Clinical Neuroscience - 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Reoperation of recurrent supratentorial lobar gliomas (astrocytoma, glioblastoma)]

ÁFRA Dénes, SIPOS László

[Hundred-nine patients with recurrent supratentorial gliomas were reoperated during the last 15 years at the National Institute of Neurosurgery, Budapest. The patients were grouped according to the WHO classification based on the first histology. Fifty patients with low grade (A 2), 30 with anaplastic astrocytoma (A 3) and 29 with glioblastoma multiforme (GM) were reoperated on. Nine patients with low grade astrocytoma were irradiated following the first operation. They survived 5 to 14 months (median value 7 months). Those 22 patients who were irradiated after the reoperation survived longer despite the malignant tranformation of their tumour. The median survival time was 24 months. Twenty-four patients with anaplastic astrocytoma received radiotherapy after the first operation in a total dose from 50 to 60 Gy. Six patients did not give their consent. The median survival after the second operation was 5.5 months. Four patients also received chemotherapy and 1 of them is still alive 4 years after the reoperation. Out of the 29 patients operated on with glioblastoma 20 were irradiated. The median survival after the reoperation was 3 months, and only a few patients lived longer than 6 months. Chemotherapy itself did not influence the survival time significantly in either group. The survival time was influenced significantly by the first histology. Radiotherapy after the reoperation prolonged the survival time significantly, especially in the group of patients with primary low grade astrocytoma. Reoperation of patients with malignant astrocytoma who were irradiated immediately after the first operation extended the survival time slightly.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Comparative human immunohistochemical investigations of peptidergic innervation of embryonal and adult cerebral blood vessels]

BÜKI András, DÓCZI Tamás, HORVÁTH Zoltán, FÜRTÖS András

[Peptidergic fibres innervating human embryonic and adult cerebral blood vessels were screened for calcitonine gene-related peptide, neuropeptide-Y and substance-P immunopositive fibres, the mediaadventitia border displayed a network-like fibre arrange ment. There was no significant difference either in the distribution of the individual peptidergic fibres or in the age-dependent appearance of peptidergic networks. On the basis of these results it seems to be unlikely that the different clinical course of juvenile and adult subarachnoid haemorrhages could be the result of an age specific difference of peptidergic fibre distribution influencing the neurogenic mecha nisms of cerebral autoregulation.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Statistical evaluation and pathological significance of the incidence of corpus amylaceum]

LEEL-ŐSSY Lóránt

[Objective: Semiquantitative evaluation of the corpus amylaceum (polyglucosan body) was carried out by a method reported before on a 1407 autopsy - partly biopsy - material. Design: The present report contains the data of the occurrence of corpus amylaceum in different disease groups demonstrated in tables expressed in numbers and percentage evaluated by homogenity examination. Setting: The manifold neuropathological examination enabled the reaching of some implications of clinical significance too. Material and method: The material involved a great number of cases not reported before. The cases were classified according to their ages and different diseases as well as a new grading system of quantitative evaluation of the frequency of corpus amylaceum in various localizations. Main outcome measures: The most important aspects were the examination of the predilection sites, the elucidation of the development of corpus amylaceum and occurrence in different conditions and diseases. Results: The method and examination permitted drawing conclusions as follows: 1. The chronic, recurring vascular-barriere disturbances appeared significant in the formation of corpus amylaceum. - 2. There was not an expressive difference between the ischemic and hemorrhagic vascular diseases considering the number of corpus amylaceum nor did more corpus amylaceum occur in Alzheimer's disease than in aged. - 3. Greater amount of corpus amylaceum may be found in some spinal cord lesions. – 4. The formation of corpus amylaceum was not observed in the regions of astrocytic gliosis (e.g. postraumatic) or in astrocytomas. This finding needs further study. - 5. The linear correlation between age and the increased quantity of corpus amylaceum may also be proved statistically. Conclusions: It deserves particular attention that more mechanisms may play a role in the formation of corpus amylaceum such as the insufficiency of astrocytes in the utilization of glucose which may be associated with accumulation of some carbohydrate polymers and glycogen. The increased volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the predilection sites is also an important factor. The spinal cord proved to be a prominent predilection site, where the great amount of corpus amylaceum occurred in some diseases which may be explained by the increased quantity of stress proteins. The final conclusion is that the corpus amylaceum has a pathog nostic significance, but it has a tendency for higher occurrence in some conditions.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Progressive myoclonus epilepsy - A review and case histories]

JANSZKY József, HALÁSZ Péter, PERÉNYI József, SISKA Éva, RÁSONYI György

[Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) syndrome is a heterogeneous entity underlain by rare genetic diseases. The most frequent origins of progressive myoclonus epilepsy are: Unverricht-Lundborg disease, Lafora's disease, ceroid lipofuscinosis, MERRF (myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers) and sialidosis. Action myoclonic jerks, epileptic seizures, mental deterioration, neurological impairments are the four main symptoms of PME syndrome. Nowadays in more and more cases a causal diagnosis is possible in the PME syndrome. In this paper clinical data and findings of our 10 outpatients suffering from PME were analysed retrospectively. Electrophysiological, neuroimaging and histological examinations were performed. On the basis of the findings of the 10 patients 6 suffered from Unverricht-Lundborg disease, 1 from Lafora disease and 1 from MERRF In 2 patients we were not able to find specific diagnosis. Among our patients gypsy nationality occurs in a relatively large proportion and we know of more gypsy PME cases under care of other centres. It may raise the question whether Hungarian gypsies suffer from PME more frequently. This paper - to our knowledge – is the first study dealing with a group of PME cases in Hungary.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Moyamoya disease with partial epilepsy and cerebral infarct in early childhood]

NEMES András, LAZÁNYI Zoltán, NAGY István

[An 8-month-old infant with initial partial epileptic seizure is described in whose case moyamoya disease and a form of infarct were established. In connection with the case the possible reasons for the pathological picture, clinical characteristics and diagnosis are detailed. Attention is called to the fact that stroke can be considered as a possible etiological factor while clarifying the etiology of a partial epileptic seizure in infancy.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Recent data for the pathobiochemistry of tension-type headache]

TAJTI János, SZOK Délia, VÉCSEI László

[The most prevalent of the independent headache disorders (30%) is tension-type headache (other types: migraine 4-10%, cluster 0.04-2.4%). These patients represent 50-90% of the patients in the "Headache Outpatient Clinics". This justifies a review of the latest biochemical data aimed at elucidating the pathomechanism of the disease. According to the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS), two main forms of tension-type headache are distinguished. Tension-type episodic headache: fewer than 15 attacks per month, but at least 10 attacks lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days. Typically, they are pressing, tight, but not throbbing. Mild to moderate pain, bilateral, around the temples or forehead, pan-like, not increasing with normal physical activity, not accompanied by photophobia or phonophobia. Chronic tension-type headache: more than 15 attacks of headache per month, lasting all day and with features similar to the episodic form, for at least 6 months. In this summary, we first present the main experimental findings and then the conclusions that can be drawn from them. ]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Hungarian Society of Neurologists and Mental Physicians SZOTE neurological clinical round table]

[Multiple sclerosis. A review of the patient records of the Multiple Sclerosis Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Neurology, SZOTE. Tolperisone in the management of multiple sclerosis symptoms. Use of megadose steroid therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Experience with beta-interferon treatment. CSF protein analysis in multiple sclerosis. Some redox systems in human cerebrospinal fluid.]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Hungarian Society of EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology Electroencephalograph and Electrodiagnostics (clinical neurologist)]

[The board of the Hungarian Society of EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology considered the situation and quality of EEG, EP, EMG and ENG testing and interpretation in Hungary to be very uneven and inadequate overall. Although modern, expensive equipment has been purchased in many places, they are unable to exploit its potential due to a lack of knowledge. The national standard of detection is below the minimum expected that is necessary today. The main reason for this shortfall is therefore not the lack of financial resources, but the fact that electrophysiological diagnosis in Hungary is not linked to a mandatory and officially recognised qualification (medical qualification). This has led to an unjustified loss of electrophysiological methods, which is to the detriment of the clinician and patients. The management of the Society has therefore decided not to make any substantial changes to the existing, officially recognised forms of electrophysiological training in Hungary (the two qualifications in the title), but to renew the content and to develop and make the possibilities and conditions widely known for obtaining these two qualifications. The Committee's long-term objective is to ensure that, as with other instrumental examinations, only suitably qualified persons can carry out the diagnosis, so that the quality of electrophysiology services can be improved for the benefit of all. The electroencephalography qualification covers traditional EEG, newer EEG techniques, visual, auditory and cognitive evoked responses, i.e. procedures primarily for the study of the central nervous system. Electrodiagnostics (clinical neurology) encompasses somatosensory evoked responses, EMG, ENG and MEP, i.e. procedures aimed (more specifically) at investigating the peripheral nervous system. The maintenance of the qualification system is the responsibility of the Committee's management. It includes the reassessment of the curricula of the two qualifications every five years, renewing them as necessary, reassessing the accreditation of each laboratory, monitoring and modifying as necessary the teaching and examination in accredited laboratories, and keeping a register of those who have obtained the qualifications. ]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 20, 1997

[Impact of the Operation of the Imaging Diagnostic Center of the Hungarian Society of Neurosurgeons on Inpatient and Outpatient Neurosurgery]

RIDEG Lászlóné, DÓCZI Tamás, KÖVÉR Ferenc, VADON Gábor

[One of the main tasks of health care management is to improve economic efficiency. To achieve this, it is essential, among other things, to assess the capacity of institutions, examine their utilisation, analyse their development potential and the factors that play a role in this. This analysis is complex, both because of the complexity of the circumstances and because of the diversity of interests involved, and strategic conclusions can only be drawn from an analysis of the function of a transparent system. The aim of the present study is to analyse the impact of modern imaging diagnostics on the therapeutic activity of a clinic; by comparing some easily measurable clinical care and examination data, it attempts to provide criteria for judging its economy, efficiency and utility. ]

HUN 1997;50(03-04)