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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Spontaneous (nontraumatic) midbrain hemorrhage (SMH) is an uncommon condition whose diagnosis is greatly assisted by the use of cranial computerized tomography. Of 18 cases described in the English language literature, only two were diagnosed without the aid of CT. We report five cases of SMH in five normotensive patients. Vertical gaze palsies were noted in four patients, headache in four, pupillary dysfunction in four, mild hemiplegia in two, unilateral ataxia in two, and unilateral asterixis in one. The diagnosis of SMH had not been considered before CT scanning in any of these patients. All patients had partial to complete recovery. Cerebral angiography in each case showed no abnormalities in the area of the hemorrhage.
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PMID:Spontaneous midbrain hemorrhage. 231 72

Respiratory insufficiency of any cause has significant effects on the nervous system. Headache, mental status changes, papilledema, and numerous motor abnormalities including asterixis are commonly seen. Abnormalities in ventilation and gas exchange result in hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis, and these, in turn, interfere with cerebral metabolism, increase CBF, and may raise intracranial pressure. Chronic respiratory insufficiency can persist for many months with minimal neurologic symptoms, as numerous compensatory mechanisms, particularly renal, may take effect. Treatment includes restoring adequate ventilation and improving gas exchange and may require tracheal intubation and assisted ventilation. Supplemental oxygen therapy should be carefully monitored, as high rates of flow may suppress the hypoxic drive for respiration and lead to significant carbon dioxide retention. The sleep apnea syndromes are a group of disorders in which abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep result in hypercapnia and hypoxemia. Intermittent obstruction of the upper airway and abnormalities of brainstem respiratory centers cause frequent nocturnal awakenings and apneas in these patients. Treatments vary and include weight loss in obese subjects, respiratory stimulants, tracheostomy, and diaphragmatic pacing. Rapid ascent to high altitudes may result in headache, changes in mental status, papilledema, and other neurologic symptoms in certain individuals: a syndrome known as high-altitude sickness. Hypoxia leading to cerebral edema, nocturnal periodic breathing, and hypobaria produces neurologic symptoms in these individuals. Acetazolamide and dexamethasone may be effective in minimizing symptoms of this disorder. Sustained hyperventilation produces acral and circumoral paresthesias and lightheadedness in anxious individuals and can be maintained by relatively normal ventilatory patterns once established. These symptoms are due to hypophosphatemia and respiratory alkalosis, the latter reducing CBF and causing localized tissue hypoxia. Rebreathing into a paper bag at the first awareness of symptoms is the most effective form of treatment.
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PMID:Neurologic manifestations of pulmonary disease. 267 37

Among patients with renal failure, there have been impressive modifications of both the duration and quality of life as a result of dialysis, renal transplantation, and improved medical management. However, patients who have renal failure continue to manifest a variety of neurologic disorders. Patients with chronic renal failure who have not yet received dialytic therapy may develop a symptom complex progressing from mild sensorial clouding to delirium and coma, with tremor, asterixis, multifocal myoclonus, and seizures. Even after the institution of otherwise adequate maintenance dialysis therapy, patients may continue to be afflicted with more subtle nervous system dysfunction, including impaired mentation, generalized weakness, and peripheral neuropathy. The central nervous system disorders of both untreated renal failure and that persisting despite dialysis are referred to as uremic encephalopathy. The dialytic treatment of end stage renal disease has itself been associated with the emergence of two distinct, new disorders of the central nervous system: Dialysis dysequilibrium and dialysis dementia. The dialysis disequilibrium syndrome consists of headache, nausea, muscle cramps, obtundation and seizures, and is a consequence of the initiation of dialysis therapy in some patients. Dialysis dementia is a progressive, generally fatal encephalopathy which affects patients on chronic hemodialysis. This disease also appears to be a complication of the therapy for renal failure.
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PMID:Pathogenesis of dialysis encephalopathy. 636 3

Patients with renal failure may manifest a variety of neurologic disorders. Patients with chronic renal failure who have not yet received dialytic therapy may develop a symptom complex progressing from mild sensorial clouding to delirium and coma, with tremor, asterixis, multifocal myoclonus, and seizures. After the institution of adequate maintenance dialysis therapy, patients may continue to be afflicted with more subtle nervous dysfunction, including impaired mentation, generalized weakness, and peripheral neuropathy. These central nervous system disorders are referred to as uremic encephalopathy. The dialytic treatment of end-stage renal disease has itself been associated with the emergence of two distinct, new disorders of the central nervous system; dialysis dysequilibrium and dialysis dementia. The dialysis disequilibrium syndrome consists of headache, nausea, muscle cramps, obtundation, and seizures, and is a consequence of the initiation of dialysis therapy in some patients. Dialysis dementia is a progressive, generally fatal encephalopathy which affects patients on chronic hemodialysis. There are at least three different forms of dialysis encephalopathy: sporadic, epidemic; and that associated with renal disease in children. In addition to the foregoing neurologic diseases which are specifically related to uremia and/or dialysis, a number of other neurologic disorders occur with increased frequency in patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis. These include subdural hematoma, electrolyte disorders, vitamin deficiencies, drug intoxication, hypertensive encephalopathy, and acute trace element intoxication. Renal transplantation is associated with a variety of central nervous system infections, reticulum cell sarcoma, and central pontine myelinosis. The present manuscript will review the clinical, structural, and biochemical components of those neurologic disorders which are peculiar to the uremic state and its treatment with dialysis.
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PMID:Uremic encephalopathies: clinical, biochemical, and experimental features. 675 30

Asterixis is not yet considered a common neurological sign of cerebellum infarction, and the pathogenic mechanism for asterixis remains elusive. We report a 58-year-old male with moderate hypertension who presented to our emergency department for acute headache in both cervical and occipital regions of the left side. About 2 hours later the patient developed ipsilateral asterixis in the upper left limb; 3 days later the asterixis disappeared. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain disclosed cerebellar infarctions at the left superior cerebellar artery. In conclusion, we observed that a transitory asterixis associated with ipsilateral headache can be an initial clinical manifestation of ipsilateral cerebellar infarctions in the superior cerebellar artery area.
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PMID:Asterixis as a presentation of cerebellar ischemic stroke. 2335 70

A 45-year-old man with alcohol-related decompensated cirrhosis presented with jaundice, fever, headache and altered sensorium. At presentation, he had tachycardia, disorientation to time and place, asterixis, icterus and upgoing plantar response. Investigations showed anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis, hyperbilirubinemia and elevated arterial ammonia. Despite management with antihepatic coma measures and normalisation of ammonia, broad-spectrum antibiotics, 20% albumin, the patient worsened. On day 3, the patient developed generalised tonic-clonic seizure prompting mechanical ventilation. Examination showed right proptosis, chemosis and pupillary anisocoria. MRI brain showed multifocal infarcts in the right temporal lobe, right cerebellum and brainstem with inflammation in the right orbit, infratemporal fossa with right internal carotid artery thrombosis, and suspicious maxillary sinus thickening. Nasal scrapings showed aseptate fungal hyphae and serum galactomannan index was positive. Despite receiving liposomal amphotericin-B, patient had an unfavourable outcome. Intracranial invasive mycosis can mimic hepatic encephalopathy and is associated with high mortality in cirrhotics. A high index of suspicion, positive biomarkers and diagnostic radiology may provide the key to the diagnosis.
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PMID:Intracranial invasive mycosis mimicking hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with cirrhosis. 3177 53