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Motomi Arai

Publications and source records attributed to Motomi Arai.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Divergence paresis without positional headache: an unusual presentation of cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia after spinal anesthesia.

We report a rare complication of spinal anesthesia-divergence paresis-which is characterized by an acquired horizontal diplopia at distance without evidence for abducens palsy. A 64-yr-old man underwent prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia with 2.5 mL of dibucaine hydrochloride 0.3% injected through a 20-gauge cutting-tip spinal needle. Seventeen days after the operation, the patient noticed horizontal diplopia for distant objects. Although cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement and subdural effusion, characteristic findings of cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia, the patient had no positional headache. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging may be useful when a patient develops neurologic symptoms after dural puncture.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗
PubMed2006

[Severe orthostatic headache: a retrospective study on clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, and outcome in 12 patients].

To determine clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcome of severe orthostatic headache, we retrospectively studied 12 consecutive patients with severe orthostatic headache and unremarkable medical history. Headache is defined as severe when it interferes with patient's daily activities. Baseline characteristics of our patients are essentially similar to those reported in other published series of spontaneous intracranial hypotension: female preponderance; mean age of approximately 40 years; frequently associated nausea, hearing disturbances, or vertigo. Diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement was demonstrated on MRI in 64% of the patients. Low CSF pressure was present in 78%. Of 8 patients underwent radionuclide cisternography, CSF leak site was identified in 4 patients. Severe orthostatic headache resolved in 13.6 days in 5 patients who received supportive measures only. Conservative treatment was ineffective in 7 patients. Of 6 patients treated with epidural blood patch (EBP), 5 patients (83%) responded well to the first EBP. Patients with severe orthostatic headache which persisted 2 weeks and longer in spite of conservative measures are candidate for EBP. Our study and a literature review suggest that at least 2 EBPs should be performed for each leak site. Studies with more patients are needed for establishing a better treatment protocol for this syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Subacute encephalitis with anti-glutamate receptor antibodies presented with epilepsia partialis continua].

A previously healthy 32-year-old man visited our clinic with a 5-week history of involuntary movement. Examination demonstrated continuous myoclonic jerks in the left elbow. Two days later, he developed generalized convulsion. Electroencephalography demonstrated small spikes over the right central region. Thus, we made a diagnosis of epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) with a secondary generalization. On admission, serum electrolytes, glucose and ceruloplasmin levels, and amino acid analysis were unremarkable. HIV serology was negative. Anticardiolipin, anti-MPO ANCA, and anti-Hu antibodies were negative. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed 151/microl lymphocytes and 23/microl polymorphs, 70 mg/dl of glucose, and 61 mg/dl of protein. Autoantibodies against the glutamate receptor subunits epsilon-2 and delta-2 were detected in the serum and CSF. Cranial MRI was unremarkable. Treatment with acyclovir and high-dose methylprednisolone failed to halt the jerks. Two weeks after admission, he developed status epilepticus, which necessitated general anesthesia. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion gave no beneficial effects. Two months after the onset of the status epilepticus, his convulsions were controlled with zonisamide, clobazam, and carbamazepine. While he had no motor dysfunctions, he had loss of spontaneity and memory impairment. This report suggests that EPC might be the initial symptom of subacute encephalitis with a possible autoimmune mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[A case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension with multiple CSF leaks in the thoracic region].

A case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) with multiple cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is reported. A 54-year-old man experienced a severe generalized headache associated with nausea and decreased hearing. The headache appeared when he was sitting or standing but was completely relieved by lying down. Cranial MRI with gadolinium infusion showed diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement. Spinal MRI demonstrated small amount of epidural fluid collection in the upper thoracic region. Radionuclide cisternography demonstrated CSF leaks at the Th2 and Th7 levels on the left side and at the Th3 through Th5 levels on the right side. Since bed-rest and intravenous transfusion for 10 days showed no beneficial effects, epidural blood patch (EBP) at the Th6/7 interspace was performed. After receiving EBP four times repeatedly, his symptoms entirely disappeared. SIH patients with multiple CSF leaks are rare in the literature. Although no consensus exists on the treatment strategy for such cases, our case suggests that at least 2 EBPs should be performed for each leak site before considering surgical treatment.

Blood Patch, Epidural↗
PubMed2004

[Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis as first manifestation of essential thrombocythemia].

A 52-year-old previously healthy woman was admitted to our hospital for status epilepticus in November 1999. She had not taken oral contraceptives. After treatment with intravenous diazepam and phenytoin, she did not develop seizures anymore. When she became alert, there was a mild left hemiparesis. Lumbar puncture showed an opening pressure of 145 mm H2O, and the cerebrospinal fluid was acellular. Cranial MR imaging demonstrated thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus and fresh infarction in the right frontal lobe. Plasma fibrinogen, fibrin degradation product, and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 levels were elevated. Proteins S and C activities and anti-thrombin III levels were within the normal range. Lupus anticoagulant and anti-cardiolipin antibody were negative. She was treated with continuous heparin infusion for ten days and with oral warfarin thereafter. Six months after the first admission, platelet count became more than 400 x 10(3)/microliter. In July 2002, she developed slowly progressive monoplegia of the left arm. Cranial MR imaging demonstrated patent superior sagittal sinus, fresh infarction in the right parietal lobe, and old small infarction in the right corona radiata. The patient was maintained on warfarin and 100 mg of aspirin thereafter. In September 2002, platelet count was 737 x 10(3)/microliter. Bone marrow examination showed increased megakaryopoiesis with normal erythroid and myeloid series and no chromosomal aberrations. Serum C-reactive protein and iron levels were in the normal range. An abdominal ultrasound demonstrated mild splenomegaly. Thus, we made a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET). ET causes thrombotic events in the course of the disease at a rate of 7% per year. Cerebral infarction is not uncommon, but occurrence of cerebral sinus thrombosis has been rarely reported. Recently, several cases have been reported in which cerebral infarction was the first manifestation of ET even with platelet counts lower than 600 x 10(3)/microliter. To our knowledge, there have been no reported cases of ET presenting with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Platelet count should be monitored in the patients with venous sinus thrombosis of undetermined etiology.

Cerebral Infarction↗
PubMed2004

[A case of transient left ventricular ballooning ("Takotsubo"-shaped cardiomyopathy) developed during plasmapheresis for treatment of myasthenic crisis].

An 83-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of respiratory distress. She developed blepharoptosis and dysphagia two months previously. On admission, blood pressure was 150/84 mmHg. There were bilateral blepharoptosis and bulbar palsy. Tendon reflexes were brisk, but pathological reflexes were absent. Repetitive stimulation test demonstrated decrement. Tensilon test was positive. Thus, a diagnosis of myasthenic crisis was made. Vital capacity was 0.71, which necessitated intubation and artificial ventilation. During the first course of immunoadsorption plasmapheresis, blood pressure fell to 80/50 mmHg. ECG showed deeply inverted T waves in leads V2 through V6. Echocardiographic examination demonstrated extensive akinesis around the apex. CK was slightly increased. A diagnosis of "Takotsubo"-shaped cardiomyopathy was made. To maintain blood pressure, dopamine was continuously injected. Left ventricular function returned to normal within a week. No thymoma was seen on the chest CT scan. She was treated with pyridostigmine and tacrolimus. Ten weeks after admission, she was weaned off the ventilator and she had no dysphagia anymore. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titers had decreased. In Japan, approximately 17% of patients with myasthenia gravis are in the seventh decade or older. Approximately 10% of the patients of this age group suffer from severe generalized form. Careful ECG monitoring is necessary while treating elderly patients with myasthenic crisis, because they are at potential risk of developing "Takotsubo"-shaped cardiomyopathy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Axonal pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome without Anti-GT1a IgG antibody.

We report two cases of pharyngeal-cervical-brachial (PCB) variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The patients developed dysphagia and weakness of the neck and arms subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni infection. Oropharyngeal palsy recovered poorly. Electrophysiological findings demonstrated axonal conduction failure. Anti-GD1a immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody was detected in one case, and anti-GM1b IgG antibody in another. Anti-GT1a IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were negative in both cases. The current cases suggest that the PCB and axonal variants of GBS form a continuous spectrum from the viewpoint of electrophysiological studies as well as antiganglioside serology.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Orthostatic tinnitus: an otological presentation of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a syndrome characterized by orthostatic headache, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure without apparent causes for CSF loss, and diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement on cranial MRI. Hearing is affected in some patients with SIH. A case of SIH with orthostatic tinnitus is reported. A 51-year-old woman developed a severe headache that was almost completely relieved on recumbency. Cranial MRI with gadolinium infusion showed diffuse enhancement of the dura mater. Radionuclide cisternography demonstrated CSF leaks at the upper and lower thoracic levels. Epidural blood patches at these leak sites alleviated the orthostatic headache, however, orthostatic tinnitus and muffled hearing persisted. Initial audiometry was unremarkable; repeat audiometry performed 6 weeks later demonstrated low-frequency hearing loss in the right ear. Continuous epidural saline infusion for 3 consecutive days was performed; auditory symptoms disappeared 4 weeks thereafter. This case illustrates that orthostatic tinnitus represent intracranial hypotension even in the absence of orthostatic headache. MRI with gadolinium infusion should be carried out in the evaluation of patients with orthostatic tinnitus.

Dura Mater↗