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Fifty patients were examined clinically and neurologically for seven days after pneumoencephalography. Headache was present in 78%, neck stiffness in 34%, pyrexia in 38%, vomiting in 34%, tachycardia in 74%, a change in the level of consciousness in 18%, and abnormal neurological signs in 30%. Of the 13 patients with epilepsy, there was an increased frequency of seizures in four, associated with increased EEG epileptiform activity in three. EEG abnormality either appeared or increased in 74% of cases on the second day after the air study. A mechanism for the production of these sequelae is proposed. It is concluded that these findings indicate that in most cases an organic brain syndrome follows pneumoencephalography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first case of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) in a patient with complete tetraplegia, highlighting diagnostic and management challenges. Spinal multidisciplinary rural clinic and specialised inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Unit, NSW, Australia. A 61-year-old man with established C5 AIS A tetraplegia, presented with sudden onset of diplopia and bilateral ptosis, later diagnosed as OMG, in context of other complex co-morbidities, including a cervical cord syrinx, obstructive sleep apnoea and labile blood pressure. Clinical findings were consistent with fluctuating bilateral partial third and sixth nerve palsies. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies were negative, but electromyography demonstrated muscle fatigue. The ocular signs responded well to pyridostigmine. Medications taken before diagnosis, including solifenacin for neurogenic bladder overactivity, were ceased to avoid attenuating the anti-cholinesterase effect. However, the unopposed anti-cholinesterase activity led to frequent and painful abdominal spasms, associated with uncontrolled detrusor hyperreflexia and worsening autonomic dysreflexia (AD). A trans-vesical phenol block to treat this provided only short-lasting benefit. Pyridostigmine was ceased to avoid provoking his abdominal spasms and his regular medications were recommenced. It was decided that the most appropriate treatment for his distressing diplopia was an eye patch. After discharge home, he continued to experience problems with recurrent urinary tract infections, abdominal spasms, episodic postural hypotension and AD. After 5 months, the patient died from an acute myocardial infarction. This case report contributes new knowledge about the rare presentation of OMG in a person with chronic tetraplegia.

This article documents the addition of 512 microsatellite marker loci and nine pairs of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alcippe morrisonia morrisonia, Bashania fangiana, Bashania fargesii, Chaetodon vagabundus, Colletes floralis, Coluber constrictor flaviventris, Coptotermes gestroi, Crotophaga major, Cyprinella lutrensis, Danaus plexippus, Fagus grandifolia, Falco tinnunculus, Fletcherimyia fletcheri, Hydrilla verticillata, Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus, Leavenworthia alabamica, Marmosops incanus, Miichthys miiuy, Nasua nasua, Noturus exilis, Odontesthes bonariensis, Quadrula fragosa, Pinctada maxima, Pseudaletia separata, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Podocarpus elatus, Portunus trituberculatus, Rhagoletis cerasi, Rhinella schneideri, Sarracenia alata, Skeletonema marinoi, Sminthurus viridis, Syngnathus abaster, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) chinensis, Verticillium dahliae, Wasmannia auropunctata, and Zygochlamys patagonica. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Chaetodon baronessa, Falco columbarius, Falco eleonorae, Falco naumanni, Falco peregrinus, Falco subbuteo, Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Marmosops paulensis, Monodelphis Americana, Odontesthes hatcheri, Podocarpus grayi, Podocarpus lawrencei, Podocarpus smithii, Portunus pelagicus, Syngnathus acus, Syngnathus typhle,Uroteuthis (Photololigo) edulis, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvauceli and Verticillium albo-atrum. This article also documents the addition of nine sequencing primer pairs and sixteen allele specific primers or probes for Oncorhynchus mykiss and Oncorhynchus tshawytscha; these primers and assays were cross-tested in both species., (© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

We present two patients with delayed neurological deterioration following apparent recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning in whom magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormalities. In the first patient, cortical grey matter abnormalities were seen without white matter changes. Visual evoked potentials were, however, abnormal. In the second, diffuse white matter lesions were detected. In neither patient were basal ganglia lesions seen.

Diphtheria toxin administered by direct intraneural injection procedures demyelination in the mouse sciatic nerve. A dose in the order of 2 million times greater on an equal weight of nerve basis to required to produce the lesion compared with the dose required in the chicken.

It was thought possible that the proximity of the right parietal cortex to the leading hand area in left handed subjects may confer an advantage in tasks requiring visuo-motor function. However, the study showed the left handed group to be defective in the performance of the Wechsler Block-design Sub-test. As some mature left handed individuals may excel in tasks requiring refined visuo-motor skill, it is suggested that any constitutional deficiency is not fixed, but may be expected to disappear with increased maturity, or as the result of training.

Despite the use of barbiturates, phenytoin sodium and diazepam given intravenously, status epilepticus continued in the three cases described until chlormethizaole (Heminevrin) was administered, when rapid resolution of the status occurred.