Cancer-associated stroke from progressive acinic cell carcinoma.

Cancer-associated stroke is an evolving subgroup of embolic strokes of undetermined source. A man in his mid-20s with progressive follicular variant acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid was admitted because of new onset left-sided weakness. Neuroimaging confirmed a right middle cerebral artery infarction. After extensive diagnostics, stroke aetiology was deemed from cancer-induced hypercoagulability. Questions which arose regarding his management included (1) What was the best antithrombotic for secondary stroke prevention? (2) What was his risk for intracranial or tumorous bleeding once antithrombotics had been started? (3) How many days post-stroke could the antithrombotic be initiated? and (4) When could he be cleared for palliative chemotherapy and whole brain irradiation? The approach to address the abovementioned questions in the management of a rare cancer complicated by stroke is presented. Although treatments are guided by known pathomechanisms, additional studies are needed to further support current treatment strategies for this subgroup of patients.

Dancing Out of Step: A Case of Tuberculous Meningitis Presenting as Childhood Chorea.

Background: Acute to subacute pediatric movement disorders require prompt diagnosis to identify potentially treatable diseases. Case Report: We present a 6-year-old male with a three-week history of generalized chorea transitioning to predominantly right-sided hemichorea and then to left hemiplegia. Discussion: We review the mechanisms in tuberculous meningitis underlying his movement abnormalities.

Clinical profile and outcomes of tetanus patients in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines: a ten-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus is a life-threatening but preventable neurologic disorder characterized by trismus and muscle spasms. Despite its decreasing global incidence, it remains to be endemic in resource-limited settings such as the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the incidence, demographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical presentation, management, complications, and outcomes of non-neonatal tetanus cases in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. It also aimed to compare the clinical profile and outcomes between the adult and pediatric subgroups. METHODS: This study used a retrospective cross-sectional design including all adult and pediatric non-neonatal tetanus patients admitted at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital from January 2012 to June 2023. Data was extracted from department censuses and inpatient charts. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight cases were included. The incidence rate was 0.03%, while mortality rate was 29%. Majority of patients were males presenting with trismus and spasms after sustaining a puncture wound. Chronic hypertension was associated with an increased hazard of death by 4.5 times (p = 0.004), while treatment with magnesium sulfate was associated with a decreased hazard of death by 35 times (p = 0.005). The mode of infection and the medications administered differed between the adult and pediatric subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total number of cases has decreased over the past decade, tetanus remains to have a high incidence and mortality rate in the Philippines. Increasing vaccination coverage, improving public awareness, and educating health professionals can help reduce morbidity and mortality from this disease.

Isolated Cranial Nerve VI Palsy and Neurosyphilis: A Case Report and Review of Related Literature.

An isolated cranial nerve VI palsy is a rare initial manifestation of undiagnosed neurosyphilis. A 33-year-old male presented with a one month history of progressive headache and diplopia. Neurologic examination only revealed an isolated abducens palsy on the left. Cranial imaging was unremarkable. Examination of his cerebrospinal fluid revealed lymphocytic predominant leukocytosis and elevated protein. Microbiologic work-up were all negative. Further work-up revealed the patient to be serum Rapid Plasma Reagin and Enzyme Immunoassay reactive. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Human Immunodeficiency Virus also tested positive. His cerebrospinal fluid was then sent for Rapid Plasma Reagin to confirm the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. He completed 14 days of intravenous penicillin and was eventually discharged with partial resolution of the abducens palsy. We describe the second case of neurosyphilis presenting only with an isolated cranial nerve VI involvement. On further review, ours was the first case documented on an individual who had an undiagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. There are various differentials for an isolated cranial neuritis but infectious causes, particularly neurosyphilis, should be considered among young individuals with known risk factors despite their apparently benign medical history.

Intravenous immunoglobulin in COVID-19 associated Guillain-Barré syndrome in pregnancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This autoimmune sequela is a manifestation of the neurotropism potential of the virus. At present, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, clinical features, management and outcomes of the condition is still evolving. This paper presents the case of a 22-year-old pregnant patient who came in with a history of upper respiratory tract symptoms followed by acroparaesthesia and progressive ascending weakness. She was confirmed to have COVID-19 and GBS and was subsequently managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) followed by supportive therapy. To the authors' knowledge and based on their literature search, this is the first reported case of GBS in a COVID-19 confirmed pregnant patient who received IVIg.