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Biomedical subjects

R W Chun

Publications and source records attributed to R W Chun.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Movement disorders as a complication of acute hemiplegia of childhood.

We evaluate three cases of acute hemiplegia in childhood complicated by tremor and/or choreoathetosis. Each patient experienced the abrupt onset of hemiplegia thought to be localized to an insult involving the middle cerebral distribution without associated seizure, trauma, loss of consciousness or demonstrable cardiac, hematological or neoplastic causes. All three patients recovered most, if not all, strength on the affected side, but each was left with a disorder of movement involving the previously hemiplegic upper extremity. These disorders included resting and intention tremors, as well as choreoathetosis. Anticholinergic drugs failed in treating two patients, but biofeedback techniques were quite successful in one of the two patients so treated.

Acute Disease↗

Computer interviewing of patients with epilepsy.

Epilepsy histories obtained by the computer interview were similar in substance and detail to histories recorded by house staff and attending physicians. In general, more information was obtained by the computer, and negative findings were consistently recorded by the computer. For potentially embarrassing questions, the computer may obtain more accurate information (Slack and Van Cura, 1968b). This might explain the contradictions concerning incontinence and medication. This preliminary study suggests that computer interviewing can provide a reliable method for obtaining epilepsy histories. The study also pointed out where changes in question wording and branching logic would improve the computer interview. These changes are being incorporated into the second version of the epilepsy interview. We hope computer-based interviewing will prove useful to patients and physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and study of epilepsy.

Computers↗

Optic glioma associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

A 6-year-old boy with decreased vision was found to have Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with an associated glioma involving the intracranial optic nerves, chiasm, and optic tracts. The association of this syndrome with visceral and central nervous system neoplasms is discussed.

Astrocytoma↗

Phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia.

A 15-year-old boy developed thrombocytopenia and purpura two weeks after starting phenytoin therapy. The blood phenytoin level was in the toxic range. There was an increase in immature neutrophils but no abnormalities were present in other cell lines. Recovery was complete after drug therapy was discontinued. Thrombocytopenia is a rare isolated complication of phenytoin therapy. The probable autoimmune etiology distinguishes this syndrome from other phenytoin-induced blood dyscrasias.

Adolescent↗

Acquired paroxysmal movement disorders.

Acquired paroxysmal movement disorders are reported less frequently than the familial forms of paroxysmal dyskinesias. Three children, with the acquired form of the disorder which followed an early childhood encephalopathic event, are described. Three similarly affected children have been reported previously. Movement disorders developing after perinatal encephalopathy appear to be a distinct entity. Patients with this condition demonstrated clinical improvement following the initiation of antiepileptic medications.

Adolescent↗