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Biomedical subjects

D Leys

Publications and source records attributed to D Leys.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

[Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Diagnostic, nosologic and therapeutic problems].

We report on five cases of this myasthenic disorder associated with a loss of deep tendon reflexes, dry mouth and impotence. The diagnosis relies upon the response to repeated electric stimulations: with stimulations at a frequency of 5 Hz, the size of the potentials decreases by more than 30 p. 100 and, at 30 Hz, increases by more than 60 p. 100. This profile differentiates Lambert-Eaton syndrome from myasthenia gravis. Lambert-Eaton syndrome occurs usually in the course of malignant diseases; when it seems isolated, a visceral neoplasm, mainly bronchogenic carcinoma, should be suspected. Nevertheless, in some cases, no malignant disease is found. The mechanism is a presynaptic block of neuromuscular transmission because of an unknown hypothetic substance produced by the tumor. Therapeutic resources (Guanidine) are scarce.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

[Spontaneous epidural hematoma in panarteritis nodosa].

Four years after the first sign of panarteritis nodosa, a 60 years old woman presented severe pain in the lower thoracic spine followed by motor, sensory and sphincter paralysis. With corticosteroid therapy, condition improved 24 hours later, but myelography revealed an incomplete block from T9 to L1, by an epidural hemorrhage. In the course of panarteritis nodosa, one case of epidural hemorrhage, and a few cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage of the spinal canal have been described.

Female↗
PubMed1984

[Myositis disclosing systemic scleroderma].

A 61 year old patient presented with muscular atrophy and weakness, predominant at the shoulder girdle, as the first manifestation of a progressive systemic sclerosis with the signs of the CREST syndrome: subcutaneous calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophagus disorders, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia. The histological features were consistent with polymyositis. In spite of corticotherapy, total recovery was not obtained. The nosological relationships with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is discussed. Myositis is infrequent in progressive systemic sclerosis and corticosteroid therapy is discussed.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1984

[Dorsal interapophyseal arthropathy and spinal cord compression in syringomyelia].

A dorsal spinal cord compression by exuberant arthropathy and osteophytes of the articular processes occurred in a 61 years old patient with syringomyelia. The clinical symptoms were related to postero lateral cord involvement and rapidly appeared after syringo-peritoneal shunting. C.T. scan precisely displayed the pathological process and the cord compression. Surgery enabled a definite amelioration of secondary sensory deficits. It was to our knowledge the first description of such an involvement of articular processes in syringomyelia.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Intracranial subdural empyema. 3 cases].

With reference to three cases the main features of subdural empyema are recalled. These collected suppurations are often secondary to frontal or maxillary sinusitis due to a streptococcus. Clinical features are those of meningo-encephalitis but signs of cortical damage are more prevalent. Many cases of subdural empyema which would have been unrecognized by conventional procedures are now diagnosed by CT scan. CT scan has also improved monitoring; thus, two of the three patients could be given medical treatment alone. The authors believe that non-surgical treatment would ensure recovery in many cases of subdural empyema. Surgery should be restricted to patients with severe intracranial hypertension or persistence of a large mass after several weeks of antibiotic treatment. Non-surgical treatment may improve prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Large listerial abscess of the brain stem. Favorable effect of antibiotic therapy].

A 52-year-old woman developed headache with fever followed after several days by a left hemiplegia, paralysis of the right IIIrd, Vth, and VIIth cranial nerves, and a right cerebellar syndrome. The CSF contained 48 white cells/mm3 and 0,80 g/l of proteins. Blood and CSF cultures were negative. In spite of an early massive antibiotic therapy, successive CT scans demonstrated the development of a voluminous rhombencephalic abscess. Clinical improvement occurred only after 1 month of treatment. The diagnosis of listeriosis, suggested clinically, was confirmed by elevated levels of antibodies to listeria Monocytogenes serotype 01 (1/80 to 1/1 280). Signs regressed slowly and hemiplegic sequelae persisted. A review of the literature demonstrated the rare nature of listerian abscesses in the CNS: in 6 of the 9 cases reported the patients were immunodepressed and the abscess was located in the cerebral hemispheres. The elective rhombencephalic lesion of listerian encephalitis may also apply to abscesses, which can develop in previously healthy subjects. The clinical picture is that of a solitary brain stem abscess with a fatal outcome whatever the nature of the germ. Van Gilder, Allen and Lesser (1974) published the first report of a case that recovered after surgical drainage. The present case is the only one of the 6 cases reported in the literature in which a favorable outcome was obtained by antibiotic therapy.

Ampicillin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Radiculo-spinal discomfort and Scheuermann's disease. 12 cases].

Twelve cases of Scheuermann's disease associated with neurological disorders are reported. The relation between the two conditions can be established through herniated disc, kyphotic angulation or spinal cyst. A more interventionist attitude is justified by the progress and results of neuroradiological investigations and surgical techniques.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vascular dementia: the role of cerebral infarcts.

Although vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most frequent cause of dementia after Alzheimer disease (AD), the concept remains controversial in terms of delineation. The objective of this review is to investigate, from available literature, the role of cerebral infarcts in the pathogenesis of VaD and to identify areas of interest that need further evaluation and research. The incidence of new onset dementia is increased after stroke. Stroke subtypes, total volume of cerebral infarction and functional tissue loss, and location of the lesions are probably the major determinants of VaD. Any cause of stroke can lead to VaD. In some circumstances the causal relation between stroke and dementia is clear: (1) in young patients who are unlikely to have associated Alzheimer pathology; (2) when the cognitive functioning was normal before stroke, impaired immediately after, and does not worsen over time; (3) when the lesions are located in strategic areas; and (4) when a well-defined vasculopathy known to cause dementia is proven. However, several issues remain unsolved in VaD: lack of specificity of the diagnostic criteria; influence of white matter changes and associated Alzheimer pathology; influence of preexisting cognitive status; possibility of having VaD without stroke and the clinical relevance of silent infarcts to VaD; and best therapeutic strategy to be used to prevent VaD and to prevent stroke in patients with VaD. These questions form the basis for proposals for future research.

Cerebral Infarction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Susceptibility to provoked cerebral infarction is not increased in a rat model of pharmacologically-induced hypertension despite endothelial dysfunction.

An increase in susceptibility to provoked stroke has been described in a genetically-determined rat model of hypertension. We investigated whether the susceptibility to provoked cerebral ischaemia was also increased in a rat model of pharmacologically-induced hypertension with endothelial dysfunction. Chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthase induced by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) administration (50 or 75 mg.kg(-1) x day(-1)) in drinking water for 6 weeks caused a sustained hypertension, comparable in the two groups. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine or A23187 was significantly, and dose-dependently, impaired in rats receiving L-NAME, as proven by a decrease in maximal relaxation and increase of EC50, as compared to control. Endothelium-independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside was not different in the three groups. Aortic media area was significantly, and dose-dependently, increased following chronic nitric oxide inhibition. Cerebral infarct volumes were not increased in L-NAME-treated groups independently of the level of endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic L-NAME administration. These data demonstrate that susceptibility to cerebral infarction was not increased in a non-genetically determined hypertension model in spite of the development of endothelial dysfunction and vascular structure alterations.

Animals↗