Comorbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children with Epilepsy, Egyptian Study

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions with about 65 million people affected worldwide. It is also a common condition in children, where its prevalence is approximately 3.2 - 5.5/1000 in the developed world. Children with epilepsy (CWE) experience not only seizures but also multiple cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems. ADHD is one of the more common comorbidities of childhood epilepsy. Objectives: To discuss the relationship between childhood epilepsy and comorbidities especially ADHD. Study Design: This is a prospective observational analytical cross-sectional study carried out on one hundred and fifteen patients at Ain Shams University and Nasr-city Health Insurance out-patient clinics, Cairo, Egypt fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were selected by simple random sample. Results: ADHD is very common epilepsy comorbidity in Egyptian epileptic children with under-diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: Frequent assessment for ADHD in epileptic children is mandatory for better quality of life.

Could Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Be a Routine Investigation for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Objectives: To study the ambulatory measured blood pressure (ABPM) profile in normotensive patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Patients and Methods: The study was designed as a case control study including 50male patients with mild cognitive impairment in the age group of 30 - 50 years old. The control group included 30 volunteers with no cognitive impairment and in the same age group (30 - 50 years old) and same gender. Mini-mental estate examination, office and ABP monitoring (ABPM) and brain MRI scans were done for cases and controls. Results: Thirty patients (60%) with MCI revealed a non-dipper blood pressure pattern. Sleeping systolic blood pressure and sleeping systolic load were significantly higher in patients with MCI than in normal volunteers (p = 0.01). MRI brain showed more white matter lesions (WMLs) in patients with MCI than in normal volunteers;however, this didn’t reach significance level (p = 0.056). Conclusion: MCI in normotensive young adult patients could reflect an abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring could be an essential investigation in young adult MCI patients.

Could Dystonia Be Initial Presentation of Corpus Callosum Infarction in Young Age Patients? A Case Report Study

Focal dystonia in young aged patients is considered to be the uncommon clinical presentation, unless a secondary cause is to be considered. Infarcts of the corpus callosum are rare and have not been well documented previously. As for a variety of signs and symptoms due to corpus callosum lesion, focal dystonia can be easily overlooked. The case is approved by ethical committee and explained to the patient with patient approval.

Case Report on Epilepsy with Cough Aura

The case study is aimed at providing a more thorough analysis of a case of Epilepsy presented with an unusual aura of cough. The study hopes to generate an interest for further studies into the topic and focuses on abnormal unusual presentations of auras. Cough as an aura is not a common presentation. Any stereotyped repeated clinical phenomenon should consider being epileptic in its origin.

Case Report on Hiccup and Lateral Medullary Syndrome

The case study is aimed at providing a more thorough analysis of a case of lateral medullary syn-drome presented only with persistent hiccup after eating lunch the study hopes to generate an interest for further studies into the topic and focuses on abnormal unusual presentations of lateral medullary syndrome. Ethical committee has approved this case after taking consent from the patient and explaining to him the importance of the case in clinical practice.

Vitamin D Level in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Could Vitamin D Level Be Routine Investigation for Multiple Sclerosis Patients?

Objectives: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients. Patients and Methods: It is a case control cross matching age related study done on totally 40 subjects (20 patients are newly diagnosed as MS;patients don’t start any medication for MS (naive patients) and 20 subjects are controls with the same age and sex). Base line vitamin D level was measured (i.e. vitamin D, 25-OH (total)) and MRI brain with contrast was done for all patients. Results: Low total vitamin D level was seen among 65% of patients with MS (13/20);however, this was only 20% of normal controls (4/20). Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D is common in MS patients.

Relation between Carotid Artery Plaques Characteristics as a Predictor of Haemodynamics Changes after Carotid Artery Stenting

Objectives: To study relationship between carotid artery plaques characteristics and haemodynamic changes after carotid stenting. Patients and Methods: This observational prospective (pilot) study included 20 patients—who underwent CAS. The study was carried out in Ain shams university hospitals—Railway hospital (ERMED) and Suez insurance hospital from December 2018 to February 2020. Inclusion criteria, Symptomatic (defined as amaurosis fugax, TIA, Minor stroke or Major stroke) stenosis > 70%. Asymptomatic stenosis > 80% (accidentally discovered during pre-operative assessment for CABG and during full assessment for irrelevant stroke). Results: Regarding to plaque character for degree of stenosis, calcification and ulceration revealed significantly higher degree of stenosis in hemodynamic events group (P = 0.024). On the other hand, that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regard calcification, ulceration and lesion location. Conclusion: The study revealed that HI is a common occurrence following CAS procedures and significantly higher degree of stenosis in hemodynamic events group. Plaque shape, ulcerations hardly affect haeodynamic instability after carotid stenting.

Clinical and Radiological Localization of Language Dysfunctions in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To study the effect of cerebral ischemic vascular insult on the localization of language areas as regard to automatic speech, initiation, and mutism. Materials and Methods: Seventy ischemic stroke patients were selected within the first 48 h of the onset of stroke with left hemispheric stroke with aphasia. Inclusion criteria: any age above seven years, both sexes, first ever clinical stroke, admitted within the first 2 days of stroke insult. Patients underwent careful history taking, neurological examination, routine laboratory investigations, echo cardiography, and carotid duplex and language assessments. Results: Automatic speech disorders were mainly seen along left insular, left supramarginal and left frontal inferior orbital lesions. Initiation difficulty is seen mainly along as left insular, left temporal superior and left periventricular lesions. Mutism is seen along left external capsule, left internal capsule, left pallidum, left frontal inferior orbital and left inferior trigone lesions. Conclusions: Deep periventricular white matter and insular area in the dominant hemisphere play an important role in many language tasks. Thus aphasia is not a mere cortical function.

Volumetric Assessment of Corticospinal Tract Infiltration by Astrocytoma Using Diffusion Tensor Tractography

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess volumetric Corticospinal Tract infiltration by Astro-cytoma using Diffusion Tensor Tractography. Material and Methods: Preoperative, anatomic (T1- and T2-weighted) and diffusion tensor MRI were performed in 9 patients with supratentorial gliomas (WHO grade II and III). The tumors were manually segmented from the T1- and T2-weighted MRI, and their volume calculated. A three-dimensional tractography was performed in each case. A second segmentation and volume measurement was performed on the tumor regions intersecting adjacent white matter fiber tracts. Results: We identified that white matter tracts were infiltrated by 6 Astrocytoma tumors. The median tumor volume (±standard deviation) in our patient population was 33 ± 26.82 ml. The median tumor volume (±standard deviation) infiltrating white matter fiber tracts was 4.15 ± 9.23 ml. The median fraction of tumor volume infiltrating white matter fiber tracts was 26.3% ± 10.1%. Conclusions: Diffusion tensor MR Tractography is a reliable preoperative assessment tool since it detects extensive white matter infiltration by Astrocytoma irrespective of brain tumors volume. Recommendations: Prospective large population studies are required to clarify how infiltration relates to tumor location.

Effect of Heart Failure on Acute Ischemic Stroke Severity

Objectives: To assess the impact of heart failure diseases on stroke severity and short term (1 month mortality). Materials and Methods: Totally, 200 patients admitted to Ain Shams university specialized hospital, were diagnosed clinically to have acute ischemic stroke within 3 days. History taking about previous heart disease was taken, and full general and neurological examinations were done. Full metabolic profile, cardiac examination and investigations were done. Carotid duplex, MRI stroke protocol and lastly clinical reevaluation using NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after 1 month from stroke onset were done. Results: Patients with systolic dysfunction (EF ≤ 40%) had lacunar infarction in 18.75% of cases, partial anterior circulation infarction in 62.5% of cases, posterior circulation infarction in 6.25% of cases and total anterior circulation infarction in 12.5% of cases. Leucoaraiosis was present in 87% of cases and significant intracranial vessel stenosis was showed in 87.5% who had done MRI. Their median NIHSS score at admission was 10.5 with IQR of 5 - 21 and at follow-up it was 5 with IQR of 2.5 - 10.5. At follow-up 22.7% (5 patients) were dead. Conclusion: Systolic dysfunction (EF < 40) i.e. heart failure has no significant effect on stroke severity and 1 month follow up prognosis.

Silent Cerebral Infarctions in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients;Could Brain MRI Be a Routine Investigation?

Objective: To study the prevalence of silent cerebral infarction in Type II diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods: The study was a prospective on 80 patients recruited from neurology, endocrine outpatient clinics. Patients were type II diabetics as described by the American Diabetes Association, 2011 criteria. All patients underwent full metabolic profiles to diagnose diabetes mellitus and MRI brain scans to detect cerebral infarction. Results: Silent cerebral infarctions were detected in 60% of patients (48/80 patients) predominately along periventricular white matter area and subcortical areas (Basal ganglia, Thalamus). Conclusion: Asymptomatic Type II diabetes mellitus patients could have vascular cerebral changes without neurological symptoms. MRI brain scans could be recommended as routine diagnosis (if possible) for early cerebral infarct detection in type II diabetic patients.

Effect of Atrial Fibrillation on Acute Ischemic Stroke Severity

Objectives: To assess the impact of atrial fibrillation on stroke severity and short-term (1 month) mortality. Materials and Methods: Totally 200 patients admitted to Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital were recruited and diagnosed clinically to have acute ischemic stroke within 3 days. Patients with hemorrhagic infarctions were excluded. History taking about previous heart disease was taken, full general and neurological examinations were done. Full metabolic profile, full cardiac investigations, carotid duplex, MRI brain stroke protocol with initial clinical evaluation and after 1 month re-evaluation using (NIHSS ) scale. Results: All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography which revealed absence of “A” wave corresponding to atrial fibrillation in 33 patients (16.5%). Those Patients with atrial fibrillation had a median NIHSS score of 11.00 with IQR of 6.00 - 18.50 at admission and 6.00 with IQR of 2.00 - 14.50 after one month. Patients with atrial fibrillation showed significantly higher NIHSS at admission than patients in sinus rhythm, P < 0.05. Magnetic resonance imaging findings showed that MRA showed significant intracranial vessel stenosis in 117 (79.1%) patients. 51 (34.4%) patients had lacunar infarction, 65 (43.9%) patients had partial anterior circulation infarction, 25 (16.2%) patients had posterior circulation infarction and 7 (4.7%) patients had total anterior circulation infarction. 111 (75%) patients showed leucoaraiosis. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation was found not to have significantly statistical effect on stroke severity and short term mortality.