The effects of stressful life events on the course of multiple sclerosis: a review.

There is growing body of evidence that support an association between stressful life events and an increased risk for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) exacerbations. However, the nature of this relationship remains unclear, because of the lack of agreement about the definition of stress and/or because of research design problems. This article summarizes the psychological and biological mechanisms by which stress may impact MS progression.

Incidence and clinical presentation of neurosyphilis: a retrospective study of 81 cases.

Aim of the report was the study of the clinical features of neurosyphilis in the last 40 years (1965-2005). The investigation was based on the retrospective review of patients with neurosyphilis hospitalized in our hospital from 1965 to 2005 (period A: 1965-1984 and B: 1985-2005). Eighty one patients with neurosyphilis were studied.

Psychosis as presenting symptom in adult-onset Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome.

Background: Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome is characterized by pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs, and dysarthria and dementia. Psychiatric symptomatology can emerge in the course of the disorder. Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene have been found in many cases.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases in a patient with small-cell lung cancer.

We present the case of a 60-year-old male smoker with gait disturbance, lower limb sensory disturbance, and urinary difficulties of subacute onset and progressive course. He had been diagnosed 10 months earlier with limited stage small-cell lung cancer, had received chemotherapy, thoracic radiotherapy, and prophylactic cranial irradiation, and was in remission on follow-up. Examination revealed bilateral pyramidal tract signs, a T9 sensory level, and loss of vibration and position sense in the lower limbs.

Spinal cord stroke in a ballet dancer.

Fibrocartilaginous embolism of the intervertebral disc represents an uncommon cause of spinal cord infarction. We present the case of a previously healthy 30-year old ballet dancer who noted acute severe neck pain shortly after an intensive training session and developed weakness and numbness of both arms, as well as difficulties in emptying the bladder and bowel. Her clinical presentation and neuroimaging studies including diffusion weighted imaging were consistent with a spinal cord infarction in the anterior spinal territory at the C3-C6 spinal cord level.