Omer Demol

Motor evaluation in vascular hemiplegia.

In vascular hemiplegia, motricity of the upper and lower limbs can be assessed from the examination of a limited number of movements which have been selected by a statistical procedure. For these movements the scores may be weighted on the basis of progress achieved over 2, 4 and 6 months. From the weighted, summed and averaged scores, a motricity index may be derived. This index gives a rapid overall indication of a patient’s progress in motor recovery, permits comparisons between different patients and the establishment of correlations with other clinical data and the values obtained by paraclinical techniques.

Quantitative study of the rate of recovery from aphasia due to ischemic stroke.

The extent of recovery from aphasia following ischemic stroke has been evaluated by a quantitative method. The greatest improvement was observed during the first 3 months following onset. The rate of recovery was similar for expression and for comprehension, but comprehension was usually less disturbed than expression. Final prognosis depends on the type of aphasia (the poorest prognosis was found for total or global aphasia) and on the severity of the initial insult.

Study in cerebrovascular disease Brain scanning with technetium 99m pertechnetate; clinical correlations

A prospective brain scanning study using technetium 99m pertechnetate was performed in 84 patients with cerebral infarction. No correlation was found between vascular angiographic findings and the frequency of positive scans. A comparison with clinical motor and mental evaluation showed a good correlation between abnormal scans (58 percent) and poor initial test results. A half-life of 17 days characterized the time course of positive scans according to their density and abnormal radioisotopic uptake area.

Quantitative evaluation of aphasia resulting from a cerebral vascular accident

Abstract One hundred and seven cases of aphasia due to cerebral vascular accident were investigated by means of a range of tests and an evaluation of spontaneous speech. Mathematical processing of the results enabled the severity of the aphasia to be quantified by means of an index of comprehension, an index of expression and an overall index. These indices enable the patients progress to be followed and his clinical progress to be compared with that of other parameters.

Semiological value of the palmo-mental reflex in vascular hemiplegia.

The palmo-mental reflex has been described, together with other neurological signs, in senile dementia. It is, however, found in normal adults, where its frequency increases with age. In vascular hemiplegia it has a considerably higher incidence, nevertheless it is not a sign of mental deterioration.