Ischaemic stroke is a major cause of neurological morbidity and mortality. The objective of this review article is to summarise facts pertaining to acute ischaemic stroke and its various aspects in a developing country like Pakistan, where resources are limited and the healthcare system is underdeveloped. No large-scale epidemiological studies are available to determine the true incidence of stroke in Pakistan. We reviewed the available literature on stroke from Pakistan and through this article we primarily aim to present the current acute ischaemic stroke management in Pakistan in juxtaposition to that of the developed world. We also intend to highlight areas for future development and improvement in management. The routine practice in Pakistan is that of using stat dose of aspirin in emergency (ER) at large with only a handful of centres offering thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischaemic stroke. This too is faced with the problem of long window periods before the patient reaches a proper stroke care centre. The facilities of interventional therapies like arterial thrombolysis and endovascular surgery are non-existent and rehabilitation facilities limited. The opportunities for training physicians in acute stroke are also scarce. Stroke in children is underdiagnosed and that in women not availing facilities at stroke care centres. While basic research has gained pace regarding local demographic data, advanced research and genetic studies are extremely limited. The field of stroke neurology needs to grow at a substantial pace in Pakistan to be at par with the developed world.

A 17-year-old Pakistani female patient presented with acute onset flaccid quadriparesis with nerve conduction studies showing demyelinating polyneuropathy consistent with Guillain-Barre' syndrome. She was treated with 4 plasmapheresis sessions. She developed raised blood pressure, headache, visual loss and generalised seizures on the 13th day of admission. MRI of the brain on contrast showed findings of altered signals low on T1-weighted image, high on T2-weighted image and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in the white matter of bilateral occipital, parietal and right frontal lobe consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The patient was administered antiepileptic and antihypertensive drugs to control seizures and blood pressure. She was discharged in a stable state. On follow-up her visual loss had recovered completely and she had regained full motor strength in all four extremities after 6 weeks. Fresh MRI of the brain revealed complete resolution of lesions. Antihypertensive and antiepileptic medication was discontinued. She is independent in all her daily activities.

ContextThe role of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the prediction of ischaemic stroke in individuals without diabetes is underestimated.AimsWe performed a study to analyse the role of HbA1c in the risk prediction of ischaemic stroke in Pakistani population without diabetes. We further studied the difference between HbA1c values of individuals with diabetes and without diabetes with stroke.Settings and designSingle centre, case–control.Materials and methodsIn phase I, a total of 233 patients without diabetes with ischaemic stroke and 245 as controls were enrolled. Association of HbA1c levels, lipid profiles and blood pressure recordings with ischaemic stroke was analysed. In phase II, comparison was done between diabetics and non-diabetics with stroke.Statistical analysisComparison of the mean variables was performed with Student's t-tests. Logistic regression analysis with ischaemic stroke as the dependent variable was performed for phase I.ResultsIn phase I, the ischaemic stroke group had significantly higher HbA1c levels (5.9±2.9% vs 5.5±1.6%) compared with controls (p<0.05). Triglyceride cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and HbA1c were the significant determinants of stroke (p<0.05). In phase II, mean HbA1c values were significantly higher in the diabetes group (7.6±2.1 vs 6.1±2.3) (p<0.05) but other parameters were not statistically significantly different (p>0.05).ConclusionsHigher HbA1c indicated a significantly increased risk for ischaemic stroke. An HbA1c value above 5.6% (prediabetic range) predicted future risk of stroke and efforts to maintain glucose level within the normal range (≤5.6%) in individuals with high cardiovascular risk are important.

A 25-year-old Pakistani woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of rapidly progressive tetraplegia followed by sudden loss of consciousness. This was preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. On examination, she was deeply comatose with a GCS of 3/15 and intact brainstem reflexes. She was in respiratory distress, and an endotracheal tube had been passed. She had flaccid quadriplegia with depressed deep tendon reflexes and upgoing plantar response. Her MRI brain with contrast showed extensive brainstem involvement with haemorrhagic foci along with signal changes in the corpus callosum. The patient was put on a respirator. She was given IV methyl prednisolone, and later on 5 sessions of plasmapheresis were performed. After 3 months, the patient gradually recovered and started communicating. Her motor power had improved to 2/5 in her arms and 1/5 in the lower extremities. She was then discharged for further rehabilitation at home.

Dengue fever is very common in Bangladesh. Every year a large number of urban populations suffer from this viral infection. Various presentations of dengue fever have been documented. Neurological complications in dengue fever are relatively uncommon. Among these, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) has been observed in very few cases. Here we present a case of 13 year old girl suffering from ADEM following dengue fever. Keyword: Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, Dengue fever, Neurological complication.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v12i2.8428 JOM 2011; 12(2): 185-187