Decreased Sensation (decreased + sensation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


"Whippets"-Induced Cobalamin Deficiency Manifesting as Cervical Myelopathy

JOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 3 2004
Alan L. Diamond
ABSTRACT Background. Nitrous oxide (N O) is inhaled in anesthesia and as a recreational drug from whipped cream dispensers. Its abuse reaches ,10% in some age groups. By inactivating cobalamin (Cbl) (vitamin B12), N O can cause neurologic and hematologic manifestations. We present a case of N O-induced Cbl deficiency presenting as cervical myelopathy. Case History. After regularly inhaling N O for many months, a 31-year-old man developed limb paresthesiae and ataxia over 3 months. Examination revealed finger pseudoathetosis, hyporeflexia, decreased sensation, and gait ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal, but the posterior columns of the cervical and upper thoracic cord revealed patchy nonenhancing hyperintense lesions. Serum Cbl was 98 pg/mL (normal = 170,900 pg/mL). Cbl replacement led to recovery within 3 months.Discussion. This patient presented with the symptoms and signs of Cbl deficiency. The MRI lesions in the posterior columns aided the diagnosis. Physicians need to have a high level of suspicion in cases of unexplained Cbl deficiency and myelopathy. [source]


Overactive bladder in diabetes: A peripheral or central mechanism?,

NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 6 2007
Chiharu Yamaguchi
Abstract Aims To study diabetic cystopathy with reference to overactive bladder (OAB). Methods We retrospectively analyzed diabetic cystopathy in our digitized database that comprised 2300 case records, including data from a lower urinary tract symptoms questionnaire, data from a urodynamic study, and data from neurological examinations. Results Diabetic cystopathy was seen in 4% of cases (84 cases): 58 males, 26 females; mean age, 60.8 years; duration of diabetes, 143.5 months; HbA1C, 7.7 %. In addition to large post-void residual and decreased sensation, OAB, detrusor overactivity (DO), and increased bladder sensation were seen in 55%, 42%, and 14%, respectively. The frequency of DO in patients with increased bladder sensation was 58%. DO increased with age, but not with the duration of diabetes. A brain MRI was performed in 32 cases. The frequency of multiple cerebral infarction (MCI) in patients with DO was 76.5%. The remaining 23.5% of patients with DO had no MCI, and the remaining 42% with increased bladder sensation had no DO. Conclusions OAB commonly occurs in diabetic cystopathy. Both central and peripheral mechanisms are involved, e.g., MCI due to diabetic cerebral vasculopathy for the DO, and, to a lesser extent, peripheral nerve irritation for the DO and increased bladder sensation. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:807,813, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing With Sensory Testing in Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: Incidence and Pathophysiology of Aspiration,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2005
Abtin Tabaee MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective was to examine the incidence and pathophysiology of aspiration in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility presenting with dysphagia. Study Design: Retrospective review of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST) data and medical records in two tertiary medical care centers. Methods: The data for all patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility who underwent FEESST between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed. Results: Eighty-one patients (45 male and 36 female patients) were included in the study. The mean age was 59 years. The most common causes or origins were iatrogenic (42%), malignancy (23%), and neurological (18%). The immobility was left-sided in 59% of patients. A majority of the patients exhibited laryngeal edema/erythema (90%), difficulty with secretions (60%), and decreased laryngopharyngeal sensation (83%). The laryngeal adductor reflex was absent in 34% of the patients. An aspiration rate of 35% was detected with thin liquids. Trials of purees revealed a 76% rate of pooling, 44% rate of spillage, 32% rate of penetration, 18% rate of aspiration, and 24% rate of regurgitation. Rates of penetration and aspiration with purees were significantly higher in patients who had decreased laryngopharyngeal sensation, absent pharyngeal squeeze, and absent laryngeal adductor reflex. Conclusion: Dysphagia in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility is demonstrated during FEESST by pooling, spillage, penetration, and aspiration. The pathophysiology of dysphagia is multifactorial with decreased sensation and limitation of airway protective mechanisms both acting as contributing factors. [source]


Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and anaesthesia: peri-operative nerve injury

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2006
L. Wijayasiri
Summary A 43-year-old female with carcinoma of the left breast underwent wide local excision of the tumour and sentinel lymph node biopsy under general anaesthesia. Three lymph nodes were removed uneventfully during the operation. Postoperatively, the patient complained of weakness and decreased sensation of her left arm. A diagnosis of peri-operative neuropraxia was made. This resolved completely over the following 4 weeks. Genetic testing confirmed a diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. [source]