Aline Epiphanio Wolf

Laryngeal electromyography in movement disorders: preliminary data

This study describes preliminary laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) data and botulinum toxin treatment in patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders. Twenty-five patients who had been clinically selected for botulinum toxin administration were examined, 19 with suspected laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia (SD), 5 with vocal tremor, and 1 with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). LEMG evaluations were performed before botulinum toxin administration using monopolar electrodes. Electromyography was consistent with dystonia in 14 patients and normal in 5, and differences in frequency suggesting essential tremor in 3 and Parkinson tremors in 2. The different LEMG patterns and significant improvement in our patients from botulinum toxin therapy has led us to perform laryngeal electromyography as a routine in UNICAMP movement disorders ambulatory.

Conhecimento da enfermagem sobre cuidados a pacientes disfágicos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva

PURPOSE: to evaluate the knowledge about the care with dysphagia patients from the nurses who work in intensive care units, in order to evaluate their knowledge about dysphagia, and its implications on intensive care unit patients with this clinical complication. METHOD: a quantitative, descriptive and comparative study between two groups of nurses (intensive care and other sectors) working in a University Hospital, who answered a structured questionnaire with questions about dysphagia which was statistically analyzed by Fischers test and the Differences in Proportion. RESULTS: professionals in both groups had an adequate knowledge about the definition and complications of dysphagia, but they did not know about the stages, causes and specific care related to nutrition, medication and hygiene in cases of dysphagia, the self-assessment reported lack of training in conducting some procedures to patients with dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: the assessment found that there is a partial theoretical and practical knowledge about nursing care to patients with dysphagia, demonstrating the need for continuing education, especially in intensive care. We suggest the creation of the nursing specialization course in dysphagia.

Eletromiografia da laringe: estudo da contribuição diagnóstica em 30 pacientes com imobilidade de prega vocal

A eletromiografia (EMG) e tecnica amplamente desenvolvida e utilizada em neurologia para diagnostico e definicao prognostica de doencas neuromusculares. Corresponde a captacao de potenciais de acao muscular atraves de agulhas eletrodos inseridas no musculo ou de eletrodos posicionados na superficie. Este estudo se baseou em 30 pacientes avaliados no Centro Campinas de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeca e Pescoco que apresentavam imobilidade de prega vocal, no periodo de maio de 2000 a maio de 2001. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame eletromiografico. Para a verificacao da contribuicao da eletromiografia laringea (EMGL) ao diagnostico, os pacientes foram agrupados de acordo com a hipotese firmada clinicamente com base na historia pregressa do doente, exame fisico e exames subsidiarios. Nos casos de prega vocal imovel sem causa definida, a EMGL indicou lesao neuropatica periferica, lesao neuropatica central ou fixacao cricoarinetoidea. Nos casos de prega vocal imovel por trauma mecânico definido clinicamente, a EMGL identificou lesao neuropatica periferica em 80% dos casos e determinou outra causa em 20% (miopatia e fixacao cricoaritenoidea). Nos pacientes com prega vocal imovel por possivel compressao tumoral definida clinicamente, a EMGL confirmou lesao neuropatica cronica Abstract