A 13-month-old Syrian baby boy born to a non-consanguineous couple was admitted to our hospital with complaints of sudden onset focal tonic-clonic seizure, mainly on the right side, for further evaluation and management. The seizure attack lasted approximately a few minutes. The second attack was associated with loss of consciousness and uprolling of the eyes. There was a history of sudden falls during playing. However, there was no history of fever, head trauma, headache, vomiting, or ear discharge. He had normal growth parameters. there was no significant family history of early stroke, ischemic heart disease, or autoimmune disease. His past medical history was significant for right arm weakness one month before his presentation and resolved without treatment. Upon presentation, he was vitally normal except for HR of 128, and RR of 28.\nA head CT revealed nonspecific hypodensity, bilateral periventricular white matter, and the left parietofrontal subcortical area requiring further workup.\nAn MRI (Figure ) revealed acute infarction involving the left frontal lobe cortical and subcortical region and multiple bilateral periventricular white matter changes likely due to leu-co-encephalopathy/chronic ischemic. MRA (Figure ) showed attenuated and irregular distal intracranial ICAs at the cavernous and supraclinoid segments and bilateral stenosis seen at both MCAs, almost occluded on the right side, and are surrounded by extensive lenticulostriate collaterals.\nEncephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) surgery was performed due to failure of the first attempt of cerebral angiography. The baby was discharged home in a stable condition on Tegretol and aspirin for follow-up in the clinic and revascularization surgery on the right side was scheduled three months after the first one.\nThree weeks later, the child presented with lethargy, weakness in his left arm, and vomiting. Upon admission, he was afebrile, maintaining room air. Physical examination findings were normal apart from bilateral chest rhonchi, and weakness of the left upper and lower limbs. Hematologists recommended starting the patient on clexane and continuing with aspirin.\nConventional cerebral angiography (Figure ) was performed post left EDAS surgery and demonstrated bilateral ICAs stenosis seen at the carotid terminus with multiple collateral formation compatible with the history of MMD. There is evidence of right MCA M2 segment thrombosis compatible with MRI finding of acute infarction, left distal MCA branches thrombosis, and posterior circulation collateral formation synangiosis to the anterior circulation. Neurologists were consulted, and right-side revascularization was scheduled.\nA post-operative MRI brain (Figure ) was performed because the patient still had upper and lower left side weakness, and it revealed a large right parietal-temporal-occipital area cortical and sub-cortical area of restricted diffusion consistent with acute infarct. The previously seen large right cerebral diffusion restriction now shows residual small areas of cortical and adjacent subcortical spaces.\nThe clinical and radiological findings were suggestive of a progressive vascular occlusive disease that could be seen in MMD. Several investigations including factor V, factor VII, antithrombin activity, protein C, protein S, and EEG were carried to rule out associated medical conditions. The patient was discharged in a stable condition with residual left side weakness. Therefore, an appointment with physiotherapy was reserved.
A 32-year-old Saudi Arabian male sickler patient presented to the emergency department with a six-hour history of sudden and continuous shortness of breath. The history was obtained from the mother. The patient’s current presentation was associated with agitation and a sudden change in behavior. The patient was shouting and refusing to communicate with doctors. The mother denied any history of orthopnea, cough or fever during the patient’s current presentation. Past medical history was remarkable for SCD since childhood with infrequent hospital visits. Socially, the patient was single, non-smoker and living with his family.\nOn general examination, the patient looked ill, anxious and sitting on the bed lying forward connected to an oxygen mask. The body mass index (BMI) was 18.5 kg/m2. Vital signs showed blood pressure: 125/80 mmHg, pulse: 110 beats/min, respiratory rate: 28 breaths/min, temperature: 39 degrees Celsius and oxygen saturation: 87% on room air and 94% on 5 liters of oxygen. Respiratory and cardiovascular examinations were normal. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed a hemoglobin S (Hb S) level of 78%. Laboratory testing for D-dimer showed 12 ng/L (normal range is < 0.5 ng/L). Pulmonary embolism was suspected and chest spiral computed tomography (CT) scan showed bilateral consolidation without acute pulmonary embolism. In consideration of the fever and agitation, the patient received ceftriaxone, vancomycin and diazepam.\nCT scan of the head without contrast showed left frontal subcortical deep white matter hypodensity, most likely representing chronic watershed infarction. Moreover, there was left frontal cortical gray matter hypodensity, most likely representing cerebral atrophy (Figure ). There were no signs of acute hemorrhage or ischemic infarction. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed severely hypoplastic left ICA and abnormal tortuous collateral vessels around the circle of Willis (Figure ). No arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm was noted.\nBased on the clinical and radiological findings, the final differential diagnosis was suggestive of a progressive vascular occlusive process which could be seen in MMD. Hematology team was consulted for further evaluation. The patient received a blood transfusion three times daily for 16 days. The patient dramatically improved and returned to his regular behavior. The patient was discharged home on aspirin 81 mg daily. The patient was seen four weeks later at the neurology clinic and he was doing well.