Clinicoradiological Correlation of Macropsia due to Acute Stroke: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Dysmetropsia (macropsia, micropsia, teleopsia, or pelopsia) most commonly results from retinal pathologies, epileptic seizure, neoplastic lesions, viral infection, or psychoactive drugs. Vascular lesions are an uncommon cause of dysmetropsia. Vascular hemimicropsia, although rare, has been more frequently described in the literature, whereas hemimacropsia from acute ischemic injury is exceedingly rare. We describe a patient presenting in the emergency room (ER) with visual perception disturbances characterized by a distorted perception of the size of objects, compatible with left hemimacropsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed an acute occipitotemporal ischemic injury corresponding to the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. The location of the lesion is consistent with previous case reports that suggest that hemimacropsia is associated with the occipitotemporal projection, which plays a decisive role in the visual identification of objects by interconnecting the striate, prestriate, and inferior temporal areas. The difference of our case as compared to previous case reports is that the lesion in our patient spared Brodmann area 17 (calcarine cortex) and therefore did not present symptoms of quadrantanopsia. Instead, the patient presented isolated hemimacropsia, therefore suggesting that the anatomical lesion causing hemimacropsia is located in the ventral portion of the occipitotemporal projection, more specifically Brodmann areas 18 (parastriate) and 19 (peristriate)

Spectrum of intracranial pathology: Tumors versus infections at a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Aga Khan University Hospital Neurosurgery Department has evolved into a high-volume centre for treatment of neurosurgical diseases. We aimed to compare the relative outcomes of intracranial tumors and CNS infections seen at our facility.Methods: Hospital records of patients admitted under the neurosurgery service between 1994-2003 were evaluated. Cases with a principal diagnosis of an intracranial lesion were identified for further study. Demographic, clinical,and surgical variables were extracted from the medical record. Length of hospital stay, ICU utilization, and in-hospital mortality were the primary outcome indicators. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and comparisons of meansand proportions. Results: The mortality rate was 8.7% for intracranial tumors and 18.8% for intracranial infections. Average age for tumor patients was 39.4 years and 26.5 years for patients with infections. Male predominance was seen in the tumor group (55%; p=0.02) and marginally in the infection group (51.6%; p=0.52). Mortality, length of stay and ICU utilization did not decrease significantly in either group over the ten-year period of our study. In both groups, electively admitted patients were associated with better outcomes as compared to emergent admissions. Conclusion: There is a need for better awareness and education among referring physicians to be on the lookout for patients requiring early neurosurgical referral. Careful selection of patients for surgical intervention should be practiced to ensure low mortality rates and more meaningful outcome

Long-term Arrhythmia Monitoring in Cryptogenic Stroke: Who, How, and for How Long?

Cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) account for approximately one-third of stroke patients [1]. Paroxys-mal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been suggested as a major etiology of these cryptogenic strokes [2, 3]. PAF can be difficult to diagnose because it is intermittent, often brief, and asymptomatic. PAF might be more prevalent than persistent atrial fibrillation in stroke and TIA patients, especially in younger populations [4, 5]. In patients with atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation provides significant risk reduction [6]. A new generation of oral anticoagulants has been approved for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, providing a variety of therapeutic options for patients with atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke [7]. Prior practice included an admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous telemetry monitoring while in hospital [8]. However, this approach can lead to under-detection of brief asymptomatic events, which can occur at variable intervals, often outside of the hospital setting. Technological advancements have led to devices that can monitor cardiac rhythms outside of the hospital for longer durations resulting in higher yield of detection of atrial fibrillation events. Moreover, recent studies show that the normal monitoring time for arrhythmias may be shorter than ideal in order to detect atrial fibrillation, and increasing this interval could significantly improve detection of atrial fibrillation in these patients [9, 10]. The aim of this study is to review the literature in order to define what subgroup of patients, with what methodologies, and for how long monitoring for atrial fibrillation should occur in patients presenting with cryptogenic stroke

Predictors of Outcome following Stroke due to Isolated M2 Occlusions

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing outcome after cerebral artery occlusion are not completely understood. Although it is well accepted that the site of arterial occlusion critically influences outcome, the majority of studies investigating this issue has focused on proximal large artery occlusion. To gain a better understanding of factors influencing outcome after distal large artery occlusion, we sought to assess predictors of outcome following isolated M2 middle cerebral artery occlusion infarcts. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with isolated acute M2 occlusion admitted to a single academic center from January 2010 to August 2012. Baseline clinical, laboratory imaging, and outcome data were assessed from a prospectively collected database. Factors associated with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score \u3c /=2 in univariable analyses (p \u3c 0.05) were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. The Admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (aNIHSS) score, age, and infarct volume were also entered as dichotomized variables. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to determine the optimal aNIHSS score, infarct volume, and age cut points predicting an mRS score \u3c /=2. Optimal thresholds were determined by maximizing the Youden index. Respective multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of a good 90-day outcome (mRS score \u3c /=2; primary analysis) as well as 90-day mortality (secondary outcome). RESULTS: 90 patients with isolated M2 occlusion were included in the final analyses. Of these, 69% had a good 90-day outcome which was associated with age \u3c 80 years (p = 0.007), aNIHSS \u3c 10 (p = 0.002), and infarct volume \u3c /=26 ml (p \u3c 0.001). Notably, 20% of patients (64% of those with a poor outcome) had died by 90 days. Secondary analysis for 90-day mortality was performed. This analysis indicated that infarct volume \u3e 28 ml (OR 11.874, 95% CI 2.630-53.604, p = 0.001), age \u3e 80 years (OR 4.953, 95% CI 1.087-22.563, p = 0.039), need for intubation (OR 7.788, 95% CI 1.072-56.604), and history of congestive heart failure (OR 5.819, 95% CI 1.140-29.695) were independent predictors of 90-day mortality (20% of all included patients). CONCLUSION: While the majority of patients with isolated M2 occlusion stroke has a good 90-day outcome, a substantial proportion of subjects dies by 90 days, as identified by a unique subset of predictors. The knowledge gained from our study may lead to an improvement in the prognostic accuracy, clinical management, and resource utilization in this patient population

Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score Infarct Location Predicts Outcome Following M2 Occlusion

BACKGROUND: Although it is generally thought that patients with distal middle cerebral artery (M2) occlusion have a favorable outcome, it has previously been demonstrated that a substantial minority will have a poor outcome by 90 days. We sought to determine whether assessing the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) infarct location allows for identifying patients at risk for a poor 90-day outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with isolated acute M2 occlusion admitted to a single academic center between January 2010 and August 2012. Infarct regions were defined according to ASPECTS system on the initial head computed tomography. Discriminant function analysis was used to define specific ASPECTS regions that are predictive of the 90-day functional outcome as defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6. In addition, logistic regression was used to model the relationship between each individual ASPECT region with poor outcome; for evaluation and comparison, odds ratios, c-statistics, and Akaike information criterion values were estimated for each region. RESULTS: Ninety patients with isolated M2 were included in the final analysis. ASPECTS score CONCLUSION: Infarction in ASPECTS regions M3 and M6 are key predictors of functional outcome following isolated distal M2 occlusion. These findings will be helpful in stratifying outcomes if validated in future studies

Medical students in Karachi and COVID-19: Myths and facts

Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic brought mortalities, morbidities, fear, and financial despair among people around the world. As it advanced, misinformation and myths about it caught wildfire, contributing to misbelief among the already shocked population. Medical students are the building blocks of the medical community and can provide a pivotal role in combating COVID-19 misinformation by delivering correct knowledge and awareness to the non-medical population of the country. Hence, it is important to assess their knowledge and perception of COVID-19 myths. Therefore, this study evaluates medical student\u27s knowledge regarding myths and misinformation related to COVID-19 infection and its vaccine. The study also assesses the belief of medical students on various conspiracy theories of COVID-19.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 401 undergraduate medical students of Karachi in June-August 2021. A validated, structured, and self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were entered on an open EPI version 3.01 and Statistical Package of Social Science version 26 for analysis. A chi-square test was performed to identify determinant factors. All p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Overall knowledge score of participants about myths and misinformation related to COVID-19 and its vaccine was as follows: 166 (28.9) participants possess good knowledge, while 167 (41.6) and 118 (29.4) had moderate to poor knowledge, respectively. Senior students, vaccinated, and participants infected by COVID-19 had good to moderate knowledge. Overall, 139 (34.7) participants strongly disagree and 103 (25.7) participants somewhat disagree with conspiracy theories related to COVID-19. Absence of belief in the conspiracies is associated with vaccinated participants.Conclusion: The study shows that most medical students possess adequate knowledge of misinformation about COVID-19 and its vaccines, and have low belief in conspiracy theories of COVID-19

Clinical review of pediatric pilocytic astrocytomas treated at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan

Abstract Background: Pilocytic Astrocytoma (PA) is a common type of brain tumor in the pediatric population. They have a fairly good prognosis. This study describes PAs in detail, with a focus on the demographic factors, presenting features, management and prognosis, and aims, to identify the negative outcome predictors in our population, which can affect the course of the disease. This article will add to the understanding of PAs from a third world perspective. Methods: The Aga Khan University medical records (1995 – 2007) were reviewed, to study the clinical features, management, and outcome of patients (0 – 15 years) with Pilocytic Astrocytomas (PAs) in our population. After a thorough review of the medical records, all the PAs diagnosed on the basis of histopathology at our Pathology Laboratory, during this period, were included in the study. Results: Twenty-two patients were included with a mean age of 9.25 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1. The most common presenting feature was a sign of increased intracranial pressure. The most common location was the cerebellum followed by the cerebrum. Fifteen patients underwent maximum surgical resection. Three had recurrence, despite no residual tumor. There were 10 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions and one inpatient mortality. Fifteen patients followed up in the clinic: Eight had recurrence and four underwent repeat surgery (three showed clinical improvement). Hydrocephalus was a predictor of ICU admission. Solid consistency was found to be a marker of recurrence. Conclusion: Pilocytic Astrocytomas are the most common pediatric brain tumors in our population, commonly located in the cerebellum. Complete resection is the best treatment option, but some tumors are aggressive and recurrence is not uncommon. The possible negative outcome predictors are age, source of admission, extent of resection, hydrocephalus, and solid consistency