Other primary headache disorders: Data from the HEAD-MENA-A study in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

OBJECTIVE: Other primary headache disorders (OPHD) are under-investigated compared to frequent primary headache types like migraine, tension-type headache, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Knowledge of the distribution and characteristics of OPHD subtypes is crucial for their recognition. We aimed to determine the prevalence at the hospital and headache clinics and clinical characteristics of OPHDs in patients from 13 countries. METHODS: We analyzed a large dataset from the cross-sectional study Head-MENA-A (Middle East, North Africa, Asia). Consecutive patients over 10 years of age presenting with headaches were included from outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings. A structured questionnaire addressing demographics, headache characteristics, accompanying symptoms, and triggers was administered. Headache subtypes were diagnosed according to the ICHD-3 criteria. RESULTS: Among patients complaining of headaches (n = 3722), 106 (2.9%) were diagnosed with OPHD. Fifty-two patients (1.4% of all headache patients) had only OPHD, while 54 (1.5%) had both OPHD and a co-existing primary headache (mostly migraine). All OPHDs were more common in females. The most frequent subtypes were new daily persistent headache and primary stabbing headache (0.2% each among all admitted patients). Photophobia and phonophobia were the most frequent accompanying symptoms, while physical activity (28.8%), stress (15.4%), and the Valsalva maneuver (15.4%) were the most common triggering factors. The majority of triggering factors were more pronounced in patients with both migraine and OPHD. CONCLUSIONS: Other primary headaches are rare and heterogeneous. Their high co-existence with migraine suggests shared predisposing factors, hinting at a "headache continuum" concept for primary headaches.

Cross-sectional, hospital-based analysis of headache types using ICHD-3 criteria in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa: the Head-MENAA study.

BACKGROUND: Headaches are frequent neurological disorders that are yet to be unveiled and treated comprehensively worldwide. Bearing in mind that the distribution of headache subtypes in neurology clinics (NC) is essential for planning appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the primary goals of this multi-centric study are to carry out inter-regional comparisons by using current diagnostic criteria with evaluations of neurologists to delineate headache burden. METHODS: A cross-sectional study between April 1 and May 16, 2022 was conducted with the participation of 13 countries from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Patients were included in the study on a specific day each week during five consecutive weeks. All volunteers over the age of 18 and whose primary cause for admission was headache were examined. The patients admitted to NC or referred from emergency services/other services were evaluated by neurologists by means of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria. RESULTS: Among the 13,794 patients encountered in NC, headache was the primary complaint in 30.04%. The headache patients' mean age was 42.85 ± 14.89 (18-95 years), and 74.3% were female. According to the ICHD-3 criteria, 86.7% of the main group had primary headache disorders, 33.5% had secondary headaches, 4% had painful cranial neuropathies along with other facial and headaches, and 5.2% had headaches included in the appendix part showing some overlapping conditions. While the most common primary headache was migraine without aura (36.8%), the most common secondary headache was medication-overuse headache (MOH) (9.8%). Headaches attributed to COVID-19, its secondary complications, or vaccines continue to occur at rates of 1.2%-3.5% in current neurology practice. Pain severity was significantly lower in Ivory Coast and Sudan than in Türkiye, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Iran, Egypt, Senegal, Tatarstan, and Azerbaijan (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that migraine is still the most common motive for admissions to NC in different regions. Furthermore, MOH, an avoidable disorder, is the most common secondary headache type and appears to be a significant problem in all regions. Remarkably, pain perception differs between regions, and pain intensity is lower in Africa than in other regions.

Neurological complications of giant cell arteritis: A study of 15 cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is considered a neuro-ophthalmologic emergency. New-onset headache in patients aged 50 years and above with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate should prompt evaluation for GCA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 15 patients presenting with GCA from 1991 to 2008 at the Mohamed V Military hospital at Rabat and Avicenne Military hospital of Marrakech. RESULTS: Fifteen cases were recorded, with female predominance (male to female ratio 2:3) and a mean age of 63 years (range: 55-83 years). All patients (100%) presented with headache. The headache was isolated in 20% of cases and neuro-ophthalmic complications were found in 73% of cases. Biopsy was conclusive for GCA in 67% of cases and all of our patients were placed on steroids with spectacular improvement. CONCLUSION: New-onset headache in patients aged 50 years and above should prompt evaluation for GCA. Steroids, especially during the acute phase, must be started urgently to avoid irreversible neurological impairment.

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.

Prevalence and risk factors of cognitive dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is growing evidence for cognitive dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients as the age and the prevalence of comorbidities increase in this population. The aim of the present study was to assess cognitive performance in hemodialysis patients and determine the variables associated with poor cognitive function. METHODS: Cross-sectional cohort of 108 maintenance hemodialysis patients in the Marrakech area. Cognitive performance was assessed through the mini mental state examination (MMSE). Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of less than 24. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the variables associated with MMSE score. RESULTS: We found that 25% of the subjects were cognitively impaired. After adjusting for demographic and medical variables, low MMSE scores were independently associated with educational level (odd ratio: 0.564; p = 0.031) and anemia (odd ratio: 0.743; p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction among hemodialysis patients and many causative factors have been evoked. Effective identification of this trouble allows adequate psychological interventions to improve the quality of life of these patients.

[Acute polyradiculoneuropathy revealing systemic lupus erythematosus: an unusual presentation with fatal outcome]. / Polyradiculonévrite aiguë révélant un lupus érythémateux systémique : une présentation inhabituelle d'évolution fatale.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are common and numerous. They mainly involve the central nervous system, peripheral involvement being rare. Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is very uncommon. CASE REPORT: We report a 44-year-old man, who presented with acute polyradiculoneuropathy revealing systemic lupus erythematosus. Outcome was fatal despite treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulin. CONCLUSION: Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is a very rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus and can compromise functional and life prognosis. Early diagnosis and management are crucial.

[Congenital insensitivity to pain: clinical and neurophysiological study in three sisters of a Moroccan family]. / Insensibilité congénitale à la douleur, étude clinique et neurophysiologique chez 3 sœurs marocaines.

Congenital insensitivity to pain is a rare hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN). This disorder is an autosomal recessive condition: since 1996, mutations attributed to this entity have been found in the neurotrophin tyrosine-kinase gene receptor on chromosome 1. The authors report 3 cases of congenital insensitivity to pain. In these 3 sisters of consanguineous parents, the clinical investigation showed total absence of pain and temperature sensations with preservation of all other sensory modalities, mental retardation, but in contrast to HSAN type IV, there was no anhidrosis. The neurophysiological investigation revealed an isolated axonal sensory polyneuropathy in the 3 patients. The clinical and neurophysiological investigations were normal in both parents and the brother. The physiopathology of this entity is discussed. We suggest a particular form of HSAN type IV with preservation of transpiration or a new entity of congenital insensitivity to pain, which should be analyzed genetically.