Cerebral venous thrombosis in Behcet's disease. A report on 24 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is the most common manifestation of vasculo-Behçet's disease and may be superficial and/or deep localization. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological features of CVT associated with Behçet's disease in our population and to compare findings with previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a retrospective study of 24 cases of CVT secondary to Behçet's disease, collected between 1999 and 2019 in the neurology department of the Mohamed V Military Hospital (Rabat), the Avicenne Military Hospital (Marrakech) and the Mohamed VI Hospital (Marrakech). The diagnosis of Behçet's disease was made in all cases according to the 2014 International Study Group Criteria for Behçet diseases. Patients received antithrombotic treatment, combined with corticosteroids, in six cases of superficial CVT and with immunosuppressants in cases of deep CVT. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations were dominated by motor deficit in deep localizations and intracranial hypertension in superficial locations. The diencephalic-mesencephalic syndrome was found in 18 patients, whereas intracranial hypertension (71%) and headache (57%) were the most common presentations of superficial CVT. Unlike previous studies, magnetic resonance angiography and conventional angiography performed in our patients confirmed the predominance of deep venous thrombosis (18 cases), whereas superficial CVT was observed only in six cases. DISCUSSION: In our series, the benefit of conventional angiography was undeniable, by confirming the diagnosis of basal vein of Rosenthal thrombosis in 75% of our patients. Short-term outcome was favorable, but sequelae of CVT were noted in 20 patients (75%). The outcome of patients was commonly mRS 02, however 70% of patients presenting with deep CVT at the beginning had a poor outcome (mRS 03) and we did not record any case of venous thrombosis relapse.

Clinicoradiological and prognostic features of COVID-19-associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a spark in interest in the subject given the high exposure rate to viral antigens in the form of infections and vaccines. It is expected that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) cases see a rise in incidence during this period. Given the plethora of Covid-19-related central nervous system (CNS) involvement, it is important to be aware of the varied presentations of ADEM. CASE REPORTS: In this paper, we report 3 cases of ADEM following Covid-19 infection. Patients presented with polyfocal neurological symptoms 6 to 18 days after respiratory symptoms onset. The diagnosis of Covid-19 was made based on nasal swab reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and chest computerized tomography (CT). DISCUSSION: These cases illustrate both classic and atypical presentations requiring exclusion of a spectrum of CNS conditions to be able to retain the diagnosis of ADEM. Consequently, we stress the importance of context, clinical examination and MRI findings in the differentials. In addition, we discuss workup, and particularly, the indication of brain biopsy. Also, the paper discusses options in therapy and the prognosis. The prognosis of covid-associated ADEM is dependent on the extent of pathology intrinsic to ADEM and the intrication of the prognosis of Covid-19 infection. CONCLUSION: The key message in these 3 cases is that clinicians should have a low threshold of suspicion of ADEM in the Covid-19 context, adopt appropriate workup strategies, and initiate adequate treatment for better outcomes.

An update on epidemiology, diagnosis & management of NMO-SD in the tertiary neurology department of Marrakech (Morocco).

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorders (NMO-SD) are inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. There are few epidemiological studies devoted to NMO, especially in Africa and the Middle East, but individual cases and series have been reported from many countries across the African continent. OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of NMO patients followed at the Mohammed VI University Hospital of Marrakech. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a hospital-based retrospective study of 52 patients with NMO diagnosed and followed at the Neurology department of the University Hospital of Marrakech from 2004 to July 2019. The 2006 diagnostic criteria of NMOSD were used for patients admitted before 2015 for inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the 2015 diagnostic criteria of NMO-SD for all patients thereafter. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The study concerned 52 patients, 18 males and 34 females. Median age at disease onset was 32.5 years (range 7-55). Mean time between symptom onset and diagnosis of NMO was nine months 18 days (range 7 days to 4 years). In most patients, manifestations included visual acuity, tetraparesis, and sensorial disorders. Refractory vomiting and hiccup were noted in the first attack in 19% of patients. Two patients had hypersomnia and polyphagia, and one had been treated for depression ten months before the development of severe tetraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show any brain lesions in 29% of patients. Cervical myelitis extending to more than three vertebrae was found in 60% of patients. AQP4-antibody assay was performed only in 57.7% of patients, and was positive in 38.4%; anti-MOG was positive in four anti-AQP4 seronegative patients. Management strategies for NMO-SD included methylprednisolone pulses (70% of patients), plasmapheresis (25%), and rituximab (since 2017) for 46%. Outcome was favourable in 40% of patients and has remained stable in 50% of them. CONCLUSION: Anti-NMO assays, made available during the last five years with the help of The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, have led to a clear jump in the number of cases diagnosed. Major advances in the field of epidemiology, imaging, and pathophysiology of NMO-SD have led to improved patient care and outcome.

Syringomyelia associated with syphilitic spinal meningitis: real complication or possible association?

STUDY DESIGN: The study has been designed as a case report. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report a rare case of syringomyelia in a patient with syphilitic spinal meningitis. SETTING: The Neurology Department, University Hospital Mohamed VI Marrakesh, Morocco. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old Moroccan male presented with the complaints of weakness of the lower extremities. Neurological examinations confirmed the motor dysfunction of the lower extremities and revealed a sensory loss to the T2-T4 dermatome. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan detected a hypointense signals on the T1 sequences and hyperintense signals on T2 in the cord extending from C7 to T4. The condition was diagnosed as dorsal syringmyelia. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid were positive for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination tests. The patient was treated with intravenous penicillin therapy with a significant improvement in motor deficit. After 2 years, his neurological deficit was limited to a mild weakness of the distal right leg. CONCLUSION: A case of syphilitic spinal meningitis presenting with syringomyelia, and effectively treated with penicillin has been described.