CD4+ T-lymphopenia in HIV negative tuberculous patients at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Tuberculosis (Tb) is a chronic infectious disease in which the cellular immunity (specifically CD4+ and CD8 lymphocytes) provides the most important defense in controlling infection. CD4 lymphopenia is a well-defined risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In HIV - negative patients, CD4 and CD8 cell count suppression has been associated with Tb infection. Our study was designed to determine the baseline and post-treatment values of CD4 and CD8 in HIV negative patients diagnosed with active Tb in Saudi Arabian patients. We recruited twenty-eight, non-HIV patients with tuberculosis for the study group comprising 16 males and 12 females with either disseminated or localized active Tb infection. Two control groups were selected one of twenty-one matched healthy controls and the second of forty-two subjects from pool of controls of an ongoing study in same population for normal CD4 and CD8 counts. The baseline pre-treatment CD4 and CD8 counts in the study group were significantly lower than either control group. Specifically the mean ± SD of CD4 counts were 556.79 ± 298.81 in the study group vs 1,132.38 ± 259.90 in control group 1 and 1,424.38 ± 870.98 in control group 2 (p 0.000). Likewise the CD8 counts in the study group were 1,136.00 ± 512.06 vs. 1,461.90 ± 367.02 in control group 1 and 1,495.90 ± 565.32 in control group 2 (p 0.000) respectively. After treatment of tuberculosis, the study patients experienced a significant increase in their mean ± SD CD4 and CD8 cell counts, from 556.79 ± 297.81 to 954.29 ± 210.90 for CD4 cells (p 0.005) and 1136.00 ± 512.06 to 1,316.54 ± 286.17 for CD8 cells (p 0.002). Analysis of study patients with disseminated disease found significantly lower CD4 cells (but not lower CD8 cells) compared to study patients with localized disease, both at baseline and after treatment. The mean ± SD baseline CD4 cells were 247.60 ± 187.80 with disseminated vs 728.56 ± 186.32 for localized disease (p = 0.000) which rose to 842.30 ± 93.55 vs 1016.50 ± 233.51 (p = 0.033) respectively. We conclude that tuberculosis may be associated with CD4 and CD8 lymphopenia even in patients without human immunodeficiency virus infection, there was the tendency of recovery towards normality especially of the CD4 and CD8 counts after treatment, and that disseminated disease is associated specifically with profound CD4 lymphopenia.

Adult onset hydrocephalus and situs inversus: new autosomal dominant syndrome?

Familial adult onset hydrocephalus is unusual and its genetic basis is unknown. We report a two-generation family with three members having hydrocephalus, two of them with complete situs inversus. Laterality syndromes were considered in the differential diagnosis and are unlikely. We suggest that this family represents a previously unrecognised form of autosomal dominant late onset hydrocephalus with situs inversus.

Extraosseous endolymphatic sac low-grade adenocarcinoma mimicking posterior fossa meningioma.

Low-grade adenocarcinoma arising from the endolymphatic sac is an uncommon tumor that is characterized clinically by hearing loss and radiologically by temporal bone destruction. The authors report a case of low-grade adenocarcinoma of endolymphatic sac origin that mimicked a posterior fossa meningioma in both clinical and neuroimaging examinations. In this case, the most unusual and interesting feature was the lack of auditory symptoms and temporal bone destruction. The lesion occurred in a 21-year-old man who presented with headaches that had been increasing in frequency for 6 months and was associated with blurring of vision, diplopia, occasional nausea and vomiting, and gait disturbance. On examination, this patient exhibited bilateral papilledema, left sixth cranial nerve palsy, and gait ataxia. Neuroimaging studies revealed a large right posterior fossa tumor. At surgery, a hemorrhagic papillary adenocarcinoma of endolymphatic sac origin was found.

Cerebellar mutism caused by arteriovenous malformation of the vermis.

Transient mutism following posterior fossa tumour resection in children is well known in the literature. To our Knowledge, this phenomenon has never been reported without surgical intervention. We report a case of cerebellar mutism secondary haemorrhage from a vermian arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which resolved to ataxic dysarthria after 6 weeks. Embolization of the AVM was performed and the patient's clinical status continued to improve gradually till she became normal 6 months from the insult. The mutism was due to rupture of the AVM which might correlate the cerebellar mutism with the transient vasospasm of the blood vessels supplying the cerebellum. It is possible for a spontaneus posterior fossa bleed to result in transient mutism similar to post surgical mutism.

Serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of non-typhoidal salmonellas in children.

OBJECTIVE: To update knowledge regarding the pattern of Serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonellas causing gastroenteritis in children at the King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period of 1st April 1996 to 30th September 1999. METHODS: The case records of 416 children, from whom Salmonella species were isolated from stool cultures between April 1996 and September 1999 were reviewed. The isolates and susceptibility of these Salmonella were carried out accordingly to standard microbiological methods. RESULTS: During a period of 3 and 1/2 years a total of 412 non-typhoidal Salmonellas were isolated from stool cultures of 416 children who presented to King Khalid University Hospital complaining of gastroenteritis. The majority of these children (70%) belonged to the age group 0-4 years. Eighty seven percent of the Salmonella isolates were Serogroup D1, B and C1. The Serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of these Salmonellas differed from those previously reported from this country and other parts of the world. CONCLUSION: Salmonella gastroenteritis is an important clinical condition in infants and children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Salmonella Serogroups D1, B and C predominate as causative agents of this condition. Most of the salmonella serogroups isolated in this study were highly susceptible to commonly used antimicrobial agents but ampicillin showed a rising resistance pattern. This may make it unsuitable therapy for Salmonella gastroenteritis.

Modified stereotactic insertion of the Ommaya reservoir. Technical note.

Ommaya reservoirs are used primarily for the repeated injection of intrathecal chemotherapy for leptomeningeal metastasis from hematopoietic and solid malignancies. Insertion of this device in a relatively large nondisplaced ventricle is not a difficult task, but challenges arise when the ventricle is small and/or displaced. Different techniques have been developed to overcome this difficulty, most of which include the use of stereotactic frames. Further improvements would be beneficial. The technique described in this paper depends on a stereotactic frame; however, the modification proposed by the authors removes the arc system from the surgical field before the actual surgical procedure is begun. Removal of the arc improves access to the surgical field as well as preparation and draping of the surgical site and minimizes potential breaks in sterile technique, which ultimately reduces the incidence of infection. A twist-drill hole along the path of the chosen trajectory becomes an external guide for the ventricular catheter. The technique is easy, user friendly, and results in an unencumbered sterile field and reliable cannulation of small ventricles. A simple stereotactic technique for Ommaya reservoir insertion has been described. It should lower the chance of infection in this group of patients, most of whom have suppressed immune systems.

Brain tumor surgery with the Toronto open magnetic resonance imaging system: preliminary results for 36 patients and analysis of advantages, disadvantages, and future prospects.

OBJECTIVE: Frameless navigation systems represent a huge step forward in the surgical treatment of intracranial pathological conditions but lack the ability to provide real-time imaging feedback for assessment of postoperative results, such as catheter positions and the extent of tumor resections. An open magnetic resonance imaging system for intracranial surgery was developed in Toronto, by a multidisciplinary team, to provide real-time intraoperative imaging. METHODS: The preliminary experience with a 0.2-T, vertical-gap, magnetic resonance imaging system for intraoperative imaging, which was developed at the University of Toronto for the surgical treatment of patients with intracranial lesions, is described. The system is known as the image-guided minimally invasive therapy unit. RESULTS: Between February 1998 and March 1999, 36 procedures were performed, including 21 tumor resections, 12 biopsies, 1 transsphenoidal endoscopic resection, and 2 catheter placements for Ommaya reservoirs. Three complications were observed. All biopsies were successful, and the surgical goals were achieved for all resections. Problems included restricted access resulting from the confines of the magnet and the imaging coil design, difficulties in working in an operating room that is less spacious and familiar, inconsistent image quality, and a lack of nonmagnetic tools that are as effective as standard neurosurgical tools. Advantages included real-time imaging to facilitate surgical planning, to confirm entry into lesions, and to assess the extent of resection and intraoperative and immediate postoperative imaging to confirm the extent of resections, catheter placement, and the absence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging has great potential as an aid for intracranial surgery, but a number of logistic problems require resolution.

Spinal extradural angiolipoma.

We report a case of spinal angiolipoma, causing paraplegia in a 38-year-old pregnant female. The tumour was excised and the patient made remarkable recovery. The role of pregnancy and its associated hormonal profiles on tumour growth is discussed.

Membranous Glomerulonephritis in a Patient Presenting with Chyluria, Probably due to Filariasis: How far should we investigate?

A 38-years of Bangladeshi woman with a post medical history of treated Bancroftian Filariasis ten years before, presented with chyluria and heavy proteinuria. Percutaneous renal biopsy was consistent with membranous glomerulonephritis. The patient was treated with diethylcarbamazinc (DEC), and later, with azathioprine and prednisolone for the nephrosis. The chyluria disappeared with treatment, but recurred four months later, despite persistent drug therapy. The proteinuria dropped to 2.4 g and 0.2 g/24 hours at two and twelve weeks respectively. After two years of follow-up, the chyluria persisted but the proteinuria remained below 0.2g/24 hours, while plasma proteins remained within normal limits. The patient maintained stable body weight, good general health status, stable renal functions and normal lipid and hepatic profiles. The numerous investigations carried out to elucidate the etiology of the chyluria were not rewarding. The conservative approach for the management of chyuria adopted in this patient seems to be appropriate.

Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Newly Diagnosed Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with Conventional Chemotherapy.

Twenty consecutive adult patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated with conventional therapy consisting of daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and L-asparaginase in standard doses. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was administered at a single subcutaneous daily dose of 5 microgram per kilogram body weight for fourteen days starting on day 7 of chemotherapy. Twenty two adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and similar risk characteristics who received the same chemotherapeutic regimen without GM-CSF served as a historical control group. The complete remission rate and the rate of early mortality were similar in both groups of patients. Patients treated with GM-CSF showed significantly faster neutrophil recovery above 0.5 × 10(9)/L than the control patients (P < 0.005). The incidence of febrile episodes and the rate of documented infection were similar in the two groups of patients.