1/39. Bilateral contemporaneous posteroventral pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: neuropsychological and neurological side effects. Report of four cases and review of the literature.The authors report the underestimated cognitive, mood, and behavioral complications in patients who have undergone bilateral contemporaneous pallidotomy, as seen in their early experience with functional neurosurgery for Parkinson's disease (PD) that is accompanied by severe motor fluctuations before pallidal stimulation. Four patients, not suffering from dementia, with advanced (Hoehn and Yahr Stages III-IV), medically untreatable PD featuring severe "on-off" fluctuations underwent bilateral contemporaneous posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP). All patients were evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations (CAPIT) protocol without positron emission tomography scans but with additional neuropsychological cognitive, mood, and behavior testing. For the first 3 to 6 months postoperatively, all patients showed a mean improvement of motor scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), in the best "on" (21%) and worst "off" (40%) UPDRS III motor subscale, a mean 30% improvement in the UPDRS II activities of daily living (ADL) subscore, and 60% on the UPDRS IV complications of treatment subscale. Dyskinesia disappeared almost completely, and the mean daily duration of the off time was reduced by an average of 60%. Despite these good results in the CAPIT scores, one patient experienced a partially regressive corticobulbar syndrome with dysphagia, dysarthria, and increased drooling. No emotional lability was found in this patient, but he did demonstrate severe bilateral postoperative pretarsal blepharospasm (apraxia of eyelid opening), which interfered with walking and which required treatment with high-dose subcutaneous injections of botulinum toxin. No patient showed visual field defects or hemiparesis, but postoperative depression, changes in personality, behavior, and executive functions were seen in two individuals. Postoperative abulia was reported by the family of one patient, who lost his preoperative aggressiveness and drive in terms of ADL, speech, business, family life, and hobbies, and became more sleepy and fatigued. One patient reported postoperative mental automatisms, such as compulsive mental counting, and circular thoughts and reasoning during off phases; postoperative depression was found in two patients. However, none of the patients demonstrated these symptoms during intraoperative microelectrode stimulation. These findings are compatible with previous reports on bilateral pallidal lesions. A progressive lowering of UPDRS subscores was seen after 12 months, consistent with the progression of the disease. Bilateral simultaneous pallidotomy may be followed by emotional, behavioral, and cognitive deficits such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and loss of psychic autoactivation-abulia, as well as disabling corticobulbar dysfunction and apraxia of eyelid opening, in addition to previously described motor and visual field deficits, which make this surgery undesirable even though significant improvement in motor deficits can be achieved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/39. tooth wear and loss: symptomatological and rehabilitating treatments.The authors report a clinical case that presented tooth wear and absence, with painful muscular and articular symptomatology, and also alteration in deglutition, mastication and speech. The clinical procedures used were re-establishment of vertical dimension of occlusion, mandibular centric relations, and occlusal contacts through therapeutic removable partial dentures. The condyle position was analyzed in habitual occlusion and in occlusion with dentures, through transcranial radiographs of the temporomandibular joints. Oral rehabilitation was achieved with dental restoration and removable partial dentures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/39. Rediscovering the joy of food: the need for long-term review of swallowing ability in stroke patients.stroke is commonly associated with dysphagia, which may necessitate the use of enteral feeding best provided by a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. Resolution of dysphagia complicating stroke is observed in the days, weeks and months following the event. This may allow the resumption of a normal diet, and cessation of enteral feeding. However at the time dysphagia resolves many patients--with enteral feeding still in place--will have been discharged from facilities where expert speech and language therapy is available to assess recovery of swallow. We report three cases of patients with dysphagia following stroke who benefited from long term review of swallowing ability. We then discuss the benefits of such follow-up, and how it might best be achieved in the community.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/39. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a case of dysphagia.OBJECTIVE: To present and discuss the clinical manifestations, radiographic features, and treatment of a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis complicated by dysphagia. This case serves as an educational tool by bringing attention to an uncommon complication of a common disorder. An emphasis is placed on diagnostic imaging. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 63-year-old man had dysphagia after a fall from a ladder. Plain film radiographs revealed large flowing hyperostoses arising from the anterior aspect of C3-6. Advanced imaging, consisting of a computed tomography (CT) scan and a modified barium-swallow study were performed to provide additional anatomic and functional information. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Treatment provided by a speech and language pathologist focused on the dysphagia and consisted of compensatory management for 2 weeks. The patient was able to successfully swallow pur ed food and was released with instructions to modify his diet as tolerated. CONCLUSION: Dysphagia is a common clinical presentation for many disorders of deglutition. Flowing spinal hyperostoses such as that seen in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis may become large enough to physically encroach on the pharynx or esophagus or indirectly predispose the patient to swallowing problems from posttraumatic edema. Conservative care is the initial treatment of choice, whereas surgical excision of the hyperostoses is reserved for difficult cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/39. Minimally invasive functional reconstruction after extended oropharyngeal resection including soft palate and base of tongue using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.Excision of large oropharyngeal carcinomas that affect the base of the tongue and the soft palate severely impairs swallowing and articulation. In the present study we describe a minimally invasive technique that effectively restores swallowing and articulation by the insertion of a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with a bilobular skin island. One lobe of the skin island is used to reconstruct the base of the tongue and the other to reconstruct the oropharynx. The soft palate is reconstructed by folding the tip of the lobe that is used to reconstruct the oropharynx in half along the long axis to fill the rhinopharynx. We have done this procedure for 13 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Six months postoperatively all 13 were able to swallow without aspiration. Nine of the 13 patients were able to hold a normal conversation, but the remaining four had severe rhinolalia aperta. However, this condition was easily corrected by secondary reconstruction using a pharyngeal flap and a palatal mucoperiosteal flap (n = 3) or by the use of a small speech aid (n = 1).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/39. Unusual association of sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy and motor neuron disease.Sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that presents a wide clinical spectrum. motor neuron disease (MND) is characterized by a selective degeneration of motor neurons. A 60-year-old man developed slurred speech and unsteadiness of gait. He had also noticed difficulty in holding his head upright and shoulder weakness. The disease had a rapid progression. At the age of 63 years, magnetic resonance imaging supported a diagnosis of OPCA, and a diagnosis of MND was suggested by clinical and electrophysiological findings. He also had upward gaze palsy. A muscular biopsy showed sporadic ragged red and Cox deficient fibers. The present case could define a unique disorder, as the occasional occurrence of two degenerative disorders appears unlikely.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/39. Adverse effects of subthalamic nucleus DBS in a patient with multiple system atrophy.A 59-year-old woman with levodopa-responsive parkinsonism complicated by motor fluctuations and generalized levodopa dyskinesia underwent bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) 7 years after symptom onset. DBS improved levodopa-responsive upper extremity bradykinesia but aggravated speech, swallowing, and gait. Motor fluctuations were not improved and levodopa dose remained unchanged. pulse generators were turned off. Clinical features and brain MRI in this case were indicative of multiple system atrophy (MSA). STN DBS is not recommended for patients with MSA.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/39. dysarthria and dysphagia as long-term sequelae in a child treated for posterior fossa tumour.The current case report provides a comprehensive description of the persistent dysarthria and dysphagia evident in a 7.5 year old child treated for recurrent posterior fossa tumour (PFT). AC was assessed on a comprehensive perceptual and instrumental test battery incorporating all components of the speech production system (respiration, phonation, resonance, articulation and prosody) 2 years and 4 months following completion of her treatment. The nature of her swallowing impairment was investigated through the use of videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing (VFS). A mild dysarthria with ataxic and LMN components was identified, although overall speech intelligibility was not affected. A moderate dysphagia was also identified with impairment in all three phases of the swallowing process; oral preparatory, oral and pharyngeal. dysarthria and dysphagia as persistent sequelae in children treated for PFT have implications for the long-term management of these children. The need for appropriate treatment regimes, as well as pre-surgical counselling regarding dysarthria and dysphagia as possible outcomes following surgery are highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/39. Video-fluoroscopic study of swallowing in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.BACKGROUND: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders can have feeding problems. malnutrition and recurrent aspiration pneumonia can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. Video-fluoroscopic study of swallowing (VFSS) is essential in understanding the pathological mechanisms involved during swallowing. methods: The aim of the present study was to assess the role of VFSS in assessment and management of four children with various neurodevelopmental disorders in a multidisciplinary feeding team. We describe the team approach, with the participation of child neurologist, radiologist with the rehabilitation team including the speech therapist, occupational therapist and dietician, in the assessment and plan of management. RESULTS: Video-fluoroscopic study of swallowing had been useful in assessing the type of swallowing problems with treatment goals targeted to the basic underlying pathophysiological mechanism. CONCLUSION: A child neurologist should be involved in the multidisciplinary oromotor rehabilitation program for neurologically impaired children with feeding problems.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/39. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is associated with feeding difficulties.Our objective was to characterize the common occurrence of feeding and swallowing disorders noticed by our speech therapy department among patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum. All patients with suspected or presumed agenesis of the corpus callosum undergoing therapy for feeding and/or swallowing disorders, including oral and/or pharyngeal dysphagia and oral-sensory disorder, were identified. Their brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and charts were reviewed in detail. Seven patients with striking oral-motor and oral-sensory disorder met the criteria for agenesis of the corpus callosum. Particular difficulties noted include oral-sensory defensiveness in five of these seven patients, oral dysphagia/weakness in all seven patients, and pharyngeal dysphagia with risk of aspiration in three of these seven patients. The oral-motor weakness observed in all of the patients affected the strength and coordination necessary for functional oral-phase swallowing. We conclude that feeding and swallowing disorders are significant in children with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Although the pathophysiologic mechanism is not known, recognition of this phenomenon is important because early detection and intervention can facilitate functional feeding and swallowing patterns earlier in these patients, therefore avoiding the adverse and more severe disorders that can arise when dysphagias and/or oral-sensory disorder persist over extended periods of time.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = speech (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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