Prevalence of hereditary ataxias and spastic paraplegias in Molise, a region of Italy.

An epidemiological survey of hereditary ataxias and paraplegias was conducted in Molise, a region of Italy (335, 211 inhabitants on 1 January 1989). Total prevalence was 7.5 x 10(-5) inhabitants (95% confidence limits 4.8-11.1). There were 7 patients with Friedreich's disease, 5 with early onset cerebellar ataxia with retained tendon reflexes, 4 with ataxia-telangiectasia, 9 with hereditary spastic paraplegias (2 autosomal dominant and 7 autosomal recessive cases). There was no patient with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia.

The hemimedullary syndrome: case report and review of the literature.

Hemi-infarction of the medulla causes the clinical constellation of symptoms and signs of both the lateral and medial medullary syndromes and nearly always results from occlusion of an intracranial vertebral artery. In the case reported here, with a clinical diagnosis of hemimedullary syndrome, the expected infarction was imaged by magnetic resonance. A review of the literature confirms that the hemimedullary syndrome, in which both medial and lateral syndromes occur simultaneously, is extremely rare, since it yielded only two previous cases with adequate anatomical confirmation.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and ipsilateral infarction in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery.

We report a further case of retarded contralateral hemiplegia syndrome after herpes zoster ophthalmicus in which the motor deficit was caused by an ischemic infarction in the territory supplied by the anterior choroidal artery. We discuss the clinical and physiopathogenetic features of the case and consider the computed tomographic and neurological patterns of anterior choroidal infarction.

Traumatic aneurysms of the carotid artery. Case report.

The Authors report a rare case of traumatic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery observed in a 19-year-old man after a car accident. The aneurysm was recognized by cerebral angiography performed immediately after trauma and clipped to avoid delayed rupture. The literature on traumatic aneurysms is reviewed.

[Role of echocardiography in the diagnosis of cerebral ischemic attacks of embolic origin]. / Ruolo dell'ecocardiografia nella diagnosi degli accidenti cerebrali ischemici di origine embolica.

An echocardiographic study of 50 patients with cerebral infarction confirm the importance of this technique in the diagnosis of cerebral ischaemia originating in a cardiac embolism, an importance that has already been underlined by others. The particular value of this technique in young patients in relation to possible treatment is also pointed out.

[Post-traumatic bony bridges of the spinal column]. / Ponti ossei post-traumatici della colonna vertebrale.

The Authors, on the base of Vackeneim's pathogenetic hypothesis about a case of post-traumatic bone bridges of the spine, describe three cases observed and examine the etiopathogenesis of this extremely rare pathology.

[Functional electric stimulation. Our experience]. / La stimolazione elettrica funzionale. Nostra esperienza.

The use of F.E.S. in motor rehabilitation should be reserved for cases of central neurological lesions. F.E.S. tends to improve gait, reduce spasticity and improve the transfer of cortical information from the peripheral system. The treatment exploits the possibilities of reprogramming movement by developing new motor circuits and where possible restoring lost movements.

[Biohumoral variations during total parenteral nutrition with lipids. Effects on plasma lipoproteins in patients in cerebral coma in regression]. / Variazioni bioumorali in corso di N.P.T. con lipidi. Effetti sulle lipoproteine plasmatiche di pazienti in coma cerebrale in regressione.

An assessment was made of the blood lipid pattern in a group of patients in critical situations subjected to T.P.N. with a mixed calorie intake (sugars, lipids, amino acids). It was found that the pronounced previous deficiency was corrected in a significantly shorter period, and that despite the large load on calories in the form of fats there were no changes worthy of note in the body fluids. Serial determination of lipoproteins before, during and after T.P.N. substantiated the clinical findings. Lab checks, within the limits set by intuitive variations, did not reveal alterations with a pathological meaning, for the very reason that they were not linked to organic enzyme and hormone deficiencies, but were positive changes attributable to the temporary exogenous input.