Ischemic Stroke Subtypes: Socio-demographic Factors, Risk Factors, and Outcomes in Southern Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a heterogeneous, catastrophic disease. A comprehensive clinical analysis of ischemic stroke (IS) risk factors and outcomes is crucial for optimum management in resource-poor settings. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) involving 592 patients was conducted in a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka from November 2018 to May 2019. We aimed to describe the ACVD subtypes and the relationship of IS subtypes and subtype-categories (as defined by the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project clinical classification) with risk factors, severity, and outcome. RESULTS: The majority (63.3%) had IS. Partial anterior circulation syndromes (PACS), total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS), posterior circulation syndromes (POCS), and lacunar syndromes (LACS) accounted for 102 (29.7%), 58 (16.9%), 88 (25.7%) and 95 (27.7%) of the cases, respectively. The most common PACS sub-category was higher-cerebral-dysfunction-with-homonymous-hemianopia (HCD+HH,39 cases;38.2%). Cerebellar-signs-without-long-tract-signs (CS-LTS) sub-category constituted the highest among POCS (47 cases; 53.4%). The leading sub-category within LACS was pure-motor (PM) strokes (43 cases; 45.3%).Patients aged ≥50 years (adjusted-OR [AOR]2.439; 95%CI,1.163-5.116;P=.018), IHD(AOR 2.520; 95%CI,1.347-4.713; P=.004) and BMI>23kg/m2(AOR 2.607; 95% CI,1.420-4.784; P=.002) were 2.5 times more likely to associate with TACS. Patients with a history of TIA (AOR 1.910; 95%CI,1.036-3.524; P=.038) and arrhythmias (AOR 5.933; 95%CI,3.294-10.684; P<.001) were 1.9 and 5.9 times more likely to be associated with POCS respectively. Those with hypertension were 2.3 times more likely to associate with LACS (AOR 2.233; 95%CI,1.270-3.926; P=.005).NIHSS(P<.001), mRS on admission (P=.001) and in 3 months (P<.001), deaths during hospital stay (P=.003) and within 28 days (P<.001) had a stronger relationship with individual stroke subtypes. CONCLUSION: The comparative risk of different IS subtypes depends on different risk factors. The findings of this study demonstrate that sub-categories within each stroke subtype may behave independently with regard to risk factors and outcomes, thus warranting the need for individual assessment.

A challenging case of Cushing's disease complicated with multiple thrombotic phenomena following trans-sphenoidal surgery; a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cushing's syndrome occurs due to overproduction of cortisol from adrenal glands. Endogenous hypercortisolemia can occur secondary to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent as well as independent causes. The presence of non-specific symptoms and signs contributes to a delay in diagnosis. Early identification and prompt definitive management is crucial. It is important to be alert about the post-operative complications including multiple thrombotic phenomena, which can add to the mortality. We report a case of Cushing's disease in a young female managed with trans-sphenoidal surgery, followed by a challenging post-operative period complicated with multiple thrombotic phenomena, ultimately succumbed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Sri Lankan female presented with overt features of Cushing's syndrome and diagnosed to have ACTH dependent Cushing's disease with pituitary microadenoma. She underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery, following which she developed fatal multiple complications including diverticular rupture and ischemic colitis, needing hemicolectomy, followed by a parieto-occipital infarction. CONCLUSION: This case highlights important and aggressive complications associated with Cushing's syndrome giving rise to a challenging post-operative course. Diverticular rupture had been described in association with hypercortisolemia and this case adds to the existing literature. Post-operative ischemic colitis and stroke which contributed to the death of this patient could have been due to the procoagulant state associated with Cushing's syndrome, with a high risk during the immediate post-operative period. This emphasizes the need to consider post-operative thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery for Cushing's syndrome.

Delayed Hypoparathyroidism following Thyroidectomy, a Diagnostic Conundrum: A Report of Three Cases from Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoparathyroidism, which is a common complication following total thyroidectomy can be transient in majority and permanent in 1.5% of the patients and usually occurs secondary to an inadvertent removal of parathyroid glands, mechanical or thermal injury or disruption of the vasculature. In some patients, it is observed that symptoms of hypocalcemia can occur for the first time several years after the surgery, which is known as "delayed hypoparathyroidism." We report three cases of delayed hypoparathyroidism from Sri Lanka, presenting several years after total thyroidectomy. Case Presentation. Case 1- a 60-year-old Sri Lankan woman who presented with symptomatic hypocalcemia for the first time, 30 years after total thyroidectomy for follicular thyroid carcinoma. Case 2- a 53-year-old Sri Lankan woman presenting with neuropsychiatric manifestations of hypocalcemia for the first time, 12 years after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Case 3- a 49-year-old Sri Lankan woman developing symptoms of hypocalcemia for the first time, 11 years after completion of thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. All these patients were detected to have low parathyroid hormone levels, without an alternative etiology for hypoparathyroidism, hence leading to a diagnosis of delayed post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSION: Delayed hypoparathyroidism is a rare phenomenon, which is secondary to progressive atrophy of parathyroid glands and slowly progressive hypovascularization of parathyroids due to scar tissue retraction following thyroidectomy. The nonspecific nature of hypocalcemic symptoms and lack of continuous follow-up for a long time after thyroidectomy could contribute to a further delay in diagnosis. However, it is an important diagnosis to consider in any patient with a history of neck surgery presenting with hypocalcemia, irrespective of the time duration of surgery, as timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications of hypocalcemia and improve the quality of life.

The Impact of SARS-Cov-2 Virus Infection on the Endocrine System.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has spread across the globe rapidly causing an unprecedented pandemic. Because of the novelty of the disease, the possible impact on the endocrine system is not clear. To compile a mini-review describing possible endocrine consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we performed a literature survey using the key words Covid-19, Coronavirus, SARS CoV-1, SARS Cov-2, Endocrine, and related terms in medical databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedARXiv from the year 2000. Additional references were identified through manual screening of bibliographies and via citations in the selected articles. The literature review is current until April 28, 2020. In light of the literature, we discuss SARS-CoV-2 and explore the endocrine consequences based on the experience with structurally-similar SARS-CoV-1. Studies from the SARS -CoV-1 epidemic have reported variable changes in the endocrine organs. SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the ACE2 system in the pancreas causing perturbation of insulin production resulting in hyperglycemic emergencies. In patients with preexisting endocrine disorders who develop COVID-19, several factors warrant management decisions. Hydrocortisone dose adjustments are required in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Identification and management of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency is crucial. Patients with Cushing syndrome may have poorer outcomes because of the associated immunodeficiency and coagulopathy. Vitamin D deficiency appears to be associated with increased susceptibility or severity to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and replacement may improve outcomes. Robust strategies required for the optimal management of endocrinopathies in COVID-19 are discussed extensively in this mini-review.

Acute disseminated melioidosis giving rise to pneumonia and renal abscesses complicated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a post partum woman: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is an established endemic infection in Sri Lanka, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram negative bacterium distributed in saprophytes in soil and surface water. Main mode of transmission is via percutaneous inoculation. Pneumonia is the most common presentation in acute disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 33 year old previously healthy Sinhalese female with an occupational exposure to surface water in paddy fields, who was on postpartum day 6 following an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery via an elective caesarian section. She presented with a 1 day history of breathlessness, preceded by a brief episode of fever. She had occasional right side coarse crackles and pitting oedema of both lower limbs. Shortly after admission, she developed type one respiratory failure needing invasive mechanical ventilation. Initial chest x-ray revealed slight obliteration of right medial diaphragmatic border while echocardiogram revealed moderate pulmonary hypertension. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram excluded a pulmonary embolism, but revealed bilateral multi-lobar consolidation. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated bilateral pyelonephritis with renal abscesses. As initial cultures were inconclusive, melioidosis antibody levels were done due to high degree of suspicion, which was found to be positive with a titer of 1:2560. A diagnosis of melioidosis was made based on the suggestive clinical picture, exposure history and the highly positive antibody level. She developed left side focal seizures together with thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolytic anemia, suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain was negative for cerebral abscesses but revealed extensive minute haemorrhagic foci throughout the cerebrum. Thus, the final diagnosis was acute melioidosis causing pneumonia and renal abscesses, complicated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and sepsis. She demonstrated dramatic response to high dose meropenem and co-trimoxazole along with plasmapheresis. Four weeks after treatment, the antibody titer came down to 1:320. Melioidosis antibody was absent in the baby. CONCLUSIONS: This case was challenging as it was an atypical presentation of melioidosis during postpartum leading to a diagnostic conundrum. This highlights the need to look into the effect of pregnancy and postpartum as added risk factors. High index of suspicion is necessary to avoid diagnostic delays.