[Stroke in young adults: analysis of 164 patients]. / Acidente vascular cerebral em pacientes jovens: análise de 164 casos.

We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological features of 164 out-clinic patients with a first-onset stroke between 15 and 49 years old. Ischemic stroke occurred in 141 patients, hemorrhagic stroke in 16 patients, and venous thrombosis in 7 patients. Forty-eight percent of ischemic strokes were atherothrombotic, but no etiology was found in 32% of patients with ischemic stroke. Systemic arterial hypertension was the most frequent etiology in the hemorrhagic stroke group. The most frequent risk factors were systemic arterial hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. Although stroke in young adults deserves some specific etiological investigation, we found that ordinary risk factors such as hypertension, tobacco use, hypercholesteremia and diabetes were prevalent in our population. It seems that prevention campaigns should be the target of our work.

Neurofibromatosis, stroke and basilar impression. Case report.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can virtually affect any organ, presenting most frequently with "cafe au lait" spots and neurofibromas. Vasculopathy is a known complication of NF1, but cerebrovascular disease is rare. We report the case of a 51-year-old man admitted to the hospital with a history of stroke four months before admission. On physical examination, he presented various "cafe au lait" spots and cutaneous neurofibromas. Neurologic examination demonstrated right-sided facial paralysis, right-sided hemiplegia, and aphasia. Computed tomography scan of head showed hypodense areas in the basal ganglia and centrum semiovale. Radiographs of cranium and cervical spine showed basilar impression. Angiography revealed complete occlusion of both vertebral and left internal carotid arteries, and partial stenosis of the right internal carotid artery. A large network of collateral vessels was present (moyamoya syndrome). It is an uncommon case of occlusive cerebrovascular disease associated with NF1, since most cases described in the literature are in young people, and tend to spare the posterior cerebral circulation. Basilar impression associated with this case may be considered a pure coincidence, but rare cases of basilar impression and NF1 have been described.

[Headache incidence in a hospital community]. / Incidência de cefaléia em uma comunidade hospitalar.

The purpose was to describe the main features of headache incidence in a hospital community, its frequency and the most requested medical investigation. Due to the stressful work environment, hospital is considered to hold a high-risk population. Interviews and questionnaires were utilized. Of a 1006 files, which were randomly filled out, 987 could be analyzed. Of all, 38.5% were from headache sufferers. By using a table of pain symptoms taken from the International Headache Society classification as a pattern, headaches were assigned as migraine, tension-type and other. The mean age was 31.18 and the frequency in females was higher than in males, at any type. Family occurrence in first-degree relatives was 76.8%. Frontal location, medium intensity and pulsation were the most described features. Stress was the most frequently mentioned trigger factor. A physician was consulted only by 41.3%. Cranium X-ray was the most frequently requested exam.

[Peripheral neuropathy investigation in the early stage of bone marrow transplantation]. / Investigação de neuropatia periférica durante o período recente do transplante de medula óssea.

Forty-three patients with several hematological diseases in the early stage of bone marrow transplantation were prospectively studied. All patients underwent a complete neurological examination, vibratory sense perception test and nerve conduction study both before and after the bone marrow transplantation. The following nerves were studied: median, peroneal, posterior tibial (motor), median and sural (sensitive). Most patients were in busulphan, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine A, methotrexate and corticosteroids. Although the results showed statistical differences in the nerve conduction study, all of these differences were not sufficient to induce or diagnose peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, it was concluded that drugs used in the bone marrow transplantation do not induce peripheral neuropathy.

Rigid spine syndrome. Case report.

We describe a patient who had difficulty in walking since toddling stage and presented proximal upper and lower member weakness which have evolved to a progressive limitation of neck and trunk flexure, compatible with rigid spine syndrome. The serum muscle enzymes were somewhat elevated and the electromyography showed a myopatic change. The muscle biopsy demonstrated an active and chronic myopathy. The DNA analysis through PCR did not display any abnormality for dystrophin gene. The dystrophin by immunofluorescence was present in all fibers, but some interruptions were found in the plasma membrane giving it the appearance of a rosary. The test for merosin was normal.