The effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy vs transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the management of upper limb spasticity in chronic-post stroke hemiplegia-A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally both rESWT and TENS are used in treating post-stroke upper limb spasticity over years and their effectiveness had been assessed disjointedly. However, these methods were not yet compared for superiority. OBJECTIVES: To compare rESWT vs TENS to assess their effectiveness in different parameters of stroke such as stroke type, gender, and the affected side. METHODS: The experimental group was treated with rESWT application to the middle of the muscle belly of Teres major, Brachialis, Flexor carpi ulnaris, and Flexor digitorum profundus muscles using 1500 shots per muscle, frequency of 5Hz, energy of 0.030 mJ/mm. The TENS was applied to the same muscles in the control group using 100 Hz for 15 minutes. Assessments were taken at the baseline (T0), immediately after first application (T1), and at the end of four-week protocol (T2). RESULTS: Patients 106 with a mean age of 63.87±7.052 years were equally divided into rESWT (53) and TENS (53) groups including 62 males, 44 females, 74 ischemic, 32 hemorrhagic, affecting 68 right, and 38 left. Statistical analysis has revealed significant differences at T1 and T2 in both groups. But at T2 compared to T0; the rESWT group has reduced spasticity 4.8 times (95% CI 1.956 to 2.195) while TENS reduced by 2.6 times (95% CI 1.351 to 1.668), improved voluntary control by 3.9 times (95% CI 2.314 to 2.667) and it was 3.2 times (95% CI 1.829 to 2.171) in TENS group. Improvement of the hand functions of the rESWT group was 3.8 times in FMA-UL (95% CI 19.549 to 22.602) and 5.5 times in ARAT (95% CI 22.453 to 24.792) while thrice (95% CI 14.587 to 17.488) and 4.1 times (95% CI 16.019 to 18.283) in TENS group respectively. CONCLUSION: The rESWT modality is superior compared to the TENS modality for treating chronic post-stroke spastic upper limb.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in stroke patients.

In-hospital mortality is a good indicator to assess the efficacy of stroke care. Identifying the predictors of in-hospital mortality is important to advance the stroke outcome and plan the future strategies of stroke management. This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary referral center in Sri Lanka to identify the possible predictors of in-hospital mortality. The study included 246 confirmed stroke patients. The diagnosis of stroke was established on the clinical history, examination and neuroimaging. The differentiation of stroke in to haemorrhagic type and ischaemic type was based on the results of computed tomography. In all patients, demographic data, comorbidities, clinical signs (pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, on admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score) and imaging findings were recorded. All patients were followed up throughout their hospital course and the in-hospital mortality was recorded. In hospital mortality was defined as the deaths which occurred due to stroke after 24 hours of hospital admission. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 11.7% (95% confidence interval: 8-16.4). The mean day of in-hospital deaths to occur was 5.9 days (SD ± 3.8 Min 2 Max 20). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis on admission GCS score (Odds Ratio (OR)-0.71) and haemorrhagic stroke type (OR-5.12) predict the in-hospital mortality. The area under the curve of receiver operating curve drawn for the on admission GCS score was 0.78 with a sensitivity of 96.31% and specificity of 41.38% for a patient presented with the GCS score of <10. On admission GCS and haemorrhagic stroke are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Thus, a special attention should be given to the patients with low GCS score and haemorrhagic strokes for reducing rates of in-hospital mortality.

Blood transfusion in severe dengue infection: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is still a recurrent challenge to the global population, without specific antiviral therapy. Clinical management strategies are aimed to mitigate the deaths. The use of blood products in dengue is recommended mainly in cases of bleeding. CASE PRESENTATION: We prospectively collected data on Sri Lankan dengue cases in the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 2017, and selected ten severe cases where blood transfusions were involved in the management. The series comprises seven females and three males, with a median age of 36 years (range 12-53 years). All patients were critically ill at the time of blood transfusion, with dramatic stabilization of vital parameters after the transfusions. Only one patient had detectable bleeding, while five patients had occult blood loss as indicated by dropping hematocrit. Even though four patients had stable hematocrit, they had metabolic acidosis. Two patients had a very high increase of hepatic transaminases along with acidosis. Two patients had myocarditis with dropping hematocrit, suggestive of occult bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical deterioration despite fluid management commonly occurs due to occult bleeding in dengue infection. Blood transfusion is lifesaving in such cases of blood loss, acidosis, and severe hepatic damage. The mechanism of this effect needs an explanation, such as enhanced oxygen delivery to the tissues and hemostasis to hypothesize a few possibilities.

Severe leptospirosis complicated with multiorgan dysfunction successfully managed with plasma exchange: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic infection caused by the spirochete Leptospira. The disease is more prevalent in the tropics, causing subclinical to severe illness leading to high morbidity and mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old healthy Sri Lankan man presented to the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya with severe leptospirosis complicated with acute kidney injury, pulmonary hemorrhages, myocarditis, and severe thrombocytopenia. He was deteriorating despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics and methylprednisolone boluses. He made a dramatic improvement with two cycles of plasma exchange. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic plasma exchange is a life-saving treatment modality in severe leptospirosis with multiorgan failure.

The effect of optic neuritis treatment trial (ONTT) combined corticosteroid regimen on pattern reversal visual evoked potentials: a prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The combined corticosteroid regimen of the original Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) is used in many centers to treat optic neuritis. Though pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEPs) are a sensitive, standard measure of visual conduction in optic neuritis, no studies hitherto have investigated the effect of combined ONTT regimen on PRVEPs. We aimed to determine the effect of combined corticosteroid regimen of the ONTT on changes of PRVEPs in patients with first-episode optic neuritis over 3 months post-treatment. METHODS: This is a prospective, observational study in which 44 patients with optic neuritis were seen pre-treatment (baseline) and follow-up, at 1 month (FU1) and 3 months (FU2). Twenty-nine patients were treated with ONTT combined regimen (ONTT+ Group) while 15 were conservatively managed without corticosteroids (ONTT- Group). The median latency and amplitude values of the P100 PRVEP component and the visual acuity (i.e. LogMAR values) at pre-treatment, FU1 and FU2 were compared in the two groups using Friedman's rank test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. RESULTS: Median P100 latency improved significantly (to the normal range) as early as by 1 month after the commencement of treatment in the ONTT+ Group, and then remained significantly lower than the baseline over next 2 months. In the ONTT- Group, the median P100 latency improved more slowly over the two follow up assessments and reached the normal range by 3 months. Median visual acuity values also improved significantly at 1 and 3 months after the commencement of treatment in the ONTT+ Group but not in the ONTT- Group. CONCLUSION: ONTT combined corticosteroid regimen improves conduction in the visual pathways of patients with first-episode optic neuritis earlier than does conservative management. We provide electrodiagnostic evidence that combined ONTT regimen-compared with conservative management-results in early remission of visual conduction abnormalities in first-episode optic neuritis.

Dysfunction in macula, retinal pigment epithelium and post retinal pathway in acute organophosphorus poisoning.

CONTEXT: Organophosphorus (OP) insecticide poisoning is a significant health problem in South Asian countries. Although cholinergic receptors are present at the junction between photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), human studies of the effects of OP poisoning on the visual pathways are very few. This study aims to demonstrate the pattern of changes in retina and post retinal pathways in patients with acute OP poisoning using visual electrophysiological tests. METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the Neurophysiology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. We tested 16 patients recovered from cholinergic phase, at least 24 h after deatropinization and within 8 weeks of OP ingestion. We assessed the functional integrity of the photoreceptors and ganglion cells of the macula by pattern electroretinography (PERG); RPE by electro-oculography (EOG); and post retinal pathways by pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PR-VEP). Latencies and amplitudes of PR-VEP and PERG, light peak (LP), dark trough (DT) and Arden ratio of EOG were determined in patients and compared with 16 controls using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Of the 16 OP-poisoned patients (median age of 37 ± IQR 20 years), six (37.5%) had reduced Arden ratio with reference to the International Society of Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision cut-off value of 1.7. The median Arden ratio in patients (1.69 ± IQR 0.36) was significantly lower compared to controls (1.90 ± IQR 0.4). The median latencies and amplitudes of PR-VEP or PERG were not significantly different between patients and controls. However, three patients had prolonged P100 latencies in PR-VEP and one had prolonged P50 latency in PERG. CONCLUSIONS: Acute OP poisoning seems to affect the functions of the RPE and the visual electrophysiological changes outlast the cholinergic phase. Limited evidence suggests that photoreceptors of the macula region and post retinal pathway might be affected in some patients.

Young Male Presenting with an Acute Diarrheal Illness with Unexplained Transudative Ascites: An Atypical Presentation of Appendicular Tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicular tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis involving the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of appendicular tuberculosis is difficult due to its atypical presentation. Histological confirmation remains the gold standard in diagnosis. Case Presentation. We report a 37-year-old Sri Lankan male presenting with a diarrheal illness with high fever for 8 days in the background of constitutional symptoms for 1-month duration. He was pale and had moderate amount of free fluid in the abdomen. Inflammatory markers were elevated, and CT abdomen revealed a thickened elongated appendix. Diagnostic paracentesis revealed a lymphocytic transudative ascites. A macroscopically minimally inflammed appendix removed at laparotomy and histology confirmed presence of tuberculous granulomata with caseation. He made an uneventful recovery by the anti-tuberculous therapy. CONCLUSION: High degree of suspicion is needed in diagnosis of appendicular tuberculosis due to its nonspecific presentation, and we emphasize the need of histological assessment of the appendix resected for the case of clinical appendicitis, as it may prompt the diagnosis of a rare but treatable case of tuberculosis.

Electro-oculography in bilateral optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Effect of bilateral, optic neuropathy on the function of retinal pigment epithelium has not been investigated extensively to date. This study aimed to determine the effect of bilateral, optic neuropathy on light peak:dark trough ratio, light peak and dark trough values of electro-oculography. Thirty-seven patients with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral optic neuropathy and 40 control subjects were recruited in this observational, cross-sectional study, carried out at the Neurophysiology unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials, pattern electroretinography and electro-oculography were recorded in all of them. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (64.9%) had reduced light peak:dark trough ratio values. The median light peak:dark trough ratio ± inter quartile range of the patient group (1.50 ± 0.4) was significantly lower than that of the controls (1.80 ± 0.2), (p < 0.001). Median dark trough value was significantly higher in patients compared to the control value. These changes may be due to higher conductance of ion channels in the retinal pigment epithelium, sub retinal space creation, changes in choroidal circulation or secondary to photoreceptor abnormalities in the macular region. These results indicate that retinal pigment epithelium might be affected in bilateral optic neuropathy.

Melioidosis after a long silence in Sri Lanka: an environmental hazard and dilemma in diagnosis, with recovery and longitudinal follow-up for 13 years: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The existence of melioidosis in Sri Lanka was once unheard of, and entertaining it as a diagnosis in clinical practice was extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we describe the clinical, epidemiological, and longitudinal follow-up data of a 58-year-old previously healthy Sinhalese woman who presented to our hospital with protracted febrile illness of 5 weeks' duration, later developing multiple abscesses at different sites of the body. There was a significant delay in confirming the diagnosis of melioidosis by isolating B. pseudomallei from blood and pus cultures. The patient recovered fully with a prolonged course of antibiotics and has remained in good health over the last 13 years without recurrence. Despite being immunocompetent, she had contracted the infection by a brief contact with mud soil in a footpath. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of clinical suspicion along with laboratory support is needed to confirm the diagnosis of melioidosis. Treatment with sensitive antibiotics over a long duration is needed, and longitudinal follow-up is essential to detect recurrences. This case raised awareness and created renewed interest in studies of melioidosis in Sri Lanka.

A case of delayed neurological manifestation following carbon monoxide poisoning in Sri Lanka: epidemiology of exposure and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common emergency worldwide, which carries high morbidity and mortality. Some patients who recover from the insult of acute carbon monoxide toxicity may later develop delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) after a lucid period in the form of cognitive impairments, a broad spectrum of neurological deficits and affective disorders. Here, we present the first case of DNS following carbon monoxide poisoning in Sri Lanka and epidemiology of the exposure of nine (9) more victims. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old patient and nine other people developed effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in two different occasions after sleeping few hours in the same room in their work place in Sri Lanka. These patients developed spectrum of symptoms with the acute carbon monoxide poisoning. However, one patient developed neurological deterioration pertaining to delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) after 1 month of lucid interval. His MRI scan of the brain showed diffuse high signal intensity involving subcortical white matter, globus pallidus on FLAIR and T2W images. These areas showed high signals in DWI images with no significant changes appreciated on ADC map. There was no abnormal contrast enhancement appreciated in the above areas. EEG showed generalized slow waves. He gradually deteriorated over next 2 weeks, exhibited athetoid movements of his feet and hands and went into rigid akinetic mute state. He could not response to any stimulation and even displayed decorticated-like posture and died. Others had normal MRI brain finding at 8 weeks of acute toxicity and all were neurologically normal after 1 year. CONCLUSION: Though, it is uncommon in a tropical country like Sri Lanka, clinicians should have high degree of suspicion with the correct circumstances, as it is a challenge for the emergency physicians, even in countries with higher rate of CO poisoning. The exact mechanisms of acute and delayed toxicity, preventive methods and the suggested treatments are yet to be elucidated and this needs further attention and studies.

Bartter syndrome-like phenotype in a patient with diabetes: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bartter's syndrome is a rare genetic tubulopathy affecting the loop of Henle leading to salt wasting. It is commonly seen in utero or in early neonatal period. Rare cases of acquired Bartter's syndrome are reported in association with infections like tuberculosis, granulomatous conditions like sarcoidosis, autoimmune diseases, and drugs. The mainstay of management includes potassium, calcium, and magnesium supplementation. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 62-year-old Sri Lankan Sinhalese man with diabetes and hypertension presenting with generalized weakness with clinical evidence of proximal myopathy. He was severely hypokalemic with high urinary potassium excretion and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. He poorly responded to intravenously administered potassium supplements. A diagnosis of idiopathic Bartter-like phenotype was made. He responded well to spironolactone and indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with body weakness need serum potassium estimation. Acquired Bartter's syndrome although rare, should be ruled out in those with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis with increased urinary potassium loss with poor response to potassium replacement.

Intra-aural tick bite causing unilateral facial nerve palsy in 29 cases over 16 years in Kandy, Sri Lanka: is rickettsial aetiology possible?

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades intra-aural tick infestation (otoacariasis) has been a common occurrence in the hilly central region in Sri Lanka. Very occasional detection of isolated unilateral facial nerve palsy associated with otoacariasis attributed to toxin damage of the nerve prompted us to study the clinico-epidemiology and aetio-pathology of the problem. METHODS: All cases having isolated unilateral facial nerve palsy associated with otoacariasis presented to, Ear Nose and Throat clinic at General Hospital Kandy, Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2016 were included in the study. The facial palsies were assessed with nerve conduction studies and, harvested ticks were identified. RESULTS: There were 29 patients with mean age of 46 years (range 22-76 years) with male to female ratio of 1:1.9. First 12 patients without specific treatment took 1-55 months for recovery and 4 had axonal degeneration. Last 5 patients were treated with doxycycline and recovered in 4 weeks. They had strong sero-conversion of immunofluorescence antibodies against spotted fever rickettsioses and the tick harvested from the last patient was PCR positive for rickettsial DNA. Identified ticks belonged to Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma species. CONCLUSIONS: On contrary to popular toxin theory, we were able to demonstrate treatable rickettsial aetio-pathology as the cause of otoacariasis associated lower motor facial palsy in Sri Lanka.

Delayed presentation of severe rhabdomyolysis leading to acute kidney injury following atorvastatin-gemfibrozil combination therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but serious complication of lipid-lowering therapy. Statin and fibrate combination increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis possibly by pharmacodynamic interactions. Advanced age, diabetes, hypothyroidism, polypharmacy, and renal impairment are known to increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis. Management strategies include fluid resuscitation and urine alkalinization. Renal indications such as refractory hyperkalemia, acidosis, fluid overload, or uremic complications mandate renal replacement therapy in rhabdomyolysis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 62-year-old Sri Lankan Sinhalese man with dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus with renal impairment, and hypothyroidism who was on atorvastatin; he was started on gemfibrozil and developed muscle symptoms. Although gemfibrozil was discontinued soon after, he presented with rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury 1 month later. He needed hemodialysis due to refractory hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and fluid overload. CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but serious complication due to lipid-lowering therapy with statins and fibrates. Treating physicians should be aware and patients should be warned to report about muscle symptoms after starting statins or fibrates. Rhabdomyolysis may occur with mild symptoms and signs and may occur later, even after discontinuation of the drug.

Episodic spastic paraparesis successfully treated with unaided blood transfusions: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary haemopoiesis is a common compensatory phenomenon in most haemolytic anaemias. However, spinal cord compression due to extramedullary spinal epidural haemopoiesis is an extremely rare complication of thalassemia. In such situation patients present with paraplegia with a sensory level. Usual treatment options are surgery and/or radiotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a 27 year old Sri Lankan Muslim male with haemoglobin E-Beta thalassaemia presented with episodic spastic paraparesis when he was anaemic which was dramatically responded to blood transfusion therapy. CONCLUSION: Most of the reported cases with paraplegia have been treated with surgery with or without radiation therapy or radiation therapy alone. Our patient makes dramatic recovery after blood transfusion in each presentation.

Trends of fluid requirement in dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever: a single centre experience in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Meticulous fluid management is the mainstay of treatment in dengue fever that is currently governed by consensus guidelines rather than by strong research evidence. To examine this issue we audited the fluid requirement of a cohort of adult patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in a tertiary care clinical setting. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from July 2012 to January 2013 in Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Adult patients with confirmed dengue infection managed according to the national and WHO guidelines were included. Their fluid requirement was audited once data collection was over in both DF and DHF groups. Out of 302 patients, 209 (69%) had serological confirmation of dengue infection, comprising 62 (30%) patients gone into critical phase of DHF. Mean age of the DHF group was 30 years (range 12-63 years) and included more males (n = 42, 68%, p < 0.05). Their mean duration of fever on admission and total duration of fever were 4 days and 6 days respectively. DHF group had high incidence of vomiting, abdominal pain and flushing, lowest platelet counts and highest haematocrit values compared to DF group. In DHF group, the mean total daily requirements of fluid from 2(nd) to 7(th) day were 2123, 2733, 2846, 2981, 3139 and 3154 milliliters respectively to maintain a safe haematocrit value and the vital parameters. However, in DF group the fluid requirement was lowest on 3(rd) day (2158 milliliters). DHF group had significantly high fluid requirement on 5(th) -7(th) day compared to DF group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in critical phase of DHF required a higher volume of fluids from the 3(rd) day of fever and again on 5(th) to 7(th) day of fever. Despite being an audit, these finding could be useful in future updates of guidelines and designing research.