Cervical astrocytoma with arm rigidity: clinical and electrophysiologic features
D H Weinberg1, E L Logigian, J J Kelly
1Department of Neurology, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111.
Neurology
|October 1, 1988
Abstract:
A 67-year-old woman developed a fixed, flexed posture of the right arm and hand due to a cervical astrocytoma. EMG showed continuous motor unit potential firing at 8 to 15 Hz with an abnormal silent period, presumably due to the loss of local spinal cord inhibitory interneuronal input.
Related Concept Videos
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...


