Prognosis of Acute Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Occlusion after Endovascular Treatment / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about prognosis after endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute large artery occlusion (LAO) caused by underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Therefore, we investigated the prognosis following EVT according to the underlying etiology of LAO. METHODS: Patients from the Acute Stroke due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic occlusion and Neurointervention-Korean Retrospective (ASIAN KR) registry (n=720) were included if their occlusion was in the intracranial anterior circulation and their onset-to-puncture time was < 24 hours. Occlusion was classified according to etiology as follows: no significant stenosis after recanalization (Embolic group), and fixed significant focal stenosis in the occlusion site with flow impairment or re-occlusion observed during EVT (ICAS group). Patients were excluded when significant extracranial carotid lesions existed, and when the intracranial occlusion was intractable to EVT so that the etiology was undetermined. The effect of angiographic etiologic classification on outcomes was evaluated using multivariable analysis that was adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among eligible patients (n=520), 421 and 99 were classified in the Embolic and ICAS groups, respectively. Patients in the Embolic and ICAS groups had similar successful reperfusion rates with EVT (79.6% vs. 76.8%, P=0.537) and 3-month functional independence (54.5% vs. 45.5%, P=0.104). In multivariable analysis, ICAS-related occlusion (odds ratio, 0.495; 95% confidence interval, 0.269 to 0.913; P=0.024) showed poorer 3-month functional independence compared to embolic occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: After EVT, patients with acute ICAS-related occlusion have relatively poor functional outcomes compared to those with embolic occlusion. Novel strategies need to be developed to improve EVT outcomes for ICAS occlusion.

Image Settings Affecting Nuchal Translucency Measurement Using Volume NT(TM) Software

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the deviation from the mid-sagittal plane, fetal image size, tissue harmonic imaging (THI), and speckle reduction filter (SRF) on the measurement of the nuchal translucency (NT) thickness using Volume NT(TM) software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 79 pregnant women, NT was measured using Volume NT(TM). Firstly, the three-dimensional volumes were categorized based on the angle of deviation in 10degrees intervals from the mid-sagittal plane. Secondly, the operator downsized the fetal image to less than 50% of the screen (Method A) and by magnifying the image (Method B). Next, the image was magnified until the fetal head and thorax occupied 75% of the screen, and the NT was measured (Method C). Lastly, NT values were acquired with THI and SRF functions on, with each function alternately on, and with both functions off. RESULTS: The mean differences in NT measurements were -0.09 mm (p<0.01) between two-dimensional (2D) and a deviation of 31-40degrees and -0.10 mm (p<0.01) between 2D and 41-50degrees. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for 2D-NT and NT according to image size were 0.858, 0.923, and 0.928 for methods A, B, and C, respectively. The ICC for 2D-NT and NT with respect to the THI and SRF were 0.786, 0.761, 0.740, and 0.731 with both functions on, THI only, SRF only, and with both functions off, respectively. CONCLUSION: NT measurements made using Volume NT(TM) are affected by angle deviation from the mid-sagittal plane and fetal image size. Additionally, the highest correlation with 2D-NT was achieved when THI and SRF functions were used.

Iatrogenic Botulism After Intramuscular Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) is widely used for both medical treatment and cosmetic purposes. A 46-year-old woman presented with progressive generalized weakness and dysphagia. The patient had injected BTA into her both of her calves by herself for cosmetic purposes. Repetitive nerve stimulation of the right facial nerve demonstrated reduced compound muscle action potential amplitudes of the orbicularis oculi and nasalis muscles, and a reduced response to low-frequency, repetitive stimulation. The possibility of iatrogenic botulism should be considered when using BTA.

A Case of Long-term Follow-up Rasmussen's Encephalitis / 대한간질학회지

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare, severe, and progressive disorder characterized by focal motor seizures, epilepsia partialis continua, hemiparesis, and intellectual decline. Although clinical features of RE are heterogenous, the progression of the disease is generally divided into three stages which are prodromal, acute, residual stages. We report a 29-year-old woman who had shown typical progression of the disease but preserved cognitive function during a longterm follow-up.