Arg4810Lys mutation in RNF213 among Eastern Indian non-MMD ischemic stroke patients: a genotype-phenotype correlation.

INTRODUCTION: RNF213 mutations have been reported mostly in moyamoya disease (MMD) with varying frequencies across different ethnicities. However, its prevalence in non-MMD adult-onset ischemic stroke is still not well explored. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This present study thus aims to screen the most common RNF213 variant (Arg4810Lys, among East Asians) in the Eastern Indian non-MMD ischemic stroke patients and correlate it with long-term progression and prognosis of the patients. The subjects were analyzed for this variant using PCR-RFLP and confirmed using Sanger sequencing method. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: We have identified Arg4810Lys variant among eleven young-onset familial ischemic stroke patients in heterozygous manner. A positive correlation of the variant with positive family history (P = 0.001), earlier age at onset (P = 0.002), and history of recurrent stroke (P = 0.015) was observed. However, the carriers showed better cognitive performances in memory (P = 0.042) and executive function (P = 0.004). Therefore, we can conclude that Arg4810Lys/RNF213 - a pathogenic variant for young-onset familial ischemic stroke with higher incidence of recurrent events unlike in MMD cases, have no additional impact on cognition among Eastern Indians.

The Coexistence of Two Genetic Astrocytopathies-Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy and Vanishing White Matter Disease-in an Indian Child.

A 9-month-old male child, born of second-degree consanguinity, presented with a progressively enlarging head since early infancy. The child had normal early development, but further acquisition of milestones after 6 months was delayed. He had afebrile seizures at 9 months, followed by the appearance of appendicular spasticity. First magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed nonenhancing, diffuse, bilaterally symmetrical T1/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hypointensity and T2 hyperintensity of the cerebral white matter and anterior temporal cysts. Subsequently, the periventricular and deep white matter developed microcystic changes with a pattern of radial stripes. Next-generation sequencing revealed homozygous autosomal recessive variations in the MLC1 gene [c.188T > G, (p.Leu63Arg)] on exon 3 and also in the EIF2B3 gene [c.674G > A, (p.Arg225Gln)] on exon 7, the parents being heterozygous carriers for both variations. This article highlights the rare occurrence of two leukodystrophies of diverse pathogenesis in a child from a nonpredisposed community.

Acute onset movement disorders in diabetes mellitus: A clinical series of 59 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: No previous study has assessed the frequency and clinical-radiological characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and acute onset nonchoreic and nonballistic movements. We conducted a prospective study to investigate the spectrum of acute onset movement disorders in DM. METHODS: We recruited all the patients with acute onset movement disorders and hyperglycemia who attended the wards of three hospitals in West Bengal, India from August 2014 to July 2021. RESULTS: Among the 59 patients (mean age = 55.4 ± 14.3 years, 52.5% men) who were included, 41 (69.5%) had choreic or ballistic movements, and 18 (30.5%) had nonchoreic and nonballistic movements. Ballism was the most common movement disorder (n = 18, 30.5%), followed by pure chorea (n = 15, 25.4%), choreoathetosis (n = 8, 13.6%), tremor (n = 5, 8.5%), hemifacial spasm (n = 3, 5.1%), parkinsonism (n = 3, 5.1%), myoclonus (n = 3, 5.1%), dystonia (n = 2, 3.4%), and restless leg syndrome (n = 2, 3.4%). The mean duration of DM was 9.8 ± 11.4 years (89.8% of the patients had type 2 DM). Nonketotic hyperglycemia was frequently (76.3%) detected. The majority (55.9%) had no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes; the remaining showed striatal hyperintensity. Eight patients with MRI changes exhibited discordance with sidedness of movements. Most of the patients (76.3%) recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest clinical series depicting the clinical-radiological spectrum of acute onset movement disorders in DM. Of note was that almost one third of patients had nonchoreic and nonballistic movements. Our findings highlight the importance of a capillary blood glucose measurement in patients with acute or subacute onset movement disorders, irrespective of their past glycemic status.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4J with spastic quadriplegia, epilepsy and global developmental delay: a tale of three siblings.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is mainly a disease of peripheral nervous system and patients typically present with features of demyelinating neuropathy or axonal neuropathy or both. Rarely patients present with features of central nervous system involvement. Parkinsonism, aphemia and familial epilepsy syndrome have previously come up as case reports in association with CMT type 4 J.We hereby describe a family with 3 siblings affected with CMT4J with homozygous FIG4 mutation who presented with global developmental delay, epilepsy and spastic quadriparesis.

"Asymptomatic" Moyamoya Angiopathy: Is it Truly Asymptomatic?

INTRODUCTION: An ambiguous definition of "asymptomatic" Moyamoya Angiopathy(aMMA) of absence of ischemic/hemorrhagic episodes in MMA patients, has led to its variable adaptation in the limited past-studies. OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinic-radiological characteristics and prospective follow-up of apparently "asymptomatic" MMA, and to determine if it is truly asymptomatic or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observation, cohort study of 122 angiographically proven MMA over 6 years was undertaken from a single, tertiary-care-center to observe the clinico-radiological characteristics, prospective follow-up of apparently aMMA. Amongst them, 6 had an initial diagnosis of aMMA following evaluation by atleast one post-graduate doctor, which were further scrutinized by 3 different neurologists for epidemiological, clinical, radiological characteristics and subsequent follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Mean age was 23.7 ± 13.14 years. 3 of 6 underwent brain-imaging for evaluation of non-migraine-like headache, 1 for dizziness, 2 as part of familial screening for MMA. 4 of 6 patients had specific-triggers for aggravation of symptoms. Brain-imaging revealed old vascular insults and ivy sign in 5 of 6 each (83.3%), mean suzuki staging was 3.6±0.82. 4 of 6 underwent cerebral perfusion study, all had hypoperfusion. Revascularization surgery was done in 2 of 6, rest were managed conservatively. None had any new-onset neurological deficit or radiological progression over a mean follow-up period of 22.3 ± 20.22 months. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently aMMA may not be truly asymptomatic and often have subtle "paroxysmal events" precipitated by specific-triggers, indicative of transient ischemic symptoms. Thus, warrants for a more precise definition to avoid misclassification of aMMA.

Spectrum of Neurological Illnesses in Pregnancy - An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological disorders in pregnancy may be observed in patients with a pre-existing neurological disorder; patients developing a primary neurological disorder during the course of pregnancy or puerperium; and in patients with primary medical disorders presenting with neurological manifestations. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to find out the magnitude of neurological disorders in pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital along with assessment of proportion of women with particular disorders among total number of neurological disorders during the course of pregnancy or puerperium (6 weeks after child birth) and also to elicit the effect of neurological disorders on pregnancy outcome, if any. METHODS: A prospective observational longitudinal study was carried out in a tertiary care centre of Eastern India from July 2018 to June 2020 including all pregnant women attending the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. We screened 886 pregnant women, out of which 91 cases were identified and investigated. For the purpose of comparison of fetal and maternal outcome, 91 control subjects were chosen from the screened patients in a randomized fashion, so that the baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable Results: In our study, 10.3% population had neurological disorders, among which 30.8% had primary headache, 3.2% had secondary headache, 8.5% had neurological low back pain, 19.1% had epilepsy, 6.4% had cerebrovascular disorders, 27.6% had peripheral neuropathy, 4.2% had other disorders such as neuropsychiatric Wilson's disease, myasthenia gravis and compressive myelopathy. Moreover, 10.2% of the total study population was hypertensive and 2.9% were diabetic. CONCLUSION: 10.3% mothers did have some neurological disorder, the commonest of which was migraine (primary headache) followed by carpal tunnel syndrome (peripheral neuropathy) and neurological low back pain. Overall fetomaternal outcomes were favorable barring cerebro-vascular disorder and Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). We recommend screening for neurological disorder from early pregnancy for early detection and appropriate management of that condition.

COVID Associated Mucormycosis: A Study on the Spectrum of Clinical, Biochemical and Radiological Findings in A Series of Ten Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is more than twofold rise in prevalence of mucormycosis cases in India during the COVID-19 pandemic which needs to be evaluated. AIMS: The study aimed to document the spectrum of cases of mucormycosis seen at our Institute during COVID-19 times. METHODS: The study is a retrospective observational study carried out at our Institute from May 2021 to mid-June 2021. All patients with biopsy-proven mucormycosis were enrolled in the study. The patients were subjected to complete history taking, ophthalmological examination, and imaging studies. The patients were treated with a multidisciplinary approach with antifungal therapy as well as surgical intervention when needed. RESULTS: Ten patients (n=10) were seen, with a mean age of 50.3 years. The major risk factors included recent use of steroids, uncontrolled diabetes, and CKD. The most common presentation was swelling of unilateral eye and ptosis, followed by loss of vision. Inflammatory marker (CRP) and d-dimer were raised at presentation in all cases. Imaging showed the spread of infection from paranasal sinus to orbit and brain via cavernous sinus, which was a poor prognostic factor. Intravenous Amphotericin-B was given to all patients for at least 4 weeks. Two patients were discharged after completion of treatment and mortality was seen in three patients. CONCLUSION: We present an array of COVID-associated-mucormycosis (CAM) cases from Eastern India. CAM is presenting with rhino-orbito-cerebral involvement. There is poor outcome with cerebral involvement and high incidence of adverse effects with deoxycholate formulation of amphotericin-B. The causal association of COVID-19 with mucormycosis needs to be unearthed but possible preventive role of anticoagulation should be evaluated.

Adherence to anti-hypertensive medications and its determinants: A study among hypertensive stroke patients in a tertiary care government hospital of West Bengal.

There is a paucity of antihypertensive drug adherence studies among stroke patients in West Bengal. With an aim to identify antihypertensive drug adherence and its determinants, this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months among a calculated sample of 133 study participants using predesigned and pretested schedule, the metric "Proportion of days covered (PDC)," and the Morisky, Green, and Levine (MGL) Scale. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS software (version 20.0). Adherence rates were 31.6% and 44.4% based on the MGL scale and PDC method, respectively. Higher adherence was significantly associated with increased age (P = 0.006), higher literacy (P = 0.013), increased interval between diagnosis of hypertension and present symptom (P = 0.001), a greater gap between antihypertensive treatment initiation and present symptom (P = 0.003), receiving advice on regular drug intake (P = 0.000), and registered medical practitioner prescribing the medication (P = 0.007).

Dyskinetopsic Palinopsia: Palinopsia Accompanied by Moving Afterimages.

Palinopsia refers to the abnormal persistence, or recurrence, of visual images after a visual stimulus has subsided. We describe here a case of palinopsia accompanied by a visual motion perception disorder as manifested by moving afterimages. A 71-year-old man presented to us after having experienced acute-onset, vivid, visual hallucinations for 1 week. A detailed history revealed that he was hallucinating multiple living and nonliving objects. He also complained of a persistence of afterimages, particularly in the left visual field. He reported that, on a few occasions, while sitting by the window in his room, he had seen a moving car on the road; immediately after the car had disappeared from his sight, he had then seen the same car moving backward at almost the same speed-as if the driver had applied the reverse gear. A neuropsychological assessment did not reveal any deficits in attention, language, or episodic memory. Visual field testing by confrontational perimetry suggested left hemianopia. An MRI of the brain revealed an arteriovenous malformation in the medial part of the right occipital lobe, affecting both the lingual gyrus and the inferior occipital gyrus. Palinopsia has generally been described in reference to static afterimages. In our case, not only was the afterimage that was perceived by the patient in motion, but the direction of the movement was also opposite to that of the actual object. We propose the term dyskinetopsic palinopsia, or simply motion-related palinopsia, for this particular condition.

The disease presentation of Moyamoya angiopathy in Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical spectrum of Moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) differs across populations with different ethnicity. This study, the largest one done among Indian population was undertaken to assess clinico-radiological profile of MMA patients in eastern India. METHODS: A single centre cross-sectional study was undertaken among 76 MMA cases. Each patient was evaluated for epidemiological, clinical and radiological characteristics. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: 36 (47.4%) were children without gender preponderance. There were female predominance among adults (male:female = 1:2.33). Mean age at onset of first neurological symptoms for children was 4.2 ± 2.0years, followed by 34.9 ± 58.2months of latency with final diagnosis at the mean age of 7.4 ± 3.5years. For adults, mean age of onset of first neurological symptoms was 31.5 ± 12.3years, followed by 14.7 ± 41.7months time gap and diagnosed at the mean age of 33.5 ± 12.5years. There was a statistically significant difference between child and adult regarding the diagnostic latency (p = 0.035). Fixed motor weakness (FMW) was the predominant symptom across the whole disease course. Among children predominant first neurological symptom was fixed motor weakness (FMW) (52.8%), followed by seizures (22.2%). FMW was predominant (55%) first neurological complaint, followed by headache (22.5%) among adults. Seizure was more prevalent among children both as first (p = 0.002) and presenting symptom at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.048). Over the course of the disease seizure was more common among children (p = 0.001), while headache was more common among adults (p = 0.017). Recurrence of symptoms was more common among children (p = 0.059). Infarcts were more common among children (91.7%) than adults (72.5%), while hemorrhage was seen only among adults (25%) (p = 0.004). Isolated cerebral cortex was involved more commonly among children (59.4%) than adults (36.1%), while isolated subcortical involvement was seen only among adults (19.4%) (p = 0.016). Majority of the MMA cases were of Suzuki stage 4 (39.5%) and 5 (27.6%). Brain atrophy was associated with diagnostic latency (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Indian Moyamoya presents similar to disease presentation in Caucasian and Japanese patients. It is a frequently overlooked cause of stroke in young, often with various non-motor presentations, failure to recognize which leads to delay in diagnosis. Radiological burden disproportionate to number of acute vascular events, with subtle neurological manifestations like headache or seizure, often with cognitive decline, should raise suspicion of MMA.

Epidemiology of dementia and its burden in the city of Kolkata, India.

OBJECTIVES: Increase in aging population is expected to lead to increasing prevalence of dementia in India. In this study, we aimed to determine prevalence, incidence, and mortality of dementia and its subtypes and assess dementia burden in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALY). METHODS: A community study was conducted over 5 years (2003-2008) in Kolkata, India, on 100,802 (males 53,209) randomly selected subjects to assess prevalence and capture data on incident cases and deaths. Standard case definitions were used. The data were used to estimate years of life lost (YLL) due to premature mortality, years of life lived with disability (YLD), and DALY, based on Global Burden of Disease 2010 approach. RESULTS: During 2003-2004, there were 103 (men 55) cases of dementia. The prevalence was 1.53% (age adjusted 1.12%) at age ≥65 years. In those ≥55 years age, average annual incidence rate of dementia was 72.57 per 100,000. All-cause standardized mortality ratio in dementia cases was 4.74 (men 6.19, women 3.03). The burden of dementia in 2007-2008 revealed that overall YLL was 47.13 per 100,000 and YLD ranged from 1.87 to 16.95 per 100,000 depending on the clinical severity of dementia. The overall DALY lost per 100,000 due to dementia for the year 2007-2008 was 74.19. CONCLUSIONS: This community study revealed a low prevalence and incidence of dementia with consequent low DALY-derived burden of illness compared with many industrialized nations. YLL formed major component of DALY indicating premature mortality to be an outcome of dementia burden. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Correlates of functional outcome among stroke survivors in a developing country--a prospective community-based study from India.

Stroke survivors (SS) are rising with higher incidence of stroke in developing countries. In addition to physical impairment, other factors such as cognition, social interaction, and depression determine the functional outcome after stroke. Considering the paucity of data from developing countries, we planned to determine the change in various functional parameters among SS. This community-based prospective study was carried out in Kolkata, India among 283 SS between 2006 and 2010. Functional outcome was assessed at baseline and at 3 annual follow-up visits using validated tools. A stepwise regression analysis was performed with demographic and stroke-related covariates against various measures of functional outcome. Result showed that mean Barthel Index score at baseline was 76.4 ± 30.8. Bengali version of mental status examination and Geriatric Depression Scale scores trended down over time with a negative regression coefficient of -.2061 (standard error [SE], .0937) and -.4488 (SE, .2145). Other outcomes did not change. Female gender, depression, and cognitive dysfunction had an unfavorable impact, whereas education correlated positively. In conclusions female gender and neuropsychiatric disturbances showed poor functional outcome compared with education, which correlates with better outcome. This information will be helpful for patients in developing countries for planning stroke rehabilitation.

The Spectrum of Intracranial Arteriopathies and Ischemic Strokes in Pediatric Tubercular Meningitis: A Tricentric Study From Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Addressing the need to uniformly classify arteriopathies among patients with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tubercular meningitis (TBM), we used the Childhood AIS Standardised Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation (CASCADE) criteria. METHODS: This tri-centric prospective study included children aged 0.5-12 years with TBM and AIS. Magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs) were done during admission and repeated 3 and 12 months after discharge. Arteriopathies were classified according to the primary CASCADE criteria. We used the modified Pediatric Alberta Stroke Programme Early Computed Tomography Score as an ordinal measure of infarct volume. The severity of arteriopathies was graded using the focal cerebral arteriopathy severity score (FCASS). The final outcomes were measured at the 12-month follow-up visit using the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM). RESULTS: Out of 55 patients, 64% had MRA-evidenced arteriopathies and 84% had multiple infarcts. The middle cerebral (46%) and internal carotid arteries (22%) were most commonly affected. The basal ganglia (70%) and the cerebral cortex (61%) were most commonly infarcted. CASCADE categories included 3b (40%), 1d (38%), 2b (16%), 2c (5%), progressive (32%), and stable (44%) arteriopathies. Younger age, hypertrophic pachymeningitis, cortical infarcts, recurrent strokes, progressive arteriopathies, EEG abnormalities, and mortality were significantly higher among patients with MRA-proven arteriopathies. Patients with progressive arteriopathies had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertrophic pachymeningitis, cortical infarcts, and recurrent strokes. FCASS correlated positively with outcomes measured by the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure and modified Pediatric Alberta Stroke Programme Early Computed Tomography Score. CONCLUSION: The CASCADE classification clarified the arteriopathy patterns, enabling us to correlate them with the characteristics of the infarcts. FCASS is useful to grade the arteriopathy severity and progression in TBM.

Diabetic striatopathy and other acute onset de novo movement disorders in hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute onset de novo movement disorder is an increasingly recognized, yet undereported complication of diabetes. Hyperglycemia can give rise to a range of different movement disorders, hemichorea-hemiballism being the commonest. This article delves into the current knowledge about this condition, its diverse presentations, ongoing debates regarding its underlying mechanisms, disparities between clinical and radiological findings, and challenges related to its management. METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched with the following key terms- "diabetes", "striatopathy", "hyperglycemia", "striatum", "basal ganglia", "movement disorder", "involuntary movement". Case reports, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and narrative reviews published in English literature related to the topic of interest from January 1, 1950, to October 20, 2023, were retrieved. The references cited in the chosen articles were also examined, and those considered relevant were included in the review. RESULTS: Diabetic striatopathy is the prototype of movement disorders associated with hyperglycemia with its characteristic neuroimaging feature (contralateral striatal hyperdensitity on computed tomography or hyperintensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging). Risk factors for diabetic striatopathy includes Asian ethnicity, female gender, prolonged poor glycemic control, and concurrent retinopathy. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathophysiology of movement disorders induced by hyperglycemia. These hypotheses are not mutually exclusive; instead, they represent interconnected pathways contributing to the development of this unique condition. While the most prominent clinical feature of diabetic striatopathy is a movement disorder, its phenotypic expression has been found to extend to other manifestations, including stroke, seizures, and cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Fortunately, the prognosis for diabetic striatopathy is generally excellent, with complete resolution achievable through the use of anti-hyperglycemic therapy alone or in combination with neuroleptic medications. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia is the commonest cause of acute onset de novo movement disorders presenting to a range of medical specialists. So, it is of utmost importance that the physicians irrespective of their speciality remain aware of this clinical entity and check blood glucose at presentation before ordering any other investigations. Prompt clinical diagnosis of this condition and implementation of intensive glycemic control can yield significant benefits for patients.

RE-OPEN: Randomised trial of biosimilar TNK versus TPA during endovascular therapy for acute ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions.

Rationale: Rapid and timely treatment with intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and large vessel occlusion (LVO) significantly improves patient outcomes. Bridging therapy is the current standard of care in these patients. However, an incompletely answered question is whether one thrombolytic agent is better than another during bridging therapy. Aim: The current study aims to understand if one thrombolytic agent is superior to the other during bridging therapy in the treatment of AIS and LVO. Sample size estimates: Using 80% power and an alpha error of 5 %, presuming a 10% drop out rate, a total of 372 patients will be recruited for the study. Methods and design: This study is a prospective, randomised, multicentre, open-label trial with blinded outcome analysis design. Study outcomes: The primary outcomes include proportion of patients who will be independent at 3 months (modified Rankin score (mRS) ≤2 as good outcome) and proportion of patients who achieve recanalisation modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b/3 at first angiography run at the end of EVT. Secondary outcomes include proportion of patients with early neurological improvement, rate of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), rate of any ICH, rate of any systemic major or minor bleeding and duration of hospital stay. Safety outcomes include any intracranial bleeding or symptomatic ICH. Discussion: This trial is envisioned to confirm the theoretical advantages and increase the strength and quality of evidence for use of tenecteplase (TNK) in practice. Also, it will help to generate data on the efficacy and safety of biosimilar TNK. Trial registration number: CTRI/2022/01/039473.

IMPETUS Stroke: Assessment of hospital infrastructure and workflow for implementation of uniform stroke care pathway in India.

BACKGROUND: India accounts for 13.3% of global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to stroke with a relatively younger age of onset compared to the Western population. In India's public healthcare system, many stroke patients seek care at tertiary-level government-funded medical colleges where an optimal level of stroke care is expected. However, there are no studies from India that have assessed the quality of stroke care, including infrastructure, imaging facilities, or the availability of stroke care units in medical colleges. AIM: This study aimed to understand the existing protocols and management of acute stroke care across 22 medical colleges in India, as part of the baseline assessment of the ongoing IMPETUS stroke study. METHODS: A semi-structured quantitative pre-tested questionnaire, developed based on review of literature and expert discussion, was mailed to 22 participating sites of the IMPETUS stroke study. The questionnaire assessed comprehensively all components of stroke care, including human resources, emergency system, in-hospital care, and secondary prevention. A descriptive analysis of their status was undertaken. RESULTS: In the emergency services, limited stroke helpline numbers, 3/22 (14%); prenotification system, 5/22 (23%); and stroke-trained physicians were available, 6/22 (27%). One-third of hospitals did not have on-call neurologists. Although non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) was always available, 39% of hospitals were not doing computed tomography (CT) angiography and 13/22 (59%) were not doing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after routine working hours. Intravenous thrombolysis was being done in 20/22 (91%) hospitals, but 36% of hospitals did not provide it free of cost. Endovascular therapy was available only in 6/22 (27%) hospitals. The study highlighted the scarcity of multidisciplinary stroke teams, 8/22 (36%), and stroke units, 7/22 (32%). Lifesaving surgeries like hematoma evacuation, 11/22 (50%), and decompressive craniectomy, 9/22 (41%), were performed in limited numbers. The availability of occupational therapists, speech therapists, and cognitive rehabilitation was minimal. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the current status of acute stroke management in publicly funded tertiary care hospitals. Lack of prenotification, limited number of stroke-trained physicians and neurosurgeons, relatively lesser provision of free thrombolytic agents, limited stroke units, and lack of rehabilitation services are areas needing urgent attention by policymakers and creation of sustainable education models for uniform stroke care by medical professionals across the country.