Rapid progression of probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with concomitant COVID-19 infection.

A previously healthy man in his 80s was admitted to a district general hospital with rapidly progressing dementia, gait abnormalities and myoclonus alongside COVID-19 infection. Investigations showed mild elevation of C-reactive protein and neutrophils, unremarkable CT head and mildly raised protein in cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF). Brain MRI revealed bilateral cortical and striatal diffusion restriction and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings showed diffuse activity slowing with high amplitude sharp/slow-wave complexes. He was diagnosed with probable sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and management prioritised comfort and care. He passed away two weeks following admission and a mere 8 weeks after the first onset of symptoms.We present the first documented case of probable CJD with concomitant COVID-19 infection in the UK. We identified six other cases worldwide identified in our literature review. These cases suggest a role of COVID-19 in the rapid progression of CJD and add to the growing evidence of its neuroinflammatory role in other forms of neurodegenerative diseases.

Adult intussusception associated with mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum and antimesenteric ileal polyp.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality affecting the gastrointestinal tract, affecting 4% of the general population. It is classically located on the antimesenteric border of the ileum within 100 cm of the ileocaecal valve. Complications may include haemorrhage, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, perforation and malignancy. This report explores the case of intussusception in an adult, in association with a mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum and adjacent benign polyp. A 40-year-old man presented with acute abdominal pain, affecting the central abdomen and both flanks. CT imaging revealed small bowel intussusception, with either a Meckel's diverticulum or polyp acting as a lead point. Intraoperatively, the intussusception had already resolved; however, an inflamed outpouching was identified on the mesenteric border of the ileum, with a firm mass palpable within the bowel lumen. A 70 mm small bowel resection and primary anastomosis were performed. Histopathological analysis confirmed an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum as well as an adjacent diverticulum comprising a benign polyp.

Cognitive assessment of elderly inpatients: a clinical audit.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive geriatric assessment including cognitive assessment results in better outcomes and quality of life through facilitating access to support and further care. The National Audit of Dementia Care revealed too few patients were being assessed for cognition and therefore failing to receive adequate care. METHODS: This was a retrospective clinical audit in a district general hospital with systematic sampling of the clinical records of 50 inpatients on an elderly care ward. A descriptive analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Despite guidance that cognitive assessment should be performed on admission, this was only documented in 22% of the medical notes. However, this rate improved to 56% by discharge. The most commonly used tool was the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) 10. Assessment completion was independent of gender or social support, but only patients aged over 75 years were assessed. Of those, 75% had some level of cognitive impairment and 36.8% received a new or suspected diagnosis of dementia. DISCUSSION: Cognitive assessment rates continue to be low. Our findings support the need for increased education regarding the importance and benefits of assessment as well as how to complete and document the assessment correctly. CONCLUSION: Cognitive assessment rates need to be further improved to promote better outcomes for patients with dementia.