SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “REFLEX, BABINSKI”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed1985

The significance of Babinski signs in children with head trauma.

A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the significance of Babinski signs in children with head trauma. Thirty-eight children between the ages of 1 and 15 were studied. Twenty-four of the children were admitted to the hospital for observation; 14 were sent home, with 24-hour follow-up in the pediatrics clinic. Of the 24 children admitted, six were believed to have altered CNS status or other focal findings on examination in the emergency department, and 18 were judged by two independent observers to have Babinski signs, either unilateral or bilateral, as their only neurological finding. Twelve hours after admission, all 18 children who had been admitted on the basis of Babinski signs alone had downgoing toes and they continued to have Babinski signs. The isolated presence of Babinski signs in a child with a history of head injury is not indicative of poor neurological outcome. An otherwise asymptomatic child who presents with a history of head injury and a solitary finding of Babinski sign(s) may be observed safely at home rather than being admitted to the hospital for observation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Babinski's clinical differentiation of organic paralysis from hysterical paralysis: effect on US neurology.

BACKGROUND: The formalized neurological examination developed near the end of the 19th century, and clinicians searched for signs to differentiate weakness due to structural lesions of the central nervous system (organic paralysis) from weakness caused by hysteria. Joseph F. F. Babinski worked in the shadow of his mentor, Jean M. Charcot, until 1893, but then developed independent studies to examine patients with both types of weakness. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the role of Babinski in differentiating organic paralysis from hysterical paralysis and to describe his influence on 2 US neurologists, Charles Gilbert Chaddock and Charles Franklin Hoover. DESIGN: Primary and secondary sources were studied to outline the discoveries of Babinski and to determine his influence on US neurology. RESULTS: Babinski described toe extension in cases of organic paralysis and specifically stated that this sign did not occur in cases of hysterical paralysis. Chaddock and Hoover were influenced by the work of Babinski and disseminated his discoveries to US neurologists, each developing additional techniques to differentiate the 2 forms of paralysis. Each considered his technique superior to the Babinski toe sign. CONCLUSIONS: Although Babinski was only modestly appreciated by his contemporary peers of French neurology, his influence on US neurology was substantial. The Babinski, Chaddock, and Hoover signs that demonstrate whether structurally related upper motor neuron weakness exists continue to be useful maneuvers in separating these forms of paralysis from psychogenic weakness.

History, 19th Century↗

PubMed1994

Effects on movement of surgical incisions into the human spinal cord.

In 44 patients having cordotomies for relief of the pain of cancer, a correlation was made between the location and extent of the incision in the spinal cord and the motor state. Post-mortem histological examination of the spinal cord was carried out in all areas. An incision cutting through one anterior quadrant of the cord at any segmental level could be made without causing any disturbance of motility. An incision in the thoracic segments cutting through the anterior half of the cord could be made without causing any disturbance of motility. This fact implies that tracts in the posterior half of the cord can supply the input from the brain necessary for the maintenance of functions normally mediated by tracts in the anterior half of the cord. The more posterior the incision reached in the posterolateral column, the greater were the defects in motility. A large unilateral lesion dividing most of the lateral corticospinal tract, and the descending fibres anterior to it, caused flaccid paralysis of the ipsilateral lower limb. Voluntary movements started to return within 5 h. An incision in the thoracic cord cutting through one lateral corticospinal tract and 85-90% of the opposite tract and reticulospinal fibres anterior to that tract caused total paralysis of the lower limbs. Recovery ensued over 2 months so that the patient eventually walked, though with severe spastic paraparesis. Recovery of some flexor and extensor movements of the ipsilateral fingers and toes occurred within 6 h of an incision being made in the upper cervical cord that divided the lateral corticospinal tract unilaterally. Division of only the anterior fibres of the lateral corticospinal tract above the cervical enlargement did not affect the motility of the ipsilateral upper limb. It is concluded that in the more cranial segments of the spinal cord, corticospinal fibres destined for the upper limb are in the more posterior part of the tract. Correlation of the clinical with the histological evidence of a lesion of the lateral corticospinal tract was carried out. When it was deduced on the clinical evidence that the tract was damaged, this was always found to be correct. On the other hand, the tract might show histological evidence of damage without manifesting any evidence of a lesion. The Babinski response was found, in general, to occur with lesions of the lateral corticospinal tract and not with lesions elsewhere in the cord.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Should the Babinski sign be part of the routine neurologic examination?

BACKGROUND: The Babinski sign is a well-known sign of upper motor neuron dysfunction that is widely considered an essential element of a complete neurologic examination. Little is known about reliability and validity of this sign. A less well-known sign of upper motor neuron dysfunction, decreased speed of foot tapping, also has not been carefully evaluated. Scientific evaluation of findings of the physical examination is crucial in directing busy clinicians. METHODS: Ten physicians (five neurologists and five non-specialists) examined each foot of 10 subjects, 8 of whom had known unilateral upper motor neuron weakness, 1 had bilateral leg weakness secondary to ALS, and 1 had no known neurologic deficits. Our main outcome measures were inter-rater reliability (kappa values) and accuracy (agreement with known upper motor neuron weakness). RESULTS: The reliability of the Babinski sign was fair (kappa 0.30) and was substantial for foot tapping (kappa 0.73). Agreement with known weakness was 56% for Babinski sign and 85% for foot tapping. Reliability and accuracy for both tests were similar for neurologists and non-specialists. CONCLUSIONS: The interobserver reliability and validity of the Babinski sign for identifying upper motor neuron weakness are limited. Slowness of foot tapping may be a more useful sign.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Giant axonal neuropathy. A clinical entity affecting the central as well as the peripheral nervous system.

An 8-year-old girl had progressive muscle weakness and a unique posture of the lower limbs, areflexia, distal sensory impairment, and remarkably kinky hair. Histologic examination of the sural nerve showed giant axons filled with neurofilamentous masses. The clinical and histologic findings resembled those of recent cases reported as "giant axonal neuropathy." Our patient's precocious puberty, Babinski's sign, and electroencephalographic abnormalities suggested central nervous system involvement. Two cases previously reported and the present one appear to represent a new clinical entity that affects the central and the peripheral nervous system.

Axons↗

PubMed1993

[Acute adrenal gland decompensation in the immediate postpartum].

We report the case of acute adrenal gland failure which occurred one hour after cesarian section for the delivery of a child after 31 weeks of amenorrhoea. The clinical picture of the mother was immediately severe and was dominated by neurological features: profound coma with a bilateral Babinski's sign. The laboratory tests however only revealed severe hypoglycaemia among the classical signs of adrenal gland failure. It was extremely difficult to correct the blood glucose level without concomitant administration of corticosteroids.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

On the names of Babiński.

The 100th anniversary of the discovery of the extensor plantar response will be celebrated in 1996. It was Joseph François Félix Babiński who became known worldwide for the sign that bears his name. In order to help Joseph in establishing his career, brother Henri gave up his aspirations and abandoned engineering. Clovis Vincent, "father' of French neurosurgery and pupil of Joseph, stated: "Joseph Babinski lived for science, and Henri lived for his brother; without Henri Babinski, Joseph would not have accomplished that much". However, Henri's name became famous in all Paris for a cookbook Gastronomie Pratique written under the pseudonym of "Ali-Bab.' Throughout Joseph's career his surname remained distorted despite his own efforts to spell and pronounce it correctly. Several people can claim the name Babiński, but in neurology and neurosurgery there is only one, Joseph.

France↗

PubMed2003

Phenotypic presentation of frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism-chromosome 17 type P301S in a patient of Jewish-Algerian origin.

A 39-year-old old Jewish woman of Algerian origin developed a rapidly progressive neurocognitive disorder characterized by asymmetric rigidity, spasticity with bilateral Babinski's sign, bradykinesia, altered speech that progressed to mutism, and severe bradyphrenia. She partially responded to levodopa. The family history revealed 4 affected first-degree relatives (3 had already died). Genetic studies carried out in the proband and her living affected sister showed a P301S mutation in chromosome 17.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Babinski-Nageotte's syndrome and Hemimedullary (Reinhold's) syndrome are clinically and morphologically distinct conditions.

A hemimedullary infarction, in which medial and lateral medullary lesions occur simultaneously, is a rare cerebrovascular disease. It has been suggested that the Babinski-Nageotte's syndrome is the classical brainstem syndrome that corresponds to hemimedullary lesion. In this study we compare clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of two patients exhibiting classical Babinski-Nageotte's syndrome according to the original description with symptoms and MRI data of a patient with clinically complete hemimedullary lesion. Our study shows that Babinski-Nageotte's syndrome is neither clinically nor on MRI identical with hemimedullary lesion. Hypoglossal palsy, an invariable symptom of hemimedullary syndrome, is not part of the Babinski-Nageotte's syndrome according to the original description. Consistent with the original historical report, Babinski- Nageotte's syndrome is a lateral "Wallenbergian" medullary lesion with a spreading of the lesion to the more basal localised pyramidal tract. The clinical features of the hemimedullary syndrome, described in 1894 by Reinhold, and the MRI appearances in our patient with this syndrome are clearly different from other classical brainstem syndromes and should be called Reinhold's syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in a 7-year-old boy associated with infective dermatitis.

HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a chronic myelopathy characterized by a slowly progressive spastic paraparesis and sphincter disturbances beginning in adulthood. Only eight well-documented cases occurring in childhood and adolescence have been described. Infective dermatitis associated to the HTLV-I (IDH) is a chronic eczema of childhood occurring in vertically infected carriers. Here we describe a 7-year-old boy with HAM/TSP and IDH. The neurological manifestations were spastic gait, hyperreflexia of lower limbs, clonus and bilateral Babinski's sign. High levels of HTLV-I antibodies in the serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. The association of these two diseases and the early onset of HAM/TSP are probably related to a strong humoral anti-HTLV-I response.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1989

Electrophysiological study of the Babinski sign in paraplegic patients.

The physiopathology of the Babinski sign was investigated electrophysiologically in patients with spinal cord lesions. The stimuli were delivered via a blunt probe. The force exerted perpendicular to the plantar surface and the forward displacement of the probe were measured. The responses were recorded by surface electromyography of the Extensor Digitorum Longus and Flexor Hallucis Brevis. The latencies of the responses were 160-500 ms. The shortest latencies were observed after strong and fast-increase, moving or static stimuli. The responses to weak, gradual stimulation, appeared at a constant delay after the start of the displacement, equal to the minimum latency. An earlier phasic response was observed after fast-increase stimulations in two subjects. The long latency of the responses is probably due to a long central delay, similar to the late flexion reflex following electrical stimulation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Morphe and function - Kurt Goldstein's understanding of the Babinski phenomenon].

Viewed in terms of the theory of science and medicine, one of the striking features characterizing the period extending from the end of the 19 (th) century to the first third of the 20 (th) century was the formulation of concepts of etiopathogenesis. Existing theories on the morphe and structure of human cells, tissues, and organs were enlarged by models focusing on the function of these elements and structures of the organism. This enlargement of etiopathogenic concepts, including biperspective observation, occurred in the fields of internal medicine (Gustav von Bergmann), psychiatry (Erwin Straus), and neurology (Kurt Goldstein). In the light of Goldsteins's understanding of the Babinski phenomenon, the present paper seeks to show what fundamental questions spring from a theory of the human organism that takes into account both morphe and structure and function. Studies of historical models of this kind are both meaningful and justified in that they include constructs and guiding theoretical principles (like, for instance, biperspective access to the patient and his/her disease) which are of immediate relevance in addressing problems with which psychosomatics and medicine are challenged today.

Germany↗

PubMed1984

Brain edema after stroke. Clinical syndrome and intracranial pressure.

We studied prospectively the syndrome of brain edema after a large infarction in 12 patients. The major symptom was drowsiness, which began on the first to fourth day after the ictus and which was accompanied by asymmetry in pupillary size of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in eight patients, periodic breathing in seven, and Babinski's sign contralateral to the hemiparesis in five. These accompanying signs appeared several hours after drowsiness in some patients. Seven patients had brain death, one died of sepsis after recovering from brain swelling, and only four survived. In six patients in whom intracranial pressure was continuously measured, levels persistently above 15 mm Hg were associated with eventual brain death (four patients) and levels below 15 mm Hg were associated with survival (two patients).

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The course of the tick-born encephalitis (TBE) in patients hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases in Bialystok in the year 2001].

AIM: To characterize epidemiological and clinical features of TBE in the Northeastern Poland. METHODS: Analysis of clinical and epidemiological data of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of TBE in the Department of the Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University in Białystok in 2001. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: TBE was diagnosed in 48 patients. From that number 18 (37.5%) presented symptoms of meningitis, 24 (50.0%) meningoencephalitis, 5 (10.4%) meningoencephalomyelitis and 1 (2.1%) meningoencephaloradiculitis. RESULTS: Headache (100%) and fever (87.5%) were the most common complaints. Signs of meningitis were observed in 35 patients (72.9%). Common neurological abnormalities were Oppenheim and Babinski signs (18 patients, 37.5%), pareses (8; 16.7%), ataxia (7; 14.58%) and impaired consciousness (6; 12.5%). Cytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (csf) was observed in all patients, frequently accompanied by high csf protein concentration, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (61.5%), leucocytosis (31.25%) and aminotrasferase activity (12.5%). There were no professional forest workers among the patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Motor impersistance of the eyelids. Study of 93 cases and a discussion of pathogenic mechanisms].

In a prospective study, 252 subjects were investigated for motor impersistence of the eyelids (MIE) by means of a protocol that evaluated its intensity and detected associated signs, notably other phenomena of motor impersistence. MIE was frequent, being found in 93 subjects. It was usually observed in diffuse brain lesions, then in lesions of the right hemisphere, particularly in the posterior and deep cortex. In right hemisphere lesions, MIE was significantly associated with constructional apraxia, visual neglect and Anton-Babinski syndrome. In diffuse cerebral lesions, MIE was accompanied by other phenomena of motor impersistence on a background of dementia. In these cases the P 300 wave latency was significantly prolonged. Three main mechanisms may be regarded as responsible for the occurrence of MIE: apraxia, disturbance of the interhemispheric balance (notably in lesions of the right hemisphere) and disorders of attention (predominant in diffuse lesions). Actually, in every case MIE should be inserted in a continuum the extremities of which are represented by the above mentioned mechanisms.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

The frequency and significance of 'striatal toe' in parkinsonism.

A striatal toe has been defined as an apparent extensor plantar response, without fanning of the toes, in the absence of any other signs suggesting dysfunction of the cortico-spinal tract. Little is known about the frequency and significance of this sign in parkinsonian syndromes. We prospectively examined 62 patients (Parkinson's disease: other akinetic-rigid syndromes=38:24) for the presence or absence of striatal toe and extensor plantar responses, as defined by Babinski. Details of the history, physical findings and investigations previously undertaken were rated and examined for their relevance to the response obtained from the hallux. Of the 62 patients, 17 patients showed an upgoing plantar response, of whom 13 (Parkinson's disease: other akinetic-rigid syndromes=7:6) had striatal toes, either unilateral (10) or bilateral (3). The remaining four patients showed a classical Babinski sign (Parkinson's disease: other akinetic-rigid syndromes=2:2). There was no lateralising relationship between lesions of the basal ganglia found on imaging and the side of the striatal toe, or the side of dyskinesias found at the time of examination. However, there appeared to be a greater frequency of dyskinesias and evidence of lesions involving the basal ganglia on imaging in patients with striatal toes compared with those who showed a plantar response other than upgoing. The possible relevance of these findings is discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1978

[Positive effects of L-dopa on a "marginal" symptomatology observed in parkinsonians].

In some patients with parkinsonism, we have found and, often, cured by L-DOPA: 1) An unfrequent symptomatology (oculomotor, sensory, syncinesias, "Babinski" sign), not included in the classic rating scales. 2) A symptomatology "attributable to frontal lesion": grasping; inability to reproduce a serie of three gestures; inability to react to an audio-visual stimulus by a definited opposite gesture. In such patients, the improvement is in total contrast with the lack of effect of L-DOPA in several patients with frontal lesions, but without parkinsonism. It is possible that the last constatation may contribute: a) to localize more exactly the topography of dopaminergic pathways, b) to approach the respective parts of the cortical and subcortical structures in the programming of the movement.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[On the duality of the sign of fanning of the toes].

Starting from Babinski's original description, the author carries out a revision of semeiological value of the sign "fanning of the toes". It is considered that there are two clinical variants. The first, present in most cases of connatal encephalopathy, is due to involvement of the premotor area, which is usually accompanied by pyramidal, dystonic or athetoid signs. The second variant is present in cases of multiple sclerosis presumably attributable to involvement of the lateral spinal tracts including the reticulospinal one. The author proposes the need of using modern neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques for further pathophysiological investigation of both clinical variants of the sign.

Brain Diseases↗