Neurology Commons^™

Mutational Analysis Among Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Shumaila Rafique, Muhammad Asif Ibrahim, Natasha Ghani, Muhammad Athar Khalily, Syed Zubair Shah Shah, Tipu Sultan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is caused by mutations in dystrophin gene that include deletion, duplication and small mutations. Introduction to newer drug therapies in DMD is based on the type of mutation. The objective of this study was to assess distribution and percentage of different mutations among DMD patients. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Pediatric Neurology department of UCHS & Children Hospital Lahore. All the cases of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy confirmed through genetic analysis from January 2022 to June 2022 through MLPA method were enrolled in the study. Data was recorded on detailed history and …

Clinical Spectrum, Risk Factors & Electrophysiological Evaluation Of Sciatic Nerve Injury In Patients Presenting To A Tertiary Care Hospital, Maryum Khadim Khadim, Safia Bano, Ahsan Numan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Frequency Of Tension-Type Headache In Patients With Migraine: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study, Haris Majid Rajput, Zahid Hussain Mir, Muhammad Fateen Rashed, Fiza Batool Almosvi, Mazhar Badshah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT Background and objective: Migraine is a common headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headaches which are usually unilateral. Migraine is the second most common headache disorder after tension-type headache. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of tension-type headache in patients with migraine. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad for a period of six months between 1st July 2018 and 31st December 2018. This study enrolled patients above the age of 12 years that were diagnosed with “Migraine without aura” or “Migraine with aura”. …

Evidence Based Medicine Should Apply Equally To Resource-Limited Settings, Thirugnanam Umapathi

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Emerging Therapeutic Strategies For Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: A Systematic Review, Shahrukh Farrukh, Shagufta Habib, Amna Rafaqat, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Muzna Sarfraz, Karla Robles-Velasco, Miguel Felix, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Of all central nervous systems tumors, 10-20% are located in the brainstem; diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is diagnosed in 80% of them. With over five decades of clinical trial testing, there are no established therapeutic options for DIPG. This research article aims to collate recent clinical trial data and provide a landscape for the most promising therapies that have emerged in the past five years.
Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane were systematically searched using the following keywords: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, Pontine, Glioma, Treatment, Therapy, Therapeutics, curative, and/or Management. Both adult and pediatric patients with …

Protocol For Validation Of The Global Scales For Early Development (Gsed) For Children Under 3 Years Of Age In Seven Countries, Vanessa Cavallera, Gillian Lancaster, Melissa Gladstone, Maureen M. Black, Gareth Mccray, Ambreen Nizar, Salahuddin Ahmed, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Farzana Begum, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Children's early development is affected by caregiving experiences, with lifelong health and well-being implications. Governments and civil societies need population-based measures to monitor children's early development and ensure that children receive the care needed to thrive. To this end, the WHO developed the Global Scales for Early Development (GSED) to measure children's early development up to 3 years of age. The GSED includes three measures for population and programmatic level measurement: (1) short form (SF) (caregiver report), (2) long form (LF) (direct administration) and (3) psychosocial form (PF) (caregiver report). The primary aim of this protocol is to validate …

A Qualitative Description Of Barriers To Visual Rehabilitation Experienced By Stroke Survivors With Visual Impairment In Alberta, Canada, Kiran Pohar Manhas, Katelyn Brehon, Jennis Jiang, Karim F. Damji, Fiona Costello

Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Background: Post-stroke visual impairment (VI) is a common but under-recognized care challenge. Common manifestations of post-stroke VI include: diplopia, homonymous hemianopia, oscillopsia secondary to nystagmus, and visual inattention or neglect. In acute care settings, post-stroke VI recognition and treatment are often sub-optimal as emphasis is placed on survival. Stroke survivors with VI often face inconsistencies when accessing care out of hospital because variable availability and subsidization of visual rehabilitation. We sought to identify gaps in care experienced by stroke survivors with VI from stroke survivors' and care providers' perspectives.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative description study across 12 care sites …

Impairment-Based Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Management In Multiple Sclerosis In Pakistan, Sarah Razaq, Fahim Anwar, Wasim Wali

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Psychiatric Manifestations Of Dengue Fever- A Case Report From Pakistan, Ifrah Hambal, Samrah Nasir, Tania Nadeem

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

A 29-year-old male presented to Aga Khan University Hospital with complaints of fever, body-aches, vomiting and one episode of gum bleeding. A Dengue antigen test done prior to presentation was positive. He was admitted for medical management. During hospital stay, the patient developed manic symptoms including over-talkativeness, expansive mood, disinhibited behavior, excessive planning, paranoia and aggression. He remained oriented to time, place and person and neurological examination was unremarkable. He was managed with anti-psychotics and benzodiazepines, and his psychiatric symptoms improved with improvement in his medical condition. This case highlights the possibility of psychiatric manifestations occurring in context of a …

Sars-Cov-2 Infection With Polymyositis- A Case Report, Muhammad Hassan, Fatima Mustafa, Naveed Ullah Khan, Taimoor Hassan, Mansoor Iqbal Chaudhry, Mazhar Badshah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Among the most prevalent and least addressed symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are myalgia, muscle weakness, and body aches. Only a few studies have reported polymyositis in patients with Covid-19 infection. At least one-third of patients with Covid-19 syndrome had elevated CPK levels. The cause of elevated CPK can be a cytokine storm or viral infection of the muscles. We present a case in which our patient developed features of myositis following the resolution of an acute viral prodrome caused by SARS-CoV-2. Our patient had both radiological and biopsy-proven neuromuscular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 associated with polymyositis. Proximal muscle weakness began shortly …

The Sub-Standardized Approach To Stroke Management In Low And Middle-Income Countries Including Pakistan: Limitations And Suggested Options To Overcome Some Of The Shortcomings Via Teleneurology/Telestroke Application, Rizwana Shahid

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Ischemic stroke still poses a significant health concern throughout the world. However, low and middle-income countries (LMIC) in Asia have more devastating outcome. The vascular risk factors are prevalent in most parts of Asia, contributing to increasing incidence. The recommended approved treatment for acute stroke is limited to a few areas in these countries. We aimed to identify stroke risk factors, its incidence and prevalence; treatment opportunities offered in various parts of the region and utilizing the alternate pathways to improve the disease recognition and management outcome.

Method: A comprehensive search using PubMed, MEDLINE, Medline Plus, PubMed …

Neurological Manifestations Of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Experience From A Tertiary Care Center, Anum Irfan, Soban Khan, Zaid Waqar, Sumaira Nabi, Bushra Khalid, Muhammad Tariq

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a common cause of cerebrovascular accident (stroke). CVT is caused due to blockage in blood flow either in cerebral veins or in dural sinuses. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of various clinical and imaging characteristics in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional patient data was collected from November 2019 to February 2021. This study was conducted in Neurology Department in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, Pakistan. This study contains patient medical histories of 60 patients who were admitted in two and a …

Short, Medium And Long Term Neurological Manifestations And Outcome In Covid-19 Patients, Sajid Hameed, Bashir Soomro, Samar Iltaf, Abdul Malik, Anjum Farooq, Alam Ibrahim Siddiqi, Safia Awan, Mohammad Wasay

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: There is a need to improve the understanding of Covid-19 neurological complications in a temporal manner. The objective of our study was to find out temporal relationship of neurological manifestations and outcome in Covid-19 Patients.

Methods: This was a multi-center observational study from six centers in Pakistan. Data of covid patients with six months follow up was retrospectively collected from the hospital records. Time periods were divided into short-term (< 1 month), medium-term (2-3 months) and long-term (>4 months). SPSS version 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze the data.

Results: Neurological manifestations were reported in 208 out of 905 covid …

Hurdles Of Intravenous Thrombolysis In Acute Ischemic Stroke At Balochistan, Anjum Farooq, Muhammad Essa, Nimra Shafique, Sakina Gull

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase tPA (tissue plasminogen Activator) is the FDA approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the hurdles of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke in Balochistan.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out from June 2021 to December 2021 at Neurology department of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta on 272 patients of acute ischemic stroke who fulfilled the criteria. Proforma was filled by relative or patient after informed consent. Proforma included sex, age, diagnosis, time of presentation after stroke and reason of delay. Data …

Multiple Sclerosis And Parkinson’S Disease: Poles Apart Or Cut From The Same Cloth?, Wajid Jawaid

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

48 Hours Holter Monitoring In Detecting Occult Atrial Fibrillation In Young Patients With Possible Cardioembolic Stroke, Bushra Khalid, Soban Khan, Muhammad Tariq, Sajid Ali, Ijaz Ali, Zaid Waqar

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT

Background and objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of ischemic stroke. AF is usually paroxysmal and could escape detection via single lead electrocardiogram ECG recorder. Holter monitoring is useful in this scenario. The objective of this study was to assess the role of 48 hours Holter monitoring in identifying clinically inapparent AF in young patients with ischemic stroke

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with patient data from November 2019 to February 2021. It was conducted in Neurology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. Study contained medical records of 60 patients which were …

Decompressive Hemicraniectomy For Patients With Malignant Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis, Sadaf Majid, Waseem Tariq Malik, Asfandyar Khan Niazi, Ehsan Ul Haq, Hina Yusuf, Raja Farhat Shoaib, Maimoona Siddiqui Siddiqui

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cause of stroke and may lead to the development of raised intracranial pressure due to edema, infarct or bleed. These patients may require decompressive hemicraniectomy to reduce the raised intracranial pressure. However, the evidence for hemicraniectomy in these patients is scanty. Our objective was to perform a retrospective chart review to describe the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant CVST and their outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with CVST who underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy between 2013 and 2020 at Shifa International …

Amplification Of The Plag-Family Genes-Plagl1 And Plagl2-Is A Key Feature Of The Novel Tumor Type Cns Embryonal Tumor With Plagl Amplification, Michaela-Kristina Keck, Martin Sill, Andrea Wittmann, Piyush Joshi, Damian Stichel, Pengbo Beck, Konstantin Okonechnikow, Philipp Sievers, Annika K. Wefers, Nasir Uddin

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent the most common cause of cancer-related death in children aged 0-14 years. They differ from their adult counterparts, showing extensive clinical and molecular heterogeneity as well as a challenging histopathological spectrum that often impairs accurate diagnosis. Here, we use DNA methylation-based CNS tumor classification in combination with copy number, RNA-seq, and ChIP-seq analysis to characterize a newly identified CNS tumor type. In addition, we report histology, patient characteristics, and survival data in this tumor type. We describe a biologically distinct pediatric CNS tumor type (n = 31 cases) that is characterized by focal …

Human Amniotic Membrane As A Dural Substitute In Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review, Zara Shah, Saqib Kamran Bakhshi, Mohammad Hamza Bajwa, Mujtaba Khalil, Michael C. Dewan, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Medical College Documents

Background: Several studies have highlighted the use of human amniotic membrane (HAM) in neurosurgical procedures as an effective dural substitute. HAM has inherent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties and exhibits immunomodulatory effect that makes it an ideal dural substitute. Other advantages including easy availability, low cost of procurement, and storage also render it a promising dural substitute especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms "human amniotic membrane," "dural repair," and "neurosurgery." To be eligible for inclusion in our review, papers had to report primary …

What Do We Know So Far About Ofatumumab For Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis? A Meta-Analytical Study, Hafiza Munazza Taj, Maryam Talib, Sania Siddiqa, Azza Sarfraz, Zouina Sarfraz, Karla Robles-Velasco, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Ofatumumab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the level of B cells that alter the progression of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2020, this meta-analysis determines the outcomes of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for endline outcomes of Gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions on MRI scans reported as Cohen's d and relapse rate reported as risk ratio. All four RCTs reported favorable findings of gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions (Cohen's d = -0.44, p < 0.00001). The relapse rate was reduced by 46% post ofatumumab administration (RR = 0.54, p < 0.00001). With 14 ongoing trials in this area, more data is required to consolidate our findings.

A Case Report Of Concurrent Cryptococcal And Tuberculous Meningitis In An Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Patient, Linda Barasa, Ahmed Sokwala, Felix Riunga, Dilraj Sokhi

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Infections after renal transplant are a common cause of morbidity and are commonly due to Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Cryptococcus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Aspergillus. Concurrent infections with both cryptococcal and tuberculous aetiologies are rare within the central nervous system (CNS). We present a case of a 67-year-old male patient who presented with three weeks of headaches, confusion, unsteady gait, and seizures. He had type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He had a kidney transplant three years prior and was on three immunosuppressive agents. He was HIV-negative. He was evaluated and found to have cryptococcal meningitis and received appropriate treatment with liposomal amphotericin …

Neurodevelopment And Recovery From Wasting, Harriet M. Babikako, Celine Bourdon, Emmie Mbale, Peace Aber, Annet Birabwa, Josephine Chimoyo, Wieger Voskuijl, Zaubina Kazi, John Mukisa, Ali Faisal Saleem

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background and objectives: Acute illness with malnutrition is a common indication for hospitalization among children in low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the association between wasting recovery trajectories and neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children 6 months after hospitalization for an acute illness.
Methods: Children aged 2 to 23 months were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort of the Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition Network, in Uganda, Malawi, and Pakistan between January 2017 and January 2019. We grouped children on the basis of their wasting recovery trajectories using change in mid-upper arm circumference for age z-score. Neurodevelopment was assessed with the …

Neurodevelopment Assessment Of Small For Gestational Age Children In A Community-Based Cohort From Pakistan, Sabahat Naz, Zahra Hoodbhoy, Ali Jaffar, Sidra Kaleem Jafri, Babar Hasan, Devyani Chowdhury, Melissa Gladstone

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) may experience more long-term neurodevelopmental issues than those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). This study aimed to assess differences in the neurodevelopment of children born SGA or AGA within a periurban community in Pakistan.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which study participants were followed from the pilot Doppler cohort study conducted in 2018. This pilot study aimed to develop a pregnancy risk stratification model using machine learning on fetal Dopplers. This project identified 119 newborns who were born SGA (2.4±0.4 kg) based on International Fetal and Newborn Growth …

Demographics And Baseline Disease Characteristics Of Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis From Kenya Participating In The Chimes Trial, Dilraj Sokhi, Juzar Hooker, Mitzi J. Williams, Aisleen Shamshudin, Yuashita Hussein, Peter Betti, Heldah Amariati, Noureen Karimi, Stacey Gondi, Mansoor Saleh

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Mr Textural Features (Radiomics) For Predicting Response To Treatment In Patients With Intracranial Tuberculoma: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Muhammad Awais, Shahmeer Khan, Mohammad Wasay, Muhammad Azeemuddin, Ayesha Shoukat, Hafsa Khan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: MR based radiomics can potentially response to treatment in intracranial tuberculoma, but very scarce literature is available in this regard. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MR based radiomic features can be used to predict response to antituberculosis (AT) treatment. Methods: Data of patients with intracranial tuberculomas who underwent MR imaging and AT treatment at our institution during the last 10 years was analyzed. In each case follow-up imaging performed at 6 months post initiation of treatment was reviewed to establish response to treatment. The textural analysis was performed by two consultant neuroradiologists, using …

Catatonia In The General Hospital: A Case Series Wading Through Diagnostic & Management Challenges, Shireen Najam, Marium Mansoor, Muhammad Yusuf Hafiz, Alviya Shafique, Ifrah Hambal, Banafsha Gul, Tania Nadeem

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Catatonia is a cluster of affective, behavioral, and motor symptoms. Its causes are multifactorial ranging from severe and untreated psychiatric illnesses to neurological diseases and other general medical conditions. It is estimated that 20% of catatonia causes are due to medical conditions out of which two thirds are due to an underlying neurological condition which might include encephalitis, neural injury, developmental disorders, structural brain pathology, or seizures. Symptoms of catatonia can wax and wane, fluctuating between the retarded and the excited type within hours making it more difficult to identify and diagnose. If left untreated, catatonia can lead to multiple …

Pediatric Stroke: A Review, Tipu Sultan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objectives: Pediatric Stroke is a neurological disorder in which the patient suffers with two or more Pediatric stroke is a focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours because of stenosis, occlusion or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. Variable etiological factors are involved ranging from cardiac, haematological, infectious, immune mediated to arteriopathies which is emerging as most important cause of arterial ischemic stroke in children. In this review article we will discuss paediatric stroke with its epidemiology, etiological factors in particular arteriopathies, diagnostic modalities, management protocols and outcome.

Methods: We searched stroke in Pubmed and found 15315 articles, …

Clinical Spectrum, Risk Factors And Electrophysiologic Aspect Of Radial Nerve Injury, Arfah Kanwal, Safia Bano, Ubaid Ullah, Ahsan Numan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT

Background and objective: Radial nerve is injured due to a variety of reasons. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical spectrum, risk factors and electrophysiologic aspect of radial nerve injury presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Lahore.

Methods: This descriptive prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at department of Neurology, Mayo hospital Lahore from July 2022 to December 2022 and comprised patients with isolated radial nerve injury on the basis of history and clinical examination regardless of their gender, above 15 years of age. NCS/EMG was done on a Japanese machine Nihon Kohden by an expert …

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With Hippocampus Sclerosis: Prevalence, Etiology, And Treatment Options With Herbal Medicines, Muhammad Wasim, Mehr Musani, Hasan Salman Siddiqi, Saara Muddasir, Bushra Amin, Fazal Manzoor Arain

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objectives: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the patient suffers with two or more unprovoked seizures. It is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide, affecting more than 70 million people. Currently various modes of effective treatments are available, but still there are many cases that remain drug resistant. Hence, there is a need to explore herbal medications for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy.

Methods: Recent reviews and research articles (2000-2022) from PubMed and Google Scholar have been explored.

Review: Based on etiology, there are six categories of epilepsy: Genetic, Structural, Metabolic, Immune, Infectious, and …

Retraction Notice, Editorial Team Pjns

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Retraction Notice

Khan MI, Khan JI, Ahmed SI, Ali S. The epidemiology of stroke in a developing country (Pakistan). Pak J Neurol Sci. 2018;13(3):30-44.

A reader brought to our attention that the article titled “The epidemiology of stroke in a developing country (Pakistan)”, published in Volume 13, Issue 3, of Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS) was a redundant (duplicate) publication. We investigated this complaint and found out that prior to its submission to PJNS on February 11 2018, this article had already been published almost verbatim in Journal of Neurology & Stroke on January 23, 2018.