SOFA and APACHE II scoring systems for predicting outcome of neurological patients admitted in a tertiary hospital intensive care unit.

Background: The field of neurology encompasses the study and treatment of disorders that affect the nervous system, and patients with neurological conditions often require specialized care, particularly in the ICU. Predictive scoring systems are measures of disease severity used to predict patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the discriminative power of commonly used scoring systems, namely the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with neurological disorders in the ICUs of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. Results: A total of 153 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 54.76 ± 17.32 years with higher male predominance (60.78%). Ischaemic stroke was the most common neurological disorder. There were 58 patients (37.9%) who required mechanical ventilation and all-cause mortality was 20.9%. The mean SOFA score was significantly higher (P=0.002) in survivors, whereas the mean APACHE II did not show a significant difference (P=0.238). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the area of curve (AUC) of SOFA score was 0.765 and of APACHE II was 0.722. Conclusions: SOFA score had comparatively higher discriminative power than APACHE II. Assessment of the performance of scoring systems in a specific ICU setting improves the sensitivity and applicability of the model to these settings.

Dyslipidemia and Obesity in Ischemic Stroke.

Background Dyslipidemia and obesity are both important risk factors for the first and recurrent ischemic strokes. Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent among Asian populations, and the prevalence of obesity is also noted to be progressively increasing in this population. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and central obesity and their association with each other and various cardiovascular risk factors among patients who presented with an acute ischemic stroke to a tertiary care university hospital in Nepal. Methods This study is a secondary analysis done on data from a prospective observational study that was carried out on patients who were either acutely admitted to or visited the outpatient department of the hospital with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Dyslipidemia was defined according to the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults. Obesity was defined as central obesity by measuring waist circumference. Data were collected by convenience sampling and analyzed by IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Significant variables were compared with logistic regression analysis. Other data were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results Out of 145 patients, 77 were male (53.1%). The mean age of the patients was 60.15 years. Dyslipidemia and central obesity were present in 96.6% and 57.9% of the patients, respectively. The most common lipid abnormality was low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, present in 82.8% of the patients, followed by high triglycerides, present in 21.4% of them. Dyslipidemia was not associated with any vascular risk factors. Central obesity was significantly associated with female gender, diabetes, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in univariate analysis. However, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was significantly associated with only female gender (p=0.003) and diabetes (p=0.012). Conclusion Dyslipidemia and central obesity are very common in patients with ischemic stroke. Dyslipidemia is not associated with any vascular risk factors. However, central obesity is significantly associated with the female gender and diabetes.

Stroke patterns and outcomes during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the number of stroke activations, admission of patients with various types of strokes, the rate and timely administration of reperfusion therapy, and all types of time-based stroke-related quality assessment metrics. In this study, we describe the different types of strokes, different delays in seeking and completing treatment occurring during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and predictors of outcome at 3 months follow-up. Materials and methods: This is a single-centered prospective cross-sectional study carried out from May 2021 to November 2021, enrolling patients with stroke. Data collected were demographic characteristics, stroke types and their outcomes, and different types of prehospital delays. Results: A total of 64 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 60.25±15.31 years. Ischemic stroke was more common than hemorrhagic stroke. The median time of arrival to the emergency room of our center was 24 h. The most common cause of prehospital delay was found to be delays in arranging vehicles. The median duration of hospital stays [odds ratio (OR)=0.72, P<0.05] and baseline NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) score (OR=0.72, P<0.05) were found to be a predictor of good outcomes at 3 months follow-up on binary logistic regression. Conclusion: The factors that cause the delayed transfer to the hospital and onset of treatment should be addressed. Patient counseling about the likely prognosis can be done after evaluating the probable outcome based on the NIHSS score and median duration of hospital stay. Nevertheless, mechanisms should be developed to reduce the prehospital delay at the ground level as well as at the policy level.

Painful tonic spasms in a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A case report.

Painful tonic spasms initially described in association with multiple sclerosis are actually more common in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Characterized by fierce pain and tonic posture of limbs, painful tonic spasms are common in patients during the recovery phase after the first episode of myelitis. A 68-year-old man presented with painful tonic spasm after 2 months of diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Eventual use of eslicarbazepine resulted in significant control of spasms. Early recognition of painful tonic spasms and appropriate therapeutic medications can significantly decrease the impact it can have on the quality of life among neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients.

MRI of the brain mimicking autoimmune encephalitis in Sjögren syndrome with chorea: a case report.

Neurologic manifestations in primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) range in prevalence from 8 to 49%, and most of the studies suggest a prevalence of 20%. The incidence of SS patients developing movement disorders is about 2%. Case presentation: The authors herein report a case of a 40-year-old lady with MRI of the brain mimicking autoimmune encephalitis in SS who presented with chorea. Her MRI findings revealed T2 and FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) high signal intensity areas in bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles, dorsal pons, dorsal midbrain, hypothalami, and medial temporal lobes. Clinical discussion: There is still no evidence to support the definite use of MRI in characterizing the central nervous system involvement in primary SS, especially due to overlapping findings with age and cerebrovascular disease. Multiple areas of increased signal intensity in periventricular and subcortical white matter in FLAIR and T2-weighted image is commonly seen in primary SS patients. Conclusion: It is crucial to consider autoimmune diseases like SS as a cause of chorea in adults, even in those whose imaging findings are suggestive of autoimmune encephalitis.

Wallerian degeneration in the brain after organophosphorus poisoning: a case report.

The type, quantity, and potency of the organophosphorus compound (OPC) taken determine the symptoms of OPC poisoning as well as their severity. The exact etiology for organophosphorus (OP) poisoning delay neuropathy regulating Wallerian degeneration is still unknown. Case Presentation: We report here a rare case of a 25-year-old lady with Wallerian degeneration in the brain found in an MRI in a patient after OPC ingestion. MRI of the brain, in our case, shows Wallerian degeneration of the corona radiata, internal capsule, and midbrain. Clinical Discussion: Some OPCs can lead to OP-induced delayed neuropathy, a form of delayed neurotoxicity in humans (OPIDN). The distal axonopathy's (in OPIDN) morphological pattern resembles Wallerian degeneration, which happens in vitro following nerve damage. Although delayed Wallerian degeneration from organophosphate poisoning often affects the peripheral nervous system, it can also affect the central nervous system. Rehabilitation therapy combined with appropriate nursing care has been demonstrated to improve the disease. Conclusion: Central nervous system involvement after OP poisoning is rare, and MRI of the brain and spinal cord can document evidence of Wallerian degeneration after OP poisoning.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of central nervous system infections in a tertiary center: A retrospective study.

Background and Aims: Central nervous system (CNS) infection is one of the most common causes of morbidity, mortality, and hospital admission worldwide. The natural history of CNS infection is quite fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment have been proven to have a crucial role in patients' survival. The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiological and clinical patterns of patients diagnosed with CNS infections. Methods: This study is a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary level hospital in Nepal in which patient diagnosed with CNS infections (September 2019 to 2021) were included. Data were collected and analyzed in SPSS. Results: The mean age of the 95 patients included in the study was 45.18 ± 19.56. Meningoencephalitis (n = 44, 46.30%) was the most common infection diagnosed. Patients belonging to the age group 30-60 years had a higher frequency of focal neurological deficit, and other classical clinical features. All the patients who died during the treatment had associated comorbidities but no concurrent infections. Altered sensorium, fever, and headache were the common presenting symptoms in all the recovered patients. Conclusion: To ensure optimum disease outcome, early diagnosis and prompt management are crucial. For this, recognizing the local disease patterns in terms of disease distribution, commonly implicated aetiologies, presenting symptoms, and prognostic factors is of utmost importance.

Stiff person syndrome in a Nepalese man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and ketonuria: A rare case report.

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a progressive Central Nervous System disorder is accompanied by progressive muscle rigidity, hyperreflexia, and spasms mainly in truncal and proximal leg muscles mainly associated with autoimmune disorders. Here, we report a rare case of SPS in a middle-aged Nepalese man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and ketonuria.

Chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia syndrome: A case report from Nepal.

A rare case of chorea hyperglycemic basal ganglia syndrome in a 56-year-old woman who presented with left-sided hemichorea in the setting of uncontrolled, non-ketotic, type II diabetes mellitus is reported. Early blood glucose control could lead to complete resolution of symptoms. Despite an excellent prognosis, delayed recognition and management can lead to prolong disability due to movement disorder.

Occurrence of osmotic demyelination syndrome in diabetes mellitus: A case report and literature review of various etiologies for osmotic demyelination syndrome.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome is a rare condition reported mainly in the case of rapid correction of hyponatremia, but it can occur even in the case of complicated diabetes mellitus either during rapid correction of hyperglycemia or anytime during the complicated diabetes mellitus. We report a case of complicated diabetes mellitus developing osmotic demyelination syndrome. The patient had presented with altered sensorium and seizure, which was initially diagnosed as hyperglycemia, but during his treatment, the magnetic resonance imaging of brain revealed central pontine myelinolysis. Our search on the causes of osmotic demyelination syndrome other than rapid correction of hyponatremia has revealed several other causes like autoimmune liver disease, Sjogren's syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in addition to diabetes mellitus.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome following lower segment caesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A case report.

Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) may be mistaken for typical puerperal changes, delaying diagnosis. Surgery and anesthesia may be triggers for GBS with an overall increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the postpartum period. We report a unique case of GBS in the postpartum period who made a good recovery with supportive measures.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a patient with Graves' disease: A case report.

Introduction and importance: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare and often misdiagnosed, hypokalemic periodic paralysis with features of mainly recurrent acute limb weakness with good treatment outcome if diagnosed early. Case presentation: We here report a case of a 25-year-old male with a history of recurrent bilateral upper and lower limbs weakness resolved by potassium infusion later found to have Thyrotoxicosis (Graves' disease). MRI scans of the brain had no abnormal finding while thyroid scintigraphy showed diffuse toxic goiter. Clinical discussion: Graves' disease shares a majority of TPP while, other causes like toxic adenoma, thyroiditis, toxic multinodular goiter, amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis, levothyroxine intoxication and thyrotropin (TSH) producing pituitary adenoma are also associated with TPP. The management of thyrotoxicosis by medical therapy, surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is the mainstay of treatment of TPP patients. For the treatment of acute attacks, potassium administration is necessary keeping in mind the problem of hyperkalemia because of excess doses of potassium as it shifts to extracellular space. Conclusion: TPP should be considered as a differential in the cases of limb weakness and the secondary causes especially Thyrotoxicosis and precipitating factors should be identified.

Delayed myelopathy after organophosphate intoxication: A case report.

Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy, a central-distal axonopathy, passes through latent, progressive, static and improvement phases. During the improvement phase, the peripheral nerves regenerate unmasking the spinal cord lesion with myelopathic features. We report a case of a 16-year-old male who developed myelopathy 6 weeks following chlorpyrifos poisoning. He had a motor weakness of 4/5 in bilateral hips and 3/5 in bilateral knees and ankles. Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes with ankle clonus were present in the lower limbs. Sensory and the upper limb motor examinations were all normal. Pertinent blood, cerebrospinal fluid and nerve conduction tests were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed features of cord atrophy. Three months following physiotherapy, his power improved to 5/5 in bilateral knee and hip joints and 4/5 in bilateral ankles with spasticity. Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy can present as earlier as 6 weeks with myelopathy. Previous history of organophosphorous exposure is important in myelopathy or peripheral neuropathy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome following coronavirus disease vaccine: First report from Nepal.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is an effective and well-tolerated coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. However, rare cases of serious adverse events have been reported with it. We report a patient who did not have active or prior coronavirus disease 2019 infection, who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome 7 days following the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, with stabilization of the disease. Proper monitoring and prompt reporting of such cases are required to ensure the safety of the vaccine.

Delayed Visual Loss in a Patient with Snake Bite: Case Report of an Unusual Neuro-Ophthalmic Presentation.

Neurotoxin-related optic neuritis (ON) after snake bite is uncommon. Here, we present a case of a 70-year-old female who developed bilateral painless loss of vision after she received treatment with anti-snake venom (ASV). She had only perception of light on assessment of visual acuity on admission which then improved drastically after administration of intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) after making the provisional diagnosis of ON on the basis of history and clinical findings of the patient. Imaging and visual-evoked potential could not be done initially, and they were done after the administration of intravenous MP which had normal findings. ASV, though being a lifesaving treatment, has been sometimes associated with ON.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with Coronavirus disease 2019: A case from Nepal.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now spread widely after the outbreak since December 31, 2019. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an immunological postinfectious neuropathy, which has been reported to be a rare but possible complication COVID-19. We report a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with COVID-19 in Nepal.

Clinical spectrum and management of dystonia in patients with Japanese encephalitis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a potentially fatal viral infection with a wide range of manifestations and can also present with a variety of movement disorders (MD) including dystonia. Dystonic features in JE are uncommon. Here, we have tried to summarize the clinical features and management of dystonia among JE patients with a comprehensive literature search. METHODS: Various databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, were searched against the predefined criteria using suitable keywords combination and boolean operations. Relevant information from observational and case studies was extracted according to the author, dystonic features, radiological changes in the brain scans, treatment options, and outcome wherever provided. RESULT: We identified 19 studies with a total of 1547 JE patients, the diagnosis of which was confirmed by IgM detection in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid in the majority of the patients (88.62%). 234 (15.13%) of JE patients had dystonia with several types of focal dystonia being present in 131 (55.98%) either alone or in combination. Neuroimaging showed predominant involvement of thalami, basal ganglia, and brainstem. Oral medications including anticholinergics, GABA agonists, and benzodiazepines followed by botulinum toxin were the most common treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: Dystonia can be a disabling consequence of JE, and various available medical therapies can significantly improve the quality of life. Owing to insufficient studies on the assessment of dystonia associated with JE, longitudinal studies with a larger number of patients are warranted to further clarify the clinical course, treatment, and outcome of dystonia.

Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in encephalomyelitis due to paralytic rabies: A case report.

The diagnosis of rabies, a potentially fatal neuroinfectious disease, should be strongly considered in all patients who develop encephalitis following an infected animal bite even when they have received post-exposure prophylaxis. In the absence of confirmatory tests, typical magnetic resonance imaging findings help confirm the clinical diagnosis of rabies.

Evaluating cognitive outcomes in adult patients with acute encephalitis syndrome: a prospective study from a tertiary care center in Nepal.

Purpose: Although cognitive impairment is a known complication of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), few studies have evaluated cognitive outcomes in patients with encephalitis. The primary objective of this study was to assess the cognitive profiles of patients diagnosed with AES, which is pivotal for improving rehabilitation strategies and prognostic measures. Methods: This study was conducted at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Adult patients with AES who met inclusion criteria were enrolled. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool was used to assess cognitive function at admission, discharge, and 3-month follow-up. Results: Thirty-six patients were enrolled in our study. The mean age of the participants was 43 ± 18 years. Fourteen patients (38.9%) were female, and 22 (61.1%) were male. Tuberculous (TB) meningoencephalitis was present in 14 cases (38.9%), with herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis in 14 (38.9%), bacterial meningoencephalitis in 4 (11.1%), autoimmune encephalitis in 2 (5.6%), and Japanese encephalitis in 2 (5.6%). Patients with bacterial meningoencephalitis had the highest MoCA scores at admission, whereas those with HSV encephalitis had the highest scores at discharge and follow-up. Compared with the scores at admission, the scores at discharge and follow-up increased significantly in patients with TB meningoencephalitis and HSV encephalitis. The MoCA score at discharge was established as a significant predictor of cognitive function at follow-up. Conclusion: We found that active treatment can improve the outcomes of AES patients with cognitive impairment. Although infectious etiologies are most common in low-income countries such as Nepal, autoimmune etiologies should not be overlooked.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with concomitant subdural hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhages involving cerebral convexity and perimesenchephalic regions: A case report.

We should suspect cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in patients with subacute onset progressive headaches with brain imaging evidence of localized cerebral edema with superimposed parenchymal, convexity subarachnoid as well as subdural hemorrhages.