Biomedical subjects

W Drozdowski

Publications and source records attributed to W Drozdowski.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[A sporadic case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with peculiar neuropathological lesions].

The authors report a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a man aged 60 years from a family without a history of similar disease. The disease extended over 11 months. In the clinical picture initially equilibrium disturbances and dementia with psychotic symptoms predominated, EEG pattern was not typical of CJD. Neuropathological examination revealed extensive spongiform lesions in the cortex of all cerebral lobes, in striatum and substantia nigra, moreover a considerable number of kuru plaques was found in cerebellar cortex. The authors consider that the case meets the criteria accepted for the sporadic form of CJD but believe that the final differentiation from the Gerstmann-Streussler-Scheinker syndrome should be based on genetic studies.

Cerebellum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Seasonal variations in stroke incidence in North-Eastern Poland].

The authors analysed seasonal and monthly incidence of and mortality from ischaemic stroke (IS) in the region of Białystok (North-Eastern Poland). 839 cases of IS (437 men and 402 women), aged 22 to 94 years, were hospitalised in the Department of Neurology, Medical Academy in Białystok during the analysed period (1990-1997). Significant seasonality in IS incidence was observed in both sex groups, with a nadir in summer. The lowest occurrence of infarcts was observed in August in women, and in June in men. The peak month for IS, independently of sex, was January. 240 patients (28.6%) died of stroke or its complications during the analysed period. The occurrence of fatal IS followed also a clear seasonal pattern with peak in autumn. The authors attempt to explain this seasonal incidence and mortality pattern of IS in relation to variation in temperature, diet, way of life (holidays in summer), and biochemical blood changes, which occur in different seasons of the year.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Paroxysmal dyskinesis and epilepsy].

Based on the available literature, we outline the classification criteria of paroxysmal involuntary movements with instant onset and termination. Four types of those movements are currently distinguished: dystonic Mount-Reback paroxysmal choreoathetosis, kinesigenic paroxysmal choreoathetosis, exercise-induced paroxysmal dystonia, and hypnogenic paroxysmal dystonia. We present the clinical characteristics of those entities, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. An association with epilepsy is emphasised, which seems to predominantly apply to hypnogenic dystonia and kinesigenic paroxysmal choreoathetosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cortico-basal degeneration].

Cortico-basal degeneration (CBD) or cortico-basal ganglionic degeneration is a condition characterised by selective cortical atrophy of parietal and in a lesser extent, frontal lobe associated with dysfunction of the basal ganglia. The clinical symptoms of CBD, predominantly extrapyramidal signs (bradykinesia and rigidity) and apraxia, affect often only one body side in the onset phase, with the left one being more frequent. Neuropathological studies reveal neuronal loss, gliosis, and achromasia chiefly in frontal and parietal cortex, as well as in basal ganglia and substantia nigra. Functional investigations, such as SPECT, disclose similar distribution of abnormalities (hypometabolism). The aetiology and causative treatment of CBD are unknown. The authors highlight the diagnostic difficulties in CBD including a necessity of a prolonged patient's observation in order to ascertain the differential diagnosis of other neurodegenerative disorders, in particular progressive supranuclear palsy, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Frontotemporal dementias].

Frontotemporal dementias are the second largest degenerative dementia group after Alzheimer's disease. It is a clinical syndrome corresponding to at least three histological entities: Pick's disease, non-specific frontotemporal degeneration, frontal lobe abnormalities associated with motor neuron disease. There are four group of symptoms in the clinical description of FTD: behavioural disorder, affective symptoms, speech disorders, neurological signs. FTD is associated with primary degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes. Histologically there was neuronal loss, microvacuolation, tau- and ubiquitin-immunoreactive inclusions. The ballooned cortical neurons and tau- and ubiquitin-immunoreactive, argyrophilic inclusions have been called Pick-type histology. There are many descriptions of association of FTD and Pick's disease with motor neuron disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Histological changes were similar to cortical ones. In this study, we described clinical characteristic features of frontotemporal dementia and difficulties in its identification. The distinctive histopathological pattern in the FTD patients and its value to differentiate frontotemporal degeneration from other degenerative dementias is discussed.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurologic and psychiatric sequelae of carbon monoxide poisoning].

Carbon monoxide intoxication may result in neuropsychiatric abnormalities that can be overlooked or not fully appreciated. The authors describe two female patients who developed troublesome cognitive and emotional problems following carbon monoxide poisoning and stress the value of the precise neuropsychological testing and prolonged clinical observation in such cases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Knowledge of stroke problems among adults in Poland].

An inquiry questionnaire was given to 180 adults without a history of stroke. The questions concerned the problem of stroke. The responders were aged from 15 to 82 years (mean 48 years). They were asked about risk factors for stroke, symptoms preceding stroke, behaviour of stroke witnesses. A correct definition of stroke was given by 86.7% of the responders. Only a small proportion of them knew risk factors for stroke (27.8% knew that one of them was hypertension, 6.1% gave smoking, 4.4% diabetes as risk factors). Although 93.9% knew that in face of stroke physician or ambulance service should be called, 6.1% thought that it would be sufficient to lie down or take paracetamol. The inquiry showed that the knowledge of risk factors for stroke is insufficient in the Polish adult population who not yet had cerebrovascular disturbances. It seems advisable to deliver an education programme in mass media on stroke prevention and its management in case of its development.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Idiopathic autonomic neuropathy (pandysautonomia)].

On the basis of current literature, clinical and neuropathologic features of idiopathic autonomic neuropathy is presented. Idiopathic autonomic neuropathy is a disease characterized by acute or subacute onset, monophasic course over a period of several years, it is often preceded by an infection. The spectrum of autonomic changes ranges from cholinergic or adrenergic dysfunction to pandysautonomia, leading to heterogeneity of its clinical features. Possible sympathetic system abnormalities found in autonomic neuropathy are: poor pupillary response to light in darkness, orthostatic hypotension leading to syncope, hypotension without compensatory tachycardia, ejaculation disturbances and vasomotor instability. Possible parasympathetic dysfunctions are: salivation and lacrimation disturbances, absent pupillary constriction to light and near gaze, gastrointestinal tract immobility and impairment of gastrointestinal function, atonic bladder with large residual volume, erectile impotence. Pandysautonomia is thought to result from an immune mediated mechanism and responds well to plasmaferesis and intravenous immunoglobin therapy leading to gradual, sometimes not full, recovery. Moreover in this article we pay attention to the clinical value of many tests like cardiovascular or pharmacological studies in the diagnosis of pandysautonomia and in differentiation of pre- and postganglionic changes. In order to diagnose idiopathic autonomic neuropathy one has to rule out a large number of diseases with autonomic dysfunction e.g.: diabetes, malignant neoplasms, acute intermittent porphyria, Shy-Drager syndrome, Riley-Day's dysautonomia, Parkinson's disease, amyloidosis and others.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of progressive bulbar paralysis in a child (Fazio-Londe disease)].

The reported case was diagnosed in a girl aged 14, in whom the first signs developed at the age of 6, with progressive involvement of the cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII, and V with VII. After ruling out other possible causes the diagnosis of the Fazio-Londe disease was established. Electromyographic examination confirming the diagnosis demonstrated also evidence of changes of neurogenic type in the muscles of upper extremities despite absence of demonstrable clinical abnormalities, which, as suggest the authors, may support the hypothesis of the similarity of the disease to other forms of spinal muscular atrophy, such as Werdnig-Hoffman and Kugelberg-Welander diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of epidermal nevus (Jadassohn's phacomatosis) with changes in the nervous system].

A 22-year old patient with Jadassohn's naevus phacomatosis affecting the right side of the head, face and brain is reported. Besides naevus linearis on the forehead, lipomata of the right palpebra, skin and palate, 2 odontomata, hypodermal and submucosal hyperplasia of the right half of the oral cavity, a small aneurysm of the internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus and linear calcification in the cortex of the medial surface of the occipital lobe like those in Sturge-Weber disease were found. Clinically, she was found to be mentally retarded (moderately) and having epilepsy. Epileptic attacks occurred up to the age of 13 years, while changes in EEG are still present.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the amplitude and frequency of F wave in healthy persons].

The mean amplitude an frequency of the F wave were assessed in the median and peroneal nerves in 32 healthy subjects. A high variability of this response was noted with constant stimulation parameters, but without relation to age, sex and laterality of the nerve. Statistically significant differences were noted only between the median nerves and the peroneal nerves.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the peripheral nervous system by studying the F wave in patients with lung and brain tumors].

In 50 patients with various tumours: 25 with pulmonary cancer and 25 with brain tumours, the peripheral nervous system was studied carefully, both clinically and electrophysiologically, with evaluation of orthodromic conduction in motor fibres and F wave. Evidence of peripheral nerve damage was found by physical examination in 4% of pulmonary cancer cases and in 8% of these cases by analysis of orthodromic motor nerve conduction and in about 16% of cases by the method of F wave conduction. The size of the deviations was significantly greater also in the F wave responses. In patients with brain tumours no significant abnormalities were found in nerve conduction.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of the F wave for detection of preclinical changes in the peripheral nerves in alcoholics].

Orthodromic conduction in motor fibres and F wave were analysed in the median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial nerves in groups of 30 subjects: one control and one comprising patients with chronic alcoholism without detectable clinically damage to the peripheral nervous system. Abnormalities were demonstrated in both these analysed parameters, but they were more pronounced and were present in a greater proportion of cases in the assessment of the F wave. In the light of these results the determination of this response may be a useful supplementary method in the investigation of peripheral nerves, especially in the stage of preclinical lesions.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pain as a symptom of parkinsonism].

The authors describe 5 patients with Parkinson's disease with coexistent sensory symptoms, mainly pains. In the light of the pertinent literature the authors regard pain as one of the symptoms in the parkinsonian syndrome. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in this form of parkinsonism are stressed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the status of peripheral nerves in patients on long-term treatment with anticonvulsants based on a study of H-reflex and F wave].

In 30 patients with chronic epilepsy treated mainly with diphenyl hydantoin the routine examination of motor conduction velocity and the H reflex and F wave were used for assessment of the state of the ulnar-median peroneal and tibial nerves. Slight abnormalities were found in the orthodromic motor impulse conduction and much greater and more frequent abnormalities in the conduction of late responses. These results confirm the opinions of a part of the authors on a neurotoxic effect on the peripheral nerves of long-term treatment with anticonvulsants.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hoffmann's reflex in the evaluation of peripheral nerve fibers in alcoholism with early neurological changes].

Motor nerve conduction was assessed in the tibial nerve and the conduction of H reflex was studied from the gastrocnemius muscle in a group of 30 healthy controls and 30 alcoholics without evident signs of neuropathy. Significantly greater abnormalities were found in the analysed parameters of Hoffmann's reflex-latency, conduction velocity and index than in orthodromic motor nerve conduction. The obtained results suggest the usefulness of H reflex examination for the evaluation of the state of nerve fibres, especially at the time of early changes in the peripheral nerves and their proximal location.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Rheoencephalographic evaluation of carotid artery compression test in patients with ischemic cerebral stroke].

The rheoencephalographic method was applied for evaluating the common carotid artery compression test in 87 cases, including 49 patients with ischaemic strokes and 38 healthy subjects. In all 174 tests were done. No complications were observed. The investigation confirmed the usefulness of the test for the diagnosis of carotid artery occlusion. The test should be used routinely in rheoencephalographic investigations in patients with ischaemic cerebral strokes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Objective evaluation of movement disorders using the Aktograf].

The authors describe the application of Akt -30 Aktograf apparatus designed by the branch of the Centre of Medical Technique in Bia ł ystok for recording extrapyramidal involuntary movements, cerebellar dyssynergia and clonic movements.

Adolescent↗