Morphometric analysis of axons in the minute multiple sclerosis lesions and shadow plaques in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The objective of the present study was to quantitatively detect axons in the minute multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and in shadow plaques, taking into consideration the relapsing-remitting(R-R) and secondary progressive(SP) stages of MS. The brain tissue of 12 patients deceased due to MS was investigated. An image-computerized analysis was made for measurements of axons. Based on the findings we concluded that damage to axons appears in both the minute MS lesions and in shadow plaques. Demyelination and ineffective (too late or too slow) remyelination seemed to be very important factors in axonal damage. Irreversible damage to axons may appear in both the secondary progressive and relapsing-remitting stages of MS, causing permanent neurological deficits, irrespective of the duration of the disease.

[2 cases of hereditary recurrent neuropathy caused by compression of the peripheral nerves]. / Dwa przypadki dziedzicznej nawracajacej neuropatii wyzwalanej uciskiem nerwów obwodowych.

The authors describe two cases of recurrent neuropathy in members of two different families. Paresis of peroneal nerves was the only sign released by compression of the nerve during work in squatting or kneeling position. The members of one family had similar clinical and electrophysiological signs. The father of the second patient was clinically healthy but he had evidently reduced conduction velocity in peroneal nerves. The diagnosis was established after ruling out of exogenous and endogenous infectious and toxic factors, vitamin deficiency and allergy.

[Paramyoclonus multiplex (Friedreich's disease)]. / Paramyoclonus multiplex (Friedreich).

The authors describe a case of benign myoclonic jerks in a man aged 45 years, followed-up during 3 years. The disease had a benign course and a tendency was observed for decreasing intensity of symptoms. Apart from disseminated myoclonic jerks and longer lasting muscle spasms no other neurological abnormalities were found. EMG demonstrated spontaneous and asynchronous discharges of groups of motor units corresponding to the observed myoaclonic jerks but no other pathological findings were elicited. Other laboratory investigations including CT of the brain gave normal results. Taking into account the onset and course of the disease, the objective state and the results of laboratory investigations a functional background of the disease could not be ruled out.

[Case of orthostatic arterial hypotension with neurologic manifestations (Shy-Drager syndrome)]. / Przypadek ortostatycznego podcisnienia tetniczego z objawami neurologicznymi (zespól Shy-Dragera).

The authors report a case of idiopathic orthostatic arterial hypotension with neurological manifestations, rarely diagnosed in this country. The clinical manifestations corresponded to those of Shy-Drager syndrome, with an akinetic-hypertonic syndrome, pyramidal signs, sphincter disturbances, sexual potency loss and neurogenic muscle atrophy. Attention is called to the recent results of biochemical investigations of the blood in this syndrome, and among them to the blood level of noradrenaline which may be useful in the diagnosis.

[Is there any correlation between cerebral atrophy, EEG abnormalities and epileptic attacks in patients with multiple sclerosis?]. / Czy istnieje zwiazek miedzy zanikiem mózgu, zmianami w eeg i napadami padaczkowymi u chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane?

Among 100 patients with MS, in 65 patients CT examination revealed cerebral atrophy (in 58 cortical and subcortical atrophy, in 7 patients only cortical). In 25 (25%) patients with cerebral atrophy EEG findings were focal type of paroxysmal activity. Only five patients with paroxysmal discharges had epileptic fits. Mean age in these 5 patients was 47 years, mean duration of the disease 17 years. This means that seizures in MS patients appeared in late period of the disease and no correlation was between cerebral atrophy and epileptic seizures. Paroxysmal discharges occurred more often in EEG examination, than clinical seizures.

[Case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome with involvement of the neostriatum]. / Przypadek choroby Creutzfeldta-Jakoba ze szczególnym zajeciem neostriatum.

The authors describe a case of CJD in a man aged 45 years. The disease began with sluggishness of movements and speech difficulties, followed by development of pyramidal system damage and dementia. EEG findings were normal throughout the whole duration of the disease that is 3.5 years. Neuropathological examination disclosed major neuronal loss, spongy degeneration and astrogliosis in the striatum bilaterally. The cerebral and cerebellar cortex and brain stem showed similar but much less intense changes. This particular topography of the lesions was probably the cause of absent EEG changes.

[Catamnestic studies of patients with reversible ischemic stroke]. / Badania katamnestyczne pacjentów z odwracalnymi udarami niedokrwiennymi.

The authors carried out follow-up examinations of 75 patients with reversible ischaemic strokes suffered by them 6-10 years earlier. The results showed that reversible ischaemic strokes accounted for about 8% of all strokes. The risk of a repeated stroke was about 10.6%. The prognosis in such cases is rather good, but is worsened by coexistence of risk factors, particularly by coincidence of several such factors. In 17.6% of cases death ensued within 6-10 years.

[Myoclonic cerebellar dyssynergia (Ramsay Hunt). Description of 2 cases]. / Dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (Ramsay Hunt). Opis 2 przypadkow.

The authors report two cases of dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica in siblings. Apart from typical clinical manifestations attention is called to the results of computerized tomography of the brain which demonstrated cerebellar atrophy. This helped in verification of the diagnosis. Comparing these cases with other ones described earlier in the literature the authors conclude that dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica is not a separate nosological entity but a syndrome associated with myoclonia.

[Clinical diagnosis of Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome--analysis of 6 cases]. / Diagnostyka kliniczna choroby Creutzfeldta-Jakoba--analiza 6 przypadków.

The authors present an analysis of the clinical course of 6 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (patients were aged from 27 to 59 years). The diagnosis was established during the life of the patients. In the neurological status dementia and syndromes of pyramidal and extrapyramidal lesions predominated. Neuropathological examinations in 5 cases demonstrated also considerable cerebellar damage, however, clinical signs of this damage were noted in two patients only. EEG findings were of greatest importance among the laboratory investigations.

[Epileptic seizures and alcoholism]. / Napady padaczkowe a alkoholizm.

A high incidence of epilepsy in chronic alcoholics and similar incidence of alcohol abuse in patients with epilepsy are a serious medico-social problems. A relation between seizures and alcohol abuse is discussed in this paper. Epilepsy is the commonest complication of an alcoholism. Pathogenesis of epileptic seizures is multiple and complex. Alcohol-dependent epilepsy is closely related to a problem of alcohol abuse in patients with epilepsy. A criteria of alcohol-dependent epilepsy diagnosis should be clearly defined as they play an important role in therapy selection.