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Cysticercosis in humans is caused by Taenia solium larvae infestation. Oral cysticercosis is a rare condition and is challenging to diagnose. We present a case of masseter cysticercosis in a young woman who presented with painful recurrent cheek swelling. Diagnosis confirmed it after neuroimaging and histopathological examination of the excised lesion from masseter muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with predominant upper motor neuron (UMN) signs in the initial stage of the disease. Patients and Method: Two patients with ALS were found to have spastic quadriparesis with no wasting or fasciculation in the limbs in the early stage of the disease. Both were subjected to MRI of the head and cervical spine to look for any specific diagnostic feature. Both of them were followed with clinical evaluation and electroneuromyography (ENMG) for the definitive diagnosis of ALS. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging showed selective degeneration of the pyramidal tracts in the contiguous axial cuts from subcortical white matter to cerebral peduncles. The finding was more visible in the coronal section. In addition, there was T1 hyperintensity visible along the anterior aspect of the spinal cord in the cervical region. These findings were suggestive of ALS, the diagnosis that was subsequently confirmed by serial clinical follow-up and ENMG. Conclusion: It is difficult to diagnose ALS in the early stage of the disease especially if the pyramidal signs predominate over the lower motor neuron (LMN) signs; MRI might be useful in such cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Subacute Sclerosing Pan Encephalitis (SSPE) may present with atypical clinical features and lead to diagnostic dilemma. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be normal in early stage of SSPE., Objective: The aim of this work was to study the demography, clinical profile including atypical features of SSPE patients, and the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as an adjunctive diagnostic tool to the anti-measles antibody and conventional MRI., Material and Methods: Consecutive 25 patients of SSPE were included. Clinical details were recorded at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Anti-measles antibody in serum and CSF, CSF/Serum Quotient reference (CSQ ref), and radiological details including comparison of DTI between SSPE patients and controls were also noted., Results: Of 25 patients, 17 (68%) were male. The most common presenting feature at onset was myoclonus with or without falls (13, 52%). Atypical features such as seizure, hemiparesis, and visual problems were present in 28% patients. At 6 months, 9 patients had progressive course (6 expired), 10 were static, and 6 lost to follow-up. MRI was normal in 8 (32%) patients (stage 2/3- 7/1). On comparison between SSPE patients (N = 10) and control (N = 10) groups, fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were reduced and elevated, respectively, at most of the regions of interest with significant difference at many sites., Conclusions: A significant number of patients (28%) had atypical features at onset. DTI is an adjunctive tool which supplements the conventional MRI and increase diagnostic yield. It may be a future option to assess disease progression and treatment response., Competing Interests: None

Background: Cognitive impairment is increasingly being recognized as a major cause of morbidity and increased dependence over the caregivers in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients., Objective: The present study aimed to compare the cognition testing in young- and late-onset PD patient., Methods: Sixty PD patients (20 young onset and 40 late onset) fulfilling UKPDS Brain Bank diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients were assessed clinically and using scales for cognition testing such as Scales for Outcomes in PDCognition (SCOPA-COG), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating scale (motor part), and Hoehn and Yahr staging., Results: Young-onset group comprised 20 (33.3%) and late-onset group comprised 40 (66.7%) patients. Most of the young- and late-onset patients, 15 (75%) and 21 (52.5%), had SCOPA-COG score in the range of 30-39, respectively. On comparison between young- and late-onset groups, SCOPA-COG score's mean ± standard deviation (SD) for young and late onset was 32.60 ± 2.52 and 30.30 ± 3.65, respectively, with statistical significance ( P = 0.01). SCOPA-COG score's mean ± SD for mild, moderate, and severely impaired PD patients was 31.48 ± 3.19, 30.60 ± 3.24, and 23.50 ± 3.53, respectively, which on group comparisons (ANOVA) were statistically significant ( P = 0.004). However, the SCOPA-COG score was statistically insignificant with respect to disease duration., Conclusion: There was statistically significant difference in SCOPA-COG score between young- and late-onset PD patients and in patients with more severe motor impairment., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.