Survival within 12months after stroke in Madagascar

The data on the long-term prognosis of stroke are scarce in Madagascar. Our objective was to determine survival within 12months after a stroke event. A longitudinal study was carried out on a hospital cohort of subjects with stroke in Mahajanga in western Madagascar. We included in the study all subjects admitted to adult emergencies at Mahajanga University Hospitals during the year 2019 and diagnosed with stroke. A follow-up by telephone call or by descent at the home of the patients was carried out after at least 12months from the onset of the disease. We analyzed in-hospital mortality and survival within 12months after the stroke. At the end of the study period, 144 stroke cases were retained. Strokes accounted for 5.07% of emergency admission causes. Male gender accounted for 51.4% of the population. The average age of the subjects was 60.7years. In-hospital mortality was 32.6%. Survival at 1month was 50%, at 3months 48.4%, and at 12months 43%. High blood pressure was found as a risk factor for stroke in 79.9% of patients, 76.5% of whom were undertreated. Stroke mortality was high in our population. Most of the deaths occurred during the first month. Improved prevention and care are needed in Madagascar.

Gait and cognitive disorders revealing massive neurocysticercosis: a case report

Neurocysticercosis is frequent in Madagascar. Its clinical presentations depends on the topography of the lesions. We report a case with gait and cognitive disorders. A 49-year-old man, right-handed, with progressive gait disorders (small steps with magnetization). On examination, he had gait disorders, associated with frontal syndrome with Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) scale of 10/18, a Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scale of 24/30, a constructive apraxia and a clock test disturbance. The brain CT scan showed massive lesions of fronto-parietal and temporal neurocysticercosis, meningeal neurocysticercosis with racemose forms. Lesions had different ages associated with a communicating hydrocephalus. Gait disturbance and cognitive function were improved after an evacuating lumbar puncture and cysticidal treatments. This case illustrate the importance of neurological examination in a patient with neurocysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis could be a curable cause of dementia.

Correlation between silent lacunar strokes and retinopathies seen on fundus among patients hospitalized for lacunar strokes: An observational study at the neurology department of Befelatanana University Hospital

Retinal and cerebral arterioles have similar characteristics. Silent infarcts are associated with a risk of incident lacunar stroke and dementia. The objective of our study was to determine the correlation between silent lacunar strokes and retinopathy in patients hospitalized in our department for lacunar strokes. This is an observational, retrospective study, from July 2018 to December 2019, of patients diagnosed with lacunar stroke at the neurology department of Befelatanana Hospital, Antananarivo. Stroke was diagnosed with brain CT scan and retinopathy was classified according to fundus examination. The correlation between the presence of silent lacunar stroke and different types and stages of retinopathy was studied. Silent lacunar lesions were discovered on imaging in 70.59% of patients with lacunar strokes. All patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke, with or without associated silent lacunar lesions, were hypertensives. No statistical difference was found between patients with or without associated silent lacunar lesions according to age and gender. Among patients with silent lacunar lesions, dysexecutive syndrome was more prevalent as compared to patients without silent lesions (52.63% vs. 47.36%, P=0.03). Arteriolopathy was more prevalent in patients with silent lacunar lesions (85.71% vs. 14.28%, P=0.047). Silent lacunar lesions were unique in 72% of cases (P=0.022). The presence of stage II hypertensive retinopathy was significantly correlated with the presence of silent lacunar lesions (OR 5.20 [1.02-267] [1.02-26.47], P=0.018). Upon discovery of stage II hypertensive retinopathy on fundus examination, brain imaging should be performed for silent lacunar stroke screening to optimize hypertension management. This management is expected to prevent the incidence of lacunar stroke and vascular dementia.

Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with infective endocarditis in a young patient

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare complication of infective endocarditis. It constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. We report a case of cerebral thrombophlebitis due to infective endocarditis in order to discuss the diagnosis and management of this situation. The patient was a 19-year-old man presenting with sudden explosive headaches with meningeal syndrome, right hemiparesis and right hypoesthesia. The cerebral CT angiography showed a left parieto-occipital and intraventricular hematoma without classic aneurysm or mycotic aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. The injected brain magnetic resonance imaging found a CVT in front of a stopped opacification of the left lateral branch of the superior sagittal sinus. The presence of fever, poor oral status and a heart murmur justified the prescription of transthoracic echodoppler. It showed vegetations on healthy aortic valves. The patient was put on antibiotics and anticoagulants with favorable evolution. The absence of usual risk factors for CVT, the negativity of thrombophilia tests, the inflammatory and prothrombotic state associated with the infection reinforce the causal link of infective endocarditis to CVT formation. The etiology of CVT is variable, can be multiple and requires a comprehensive assessment. Infective endocarditis is one of the rare etiologies of CVT. In this case, anticoagulation and antibiotic drugs are indicated, taking into account the risk of intracerebral bleeding.

Profil clinico-therapeutique des états de mal épileptiques dans le service de neurologie de l’hôpital Befelatanana, Antananarivo: une étude transversale descriptive

Introduction

l´état de mal épileptique (EME) constitue une urgence diagnostique et thérapeutique. Notre objectif était de décrire le profil clinique et thérapeutique des patients présentant un EME au service de Neurologie de Befelatanana.

Méthodes

c´est une étude rétrospective, descriptive de janvier au juin 2015. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des patients ont été collectées et analysé sur Epi info 7.

Résultats

nous avons retenu 53 patients dont 54,71% étaient épileptiques (n = 29). Les patients de moins de 65 ans prédominaient dans 86,79%. L´âge moyen était de 43,09 ans avec un sex-ratio de 1.30. L´EME convulsif prédominait dans 98,11% (n=52). Il était de type convulsif généralisé dans 66,03%. Le STESS (status epilepticus severity score) inférieur à 3 (77,35%) prédominait. L´électroencéphalogramme (EEG) standard dans les 24h de l´EME était dépourvu d´anomalie épileptique pour tous les patients. Une rupture de traitement antiépileptique (9,43%) et une privation de sommeil (18,86%) ont été rapportées comme facteur déclenchant de l´EME. Une absence de crise épileptique dans les 72h de la mise sous notre protocole était notée dans 84,90% des cas. Nous n´avons pas trouvé d´association significative entre le statut épileptique ou non avec le STESS (p = 0,302), le protocole de traitement (p = 0,532) et la rémission des crises dans les 72 heures (p = 0,211).

Conclusion

l´EME touche une population jeune et épileptique. Notre protocole a permis une rémission des crises dans les 72h dans la plupart des cas. Une étude sur la validation de ce protocole d´EME est nécessaire.

Evolution intra-hospitalière et à trois mois des thromboses veineuses cérébrales auprès du service de neurologie de Befelatanana, Madagascar: une étude de cohorte rétrospective

Le pronostic des thromboses veineuses cérébrales (TVC) est bien meilleur que celui des infarctus cérébraux d´origine artérielle. Nos objectifs étaient de décrire l´évolution intra-hospitalière et à trois mois des TVC auprès du Service de Neurologie de Befelatanana ainsi que la place de l´anticoagulation dans les TVC sans et avec suffusion hémorragique. Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective des patients ayant eu une TVC du 1^er janvier 2014 au 31 décembre 2019 (72 mois). Leurs caractéristiques cliniques, leurs évolutions intra-hospitalière et après 3 mois ont été collectés. Les données ont été analysées avec le logiciel R en comparant les patients ayant une TVC avec et sans suffusion hémorragique avec un p significatif ≤ 0,05. Nous avons enregistré 21/4227 (0,49%) de cas de TVC dont onze patients (52,38%) ont eu une TVC avec suffusion hémorragique. L´âge moyen était de 38,05 ans. La tranche d´âge de 18 à 34 ans (47,62%) était plus représentée. Le genre féminin prédominait dans 76,19% (n=16). A l´admission, le NIHSS < 10 était de 85,71% (n=18) et le mRS < 3 était de 61,90% (n=13). Tous les patients étaient sous anticoagulation. A la sortie de l´hôpital, le NIHSS < 10 était stable (90,47% (n=19)) avec une augmentation de patient avec un mRS < 3 (85,71% (n=18)) dont 3 étaient du groupe avec suffusion hémorragique. Le séjour hospitalier moyen était de 16,04 jours. Un patient du groupe sans suffusion hémorragique décédait pendant l´hospitalisation. A trois mois de leur sortie, seul 9 patients étaient joignables. Leur état neurologique s´améliorait (NIHSS < 10 dans 100% (n=9), mRS à 0 dans 88,89% (n=8)). Aucune différence statistiquement significative n´était trouvée entre les deux groupes en terme de handicap (p=0,757) avec un RR à 0.91 IC [0.04; 6.55] et de décès (p=0,282) (0 décès dans un groupe) entre les deux groupes mis et non mis sous anticoagulant. La mortalité et le handicap liés à la TVC anticoagulée au cours de son évolution sont très faibles. L´accessibilité à un angioscanner cérébral à faible coût permettra une meilleure prise en charge des TVC dans notre service de Neurologie.

[Clinical course of myasthenia gravis at the department of neurology in Antananarivo Madagascar]

Introduction

myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. It can lead to a life-threatening condition, especially when it is associated with respiratory failure. Full remission is possible with treatment. Our aims are to describe the clinical course of patients with MG with under treatment, in order to further improve management and to implement a database of patients living in Madagascar.

Methods

we conducted a descriptive retrospective study in the Department of Neurology at the Befelatanana Antananarivo University Hospital Center between January 2010 and December 2017. This study involved all patients diagnosed with MG based on positive prostigmin test.

Results

among the 5814 hospitalized patients, 25 (0,42%) were included. Only 16 patients were on follow-up (64%) of whom 14 were receiving medical treatment. Three of them had undergone thymectomy. The mean follow-up period was 24 months. Among treated patients, 8 improved and 2 died. Among thymectomized patients, 2 improved and 1 died.

Conclusion

myasthenia gravis is a rare but serious disease. Improvement is possible with treatment even in the absence of adequate technical equipment for its management in Madagascar. Currently, a campaign in partnership with Myasthenia Gravis Association in Madagascar is underway for breathing devices useful especially when myasthenic crises occur.

[Epilepsy and reproductive health: challenges and prospects]

L'épilepsie complique la vie reproductive d'une femme. La modification physiologique de la femme et les effets des antiépileptiques sont en générale la cause. Plusieurs complications peuvent s'ajouter au cours du traitement qui nécessite une surveillance rigoureuse. Les antiépileptiques entrainent surtout des effets tératogènes et malformatives. Pour éviter ou minimiser ces complications, les femmes épileptiques doivent être accompagnées dès l'âge pubertaire, en cas de la contraception associée pendant la grossesse et l'accouchement. Toujours prescrire le traitement antiépileptique en monothérapie en évitant les médicaments à effets connus tératogènes et de préférence les anciens médicaments. La prise en charge conjointe par les neurologues et gynéco-obstétriciens est plus efficaces. Pendant la grossesse, il est important de mettre la patiente sous acide folique. L'administration de vitamine K, en fin de grossesse et en période néonatale, est une prévention des complications hémorragiques périnatales. Le choix d'allaitement est individuel car il n’y a aucune contre-indication formelle de l'allaitement chez les épileptiques sous traitement. Le respect de ses conditions renforce la confiance et favorise une vie reproductive rassurante chez nos épileptiques.

Fréquence et profil clinique de la maladie de Parkinson et des autres syndromes Parkinsoniens vus au service de neurologie de l'hôpital Befelatanana Antananarivo

Introduction

Méthodes

Résultats

Conclusion

[Frequency and characteristics of strokes involving the perforating arteries in the Department of Neurology at the Befelatanana General Hospital, Antananarivo]

Introduction

Strokes of the perforating arteries are mainly arteriolopathies. They result in dementia and stroke recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of these strokes to better prevent these complications.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study in the department of neurology at the Befelatanana general hospital, Antananarivo over the period 01 March-25 September 2015. All patients with abrupt neurological deficit and deep brain involvement on brain scanner were included in the study. The features of strokes involving the perforating arteries were collected. Data were processed with SPSS 20 software.

Results

Out of 172 patients with a stroke, 83(48.25%) had stroke involving the perforating arteries. Stroke involving the perforating arteries affected young people (65.06%) aged less than 65 years and preferentially the male population (61.44%). Haemorrhagic forms accounted for 67.46%. Thirty-one patients (37.34%) had stroke recurrences and, among them, almost a quarter had 2 recurrences (38.70%) in less than a year. All patients with recurrence had dysexecutive disorder (p < 0.0001) and poor antihypertensive medication adherence. Mortality accounted for only 6.02% in patients with onset of these strokes during hospitalization.

Conclusion

Specific neurologic follow-up is necessary after a first stroke involving perforating arteries in order to make an early diagnosis of dementia and to prevent recurrences.

Long-term compliance to continuous positive airway pressure therapy (nCPAP) set up during a split-night polysomnography

We studied prospectively the acute and long-term compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy set up during a split-night polysomnography in 31 patients suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 66 +/- 23/hour. An effective nCPAP (AHI < 10/hour in all sleep stages in the dorsal decubitus) was titrated in 27/31 patients. The mean effective nCPAP was 11 +/- 2 cm H2O. In three patients, a subsequent night was necessary to determine the effective nCPAP during rapid eye movement sleep, and one patient did not support the treatment. Of the 27 patients with successful titration, 21 accepted home treatment, three chose a surgical procedure and three refused to be treated. Of the 21 accepting home treatment, one patient did not receive his insurance agreement and could not participate in follow-up. Among the 20 other patients, four interrupted their treatment during the 1st month because of discomfort, and 16 were followed for 285 +/- 84 days. The daily rate of nCPAP use for the compliant patients was 6.7 +/- 1.5 hours. These preliminary results indicate that a split-night technique is reliable and cost saving in a majority of patients suffering from severe OSAS.

Headache following carotid endarterectomy: a prospective study

The occurrence of headache in the 28 days following surgery was studied in 50 consecutive patients (14F and 36M, mean aged 70 years) who underwent carotid endarterectomy for atheromatous carotid stenosis. Thirty-one patients (62%) reported headache. Headache occurred in the first five days after surgery in 87% of cases. Its characteristics and temporal profile were highly variable but it was mostly bilateral (74%), mild or moderate (78%), requiring no treatment (77%). No correlation was found between the occurrence of headache and degree of stenosis, intraoperative characteristics and past history of headache. In none of our patients was severe ipsilateral headache, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, or cluster-like hemicrania encountered and only five patients met the IHS criteria for post-endarterectomy headache. Post-endarterectomy headache is frequent when specifically looked for and is therefore not a single entity. The present IHS criteria are unsatisfactory and should be modified accordingly.

Ipsilateral cluster headache and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania: two case reports

We report two patients with ipsilateral attacks of cluster headache and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania. The first patient, a 33-year-old man, started having attacks of chronic cluster headache at the age of 27. At 33, they were replaced by typical attacks of ipsilateral chronic paroxysmal hemicrania which showed a dramatic improvement with indomethacin 150 mg daily. After two days of complete remission, cluster headache attacks reappeared and persisted until verapamil, 360 mg a day, was added to indomethacin. The second patient, a 45-year-old man, first developed attacks of episodic cluster headache at the age of 35. At 44, he experienced ipsilateral typical attacks of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, and two months later attacks of cluster headache. Under verapamil 240 mg daily, attacks of cluster headache disappeared, but those of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania increased in frequency until indomethacin 150 mg daily was added. These observations suggest a close relationship but not a similarity between cluster headache and chronic paraoxysmal hemicrania, and show the practical therapeutic interest of maintaining this distinction.