Cerebral infarction following administration of andexanet alfa for anticoagulant reversal in a patient with traumatic acute subdural hematoma.

Background: Anticoagulants prevent thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism but increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications. If severe bleeding occurs with anticoagulant use, discontinuation and rapid reversal are essential. However, the optimal timing for resuming anticoagulants after using reversal agents remains unclear. Here, we report early cerebral infarction following the use of andexanet alfa (AA), a specific reversal agent for factor Xa inhibitors, in a patient with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH). The possible causes of thromboembolic complication and the optimal timing for anticoagulant resumption are discussed. Case Description: An 84-year-old woman receiving rivaroxaban for AF presented with impaired consciousness after a head injury. Computed tomography (CT) revealed right ASDH. The patient was administered AA and underwent craniotomy. Although the hematoma was entirely removed, she developed multiple cerebral infarctions 10 h after the surgery. These infarctions were considered cardiogenic cerebral embolisms and rivaroxaban was therefore resumed on the same day. This case indicates the possibility of early cerebral infarction after using a specific reversal agent for factor Xa inhibitors. Conclusion: Most studies suggest that the safest time for resuming anticoagulants after using reversal agents is between 7 and 12 days. The present case showed that embolic complications may develop much earlier than expected. Early readministration of anticoagulant may allow for adequate prevention of the acute thrombotic syndromes.

Incidence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma after Mild Head Trauma in Elderly Patients with or without Pre-traumatic Conditioning of Anti-thrombotic Drugs.

Anti-thrombotic drugs may increase the risk for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, whether to continue or discontinue/counteract these drugs has not been investigated in patients with mild head trauma. CSDH incidence after mild head trauma, as well as the risk for CSDH in patients with anti-thrombotic drugs, were investigated in this study. The study included 765 consecutive elderly (>65 y.o.) patients with mild head trauma and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14 or 15. All patients received initial CT within 24 hours after trauma and were re-examined 30 days after trauma to detect CSDH formation, repeating for every 30 days to examine symptomatic CSDH progression. Patients were divided into two groups, with anti-thrombotic drugs (n = 195) or without them (n = 263), to investigate the influence of pre-traumatic conditioning with anti-thrombotic drugs on CSDH. The whole sample was 458 out of 765 cases. The incidence of CSDH formation was 91 out of 458 cases (19.9%) after mild head trauma, with no significant difference between with and without anti-thrombotic drugs. CSDH progressed as symptomatic in 21 out of 458 cases (4.6%), with no significant difference between with and without anti-thrombotic drugs. Pre-traumatic conditioning with anti-thrombotic drugs and its continuation after trauma did not affect the incidence of formation or symptomatic progression of CSDH. This finding suggests that discontinuing and/or counteracting anti-thrombotic drugs may be unnecessary in patients with mild head trauma.

Mutism resulting from heterochronic bilateral cerebellar hemorrhages - A case report.

BACKGROUND: Cerebellar mutism (CM) is a neurological condition characterized by lack of speech due to cerebellar lesions. Interruption of the bilateral dentatothalamocortical (DTC) pathways at midline structure seems the principal cause of CM but not fully understood. We described a rare case of CM due to heterochronic bilateral cerebellar hemorrhages. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 87-year-old woman presented with depression of alertness after sudden vomiting. Neurologically, mild dysmetria and mutism were observed. The head computed tomography (CT) showed both a fresh right cerebellar hemorrhage and an obsolete left one. The patient was diagnosed as CM since both the thalamus and the supplementary motor area were bilaterally intact on both CT and magnetic resonance imaging. Medical treatment and rehabilitation improved her ataxia and ambulation. She became cognitively alert and could communicate by nodding, shaking her head, or facial expression. However, her mutism did not change at 4 months after the stroke. CONCLUSION: There are few reports on CM due to direct injuries to the bilateral dentate nuclei. Since our case did not show any injury other than bilateral dentate nuclei, this report can support the hypothesis that the interruptions of the bilateral DTC are the cause of CM.

Endoscopic Hematoma Evacuation for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Under Local Anesthesia: Factors That Affect the Hematoma Removal Rate.

OBJECTIVE: Recent advances in endoscopic surgery have led to more patients being able to undergo endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). However, because of the minimal invasiveness, endoscopic HICH removal through a narrow surgical window can result in a low removal rate. The goal of the present study was to investigate the factors that affect the removal rate of HICH evacuation. METHODS: The data from 28 patients with supratentorial HICH who had undergone endoscopic hematoma evacuation were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion criteria were spontaneous supratentorial HICH with a hematoma volume >30 mL, admission to the hospital within 24 hours of ictus, and a Glasgow coma scale score of ≥4. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, 9 were women and 19 were men, ranging in age from 41 to 86 years (mean, 60.7 ± 12.7). The hematoma location was the basal ganglia in 25 patients and subcortical in 3 patients. The mean preoperative hematoma volume was 62.4 ± 22.5 mL. The hematoma removal rate was <60% for 11 patients (poor evacuation group) and ≥60% for in 17 patients (good evacuation group). Comparing the 2 groups, chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis (P = 0.0072, χ2 test), liver cirrhosis (P = 0.023, χ2 test), and surgeon experience with ≥10 cases of endoscopic HICH removal (P = 0.016, χ2 test) were significant factors related to the HICH removal rate. CONCLUSION: To achieve a good removal rate, surgeons should have experience performing the endoscopic procedure. Also, patients with end-stage chronic renal failure or liver cirrhosis should be excluded.

Bilateral Upper Cerebellar Hemorrhage Due to Pial Arteriovenous Fistula and Its Pathophysiological Insight.

OBJECTIVES: Bilateral upper cerebellar hemorrhage is extremely rare clinical entity but relatively known as postoperative neurosurgical complication with as-yet unknown etiology. Here, we report a case of bilateral upper cerebellar hemorrhage due to pial arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) and discuss the possible pathophysiology of this bleeding pattern. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old boy who was previously healthy presented with a sudden onset of headache, vomiting, and gait instability. Computed tomography revealed atypical bleeding in the sulci of bilateral cerebellar hemispheres facing the tentorium. Despite the symmetric distribution of bleeding, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed flow void adjacent to the lateral margin of bleeding. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed increased apparent diffusion coefficient value in the hemorrhagic lesion, suggesting vasogenic edema. Vertebral angiogram revealed a pAVF, which was fed by the hemispheric branch of superior cerebellar artery. It drained via the venous varix, inferiorly into the tortuous and engorged inferior hemispheric vein, indicating venous congestion. On the venous phase of vertebral angiogram, the superior vermian vein, which is one of the main drainers of the superior part of the cerebellum, was not opacified. Transarterial n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization was performed to prevent rebleeding, and the pAVF was treated successfully. The patient's follow-up has been uneventful for 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: We reported an extremely rare case of cerebellar pAVF presenting as bilateral upper cerebellar hemorrhage. Severe congestion of upper cerebellar veins seemed to be a possible pathophysiology of this specific bleeding pattern.

Newly Diagnosed Acquired Hemophilia A Manifesting as Massive Intracranial Hemorrhage Following a Neurosurgical Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Increased attention has been paid to limiting preoperative hemostatic screening because assessment of patient history can be used as an alternative. However, there may be some clinical pitfalls in overlooking acquired coagulopathies. Here, we present a case of newly diagnosed acquired hemophilia A (AHA) that manifested as a massive intracranial hemorrhage without unexplained bleeding history or abnormal hemostatic results. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 58-year-old man, who had a history of surgical clipping of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm 30 years ago, experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage because of a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm. He underwent surgical clipping and external decompressive craniectomy; 30 days later, cranioplasty was performed without preoperative hemostatic screening because of his normal coagulation status at the time of a previous surgery. Persistent wound bleeding and epistaxis suddenly began 6 hours after surgery. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive intracranial hematoma in the damaged parenchyma, although the patient was asymptomatic. At that time, laboratory tests showed isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and the presence of factor VIII inhibitor, which confirmed AHA. To manage the bleeding, fresh frozen plasma was transfused for 4 consecutive days, and hemostasis was finally achieved. Thereafter, the laboratory test results were normalized in 5 weeks. The patient's clinical course has been uneventful for 7 months without recurrence of AHA. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired coagulopathies are relatively rare but life-threatening. Because clinical history is insufficient to predict an acquired coagulopathy, preoperative hemostatic screening should be performed before each neurosurgical procedure.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome in Elderly Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: For Establishment of Management Strategy.

In recent years, instances of neurotrauma in the elderly have been increasing. This article addresses the clinical characteristics, management strategy, and outcome in elderly patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Falls to the ground either from standing or from heights are the most common causes of TBI in the elderly, since both motor and physiological functions are degraded in the elderly. Subdural, contusional and intracerebral hematomas are more common in the elderly than the young as the acute traumatic intracranial lesion. High frequency of those lesions has been proposed to be associated with increased volume of the subdural space resulting from the atrophy of the brain in the elderly. The delayed aggravation of intracranial hematomas has been also explained by such anatomical and physiological changes present in the elderly. Delayed hyperemia/hyperperfusion may also be a characteristic of the elderly TBI, although its mechanisms are not fully understood. In addition, widely used pre-injury anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies may be associated with delayed aggravation, making the management difficult for elderly TBI. It is an urgent issue to establish preventions and treatments for elderly TBI, since its outcome has been remained poor for more than 40 years.

Acute Subdural Hematoma in Infants with Abusive Head Trauma: A Literature Review.

The number of cases with child abuse is increasing in Japan, and abusive head trauma (AHT) is a major cause of death in abused children. Child abuse has been recognized by the late 19th century, and widely accepted as battered child syndrome in the middle of the 20th century. As terms, there had been considerable mechanistic controversies between shaken-baby and -impact syndrome until the beginning of the 21st century. In recent years, AHT has been utilized as a less mechanistic term. Most of the characteristics of AHT in Japan have been similar to those in the United States as follows: infant is the most common victim, acute subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common intracranial lesion, and retinal hemorrhage is often complicated. On the other hand, several characteristics have been different as follows: mother is the most common perpetrators, impact is a more common mechanism of trauma than shaking, and external trauma is more common reflecting the existence of impact. Since AHT as well as child abuse is a social pathological phenomenon influenced by victims, perpetrators, socioeconomic circumstances, and so on, various aspects of AHT as well as child abuse can be changed with times. Actually, a recent paper suggests such changes in infants with acute SDH due to AHT. In this review article, AHT, abusive infantile acute SDH in particular, are reviewed from the aspect of neurosurgical perspectives, including its mechanisms of trauma, biomechanics, clinical features, management, and prognosis, to update the trend in Japan.

Surgical management of traumatic acute subdural hematoma in adults: a review.

Traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a major clinical entity in traumatic brain injury (TBI). It acts as a space occupying lesion to increase intracranial pressure, and is often complicated by co-existing lesions, and is modified by cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes, coagulopathy, and delayed hematomas. Because of its complicated pathophysiology, the mortality of ASDH is still remaining high. In this review article, its epidemiology, pathophyiology, surgical treatment, and salvage ability are described. With regard to epidemiology, as the population ages, growing number of elderly patients with ASDH, especially patients with prehospital anticoagulant and antiplatelets, increase. Concerning pathophysiology, in addition to well-known initial intracranial hypertension and subsequent ischemia, delayed hyperemia/hyperperfusion, or delayed hematoma is being recognized frequently in recent years. However, optimal treatments for these delayed phenomenons have not been established yet. With regard to surgical procedures, all of craniotomy, decompressive craniectomy, and initial trephination strategies seem to be effective, but superiority of each procedure have not been established yet. Since Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, age, papillary reaction, and computed tomographic findings are strongly correlated to outcome, each factor has been investigated as an indicator of salvage ability. None of them, however, has been defined as such one. In future studies, epidemiological changes as population ages, management of delayed pathophysiology, superiority of each surgical procedures, and salvage ability should be addressed.

[Epidemiology of chronic subdural hematomas].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Japanese population is aging faster than any other population in the world, affecting the epidemiology of which frequently occurs in the elderly. In this study, the epidemiological aspect of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is investigated, using data of the Miyagi Traumatic Head Injury Registry Project. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2007, 1,445 patients with CSDH were registered in the project (M:F=1,021:424, mean age 71.2±12.8 y.o.). Using these patient's records, the incidence of CSDH was investigated, as well as causes of head injury, severity, and outcome. RESULTS: The overall incidence of CSDH was 20.6/100,000/year, with 76.5 in the age group of 70-79 y.o. and 127.1 in the over 80 y.o. group. Ground level fall was the most frequent cause of trauma in the elderly, in contrast to traffic accident, which was the most frequent cause in the younger generation. Compared to the younger generation, neurological condition was severer in the elderly at the time of admission, and the outcome was poorer at the time of discharge. CONCLUSION: Compared to previous reports, this study demonstrates a marked increase in the incidence of CSDH. Not only population aging but also current medical trends (such as increases of the elderly patients who receive hemodialysis, anticoagulant, and/or antiplatelet therapy) may influence the increase of CSDH incidence.

[Hemorrhagic infarction complicated by obliteration of the superior sagittal sinus by depressed skull fracture after a hammer injury: a case report].

The authors have encountered a case of compound depressed skull fracture in a 59 year-old-man complicated by occlusion of the anterior 1/3 part of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS). He was hit by a hammer at the midline of the frontal region, and transferred to our emergency care unit. On admission, there was laceration of skin at the midline of the forehead, but the patient had no neurological deficit. Skull radiograph showed a depressed skull fracture over the SSS. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a small brain contusion adjacent to the depressed fracture. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed occlusion of the anterior 1/3 part of SSS, and extravasations of contrast medium from cortical arterioles and capillaries. CT taken at 4 hours after injury showed enlargement of the lesion with extravasations of contrast medium and the patient manifested consciousness disturbance at this point. Distribution of extravasations suggested the occurrence of hemorrhagic infarction. Elevation of the depressed skull was thus performed under general anesthesia. There was laceration of the dura 5 mm away from the SSS and lacerations of cortical vessels, but there was no apparent damage to SSS itself. The depressed bone was replaced with artificial bone. The patient was discharged without any neurological deficit. Preoperative angiography was helpful to understand the hemodynamics and risk of massive bleeding during the operation.

Acute epidural hematoma of the posterior fossa--cases of acute clinical deterioration.

PURPOSE: Posterior fossa epidural hematoma (PFEDH) is an uncommon complication of head injury, which is sometimes associated with acute clinical deterioration (ACD) without significant warning symptoms and may results in death. We investigated clinical characteristics of PFEDH with ACD to identify the process of ACD. METHODS: A retrospective case-control review of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of PFEDH between September 1989 and February 1999 was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (14 men and 7 women) were admitted for PFEDH to Sendai City Hospital. Four patients suffered ACD. All patients had struck their occipital region and had occipital fracture. Patients were treated conservatively on admission because computed tomography (CT) showed no significant findings in 2 patients and PFEDH with minimal symptoms in the others. All patients suffered acute deterioration of consciousness after vomiting. Follow-up CT showed large PFEDH with severe mass effect. Emergency surgery was performed and identified the bleeding point as the venous sinus. The presence of nausea/vomiting was significant risk factor of ACD (Fisher exact test: P = .021). Of the 4 patients, 2 achieved excellent recovery without deficit, 1 was moderately disabled, and 1 died. The outcome of patients with ACD was worse compared to those without ACD (Fisher exact test: P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: We should note that vomiting itself could be a significant risk factor of ACD for occipital head trauma. The patients with occipital fracture and vomiting must be observed closely and followed up by CT, even if the initial CT is negative. CT performed shortly after the trauma may reveal no evidence of PFEDH but cannot exclude the development of delayed hematoma.

Thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysm presenting with hemorrhage and bulbar compression: report of two cases.

Bulbar compression by vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm is extremely rare and only reported in a few cases. We report two cases with thrombosed VA aneurysm compressing medulla oblongata; one presented with bulbar apoplexy hemorrhage and the other with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 61-year-old male (case 1) presented with consciousness disturbances, left hemiplegia, and subsequent respiratory arrest. He was subjected to controlled ventilation, and computed tomography (CT) scan showed bulbar hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) revealed fusiform right VA aneurysm with partial thrombosis and bulbar compression. Intra-aneurysmal embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) relieved his clinical symptom including respiratory disturbance. Three months after the onset, he remained moderately disabled. A 76-year-old male (case 2) presented with severe headache and subsequent respiratory disturbance. CT scan on admission showed subarachnoid hemorrhage with acute hydrocephalus. Ventricular drainage rapidly improved consciousness while respiratory disturbance persisted over several days. MRI and DSA suggested spontaneous thrombosis of the right VA dissection with bulbar compression. He showed gradual recovery of his respiration over a week. After ventriculo-peritoneal shunting, he was transferred with moderate disability. These results suggest that the elimination of the pulsatile effect of VA aneurysm adjacent to medulla oblongata can improve symptoms caused by aneurysm-related compression. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment such as intra-aneurysmal embolization for ameliorating the blood flow inside the aneurysm can relieve mass effect and clinical symptoms.

Cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus associated with acute epidural hematoma and diffuse brain injury in a child after severe head injury.

CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital 20 min after receiving a direct impact to his head in an automobile accident. He was semi-comatose on admission and computed tomography showed acute epidural hematoma in the right supratentorial region. Three hours later, his consciousness deteriorated due to the enlargement of the hematoma. Surgical removal of hematoma relieved his consciousness disturbance. Post-operative magnetic resonance imaging revealed spotty high-intensity lesions in the corpus callosum on T2-weighted images, and a solitary high-intensity lesion in the left caudate nucleus extending to the medial globus pallidum on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. Magnetic resonance angiography showed no abnormality in the main arteries. These results suggested cerebral infarction in the vascular territory supplied by the recurrent artery of Heubner in association with diffuse brain injury. Post-operative course was uneventful and he was discharged without neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus is extremely rare, and its association with diffuse brain injury and epidural hematoma is apparently unique.

Hydrocephalus due to cerebrospinal fluid overproduction by bilateral choroid plexus papillomas.

CASE REPORT: A 10-month-old boy, with congenital deafness and blindness associated with chromosomal deletion [46XY, del(13)(q32)], presented with intractable ascites 9 months after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for congenital hydrocephalus. Revision of the ventriculo-atrial shunt resulted in shunt failure 1 month later. External ventricular drainage revealed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overproduction (2,000 ml/day). Magnetic resonance imaging showed marked lobular enlargement of the bilateral choroid plexuses extending from the trigone to the body and inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. Multi-staged resection was performed via bilateral temporo-occipital transcortical approaches, and CSF production significantly decreased to 100 ml/day postoperatively. Histological assessment of the villous surface suggested villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus and thorough evaluation including the proximal portion of the lobular lesion near the attachment revealed choroid plexus papilloma. He was discharged after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting without additional neurological deficits except for hyperreflexia of the left extremities. CONCLUSION: CSF overproduction caused by bilateral choroid plexus papillomas can result in hydrocephalus. Radical resection of the bilateral ventricular lesions should be considered for this entity. Thorough evaluation of the surgical specimen is recommended because histological examination of only the lobular surface of the choroid plexus lesion may fail to identify choroid plexus neoplasm.

A distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm in infant: disappearance and reappearance of the aneurysm.

The incidence of intracranial aneurysms in childhood is rare, especially in infancy. Spontaneous thrombosis of a cerebral aneurysm in a child is very rare, particularly in a non-giant aneurysm. We report a case of a 1-month-old girl with a distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm which disappeared spontaneously after subarachnoid hemorrhage and reappeared 6 months later. Surgical resection of the aneurysm was performed and she discharged uneventfully 10 days later. Histological examination revealed an aneurysm with a fibrous muscular layer, absence of the internal elastic lamina and partial hypertrophy of the intimal layer. Though the pathogenesis of this aneurysm is uncertain, two hypotheses are discussed.

[Two cases of impending herniation due to multiple traumatic acute subdural hematomas: combination of burr hole evacuation and craniotomy].

A contralateral extra-axial hematoma sometimes occurs during an operation on an acute subdural hematoma and may become fatal. Using a combined procedure of burr hole evacuation and craniotomy, we treated 2 cases of multiple traumatic acute subdural hematomas. Our policy for such cases is first to perform a burr hole evacuation for the acute subdural hematoma in the emergency room, while simultaneously preparing the operation room for a possible further operation. Next, we perform computed tomography (CT) of the brain. If the evacuation does not provide enough decompression, we either carry out a craniotomy at the same site, or, we observe the patient without resorting to craniotomy. However, if the patient's condition deteriorates, burr hole evacuation is repeated and/or craniotomy is carried out as soon as possible on the lesion at the already prepared operation room. Both of our patients received craniotomy for another subdural hematoma after the burr hole evacuation. Though his intracranial pressure was well managed during the acute stage, one of the patients died 21 days after the trauma due to an extensive brain infarction caused by vasospasm. The other regained consciousness and was able to walk 5 months after the trauma in spite of cerebral infarction from vasospasm. The possible mechanism of vasospasm in severe head injury is also discussed.

[A case of vertebral artery occlusion following heading play in soccer].

A 13-year-old boy suffered from cerebeller infarction due to right vertebral artery occlusion after heading a ball during a rainy soccer game. Dissection of the vertebral artery after trivial head trauma is well known, but heading as the cause has not been reported. We speculated in this present case that excessive impact force to the young boy's neck due to the heavy rain-soaked ball might have caused right vertebral artery dissection and occlusion. High quality balls are recommended for young amateur players on rainy days.