Author(s): Cengiz TATAROĞLU | Nefati KIYLIOĞLU | Banu BİÇEROL | Serhat SARSU | Ümit TÜRSEN | Tamer İrfan KAYA
Journal: Journal of Neurological Sciences
ISSN 1300-1817
Volume: 22;
Issue: 03;
Start page: 250;
Date: 2005;
Original page
Keywords: Behçet’s disease | Neuro-Behçet | Exteroceptive suppression of masseter | Blink reflex | Brainstem auditory evoked potentials | brainstem reflexes
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Brainstem is the most frequently affected neural substrate in neurological involvement due to Behçet’s disease (neuro-Behçet). The demonstration of brainstem involvement in Behçet’s disease (BD) is important in the management of this disorder. The evaluation of some brainstem reflexes (blink reflex and exteroceptive suppression of masseter) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) may provide additional information concerning CNS involvement in the patients with BD.Materials and Methods: We studied 37 patients with BD. Six out of 37 patients had neurological involvement in their neurological examination or history (neuro-Behçet). Exteroceptive suppression of masseter, blink reflexes and BAEP were analyzed in patients and in 18 healthy controls.Results: Four out of six patients with neuro-Behçet showed abnormalities involving exteroceptive suppression patterns of masseter (unrecordable in 3 and prolonged latency of S2 in 1), two showed BAEP abnormalities (absent of wave V in 1 and increased I-III interpeak latency in 1), and one showed blink reflex (increased latency of R1 and R2) abnormality. Electrophysiological parameters did not showed significant difference in the patients with BD without neurological involvement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that exteroceptive suppression of masseter may be useful test in disclosing brainstem involvement only in patients with neuro-Behçet.
Journal: Journal of Neurological Sciences
ISSN 1300-1817
Volume: 22;
Issue: 03;
Start page: 250;
Date: 2005;
Original page
Keywords: Behçet’s disease | Neuro-Behçet | Exteroceptive suppression of masseter | Blink reflex | Brainstem auditory evoked potentials | brainstem reflexes
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Brainstem is the most frequently affected neural substrate in neurological involvement due to Behçet’s disease (neuro-Behçet). The demonstration of brainstem involvement in Behçet’s disease (BD) is important in the management of this disorder. The evaluation of some brainstem reflexes (blink reflex and exteroceptive suppression of masseter) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) may provide additional information concerning CNS involvement in the patients with BD.Materials and Methods: We studied 37 patients with BD. Six out of 37 patients had neurological involvement in their neurological examination or history (neuro-Behçet). Exteroceptive suppression of masseter, blink reflexes and BAEP were analyzed in patients and in 18 healthy controls.Results: Four out of six patients with neuro-Behçet showed abnormalities involving exteroceptive suppression patterns of masseter (unrecordable in 3 and prolonged latency of S2 in 1), two showed BAEP abnormalities (absent of wave V in 1 and increased I-III interpeak latency in 1), and one showed blink reflex (increased latency of R1 and R2) abnormality. Electrophysiological parameters did not showed significant difference in the patients with BD without neurological involvement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that exteroceptive suppression of masseter may be useful test in disclosing brainstem involvement only in patients with neuro-Behçet.
