Intraoperative electrocorticography-guided resection of the epileptogenic zone in an unusual porencephalic cyst: case report and literature review.

Introduction: Porencephalic cysts resulting from perinatal artery infarctions typically manifest as large cysts accompanied by pre-existing neurological deficits. A small porencephalic cyst without any neurological deficit is a rare cause of medically refractory epilepsy. Case presentation: A 23-year-old female presented with a history of medically refractory epilepsy secondary to a small right parieto-temporal porencephalic cyst. Despite optimal anti-seizure medications, seizures persisted. Surgical intervention was planned, and intraoperative electrocorticography (ioECoG) was used to delineate the epileptogenic zone (EZ), which was found to be two gyri posterior to the cyst. Discussion: Very focal ischaemia resulting in a small porencephalic cyst from perinatal artery infarction exhibits a distinct organization of the EZ involving wider area posteriorly indicating involvement of arterial territory distal to the cyst. This contrasts with the typical perilesional EZ observed in other lesional epilepsy causes. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the need to consider aetiology during interpretation of ioECoG to better define the electrophysiological border between the normal and epileptogenic brain, aiding in achieving a better surgical outcome.

Venture of a Tertiary Care Neurosurgical Center in Course of COVID-19 Lockdown without RT-PCR.

"I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient." Obliged by the aforementioned oath, no medical practitioner shall sit in a moral judgment on any patient but will treat their illness to the best of their ability whatever the circumstances. A clear concord was yet to be authorized after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2infection. As a diagnostic modality, WHO recommended real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as a reliable test; however, its availability in a deprived nation like ours became a major restraining factor. Despite an asset of having high specificity, RT-PCR for coronavirus disease 2019has its own liability of having low sensitivity. Henceforth, as time passed by, the validity of the rapid diagnostic tests was put into question. In later months, a few centers around our periphery started conducting RT-PCR, but the time taken to obtain the result was long-drawn-out process and the patient who needed urgent neurosurgical intervention at Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied Sciences had to wait. We would like to share our expedition through peaks and valleys of managing 215 patients during the vicious circle of lockdown and global pandemic.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as a complication of COVID-19 infection - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019) infection. Although symptoms are usually associated with the respiratory system, its neurological involvement should not be underestimated. The most common cerebrovascular complication following the infection is ischemic stroke however, CVST (Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis) has been reported. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a unique case of a young patient who had a history of headache and abnormal body movement immediately after COVID-19 infection. His brain Computed tomography scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed typical images of CVST. He was admitted and treated with Low Molecular weight heparin. DISCUSSION: CVST is a rare form of stroke which may have devastating complications. The diagnosis is clinically challenging due to its non-specific presentation like headache and altered sensorium alone. Inflammatory process and hypoxic state after the virus infection may favor the hypercoagulable state in CVST. Our patient did not have any other predisposing factor for a hypercoagulable state other than the COVID-19 infection.MRI and venography and computed tomographic venography are the preferred modalities. The Patient is generally treated with anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: High index of suspicion of CVST is necessary when a patient presents with unexplained neurological manifestation following a recent COVID-19 infection to prevent from life-threatening complications. Furthermore, clinicians should not underestimate the multisystem involvement of COVID-19.

Unusual case of spontaneous bilateral basal ganglia bleed.

Hypertension is the most prevalent determinant condition embarking on the development of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Usually, the presentation is a unilateral hematoma. Spontaneous bilateral intracerebral hemorrhage is an outstandingly infrequent context, and not a lot of cases have been reported till date. Ensuing hypertension, trauma inflicted on the brain case is another common cause that out turn into the sequelae of bilateral intracerebral hemorrhage. Lately, a few cases of bilateral basal ganglia bleed have been revealed, as a repercussion of COVID-19 infection. Globally, <40 such cases have been reported. A 39-year-old man presented with complaints of acute onset of weakness of right half of the body. Additionally, facial deviation was noticed by his family members. He then sought medical help from a local healthcare center where CT scan of head was advised. Unexpectedly, the scan demonstrated bilateral intracerebral hemorrhage. He was then managed conservatively with oral medications and rehabilitation. The course of his hospital stay was uneventful and was eventually discharged after 9 days. He then presented to our institution for further evaluation. Thereupon, he had slurring of speech but was able to walk with minimal support. Simultaneous Bilateral Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage (SBBGH) is an exceptionally rare ailment. This genre of cerebrovascular accident embraces a comprehensive span of morbidity and mortality. In an acute setting, CT scan of head is the most relevant imaging modality. Nonetheless, MRI is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis and should be performed urgently to further typify and delineate the lesion.

Ganglioglioma Arising from the Septum Pellucidum.

A 24-year-old gentleman presented to us with complaints of occasional headache for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed enhancing supra sellar mass with nonenhancing cystic components, extending superiorly up to the body of bilateral lateral ventricle, laterally displacing septum pellucidum, and compressing the third ventricle with obstructive hydrocephalus. Hormone profile depicted adrenocorticotropic hormone <5.00 pg/mL, growth hormone 1.32 ng/mL, insulin-like growth factor-1 <3.0 ng/mL. The patient underwent surgical resection. Histological finding was suggestive of ganglioglioma World Health Organization grade I. Customized immunohistochemistry panel was advised and revealed positive CD 56, NSE, and GFAP immunohistochemical stains. Gangliogliomas are less frequent neoplastic lesions confined to only a handful of case reports and studies. Accounting less than 2% of intracranial neoplasms, these lesions primarily affect those in the first 3 decades of their life. As ubiquitous it is in nature, we hereby present a case of ganglioglioma in a young adult male arising from septum pellucidum.

A case report of multiple isolated intradural neurocysticercosis of the lumbo-sacral spine.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the nervous system and it is mostly intracranial. Intradural intramedullary or extramedullary is the rarest involvement of intraspinal cysticercosis. Its isolated involvement is even rare, as it usually has intracranial association. We aim to report a rare case of isolated intraspinal neurocysticercosis and discuss the measures we can take for early management. Despite being an eradicable disease of public health importance, its prevalence is increasing widely in developed countries too. Therefore, we aim to discuss its pathogenesis, mode of spread, and preventive aspects as well. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40-year-old woman presented to our hospital with pain over the lower back region radiating to the right thigh. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of her lumbosacral spine revealed a cystic lesion at the spinal level L5-S1. We confirmed the diagnosis via Histopathological examination (HPE) following surgery. DISCUSSION: Isolated intradural neurocysticercosis of the spine is extraordinarily rare involvement. It is caused by the larval stage of taenia solium. An MRI is the preferred imaging modality. Due to rarity and nonspecific clinic-radiological findings, diagnosis may often be missed. In our case, MRI revealed a cystic lesion at the L5-S1 level of the spine and multiple cystic lesions at the level were found intra-operatively. Its diagnosis is confirmed by HPE. Treatment can be medical or surgical according to the severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: Although rare, neurocysticercosis can cause irreversible neurological damage. Therefore, surgeons should consider it in the differential diagnosis of intraspinal lesions.

Evaluation of multiplex PCR using MPB64 and IS6110 primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is one of those most serious manifestations of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and prompt diagnosis and treatment is required for better clinical outcome. It is difficult to diagnose due to lack of rapid, sensitive, and specific tests. Newer methods, which are easy and reliable, are required to diagnose TBM at an early stage. Thus our aim was to evaluate the Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, using primers directed against the insertion sequence IS6110 and MPB64 gene for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), for rapid diagnosis of TBM patients. 102 CSF samples were analyzed from patients suspected with TBM along with a control group of 10 patients having other neurological disorders. CSF sediments were analyzed individually for M. tuberculosis DNA by Multiplex PCR using two set of primers targeting insertion sequence IS6110 and gene MBp64, which is very specific for MTBC. Out of 37 patients diagnosed with TBM clinically, MPB64 PCR was positive in 22, IS6110 PCR was positive in 28, both PCR using Multiplex were positive in 34 and Microscopy was positive in one. Thus Sensitivity of MPB64 PCR, IS6110 PCR, Multiplex PCR and Microscopy were found to be 62.3%, 75.4%, 91.8% and 2.7% respectively. In non TBM group PCR was negative in all cases hence, the specificity was 100%. Multiplex PCR system using primers targeting IS6110 and MPB64, for the detection of M. tuberculosis DNA in CSF samples, has high sensitivity than any one of them alone, and could be used for the early detection of TBM in CSF samples.