Etiology and risk factors of stroke in young adults: A multicentric study.

Objective: The main objective of this research was to assess the risk factors and causes of ischemic stroke in the young population (age less than 50 years). Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study conducted at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission General Hospital, Islamabad, and Mayo hospital Lahore from June 2019 to June 2020. In this research, patients with ischemic stroke, aged 15-50 years were included. Prior to noting demographics, each patient gave ethical approval via filling out consent forms. After that, all demographical details including residence, education, gender and age, and socioeconomic status were noted. Risk factors were evaluated on the questionnaire proforma. Outcomes were measured using the modified Rankin scale (MRS) score. Additionally, data were analyzed by using SPSS V26. A P-value of <0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results: Out of 80 patients, 53 (66.25%) were male, while 27 (33.75%) were female. Six (7.5%) patients were between the ages of 15 and 25 years, 18 (22.5%) patients were between 26 and 35 years, 48 (60%) patients were between the ages of 36 and 45, and eight (10%) patients were between the ages of 46 and 50. According to this research, hypertension was found to be the most frequently occurring risk factor in 28 participants (35%), Diabetes mellitus in 23 patients (28.75%), dyslipidemia in 20 patients (22.5%), and smoking in 18 patients (22.5%). The etiology remained undetermined in 30 patients (37.5%). Most of the patients (87.5%) reported positive functional outcomes (MRS score 0-2). However, 3 (3.75%) patients died during the study period. Conclusion: This research showed that common risk factors of ischemic stroke in the local young population included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, whereas the etiology of stroke remained unidentified in the majority of patients.

Preparedness and impact of COVID 19 infection at tertiary care neurology centers in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the response and impact of covid 19 pandemic at tertiary care centers in Pakistan especially pertaining to neurological care, facilities and training. METHODS: A pre-tested survey form was sent to 40 neurology tertiary care centers in all the provinces in the country in the first week of July 2020. 33 filled forms were received, out of which 18 were public (government) and 15 were private hospitals. RESULTS: Estimated 1300 HCW (faculty, medical officers, trainees and nurses) work at these 33 participating centers. There were 17 deaths among HCW (1.3%) at ten centers. Sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) were provided to 158 HCW (12%). 129 (10%)HCW tested positive for COVID 19 at 31 centers including trainees/medical officers (39), consultants (29) and nursing and other staff (61). Due to low neurology admissions, 23/33 hospitals (70%) posted neurology trainees in COVID 19 units to contribute to covid care. Less than 50% hospitals did covid screening PCR before admission to neurology wards. Only 10% hospitals provide training and regular update to HCW. Neurology tele-health services were started for clinically stable patients at 15 (45%) centers. Only 60% neurology training programs were able to start online training. Ongoing research studies and trials focusing neurological manifestations of COVID-19 were done at 10 (30%) centers. Modification of facilities for COVID patients showed that 24(72%) hospitals strictly reduced the number of attendants accompanying patients. Only 10 (30%) centers had neurophysiological tests being conducted on COVID-19 patients. Mental health support services to HCW were provided at 12 (36%) centers. CONCLUSIONS: Among HCW 10% tested positive for covid and 1.3% died. Mental health support services offered for HCW were available in 36% institutions. Neurology training was substantially affected due to low admissions, limited ward rounds and limited availability of online training.

Concurrent intramedullary spinal cord and intracranial tuberculomas.

Tubeculosis commonly involves the nervous system, but involvement of spinal cord in the form of intramedullary tuberculoma is rare and concurrent occurrence of cranial and intramedullary tuberculomas is extremely rare. We report a case of concurrent occurrence of intramedullary tuberculoma with multiple intracranial tuberculomas in a young girl from Islamabad, who presented with one month history of paraplegia and with a sensory level at T6. MRI spine showed a well circumscribed lesion opposite T6, which was diagnosed as intramedullary tuberculoma. On cranial imaging, she was found to have multiple round contrast enhancing lesions which were diagnosed as intracranial tuberculomas based on their typical MRI findings. She had complete recovery with conventional treatment of ATT and steroids, without any surgical intervention. The follow-up MRI of patient showed disappearance and complete resolution of most of the lesions.

Frequency of Homocysteinemia in Young Ischemic Stroke Patients and Its Relationship with the Early Outcome of a Stroke.

Objective To find out the frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia in young ischaemic stroke patients and its relationship with early morbidity and mortality. Methods This prospective study was conducted on young ischemic stroke patients in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission General Hospital, Islamabad. Ischaemic stroke patients of age < 45 years were selected from both the outpatient and inpatient departments. A fasting venous blood sample was sent for analysis. Data was collected through a structured proforma and were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, US). The outcome was measured at discharge using the modified Rankin scale. Results The mean age of the 71 patients in the study was 35.8 years. Overall, 36 (50.7%) cases had hyper-homocysteinemia. The frequency was significantly higher in males and in the age group 36-45 years (63.4%). Levels of homocysteine did not significantly affect the outcome at discharge. Conclusion Hyperhomocysteinaemia, a modifiable risk factor for ischaemic stroke, was seen in about half of young stroke patients. The levels of homocysteine did not correlate with early stroke outcome.

Primary CNS Lymphoma vs. Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Primary CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma is a rare condition with the incidence of less than 1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) and approximately 2% of all primary brain tumours. Diagnosis can be challenging and necessitates brain biopsy for definitive diagnosis. A 41-year male presented with history of impaired cognition, facial asymmetry, visual impairment and left sided body weakness. MRI brain demonstrated multiple enhancing lesions with one larger lesion in right basal ganglia with surrounding oedema and mass effect. These findings suggested the differential diagnoses of tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS), primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) and tuberculosis. The patient had normal CT chest, abdomen and pelvis, normal CSF examination and cytology, negative CSF oligoclonal bands (OCBs) and negative HIV screening. It was impossible to differentiate between tumefactive MS and PCNSL without undertaking brain biopsy. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the final diagnosis. Diagnosing PCNSL can be challenging and brain biopsy should not be delayed for definitive diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Artery of Percheron Infarct: ARarity Not to be Missed.

Artery of Percheron (AOP) is a rare vascular variant of posterior cerebral circulation and it supplies blood to the bilateral paramedian thalami and the rostral midbrain. Artery of Percheron infarct requires a comprehensive clinical and radiological examination. It can be easily overlooked due to normal CTfindings and wide range of differential diagnosis. Classic triad of presentation is altered mental status, memory impairment and the vertical gaze palsy. We report a case of a 66-year female who had sudden onset of severe vertigo, diplopia and ataxia. Anon-contrast CTBrain was performed which was normal. Her MRI brain with diffusion weighted images (DWI) confirmed bilateral thalamic infarcts which were initially thought to be calcifications, as usually happens with diagnosing artery of Percheron infarcts. However, by reviewing and ruling out all other possible causes of such symptoms and further review of neuroimaging, lead us to the correct diagnosis.

Hyperhomocysteinemia Presenting with Complete Unilateral Intracranial and Extracranial Carotid Occlusion in a Young Patient.

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with premature peripheral vascular, cerebrovascular, and coronary artery disease. It has been associated with vascular diseases including cerebrovascular disease, particularly in subjects with significant carotid stenosis. However, hyperhomocysteinemia causing unilateral complete occlusion of whole of internal carotid, common carotid, and external carotid has been rarely reported. We report a case of an adult patient aged 35-year with complete occlusion of right common carotid, internal carotid, both intracranial and extracranial part, presented with recurrent TIAs and stroke and was found to be having hyperhomocysteinemia as the cause of this complete occlusion and showed marked clinical recovery with appropriate treatment. Prompt identification and treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia, as a vascular risk factor especially in young, is of utmost importance especially when its treatment is cost-effective and can save major disability from stroke.