A 30-year-old Filipino female admitted to our hospital with a 1-week history of fever and cough. The patient has diabetes mellitus 1 year ago, but she was not receiving any medication. Other medical histories were unremarkable. On examination, the patient looked well, not dyspneic. Her blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg, pulse rate 90 beats/min, respiratory rate 20 cycles/min and temperature 37°C. Chest examination revealed bronchial breathing with crackles, mainly on the right lung. The rest of the clinical examination otherwise was normal.\nBlood investigations revealed a hemoglobin level of 13.8 g/dL, a total leukocyte count of 12,900/mm3(91.7% neutrophils, 1.7% lymphocytes) and an adequate number of platelets. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 53 mm/hour. Blood chemistry, liver profile and coagulation studies were within normal limits. Chest X-ray showed widespread bilateral consolidation with cavity formation, suggesting active tuberculosis infection, whereas sputum was positive for acid fast bacilli (AFB). Human immunodeficiency virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent was negative.\nOn the 3rd day of hospitalization, four-drug antituberculous treatment was started. To control her blood sugar, the patient was kept on sliding scale insulin.\nTwo weeks after starting antituberculous treatment, the patient developed two episodes of loss of consciousness, which were unwitnessed. The exact duration was unknown, but when awakened, the patient complained of severe headache and backache. Neurological examination was unremarkable.\nECG and blood chemistry (including blood sugar), complete blood count (CBC) and liver profile were normal. Lumber puncture was carried out to rule out tuberculous meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was clear with an opening pressure of 40 mm H2O, and analysis of CSF revealed the following values: WBC count of 5 cells/mm3(100% lymphocytes); glucose level 3.8 mmol/L; and protein level 0.78 g/L. Gram and Zeihl-Neelsen stains were negative. Echocardiography and holter monitoring also were normal, whereas urgent brain computed tomography (CT) showed multiple infarctions without abnormal dural enhancement [Figures and ]. Screening for thrombophilia and vasculitis was carried out. Anti-thrombin III, activated protein C resistance, factor V Leiden, protein C, protein S, clotting time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant screen, homocystine, antinuclear antibody (ANA), C3, C4, C-reactive protein (CRP) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), all these tests were within normal limits. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed epileptic discharges. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed infarction at the head of the left caudate nucleus, the antero-lateral aspect of putamen and intervening internal capsule [], whereas magnetic resonance (MR) angiography showed a picture consistent with moyamoya. Brain CT angiography was performed and it showed the same pictures [].\nThe patient was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis-associated moyamoya syndrome. On the following days, she was discharged on antituberculous, antiepileptic (Leveteracetam) and oral hypoglycemic (Gliclazide) medications. After 6 weeks, CSF culture failed to grow Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One year later, the patient was seen in the clinic; she was well and seizure-free.
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.