Rejected

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is an infrequent and slowly progressive disease, represented by fibroinflammatory lesions of unknown origin, which mainly involves the sinonasal structures and upper respiratory tract. Occasionally, it can affect the orbit and ocular adnexa causing symptoms such as proptosis, globe displacement and periorbital edema. In very rare cases, ocular manifestation as an orbital inflammatory pseudotumor can be the primary localization of the disease. Current literature proposes a relation between EAF and immunoglobulin G4-related disease spectrum. We describe the case of a 69-year-old man presented with antecedents of left periorbital edema, epiphora and retroocular pain. Examination showed a nonaxial proptosis, severe limitation in left eye adduction and lateral globe displacement. Orbital imaging revealed a left medial orbital mass with involvement of the inferior rectus and the medial rectus muscles. An orbital biopsy of the mass illustrated an inflammatory infiltrate with a notable eosinophilic component, "onion-skin appearance" of vessels and surrounding concentric fibrosis, highly suggestive of EAF. Further investigations showed a high expression of IgG4 and excluded other possible diseases. There was a favorable evolution of the orbital inflammatory pseudotumor following a 4-month treatment course with oral glucocorticoids. EAF = Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis, CT = Computed tomography, MRI = Magnetic resonance imaging, GPA = Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, EGP = eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, MPA = microscopic polyangiitis, ANCA = Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, Ig = Immunoglobulin.

Pregnancy and childbirth pose an important hemostatic challenge for women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) and can be associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal bleeding complications. VWD is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or an abnormality in the function of von Willebrand factor. Understanding inheritance pattern, hemostatic response to pregnancy, and response to treatment is essential for provision of individualized obstetric care and optimal outcome. A multidisciplinary approach to management with a close liaison between the obstetric team and the hemophilia treatment center is required for continuity of care from preconception counseling through to antenatal, peripartum, and postpartum care. Delivery plan must be coordinated by the multidisciplinary team and include decisions on place and mode of delivery, implementation of safe analgesia/anesthesia, and peripartum hemostasis. In this clinical case-based review, we aim to deliver evidence-based practical guidance for challenges encountered during pregnancy and management of childbirth and puerperium.

Gliomas are tumors of the supporting cells of the central nervous system. They have great heterogeneity in their clinical and pathological features as well as prognosis. There is paucity of glioma epidemiology data in Zimbabwe. We carried out a study to determine the landscape, presentation, and characteristics of brain gliomas in Zimbabwe.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of intrathecal nalbuphine and buprenorphine as an adjuvant to heavy bupivacaine (0.5%) for spinal anesthesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries to improve the quality of spinal anesthesia (onset, duration, and side effects) and prolongation of postoperative analgesia. Sixty patients were recruited into this single-centered, double-blinded, hospital-based, prospective, comparative study conducted in 2017-2018. They were randomly and equally (n = 30) allocated into two groups: nalbuphine group which received 0.5 mL (0.8 mg) of nalbuphine with 3 mL of heavy (0.5%) hyperbaric bupivacaine and buprenorphine group which received 0.5 mL (60 mg) of buprenorphine with 3 mL of heavy hyperbaric bupivacaine. Intraoperatively, onset and duration of blockade (motor and sensory), and time for first dose of rescue analgesia were recorded in both groups at regular intervals. Heart rate, blood pressure, Visual Analogue Scale score and side effects were also recorded postoperatively for 12 hours. The demographic parameters, time of onset of sensory block and motor block, and duration of motor block were comparable between nalbuphine and buprenorphine groups. The duration of sensory block in the buprenorphine group was longer than in the nalbuphine group. Time to the first dose of rescue analgesia was delayed in buprenorphine group as compared to nalbuphine group. In both groups maximum patients achieved maximum height of sensory block at 90 minutes. There were significant differences in the mean heart rate and blood pressure between buprenorphine and nalbuphine groups. Nalbuphine group patients achieved a Visual Analogue Scale score > 4 earlier as compared to buprenorphine group. Few side effects were observed in both groups. Intrathecal buprenorphine is a better adjuvant to 0.5% bupivacaine in the spinal anesthesia for lower limb orthopedic surgeries, as it provides longer sensory block and delayed administration of first dose of rescue analgesia with negligible side-effects. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (approval number: KIMSDU/IEC/03/2017) on November 23, 2017.

The proportion of patients who are frequent attenders (FAs) varies from few percent to almost 30% of all patients. A small group of patients continued to visit GPs year after year. In previous studies, it has been reported that over 15% of all 1-year FAs were persistent frequent attenders (pFAs).

The aim of this study is to report the side effects of oral topiramate in two young patients presented with bilateral ocular blurring and discomfort, causing unique development of secondary acute angle closure (AAC) after discontinuation of oral topiramate. Both patients, with a history of seizure and migraine, respectively, were taking oral topiramate to control their mentioned diseases. Both had secondary AAC and high intraocular pressure, after discontinuing topiramate. They were treated with topical medications and underwent initial and subsequent multimodal imaging to track up their response to the management. Ocular side effect, during topiramate use and possibly even after discontinuation, will improve early detection of secondary AAC. Topical management along with multimodal imaging of such cases can give optimal results.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a prevalent pathogen whose persistent infection can lead to a variety of cancers. To protect against this threat, an HPV vaccine has been developed and is routinely administered to adolescents. The HPV vaccine has a reassuring safety profile, but reports have emerged of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following its administration. Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) is a severe inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the most fulminant form of ADEM. We report a previously healthy 14-year-old boy who developed headache, fatigue, focal weakness, and confusion 3 weeks after receiving the HPV vaccine. Neuroimaging demonstrated multifocal demyelination. Despite treatment with high-dose steroids, his encephalopathy worsened. He developed severe cerebral edema and died of cerebral herniation. Postmortem histology revealed perivenular sleeves of tissue damage, myelin loss surrounding small parenchymal vessels, and diffuse hemorrhagic necrosis, consistent with AHLE. This is the first report of AHLE following HPV vaccination.

Segmental zoster paresis is characterized by focal motor weakness affecting the myotome corresponding to the dermatomal distribution of the rash. Clinically, it presents as pseudohernia when it involves abdominal wall muscles. We report three cases of segmental zoster paresis presenting as pseudohernia of abdominal wall. All patients developed asymptomatic bulge in anterolateral side of abdomen between 10 and 15 days after appearance of vesicles. All patients developed post-herpetic neuralgia. One patient developed pseudo-obstruction of colon due to visceral involvement. Segmental zoster paresis of lower thoracic spinal segment often goes unnoticed due to its asymptomatic nature.

Currently available agents improve bone mineral density (BMD) values on their own in monotherapy but may not completely restore microarchitecture and the patient may continue to sustain fragility fractures. Current monotherapies can only address either increased bone resorption or decreased bone formation. In this setting, combination therapy with antiresorptive and anabolic agents appears to be a promising option. A 49-year-old premenopausal woman presented with severe low backache associated with significant height loss. Evaluation elsewhere revealed severe osteoporosis, which prompted treatment with three doses of parenteral zoledronate 4 mg annually, followed by oral alendronate 70 mg once weekly for 7 years. However, her symptoms persisted despite treatment, and investigations done at our center confirmed severe osteoporosis, with multiple vertebral compression fractures. She was initiated on teriparatide therapy but despite 1 year of treatment, there was persistent height loss. In addition, there was a marked elevation of bone resorption, which prompted us to add denosumab which was administered subcutaneously every 6 months. On follow-up, there was marked relief from pain, no further decrease in height, and progressive improvement in BMD, and bone turnover markers were noted. A dual therapy with anabolic agent teriparatide and antiresorptive agent denosumab for osteoporosis may be a viable option in individuals with severe osteoporosis who do not respond well to a single agent.