Life-threatening Coagulation Disorders

The article discusses the task of radiologic technologists to know clotting disorders and image them best. Topics covered include the various symptoms and blood clots of patients with thrombotic disorders, and medical imaging's beneficial indication of the severity and blood clots' location in the patient's circulatory system, and support for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Also noted is the boost for positive patient outcomes when the health care team works together.

Covid-19 vaccine (covishield) heralding Moyamoya angiopathy

Indroduction: Thrombotic complications leading to cerebrovascular events occuring in conjunction with Covid-19 vaccination though rare, is well-documented. Moyamoya Angiopathy is a progressive intracranial vasculopathy leading to recurrent strokes. Case presentation: We present two index cases of young patient presenting with stroke and TIA following Covid-19 vaccination (COVISHIELD) leading to unmasking of Moyamoya Angiopathy. Conclusion(s): Arterial stroke following Covid-19 vaccination is documented, but uncommon. However, in the background of a vasculopathy, it may not be so rare. Moyamoya Angiopathy has been closely studied in the model of inflammatory pathophysiology in genetically predisposed patients leading to progressive vaso-occlusive disease. Few reports of Covid-19 infection potentiating Moyamoya Angiopathy symptoms are also documented. Thus, as an extrapolation of the inflammatory etiopathogenesis of Moyamoya Angiopathy, Covid-19 vaccination can similarly affect the Moyamoya symptomatology. These two index cases open new lines of enquiry regarding the interplay of Covid-19 vaccination and neurological destabilization in patients with underlying vasculopathy of inflammatory pathophysiology.Copyright © 2022

Superior Cerebellar Artery Dissection in a Patient Diagnosed with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Case Report

Arterial dissection is an uncommon complication of reversible cerebral vasocon-striction syndrome (RCVS). We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman with a migraine history who presented with recurrent thunderclap headache and focal neurological signs, including right hemiataxia. She had been diagnosed with COVID-19 disease two weeks earlier. Neuroimaging revealed multifocal stenosis of the posterior circulation arteries and dissection of the right superior cerebellar artery. She improved significantly throughout her one-week hospitalization and maintained only mild ataxia. The interplay between COVID-19 disease, RCVS, and arterial dissection requires further investigation.Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) and Sinapse 2022.

A rare case of central post-stroke pain in a patient with migraine and lacunar infarcts in the medulla oblongata

Studies about headaches associated with acute ischemic stroke in patients suffering from migraine were limited, and therefore we present a clinical case of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) in a 47-year-old woman with migraine and lacunar infarcts in the medulla oblongata and also possible mechanisms of CPSP in patients with migraine. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed lacunar infarction in the medulla oblongata on the right (vertebral artery basin) and a single focus of gliosis in the parietal lobe on the right. Magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral vessels showed the fetal type of structure of both posterior cerebral arteries. This clinical case is a complex clinical situation of a combination of secondary headaches (post-stroke) in a patient with a primary headache (migraine), which was successfully treated by the combined administration of first-line drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain in a patient with lacunar infarcts in the medulla oblongata. The treatment of CPSP is a difficult task due to the insufficiently unexplored mechanisms of development, the most effective approaches are those aimed at reducing the increased excitability of neurons.Copyright © 2023, Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists. All rights reserved.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of the Brain After Mild COVID-19 Infection.

PURPOSE: There have been several reports of central nervous system impairments associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on head magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI/A). However, head MRI/A is rarely performed in mild cases, and there have been few reports on intracranial changes after COVID-19 infection in these cases. Here, we report a comparative examination of the findings seen in common head MRI/A sequences in mild cases of COVID-19. METHODS: Of the 15,376 patients who underwent head MRI/A examination called "Brain Dock" between June 2020 and June 2021, 746 patients who received a COVID-19 antibody test were evaluated. Positive and negative patients were comparatively examined for head MRI/A findings such as cerebral white matter lesions, ischemic changes, cerebral microbleeds, cerebral aneurysms, arterial stenosis, sinusitis, and other abnormal findings. RESULTS: Overall, 31 (4.2%) patients were COVID-19 positive, and all of them had mild infections not requiring hospitalization. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics and head MRI/A findings between positive and negative patients. All positive patients showed no particular abnormalities in the nasal findings such as olfactory bulb atrophy or thickening of the olfactory mucosa. CONCLUSION: Intracranial lesions in mild patients do not show a clear difference from those in negative patients. This indicates that findings seen in common MRI/A sequences of severe patients are not likely in mild patients, supporting that there is relatively no damage to the central nervous system in mild patients.

Haematological Malignancy Presenting in an Unusual Manner

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a haematological malignancy that occurs due to an increased proliferation of mature B lymphocytes. It is considered to be the most common leukaemia in adults. Hyponatremia is commonly seen in such patients. This case report is about a 75-year-old male, who presented with giddiness, followed by altered sensorium. However, the patient had no motor weakness or sensory loss. Initially, a diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke was made but Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain did not show associated signs. The routine investigations showed highly elevated total leukocyte count and hyponatremia. The patient was worked up for malignancy and diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Oncology reference was taken and treated with tablet Ibrutinib. On discharge, the patient's mentation improved, and he is on regular follow-up.

Coronavirus vaccine and cerebral vasculitis: Potential pathophysiology

Background and Purpose: Since the implementation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, we see continued hesitancy across the world regarding the potential emergence of immune and thromboembolic complications with these injections. This has included temporary pauses over concerns for thromboembolic events and cardiac inflammation.We provide discussion of a 57-year-old patient who suffered multiple ischemic strokes, with no prior history of vascular events after receiving her SARSCoV- 2 (messenger ribonucleic acid [mRNA]) vaccination with workup suggesting CNS vasculitis in the setting of multiple positive immune markers and propose the need for further investigation in this area. Methods:Review of case presentation, testing, imaging, and laboratory studies. Results: CT angiography was performed but could not identify any vascular pathology in the large vasculature. Brain MRI/MR angiography demonstrated strokes in multiple vascular territories (similar findings on first and second admission). Conventional angiogram was completed, which also did not demonstrate large vessel abnormalities. Telemetry was unremarkable. Echocardiogram (transthoracic and transesophageal) was performed without cardioembolic source identified. Serum and CSF laboratory studies were completed and suggestive of a CNS immune process and given the overall clinical picture were most consistent with probable small vessel CNS vasculitis. Conclusion: In presenting this patient's background and medical history, which includes autoimmune hepatitis, we propose there may be a subpopulation who could be at higher risk of immune reactions in the setting of these vaccinations and that while generally still safe for the overall population, in these particular subpopulations increased caution may be warranted pending further investigation, particularly if considering the newermRNA vaccinations.

Coronavirus-2019 Disease with Pancytopenia with Leptospirosis and Herpes Simplex Virus Co-infection

Aim and background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world. Besides COVID, many infections may emerge during the course of the disease. Lymphopenia, use of immunosuppressants underlying comorbidities, and immune dysregulation secondary to SARS-CoV-2 could be the likely cause of the emergence such infections. We hereby describe a case of COVID-19 disease which presented with pancytopenia and was found to have Leptospirosis and Herpes Simplex Virus co-infection. Case summary: A 23-yearold postpartum female with no comorbidities and uneventful obstetric history was referred to our hospital 2 weeks after a full-term normal vaginal delivery. She developed generalized convulsive status epilepticus on the 10th day of her delivery, which was managed elsewhere with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). During her hospital stay, RTPCR for COVID-19 turned out to be positive but she remained asymptomatic throughout the course of her illness and seizures remained well-controlled on AEDs. On admission to our hospital, she was fully conscious, alert with no focal neurological deficits. Notable findings on evaluation were pancytopenia with megaloblastic features, bilateral pedal edema, and hepatosplenomegaly. NCCT brain was done which was suggestive of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) along bilateral parietooccipital region for which conservative management was planned. 2D echocardiography was normal. Ultrasonography of abdomen revealed gross splenomegaly and mild hepatomegaly with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. NCCT thorax and abdomen were unremarkable apart from hepatosplenomegaly. In the panel sent for pancytopenia workup, IgM anti-HSV 1 antibodies turned out to be positive in blood. In addition, tropical workup was suggestive of Leptospirosis (IgM antibodies were positive). Workup for tuberculosis was negative. Bone marrow workup revealed features of trilineage hematopoiesis with micronormoblastic maturation consistent with iron deficiency anemia with no evidence of hemophagocytosis. Subsequently, IV acyclovir, IV doxycycline, and iron replacement were added. She improved clinically after these therapies and was subsequently discharged in a stable condition. MRI brain with MR angiography and venography done before discharge showed T1 sulcal hyperintensities along bilateral parietooccipital regions suggestive of SAH which was not progressing (as compared to NCCT brain scan done at admission). On day 60 of telephonic follow-up, patient was doing well and leading normal life without any persistence or emergence of symptoms.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in pregnancy presenting with hemiplegia: A case report.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rather uncommon disorder. CVST is potentially lethal, therefore early detection and treatment is critical. CVST has been linked to pregnancy and puerperium, while COVID-19 infection has been linked to a hypercoagulable state. CVST can be difficult to detect and treat due to the wide range of neurological manifestations, especially in patients with hypercoagulability. The goal of this study is to conduct a literature review and present a unique case of a pregnant woman with CVST who had left hemiplegia and headache. After 6 months of treatment in the hospital, the patient's hemiplegia was fully resolved. Here, we discuss the treatment of CVST in pregnant women who have a suspected past COVID-19 infection.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for pulmonary embolus evaluation in children: up-to-date review on practical imaging protocols.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Although PE was previously thought to occur infrequently in the pediatric population, recent studies have found a higher-than-expected prevalence of PE in the pediatric population of up to 15.5%. The imaging modality of choice for detecting PE in the pediatric population is multi-detector CT angiography, although MRI is assuming a growing and more important role as a potential alternative modality. Given the recent advances in both computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and MRI techniques, a growing population of pediatric patients with complex comorbidities (such as children with a history of surgeries for congenital heart disease repair), and the recent waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which are associated with increased risk of PE, there is new and increased need for an up-to-date review of practical CT and MRI protocols for PE evaluation in children. This article provides guidance for up-to-date CT and MR imaging techniques, reviews key recent studies on the imaging of pediatric PE, and discusses relevant pediatric PE imaging pearls and pitfalls, in hopes of providing readers with up-to-date and accurate practice for imaging evaluation of PE in children.

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome years after acute pulmonary embolism: Two consecutive cases

Platypnea-Orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare condition in which dyspnoea and arterial oxygen desaturation are present in the upright position, while in the supine position, they are alleviated. It is observed in the presence of an anatomical (intra-or extracardiac) communication between the right and left heart causing a right-to-left shunt. POS is most frequently caused by a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and usually, the clinical assessment and a transthoracic echocardiograms with bubble study are enough to reach the diagnosis. The only possible treatment of POS is the percutaneous closure of the defect. We describe two cases of POS due to a PFO which manifested itself years after an episode of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a finding never reported to date in the literature. Few cases describe the relationship between PE and POS, but these conditions may be more closely related than we currently think.

Stroke and pulmonary embolism in moderate CoViD-19

Background: Venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis and thrombotic microangiopathy substantially contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in CoViD-19. We report a case of 56-year old man that presented with stroke and was found to have CoViD- 19 pneumonia complicated by pulmonary embolism (PE). Description of the case: A 55-year-old man with history of hypertension presented to the emergency department after a transient loss of consciousness. He was found to have left lateral hemianopia and lower right quadrantanopsia and head CT confirmed bilateral stroke in the posterior cerebral artery territory. MR angiography excluded atherosclerosis/dissection of the vertebral and basilar artery and a positive nasopharingeal swab PCR test revealed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was admitted and ASA 100 mg and enoxaparin 40 mg per day were started. He experienced dry cough and fever and 10 days after admission presented atypical chest pain. CT Angiography revealed multiple confined ground glass opacities with segmental bilateral PE. Therapeutic dose of enoxaparin was started and after 5 days switched to edoxaban 60 mg per day. The patient progressively recovered and a complete work up excluded patent foramen ovale and any other cause predisponing to combined presence of venous and arterial thrombosis Conclusions: CoViD-19 has presented many diagnostic challanges in patients with neurologic and respiratory findings: thromboembolic disease may even be the initial or unique presentation. The early recognition of these phenotipes of the disease play a dramatic role in the CoViD-19 management.

Neurological complications in COVID-19 - a diagnostic challenge.

With the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases, the neurological complications reported during or after the infection became more common. There is limited knowledge regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms that are responsible for these complications. Recent data provides compelling evidence for the neurotropic nature of SARS-CoV-2, based on neurological manifestations reported during the current pandemic, as well as on previous experience with other coronaviruses. We present the case of a patient who developed headaches, motor deficit and dysphasia after respiratory COVID-19. Imaging tests showed heterogeneous central nervous system lesions (multiple subarachnoid hemorrhages and two ischemic strokes). Given the plethora of atypical neurological complications of COVID-19 described in the current literature, establishing a positive diagnosis and deciding on a treatment plan proved to be particularly challenging. We set to discuss some of the possible pathologies, hypothesized to be associated with COVID-19, that could lead to concomitant neurological lesions, similar to those noticed in our patient.

How to perform a cardio-thoracic magnetic resonance imaging in COVID-19: comprehensive assessment of heart, pulmonary arteries, and lung parenchyma.

We proposed a combined cardiothoracic-MRI (CaTh-MRI) protocol for the comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular structures, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary arterial tree, in COVID-19 patients with progressive worsening of clinical conditions and/or suspicion of acute-onset myocardial inflammation. A 25-minutes fast protocol was also conceived for unstable or uncooperative patients by restricting the number of sequences to those necessary to rule out myocardial and to assess pulmonary involvement. In patients requiring CMR characterization of myocardial damage, the addition of lung and thoracic vessel evaluation is of clinical benefit at a minimal time expense.