Neurological manifestations of dural sinus thrombosis

Dural sinus thrombosis is a clinical syndrome that has a diversity of signs and symptoms that can be easily misinterpreted with other common neurological diseases such as brain infections. To study the clinical presentation of dural sinus thrombosis among Sudanese patients seen at Elshaab Teaching Hospital. This is a prospective, descriptive, cross sectional, hospital based study conducted in Elshaab Teaching Hospital- Khartoum Sudan, in the period from November 2008 to July 2010. All adult Sudanese patients with dural sinus thrombosis who were admitted to the hospital and accepted to participate in the study during the period from November 2008-July2010 [50 patients] were enrolled. History, clinical examination and relevant investigations including MRI were done for all patients. Data were collected, analyzed, conclusions drawn and recommendations stated. Females [98%] in child bearing age were mostly affected. Delivery and pregnancy were the common risk factors; head ache, neck pain and stiffness were the frequent neurological symptoms. Papilledema was the commonest neurological finding. Saggital sinus thrombosis was found to be the major radiological finding and great majority of patients showed remarkable improvement with treatment. Dural sinus thrombosis is uncommon neurological problem, however the diagnosis should always be considered in the right clinical setting, as it is a treatable condition

Clinical presentation of Parkinson's disease among sudanese patients

Parkinson Disease [PD] is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor system. It is a chronic progressive disorder leading to long standing disability. To study the clinical presentation of PD among Sudanese patients seen at Elshaab Teaching Hospital during the period from May 2004 - April 2008. In this descriptive prospective, cross sectional hospital based study, 94 patients were studied using standardized questionnaire including history and clinical examination. The total number diagnosed to have PD was 94 patients. Male to female ratio was found to bel .5:1. Common age group affected was 70-80 years [24.47%]. The common presenting symptom was found to be poverty of movement [93.6%] followed by tremor [82.9 8%]. On neurological examination; rigidity, dyskinesia and festinate gait were the common signs. Primitive reflexes were found in significant number of patients. Idiopathic PD was found to be the common type [75.53%]. Of the side effects of benzhexol, 66.67% of our patients developed dry mouth. Postural hypotension was seen in 10.42% of the patients who were taking levodopa. The clinical presentations of our patients does not differ from what was mentioned in the literature

Pattern of plasma lipoprotein [a] in Sudanese patients with coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death world wide. lipoprotein[a] [Lp [a]] is a cholesterol rich plasma lipoprotein. Its structure and composition closely resembles low density lipoproteins [LDL]. Elevated Lp [a] is the most common familial lipoprotein disorder in patients with premature Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. To study the pattern of plasma LP[a] levels in Sudanese patients who presented with coronary artery disease [CAD]. This is a case control study. 30 patients randomly selected from a pool of 624 patients admitted to the coronary care unit [C.C.U] in Elshaab Teaching Hospital with acute coronary syndrome in the period from April 2004 to July 2005 while 30 patients with non ischaemic cardiac problems admitted to the same hospital were randomly selected as a matched control group. Serum LP[a], cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDLC] concentrations were determined using the conventional enzymatic colorimetric methods. LP[a], cholesterol and LDL levels were all significantly high in patients with CAD [P <0.005, 0.003 and 0.001 respectively]. Lp[a] is also high in patients blew 60years of age. High LP[a] correlates with high cholesterol, LDL and other risk factors. The role of Lp[a] as an independent risk factor is less well established as 3 [20%] patients only of the 15 patients with no other risk factors had high LP[a] level. This study demonstrated significant Lp[a] level in patients with other risk factors of CAD [including cholesterol and LDL]