Clusters of bell's palsy

The idiopathic facial paralysis or Bell's palsy installs abruptly or within a few hours, without any apparent cause. It corresponds to approximately 75 percent of all peripheral facial palsies. Three theories try to explaim its pathogenecity: vascular-ischemic, viral and auto-immune. We reviewed the records of the EMG Sector, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (Säo Paulo, Brazil), from 1985 to 1995 and found 239 cases of Bell's palsy. Data were analysed according to age, gender, seasonal distribution of cases. There was a predominance of cases in the 31-60 age bracket (40.59 percent). The female gender was responsible to 70.71 percent of cases. There was a predominance of cases in winter (31.38 percent) and autumn (30.13 percent), which was statiscally significant. These findings let us to suppose that Bell's palsy predominates in females, in 41-60 years age bracket, and occurs predominantly in cold months. There are groups of clusters throughout temporal distribution of cases and cases are dependent on one each other or on factors affecting them all, which reinforces the infectious hypothesis (there is a rise in the incidence of viral upper respiratory tract infection during cold months).

Neurocysticercosis in Paraiba, Northeast Brazil: an endemic area?

Neurocysticercosis is the central nervous system infestation by Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of Taenia solium. It is related to poor hygiene habits and sanitation; although Northeast is poorest Region of Brazil, it has been always stated as a non-endemic area. After the installation of computed tomography (CT) service, the incidence of neurocysticercosis began to raise in neurology services in Campina Grande PB, a city where people from the interior Paraíba can find specialized medical facilities. We analyse 5,883 CT record of the TomoHPI Computed Tomography Service from August 1993 to December 1995, observing 1.02 per cent suggestive neurocysticercosis cases and classified them according to sex and age, procedence and socioeconomic condition. Distribution of cases according to age is homogeneous until the age of 50 (mean: 28.36 years old). Men and women are equally affected. Urban areas inhabitants represented 83.33 per cent. Residents of Campina Grande represented 48.33 per cent and 48.34 per cent were residents of cities around Campina Grande (until 50 Km around) and other cities of Paraíba State. Fifty-eight patients were dependent to public health care system. We conclude that neurocysticercosis seems to be endemic in Paraíba State, demanding a more detailed study to determine its incidence/prevalence.

Cerebral cysticercosis in Campina Grande, Paraíba - Northern Brazil: computerized tomography diagnosis importance

Neurocysticercosis is the infection of the central nervous system by the larval form of Taenia Solium, the Cysticercus cellulosae. We studied 4011 computerized tomographies perfomed in TomoHPI Radioimaging Service, Hospital Pedro I, Campina Grande PB, Northern Brazil, since its installation on August 1993 to July 1995. 41 patients were diagnosed as having Cysticercus cerebral infestation, corresponding to an incidence of 1.02 per cent. No cases were related in Campina Grande PB during 1991 according to hospitalizations under prospective payment rates. After this radioimaging service installation, we observed 1.86 cases per month. We conclude that Campina Grande has to be included as an endemic area of neurocysticercosis, needing health service measures to cease the cycle Taenia-Cysticercus, the only way to get rid of such a serious problem.