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Kalafatakis K, Margoni A, Liakou ME, Stenos C, Toulas P, Korkolopoulou P, Lakiotaki E, Lafazanos SA, Zekiou K, Kardara P, Terentiou A, Nikolaou G, Stouraitis G. Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis following the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A case report. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25545. [PMID: 38356507 PMCID: PMC10865252 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE), is a rare inflammatory demyelinating disorder, variant of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The diagnosis of AHLE remains challenging due to the rarity of the disease and the lack of a reliable biomarker. We report here a case of a 73-year-old male patient with a progressive, low-grade febrile confusional syndrome 20 days after receiving the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Evidence indicative of the underlying condition by an extensive panel of imaging (brain magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography), laboratory (complete blood count, biochemistry, coagulation, tests for autoimmune or infectious disorders, tumor markers, hormonal levels, cerebrospinal fluid analysis) and electrodiagnostic tests were scarce, and mainly non-specific. Sequential neuroimaging revealed the appearance of extensive T2 lesions (signs of gliosis) along with multiple hemorrhagic lesions at various cortical sites. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, discontinued due to severe adverse effects, and subsequently with sessions of plasmapheresis and monthly intravenous administration of cyclophosphamide. Considering the rapid aggravation of the patient's neurological status, the MRI findings of cortical lesions and the lack of response to any treatment, a biopsy of a frontal lobe lesion was conducted, confirming the presence of confluent, inflammatory-edematous lesions with scattered areas of necrosis and hemorrhage, and ultimately areas of demyelination, thus confirming the diagnosis of AHLE. After more than 5 months of hospitalization the patient was transferred in a primary care facility and remained in a permanent vegetative state until his death, more than 2 years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Kalafatakis
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (Malta Campus), Queen Mary University of London, Victoria, Malta
| | - Anna Margoni
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Christos Stenos
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Toulas
- Research Unit of Radiology, Second Department of Radiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Penelope Korkolopoulou
- First Department of Pathology, LAIKON University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Lakiotaki
- First Department of Pathology, LAIKON University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Zekiou
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Kardara
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aspasia Terentiou
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Nikolaou
- Department of Neurology, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Loesch-Biffar AM, Junker A, Linn J, Thon N, Heck S, Ottomeyer C, Straube A, Pfister HW. Case Report: Minimal Neurological Deficit of Two Adult Patients With Weston-Hurst Syndrome Due to Early Craniectomy: Case Series and Review of Literature on Craniectomy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:673611. [PMID: 34531810 PMCID: PMC8438150 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.673611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We describe two new cases of acute hemorrhagic leucoencephalitis (AHLE), who survived with minimal sequelae due to early measures against increased intracranial pressure, particularly craniotomy. The recently published literature review on treatment and outcome of AHLE was further examined for the effect of craniotomy. Methods: We present two cases from our institution. The outcome of 44 cases from the literature was defined either as good (no deficit, minimal deficit/no daily help) or poor outcome (severe deficit/disabled, death). Patients with purely infratentorial lesions (n = 9) were excluded. Fisher's exact test was applied. Results: Two cases are presented: A 43-year-old woman with rapidly progressive aphasia and right hemiparesis due to a huge left frontal white matter lesion with rim contrast enhancement. Pathology was consistent with AHLE. The second case was a 56-year-old woman with rapidly progressive aphasia and right hemiparesis. Cranial MRI showed a huge left temporo-occipital white matter lesion with typical morphology for AHLE. Both patients received craniotomy within the first 24 h and consequent immunosuppressive-immunomodulatory treatment and survived with minimal deficits. Out of 35 supratentorial reported AHLE cases, seven patients received decompressive craniotomy. Comparing all supratentorial cases, patients who received craniotomy were more likely to have a good outcome (71 vs. 29%). Conclusion: Due to early control of the intracranial pressure, particularly due to early craniotomy; diagnosis per biopsy; and immediate start of immunosuppressive-immunomodulatory therapies (cortisone pulse, plasma exchanges), both patients survived with minimal sequelae. Craniotomy plays an important role and should be considered early on in patients with probable AHLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mira Loesch-Biffar
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Junker
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Linn
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Niklas Thon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Suzette Heck
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Ottomeyer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Straube
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Walter Pfister
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Grzonka P, Scholz MC, De Marchis GM, Tisljar K, Rüegg S, Marsch S, Fladt J, Sutter R. Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis: A Case and Systematic Review of the Literature. Front Neurol 2020; 11:899. [PMID: 32973663 PMCID: PMC7468463 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To present a patient with acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) and a systematic review of the literature analyzing diagnostic procedures, treatment, and outcomes of AHLE. Methods: PubMed and Cochrane databases were screened. Papers published since 01/01/2000 describing adult patients are reported according to the PRISMA-guidelines. Results: A 59-year old male with rapidly developing coma and cerebral biopsy changes compatible with AHLE is presented followed by 43 case reports from the literature including males in 67% and a mean age of 38 years. Mortality was 47%. Infectious pathogens were reported in 35%, preexisting autoimmune diseases were identified in 12%. Neuroimaging revealed uni- or bihemispheric lesions in 65% and isolated lesions of the cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata or the spinal cord without concomitant hemispheric involvement in 16%. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid showed an increased protein level in 87%, elevated white blood cells in 65%, and erythrocytes in 39%. Histology (reported in 58%) supported the diagnosis of AHLE in all cases. Glucocorticoids were used most commonly (97%), followed by plasmapheresis (26%), and intravenous immunoglobulins (12%), without a clear temporal relationship between treatment and the patients' clinical course. Conclusions: Although mortality was lower than previously reported, AHLE remains a life-threatening neurologic emergency with high mortality. Diagnosis is challenging as the level of evidence regarding the diagnostic yield of clinical, neuroimaging and laboratory characteristics remains low. Hence, clinicians are urged to heighten their awareness and to prompt cerebral biopsies in the context of rapidly progressive neurologic decline of unknown origin with the concurrence of the compiled characteristics. Future studies need to focus on treatment characteristics and their effects on course and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Grzonka
- Intensive Care Units, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marleen C Scholz
- Intensive Care Units, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gian Marco De Marchis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kai Tisljar
- Intensive Care Units, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Rüegg
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Marsch
- Intensive Care Units, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Fladt
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raoul Sutter
- Intensive Care Units, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Akhlaq A, Ghanchi NK, Usmani B, Shahzad R, Rahim A, Wasay M, Beg MA. Neurological complications in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria from Karachi, Pakistan. J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2019; 48:198-201. [PMID: 30191906 DOI: 10.4997/jrcpe.2018.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains an endemic disease in Pakistan with an estimated healthcare burden of 1.6 million cases annually, with Plasmodium vivax accounting for 67% of reported cases. P. vivax is the most common species causing malaria outside of Africa, with approximately 13.8 million reported cases worldwide. METHOD We report a series of P. vivax cases with cerebral involvement that presented at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. RESULTS The majority of the patients presented with high-grade fever accompanied by projectile vomiting and abnormal behaviour, seizures, shock and unconsciousness. Seven of 801 patients with P. vivax monoinfection presented or developed cerebral complications. P. vivax infections were diagnosed based on peripheral smears and rapid diagnostic testing. CONCLUSION P. vivax infection can lead to severe complications, although not with the frequency of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Current cases highlight an increasing trend of cerebral complications caused by P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Akhlaq
- Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - N K Ghanchi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - B Usmani
- Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - R Shahzad
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - A Rahim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - M Wasay
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - M A Beg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi PO 3500, Pakistan,
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Murphy H, Abuova G, Pandey P. South Central Asia. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119085751.ch14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Holy Murphy
- CIWEC Hospital and CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center; Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Gulzhan Abuova
- Department of Infectious Diseases; South-Kazakhstan State Pharmaceutical Academy; Shymkent Kazakhstan
| | - Prativa Pandey
- CIWEC Hospital and CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center; Kathmandu Nepal
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Sureshbabu S, Babu R, Garg A, Peter S, Sobhana C, Mittal G. Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis unresponsive to aggressive immunosuppression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/cen3.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raghunath Babu
- Department of Neurology; St Stephens Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - Amit Garg
- Department of Radiodiagnosis; St. Stephen's Hospital; New Delhi India
| | - Sudhir Peter
- Department of Pathology; Metropolis Labs; Ernakulum Kerala India
| | | | - Gaurav Mittal
- Department of Neurology; St Stephens Hospital; New Delhi India
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Rathia SK, Sankar J, Kandasamy D, Lodha R. Plasmodium vivax Malaria Presenting with Multifocal Hemorrhagic Brain Infarcts in a School-going Child. J Trop Pediatr 2016; 62:341-4. [PMID: 26966243 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmw007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is a well-known complication of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Over recent years, however, Plasmodium vivax also has been reported to cause cerebral malaria with or without co-infection with P. falciparum Here, we report a boy aged 10 years presenting with acute febrile encephalopathy with raised intracranial pressure to the emergency, who was later diagnosed to have P. vivax malaria. His neurological status improved gradually during 6 weeks of pediatric intensive care unit stay. We report this case to highlight the unusual radiologic findings in the patient, such as multifocal hemorrhagic infarcts in the brainstem, bilateral thalami, frontal cortex and basal ganglia, which have not been reported with P. vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jhuma Sankar
- Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, 110029 New Delhi, India
| | | | - Rakesh Lodha
- Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, 110029 New Delhi, India
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Kasundra GM, Bhargava AN, Bhushan B, Shubhakaran K, Sood I. Post-Plasmodium vivax malaria cerebellar ataxia and optic neuritis: A new form of delayed cerebellar ataxia or cerebellar variant of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis? J Pediatr Neurosci 2015; 10:58-60. [PMID: 25878748 PMCID: PMC4395950 DOI: 10.4103/1817-1745.154354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is commonly seen after viral and bacterial infections, immunization, and Plasmodium falciparum (PF) malaria. Plasmodium vivax (PV) rarely causes ADEM. We report a 14-year-old female patient who presented with acute onset bilateral cerebellar ataxia and optic neuritis, 2 weeks after recovery from PV. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral cerebellar hyperintensities suggestive of ADEM. No specific viral etiology was found on cerebrospinal fluid examination. Patient responded well to treatment without any sequelae. Thus, PV too is an important cause of ADEM along with PF. Two of the previously reported cases had co-infection with falciparum malaria. The only other two reported cases, as also this patient, are from Asia. A geographical or racial predisposition needs to be evaluated. Also, a possibility of post-PV delayed cerebellar ataxia, which is classically described post-PF infection, may be considered as it may be clinically, radiologically, and prognostically indistinguishable from a milder presentation of ADEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav M Kasundra
- Department of Neurology, Dr. S. N. Medical College and M. G. Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Amita Narendra Bhargava
- Department of Neurology, Dr. S. N. Medical College and M. G. Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Department of Neurology, Dr. S. N. Medical College and M. G. Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Khichar Shubhakaran
- Department of Neurology, Dr. S. N. Medical College and M. G. Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Isha Sood
- Department of Medicine, Dr. S. N. Medical College and M. G. Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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Shanbag P. First case of acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis following Plasmodium vivax infection: comment. Indian J Med Microbiol 2013; 31:422. [PMID: 24064662 DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.118892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Shanbag
- Department of Pediatrics, Employees State Insurance-Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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