfer tests, and in neuropsychologic tests, than patients having no anterior commissure. However, the anterior commissure alone, even increased in size, cannot normalize all the interhemispheric transfer tests, because of the big difference between the field of origin of the callosal fibers, and the field of origin of the anterior commissure fibers.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗

[Intrasellar neurinoma. Apropos of a case and review of the literature].

This 67 year-old man experienced the sudden onset of generalized headache followed by visual troubles. Examination showed a poor visual acuity of the right eye with a palsy of the right third nerve and signs of panhypopituitarism confirmed by endocrinologic testing. CT- scan and MRI showed a large sellar tumor with a necrotic portion in the middle, so that the pre-operative diagnosis was: pituitary adenoma. The tumor was removed through a trans-sphenoïdal approach. The pathologic diagnosis was benign schwannoma. A review of the literature showed that this was the second reported case of an intra sellar schwannoma mimicking a pituitary adenoma clinically as well as radiologically. Surgical removal of these lesions by a trans-sphenoïdal approach seems to be more difficult than for an adenoma. The histopathogenic origin of such tumors could be either ectopic schwann cells of peri-vascular schwann cells in the sellar region.

Aged↗

[Cerebral metastases of testicular neoplasms. Apropos of 2 cases and review of the literature].

The authors report two cases of brain metastasis of a testicular cancer in two young men. In the first case the histology was an embryonal carcinoma, in the second the association of a seminoma and a teratocarcinoma. The first patient was submitted to chemotherapy, neurosurgery and radiotherapy. The second one to chemotherapy alone. The survival time was respectively of 16 and 58 months. It looked interesting to review the different treatments and their indications in this extremely severe pathology to define the interest of surgery and radiotherapy, and the different prognostic factors. In the literature, among the various treatment, the role of chemotherapy is widely emphasized. The prognosis remains desperately bad when several brain metastasis exist, or if a brain metastasis develops during chemotherapy.

Adult↗

[Retrospective multicenter study of prevention of thromboembolic complications after lumbar disk surgery].

A retrospective study of thromboembolic complications after lumbar disc surgery has been performed. It included 16,656 patients from fifty neurosurgical units, operated on over the year 1989. The average number of operations was 333 +/- 19.5 in each unit, their average duration 55.2 +/- 20 minutes, and the hospital care 6.2 +/- 1.7 days. Surgery was performed using the genupectoral position in 64% of the cases, the supine position in 28%, and the lateral position in 8%. Two groups of patients have been individualized: a first group of patients with no preventive antithrombic treatment (46% of the units) including 10,351 patients, a second group (54% of the units) including 6,305 patients and receiving a systematic treatment with low molecular weight heparin (4,304 patients) or calciparin (1,001 patients) or antiplatelet agents or pentosane polysulfate (1,000 patients). 0.63% of the patients (105) had a thromboembolic accident: 0.65% in the first group (68 cases) and 0.58% in the second (37 cases). No statistically significant difference was noticed between the two groups concerning pulmonary embolism and/or lower-limb thrombophlebitis. Nevertheless, a prospective randomized study would be usefull to corroborate this first data.

Diskectomy↗