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Published on: May 16, 2013
Plasmodium falciparum malaria presenting with vertebrobasilar stroke
Rajeev Mohan Kaushik1, Reshma Kaushik, Amit Varma
1Department of Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Nagar, P.O. Doiwala-248140, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. rmkaushik1@gmail.com
Summary
Cerebral malaria, a severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria complication, can cause neurological issues. This case highlights a rare instance of cerebral malaria with vertebrobasilar stroke, emphasizing the need to consider malaria in stroke patients with fever.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral malaria is a severe neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- Neurological manifestations of cerebral malaria are diverse.
- Vertebrobasilar stroke is a critical condition affecting the brainstem and cerebellum.
Observation:
- A rare case of cerebral malaria presenting with vertebrobasilar stroke is described.
- The patient exhibited predominant signs of lateral medullary and cerebellar infarction.
- Fever was a concurrent symptom alongside the neurological deficits.
Findings:
- Cerebral malaria can manifest as vertebrobasilar stroke.
- Lateral medullary and cerebellar infarctions are potential neurological outcomes.
- This presentation is uncommon but clinically significant.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider cerebral malaria in patients with fever and vertebrobasilar stroke.
- Early diagnosis of cerebral malaria is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- This case expands the spectrum of neurological presentations of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
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