Somatosensory Evoked Potential Changes With a Selective Attention Task

Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) changes associated with selective attention were investigated. In 16 subjects, SEPs were recorded from five locations while they counted electrical stimuli to one of four randomly stimulated fingers. Sequential SEP events measured included peaks P30 (positivity at 30 msec). P45, N60, P100. N140. P190. N230, P400. Counting was associated with greater P45, P100. P190, N230, and P400 amplitudes; effects were not attributable to eye or tongue activity. Analyses designed to reveal changes associated with two conceptualized “channels” (finger class, hand) showed that the P45, P100, and P190 amplitude increases involved both channels. The P400 effect was limited to the target finger. Channel effects for N60 and N140 amplitudes resulted from decreases localized to the unattended element of one channel, suggesting “inhibition.” Latency effects involved mainly the hand channel; counted hand latencies were shorter for P30, P45, P100 and P190. The findings indicate modifications of both early and late electrocortical events with selective attention, and that changes can be of several kinds. They support the view that attention proceeds in more than one stage.     

Transthoracic ultrasonography in diagnosis and treatment of acute pleural empyema

The aim of this study was to estimate validity of transthoracic ultrasonography in diagnosis and evaluation of the results of initial surgical therapy of acute pleural empyema. The study included 49 patients with II stage acute pleural empyema. Initial surgical tretament was indicated according to CT and transthoracic ultrasonography findings. Evaluation of initial therapy results has been made by transthoracic ultrasonography (TUS). Clinical significance of standard x-ray, CT and TUS in different stages of diagnostic and therapeutic procedure has been analyzed. Chest drainage was initial treatment in 10 (20.4%) patients, thoracentesis in 39 (79.6%). Complete cure with this two methods was achieved in 22 (44.9%) patients. In 27 (55.1%) patients initial treatment failed. TUS was sufficient for adequate estimate of initial treatment results in 41 (83.6%). Additional CT was indicated in 8 (16.3%) patients. Transthoracic ultrasonography has impotrant role in choice of initial surgical therapy of acute pleural empyema. If initial estimate of therapy results is made by TUS, CT is rarely necessary.     

Coexistence of Unverricht-Lundborg disease and congenital deafness: Molecular resolution of a complex comorbidity

Purpose :  We report on genetic analysis of a complex condition in a Serbian family of four siblings, wherein two had progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) and congenital deafness (CD), one had isolated congenital deafness (ICD), and one was healthy.
Methods and Results :  Molecular diagnosis performed by Southern blotting confirmed Unverricht-Lundborg disease in the available sibling with PME/CD. In the sibling with ICD (heterozygote for expansion mutation in CSTB ) we demonstrated recombination event between the D21S2040 marker and the CSTB gene and identified c.207delC (p.T70Xfs) mutation in the fourth exon of the transmembrane protease, serine-3 (TMPRSS3) gene (maps in close proximity to CSTB), responsible for nonsyndromic deafness in the sibling with PME/CD as well.
Discussion :  To the best of our knowledge this is the first genetic confirmation of the coexistence of these two mutations.     

Solitary fibrous pleural tumor associated with loss of consciousness due to hypoglycemia

The patient suffered loss of consciousness, dysarthria and right sided hemiparesis. The CT scan and MRI scans were negative. These findings are more in keeping with a diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mild CVA. Hypoglycemia per se does not usually cause hemiparesis. The blood glucose level was low but I am not sure if one can conclude that hypoglycemia caused the above noted neurological signs and symptoms. The authors do not present any data to prove that this patient had “hypoglycemic coma”.