Young patients with stroke at the UHWI - the CT findings - Poster presentation

There is not much data on young patients with stroke (< 50 yrs) from the Caribbean. This paper sought to identify the types of stroke seen in young, Caribbean patients, with a view to noting trends and suggesting intervention strategies. The study is a retrospective review of patients (<50 yrs with stroke who had Computerised Tomography (CT scans) of the brain at the UHWI, from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998. Data were collated from the CT register of the Xray Department of UHWI. Results were available for 81 patients (43 females and 38 males). Overall, 62 percent of study sample had infarct (71 percent males, 38 percent females), 27 percent intra-cerebral bleed (15 percent males, 34 percent females); 11 percent subarachnoid haemorrhages. In females 11 - 40 yrs, 61 percent of CVAs were on the right and 39 percent on the left; between 41 and 50 yrs. 92 percent of CVAs were left sided and 8 percent on the right. In males 11 - 40 yrs, 66 percent of CVAs were on the right and 33 percent on the left; between 41 and 50 yrs, 45 percent were on the right and 55 percent on the left. This preliminary study suggests that in the population reviewed, there is a similar incidence of CVAs in males and female. Infarcts are the most common results of a CVA followed by intra-cerebral bleed and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Infarcts are more common in males than females whilst intracerebral bleeds are more common in females. Under the age of 41 yrs, CVA is more common on the right than the left whilst between 41 and 50 yrs, they are more common on the left; this is more so in females in whom 92 percent of lesions were on the left in the age group 41 - 50 years.(AU)

Arsenic: the forgotten poison?

Chronic arsenic poisoning is an uncommon cause of peripheral neuropathy in Jamaica. A patient with this disorder is described. The insidious nature of chronic arsenic poisoning, with its disabling complications, is emphasised. (AU)