Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with seizures.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible neuromyocardial failure that has been thought to be related to an acute catecholamine toxicity of the myocardium brought upon by a stressful event. The neurocritical care unit population is particularly vulnerable for this condition given the acute presentation of neurological emergencies, which most often can be catastrophic. We present a case series of this syndrome and a review of the literature. METHOD: Our recent experience with three cases that were prospectively identified with the diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome is reported with clinical presentation, evaluation, and management approach. Review of the literature is presented in the discussion. RESULTS: We present three episodes of Takotsubo neuromyocardial syndrome in two patients that were admitted to our neurointensive care unit that presented with seizures and had typical clinical presentation, echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization findings. All the episodes were treated with vasoactive medications, ventilatory support, afterload and preload reduction, and treatment of the underlying condition. There was complete reversal of their symptoms and findings in each episode. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with critical neurological illnesses such as large ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, status epilepticus, recurrent seizure activities as in our study may be at a higher risk for Takotsubo neuromyocardial syndrome.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare and potentially deadly condition. Common etiologies include hypercoagulable diseases, low flow states, dehydration, adjacent infectious processes, oral contraceptives, hormonal replacement therapy, pregnancy, and puerperium. Symptoms include nausea, seizures, severe focal neurological deficits, coma, and headache (the most common presenting symptom). Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment for CVST. Transvenous clot lysis can be performed using injected thrombolytic agents and specialized catheters for clot retrieval.

Treating osteoporotic and neoplastic vertebral compression fractures with vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Compression fractures are common in patients with osteoporosis and cancer. In particular, vertebral compression fractures are crippling, and pose an additional risk of cord compression. Although a number of nonmedical options such as bracing and exercise programs may help these patients, the combination of constant, severe pain and spinal instability was until recently almost invariably synonymous with painful gradual deterioration and a poor quality of life. Vertebroplasty, and more recently kyphoplasty, are minimally invasive procedures that aim at limiting or reversing painful collapse of the vertebrae, while providing stability to the treated segment of the spine. As these new options are highly effective and involve minimal risk, it is important that physicians be familiar with them. OBJECTIVE: This paper reviews the demographics of vertebral compression fractures, both osteoporotic and neoplastic, the technical aspects of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, and current results and outcomes. RESULTS: Pain relief rates in excess of 90% have been reported with both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in patients with vertebral compression fractures. Procedural complication rates should be very low, in the 1%-2% range at most with proper technique. CONCLUSIONS: Until the advent of vertebroplasty, almost no effective therapeutic option could be offered to patients suffering from neoplastic or osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, which are relatively common and often crippling. The technical feasibility of these procedures is high, the risk low, and the effectiveness high. Therefore, it is important that physicians consider vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty as viable and strong options.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for treatment of painful osteoporotic compression fractures.

PURPOSE: To review the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and describe vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, which are minimally invasive procedures to treat the pain associated with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). DATA SOURCES: Extensive literature review of osteoporosis, vertebroplasty, and kyphoplasty supplemented by case study and clinical experience in the minimally invasive interventional neuroradiology interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is a progressive debilitating process that destroys the cancellous bone, weakening the overall integrity and stability of the bone. The loss of bone mass places the individual at increased risk for vertebral body, hip, and wrist fractures. In the past, there was no treatment option to repair vertebral body deformity or instability after osteoporotic VCFs. Management solely relied on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, muscle relaxants, and/or orthotic bracing to provide pain relief. VCFs alter the stability of the vertebral body and column, and the lack of stabilization can lead to chronic pain syndrome, immobility, pulmonary compromise, progression of spinal deformity, increase in the risk for additional VCFs, and increase in the risk for comorbidities and mortality related to immobility. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures aimed at pain control, stabilization of the vertebral body, and with kyphoplasty, the ability to provide some correction of deformity with partial restoration of vertebral body height. Providing pain control and stabilization of the vertebral column improves mobility, thus decreasing the potential risks associated with immobility.

Ruptured saccular aneurysm of distal vertebral artery fenestration managed with Guglielmi detachable coils and intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms associated with vertebrobasilar fenestrations are uncommon. We report on an unusual presentation of such aneurysm with a dedicated arterial pedicle, manifesting with significant intraventricular hemorrhage. Equally important, the aneurysm was managed in a multidisciplinary fashion, which, we think, greatly contributed to a good outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 55-year-old man presented in good condition after subarachnoid and massive intraventricular hemorrhage. The aneurysm location and the extent of intraventricular hemorrhage both presented concerns regarding treatment approach. The aneurysm was first treated with transarterial coil obliteration, and intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion was given, with rapid resolution of evolving hydrocephalus. The patient had an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a vertebrobasilar fenestration saccular aneurysm with a dedicated pedicle projecting toward the foramen of Magendie with significant intraventricular hemorrhage. In addition, this patient was successfully managed with endovascular obliteration and intraventricular tPA infusion.

Atypical spinal cord injury: spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVF) are vascular anomalies composed of intertwining arteries and veins with direct arteriovenous (AV) communication. It is presumed that the fistula is an acquired abnormality that produces an arterialization and increase in venous blood flow leading to venous hypertension, venous congestion with eventual hypo-perfusion, or ischemia of the spinal cord. Symptoms include progressive sensory and motor changes that commonly take place over a 2- to 3-year time span. Exacerbation of symptoms is frequently the reason for additional diagnostic work-up. Treatment is aimed at elimination of the communication between arteries and veins. Treatment options include surgical resection of the piece of dura containing the AV fistula, transvascular embolization, or a combined procedure. Outcome is a function of the extent of cord injury and full recovery is rare. Rehabilitation is crucial in maximizing functional outcomes. It is essential for the nurse caring for the patient with a SDAVF to understand the pathological changes related to the fistula, correlate clinical findings, identify diagnostic tools for evaluation, and differentiate treatment options. An understanding of the disorder will provide the groundwork for the nurse to formulate a plan of care identifying patient needs from assessment parameters, rehabilitation needs, and patient education.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with metastatic cancer and high-grade gliomas of the central nervous system.

Cancer is the hyperactive state of cell growth in which the multiplication and division of cells occur abnormally. Malignant cancer to the brain frequently begins and ends with the loss of self or quality of life. Cancer of the central nervous system can be in the form of a primary or secondary brain tumor commonly known as metastatic cancer. Primary brain tumors can be benign or malignant on the basis of the cell type or location within the brain. Metastatic cancer has a primary source of origin, from which it has traveled to the brain by direct extension (tumors arising from the skull or vertebral column), or most commonly by hematogenous spread (through the blood supply, lymphatic system, or cerebral spinal fluid). As the cancer grows, the individual can experience headache, seizures, or focal neurologic deficits, all impinging on quality of life. This article addresses malignant central nervous system cancer including metastatic cancer and malignant gliomas (anaplastic astrocytoma, grade III, and glioblastoma multiforme, grade IV). Epidemiology, diagnostic workup, treatment, and outcome also are reviewed.

Riding out the storm: sympathetic storming after traumatic brain injury.

Following acute multiple trauma, hypothalamic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal glands causes an increase in circulating corticoids and catecholamines, or a stress response. In individuals with severe traumatic brain injury or a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3-8, this response can be exaggerated and episodic. A term commonly used by nurses caring for these individuals to describe this phenomenon is storming. Symptoms can include alterations in level of consciousness, increased posturing, dystonia, hypertension, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, diaphoresis, and agitation. These individuals generally are at a low level of neurological activity with minimal alertness, minimal awareness, and reflexive motor response to stimulation, and the storming can take a seemingly peaceful individual into a state of chaos. Diagnosis is commonly made solely on clinical assessment, and treatment is aimed at controlling the duration and severity of the symptoms and preventing additional brain injury. Storming can pose a challenge for the nurse, from providing daily care for the individual in the height of the storming episode and treating the symptoms, to educating the family. Careful assessment of the individual leads the nurse to the diagnosis and places the nurse in the role of moderator of the storming episode, including providing treatment and evaluating outcomes.

Metastatic compression fractures--vertebroplasty for pain control.

Quality of life issues remain at the forefront for individuals with life-threatening disease, such as metastatic cancer. The pain of metastatic bone cancer can severely hamper an individual's quality of life. Percutaneous vertebroplasty offers a minimally invasive way to reinforce bony elements, provide substantial improvement in pain control, allow for mobilization, and overall improve quality of life in these patients.