The neurology behind three wounded French artists during the great world war / A neurologia por trás de três artistas franceses feridos durante a grande guerra mundial

Abstract A unique association joins Guillaume Apollinaire, Blaise Cendrars and Louis Ferdinand Céline. Besides being great exponents of French literature, they were all neurologically wounded during the First World War. Apollinaire had a traumatic brain injury, Cendrars developed phantom limb neuropathic pain and Céline presented radial nerve paralysis. There is quite an evidence that supports that their artistic output was also influenced by acquired neurological conditions during the war. The examples of these three French authors reveal the surprising intimacy Neurology can share with art and history.

Resumo Uma associação única une Guillaume Apollinaire, Blaise Cendrars e Louis Ferdinand Céline. Além de serem grandes expoentes da literatura francesa, todos eles foram feridos neurologicamente durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Apollinaire sofreu traumatismo cranioencefálico, Cendrars desenvolveu dor neuropática do membro fantasma e Céline apresentou paralisia do nervo radial. Há bastantes evidências que sustentam que a sua produção artística também foi influenciada pelas condições neurológicas adquiridas durante a guerra. Os exemplos desses três autores franceses revelam a surpreendente intimidade que a neurologia pode compartilhar com a arte e a história.

The neurology behind three wounded French artists during the great world war.

A unique association joins Guillaume Apollinaire, Blaise Cendrars and Louis Ferdinand Céline. Besides being great exponents of French literature, they were all neurologically wounded during the First World War. Apollinaire had a traumatic brain injury, Cendrars developed phantom limb neuropathic pain and Céline presented radial nerve paralysis. There is quite an evidence that supports that their artistic output was also influenced by acquired neurological conditions during the war. The examples of these three French authors reveal the surprising intimacy Neurology can share with art and history.

Cerebrospinal fluid: history, collection techniques, indications, contraindications and complications / Líquido cefalorraquidiano: história, técnicas de coleta, indicações, contraindicações e complicações

ABSTRACT This article is based on a historical review of the medical literature with the purpose of acknowledging the historical stages and anatomical findings over the years, which led gradually to performance of the first lumbar puncture by Quincke, as well as collection techniques and analyses, allowing it to be an irreplaceable diagnostic tool in daily clinical practice. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses have continued to develop and nowadays play a major role in diagnosing and understanding the physiopathology of a great variety of neurological conditions. Biomarkers and genetic sequencing have recently been the target of multiple studies and are implicated as promising diagnostic tools of a large range of diseases.

RESUMEN Este artículo se basa en una revisión histórica de la literatura médica cuyo objetivo fue reconocer las fases y los hallazgos anatómicos a lo largo de los años que condujo gradualmente a la primera punción lumbar por Quincke, así como las técnicas y los análisis de recolección; esa punción se ha convertido en una herramienta insustituible de diagnóstico en la práctica clínica diaria. Los análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo se desarrollaron y hoy tienen un papel importante en el diagnóstico y en la comprensión de la fisiopatología de varias condiciones neurológicas. Recientemente, los biomarcadores y la secuenciación genética fueron objeto de varios estudios y son considerados técnicas de diagnóstico prometedoras para muchas enfermedades.

RESUMO Este artigo se baseia em uma revisão histórica da literatura médica cujo objetivo foi reconhecer as etapas e os achados anatômicos ao longo dos anos do desempenho de Quincke - desde a primeira punção lombar -, bem como as técnicas e as análises de coleta que permitiram que essa punção se tornasse uma ferramenta insubstituível na prática clínica diária. As análises do líquido cefalorraquidiano continuaram se desenvolvendo e hoje desempenham um papel importante no diagnóstico e na compreensão da fisiopatologia de diversas condições neurológicas. Recentemente, biomarcadores e sequenciamento genético foram objeto de vários estudos e são considerados técnicas de diagnóstico promissoras para uma grande variedade de doenças.

Maurice Ravel's dementia: the silence of a genius.

Maurice Ravel is one of the most important French musicians. In the last years of his life, Ravel was victim of a dementia of uncertain etiology that caused aphasia, apraxia, agraphia and amusia. The artistic brain of the author of eternal musical compositions was progressively silenced due to his neurodegenerative disease. On the 90th anniversary of Boléro, this historical note revisits Ravel's case and discusses the relationship of his dementia to his artistic production. It illustrates the intimacy that can exist between art, music, creativity, and neurology.

Maurice Ravel's dementia: the silence of a genius / A demência de Maurice Ravel: o silêncio de um gênio

ABSTRACT Maurice Ravel is one of the most important French musicians. In the last years of his life, Ravel was victim of a dementia of uncertain etiology that caused aphasia, apraxia, agraphia and amusia. The artistic brain of the author of eternal musical compositions was progressively silenced due to his neurodegenerative disease. On the 90th anniversary of Boléro, this historical note revisits Ravel's case and discusses the relationship of his dementia to his artistic production. It illustrates the intimacy that can exist between art, music, creativity, and neurology.

RESUMO Maurice Ravel é um dos músicos franceses mais importantes. Nos últimos anos de vida, Ravel foi vítima de uma demência de etiologia incerta que causou afasia, apraxia, agrafia e amusia. O cérebro artístico do autor de eternas composições musicais foi progressivamente silenciado devido à sua doença neurodegenerativa. No 90° aniversário de Bolero, esta nota histórica revive o caso de Ravel e discute a relação de sua demência em sua produção artística. Ele ilustra a intimidade que pode existir entre arte, música e criatividade com a neurologia.

Gluten and Neuroimmunology. Rare association with Myasthenia Gravis and Literature Review.

As the celiac disease (CD), the non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has also been associated with several autoimmune manifestations. It is rarely associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). This paper shall introduce the case of a young female patient, initially presenting a peripheral neuropathy framework. During clinical and neurological follow-up, she began to present symptoms of various immune-mediated morbidities. Diseases related to gluten represent a clinical spectrum of manifestations with a trigger in common, the ingestion of gluten. CD is the most well-known and serious disease of the spectrum, also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The NCGS is diagnosed from clinical evidence of improvement in symptoms followed by a Gluten Free Diet (GFD) in patients without signs of enteropathy in duodenal biopsy. There are indications that, although rare, with a prevalence of 1 in 5000, myasthenia gravis (MG) may occur more often when CD is also present. Between 13 to 22% of the patients with MG have a second autoimmune disorder. However, it is often associated with dermatomyositis or polymyositis, lupus erythematosussystemic lupus erythematosus, Addison's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the symptoms of neuromuscular junction involvement may give a diagnostic evidence of this rare association.

Gluten and Neuroimmunology. Rare association with Myasthenia Gravis and Literature Review

SUMMARY As the celiac disease (CD), the non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has also been associated with several autoimmune manifestations. It is rarely associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). This paper shall introduce the case of a young female patient, initially presenting a peripheral neuropathy framework. During clinical and neurological follow-up, she began to present symptoms of various immune-mediated morbidities. Diseases related to gluten represent a clinical spectrum of manifestations with a trigger in common, the ingestion of gluten. CD is the most well-known and serious disease of the spectrum, also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The NCGS is diagnosed from clinical evidence of improvement in symptoms followed by a Gluten Free Diet (GFD) in patients without signs of enteropathy in duodenal biopsy. There are indications that, although rare, with a prevalence of 1 in 5000, myasthenia gravis (MG) may occur more often when CD is also present. Between 13 to 22% of the patients with MG have a second autoimmune disorder. However, it is often associated with dermatomyositis or polymyositis, lupus erythematosussystemic lupus erythematosus, Addison's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the symptoms of neuromuscular junction involvement may give a diagnostic evidence of this rare association.

What do Flaubert, Dostoevsky and Machado de Assis have in common with neurology?

The Frenchman Gustave Flaubert, the Russian Fyodor Dostoevsky and the Brazilian Machado de Assis are known for their immeasurable contributions to literature. However, what most people do not know is that all three authors suffered from epilepsy and were affected by their neurological condition in different ways. We offer a short description of how epilepsy influenced their lives, how they dealt with it and how their neurological condition was present in their novels and correspondence. Their lives are excellent examples of how intimately neurology can be entwined in art and history, and provide an important perspective on patients with epilepsy.

What do Flaubert, Dostoevsky and Machado de Assis have in common with neurology? / O que Flaubert, Dostoevsky and Machado de Assis têm em comum com a neurologia?

ABSTRACT The Frenchman Gustave Flaubert, the Russian Fyodor Dostoevsky and the Brazilian Machado de Assis are known for their immeasurable contributions to literature. However, what most people do not know is that all three authors suffered from epilepsy and were affected by their neurological condition in different ways. We offer a short description of how epilepsy influenced their lives, how they dealt with it and how their neurological condition was present in their novels and correspondence. Their lives are excellent examples of how intimately neurology can be entwined in art and history, and provide an important perspective on patients with epilepsy.

RESUMO O francês Gustave Flaubert, o russo Fyódor Dostoevsky e o brasileiro Machado de Assis são conhecidos pela sua imensurável contribuição para a Literatura. No entanto, o que a maioria das pessoas desconhece é que os três autores sofriam de epilepsia e foram, de diferentes maneiras, afetados por sua condição neurológica. Nós fazemos uma breve descrição de como a epilepsia influenciou suas vidas, como eles lidaram com a doença e como sua condição neurológica estava presente em seus romances e correspondências. Suas vidas são excelentes exemplos de quão íntima pode ser a neurologia da arte e da história e fornecem uma importante visão sobre os pacientes com epilepsia.

Indústria farmacêutica: uma abordagem crítica / Pharmaceutical industry: a critical approach

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: É feita uma abordagem crítica da indústria farmacêutica, no sentido de apontar o seu lado perverso.O objetivo foi analisar os ensaios clínicos e também a relação da indústria farmacêutica com os médicos e os pesquisadores. CONTEÚDO: Na área de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento (P&D) é ressaltado que os ensaios clínicos são balizados pelos executivos dos laboratórios farmacêuticos e não pelos médicos-pesquisadores. É salientado que os custos de um novo fármaco são superestimados para justificar os preços abusivos para os usuários. A questão do marketing é analisada, com ênfase no poder de manipulação da indústria farmacêutica sobre a corporação médica e a sociedade. Na área das patentes de novos fármacos é abordada a sua longa duração e ainda que os laboratórios usam de muitos artifícios para prorrogá-las. O uso do placebo, nos ensaios clínicos, é enfocado dentro da ótica da legislação brasileira. Outras questões são levantadas, como o ingresso dos genéricos no mercado farmacêutico e a frustração da terapia gênica. CONCLUSÃO: Alguns aspectos são equacionados e algumas recomendações são feitas com o objetivo de corrigir ou minimizar as distorções apontadas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A critical approach of pharmaceutical Industry is made, to show its dark side. This study intended to evaluate the clinical essays and also the relationship of pharmaceutical companies with the medical class and researchers. CONTENTS: In the area of research and development is pointed out that the clinical trials are controlled by the staff of pharmaceutical companies, not by the medical-researchers. The cost of innovation (a new drug) is overestimate to justify the overcharge to consumers. The marketing affair is analyzed and the power of manipulation of the pharmaceutical industry concerning the medical corporation and society is emphasize. The patents of new drugs have a very long duration and the companies use several artifices to extend them. The approach of placebo use in the trials is made according to Brazilian law. Other questions are analyzed as the entrance of generics in the market and the frustration of gene therapy. CONCLUSION: Some features are considered and some recommendations are made to correct or to reduce the distortions to point out.

[Ophthalmoplegic migraine: case report]. / Enxaqueca oftalmoplégica: relato de caso.

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is a rare syndrome in which episodic fixed unilateral headaches are associated with ipsilateral ophthalmoplegia. Its physiopathology remains obscure. We describe a case in a patient with ophthalmoplegic migraine diagnosed according to the International Headache Society (IH-2004) criteria, who showed an unusual clinical presentation. The first ophthalmoplegic migraine episode occurred in adult life. Pain side changed in one episode. Oculomotor abnormalities were painless during the last crisis. Since diagnosis is made by exclusion, differential diagnosis and need for etiologic investigation are discussed.

Enxaqueca oftalmoplégica: relato de caso / Ophthalmoplegic migraine: case report

A enxaqueca oftalmoplégica (EO) é entidade clínica extremamente rara e de etiologia controversa, caracterizada por crises recorrentes de cefaléia unilateral fixa (sem alternância de lado), associadas a paresia de um ou mais nervos oculomotores (III, IV ou VI) homolaterais à dor. Descreve-se o caso de uma paciente com diagnóstico de enxaqueca oftalmoplégica de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pela International Headache Society (IHS-2004), com aspectos clínicos e idade de início dos sintomas, não usuais. Ao contrário das descrições da literatura, a primeira crise ocorreu na idade adulta. Houve troca de lado num dos episódios e no último evento ocorreu apenas a manifestação ocular sem cefaléia. Em virtude do diagnóstico de enxaqueca oftalmoplégica ser sempre de exclusão, abordamos outras causas de oftalmoplegia dolorosa a serem afastadas por meio de investigação apropriada.

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is a rare syndrome in which episodic fixed unilateral headaches are associated with ipsilateral ophthalmoplegia. Its physiopathology remains obscure. We describe a case in a patient with ophthalmoplegic migraine diagnosed according to the International Headache Society (IH-2004) criteria, who showed an unusual clinical presentation. The first ophthalmoplegic migraine episode occurred in adult life. Pain side changed in one episode. Oculomotor abnormalities were painless during the last crisis. Since diagnosis is made by exclusion, differential diagnosis and need for etiologic investigation are discussed.

[Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: analysis of six cases]. / Síndrome de Tolosa-Hunt: análise de seis casos.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is an entity of rare occurrence and unknown etiopathogenesis, expressed clinically by unilateral orbitary pain associated with simple or multiple oculomotor paralysis, which resolves spontaneously but may recur. We present a series of six cases taken care in our ambulatory, which fulfill the diagnostic criteria for Tolosa Hunt syndrome according to the International Headache Society Classification of 2004. There are also emphasized the demographic data of this series of patients, their 12 months follow-up, investigative studies and responsiveness to corticosteroids. As the diagnosis is always of exclusion, literature revision is focused on differential diagnosis of painful ophthalmoplegic syndromes.