A 23-month-old full-term Moroccan baby boy born to a non-consanguineous couple was referred to our hospital with the complaint of sudden onset left-sided hemiparesis evolving for 2 days. There was no history of fever, seizure, head injury, ear discharge, headache, visual disturbances, or vomiting. No family history of early stroke, ischemic heart disease, or autoimmune disease was reported. At presentation, he was conscious and well orientated. There was no dysmorphism, no neurocutaneous markers, and he had normal growth parameters. He was afebrile with a pulse of 110 beats per minute and a respiratory rate of 26 breaths per minute. On neurological examination, there were no signs of meningeal irritation, his gait was hemiplegic, tone was decreased over left side, power was 2/5 over left upper and lower limb using Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength scale, and deep tendon reflexes were exaggerated. There were no abnormalities on cardiac auscultation or hepatosplenomegaly. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed a low density area in the right cortical and subcortical frontotemporoparietal regions and right insular cortex representing ischemic lesions in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory (Fig. ). Laboratory investigations, including hemogram, prothrombin, partial thromboplastin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, proteins C and S, antithrombin III activity, and antinuclear antibody tests were all within limits. Renal ultrasonography with Doppler flow study showed no evidence of renal artery stenosis. Electroencephalography revealed no epileptic discharges, only a diffuse slow rhythm over the left hemisphere with slow waves at the temporal regions.\nOur patient was booked for cerebral angiography with contrast, which revealed a proximal obliteration in his MCA with a fine anastomotic moyamoya network and typical “puff of smoke” appearance (Fig. ). Urine for metabolic screening, including homocysteine levels, was normal. A normal hemoglobin electrophoresis ruled out sickle cell disease. An electrocardiogram and echocardiogram revealed no abnormalities. He was finally diagnosed as a case of MMD.\nWe treated our patient conservatively with acetylsalicylic acid 5 mg/kg per day. He showed slight improvement in power over left side (3/5). He was then discharged to follow-up with pediatric neurosurgeon. Cerebral revascularization surgery using encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) was performed. At 8-month follow-up, his hemiparesis was improved and no further ischemic events had occurred.
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.