Clinical Characteristics of Ischemic Stroke Patients <50 Years Old at a University Hospital: A Retrospective Descriptive Study.

Background Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability around the world. It is responsible for 10% of all fatalities and about 5% of all disabilities. Risk factors include age, hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is increasing among young adults compared to older ones. It has a direct impact on their quality of life and working activities while also burdening the healthcare system. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the possible risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients who are under 50 years old. Methods This is a single-center retrospective record review of patients with ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2022. Eighty patients who had an ischemic stroke at an age below 50 were included in the analysis. Patients above or equal to 50 years old who had ischemic stroke and all patients with hemorrhagic stroke were excluded. Baseline characteristics, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality were compared with different comorbidities. Results The mean age was 36.65 among males and females who had an ischemic stroke. 56.8% of them were non-Saudi, while 43.2% were Saudis. Diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were among the most frequent comorbidities among patients who had ischemic stroke, with a percentage of 82.7%. Other comorbidities, such as autoimmune disease, thrombophilia, and heart failure, were present. Conclusion There are different comorbidities found in patients who have had an ischemic stroke and are under 50 years old. However, diabetes and hypertension remain the most common risk factors.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care in Saudi Arabia: A survey of providers' perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: Provision of care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is complex and requires the contribution of multiple healthcare professionals. Several international ALS care measures were developed to ensure optimal care for ALS patients. We looked at the rate of inconsistency in providing standard ALS care measures in Saudi Arabia (SA). METHODS: A 5-point response survey was distributed to practicing neurologists in SA. They were asked to grade their perceived consistency of accessibility for 19 items of ALS care measures at their center. The list of ALS care measures items was derived from international ALS guidelines. RESULTS: The response rate from neurologists was 47.3% (62/131), and the responses of 39 neurologists who follow ALS cases were included. Most of the selected ALS care measure items, 63.1% (12/19), were perceived by 50% or more of the ALS care providers to be not consistently accessible to their patients. The perception of ALS care providers of the inconsistent accessibility for ALS patients to ALS care measures was high for communication devices (92.3%), supportive equipment such as motorized wheelchairs (76.9%), end-of-life discussion (74.4%), and respiratory monitoring (66.7%). CONCLUSION: Our data show that ALS patients in SA do not have consistent access to the recommended ALS care measures.

Limb-Shaking Transient Ischemic Attacks Masquerading as Focal Seizures.

Limb shaking is a paroxysmal involuntary hyperkinetic movement that may be a presentation of severe unilateral steno-occlusive carotid disease. This unusual form of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often misdiagnosed as focal motor seizures, especially with frequent repetition. We present a case of 67-year-old man with severe unilateral carotid stenosis leading to frequent left arm shaking TIAs. Initial work-up did not reveal any abnormalities, and anticonvulsant was started. He readmitted again after few days with left side mild hemiparesis. Cerebrovascular evaluation showed recent watershed infarction with significant stenosis in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA). The patient underwent stenting of the right ICA with weakness improvement and no more limb-shaking TIA on follow-up. In conclusion, early recognition of limb-shaking TIAs and differentiating it from focal motor seizures can facilitate identification of pre-occlusive carotid stenosis, allowing for appropriate interventions to prevent further TIAs or disabling stroke.

Carpal Tunnel Decompression Surgery Outcome and Effect of Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The benefits of carpal tunnel decompressive surgery (CTDS) among diabetic patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were previously investigated through comparing the outcome before and after CTDS, and in comparison to nondiabetic CTS. We sought to investigate if diabetes mitigates the benefits of CTDS compared to not receiving CTDS. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we compared the risk of reporting any unfavorable outcomes among CTS patients (diabetic and nondiabetic) who underwent CTDS versus no CTDS after controlling for diabetes. We also compared the risk of reporting any unfavorable outcomes (waking up at night, pain during the day or during daily activities, or hand weakness) among diabetic CTS patients who underwent CTDS versus no CTDS after controlling for severity. RESULTS: We included 207 patients; of these, 105 patients had CTDS and 102 did not. There were 60 diabetic and 147 nondiabetic patients. The risk of any unfavorable outcomes was reduced by CTDS from 83.3 to 66.6%, with an odds ratio (OR), after controlling for diabetes, of 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.78). Among diabetic patients, there was no difference between the CTDS and non-CTDS groups in the risk of reporting any unfavorable outcomes; however, after adjustment for severity, the risk of hand weakness was less with CTDS, with an OR of 0.13 (95% CI 0.02-0.86). CONCLUSION: Diabetes did not mitigate the benefits of CTDS. CTDS may prevent hand weakness among diabetic CTS patients.

Acute Subdural Haemorrhage as a Complication of Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is done daily for both spinal anesthesia and emergency cases for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a rare but severe complication following diagnostic LP, which could be potentially fatal, and early diagnosis may be life-saving. We present a 28-year-old female patient who presented to our emergency department with a headache, fever, and vomiting, with normal initial laboratory and imaging. Diagnostic lumbar puncture was done to exclude central nervous system infection. After CSF results and cultures were negative, and nasal influenza B detected, medication was started and she was discharged home. Three days post-procedure, she was complaining of a severe, persistent headache and a head computed tomography (CT) was done, which revealed acute SDH. Extensive workup searching for the cause of SDH was negative, and with a stationary course of SDH, she has discharged home again with a diagnosis of SDH post LP complication. In conclusion, a headache post LP is common and usually benign and self-limited. Severe persistent headache that is not positional and doesn't respond to analgesics with caffeine should be considered a red flag after LP and should be investigated carefully for other possibilities such as SDH.