Biomedical subjects

M S Sellman

Publications and source records attributed to M S Sellman.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1988

Thoracoabdominal radiculopathy.

Thoracic nerve root dysfunction (TNRD) manifested as abdominal pain is an infrequently reported condition. We present data on six patients who had chronic intermittent thoracoabdominal pain originating in the back. Diabetes and osteoarthritis of the spine were the chief causes of these symptoms. The electromyogram in all patients showed changes consistent with an acute radiculopathy. All patients responded to anti-inflammatory therapy in combination with phenytoin, carbamazepine, amitriptyline, or local nerve block. TNRD is a condition that may be diagnosed earlier if clinical suspicion is increased, thus sparing patients excessive testing and surgery, and affording quicker relief.

Abdomen, Acute↗

PubMed1987

Conduction block in hereditary neuropathy with susceptibility to pressure palsies.

Slow nerve conduction velocities, temporal dispersion of action potentials and conduction block occur in polyneuropathies with segmental demyelination. Conduction block has been reported in focal compressive neuropathies and in acute and chronic autoimmune polyneuropathy but not in hereditary motor and sensory demyelinating neuropathy. We report conduction block in five nerves of four patients from two families with a hereditary neuropathy with susceptibility to pressure palsies and pathologic changes of segmental demyelination and tomaculous swellings. Conduction block that may be long lasting is a feature of this type of hereditary neuropathy, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of this electrophysiologic finding.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1985

Treatment of myasthenic crisis in late life.

In 32 patients with the onset of myasthenia gravis after age 50, myasthenic crisis occurred in 53% and persisted for a mean of 33 days (range six to 84 days). Three of the patients had a second crisis. Precipitating factors were found in 60% of the episodes. Treatment of 20 episodes of crisis resulted in excellent recovery. No patient died in crisis. All regained enough function to return home. Those patients (50%) who had no medical complications recovered most rapidly. The most common medical complications were aspiration and bacterial pneumonia, cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Large doses of prednisone in combination with serial plasma exchanges was the most effective therapy. This group of patients had the fewest medical complications (29%) and the fastest recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Weakness and 'tiredness': when to suspect myasthenia gravis.

Initial complaints of bulbar paresis may be problems with chewing and swallowing. Patients often choose to eat soft puddings and cereals rather than meats or hard fruits because of the fatigue associated with chewing. Immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone can result in a long-lasting remission, and is recommended especially for those patients who are older or are medically unable to tolerate surgical treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed1980

Prolactin-secreting adenoma in a myasthenic patient.

A case of pituitary adenoma in a patient with myasthenia gravis as well as hypothyroidism, adrenocortical hypopituitarism, and diabetes mellitus is presented. The favorable response of this man's myasthenic symptoms after removal of the adenoma and a possible relationship between the symptomatic expression of myasthenia and a functional hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis are discussed. A link between myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune phenomena is hypothesized.

Adenoma↗