Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Bites and stings: Exotic causes of stroke in Asia(Karger, 2024) Ranawaka, U.K.BACKGROUND Many unusual and fascinating causes of stroke are seen in Asia. Although rarely encountered in the Western world, such cases are seen not so infrequently by neurologists, physicians, and other healthcare workers in Asian countries. This article highlights some of these intriguing causes of stroke such as snakebite, scorpion stings, and bee and wasp stings.SUMMARY Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease of global importance affecting over 5 million people each year, and scorpion stings and bee and wasp stings affect over a million people worldwide every year. Strokes due to these uncommon causes predominantly affect young males in their most productive years, and many victims die or remain with residual disability with significant socioeconomic consequences to the affected families and society. Both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes are seen, with ischaemic strokes being more common. Many unanswered questions remain regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical spectrum, and the natural history of stroke due to these causes. Antivenom is effective in snake envenoming, antivenom and prazosin are effective in scorpion envenoming, and treatment of anaphylaxis and allergy is recommended in systemic reactions due to bee or wasp stings. However, there are no treatment guidelines or expert recommendations to guide the management of stroke in these patients, and there are no data on the safety and efficacy of stroke-specific treatments such as antiplatelet therapy, thrombolysis or endovascular treatment.KEY MESSAGES More research is clearly needed to unravel the complexities related to stroke following snakebite, scorpion envenoming, and bee and wasp stings, and to guide the development of optimal stroke treatment strategies in these unusual situations. Awareness of these exotic stroke aetiologies is important in early recognition and appropriate management of patients presenting with stroke symptoms in Asian countries, and in global travellers from the region. International collaborations would go a long way in improving our understanding of these rare but fascinating causes of stroke.Item Thrombolysis with tenecteplase in acute ischaemic stroke in a tertiary care setting in Sri Lanka: A retrospective study(Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists, 2024) Gooneratne, K.; Vithanage, L.; Talagala, I.; Lokunarangoda, N.C.; Gamage, N.; Muthumal, N.P.; Rodrigo, A.; Kosgahakumbura, J.; Liyanage, G.; Perera, A.; Ranawaka, U.K.INTRODUCTION Alteplase (ALT) is the standard thrombolytic treatment in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Tenecteplase (TNK) is proven to be effective in acute coronary syndrome, is relatively cheap, widely available and can easily be given as a single intravenous (IV) bolus. Despite evidence for its use, there is equivocal guidance for the use of TNK in AIS. On the background of a global reduction in stroke admissions, treatment interventions and prolonged treatment time metrics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study highlights the experience with TNK in a tertiary care setting in Sri Lanka, during the pandemic. OBJECTIVES To describe the outcomes at 48 hours among stroke patients who underwent thrombolysis with TNK at District General Hospital Hambantota, Sri Lanka over a period of one year. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records of adults with AIS thrombolysed with 0.25 mg/kg TNK. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was assessed on admission and at 24-hours following treatment. Patients were observed for 48-hours for potential adverse events. RESULTS We thrombolysed 20 consecutive patients over one-year. The baseline mean NIHSS was 9.7 (standard deviation (SD)=4.4; range 4-22), and the 24h-post thrombolysis mean NIHSS was 6.0 (SD=7.3; range 0-28). Seventy percent (n=14) showed an improved NIHSS of at least 1-point after thrombolysis (mean difference=3.7; SD=6.46), and 55% (n=11) displayed a major clinical improvement (change in NIHSS ≥ 4). Ten percent (n=2) developed major adverse effects (one intra-cranial haemorrhage; one haemorrhagic transformation). There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS TNK 0.25mg/kg for the treatment of AIS appeared efficacious and safe in our case series. The limitation in this study was the low number of patients who underwent thrombolysis during the study period, as a probable effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thrombolysis with TNK could be a cost-effective alternative to alteplase in resourcelimited South Asian settings.Item The burden, risk factors and unique etiologies of stroke in South-East Asia Region (SEAR)(Elsevier, 2023) Pandian, J.D.; Srivastava, M.V.P.; Aaron, S.; Ranawaka, U.K.; Venketasubramanian, N.; Sebastian, I.A.; Injety, R.J.; Gandhi, D.B.C.; Chawla, N.S.; Vijayanand, P.J.; Rangamani, S.; Kalkonde, Y.V.The World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia Region (SEAR) comprises 11 countries, which are one of the most culturally, topographically, and socially diverse areas worldwide, undergoing an epidemiological transition towards non-communicable diseases, including stroke and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This region accounts for over 40% of the global stroke mortality. Few well-designed population-based epidemiological studies on stroke are available from SEAR countries, with considerable variations among them. Ischemic stroke, a common stroke subtype, has higher frequencies of intracerebral hemorrhage in many countries. Along with an aging population, the increased prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, high ambient pollution, heat, and humidity contribute to the high burden of stroke in this region. SEAR's many unique and uncommon stroke etiologies include cerebral venous thrombosis, tuberculosis, dengue, scrub typhus, falciparum malaria, snake bite, scorpion sting, etc. Current data on stroke burden and risk factors is lacking, compelling an urgent need for high-quality hospital-level and population-level data in all SEAR countries. Strategies towards a consolidated approach for implementing improved stroke prevention measures, stroke surveillance, and established stroke systems of care are the path to bridging the gaps in stroke care.Item Cerebral microbleeds and stroke: more questions than answers(Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists, 2021) Ranawaka, U.K.With the widespread availability of MRI scanning, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are being increasingly recognized in patients with stroke and in healthy individuals. As CMBs are commonly viewed as markers of increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), there are concerns regarding the use of antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets, and especially anticoagulants) in the presence of CMBs, even in patients at high risk of ischaemic events. The use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy in the presence of CMBs, balancing the risk of possible intracranial bleeding, is one of the most contentious contemporary issues in stroke medicine.Item Emerging tropical neurological infections(The Royal College of Physicians of London, 2022) Ranawaka, U.K.A large majority of neurological infections remain undiagnosed worldwide. Emerging and re-emerging infections are likely to be responsible for a significant proportion of these. Over the last two decades, several new organisms producing neurological infection and the neurotropic potential of many other known pathogens have been identified. Large outbreaks caused by re-emerging pathogens such as Chikungunya virus, Zika virus and Ebola virus have led to better delineation of their neurological manifestations. Recognition of the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens and an improved understanding of their host-vector-environment interactions would help us be better prepared to meet these emerging threats.Item Impact of COVID-19 on stroke admissions in a Sri Lankan tertiary care hospital:Data from the Ragama stroke registry(Ceylon College of Physicians, 2021) Deelaka, A.G.S.; Dep WDC, W.D.C.; Nanayakkara, Y.P.; Chandrasiri, H.M.J.; Mettananda, K.C.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Ranawaka, U.K.Introduction and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a tremendous impact on stroke care globally. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on stroke admissions in a Sri Lankan tertiary care hospital. Methods We studied the number of admissions to the Stroke Unit and the University Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital (CNTH) over four years, and delays in seeking medical care of patients admitted to the Stroke Unit. We compared data during a calendar year of COVID pandemic (01.04.2020 - 31.03.2021) with the preceding 3 pre-COVID years (01.04.2017 一 31.03.2020). Data regarding COVID year was compared with pre-COVID years using independent-samples t-test and nonparametric test. Results Mean number of stroke admissions per month during the pandemic was significantly lower compared to that of pre-COVID years: Stroke Unit (monthly mean admissions, COVID year vs pre-COVID years; 11 ± 3.5 vs 20 ± 3.1; pv0.01); University Medical Unit (12 ± .2 vs 18 ± 3.4; p<0.01). The lowest number of admissions was reported during the period with the highest COVID caseload in Sri Lanka. However, there was no significant difference in the median delays to seeking medical care between the COVID pandemic and pre-COVID years: delay to first medical contact: 2.0 h vs 2.4 h, p=0.208; first hospital admission: 3.0 h vs 3.0 h; p=0.993, admission to CNTH: 3.4 h vs 5.0 h; p=0.174. Conclusions Stroke admissions were significantly lower during the COVID pandemic, but there was no difference in the delays in seeking medical care during the same period.Item Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhages from a Sri Lankan tertiary care center: 5-year data(Ceylon College of Physicians, 2021) Dep, W.D.C.; Deelaka, A.G.S.; Somaratne, K.G.S.K.; Meegahapola, H.; Premadasa, H.M.S.D.; Kurukulasuriya, S.A.F.; Mettananda, K.C.D.; Ranawaka, U.K.Introduction and Objectives Epidemiological data on spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) is limited from South Asia. We sought to describe epidemiology of sICH in a Sri Lankan cohort. Methods We studied all patients with stroke admitted to the Stroke Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital over five years. Data from sICH patients regarding treatment seeking delays, clinical char-jcteristics, risk factors, stroke severity and functional outcome were compared with ischa-mic stroke (IS) patients. Resists 984 patients (mean age 58.7 years; 62.1% males) were studied: sICH 15.0% (147 patients), IS 85.0%. sICH patients: mean age 58.0 years; 67.3% males. sICH patients presented to hospital earlier (<3h sICH 70.6%, IS 37.2%, p<0.001) and had more severe strokes (NIHSS>15) (sICH 21.3%, IS 12.2%; p<0.001). Hypertension was commoner in sICH group (sICH 72.6%, IS 63.5%; p=0.034), whereas diabetes (sICH 39.0%, IS 51.6%; p=0.005) and smoking (sICH 16.6%, IS 25.5%; p=0.021) were less common. Altered consciousness (sICH 30.3%, IS 18.3%; p=0.001), dysphagia (sICH 55.9%, IS 34.4%; p<0.001), bladder involvement (sICH 56.6%, IS 28.7%; p<0.001), and seizures (sICH 4.1%, IS 1.5%; p=0.029) were commoner among sICH patients. sICH patients had more severe disability on discharge (Barthel index 0-60: sICH 71.1%, IS 45.2%; p<0.001; modified Rankin scale (mRS) 3-6: sICH 76.7%, IS 52.1%; p<0.001). sICH location (lobar vs. deep) and presence of intraventricular haemorrhage was not associated with stroke severity. Lobar ICHs had more severe disability on discharge (Barthel index <60: p=0.037; mRS>3: p=0.020). On logistic regression, sICH was independently associated with early presentation to hospital (OR 1.79; p=0.039), and severe disability on discharge (Barthel index <60: OR 2.42, p=0.028; mRS>3: OR 2.70, p=0.012). Conclusions sICH patients sought medical attention early and had different clinical profiles, more severe strokes and more severe disabilities.Item Current management of transient ischaemic attacks(Galle Medical Association, 2021) Ranawaka, U.K.No Abstract AvailableItem Case Report: Dengue hemorrhagic fever with ischemic stroke.(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2022) Basnayake, B.W.M.K.E.; Somaratne, K.G.S.K.; Goonetilleke, C.U.; Tilakaratna, P.M.Y.I.; Ranawaka, U.K.Several neurological manifestations are recognized in dengue infection, but stroke is a rare complication. We report a case of ischemic stroke in a patient with dengue hemorrhagic fever. A 52-year-old previously healthy male presented with a history of fever for 2 days, and left-sided weakness and numbness of sudden onset. MRI scanning showed a right-sided thalamic lacunar infarct. Diagnosis of dengue fever was made based on leuco-thrombocytopenia, positive dengue nonstructural protein-1 (NS-1) antigen, and positive dengue IgM antibodies. Severity of limb weakness correlated with the critical phase of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). He was discharged home with good recovery from neurological symptoms and disability. Strokes are rare in dengue, and are mainly hemorrhagic strokes related to thrombocytopenia. Ischemic stroke is even rarer. More evidence is needed for confirmation of dengue as a pathogenic mechanism of ischemic stroke.Item Prevalence and correlates of carotid artery stenosis in a cohort of Sri Lankan ischaemic stroke patients(BioMed Central, 2021) Mettananda, K.C.D.; Eshani, M.D.P.; Wettasinghe, L.M.; Somaratne, S.; Nanayakkkara, Y.P.; Sathkorala, W.; Upasena, A.; Sirigampola, C.; Tilakaratna, P.M.Y.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Ranawaka, U.K.Background: Large artery atherosclerotic disease is an important cause of stroke, accounting for 15–46% of ischaemic strokes in population-based studies. Therefore, current guidelines from west recommend urgent carotid imaging in all ischaemic strokes or transient ischaemic attacks and referral for carotid endarterectomy. However, the clinical features and epidemiology of stroke in Asians are diferent from those in Caucasians and therefore the applicability of these recommendations to Asians is controversial. Data on the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) among South Asian stroke patients is limited. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence and associated factors of signifcant CAS in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with ischaemic stroke. Methods: We prospectively studied all ischaemic stroke patients who underwent carotid doppler ultrasonography admitted to the stroke unit of a Sri Lankan tertiary care hospital over 5 years. We defned carotid stenosis as low (<50%), moderate (50–69%) or severe (70–99%) or total-occlusion (100%) by North American Symptomatic Trial Collaborators (NASCET) criteria. We identifed the factors associated with CAS≥50% and≥70% by stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 550 ischaemic stroke patients (326 (59.3%) male, mean age was 58.9±10.2 years) had carotid doppler ultrasonography. Of them, 528 (96.0%) had low-grade, 12 (2.2%) moderate and 7 (1.3%) severe stenosis and 3 (0.5%) had total occlusion. On multivariate logistic regression, age was associated with CAS≥50% (OR 1.12, p=0.001) and CAS≥70% (OR 1.14, p=0.016), but none of the other vascular risk factors studied (sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, past history of TIA, stroke or ischemic heart disease) showed signifcant associations. Conclusions: Carotid stenosis is a minor cause of ischemic stroke in Sri Lankans compared to western populations with only 4.0% having CAS≥50 and 3.5% eligible for carotid endarterectomy. Our fndings have implications for the management of acute strokes in Sri Lanka.