Development of Parkinson's disease in patients with blepharospasm.

The liability to develop parkinsonian symptoms was evaluated in 105 outpatients with idiopathic blepharospasm (IBS; 54 cases) or IBS associated to oromandibular dystonia (Meige's syndrome; 51 cases) mean age 70.3 +/- 9.6 years, and compared with an age- and sex-matched population. Eleven patients developed Parkinson's disease in the blepharospasm group, whereas only 2 of 105 patients were affected in the control group. Our results suggest that patients with IBS either isolated or associated with oromandibular dystonia are more prone to develop parkinsonian symptoms.

Beneficial effects of botulinum toxin type a for patients with painful tic convulsif.

Botulinum toxin is a well-known therapy for patients with diverse movement disorders. Its application has been extended to other disorders. Here, we document the case of a 70-year-old man with hemifacial spasm associated to trigeminal neuralgia secondary to an ectatic basilar artery. He was treated with botulinum toxin type A, 2.5 mouse units over five sites at the orbicularis oculi and one over the buccinator muscle. After botulinum toxin injections, relief was gained not only from twitching but also from pain. When the effects of the toxin vanished, spasms and pain recurred. Further infiltrations were given every 12 weeks following the same response pattern. This observation further validates the increasing role of botulinum toxin in pain management.

Beneficial effects of diphenhydramine in dystonia

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of diphenhydramine hidrochloride (DPH) in dystonic patients. In 1995, Truong et al reported encouraging results in five patients with idiopathic torsion dystonia (ITD) treated with DPH, an H1 antagonist with sedative and anticholinergic properties. Five patients with generalized ITD, one with secondary generalized dystonia and one with idiopathic segmental dystonia were included in the prospective study, initialy the response to intravenous administration of DPH versus placebo in two sessions a week apart was evaluated. Two weeks later all patients started oral DPH in increasing doses (range 100-300 mg, mean 164 mg). The degree of dystonia was determined by a modified University of Columbia Scale evaluating the baseline score, after placebo and DPH I.V. administration then at one and six months after starting oral treatment. The results were analyzed by Friedman's test for repated measurements. On comparing scores for baseline severity, I.V. placebo and I.V. DPH presented a highly significant correlation (12.09; p = 0.00) as well as comparing baseline score with oral DPH at one and 6 months, treatment (12.78; p = 0.00). Functional score results were 9.5 p = 0.01 and 8.4 p = 8.4 p = 0.02 at one and 6 months respectively. The most common side effects were sommolence and dizziness. It can be concluded that DPH proved effective in our patients with mild to moderate adverse effects not requiring drug withdrawal in any case. However, I.V. challenge was unable to predict the long-term response to oral medication perhaps due to the limited number of cases.

Beneficial effects of diphenhydramine in dystonia

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of diphenhydramine hidrochloride (DPH) in dystonic patients. In 1995, Truong et al reported encouraging results in five patients with idiopathic torsion dystonia (ITD) treated with DPH, an H1 antagonist with sedative and anticholinergic properties. Five patients with generalized ITD, one with secondary generalized dystonia and one with idiopathic segmental dystonia were included in the prospective study, initialy the response to intravenous administration of DPH versus placebo in two sessions a week apart was evaluated. Two weeks later all patients started oral DPH in increasing doses (range 100-300 mg, mean 164 mg). The degree of dystonia was determined by a modified University of Columbia Scale evaluating the baseline score, after placebo and DPH I.V. administration then at one and six months after starting oral treatment. The results were analyzed by Friedmans test for repated measurements. On comparing scores for baseline severity, I.V. placebo and I.V. DPH presented a highly significant correlation (12.09; p = 0.00) as well as comparing baseline score with oral DPH at one and 6 months, treatment (12.78; p = 0.00). Functional score results were 9.5 p = 0.01 and 8.4 p = 8.4 p = 0.02 at one and 6 months respectively. The most common side effects were sommolence and dizziness. It can be concluded that DPH proved effective in our patients with mild to moderate adverse effects not requiring drug withdrawal in any case. However, I.V. challenge was unable to predict the long-term response to oral medication perhaps due to the limited number of cases. (AU)

Cirugía en la enfermedad de Parkinson / Surgery in the Parkinson's disease

Se discuten los aspectos fisiopatológicos de la enfermedad de Parkinson y la importancia de los diferentes núcleos. Se comentan las diversas técnicas lesionales como palidotomía, o talamotomía y la estimulación profunda cerebral.

Blefaroespasmo. Distonía oromandibular / Blepharospasm. Distonia oromandibular

El blefaroespasmo es una distonía focal que compromete el orbicularis oculi, que en casos severos produce una ceguera funcional. Hemos evaluado las características clínicas y perfil neurofarmacológico en 100 casos consecutivos estudiados en los últimos 9 años en el Hospital Universitario de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La población estuvo compuesta por 69 mujeres y 39 hombres cuyas edades oscilaron entre 29 y 78 años. El 61 por ciento presentó blefaroespasmo mientras que el resto tenía una distonía oromandibular asociada. La gran mayoría comenzó en la 5ta. década y el comienzo fue unilateral en el 12 por ciento pero en todos los casos evolucionó a una forma bilateral. Sólo el 60 por ciento había sido previamente diagnosticado en forma correcta, mientras que en el 40 por ciento restante el diagnóstico se difirió hasta varios años el tratamiento más efectivo fue la infiltración del orbicular de los párpados con toxina botulínica (88 por ciento) seguido por el lisuride en dosis bajas que benefició al 56 por ciento y el trihexifenidilo en el 54.5 por ciento de los tratados. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el cuadro puede ser manejado con éxito luego de hacer un correcto diagnóstico. Las infiltraciones con toxina botulínica debieran ser efectuadas por neurólogos con experiencia en movimientos anormales.