In this paper, we propose a multi-scale mel domain feature map extraction algorithm to solve the problem that the speech recognition rate of dysarthria is difficult to improve. We used the empirical mode decomposition method to decompose speech signals and extracted Fbank features and their first-order differences for each of the three effective components to construct a new feature map, which could capture details in the frequency domain. Secondly, due to the problems of effective feature loss and high computational complexity in the training process of single channel neural network, we proposed a speech recognition network model in this paper. Finally, training and decoding were performed on the public UA-Speech dataset. The experimental results showed that the accuracy of the speech recognition model of this method reached 92.77%. Therefore, the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively improve the speech recognition rate of dysarthria.
Humans ; Dysarthria/diagnosis* ; Speech ; Speech Perception ; Algorithms ; Neural Networks, Computer

The authors report the case of a pontine hemangioblastoma with spontaneous pontine hemorrhage. The 19-year-old man presented with sudden right hemiparesis. The patient had showed recurrent episodes of neurological deterioration. Neurological examination revealed severe dysarthria, right hemiparesis and cranial nerve dysfunction(cranial nerve V-XII). Computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images showed recurrent hemorrhage in lower pons. Cerebral angiograms showed no vascular staining. Hematoma evaculation and wall biopsy were done. Histologic diagnosis was hemangioblastoma with hemorrhage. There has been no previous report of a pontine hemangioblastoma with hemorrhage. We also reviewed pertinent literature regarding a hemangioblastoma presenting with hemorrhage.
Biopsy ; Cranial Nerves ; Diagnosis ; Dysarthria ; Hemangioblastoma* ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Neurologic Examination ; Paresis ; Pons ; Young Adult

The authors report the case of a pontine hemangioblastoma with spontaneous pontine hemorrhage. The 19-year-old man presented with sudden right hemiparesis. The patient had showed recurrent episodes of neurological deterioration. Neurological examination revealed severe dysarthria, right hemiparesis and cranial nerve dysfunction(cranial nerve V-XII). Computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images showed recurrent hemorrhage in lower pons. Cerebral angiograms showed no vascular staining. Hematoma evaculation and wall biopsy were done. Histologic diagnosis was hemangioblastoma with hemorrhage. There has been no previous report of a pontine hemangioblastoma with hemorrhage. We also reviewed pertinent literature regarding a hemangioblastoma presenting with hemorrhage.
Biopsy ; Cranial Nerves ; Diagnosis ; Dysarthria ; Hemangioblastoma* ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Neurologic Examination ; Paresis ; Pons ; Young Adult

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disease which can affect every organ system. Neurologic abnormalities are common, occuring in approximately half of all patients at some time during the course of their illness. But symptoms of nervous system as the sole presenting symptoms occur in less than 1% of lupus patients. In patients initially presenting with neurologic symptoms and signs, differential diagnosis is difficult and sometimes it may be misdiagnosed. Therefore extensive laboratory investigations should be carried out in all patients with unusual neurological symptoms, since early diagnosis of lupus can help in providing effective treatment. We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with dysarthria and dysphagia resembling multiple sclerosis.
Connective Tissue Diseases ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Nervous System ; Neurologic Manifestations

This study aimed at identifying the frequency and final diagnoses of stroke mimics (SMs) among suspected stroke cases, and seeking differences in clinical & imaging features between SMs and true strokes. It was retrospective with data taken from an ongoing stroke registry for patients admitted to a Stroke Unit between 1 May and 31 October 2011. Baseline characteristics, clinical & imaging features, complications, and outcomes of SMs were compared to those with true strokes by appropriate statistical tests. The total number of cases admitted was 537. Only 232 (43.2%) of them presented during the critical time thrombolytic intervention. SMs comprised 15.9% of all suspected stroke cases. The commonest mimics were psychiatric disorders (43.2%), migraines (16.2%), seizures (8.1%), brain tumors (5.4%), and systemic infections (5.4%). SMs were younger, more common in females, with less evidence of preexisting hypertension (43.2% vs. 56.9% for true strokes). Hemianopia (p = 0.001), sensory inattention, neglect or both (p < 0.001) were more associated with true strokes, while cerebellar, brainstem signs or both (p = 0.045) excluding dysarthria were linked only to SMs. Acute ischemic signs in imaging scans were found linked to true strokes. Some clinical and imaging characteristics were found to differentiate to some extent between SMs and true strokes.
Brain Neoplasms ; Brain Stem ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Hemianopsia ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Migraine Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Stroke* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disorder that was first described by Adams et al. in 1959 in patients with a history of alcoholism and malnutrition. It is characterized by delirium, quadriparesis, pseudobulbar palsy, and dysarthria. A subgroup of patients at risk for CPM are chronic alcoholics, malnutrition, diabetes, liver transplantation, hepatic disease, advanced age. Although the cause and pathogenesis remains unclear, but many studies have implicated that the rapid correction of hyponatremia is the major factor associated with CPM. But CPM without hyponatremia has been rarely reported. Diagnosis is confirmed by MR image. Here we present one case of CPM without electrolyte disturbance after alcohol withdrawal in a chronic alcoholic with literature reviews.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism ; Delirium ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Dysarthria ; Humans ; Hyponatremia* ; Liver Transplantation ; Malnutrition ; Myelinolysis, Central Pontine* ; Pseudobulbar Palsy ; Quadriplegia

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is well-recognized osmotic demyelination syndrome that is related to various conditions such as rapid correction of hyponatremia and chronic alcoholism. Acute ataxia as a sole clinical sign in CPM is rare. We report a case of a 59-year-old man with dysarthria, intention tremor, and a significant gait ataxia starting after alcohol withdrawal, with radiological evidence of CPM. CPM should be included in the differential diagnosis of alcoholic patients who develop a sudden ataxia. Chronic alcohol abuse is one of the most commonly encountered predisposing factors. Alcohol withdrawal represents an additional vulnerability factor, being responsible for electrolyte imbalances which are not always demonstrable but are certainly involved in the development of CPM.
Alcoholics* ; Alcoholism ; Ataxia ; Causality ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Gait Ataxia ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Middle Aged ; Myelinolysis, Central Pontine* ; Tremor

A brain tumor is rarely considered as a differential diagnosis of a transient ischemic attack. However, a 76-year old man presented with frequent attacks of transient dysarthria, right hemiparesis and right hemiparesthesia. A brain MRI showed a carpet-like mass with homogeneous enhancement along the high convexity of the left dura, which was compatible with en plaque meningioma. In this case, the symptoms were thought to be the result of cerebral ischemia, attributed to the hemodynamical change in a tumorous condition.
Aged ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Brain Neoplasms ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma* ; Paresis

Ganglioglioma comprises about 2% of all intracranial neoplasm, however, it is rarely originated from the brain stem. We report a case of ganglioglioma arising from the brain stem. A 15-year-old girl presented with gait disturbance and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance image revealed a high signal intensity mass with cystic cavities in the right cerebellum and the brain stem. The patient underwent subtotal resection and microscopic examination revealed a ganglioglioma. It is suggested that ganglioglioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors, even located in the brain stem.
Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms ; Brain Stem* ; Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Gait ; Ganglioglioma* ; Humans ; Infratentorial Neoplasms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune vasculitic disorder of unknown origin. Systemic GCA causing cerebral infarction due to intracranial arteritis is rare. Early diagnosis and anti-inflammatory treatment of the GCA are necessary to prevent systemic involvement. A 66-year-old woman presented with dysarthria and left hemiparesis. A brain MRI showed ischemic lesions in the right temporoparietal area. We report a pathological case of GCA with clinical and neuroradiological evidence of cerebral infarction.
Aged ; Arteritis ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Dysarthria ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Giant Cell Arteritis* ; Giant Cells* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paresis ; Pathology