Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R K Garg.
Compressive myelopathy secondary to ossification or calcification of the ligamentum flavum is a rare entity. Clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a patient of dorsal cord compression who improved remarkably with surgery are reported.
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A syndrome of congenital hypertrichosis, hirsutism, gum hyperplasia and macromastia is described. The patient was demonstrated to have mild hyperinsulinemia with normal oral glucose tolerance test. This is the second such patient reported in the literature.
A clinical picture consisting of seizures, multiple non-tender subcutaneous nodules, and multiple 'nodular or ring' enhancing lesions in computed tomography of the brain is considered characteristic of neurocysticercosis in an endemic area. 1,2 A case with a similar clinical picture, in whom serological tests and histopathological examination of subcutaneous nodule established tuberculosis as a cause, is presented.
Clinical, radiological and pathological studies in patients with stroke, presenting with pathological laughter as heralding manifestation, have shown lesions in the internal capsule and thalamus, basal ganglion, hypothalamus and ventral pons. In this report a patient with similar manifestation and having a cortical infarct in the territory supplied by superior division of middle cerebral artery is being presented. Our case suggests possible influence of dominant cerebral hemisphere, especially of Broca's area, on the motor control of laughter.
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Cerebral malaria is a rapidly progressive potentially fatal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. It is characterized by unarousable and persistent coma along with symmetrical motor signs. Children, pregnant women and non-immune adults are more susceptible to have cerebral malaria. Several clinical, histopathological and laboratory studies have suggested that cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes (mechanical hypothesis), and neuronal injury by malarial toxin and excessive cytokine (e.g. tissue necrosis factor-alpha) production (cytotoxic hypothesis) are possible pathogenic mechanisms. Several associated systemic complications like hypoglycemia, hypovolemia, hyperpyrexia, renal failure, bleeding disorders, anemia, lactic acidosis and pulmonary oedema may contribute in the pathogenesis of coma, and are responsible for high mortality. The meticulous supportive care along with intravenous administration of antimalarial drugs are corner-stone of the treatment. Quinine is currently, drug of choice. Artimisinin derivatives are equally effective and can be used by intramuscular route. In severe cases exchange blood transfusion may be an effective alternative. Corticosteroids has no place in the management of cerebral malaria. The occurrence of convulsions are common in children, these can be prevented with the use of single intramuscular administration of phenobarbitone. Despite advances in the management mortality and morbidity have not changed much. A large number of surviving patients are left with permanent neurological sequelae. There is a need to search for effective malaria prevention and interventional strategies to avert high mortality and morbidity associated with cerebral malaria.
Brainstem is infrequently involved in patients with neurocysticercosis, usually, it occurs in association with disseminated form of neurocysticercosis. We are reporting two cases who had large multiple cysticercus lesions and presented as acute midbrain syndrome. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was established by presence of characteristic granulomatous extraaxial lesions around the midbrain, and in cerebral parenchyma, along with strongly positive ELISA for cysticercal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid as well as in serum. Both patients responded well to corticosteroids. However, repeat follow-up CT scan income case did not show significant alteration in the size of the lesion.
OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Single enhancing lesions are common computed tomographic (CT) abnormality in patients with epilepsy. In this series we are reporting 13 unusual cases with varied non-epileptic neurological manifestations in patients with ring or disk enhancing CT lesions. RESULTS: Acute, stroke like non-vascular focal neurological deficits (hemiparesis in four patients, and crural monoparesis, Broca's aphasia, homonymous hemianopia, hemichorea in one patient each) were frequent non-epileptic manifestations. Episodic vascular type of headache was seen in three patients, one patient had headache because of raised intracranial pressure. One patient presented with acute confusional state. All these patients were treated symptomatically, and with oral corticosteroids. CT lesions disappeared in 8-12 weeks time in all patients except in one patient with chorea where the lesion calcified. Significant clinical improvements were noted in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Several non-epileptic manifestations can also be associated with single enhancing CT lesions, and like epileptic disorders these disorders also have a benign course. Corticosteroids, probably, hasten the clinical improvement and produce early resolution of the CT lesions.
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Tuberculous involvement of the brain and spinal cord are common neurological disorders in developing countries and have recently shown a resurgence in developed ones. Tuberculous meningitis is an important manifestation and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is based on clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid changes, and imaging characteristics. Bacteriological confirmation is not possible in all cases as serological tests do not have sufficient sensitivity and specificity. The polymerase chain reaction shows promise for the future. Appropriate chemotherapeutic agents should be administered as early as possible, although there is no unanimity concerning chemotherapeutic regimens or optimal duration of treatment. The patient's clinical stage at presentation is the most important prognostic factor. The role of corticosteroids is controversial but they should be administered to all patients presenting in stage III. Surgical procedures are directed at management of the hydrocephalus. Focal lesions, intracranial tuberculomas, and tuberculous abscesses, are usually located in cerebral or cerebellar hemispheres, uncommonly in brainstem and very rarely in spinal cord. They do not usually require surgical intervention and respond well to antituberculous treatment, along with corticosteroids.
New-onset seizures are frequent manifestations of central nervous system disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Seizures are more common in advanced stages of the disease, although they may occur early in the course of illness. In the majority of patients, seizures are of the generalised type. Status epilepticus is also frequent. Associated metabolic abnormalities increase the risk for status epilepticus. Cerebral mass lesions, cryptococcal meningitis, and HIV-encephalopathy are common causes of seizures. Phenytoin is the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant in this situation, although several patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions. The prognosis of seizure disorders in HIV-infected patients depends upon the underlying cause.
Several neurological complications are associated with complicated and severe falciparum malaria. Cerebral malaria is one of the most dreaded complication. The children are particularly more vulnerable to have this complication. Despite availability of several potent antimalarial drugs in recent past, the mortality status has not changed. A large number of survivors are left with disabling neurological sequelae. Few patients may experience post-malaria neurological syndrome after recovery from complicated falciparum infection. Various psychiatric syndromes have been described either as early manifestation of cerebral malaria or part of post malaria neurological syndrome. From Indian subcontinent several patients of delayed cerebellar ataxia have also been described following recovery from clinical malaria. In paediatric patients, convulsions of cerebral malaria need to be differentiated from febrile convulsions. Falciparum malaria is also associated specifically with convulsions in uncomplicated patients of malaria. Several isolated case reports of various other neurological syndromes like peripheral neuropathies, various movement disorders, myelopathies and stroke like syndrome have been described. However association of these neurological manifestations with malaria remains doubtful.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed in 40 subjects. Twenty patients in the age group of 3 to 8 years and having different grades of malnutrition were included in the 'study group' whereas 20 normal children having no complaints comprised the 'control group'. The coil of the magnetic stimulator was applied tangentially over the vertex to stimulate the cortex. The motor evoked potential (MEP) was obtained using root stimulation by applying the coil at the cervical and lumbosacral spines. Recordings were made from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) muscles of both sides. Cortical threshold, latency and amplitude of motor evoked potential and central conduction time were recorded. Malnourished children showed significantly increased cortical threshold, prolonged cortical latency and central conduction time and reduction in amplitude of MEP. Observed delay in central motor conduction in malnourished children suggests asymptomatic involvement of corticospinal pathways.
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Syndrome of multiple cranial palsies is a common clinical problem routinely encountered in neurological practice. Anatomical patterns of cranial nerves involvement help in localizing the lesion. Various infections, malignant neoplasms and autoimmune vasculitis are common disorders leading to various syndromes of multiple cranial nerve palsies. A large number of diffuse neurological disorders (e.g. Gullian-Barre syndrome, myopathies) may also present with syndrome of multiple cranial nerve palsies. Despite extensive biochemical and radiological work-up the accurate diagnosis may not be established. Few such patients represent "idiopathic" variety of multiple cranial nerve involvement and show good response to corticosteroids. Widespread and sequential involvements of cranial nerves frequently suggest possibility of malignant infiltration of meninges, however, confirmation of diagnosis may not be possible before autopsy.