Seminal plasma PSA in spinal cord injured men: a preliminary report

We report the case of a 48-year-old patient who developed acute onset bilateral, peripheral motor dysfunction in the arms and forearms. Clinical history, electromyography and laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy caused by lead poisoning from the domestic water supply. The EMG showed axonal alterations. Improvement was observed after treatments with chelating agents and removal of the source of poisoning. This case provides the opportunity to recall the traditional 1889 Dejerine classification of lead-related peripheral neuropathies and is a warning signal that lead poisoning remains a problem in peri-urban areas of developed countries.     

Sperm from spinal cord injured men lose motility faster than sperm from normal men: the effect is exacerbated at body compared to room temperature

PURPOSE: We investigated if sperm from spinal cord injured men lose motility and viability faster than sperm from normal men, and if there is an effect of temperature on these parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Identical aliquots of fresh antegrade semen from 10 spinal cord injured men and 9 normal controls were stored at room temperature (23C) or body temperature (37C). Sperm motility and viability were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after semen collection. RESULTS: Sperm motility, particularly rapid linear motility, decreased faster in specimens from spinal cord injured men compared to normal controls. This effect was exacerbated at 37C. Heat did not affect the degradation of sperm motility in specimens from normal men. The percent of dead sperm in specimens from spinal cord injured men was significantly greater than that in normal men at all time points. However, the rate of cell death was not faster than normal with time or heat. CONCLUSIONS: When using sperm from spinal cord injured men for purposes of insemination or experimentation the rapid loss of motility must be considered, particularly when stored at body temperature.     

Mixed secretory and obstructive azoospermia. Transseptal vasovasostomy by vas deferens transposition: a case report and review of the literature

PURPOSE: To report on unusual imaging presentations in renal transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Imaging studies of 140 cases of pathologically proven renal TCC were retrospectively studied with the focus on unusual presentations. RESULTS: Unusual imaging manifestations were found in 20 cases (14.3%). These findings were classified into 5 categories: perirenal abscesses or perirenal hematomas in 6 cases; parenchymal masses in 5; undue thickening of the hydronephrotic wall in 4; "tuberculoid" pyelograms in 3; and tumors with massive necrosis in 2. CONCLUSION: Deceptive imaging presentations may occur in renal TCC. Recognition of these presentations may help to prevent delay in diagnosis.     

Virtual reality in rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries: A case report.

Advances in information technology offer new opportunities for rehabilitation. In particular, the immersion capability provided by a synthetic environment could be exploited to design novel assistive devices. In virtual reality (VR), users navigate and interact with 3-D, computer-generated environments that are highly flexible and programmable, enabling the therapist to present a variety of controlled stimuli and to measure and monitor responses. VR provides a powerful means of increasing levels of environmental interaction in a highly controlled and structured manner. In this article, an overview is given of the design issues of a VR-enhanced orthopedic appliance used in rehabilitation of a person with spinal cord injury. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gas in the spinal canal associated with injury of the cervical spinal cord: a diagnostic dilemma. A case report

This pilot study compared haloperidol, fluoxetine, and placebo for reduction of agitation in 15 outpatients with AD. The two drugs were no more effective than placebo at reducing agitation in these subjects; however, both drugs produced more toxicity than did placebo.     

Unusual fibro-osseous lesion of the spinal cord with positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and radiological progression: a case report

A rare intradural lesion of the lumbar spine producing leg pain and minimal neurological deficits is described in a 48-year-old man. Previous reports of similar lesions have been described under the designation "fibro-osseous lesions" and "calcifying pseudoneoplasms." This is the first report of an unusual fibro-osseous lesion with an intradural spinal location as well as the first to show immunohistochemical positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) within cellular components of this process and crystal formation suggestive of calcium pyrophosphate. This case also shows radiographic progression suggesting the possibility that this entity may be a form of low grade neoplasm.     

Delayed neurological symptoms from the spontaneous migration of a bullet in the lumbosacral spinal canal. Case report

In a patient wounded by a gunshot in the abdomen, the bullet was radiologically located intradurally at S1 level. Although she had no neurological deficit at admission, she developed pain and motor weakness a few days later. At operation the bullet was found at L4 level and its removal resulted in complete neurological recovery.