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Biomedical subjects

W Grisold

Publications and source records attributed to W Grisold.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in a patient with neurosyphilis.

A 40 year old man presented with progressive personality changes in the previous six months. Specific serological tests for syphilis in blood and CSF were highly positive and CSF sedimentation showed signs of an inflammatory process. Ten hours after the start of penicillin treatment a severe symptomatic Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction with alteration of level of consciousness, pupillary changes, and focal neurological signs developed. Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction may occur in various settings, particularly in the treatment of syphilis. Investigation of CSF before the treatment may predict a potential risk. Corticosteroid treatment has been suggested for prevention.

Adult↗

The effect of aminophylline on the force-length characteristics of the diaphragm.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of aminophylline on the contractile function of the human diaphragm during varying muscle fiber length. Ten healthy subjects were studied during maximal sniff maneuvers and bilateral phrenic nerve twitch stimulations, with and without intravenous infusion of aminophylline in a randomized fashion. The transdiaphragmatic pressures generated at various baseline lung volumes, from residual volume to 90% of total lung capacity, were recorded before and after the induction of diaphragm exhaustion. At all levels of lung volume, aminophylline did not have an effect on the contractility of the fresh diaphragm. In the exhausted diaphragm, however, the pressure values, induced by sniffs and twitch stimulations, were significantly improved by aminophylline. This positive effect on diaphragm contractility was also impressive at 60, 75, and 90% of total lung capacity. This indicates that aminophylline significantly improves the contractile function of the exhausted human diaphragm, even if the muscle fibers are shorter than optimal. This effect occurs regardless of the neuronal firing rate, whether it is low (twitch stimulation) or high (sniff maneuver).

Adult↗

Spindle cell variant of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

A 45-year-old male developed a transverse lesion of the spinal cord two years after resection of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Laminectomy revealed a spindle cell tumor, immunohistochemically considered as leiomyosarcoma. Autopsy disclosed a spindle cell variant of an adenocarcinoma of the lung. The present report demonstrates that spindle cell formations can be found not only in squamous cell carcinomas but also in adenocarcinomas of the lung, and that metastases may be composed of this spindle cell component only.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Pathology of the central nervous system in AIDS. An overview of 184 patients].

Based on a consecutive autopsy series of 184 patients with AIDS, a critical review of the pathology of the central nervous system (CNS) is given. The lesions can be divided into three groups: 1. opportunistic/non-opportunistic infections, 2. changes due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 3. neoplasms. The frequency and morphology of CNS lesions in our cohort are compared with those in other series. Marked lesions of the CNS were found in 111 patients (60%), while mild/nonspecific changes were seen in 52 cases (28%). Toxoplasmosis (23%) was the most frequent CNS infection, followed by cytomegalovirus (17%), and papovirus (5%). HIV giant cell encephalitis, HIV leukoencephalopathy, vacuolar myelopathy and leukoencephalopathy were observed in 11%. Primary CNS lymphomas were present in 6%, while secondary involvement of the CNS in systemic lymphomas was seen in only two cases (1%). Lesions due to CNS infections in patients with AIDS often show atypical patterns, and frequently, there are multiple infections with simultaneous involvement of the CNS by lesions of different etiology. The present study confirms the frequent involvement of the CNS in AIDS, although there are differences in the incidence and pattern of lesions related to geographic and/or demographic factors.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

[Necrotizing myopathy with antilipemic agents. Case report and review of the literature].

A 73 year old male who had been prescribed fenofibrate for years developed a slightly asymmetric paraparesis of both lower extremities. CPK values rose to 9800 U/l, EMG of the quadriceps femoris muscle was myopathic. Muscle biopsy revealed a necrotic myopathy. Discontinuation of fenofibrate induced a rapid decline of CPK values, followed by a slower remission of muscular symptoms and persisting pseudo-myotonic discharges in EMG. The spectrum of neuromuscular side effects of cholesterol lowering agents, consisting of myalgia, cramps and reversible CPK elevation, is discussed. Only rarely necrotic myopathies have been described.

Aged↗

Circulating antineuronal antibodies reach neurons in vivo: an autopsy study.

In serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 6 out of 15 patients with small cell lung cancer circulating antineuronal antibodies could be detected by indirect immunofluorescence. None of the patients showed signs of a neurological paraneoplastic syndrome, usually associated with the presence of these antibodies. On sections of frontal brain, cerebellum, dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerve, obtained at autopsy, a direct immunofluorescence test was performed. Only in antibody-positive individuals were membrane-bound immunoglobulin deposits detected on neurons of dorsal root ganglia and Purkinje cells. The present study showed that circulating antineuronal antibodies reach the central and peripheral nervous system in vivo. These findings support the theory that these antibodies might be directly involved in the pathogenesis of neurological paraneoplastic syndromes.

Autoantibodies↗

Dissociated unilateral convergence paralysis in a patient with thalamotectal haemorrhage.

A 47 year old male was admitted in a comatose state. CT scan showed a haemorrhage in the right pulvinar thalamus descending into the right part of the lamina quadrigemina. He presented with anisocoria, prompt bilateral pupillary light reaction, and unilateral convergence paralysis contralateral to the lesion in combination with upward gaze palsy. During an observation period of two months, the convergence reaction returned to normal. MRI showed a lacunar lesion ventral to superior right colliculus. Angiography revealed an arteriovenous malformation (right posterior cerebral artery--sinus rectus) as the possible cause of the haemorrhage.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

Phrenic nerve function in type 1 diabetic patients with diaphragm weakness and peripheral neuropathy.

Phrenic nerve latency was studied in 14 male type 1 diabetic patients with impaired diaphragm function and in 14 healthy control subjects. The diabetics showed significantly decreased values regarding inspiratory vital capacity and forced volume in 1 s compared with the control subjects. All other lung function parameters were similar in both groups. Although motor and sensory nerve conduction studies provided evidence for peripheral neuropathy in all patients, phrenic nerve latencies turned out to be normal. These results rule out a neuropathic disorder of the phrenic nerve. Thus, impaired diaphragm function in type 1 diabetic patients is not caused by phrenic neuropathy.

Adult↗

Angiotropic lymphoma (malignant angioendotheliomatosis) presenting with rapidly progressive dementia.

An 87-year-old male presented with rapidly progressive dementia, disorder of consciousness and myoclonus, suggesting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, but with nonspecific EEG and negative CT findings. Autopsy revealed a malignant angiotropic lymphoma with accumulation of tumor cells within small vessels of the brain and visceral organs. Immunohistochemistry disclosed a large cell lymphoma of B cell type.

Aged↗

[Anticerebellar antibodies--anti-Hu and anti-Yo--in the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes].

The detection of antineuronal antibodies against cytoplasm and nuclei of Purkinje cells is considered to be an essential factor in the diagnosis of neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes. Published data rely on different immunological methods and relatively small numbers of patients. The clinical relevance of this phenomenon is not clear from the literature. A positive correlation between antibody detection and the appearance of neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes has been reported, but this finding has been questioned in critical reviews.

Autoantibodies↗

[Clinical symptoms and diagnostic criteria in polyradiculitis--Landry Guillain Barré].

Acute polyradiculitis ("acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculitis--AIDP" or the Landry-Guillain-Barré syndrome--GBS) is an acute inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system. Despite extremely severe courses and complications, the prognosis is favourable for the majority of patients. The typical clinical course is featured by non-characteristic sensory symptoms following an infection, with ensuing ascending motor signs and symptoms which, in 80% of the patients, reach a maximum within two weeks. The legs are usually involved before the arms. About 50% of the patients show involvement of cranial nerves. In the acute phase, respiratory insufficiency and autonomous dysfunctions may occur. For diagnosis, predominantly clinical criteria are used according to the criteria summarized by Asbury.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗