Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis in a Healthy Female Child: Case Report.

Mucormycosis is a potentially fatal condition with a high mortality rate, particularly when there is extra nasal involvement, and it is rare for patients with fungal brain disease to survive. It mostly affects patients who are metabolically or immunologically compromised, which constitutes one of the three classical stages of the progression of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM). Stage I: infection of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses; Stage II: orbital involvement; Stage III: cerebral involvement.Here, we report a case of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a 14-year-old girl with no known risk factor who presented with periorbital edema, right eye proptosis, fever, and extreme facial pain, which progressively worsened to confusion and left leg weakness in 3 days after admission. The final diagnosis was rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. The infection was successfully treated using liposomal amphotericin and surgical debridement to remove infected orbital tissue. Mucormycosis is a potentially fatal disease that necessitates prompt diagnosis and treatment. Children are rarely infected with mucormycosis. The majority of studies show that people are typically between 40 and 50 years old. ROCM is typically diagnosed using clinical symptoms and histopathologic evaluation; however, imaging is critical in determining the presence of intracranial lesions. The standard treatment for ROCM is amphotericin B at a recommended dose of 1.0-1.5 mg/kg/day for weeks or months, depending on the clinical response and severity of adverse drug reactions, particularly nephrotoxicity.Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in a healthy female child is uncommon; early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Amphotericin B should be necessary. Devastating consequences will result from a delayed diagnosis.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as an Initial Presentation of Nephrotic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) encompasses a spectrum of disorders involving thrombosis of the cerebral venous system. As shown by previous epidemiological studies, the prevalence of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is 4-7 cases per million people. Nephrotic syndrome was very rarely associated with thrombosis cerebral veins or sinuses. Hypercoagulability and thrombotic complications in nephrotic syndrome are most commonly seen in deep veins of the lower extremities and renal veins. Our case highlights a unique scenario in which cerebral sinovenous thrombosis was the initial presentation of nephrotic syndrome in a patient that was not an important past medical or surgical problem. The patient was brought to the emergency department with severe headache, vomiting, altered mental status, and generalized body swelling. Laboratory results showed proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and hyperlipidemia. Non-contrast brain CT demonstrated hemorrhagic venous infarct associated with vasogenic edema. A subsequent brain MR venogram demonstrated occlusion of superior sagittal and right transverse sinuses. She was managed with low molecular weight heparin and intervenous corticosteroids then shifted to rivaroxaban and oral steroids, respectively, which resulted in massive clinical improvement and resolution of thrombus.

Exploring Myocardial Infarction Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Among Mogadishu's Somali Residents.

Introduction: Myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease are significant global health issues, particularly in Somalia. The Somali population faces challenges due to armed conflict, limited education, and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure. Cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are prevalent, and Somali people face increased susceptibility. Methods: This study examined Somalia residents' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards myocardial infarction using a cross-sectional paper-based questionnaire. The sample consisted of 313 urban residents in Mogadishu, aged 20 and above. The questionnaire was written in Somali and was designed for the demographic. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were categorized into two groups, with associations between knowledge, attitude, and practice with sociodemographic and health characteristics assessed using Logistic Regression. Results: This study analyzed data from A random sample of participants who arrived at the hospital for various reasons regarding their perceptions, attitudes, and responses towards myocardial infarction. The mean age was 42 ±19 years, with 54% being male and 46% female. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity, followed by dyslipidemia and diabetes. Over half of the respondents had no formal education, and only 3.8% had a smoking history. About 5.7% had a previous history of myocardial infarction. The mean knowledge score was 11.07 ± 0.697, with 53.35% of respondents not knowing enough about myocardial infarction. The majority of the patients showed a favorable attitude, but only a slight majority could recognize symptoms of myocardial infarction. The majority of the patients had inadequate practice and behavior, with 53.6% not practicing regularly or engaging in sports. Conclusion: The research highlights gaps in Mogadishu's Somali community's knowledge and practices regarding myocardial infarction. It emphasizes the need for health education, primary care, and community involvement to improve cardiovascular health awareness and reduce MI incidence.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Their Association with Electroencephalographic Data in Children with Epilepsy at Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu Somalia.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal, fast, synchronous neuronal discharge from the cerebral cortex. This abnormal excitation of the brain is usually short and self-limiting and can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) are two widely used techniques to differentiate, verify, or exclude the diagnosis of epilepsy. The study aims to identify the frequency of EEG and MRI abnormalities in pediatric epilepsy and their correlations, aiming to improve diagnostic and treatment methods for these children. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we evaluated pediatric patients aged 0-18 years who visited the Neurology Polyclinic between July 2022 and July 2023, were diagnosed with epilepsy in accordance with the ILAE 2014 epilepsy guidelines, and had undergone neuroimaging at the hospital's radiology department. Demographic information and clinical data, including the patient's age, gender, history of trauma, and congenital infection, were assessed. In all patients, a surface electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. Results: Our study recruited 102 pediatric patients aged between 0-18 years, including 63 (61.8%) boys and 39 (37.2%) girls. An electroencephalogram (EEG) and MRI study have been done on all patients. An abnormal EEG study was seen in 79 (77.45%) participants, and an abnormal MRI was noted in 45 (44.1%) patients. The EEG and MRI were both abnormal in 34 cases (33.3%). The study found no significant correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalographic findings (P =0.779). Conclusion: We observed multiple abnormalities on neuroimaging in pediatric epileptic patients. Even though our sample size was small, our results demonstrated that there is no statistically significant relationship between EEG and MRI results.

Door-to-Balloon Time and Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Primary PCI, Challenges and Experience from Somalia's Largest PCI Center.

Introduction: The door-to-balloon time, the time between a patient's arrival at the hospital and percutaneous coronary intervention, is crucial for managing myocardial infarction. Aiming for less than 90 minutes is recommended, as shortened times are associated with improved outcomes. However, limited healthcare resources, infrastructure, transportation and poverty impact management, leading to poorer outcomes and delayed door to balloon time. Addressing these challenges and their causes is essential for optimal care. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of 103 patients' medical history records from May 2022 to June 2023 at the Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital in Somalia was conducted. The data was mainly collected from the hospital's electronic medical records system, analyzing patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and angiographical records. The study analyzed variables responsible for door-to-balloon (D2B) time delay, patient angiography results, cause of delay, procedure length, etc. Results: A study of 103 patients who had angiography performed between May 2022 and July 2023 was done. The predominant gender in the study was 73% male, with a mean age of 58 years. The most common risk factors were hypertension (33%), smoking (38%), and diabetes (39%). Of all the vessels, the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) was the most commonly obstructed (63%). Time delays from door-to-balloon were frequent, median door-to-balloon time was 169 minutes, frequently brought on by social problems and financial limitations. The majority (77.4%) of the patients had only percutaneous angiography (PCI), while 22.6% were recommended for bypass following PCI of the infarct-related artery (IRA). Complications in the delayed treatment group were the main cause of the death rate of 24.2%. Conclusion: Door-to-balloon time is crucial for acute myocardial infarction treatment which is challenging in impoverished countries like Somalia. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, public health education, and emergency services can improve patient outcomes.

Outcomes of Women with Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Intensive care for a hypertensive mother with preeclampsia or eclampsia is crucial for both maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study highlights the level of morbidity and mortality among women with preeclampsia and eclampsia admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods. This retrospective study was conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia, at the Mogadishu Somali Türkiye Training and Research Hospital from February 2019 to July 2022. The study focused on the different complications, managements, and final outcomes of preeclampsia and eclampsia mothers admitted to the intensive care unit. The data was retrieved from the electronic records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Results. During our study period, a total of 237 patients were identified as having preeclampsia/eclampsia, of whom 71 required intensive care admission. The mean age of the studied patients was 25 ± 6 years. The most common reason for being taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) was having a seizure (n = 33, 46.5%), followed by having very high blood pressure (n = 20, 28.2%), and being confused (n = 18, 25.3%). Peripartum infection was the most common maternal complication during ICU admission (66.7%), followed by cardiac-related arrhythmia (66.7%), postpartum bleeding (48%), acute kidney injury (18.4%), HELLP syndrome (16.4%), severe anemia (9.6%), and stroke (8.7%). Among patients, 65 (91.5%) needed mechanical ventilation. About 11.1% of these patients died during hospitalization. There were associations between mortality and some complications, particularly acute kidney injury (p value less than 0.02) and peripartum infection (p value less than 0.003). Conclusion. Hypertensive disease of pregnancy (preeclampsia/eclampsia) requiring intensive care unit admission has a very high morbidity and mortality rate.

Analysis of Echocardiographic Findings of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Background and Aims: The etiological investigation of the potential cardiac source of acute ischemic stroke is important for the secondary prevention of recurrent and future embolization. Transthoracic echocardiography is one of the most useful investigations for the assessment of the potential cardiac etiology of ischemic stroke. Our aim is to evaluate echocardiographic findings in patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the neurology department of a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. We enrolled 315 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the hospital who had undergone transthoracic echocardiography between March 2019 and March 2022. We analyzed transthoracic echocardiography findings, ischemic stroke subtypes, and their associated comorbidities. We also compared the demographic data, comorbidity, and survival status of patients with abnormal echo findings to those with normal echo findings. Findings: The mean age of patients was 62±12 years. Co-morbidities were present in about 251 (80%) of the subjects, hypertension was the most common comorbidity 99 (31.4%), followed by diabetes 72 (23%), and hyperlipidemia 37 (11.7%). Overall cardiac pathology in this study was 170 (54%). Forty-seven (15%) of the patients had low ejection fraction on transthoracic echocardiography. Male patients had slightly less left ventricular systolic dysfunction than female patients. 100 (32%) had left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), while 113 (36%) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Patients with hypertension and diabetes had more echo abnormalities compared to others (P-values of 0.047 and 0.024, respectively). More abnormal echo findings were seen in patients who died during hospitalization than in those who survived (P = 0.008). Severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction was associated with higher mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most patients with stroke in this study had abnormal echocardiograms; however, only a few had cardioembolic strokes. Abnormalities in echocardiography were more common in patients who died during hospitalization than in those who survived.

Cerebellopontine angle meningioma in a patient presented as acute cerebrovascular accident.

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningioma is a slowly growing benign tumor of the brain that may compress adjacent neural structures. It has variable clinical presentations that progress very slowly depending on its growth pattern and associated mass effect. A sudden onset clinical presentation is unusual and should prompt consideration of other potential etiologies. Case presentation: Here, the authors present a 66-year-old male patient with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia who presented to the emergency department of our hospital with sudden onset walking difficulty (ataxia). On examination, the patient was fully conscious. There was no associated cranial nerve deficit, hearing loss, or focal/lateralizing weakness. All sensory modalities were intact. However, the patient had a gait impairment. Romberg and tandem gait tests were positive with the tendency to sway to the left. The patient was admitted with suspicion of acute cerebrovascular disease. The initial noncontrast brain computed tomography and subsequent diffusion MRI were inconclusive. A later brain MRI with contrast revealed a homogeneously contrast enhancing meningioma in the left CPA. Clinical discussion: The differential diagnosis of sudden onset ataxia is broad and should include the assessment of a possible CPA lesion. Sudden onset ataxia by a CPA meningioma is very rare as meningiomas grow very slowly. A brain MRI with contrast is essential for its diagnosis. Conclusion: Although stroke is the main cause of sudden onset ataxia in a patient with cerebrovascular risk factors, yet other less common causes may be found as in this case of CPA meningioma.

A multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection presented with an acute coronary syndrome that was conservatively managed. A case report.

A spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a tear that forms in a blood vessel in the heart without any obvious underlying etiology. It could be a single vessel or multiple vessels. We present a 48-year-old male known to be a heavy smoker without any chronic diseases or family history of heart disease who presents to the cardiology outpatient clinic with shortness of breath and chest pain on exertion. Electrocardiography demonstrated ST depression with T wave inversion of anterior leads, while echocardiography of the patient showed left ventricular systolic dysfunction with severe mitral regurgitation and mildly dilated left chambers. Based on his risks for coronary artery disease, his electrocardiography, and echocardiography, the patient was referred for elective coronary angiography to exclude the possibility of coronary artery disease. The angiography was done with the result of multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissections involving the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and circumflex artery (CX) with a normal dominant right coronary artery (RCA). Due to the multi-vessel involvement of the dissection and the high risk of extension of the dissection, we preferred conservative management, including smoking cessation and heart failure management. The patient is doing well with regular heart failure treatment in cardiology follow-up.

Acute cerebral ischemic stroke as a presentation of polycythemia vera: a case report and a review of literature.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a disease of stem cells characterized by pan hyperplastic, malignant, and neoplastic bone marrow conditions. It is characterized by an increased absolute red blood cell count due to uncontrolled red blood cell synthesis, as well as excessive white blood cell and platelet production. Although the relationship between PV and stroke, especially ischemic stroke, is widely known around the world, no previous cases have been reported from Somalia. Case presentation: In the presenting study, we report a 60-year-old male patient who presented with a right-side weakness for 3 days. After laboratory and brain imaging, he was diagnosed with an acute cerebral infarct affecting the left basal ganglion secondary to PV. Conclusions: PV as the cause of ischemic stroke is a rare condition but can be encountered in clinical practice, and clinicians should be familiar with this combination.

Tramadol-induced intracerebral hemorrhage: A rare case report.

A previously healthy middle-aged man with no vascular risk factors developed a hemorrhagic stroke. He had been using tramadol due to erectile dysfunction for 2 years. So, the patient developed right basal ganglia due to tramadol addiction.

Warfarin-induced isolated spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage: Rare case report.

Introduction and importance: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is mostly associated with head trauma. Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage is mostly due to vascular abnormalities: either hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysm or bleeding from arteriovenous malformation. Aneurysmal hemorrhage is the biggest cause in non-traumatic cases. Warfarin is associated with cerebral intraparenchymal hemorrhage, but it is rarely associated with SAH. Case presentation: Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old male patient who was admitted to the neurology ward of our hospital due to acute ischemic stroke. The patient was treated with a vitamin K antagonist (warfarin). However, on the third day, his condition deteriorated (his GCS regressed from 11/15 to 5/15). His pupils were anisocoric. Brain CT showed extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage without intraparenchymal involvement. Cerebral magnetic resonance angiography ruled out aneurysmal rupture. The patient was intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit. Due to his poor condition, neurosurgical intervention could not be done. The patient was managed conservatively, but the patient passed away 4 days later in the intensive care unit. Clinical discussion: Non-traumatic SAH is mostly caused by aneurysmal rupture. Warfarin increases the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and mostly causes intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Isolated warfarin-related SAH without parenchymal involvement is a rare event. Here we present a young male patient with an isolated warfarin-induced SAH. Conclusion: Warfarin is rarely associated with isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage. This case highlights a young male patient with spontaneous SAH after warfarin therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Aneurysmal rupture and trauma should be excluded before a diagnosis of warfarin-induced SAH is made.

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment with prognosis for the first six months of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Somalia: Case series.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyneuropathy that often leads to severe weakness. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a proven effective treatment for GBS (class 1 evidence). The clinical course of GBS in individual patients is highly variable and difficult to predict. Methods: It is a retrospective observational study of 10 patients diagnosed with GBS by using nerve conduction studies and lumbar puncture. Results: Fifty percent of the patients were under 40 years old, and ninety percent were male; all but one were treated with IVIG; and forty percent of the total mEGOS obtained was less than 5. The average predicted probability of being unable to walk unaided after 4 weeks was 47.7%, the average predicted probability of being unable to walk unaided after 3 months was 17%, and the average predicted probability of being unable to walk unaided after 6 months was 8.05%. Conclusions: Patients presenting with acute ascending weakness should be identified early, and early IVIG treatment for GBS improves disability as measured by The Modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Scale (mEGOS).

Isolated left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy complicated by acute ischemic stroke: A rare case repor.

Introduction: and importance: Isolated left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), uncommon type of primary hereditary cardiomyopathy. It is a spongy morphological appearance of the myocardium that occurs largely in the LV. Case presentation: We discuss here a case of 19 years old female with no known past medical history who present with Shortness of breath (SOB) and left sided weakness following delivery.Bedside Echocardiography demonstrated Left ventricular trabiculation with reduced ejection fraction. While brain Computed tomography showed acute ischemic stroke primly due to non-compaction cardiomyopathy as the embolic. Patient was discharged after successfully managed. Clinical discussion: Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is characterized by progressive ventricular trabeculation and deep intratrabecular recesses caused by the functional arrest of myocardial maturation, which is a rare case of congenital cardiomyopathy. Our patient had isolated non-compaction cardiomyopathy of the type that was complicated by an acute ischemic stroke and was treated accordingly. Conclusion: It is usually associated with congenital heart disease, but isolated left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy is very uncommon.

Simultaneous acute cardio-cerebral infarction associated with isolated left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy.

Introduction and importance: The co-occurrence of acute ischemic stroke and acute myocardial ischemia; cardio-cerebral infarction (CCI) has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of these conditions to occur simultaneously has been reported to be less than 1% according to the published data. Left Ventricular Non-Compaction (LVNC), on the other hand, is characterized by large left ventricular (LV) trabeculae, a thin compacted layer, and deep intertrabecular recesses. In the inter-trabecular recesses, where blood flow is slow, cardiac mural thrombi may form, which can lead to systemic embolization. Case presentation: In this report, we describe a 51-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes who developed a non-ST segment elevated myocardial infraction and an acute ischemic stroke that were thought to be related to left ventricular hypertrabeculation. Clinical discussion: Although it is rare, the simultaneous occurrence of myocardial infarction and an acute ischemic stroke can be fatal. There are numerous potential mechanisms for CCI, including cardiac thrombi-embolism, hypoperfusion during AMI. Both conditions have a narrow therapeutic window and management is very crucial. Conclusion: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first reported case of cardiocerebral infraction (CCI) in the setting of non-compaction left ventricle. Early and precise diagnosis is critical to the successful management of these conditions.

Spontaneous bilateral subdural hematoma in a patient with a prosthetic valve and association with plasmodium vivax malaria: A rare case report.

Introduction and importance: Bilateral subdural hematoma (SDH) is a very rare condition which can occur without any apparent etiology. It's characterized by a lower frequency of focal neurological impairments, which could delay the diagnosis and postpone treatment. The reported incidence of an acute spontaneous subdural hematoma (SSH) varies between 2% and 6.7% of all acute SDH. SDH following Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection are uncommon to our knowledge, only two cases of SDH linked with P. vivax infection have been documented in the literature. Case presentation: We describe a case of a 31-year-old male with a history of mitral mechanical valve replacement on anti-coagulant presented with spontaneous bilateral subdural hematoma in the presence of malaria. The patient had a limited vague symptom, which delayed a prompt diagnosis of his disease. Clinical discussion: Spontaneous subdural hematoma has only a few documented cases. Hypertension, infections, vascular malformations, ruptured aneurysms, thrombocytopenia caused by hematological and oncological illnesses, acquired or inherited types of coagulopathies, and drug abuse are all risk factors. Also, SDH has been documented in the literature as a consequence of Plasmodium infection. In addition to that this patient was on anti-epileptic medicines which might potentiate vitamin K antagonists. Numerous factors were thought to have contributed to this significant bleeding. Conclusion: Patients on anticoagulants who exhibit nebulous symptoms, including a mild headache, should be subjected to a thorough history and examination. And any factor delaying an accurate diagnosis should be eliminated. This will complement the patient's plan and management.

49-years-old women with unusual presentation of severe hypokalemia mimicking Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A rare case report.

Acute neuromuscular weakness with associated subsequent developing respiratory failure is common neurological emergency in all emergency departments worldwide. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) remains the most common cause of acute ascending quadriplegia presents with ascending muscle weakness associated with paresthesia and loss of deep tendon reflexes and usually preceeded by diarrheal illness or upper airway infection. Here we report 49-year-old female presented with rapidly progressing, ascending quadraparesis for 48 hours duration with subsequently complicated by respiratory paralysis due to severe hypokalemia.