MyMedR

Fulltext The Growing Problem of Radiologist Shortage: Malaysia's Perspective

Ramli NM, Mohd Zain NR

Korean J Radiol, 2023 Oct;24(10):936-937.

PMID: 37793663 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2023.0742

Toluene-induced leukodystrophy from glue sniffing

Lau YH, Mawardi AS, Zain NR, Viswanathan S

Pract Neurol, 2021 Oct;21(5):439-441.

PMID: 34039751 DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2021-002942

A 33-year-old man with a history of chronic toluene abuse through glue sniffing, developed tremors, cerebellar signs and cognitive decline. MR scan of the brain showed global cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with symmetrical T2-weighted hypointensities in the basal ganglia, thalami and midbrain. After stopping glue sniffing, his tremors, ataxia of gait, speech and cognition partially improved. Early recognition and intervention of toluene-induced leukodystrophy could prevent ongoing morbidity and premature mortality.

Depression preceding Marchiafava-Bignami disease

Zhen NB, Gaillard F, Walterfang M, Mohd Zain NR, Yoon CK

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2021 02;55(2):224-225.

PMID: 32720512 DOI: 10.1177/0004867420945786

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy in a child secondary to dengue fever: A case report

Cheo SW, Low QJ, Teh YG, Rajahram GS, Mohd Zain NR, Chia YK

Med J Malaysia, 2021 Sep;76(5):750-752.

PMID: 34508389

Dengue fever (DF) is an important public health problem, and it is now endemic in more than 100 countries worldwide. Dengue associated neurological complication is estimated to be affecting 0.5 to 6.2% of patients. Even though this is rare, neurological manifestation of DF is an increasingly recognized entity in recent years due to significant mortality and morbidity reported/seen. Reported central nervous system manifestations due to dengue include encephalitis, encephalopathy, myelitis, myositis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, stroke and etc. We report here a case of acute necrotizing encephalopathy secondary to DF in a previously healthy 12-year-old girl.

Fulltext Paradoxical Manifestation is Common in HIV-negative Tuberculous Meningitis

Tai ML, Nor HM, Kadir KA, Viswanathan S, Rahmat K, Zain NR, et al.

Medicine (Baltimore), 2016 Jan;95(1):e1997.

PMID: 26735523 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001997

Paradoxical manifestation is worsening of pre-existing tuberculous lesion or appearance of new lesions in patients whose condition initially improved with antituberculous treatment. Our hypothesis was that paradoxical manifestation in non-HIV tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients was underestimated and this could contribute to patients' prognosis. This was the first systemic study of paradoxical manifestation in HIV-negative TBM patients. Between 2009 and 2014, TBM patients were studied prospectively in 2 hospitals. Clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid, and radiological findings were monitored. Paradoxical manifestation was divided into definite (4 weeks or more) and probable (between 14 and 27 d) after commencement of antituberculous treatment. Forty-one non-HIV TBM patients were recruited. Definite paradoxical manifestation occurred in 23/41 (56%) of the patients. Time to onset of paradoxical manifestation was between 28 days and 9 months, and majority was between 28 and 50 days. Neuroimaging manifestation in the brain (22/41 patients, 54%) and clinical manifestation (22/41 patients, 54%) were most commonly seen, followed by cerebrospinal fluid manifestation (7/41 patients, 17%). Neuroimaging changes most commonly seen were worsening of leptomeningeal enhancement, new infarcts, new tuberculomas, and enlargement of tuberculoma. Initial Computed Tomography Angiography/magnetic resonance angiography brain showed vasculitis in 14 patients, with 2 (12.5%) showing paradoxical vasculitis during follow-up. Recurrence of the paradoxical manifestation was seen in 7/23 (30%) of the patients. More than half (14/23, 61%) of the patients improved, 6 (26%) patients died, and 3 (13%) patients had persistent neurological deficit. Paradoxical manifestation was very common in non-HIV TBM patients. Neuroimaging paradoxical manifestation of 2-4 weeks may not be paradoxical manifestation but could be delayed treatment response.

A case of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease with both APP and novel PSEN2 mutations presenting with non-amnestic features

Chee KY, Yee OK, Gaillard F, Velakoulis D, Mohd Zain NR, Yogendren L, et al.

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2017 Dec;51(12):1252-1253.

PMID: 28762277 DOI: 10.1177/0004867417722642

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions versus CNS neoplasms, a comparative study

Chew SH, Achmad Sankala HB, Chew E, Md Arif MHB, Mohd Zain NR, Hashim H, et al.

Mult Scler Relat Disord, 2023 Nov;79:104992.

PMID: 37717306 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104992

BACKGROUND: Differentiating tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDL) from neoplasms of the central nervous system continues to be a diagnostic dilemma in many cases.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to examine and contrast the clinical and radiological characteristics of TDL, high-grade gliomas (HGG) and primary CNS lymphoma (CNSL).

METHOD: This was a retrospective review of 66 patients (23 TDL, 31 HGG and 12 CNSL). Clinical and laboratory data were obtained. MRI brain at presentation were analyzed by two independent, blinded neuroradiologists.

RESULTS: Patients with TDLs were younger and predominantly female. Sensorimotor deficits and ataxia were more common amongst TDL whereas headaches and altered mental status were associated with HGG and CNSL. Compared to HGG and CNSL, MRI characteristics supporting TDL included relatively smaller size, lack of or mild mass effect, incomplete peripheral rim enhancement, absence of central enhancement or restricted diffusion, lack of cortical involvement, and presence of remote white matter lesions on the index scan. Paradoxically, some TDLs may present atypically or radiologically mimic CNS lymphomas.

CONCLUSION: Careful evaluation of clinical and radiological features helps in differentiating TDLs at first presentation from CNS neoplasms.

Fulltext Cerebral infarction pattern in tuberculous meningitis

Tai MS, Viswanathan S, Rahmat K, Nor HM, Kadir KA, Goh KJ, et al.

Sci Rep, 2016 12 13;6:38802.

PMID: 27958312 DOI: 10.1038/srep38802

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) causes significant morbidity and mortality. The primary objective was to re-examine the concept of "TB zone" and "ischaemic zone" in cerebral infarction in patients with tuberculous meningitis. The secondary objective was to evaluate cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm in tuberculous meningitis infections. Between 2009 and 2014, TBM patients were recruited. Neuroimaging was performed and findings of cerebral infarction, vasculitis and vasospasm were recorded. Infarcts were classified based on arterial supply and Hsieh's classification. Fifty-one TBM patients were recruited of whom 34 patients (67%) had cerebral infarction. Based on Hsieh's classification, 20 patients (59%) had infarcts in both "TB zone" and "ischaemic zones". 12 patients (35%) had infarcts in "ischaemic zone" and two (6%) patients had infarcts in "TB zone". In terms of vascular supply, almost all patients (35/36) had infarcts involving perforators and cortical branches. 25 patients (73%) and 14 patients (41%) had infarcts supplied by lateral lenticulostriate and medial lenticulostriate arteries respectively. 15 patients (37%) had vasculitis. Vasospasm was present in six patients (15%). 29 patients (85%) with cerebral infarction also had leptomeningeal enhancement (p = 0.002). In summary, infarcts involved mainly perforators and cortical branches, rather than "TB zone" versus "ischaemic zone".

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