Multisystem evaluation in one case of pure autonomic failure.

Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a rare syndrome characterized by a primitive failure of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). We have studied a 53-year old woman suffering from PAF by using ANS provocative tests investigating the cardiovascular system (standing up test, controlled ventilation, Valsalva manoeuvre, handgrip test, cold pressor test, mental stress test, plasma catecholamine levels), tests investigating the intrinsic ocular innervation (pupil reactivity), and the bladder function (urodynamic tests). Our results have shown abnormalities of all the studied parameters and they have also confirmed that these patients need a multidisciplinary autonomic evaluation to correctly identify the syndrome.

[A case of central pontine myelinolysis: clinical and electrophysiologic findings]. / Su un caso di mielinolisi pontina centrale: rilievi clinici ed elettrofisiologici.

We described a case of Central Pontine Myelinolysis, typical with regard to pathogenesis (excessive correction of hyponatremia), neuroanatomical damage revealed by imaging techniques (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and clinical symptomatology. Serially performed BAEPs recordings during patient's hospitalization, showed interesting data on functional recovery which well correlate with the evolution of clinical symptomatology. These data strongly suggest the usefulness of such electrophysiological technique for a prognostic evaluation.