Cerebral Neuroschistosomiasis Presenting as a Brain Mass.

Neuroschistosomiasis is a rare manifestation of schistosomal infections presenting with cerebral and spinal cord involvement. We reported a case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with a history of headache, dizziness, and nausea. Brain MRI with contrast showed features suggestive of brain lesion with edema, and a serology test for Schistosoma was positive. She was diagnosed with neuroschistosomiasis and treated with intravenous steroids followed by praziquantel resulting in a significant regression of the brain mass. Cerebral neuroschistosomiasis is a rare complication of Schistosoma infection, and clinicians should consider it among the differential diagnosis of unexplained brain lesions.

Endomyocardial fibrosis in a non-tropical patient who presented with chest pain mimicking ACS and left ventricular thrombus, case report.

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a disease known to cause restrictive cardiomyopathy. It shows a high prevalence in tropical countries. Several triggering factors have been proposed. However, the pathogenesis is still a mystery. The disease is progressive, and the outcome is generally unfavorable. The most common symptom is heart failure. However, an atypical presentation may be expected. Our case presented with symptoms suggestive of ischemia and missed diagnosis initially as ischemic cardiomyopathy. This report aims to increase the attention and awareness of this disease. We present a case of a 53-year-old man referred to the emergency department for sudden chest pain, left-sided and non-radiating lasted for several minutes, awoke him from sleep with no associated symptoms. He is known to have Diabetes type-2 and hypertension on oral therapy. Cardiac markers were within the normal limit. The patient was discharged home with an appointment at the cardiology outpatient clinic. Echocardiography was done and revealed mildly reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function, Ejection Fraction of 46%, asymmetric LV hypertrophy affecting the apical segments with aneurysm, and calcified apical thrombus. CT coronary angiography was done with non-significant Left Anterior Descending artery lesions and left ventricular hypertrophy affecting the apex with calcified apical thrombus. Further investigation by cardiac MRI revealed apical thrombus and late apical uptake suggesting Endomyocardial Fibrosis of possible eosinophilic etiology. The patient continued to have attacks of similar chest pain, for which stress cardiac MRI was done and was negative for ischemia. Another diagnostic workup was done, including hematological and serological tests such as Antinuclear Antibodies and Schistosoma Antibodies. The patient was kept on valsartan and Bisoprolol with oral anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist) and Rosuvastatin. EMF may have a heterogeneous presentation and should be considered in a patient with calcific apical thrombus without previous history of cardiac problem, even in the non-tropical region.

COVID-19 vaccine causing Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare potential side effect.

Patients with neurological symptoms should be enquired about recent vaccination history. It is important after the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, which is newly introduced as it might link to the development of a wider variety of neurological diseases.

A rare initial presentation of a thymic neuroendocrine tumor as Cushing's syndrome.

While evaluating the cause of Cushing's syndrome, biochemical confirmation should be sought first as imaging studies might misdirect the diagnosis toward the wrong problem. One of the rare secondary causes that should be kept in mind while evaluating Cushing's syndrome is the thymic neuroendocrine tumor.

Case Report: Prolonged Viral Shedding in Six COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 has surfaced as a multi-organ disease predominantly affecting the respiratory system. Detection of the viral RNA through reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal or throat sample is the preferred method of diagnosis. Recent evidence has suggested that COVID-19 patients can shed the SARS-CoV-2 for several weeks. Herein, we report six cases of COVID-19 who had persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 on repeat RT-PCR testing reaching up to 9 weeks. The spectrum of cases described ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A full understanding of the virus's transmission dynamics needs further research. Prolonged viral shedding currently has unclear implications on the management and isolation decisions-the role of the cycle threshold (Ct) value in guiding therapeutic decisions is yet to be clarified. More data on the relationship between Ct values and viral cultivation are needed, especially in patients with prolonged viral shedding, to understand the virus's viability and infectivity.

Cardiac Tamponade as a Rare Presentation of Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disease that affects multiple organ systems. Efforts have been made to study the course of the illness and possible treatment options. Cardiac tamponade is a rare and life-threatening complication of AOSD that can be the initial presentation of the disease. We report a 34-year-old patient who presented with a picture of cardiac tamponade and underwent emergency pericardiocentesis. Upon further investigations, the diagnosis of AOSD was made based on Yamaguchi criteria. Furthermore, he showed significant improvement following treatment with prednisolone, methotrexate, and tocilizumab. Our case provides evidence that AOSD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade and how prompt treatment of AOSD can effectively prevent potentially fatal complications.

A Case of Neuroschistosomiasis Presenting as Transverse Myelitis: The Importance of History Taking.

Neuroschistosomiasis is a rare manifestation of Schistosoma infection and can either manifest as cerebritis or with spinal cord involvement. We present a case of low back pain and lower limb weakness, which was initially managed as idiopathic transverse myelitis and later on found to have neuroschistosomiasis. A 23-year-old Sudanese gentleman presented with a one-week history of low back pain, lower limb weakness, and urinary retention. An urgent MRI of the spine with contrast showed features suggestive of transverse myelitis. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for five days, which showed significant improvement in his symptoms. One week later, the patient developed the same symptoms again. An urgent MRI spine showed an interval progression of MRI findings. Repeat history taking revealed a history of swimming many times in the river Nile. Serology was sent for Schistosoma and came positive with titer 1:1280. He was treated as neuroschistosomiasis with intravenous steroids for three days, followed by praziquantel for five days along with the steroids, after which he showed significant improvement in his lower limb weakness. Spinal neuroschistosomiasis is one of the very rare complications of Schistosoma infection that should be kept in mind when dealing with unexplained myelopathy with a history of travel or origin from an endemic area. If not treated promptly, it can result in severe irreversible complications.