I am a
Home I AM A Search Login

Uncategorized

Share this

Posterior Cranial Fossa Meningioma Causing Tonsillar Herniation and Giant Cervicothoracic Syringomyelia: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cyst within the spinal cord and is usually associated with conditions that obstruct the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (flow at the foramen magnum or spinal levels such as Chiari malformations, arachnoiditis, and basilar invaginations). Very rarely, posterior cranial fossa tumors can lead to tonsillar herniation and secondary syringomyelia. There are only nine reported cases in the literature. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old female with posterior cranial meningioma and secondary syringomyelia, admitted with headache, nausea, vomiting, and ataxic gait. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large posterior fossa lesion causing early ventriculomegaly and a giant cervicothoracic syrinx within the upper spinal cord extending from the hindbrain inferiorly to the level of T8. She underwent a posterior fossa craniectomy with left C1 hemilaminectomy and complete excision of the tumor. In 6 months following her procedure, an MRI scan showed a significant reduction in the caliber of the syringomyelia throughout its length, and there was a significant improvement in symptoms. Although the pathophysiology of syrinx formation is still poorly understood, the alteration of CSF dynamic flow has been implicated. A common unifying cause appears to be increased transcranial difference in intracranial pressure across the foramen magnum causing tonsillar herniation, irrespective of location in the posterior fossa. With high syrinx pressure, mechanical stress-induced structural change of the spinal cord occurs, allowing the persistence and progression of the syrinx in the spinal cord. Syringomyelia appears to be resolved partially or completely after craniotomy and excision of the posterior fossa lesion.

Learn More >

Artificial Intelligence-Aided Headache Classification Based on a Set of Questionnaires: A Short Review.

Wielding modern technology in the form of artificial intelligence (AI) or deep learning (DL) can utilize the best possible latest computer application in intricate decision-making and enigmatic problem-solving. It has been recommended in many fields. However, it is a long way from achieving an ambitious genuine intention when it comes to understanding and identifying any headache condition or classification, and using it error-free. No studies hitherto formalized any headache AI models to accurately classify headaches.  A machine's job can be arduous when incorporating an emotional dimension in decision making, re-challenging its own diagnosis by keeping a differential at all times, where even experienced neurologists or headache experts sometimes find it demanding to make a precise analysis and formulate a methodical plan. This could be because of spanning clinical presentation at a given moment of time or a change in clinical pattern over time which apparently could be due to intercrossing multiple pathophysiologies. We did a short literature review on the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in headache classification. This brings forth a minuscule insight into the vastness of headaches and the perpetual effort and exploration headache may demand from AI when trying to scrutinize its classification. Undoubtedly, AI or DL could better be utilized in identifying the red flags of headache, as it might help our patients at home or the primary care physicians/practicing doctors/non- neurologists in their clinic to triage the headache patients if they need an imperative higher center referral to a neurologist for advanced evaluation. This outlook can limit the burden on a handful of headache specialists by minimizing the referrals to a tertiary care setting.

Learn More >

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effect of Oral Pregabalin in Upper Limb Surgeries Under Brachial Plexus Block.

Context The oral pregabalin administration preoperatively has been reported to reduce acute postoperative pain and prolong the duration of anesthesia produced by single-injection peripheral nerve blockade. Aim To study the effect of single dose pregabalin on duration of brachial plexus block Settings and design Prospective, randomised, double blind, comparative study Material and methods Patients were divided into two groups (groups A and B), with each group having 50 patients. In group A, the patient received a pregabalin capsule of 300 mg orally two hours before surgery with a sip of water. Group B received a placebo (vitamin B complex capsule) orally two hours before surgery. Brachial plexus block was performed, and data was collected. Statistical analysis Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0 statistical analysis software. Demographic data and clinical variables were compared using the student's t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results The requirement of the first dose of analgesia was significantly earlier in group B as compared to group A (4:56±0:20 vs. 8:01±0:30 hours). Group B patients, as compared to group A patients, had significantly higher levels of pain after two hours of surgery (0.32±0.47 vs. 0.00±0.00) and at four hours of surgery (2.42±0.50 vs. 0.34±0.59). Conclusions Oral pregabalin prolongs analgesia from brachial plexus block without significant effect on the motor block. In addition, premedication with oral pregabalin increases the sensory block of brachial plexus block.

Learn More >

Do we still need thoracic epidural analgesia in minimally invasive lung surgery?

Learn More >

Relationship between tinnitus and headache in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Our aim was to estimate prevalence rates of different headache forms among tinnitus patients in Arabia, to investigate whether there is a relationship between tinnitus laterality and headache laterality in patients with unilateral tinnitus and unilateral headache, to explore the relationship between tinnitus and headache over time, and to know the effect of headache pain medications in tinnitus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Learn More >

Chordoma of the Clivus with Metastasis to Femur.

Chordomas are aggressive and invasive tumors that are notoriously famous for their recurrence and metastasis. They present with diverse manifestations, usually with lower cranial nerve involvement. Here, we present the first reported case of chondroid chordoma with femur metastasis. A 71-year-old lady presented to us with a headache and diplopia. MRI of the brain revealed an enhanced broad and destructive mass in the infrasellar region with complete destruction of the clivus, right cavernous sinus. She underwent multiple surgeries along with gamma knife and proton therapy. The patient later presented with a trochanteric fracture and needed a hip replacement. Biopsy curettage of the femur lesion revealed a chondroid chordoma of the femur. The patient died later of a chest infection. Multimodality treatment is required in chordoma management, including surgery, gamma knife, and proton therapy. A firm discerning eye is required in the elderly toward metastatic spread to the femur in cases presenting with fractures of long bones.

Learn More >

Septic Pulmonary Embolism With Deep Vein Thrombosis and Bilateral Pleural Effusion.

Septic emboli induce two insults – firstly, the infectious insult, which causes inflammation and increases the potential for abscess formation, and secondly, the early embolic/ischemic insult brought on by arterial blockage and infarction. Pulmonary embolism is the second leading cause of cardiovascular disease-associated death, right after cardiovascular events. The sequelae of venous thromboembolism include post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The pathophysiological characteristics of inflammation, hypercoagulability, and endothelial damage are the three components of Virchow's triad, which are mirrored by the risk factors for both diseases. The screening of patients for whom venous thromboembolism can be ruled out with a positive plasma D-dimer test result is made easier by clinical probability evaluation. To confirm the diagnosis, compression ultrasonography that displays deep vein thrombosis or a chest CT that reveals pulmonary embolism have been frequently employed. We report a case of a young male who presented with sudden onset pain and swelling in the left lower limb and chest following an intramuscular injection which further resulted in pulmonary thromboembolism.

Learn More >

Rare Diagnostic and Clinical Manifestations in an Acute Hepatitis A Infection: A Case Report.

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common cause of infectious hepatitis worldwide. In adults, clinical manifestations typically involve fever, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice, although rarer manifestations may be observed. Acute hepatitis A infection is detected via anti-HAV IgM antibodies, which are present in almost all patients at symptom onset. In this case, we present a patient who not only tested negative for acute HAV infection at symptom onset, but also presented with uncommon, extrahepatic manifestations including maculopapular skin rash and polyarthralgia. Wariness of such a presentation can facilitate the timely diagnosis of atypical cases of HAV infection. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with fever, abdominal pain, headaches, and diarrhea for one week with elevated liver enzymes and leukocytosis. Workup consisting of viral hepatitis panels, various infectious studies, and rheumatologic antibody titers did not initially reveal an etiology for the patient's presentation. Computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis, abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan did not reveal acute pathology. The patient's symptoms worsened over the following days, and he additionally developed bilateral wrist pain, digital arthralgias, paraspinal back pain, diffuse muscular weakness, and a pruritic maculopapular rash affecting the flanks and extremities. Eventually, viral hepatitis studies were repeated which revealed elevated levels of anti-HAV IgM antibodies, indicating acute hepatitis A infection. The patient was treated supportively while hospitalized with subsequent improvement of symptoms and lab abnormalities. Since discharge, the patient had not experienced persistent sequelae of the disease. This case of acute viral hepatitis A infection is notable for two reasons: (1) the patient experienced uncommon, delayed, extrahepatic manifestations of disease, and (2) the initial viral hepatitis studies revealed undetectable anti-HAV IgM levels despite having experienced symptoms of illness for several days. This case suggests that repeat viral hepatitis testing may be warranted in patients who continue to experience manifestations of the infection after initially testing negative. It also emphasizes the importance of recognizing potential atypical manifestations of acute hepatitis A infection.

Learn More >

Decreased postoperative complications, neuropathic pain and epidural anesthesia-free effect of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection: a single-center initial experience of 100 cases.

We aimed to analyze perioperative complications, postoperative neuropathic pain, and the necessity of epidural anesthesia in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) compared to conventional multiportal VATS (M-VATS) for anatomical lung resection.

Learn More >

Development of a personalized shared decision-making tool for knee osteoarthritis and user-testing with African American and Latina women.

Patients with chronic knee pain are often unaware of treatment options and likely outcomes-information that is critical to decision-making. A consistent framework for communicating patient-personalized information enables clinicians to provide consistent, targeted, and relevant information. Our objective was to user-test a shared decision-making (SDM) tool for chronic knee pain.

Learn More >

Search