In 22 control men and 53 men with chronic cauda equina lesions the penilo-cavernosus reflex was elicited clinically and measured neurophysiologically using single and double electrical stimulation. Positive predictive value 83-97% and 95-96%, and negative predictive value 52-57% and 66-68% for clinical and neurophysiologic testing, respectively. The results supported the use of clinical penilo-cavernosus reflex testing as an additional criterion for patient referral for uro-neurophysiologic examination, and measurement of the reflex as a valuable part of such testing.
COBISS.SI-ID: 25920729
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the same rate of the right-hand finger tapping we found in patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) increased bilateral activation of the posterior parietal cortex and left primary sensorimotor cortex as compared to controls. Activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex was in patients also less lateralized. Our findings demonstrate an altered pattern of cortical activation in subjects with HSP during motor task. The increased activation probably reflects reorganization of the cortical motor system in these patients.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26153689
Seventy-five patients (192 external anal sphincter (EAS) muscles) with chronic cauda equina lesions and 76 controls (119 EAS muscles) were examined by concentric needle EMG, using template operated motor unit potential (MUP) analysis. For individual EAS muscles the positive predictive value 80%/86%/90%, and negative predictive value 78%/86%/81% with pathologic at least 1/2/3 of 6 criteria to declare a muscle neuropathic. Study confirmed high predictive values of quantitative EMG of the EAS muscle.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26141145
"Spinal pain" is estimated to be one of the most prevalent human morbid conditions, also leading to absenteeism from work and early retirement. Lifetime prevalence of spinal pain both in the neck and lower back has been reported as up to 80%. The chapter reviews main disorders affecting cervical and lumbar discs, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and other compressive spinal disorders, as well as ischemic and congestive myelopathies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26270425
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we have explored, the activation of the cortical regions during hand gripping, finger tapping and sniffing in healthy subjects, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). Cortical activation in ALS and HSP patients during finger tapping was increased and less lateralized. By contrast, cortical activation during sniffing was decreased in ALS patients. Cortical motor representation of the diaphragm was located bilaterally and medially to the hand representation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 244657408