Epileptic seizures revealing tuberous sclerosis in a tropical environment: A study of 12 case series.

Background: Epilepsy remains a significant public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where diverse etiological factors contribute to its prevalence. Among these factors are conditions originating from the neuroectoderm, such as tuberous sclerosis. Insufficient medical attention and a lack of comprehensive multidisciplinary care contribute to its under-recognition. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study, involving 12 patients admitted to the neurology and pediatric departments of the University Hospital Ignace Deen between 2010 and 2022 due to recurring epileptic seizures. Subsequently, these patients were diagnosed with Tuberous sclerosis using the Schwartz 2007 criteria. The aim of this study is to reassess this condition from a clinical and paraclinical point of view in a tropical environment. Results: Tuberous sclerosis, also known as Bourneville disease, was diagnosed in 12 patients exhibiting focal motor seizures and complex focal seizures likely associated with cortical and subcortical tubers detectable by EEG and neuroimaging, including CT and MRI. Delayed treatment resulted in varying degrees of mental decline. Additionally, some patients displayed cardiac hamartomas and intracranial posterior and anterior aneurysms as minor diagnostic indicators. Conclusion: The study reveals a consistent clinical presentation accompanied by deteriorating neurological and psychological symptoms attributed to delayed multidisciplinary management. These findings are utilized to assess therapeutic strategies and prognostic outcomes.

Ischemic strokes revealing neurosyphilis: Study of six (6) observations at the neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), stroke is a major public health problem and the etiological aspects are poorly studied and documented because of under-medicalization; the syphilitic etiology is rarely mentioned. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective study of 472 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke between 2016 and 2021 in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry, confirmed by neuroradiological explorations (brain CT, MRI-Angio) and a biological workup including VDRL-TPHA serological reactions in blood and CSF. Results: Syphilitic etiology was retained for six (6) patients (4 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 43 years (extremes 36 and 49 years). The clinical picture was dominated by carotid syndromes: superficial and deep sylvian syndrome, anterior cerebral artery syndrome and vertebro-basilar syndromes and one case of lacunar syndrome.The diagnosis was based on the positivity of serological reactions (VDRL-TPHA) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the presence of a predominantly lymphocytic hypercellularity and a hyperproteinorachy in the CSF in the absence of any other etiology. Conclusion: These neurological vascular syndromes consecutive to a cerebral treponematous attack are often the result of a still poorly conducted management of primary and secondary syphilis in our country.