[Comparative study of central motor conduction time by using magnetic stimulation and F-wave study in normal subjects]

Central motor conduction time [CMCT] includes time for excitation of the corticospinal pathways and transmission along those tracts. Data obtained by cortical magnetic stimulation are helpful in some clinical situations such as multiple sclerosis, cervical spondylosis, motor neuron disease, and etc. However, using different methods for peripheral motor conduction time [PMCT] demonsrates two different results. In this study, we used two methods to compare CMCT from F-wave latency and spinal root magnetic stimulation. Also, this study was performed to determine normal values, effects of sex, age and upper limb length. Magnetic stimulation of the cortex and cervical spinal roots was performed on 39 healthy subjects. Responces were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis [APB] muscle. F-wave study was performed in the median nerve. Subtraction of total motor conduction time [TMCT: cortical response] and PMCT by F-wave and cervical root stimulation, shows CMCT. The results showed 19.7 ms for TMCT, 7.3 ms for CMCT of root stimulation and 4.8 for Fwave based CMCT. CMCT to the APB correlates with upper limb length but no with age or sex. The CMCT calculated by subtracting F- wave latencies measured to APB after transcranial stimulation was shorter than the one obtained after magnetic root stimulation

[Influence of intercessory praying on clinical signs and diagnostic findings of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome]

Background: carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is the most common entrapment neuropathy with annual cost of about one billion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intercessory prayer in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Methods and materials: in this cross sectional interventional study, patients with electrophysiologically- confirmed diagnosis of CTS had inclusion criteria during 2005 autumn underwent intercessory praying. They were evaluated for subjective symptoms with [VAS 10 cm], objective signs and electrodiagnostic parameters before and 6 weeks after a three-week intercessory praying

Results: 12 patients with 23 hands were enrolled. At 6 weeks after the end of the therapy, subjective symptoms, phalen. reverse phalen and electro diagnostic findings [Median DSL and DML] showed significant changes. [CI 95%. P< 0.05]. Tinel test and Flick Sign, had no statisticaIly significant changes [P >0.05]. About 47/8 of cases cured completely and the others changed so much; however; there were no statistically significant changes in CTS grades in Chi square test. It May be due to the patients low count. 74.99% of patients were satisfied or highly satisfied with the therapy

Conclusion: we recommended that intercessory praying [IP] should be considered as a cost - effective. non invasive, low side effect treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. It deserves to be studied more with enough patient sampling

[ case report: Refsum's disease]

Background: Refsum's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder. The clinical features include retinitis pigmentosa, blindness, anosmia, deafness, ataxia and accumulation of phytanic acid in plasma

Case report: A 12 -year old boy presented with retinitis pigmentosa, sensorineural deafness and distal lower limb weakness and wasting from two years ago. Physical examination did not reveal an objective area of sensory loss. We detected muscles wasting in bilateral legs. Deep tendon reflexes at the ankles and knees were absent bilaterally. Upper limb reflexes were decreased and his gait was ataxic. In electrodiagnostic study, findings were compatible with motor and sensory neuropathy. Phytanic acid in serum analysis was highly raised

Conclusions: Although rare, Refsum's disease is partially treatable and early recognition may prevent visual and auditory deterioration

case report: Refsum's disease

Refsum's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder. The clinical features include retinitis pigmentosa, blindness, anosmia deafness, ataxia and accumulation of phytanic acid in plasma. A 12-year old boy presented with retinitis pigmentosa, sensorineural deafness and distal lower limb weakness and wasting two years ago. Physical examination did not reveal an objective area of sensory loss. We detected muscles wasting in bilateral legs. Deep tendon reflexes at the ankles and knees were absent bilaterally. Upper limb reflexes were decreased and his gait was ataxic. In electrodiagnostic study, findings were compatible with motor and sensory neuropathy. Phytanic acid in serum analysis was highly raised. Although rare, Refsum's disease is partially treatable and early recognition may prevent visual and auditory deterioration