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J Favre

Publications and source records attributed to J Favre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Outcome of unilateral and bilateral pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease: patient assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Pallidotomy has recently regained acceptance as a safe and effective treatment for Parkinson's disease symptoms. The goal of this study was to obtain the patients' perspective on their results after undergoing this procedure. Special attention was focused on the potential complications and the respective advantages and risks of unilateral versus bilateral pallidotomy. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were studied during a 2-year period; 44 completed the evaluation, with a median follow-up of 7 months. Of these patients, 22 underwent unilateral pallidotomy, and 17 had bilateral simultaneous pallidotomy. Five patients who underwent staged bilateral pallidotomy were excluded from the statistical analysis, because the number of patients was considered too small for analysis. The procedures were performed with magnetic resonance imaging determination of the target, combined with physiological confirmation, including microelectrode recording. RESULTS: According to Visual Analog Scale scores, unilateral pallidotomy significantly improved dyskinesias (P < 0.05) but no other symptoms. Simultaneous bilateral pallidotomy improved slowness, rigidity, tremor, and dyskinesias (P < 0.05) but worsened speech function (P < 0.05). According to the patients' most frequently chosen answers to multiple-choice questions, unilateral pallidotomy improved night sleep, muscle pain, freezing, overall "on," overall "off," and the duration of "off periods," but it worsened the volume of the voice and articulation, increased drooling, and reduced concentration. Bilateral pallidotomy improved night sleep, muscle pain, freezing, overall "on," overall "off," duration of "off periods," and the amount of medication taken, but it increased drooling and worsened the volume of the voice, articulation, and writing. Subjective visual disturbance was noted in 36 and 41% of patients who underwent unilateral and simultaneous bilateral pallidotomy, respectively. Globally, the result of the procedure was rated "good" or "excellent" by 64% of the patients who underwent unilateral pallidotomy and by 76% of the patients who underwent bilateral pallidotomy. An age less than 70 years was a positive prognostic factor for the global outcome (P < 0.05), as were severe preoperative dyskinesias (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that, from a patient standpoint, unilateral and simultaneous bilateral pallidotomy can reduce all the key symptoms of Parkinson's disease (i.e., akinesia, tremor, and rigidity) and the side effects of L-dopa treatment (i.e., dyskinesias). Preoperative severe dyskinesias and younger age are positive prognostic factors for a successful outcome. Simultaneous bilateral pallidotomy was more effective than unilateral pallidotomy regarding tremor, rigidity, and dyskinesias, but it conferred a higher risk of postoperative speech deterioration.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Computer analysis of the tonic, phasic, and kinesthetic activity of pallidal discharges in Parkinson patients.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative analysis of microrecording data during pallidotomy often depends on subjective interpretation of the oscilloscope signal, especially during the analysis of phasic activity. The goals of this project were: 1) to develop an inexpensive system that allowed on-line, objective characterization of single-unit pallidal discharges, and 2) to have objective criteria to differentiate the internal part (GPi) from the external part (GPe) of the globus pallidus. METHODS: A computer program was developed that allowed the analysis of firing rates (mean, median, and quartiles), spike count per unit time, and interspike interval (ISI) histograms with Chi-square statistical evaluation. Indices were developed that measured phasic activity, including burst index (BI) for the measurement of bursts, pause index (PI) for the measurement of pauses, and pause ratio (PR) for analysis of time spent in pauses. Single-unit activity of 152 GPe and 203 GPi cells in 47 Parkinson patients were digitized using the computer soundcard during pallidotomy and analyzed using this software. RESULTS: GPe discharges had a mean firing rate = 42 Hz, BI = 0.81, PI = 0.21, and PR = 1.41. GPi had a mean firing rate = 81, BI = 1.61, PI = 0.04, and PR = 0.21. The PR was the best index that differentiated GPe from GPi, followed by PI, BI, and firing rates, in that order. Kinesthetic cells were recorded equally in GPe from GPi, and their responses to generalized movements were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: (1) Signal analysis using the digitization process of a computer sound card and dedicated software is satisfactory for the objective "on-line" and "off-line" analysis of microrecordings (including phasic activity); (2) PI and PR are most helpful in differentiating neurons of GPi from those of GPe; (3) no single parameter can differentiate GPe from GPi activity in all cases; and (4) unlike the findings in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated monkeys, GPe and GPi of Parkinson patients have similar prevalence of kinesthetic cells and similar responses to generalized somatotopic effects.

Adult↗

Comparison of pallidal and subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for advanced Parkinson's disease: results of a randomized, blinded pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been reported to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Although recent studies suggest that STN stimulation may be superior to GPi stimulation, a randomized, blinded comparison has not been reported. The present study was designed to provide a preliminary comparison of the safety and efficacy of DBS at either site. METHODS: Ten patients with idiopathic PD, L-dopa-induced dyskinesia, and response fluctuations were randomized to implantation of bilateral GPi or STN stimulators. Neurological condition was assessed preoperatively with patients on and off L-dopa and on DBS at 10 days and 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Patients and evaluating clinicians were blinded to stimulation site throughout the study period. Complete follow-up data were analyzed for four GPi patients and five STN patients. RESULTS: When off-L-dopa, both GPi and STN groups demonstrated a similar response, with approximately 40% improvement in Unified PD Rating Scale motor scores after 12 months of DBS. Rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia improved in both groups. In combination with L-dopa, Unified PD Rating Scale motor scores were more improved by GPi stimulation than by STN stimulation. On-L-dopa axial symptoms were clinically improved in the GPi but not the STN group. L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia was reduced by DBS at either site, although medication requirement was reduced only in the STN group. There were no serious intraoperative complications among patients in either group. CONCLUSION: Pallidal and STN stimulation appears to be safe and efficacious for the management of advanced PD. A larger study is needed to investigate further the differences in symptom response and the interaction of L-dopa with stimulation at either site.

Adult↗

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of head, voice, and bilateral limb tremor.

OBJECT: In published series of patients who undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus the effects of unilateral stimulation on contralateral limb tremor have been reported. The authors detail their experience with bilateral thalamic DBS in the treatment of head, voice, and bilateral limb tremor and compare it with earlier studies of unilateral stimulation. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (six with Parkinson's disease, 15 with essential tremor, and two with multiple sclerosis) underwent 19 bilateral DBS procedures (nine staged, 10 simultaneous) and four procedures contralateral to thalamotomy to control tremor of the head in 10, voice in seven, and limbs in 20 patients. Limb tremor improvement was graded as follows: 4, no tremor; 3, stress-induced tremor; 2, functional improvement; 1, no functional improvement; and 0, persistent tremor. Improvement of head or voice tremor was graded as follows: 4, greater than 75%; 3, between 50% and 75%; 2, between 25% and 50%; 1, less than 25%; and 0, no improvement. The mean follow-up period was 10 months. Twenty-two patients (96%) demonstrated improved tremor at the last follow-up review. Of 20 patients with bilateral limb tremor, 17 (85%) improved to Grades 3 and 4, two patients (10%) with multiple sclerosis improved to Grade 2, and one (5%) exhibited tremor recurrence 8 months later. Nine (90%) of 10 patients with severe head tremor improved to Grades 4 or 3. Six (86%) of seven patients with voice tremor improved to Grade 3. Seven patients (30%) developed dysarthria, and seven (30%) developed disequilibrium; symptoms reversed in the majority of patients after the stimulation parameters were changed. One patient (4%) developed mild memory decline. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The following findings are reported: 1) bilateral thalamic DBS and stimulation contralateral to thalamotomy are safe; 2) staging the procedure does not reduce the risk of dysarthria or gait disequilibrium; and 3) head and voice tremor are primary indications for bilateral DBS.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗

Bilateral contemporaneous posteroventral pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: neuropsychological and neurological side effects. Report of four cases and review of the literature.

The authors report the underestimated cognitive, mood, and behavioral complications in patients who have undergone bilateral contemporaneous pallidotomy, as seen in their early experience with functional neurosurgery for Parkinson's disease (PD) that is accompanied by severe motor fluctuations before pallidal stimulation. Four patients, not suffering from dementia, with advanced (Hoehn and Yahr Stages III-IV), medically untreatable PD featuring severe "on-off" fluctuations underwent bilateral contemporaneous posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP). All patients were evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations (CAPIT) protocol without positron emission tomography scans but with additional neuropsychological cognitive, mood, and behavior testing. For the first 3 to 6 months postoperatively, all patients showed a mean improvement of motor scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), in the best "on" (21%) and worst "off" (40%) UPDRS III motor subscale, a mean 30% improvement in the UPDRS II activities of daily living (ADL) subscore, and 60% on the UPDRS IV complications of treatment subscale. Dyskinesia disappeared almost completely, and the mean daily duration of the off time was reduced by an average of 60%. Despite these good results in the CAPIT scores, one patient experienced a partially regressive corticobulbar syndrome with dysphagia, dysarthria, and increased drooling. No emotional lability was found in this patient, but he did demonstrate severe bilateral postoperative pretarsal blepharospasm (apraxia of eyelid opening), which interfered with walking and which required treatment with high-dose subcutaneous injections of botulinum toxin. No patient showed visual field defects or hemiparesis, but postoperative depression, changes in personality, behavior, and executive functions were seen in two individuals. Postoperative abulia was reported by the family of one patient, who lost his preoperative aggressiveness and drive in terms of ADL, speech, business, family life, and hobbies, and became more sleepy and fatigued. One patient reported postoperative mental automatisms, such as compulsive mental counting, and circular thoughts and reasoning during off phases; postoperative depression was found in two patients. However, none of the patients demonstrated these symptoms during intraoperative microelectrode stimulation. These findings are compatible with previous reports on bilateral pallidal lesions. A progressive lowering of UPDRS subscores was seen after 12 months, consistent with the progression of the disease. Bilateral simultaneous pallidotomy may be followed by emotional, behavioral, and cognitive deficits such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and loss of psychic autoactivation-abulia, as well as disabling corticobulbar dysfunction and apraxia of eyelid opening, in addition to previously described motor and visual field deficits, which make this surgery undesirable even though significant improvement in motor deficits can be achieved.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Efficiency and safety of bilateral contemporaneous pallidal stimulation (deep brain stimulation) in levodopa-responsive patients with Parkinson's disease with severe motor fluctuations: a 2-year follow-up review.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of bilateral contemporaneous deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients who have levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with untreatable motor fluctuations. Bilateral pallidotomy carries a high risk of corticobulbar and cognitive dysfunction. Deep brain stimulation offers new alternatives with major advantages such as reversibility of effects, minimal permanent lesions, and adaptability to individual needs, changes in medication, side effects, and evolution of the disease. METHODS: Patients in whom levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with untreatable severe motor fluctuations has been clinically diagnosed underwent bilateral pallidal magnetic resonance image-guided electrode implantation while receiving a local anesthetic. Pre- and postoperative evaluations at 3-month intervals included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scoring, Hoehn and Yahr staging, 24-hour self-assessments, and neuropsychological examinations. Six patients with a mean age of 55 years (mean 42-67 years), a mean duration of disease of 15.5 years (range 12-21 years), a mean "on/off' Hoehn and Yahr stage score of 3/4.2 (range 3-5), and a mean "off' time of 40% (range 20-50%) underwent bilateral contemporaneous pallidal DBS, with a minimum follow-up period lasting 24 months (range 24-30 months). The mean dose of levodopa in these patients could not be changed significantly after the procedure and pergolide was added after 12 months in five patients because of recurring fluctuations despite adjustments in stimulation parameters. All but two patients had no fluctuations until 9 months. Two of the patients reported barely perceptible fluctuations at 12 months and two at 15 months; however, two patients remain without fluctuations at 2 years. The mean improvements in the UPDRS motor score in the off time and the activities of daily living (ADL) score were more than 50%; the mean off time decreased from 40 to 10%, and the mean dyskinesia and complication of treatment scores were reduced to one-third until pergolide was introduced at 12 months. No significant improvement in "on" scores was observed. A slight worsening after 1 year was observed and three patients developed levodopa- and stimulation-resistant gait ignition failure and minimal fluctuations at 1 year. Side effects, which were controlled by modulation of stimulation, included dysarthria, dystonia, and confusion. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral pallidal DBS is safe and efficient in patients who have levodopa-responsive parkinsonism with severe fluctuations. Major improvements in motor score, ADL score, and off time persisted beyond 2 years after the operation, but signs of decreased efficacy started to be seen after 12 months.

Adult↗

[Brain death].

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Brain Death↗

Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the cranial vault: a case report.

We present the case of a 19-year-old patient who was admitted with a subcutaneous scalp lump associated with bilateral papilloedema. CT demonstrated a large heterogeneous vault lesion destroying the right parietal bone. The mass was hyperdense and enhanced slightly with contrast. An important intracranial epidural extension was also demonstrated. The mass was completely removed through a parietal craniectomy and histological examination was characteristic for a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Staging revealed other bony lesions and neoplastic cells were also found in the CSF. Systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy were administered. This report discusses both the clinical differential diagnosis of scalp masses and the radiological diagnosis of skull lesions.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Infrequent types of pallidal discharges during pallidotomy.

Pallidal discharges of patients with Parkinson's disease have been characterized as slow irregular or bursting discharges for the external pallidal segment (GPe) and fast discharges for the internal pallidal segment (GPi). Tremor-synchronous cells have also been described. Using microrecording techniques on 70 patients who underwent pallidotomy, we have recorded other types of pallidal discharges. In GPe, we recorded cells which fired fast, cells which were silent, and cells which fired tonically. In GPi, we recorded cells which burst following short segments of fast tonic discharges. We will demonstrate these cells and discuss their clinical significance.

Action Potentials↗

Tremor control after pallidotomy in patients with Parkinson's disease: correlation with microrecording findings.

The goals of this study were to analyze the effect of pallidotomy on parkinsonian tremor and to ascertain whether an association exists between microrecording findings and tremor outcome. Forty-four patients with Parkinson's disease who had drug-induced dyskinesia, bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor underwent posteroventral pallidotomy. Using a 1-mu-tip tungsten electrode, microrecordings were obtained through one to three tracts, starting 10 mm above the pallidal base. Tremor severity was measured on a patient-rated, 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), both preoperatively and 3 to 9 months (mean 6 months) postoperatively. Preoperatively, tremor was rated as 50 mm or greater in 24 patients (55%) and as less than 25 mm in 13 patients (30%). Postoperatively, tremor was rated as 50 mm or greater in five patients (11%) and less than 25 mm in 29 patients (66%). The difference was significant (p = 0.0001). Four patients (9%) had no postoperative tremor. Tremor improved by at least 50% in eight (80%) of 10 patients in whom tremor-synchronous cells were recorded (Group A) and in 12 (35%) of 34 patients in whom tremor-synchronous cells were not recorded (Group B). This difference was significant (p = 0.03). Tremor improved by at least 50 mm in all (100%) of the seven Group A patients with severe (> or = 50 mm) preoperative tremor and in nine (53%) of 17 Group B patients with severe preoperative tremor. This difference was also significant (p = 0.05). The authors prefer two conclusions: 1) after pallidotomy, tremor improves by at least 50% in two-thirds of patients with Parkinson's disease who have severe (> or = 50 mm on the VAS) preoperative tremor; and 2) better tremor control is obtained when tremor-synchronous cells are included in the lesion.

Adult↗

TRYPNET. New hemoparasite information network.

Although Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana share borders and climatic and geographic similarities, the countries have maintained little contact, due to language, political, and administrative differences. In 1993, two international organizations involved in the improvement of animal health, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and CIRAD-EMVT (Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement-Elevage et Medecine Veterinaire des Pays Tropicaux), jointly developed a collaborative project between the veterinary services of the three countries entitled "Hemoparasite Network for the Guianas." This project seeks to pool livestock, laboratory, and technical resources between the three countries in order to generate and exchange information on hemoparasites of livestock. A Hemoparasite Reference Laboratory for the Guianas has been created at the CIRAD-EMVT laboratory in Cayenne, French Guiana. Besides processing ruminant serum samples from the three countries, specialists from this organization conduct training in hemoparasite diagnostic techniques for laboratory personnel from Guyana and Suriname. A large-scale epidemiologic study of hemoparasites of cattle in the three countries is under way, to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical and economic significance of hemoparasites in the three countries, particularly Trypanosoma vivax and T. evansi. Preliminary results are presented and discussed. A Hemoparasite Information Network (TRYPNET) has been initiated, including a quarterly hemoparasite newsletter (TRYPNEWS), published in English and Spanish and disseminated to researchers in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. In 1995/96, it is proposed to expand the network's scope to include Venezuela and Brazil.

Abattoirs↗

Immunoisolated xenogenic chromaffin cell therapy for chronic pain. Initial clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Chromaffin cells from the adrenal gland secrete a mixture of compounds that have a strong analgesic effect, especially when administered intrathecally. Many studies in animal models have shown that discordant xenogeneic cell isolates, including chromaffin cells, can survive and have biologic effects when transplanted within a semipermeable membrane capsule. METHODS: To evaluate the clinical potential of encapsulated cell therapy, a human-scale implant containing bovine chromaffin cells was developed, characterized, and implanted in the subarachnoid space of seven patients with severe chronic pain not satisfactorily managed with conventional therapies. Patients received no pharmacologic immunosuppression. Cell devices were implanted during minimally invasive surgery, and device design allowed retrieval. All devices were recovered after implant periods of 41 to 176 days. RESULTS: Postexplant histologic analysis, immunostaining, and secretory function all confirmed survival and biochemical function of the encapsulated cells. Reductions in morphine intake and improvement in pain ratings were observed in several patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first successful trial of encapsulated xenogeneic cells in humans. The preliminary findings of pain reduction warrant the initiation of a randomized, double-blind phase II study to evaluate the potential efficacy of the procedure.

Adult↗

Pallidotomy: a survey of current practice in North America.

Twenty-eight centers completed a survey about their current practice of pallidotomy. This sample represents a non-exhaustive survey of the current practice of pallidotomy in North America and is not a study of outcomes. 1015 patients underwent 1219 pallidotomies: 811 (80%) unilateral, 72 (7%) staged bilateral, and 132 (13%) simultaneous bilateral. Pallidotomy has long been an accepted procedure and the indications for this surgery, in the opinion of the responding centers, were rated on a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent) and demonstrated dyskinesia as the best indication (median = 4); on-off fluctuations, dystonia, rigidity, and bradykinesia as good indications (median = 3); and freezing, tremor and gait disturbance as fair indications (median = 2). Most centers used MRI alone (50%) or in combination with CT scan (n = 6) or ventriculopathy (n = 5) to localize the target. The median values of pallidal coordinates were: 2 mm anterior to the midcommissural point 21 mm lateral to the midsagittal plane and 5 mm below the intercommissural line. Microrecording was performed by half of the centers (n = 14) and half of the remaining centers were considering starting it (n = 7). Main criteria used to define the target included the firing pattern of spontaneous neuronal discharges (n = 13) and the response to joint movement (n = 10). Most centers performed motor (n = 26) and visual (n = 23) macrostimulation. Twenty four centers performed test lesions using median values of 55 degrees C temperatures for 30 s. Final lesions consisted of 3 permanent lesions placed 2 mm apart, each lesion created with median values of 75 degrees C temperatures for 1 minute. Median hospital stay was 2 days.

Brain Mapping↗

Functional anatomy of the pallidal base in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to define the morphology of the boundary between the globus pallidus and the ansa lenticularis (i.e., pallidal base) in humans. This information is important for surgeons who perform pallidotomy. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with Parkinson's disease underwent pallidotomy using microrecording techniques. The pallidal base was identified by the loss of neuronal single unit activity and by the change in background noise, as analyzed on the audio monitor and by fast Fourier transformation. RESULTS: Three quarters of the patients had an abrupt transition of the background noise from neuronal to axonal activity. One quarter of the patients had multiple successive transitions of the background activity, over a distance of 0.4 to 2 mm (median, 1 mm). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the pallidal base is not a smooth, sharp boundary between the globus pallidus and the ansa lenticularis. We propose two models that define the morphology of the pallidal base. One model depicts the pallidal base as a multifolded boundary that distinctly separates pallidal neurons from ansa lenticularis axons. Another model depicts the pallidal base as an indistinct transitional boundary between the globus pallidus and the ansa lenticularis, which contains axonal fibers intermixed with small clusters of pallidal neurons. We discuss the clinical relevance of these findings.

Adult↗

Characteristics and somatotopic organization of kinesthetic cells in the globus pallidus of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Information is limited on the characteristics and topographic localization of pallidal kinesthetic cells in patients with Parkinson's disease. The authors analyzed the data from 298 neurons recorded in 38 patients with Parkinson's disease who underwent pallidotomy via microrecording techniques. Sixty-five neurons (22%) responded to passive movement of contralateral limbs. Of 17 kinesthetic cells that were tested in six patients, seven (41%) responded to ipsilateral limb movement as well. Nineteen cells (6%) fired synchronously with tremor. More kinesthetic cells were activated (63%) than inhibited (28%) by movement of single (68%) rather than multiple (32%) joints, and proximal (75%) rather than distal (25%) joints. The lateral globus pallidus externus (GPe) and medial globus pallidus internus (GPi) pallidal segments contained similar proportions of kinesthetic cells, activated or inhibited cells, arm- or leg-activated cells, and cells responding to single or multiple joints. Significantly more kinesthetic cells that responded to distal joints were recorded in GPi compared to GPe segments (p = 0.01). Arm and leg cells had similar characteristics pertaining to activation versus inhibition and responses to single, multiple, proximal, or distal joint movements. Arm and leg cells were somatotopically organized in GPi. Arm cells were clustered at the rostral and caudal segments of GPi and leg cells were clustered centrally. In GPe, leg cells were clustered at the caudal border. No somatotopic organization was identified for activated or inhibited cells; cells that responded to single, multiple, proximal, or distal joints; tremor-synchronous cells; or cells responding to specific joints within somatotopic arm or leg cells. It is concluded that kinesthetic cells provide a roadmap that localizes limb cells during pallidotomy. More studies are needed to identify the clinical significance of the different characteristics of kinesthetic cells.

Adult↗

Anchoring of deep brain stimulation electrodes using a microplate. Technical note.

The authors report a new technique to anchor deep brain stimulation electrodes using a titanium microplate. This technique has been safely used to secure 20 quadripolar deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted for movement disorders (18 electrodes) and pain (two electrodes). Twelve electrodes were implanted in the thalamus, four in the subthalamic nucleus, and four in the pallidum. No electrode migration or rupture occurred, and all electrodes have been shown to work properly after internalization of the system.

Brain↗