Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P F Finelli

Publications and source records attributed to P F Finelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Acute obstructive hydrocephalus heralding neurocysticercosis.

Delayed diagnosis occurred in a healthy young immigrant man who presented with symptoms and computed tomography (CT) findings of acute obstructive hydrocephalus as the heralding manifestation of neurocysticercosis. Recognizing that a patient is from an area endemic for this condition is paramount in considering the diagnosis as urgent surgical intervention may be required.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with epoetin alfa therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare complication of polycythemia. To our knowledge, epoetin alfa-induced polycythemia has not previously been reported in association with cerebral venous thrombosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 37-year-old patient who was receiving peritoneal dialysis and epoetin alfa (Epogen) therapy presented with a several-day history of worsening headache, and a neuroimaging scan demonstrated thrombosis of the sagittal and transverse sinus. Epoetin alfa therapy, which had been initiated 3 months earlier according to an institutional protocol, was associated with a problematic increase in hematocrit values. CONCLUSIONS: Headache should raise the suspicion of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients who are being treated with epoetin alfa, particularly in the presence of elevated hematocrit values. Monitoring hematocrit parameters in accordance with "standard guidelines" is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Alternating amaurosis fugax and temporal arteritis.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with alternating amaurosis fugax and the importance of this condition in diagnosing temporal arteritis. METHODS: Case report of a 77-year-old man who had numerous episodes of transient alternating loss of vision for several days. RESULTS: Temporal artery biopsy showed vasculitis with a giant cell component. CONCLUSIONS: Alternating amaurosis fugax in an elderly patient suggests arteritis rather than atheromatous disease, and temporal artery biopsy should be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Idiopathic granulomatous angiitis of the CNS manifesting as diffuse white matter disease.

A 48-year-old man presented with progressive spastic paraparesis and diffuse white matter involvement on neuroimaging that suggested a primary demyelinating disease. Brain biopsy 3 years after onset of symptoms demonstrated idiopathic granulomatous angiitis. In patients with MRI features of diffuse white matter disease of uncertain etiology, open brain biopsy of leptomeninges and parenchyma should be considered to exclude idiopathic granulomatous angiitis of the CNS.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1996

Stroke and automobile accidents.

To define the causal relationship of ischemic cerebral infarction to automobile accidents in hospitalized patients a computerized hospital record search with ICD-9 diagnostic codes 433 and 434 for occlusive cerebrovascular disease, and E810 and E819 for motor vehicle traffic accidents was conducted over a three-year period. Inclusion criteria required patients be identified as the driver of the vehicle and demonstrate computed tomographic (CT) evidence of an evolving cerebral infarction on serial scans. Of 2,844 ischemic cerebral infarctions admitted to the hospital during the study period, four met the selection criteria. In three, stroke was the cause and in one, the result of the accident. When stroke preceded the accident, visual field defect impaired consciousness, and/or loss of motor control were major contributing factors. Head CT, detailed accident scene history, and vascular disease risk factors were most important in determining a cause-and-effect relationship of stroke to the accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

Clinical and subclinical neurological involvement in children of conjugal multiple sclerosis patients.

We report the occurrence of clinically definite multiple sclerosis in an offspring of a couple with conjugal multiple sclerosis. Extensive investigation of all members of this family, which includes two additional asymptomatic children, eliminated the possibility of alternative neurological diagnoses. All family members were studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. An asymptomatic child had subtle white matter abnormalities on MRI, suggesting subclinical neurological involvement. This study documents the third case of multiple sclerosis in the child of conjugal multiple sclerosis patients and provides the first report of MRI lesions in an asymptomatic offspring of the same parents. Neurodiagnostic and immunogenetic investigations of such rare family clusters may contribute to the elucidation of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Peripartum seizure and HIV infection.

Two patients with new-onset seizure within hours of parturition subsequently tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The peripartum period appears to predispose asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals to seizure. Such patients, especially with suggestive risk factors, should be screened for HIV-antibody.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Coital cerebral hemorrhage.

Sudden headache, confusion, and hemiparesis followed within minutes of late-morning sexual intercourse in a 39-year-old man. Imaging studies revealed hemorrhage into a vascular malformation. Sexual intercourse and circadian rhythm independently elevate blood pressure, and their concurrence may predispose to cerebral hemorrhage in the presence of a vascular malformation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Drug-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob like syndrome.

A patient with progressive neurological deterioration characterized by cognitive impairment, myoclonus, Parkinson's syndrome, an abnormal electroencephalogram and fasciculations was considered for brain biopsy for suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Complete clinical recovery followed discontinuation of lithium and nortriptyline. Awareness of this unusual drug-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob like syndrome can avoid costly, invasive and unnecessary investigative procedures.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome↗