[2 cases of Fahr's disease]. / Dwa przypadki choroby Fahra.

The authors describe two cases of Fahr's disease--idiopathic cerebral calcification.

[Neurological disorders of vitamin B12 deficiency]. / Zaburzenia neurologiczne w niedoborze witaminy B12.

It is almost two hundred years since the description of the first neurological disorders in vitamin B12 deficiency. In spite of that, not all the aspects of the biological effect of the vitamin have been explained. It is well known, that the vitamin performs an important function in organic metabolism and two types of biochemical reactions depend on it. The haematological, gastrological and neurological disorders are the result of deficiency of that vitamin. This article deals with the neurological disorders--subacute degeneration changes of the spinal cord, polyneuropathy and psychical disorders--which accompany vitamin B12 deficiency. It also presents aetiology, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, pathomorphology and it describes the deviations which occur in accessory investigations. The authors pay special attention to the abnormalities which can occur in neurophysiological and imaging examinations made by neurologists. They concentrate on the problems of the differences, especially between multiple sclerosis and subacute degeneration. The article presents the treatment of neurological disorders with regard to different authors' opinions. The importance of the early diagnosis and treatment till regression of pathological symptoms has been particularly stressed.

[Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis or congenital paramyotonia: an attempt of treatment with phenytoin]. / Porazenie okresowe rodzinne czy paramiotonia wrodzona--próba leczenia fenytoina.

Authors describe 2 patients with hyperkalemic period paralysis where positive therapeutic effect was achieved after treatment with phenytoin. They compare the features of paramyotonia congenital with hyperkalemic period paralysis and they think that they are the same disease with different clinical signs.

[Neurologic signs in Addison-Biermer disease (report of 3 cases)]. / Objawy neurologiczne w chorobie Addisona-Biermera, (opis 3 przypadków).

The authors report three patients in whom a neurological syndrome was the first manifestation of Addison-Biermer disease. In the first case a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome was suspected, in two other cases the initial tentative diagnosis was multiple sclerosis. The correct diagnosis was reached after a prolonged diagnostic procedure and after ruling out of other diseases. The course of the disease was very serious in all cases leading to death of one patient despite intensive treatment (postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis). In the second case the neurological syndrome failed to regress completely. The authors stress the necessity of considering this aetiology in neurological syndromes of atypical pattern and course.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to conus medullaris ependymoma]. / Krwotok podpajeczynówkowy spowodowany wysciólczakiem stozka rdzeniowego.

A case of conus medullaris tumour (ependymoma) is reported in which the presenting symptom was subarachnoid haemorrhage, which has left bladder dysfunction. 70-year-old patient was admitted to the Department of Neurology due to symptoms of conus medullaris lesion with retention of urine and diminished pain sensitivity in perianal zona. He had been hospitalized 30 years ago due to vomiting, headache and pain in lumbar region. The cerebrospinal fluid examination confirmed the diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Cerebral angiography failed to show the source of bleeding. Myelography and spinal arteriography showed nor tumour neither vascular malformation. Only MRI examination performed after 30 years following the first symptoms of tumour made possible the correct diagnosis--tumour in vertebral canal at L1-L2 level compressing conus medullaris. Surgical procedure confirmed the diagnosis. Histopathological examination--ependymoma myxopapillare.

[Electromyography monitoring in the treatment of torticollis with botulinum toxin]. / Elektromiografia w monitorowaniu leczenia kreczu karku toksyna botulinowa.

UNLABELLED: The new method of treatment chronic torticollis is injection into affected muscles botulinum's toxin. Some physicians in diagnostic procedure, treatment and monitoring use needle electromyography (nEMG). The aim of our study was the estimation of the value of nEMG in chronic torticollis treatment. We examined 34 patients with chronic torticollis 4 weeks after botulinum's toxin injection into affected muscles. We have been looking for denervations signs in affected muscles. We found denervations signs in 26 patients. In both muscles sterno-cleido-mastoideus and trapezius we found denervations signs in 13 patients, only in sterno-cleido-mastoideus muscles in 9 patients and in 4 patients only in trapezius muscles. 17 patients from this group improved. The overall rate of improvement in this group was 65%. In 8 patient we didn't find any denervation signs but the rate of improvement in this group was extremely high--87%. CONCLUSION: EMG examination doesn't play deciding role in the monitoring of torticollis treatment with botulinum toxin.

[Acute intermittent porphyria: actual problems of clinical and laboratory diagnosis]. / Ostra porfiria przerywana: problemy diagnostyki klinicznej i laboratoryjnej.

On the case of 27 old woman with clinical symptoms of acute abdomen, severe electrolyte disturbances and attacks of grand mal seizures, different clinical masks and actual treatment guidelines of acute intermittent porphyria are presented. Among laboratory methods detecting precursors of hem in the urine, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the most sensitive and specific method is recommended. Proper prophylaxis against new episodes of acute intermittent porphyria as well as long lasting ambulatory care of the patient are emphasized. Special attention should be paid to all close relatives of the patient, who need to be send to specialistic laboratories for exclusion of enzymatic defects of hem synthesis.