Neurological Sequela of Acute Pesticide Poisoning Among Adults in Central Taiwan

Background and Purpose: Cases of acute pesticide poisoning account for significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries; however, its burden in Taiwan remains unknown. The study examined acute pesticide poisoning (APP) involving adults in the central region of Taiwan, which is a mainly agricultural sub-urban area.Methods: The retrospective study evaluated the outcome and neurological sequelae of patients with APP in a Taiwanese cohort between April 2002 and February 2019. The pesticides were classified according to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee Mode of Action (MoA) classification. The clinical characteristics, duration of hospitalization (days), follow-up duration (years), in-hospital mortality, neurological sequela, and imaging findings were recorded. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.Results: We identified 299 patients with APP comprising 206 (68.9%) adult men with a mean exposure age of 56.4 ± 16.8 years. Paraquat, organophosphates, pyrethroids, carmabates, and phosphinic acid were the most commonly known reported poisoning agents. The mortality rate was highest in users with paraquat (77.1%), followed by phosphinic acid (22.2%), carbamates (16.7%), and organophosphates (15.8%). After a mean follows up of 3.69 ± 2.26 years, the most common neurological sequela was a cognitive decline (56 among 225 survivors, 24.89%), peripheral neuropathy (11 among 225 survivors, 4.89%), tremor (10 among 225 survivors, 4.44%), ataxia (3/225, 1.33%), and parkinsonism feature (2/225, 0.89%). Brain imaging studies revealed basal ganglion lesions on CT or hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI images in 26 among 46 patients (56.5%). The basal ganglion lesions on brain imaging had a positive correlation with neurological sequelae.Conclusion: Acute pesticide poisoning (APP)-related mortality is high especially paraquat intoxication, and cognitive decline, as well as peripheral neuropathy, were the most common neurological sequelae among survivors, which is highly correlated with basal ganglia lesions on brain imaging.

Presumed topography of basal ganglion: Derived from TRODAT images in a case of hemorrhagic stroke complicated with asymmetrical cogwheel rigidity

Introduction: Systemic maps of basal ganglion lesion corresponding to clinical symptoms are lacking at present. Only the framework of functional domains in striatum was presumed. We present a case with asymmetrical cogwheel rigidity which is related to the lesion site of the basal ganglion in his functional brain image. Case presentations: A 50-year-old male who suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracranial hemorrhage presented with upper limbs cogwheel rigidity. The symptom was more severe in the right side than the left side. Dopamine transport images revealed bilateral decreased dopamine transporter binding capacity in bilateral striatum. In left striatum, decreased uptake in dorsal region is more severe than ventral region. Cogwheel rigidity was mildly improved after use of pramipexole. Conclusions: This case report suggests that asymmetrical cogwheel rigidity is linked to the lesion site of the basal ganglion. Topography exists in the striatum and is related to dysfunctional site of parkinsonism. Keywords: cogwheel rigidity; asymmetrical cogwheel rigidity; parkinsonism; basal ganglion; topography

Arteriovenous malformations in the basal ganglia and thalamus - A rare case of recurrent stroke

Stroke is rare in children when compare to adults. The aetiology, clinical presentation and outcome of stroke also different from adult. Arterio venous malformations are a rare cause of haemorrhagic stroke in children. Clinical features and secerity depends on site of the lesion. They are prone for recurrence and management of deep seated arterio venous malformations is a difficult one even in an experienced hand. We are presenting a rare case of AVM in basal ganglion region presented with recurrent stoke.

Kawasaki Disease Complicated by Late-Onset Fatal Cerebral Infarction: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Cerebral infarction is a rare neurological complication of Kawasaki disease (KD) and occurs in the acute or subacute stage. There have been no reported cases of late-onset fatal cerebral infarction presenting over 1 year after the onset of KD.Case Presentation: A 5-month-old male patient with KD received timely intravenous immunoglobulin therapy; however, extensive coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) and coronary artery thrombosis (CAT) developed 1 month later. Anticoagulation and thrombolytic agents were suggested, but the child's parents refused. Fifteen months after KD onset, an attack of syncope left him with left hemiplegia; brain computerized tomography (CT) scans revealed cerebral infarction of the right basal ganglion without hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed severe stenosis of the right middle cerebral artery, and a series of tests were performed to exclude other causes of cerebral infarction. Considering the cerebral infarction and CAT, combination therapy with urokinase and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was initiated within 24 h of syncope onset, together with oral aspirin and clopidogrel. Five days later, his clinical symptoms partially regressed and he was discharged. Unfortunately, 5 days after discharge, his clinical condition suddenly deteriorated. Repeat brain CT showed hemorrhagic stroke involving the entire left cerebral area, in addition to the previous cerebral infarction in the right basal ganglion, with obvious secondary cerebral swelling and edema, which might have been caused by previous thrombolysis. Severe cerebral hernias developed quickly. Regrettably, the patient's parents abandoned treatment because of economic factors and unfavorable prognosis, and he died soon after.Conclusions: Cerebral infarction and cerebral artery stenosis can develop late, even 1 year after the onset of KD. Pediatricians should be aware of the possibility of cerebrovascular involvement in addition to cardiac complications during long-term follow-up of KD patients. Prompt anticoagulation therapy and regular neuroimaging evaluation are essential for the management of patients with KD with giant CAA and/or CAT.

Prognostic Values of the Gray-to-White Matter Ratio on Brain Computed Tomography Images for Neurological Outcomes after Cardiac Arrest: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose. The gray-to-white matter ratio (GWR) on brain computed tomography (CT) is associated with neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest (CA); however, the prognostic value of GWR in CA patients has yet to be confirmed. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of related studies to investigate the prognostic value of GWR on brain CT for neurological outcomes after CA. Materials and Methods. The PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for all relevant articles published before March 31, 2020, without any language restrictions. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model using Stata 14.0 software. Result. A total of 24 eligible studies with 2812 CA patients were recruited in the meta-analysis. The pooled result showed that decreased GWR was correlated with poor neurological outcomes after CA ( OR = 11.28 , 95% CI: 6.29–20.21, and P < 0.001 ) with moderate heterogeneity ( I 2 = 71.5 % , P < 0.001 ). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.58 (95% CI: 0.47–0.68) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.87–0.98), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of GWR was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.87). Compared with GWR (cerebrum) and GWR (average), GWR using the basal ganglion level of brain CT had the highest AUC of 0.87 (0.84–0.90). Subgroup analysis indicated that heterogeneity may be derived from the time of CT measurement, preset specificity, targeted temperature management, or proportion of cardiac etiology. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the result was stable, and Deeks’ plot showed no possible publication bias ( P = 0 .64 ). Conclusion. Current research suggests that GWR, especially using the basal ganglion level of brain CT, is a useful parameter for determining neurological outcomes after CA.

Bilateral Basal Ganglion Hemorrhage after Severe Olanzapine Intoxication

Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic drug which is generally considered safe with well therapeutic antipsychotic effects. We describe a patient suffering from bilateral intracerebral hemorrhage after severe olanzapine intoxication without underlying thrombocytopenia, arterial hypertension, or vascular malformation as cause of intracerebral hemorrhage. This raises the possibility of a direct side effect of high-dose olanzapine intake. So far, intracranial hemorrhage after olanzapine intoxication in such constellation has not been reported before. Given the high number of its prescription rates, our finding of intracranial hemorrhage after olanzapine intoxication is of high clinical relevance.