Clinical characteristics of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with acute cerebral infarction / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and imaging features of patients with sudden sensorineural deafness and acute cerebral infarction in order to provide evidence for early recognition of such diseases.Methods:This was a case series reporting study. A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and imaging data of 29 patients with sudden hearing loss (SHL) who admitted to the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 and diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction using MRI-DWI.Results:The patients were aged 31-71 years, with an average age of 56±12 years, and 82.8% (24/29) were men. In total, 82.8% (24/29) of the patients had three or more atherosclerotic risk factors, and 24.1% (7/29) had a history of SHL. The hearing types were flat and total deafness: 86.2% (25/29) of the patients had severe hearing loss, 27.6% (8/29) had bilateral SHL, 17.2% (5/29) had further hearing loss during hospitalization, and 82.8% (24/29) had dizziness or vertigo at the onset. The signs of central nervous system involvement mainly included speech impairment, diplopia, dysphagia, central facial paralysis, facial and limb hypoesthesia, ataxia, and decreased muscle strength. Imaging evaluation showed that 21 cases were located in the posterior circulation supply area and 8 cases in the anterior circulation supply area. Additionally, 82.8% (24/29) patients had vertebrobasilar artery stenosis, and 58.6% (17/29) patients had severe vertebrobasilar artery stenosis or occlusion.Conclusions:Patients with SHL who progress to cerebral infarction often have multiple atherosclerotic risk factors and SHL. Most of the patients are middle-aged and older men who often complain of dizziness or dizziness accompanied by severe flat and total deafness with unilateral or bilateral SHL. Imaging findings suggest that most patients have posterior circulation infarction, often accompanied by severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar artery.

Stroke syndrome: A case of a Nine syndrome with a DWI-negative imaging

@#The brainstem contains important structures that give an array of clinical manifestations in pathologic processes. Here, we report a case of “Nine Syndrome” who was admitted in our institution with no acute findings on DWI sequence. The exact prevalence of Nine Syndrome has been accounted to only four cases reported in the literature and this is due to a pontine tegmentum lesion. Our patient is a 65 year-old male who presented with five-hour history of sudden onset of symptoms presented as ipsilateral gaze palsy, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, a lower motor neuron type of facial palsy, and a contralateral hemiparesis. Using a 1.5T MR cranial scanner and Philips scanner of the time-of-flight of the intracranial vessels, no evidence of acute territorial infarct but an old lacunar infarct was seen in the right pontine area. Both the anterior and posterior circulations are within normal course and caliber with no narrowing seen. Patient was started on dual anti-platelet, high dose statin, and anti-hypertensives on the fourth hospital day. Nine syndrome is a rare case, and its diagnosis rely on its clinical manifestations, neuroanatomy, and diagnostic imaging. An acute posterior ischemic infarct such as this may yield a negative DWI finding but should not impede the clinician in its early recognition and management.

Influencing factors for early clinical deterioration in patients with mild posterior circulation infarction / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To study the incidence and influencing factors for clinical deterioration at an early stage in patients with mild posterior circulation infarction (PCI).Methods:Totally 291 patients with mild PCI from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2020 were retrospectively included. Clinical deterioration within 24 h (CD 24h) and clinical deterioration between 2 d and 14 d (CD 14d) were the endpoint events. IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Pearson chi-square test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the group differences of corresponding variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the primary endpoint events. Results:The incidences of CD 24h and CD 14d were 21.6% (63/291) and 30.6% (89/291) respectively, with the reperfusion therapy rate of 13.4% (39/291). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis with CD 24h as the endpoint event showed that the baseline NIHSS was a positive independent factor increasing the risk of CD 24h ( OR=1.184, 95% CI=1.078-1.300, P<0.01). Cerebellar infarction (compared with brainstem infarction) ( OR=0.250, 95% CI=0.082-0.757, P=0.014)and non-macroatherosclerosis (compared with major atherosclerosis) ( OR=0.026, 95% CI=0.002-0.325, P=0.005) had negative predictive effects on CD 24h. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis with CD 14d as the endpoint event showed that pulmonary infection complications after stroke ( OR=28.085, 95% CI=6.863-114.927, P<0.01) and baseline NIHSS ( OR=1.114, 95% CI=1.001-1.240, P=0.048) were independent factors of CD 14d. Reperfusion therapy ( OR=0.089, 95% CI=0.013-0.613, P=0.014) could reduce the risk of CD 14d.Top of basilar syndrome(compared with single brainstem infarction) ( OR=7.526, 95% CI=1.565-36.188, P=0.012) increased the risk of CD 14d, while the non-macroatherosclerotic (compared with the macroatherosclerotic subtype) ( OR=0.076, 95% CI=0.009-0.683, P=0.021) negatively predicted the risk of CD 14d. Baseline NIHSS ( OR=0.834, 95% CI=0.758-0.918, P<0.01), CD 14d ( OR=0.048, 95% CI=0.018-0.130, P<0.01) and pulmonary infection complications ( OR=0.045, 95% CI=0.012-0.167, P<0.01) were negatively predicted the good clinical prognosis (modified Rankin score 14 days after onset ≤2). Conclusion:Early clinical deterioration has a negative predictive effect on clinical prognosis improvement of patients with mild PCI. Large artery atherosclerotic stenosis subtype and basilar apex syndrome are the risk factors of CD 24h and CD 14d of patients with mild PCI, and pulmonary infection is the risk factor of CD 14d. Reperfusion therapy in acute phase is helpful to reduce the risk of early clinical deterioration and improve clinical prognosis in patients with mild PCI.

Stroke syndromes: A case of an eight and a half syndrome

INTRODUCTION@#Eight and a Half syndrome: a combination of ipsilateral cranial nerve seven palsy plus one and a half syndrome is rare. Exact prevalence of the syndrome has not been reported as of yet. This syndrome is mostly attributed to a vascular etiology such as a pontine tegmental infarction. @*OBJECTIVE@#To present a rare case of a stroke syndrome : eight and a half syndrome (peripheral cranial nerve seven palsy plus a one and an half syndrome) in an adult male. To present the importance of its early clinical recognition in correlation of radiologic imaging, and management. @*CASE REPORT@#This is a case of a sixty-two year old male, who had a one day history of sudden double vision. Cranial nerve examination revealed a frozen right eye; unable to perform any movement on horizontal gaze, and with right sided facial asymmetry. He was hypertensive for more than ten years. Left eye was exotropic, with no adduction. Right eye was frozen on horizontal gaze, and primary gaze was at midline. Right sided peripheral facial palsy was seen on examination. Cranial non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging with time of flight was done revealing an infarct in the right posterior pontine area, and a narrow right vertebral artery due to a probable occlusion. Patient was started on antiplatelet cilostazol 100mg/tab 1 tablet twice daily. Atorvastatin 40mg/tab 1 tablet was given. Anti-hypertensives were started on his fourth hospital day. Smoking cessation, dietary modifications, and compliance to medications were emphasized prior to discharge. @*DISCUSSION@#Here we have a stroke syndrome presenting as an ipsilateral lower motor neuron: seventh nerve palsy, and an ipsilateral horizontal gaze palsy with internuclear ophthalmoplegia of the contralateral eye (failure of adduction) termed as CN VII, + 1 ½ syndrome or Eight and a Half Syndrome. This is caused by a lesion involving the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) which sends signals towards the ipsilateral abducens nerve and contralateral medial longitudinal fasciculus. These structures lie in close proximity to the nucleus and intraaxial fascicles of cranial nerve VII manifesting as facial weakness of the ipsilateral side to the lesion. An occlusion in the tip of the paramedian pontine artery, a branch of the basilar artery, is the most common etiology.

Thirteen-and-a-Half syndrome stroke: A case report

@#We describe a 52-year old woman who developed one- and-a-half syndrome with an ipsilateral trigeminal and facial nerve palsy from a lacunar infarct of the left paramedian pontine area likely involving the median-paramedian perforators of the basilar artery.

Clinical observation of the therapeutic effect on posterior circulation ischemic vertigo treated with "xiao xingnao kaiqiao" acupuncture / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term and long-term clinical effect on posterior circulation ischemic vertigo treated with "xiao xingnao kaiqiao" acupuncture (minor regaining consciousness and opening orifice) and explore its effect mechanism. METHODS: Ninety patients with posterior circulation ischemic vertigo were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The patients of the two groups were all treated on the base of neurological medicine. In the control group, Flunarizine Hydrochloride was prescribed for oral administration (5 mg, once daily, for 21 days totally). In the treatment group, acupuncture of "xiao xingnao kaiqiao" was provided at Yintang (EX-HN3), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6), Baihui (GV20), bilateral Fengchi (GB20), bilateral Wangu (GB12) and bilateral Tianzhu (BL10). The needles were retained for 30 min, once daily for 21 days totally. The changes in vertigo score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were observed, and the changes in the mean blood velocity (Vm) of the left vertebral artery (LVA), the right vertebral artery (RVA) and the basilar artery (BA) as well as the vascular pulsatility index (PI) were monitored and determined by transcranial Doppler (TCD). Additionally, the recurrence rate was followed up after 3 months to evaluate the long-term clinical effects. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.11% (41/45) and 75.56% (34/45) in the control group. The total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with their own pre-treatment, the vertigo scores of TCM were reduced in either the treatment group or the control group after treatment (P<0.05) and the score in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with their own pre-treatment, Vm and PI were all improved after treatment in either group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the improvements in Vm and PI of LVA、RVA and BA in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the follow-up after 3 months, the recurrence rate was 19.51% (8/41) in the treatment group and was 50.00% (17/34) in the control group. The recurrence rate in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: "Xiao xingnao kaiqiao" acupuncture obviously relieves the clinical symptoms of posterior circulation ischemic vertigo. The mechanism of acupuncture is potentially related with its effects in improving Vm and PI of LVA,RVA and BA, as well as improving blood supply of brain tissue.

Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Tongnao Pills in Treating Senile Posterior Circulation Ischemic Vertigo with Phlegm and Blood Stasis Type / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the curative effect and mechanism of Tongnao pill in the treatment of senile posterior circulation ischemic vertigo with phlegm and blood stasis type. Method:The 80 elderly patients with posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (phlegm and blood stasis type) admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research subjects and were randomly divided into two groups according to the hospital admission number. Those with odd numbers were classified into control group and those with even numbers were classified into observation group, with 40 cases in each group. All of the patients in both groups were given basic treatment, and the patients in control group additionally received intravenous infusion of vinpocetine on the basis of basic treatment, while the patients in observation group additionally received Tongnao pill on the basis of the treatment in control group. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, European Evaluation of Vertigo(EEV) score, dizziness handicap inventory-screening (DHI-S) score, vertebral basilar artery average blood flow velocity(Vm) and pulsatility index(PI), hemodynamic changes[mean arterial pressure(MAP), central venous pressure(CVP), right atrial pressure (RAP), left atrial pressure(LAP), cardiac output(CO), cardiac stroke volume(SV)], changes in blood viscosity and blood lipid levels，symptom disappearance time, and safety of the two groups were compared. Result:The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.00% (38/40), significantly higher than 75.00% (30/40) in the control group (χ2=4.804, P<0.05). After treatment, the symptoms were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05), and the scores of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus and deafness, tiredness and fatigue in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the EEV and DHI-S scores were decreased significantly in both groups(P<0.05), and such scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05), the Vm of bilateral vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) on both sides were significantly increased in both groups, while the PI was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and these two indicators in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05), the MAP, CVP, RAP and LAP were significantly reduced in both groups after treatment, while the CO and SV were increased after treatment(P<0.05), and the SV of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The high blood viscosity, low blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and TG, TC, LDL-C levels were decreased significantly while HDL-C increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05), and the blood viscosity and blood lipid levels in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05). The time to disappearance of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus and deafness, malaise, fatigue, and confused mind in observation group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05), no serious adverse events occurred in both groups. Conclusion:Tongnao pills for the treatment of senile posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (phlegm and blood stasis type) can significantly alleviate the symptoms of vertigo, improve hemorrheology, increase the blood flow velocity of the vertebrobasilar artery, improve the abnormal blood supply to the brain, and improve the quality of life for patients, with fewer adverse reactions, high safety, and good therapeutic effect. Therefore, it is worth to be applied in clinical use.

Vertebral artery occlusion with lateral medullary syndrome and cervical cord infarct

@#Wallenberg syndrome (lateral medullary syndrome) is a type of posterior circulation stroke resulting in brainstem infarction which is most often caused by occlusion of vertebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery or both.1 Here we report a case of right lateral medullary syndrome secondary to vertebral artery occlusion with associated left cerebellar and cervical cord infarct resulting in quadriparesis.

Effects of fast-twisting long-retaining acupuncture therapy on apoptosis and expression of related proteins in vestibular nucleus in rats with vertigo induced by posterior circulation ischemia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of fast-twisting long-retaining (FTLR) acupuncture therapy on apoptosis of vestibular nucleus and expression of Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with vertigo induced by posterior circulation ischemia.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a medication group, a regular acupuncture group and a FTLR acupuncture group, 14 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, medication group, regular acupuncture group and FTLR acupuncture group were intervented with surgical ligation of the right common carotid artery (CCA) and the right subclavian artery (SCA) to establish the model of vertigo induced by posterior circulation ischemia; in the sham operation group, the right CCA and the right SCA were separated without ligation. The rats in the medication group were treated with gavage of flunarizine hydrochloride suspension (10 mL/kg). "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shuaigu" (GB 8) and "Fengchi" (GB 20) were selected in the two acupuncture groups. The rats in the regular acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture and the needles were retained for 30 min, while the rats in the FTLR acupuncture group were treated with quick twist (200-300 times/min) for 1 min and the needles were retained for 60 min. The rats in the sham operation group and the model group received no intervention. All the intervention was provided once a day for 10 days. The decline rate of local blood flow in vestibular nucleus was observed; the apoptosis of vestibular nucleus was observed by TUNEL method; the expression of Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham operation group, the decline rate of local blood flow in the right vestibular nucleus was significantly increased in the model group (<0.01), and the apoptosis index (AI) of vestibular nucleus was significantly increased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the decline rates of local blood flow in the right vestibular nucleus in the two acupuncture groups and medication group were significantly reduced (<0.01), and the AIs of vestibular nucleus cells were significantly reduced (<0.01). The decline rate of local blood flow in the right vestibular nucleus in the FTLR acupuncture group was lower than those in the medication group and the regular acupuncture group (<0.01, <0.05), and the AI of vestibular nucleus was lower than those in the regular acupuncture group and the medication group (<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of Bcl-2 in the vestibular nucleus was significantly decreased in the model group (<0.01), and the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expressions of Bcl-2 in the vestibular nucleus were significantly increased in the two acupuncture groups and medication group (<0.01), and the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced (<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 in the vestibular nucleus in the FTLR acupuncture group was higher than those in the regular acupuncture group and the medication group (<0.05), and the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were lower than those in the regular acupuncture group and the medication group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The FTLR acupuncture therapy could effectively inhibit the apoptosis of vestibular nucleus in rats with vertigo induced by posterior circulation ischemia, and its mechanism may be related to improving the blood supply of vestibular nucleus and regulating the expressions of Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins.

Misdiagnosis of acute ischemic stroke in young patients

Misdiagnosis is a challenging risk in young patients with ischemic stroke that leads to delayed recognition, prevents thrombolytic therapy and increases morbidity and mortality. To assess the frequency and reasons for misdiagnosis of ischemic stroke in young adults in the emergency department, we retrospectively evaluated 101 consecutive patients. The diagnosis required both the presence of an ischemic lesion in diffusion-weighted MRI as well as neurological symptoms. Twenty-three individuals were misdiagnosed (15 females, mean age 43 years [range 26-55 years]). The most common diagnostic errors included headache/ neck pain n = 11 (48%) and peripheral vertigo n = 4 (17.3%), and the most common missed etiology was arterial dissection (AD) n = 15 (65.2%). The initial diagnosis was made by emergency physicians in 22 persons. The group with misdiagnosis had a significantly higher frequency of AD at 15 vs. 8 (p < 0.01), posterior territory involvement at 12 vs. 6 (p < 0.01), and female predominance. Misdiagnosis occurred in a third of young patients with an ischemic stroke and was more frequent in those with arterial dissection involving the posterior circulation and presenting with non-specific symptoms.

El error diagnóstico es una situación riesgosa en pacientes jóvenes con infarto cerebral, ya que conduce a demora en el reconocimiento, previene la administración de terapia trombolítica e incrementa la morbimortalidad. Para valorar la frecuencia y las razones de errores en esta población, evaluamos retrospectivamente 101 pacientes consecutivos. El diagnóstico de infarto cerebral requirió tanto la presencia de lesión isquémica aguda en resonancia magnética como también la presencia de síntomas neurológicos. Veintitrés pacientes fueron mal diagnosticados (15 mujeres, edad media 43 años, [rango 26-55 años]). El error más frecuente incluyó cefalea/cervicalgia n = 11 (48%) y vértigo periférico n = 4 (17.3%). La etiología menos sospechada fue disección arterial n = 15 (62.2%). La evaluación inicial en 22 pacientes fue realizada por emergentólogos. El grupo con errores tuvo significativamente mayor frecuencia de disección arterial 15 vs. 8 (p < 0.01), afectación del territorio posterior 12 vs. 6 (p < 0.01) y sexo femenino. En conclusión, los errores diagnósticos ocurrieron en un tercio de los pacientes jóvenes con infarto cerebral, y fueron más frecuentes en aquellos con disección arterial, compromiso del territorio posterior y síntomas de presentación inespecífica.

Cerebellar infarction complicated with acute hydrocephalus

Acute hydrocephalus is a rare manifestation of posterior circulation strokes. Clinical worsening and coma may occur in addition to these symptoms of cerebellar dysfunction. Timely and careful approach will certainly prove to be life saving when deciding for a shunt procedure in a patient developing obstructive hydrocephalus following cerebellar infarct. The case presented here is a reminder for both this rare complication, and the treatment approach. We present a patient with cerebellar infarct and secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. Forty three year old male patient was brought to the emergency room in our hospital with unconsciousness, before that patient with suddenly developing dizziness, loss of balance and vomiting. His neurological examination showed that he was coma. The patient's brain computed tomography scan showed severe third and lateral ventricular dilation suggestive of obstructive hydrocephalus. Following shunt placement and suboccipital decompression, the patient recovered and was able to walk without assistance. Cerebellar infarcts may cause death as a result of pressure increase in the posterior fossa and pressure on the brain stem due to edema. Moreover, the aquaductus or the fourth ventricle may close because of edema and cause obstructive hydrocephalus and acute intracranial pressure increase. Temporary external ventricular drainage or permanent shunt systems and surgical decompression of the posterior fossa may be considered to prevent progressive neurologic worsening. In conclusion, we wished to point out that a timely surgical procedure in a cerebellar infarct case where acute hydrocephalus developed could be life saving.

Rotational vertebral artery syndrome treated via an anterior approach and selective decompression only

We present the case of a 38-year-old male who complained of repeated dizziness and syncope. Rotational vertebral artery syndrome (RVAS) was diagnosed via videonystagmoraphy (VNG), computed tomography angiography (CTA) and three-position digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In the neutral position, CTA and DSA revealed left vertebral artery (VA) stenosis at the C2 transverse foramen and right VA hypoplasia. When the head was turned to the right, the blood flow stopped at the C2 level. The bony structure around the VA at the C2 transverse foramen was decompressed via an anterior surgical approach, and the symptoms resolved. This case present the precise stenotic point evaluation by three-position DSA is crucial for the planning of surgical treatment.

Evaluación inicial del paciente con mareos y vértigo / Initial evaluation of the patient with dizziness and vertigo

El paciente que consulta por mareos o vértigo es sin duda un desafío para el médico que trabaja en un servicio de urgencia. Esto se da en parte por la dificultad de los pacientes de definir el síntoma, a la amplia gama de diagnósticos diferenciales y su potencial riesgo de desenlace negativo, como en el caso del accidente cerebrovascular de fosa posterior. En esta revisión narrativa, el objetivo: es explicar el enfrentamiento inicial del paciente con mareos y vértigo, describir las pruebas y métodos diagnósticos complementarios, distinguir los diagnósticos diferenciales más frecuentes y explicar el manejo inicial. Método:se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de literatura científica sobre esta patología, basado en la propuesta de Edlow (2016), donde se enfatiza en un enfoque basado en temporalidad, factores desencadenantes y contexto del síntoma.(AU)

The patient who consults for dizziness or vertigo is undoubtedly a challenge for the emergency physician. This is partly due to the difficulty of the patients to define the symptom, the wide range of differential diagnoses and their potential risk of negative outcome, as in the case of posterior circulation stroke. In this narrative review, the objective is to explain the initial approach of the patient with dizziness and vertigo, describe the tests and complementary diagnostic methods, distinguish the most frequent differential diagnoses and explain the initial management. A bibliographic review of the scientific literature on this pathology was carried out, based on the proposal of Edlow (2016), which emphasizes an approach based on temporality, trigger factors and context of the symptom. (AU)

Changes and significance of the posterior circulation blood flow and wall shear stress in patients with vertebral artery hypoplasia / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objectives To evaluate the parameter changes of posterior circulation blood flow and wall shear stress in patients with vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) and to understand the possible mechanisms of VAH-induced posterior circulation infarction (PCI). Methods A total of 261 consecutive patients with suspected vascular vertigo admitted to the Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou from October 2014 to January 2016 were enrolled. The vertigo symptom scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the severity of vertigo. All patients completed TCD and high field strength MR examination within 3 d of admission (Tl ,T2 weighted imaging,fluid attenuation inversion recovery [FLAIR] ,diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI],MR angiography [MRA], contrast-enhanced MRA [CEMRA]),and according to the diameter of the vertebral artery combined with the diagnostic criteria of VAH, they were divided into VAH group and non-VAH group, Posterior circulation blood flow velocity (systolic velocity [V,], diastolic velocity [Vd] , mean velocity [V]) , pulsatility index (PI) , resistance index (RI) , mean flow velocity (MFV) ,and wall shear stress (WSS) between the two group were analyzed. The paired or independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and the 2 test were conducted with SPSS19.0 for intra-group or inter-group comparisons. Results Of 261 patients,78 (29.9%) had VAH,26 were complicated with basilar artery hypoplasia,37 were complicated with fetal type posterior circle of Willis,and posterior circulation infarction occurred in 48 (18. 4%). Compared with the non-VAH group, the degree of vertigo of patients was more severe in the VAH group(3[2,4] vs. 3[1,3] ,Z = 2. 29) ,and the incidence of posterior circulation infarction was significantly increased (25. 6% [20/78] vs. 13. 5% (28/183) ,x =5- 34)- The differences were statistically significant (all P 0. 05). Conclusions The incidence of VAH was higher in patients with vertigo and vascular risk factors. VAH affected the posterior circulation hemodynamics, which might be associated with the occurrence of PCI.

A case report of recurrent posterior circulation infarction caused by bow hunter syndrome / 中国脑血管病杂志

Rotational vertebral artery occlusion syndrome, also known as Bow Hunter Syndrome (BHS), is a rare clinical syndrome that causes mechanical occlusion or stenosis of the vertebral artery during head and neck rotation or extension. Ischemia symptoms of the vertebral-basilar artery system often occur during head rotation and could rapidly improve with neutral position. In a few cases, BHS may result in arterio-arterial embolic infarction due to secondary thrombosis from intimai injury caused by repeated compression of the vertebral artery. The author reported a case of a young female patient with repeated posterior circulatory infarction caused by BHS. The patient suffered from sudden unresponsiveness,memory decline,and right limb inflexibility. There were no vascular risk factors in her past history,and no correlation between clinical symptoms and neck rotation. Neck rotation test by carotid ultrasound showed the blood flow of left vertebral artery was decreased and reversed when the neck rotated to the right. Head and neck CT angiography (CTA) and DSA examination showed left vertebral artery local protrusion at the junction of V3 and V4,which was considered as dissection or pseudoaneurysm. Left vertebral artery segment after axial transverse foramen was not visible on CTA during right head rotation. High resolution MR showed a membranous structure protruding into the lumen at the V3-V4 junction of the left vertebral artery. It is suggested that the clinical symptoms of BHS may be unrelated to neck rotation, but could only present as posterior circulation area infarction combined with ipsilateral vertebral artery imaging characteristics of limited range of dissection or pseudoaneurysm. Missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis may occur if the clinicians lack the corresponding understandings and knowledge. Therefore, in young patients with posterior circulation cryptogenic stroke,morphological changes of posterior circulation vessels should be carefully analyzed. If necessary,carotid ultrasound neck rotation test or dynamic DAS should be conducted to clarify whether BHS is involved.

Intracranial atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke with posterior circulation: A high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the characteristics of intracranial atherosclerosis and possible pathogenesis of posterior circulation ischaemic stroke by 3. 0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: The imaging and clinical features of intracranial atherosclerosis in 21 patients with posterior ischemic symptoms admitted in the Department of Neurology of Hebei General Hospital from December 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The recruited patients were divided into the posterior circulation ischemic stroke group(10cases and 45 plaques) and the non-stroke group(11 cases and 25 plaques) according to their clinical symptoms, signs and imaging manifestations. Clinical data of all patients were collected, and high-resolution 3D time-of-flight MR angiography was used to evaluate the degree of vascular stenosis. Also, plaque characteristics including burden, enhancement, hyperintensity and morphology were counted on high-resolution Tl weighted imaging axial images. Results: The The proportion of diabetes was significantly different between the two groups (P = 0. 024). There were no significant differences in age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, stroke history and history of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease between the two groups (all P > 0. 05). The plaque burden in the posterior circulation ischemic stroke group was higher than that in the non-stroke group ([4. 5 ±1.6] vs. [2. 3 ±1.6]) with significant difference (t = 3. 190, P = 0.005). Plaque enhancement between the two groups was significant different (40.0% [18/45] vs. 16. 0% [4/25], X2 =4. 295, P = 0. 038). There was no significant difference in plaque high signal and plaque morphology between the two groups(all P > 0. 05). Conclusion: Patients in the posterior ischemic stroke group had a higher prevalence of diabetes, and intracranial atherosclerotic plaque burden and plaque enhancement were more common, suggesting that the posterior ischemic stroke group had a higher vulnerability of plaque.

Study of CT perfusion in posterior circulation cerebral ischemia and hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction / 中华神经科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT perfusion (CTP) for posterior circulation cerebral ischemia and hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction.@*Methods@#CTP was performed in 184 patients with suspected posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke, and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of MRI was performed 24-72 hours after onset. According to the characteristics of various perfusion parameters, the perfusion defect area in CTP was divided into group Ⅰ (compensatory phase of cerebral circulation reserve), group Ⅱ (compensatory phase of cerebral metabolism reserve), group Ⅲ (hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction). The region of interest (ROI) in each perfusion defect area and the contralateral mirror perfusion normal area was delineated, and the mean values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time to peak (TTP) in the ROI were recorded. The perfusion parameters of normal brain tissue were included in group Ⅳ (normal control group). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the overall differences in CTP parameters measured in each group in each region, and the multiple comparisons were performed to assess statistical differences between the perfusion parameters of groups in all parts of the posterior circulation. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CTP in evaluating the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction in various parts of the posterior circulation were calculated by using DWI as a standard.@*Results@#A total of 271 cerebral ischemia or cerebral infarction lesions were detected in 184 patients, 107 in group Ⅰ, 75 in group Ⅱ, and 89 in group Ⅲ. There were statistically significant differences in the perfusion parameters of each group and each part of the posterior circulation (P<0.01). The changes of rCBF and MTT in each territory were not significant between group I and group II, but the decrease of rCBF and the increase of MTT in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly different from those in group Ⅳ (P<0.05). The rCBF values of all the territories in group Ⅲ decreased significantly, and the differences between groupⅢ and groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05). The MTT value of group Ⅲ was significantly increased, and the differences between group Ⅲ and groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05), except for the difference between groups Ⅲ and Ⅱ in the blood supply area of P2 segment of posterior cerebral artery. rCBV values in cerebellum, pons and blood supply area of P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral arteries were not significantly different among group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, and group Ⅳ, but the rCBV values of group Ⅲ decreased significantly, and the differences with groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were statistically significant (P<0.05). The decrease of rCBV and increase of TTP in midbrain and thalamus of group Ⅱ were significantly different from those in group Ⅰ (P<0.05), while the rCBV value and TTP value of group Ⅱ were not significantly different from those of group Ⅲ. The total sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CTP in the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation were 79.0%, 99.7% and 98.5%, respectively.@*Conclusions@#The CTP parameter maps can reflect the pathophysiological changes of the posterior circulation cerebral ischemia and the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction. CTP has adequate sensitivity and very high specificity and accuracy for the evaluation of posterior circulation cerebral infarction.

Effects of Vestibular Function Rehabilitation Combined with Proprioceptive Sense Training on Senile Posterior Circulation Ischemic Vertigo / 中国康复理论与实践

@# Objective To observe the effects of vestibular function training and proprioception training on vertigo and balance function after postoperative circulatory ischemia under the visual participation. Methods From June, 2016 to May, 2018, 72 patients with posterior circulation ischemic vertigo aged more than 60 were randomly divided into proprioception group (n = 24), vestibular group (n = 24) and comprehensive group (n = 24). All the patients received routine medicine and rehabilitation training. Moreover, the proprioception group accepted proprioception training, the vestibular group accepted vestibular function training, and the comprehensive group accepted both proprioception training and vestibular function training. They were assessed with Dizziness Assessment Rating Scale (DARS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before and after four weeks of treatment, while the mean velocity (Vm) of blood flow in the basilar artery was measured with transcranial Doppler, and the stability index (ST) was measured with Tetrax. Results The scores of DARS, DHI and BBS, and Vm and ST improved in all the groups after treatment (t > 57.825, P < 0.001). However, the scores of DHI and BBS, and ST improved more in the comprehensive group than in the proprioception group and the vestibular training group (P < 0.05), Vm and score of DARS improved more in the vestibular group and the comprehensive group than in the proprioception group (P < 0.05). Conclusion With the participation of the vision, vestibular function training combined with proprioception training can further alleviate vertigo caused by postoperative circulatory ischemia, and improve balance and quality of life.

The manifestation of videonystamography in the patients with posterior circulation ischemia vertigo / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

To investigate the changes of vedionystamography(VNG)in patients with posterior circulation ischemia vertigo(PCIV).Fifty patients who complained of vertigo and imbalance with PCI were selected as experimental group for testing of visual nystamography(VNG).Thirty normal subjects were chosen as control group.The result was analyzed.The results of VNG in PCIV group and the control group were compared.The abnormal ratio were as follows:(4%,0;>0.05)for Spontaneous nystagmus,(68%,10%;<0.01)for Saccade Test,(42.0%,6.7%;<0.01)for Tracking Test,(44%,0;<0.01)for Optokinetic Test,(78%,10%;<0.01)for Positional Test,respectively.The intensity of positional nystagmus in those patients was(4.12±3.46)°/s,which was much higher than that of the control group(<0.01).One or more abnormal findings for visual-oculomotor system examination were shown in 37 patients(74%).Both vestibular central and peripheral system can be involved in PCIV.VNG test has clinical significance in differential diagnosis and lesion location.The abnormal ratio of visual nystamography in PCIV group reaches 92%(46/50).These results suggest that VNG be used as an important accessory diagnostic tool for patients with PCIV.

The relationship between the onset of cerebral infarction in anterior and posterior circulation and the"three high" risk factors in Guangzhou communities / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between the onset of cerebral infarction in anterior and posterior circulation and the "three high" risk factors in Guangzhou communities. Methods From Jan. 2014 to Jan.2016,367 patients from Guangzhou communities were diagnosed with new cerebral infarction by head diffu-sion weighted imaging(DWI).The data were divided into two groups of anterior and posterior circulation,and uni-variate and multivariate methods were used to analyze the relationship between the "three high" and other risk factors and the onset of cerebral infarction in anterior and posterior circulation.The data of anterior circulation cere-bral infarction were further divided into two subgroups of lacunar and non-lacunar infarction,and the same statisti-cal methods were employed to analyze differences of risk factors between the two subgroups. Results The frequen-cies of hypertension(P = 0.040)and large atherosclerotic infarction(P = 0.012)were significantly higher,and the serum high-density lipoprotein(HDL)level(P = 0.045)was significantly lower in posterior circulation than those in anterior circulation,respectively;and the onset of posterior circulation cerebral infarction was more associ-ated with the incidence of hypertension(OR = 1.767,P = 0.035)and the decrease of HDL(OR = 0.380,P =0.021). In anterior circulation,the levels of systolic blood pressure(SBP)(P = 0.011)and diastolic blood pres-sure(DBP)(P=0.000),as well as the frequency of large atherosclerotic infarction(P=0.000)in non-lacunar infarction subgroup were significantly higher than those in lacunar infarction subgroup respectively,and the onset of non-lacunar infarction was more closely related to increased SBP levels(OR=1.045,P=0.001). Conclusions Among the"three high"risk factors,the onset of posterior circulation cerebral infarction is more closely related to the incidence of hypertension and the decrease of HDL.In anterior circulation,and the onset of non-lacunar infarc-tion is more closely related to the increased levels of DBP and SBP,especially to the elevated levels of SBP.