ABSTRACT
Conversion symptoms involving conspicous pseudoneurological signs of the motor system are very seldom today. To differentiate in these cases between organic and functional disturbances is highly difficult. Two patients are described. A 25 year old soldier with the symptomatology of a repetitive transverse lesion of the spinal cord and a 70 year old pensioner with a blepharospasm. They both showed an accompanying depression. Diagnostic criteria, psychodynamic models and especially the organic background of conversion symptoms are discussed.
Subject(s)
Conversion Disorder/psychology , Adult , Aged , Blepharospasm/psychology , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Diagnosis, Differential , Grief , Humans , Life Change Events , Male , Ophthalmoplegia/psychology , Paralysis/psychologyABSTRACT
The levels of total and free tryptophan were determined in the plasma of 34 endogenous depressives, 20 neurotic depressives and 25 healthy volunteers. Whilst the levels of total tryptophan were not different in the three groups, the level of free tryptophan was reduced in both endogenous and neurotic depressives.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder/blood , Tryptophan/blood , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Reflex, instinct and voluntary movements of the face and the upper limbs, especially those between hand and mouth show a widespread interrelationship. Little is known of the neurophysiological pathways involved. One of these interrelated reflexes which is easily elicited clinically, is the palmomental reflex (PMR). This reflex has proved to be of use as a screening test for cerebral lesions damage: a lateralized, increased, or inexhaustable PMR indicates the presence of a contralateral lesion of the pyramidal or extra-pyramidal system. The aim of the following study was to find a practicable method of stimulation and detection in order to examine and define the normal reflex response. Our investigation shows that one can define the neurographic parameters of the normal reflex response. Hence it should be possible to compare these results with findings in patients with lesions of the nervous system. Our methods are described and the results discussed as are the indications for palmomental electrography (PMEG).
Subject(s)
Facial Muscles/innervation , Hand/innervation , Median Nerve/physiology , Reflex/physiology , Adult , Dominance, Cerebral/physiology , Evoked Potentials , Female , Humans , Male , Neural Pathways/physiology , Nociceptors/physiology , Sensory Thresholds/physiologyABSTRACT
Symmetrical calcification of the basal ganglia was found in 2% of 8000 computerized tomography (CT) scans. Of 19 cases, only 2 were detectable on conventional skull films. The less prominent calcifications were most often found in the region of the pallidum, the knee of the internal capsule. Also, the lesions were generally symmetrical. Thus these factors must be considered basic morphological characteristics of the pathophysiological process. Additional neurological disorders were present in 6 patients. Neurological symptoms in the remaining 13, when present, depended on the extent of the lesion. The most common finding was tremor, although disturbances of fine motor control, transient lateralizing signs, and seizures were also noted. No particular constellation of symptoms or signs permitted accurate clinical localization of the lesions. The patients could be divided into three groups on the basis of clinical findings: (1) young people with marked cerebral calcinosis ('idiopathic' calcification of basal ganglia), (2) patients with hypoparathyroidism, and (3) older patients with relatively little calcification. Most patients with calcific lesions will be included in the third group. Any calcification of basal ganglia detected by CT scans demands careful evaluation of calcium metabolism.
Subject(s)
Basal Ganglia Diseases/diagnosis , Calcinosis/diagnosis , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Calcium/blood , Female , Humans , Hypoparathyroidism/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Tremor/etiologySubject(s)
Brain/pathology , Multiple Sclerosis/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Atrophy , Brain Diseases/complications , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Multiple Sclerosis/complicationsABSTRACT
Forty nine elderly patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and on whom carotid angiography had been performed were divided into two groups. In one 36 patients had vestibular symptoms whereas the other group of remaining patients was free of such symptoms. Comparison of both groups showed that vertigo (20 patients), other vestibular symptoms or nystagmus were not solely related to vertebral artery stenosis. In fact stenosis of one or both vertebral arteries was found in only nine patients.
