Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS): a mitochondrial disorder presents as fibromyalgia

This case report describes a patient who presented with symptoms and signs of longstanding fibromyalgia. Routine laboratory tests revealed an elevated anion gap. Evaluation of the elevated anion gap demonstrated elevated lactate and pyruvate levels and a lactate-to-pyruvate ratio greater than 20:1. A muscle biopsy was performed, exhibiting red ragged fibers, pathognomonic for a mitochondrial disorder. The patient was diagnosed with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS). This is the first report describing fibromyalgia as the initial presentation of MELAS. This article outlines the diagnostic process that can assist the physician in distinguishing mitochondrial disorders from other muscular diseases, particularly fibromyalgia.     

一种新的线粒体DNA基因突变:线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征1例基因与残障特征分析

背景线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征(MELAS)是线粒体脑肌病中最常见的一种临床类型,多种线粒体基因突变均可导致MELAS.目的探讨1例MELAS患者的临床表现和线粒体基因突变的关系.设计临床、病理和基因分析对照研究.地点和对象实验在解放军济南军区总医院神经内科病房、神经病理实验室和神经分子生物学实验室进行.患者,男,13岁,因发作性头痛、呕吐,肢体抽搐1个月于2001-06-04入院,入院后逐渐出现失明和智能减退.血乳酸和丙酮酸水平升高,临床诊断MELAS.干预对患者行头颅MRI检查、脑活检病理检查和线粒体基因分析.主要观察指标临床表现特点、MRI病变特征、脑组织病理改变特点以及线粒体基因突变类型.结果患者不存在能引起MELAS的较常见的突变,但在线粒体3314～3589之间有276 bp的碱基缺失.结论线粒体DNA 3314～3589位点之间276 bp的碱基缺失可能是能够导致MELAS的一种新的基因突变类型,也是导致患者出现失明、癫痫和痴呆的原因.     

伴小脑萎缩的线粒体脑肌病MELAS一例

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作（MELAS）是一种少见的遗传性疾病,可累及机体多系统。该病主要临床表现为头痛、癫痫、耳聋、皮质盲及认知功能下降等。MELAS呈卒中样发作,临床易误诊为脑梗死及脑炎,目前尚缺乏特效治疗方法。该文报道1例33岁女性MELAS 患者,其以突发头痛、视物不清为首发症状,伴有不完全感觉性失语、听力下降、不能耐受疲劳,急诊颅脑CT显示双侧小脑半球萎缩,入院后经外周血基因检查明确MELAS诊断,予辅酶Q10胶囊、艾地苯醌及维生素E治疗。患者病情好转后出院,随访3个月病情稳定。该病例提示临床医师应提高对MELAS的认识,注意鉴别诊断,避免漏诊或误诊。     

MELAS误诊为单纯疱疹病毒性脑炎一例

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作（MELAS）是母系遗传性线粒体疾病,临床表现多样,易与单纯疱疹病毒性脑炎（HSE）混淆。该文报道1例初诊时误诊为HSE的MELAS患者,该例患者因反复发热、头痛、肢体抽搐1个月,再发头痛1周就诊,入院时初步疑诊为HSE,予以抗病毒治疗无效,进一步行血液和尿液基因检测确诊为MELAS。MELAS可与不典型的HSE表现相似,应谨慎鉴别。脑脊液和（或）血清乳酸升高和基底节钙化有助于诊断MELAS,MELAS的线粒体DNA突变可通过血液和尿液基因检测,而不需要采用肌肉活组织检查这样的有创检查。     

MELAS with multiple stroke‐like episodes due to the variant m.13513G>A in MT‐ND5

Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) is characterized by metabolic stroke, seizures, cognitive decline, lactic acidosis, ragged‐red fibers, headache, and vomiting, and in 80% of cases due to the mtDNA variant m.3243A>G. We report the case of a MELAS patient carrying a variant in subunit‐5 of the respiratory chain (MT‐ND5), rarely reported in MELAS. The patient is a 33‐year‐old male, who experienced a series of stroke‐like episodes (StLEs) since age 23 years, which manifested clinically as seizures transient sensory disturbances, weakness, and visual or cognitive impairment. Over 9 years, these StLEs were misinterpreted as ischemic strokes, respectively, as cerebral vasculitis. He presented with mild, recurrent elevations of the creatine kinase. Initially, anti‐seizure drugs and steroids appeared to be beneficial. Despite good recovery of each single StLE, the patient experienced a progressive decline of cognitive functions and activities of daily living. Cerebral imaging showed corresponding stroke‐like lesions in changing locations. At age 32y, genetic work‐up revealed the variant m.13513G>A in MT‐ND5. The patient profited significantly from a cocktail with anti‐oxidants/cofactors. This case shows that the variant m.13513G>A in MT‐ND5 can manifest as MELAS that StLEs recover spontaneously and that the course of MELAS is slowly progressive.     

A case of MELAS syndrome with typical cluster headache attacks: is it a causel or coincidental association?

Many findings relate migraine and cluster headaches to a genetic alteration, even if the site of the defect has not been identified. Some of these findings indicate an involvement of mitochondrial DNA, although some contrasting results have been reported. We describe a case of cluster headache occuring in a patient with MELAS syndrome. The diagnosis of MELAS was supported by the familiar anamnesis (the mother suffered from a similar form), by the laboratory reports (lacto-acidosis), by instrumental analysis (signs of encephalopathy on magnetic resonance imaging) and by biopsy findings (myopathy). The diagnosis was confirmed when a point mutation (Leu mutation at position 3423 of mitochondrial RNA) was found in the mitochondrial gene. The recurrent periods, characterized by attacks of unilateral pain and accompanied by homolateral symptoms (e. g. tearing, palpebral ptosis, rhinorrea), did not leave any doubt as to the diagnosis of cluster headache. We discuss whether the co-existence of MELAS and cluster headache was coincidental or causal. Received: 7 June 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 4 December 2001     

酷似免疫性脑炎的线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸酸中毒及卒中样发作综合征的诊断学特征

目的探讨酷似免疫性脑炎的线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸酸中毒及卒中样发作(MELAS)综合征的临床、神经电生理及影像学改变的诊断学特征,总结诊疗过程。 方法回顾性分析1例酷似免疫性脑炎的MELAS综合征的发病过程及临床资料,并复习相关文献。 结果患儿曾以发热、头痛、恶心、呕吐、视物模糊、眼球阵挛、步态不稳等相似症状分别于3,6个月前误诊为病毒性脑炎、免疫性脑炎两次住院,经治疗症状逐渐好转出院。现以相同症状加重并出现视物不清、行走困难再次入院。检查脑脊液常规及抗N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体(NMDA-R)抗体阴性,脑电图显示右侧枕部、后颞部大量散发－阵发性棘波/棘慢复合波、尖波/尖慢复合波,可波及右侧顶部;头颅磁共振(MRI)表现多样,可累及皮质和髓质,以灰质为主,表现为脑回明显肿胀,脑沟变窄、变浅,DWI呈弥散受限高信号,晚期脑组织可出现局部软化、脑萎缩改变,病灶可反复出现,基因检测A3243G位点突变,最终确诊为MELAS综合征。 结论临床症状酷似免疫性脑炎的患儿,遇有病情不稳、症状反复出现,应做进一步检查,排除或确诊是否为MELAS综合征。     

Adult-onset of Mitochondrial Myopathy,Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis,and Stroke-Like Episodes (MELAS) Syndrome Presenting as Acute Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report

Background: Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a rare mitochondrial disorder with a wide range of multisystemic symptoms. Epileptic seizures are common features of both MELAS and meningoencephalitis and are typically treated with anticonvulsants. Objectives: To provide the reader with a better understanding of MELAS and the adverse effects of valproic acid. Case Report: A 47-year-old man with a history of diabetes, hearing loss, sinusitis, and otitis media was brought to our emergency department due to acute onset of fever, headache, generalized seizure, and agitation. Because acute meningoencephalitis was suspected, the patient was treated with antibiotics on an empirical basis. The seizure activity was aggravated by valproic acid and abated after its discontinuation. MELAS was suspected and the diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of a nucleotide 3243 A→G mutation in the mitochondrial DNA. Conclusion: Detailed history-taking and systematic review help emergency physicians differentiate MELAS from meningoencephalitis in patients with the common presentation of epileptic seizures. Use of valproic acid to treat epilepsy in patients suspected of having mitochondrial disease should be avoided. Underlying mitochondrial disease should be suspected if seizure activity worsens with valproic acid therapy.     

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作误诊为脑梗死

目的探讨线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作的诊断要点、误诊原因及防范措施。方法对我院近期收治的误诊为脑梗死的线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作1例的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果患者因双眼突发视力减退1 d入院,经查体及头颅MRI等相关检查考虑脑梗死,予相应治疗,视力稍好转。后患者行头颅数字减影血管造影及磁共振波谱检查排除脑梗死,最终经基因检查确诊线粒体脑肌病(MELAS综合征)。予改善代谢及脑供血等治疗3个月,患者病情明显好转,头颅MRI检查示病灶消失。结论临床表现与急性脑梗死相似、头颅MRI检查提示脑梗死及接诊医生知识面狭窄是导致本例误诊的主要原因。加强学习、拓宽知识面、了解并掌握线粒体脑肌病相关知识,可防止或减少其误诊。     

Diagnosis and management of MELAS

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is the most common maternally inherited mitochondrial disease. An A-->G mutation in the transfer RNA(Leu(UUR)) gene at position 3243 of the mitochondrial DNA accounts for most MELAS cases. The transient nature of the stroke-like episodes is reflected in abnormalities on neuroimaging. The cardinal laboratory abnormalities include elevated serum lactate during the acute episodes and respiratory enzyme defects in skeletal muscle. Muscle biopsy also helps confirm the diagnosis by identifying abnormal proliferation of mitochondria. Although current treatment options for MELAS are largely supportive, several therapeutic approaches have been attempted with limited success. Genetic counseling is an important component of patient management in MELAS. Newer reproductive technologies hold promise for reducing the recurrence of MELAS in subsequent generations. Advances in research into gene therapy offer hope of treatment for the future.     

Sporadic hemiplegic migraine: report of a case with clinical and radiological features

A case of visual hallucination, headache and left hemiparesis is reported. The patient had a history of recurrent attacks of similar semiology for the previous 15 years. MRI brain revealed a cortical hyperintensity on T2W, FLAIR and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the right cerebral hemisphere with a normal ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) map and MR angiogram. Detailed workup for MELAS was negative. A diagnosis of sporadic hemiplegic migraine was made and he was managed conservatively. He made a gradual complete recovery over 2 weeks. He was discharged on flunarizine for prophylaxis and has remained asymptomatic over the ensuing 4 months. This interesting condition is reviewed and discussed herein.     

Headache and mitochondrial disorders

We report on 2 patients who have a mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and recurrent cerebral insults that resemble strokes (MELAS). These 2, and 9 other, reported patients share the following features: ragged red fibers evident on muscle biopsy, normal early development, short stature, seizures, and hemiparesis, hemianopia, or cortical blindness. Lactic acidemia is a common finding. We believe that MELAS represents a distinctive syndrome and that it can be differentiated from 2 other clinical disorders that also are associated with mitochondrial myopathy and cerebral disease: Kearns–Sayre syndrome and the myoclonus epilepsy ragged red fiber syndrome. Existing information suggests that MELAS is transmitted by maternal inheritance. The ragged red fibers suggest an abnormality of the electron transport system, but the precise biochemical disorders in these 3 clinical syndromes remain to be elucidated.     

Acute blindness

A 15-year-old man presenting with cortical blindness as the initial symptom of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is reported. He showed fluctuating consciousness and severe occipital headache with nausea and vomiting. T2 and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the occipital lobes. Electroencephalography showed diffuse sharp waves with focal epileptic discharges over the posterior region. The nature of stroke-like episodes and seizure mechanisms is unexplained in MELAS. Consequently, the possible mechanisms of the cortical blindness in this case are discussed.     

Evolution and suppression of HBV strains with multidrug resistance to lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil and entecavir in a patient with chronic hepatitis B

Here, we report a case of multidrug resistance in a patient with chronic hepatitis B. The patient sequentially received lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil and entecavir, and subsequently developed single-, double- and triple-drug-resistant HBV strains. We consider this case report important because it documents, for the first time, that triple-drug-resistant HBV strains identified in a clinical setting were suppressible by lamivudine add-on adefovir dipivoxil when tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was not available.     

质子磁共振波谱对MELAS诊断的初步评价

目的探讨质子磁共振波谱(1HMRS)在MELAS型线粒体脑肌病中的特点及其诊断价值。方法7例临床诊断为线粒体脑肌病的患者行MRI及1HMRS检查,分析其MRS检查技术、谱线特点、与临床实验室检查的关系。结果7例患者MRI脑内均有异常表现,异常信号主要出现在双侧枕叶、顶叶、颞叶,其中4例合并基底节受累,2例额叶轻度受累,1例合并双侧中脑大脑脚、丘脑受累,1例左侧岛叶受累;1HMRS的谱线显示6例患者病变处可检出乳酸双峰,其中3例在脑脊液中检出乳酸峰。结论在MELAS型线粒体脑肌病中1HMRS可提供额外的直接反映疾病代谢异常的信息,有助于其诊断的确立,且具有替代传统有创检测脑脊液乳酸水平方法的潜能。     

Moraxella lacunata infection associated with septicemia,endocarditis, and bilateral septic arthritis in a patient undergoing hemodialysis: A case report and review of the literature

We report the first case of both endocarditis and bilateral septic arthritis in a patient caused by Moraxella lacunata and successful management of the infection with antimicrobial therapy. The route of entry leading to bacteremia may have been the oral cavity given the poor oral hygiene of the patient as evidenced by bleeding gums. We hypothesize that the bacteremia led to septic arthritis and mitral valve infective endocarditis. In this case report, we also review the literature on M. lacunata infections and conclude that this organism should be considered in bilateral septic arthritis in a patient with underlying heart abnormalities and/or with renal failure.     

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, ascites, and pancreatitis: a case report and review of the literature

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract in which eosinophilic infiltration occurs in the gut layers. A case of subserosal eosinophilic gastroenteritis was diagnosed in a patient with abdominal pain, eosinophilic ascites, and pancreatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of eosinophilic gastroenteritis associated with concurrent eosinophilic ascites and pancreatitis.     

Case report: a nursing challenge, the unstable pelvic fracture

A case report is presented that describes the initial care of a severely injured patient who was hemodynamically unstable. The discussion highlights the process used to recognize life-threatening injuries, to differentiate internal sources of hemorrhage, to provide damage-control surgery, and to stop further bleeding with an interventional radiologic examination. The emergency nursing care of a patient with unstable pelvic trauma is included.     

Seminoma of the testis in a patient with 48,XXYY variant of Klinefelter's syndrome

We believe this is the first reported case of seminoma in a patient with the 48,XXYY variant form of Klinefelter's syndrome. Moreover, the seminoma in this patient occurred in a normally descended testis. We report this case because patients with 48,XXYY Klinefelter's syndrome are often confined to institutions, where the diagnosis of testicular tumor may not be recognized as readily.     

Treatment of patella alta with taping, exercise, mobilization, and functional activity modification: a case report

Knee pain associated with patella alta (PA) can limit involvement in sport or work activities and prevent an individual from performing basic functional tasks. This case report describes the use of patellar taping to treat an individual with PA. The patient was a 56 year-old female with bilateral knee pain associated with PA. The focus of treatment was to decrease pain during functional activities by using tape to correct patella alignment. The patient was also instructed on specific exercises and mobilizations. The primary outcome measure was the ADL subscale of the Knee Outcome Survey (ADL-KOS). Initially, the patient scored a 50 on the ADL-KOS and rated her function at 30% of normal. She demonstrated symptom improvement when tape was applied appropriately and was, therefore, instructed in tape application. At discharge, the patient scored a 56 on the ADL-KOS and rated her function at 70% of normal. This case demonstrates the effective use of a taping method for the treatment of pain associated with PA. Taping appears to be a safe, conservative, and cost-efficient measure to manage symptoms and to improve activity tolerance in this patient.