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Biomedical subjects

P Castaigne

Publications and source records attributed to P Castaigne.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Postmortem studies on posthypoxic and post-methyl bromide intoxication: case reports.

In two cases of action myoclonus following hypoxic or shock encephalopathy, neuropathological examination disclosed mild or moderate scattered changes involving thalamus, griseum centrale mesencephali, and nucleus centralis superior. Other areas were affected only in one of these cases (striatum, nucleus subthalamicus or hippocampus, nuclei pontis, and cerebellar cortex). In another case (an alcoholic patient), the changes, which involved only corpus mamillare and thalamus, were those of Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy. In one case of oscillatory myoclonus following septic shock, there were marked cerebellar changes involving deep nuclei and mild abnormalities in the thalamus and inferior olive. The last case of action myoclonus following acute methyl bromide intoxication was characterized by marked changes in the inferior colliculi and moderate or mild abnormalities of thalamus, griseum centrale mesencephali, nucleus centralis superior, nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis, nuclei pontis, and dentatus. The findings are compared with the data of seven previously reported neuropathological examinations in action myoclonus following hypoxic encephalopathy.

Adult↗

Value of multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria. 70 autopsy-confirmed cases.

We have evaluated the sensitivity of the most recent and most frequently used criteria for the diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis by the retrospective study of the clinical files of 70 pathologically confirmed cases. For each case, the date of diagnosis was determined separately using different sets of criteria. The delay of diagnosis was then calculated. The diagnosis was made significantly earlier when certain criteria were used. This was more marked in the earlier years of the disease. We also found that cases of multiple sclerosis with progressive courses were diagnosed later than cases with other courses, whatever the criteria used. This was statistically significant only for a single criterion.

Autopsy↗

Chorea and polycythaemia.

Two patients with chorea and polycythaemia vera are described. The literature on this rare association is reviewed and its pathophysiology discussed.

Aged↗

Late onset multiple sclerosis. A clinical study of 16 pathologically proven cases.

In 70 pathologically proven MS cases, we found 16 cases with onset after 45. Sex ratio (3/1) was the same in the late onset cases and early onset control group. There was no positive family history of MS. The diagnosis was more frequently never considered in late onset cases (3/16) than in control cases (3/54). Mean duration of the disease was 8.6 +/- 6 years (8.1 +/- 6 in female patients). This was significantly shorter (P less than 0.05) than in the control group. In addition, in remittent-progressive courses and in progressive courses, it appeared that the duration of the disease was shorter in late onset MS - although this was not statistically significant. Progressive courses (8 cases) and acute courses (4 cases) were more frequent (P less than 0.05) than in control cases. Initial signs and symptoms were not significantly different from those of control cases. The length of the evolution of the disease was higher in cases with vestibular-cerebellar onset. New signs and symptoms occurred at the same rate in the late onset cases as in the control cases. Although motor, sensory and bladder disturbances were more frequent in the late onset cases than in the control cases, this was not statistically significant. Amyotrophy was more frequent in late onset MS; on the contrary optic neuritis, vestibulo-cerebellar disturbances and nystagmus were less frequent in late onset MS than in the control group (P less than 0.05).

Brain↗

[Severe stenoses and persistent occlusions of the middle cerebral artery: hemodynamic and metabolic consequences studied by positron tomography].

Using positron emission tomography and the 15O continuous inhalation technique, we have measured the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) and oxygen consumption (rCMRO2) of non-infarcted tissue in six patients with either tight stenosis (N = 3) or occlusion (N = 3) of the trunk of the middle cerebral artery (MCA); these arterial lesions were shown to be persistent on late and/or repeated angiograms. The patients were studied 1 to 6 months after their last cerebral ischemic event. The data were analyzed in 4 cm2 regions of interest (fig. 1) and were compared to age-matched control values. Regional right/left ratios were tested for significance individually by comparison to 95 p. 100 confidence limits found in control subjects. We found a significant reduction in mean rCBF in the affected MCA territory; concomitantly, there was a lesser decrease in rCMRO2 significant only in the peri-sylvian area; this was associated with a moderate but significant increase in rOEF in the same areas (Table II, fig. 2 and 3). Individually, the reduction in rCBF and the increased rOEF were significant in 5/6 and 2/6 patients, respectively (Table III). These data indicate that rCBF is decreased distal to persistent hemodynamic MCA obstruction in most patients. This hypoperfusion appears due in part to a mild degree of cerebral ischemia (as demonstrated by the occurrence of "misery perfusion"), indicating inadequate perfusion pressure distal to the MCA obstruction. This was associated with a metabolic depression of the cortex possibly resulting from either neuronal loss, or deactivation (diaschisis), or long-standing hemodynamic local failure or any combination of the three.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Chiasmatic radionecrosis after multifractionated radiotherapy of a temporal glioma].

A 45-year-old male received split course multiple daily fractionated radiotherapy for an anaplastic left parieto-temporal astrocytoma. A total dose of 60 grays was delivered by 15 fractions of 2 grays given in 5 days and repeated after a rest period of 15 days. Forty grays were delivered to the whole brain and 20 grays to the tumor area. No surgery or radiosensitizer or chemotherapy were used at any time. The patient noted progressive loss of vision in both eyes and became blind 9 months after irradiation. Post-mortem study revealed 2 areas of radionecrosis in the chiasma and corpus callosum, corresponding to the dose of 57-60 grays. The necrotic area were at a distance of the tumor remnants. The high Daily Dose Multifractionation schedule may be responsible for the radionecrosis.

Astrocytoma↗

[Nerve and muscle microvasculitis: 50 cases].

Fifty consecutive cases of nerve and muscle microvasculitis (MV) seen on nerve and muscle biopsies were studied. These were observed in a 5 years period, among 1076 nerve and/or muscle biopsies performed in adult patients in the Laboratoire de Neuropathologie Charles Foix. The systemic necrotizing vasculitides, in which the arteries of diameter greater than 70 microns are involved, acute polymyositis, sarcoidosis and acute polyneuritis were not considered in this study. Mononuclear cell infiltration was the rule. It was associated to leukocytoclasis in 2 cases. No fibrinoid necrosis was seen. These changes were highly diagnostic when seen in the nerve or the connective tissue of the epi or perimysium. The etiology of these microvasculitides was mainly connective tissue diseases (42 p. 100) and, overall, panarteritis nodosa (16 p. 100), or malignancies (28 p. 100) which comprise 7 solid tumors and 4 lymphomas. Other cases were related either to systemic diseases (thromboangiitis obliterans, monoclonal dysglobulinemia, cholesterol embolus) or to local trauma. The relationship between MV and peripheral neuropathy was less obvious in 3 cases of mononeuritis multiplex associated with diabetes mellitus and in 3 cases of acute idiopathic and regressive mononeuritis multiplex. In 5 cases, no cause was found.

Adult↗

[Clinical analysis of 70 neuropathologic cases of multiple sclerosis].

A retrospective study of clinical files of 70 pathologically confirmed cases of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (53 women and 17 men), selected from the records of the Laboratoire de Neuropathologie Charles Foix (Hôpital de la Salpêtrière) was performed. The following data were recorded and analysed by a computer program (HP 85): sex, age of onset of disease, clinical course (classified into Remittent, Remittent-Progressive, Progressive and Acute) and the date of each new neurological symptom or sign. The mean age of onset was 36.8 +/- 12. In women, the disease began earlier (34.6 +/- 12) and the duration was longer (17.4 +/- 12). In men the age onset was 40.6 +/- 11 and the duration was 12.5 +/- 6. In remittent courses, the mean age of onset was 30.8 +/- 13 and the duration was 21 +/- 10. In progressive courses, the age at onset was 45 +/- 10 and the duration was 2. In women, progressive courses began significantly later (42.3 +/- 9.2) and were shorter (15 +/- 8) than remittent courses which began at 26.8 +/- 8.2 and lasted 23 +/- 10. The histogram of the duration of clinical courses showed three groups: acute courses (8 cases less than 5 years long), intermediate courses (41 cases, between 5 and 20 years long), and long courses (21 cases longer than 20 years). Women were more often affected with acute (7/8 cases) or long courses (20/21 cases). The mean duration of the disease was the same when the symptoms and signs at onset were motor weakness, sensory disturbances, optic neuritis or diplopia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Miller Fisher syndrome: clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of peripheral origin in 10 cases.

Clinical and electrophysiologic data recorded in patients with Fisher syndrome characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia are presented. Cases with limb weakness or pleocytosis in the CSF were excluded, according to Fisher. Ten patients were selected. All had hand and foot numbness. A large amount of protein without cell reaction was found during the third week of illness in serial CSF examinations. EMGs showed very slight limb involvement without spontaneous activity, and in most cases, facial muscles exhibited a denervation pattern. Distal motor nerve conduction velocity on limbs and F wave latencies were normal, whereas the sensory nerve action potentials were altered in all but one case when tested (seven out of eight cases). By means of blink reflex study performed in four patients, no significant pattern of brainstem dysfunction was discovered. The authors discuss the preeminent role of peripheral nerve lesions with regard to the ataxia and ophthalmoplegia.

Adolescent↗

[Peripheral nervous system and panarteritis nodosa. Review of 27 cases].

Twenty-seven cases of panarteritis nodosa (PAN) with peripheral neuropathy are reported. Diagnosis was based on pathological criteria of necrotizing vasculitis in 20 patients (group I) and on clinical, biological and sometimes arteriographic data in 7 (group II). The 27 patients (18 women and 9 men), aged between 30 and 78 years (mean: 53.4 years), presented either a mono- or multineuropathy (8 cases), a polyneuropathy (17 cases), or sensory symptoms (2 cases). A neuropathy was the initial feature of the PAN in 15 cases. The CSF, examined in 16 cases, was always normal, and results of electrophysiological investigations constantly suggested the presence of an axonal neuropathy with normal motor nerve conduction rates. Other signs of PAN included fever (81 p. 100 cases) and loss of weight (74 p. 100). The ESR was increased in 70 p. 100 cases and hypereosinophilia was present in 33 p. 100. Quantitative pathology in 13 cases from group I revealed typical findings, and associated microvasculitis in 4 cases. The outcome was fatal in 13 cases while 12 recovered and have been followed up for from 1 to 14 years.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Regressive multiple paralysis of the cranial nerves and lymphocytic meningitis. 8 cases].

Eight cases of spontaneously regressive cranial nerve paralysis related to the meningo-radiculitis reported by F. Rohmer et al. in 1974 are described. The epidemiological, clinical features, and the CSF changes which should allow early diagnosis are detailed, but this can only be confirmed by the spontaneous regression of the condition. The problems in determining the etiology are emphasised.

Adult↗

[Baló's concentric sclerosis].

A clinico-pathological case of concentric sclerosis (Baló type) is reported. A 30-year-old man experienced dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Twelve days later he developed gait disturbances. Neurological examination showed broad based gait, brisk tendon reflexes, bilateral extensor plantar responses, right hemihypoesthesia, cerebellar dysmetria, and a left lateral gaze palsy. CSF examination showed, 520 mg p. 100 ml protein, 7500 red blood cells, 31 lymphocytes and 9 polymorphonuclear leukocytes/mm3, 18 p. 100 gammaglobulin. Three CT scans were performed and showed a round hypodensity in the parieto-occipital white matter with contrast enhancement on one occasion, and several other hypodensities in the contralateral parieto-occipital white matter and in both frontal lobes. 23 days after the onset of the disease, the patient became comatose. A cerebral biopsy was obtained from one of the frontal lesions. He died from aspiration bronchopneumonia 2 months after the first signs. Neuropathological examination showed numerous concentric zones of demyelination which involved the white matter of both hemispheres, brain stem, and cerebellum. On light microscopy sudanophilic myelin breakdown products were numerous in the bands of demyelinisation. Astrocytic proliferation was marked, with frequent Rosenthal fibers. Edema was noted in some lesions. Myelin-axonal dissociation was obvious, but some axonal swelling were observed. Electron microscopy demonstrated the integrity of oligodendrocytes and of blood vessels and confirmed the prominent alterations of the astrocytes. Fifteen similar cases of the literature have been reviewed. The present case seems to be the first one with CT scan examination and electron microscopic study of a brain biopsy. The nosological situation of Baló's disease among the inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the group of MS is discussed.

Adult↗

[Positron emission tomography in the physiopathological study of cerebral ischemia in man].

The development of positron emission tomography now allows the local study of cerebral blood flow, oxygen consumption and glucose utilization in ischemic stroke patients. In recent cerebral infarction, a disruption of the normal couple between flow and metabolism is almost constantly observed: in the first few days cerebral blood flow is either inadequate (persistent ischemia) or over-abundant ("luxury perfusion"), whereas a late "luxury perfusion" is almost constant within the necrotic area between the 10th and the 40th day. Threshold values for cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption that are ultimately associated with necrosis or tissue integrity have been determined. A metabolic depression without C.T. Scan counterpart has been observed in various brain structures remote from the infarcted area per se. Lastly, the hemodynamic and metabolic effects the superficial-temporal-middle-cerebral-artery anastomosis have been studied.

Brain Ischemia↗