Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:19 Issue: 9, Sep 2014

Opioids are considered mainstream for combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, but frequently limited by adverse effects. The aim of this study was to examine whether low-dose spinal neostigmine, epidural dexamethasone or their combination enhances analgesia from spinal bupivacaine without adverse effects. A total of 60 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery were randomized to one of four groups and evaluated for 24-h after surgery for analgesia (time to first rescue analgesic) and rescue analgesic consumption. Patients received 15 mg bupivacaine plus the test drug intrathecally (saline or 1 microgram (μg) neostigmine). The epidural test drug was either saline or 10 mg dexamethasone. The Control group (CG) received spinal and epidural saline. The Neostigmine group (NG), spinal neostigmine and epidural saline; the Dexamethasone group (DG), spinal saline and epidural dexamethasone; and the Neostigmine-dexamethasone group (NDG), spinal neostigmine and epidural dexamethasone. The CG (282 ± 163 min) and NG (524 ± 142 min) were similar in their times to first rescue analgesic and analgesic consumption. The time to first rescue analgesic was longer for the DG (966 ± 397 min) compared with CG and NG (P < 0.0002), and the DG had less ketoprofen consumption and lower overall visual analogue scale-pain sores compared with CG and NG (P < 0.0005). Addition of 1 mg-neostigmine (NDG) resulted in longer time to rescue analgesic (1205 ± 303 min; P < 0.02) and lower ketoprofen consumption (P < 0.05) compared to DG. Sporadic cases of vesical catheterization and emesis were observed, however adverse effects were similar among groups. Spinal 1 microgram (μg) neostigmine further enhanced analgesia from spinal bupivacaine combined with epidural dexamethasone, without increasing the incidence of adverse effects.

Maternal prenatal mental health has been shown to be associated with adverse consequences for the mother and the child. However, studies considering the effect of prenatal depressive symptoms are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of antenatal depressive symptoms on obstetric outcomes and to determine associations between antenatal and postpartum depressions. This was a prospective cohort study. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) questionnaire was completed by pregnant women receiving obstetrical care at Seoul St. Mary’s hospital in the third trimester of gestation. The electronic medical records were reviewed after delivery and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. The association between antenatal and postpartum depression was analyzed using the EPDS questionnaire, which was completed by the same women within 2 months of delivery. Of the 467 participants, 26.34% (n = 123) had antenatal depressive symptoms, with EPDS scores of ≥10. There were no significant perinatal outcomes associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. During the postpartum period, 192 of the women in the initial study cohort were given the EPDS again as a follow-up. Of the 192 participants, 56 (29.17%) scored >10. Spearman correlation coefficient between the antenatal and postpartum EPDS scores was 0.604, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Antenatal depression does not lead to unfavorable perinatal outcomes. However, screening for antenatal depression may be helpful to identify women at risk of postpartum depression.

Lateral epicondylitis is a common problem affecting 1-3% of the population. There has been much debate about the best treatment modality for this condition. There is, however, no conclusive evidence in support of any of the proposed treatment modalities. In this trial, we have studied the effect of corticosteroid injection (with or without splinting) with normal saline injection (with or without splinting). In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, individuals were randomly assigned to either of four treatment groups and received either 40 mg depomedrol injection alone, 40 mg depomedrol injection with splinting, normal saline injection alone, or normal saline injection with splinting. They were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) at weeks 2, 4 and 24 and with the Oxford elbow scale (OES) at 24 weeks. A total of 79 patients were participated in the study. The corticosteroid injection groups had better pain relief as measured by VAS at 2 and 4 weeks compared with the two saline injection groups. Mean VAS difference at week 0 versus week 2 was 4.5 ± 0.9 and 2.8 ± 0.6 in corticosteroid injection groups and saline injection groups respectively (P < 0.01) but at 24 weeks, there was only moderate benefit reported for the group which received steroid injection and splinting (P < 0.01) compared to the saline injection groups. The saline injection groups reported better improvement in OES scores (20.1 ± 3.7) at the end of the trial compared corticosteroid injection groups (16.1 ± 2.9) (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that despite the clear pain reduction benefit associated with steroid injection in short term, this benefit in comparison with normal saline injection fades by the 24th week of follow-up.

The share of healthcare-related expenditure in the Gross Domestic Product of Kazakhstan is relatively small, and it is strategically important to restructure budgetary expenses in favor of healthcare with simultaneous redistribution of resources in accordance with changing demands and prioritization of high-quality medical care. The aim of this study was to analyze resource provision to healthcare organizations in Kazakhstan and its structure and level assessment. The study is based on a comparative assessment of technical and technological equipment of medical institutions in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We analyzed the scope and structure of the financial component of the resource base in Almaty. We carried out information processing and analysis methods, content analysis, mathematical treatment, as well as conducted case studies. Also, we held opinion poll among medical staff (specialists, managerial staff) (n = 300) P for trend < 0.001 and patients (n = 210) P for trend < 0.001. About 18.8% of patients do not receive medical care because of defects of the equipment, whereas 19.9% of patients claim that the reason of refusal of the provision of medical services is an equipment overload. Most of the respondents referred to on poor technical equipment, mismatch with the world standards of performance and competitiveness. Lack of advanced medical technology, inadequate financing, insufficient supply of domestic medical equipment, and inadequate procurement by tender were also noted. The obtained data point to the need for optimization and upgrading medical equipment at various levels of healthcare.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that is associated with progressive disability, systemic complications, and early death. The present study was aimed to investigate the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA isotypes and anti‑cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and to assess their association with disease severity based on disease activity score (DAS‑28) in patients with IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM‑RF) negative RA.

In this cross‑sectional study, 62 RA patients with IgM‑RF negative were assessed. Radiographs were obtained for all RA patients. The RF (IgG, and IgA) and anti‑CCP were measured by using the enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Values of cut‑off points over 15 UI/mL for IgA IgA‑RF, 20 UI/mL for IgG‑RF and over 20 units for anti‑CCP were considered positive. DAS‑28 score was compared in regard to the IgA‑RF and IgG‑RF and anti‑CCP positivity using Mann–Whitney test.

DAS‑28 score in IgA‑RF positive was significantly higher than IgA‑RF negative (mean score, 6.03 ± 0.33 vs. 5.44 ± 0.76 respectively, P = 0.035). In IgG‑RF positive patients, DAS‑28 score was similar to patients with IgG‑RF negative (5.64 ± 0.59 vs. 5.46 ± 0.78 respectively, P = 0.396). Furthermore, in patients with anti‑CCP positive DAS‑28 score was significantly higher than patients with anti‑CCP negative (5.72 ± 0.61 vs. 5.38 ± 0.79 respectively, P = 0.049).

Findings indicated that there was a significant association between the amounts of IgA and anti‑CCP with severity of disease in RF negative RA patients while there was no significant association between the amounts of IgG and severity of RA disease.

Impairment of intestinal barrier function and increased translocation of bacteria to the systemic blood flow contribute to the emergence of sepsis. Probiotics might be of beneficial effects on critically ill‑patients, modulating intestinal barrier function and reducing inflammation. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of probiotics on inflammatory markers in critically ill‑patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This trial was conducted on 40 critically ill‑patients admitted to the ICU. Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo or probiotic containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus (VSL#3) for 7 days. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and systemic concentrations of interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), procalcitonin (PCT) and protein C were measured before initiation of the study and on days 4 and 7. A significant difference in IL‑6 (P = 0.003), PCT (P = 0.014) and protein C (P < 0.001) levels, and also APACHE II and SOFA scores (P < 0.001) was seen over the treatment period between two groups. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in serum IL‑6 levels (from 211.85 ± 112.76 to 71.80 ± 28.41) (P < 0.001) and PCT levels (from 1.67 ± 1.27 to 0.47 ± 0.41) (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in serum protein C levels (from 7.47 ± 3.61 to 12.87 ± 3.63) (P < 0.001) in probiotic group during the study. Probiotics could reduce inflammation in critically ill‑patients and might be considered as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of critically ill‑patients.

Previous studies have showed some evidences about the relationship between personality traits particularly neuroticism and extroversion, separately, with psychological stress and anxiety. In the current study, we clarified the magnitude of joint interdependence (co-morbidity) of anxiety (continuous) and Psychological stress (dichotomous) as dependent variables of mixed type with five-factor personality traits as independent variables. Data from 3180 participants who attended in the cross-sectional population-based “study on the epidemiology of psychological, alimentary health and nutrition” and completed self-administered questionnaires about demographic and life style, gastrointestinal disorders, personality traits, perceived intensity of stress, social support, and psychological outcome was analyzed using shared random effect approach in R Free software. The results indicated high scores of neuroticism increase the chance of high psychological stress (odds ratio [OR] = 5.1; P < 0.001) and anxiety score (B = 1.73; P < 0.001) after adjustment for the probable confounders. In contrast, those who had higher scores of extraversion and conscientiousness experienced lower levels of anxiety score (B = −0.54 and −0.23, respectively, P < 0.001) and psychological stress (OR = 0.36 and 0.65, respectively, P < 0.001). Furthermore, higher score of agreeableness had significant negative relationship with anxiety (B = −0.32, P < 0.001). The present study indicated that the scores of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness strongly predict both anxiety and psychological stress in Iranian adult population. Due to likely mechanism of genetic and environmental factors on the relationships between personality traits and psychological disorders, it is suggested to perform longitudinal studies focusing on both genetic and environmental factors in Iranian population.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a condition presenting as a major health problem for women of childbearing age. This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for EP and to evaluate the contribution of the risk factors associated to EP. This retrospective nested case–control study was conducted from 2006 to 2011. In case group, there were a total of 83 women diagnosed with EP, while in the control group; there was a total of 340 women who gave birth. The basic recorded information included surgical, gynecological, obstetrics, sexual, contraceptive, and infectious histories; demographic characteristics; smoking habits; fertility markers; as well as reproductive outcome after EP. The association between EP and the factors studied was analyzed by logistic regression. The findings reveal that the following factors were associated with increased risk of EP, including: Maternal age (odds ratio [OR] =1.11, confidence interval [CI] [1.06–1.16], P < 0.0001), spouse’s cigarette smoking (OR = 1.73, CI [1.05–2.85], P = 0.02), gravidity (OR = 1.50, CI [1.25–1.80], P < 0.0001), prior spontaneous abortions (OR = 1.93, CI [1.11–3.36], P = 0.01), history of EP (OR = 17.16, CI [1.89–155.67], P = 0.01), tubal blockage (OR = 10.85, CI [2.02–58.08], P = 0.01), use of intrauterine device (IUD) (OR = 4.39, CI [1.78–10.81], P = 0.001), tubal damage (OR = 2.704, CI [1.26–5.78], P = 0.01), first pregnancy interval (OR = 1.01, CI [1.00–1.02], P < 0.0001) and history of infertility (OR = 6.13, CI [2.70–13.93], P < 0.0001). By identifying risk factors being amenable to modification, such as cigarette smoking and use of IUD and first pregnancy interval the effective risk‑reduction strategies can be devised.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension are worldwide epidemic. Association between DM and colon cancer was obtained in previous studies. Prevalence of DM and hypertension in the patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been reported in Iran. The present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and type 2 DM and their effect on median survival time in patients with CRC. Overall, 2570 individual-year follow-ups were conducted for 1127 patients with CRC. For the diagnosis of type 2 DM, fasting blood sugar test and glycosylated hemoglobin test were used and for hypertension, blood pressure was measured in two turns. The descriptive indices were calculated, and the mean and median survival from CRC diagnosis time was calculated using survival analysis and a comparison among survival times was done through log-rank test. Stata software 12 (Stata Corp. 2011. Stata Statistical Software: Release 12. College Station, TX: Stata Corp LP) was used for data analysis. The prevalence of hypertension and type 2 DM in the patients with CRC was respectively 13.38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.1-15.8) and 8.69% (95% CI: 7-10.7). Median survival time in patients with hypertension and DM were 8.52 and 4.9 years. According to log-rank test, no significant difference was observed between the survival time of CRC patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes type 2. The obtained findings in this study indicate that survival time in patients with type 2 DM less than hypertension but two metabolic diseases have thesame effect on survival rate of the patients with CRC. Understanding the risk factors for CRC may guide the development of strategies targeted toward its prevention.

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic with opioid and nonopioid properties, which extensively used in the relief of mild to moderate pain. Tramadol poisoning is a common cause of acute pharmaceutical poisoning in Iran. There are a few studies about clinical and laboratory findings related to acute tramadol poisoning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical and laboratory findings in tramadol acute poisoning cases. This was a retrospective descriptive study of patients with acute tramadol poisoning who referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital Poison Center during January to April 2012. Data such as patient’s age, sex, time of ingestion, ingested dose, cause of poisoning, mean duration of hospitalization, patient’s clinical presentations, laboratory findings, therapeutic measures, and patient’s outcome have collected in a predesigned checklist. A total of 144 patients including 111 men (77%) and 33 women (23%) with acute tramadol poisoning was included in this study. The mean ingested dose was 1971.2 mg (100-20000 mg). Seizure (47.91%) was the most frequent clinical symptom. Blood gas on admission showed pH (7.3 ± 0.1), PCO2 (49.7 ± 8.6 mmHg) and HCO3− (24.1 ± 3.8 mEq/L), indicating pure acute respiratory acidosis may be occurred in tramadol‑intoxicated patients. There were significant differences between tramadol‑intoxicated cases with and without a seizure with regard to the time interval between ingestion and admission on hospital, ingested dose and PCO2. Seizure and rise of PCO2 were the most findings in this study.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as a diagnostic and treatment procedure is used in most biliary tract and pancreatic. Either sedation or general anesthesia could be considered for this procedure. Combining a sedative with an opioid agent can provide effective moderate sedation. This study compared the impact of ketamine-fentanyl (KF) versus propofolremifentanil (PR) on sedation scale in patients undergoing ERCP. As a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 80 patients selected by convenient sampling, allocated randomly into two groups. KF group received ketamine 0.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously over 60 s and then fentanyl 1 mcg/kg body weight intravenously. PR group received propofol l mg/kg body weight intravenously over 60 s and then remifentanil 0.05 mcg/kg body weight/min intravenously. Intravenous (IV) infusion of propofol was maintained by 50 mcg/kg body weight/min throughout ERCP. Ramsay Sedation Score, vital signs, oxygen saturation (SpO2), recovery score (modified Aldrete score) and visual analog scales of pain intensity, and endoscopist’s satisfaction were considered as measured outcomes. All analysis were analyzed by SPSS Statistics version 22 and using t-test, Chi-square and repeated measured ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests for data analysis. Respiratory rate and SpO2 level during the time intervals were lower in PR group (P < 0.001). Sedation score at intervals was not significantly different (P = 0.07). The frequency of apnea in PR group was significantly higher than the KF group (P = 0.003). The percentage of need to supplemental oxygen in PR group was 35.1% that was also significantly higher than 8.8% in the KF group (P = 0.008), but the dosage frequency was significantly higher in KF group (P < 0.001). The KF and PR groups average length of stay in the recovery room were 50.71 standard deviation (SD = 9.99) and 42.57 (SD = 11.99) minutes, respectively, indicating a significant difference (P = 0.003). The mean severity of nausea in KF and PR groups was, respectively, 2.74 confidence interval (CI = 1.68-3.81) and 0.43 (CI = 0.11-0.75), that was significantly higher in KF group (P < 0.001). The average score of surgeon satisfaction in both KF and PR groups were 7.69 (CI = 7.16-8.21) and 8.65 (CI = 8.25-9.05), respectively,which was higher in KF group (P = 0.004), but the average level of patients satisfaction in KF group was 8.86 (CI = 8.53-9.19) and in PR group was 8.95 (CI - 8.54-9.35) that were not significantly different (P = 0.074). There is no statistically significant difference between KF and PR combinations in sedation score, but PR combination provides better pain control, with less nausea and shorter recovery time while causing more respiratory side effects, that is, apnea and need to oxygen.

Oxidative stress processes play an important role in the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Hypertonic saline (HTS) has advantages as being preferred osmotic agent, but few studies investigated oxidant and antioxidant effects of HTS in TBI. This study was designed to compare two different regimens of HTS 5% with mannitol on TBI‑induced oxidative stress. Thirty‑three adult patients with TBI were recruited and have randomly received one of the three protocols: 125 cc of HTS 5% every 6 h as bolus, 500 cc of HTS 5%as infusion for 24 h or 1 g/kg mannitol of 20% as a bolus, repeated with a dose of 0.25-0.5 g/kg every 6 h based on patient’s response for 3 days. Serum total antioxidant power (TAP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured at baseline and daily for 3 days. Initial serum ROS and NO levels in patients were higher than control (6.86± [3.2] vs. 1.57± [0.5] picoM, P = 0.001, 14.6± [1.6] vs. 7.8± [3.9] mM, P = 0.001, respectively). Levels of ROS have decreased for all patients, but reduction was significantly after HTS infusion and mannitol (3. 08 [±3.1] to 1.07 [±1.6], P = 0.001, 5.6 [±3.4] to 2.5 [±1.8], P = 0.003 respectively). During study, NO levels significantly decreased in HTS infusion but significantly increased in mannitol. TAP Levels had decreased in all patients during study especially in mannitol (P = 0.004). Hypertonic saline 5% has significant effects on the oxidant responses compared to mannitol following TBI that makes HTS as a perfect therapeutic intervention for reducing unfavorable outcomes in TBI patients.

Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered one of the most common endocrine disorders of women in reproductive age. The aim of this study was evaluating the efficacy of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on the regularity of menstrual cycles, body mass index (BMI) and hyper androgenism state of women with PCOS. In this clinical trial, 80 women with PCOS were evaluated. They randomly located in four groups receiving metformin (group 1), metformin plus calcium and Vitamin D (group 2), calcium and Vitamin D (group 3) and placebo (group 4) for 4 months. BMI, regularity of menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and acne) and serum calcium and Vitamin D levels were compared in four studying groups at baseline and 4 months after the trial. All studied subjects were similar at baseline (P > 0.05). After trial, the frequency of hirsutism and acne were not different among groups. Frequency regular menstrual cycle and dominant follicle were significantly higher in group 1 and 2 than others (P < 0.05). After trial, there was no significant difference with respect to BMI among groups. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in addition to metformin therapy in women with PCOS could result in a better outcome in a variety of PCOS symptoms including menstrual regularity, and ovulation.

Nutritional status influences bone health spinal cord injury (SCI). This study evaluates serum levels of 25‑hydroxy‑vitamin‑D and calcium along with dietary intakes in patients with chronic SCI. Total of 160 patients participated in this investigation. Dietary intakes were assessed by semi‑quantitative food‑frequency questionnaire. Serum calcium, phosphorus and 25(OH)‑vitamin‑D level were measured. Mean of serum calcium and 25(OH)‑vitamin‑D were 9.54 ± 0.64 mg/dl (standard error of the mean [SE]: 0.05) and 13.6 ± 10.99 μg/dl (SE: 0.9), respectively. Dairy intake was below recommended amount (1.8 ± 0.74 per serving (SE: 0.06), recommended: 4). A high prevalence (53.1%) of Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH) Vitamin D <13 ng/ml) was found. This study shows below adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D in Iranian patients with SCI. These results insist on the importance of dietary modifications among these patients.

The grammar assessment in aphasia has been done by few standard tests, but today these tests cannot precise evaluate the sentence production in agrammatic patients. In this study, we review structures and contents of tests or tasks designed to find more frequent methods for sentence production ability in aphasia patients. We searched the Cochrane library, Medline by PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 1980 to October 1, 2013 and evaluated all of exist tests or tasks included in the articles and systematic reviews. The sentence production has been studied in three methods. It contains the use of sentence production in spontaneous speech, tasks designed and both methods. The quality of studies was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Program. The 160 articles were reviewed and 38 articles were studied according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were classified into three categories based on assessment methods of sentence production. In 39.5% studies, researchers have used tasks designed, 7.9% articles have applied spontaneous speech and 52.6% articles have used both methods for evaluation production. Inter-rater reliability was between 90% and 100% and intra-rater reliability was between 96% and 98% in studied. Agrammatic aphasia has syntax disorders, especially in sentence production. Most researchers and clinicians used both methods for evaluation production.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen which causes serious problems, especially in people who have immunodeficiency. Metallo beta-lactamase (MBL) resistance in this bacterium has led some difficulties in treating bacterial infections. MBLs are being reported with increasing frequency worldwide. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to collect data about the relative frequency (RF) of VIM-1-imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa (VIM-1-IRPA) in different regions of Iran and report an overall prevalence if possible. PubMed, ISI web of science, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched using following key terms: “P. aeruginosa,” “imipenem,” “VIM-1” and “Iran” were. Articles/abstracts, which used clinical specimens and had done polymerase chain reaction to detect the VIM-1 gene of MBL genes, were included in this review. STATA SE version 11.2 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Out of 5457 results found, 10 articles were eligible to be included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. These studies were carried out in Tehran, Isfahan, Kurdistan, Ahvaz, Markazi and Northwest of Iran (Orumieh and Tabriz). Pooled estimation of 1972 P. aeruginosa samples showed that 13% (95% confidence interval = 10.5-16.5%]) of strains were VIM-1 positive. VIM-1-IRPA RF in different studies varied from 0% to 19.5% in Isfahan and Markazi provinces, respectively. We found a moderate heterogeneity (Chochran Q-test, P = 0.032, I-squared = 50.7%) of VIM-1-IRPA RF among studies. According to the results of this study VIM-1-IRPA RF in Iran is in low-level Prevention strategies to reduce the prevalence rates of VIM-1 positive strains in Iran are needed.

Swyer James (McLeod’s) syndrome (SJMS) is an uncommon disease, which occurs as a result of childhood bronchiolitis obliterans. Patients may not be diagnosed until later in their life. A 46-year-old man underwent ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy for acute onset of dyspnea. The scan showed markedly diminished ventilation and perfusion unilaterally on the right middle and inferior lobes. However, mismatched ventilation-perfusion pattern was shown on the upper right lobe, which was consistent with pulmonary embolism. Unilaterally matched ventilation/perfusion defect can see in SJMS in lung scintigraphy; however, when pulmoner embolism may accompany, scintigraphy should be carefully examined.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. It can affect humans and animals. In humans, it can lead to a wide spectrum of symptoms. It is known as the most common zoonosis in the world. The typical presentation of the disease is an acute biphasic febrile illness with or without jaundice. Less common clinical manifestations may result from involvement of different human body systems. In many places, this disease may be under-diagnosed, especially when associated with neurological complications. Moreover, without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to organ damages, and even death. Neurological complications are uncommon and are reported in a few cases. Cavernous sinus thrombosis syndrome and brainstem involvement are rare complications of leptospirosis and are associated with a high mortality risk. To our knowledge, no such cases have been reported in the literature.