Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a multisystemic disorder caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been associated with both venous and arterial thromboses. The hypercoagulable state of the disease poses a challenge to the patient’s management. We herein report a case of acute ischaemic stroke in a COVID-19 patient who had been treated with three days of Baricitinib, an immunotherapy that can potentially augment the thrombotic risks. The case highlights the dilemma faced when initiating immunotherapy in a COVID-19 patient and emphasises the importance of evaluating the patient’s thrombotic risks, balanced against the benefit of immunotherapy, to facilitate the selection of ideal candidates for the immunotherapy.

Background. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods. We report a case of 23-year-old army personnel who presented with persistent vomiting leading to severe hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney injury resulting in cardiorespiratory arrest. Results. After successful resuscitation, he was supported with haemodialysis and aggressive electrolytes correction. He was repeatedly not able to tolerate nasogastric (NG) tube feeding and computerised tomography of abdomen was performed, and the diagnosis of SMA syndrome was made. Gastroscopy examination revealed duodenal ulcer at D1, pinhole D1-D2 junction, but there was no evidence of intraluminal mass or lesions leading to upper gastrointestinal obstruction. A nasojejunal tube was inserted to bypass the narrow segment of the duodenum, and he was put on nutritional support. He was subsequently weaned off dialysis support as his renal function gradually improved and later on normalised. He remains symptoms free, and he gained five kilograms in four months after discharge. Conclusions. SMA syndrome is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient who presented with recurrent vomiting and AKI with metabolic alkalosis.

Background: Gargling had been reported to have significant roles in the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of regular gargling to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 in the oropharynx and nasopharynx. Methodology: This pilot, open labeled, randomized, parallel study compared the effect of 30 seconds, 3 times/day gargling using 1% povidone-iodine (PVP-I), essential oils and tap water on SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance among COVID-19 patients in a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Progress was monitored by day 4,6 and 12 PCR (Ct value), gargling and symptoms diary as well as clinical observations. Results: Five confirmed Stage 1 COVID-19 patients were recruited for each arm. The age range was from 22 to 56 years old. The majority were males. Two respondents had co-morbidities, which were asthma and obesity. Viral clearance was achieved at day 6 in 100%, 80%, 20% and 0% for 1% PVP-I, essential oils, tap water and control group respectively. Analysis of 1% PVP-I group versus control group showed significant p-value for comparison of PCR results on Day 4, Day 6 and Day 12. Conclusions: This preliminary study showed that gargling with 1% PVP-I and essential oils show great potential to be part of the treatment and management of Stage 1 COVID-19. Larger studies are required to ascertain the benefit of gargling for different stages of COVID-19 patients. This study was registered in clinicaltrial.gov (NCT04410159).

Orthostatic tremor (OT) is one of the rare abnormal movement conditions characterized by leg tremors of 13-18 Hz upon standing and is often diminished upon walking or sitting. The exact pathophysiology of OT is still not fully understood, and it is uncertain whether the tremor causes unsteadiness on standing or vice versa. Treatment is a tremendous challenge. Medication toxicity with ineffective medications may likely cause distress to the patients and the physicians. Gabapentin, clonazepam, levodopa, and pregabalin are among the medications that have been used. We herein report on an elderly patient with OT, distressed, and anxious who improved significantly with physiotherapy as an adjunct therapy to the conventional medications.

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system, and is uncommon among the Asian population. It can present with a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the demyelinating plaques, which could also potentially mimic a range of neurological and non-neurological disorders. We report a 24-year-old woman who presented with recurrent non-specific lower limb numbness, without any other neurological symptoms or signs. The symptoms were presumed to be nonspecific, but they re-occurred eight months later, leading to a more extensive investigation, including whole spine and brain MRI. The MRI showed multiple white matter lesions that are hyperintense on T2W/FLAIR, seen at the right corona radiata, bilateral parietal lobes, right periventricular region and spinal cord, with a simultaneous presence of gadolinium-enhancing and nonenhancing lesions, fulfilling 2017 Mc Donald’s diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis. After the careful exclusion of differential diagnoses, she was given pulsed IV methylprednisolone for 5 days, followed by oral teriflunomide. She improved partially, and at 2 months following discharge, she was tolerating the medication well with no further relapses.