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Biomedical subjects

R O Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to R O Robinson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Lamotrigine as an add-on drug in typical absence seizures.

INTRODUCTION: Lamotrigine is licensed in many countries for use in patients with partial seizures. Evidence suggests that it may also be effective in generalised epilepsies. MATERIAL & METHODS: We analysed retrospectively our patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy with refractory absences. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsies were identified who had been treated with lamotrigine for 3 months or more. All patients were also treated with sodium valproate. Fourteen patients had active absences. Nine (64%) had a total or virtual cessation of absences and in a further patient they became milder and less frequent. One patient reported an increase in seizures. The effective dose of lamotrigine was 1.6-3.0 mg/kg/day in children and 25-50 mg/day in adults. Patients who responded did so after the first or second dose. Lamotrigine was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Low-dose lamotrigine added to sodium valproate appears to be effective in typical absence seizures. A therapeutic interaction of the two drugs seems likely.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and neurological disease.

The cases are reported of 13 children seen over a 22 month period who presented with a variety of acute neurological illnesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Although presentation with a decreased level of consciousness or seizures was common, psychosis, hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsies, and Guillain-Barré syndrome were also seen. In contrast with published reports, only one child had an associated chest infection. Although some children have been left with residual disability, most have made a complete recovery. In this recent experience, M pneumoniae is a not rare cause of neurological illness in childhood and may present in unusual ways.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Familial schizencephaly.

Familial cases of schizencephaly hitherto have been associated with readily diagnosable metabolic conditions or malformation syndromes. Where such associations are absent, it is usually considered to be a sporadic event without a genetic contribution. Described here are a brother and sister with identical bilateral symmetrical schizencephaly. Genetic counselling must therefore allow for the possibility of an autosomal recessive form of this condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita; feeding, language and other health problems.

A survey of the health problems of 87 individuals with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita revealed a high proportion (51) with major feeding difficulties in infancy. This was generally related to structural abnormalities of the jaw and tongue. Children thus involved were more prone to recurrent chest infections, constipation, and poor growth and weight gain. In addition, there was a strong association between initial feeding difficulties and subsequent language problems. Early identification of a sub-group of children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is therefore possible who may require continuing therapy from a number of disciplines.

Arthrogryposis↗
PubMed1990

Ventilator dependency in the United Kingdom.

There are 24 children who are currently long term ventilator dependent in the UK. Nine of these are cared for entirely at home. An additional 11 children have been long term ventilator dependent since March 1983. The prevalence of these children appears to be increasing. The financial and manpower resources needed for these children whether at home or in hospital is considerable. There are reasons to suppose that the apparent increase in prevalence will continue.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Conductive education at the Petö Institute, Budapest.

Conductive education, which was developed at the Petö Institute in Budapest, has been publicised incorrectly as a method of treatment for children with cerebral palsy. From the results of information given and our own observations during a week's visit to the institute we conclude that a minority of carefully selected children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida, who have a relatively good prognosis, are educated at the institute; the education is carried out with appropriate medical, surgical, and orthotic intervention; and the children probably function better as a result of the intensive programme than do similar children in Britain in areas where therapy is scarce. They seem to achieve, however, what we would expect similar children in Britain to do when facilities are adequate. Though our findings do not therefore justify using public funds to refer children to the institute, some (self selected) families benefit from a visit, particularly from the positive attitudes of the staff. The role of the conductor and the integration of programmes into a classroom setting have much to recommend them, and conductive education, if successfully transferred to Britain, might be beneficial to a wider range of children than in Hungary.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Choreic syndrome after cardiac surgery.

Five children had an acute choreic syndrome that started three to seven days after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Improvement after an interval was seen in all, with complete resolution in two. In addition to the chorea, all children suffered complete supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, which has also shown subsequent improvement. Bulbar damage caused considerable speech problems. There was no cognitive impairment. Several drugs were tried without effect. Investigations of the cause, including histological examination, have been unrevealing.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Clinical predictors of outcome in encephalitis.

Twenty five patients with encephalitis were studied prospectively, and their clinical and virological features compared with outcome. Among 22 patients with laboratory confirmation of virus infection, evidence of direct effect on the central nervous system by the virus occurred significantly more often both in those with a monophasic illness compared with those with a biphasic illness, and in those with focal neurological signs localising in the cerebral hemispheres compared with those without such signs. Young age at presentation, low score on the Glasgow coma scale, disruption of oculocephalic responses, and laboratory evidence of virus infection within the central nervous system were significantly associated with poor outcome. Computed tomography results, concentrations of creatine phosphokinase BB isoenzyme in cerebrospinal fluid, and procoagulant activity in cerebrospinal fluid were not predictive of outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Use of force platform variables to quantify the effects of chiropractic manipulation on gait symmetry.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether force platform measurements can be used to objectively assess short-term effects of spinal manipulation on patients with diagnosed, chronic unilateral "sacroiliac dyskinesia," here defined as decreased interarticular mobility of the sacroiliac joint. Nine patients walked across a force platform, were than manipulated by a chiropractor and then repeated the gait trials. Temporal and kinetic gait variables from the force platform measurements were analyzed for changes in the symmetry of the subjects' gait before and after treatment sessions. There was a distinct tendency towards improved gait symmetry after treatment in those cases where the gait was asymmetric prior to the treatment. This result indicated that force platform measurements may be used successfully to assess the effects of spinal manipulations on the gait of patients with sacroiliac dyskinesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Quantifying the effects of spinal manipulations on gait, using patients with low back pain: a pilot study.

A pilot study was performed to investigate the effects of chiropractic treatment on the gait of one patient with a chronic sacroiliac joint syndrome. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used to describe pain, sacroiliac joint mobility, functional ability and gait patterns of this patient before and after receiving chiropractic treatment, and throughout the rehabilitation period. For this patient, chiropractic treatment reduced the low back pain and was associated with significant changes in selected gait parameters. A study involving 10-20 subjects is under way to possibly generalize the findings of this investigation.

Adult↗