Publications (4)2.31 Total impact
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Article: Benign fasciculations and corticosteroid use: possible association? An update.
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ABSTRACT: Fasciculations are characterized by visible subtle and fast contractions of muscle, even wormlike in movement, by the contraction of a fascicle of muscle fibers. The authors present the case study of a 28-year-old patient with the appearance of migratory and diffuse fasciculations with an onset after partial tapering off of oral corticosteroides (60 mg total dose) indicated for treatment of Minimal change Glomerulopathy. Clinical Neurological physical exam allied with an ENMG, besides other complementary laboratory exams were used for screening the above-mentioned patient. Afterwards, current research relating to the topic at hand was made in order to update the data available in the Bireme, Scielo and PubMed Data Banks using the following key words: Fasciculation's, motor neuron disease, and benign fasciculations in the Portuguese, English as well as Spanish language. Although fasciculation's are most commonly associated with Motor neuron disease as well as with certain metabolic disorders, they may also be present in individuals with absolutely no underlying pathological disorders. In our case, fasciculation potentials that have been present for six months, with no other signs of a neurogenic disorder as well as absence of laboratory findings, the patient received a diagnosis of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS).We believe that the use of corticosteroides in high doses with subsequent tapering contributed to the fasciculation's, especially due to the changes that this causes on the ionic channels. Fasciculation's are symptoms seen in a large range of conditions, and also being the main symptom of the so-called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. We have presented an example of this clinical syndrome in a patient whose complaint was fasciculation's, with complete clinical remission of symptoms following complete tapering off of corticosteroid six months previously.Neurology International 07/2011; 3(2):e11. -
Article: Man-in-the-barrel syndrome, a symmetrical proximal brachial amyotrophic diplegia related to motor neuron diseases: a survey of nine cases.
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ABSTRACT: To report on 9 patients presenting with sporadic motor neuron disease , who over a long period of time evolved with a symmetrical proximal brachial amyotrophic diplegia. Nine patients were followed-up who , displayed, since onset, a progressive limitation of arm flexion/abduction resulting in a peculiar posture with both hands hanging loosely beside the trunk. Electrophysiological test results were consistent with lower motor neuron disease. Cervical MRI was performed in all patients. Nine male subjects with ages ranging from 38 to 73 years at onset of symptoms, developed bilateral and symmetric paresis and atrophy of upper limb muscles. Proximal muscles were more involved than the distal groups. In most patients tendon reflexes were absent or hypoactive in the upper limbs. Needle electromyography (EMG) revealed positive sharp waves and fibrillations and high amplitude polyphasic potentials with an incomplete recruitment pattern in most upper limb muscles. EMG of lower limb muscles was normal in some cases while abnormal in others. MRC did not disclose cervical spinal cord abnormalities from C5-T1. Attention is called to the Man-in-the-Barrel syndrome in some motor neuron diseases, especially in patients with progressive spinal atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira 55(6):712-5. · 0.77 Impact Factor -
Article: [Diffuse cerebral calcifications in patients with secondary hypoparathyroidism].
Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira 54(6):487-8. · 0.77 Impact Factor -
Article: [Giant hydrosyringomyelia in a patient with Chiari syndrome ].
Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira 53(6):485. · 0.77 Impact Factor