Aastha Takkar

Teaching NeuroImages: Terson syndrome in cortical venous sinus thrombosis

An 18-year-old woman presented with headache, right focal seizures, and diminished vision in the left eye for 20 days. Fundus examination revealed bilateral papilledema with large premacular sub–internal limiting membrane and subhyaloid bleeding in the left eye (figure 1A). MRI brain showed hemorrhagic infarct in the left temporal lobe (figure 2, A and B). Magnetic resonance venography showed left transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis (figure 2C). A diagnosis of Terson syndrome1 (vitreous hemorrhage) was made. Procoagulant workup was negative and the patient improved with conservative management2 (figure 1B). Even though Terson syndrome has been reported with subarachnoid hemorrhage, its occurrence with cortical venous sinus thrombosis is rare.

Clinical and radiological predictors of outcome in tubercular meningitis: A prospective study of 209 patients

OBJECTIVES The predictors of poor outcome in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remain to be delineated. We determined role of various clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in prediction of outcome in TBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS Current study was a prospective observational study including 209 patients of TBM. All patients underwent detailed evaluation including Gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (GdMRI) of brain as well as tests to detect evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in body. They also underwent GdMRI at three and nine month follow up. All patients received treatment as per standard guidelines. RESULTS Mean age was 30.4±13.8years. 139 (66.5%) patients had definite TBM while 70 (34.5%) had highly probable TBM. 53 (25.4%) patients died. On univariate analysis, longer duration of illness, altered sensorium, stage III TBM, hydrocephalus and exudates correlated with poor outcome. On multivariate analysis presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.003; OR=3.2; 95% CI=1.5-6.7) and stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=8.7; 95% CI=3.7-20.2) correlated with higher risk of mortality. In addition, there was significant positive association between presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.05; OR=2.2; 95% CI=0.97-5.1), stage III TBM (p<0.0001; OR=28; 95% CI=4.9-158) and presence of altered sensorium (p=0.05; OR=22; 95% CI=0.99-4.8) with either death or survival with severe disability. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to prognosticate TBM using a combination of clinical and radiological. The duration of illness (65.9±92days) before diagnosis of TBM continues to be unacceptably long and this stresses on need to educate primary care physicians about TBM. Future studies where intensity and duration of treatment is guided by these cues may help in sorting out some of the most difficult questions in TBM, namely duration of antitubercular therapy as well as dose and duration of steroid therapy etc.

Tuberculomas in “Critical” Locations of the Visual Pathway—A Masquerader

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis never stops fascinating physicians. The burden of tuberculosis is a major cause of disability. While drugs are often blamed when patients develop new focal deficits on treatment, the deterioration in these patients can have a myriad of causes including the development of new tuberculomas. Recognizing the critically located tuberculomas as potential causes of vision loss is indispensable. Here, we report two patients with strategic tuberculomas leading to vision loss. In one patient, the cause of visual morbidity was compression of the optic pathways; in the other patient, cortical vision loss was noted due to strategic location of tuberculomas.

Combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion with optic perineuritis following herpes zoster dermatitis in an immunocompetent child

A 15-year-old healthy boy developed acute, rapidly progressing visual loss in left eye following herpes zoster dermatitis, with a combined central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), along with optic perineuritis. Laboratory tests were negative. Despite an empirical, intensive antiviral treatment with systemic corticosteroids, and vision could not be restored in the affected eye. Herpes zoster dermatitis, in an immunocompetent individual, may be associated with a combined CRAO and CRVO along with optic perineuritis, leading to profound visual loss.

Cavernous sinus syndrome: A prospective study of 73 cases at a tertiary care centre in Northern India

OBJECTIVES To study the clinical and etiological profile of patients with cavernous sinus syndrome (CSS) and identify factors which could determine the etiology and influence the outcome of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective observational study included 73 consecutive patients satisfying the criteria of CSS (i.e. involvement of any 2 of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th cranial nerves or any one of them with radiological evidence of cavernous sinus involvement). All these patients were subjected to detailed haematological, biochemical and radiological investigations and diagnosed and treated as per guidelines. The clinical and investigational data was recorded and analysed meticulously. RESULTS A definitive etiological diagnosis of CSS could be achieved in 86% of patients. Tumours, fungal infections and Tolosa Hunt syndrome (THS) were most common causes. On univariate analysis, diabetes, severe vision loss (visual acuity of <3/60 in at least one eye), and presence of nasal discharge showed a significantly positive association with a fungal CSS. Evidence of paranasal sinusitis, bone erosion and ICA (internal carotid artery) involvement on Gadolinium enhanced MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of brain were significantly associated with a fungal CSS (p=0.0001), whereas involvement of orbital apex had a negative association with a neoplastic etiology (p=0.014). On multiple logistic regression, orbital apex involvement on MRI was associated with diagnosis of THS (p=0.019, OR: 18.7; 95% CI: 1.6-217.4) while MRI evidence of paranasal sinusitis (p=0.014, OR: 45; 95% CI: 2.1-94.3) and bone erosion ((p=0.019, OR: 12.5; 95% CI: 1.5-103) correlated with diagnosis of fungal CSS. 65.2% of patients (fungal CSS- 70%) had a good prognosis at six months follow up. CONCLUSION Most patients with CSS can be diagnosed accurately and managed properly with good outcomes.

Clinical and Neuro-ophthalmologic Predictors of Visual Outcome in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

ABSTRACT Despite the potential of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) to cause visual morbidity, limited literature is available focussing on predictors of visual outcome in IIH. This study was planned to assess visual morbidity in patients of IIH in terms of clinical and neuro-ophthalmo- logical parameters. In this prospective study of 40 patients of IIH, neuro-ophthalmological parameters were noted in the form of visual acuity, visual field, contrast sensitivity, Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer thickness, and visual evoked potential. Visual outcome was defined in using specific criteria. Final visual outcome of patients was compared with clinical and neuro-ophthalmologic para- meters to determine any correlation. The most common presenting clinical symptoms were headache (85%) and Transient visual obscurations (TVOs) (52.5%). In univariate analysis severity of visual loss, Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) pressures and abnormal Visual evoked potential (VEP) were associated with worse visual outcome or need of aggressive management. When adjusted for severity of visual loss no independent clinical/neuroophthalmic predictor could be established. High CSF opening pressure, worsening vision/papilledema, greater Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness and abnormal VEPs may be some of the alarming signs for physicians, but none of these parameters can be used as an independent predictor for visual outcome in isolation. Visual loss at presentation is probably the most important predictor of the final visual outcome in these patients. This may also suggest that patients presenting in an advanced disease course (with worse visual status) fair badly despite best medical/surgical management. Early diagnosis and prompt management is the cornerstone of management.

Diplopia after Excessive Smart Phone Usage

ABSTRACT Acute comitant esotropia in a child has a mixed set of differentials and we present a report of three cases in children who presented with acute onset diplopia. On careful history taking, all the kids reported an excessive use of the smart phone in the preceding month. We hypothesise that excessive use of the smart phone at near leads to excessive stimulation of ciliary muscle, hence accommodative spasm in these children. This is the first case series to report an association of smart phones and accommodative spasm.

Rapidly progressive dementia: an unusual cause

Brain metastases are known to be present with a history of increased intra-cranial pressure headache, seizures or altered sensorium. Corresponding to the clinical brain metastases are the most feared complication of a systemic cancer. Classically, brain metastases are associated with significant morbidity and are known to present with a history of increased intracranial pressure headache, seizures or altered sensorium. Neuroimaging is usually suggestive of massive peri-lesional edema and mass effect surrounding the space occupying lesions. This, however it is not a universal rule. We report a 50-year-old gentleman who presented with rapidly progressive forgetfulness. Interestingly, the patient’s neuroimaging discretely showed disproportionate involvement with regards to the clinical picture. The lesions were finally recognized as metastases underscoring the importance of an avid search for a primary systemic malignancy if similar findings are noted on radiology.

Infiltrative Optic Neuropathies: Opening Doors to Sinister Pathologies

ABSTRACT Optic disc edema may be caused by a number of conditions. A commonly ignored but important aspect is the presence of “infiltration” of disc; that may closely mimic disc edema. Disc edema, optic nerve dysfunction and a normal appearing disc in any combination may occur in infiltrative optic neuropathies. Identifying disc infiltration can aid in diagnosis of many sinister pathologies even in the absence of other specific clinical features. We describe two patients presenting with optic nerve dysfunction and infiltrated disc appearance, which on investigations were found to have underlying malignancies thereby underscoring the importance of detecting infiltrative optic neurpathies.

Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Presenting as Inferior Altitudinal Visual Field Defect

ABSTRACT A young male with acute blurring of vision (6/9) complained of an inferior altitudinal field defect in right eye. Clinical ophthalmological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed the expansion and mucosal thickening of right posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and opacified right maxillary sinus. Surgical intervention (transethmoidal sphenoidotomy) and histopathological examination revealed chronic invasive granulomatous fungal sinusitis. Anti-fungal therapy led to resolution of visual complaints and restoration of visual field defects.