Background and Objective:Dengue, an acute viral disease, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has a variable clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. However, neurological complications, in general, are unusual but have been observed more frequently in the recent past, and some studies highlighted varied neurological complications during the course of illness. Although dengue is classically considered a nonneurotropic virus, there is increasing evidence for dengue viral neurotropism. In this study, we have evaluated clinico-radiological profile and outcome of nine serologically confirmed dengue patients having varied manifestations of central nervous system (CNS) involvement.Materials and Methods:All the consecutive patients presented with neurological complications with positive serology for dengue infection (IgM positivity) in Department of Medicine, in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India from August 2013 to October 2014 were included in the study. These patients were subjected to a detailed clinical evaluation, laboratory assessment including complete hemogram, coagulation profile, liver function test, serum electrolytes, and routine CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) study with the exclusion of other common neuroinvasive pathogens.Results:Out of 9 patients with neurological complications associated with confirmed dengue infection, 2 (22%) patients had dengue encephalopathy, 5 (56%) patients have dengue encephalitis, 1 (11%) patient had dengue meningitis, and 1 (11%) patient had postdengue immune-mediated CNS involvement.Conclusion:This case series reaffirms the occurrence of varied CNS manifestations in dengue virus infection and underlines the importance of inclusion of dengue in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalitis syndrome.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is characterized by chronic granulomatous inflammation of medium and large arteries with predilection for extra-cranial branches of the carotid arteries. GCA is considered as the most common type of primary vasculitis in the Western world; however, it is reported less frequently from the Indian subcontinent. 1,2 Ultrasonographic evaluation of superficial temporal arteries (STA) is becoming a common practice in the diagnosis of GCA because it

Adenoid cystic carcinoma, an uncommon malignant salivary gland neoplasm, is known for its long clinical course, indolent growth, local recurrence and late distant metastasis. We report an unusual case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate in a 64-year-old woman, undiagnosed for more than 15 years, who presented as malignant pleural effusion.

BackgroundVitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in the peripheral nerves, and weakness in the lower extremities. Methylcobalamin is the most effective analogue of vitamin B12 used to treat or prevent the complications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The current study aimed to compare the serum cobalamin levels after administration of two different regimes of methylcobalamin in peripheral neuropathy patients.MethodsThe present study was a prospective, randomized, comparative study. The study consisted of two parallel groups, group A (methylcobalamin 500 µg injection intramuscularly three times a week) and group B (methylcobalamin 1500 µg injection intramuscularly once a week). A control group of healthy volunteers was also included.ResultsA total of 24 patients (12 in each group) were included in the study. Five healthy volunteers were also included as a control in each group. At the end of treatment, serum cobalamin levels were significantly (P = 0.028) higher in group A (1892.08 ± 234.50) as compared with group B (1438.5 ± 460.32). The serum cobalamin levels in Group A healthy volunteers were also two times higher than that of group B (P = 0.056). Both the LANSS scale and DN4 questionnaire reported similar results at end of treatment.ConclusionsThe 500 µg methylcobalamin thrice weekly regime is more effective in increasing the serum cobalamin levels as compared to the 1500 µg methylcobalamin once weekly regime.