Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcome of Spinal Epidural Arachnoid Cysts: A Systematic Review of Case Studies and Reports

Background A spinal epidural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) is a rare clinical entity. We performed a systematic review of the literature to obtain information regarding demographics, clinical presentation, treatment modalities, and outcome of SEACs. Methods A literature search was performed by using the databases PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid Medline In-Process. A total of 170 articles were found on literature search. We found 575 cases of SEAC since 1904 for inclusion in the review including three cases which were operated by us. We studied the patient characteristics, clinical features, and management strategies, and evaluated their outcome. Results The average age of presentation was 30 years with a male:female ratio of 1.03:1. They are commonly seen in the thoracic region (42.3%). The length of cyst was more than two vertebral levels in 85.81%. Mean symptom duration was 29 months, with most common presentation being that of compressive myelopathy. A good clinical outcome was present in symptomatic patients who had a shorter symptom duration and underwent complete surgical excision of the SEAC. Age, sex, length of lesion, and presence of dural defect did not have a bearing on the surgical outcome. Conclusion For thoracic compressive myelopathy in a young patient, SEAC should be kept as a differential diagnosis. Surgical complete excision of the cyst with meticulous closure of the dural defect is the standard in management for a good clinical outcome.

MANAGEMENT OF ADRENO CORTICAL CARCINOMA: CASE REPORT

Objective: Adreno cortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy. Currently, surgical resection offers the best chance of cure with localized tumor. Multimodal therapy including systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often required for locally advanced and metastatic disease aims to decrease these high recurrence rates. Case(s) presentation: A 42-year-old male patient was referred from internist due to mass in left adrenal. Solid mass with calcification on left adrenal gland within size 9 x 11.8 x 11.5 cm was found in MSCT. We performed complete surgical resection (adrenalectomy), and results from pathology anatomy was ACC functional T2N1M0 (stage 3). The patient was planned eight times chemotherapy with etoposide and carboplatin, but he decided to stop the treatment after six times due to no constitutional complaint. We found no residual mass on follow up six months after operation and patient demonstrated a good clinical outcome after one year. Discussion: We perform open adrenalectomy and after surgery mitotane plus etoposide, cisplatin, doxorubicin (EDP) administered as first-line therapy but we only did chemotherapy with etoposide and carboplatin because mitotane was not covered by patient insurance. We chose to not perform radiation therapy due to lesser benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy as evidenced by many studies in term of recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion: In our case, adreno cortical carcinoma treated with open adrenalectomy combined with 6 times chemotherapy used etoposide and carboplatin demonstrated a good clinical outcome after 1 year.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Concomitant Intracranial Hemorrhage

Purpose Intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are standard of care in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Data on MT in patients with intracranial hemorrhage prior to intervention is limited to anecdotal reports, as these patients were excluded from thrombectomy trials. Methods We analyzed patients from an observational multicenter cohort with acute ischemic stroke and endovascular treatment, the German Stroke Registry—Endovascular Treatment trial, with intracranial hemorrhage before MT. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters and functional outcome at 90 days were analyzed and compared to a propensity score matched cohort. Results Out of 6635 patients, we identified 32 patients (0.5%) with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion and preinterventional intracranial hemorrhage who underwent MT. Risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage were head trauma, oral anticoagulation and intravenous thrombolysis. Overall mortality was high (50%) but among patients with a premorbid modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0–2 (n = 15), good clinical outcome (mRS 0–2) at 90 days was achieved in 40% of patients. Periprocedural and outcome results did not differ between patients with and without preinterventional intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion Preinterventional intracranial hemorrhage in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion is rare. The use of MT is technically feasible and a substantial number of patients achieve good clinical outcome, indicating that MT should not be withheld in patients with preinterventional intracranial hemorrhage.

Dirofilaria Repens Infection of the Eye

We present the first report of a live subconjunctival Dirofilaria Repens in the Nordic countries. A woman had been in India five months before her symptoms started with redness and a foreign sensation in her eye. A worm that moved was found under her conjunctiva (film enclosed). She was instantly operated and the worm was removed (film enclosed). Surgical removal of the worm led to resolution of symptoms and a good clinical outcome.

Cardiac hydatid cyst presenting as ventricular arrhythmia: a case report

Background Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus commonly involves the liver followed by lungs. Cardiac involvement is a rare occurrence and presents a challenging scenario. Case presentation Our case describes a middle-aged gentleman who presented to the emergency room with an episode of sudden loss of consciousness resulting from ventricular tachycardia. After successful cardiac resuscitation, the patient underwent imaging that showed a lesion compatible with hydatid cyst. Surgical treatment with pharmacologic coverage was provided which resulted in good clinical outcome. Conclusions The case highlights rare occurrence of isolated cardiac hydatid disease presenting as cardiac arrhythmia in contrast to its common routine outpatient presentation involving the liver and lungs. Good knowledge of the unusual presentations and its epidemiology is essential to the proper management of such patients.

Role of remdisivir among COVID-19 patient’s recovery.

Objective: To assess the effect of Remedisvir, its safety Profile, and efficacy among COVID-19 patients. Study Design: Retrospective Observational study. Setting: South East Hospital and Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: December 2020 to July 2021. Material & Methods: 100 patients were included in this study who received Remedisvir infusion, day 5, 7, and 10 after admitting the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. We infuse 200mg I/V Remedisvir in 100cc N/S followed by 100mg I/V daily into 100cc N/S. After infusion, all patients were monitored strictly. Results: The mean age of the patients was (51. 89±15.441). The outcome of Remedisvir showed that 14% improved their condition, 42% discharged with oxygen, 27% discharged without oxygen, and only 17% expired). Remedisvir showed a positive effect at (p≤0.001) among laboratory values and oxygen support category. Conclusion: When patient suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and low oxygen saturation show good clinical outcome treated with Remedisvir. According to the results of our study, it is concluded that, at present Remedisvir remains a good drug, it shows a positive effect on oxygen saturation and length of hospital stay.

Complete intracranial migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a common procedure with a rare complication

Background Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion is widely used in the treatment of different kinds of hydrocephalus. Shunt failure is one of the most common complications; however complete intracranial shunt migration is rarely reported. Case presentation We report a case of an eleven-month-old girl with complete intracranial migration of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (Chhabra Shunt). We removed this intracranially migrated shunt with the help of an endoscope (GAAB) and inserted a new Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (Medtronic Shunt) on the opposite side. She had a good clinical outcome. Conclusion Complete intracranial shunt migration is an extremely rare complication. It is likely due to raised intra-peritoneal pressure, strong head movements, and inadequate shunt fixation. The best possible approach to prevent shunt migration would be better patient handling along with appropriate operative techniques.

Study Criteria Applied to Real Life—A Multicenter Analysis of Stroke Patients Undergoing Endovascular Treatment in Clinical Practice

Background Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) have demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular treatment in anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. However, outcome of patients treated in daily practice differs from the results of the clinical trials. We hypothesize that this is attributable to the study criteria and that application of the criteria on patients undergoing endovascular therapy in daily routine would improve their outcome. Methods and Results Data from a multicenter prospective registry of GSR‐ET (German Stroke Registry – Endovascular Treatment) was used. Inclusion criteria and selectivity of SWIFT‐PRIME (Solitaire with the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment trial), MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands trial), ESCAPE (Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion with Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization Times trial), DAWN (DWI or CTP Assessment with Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake‐Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention with Trevo trial) and DEFUSE‐3 (Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke trial) trials were analyzed. Baseline characteristics, procedural and outcome data of patients from GSR‐ET before and after selection were compared with the results of the RCTs. Furthermore, outcome of patients who underwent endovascular treatment despite not fulfilling the RCT criteria was analyzed. A total of 2611 patients were included (median age, 75 years; 49.6% women; median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, 16). A minority of patients met all inclusion criteria, ranging from 3% (DEFUSE‐3 criteria) to 35% (MR CLEAN criteria). Of the patients fulfilling the MR CLEAN criteria, 41% of patients had a good clinical outcome, compared with 34% of patients that did not fulfill MR CLEAN criteria. Conclusions The RCTs represent a selected population with higher rates of good clinical outcome compared with daily practice. The good outcomes of RCTs can be reproduced in clinical routine in patients who fulfill the RCT inclusion criteria. Furthermore, patients who did not meet the criteria of the RCT still had substantial rates of good clinical outcome.

Spontaneous Distal Extrusion of Kuntscher Intramedullary Nail

Migration of femoral Kuntscher intramedullary nail (K-nail) proximally or distally within the femoral medullary cavity is a well-known documented complication, but spontaneous extrusion of a distally migrated K-nail is a rare complication. This is a case report of a 33-year-old lady who complained of sudden onset left knee pain and presented with spontaneous extrusion of a Kuntscher nail 12 years postinsertion. She underwent a successful K-nail removal surgery and showed a good clinical outcome after 6 months of outpatient follow-up.

Candida utilis: a rare cause of septicemia in children

Candida utilis is an emerging fungal pathogen in blood. The main aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, methods of speciation and antifungal susceptibility of Candida utilis at a tertiary care centre. Methods. This was a retrospective study carried out at a tertiary care centre in South India. Over a period of 1 year, three Candida utilis were isolated from blood culture identified by MALDI–TOF MS Version 3.2 and were confirmed by ITS sequencing. Susceptibility testing was carried out by micro broth dilution. Results. All three patients had a common risk factor of prolonged ICU stay but the source of infection could not be identified. Candida utilis isolates were identified by MALDI–TOF and confirmed by ITS sequencing. They were pansusceptible to all tested antifungal drugs. Among these, two patients who were treated in hospital had good clinical outcome and response to antifungal drugs. A third patient was lost to follow up. Conclusion. Candida utilis was predominantly seen between 0–3 month olds. Conventional methods of speciation were unable to identify C. utilis to species level. Rapid identification was done by MALDI–TOF MS and confirmed by sequencing. Rapid identification leads to prompt treatment and favours a good clinical outcome.