Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Liver Cancer.

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment to reduce pain, to preserve neurological functioning, and to prolong survival. The diagnosis of liver cancer is often neglected in the differential diagnosis of MSCC. Treatment is usually palliative and evolution is often fatal. This is a case report of a 28-year-old patient living in Mauritania hospitalized in November 2014 at the neurology department of Fann national teaching hospital in Dakar, for the management of a chronic dorsal spinal cord compression. The radiological and laboratory investigations done revealed the metastatic compression originating from a liver cancer with elevated alpha-fetoprotein and aspartate transaminase, positive hepatitis B surface antigen, and multiple metastasis in the lungs, mediastinum, ribs, iliac, and peritoneum. The hip joint X-ray showed a spontaneous fracture of the right femoral neck. The multidisciplinary treatment was palliative and the evolution was fatal within the month of hospitalization. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of MSCC may not have saved the life of the patient but may have prevented much suffering and would likely have prolonged the life of a young man.

Post-ivermectin encephalopathy in Senegal: a case report.

Ivermectin is an ant parasitic drug used for combating onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. It works by inhibiting the function of neurons and muscles, thus causing paralysis of microfilariae. Side effects of this drug have been reported including post-ivermectin encephalopathy requiring emergency care in hospital. We report the case of a 35 years old patient living in rural areas of Senegal who presented two days after a mistake in administration of a second dose of ivermectin, headaches, altered consciousness and bilateral blindness. The workup revealed brain white matter lesions, abnormal liver function tests and biological inflammation without evidence of Loa loa microfilariae in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Corticosteroid treatment was administered in emergency and patient recovered despite the persistence of bilateral blindness. Inflammatory process seems to have an important role in the pathophysiology of this encephalopathy. We should therefore carefully control the administration of this drugs.

Superior Foville syndrome due to pontine hemorrhage: a case report.

The Superior Foville Syndrome is a rare clinical feature of stroke or brain hemorrhage. Few cases have been reported worldwide particularly in Africa. We report the case of a 20 years old patient resident in Senegal with no known medical history. He was admitted on August 2015 in the Neurology Department of Fann National Teaching Hospital for an abrupt onset of left body side weakness, acute headaches and rotatory vertigo five days before admission. The physical examination found a superior Foville Syndrome. And the brain CT scan shown hemorrhage at the right inferior part of the pons compressing the fourth ventricle. No cause of this hemorrhage stroke has been found. Superior Foville syndrome is a rare clinical presentation of stroke and presented a rich semiological feature of the posterior cerebral fossa.

Non-motor signs in patients with Parkinson's disease at the University Hospital of Point "G", Mali.

INTRODUCTION: Despite significant progress in the field of scientific research on Parkinson's disease (PD), the prevalence and pathophysiology of its non-motor signs remains less understood than the classic motor signs of bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor and postural instability. Data covering this topic are rare in Africa, and almost non-existent in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, this study aims to highlight the frequency of certain non-motor signs in PD patients followed in the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital Point "G", Bamako, Mali. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective and descriptive study from January 2012 to November 2013. We identified records of patients with dopamine-responsive idiopathic Parkinson's disease, and quantified associated non-motor symptoms. Data were analyzed with Epi-Info 2000 version 3.5.5. RESULT: During this period we reviewed 60 patient charts of which 68.3% were men. The average age of patients was 66.51 ranging from 25 to 94 years.Non-motor symptoms were present in 90% of cases, including sensitive disorders in 76.7%, dysautonomia in 73.3%, and psycho-behavioral disorders, including sleep disorders, in 81.7%. CONCLUSION: At the end of this study, we observed an important place for non-motor signs in the clinical manifestation of PD patients in general.

Managing neurocysticercosis: challenges and solutions.

Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major cause of neurological morbidity in the world. Variability in the neuropathology and clinical presentation of NCC often make it difficult to diagnose and manage. Diagnosis of NCC can be challenging especially in endemic and resource-limited countries where laboratory and imaging techniques are often lacking. NCC management can also be challenging as current treatment options are limited and involve symptomatic agents, antiparasitic agents, or surgery. Although antiparasitic treatment probably reduces the number of active lesions and long-term seizure frequency, its efficacy is limited and strategies to improve treatment regimens are warranted. Treatment decisions should be individualized in relation to the type of NCC. Initial measures should focus on symptomatic management, with antiparasitic therapy only to be considered later on, when appropriate. Symptomatic treatment remains the cornerstone in NCC management which should not only focuses on epilepsy, but also on other manifestations that cause considerable burden (recurrent headaches, cognitive decline). Accurate patients' categorization, better antiparasitic regimens, and definition of new clinical outcomes for trials on NCC could improve management quality and prognosis of NCC. Prevention strategies targeting tapeworm carriers and infected pigs are yielding good results in local models. If local elimination of transmission is confirmed and replicated, this will open the door to cysticercosis eradication efforts worldwide.

[Epidemiological and socio-economic support patients living with epilepsy in Dakar, Senegal]. / Profil épidémiologique et prise en charge socioéconomique des patients vivant avec l'épilepsie à Dakar, Senegal.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy remains a major public health problem especially in developing countries where access to new therapies remains limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the socio-demographic profile of patients living with epilepsy in Dakar and supported. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study over a period of eight months from November 2009 to June 2010 at Fann University Hospital and Health Center Pikine through research on adherence. RESULTS: The study involved patients living with epilepsy aged over 15 years, diagnosed clinically with epilepsy and/or confirmed by an electroencephalogram and put under antiepileptic drug for more than 3 months. We recruited 411 patients aged 15-74 years with a mean age of 28.93 years. The age range was 15-24 years with 44.6 % majority. The male sex predominated with 52.3 % and the sex ratio was 1.09. Singles outnumbered with 64.7 %. The level of education was the most representative secondary with 29.4 % and patients without profession were 35.5 %. Most of the patients was from semi-urban areas with 47.7 %. Generalized seizures were more frequent with about 70 %. Most of the patients was supported either by their family or by themselves. CONCLUSION: The management should be multisectoral for epilepsy out of darkness.

[Estimate of the prevalence of cognitive impairment in an elderly population of the health center of Senegalese national retirement institution]. / Estimation de la prévalence du déficit cognitif dans une population de personnes âgées sénégalaises du Centre médico-social et universitaire de l'Institution de prévoyance retraite du Sénégal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a Senegalese elderly population, of the Sociohealth and university center of Senegalese national retirement institution, Dakar, Senegal. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted in 872 Senegalese elderly population aged 55 years and over utilizing the Sociohealth and university center of IPRES, Dakar, Senegal for health care. Sociodemographic, lifestyles, physical activity, medical history, familial history of dementia data were collected with a structured questionnaire completed with a clinical exam and neuropsychological testing. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of 28 or less with the test of Senegal. RESULTS: Ninety four subjects (10.8%; 95% CI 8,7-12,9) had cognitive impairment. Mean age was 67.2 years (±7.5 years), 63% were men, 79% were married, and half of them knew how to read and write. Hypertension, arthritis and gastro-intestinal diseases were the main health conditions reported. Prevalence of cognitive impairment varied with age and education. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of cognitive decline in the Sociohealth and university center of IPRES, Dakar, Senegal, is higher and varied with age and education.