The relationship between psychopathology and speech and language disorders in neurologic patients

Depression, anxiety, and conversion reaction are common in neurologic patients. These disorders can produce neurologic-like symptoms that either mask or intensify those produced by the neurologic disease. This paper reviews clinical and research findings relating psychopathology to the formation and remediation of speech and language disorders in neurologic patients. The need to consider the psychosocial and psychopathological aspects of neurologic communicative disorders, and the link between emotional and communicative processes, are emphasized. Diagnostic criteria for the identification of psychogenic communicative disorders are outlined.     

Management of neurologic disorders of the larynx

OBJECTIVES: I review the literature on management of neurologic disorders of the larynx. METHODS: I reviewed the literature on laryngeal physiology, clinical evaluation of laryngeal function, and the clinical presentation and treatment of neurologic disorders that frequently affect the larynx. RESULTS: Laryngeal function is complex, as this organ is important in breathing, speech, and swallowing. Coordination of these roles is very susceptible to disruption by neurologic disorders. Diagnosis of neurologic disease is primarily based on history and physical examination; however, the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction is frequently overlooked, because the larynx is not easily accessible to examination by non-otolaryngologists. Evaluation of laryngeal function includes listening to the voice, systematic observation of the larynx during speech and nonspeech tasks, and, sometimes, ancillary tests. Neurologic disorders that affect laryngeal function include Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and dystonia. The otolaryngologist can sometimes provide treatment to specifically improve symptoms of laryngeal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Otolaryngology consultation is important in the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders that affect laryngeal function. The otolaryngologist should be able to perform a systematic evaluation of laryngeal and pharyngeal function, and should be aware of the clinical presentation of neurologic disorders that affect the larynx.     

Carotid artery rupture. Management and prevention of delayed neurologic sequelae with low-dose heparin

Carotid artery ligation, whether elective or an emergency, is an operation that most head and neck surgeons do with some trepidation because of the possible neurologic consequences. Of 440 major head and neck operations for cancer in which the carotid artery was exposed, 20 (4.5%) patients suffered a carotid rupture or had the vessel ligated just prior to rupture. We describe the typical patient and his management. Of these 20 patients, five died as a direct result of rupture or ligation, ten survived rupture and/or ligation with neurologic sequelae, and five survived rupture and/or ligation without neurologica sequelae. Of the ten patients with neurologic problems, four had immediate strokes, and six had delayed strokes, ie, these occurred greater than eight hours after ligation. Seven patients who required carotid artery ligation, separate from the previously mentioned group, received 5,000 units of heparin sodium subcutaneously every 12 hours in a prospective study. Of these seven patients, one died immediately postoperatively, and six survived without any neurologic sequelae. We discuss the cause of delayed neurologic problems and the rationale for the use of low-dose heparin.     

Management of carotid artery invasion in advanced malignancies of head and neck comparison of techniques

The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate a single institution's experience with carotid artery resection performed as part of an oncological procedure and to determine acute and convalescent complication and survival rates. We performed a record review of 28 patients with head and neck malignancy invading the carotid artery. Immediate carotid artery resection and ligation on an emergent basis was performed on 12 patients (group 1), elective resection and ligation was performed on 8 patients (group 2), and elective resection and revascularization was performed on 8 patients (group 3). In group 1, although 1 patient survived for 1 year and 1 patient survived for 2 years, 1 patient died of severe neurologic deficit, 2 patients experienced neurologic deficit with good recovery, and 1 patient was moderately disabled. In group 2, 2 patients survived without disease for 5 years, and 2 patients experienced neurologic deficit, 1 with good recovery and the other with complete recovery. In group 3, only 1 patient survived for 5 years, and within this group, 1 patient died of severe neurologic deficit, 1 patient had neurologic deficit with moderate recovery, and 1 patient had neurologic deficit with complete recovery. No significant difference in mortality and morbidity rate was observed between the "resection and ligation" group and the "resection and revascularization" group (p = .52, chi(2) = 0.79). We conclude that the surgical treatment of patients with an invaded carotid artery, including carotid resection, provides a small but real chance of 5-year survival. The methods of carotid resection and repair should be guided by clinical presentation and by preoperative and intraoperative investigations.     

Chiari malformations: An important cause of pediatric aspiration

Chronic aspiration poses a major health risk to the pediatric population. We describe four cases in which work up for chronic aspiration with a brain MRI revealed a Chiari I malformation, a poorly described etiology of pediatric aspiration. All patients had at least one non-specific neurologic symptom but had swallow studies more characteristic of an anatomic than a neurologic etiology. Patients were referred to neurosurgery and underwent posterior fossa decompression with symptom improvement. A high index of suspicion for Chiari malformation should be maintained when the standard work up for aspiration is non-diagnostic, particularly when non-specific neurologic symptoms are present.     

Hearing and neurologic impairment: insult timing indicated by primary tooth enamel defects

The association between hearing loss, neurologic impairment, and primary tooth enamel defects was examined in a group of 88 children presenting for hearing evaluation at a tertiary care children's hospital. Forty-one had classifiable enamel defects, reflecting the time and duration of prenatal or perinatal insult. Hearing loss was more prevalent and severe in 19 children with enamel defects of the incisal tooth edge (mean = 61 dB) reflecting a systemic insult at 14 to 16 weeks gestation, than in 7 children with cervical third tooth defects (mean = 23 dB) reflecting insult near term (X2 = 4.08; p less than 0.05). Audiometric findings among the 15 children with incisor defects of the middle third varied; 7 had significant hearing loss and 8 were normal. A correlation was observed between severity of hearing loss (in dB) and estimated time of systemic insult (in weeks gestational age) determined by tooth defect site (r = -0.48; p less than 0.01). The neurologic data revealed similar trends. The group with early systemic insults more frequently had moderate or severe neurologic deficits known to originate early in fetal development. The two groups with third trimester or term insults tended to have mild or no neurologic impairment. A differential susceptibility for developing auditory and neurologic structures based on insult timing is supported.     

Quality-of-life impact of non-neoplastic voice disorders: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: We undertook to explore the relationship between non-neoplastic voice disorders and patients' quality of life. METHODS: A PubMed search (1966 to 2003) for the terms Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), voice disorders, voice quality, treatment outcome, voice outcome, quality of life, and questionnaires was performed. Raw data were obtained whenever possible. Studies were analyzed by meta-analysis techniques. RESULTS: Of 54 VHI studies identified, 11 were excluded, and of 21 SF-36 studies, 7 were excluded for incomplete data, non-English language, measuring malignant disease, or duplicate publication. Patients with neurologic and inflammatory or traumatic laryngeal disease had worse VHI scores than controls, and those with neurologic laryngeal disease had the most severe impairment (p < .001, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance; p < .05, Dunn's method of multiple comparisons). Those with neurologic laryngeal disease had worse SF-36 subdomain scores than did controls in 6 of 8 subdomains (p < .03, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance; p < .05, Dunn's method of multiple comparisons). Both patients with neurologic disease and patients with inflammatory or traumatic laryngeal disorders had changes in SF-36 subdomains similar to those of patients with other chronic disease states. CONCLUSIONS: Non-neoplastic voice disorders adversely impact patients' voice-related and general quality of life, and neurologic voice disorders have the greatest impact.     

Bilateral sudden profound hearing loss and vertigo as a unique manifestation of bilateral symmetric inferior pontine infarctions

OBJECTIVES: We present a case of sudden bilateral profound deafness and vertigo, without any accompanying neurologic signs, secondary to bilateral infarctions of the cochlear and vestibular nuclei. METHODS: Vertigo, vomiting, tinnitus, and bilateral profound deafness suddenly developed in a 65-year-old woman without any accompanying neurologic signs. In particular, she did not present dysarthria, numbness, cranial nerve palsies, or visual or cerebellar signs. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed 2 fresh infarctions of 8 to 10 mm symmetrically localized in the posterolateral bulbopontine junction. Angiography revealed a complete occlusion of the basilar artery, with a well-represented backward flow of its distal portion from the carotid artery via posterior communicating arteries. Excluding a transient ischemic attack that occurred 16 days after the acute episode, the patient had had no other neurologic events at 8 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Acute vertigo and sudden deafness in a patient with known cerebrovascular occlusive disease may represent the warning signs of an impending brain stem or cerebellar infarction, even when other neurologic signs are absent. These events are fortunately very rare, but should be considered by clinicians who see patients with vertigo.     

Management of carotid artery rupture by monitored endovascular therapeutic occlusion (1988-1994)

The reported mortality (40%) and neurologic morbidity (25%) rates for carotid rupture remain unacceptably high. This study was conducted to assess the impact of endovascular detachable balloon occlusion and the changing characteristics of carotid rupture in head and neck surgery. Between January 1, 1988, and June 30, 1994, 18 carotid ruptures were identified in 15 patients. Etiologic factors included radical surgery, radiation therapy, wound complications, and recurrent or persistent carcinoma. In 15 of 18 instances of carotid rupture, patients survived without major neurologic sequelae. After the introduction of endovascular techniques in 1991, the 12 patients whose hemorrhage was definitively managed through permanent balloon occlusion survived without significant neurologic sequelae. Endovascular occlusion techniques in the monitored patient may significantly improve the outcome after carotid rupture.     

Cranial nerve involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: response to radiotherapy and its clinical impact

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cranial nerve (CN) palsy associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), we studied factors that influenced the neurologic outcome of radiotherapy (RT), and the patterns and time course of neurologic recovery of CN palsy. METHODS: Between July 1987 and July 1989, 93 patients who presented with CN palsy at the time of diagnosis of NPC were studied. All patients underwent external-beam RT with either cobalt-60 or 6-MV photon beams to a dose of 69 to 84 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction. The time course and pattern of neurologic recovery (complete, partial, or none) from CN palsy were evaluated. Age, sex, stage, histology, incidence and distribution of types of CNs involved, duration of CN palsy, and time course of tumor response during RT were correlated with the patterns and the time course of neurologic CN recovery by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The cases of CN palsy most commonly involved CN V (38%), CN VI (26%), and CN XII (11%), which accounted for the majority of the cases (75%). The time course of CN recovery was variable and protracted. Most patients showed significant improvement upon completion of RT (51%, 19%, and 30% complete, partial, and no recovery, respectively) and further improvement 6 months after RT (58%, 17%, and 25%, respectively). Cranial nerves V, VI, and XII accounted for 75% of cases with no recovery. Recovery was best for CNs II, IX, and XI and the sympathetic nerve (100%, 87%, 100%, and 100%, respectively) and worst for CNs IV, VII, and XII (67%, 60%, and 40%, respectively, with no recovery). Neurologic CN recovery correlated significantly with the pretherapy duration (<3 months versus > or =3 months) of CN palsy (88% versus 62%; p = .002, multivariate analysis), the time course of clinical tumor regression, and neurologic symptom improvement during RT. Age, sex, T stage, N stage, histology, anterior versus posterior CN palsies, and base of skull involvement were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: According to our limited data, most patients with CN palsy respond well to RT. That the time course of neurologic recovery is variable and can be protracted indicates a need for continuous and close neurologic surveillance. The poorer neurologic outcome associated with a longer duration of CN symptoms may be related to a more severe longterm CN compression that results in irreversible damage. Timely diagnosis of NPC and fast institution of therapy are therefore critical to improving the neurologic outcome.     

Brainstem hemorrhage presented as audiovestibular syndromes

Brainstem hemorrhage usually presented with acute multiple neurologic dysfunction, and the prognosis was poor. Rarely, it can manifest with audiovestibular symptoms only. Here, we report a case of brainstem hemorrhage involving the right middle cerebellar peduncle and dorsal lateral pons presented with constant nonpulsatile tinnitus and rotatory vertigo. We believed that rotatory nystagmus should be regarded as a central sign until proven otherwise even if the neurologic signs are subtle.     

Internal carotid artery thrombosis following soft palate injuries: A case report and review of 16 cases

Sixteen cases with soft palate lacerations and neurologic sequelae secondary to internal carotid artery injury are presented and reviewed. In all 16 cases, it is probable that blunt trauma to the internal carotid artery produced an intimal tear causing an intraluminal thrombus to form. Within 48 hours of injury all patients demonstrated varying degrees of neurologic deficit with 5 deaths. This article recommends the following treatment protocol for these cases: 1. admission for 48 hours observation; 2. early ultrasound or angiography at first sign of neurologic changes; 3. immediate anticoagulation if internal carotid artery occlusion is discovered; 4. surgery is usually inappropriate as the thrombus presents in the inaccessible skull base or may embolize during attempted removal. The present case represents the result of this formulated treatment protocol.     

A neurologic etiology for tracheomalacia?

To date, major works on tracheomalacia have assumed a structural etiology and have proposed therapies as such. We describe a possible neurologic etiology for tracheomalacia in a child with clinically significant tracheomalacia that resolved in synchrony with each treatment of his recurring hydrocephalus. Endoscopy confirms remarkable expansion of tracheal diameter 7 days after decreasing intracranial pressure. The possibility of a neurologic etiology for tracheomalacia casts this condition in a new light with potential therapeutic implications.     

A comparison of benign positional vertigo and stroke patients presenting to the emergency department with vertigo or dizziness

PurposeTo compare imaging utilization between patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with vertigo and dizziness (VDS) who are diagnosed with stroke and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).MethodsAll patients presenting to the ED with VDS (January 2014–June 2018) were identified. Those with a discharge diagnosis of stroke and BPPV were analyzed.Results17,884 patients presented to with VDS. 452 were diagnosed with BPPV and 174 with acute stroke. 55.7% of stroke patients had at least one neurologic symptom beyond VDS, 63.8% had a positive neurologic exam, and 80.5% had either; 90.2% had at least one stroke risk factor (RF). 42.0% of BPPV patients received imaging, of which 24.7% had neurologic symptoms beyond VDS, 16.3% had neurologic exam findings, and 34.2% had either (P < 0.001, as compared to stroke). 43 patients (22.6%) lacked neurologic symptoms, exam findings, and stroke RFs; 40 had an adequate HINTS (head impulse, nystagmus, skew) exam. The most common imaging modality received by BPPV patients was plain CT Head (54.2%), followed by CT/CTA (43.7%), and MRI brain (26.3%). CT head was the initial imaging of choice in 44.7% and CT/CTA in 42.6%.ConclusionsImaging utilization in BPPV patients presenting with VDS is high. The profile of patients with BPPV that received imaging was substantially more benign than that of stroke patients (a quarter had no neurologic symptoms, exam findings, or stroke RFs). The HINTS exam was underutilized, and computed tomography was heavily utilized despite well-established limitations in diagnosing posterior circulation strokes. This study highlights the need for increased training in the HINTS exam, narrowing of the scope for computed tomography, and a higher threshold for imaging patients with isolated VDS.     

Development of laryngeal function: etiologic significance in the sudden infant death syndrome

Recent clinical evidence implicates transient upper airway obstruction as a cause of potentially fatal cardiorespiratory disturbances. This investigation identifies age-related neurologic mechanisms which may be pertinent to the production of abnormal laryngeal closure as a possible cause of unexpected infant death. A period of transient laryngeal hyper-excitability is identified in pups 50--75 days post-natally. The mechanism of the hyper-excitable state resulting in increased risk of laryngeal spasm, appears related to: 1. the completion of central synaptic maturation: 2. transient reduction in central latency; and 3. a reduction in central inhibition. Such observations provide clues to neurologic vulnerability occurring not immediately after birth, but during a discrete time period thereafter, prior to complete neurologic maturation. As such, these observations fulfill a criterion of utmost importance in the search for etiologic significance in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and, in a broad sense, support the concept of selective maturational failure as a possible cause for age-dependent, unexpected infant death.     

Ipsilateral beating nystagmus after acoustic schwannoma resection

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the alert value of an ipsilateral beating nystagmus to detect any potential vascular complication in the early postoperative course of acoustic schwannoma (AS) surgery. METHODS: In a series of 432 cases of AS operated by the same surgeons between January 1991 and December 2000, two cases of vascular complications were detected by an ipsilateral beating nystagmus toward the operated side. RESULTS: One case of arterial infarction giving rise to a partial AICA syndrome and one case of hematoma of the cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) were revealed by an ipsilateral beating nystagmus. It was the first or the only objective neurologic sign encountered in the early postoperative course of AS surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An ipsilateral beating nystagmus after AS resection, even appearing as the only abnormal objective neurologic finding, should always raise suspicion of a brain stem event. Early extubation is recommended for systematic neurologic assessment in order to detect as quickly as possible any potential vascular complication in the early postoperative course of AS.     

Intracranial complications of sinusitis in children and adolescents and their outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into patterns of presentation, imaging, microbiological aspects, therapy, disease course, and outcome of intracranial complications of sinusitis (ICS), which are challenging conditions with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with ICS in children and adolescents. DESIGN: Consecutive case series with a mean follow-up of 12 months. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric referral center. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 25 children and adolescents treated for 35 intracranial complications (mean age, 13.2 years [range, 4-18 years]). INTERVENTIONS: Medical and surgical management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and temporary and permanent neurologic sequelae. RESULTS: Most patients were adolescents (n = 19; 76%) and male (n = 19; 76%). Epidural abscess was most common (13 complications), followed by subdural empyema (n = 9), meningitis (n = 6), encephalitis (n = 2), intracerebral abscess (n = 2), and dural sinus thrombophlebitis (n = 2). Abscesses were primarily located in the frontal or frontoparietal regions. Magnetic resonance imaging was extensively used and was superior to contrast computed tomography in diagnosis. All patients received intravenous antibiotics, 21 underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, and 13 underwent neurosurgical drainage. Only 1 death occurred from sepsis secondary to meningitis (mortality, 4%). Overall, neurologic outcome was excellent. Although 10 patients (40%) had neurologic deficits, most resolved within 2 months. Only 2 patients had permanent neurologic sequelae. Among ICS, epidural abscess appeared to be a distinct clinical entity. Epidural abscesses typically presented without specific neurologic symptoms or signs, were more often associated with orbital complications, and had outcomes considerably better than the other ICS. CONCLUSION: Intracranial complications of sinusitis are challenging, but prognosis can be favorable in children and adolescents by using aggressive medical and surgical management.     

Painful ophthalmoplegia. The Tolusa-Hunt syndrome

A 36-year-old man had the Tolusa-Hunt syndrome, an unusual cause of painful ophthalmoplegia with a neurologic deficit that may not be distinguishable from the many other disease processes that involve the orbital apex. Diagnosis was made by excluding the other causes, and there was a prompt response to high-dose steroid therapy, which prevents or minimizes any permanent neurologic deficit. Because of this and the fact that the otolaryngologist is often involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the many causes of painful ophthalmoplegia, it is important to be aware of this syndrome.     

Treatment of patients with spinal metastases from head and neck neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Spinal metastases are uncommon in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Treatment strategies in this patient group have not been defined. Although it has been established that neurologic dysfunction in patients with spinal metastases and cord compression constitutes an oncologic emergency, the role of surgical treatment remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the treatment options in patients with head and neck cancer who develop spinal metastases. METHODS: The clinical course of patients seen at our institution with head and neck neoplasms and spinal metastases from January 1992 to January 2000 was reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified. Nine developed spinal metastases more than 3 months after the diagnosis of advanced head and neck cancer. The other 2 presented with synchronous spinal involvement and skull base neoplasms. Patients without neurologic symptoms were offered intravenous steroids and palliative radiation. Patients with neurologic symptoms were treated with either intravenous steroids and radiation or surgical decompression and spinal fusion. In 1 patient, no improvement occurred within the first 2 days of radiotherapy, and the patient underwent surgical decompression. Patients with an unstable spine underwent surgical decompression and spinal fusion. Patients with a life expectancy of more than 6 months and neurologic symptoms were offered surgical therapy. In the 9 patients with advanced cancer, the average survival time was 3 months. Two of these patients have survived longer than 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that surgical decompression is a viable, justifiable option for selected patients with advanced head and neck cancer and spinal cord compression. Furthermore, we recommend surgical decompression as a first option in patients with an unstable bony spine and/or in whom survival is expected to be longer than 6 months. Finally, we propose a patient management algorithm in these cases.     

Management of the carotid artery at the skull base

PURPOSE: To determine appropriate management of benign lesions with significant involvement of the carotid artery at the skull base and present an algorithm for safe treatment of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1982 to 1999, 115 patients with significant parapharyngeal space masses were treated at our institution. Of these patients, 43 had lesions involving the carotid artery at the skull base and served as the basis for this study. All patients underwent preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine carotid involvement, and all had preoperative 4-vessel arteriograms and carotid occlusion tests with continuous electroencephalography or neurologic examination monitoring to predict safety of carotid sacrifice. RESULTS: Of 43 patients, 41 passed carotid occlusion testing and were treated surgically. Of these patients, 33 (81%) underwent resection of their lesions with preservation of the internal carotid artery, 5 (12%) had resection with bypass or reconstruction of the artery, and 3 (7%) had en bloc resections without artery reconstruction. There were no transient or permanent neurologic sequelae in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: When carotid artery encasement occurs in the setting of benign lesions at the skull base, safe resection with vascular preservation is possible in most cases. If carotid artery resection is necessary, vascular bypass or reconstruction is recommended to minimize neurologic morbidity.