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Biomedical subjects

J M Mussini

Publications and source records attributed to J M Mussini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Critical study of the serological diagnosis of herpetic encephalitis. Apropos of 4 cases].

Virologic study was performed in four cases of Herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Herpes simplex virus type 1 was recovered from surgical brain biopsy specimens taken in three cases. Anti-HSV antibodies were assayed in simultaneous blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples by ELISA. CSF and serum specific antibody ratios were compared to those of antibodies directed against other viral antigens whenever possible. A significant and early increase in this CSF/serum ratio was demonstrated in two patients. The diagnostic value of this serological method is discussed, as an alternative to viral isolation from brain biopsy specimens.

Adult↗

[Spontaneous primary hematomas of the cerebellum].

Spontaneous cerebellar hematoma is a well-defined radio-clinical entity. It may occur, not only in patients with risk factors (hypertension for instance), but also in those who have no specific etiologic factors. Onset is usually sudden. The characteristic clinical triad consists of alterations in consciousness, peripheral facial palsy and various oculomotor disorders. Poor prognosis factors related to the size and localization of the hematoma can be determined by computed tomography. We believe that surgery is indispensable in hydrocephalus as well as in increasing or secondary onset of alterations in consciousness.

Adult↗

[Acute hydrocephalus in tuberculous meningitis in adults].

The authors report a case of tuberculous meningitis in a young man who developed acute hydrocephalus as soon as the fifteenth day of the course of the disease. Attention is drawn to the importance of computerized tomography in investigating sudden deterioration in patients with tuberculous meningitis. Emphasis is put on the value of a shunt procedure which, in the case reported here, led to immediate improvement before antituberculous chemotherapy could have been effective.

Adolescent↗

[Alcoholic neuroacropathy. Recent diagnostic and pathogenic attainments].

The authors report the results of a prospective study of 28 patients with alcoholic neuroacropathy or the Bureau and Barrière syndrome. The investigations included biochemical analysis of the alcoholism, electrophysiological studies and, in 4 cases, electron microscopy of the musculocutaneous nerve biopsy. Bone scintigraphy with foot and hand scans was carried out in all cases for a more exact and above all, earlier diagnosis of the neurological osteoarthropathy. The clinical syndrome was attributed to a polyneuropathy with a large sensory component of the alcoholic "dying back" variety in all cases. High VGM levels associated with high serum IgA levels appears to be a biochemical diagnostic criteria of this condition. The latter parameter was not closely related to the hepatocytic status of the patient but suggests a direct or indirect effect of the neuropathy on humoral immunity. All cases had characteristic bone scans with high uptake at points of mechanical stress of the anterior part of the foot (first metatarsophalangeal joint). This finding, which is also observed in alcoholic sensory neuropathy without trophic disturbances prompts the authors to define a preacropathic state and an evolutive and pathogenic outline of the disease.

Alcoholism↗

[Immunology of multiple sclerosis].

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease which involves only the central nervous system. The intrathecal immunologic response consists mainly of local antibody production by immunocytes located in the central nervous system. The role of such immunocytes is obscure. Investigations of the immunological status of multiple sclerosis patients have shown increases in some antiviral antibodies, a cytotoxic cellular response against central nervous system cells, and abnormal proportions of lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood. Impairment of immunological control mechanisms seems highly probable.

Antibody Formation↗

[Rigid-spine syndrome in a female patient (author's transl)].

A case of rigid spine syndrome in a woman is reported. There were a diffuse myopathic process, with atrophy and mild weakness not involving the face and a major rigidity of the spine. Contractures were present as well as a pure restrictive respiratory failure. Heart-rythm disorders and prolapse of the mitral valve were present. Histological features of a deltoid muscle biopsy were slight necrosis, lack of fibrosis and major disproportion in fiber-types. There were a high rate of fiber I and absence of fiber IIB. This case was similar to others described as Dubowitz's rigid spine syndrome. The histological features belonged to the second neuropathological group of cases, with disproportion in fiber-types. The rigid spine syndrome may be considered as a clinically definite disease and distinguished from other myopathies with orthopedic deformations. It should not be confused with arthrogryposis multiplex. The disease is probably autosomic recessive.

Adult↗

[Bureau-Barrière's acro-neuropathy. Complementary studies and definition of ante-acropathy status (author's transl)].

Systematic study of 28 patients suffering of Bureau-Barrière's acro-neuropathy. This study emphasize several particular factors. Significant increase of IgA, with a slight extend of transferrin. The authors debate the straight correction between increase of IgA and nervous illness. Study of peripheral nerves exhibits, in optic and electronic microscopies, direct and indirect signs of wallerian degeneration and significant axonal lesional prevalence. The study of anatomical specimen (foot) corroborates this data. Bony scintigraphic show the constancy of fixation and his connection with bearing surface. Witness demonstrate the specific character of this data. This investigations prove that the Bureau-Barrière's diseases is an alcoholic neuro-acropathy and allow the definition of ante-acropathic status (axonal sensitive neuropathy-scintigraphic fixations, increase of IgA). Prophylaxis in emphasized.

Extremities↗

Rigid spine syndrome: histological examinations of male and female cases.

Histological findings in the limb-muscle of two new cases of Rigid Spine Syndrome are described. The first male case exhibited a disproportion in fiber type with predominance of the type II fibers with a slight increase of large fibers. Some of the type I fibers were slightly atrophic. No other consistent abnormalities could be seen, excepted thickness of vessel basal lamina. The second female case had a relatively distinct muscular pattern. Necrotizing phenomenon were mild without fibrosis. Type I predominance were obvious. Atrophic and hypertrophic fibers could be seen in both types populations, with a relatively higher rate in type II. These two additional cases and those of the literature showed varied non specific histology, without any histo-chemical nor ultrastructural characteristic pattern.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

[Hydramnios as evidence of Steinert's congenital myotonic distrophy (author's transl)].

The authors describe a case of Steinert's disease. It was tracked down because of three anomalies of pregnancy: a lessening in active movements of the fetus, breech presentation and hydramnios, and it was diagnosed by neurological and electromyography of the mother. The existence of hydramnios should make it possible to avoid maternal trauma during the delivery, knowing that the child will be born with a very severe form of the illness, which is likely to be lethal. Those few cases that survive are severely mentally handicapped.

Adult↗

[Unusual involvement of the CNS in a case of neuro-sarcoidosis (author's transl)].

A peculiar case of neuro-sarcoidosis is reported. Clinical symptoms associated ocular dysfunction, hypopituitarism due to hypothalamic disorders, hypersomnia and alveolar hypoventilation. Dynamic tests have proved hypothalamic involvement. The patient died swiftly and suddenly. Neuropathological examination showed typical granuloma consistent with sarcoidosis mainly distributed to the area of the third ventricle and spread hyperplastic gliosis of pons and medulla.

Adult↗

[Cerebral radionecrosis discovered 32 years after conventional irradiation therapy for a pituitary adenoma (author's transl)].

A case of late radiation lesions of the brain was discovered 32 years after conventional X Ray therapy for pituitary adenoma. The major clinical picture was made of dementia and slight hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction. Extensive bone-necrosis of the skull was observed. A defect of the sella led to recurrent meningitis. Segmental atheromatous lesions of cortical arteries are supposed to be induced by the photonic radiations. Intra parenchymatous lesions were slightly of the necrotic type and mainly of the degenerative one. Severe hyalin and calcic degeneration of small vessels was observed as well as extensive demyelination. The role of vascular and metabolic effects in the genesis of these late radiation lesions is discussed.

Adenoma↗