Drug-induced parkinsonism: diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction: Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is one of the most common iatrogenic movement disorders. It is characterized by tremors, slowness of movement, and shuffling gait with postural instability, clinically indistinguishable from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Prior exposure to antipsychotic medications or other dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs) is required for the diagnosis.

Enhanced Learning and Memory in Patients with Retinopathy.

Unlabelled: Mutations in the gene are associated with a diverse spectrum of retinopathies with phenotypic variability causing severe visual impairment. The gene has a role in retinal development and is expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, but its role in cognition has not been described before. This study compares cognitive function in retinopathy individuals with subjects with other retinopathies and the normal population.

Intracortical Inhibition and Surround Inhibition in the Motor Cortex: A TMS-EEG Study.

Background: Short-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI) and motor surround inhibition (mSI) are cortical phenomena that have been investigated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). mSI is believed to be necessary for the execution of fine finger movements, SICI may participate in mSI genesis, and however, the mechanisms underlying both mSI and SICI are not entirely clear.

Objective: We explored the cortical physiology of SICI and mSI in healthy subjects by TMS-evoked cortical potentials (TEPs).

Fully quantitative pixel-wise analysis of cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion improves discrimination of dark rim artifact from perfusion defects associated with epicardial coronary stenosis.

Background: Dark rim artifacts in first-pass cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion images can mimic perfusion defects and affect diagnostic accuracy for coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated whether quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) can differentiate dark rim artifacts from true perfusion defects in CMR perfusion.

Methods: Regadenoson perfusion CMR was performed at 1.

Diagnostic Performance of Fully Automated Pixel-Wise Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Imaging by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

Objectives: The authors developed a fully automated framework to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) from contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion imaging and evaluated its diagnostic performance in patients.

Background: Fully quantitative CMR perfusion pixel maps were previously validated with microsphere MBF measurements and showed potential in clinical applications, but the methods required laborious manual processes and were excessively time-consuming.

Methods: CMR perfusion imaging was performed on 80 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and 17 healthy volunteers.

Optimizing memory function in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Purpose: The study aimed to assess whether engagement in a memory training programme and performing internet brain training exercises improve memory function in people with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: Seventy-seven people with TLE, complaining of memory difficulties, completed the study. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 67 years and 40 had left TLE.

Quantitative pixel-wise measurement of myocardial blood flow: the impact of surface coil-related field inhomogeneity and a comparison of methods for its correction.

Background: Surface coil-related field inhomogeneity potentially confounds pixel-wise quantitative analysis of perfusion CMR images. This study assessed the effect of surface coil-related field inhomogeneity on the spatial variation of pixel-wise myocardial blood flow (MBF), and assessed its impact on the ability of MBF quantification to differentiate ischaemic from remote coronary territories. Two surface coil intensity correction (SCIC) techniques were evaluated: 1) a proton density-based technique (PD-SCIC) and; 2) a saturation recovery steady-state free precession-based technique (SSFP-SCIC).

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): more about NPH by a physician who is the patient.

The incidence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is seen to be relatively rare, ie about two per million inhabitants per year. Five studies on the prevalence of INPH in elderly patients, from three countries, have been published between 1985 and 2009.1-5 Prevalence ranged from 0.

Consensus recommendations on the use of an erbium-doped 1,550-nm fractionated laser and its applications in dermatologic laser surgery.

Background: Nonablative fractional photothermolysis has revolutionized the way we treat a number of common skin conditions with laser technology.

Objective: A comprehensive guide is needed for clinicians using this technology to treat specific skin conditions in various skin types.

Materials And Methods: Recommendations were made from a recent round table discussion among experienced physicians and a review of recent literature findings.

What do physicians know about normal pressure hydrocephalus and when did they know it? A survey of 284 physicians.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a relatively new neurologic disorder first described by Salamon Hakim of Bogotá, Colombia, in 1965. NPH is characterized by three symptoms - impaired gait, incontinence and dementia - and an anatomic abnormality, i.e.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus: a case report by a physician who is the patient.

This report describes the case of an elderly physician who endured a slowly progressive, ambulatory illness, which was erroneously diagnosed as Parkinson's disease. After ten years of progressive illness the correct diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) was finally made, revealing itself, by accident, through incontinence and mild dementia. The patient-physician enjoyed an instantaneous remission induced by a large lumbar puncture (LP) sustained by a ventriculosystemic shunt.

Portosystemic myelopathy: spastic paraparesis after portosystemic shunting.

Portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE) is a well-known, common complication of portal hypertension. It is thought to be caused by nitrogenous substances such as ammonia, which are normally cleared from the blood stream by the liver. In cirrhosis and other hepatic disorders with portosystemic shunting (PSS)-- either surgical portosystemic anastomoses (PSA) or spontaneous PSS-- the collateral vessels bypass the liver allowing the accumulation of toxic, ammoniacal substances in the blood and tissues.

Propranolol for the prevention of first esophageal variceal hemorrhage: a lifetime commitment?

Although beta blockers have had significant impact in the treatment of portal hypertension, the question of how long they should be continued for prevention of variceal hemorrhage remains unknown. Prospective studies on beta blockers to prevent variceal hemorrhage lack long-term follow-up, and indefinite administration of beta blockers for primary prevention of variceal bleeding has become standard practice. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of patients in whom beta blocker therapy was discontinued.

Portal hypertension, varices, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Transjugular intrahepatic protosystemic shunts (TIPS) is the newest and the least invasive method of eradicating varices. This article defines portal hypertension succinctly, describes how it gives rise to varices and their consequences, and briefly reviews the development, short experience with, and current status of TIPS.

Intestinal transplantation for the treatment of desmoid tumors associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Background: Desmoid tumors associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are locally invasive. Often occurring in the mesentery of the intestine, they sometimes recur after resection. Complications can include intestinal failure and dependence on parenteral nutrition.

Hyperammonemia and intracranial hypertension: lying in wait for patients with hepatic disorders?

In the past decade, a dozen patients with acute liver injury, with idiopathic hyperammonemia and intracranial hypertension in the absence of acute liver failure have been reported, as discussed below. If one combines these patients to those with acute liver failure and Reye's syndrome, in both of which cerebral herniation is a common complication, liver disease may be one of the most common causes of cerebral herniation. Indeed, these reports have similarities to the patients of Clemmesen et al.

Prophylactic fluconazole promotes reepithelialization in full-face carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing.

Background And Objective: Laser skin resurfacing is used to treat photodamaged skin, rhytids, and acne scarring. Many patients are placed on antibiotics and antivirals pre- and postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prophylactic fluconazole increased the rate of reepithelialization in patients undergoing full-face CO(2) laser skin resurfacing.

Extensive lower eyelid pigment spread after blepharopigmentation.

Purpose: To report on a complication of blepharopigmentation.

Methods: Case report.

Results: An 81-year-old woman underwent cosmetic tattooing of all four eyelids.

Paralytic ectropion: a complication of malar implant surgery.

The use of the malar implant to augment the malar-zygomatic eminence is rapidly becoming a popular aesthetic procedure; however, this surgery can lead to paralysis or paresis of the facial nerve. Paralytic ectropion may result from orbicularis oculi dysfunction. We report two cases of paralytic ectropion as a result of malar implant placement.