Magnetoencephalographic pattern of epileptiform activity in children with early-onset autism spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To provide further data around magnetoencephalographic (MEG) findings in early-onset autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: Thirty-six children (mean age 7 years) diagnosed of PDD (DSM-IV, ICD-10) were studied. There were 22 children with autistic disorder, 9 with Asperger's syndrome, and 5 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). According to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the autistic disorder was mild to moderate in 11, and severe in 11. Neuroimaging studies using three-dimensional MRI as well as simultaneous MEG-EEG and fusion techniques through magnetic source imaging (MSI) were performed, with the aid of anesthesia in non-cooperative patients. RESULTS: Most patients had no EEG abnormalities. All ASD children showed common specific abnormalities in the shape of low amplitude monophasic and biphasic spikes (isolated or short bursts) as well as acute waves, predominantly distributed in the perisylvian areas. In Asperger's syndrome, epileptiform spikes were mostly found in the right hemisphere. No lateralized epileptiform activity was observed in non-Asperger's autistic patients. CONCLUSIONS: MEG epileptiform activity is frequently documented in children with early-onset ASD. SIGNIFICANCE: Subclinical epileptiform activity is present especially in the perisylvian regions for many patients with ASD.

[Thalamic spectroscopy using magnetic resonance in autism]. / Espectroscopía talámica por resonancia magnética en el autismo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cerebral metabolic changes in paediatric patients using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 31 patients diagnosed as having autism (autistic group) using cerebral magnetic resonance and hydrogen spectroscopy, together with 15 patients without autism (control group). The groups were sub divided according to age: 0-3 years, 4-7 years and 8-13 years. The morphology of the brain was studied using magnetic resonance and hydrogen spectroscopy of the thalamus. In each case we evaluated the presence of morphological changes in the brain and the concentrations of the cerebral metabolites N acetyl aspartate(NAA), choline (Cho) and creatinine (Cr) by measuring the coefficients NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho and Cho/Cr coefficients, and also any anomalous concentrations of other metabolites. RESULTS: No morphological changes were seen in the brains studied. There was no significant increase in minor metabolites in any of the groups studied. Significant differences in the NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr coefficients between the control and autistic groups were only seen in the oldest subgroup (8-13 years), but in the other groups the differences were not significant. The results in the sub group of older autistic children are similar to those of the younger subgroups in both autistic and control groups. CONCLUSION: The spectroscopic findings showed similar recordings in the control group and in the autistic group up to the age of 7 years with reduced thalamic NAA in autistic patients older than this. This suggests interruption and regression in the process of neuronal maturity, in which the thalamus also plays a part.

[Gastrointestinal involvement in Kaposi's sarcoma associated with AIDS. Radiologic findings]. / Afectación gastrointestinal en el sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) asociado al SIDA. Hallazgos radiológicos.

Two cases are presented of Kaposi's sarcoma (SK) associated with AIDS and gastrointestinal affectation. The visceral extension of Kaposi's sarcoma has been related to a poorer prognosis, and in some cases, it is responsible for the appearance of symptoms, particularly gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The radiological patterns of presentation of the gastrointestinal lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma are described, this being the most frequent location of the disease after the skin and lymph nodes.

[Intraduodenal diverticula. Apropos of 6 cases]. / Divertículos intraduodenales. A propósito de seis observaciones.

We present the clinicoradiologic study of 6 cases of duodenal diverticulum. We review the embryological theories of its formation, the form of clinical presentation, endoscopy and radiology. Its eventual differential diagnosis and possible therapy are discussed. An exhaustive review is made of the literature.