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P Brunet

Publications and source records attributed to P Brunet.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Introduction to the clinical study of postrolandic epileptic seizures].

We reviewed, in 145 epilectics studied with SEEG, 800 clinical and electrographic seizures originating from the post-rolandic areas (590 spontaneous Sz and 260 induced by stimulation). The intra-cranial electrodes were implanted using a technique described by Talairach et al. (1974). Seizure onsets were recorded in the centro-parietal region (64 patients) in the parietal and in the occipital region. Additionally in 15 patients, mixed Sz onset were recorded. One hundred and eight (108) patients underwent surgical removal of their epileptic focus. (69 on the right, 39 on left.) 65% were cured (Sz free or occas Sz, f/up 3 years). The main ictal cal features are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the role of the operculo-insular cortex in the functional organization in man, based on Sz arising from the supra-temporal (fronto-pariental) cortex. The study of the pattern of onset and spread of seizures originating in the post-rolandic areas and of their clinical correlates allow a topographic differential diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Slowly progressive apraxia: a MRI and positron tomography in 4 cases].

Four right-handed patients (69, 58 and 68 year-old men; 85 year-old woman) complained of motor difficulties with their left hand (3 cases), or both hands predominant on the left side (1 case). Continuous (1 case) or intermittent (2 cases) myoclonus was noted in the left arm. These disorders gradually progressed for 3 to 10 years. Clinical examination disclosed absence of motor, sensory (except in 1 case), or visual deficit. There were no cerebellar signs, no parkinsonian features (except for mild rigidity in 1 case), and no oculomotor abnormality. On the other hand, neuropsychological examination showed evidence of visuo-constructive apraxia in all cases, dressing apraxia in 3/4 cases and writing impairment in 3/4 cases. There was no amnesia, no aphasia and no intellectual impairment. MRI showed atrophy of the parietal areas, predominant on the right side. A positron emission tomography study was performed in all cases, and twice in 1 case. Cortical energy metabolism was measured using either 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose or 15 O-Oxygen, to calculate the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglu) or oxygen (CMRO2) respectively. Cortical metabolism was significantly decreased in the whole cortex of the right hemisphere in 3 cases, and was also reduced in the cortex of the left hemisphere, significantly in 1/3 studied planes. Moreover, regional metabolic indices (CMRO2 or CMRglu/cortex) showed a significant decrease in both the right and left posterior associative areas (temporo-parieto-occipital cortex), predominantly marked on the right side in 3 cases, indicating bilateral cortical dysfunction. At follow-up, one patient became progressively demented, another had visuo-spatial disorders indicating a lesion of both parietal areas. The relationships of our cases with the slowly progressive apraxia syndrome and with corticobasal degeneration are discussed.

Aged↗

[Neuropathies in AIDS].

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cerebral venous thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

We describe six cases of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In one patient, cerebral venous thrombosis was the initial manifestation of lupus; in the five others, it occurred 1-33 years after the diagnosis of lupus. The main clinical features of cerebral venous thrombosis were persistent headache in all six patients, focal symptoms in four, and seizures in three; papilledema was present in only one patient. Cerebral venous thrombosis was diagnosed based on angiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Both the transverse (in five patients) and the superior sagittal (in three) sinuses were involved. Extracranial arterial and/or venous thrombosis were present in three patients, abortion in two, thrombocytopenia in four, and lupus anticoagulant in three. The neurologic symptoms resolved rapidly in five patients treated with steroids and heparin. Cerebral venous thrombosis should be suspected in patients with lupus who complain of persistent headache, especially in the presence of neurologic symptoms.

Adult↗

Chronic myelopathies associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I. A clinical, serologic, and immunovirologic study of ten patients in France.

Chronic myelopathy associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) has been described in HTLV-I endemic areas. In Paris, 167 neurologic patients were screened for HTLV-I by enzyme-linked immunosorbent, indirect immunofluorescent, and Western blot assays. Ten of the 11 patients with positive results had a chronic spastic paraparesis with IgG oligoclonal bands and elevated HTLV-I antibody index. Two of them had been born and were living in France, without HTLV-I risk factors. Evoked potentials were abnormal in the nine tested patients and brain magnetic resonance images in three of seven patients. No improvement was observed with steroid treatment. A retrovirus similar to HTLV-I was isolated in five cases at different periods of the disease. Hypotheses of limited endemic areas in western countries are discussed. Early presence and persistence of HTLV-I suggest that it is the etiologic agent.

Adult↗

The spectrum of changes on 20 nerve biopsies in patients with HIV infection.

Nerve and muscle biopsies were performed on 20 patients with HIV infection and peripheral neuropathy. Nine patients had distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) (six ARC and three AIDS), six had inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (IDP) (three ARC, one AIDS, and two otherwise asymptomatic patients), one had mononeuropathy multiplex (MM) (AIDS), 1 had mononeuropathy (ARC), one had meningoradiculitis (AIDS), and two had areflexia-associated lymphocytic meningitides (ARC), DSPN exhibited axonal degeneration in four of nine cases and was associated with segmental demyelination in five of nine cases. IDP exhibited segmental demyelination associated with axonal degeneration in four of six cases. Demyelination was more frequent in asymptomatic patients (2 of 2 cases) and in ARC (7 of 12 cases), whereas axonal degeneration was predominant in AIDS (6 of 6 cases). Mononuclear cell infiltration was seen in 1 of 2 asymptomatic patients and in 11 of 12 ARC patients but was exceptionally found in AIDS (1 of 6 cases). Involvement of the walls of small vessels, mostly venules ("subacute microvasculitis"), was found in 1 of 2 asymptomatic patients, in 8 of 12 ARC patients, and never in AIDS. The polyclonal mononuclear cell population was composed mainly of Leu 2 (T8) positive cells in seven cases of ARC. No virions were seen in electron microscopy. HIV was isolated in two cases from the CSF or the nerve biopsy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Stereotactic investigations in frontal lobe epilepsies.

The aim of a Stereo-EEG investigation is to verify and prove that the hypothesis, done on the basis of the preliminary investigations (clinical, EEG, neuroradiological), are correct. This task is particularly hard in frontal lobe epilepsies, because of anatomical and physiopathological reasons. Among 277 consecutive patients, 86 were explored for a probable frontal epilepsy. The stereotactically introduced electrodes. 1) simultaneously record the electrical activity on both, mesial and lateral cortical areas, and, 2) in 3/4 of cases also investigate extra-frontal, mainly temporal, areas. Two small, non-surgical haematomas were provoked in one patient. The spatial trajectory of the discharges, evaluated with this methodology, permits of limiting the surgical removal in many cases.

Adolescent↗

Peripheral neuropathies during treatment with almitrine: report of 46 cases.

Almitrine bismesylate is thought to cause sensory peripheral neuropathy. Forty-six patients are reported who received almitrine bismesylate alone for chronic respiratory failure or in combination with raubasine for various cerebrovascular diseases. Polyneuropathy appeared between 9 and 25 months after the onset of treatment. Sensory signs and symptoms were confined to the distal parts of the lower limbs and involved large and small fibres. Histological and electrophysiological findings indicated axonal degeneration. Respiratory failure could have caused the polyneuropathy in some cases but many had no chest disease. Patients began to improve between 3 and 6 months after withdrawal of the drug. Recovery was usually complete after 12 months.

Aged↗

Pneumonia and meningitis caused by a new nonfermentative unknown gram-negative bacterium.

Seven isolates of an unclassified bacterium resembling Flavobacterium spp. were characterized by growth requirements, microscopic examination, biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, protein profile analysis, and serologic data. The unclassified isolates were differentiated from Flavobacterium meningosepticum, Flavobacterium odoratum, Flavobacterium balustinum, Flavobacterium strain IIb, Chromobacterium violaceum, Aquaspirillum serpens, and Pseudomonas spp. The bacterium was a gram-negative rod with a polar flagellum. Protein profile analysis demonstrated two major protein bands present in the unclassified isolates that were absent from the Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas controls but present in the Aquaspirillum and Chromobacterium controls. However, no serologic cross-reactions were observed. Our results showed that the unclassified bacterium was distinct from any previously known genus of bacterium.

Bacteria↗

The spectrum of polyneuropathies in patients infected with HIV.

Twenty five patients with peripheral neuropathy at different stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are reported. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings were available in 17 cases, electrophysiology in all and a neuromuscular biopsy in 11. Of six otherwise asymptomatic HIV+ patients, five had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and one acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). CSF showed pleocytosis in all cases. Infiltration of the endoneurium and/or the epineurium by mononuclear cells was seen in biopsies from three cases. These six patients recovered either spontaneously, or with corticosteroids or plasmaphereses. Of five patients with AIDS related complex (ARC), three had distal predominantly sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSPN), one CIDP and one mixed neuropathy. Of 14 patients with AIDS, one had mononeuropathy multiplex and 13 painful DSPN. Electrophysiological studies were consistent with an axonopathy. Nerve biopsies in six cases showed axonal changes but surprisingly associated with marked segmental demyelination in two cases. Cell infiltration was present in nerve samples in two cases. Five patients died within six months after the onset of the neuropathy.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

[AIDS dementia].

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Peripheral neuropathies with neural vasculitis. Clinical and electrophysiological aspects of 33 cases].

Lesions of vasculitis of nerve were found in 33 of 140 patients hospitalized for peripheral neuropathy over a little less than 2 years, and in 113 specimens from neuromuscular biopsies. A first group of 7 patients had histological lesions suggestive of systemic necrotizing vasculitis (periarteritis nodosa in 4 cases and Churg and Strauss disease in 2 cases); the 7th patient was treated for myeloproliferative syndrome. The clinical and electromyographic signs were those of an axonal polyneuropathy which was improved by various treatments in 6 cases. A second group of 26 patients had histological lesions of vasculitis of nerve. Ten of these patients presented with single or multiple neuritis (of unknown origin in 5 cases), 11 with distal polyneuropathy (of unknown origin in 5 cases) and 3 with chronic polyradiculoneuritis; in 2 cases, clinical and electromyographic findings were in favour of an anterior horn lesion. The duration of the disease varied from 6 months to 10 years. The principal causes identified were connective tissue diseases, solid cancer or lymphoma and isolated gammapathy. Two patients with multiple neuritis recovered spontaneously. The finding of vasculitis of nerve at biopsy therefore is of unequivocal significance outside the better known but smaller group of systemic necrotizing vasculitis.

Adult↗