Prevalence of anatomical variants of the Willis polygon in cadavers undergoing medico-legal necropsy / Prevalencia de variantes anatómicas del Polígono de Willis en cadáveres sometidos a necropsia medicolegal

The primary function of the circle of Willis is to provide collateral blood flow between the anterior and posterior arterial systems of the brain. Its configuration can vary considering its vascular structures, this being considered an anatomical variant. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of these, discriminated by sex in corpses subjected to medicolegal autopsy at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in 2019, in Cali-Colombia. Retrospective observational descriptive study, of photographic records, inspection records and expert reports, where variables of age, sex, anatomical variants, compromised vascular structures are differentiated. Univariate and bivariate analyzes were performed. The population consisted of 194 cases, with a median age of 33 years (interquartile range between 23-45). 24.4% corresponded to the male sex. A prevalence of 25.3% of cases with non-classic polygon was observed. The most frequent anatomical variant was hypoplasia 14.9%. The vascular structure that presented the most anatomical variants was the posterior communicating artery with 17%.

La función principal del polígono de Willis es proporcionar flujo sanguíneo colateral entre los sistemas arteriales anterior y posterior del cerebro. Su configuración puede variar teniendo en cuenta sus estructuras vasculares, considerándose esto una variante anatómica. En este estudio analizamos la prevalencia de las variaciones, discriminada por sexo en cadáveres sometidos a necropsia medicolegal en el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses en el año 2019, en Cali-Colombia. Estudio descriptivo observacional retrospectivo, de registros fotográficos, actas de inspección e informes periciales, donde se diferencia variables de edad, sexo, variantes anatómicas, estructuras vasculares comprometidas. Se realizaron análisis uni y bivariados. La población estuvo conformada por 194 casos, con una mediana de edad de 33 años (rango intercuartil entre 23-45). El 24.4% correspondieron al sexo masculino. Un 25,3% de casosse encontró un polígono no clásico. La variante anatómica más frecuente fue la hipoplasia 14.9%. La estructura vascular que más variantes anatómicas presentó fue la arteria comunicante posterior con un 17%.

Presentation of cerebral and cervical arterial dissections in Botucatu, Brazil: case series / Apresentação de dissecções arteriais cerebrais e cervicais em Botucatu, Brasil: uma série de casos

Abstract Spontaneous dissection of the cervical and cerebral arteries is an important cause of stroke and disability in young patients. In this report, the authors present a case series of patients with spontaneous carotid, vertebral, or cerebral artery dissection who underwent digital angiography. A review of the published literature on this subject is also presented.

Resumo A dissecção espontânea das artérias cervicais e cerebrais é uma causa importante de acidente vascular cerebral e incapacidade em pacientes jovens. Neste relato, é apresentada uma série de casos de pacientes com dissecção espontânea da artéria carótida, vertebral ou cerebral submetidos à angiografia digital. Além disso, é fornecida uma revisão da literatura sobre esse assunto.

Ivy Sign on Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Images in Moyamoya Disease: Correlation with Clinical Severity and Old Brain Lesions

PURPOSE: Leptomeningeal collateral, in moyamoya disease (MMD), appears as an ivy sign on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) images. There has been little investigation into the relationship between presentation of ivy signs and old brain lesions. We aimed to evaluate clinical significance of ivy signs and whether they correlate with old brain lesions and the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with MMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FLAIR images of 83 patients were reviewed. Each cerebral hemisphere was divided into 4 regions and each region was scored based on the prominence of the ivy sign. Total ivy score (TIS) was defined as the sum of the scores from the eight regions and dominant hemispheric ivy sign (DHI) was determined by comparing the ivy scores from each hemisphere. According to the degree of ischemic symptoms, patients were classified into four subgroups: 1) nonspecific symptoms without motor weakness, 2) single transient ischemic attack (TIA), 3) recurrent TIA, or 4) complete stroke. RESULTS: TIS was significantly different as follows: 4.86+/-2.55 in patients with nonspecific symptoms, 5.89+/-3.10 in patients with single TIA, 9.60+/-3.98 in patients with recurrent TIA and 8.37+/-3.39 in patients with complete stroke (p=0.003). TIS associated with old lesions was significantly higher than those not associated with old lesions (9.35+/-4.22 vs. 7.49+/-3.37, p=0.032). We found a significant correlation between DHI and motor symptoms (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Because TIS has a strong tendency with severity of ischemic motor symptom and the presence of old lesions, the ivy sign may be useful in predicting severity of disease progression.

Rapid prototyping of three-dimensional biomodels as an adjuvant in the surgical planning for intracranial aneurysms

PURPOSE: To fabricate a three-dimensional biomodels of intracranial aneurysms, using rapid prototyping technology, to facilitate optimal anatomical visualization of aneurysms prior to and during surgery. METHODS: Four intracranial aneurysms cases were selected for this study. Using CT angiography images, the rapid prototyping process was completed using a PolyJet technology machine. The size and morphology of the prototypes were compared to brain digital subtraction arteriography of the same patients. RESULTS: The biomodels reproduced the exact location and morphology of the intracranial aneurysms, particularly the necks, in life-size dimensions and exactly the same as measured by digital subtraction arteriography. The arterial segments adjacent to the aneurysm and arteries anatomically known by the surgeon were also shown, which could guide the surgeon to the aneurysmal segment. The models showed an average unit cost of US$ 130 and each one took an average of 20 hours to be fabricated. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to fabricate 3D physical biomodels of intracranial aneurysms from CT angiography images. These prototypes may be useful in the surgical planning for intracranial aneurysms to clarify the anatomy, define surgical techniques and facilitate the choice of suitable materials, such as clips and clip appliers.

Resultados obtenidos en el manejo de enfermedades cerebrales mediante terapia endovascular / Results obtained in the management of brain disorders with endovascular therapy

Antecedentes: La terapia endovascular neurológica ha evolucionado rápidamente en un período de tiempo relativamente corto. Esta técnica ha pasado de sus propósitos iniciales, enfocados a pacientes en los que la cirugía abierta no representaba una buena opción, a convertirse en una corriente de la práctica cotidiana. Objetivo: Exponer los resultados obtenidos en pacientes con diversas patologías cerebrales abordados por terapia endovascular, durante un período de 24 meses, con la finalidad de analizar los beneficios de este método terapéutico. Metodología: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, analítico, que incluye como población todos los pacientes con patología cerebral intervenidos mediante terapia endovascular, en el Grupo Hospitalario Kennedy, Centro de Intervencionismo Angio Manabí, Hospital Luis Vernaza y Clínica Guayaquil; durante el período comprendido entre junio de 2010 a mayo de 2012. Resultados: Las patologías más diagnosticadas fueron aneurismas cerebrales con 75 por ciento (n = 175) de los casos, seguido por malformaciones arteriovenosas con 14 por ciento (n = 33). Las complicaciones observadas fueron migración de coil y ruptura de un aneurisma durante su embolización. Se observó una mortalidad total de 2,82 por ciento, relacionada con mal estado clínico y alto grado imagenológico de pacientes con aneurismas cerebrales. Posterior a la intervención, 96,23 por ciento (n = 204) de los pacientes permanecen en grado Rankin 1. Conclusiones: La terapia endovascular neurológica ha obtenido resultados altamente satisfactorios en diversas patologías del sistema nervioso, con bajo índice de complicaciones y morbimortalidad; constituyendo así una excelente elección en el manejo de estas patologías.

Background: Endovascular therapy has evolved rapidly over a relatively short period of time. This technique has evolved from its initial purposes, to treat patients for whom no good open surgical option existed, to become a mainstream of everyday practice. Objective: To present obtained results in patients with brain diseases approach by endovascular therapy, for a period of 24 months, in order to analyze the benefits of this therapeutic method. Methodology: Observational, retrospective, analytical study, of all patients with brain diseases treated by endovascular therapy at Grupo Hospitalario Kennedy, Centro de Intervencionismo AngioManabí, Hospital Luis Vernaza and Clínica Guayaquil, from June 2010 to May 2012. Results: Conditions most commonly diagnosed were brain aneurysms with 75 percent (n = 175) of cases, followed by arteriovenous malformations with 14 percent (n = 33). Complications observed were coil migration in two cases, and aneurysms rupture during the embolization. There was a total mortality of 2,82 percent, related to poor clinical condition and high imaging grade in patients with intracranial aneurysms. After intervention, 96,23 percent (n = 204) of the patients are in Rankin grade 1. Conclusions: Endovascular therapy has achieved highly satisfactory results in several diseases of the nervous system, with low rate of complications and morbid-mortality, making it an excellent choice in the management of these pathologies.

Time-Resolved 3D Contrast-Enhanced MRA on 3.0T: a Non-Invasive Follow-Up Technique after Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization of the Intracranial Aneurysm

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of time-resolved contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (4D MRA) after stent-assisted coil embolization by comparing it with time of flight (TOF)-MRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TOF-MRA and 4D MRA were obtained by 3T MRI in 26 patients treated with stent-assisted coil embolization (Enterprise:Neuroform = 7:19). The qualities of the MRA were rated on a graded scale of 0 to 4. We classified completeness of endovascular treatment into three categories. The degree of quality of visualization of the stented artery was compared between TOF and 4D MRA by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. We used the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing the quality of the visualization of the stented artery according to the stent type in each MRA method. RESULTS: The quality in terms of the visualization of the stented arteries in 4D MRA was significantly superior to that in 3D TOF-MRA, regardless of type of the stent (p < 0.001). The quality of the arteries which were stented with Neuroform was superior to that of the arteries stented with Enterprise in 3D TOF (p < 0.001) and 4D MRA (p = 0.008), respectively. CONCLUSION: 4D MRA provides a higher quality view of the stented parent arteries when compared with TOF.

Bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction following viper bite.

The viper is one of India’s most commonly encountered poisonous snakes and envenomation following viper bite usually leads to consumption coagulopathy. Clinical manifestations most frequently include external and internal bleeding. In the setting of viper envenomation, large-vessel thrombosis is a very rare occurrence. Also, bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction, when unrelated to anatomical abnormalities, subarachnoid haemorrhage, surgery or trauma, itself is an exceedingly rare event. We report a case of a 24-year-old previously healthy man who presented with bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction following a viper bite. We also present hypotheses that may explain this unusual occurrence. ©

Dificuldades no tratamento microcirúrgico dos aneurismas gigantes e complexos da circulacao anterior do polígono de Willis: proposta de escala técnica prognóstica / Dificulties in the microsurgical treatment of giant and complex aneurysms of the anterior circulation of the circle of Willis: proposal of a technical and prognostic scale

Para desenvolver e avaliar a aplicabilidade de uma escala técnica prognostica das dificuldades no tratamento microcirúrgico dos aneurismas gigantes e complexos da circulação anterior do polígono de Willis, 50 lesões foram operadas. Um valor numérico foi dado a cada uma das 8 variáveis da escala / In order to develop and verify the applicability of a technical and prognostic scale of the difficulties in the microsurgical treatment of giant and complex aneurysms of the anterior circulation of the Cicle of Willis, 50 lesions were operated. A numeric amount was given for each of 8 variants of the scale. By adding each amount for each variant a score(from 1 to 14) was achieved, for each of the 50 surgeries. Two groups, therefore, were established...

Hemiballismus and hemichorea following general anesthesia: report of a rare case

Hemiballism is an uncommon movement disorder occuring most commonly in elderly subjects with a history of hypertension or diabetes, or both. We present a 43 year old diabetic woman who developed hemiballism following lumbar disc surgery under general anesthesia. Because of the rarity of this complication following general anesthesia, the case is being presented to emphasize the issue

Granulomatous angiitis of the central nervous system associated with herpes zoster.

Granulomatous angiitis of central nervous system (CNS) is a rare inflammatory disease of blood vessels mostly confined to CNS. We describe a case which presented with right sided hemiplegia with aphasia, after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. CT scan and MRI brain showed a large left sided infarct in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. MRI angiography revealed narrowing and thinning of left internal carotid artery (ICA) and to a lesser extent, left MCA suggestive of granulomatous vasculitis. Herpes zoster is often associated with major CNS involvement and a vascular etiology was previously postulated. Recent pathological reports suggest that cerebral angiitis secondary to herpes virus infection may be more common than realised.

Dilataçäo dos espaços de Virchow-Robin em pacientes com migrânea / Dilatation of Virchow-Robin spaces in patients with migraine

Os espaços de Virchow-Robin (EVR) säo invaginaçöes do espaço subpial, formando uma bainha de revestimento tubular contendo um vaso, que separa o espaço subaracnóide do subpial. A ressonância magnética (RM) é o único método de imagem capaz de avaliar este detalhe anatômico. Nós estudamos a possível associaçäo entre EVR dilatados e migrânea. Avaliamos 70 pacientes com idade compreendida entre 13 e 54 anos (média 36,5 anos), com diagnóstico clínico de migrânea e comparamos com grupo controle com igual número de pacientes com idade compreendida entre 14 e 64 anos (média de 42 anos), sem antecedentes de cefaléia. Observamos aumento dos EVR em 28 casos (40 por cento) dos pacientes com migrânea. No grupo controle tal achado foi encontrado em apenas 5 casos (7,1 por cento). Alertamos, ainda, sobre a importância na detecçäo e reconhecimento dos EVR, bem como o seu diagnóstico diferencial com infartos lacunares e cistos da fissura coroidea

Cerebral vascular changes in experimentally induced hypertensive rats

To study the pathogenesis of cerebral vascular changes in hypertension, especially those predisposing to hemorrhage, we set out to produce a hypertensive rat model by the Goldblatt [2 kidney-1 clip] method. Materials and Fifty rats were rendere d hypertensive by the Goldblatt method in which the left renal artery was ligated surgically. The animals, together with 18 control rats, were divided into three groups as follows: a] on normal diet and water, b] on normal diet and 1% salt water and c] on normal diet and drinking water containing 0.12% of the lathyrogen beta a m i n o p roprionitrile [BAPN]. Slices of brain were examined both macroscopically and microscopically for morphological changes in the cerebral vessels. Mean arterial blood pressures achieved were only moderate [170 mmHg] and corresponding cerebral vascular changes were mild to moderate. None of the s e v e re lesions [hemorrhages, fibrinoid necrosis, microaneurysms, etc.] known to be associated with severe or long-standing hypertension were demonstrated in this study. A few vessels in six animals showed fibrin deposition in the wall, although these could not be directly related to the severity of hypertension or duration of survival of the animal. The six, as well as three additional animals, also showed immunoglobulin G [IgG] deposition in the vessel walls and perivascular tissues within the brain. We have successfully established a rat model for the study of hypertension-related cerebral vascular changes. The deposits of fibrin and IgG in the vessel wall and surrounding tissues re p resent early changes, which appear to occur even in the absence of severe hypertensive vascular disease. Further studies are required to determine the relevance of these changes to other known morphological changes of the cerebral vasculature in hypertension

Hemorragias cerebrales y angiopatía amiloidea / Cerebral amyloid angiopathy in brains of patients dying of non traumatic cerebral hemorrhages

Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is considered pathogenic in non traumatic cerebral lobar hemorrhages. Aim: To study the frequency of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in brains of patients dying of non traumatic cerebral hemorrhages. Material and methods: Thirty seven brains from patients, 25 men and aged 65ñ10 years old, with cerebral hemorrhages (14 lobar, 18 in basal ganglia and 5 in cerebellum or brainstem) were studied. As controls, the brains of 30 subjects, 14 men and aged 64ñ16 years old, dying of non neurological causes were studied. Deep and cortical vessels were stained with hematoxylin eosin, Gomori, Thioflavin T and Bodian. Definitive cerebral amyloid angiopathy was diagnosed when amyloid deposition was observed in the media of vessels. Results: Twenty six out of 32 patients dying of cerebral hemorrhage and 3 of 21 controls had chronic hypertension. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy was present in 19 of 37 brains of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and 13 of 30 control brains. In patients with hypertension, vascular changes independent of the location and volume of amyloid deposition, were observed. Such changes were dilatation, tortuousness, thickening of walls specially in muscular and adventitia and hyaline degeneration. Thirteen brains with hemorrhage had fibrinoid necrosis and 10 had microaneurysms. Conclusions: In this series of patients, cerebral amyloid deposition was unspecific and its role in the pathogenesis of cerebral hemorrhages was not confirmed. Hypertension was associated with vascular degenerative changes that can lead to cerebral hemorrhages

Distribution of vascular lesions in ischaemic stroke: a magnetic resonance angiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy is now an accepted modality for reducing the threat of recurrence of ischaemic strokes in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis. However, the incidence of carotid artery stenosis, and hence the applicability of carotid endarterectomy in the Indian population is not known. We conducted a prospective study to detect and quantify extracranial and intracranial arterial lesions using magnetic resonance angiography in consecutive patients with ischaemic strokes. METHODS: All patients with recent onset of ischaemic stroke (< 4 months) had a magnetic resonance angiography done to evaluate the neck vessels as well as the circle of Willis and its branches. The degree of stenosis of the internal carotid or common carotid artery was measured according to the criteria described by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) collaborators. The site and extent of the extracranial and intracranial arterial lesions were correlated with the clinical features and the pattern of infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomographic scan of the brain. RESULTS: The magnetic resonance angiography was abnormal in 56 out of 100 patients included in the study. Severe stenosis (> 70%) of the extracranial carotid arteries was seen in 26 patients. Lesions suitable for carotid endarterectomy were present in only 11 patients (42.3% of those with severe stenosis). CONCLUSION: Our results are in contrast to those reported from western countries where the likelihood of a surgically correctable lesion being present is 60%-70%. We found operable lesions in only 11%. Intracranial atherosclerotic disease causing strokes is probably more common in India. Therefore, although carotid endarterectomy is the only accepted surgical procedure for secondary prophylaxis of stroke, there is a need to find an alternative surgical intervention for the predominantly intracranial pathology found in the Indian population.

Myocarditis and hemiplegia from scorpion bite--a case report.

A 16 year old boy presenting with features of myocarditis and pulmonary oedema following scorpion sting developed hemiplegia with patchy vasculitic lesions on CT scan. The possible pathogenic mechanism is discussed.

Effect of acute lead treatment on the in vivo thrombosis in mouse cerebral microvessels under hydrated and dehydrated conditions

Effect of water deprivation for 24 h on blood parameters and platelet aggregation in pial arterioles of lead-treated mice was investigated. Exposure to lead was made by intraperitoneal injections for 24 h of lead acetate dissolved in a 5% glucose solution vehicle. Three doses of lead were used, a low dose of 0.1 mg/kg, intermediate dose of 0.5 mg/kg and a high dose of 1.0 mg/kg. Adult male mice were divided into four groups of 10 each. Platelet aggregation in pial microvessels was induced photochemically, in vivo, in anaesthetized [urethane, 1 - 2 mg/g, i.p] animals by activation of circulating sodium fluorescein [0.1 mL of 5% solution /25g, i.v.] with an intense mercury light. The time required for the first platelet aggregate to appear in pial arterioles was significantly [P < 0.05] shorter [166 +/- 27, 154 +/- 58, 218 +/- 68 sec; in low, intermediate and high doses of lead, respectively] than in control [276 +/- 63 sec]. Dehydration significantly reduced both the time requied for the first platelet aggregate [61 +/- 21 vs 125 +/- 31 sec] and the time to full occlusion [134 +/- 18 vs 239 +/- 68 sec, lead-treated vs control, P < 0.05].Blood data of dehydrated mice confirmed haemoconcentration and lead treatment did not have any influence, except haemoglobin and haematocrit in the high dose group which showed significant differences from those of control [P < 0.05]. These data revealed that lead can cause cerebrovascular thrombosis after 24 h of exposure and its effect can be enhanced under water deprivation conditions

Aneurisma gigante da artéria cerebral posterior (segmento P3): relato de caso / Giant aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery (P3 segment): report of a case

Apresentamos caso de aneurisma gigante do segmento distal (P3) da artéria cerebral posterior. O aneurisma foi tratado microcirurgicamente pela via combinada proposta por Sano com clipagem do ramo terminal da artéria cerebral posterior próximo ao aneurisma. A paciente teve evoluçäo pós operatória favorável, com lesäo parcial e transitória do III nervo craniano. Revisäo da literatura e discussäo a respeito da anatomia e da abordagem cirúrgica säo feitas. A raridade desta patologia justifica o relato deste caso