Results Of Electrophysiological Examination Research Articles

Clinical features of anti-neurofascin-155 antibody positive autoimmune nodopathy in 6 children

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of anti-neurofascin-155 (NF155) antibody positive autoimmune nodopathy in children. Methods: This was a case series study. A total of 6 children who were diagnosed accurately as anti-NF155 antibody positive autoimmune nodopathy by cell immunofluorescence assay at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected. This study retrospectively analyzed 6 pediatric children's clinical manifestations, laboratory and electrophysiological examination results, and treatment outcomes. Results: Among 6 children with anti-NF155 antibody positive autoimmune nodopathy, there were 4 boys and 2 girls. The onset age of 6 children ranged from 3 years and 8 months to 12 years. All 6 children had extremity weakness (more severe in the distal and the lower extremities than in the upper extremities), 5 children had sensory deficits such as numbness or pain in the extremities, 4 children had tremors and ataxia, 3 children had cranial nerve involvement. Among the 6 children, 4 children had protein-cell separation in cerebrospinal fluid examinations. Among the 6 children, 1 child had central nervous system demyelination, the brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple abnormal signals in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres. Four children showed motor and sensory nerve damage in electrophysiological examination, and 2 children only showed motor nerve damage. Three children showed myelin and axonal damage, and 3 children only showed axonal damage. Among the 6 children, 5 children were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids. Among them, 2 children underwent plasma exchange due to poor efficacy, and subsequently, rituximab was added. There was 1 child changed the treatment with olfatomumab since the symptoms did not significantly improve after using rituximab. After treatment for 4-15 months, 2 children had no clinical symptoms, 1 child had improvement in clinical symptoms, 2 children had no significant improvement in clinical symptoms, and 1 child who did not receive the immunotherapy had no significant change in clinical symptoms. Conclusions: Anti-NF155 antibody positive autoimmune nodopathy in children presents with varying degrees of clinical manifestations. It is mainly characterized by extremity weakness, numbness and pain, often accompanied bytremorsand ataxia. Some pediatric patients may also have central nervous system demyelination. Cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological examination are important auxiliary examination methods. If steroid therapy is not effective, plasma exchange and rituximab treatment should be used as soon as possible.

Correlation and influencing factors of neurophysiological examinations and serum uric acid in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: an exploratory study

Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation and influencing factors between neurophysiological examinations, serum uric acid (SUA), and glucose metabolism in patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). Methods A total of 114 patients with DPN who received treatment at the Endocrinology Department of our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were included. According to the median blood uric acid level, the patients were divided into high SUA group and low SUA group, and the demographic data, blood glucose indexes and motor nerve electrophysiological examination results of the two groups were compared. Results The level of FPG and HbA1c was higher in the high SUA group. The motor nerve latency of the high SUA group was higher, the motor nerve amplitude and motor nerve conduction velocity of the high SUA group were lower than those of the low SUA group. SUA was positively correlated with motor nerve latency and negatively correlated with motor nerve amplitude and conduction velocity. Conclusion In DPN, high SUA levels are associated with poor glycemic control. With the increase in SUA levels, the motor nerve latency in patients with T2DM is prolonged, and amplitude and conduction velocity decrease, and high SUA is a risk factor and potential predictor of DPN.

Study on the effect, safety, prognosis quality and application value of extracorporeal shock wave based neural activity in carpal tunnel syndrome patients

BackgroundMild to moderate CTS is the most common median nerve compression disease in middle-aged and elderly women, mainly manifested by hand numbness and pain. This paper analyzes the extracorporeal shock wave of patients with mild to moderate CTS after nerve mobilization.MethodsThe clinical data of 92 patients with CTS from June 2020 to June 2022 are analyzed and randomly divided into extracorporeal shock wave group (n = 47) and routine group (n = 45). The routine group undergoes nerve mobilization, and the extracorporeal shock wave group receives extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the basis of the routine group. The clinical efficacy, symptom improvement, pain score, median nerve electrophysiological examination results, upper limb symptom and function scores, and ADL scores before and after treatment are observed. The Spearman correlation coefficient is used to analyze the correlation between upper limb function and ADL score, and the incidence of complications after treatment is analyzed.ResultsThe clinical efficacy, symptom improvement, pain score, median nerve electrophysiological examination results, upper limb symptom and function score, ADL score and the incidence of complications in the extracorporeal shock wave group are significantly better than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). ADL scores are negatively correlated.ConclusionExtracorporeal shock wave combined with nerve mobilization has a significant effect in the treatment of CTS patients, which can significantly improve the symptoms and pain scores of patients, and enhance the function of patients’ upper limbs. At the same time, the incidence of complications in patients is less, and it has high safety.

Evaluation of Fundus Function in Mature Cataract Patients by Visual Electrophysiology

Purpose. To explore the value of visual electrophysiology in evaluating the fundus function of mature cataract patients. Methods. 124 mature cataract patients (153 eyes) were examined before cataract surgery; the examinations included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP), full‐field electroretinogram (ffERG), and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). According to the postoperative fundus conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups: the no fundus disease group and the fundus disease group. Approximately one month after the operation, BCVA was measured, and visual electrophysiology was performed on subjects who had a stable fundus condition and had not received treatment for fundus disease. Results. One month after cataract surgery, BCVA ≤ 0.3 logMAR was found in 60 eyes (96.8%) without fundus disease and 59 eyes (64.8%) with fundus disease. Compared with the group without fundus disease, the preoperative electrophysiological examination of the group with fundus disease showed that the amplitude of ffERG waves and the amplitude density of the P1 wave in the 2nd to 5th rings of mfERG were decreased (all P &lt; 0.05). ffERG and mfERG can be used for differential diagnosis of fundus disease (all P &lt; 0.05), while PVEP has no significant diagnostic value for fundus disease (all P &gt; 0.05). In the group without fundus disease, the amplitude of the PVEP 15′ P100 wave and the amplitude of dark‐adapted (DA) 0.01 b‐wave, DA 3.0 a‐wave, and DA 10.0 a‐wave were negatively correlated with postoperative logMAR BCVA (all P &lt; 0.05). In the group with fundus disease, the amplitude of PVEP and ffERG and the amplitude density of mfERG were negatively correlated with postoperative logMAR BCVA (all P &lt; 0.05). In the eyes of cortical cataracts, some parameters of PVEP, ffERG, and mfERG were significantly different before and after surgery. In the eyes of nuclear cataracts, some parameters of ffERG and mfERG were significantly different before and after surgery. In the eyes of posterior subcapsular cataracts, some parameters of PVEP and ffERG were significantly different before and after surgery. Conclusions. ffERG and mfERG can be used to detect fundus disease in mature cataract patients. The preoperative visual electrophysiological examination has high clinical value in predicting postoperative vision of mature cataract patients with fundus disease. Different types of cataracts have different effects on electrophysiological examination results. When interpreting the electrophysiological report, it is necessary to consider the existence of cataracts. This trial is registered with 2019-K068.

Nerve Suture Combined With ADSCs Injection Under Real-Time and Dynamic NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in vivo.

Peripheral nerve injury gives rise to devastating conditions including neural dysfunction, unbearable pain and even paralysis. The therapeutic effect of current treatment for peripheral nerve injury is unsatisfactory, resulting in slow nerve regeneration and incomplete recovery of neural function. In this study, nerve suture combined with ADSCs injection was adopted in rat model of sciatic nerve injury. Under real-time visualization of the injected cells with the guidance of NIR-II fluorescence imaging in vivo, a spatio-temporal map displaying cell migration from the proximal injection site (0 day post-injection) of the nerve to the sutured site (7 days post-injection), and then to the distal section (14 days post-injection) was demonstrated. Furthermore, the results of electromyography and mechanical pain threshold indicated nerve regeneration and functional recovery after the combined therapy. Therefore, in the current study, the observed ADSCs migration in vivo, electrophysiological examination results and pathological changes all provided robust evidence for the efficacy of the applied treatment. Our approach of nerve suture combined with ADSCs injection in treating peripheral nerve injury under real-time NIR-II imaging monitoring in vivo added novel insights into the treatment for peripheral nerve injury, thus further enhancing in-depth understanding of peripheral nerve regeneration and the mechanism behind.

Progress in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for CIDP

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a kind of autoimmune-mediated inflammation and demyelinating disease. The etiology is mainly related to autoimmune dysfunction. The conventional treatments of CIDP have relied on immunomodulation and inhibition therapies such as adrenal cortex hormone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is known as a novel therapy for autoimmune disorders, which provides the chance to cure CIDP. More than 70 patients with refractory CIDP have received HSCT. The clinical symptoms and electrophysiological examination results of most patients have been improved. However, the treatment still has risks. This review describes the pathogenesis of CIDP and the current conventional treatments, and highlights the application of HSCT in CIDP, including its efficacy and safety.

The experience of radiofrequency ablation of atrial tachycardia focus with the use of high-density myocardial mapping

The article presents a case of successful treatment of focal atrial tachycardia by radiofrequency ablation using high-density myocardial mapping. The aim of the work was to evaluate the possibilities of high-resolution myocardial mapping by EnsitePrecision® navigation system in the treatment of complex arrhythmias. The analysis of clinical data and results of electrophysiological examination of a 29-year-old patient with continuous recurrent focal atrial tachycardia was carried out. The patient was admitted with complaints of heart rate disorders and frequent short attacks of palpitations. According to electrocardiography, frequent short paroxysms of focal atrial tachycardia were revealed. The patient was taken for electrophysiological examination and radiofrequency ablation of the focus of atrial tachycardia. The focus of atrial tachycardia was located in the anterior septal part of the left atrium, which is a rare localization. After radiofrequency ablation tachycardia was terminated, no complications and recurrences were registered. The patient was discharged with the sinus rhythm. Navigation system EnsitePrecision® enables conducting high-density myocardial mapping, which helps to accurately determine the localization of the source of tachycardia. The radiation load on the patient and ablation time are reduced, which reduces the frequency of complications from the procedure.

Flail leg syndrome: a case report and literature review

Objectives To review the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of flail leg syndrome and to promote awareness among clinicians of this disease. Methods We presented the clinical data, neural electrophysiological examination results, and cervical/lumbar MRI and follow-up results of an inpatient with flail leg syndrome at China-Japan Union Hospital and then reviewed relevant cases reported in literature. Results The patient with flail leg syndrome had a slow and asymmetric onset of atrophy of the distal muscles and weakness in the lower limbs, gradually progressing to the proximal lower limbs while the brain stem was moderately involved.Electrophysiology displayed not only motor nerve conduction amplitudes falling more than 48% or even disappearing in both lower limbs, but also extensive neurogenic damage in the brain stem, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral areas.Laboratory tests showed abnormally high creatine kinase levels. Conclusions Flail leg syndrome has been inadequately studied so far and can be easily misdiagnosed.Reviewing its characteristics should be helpful for clinicians to make the right diagnosis and prognosis. Key words: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Electromyography; Creatine kinase; Flail leg syndrome

F131. Ultrasonographic study of tongue muscle fasciculations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction To investigate the clinical significance of ultrasonic determination of tongue muscle fasciculations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods A total of 108 ALS patients, enrolled from May to September 2017 in Peking University Third Hospital, with the diagnosis of possible to definite ALS according to revised El Escorial criteria were examined by ultrasound through the submental way. Fasciculation of the tongue muscle was evaluated using a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer while the patients remain seated. We compared the ultrasonic and clinical determination of fasciculations of tongue muscle. The relationship between the fasciculations of tongue muscle and the course of disease, ALSFRS-R score, BMI and the results of electrophysiological examination were determined. Results The percentage of tongue muscle fasciculations detected by ultrasound was significantly higher than that of clinical judgment (81.5% vs 43.5%, P 2 = 6.190, 6.364 and 5.031, separately; P vs 11.4 ± 1.2, t = −3.03, P Conclusion Our study indicates ultrasound is more sensitive than clinical examination in judgement of tongue fasciculations. Ultrasonography can provide valuable reference for the diagnosis and treatment of ALS.

The role of electrophysiological examination in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: Analysis of 2516 patients.

The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between patient history, physical examination, and electrophysiological method of assessment in patients with clinical suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Results of electrophysiological examinations performed from 2009 to 2016 on 3151 hands of 2516 patients who had symptoms that clinically suggested CTS were examined retrospectively. Patients were assessed in terms of age, gender, direction of nerve compression, and presence and degree of CTS as determined electrophysiologically. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene's test, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analyses. Level of significance was accepted as P < 0.05. : Of the 2516 patients, 1838 (73.1%) were female and 678 (26.9%) were male. Average age was 48.60 ± 14.83 years, and 1858 (73.8%) of the patients had complaints in only 1 hand, whereas 658 (26.2%) had complaints in bilateral hands. CTS was detected in 1383 patients (54.9%; female/male: 1019/364) and average age was 52.16 ± 13.84 years. No statistically significant association was found between CTS and gender. Nerve compression was found in 1 hand of 71.5% (1328) of females and 28.5% (530) of males, and this result was found to be statistically significant. No significant association was found between degree and direction of nerve compression. Only 54.9% of the patients with clinical suspicion were found to have CTS. Given complexity of the hand and a large number of potential pathologies, electrophysiological examination is necessary for definitive diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.

Effet de la vitamine D sur la douleur dans le syndrome du canal carpien

BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and vitamin D deficiency are two discrete common clinical pictures that can cause chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of 25 (OH) D deficiency with electrophysiological findings and severity of pain in patients with mild CTS. MethodThe consecutive patients admitted to our laboratory with the symptoms of CTS between May 2016 and August 2016 were enrolled in this study. According to their electrophysiological examination results, only the patients with normal conduction results and ones with mild grade CTS were included. Demographic data, the results of the electrophysiological studies, vitamin D levels (our laboratory normal is >20ng/mL), duration of pain and pain intensity due to CTS which was assessed with visual analog scale were collected. ResultsTotally, 76 patients (36 patients with mild CTS and 40 without CTS) were included. In the mild CTS patients, vitamin D levels were significantly lower than those electrophysiologically normal patients (P=0.003). The relationship between gender, duration of pain and vitamin D levels were evaluated in the normal and mild CTS group. There was no significant relationship between the pain and vitamin D levels in the normal group, while vitamin D level was significantly lower in the mild CTS group (P=0.730 and P=0.002; respectively). DiscussionVitamin D deficiency increases the pain intensity in patients with CTS. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in these patients may play a role in pain relief. Further studies involving analyses of post-vitamin D replacement therapy are warranted to confirm the association between vitamin D deficiency and pain due to CTS.

The effect of vitamin D levels on pain in carpal tunnel syndrome

BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and vitamin D deficiency are two discrete common clinical pictures that can cause chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of 25 (OH) D deficiency with electrophysiological findings and severity of pain in patients with mild CTS. MethodThe consecutive patients admitted to our laboratory with the symptoms of CTS between May 2016 and August 2016 were enrolled in this study. According to their electrophysiological examination results, only the patients with normal conduction results and ones with mild grade CTS were included. Demographic data, the results of the electrophysiological studies, vitamin D levels (our laboratory normal is>20ng/mL), duration of pain and pain intensity due to CTS, which was assessed with visual analog scale, were collected. ResultsTotally, 76 patients (36 patients with mild CTS and 40 without CTS) were included. In the mild CTS patients, vitamin D levels were significantly lower than those electrophysiologically normal patients (P=0.003). The relationship between gender, duration of pain and vitamin D levels were evaluated in the normal and mild CTS group. There was no significant relationship between the pain and vitamin D levels in the normal group, while vitamin D level was significantly lower in the mild CTS group (P=0.730 and P=0.002; respectively). DiscussionVitamin D deficiency increases the pain intensity in patients with CTS. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in these patients may play a role in pain relief. Further studies involving analyses of post-vitamin D replacement therapy are warranted to confirm the association between vitamin D deficiency and pain due to CTS.

The macular function and structure in patients with diabetic macular edema before and after ranibizumab treatment.

PurposeTo evaluate macular function and structure in patients with diabetic macular edema prior to, as well as 3 and 6 months after intravitreal ranibizumab treatment.Patients and methodsSeventeen eyes of 17 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic macular edema (DME) were treated with intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab. Prior to the first injection, as well as after 3 and 6 months, the following examinations were performed: assessment of distance best-corrected visual acuity (log MAR), perception of metamorphopsia (M-Chart), slit lamp examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye (Volk 90D lens), evaluation of the retinal and choroidal circulation (fluorescein angiography), assessment of the structure and thickness of the macula (OCT), as well as evaluation of the macular function (PERG and mfERG). ResultsWe observed that ranibizumab significantly improved visual acuity after 3 and 6 months from the beginning of the treatment, which was a consequence of reduced macular edema and vascular leakage. There was a statistically significant decrease in metamorphopsia frequency at month 3; however, at month 6 it was a statistically insignificant when compared to the baseline. The results of electrophysiological examinations revealed no improvement in ranibizumab-treated patients.ConclusionImprovement of visual acuity and reduction in macular thickness were maintained up to the 6-month follow-up. The results of electrophysiological examinations revealed that ranibizumab injections tend to stabilize bioelectrical macular function of the outer, middle and inner retinal layers, which was impossible to recognize on the basis of visual acuity and OCT. Therefore, the electrophysiological examinations should be used as an additional objective tool for the evaluation of the anti-VEGF treatment effectiveness in DME.

化学療法中に慢性炎症性脱髄性多発ニューロパチーを生じた口底癌の1例

We report the case of a 73-year-old man with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) that developed during chemotherapy for oral floor carcinoma. While receiving chemoradiotherapy to treat the primary lesion and neck metastatic tumor, the patient had limb numbness, and muscle weakness gradually worsened. He had been given a diagnosis of CIDP on the basis of clinical evidence, the results of electrophysiological examinations, and a biopsy of the sural nerve. Cases of CIDP associated with carcinomas are sometimes reported, and the relevance of anticancer therapy and underlying disease has been suggested. We also considered that chemotherapy or the status of carcinoma was related to the development of CIDP in our patient.

DTI Study of Cerebral Normal-Appearing White Matter in Hereditary Neuropathy With Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP).

The majority of previous studies on hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) were focused on peripheral nerves, whereas cerebral alterations in HNPP have been less attended to. In this work, Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to detect the changes in WM, especially in the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in HNPP patients for its sensitivity in probing the microstructure of WM, the sensitive metric was searched for probing cerebral alterations and the regional distribution of cerebral abnormalities was identified. Twelve HNPP patients and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent the conventional MRI, DTI scan, and electrophysiological examination. The conventional MRI images were first analyzed to identify abnormal intense regions and the NAWM regions. NAWM refers to the white matter regions that do not include the lesions on conventional MRI. The apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the NAWM were then measured and compared between patient and control groups. The sensitivity and specificity of 3 methods and the cerebral regional distribution of MR signal abnormalities were further analyzed. Hyperintense foci were observed on T2 weighted image and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images in 6 patients. Compared to the controls, FA values of the patients were significantly lower in bilateral frontal, orbitofrontal, and temporal NAWMs; whereas the electrophysiological examination results of patients and controls exhibited no statistically significant difference. The sensitivity of FA value was higher than that of electrophysiological examination and conventional MRI. The majority of abnormal signals on conventional MRI images and abnormal FA values were located in the frontal and temporal lobes. The results of our study show cerebral WM changes in HNPP patients. FA value in DTI has been shown to be sensitive to the cerebral microstructural changes in HNPP. The frontal lobe is the predilection site that is most involved in HNPP.

Vestibular examinations in apogeotropic positional nystagmus caused by cerebellar tumor

Horizontal, direction changing apogeotropic positional nystagmus (HAPN) is known to be associated with cerebellar lesions [1]. However, the pathophysiologic mechanism of cerebellar HAPN is unknown. We encountered a patient with a metastatic cerebellar tumor who presented with HAPN that disappeared after tumorectomy. Hyperactive vestibular reflexes, indicated by the results of electrophysiologic examinations, might have been the mechanism underlying the HAPN in this patient. A 70-year-old woman with a 2-month history of progressive dizziness and difficulty in walking was admitted to our hospital. She presented with truncal ataxia and HAPN but no other neurologic or neuroophthalmologic abnormalities. Contrast brain MRI revealed a well-enhanced cerebellar tumor. Because chest X-ray and CT showed a left lung tumor suggestive of lung cancer, a cerebellar metastasis was diagnosed. The cerebellar tumor was removed surgically 10 days after the patient’s admission. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed adenocarcinoma. After the tumorectomy, the HAPN was fully resolved, and the truncal ataxia was improved. The horizontal angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (A-VOR), cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (C-VEMP), and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (O-VEMP) were evaluated before (when the HAPN was present) and 10 days after tumorectomy (when the HAPN had disappeared). A-VORs were recorded in darkness by means of a video-oculography-basedVORrecording and analysis system (IRN-2, Morita Mfg. Corp., Kyoto, Japan), with the patient seated on a rotating armchair with a headrest [2]. The chair was rotatedmanually in sinusoidal fashion for 20 s (frequency 0.5–0.75 Hz, amplitude 20 ) [2]. VOR gain, i.e., the eye velocity to head velocity ratio, was analyzed. C-VEMP was recorded from the tonically contracting ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle during monaural stimulation with 105-dB clicks or short tone bursts (MEB 2312 testing system, Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan; bandwidth 20–2,000 Hz, 200 averaged signals). Latencies of the first positive wave (p13) and second negative wave (n23) and peak-to-peak p13–n23 amplitude were measured. O-VEMP was recorded from the lower eyelids (inferior oblique muscles) during stimulation with 105 dB clicks or short tone bursts (MEB 2312, Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan; bandwidth 20–2,000 Hz, 200 averaged signals). The patient was instructed to continue looking straight ahead and upward 30 . Because O-VEMP was not adequately elicited by monaural stimulation, binaural sound stimulation was applied. Latencies of the first negative wave (n1) and second positive wave (p1) and peak-to-peak n1–p1 amplitude were measured. Absolute A-VOR gains were reduced in both directions after the tumorectomy (Table 1). Cand O-VEMP amplitudes were also reduced on almost all recordings after tumorectomy (Table 1). Latencies of Cand O-VEMPs did not change. A-VOR is mediated by a semicircular-ocular pathway. C-VEMP reflects the vertical linear vestibulo-ocular reflex Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10072-015-2086-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anti-GAD antibody ocular flutter: expanding the spectrum of autoimmune ocular motor disorders

Antibodies directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) have been described in patients with progressive cerebellar ataxia [1] and in a few patients affected by primarily oculomotor disorders [2]. The abnormal eye movements described with anti-GAD antibodies, so far, range from nystagmus (up/down-beat, periodic alternating nystagmus) [2, 3] to opsoclonus [4], but ocular flutter has never been reported. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for a 10-month progressive oscillopsia, blurred vision and gait imbalance with significant impairment of daily activities (such as reading a book, watching television and leaving home alone). Neurological examination showed ocular flutter, characterized by intermittent bursts of horizontal conjugate saccades without an intersaccadic interval. The eye oscillations were independent of eye position and occurred during fixation (voluntary and guided changes in gaze position), regardless of gaze direction, with eyes open or closed. The patient had full range of eye motion and did not report diplopia. Unsteadiness with severe retropropulsion was also evident. The remaining neurologic examination was normal. Analysis of ocular movements using video-oculography revealed bursts of rapid horizontal, symmetric movements without intersaccadic interval (Fig. 1a). Results of electrophysiological examinations, such as somatosensory and visual evoked potentials, nerve conduction study and electroencephalography, were normal. Routine blood cell counts and biochemistry were normal. Serological tests, cultures, and polymerase chain reactions performed on blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were negative for viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormality. Results of screening examinations for neoplasms, including abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography of the abdomen and chest, as well as whole-body positron emission tomography, were all unremarkable. CSF examination revealed normal protein concentration and no cells, isoelectric focusing showed two oligoclonal bands and the immunoglobulin G index was within the normal range. The patient tested negative for anti-gliadin, paraneoplastic antibodies (anti-Ri, anti-Hu, anti-Yo, antiMa2, anti-CV2 and anti-amphiphysin), anti-LGI1, antiCaspr2, antiganglioside Q1b and anti-NMDA receptor in the serum and CSF. Antibodies against GAD65 were measured by radioimmunoassay. GAD65 antibody titre was increased in serum (2,378 IU/mL, normal value \1 IU/mL) and in CSF (55.7 IU/mL, normal value \1 IU/mL), with an intrathecal synthesis index of 10.64 (normal range 0.7–1.3). An intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment (400 mg/kg/day for 5 days) in six cycles once a month was started. The symptoms gradually resolved and continued to improve after the last administration of IVIg and at the same time serum GAD65 antibody titre decreased significantly (Fig. 1c). To avoid clinical relapses, azathioprine 200 mg orally daily was added to the last cycle of IVIg (Fig. 1c). R. Dubbioso F. Manganelli R. Iodice M. Esposito L. Santoro (&) Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples ‘‘Federico II’’, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy e-mail: lusantor@unina.it

2573 – Bioacoustic correction in the system of rehabilitation of the neurotic and stress connected disorders

By the methodology of bioacoustic correction (the BAC), on the basis of computer transformation, the representation of the parameters of bioelectrical activity of human brain has been transformed into the parameters of sound stimuli. The objective of this research is to study the efficiency and the safety of the BAC method application in the system of rehabilitation neurotic and stress connected disorders. The sample has been given by patients with neurotic, stress connected and somatoform disorders (F40–F48 – 50 persons). The research has been implemented by the device “Sinhro-S” (St.-Petersburg, the Russian Federation). Prior to the beginning and upon termination of the correction, the assessment of psycho emotional condition of patients has been implemented by the means of methodology of subjective interrogation, psychological and psychophysiological testing. Therapy has included pharmacotherapy (antidepressant seretonin selective reuptake inhibitors, adaptogens, neurometabolic, nootrops); psychotherapy (rational, group, corporally-focused, hypnosuggestive, autogenic training); physiotherapy; the BAC. Subjective feelings of influence efficiency have been confirmed by the results of electrophysiological examination. During the therapy all the patients have had perception improvement of a sound image by the means of spectral characteristics reorganization of electroencephalogram and hereupon the new functional condition of the central nervous system has been created. Authentic improvement of quality life indicators have been observed too (vitality, quality of a dream, emotional reactions, physical activity). Thereby, the bioacoustic correction method is modern, effective, safe, not medicamentous means of psychological infringements correction.

COMPARISON OF CLINICAL RESULTS BETWEEN ELDERLY AND YOUNGER PATIENTS FOLLOWING ENDOSCOPIC CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE SURGERY FOR IDIOPATHIC CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

We retrospectively analyzed clinical results of 107 hands of an elderly idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome group (65 years old and older) and 234 hands of a younger group (under 65 years old) following endoscopic carpal canal release surgery. There were statistical differences in recovery rates for tingling, pain sensation and touch sensation (p < 0.01) and recovery periods of touch sensation (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in recovery rates, periods of thumb abduction muscle power, and recovery rates of electrophysiological examination results. Cervical spondylosis may affect postoperative recovery of subjective sensory disturbance, especially in the elderly group. From these results, in elderly patients we recommend primary minimally invasive endoscopic carpal canal release surgery and only apply primary opponoplasty in cases when the patient strongly wishes reconstruction faster than six months.

肘部管症候群における尺骨神経の肉眼所見と電気生理学的検査所見の関連についての検討

【目的】肘部管症候群において電気生理学的検査での障害部位と術中所見を比較し病態について考察する．【対象】2006年4月から2011年6月までに当科で手術を行った肘部管症候群の患者23例24肘を対象とした．【方法】肘関節90°屈曲位で内側上顆を中心に2cm間隔で5点の刺激部位を設定し最大上刺激を行った．この2点間潜時の最遅延部と実際の術中所見を比較した．【結果】刺激した2点間を末梢より順にZone1，2，3，4と定義した．2点間潜時の最遅延部がZone1，2であった群では尺骨神経の圧痕などの肉眼的異常所見を認めたが，内側上顆より中枢側で遅延していた群とZone2～4に多区間の遅延を認めた群では尺骨神経の肉眼的異常所見は認めなかった．これらの群では前方移行により良好な成績を得た．【考察】尺骨神経に肉眼的異常所見を認めなかった群は電気生理学的検査の所見と合わせ摩擦による神経障害が主因と考えられ，前方移行の良い適応であったと考える．