SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The clinical and pathological features of a female neonate with congenital joint contractures and pulmonary hypoplasia are described. Neuropathological examination revealed a widespread neuronal degeneration with a predominantly olivo-ponto-cerebellar distribution and muscle pathology consistent with neurogenic atrophy. This is the first reported case of congenital joint contractures and pulmonary hypoplasia with pathologically documented olivo-ponto-cerebellar degeneration. The observation further illustrates that the so-called fetal akinesia sequence or Pena-Shokeir I syndrome is an aetiologically non-specific symptom complex that can be caused by a number of underlying mechanisms.
Although atrophy of the lower cervical and upper thoracic cord in juvenile muscular atrophy of distal upper extremity has been reported, the atrophic patterns of the cord, especially in the transverse section, have not been studied extensively. The aim of this study is to clarify the atrophic patterns of the cord by CT myelography (CTM) and to discuss the pathogenesis of cord atrophy. Sixteen patients with juvenile muscular atrophy of distal upper extremity were examined by CTM. Atrophy of the lower cervical and upper thoracic cord, consistent with the segmental weakness, was seen in all patients. Flattening of the ventral convexity was a characteristic atrophic pattern of the cord. Bilateral cord atrophy was commonly observed; eight of 12 patients with unilateral clinical form and all four patients with bilateral form showed bilateral cord atrophy with dominance on the clinical side. There was no correlation between the degree of cord atrophy and duration of symptoms. Flattening of the ventral convexity, associated with purely motor disturbances, reflects selective atrophy of the anterior horns in the cord, which is attributable to chronic ischemia. Cord atrophy proved to precede clinical manifestations. The characteristic atrophy of the cord provides useful information to confirm the diagnosis without long-term observation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Linkage analysis in twenty-five families with acute (type I) spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) showed that the mutant gene responsible for the disorder is tightly linked to the D5S39 locus. The mutation(s) causing the intermediate (type II) and juvenile chronic (type III) forms of SMA were also mapped to DNA marker D5S39 on chromosome 5 (5q12-q14). Thus, the three forms, which have been differentiated clinically on the basis of age of onset and clinical course, are most probably due to different mutations at a single locus on chromosome 5. Prenatal diagnosis of SMA type I will now be possible.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
We report the clinical, electrophysiological, and morphological observations of five infants with an unusual form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In these infants muscular weakness and atrophy were initially restricted to the distal limbs and this pattern was associated with paralysis of the diaphragm. The difference between the clinical manifestations of this syndrome and the classical form of infantile spinal muscular atrophy (SMA type 1) as well as other congenital hereditary neuropathies is discussed.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common cause of inherited morbidity and mortality in childhood. The wide range of phenotypes in SMA, uncertainty regarding its mode of inheritance, and the suggestion of linkage heterogeneity have complicated the genetic counselling of parents of affected children. The locus responsible for autosomal recessive SMA has been mapped to 5q11.2-q13.3. The most likely order of loci is cen-D5S6-(SMA,D5S125)-(JK53CA1/2,D5S112)-D5S3 9-qter, with highly polymorphic loci being identified at JK53CA1/2 and D5S39. We describe linkage studies with another highly polymorphic locus, D5S127, that is closely linked to D5S39. This genetic map can be used as the basis for genetic counselling in families with autosomal recessive SMA. Appropriate allowance can be made for sporadic cases owing to non-inherited causes and for linkage heterogeneity or misdiagnoses.
An investigation about the use of alternative treatment by a group of persons with muscular atrophy revealed that 24% had employed alternative treatment during the period 1.1.1983-1.4.1986. This is probably a greater proportion than in the Danish population as a whole. Patients with muscular atrophy were subdivided into three groups on the basis of their ability to function in daily life. No significant connection was found between the degree of loss of function and alternative treatment as regards the frequencies of alternative treatment and the numbers of treatments employed. A given form form of treatment was most frequently recommended by an unaffected acquaintance. Physical forms of treatment such as zone therapy and chiropractics were employed more frequently than chemical forms of therapy. Less than half of the patients were satisfied with the results of treatment. Treatment was often concluded in a negative manner. Patients considered that, in contrast to the alternative therapist, the doctor performs the best and most thorough examination and provides them with the best information about their condition.
We report three siblings (two boys and girl) with familial (autosomal recessive) infantile olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) associated with lower motoneuron involvement. Brain autopsy findings in two of the children revealed a multisystem degeneration characterized by marked hypoplasia of phylogenetically new parts of the brain stem (basis pontis and inferior olivary nuclei) associated with hypoplasia of the neocerebellum, both cerebellar and cerebral peduncle. All three infants died before six months of age. The clinical features are characterized by severe hypotonia, areflexia, failure to thrive, respiratory insufficiency in all cases, cardiomyopathy and dislocated hips at birth in two of the three siblings. Extensive serum, urinary and leukocyte enzyme assays in the second infant failed to disclose a specific metabolic abnormality. The diagnosis of OPCA was established prior to death by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the youngest infant. Since OPCA represents a heterogeneous group of diseases, correlation of neuropathologic, clinical, genetic and MRI findings at early stages of evolution becomes crucial in the understanding of the nosology of OPCA and its variants.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder which presents as a severe, intermediate or mild condition. The disease selectively affects the alpha motor neuron but nothing is as yet known about the underlying biochemical defect. Recent genetic studies have mapped all three types of SMA to the same region of human chromosome 5 (5q11.2-q13.3) raising the possibility that the mutations may be allelic. Polymorphic DNA markers have been characterised which are suitable for prenatal diagnosis. This is the first step in the isolation of the mutant gene (or genes) involved in this disorder.
In 1980 Young and Harper described a family with an unusual form of distal spinal muscular atrophy associated with vocal cord paralysis. We report a family with three similarly affected subjects. Progressive sensorineural hearing loss was an additional feature in our patients. Electrophysiological and histological investigations did not exclude an involvement of sensory neurones. Whether the classification of this dominant disorder with the spinal muscular atrophies is justified will depend on additional studies in further families.
A 39-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of atrophy of the right side of the tongue of 6 years' duration. Neurological examination showed atrophy and fasciculations in the right side of the tongue. Magnetic resonance imaging showed atrophy and high signal intensity areas on T1 and T2 weighted images in the right masseter, temporal, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles. Electromyography showed fibrillations and positive sharp waves at rest, high amplitude polyphasic motor unit potentials with weak contraction in the right tongue and masseter muscles. Examination of autonomic functions suggested postganglionic lesion of right facial sympathetic nerves. We believe that this case may be related to progressive facial hemiatrophy.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A report is presented of a patient with lesions of muscles of the face, shoulder girdle, wrists and shins. The clinical findings were similar to those noted in a patient with facioscapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy. An analysis of statistical and dynamic formulas of muscular lesions with regard to electromyographic findings made it possible to determine the neurogenic nature of the damage. It is shown that under clinical conditions, using the formula of muscular lesions, one may differentiate between facioscapuloperoneal muscular atrophy and facioscapuloperoneal myodystrophy and Stark-Keser's spinal scapuloperoneal atrophy. It is proposed that the term neurogenic "scapulotibial syndrome" should be used instead of "scapuloperoneal" one.
A description of progressive muscular atrophy, the first item in neuro-muscular nosography, figures in the memoir published by F.A. Aran in 1850. There, all the essential features of the disease can be found: its usual onset at the distal end of the upper limbs, its slowly progressive worsening, with muscular atrophy sparing certain muscles or muscular fascicles, its peculiar "claw hand", its muscular "fasciculations" and cramps, with untouched sensitivity. After praising Aran's "beautiful description", G.B. Duchenne de Boulogne subsequently persisted in claiming paternity, untiringly referring to a memoir on "muscular atrophy with fatty transformation" said to have been submitted to the Académie des Sciences in 1849. There is no trace of this memoir, and while it is true that the "localized electrisation" technique was applied by Duchenne to all the patients in Aran's memoir, and that he was the sole author of two of his observations, it is Aran who must be credited with the clinical description, the synthetic presentation and the appellation of "progressive muscular atrophy". Initially, this term covered a number of disparate facts which were later identified and put in their proper nosological place, even though this dismemberment left standing what Charcot called "Duchenne-Aran disease" before the Aran-Duchenne denomination prevailed. This denomination is now customary, and rightly so.