Recanalization Rate and Clinical Outcomes of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Administration for Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Patients

Objective@#: Stroke caused from large vessel occlusion (LVO) has emerged as the most common stroke subtype worldwide. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration (IV-tPA) and additional intraarterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx) is regarded as standard treatment. In this study, the authors try to find the early recanalization rate of IV-tPA in LVO stroke patients. @*Methods@#: Total 300 patients undertook IA-Tx with confirmed anterior circulation LVO, were analyzed retrospectively. Brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) was the initial imaging study and acute stroke magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) followed after finished IV-tPA. Early recanalization rate was evaluated by acute stroke MRA within 2 hours after the IV-tPA. In 167 patients undertook IV-tPA only and 133 non-recanalized patients by IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx tried (IV-tPA + IA-Tx group). And 131 patients, non-recanalized by IV-tPA (IV-tPA group) additional IA-Tx recommend and tried according to the patient condition and compliance. @*Results@#: Early recanalization rate of LVO after IV-tPA was 12.0% (36/300). In recanalized patients, favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2) was 69.4% (25/36) while it was 32.1% (42/131, p<0.001) in non-recanalized patients. Among 133 patients, nonrecanalized after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and undertook additional IA-Tx, the clinical outcome was better than not undertaken additional IA-Tx (favorable outcome was 42.9% vs. 32.1%, p=0.046). Analysis according to the perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatching or not, in patient with IV-tPA with IA-Tx (133 patients), favorable outcome was higher in P/ D-mismatching patient (52/104; 50.0%) than P/D-matching patients (5/29; 17.2%; p=0.001). Which treatment tired, P/D-mismatching was favored in clinical outcome (iv-tPA only, p=0.008 and IV-tPA with IA-Tx, p=0.001). @*Conclusion@#: The P/D-mismatching influences on the recanalization and clinical outcomes of IV-tPA and IA-Tx. The authors would like to propose that we had better prepare IA-Tx when LVO is diagnosed on initial diagnostic imaging. Furthermore, if the patient shows P/D-mismatching on MRA after IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx improves treatment results and lessen the futile recanalization.

Changes in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during Decompressive Craniectomy

Objective@#: Rapid increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) can result in hypertension, bradycardia and apnea, referred to as the Cushing phenomenon. During decompressive craniectomy (DC), rapid ICP decreases can cause changes in mean atrial blood pressure (mABP) and heart rate (HR), which may be an indicator of intact autoregulation and vasomotor reflex. @*Methods@#: A total of 82 patients who underwent DC due to traumatic brain injury (42 cases), hypertensive intracerebral hematoma (19 cases), or major infarction (21 cases) were included in this prospective study. Simultaneous ICP, mABP, and HR changes were monitored in one minute intervals during, prior to and 5–10 minutes following the DC. @*Results@#: After DC, the ICP decreased from 38.1±16.3 mmHg to 9.5±14.2 mmHg (p<0.001) and the mABP decreased from 86.4±14.5 mmHg to 72.5±11.4 mmHg (p<0.001). Conversly, overall HR was no significantly changed in HR, which was 100.1±19.7 rate/min prior to DC and 99.7±18.2 rate/min (p=0.848) after DC. Notably when the HR increased after DC, it correlated with a favorable outcome (p<0.001), however mortality was increased (p=0.032) when the HR decreased or remained unchanged. @*Conclusion@#: In this study, ICP was decreased in all patients after DC. Changes in HR were an indicator of preserved autoregulation and vasomotor reflex. The clinical outcome was improved in patients with increased HR after DC.

Gender differences in adult traumatic brain injury according to the Glasgow coma scale: A multicenter descriptive study / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Patients' gender, which can be one of the most important determinants of traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes, is also likely to interact with many other outcome variables of TBI. This multicenter descriptive study investigated gender differences in epidemiological, clinical, treatment, mortality, and variable characteristics in adult TBI patients.@*METHODS@#The selection criteria were defined as patients who had been diagnosed with TBI and were admitted to the hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. A total of 4468 adult TBI patients were enrolled at eight University Hospitals. Based on the list of enrolled patients, the medical records of the patients were reviewed and they were registered online at each hospital. The registered patients were classified into three groups according to the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score: mild (13-15), moderate (9-12), and severe (3-8), and the differences between men and women in each group were investigated. The risk factors of moderated and severe TBI compared to mild TBI were also investigated.@*RESULTS@#The study included 3075 men and 1393 women and the proportion of total males was 68.8%. Among all the TBI patients, there were significant differences between men and women in age, past history, and GCS score. While the mild and severe TBI groups showed significant differences in age, past history, and clinical symptoms, the moderate TBI group showed significant differences in age, past history, cause of justice, and diagnosis.@*CONCLUSION@#To the best of our knowledge, this multicenter study is the first to focus on gender differences of adult patients with TBI in Korea. This study shows significant differences between men and women in many aspects of adult TBI. Therefore, gender differences should be strongly considered in TBI studies.

Current Status of Neurosurgical and Neurointensive Care Units in Korea : A Brief Report on Nationwide Survey Results

Objective@#: The purpose of this study is identify the operation status of the neurosurgical care units (NCUs) in neurosurgical residency training hospitals nationwide and determine needed changes by comparing findings with those obtained from the Korean Neurosurgical Society (KNS) and Korean Society of Neurointensive Care Medicine (KNIC) survey of 2010.Method : This survey was conducted over 1 year in 86 neurosurgical residency training hospitals and two neurosurgery specialist hospitals and focused on the following areas : 1) the current status of the infrastructure and operating systems of NCUs in Korea, 2) barriers to installing neurointensivist team systems, 3) future roles of the KNS and KNIC, and 4) a handbook for physicians and practitioners in NCUs. We compared and analyzed the results of this survey with those from a KNIC survey of 2010. @*Results@#: Seventy seven hospitals (87.5%) participated in the survey. Nineteen hospitals (24.7%) employed a neurointensivist or faculty member; Thirty seven hospitals (48.1%) reported high demand for neurointensivists, and 62 hospitals (80.5%) stated that the mandatory deployment of a neurointensivist improved the quality of patient care. Forty four hospitals (57.1%) believed that hiring neurointensivist would increase hospital costs, and in response to a question on potential earnings declines. In terms of potential solutions to these problems, 70 respondents (90.9%) maintained that additional fees were necessary for neurointensivists’ work, and 64 (83.1%) answered that direct support was needed of the personnel expenses for neurointensivists. @*Conclusion@#: We hope the results of this survey will guide successful implementation of neurointensivist systems across Korea.

Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen/Creatinine Ratio Is Associated with Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently related to dehydration, the impact of dehydration on VTE in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is not clear. This study investigated whether dehydration, as measured by blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr) ratio, influences the occurrence of VTE in patients with AIS. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with AIS between January 2012 and December 2013. Patients with newly diagnosed AIS who experienced prolonged hospitalization for at least 4 weeks were included in this study. RESULTS: Of 182 patients included in this study, 17 (9.3%) suffered VTE during the follow-up period; in two cases, VTE was accompanied by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients with VTE were more frequently female and had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, more lower limb weakness, and elevated blood urea nitrogen BUN/Cr ratio on admission. In a multivariate analysis, BUN/Cr ratio >15 (odds ratio [OR] 8.75) and severe lower limb weakness (OR 4.38) were independent risk factors for VTE. CONCLUSION: Dehydration on admission in cases of AIS might be a significant independent risk factor for VTE.

Clinical Utility of Angiographic CT with a Flat-detector Angiographic System during Endovascular Procedure

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the feasibility of angiographic computed tomography (ACT) for visualizing stent material in patients who underwent intracranial or extracranial stent placement to treat atherosclerotic lesions or stent assisted coil embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed intrarterial and intravenous ACT on biplane angiography system equipped with flat panel detectors (Axiom Arits dBA; Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany). Vistipaque 320 was injected for contrast medium, total 150 mL at flow rate of 5 mL/s through artery and 77 mL at flow rate of 3.5 mL/s through vein. RESULTS: ACT is a new imaging modality that provides a clear visualization of stent strut. CONCLUSION: Therefore this new application has potential to become the noninvasive option for follow-up after endovascular surgery using stents.

Rapid Growing Eosinophilic Granuloma in Skull after Minor Trauma / 대한신경손상학회지

The authors present a case of rapidly progressing eosinophilic granuloma (EG) of the skull without hemorrhage after minor trauma. A 6-year-old boy presented with a soft mass on the midline of his forehead. He had a surgery for EG 19 months ago. One month earlier, computed tomography (CT) and bone scans were performed to evaluate the possible recurrence of EG, and there was no evidence of recurrence in CT. However, a slightly increased uptake in the bone scan was noted on the midline of the forehead. A rapid growing mass developed in a new spot after a minor trauma 7 days before the patient arrived at the clinic. His physical examination was unremarkable, except for a non-tender, soft, and immobile mass. A plain skull X-ray and CT showed a lytic bony defect on the midline of the frontal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 1.4 cm sized enhancing mass. Surgical resection and cranioplasty were done. The role of trauma in the development of EG is unclear. However, our case suggests that minor trauma is an aggravating factor for EG formation. Careful observation with regular follow-up is necessary in patients with EG after minor trauma.

Metastatic Brain Neuroendocrine Tumor Originating from the Liver

A 67-year-old male presented with left temporal hemianopsia and left hemiparesis. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image revealed a 4.5x3.5x5.0 cm rim-enhancing mass with central necrosis and associated edema located in the left occipital lobe. Of positron emission tomography and abdominal computed tomography, a 9-cm mass with poor enhancement was found in the right hepatic lobe. Craniotomy and right hemihepatectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed histological features and immunochemical staining consistent with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Four months later, the tumors recurred in the brain, liverand spinal cord. Palliative chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin led to complete remission of recurred lesions, but the patient died for pneumonia. This is the first case of a metastatic brain NET originating from the liver. If the metastatic NET of brain is suspicious, investigation for primary lesion should be considered including liver.

Meningeal Supratentorial Hemangioblastoma in a Patient with Von Hippel-Lindau Disease Mimicking Angioblastic Menigioma

Hemangioblastomas are sporadic tumors found in the cerebellum or spinal cord. Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are rare, and those with meningeal involvement are extremely rare and have been reported in only approximately 130 patients. Here, we report the case of a 51-year-old female patient with supratentorial meningeal hemangioblastoma detected 5 years after surgical resection of an infratentorial hemangioblastoma associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome are at risk for developing multiple hemangioblastomas, with new tumor formation and growth and possible meningeal infiltration. Regular lifelong follow-up in at-risk patients is recommended and should include the differential diagnosis of dural-based tumors such as angioblastic meningioma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Treatment of a Traumatic Leptomeningeal Cyst in an Adult with Fibrinogen-Based Collagen

Reports of traumatic leptomeningeal cysts (TLMC) are rare in adults. The standard treatment approach is craniectomy with careful exposure of the intact dural edges, followed by duroplasty. However, occasionally, the location of the TLMC makes achieving watertight duroplasty impossible. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old male who presented with a soft growing mass on the vertex of his head 16 months after the head trauma. Upon enhanced CT examination, a bony defect involving both the inner and outer table of the cranium was observed close to the sagittal sinus, and a well-defined cystic mass, 5 cm in diameter, was nested within the defect. The risks associated with extension craniotomy were high because the lesion was located superficial to the sagittal sinus, we opted to use fibrinogen-based collagen fleece (TachoCombR(R)) to repair the dural defect. Two months after surgery, the patient remained asymptomatic with a good cosmetic result. In cases like ours, when the defect is near the major sinuses and the risk of rupturing the sinus during watertight dural closure is high, fibrinogen-based collagen fleece (TachoComb(R)) is an effective alternative approach to standard dural suture techniques.

Treatment Outcomes of Pediatric Craniopharyngioma : A 15-Year Retrospective Review of 35 Cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a single center's experience in the management of craniopharyngiomas in children over a 15-year period. METHODS: The clinical records of pediatric patients treated for craniopharyngiomas between December 1995 and February 2011 were reviewed. Thirty-five pediatric patients diagnosed with craniopharyngioma were treated, and their medical records and imaging data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 76 months (range, 10-195). Overall survival and local control rates at 10 years were 94.7+/-5.1% and 37.1+/-11.9%, respectively. The female-to-male ratio was 16 : 19, and the mean age was 8.6 years (range, 1-17). Initially, gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 30 patients; subtotal resection (STR) followed by radiotherapy was performed in 5 patients. Of the 14 cases that showed recurrence after GTR, 5 patients were treated with GTR, 1 with radiation therapy (RT), 4 with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS), and 4 with subtotal resection followed by RT. No patients who underwent RT or GKRS had recurrences. Two cases with recurrence after STR followed by RT were treated with GTR. One patient died of hormonal insufficiency 64 months after the first surgery. The overall median time progression was 51.2 months (range, 3-182) : 49.7 months in the patients who underwent GTR and 60.2 months in the patients who underwent STR followed by RT. CONCLUSION: If safe resection is possible, GTR at the initial treatment should be attempted to reduce the tumor recurrence. However, if the tumor recurs after the first surgery, RT or GKRS with/without reoperation may be an effective salvage treatment for recurrent craniopharyngioma.

The Role of Radiosurgery in Patients with Brain Metastasis from Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and/or whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for the treatment of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) metastasis to the brain. METHODS: From 2000 to 2010, 50 patients underwent GKRS for metastatic brain lesions originating from SCLC. Among these patients, 11 received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) before the development of metastatic lesions (PCI group), and GKRS was performed as an initial treatment for newly diagnosed lesions in 12 patients who had not received PCI (primary GKRS group). In addition, GKRS was performed as a salvage treatment for progressive lesions after WBRT in 27 patients (salvage GKRS group). The medical records and imaging data of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The overall survival of the 50 patients was 20.8 months (range 1-53) after the diagnosis of primary tumor and 12.0 months (range 1-47) after the development of cerebral metastasis. Median survival after GKRS was 4.8 months (range 1-15) in the PCI group, 4.6 months (range 0-18) in the primary GKRS group, and 7.6 months (range 0-33) in the salvage GKRS group. Further treatment for progressive lesions after GKRS was necessary in 15 patients, after a mean interval of 3.8 months. Causes of death were systemic organ failure in 15 patients, deterioration of neurological state in 13 patients, and unknown or combined causes in 16 patients. The local control rate of the lesions treated with GKRS was 76.4% (decreased in 13 patients and stable in 16 patients at the final imaging follow-up (mean 5.60 months). CONCLUSION: GKRS is an effective local treatment for brain metastasis from SCLC both as an initial treatment for newly diagnosed lesions after PCI and as a salvage treatment for recurrent or progressive lesions. However, the survival benefit is not significant because most patients die of systemic multi-organ failure with a short life expectancy.

Endovascular Treatment of Blood Blister-Like Aneurysms Using Multiple Self-Expanding Stents

The surgical as well as endovascular treatment of blood-blister-like aneursysms (BBAs) is extremely difficult because of these pathological natures, such as small and the fragile necks. The optimal treatment of BBAs has remained uncertain. Stents are known to divert blood flow and induce thrombosis of intracranial aneurysms. We report 3 cases of successful obliteration of BBAs after multiple stents placement.

Diffusion-weighted Imaging of a Patient in a Hypoglycemic Coma: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

A 65-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in an unresponsive state and she was admitted to our hospital. She was comatose on arrival. The bedside blood glucose level on admission was 15 mg/dl (normal range, 55-110 mg/dl). After emergency infusion with 50% dextrose, the blood glucose level rapidly normalized to 98 mg/dl, but there was no clinical improvement of her consciousness. Three days after admission, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed bilateral temporal, occipital and frontal lobes lesions with high signal intensity. The patient's neurological condition did not change over the next 15 days. She died of pneumonia on the 30th day of hospitalization. DWI may be useful for detecting and making the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemic coma. Further, marked differences in the neuroimaging patterns of patients in a hypoglycemic coma are valuable prognostic predictors. We report here on a case of hypoglycemic coma with a poor outcome.

Changes in Bypass Flow during Temporary Occlusion of Unused Branch of Superficial Temporal Artery

OBJECTIVE: Some neurosurgeons intentionally ligate the branches of the superficial temporal artery (STA) that are not used in standard STA-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis for the purpose of improving the flow rate in the bypass graft. We investigated changes in bypass flow during temporary occlusion of such unused branches of the STA. METHODS: Bypass blood flow was measured by a quantitative microvascular ultrasonic flow probe before and after temporary occlusion of branches of the STA that were not used for anastomosis. We performed measurements on twelve subjects and statistically assessed changes in flow. We also examined all the patients with digital subtraction angiography in order to observe any post-operative changes in STA diameter. RESULTS: Initial STA flow ranged from 15 mL/min to 85 mL/min, and the flow did not change significantly during occlusion as compared with pre-occlusion flow. The occlusion time was extended by 30 minutes in all cases, but this did not contribute to any significant flow change. CONCLUSION: The amount of bypass flow in the STA seems to be influenced not by donor vessel status but by recipient vessel demand. Ligation of the unused STA branch after completion of anastomosis does not contribute to improvement in bypass flow immediately after surgery, and furthermore, carries some risk of skin necrosis. It is better to leave the unused branch of the STA intact for use in secondary operation and to prevent donor vessel occlusion.

Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery due to Gardner Traction

We report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the parietal division of the superficial temporal artery (STA) secondary to iatrogenic head injury due to Gardner traction. A 54-year-old man presented with a pulsatile, cystic, and painless mass in the right anterior temporal region which developed three weeks after head fixation via Gardner traction. At the time of discovery, the mass was 10 mm in diameter, compressible and disappeared after manual compression of the proximal STA. A bruit was audible over the mass, which was thought to be a pseudoaneurysm. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) showed a pseudoaneurysm of the parietal division of the right STA. The tip of the pseudoaneurysm was thrombosed and was both red and tender. The pseudoaneurysm was thought to be filled with infected thrombus, and the mass was resected with ligation of the proximal and distal ends of the STA. A pseudoaneurysm of the STA should be suspected when there is a history of possible vessel injury, such as a history of head-pin fixation, and when a patient presents with a pulsatile, cystic mass near the temple. Pseudoaneurysms can be successfully treated by excision.

Primary Thoracic Epidural Melanoma : A Case Report

A 68-year-old woman with progressive paraparesis and altered sensation lasting approximately five days was admitted to our clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an advanced stage T7-8 epidural mass ventral to the spinal cord, which was believed to be a metastatic tumor considering the patient's age. A highly enhanced epidural mass and pedicle appeared during the MR scan. However, the pathologic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of a primary meningeal melanocytic tumor. Primary epidural melanomas are extremely rare lesions. This case was finally diagnosed as a primary thoracic spinal epidural melanoma.

Is Transradial Cerebral Angiography Feasible and Safe? A Single Center's Experience

OBJECTIVE: Although a transradial angiography is accepted as the gold standard for cardiovascular procedures, cerebral angiography has been performed via transfemoral approach in most institutions. The purpose of this study is to present our experience concerning the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a transradial approach to cerebral angiography as an alternative to a transfemoral approach. METHODS: Between February 2007 and October 2009, a total of 1,240 cerebral angiographies were performed via a transradial approach in a single center. The right radial approach was used as an initial access route. The procedure continued only after the ulnar artery was proven to provide satisfactory collateral perfusion according to two tests (a modified Allen's test and forearm angiography). RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 94.8% with a mean duration of 28 minutes. All supra-aortic vessels were successfully catheterized with a success rate of 100%. The success rates of selective catheterization to the right vertebral artery, right internal carotid artery, left internal carotid artery, and left vertebral artery were 96.1%, 98.6%, 82.6% and 52.2%, respectively. The procedure was performed more than twice in 73 patients (5.9%), including up to 4 times in 2 patients. The radial artery occlusion was found in 4 patients (5.4%) on follow-up cerebral angiography, but no ischemic symptoms were observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cerebral angiography using a transradial approach can be performed with minimal risk of morbidity. In particular, this procedure might be useful for follow-up angiographies and place less stress on patients.

Minimally Invasive and Tailored Surgical Approach to the Anterior Circulation Aneurysms / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVES: Supraorbital route through eyebrow incision, mini-pterional craniotomy, and midline interhemispheric route are most generally used methods for key hole surgery on anterior circulation aneurysm. Surgical route is determined according to aneurysm architecture and patient status. The approaching route can be selected according to the findings of 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) angiography simulation. Prospective decision-making protocol, surgical technique of key hole surgery, and the results are presented in this paper. METHODS: 173 patients with anterior circulation aneurysms were treated by direct surgical neck clipping during last two years. Twenty patients of poor grade (Hunt-Hess grade IV,V) were treated by craniectomy with clipping. Decision making protocol was applied to 153 unruptured and good grade ruptured aneurysm patients. Simulation of key hole surgery was conducted by CT work station using conventional software InSpace (Siemens, Germany), and direction and shape of aneurysm was observed from the perspective of microsurgery. RESULTS: 113 ruptured and 40 unruptured aneurysms were secured through one of the three approaching routes. Supraorbital approach had been performed in 82 cases (unruptured 24, ruptured 58) while 64 cases were treated by mini-pterional craniotomy. Midline key hole surgery were carried out in seven distal anterior circulation aneurysms (DACA) using brain navigation system. After locating the aneurysm, supraorbital approach was applied to 46 cases involving anterior cerebral artery (ACA), 16 in internal carotid artery (ICA) and 20 in middle cerebral artery (MCA). Mini-pterional craniotomy was carried out in aneurysms located in ACA (9), ICA (18), and MCA (37). In most cases, the results of clipping were good. The average follow-up time was 16.7months (ranging 2 to 32months) and the results were cosmetically excellent. CONCLUSION: Simulating surgical approaches with 3-D CT angiography is a highly useful method for determining various surgical routes in anterior circulation aneurysm treatment. Therefore, minimally invasive and tailored surgical approaches are recommended since optimal route can be found through simulation. Thus, minimal invasive and tailored surgical approach is available through this method. These procedures have clear advantages; shorter surgical time and hospital stay, less operative trauma, reduced costs and less pain, and better cosmetic outcomes compared to standard craniotomy. Optimal surgical results are expected from minimally invasive and tailored surgical craniotomy.

Unexpected Complication of Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Thrombolysis in a Patient with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Aortic Dissection / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

We report here on a case of acute aortic dissection after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration in a patient with acute ischemic stroke. A 75-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus presented with left hemiplegia and a decreased mentality. The admission studies revealed severe stenosis of the right middle cerebral artery and decreased cerebral perfusion. Initial chest radiography showed hypertensive cardiovascular changes and increased interstial markings on both lung fields. Cyanosis and cardiac arrest occurred 80 minutes after intravenous t-PA administration. Emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation was done and chest CT showed a dissection involving the whole aorta and pericardial effusion due to bleeding. In spite of our earnest efforts, the patient died. It should be kept in mind that aortic dissection can occur after intravenous t-PA administration and an early clinical suspicion and diagnosis is needed to avoid this devastating complication.