Cerebral evoked potentials after stimulation of the posterior urethra in man

Cerebral evoked potentials (EPs) were recorded in 25 neurologically normal subjects aged 22–73 years (mean 44.0) after stimulation of the posterior urethra (PU) and the pudendal nerve. After maximal PU stimulation 2 different configurations of the potential were found. In 12 cases a simple bi-triphasic wave form was recorded while in 12 cases there was a bifid form of the first negative wave. In 1 case identical EPs were recorded after PU and pudendal nerve stimulation.It was concluded that (1) PU stimulation excites fibres in the pudendal nerve at higher stimulation strength, resulting in a bifid wave form of the cerebral evoked potential in some individuals, (2) the most prominent negative peak, N1, with a latency of 102.1 ± 13.2 msec, is the most reproducible part of the PU-evoked potential, (3) the N1 is probably transmitted through Aδ fibres localized in the pelvic nerves, (4) there are differences between individuals concerning pudendal and pelvic nerve involvement in afferent innervation of the urethra.     

Dermatomal and mixed nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of dermatomal and mixed nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and to compare their value with routine electrodiagnostic methods, we studied a group of 44 patients with neurogenic TOS and 30 healthy controls. In addition to bilateral median and ulnar SEPs, evoked potentials were recorded after stimulation of C6 and C8 dermatomes from the first and fifth digits, respectively. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to the nature of their clinical condition. The abnormality rate for both ulnar and C8 dermatomal SEPs was 100% in a small group of patients with severe neurological signs like atrophy. In groups of patients with lesser degrees of neurogenic damage, abnormality rates for ulnar and C8 dermatomal SEPs on affected limb(s) were 67 and 50%, respectively. Same abnormality rates were 25 and 18% in patients with only subjective symptoms. In patients with objective neurological signs, the major increase in sensitivity was with electromyography (EMG). Abnormalities of routine nerve conduction studies and F-wave latency were observed in patients with severe neurogenic damage. We concluded that the most useful tests in the diagnosis of neurogenic TOS are needle EMG and ulnar SEPs.     

State of the autonomic reflex mechanisms in humans subjected to irradiation because of the Chernobyl' catastrophe

People affected by the catastrophe at the Chernobyl' Nuclear Power Station (ChNPS) were subjected to a detailed clinical neurological examination. In 328 examined individuals, sympathetic skin responses (SSR), evoked by transcutaneous stimulation of then. medianus, were recorded. These people were classified in the following groups: group I, people involved in the cleanup and repair after the catastrophe (henceforth called cleanup workers) who were subjected to relatively short-lasting, but high-intensity irradiation (the integral absorbed dose of 0.7–6.5 Gy) and suffered from acute radiation syndrome; group II, cleanup workers who received lower absorbed doses, but had worked at the NPS before the catastrophe and continued later to work within the excluded zone; group III, cleanup workers involved only in the work of 1986; group IV, foresters and woodcutters, who permanently live and work within the contamined territories; and group V, the people not involved in the work of 1986, but who worked for a long time within the excluded zone on rotating shifts. The latter group was subdivided into two subgroups: a, men; and b, women. Considerable SSR modifications were typical of all these groups. The amplitude of this potential sharply dropped, while its duration increased more than 1.5 times, on average. Both these parameters showed high individual variability, and the phase structure of SSR was noticeably modified in a considerable share of the examined people. At the same time, the SSR latencies showed no systematic shifts, as compared with those observed in the control group. The mean amplitudes of SSR recorded from the palms in groups I–IV and subgroups Va and Vb reached only 54, 27, 40, 47, 27, and 46% of the values measured in the control group, while those of SSR recorded from the soles was in groups I–IV of 22, 18, 23, and 31%. The data of neurological examination of the persons subjected to irradiation indicated an expressed pathology in the diencephalo-limbic structures; this pathology was manifested as an autonomic dysfunction with dominating symptoms of the injury of the sympathetic system. It is concluded that long-lasting influence of external and internal irradiation, even at its low intensity, results in serious impairments of the central structures providing control of autonomic functions (first of all, of the hypothalamus). These impairments lead to the development of cardiovascular and neurotrophic disorders and represent the most important factors that determine pathological shifts both in the autonomic and somatic reflex mechanisms.     

Evoked potential findings in Behçet's disease. Brain-stem auditory,visual, and somatosensory evoked potentials in 44 patients

We studied 54 patients with Behçet's disease, 41 males and 13 females, mean age 28 years. Forty-four patients had auditory brain-stem evoked potential (BAEP) recordings, 39 had pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP), 27 had median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recordings, and 25 tibial nerve SEPs. BAEPs were abnormal in 16 patients (52%) with neurological manifestations and in 4 (31%) without, because of decreased amplitude of wave V, prolonged I–III or III–V interpeak latencies, or uncertain/absent waves III and/or V. Eleven patients (40%) with neurological symptoms and 3 patients (25%) without, had abnormal VEPs. Absent potentials, decreased amplitude, with or without prolonged P100 latency, were found in 75% of the cases, the rest had prolonged P100 latency only. Median SEPs were abnormal in 8 patients (38%) with neurological manifestations. Four patients (21%) had abnormal tibial SEPs. Decreased amplitude with or without mild slowing in central conduction was the predominant SEP abnormality. SEPs were normal in all patients without neurological symptoms. In total, 84% of patients with, and 38% of patients without, neurological symptoms had abnormalities of one or more EP modality.When used cautiously, EP studies in Behçet's disease might be helpful to separate neuro-Behçet from other disorders with similar symptomatology, to disclose subclinical CNS involvement, to evaluate and monitor CNS disease activity, and to provide objective measures of treatment response.     

Neurological dysfunction in asymptomatic HIV-1 infected men: evidence from evoked potentials

Neurological function in 159 subjects infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who had no neurological symptoms or signs (129 asymptomatic, 30 with ARC/AIDS) was compared to that of 62 controls by means of pattern-reversal evoked potentials (PREPs), brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs), median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (MSEPs), tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) and nerve conduction studies (NCSs). Central nervous system somatosensory conduction from lumbar cord to cortex was prolonged in both asymptomatic seropositive and ARC/AIDS groups, while peripheral somatosensory conduction, NCSs and PREP delays occurred only in the ARC/AIDS group. BAEPs did not show significant differences among groups. TSEPs were abnormal in 8% of asymptomatic carriers and 43% of patients with ARC/AIDS, MSEPs in 7% and 20%, PREPs in 4% and 0%, and BAEPs in 1% and 0% respectively. One or more evoked potentials were abnormal in 18 of 129 (14%) asymptomatic carriers and 13 of 30 (43%) subjects with ARC/AIDS as compared with 1 of 62 (2%) seronegative controls. We conclude that asymptomatic HIV carriers have subclinical neurological impairment of central somatosensory function and that the neurological impairment increases with disease progression to involve peripheral nerves and visual system.     

彩色多普勒超声在血管性勃起功能障碍中的诊断价值

目的:研究彩色多普勒超声(CDDS)在血管性勃起功能障碍(ED)中的诊断价值,从而为患者临床诊断方式的选择提供参考。方法:选择本院内2012年4月至2015年3月期间因ED入院接受治疗的男性患者248例,在患者接受检查前,需将酚妥拉明、罂粟碱以及前列腺素-E1等药物混合液0.2 m L注入阴茎海绵体内,使得诱导阴茎勃起,随后使用彩色多普勒超声系统进行诊断,对阴茎海绵体动脉的收缩期最大血流率(PSV)、舒张末期血流率(EDV)、阻力指数(RI)等指标进行记录,对各指标诊断ED的应用价值进行评估。结果:在248例患者中,存在血流动力学异常病例172例,其中96例患者为动脉性ED,72例患者为静脉性ED;72例血流动力学正常病例,为非血管性ED。合并糖尿病25例,占10.08%;高血压17例,占6.85%;高血脂116例,占46.77%;阴茎硬结症7例,占2.82%;阴茎海绵体纤维化8例,占3.23;经腹前列腺切除术后者9例,占3.2%,经尿道切除前列腺术后者8例,占3.23;吸烟者196例,占79.03%。血管性ED患者的FPSV、PSV、EDV明显低于非血管性ED患者的,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);且在血管性ED患者中,动脉性FPSV、ED、EDV患者的PSV明显低于非血管性ED患者的,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。在指标对比中,血管性ED患者的RI与非血管性ED患者的RI无明显差异(P0.05),但静脉性ED患者的RI明显低于非血管性ED患者的,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。在96例动脉性ED患者中,行选择性阴部内动脉造影术有11例,动脉性病变8例,彩色超声多普勒检查与选择性阴部内动脉造影术符合率为72.73%。结论:在诱导阴茎勃起后,对患者进行彩色多普勒超声系统诊断,能够有效排除阴茎在疲软状态下存在的可变性因素,能够准确反映阴茎血流动力学状态,从而能够准确筛查血管性ED疾病,其检测结果的准确性优于动脉造影,临床应用价值较高,值得进一步推广使用。     

Prospective study of symptoms and signs in acutely ill infants in general practice.

A study was made of all cases of acute illness in infants aged 6 months or less presenting in a Gosport practice over five months. The frequency in these patients of the well defined symptoms and signs suggested to be important by the preliminary report of the Department of Health and Social Security''s multicentre study of postneonatal mortality was recorded. During the study period there were 161 infants of this age in the practice, who gave rise to 69 consultations with acute illness. Thirty eight of these were given drug treatment and five were referred to a paediatric unit, one of them on social grounds. There were no infant deaths in the practice (total population 11,400), but two occurred in the Gosport area (total population 83,000). It would be unrealistic to refer all patients with any one of the symptoms and signs, even when well defined, in the age group 6 months or less. Analysis of the symptoms and signs found in those children who required admission did not show any pattern differentiating them from those who did not. Although the symptoms and signs studied are of value in assessment and should be sought in these patients, they cannot be used singly or in any pattern to indicate referral per se.     

原发性干燥综合征患者神经系统病变的临床研究

目的：探讨原发性干燥综合征患者合并神经系统损害的发生率,并分析其出现外周和中枢神经系统受累的临床特点。方法：共纳入34例原发性干燥综合征患者,进行神经系统查体,头MRI、脑脊液化验以及电生理检查。结果：34例患者有15例出现神经系统症状,其中11例表现为外周神经受累,分别为3例颅神经受累,6例多发神经病变,1例多发单神经炎,1例怀疑小纤维神经病;4例为中枢神经受累,分别为．1例患者头和脊髓多发脱髓鞘病变,2例大脑单个灶性病变,1例脑干病变。患者间免疫学检查未见显著差异。结论：原发性干燥综合征患者合并神经系统病变的发生率约为44．1％,外周神经损伤尤其是感觉神经损伤更常见,未发现特异性神经系统改变。与不伴神经系统病变的原发性干燥综合征患者相比较,未发现显著的差异以及能够辅助诊断的实验室检查结果。     

Temperature-dependent hysteresis in somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials

Fourteen adult patients undergoing open heart surgery under induced hypothermia had median nerve, short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) recorded during cooling (from 36°C to 19°C) and subsequent rewarming. Similar data on another group of patients who had brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were also analyzed. Hypothermia produced increased latencies of the major SSEP and BAEP components and the latencies returned to normal with subsequent warming. The temperature-latency relationship during the cooling phase was significantly different from that during the warming phase. For SSEP components the temperature-latency relationship was linear during cooling and curvilinear during warming, whereas for BAEP it was curvilinear both during cooling and warming. Furthermore, the regression curves were different during the two phases of temperature manipulation, particularly for temperatures below 30°C both for SSEP and BAEP components. At the onset of warming there was an initial exaggerated warming response on the evoked potential (EP) latencies and amplitude of the EP components. The temperature-latency regression curves were uniformly less steep during the warming phase compared to those during cooling. These findings suggest the existence of hysteresis in the relationship between temperature and EP latencies. The latencies at a given temperature below 30°C depend on whether that temperature is reached during cooling or during warming.     

The presence of Candida spp and rods of Enterobacteriaceae family in the vaginal swab specimens

The aim of the present work was to determine the presence and quantity of yeasts (Candida) and rods of Enterobacteriaceae family in the ontocenosis of vagina in women. Also, we aimed at finding which species of Enterobacteriaceae accompany the yeasts. Furthermore we aimed at determining the etiological factor (Candida yeasts or Enterobacteriaceae rods) causing identical clinical symptoms such as burn, itch, leucorrhea. Vagina secretion collected from 649 patients constituted the material for examination Candida. In 137 patients (which constituted 21.1%) Candida yeasts were found (group I). These patients were additionally divided into 2 subgroups (I a and I b). Group I a consisted of 92 patients (14.2%) who exhibited the presence of Candida without the accompanying rods of Enterobacteriaceae and group I b consisting of 45 patients (6.9%), in whom Candida was found together with the rods. 171 patients (26.3%) were classified to group II, who had only Enterobacteriaceae rods in the vagina. Among Candida yeasts, the most common species were C. albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis. The most common rods of Enterobacteriaceae family were E. coli and P. mirabilis. The bacterium which most frequently accompanied the yeasts was E. coli. Considering the fact that patients in group I and patients in group II reported similar problems, the role of the etiological factor in the vaginal inflammatory processes should be analyzed.     

Ultrasonography of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with magnetic resonance imaging, conventional radiography and clinical examination

Signs of inflammation and destruction in the finger joints are the principal features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are few studies assessing the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting these signs. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether ultrasonography can provide information on signs of inflammation and destruction in RA finger joints that are not available with conventional radiography and clinical examination, and comparable to the information provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The second to fifth metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of 40 RA patients and 20 control persons were assessed with ultrasonography, clinical examination, radiography and MRI. With MRI as the reference method, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting bone erosions in the finger joints were 0.59, 0.98 and 0.96, respectively; they were 0.42, 0.99 and 0.95 for radiography. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography, with signs of inflammation on T1-weighted MRI sequences as the reference method, were 0.70, 0.78 and 0.76, respectively; they were 0.40, 0.85 and 0.72 for the clinical examination. With MRI as the reference method, ultrasonography had higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting signs of inflammation and destruction in RA finger joints than did clinical and radiographic examinations, without loss of specificity. This study shows that ultrasonography has the potential to improve assessment of patients with RA.     

Neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery: six month follow-up study.

As part of a major prospective study of the neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients were reviewed over six months to determine the clinical course and functional impact of early postoperative complications. One hundred and ninety one out of 312 (61%) patients had developed early postoperative disorders. At six months 165 of the 191 patients with early neurological complications were reviewed. Of the 165, 85 still had detectable neurological signs, but these were often minor and of little functional importance. Only 10 patients had neurological disability at six months, and this was major in only four patients, all of whom had suffered major perioperative stroke. No patient with non-disabling neurological complications in hospital became functionally impaired on returning home. Neurological disorders are not a major cause of failure to return to work by six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Of 139 patients who were of working age and had not returned to work by six months, only four were prevented by neurological injury related to surgery. The long term prognosis for early neurological disorders after coronary artery bypass surgery is usually favourable, except in those patients who have sustained major perioperative stroke.     

The lightning heart: a case report and brief review of the cardiovascular complications of lightning injury

Lightning strike is a rare natural phenomenon, which carries a risk of dramatic medical complications to multiple organ systems and a high risk of fatality. The known complications include but are not limited to: myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, cardiac contusion, stroke, cutaneous burns, respiratory disorders, neurological disorders, acute kidney injury and death. We report a case of a healthy young man who suffered a lightning injury and discuss the cardiovascular complications of lightning injury, ranging from ECG changes to death. The patient in our case, a 27-year old previously healthy male, developed a syndrome of rhabdomyolysis and symptomatic cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Electrocardiographic findings included transient T-wave inversions, late transition shift and long QT. His clinical condition improved with supportive measures.Early recognition of lightning injury syndromes and anticipation of complications may help us improve outcomes for these patients. Evaluation of patients having experienced a lightning injury should include a minimum of a detailed history and physical examination, 12-lead ECG and drawing of baseline troponins. Prolonged electrocardiographical monitoring (for monitoring of ventricular arrhythmias) and assessment for signs and symptoms of hemodynamic compromise may be warranted.     

Cerebral evoked potentials after rectal stimulation

We obtained reproducible cortical evoked potentials (EPs) in response to electrical stimulation of the rectum with 1 Hz frequency. We found 2 distinctly different EPs in response to rectal stimulation. In 5 females, the EP had an early onset latency (mean 26 msec) with multiple positive and negative peaks. In 10 females, the EP had a later onset latency (mean 52 msec) and a trifid configuration, having a very prominent negative peak. The early onset EPs after rectal stimulation appeared very similar to the wave form of the cortical EPs recorded after pudendal nerve stimulation. Finding similar interpeak latencies in the early onset EP after rectal stimulation and the EP after pudendal nerve stimulation suggests that either the same pathway was used or that rectal stimulation also stimulated the pudendal nerve. It appears that we stimulated visceral afferents when we recorded late onset EPs, because the large EP amplitude declined rapidly with faster stimulation rates and also with greater number of averaging, and the sensation threshold was very unstable, all different to somatosensory EPs.     

Restless Legs Syndrome,with Particular Reference to its Occurrence After Gastric Surgery

There is a higher incidence of restless legs syndrome (Ekbom''s syndrome) in patients after gastric surgery (11·3%) and with diabetes mellitus (17·0%) and uraemia (17·3%) than in patients who have been diagnosed as having a psychonoeurosis (4·0%) and in controls (2·0%). Three patients with malabsorption syndrome complained of restless legs, but these patients had abnormal neurological signs. The incidence after gastric surgery and in diabetes mellitus and uraemia remained high even when patients with any abnormal neurological signs were excluded.     

医学模拟教学结合以问题为导向的教学模式在重症医学教学中的应用研究

目的:探讨医学模拟教学结合以问题为导向(PBL)的教学模式在重症医学教学中的应用价值。方法:选取2015年1月~2017年1月在我院重症医学科轮转实习的五年制医学生64人作为研究对象。按随机数字表法将64名医学生分为PBL组(n=32)和结合教学组(n=32)。PBL组采用PBL教学,结合教学组采用医学模拟结合PBL教学。分别在入科时和轮转实习结束时对两组学员进行理论考试和技能操作考核,记录成绩并比较。理论考试和技能操作考核后采取发放问卷进行调查的形式获得学员对教学效果的主观评价。结果:轮转实习结束时,两组理论考试分数差异无统计学意义(P0.05);而结合教学组技能操作考核成分数显著高于PBL组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组学员在教学方法接受度高、学习兴趣提升、自学能力提升和临床诊疗水平提高所占比例差异无统计学意义(P0.05);结合教学组学员在团队协作能力提高、沟通能力与人文关怀提高和技能操作水平提高所占比例高于PBL组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:与单独PBL教学相比较,医学模拟教学结合PBL的教学模式应用于重症医学教学对学员技能操作的掌握有更好的效果,同时能提高学员团队协作能力、沟通能力以及对患者的人文关怀,且受到学员的认同与喜爱,应在重症医学的教学实践中逐步完善并进一步推广应用。     

局部动脉注射阿替普酶溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的临床效果

目的分析局部动脉注射阿替普酶溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的临床效果。方法本溪市中心医院从2011年1月至2013年10月期间共收治90例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,患者在入院的6 h内接受了阿替普酶溶栓的局部动脉注射治疗,观察总结患者接受治疗24 h和3个月内的疗效,并依据临床观察和NHISS评分结果来评价患者的神经功能恢复情况。结果 90例患者当中有58例前循环缺血患者和32例后循环缺血患者,在接受溶栓治疗的24 h内有64例患者神经功能得到良好恢复,占总数的71.11%,还有26例患者神经功能不良,占总数的28.89%;3个月后通过随访了解到有82例患者神经功能良好,占总数的91.11%,8例患者功能仍然处于不良状态,占总数的8.89%,治疗前后患者的神经功能恢复比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05%）。结论局部动脉注射阿替普酶溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中,患者能够得到有效恢复,疗效显著,值得在临床上推广使用。     

The value of ulnar somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in cervical myelopathy

In 57 patients with clinical signs and surgical documentation of compressive myelopathy, ulnar nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were more sensitive (with 74% abnormal) than either median or tibial nerve SEPs. The most frequent abnormalities were reduced or absent neck evoked responses and prolonged central conduction time. All subjects who had an SEP abnormality were identified by combined tibial and ulnar SEPs. Median nerve SEP added no additional information. Normal ulnar and tibial nerve SEPs were also able to exclude major cord damage in patients with cervical radiculopathy but little evidence of myelopathy.     

Neurological Complications of Endocarditis in Persons Taking Drugs Intravenously

A study was made of 46 cases of endocarditis in persons known to take drugs intravenously. Findings included significantly lower ages for those patients in whom infections were right-sided. The neurological complication rate was 39 percent overall and 58 percent in the left-sided group. Neurological complications are unusual in right-sided infection. In about a third of those with neurological complications there were sensorial changes without focal signs. Despite a high mortality, neurological complications in Group D streptococcal endocarditis were relatively infrequent. One case is presented in which a foreign body may have contributed to the formation of the embolic material. The clinical and neuropathological features encountered are compared with those reported in persons with endocarditis who were not addicts. The review indicates that neurological complications in nonaddicts and in addicts are similar in type but are more common and severe in addicts.