Thrombose du sinus caverneux: un cas clinique revelant une tuberculose multifocale et revue de la litterature

La tuberculose est l’une des causes septiques de la thrombose veineuse cérébrale surtout en milieu tropical. Nous rapportons le cas d’une Thrombose du Sinus Caverneux (TSC) gauche associée à une tuberculose multifocale chez une dame de 24 ans. Elle avait consulté 6 mois durant les tradithérapeutes pour traiter des céphalées d’installation et d’intensité progressives qui perturbaient son sommeil. La survenue et la persistance d’une ptose palpébrale pendant 10 jours et une “préoccupation esthétique“ motiva une consultation médicale spécialisée. L’enquête étiologique avait conduit à la découverte des lésions pulmonaires liées à une tuberculose et vasculaires encéphaliques associées. Malgré son adhésion difficile au traitement médical, une rémission clinique complète a été obtenue au bout de 6 mois.Mots clés: Thrombose, Sinus caverneux, Tuberculose multifocaleEnglish Title: Thrombosis of cavernous sinus: a clinical case revealing multifocal tuberculosis and literature reviewEnglish AbstractTuberculosis is one of the septic cause of cerebral venous thrombosis specially in tropical areas. We report a left thrombose cavernous sinus case associated with a multifocal tuberculosis observed in a young lady aged of 24 y.o. She attended during 6 months a trabitherapic treatment for headaches which disturbed her sleep. A palpebral ptosis occurred and persisted during 10 days. An “esthetic reason motivates a consultation in the department of neurology. A pulmonary tuberculosis associated to a vascular encephalic were diagnosed. In spite of difficult medical adhesion, a complete clinical remission was obtained after 6 months of treatment.Keywords: Thrombosis, cavernous sinus, multifocal tuberculosi

Troubles cognitifs post accidents vasculaires cerebraux a Douala (Cameroun)

Introduction: Les troubles cognitifs peuvent être des séquelles après un accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC). Leur incidence est d’autant plus élevée avec la population vieillissante, l’augmentation de la prévalence des facteurs de risque cérébrovasculaire, et la diminution du taux de mortalité post AVC.Objectif: Déterminer la prévalence des troubles cognitifs post AVC et les facteurs associés à l’Hôpital Général de Douala (HGD).Méthode: Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale analytique menée à l’unité de Neurologie de l’HGD sur une période de 6 mois. Etait inclus dans l’étude tout patient âgé de plus de 15 ans, ayant eu un premier épisode d’AVC confirmé par une imagerie cérébrale et datant d’au moins 3 mois. Nous avons exclu tout patient présentant des troubles cognitifs avant l’AVC, ayant une autre cause de troubles cognitifs et aphasique. Les cas d’hémorragie sous arachnoïdienne ou de thrombose veineuse cérébrale étaient aussi exclus. Les données sociodémographiques, cliniques et d’imagerie médicale cérébrale ont été recueillies à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Le diagnostic de trouble cognitif s’est fait à l’aide du Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). La démence était diagnostiquée chez les patients ayant des troubles cognitifs sévères à l’aide du DSM IV. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide du logiciel SPSS version 20. Le test de T de Student et le test de Khi-2 ont été utilisés pour comparer respectivement les variables quantitatives et qualitatives. L’analyse des facteurs déterminants l’apparition des troubles cognitifs post AVC a été réalisée en utilisant le modèle de régression logistique multivariée. Le seuil de signification statistique a été fixé à 0,05.Résultats: Au total, 114 participants étaient inclus, dont 51,8% d’hommes. L’âge moyen était de 57,2 ± 9,9 ans. 51,8% des patients avaient un niveau d’instruction correspondant au secondaire. Le principal facteur de risque cérébro-vasculaire était l’hypertension artérielle (73,2%). Les AVC ischémiques représentaient 63,9%. La prévalence des troubles cognitifs était de 41,2%. Les troubles cognitifs étaient légers, modérés et sévères (démence) respectivement à 26,3%, 8,8% et 6,1%. Après analyse univariée, les facteurs associés aux troubles cognitifs étaient le sexe féminin (P = 0,02), le niveau d’instruction < 7 ans de scolarité (P <0,001), la profession (P=0,005) et les cardiopathies (P=0,04). Seul le niveau d’instruction < 7 ans de scolarité était apparu comme prédictif de la survenue des troubles cognitifs (OR: 12,42 ; IC : [3,3 - 46,6] ; P < 0,001).Conclusion: Trois patients sur cinq victimes d’AVC présentent des troubles cognitifs. La démence est rare. La prévention primaire et l’accès à l’éducation au plus grand nombre de la population pourraient réduire l’impact des troubles cognitifs post AVC.Mots clés: Accident vasculaire cérébral, Cameroun, Douala, Troubles cognitifsEnglish Title: Post stroke cognitive impairment in Douala (Cameroon)English AbstractBackground: Cognitive impairment (CI) are possible sequelae after stroke. Data on post stroke CI in Sub Saharan Africa are scarce.Objective: To assess post stroke CI at the Douala General Hospital (DGH).Method: We carried out a cross-sectional study at the Neurology Unit of the DGH over a period of 6 months. Were included in the study, all patients above 15 years old with a first episode of stroke confirmed by brain imaging since at least 3 months back, and followed at the DGH. We excluded any patient with prior CI before the stroke onset, or/and with any other condition which may explain CI. Patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage or cerebral venous thrombosis were also excluded. Diagnosis of CI was made using the MMSE and the DSM IV criteria was used to confirm dementia. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20. The Student T test and the Chi-2 test were used to compare quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. Factors associated and predicted of CI post stroke were identifying using logistic regression. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: A total of 114 stroke patients were included with 51.8% being male and the mean age was 57.2 ± 9.9 years. The major cerebrovascular risk factor was hypertension (73.2%) and 51.8% of patients had attended at least secondary school. Ischemic stroke accounted for 63.9%. The prevalence of CI was 41.2%. Cognitive disorders were categorized as mild (26.3%), moderate (8.8%), and severe (dementia) (6.1%). Factors associated with CI were female gender (P = 0.02), education level < 7 years (P<0.001), lack of occupation (P=0.005) and cardiopathy (P=0.04). After multivariate analysis, only the educational level < 7 years was independently associated with CI (OR 12.42, CI [3.3 to 46.6]; P < 0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of post stroke CI at the DGH is high. Only the low level of education appeared to be an independent predictor of post stroke CI in this study.Keywords: Stroke, Cameroon, Cognitive impairment, Doual

Environmental and occupational risk factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Senegal

Background: The pathophysiology of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not well known, but seems to be multifactorial. Genetic and environmental factors increase the risk of developing ALS.Methods: We conducted case-control study from July 2015 to June 2017, comparing exposure to risk factors in 23 ALS cases and 53 controls in the department of neurology of Fann national teaching hospital in Senegal. Results: The mean ages of cases and controls were 44.3 ± 16.3 years and 48.3 ± 17 years respectively. There was a male predominance. In the bivariate analysis, factors significantly associated to ALS were: living outside Dakar (OR: 26.6; 95% CI [5.5-127.7]), farmer profession (OR: 13.3; 95% CI [2.6-69.9]), exposure to pesticides (OR: 15.3; 95% CI [3.7-63.4]), and chemical fertilizers (OR: 5.2; 95% CI [1.7-15.4]). In multivariate analysis, living outside Dakar (OR: 16.4; 95% CI [3.2-82.8]) and exposure to pesticides (OR: 6.0; [1.3-29.1]) were identified as the main risk factors of ALS in this study. Conclusion: We found relatively young ALS patients. This study identified significant role of living outside Dakar and exposure to pesticides. A multi-center study with a larger number of ALS patients would certainly be more accurate in determining more risk factors and their causality in ALS among African population.French title: Facteurs de risque environnementaux et professionnels de la sclerose laterale amyotrophique au Senega

Non-adherence aux medicaments antiepileptiques et facteurs associes chez les patients souffrant d’epilepsie a l’hopital laquintinie de Douala

Objectifs : Le but de l‘étude était de déterminer la prévalence et les facteurs associés à la non adhérence aux antiépileptiques dans un hôpital de référence de la ville de Douala, au Cameroun. Méthode : Nous avons réalisé une étude transversale et descriptive évaluant l‘observance du traitement antiépileptique dans un groupe d‘individus souffrant d‘épilepsie. Les patients ont été recrutés de janvier à juin 2018 en consultation externe et en hospitalisation au Service de Neurologie de l‘Hôpital Laquintinie de Douala. La non-observance aux médicaments antiépileptiques (MAE) a été mesurée à l‘aide de l‘échelle Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) et une analyse en régression logistique a été utilisée pour rechercher les facteurs associés à la nonadhérence. Résultats : L‘âge moyen des patients (n = 102) était égal à 28,39 ± 19,74 ans ,55% étaient de sexe masculin. Une mauvaise observance a été retrouvée chez 84 patients (82,35%) et les facteurs associés étaient l‘oubli (p<0,0001), le manque de ressources financières (p<0,0001),  l‘absence de médicaments, la pénurie de médicaments à la pharmacie (p<0,0001) et le manque d‘informations sur la maladie (p<0,0001). Conclusion : La non-compliance aux MAE est courante au Cameroun. Des programmes de gestion ciblés et des stratégies de communication ainsi que la formation du personnel de santé sont nécessaires pour améliorer l‘adhésion aux MAE chez les patients et éviter les conséquences de la mauvaise observance telles que la récurrence des crises, l‘état de mal épileptique et la mauvaise qualité de vie.   English title: Poor adherence to antiepileptic drugs and associated factors in a sample of Cameroon epilepsy patients Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated to poor adherence to antiepileptic drugs in a referral hospital of Douala, Cameroon. Method: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of antiepileptic drugs (AED) adherence carried out in a group of selected patients with epilepsy. Patients were recruited from January to June 2018 at the Neurology Department of the Douala Laquintinie Hospital. Non-adherence to antiepileptic drugs was measured by the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and logistic regression was used to look for significant associations. Results: Participants (n=102) were of mean age 28.39 ± 19.74 years-old with 55% of male sex. Non-adherence was observed in 84 patients giving a prevalence rate of 82.35%. The factors associated to poor adherence to AEDs were forgetfulness (p<0.0001), lack of financial  resources (p<0.0001), not having medication on hand, shortage of drugs at the pharmacy (p<0.0001) and lack of information on the disease (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Non-adherence to AEDs is common in Cameroon. Targeted management programs and communication strategies as well as health workers training are necessary to improve adherence to AED treatment in patients with epilepsy and avoid consequences such as seizure recurrence, status epilepticus and poor quality of life

An exploration of the genetics of the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) gene in a cohort of patients with chorea from different ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Africans are underrepresented in Huntington\u27s disease (HD) research. A European ancestor was postulated to have introduced the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) gene to the continent; however, recent work has shown the existence of a unique Htt haplotype in South-Africa specific to indigenous Africans. Objective: We aimed to investigate the CAG trinucleotide repeats expansion in the Htt gene in a geographically diverse cohort of patients with chorea and unaffected controls from sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We evaluated 99 participants: 43 patients with chorea, 21 asymptomatic first-degree relatives of subjects with chorea, and 35 healthy controls for the presence of the mHtt. Participants were recruited from 5 African countries. Additional data were collected from patients positive for the mHtt gene; these included demographics, the presence of psychiatric and (or) cognitive symptoms, family history, spoken languages, and ethnic origin. Additionally, their pedigrees were examined to estimate the number of people at risk of developing HD and to trace back the earliest account of the disease in each region. Results: HD cases were identified in all countries. Overall, 53.4% of patients with chorea were carriers for the mHTT; median tract size was 45 CAG repeats. Of the asymptomatic relatives, 28.6% (6/21) were carriers for the mHTT; median tract size was 40 CAG. No homozygous carries were identified. Median CAG tract size in controls was 17 CAG repeats. Men and women were equally affected by HD. All patients with HD-bar three who were juvenile onset of \u3c21 years-were defined as adult onset (median age of onset was 40 years). HD transmission followed an autosomal dominant pattern in 84.2% (16/19) of HD families. In familial cases, maternal transmission was higher 52.6% (10/19) than paternal transmission 36.8% (7/19). The number of asymptomatic individuals at risk of developing HD was estimated at ten times more than the symptomatic patients. HD could be traced back to the early 1900s in most African sites. HD cases spread over seven ethnic groups belonging to two distinct linguistic lineages separated from each other approximately 54-16 kya ago: Nilo-Sahara and Niger-Congo. Conclusion: This is the first study examining HD in multiple sites in sub-Saharan Africa. We demonstrated that HD is found in multiple ethnic groups residing in five sub-Saharan African countries including the first genetically confirmed HD cases from Guinea and Kenya. The prevalence of HD in the African continent, its associated socio-economic impact, and genetic origins need further exploration and reappraisal

Visual evoked potentials: Normative values from healthy Senegalese adults

Introduction: Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are potential differences recorded on the scalp in response to visual stimulation. They are obtained with slowly repeated stimuli. The aim of this study was to determine the normative values of the visual evoked potentials in our setting. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study from February 1 to April 30, 2019 at the Clinical Neurophysiology laboratory of the I.P. Ndiaye Clinic at CHNU Fann in Dakar (Senegal). Results: We found that men had high averages of N75, P100 and N145 wave latencies and low averages of P100 wave amplitude (p>0.05). However, neither age nor body mass index influenced the parameters of VEPs. Conclusion: Sex is important physiological variable in establishing laboratory normative values for VEPs. There is a marked difference between the sexes for the VEPs parameters

Magnesium and calcium reduce severity of spatial memory impairments in kainate mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Calcium and magnesium are divalent multipotent ions playing a major role in metabolism, excitability and neuroglial plasticity. Because of these multiple properties, their deficiency induces complex brain processes leading to acute or even lasting disorders in excitability and neural networks. These ions are usually prescribed in clinical contexts of neuronal hyperexcitability such as preeclampsia and chronic stress. Our aim was to evaluate whether magnesium at 20 mg/kg and calcium at 100 mg/kg could improve the memory prognosis in the kainic model of mesial temporal epilepsy in mice. The animals were organized into 6 groups: control group (without kainate), reference group (GR) without administration of ions, groups treated with magnesium or calcium from the third day (respectively G1m, G1c), groups treated with magnesium or calcium from the third week (respectively G2m, G2c). The mice treated by ions performed better than GR mice, but magnesium was more effective. Memory (short term–long term) was differently affected by kainate or improved by magnesium–calcium. In addition, magnesium demonstrated an increasing therapeutic effect over time while calcium had an acute and apparently decreasing action in the G1c group that received calcium early.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Thoracolumbar spine injury in Cameroon: etiology, management, and outcome

Abstract Background Thoracolumbar spine injury (TLSI) is a major concern worldwide despite its low prevalence. Studies demonstrate a gradual rise in annual incidence. There have been improvements in its management. However, a lot is still to be done. TLSI secondary to trauma usually occurs abruptly and leaves demeaning consequences, especially in our setting where the prognosis from several studies is poor. This study aimed to describe the etiology, management principles, and prognosis of TLSI in Douala General Hospital and as such contribute data on those aspects in the research community. Method This was a hospital-based five-year retrospective study. The study population was patients treated for TLSI in the Douala General Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. Patients’ medical records were used to retrieve data. Data analysis was done using SPSS Version 23. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was set at 95% CI, with a P-value < 0.05. Results We studied a total of 70 patients’ files including 56 males. The mean age of occurrence of TLSI was 37.59 ± 14.07 years. The most common etiology was road traffic accidents (45.7%) and falls (30.0%). Half of our patients (n = 35) had an incomplete neurological deficit (Frankel B – D). Paraplegia was the most common motor deficit (42.9%). The lumbar spine was affected in 55.7% of cases. The most common CT scan finding was fracture of the vertebrae (30%) while the most reported MRI finding was disc herniation with contusion (38.5%). More than half (51.4%) of our patients were referred from peripheral health centers. The median arrival time was 48 h (IQR: 18–144) with 22.9% reporting after a week post-injury. Less than half (48.1%) benefited from surgery, and 41.4% of our population benefited from in-hospital rehabilitation. The median in-hospital delay time for surgery was 120 h (IQR: 66–192). While the median time between injury and surgery was 188 h (IQR: 144–347). The mortality rate was 5.7% (n = 4). Almost all (86.9%) of the patients developed complications and we had a 61.4% improvement in neurological status upon discharge. Being covered by health insurance was a predictor of improved neurological status (AOR = 15.04, 95%CI:2.90–78.20, P = 0.001) while being referred was a predictor of a stationary neurological status upon discharge (AOR = 0.12, 95%CI:0.03–0.52, P = 0.005). The average hospital stay was 20 days. We did not identify any predictors of lengthy hospital stay. Conclusion Road traffic accident is the most common etiology of TLSI. The arrival time to a neurosurgery specialized center after a traumatic injury, and the in-hospital delay time for surgery is high. Reduction of these delays, encouraging universal health insurance coverage, and improving on management to reduce complications would better the outcome of TLSI which is comparable with those in other studies