ABSTRACT
A detailed history of a boy with Landau-Kleffner syndrome is presented, demonstrating a close relationship between language functioning and paroxysmal electroencephalogram activity. During a 3-year 6-month follow-up period, three abrupt deteriorations of all language functions occurred: the child became totally noninteractive with his environment within 1 week's time. Two of these deteriorations were reversed with steroid treatment, with an identical recovery phase. Intravenous immunoglobulins had a very dramatic and comparable effect in the third relapse; both language functions and electroencephalogram abnormalities were influenced significantly by the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.
Subject(s)
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Landau-Kleffner Syndrome/therapy , Child , Electroencephalography , Humans , Landau-Kleffner Syndrome/complications , Language Disorders/etiology , Language Disorders/therapy , Male , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
Three different neuro-imaging studies were performed in 3 infants with hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSE). Areas of cerebral infarction were noted on CT. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed decreased perfusion in these areas in one infant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also identified the areas of infarction, noted on CT, but provided additional information showing non-haem iron deposition in the thalami and basal ganglia.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Infarction/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Shock, Hemorrhagic/diagnosis , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Brain/pathology , Brain Damage, Chronic/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Neurologic Examination , SyndromeABSTRACT
Spontaneous motor behaviour was longitudinally studied in 7 low-risk preterm infants. The object of this study was to determine whether or not certain recognizable behavioural states exist between 32 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), in order to have a well defined recognizable pattern of behaviour during which the preterm infant can be clinically examined. The criteria used to define a behavioural state were: eyes open/closed; crying present/absent; gross body movements present/absent; and respiration regular/irregular. A total of 35 videotapes were made (total time, 99 hours and 25 minutes). For analyzing the data, one second and three-minute windows were used. Our data provide convincing evidence that spontaneous behaviour of preterm infants of 32-36 weeks of PMA can be classified into behavioural states. The variables gross body movements and respiration, are not independent ones. The observed states can be used as a defined clinical condition during which the preterm infants can be clinically examined.
Subject(s)
Behavior/physiology , Infant, Premature/psychology , Age Factors , Crying , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Movement , Reference Values , RespirationABSTRACT
In 38 children with partial seizures, the EEG, CT and NMR findings were compared to the results obtained with Tc99m HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in order to determine whether SPECT is a useful adjunct to EEG, CT and NMR in this age group. In 3 out of 7 patients with a normal EEG, SPECT showed focal abnormalities. Nine patients whose EEGs did not show adequate lateralization had an abnormal SPECT which revealed a focus. In 14 out of 21 patients with a normal CT, SPECT showed focal changes in 13 patients and diffuse changes in the other one. In 7 out of 12 patients with a normal NMR, SPECT showed focal abnormalities. Although clinical history and a careful description of the seizures are the most valuable information in partial seizure disorders, SPECT imagining gives valuable additional information, which might target treatment. SPECT was superior to CT and NMR with respect to the depiction of some kind of abnormality.
