Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and carotid atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases. However, this does not infer a causal relationship between the two. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and carotid atherosclerosis. Therefore, in this study we have aimed to determine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and carotid atherosclerosis in the CKD population. METHODS: 100 CKD stage 3-4 patients were included in the study. Direct chemiluminesent immunoassay was used to determine the level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. All subjects underwent a carotid ultrasound to measure common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and to assess the presence of carotid plaques or significant stenosis (≥50 %). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 25 nmol/L. Abnormal CCA-IMT was defined as CCA-IMT ≥ 0.8 mm. Plaque was defined as a focal structure that encroaches into the arterial lumen of ≥ 0.5 mm or 50 % of the surrounding IMT value. Significant stenosis was defined as peak-systolic velocities ≥ 125 cm/s and end-diastolic velocities ≥ 40 cm/s. RESULTS: The vitamin D deficiency and non-deficiency groups did not differ significantly in terms of abnormal CCA-IMT (P = 0.443), carotid plaque (P = 0.349), and carotid stenosis (P = 0.554). No significant correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and CCA-IMT (P = 0.693) was found. On a backward multiple linear regression model, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was not associated with CCA-IMT, abnormal CCA-IMT, or plaque presence. CONCLUSIONS: No important association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin levels and carotid atherosclerosis was found in CKD patients.

Video clip transfer of radiological images using a mobile telephone in emergency neurosurgical consultations (3G Multi-Media Messaging Service).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to validate and assess the accuracy and usefulness of sending short video clips in 3gp file format of an entire scan series of patients, using mobile telephones running on 3G-MMS technology, to enable consultation between junior doctors in a neurosurgical unit and the consultants on-call after office hours. METHOD: A total of 56 consecutive patients with acute neurosurgical problems requiring urgent after-hours consultation during a 6-month period, prospectively had their images recorded and transmitted using the above method. The response to the diagnosis and the management plan by two neurosurgeons (who were not on site) based on the images viewed on a mobile telephone were reviewed by an independent observer and scored. In addition to this, a radiologist reviewed the original images directly on the hospital's Patients Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and this was compared with the neurosurgeons' response. RESULTS: Both neurosurgeons involved in this study were in complete agreement with their diagnosis. The radiologist disagreed with the diagnosis in only one patient, giving a kappa coefficient of 0.88, indicating an almost perfect agreement. CONCLUSION: The use of mobile telephones to transmit MPEG video clips of radiological images is very advantageous for carrying out emergency consultations in neurosurgery. The images accurately reflect the pathology in question, thereby reducing the incidence of medical errors from incorrect diagnosis, which otherwise may just depend on a verbal description.

Neural Fiber Integrity in High- Versus Low-Grade Glioma using Probabilistic Fiber Tracking.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Gliomatous tumors are known to affect neural fiber integrity, either by displacement or destruction. The aim of this study is to investigate the integrity and distribution of the white matter tracts within and around the glioma regions using probabilistic fiber tracking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two glioma patients were subjected to MRI using a standard tumor protocol with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The tumor and peritumor regions were delineated using snake model with reference to structural and diffusion MRI. A preprocessing pipeline of the structural MRI image, DTI data, and tumor regions was implemented. Tractography was performed to delineate the white matter (WM) tracts in the selected tumor regions via probabilistic fiber tracking. DTI indices were investigated through comparative mapping of WM tracts and tumor regions in low-grade gliomas (LGG) and high-grade gliomas (HGG). RESULTS: Significant differences were seen in the planar tensor (Cp) in peritumor regions; mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and pure isotropic diffusion in solid-enhancing tumor regions; and fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, pure anisotropic diffusion (q), total magnitude of diffusion tensor (L), relative anisotropy, Cp and spherical tensor (Cs) in solid nonenhancing tumor regions for affected WM tracts. In most cases of HGG, the WM tracts were not completely destroyed, but found intact inside the tumor. DISCUSSION: Probabilistic fiber tracking revealed the existence and distribution of WM tracts inside tumor core for both LGG and HGG groups. There were more DTI indices in the solid nonenhancing tumor region, which showed significant differences between LGG and HGG.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Life-Threatening Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of stroke worldwide with a wide range of clinical presentations. Anticoagulation therapy has been regarded as the first line of management of CVT to prevent the progression of thrombosis and to re-establish the venous flow. We present a case of severe CVT who did not respond to conventional anticoagulation therapy but responded well to mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This report highlights the features of CVT to consider for early MT.

Cough-Induced Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Coughing due to respiratory tract infections may lead to internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. AIM: We are presenting a patient with an unusual cough-induced ICA dissection. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old health care worker presented with bilateral hand numbness which resolved spontaneously. This initial episode was followed 9 days later with intermittent episodes of right hand and leg weakness with speech difficulty. Two days later, he had another episode of speech difficulty. One week prior to the first presentation, he had upper respiratory tract infection with ongoing strong bouts of coughing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the brain showed early ischaemic changes at the left frontal and left parietal regions. MR angiography (MRA) showed high signal intensity at the left proximal ICA and poor flow beyond the left carotid bulb. Cerebral angiography revealed left ICA dissection. CONCLUSION: Proper identification of cough-induced extracranial ICA dissection is important because this is treatable.

Predictors of functional outcome in patients with stroke thrombolysis in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with alteplase (rt-PA) is effective in ischaemic stroke. The primary objective was to evaluate predictors of functional outcome in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with IV rt-PA. The secondary objective was to assess the outcome with the modified Rankin scale (mRS). We also examined the predictive value of the Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events (THRIVE) score. METHODS: AIS patients treated with IV rt-PA from February 2012 to August 2016 were recruited. Demographic data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, timing and neuroradiological findings were recorded. Patients received a dose of 0.9 mg/kg IV rt-PA within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. mRS score was evaluated at discharge and three months, and good and poor clinical outcomes were defined as scores of 0-2 and 3-6, respectively. Baseline THRIVE scores were assessed. RESULTS: 36 patients received IV rt-PA. 20 (55.6%) patients had an mRS score of 0-2 at three months. Based on THRIVE score, 86.1% had a good or moderately good prognosis. On univariate analysis, poor outcome was associated with NIHSS score before rt-PA (p = 0.03), THRIVE score (p = 0.02), stroke subtype (p = 0.049) and diabetes mellitus (DM; p = 0.06). Multiple logistic regression showed that outcome was significantly associated with NIHSS score before rt-PA (p = 0.032) and DM (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Our newly developed Malaysian IV rt-PA service is safe, with similar outcomes to the published literature. Functional outcome after thrombolysis was associated with baseline NIHSS score and DM.

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis with cervical epidural haematoma following dengue virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis associated with dengue infection is rare with no reported paediatric cases. METHODS: We report a 12-year-old girl who presented with flaccid quadriplegia 8 days after onset of acute dengue fever. MRI spine showed T2 hyperintensity associated with epidural hematoma at C3-C6 level of the spinal cord. Transcranial magnetic brain stimulation revealed absent motor evoked potentials bilaterally. We also summarise and compare the reported cases of transverse myelitis associated with dengue infection. RESULTS: Immunomodulatory treatment was given which included pulse methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapharesis. Six months post-admission, there was a good (near-complete) clinical recovery with the repeat MRI showing mild residual hyperintensity at C4 level and complete resolution of epidural haematoma. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported paediatric case of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis following dengue infection. It is also the first to illustrate that in patients with concomitant epidural haematoma a good outcome is possible despite not having surgical decompression. Clinicians should be aware of parainfectious dengue-related longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis in children and consider prompt immunomodulatory treatment.

Paradoxical Manifestation is Common in HIV-negative Tuberculous Meningitis.

Paradoxical manifestation is worsening of pre-existing tuberculous lesion or appearance of new lesions in patients whose condition initially improved with antituberculous treatment. Our hypothesis was that paradoxical manifestation in non-HIV tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients was underestimated and this could contribute to patients' prognosis. This was the first systemic study of paradoxical manifestation in HIV-negative TBM patients. Between 2009 and 2014, TBM patients were studied prospectively in 2 hospitals. Clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid, and radiological findings were monitored. Paradoxical manifestation was divided into definite (4 weeks or more) and probable (between 14 and 27 d) after commencement of antituberculous treatment. Forty-one non-HIV TBM patients were recruited. Definite paradoxical manifestation occurred in 23/41 (56%) of the patients. Time to onset of paradoxical manifestation was between 28 days and 9 months, and majority was between 28 and 50 days. Neuroimaging manifestation in the brain (22/41 patients, 54%) and clinical manifestation (22/41 patients, 54%) were most commonly seen, followed by cerebrospinal fluid manifestation (7/41 patients, 17%). Neuroimaging changes most commonly seen were worsening of leptomeningeal enhancement, new infarcts, new tuberculomas, and enlargement of tuberculoma. Initial Computed Tomography Angiography/magnetic resonance angiography brain showed vasculitis in 14 patients, with 2 (12.5%) showing paradoxical vasculitis during follow-up. Recurrence of the paradoxical manifestation was seen in 7/23 (30%) of the patients. More than half (14/23, 61%) of the patients improved, 6 (26%) patients died, and 3 (13%) patients had persistent neurological deficit. Paradoxical manifestation was very common in non-HIV TBM patients. Neuroimaging paradoxical manifestation of 2-4 weeks may not be paradoxical manifestation but could be delayed treatment response.

Cerebral infarction pattern in tuberculous meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) causes significant morbidity and mortality. The primary objective was to re-examine the concept of "TB zone" and "ischaemic zone" in cerebral infarction in patients with tuberculous meningitis. The secondary objective was to evaluate cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm in tuberculous meningitis infections. Between 2009 and 2014, TBM patients were recruited. Neuroimaging was performed and findings of cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm were recorded. Infarcts were classified based on arterial supply and Hsieh's classification. Fifty-one TBM patients were recruited of whom 34 patients (67%) had cerebral infarction. Based on Hsieh's classification, 20 patients (59%) had infarcts in both "TB zone" and "ischaemic zones". 12 patients (35%) had infarcts in "ischaemic zone" and two (6%) patients had infarcts in "TB zone". In terms of vascular supply, almost all patients (35/36) had infarcts involving perforators and cortical branches. 25 patients (73%) and 14 patients (41%) had infarcts supplied by lateral lenticulostriate and medial lenticulostriate arteries respectively. 15 patients (37%) had vasculitis. Vasospasm was present in six patients (15%). 29 patients (85%) with cerebral infarction also had leptomeningeal enhancement (p = 0.002). In summary, infarcts involved mainly perforators and cortical branches, rather than "TB zone" versus "ischaemic zone".