Fetal-type variant of the posterior cerebral artery and concurrent bilateral cerebral infarctions in a Korean male cadaver / Variante de tipo fetal de la arteria cerebral posterior e infartos cerebrales bilaterales concurrentes en un cadáver masculino coreano

SUMMARY: Fetal-type variant of the posterior cerebral artery is a relatively common variant of the cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis), but concurrent cerebral pathologies have not been well reported. We describe a case of fetal-type variant of the posterior cerebral artery and concurrent bilateral cerebral infarctions in the territories of the middle cerebral artery in a 78-year-old Korean male cadaver. Fetal-type variant of the posterior cerebral artery was found the right cerebral arterial circle, arose from the internal carotid artery with larger diameter than the pre-communicating segment from the basilar artery. Histopathological examination revealed that left supramarginal gyrus and right infraparietal lobule showed characteristic cerebral infarctions with chronological changes, respectively. Knowledge on the variation in the posterior cerebral artery combined with clinical features including cerebral infarction plays a pivotal role to anatomists and clinicians.

RESUMEN: La variante de tipo fetal de la arteria cerebral posterior es una variante relativamente común del círculo arterial cerebral (polígono de Willis) de arterial cerebral, pero las patologías cerebrales concurrentes no han sido bien informadas. Describimos un caso de variante de tipo fetal de la arteria cerebral posterior e infartos cerebrales bilaterales concurrentes en los territorios de la arteria cerebral media en un cadáver masculino coreano de 78 años. La variante de tipo fetal de la arteria cerebral posterior se encontró en la parte de derecha del círculo arterial cerebral, surgido de la arteria carótida interna con mayor diámetro que el segmento precomunicante de la arteria basilar. El examen histopatológico reveló que el giro supramarginal izquierdo y el lóbulo infraparietal derecho mostraban infartos cerebrales característicos con cambios cronológicos, respectivamente. El conocimiento sobre la variación en la arteria cerebral posterior combinado con las características clínicas, incluido el infarto cerebral es fundamental para los anatomistas y los médicos.

Migrainous infarction: a rare and often overlooked diagnosis

Migraine is a neurological entity and a well-known independent risk factor for cerebral infarction, which mostly afflicts the young female population. Researching focal neurological signs in this subset of the population with the diagnosis of a neurological ischemic event should always take into account the migraine as the etiology or as an associated factor. The etiology of central nervous system (CNS) ischemia is considerable. Migraine, although rare, also may be included in this vast etiological range, which is called migrainous infarction. In this setting, the diagnostic criteria required for this diagnosis is extensive. Herein, we present the case of a female adolescent who submitted to the emergency facility complaining of diplopia, dysarthria, and imbalance, which started concomitantly with a migrainous crisis with aura­a challenging clinical case that required extensive research to address all possible differential diagnoses.

Arteritis de Takayasu: Etiolog¡a inhabitual de infarto cerebral. Reporte de un caso / Takayasu arteritis: an unusual etiology of ischemic stroke. A case report

La arteritis de Takayasu (AT) es una vasculitis crónica de grandes vasos que afecta a la aorta y a sus principales ramas. La presentación clínica inicial generalmente se manifiesta con síntomas constitucionales inespecíficos, perode forma ocasional puede debutar con isquemia de un órgano determinado. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 31años de edad sin ascendencia japonesa, sin factores de riesgo vasculares, que presentó de forma súbita déficit motoren hemicuerpo derecho y alteración del lenguaje. Al examen físico se encontró ausencia de pulso en una arteriadistal y una diferencia en la presión arterial en los miembros superiores. La angiografía por sustracción digital mostró oclusión de la arteria subclavia y carótida común izquierda, así como estenosis severa de la arteria subclavia derecha en su parte media.Se diagnosticó AT de acuerdo a los criterios diagnósticos del Colegio Americano de Reumatólogos de 1990 ylos Criterios modificados de Ishikawa. La paciente recibió tratamiento médico y de la rehabilitación con buena respuesta. La AT debe considerarse como posibilidad etiológica en todos los pacientes jóvenes que presenten uninfarto cerebral. Su diagnóstico precoz es crucial, ya que esta patología es sensible al tratamiento médico y se asociacon buenos resultados clínicos.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic large vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta and its main branches. The initialclinical presentation is generally with non-specific constitutional symptoms, but occasionally it may debut with aparticular organ ischemia. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman, who presented suddenly a motor deficit inthe right hemibody and language impairment. Physical examination revealed the lack of a pulse in a distal artery and the difference in blood pressure between upper limbs. Digital subtraction angiography showed occlusion of the left subclavian artery and left common carotid artery and severe stenosis of the right subclavian artery in the middle portion. AT was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatologists, 1990. The patient received medical treatment and rehabilitation with good response. AT as an etiologic possibility should be considered in all young patients who have a stroke. Early diagnosis is crucial because this pathology is sensitive to medical treatment and it is associated with good clinical results.

Etiología de infarto cerebral en adultos jóvenes de una serie de pacientes del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas en el periodo 2010 al 2013 / Etiology of stroke in young adults from a series of patients at the Instituto Nacional de CienciasNeurológicas in the period 2010 to 2013

Objetivos: Precisar la etiología del infarto cerebral en adultos jóvenes hospitalizados en el Departamento de Enfermedades Neurovasculares del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas (INCN) durante el periodo 2010 al 2013. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal; en paciente jóvenes con diagnóstico de infarto cerebral, hospitalizados en el INCN, en el periodo de estudio que tuvieron tomografía y/o imagen de resonancia magnética cerebral. Resultados: Un total de 43 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. El 55,8% fueron mujeres. La media de edad fue 37,6+/-6,4 años. El 69,8% provenían de Lima. El 44,2% de los casos fueron de etiología indeterminada, 23,3% cardioembólica. La media de edad para la etiología atero-trombótica fue de 41,8 años, y para la etiología indeterminada de 34,7 años. El territorio vascular mayormente comprometido fue el de la circulación anterior con 65,1%.Conclusiones: Se describen las características clínicas, sociodemográficas y la etiología del infarto cerebral en adultos jóvenes. Los más frecuentes fueron: indeterminada y cardioembólica. Las enfermedades metabólicas y el uso de anticonceptivos orales fueron los factores asociados más frecuentes. No hubo mortalidad. El territorio vascular cerebral mayormente comprometido fue la circulación anterior.

Objectives: Clarify the etiology of cerebral infarction in young adults hospitalized in the Department of Neurovascular Diseases at the National Institute of Neurological Sciences (INCN), during the period 2010 to 2013. Material and Methods: Descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study in a sample of young patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction, hospitalized during the study period and who underwent tomography and / or magnetic resonance imaging brain tests. Results: A total of 43 patients, 55.8 % of them female, met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 37.6 +/- 6.4 years, 69.8% came from Lima, and 44.2% of the cases were of undetermined etiology and 23.3%, cardioembolic. The average age for artery occlusive disease was 41.8 years, and for undetermined etiology, 34.7 years. The vascular territory mostly compromised was that of the anterior circulation with 65.1%. Conclusions: Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and etiological factors of cerebral infarction in young adults were described. The most frequent etiologieswerecardioembolic and undeterminated. Metabolic diseases and the use of oral contraceptives were the most frequently associated factors. The cerebral vascular territory mostlyaffected was that of the anterior circulation. No deaths occurred.

An increase in the cerebral infarction area during fatigue is mediated by il-6 through an induction of fibrinogen synthesis

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the impact of fatigue on the severity of stroke and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Fatigued male rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and the infarcted brain area was determined. Then, coagulation parameters were assessed in the fatigued group and a control group. In addition, the level of fibrinogen was determined in rats deprived of sleep for various numbers of days. To study whether interleukin-6 was involved in fibrinogen synthesis during fatigue, we also measured levels of interleukin-6 in rats deprived of sleep for various numbers of days. Furthermore, brain injury by middle cerebral artery occlusion was measured in wild-type mice, interleukin-6-/- mice and wild-type mice treated with bezafibrate. RESULTS: More severe cerebral infarction was observed in the fatigued rats, resulting in an infarct ratio of 23.4%. The infarct ratio was significantly increased in the fatigued rats compared with that in the control group (8%, p<0.05). The level of fibrinogen was increased significantly in the fatigued rats compared with that in the control group. In addition, a marked reduction in fibrinogen level was observed in the fatigued interleukin-6-/- mice compared to their wild-type counterparts, whereas no difference was observed between fatigued wild-type mice and interleukin-6-/- rats treated with recombinant human interleukin-6. The reduction in brain injury due to middle cerebral artery occlusion during fatigue was observed in interleukin-6-/- mice and wild-type mice treated with bezafibrate. CONCLUSION: Fatigue could increase stroke severity and was associated with the interleukin-6-induced expression of fibrinogen. .

Comparison of Systemic Adverse Events Associated with Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injection: Ranibizumab versus Bevacizumab

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of systemic adverse events in patients treated with intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab, and to evaluate whether compared to ranibizumab administration, bevacizumab constitutes a higher risk for systemic adverse events. A retrospective review was conducted for 916 consecutive patients treated with at least 1 intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or ranibizumab. Cox regression was performed to assess whether a variable had predictive value for occurrence of new systemic adverse events and to account for different follow-up times. A total of 702 patients were analyzed; 503 patients received bevacizumab alone, and 199 patients received ranibizumab alone. Systemic adverse events occurred in 10 of 702 patients (1.4%): 7 in the bevacizumab group (7/503; 1.4%) and 3 in the ranibizumab group (3/199; 1.5%). This difference was not statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.573). Cox proportional hazards analysis of 4 models did not reveal a covariate that significantly changed the hazard for systemic adverse events. In conclusion, compared to ranibizumab, bevacizumab may not increase the risk of systemic adverse events in patients receiving intravitreal injections.

Protein C and protein S: Causative factor for developing a hemorrhagic infarct in a HbE/Beta thalassemia child.

A 10-yr-old HbE/Beta thalassemia child who developed subacute to chronic occipitotemporal hemorrhagic infarct with smaller chronic infarct with gliotic changes in the left frontal periventricular white matter. Genetic tests showed that patient was positive for HbE and IVS1-5 mutation and was negative for thrombogenic mutations. Hemorrhagic infarct was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging study. Antigenic levels of Protein C and Protein S were low. Based on these outcomes, it was concluded that Protein C and Protein S deficiency were the causative factor for developing hemorrhagic infarct in the HbE/ Beta thalassemia patient.

Disability evaluation of 204 cases of children with brain injury in road traffic accidents / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the types, characteristics and common complications as well as disability assessment for the children with craniocerebral injury in the road traffic accidents.@*METHODS@#Data from 204 cases of children with cranio-injury in road traffic accidents were collected and were statistically analyzed according to the location injured, complication, the type of complication and the severity of disability.@*RESULTS@#There were 64 cases of simple diffuse primary craniocerebral injury, 80 cases of simple local primary cranio-injury, 24 cases of diffuse secondary craniocerebral injury and 36 cases of local secondary cranio-injury. The main complications included traumatic epilepsy (14, 6.9%), traumatic cerebral infarction (9, 4.4%), traumatic hydrocephalus (7, 3.4%) and traumatic mental disorder (5, 2.5%).@*CONCLUSION@#Among the children with cranio-injury due to road traffic accidents, simple primary cranio-injury was the most common result, whereas the traumatic epilepsy and traumatic cerebral infarction were the major types of complications. The assessment criteria for body impairment of the children with craniocerebral injury in the road traffic accidents should be broadened accordingly, with addition of certain specific items for children.

Infartos cerebrales de repetición y anemia drepanocítica en un niño: revisión de la literatura médica / Repeated brain infarctions and sickle cell anemia in a child: medical literature review

Una de las complicaciones neurológicas más devastadoras de la anemia drepanocítica son los ictus, tanto isquémicos como hemorrágicos. El 11 por ciento de los pacientes con hemoglobina SS (HbSS) tienen un ictus antes de los 20 años de edad. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 14 años, congolés, gravemente desnutrido, con anemia drepanocítica y antecedentes de ictus isquémicos de repetición, que fue atendido en la Clínica Internacional Cira García. La resonancia magnética evidenció signos de infartos antiguos a diferentes niveles en ambos hemisferios y zonas de encefalomalacia. Este paciente muestra la evolución natural de las complicaciones cerebrovasculares de la anemia de células falciformes

Among the most devastating neurologic complications from sickle-cell anemia are the ischemic and hemorrhagic ictus. The 11 percent of patients with SS hemoglobin (HbSS) has ictus before the twenties. This is the case of a child from the Congo aged 14 severely undernourished presenting with sickle-cell anemia and backgrounds of repeated ischemic ictus, seen in the Cira García International Clinic. Magnetic resonance showed signs of an old infarction at different levels of both hemispheres and encephalomalacia zones. This patient shows the natural course of the cerebrovascular complications of sickle-cell anemia

Paradoxical reaction in tubercular meningitis resulting in involvement of optic radiation.

A 25-year-old woman was diagnosed to have tubercular meningitis (TBM) with a right parietal infarct. She responded well to four-drug anti-tubercular treatment (ATT), systemic steroids and pyridoxine. Steroids were tapered off in one and a half months; she was put on two-drug ATT after two months. Six months after initial diagnosis she presented with sudden, bilateral visual loss. Vision was 3/200 with afferent pupillary defect and un-recordable field in the right eye; vision was 20/60 in the left eye, pupillary reaction was sluggish and the field showed a temporal hemianopia. On reintroduction of systemic corticosteroids vision improved (20/120 in right eye and 20/30 in left eye) within three days; the field defects improved sequentially to a left homonymous hemianopia, then a left homonymous inferior quadrantonopia. A diagnosis of TBM, on treatment, with bilateral optic neuritis, and right optic radiation involvement was made. Since the patient had been off ethambutol for four months, the optic neuritis and optic radiation lesion were attributed to a paradoxical reaction to tubercular allergen, corroborated by prompt recovery in response to corticosteroids. This is the first report of optic radiation involvement in a paradoxical reaction in neuro-tuberculosis in a young adult.

Infarto pseudotumoral del cerebelo / Malignant cerebellar infarction

El diagnóstico de infarto cerebeloso en su presentación inicial puede ser difícil, su reconocimiento tardío puede asociarse a graves complicaciones. Aunque sólo representa 2 por ciento a 3 por ciento de los infartos encefálicos, afecta a un importante número de pacientes, muchos de los cuales son jóvenes. De todos los infartos de cerebelo sólo 10 por ciento evolucionará en forma maligna, siendo denominado infarto pseudotumoral de cerebelo. Las causas más habituales son la embolia, la disección de la arteria vertebral y la aterotrombosis. La arteria cerebelosa póstero-inferior es la más frecuentemente comprometida, y en un tercio de los casos se encuentra una fuente cardioembólica. Su rasgo distintivo es el efecto de masa, el mismo que ocasiona compresión de troncoencéfalo e hidrocefalia aguda, generando un deterioro cuantitativo de conciencia. Las neuroimágenes, tomografía computada y resonancia magnética de encéfalo, son de vital importancia para establecer la presencia de un infarto cerebeloso e identificar potenciales complicaciones. Es importante recordar que la tomografía computada es menos sensible que la resonancia magnética para establecer el diagnóstico. El manejo especializado multidisciplinario y la implementación de las medidas de soporte generales y específicas pueden mejorar las posibilidades de sobrevida y recuperación funcional. Ante la presencia de un deterioro de conciencia, un abordaje quirúrgico agresivo pareciera ser la mejor opción de tratamiento.

The diagnosis of cerebellar infarction at initial presentation can be difficult, delayed recognition can be associated with serious complications. Although representing only 2 percent to 3 percent of brain infarcts, affects a significant number of patients, many of whom are young. Only 10 percent of cerebellar infarcts evolve into malignant form, being named pseudotumoral cerebellar infarction. Common causes include embolism, vertebral artery dissection and atherothrombosis. The postero-inferior cerebellar artery is the most frequently committed, and one third of cases there is a cardioemboIic sourse. Its distinguishing feature is the mass effect, causing brain stem compression and acute hydrocephalus, and generating a quantitative impairment of consciousness. The brain imaging, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of brain, are of vital importance to establish the presence of a cerebellar infarct and identify potential complications. It is important to remember that computed tomography is less sensitive than magnetic resonance for diagnosis. The multidisciplinary specialized management and implementation of measures of general and specific support can improve the chances of survival and functional recovery. In the presence of impaired consciousness, an aggressive surgical approach appears to be the best treatment option.

Orbital infarction syndrome in nephrotic syndrome patient with extensive carotid arteries occlusion.

Orbital infarction syndrome is defined as ischemia of global intraorbital structures such as extraocular muscles, optic nerves, and retina. The most common cause of this syndrome is carotid arterial occlusion. Other causes include vasculitis, vasospasm, and compression of intraorbital circulation. There has never been reported a case of orbital infarction syndrome in nephrotic syndrome patient. We present a case of 42-year-old Thai man with underlying disease nephrotic syndrome presented with abrupt onset of headache at left temporal area, horizontal diplopia, limitation of eye movement in all directions, ptosis, and blurred vision on the left eye. He was treated with pulse methylprednisolone intravenously for 3 days. Leg edema was improved however, the eye symptoms persisted. There was no evidence of hypercoagulable state. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed loss of signal intensity at left internal carotid artery from base of skull to intracavernous part. Cerebral angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of left common carotid artery. After the anticoagulant treatment, his symptoms were gradually improved. The cause of extensive carotid arterial occlusion in this patient is most likely from hypercoagulable state. Although it was negative for hypercoagulable state evidence, the authors assume that the high dose steroid treatment could lead to remission of nephrotic syndrome and resulting in the resolution of hypercoagulable state.

Oligosymptomatic and giant basilar artery dolichoectasia discovered after a stroke: case report

The most frequently diagnosed complication of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is the compression of structures adjacent to the vertebral and basilar arteries. A giant VBD with only slight compressive symptoms is unusual. In this setting, the diagnosis of VBD may be casually revealed after the occurrence of a posterior circulation stroke, another potential complication. We report a 48-year-old woman who presented a two-month history of continuous buzz and a slight right-sided hearing loss that was followed by a cerebellar ischemic stroke. Brain CT and MRI revealed a marked compression of the brainstem due to an ectatic, tortuous and partially thrombosed basilar artery (BA). The largest cross-sectional diameter of BA was 18 mm. The patient had a good functional recovery within the two-month follow-up after stroke with modified Rankin scale score (mRSS)=2. At the one-year follow-up, patient still kept the complaints of continuous buzz, slight right-sided hearing loss and the mRSS was the same. We call attention for an unusual giant VBD that caused an impressive brainstem compression with displacement of important structures in an oligosymptomatic patient. Diagnosis was made only after the occurrence of a stroke. Despite of the good functional recovery after stroke, the presence of significant atherosclerotic changes and the large BA diameter may indicate a poor outcome. However, after one year, she remains oligosymptomatic.

A complicação mais freqüentemente encontrada na dolicoectasia vertebrobasilar (DVB) é a compressão de estruturas adjacentes às artérias vertebrais e à artéria basilar. Uma DVB gigante apenas com sintomas compressivos leves é infreqüente. Nesse caso, o diagnóstico pode ser descoberto ao acaso após uma isquemia da circulação posterior, outra complicação possível da DVB. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 48 anos com história de zumbido e perda auditiva leve a direita por 2 meses, desenvolvendo, a seguir, uma isquemia cerebelar. A tomografia e a ressonância magnética demonstraram uma compressão acentuada do tronco cerebral devido a uma artéria basilar (AB) ectásica, tortuosa e preenchida parcialmente por trombo. O maior diâmetro axial da AB tinha 18 mm. A paciente apresentou boa recuperação funcional dentro dos primeiros dois meses após a isquemia, com escore de Rankin modificado (ERM)=2. Após um ano, a paciente ainda mantinha as queixas de zumbido e perda auditiva leve à direita, e o ERM ainda se mantinha=2. Chamamos a atenção para um caso raro de DVB gigante que causou impressionante compressão do tronco cerebral, com deslocamento de importantes estruturas, numa paciente oligossintomática. O diagnóstico só foi realizado após a ocorrência da isquemia. Apesar da boa recuperação funcional inicialmente observada, a presença de alterações ateroscleróticas e o grande diâmetro da AB podem indicar um prognóstico ruim. Contudo, após um ano a paciente ainda se mantinha oligossintomática.

Infartos cerebrales e hidrocefalia secundaria a meningitis tuberculosa: revisión a partir de un caso clínico / Brain infarcts and hydrocephaly secondary to tuberculosis meningitis: clinic case review

La tuberculosis sigue siendo un importante problema y un tópico de la salud pública de magnitud considerable. La tuberculosis que compromete al sistema nervioso central es un importante y serio compromiso extrapulmonar. El infarto y la hidrocefalia cerebral son complicaciones graves de la meningitis tuberculosa y son de mal pronóstico. Presentamos a un paciente con tuberculosis miliar y compromiso meníngeo que cursa con infartos cerebrales múltiples e hidrocefalia. Él presentó una mala evolución y falleció.

Tuberculosis remains a major global problem and a public health issue of considerable magnitude.Tuberculosis involvement of the central nervous system is an important and serious type of extra pulmonary involvement.Cerebral infarction and hydrocephalus are serious complications of tuberculous meningitis and may worsen the prognosis.We present a patient of milliar tuberculosis and meningeal compromise that course with multiple cerebral infarcts and hydrocephalus. He had a poor outcome.

Pituitary Apoplexy Complicated by Chemical Meningitis and Cerebral Infarction

A 41-yr-old man was admitted with acute headache, neck stiffness, and febrile sensation. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis, an increased protein level and, a decreased glucose concentration. No organisms were observed on a culture study. An imaging study revealed pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage. On the 7th day of the attack, confusion, dysarthria, and right-sided facial paralysis and hemiparesis were noted. Cerebral infarction on the left basal ganglia was confirmed. Neurologic deficits gradually improved after removal of the tumor by endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach. It is likely that the pituitary apoplexy, aseptic chemical meningitis, and cerebral infarction are associated with each other. This rare case can serve as a prime example to clarify the chemical characteristics of pituitary apoplexy.

Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical and histopathological findings

The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and histopathological findings in a canine model of ischemic stroke. Cerebral ischemic stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in four healthy beagle dogs using silicone plugs. They showed neurological signs of forebrain dysfunction such as reduced responsiveness, head turning, circling, postural reaction deficits, perceptual deficits, and hemianopsia. These signs gradually regressed within 4 weeks without therapy. On magnetic resonance imaging, T2 hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity were found in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. These lesions were well-defined and sharply demarcated from adjacent brain parenchyma with a homogenous appearance. No abnormalities of the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. At necropsy, atrophic and necrotic lesions were observed in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus were partially unstained with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride. Histopathologically, typical features of infarction were identified in cortical and thalamic lesions. This study demonstrates that our canine model resembles the conditions of real stroke patients.