Prolonged Cerebral Hyperperfusion and Subcortical Low Intensity on Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Images: Unusual Manifestation After Removal of Organized Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral hyperperfusion sometimes occurs after removal of chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) and usually resolves within a few days without any symptoms. Subcortical low intensity (SCLI) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance images is rare and has been reported in some diseases other than CSH. A case of organized CSH who suffered prolonged neurologic deterioration, SCLI, and cerebral hyperperfusion postoperatively is described. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 81-year-old man, presenting with left hemiparesis, underwent craniotomy for right organized CSH after 2 burr-hole surgeries. After the craniotomy, the symptoms improved, but on postoperative day 2, left hemiparesis, hemispatial neglect, and hemiasomatognosia developed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed SCLI on FLAIR images, and single-photon emission computed tomography with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine revealed cerebral hyperperfusion in the right hemispheric cortex. Antihypertensive treatment improved the symptoms gradually, which resolved completely 1 month postsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: A case of organized CSH, which showed postoperative neurologic deterioration associated with prolonged cerebral hyperperfusion and SCLI on FLAIR images, is reported. Prolonged cerebral hyperperfusion could be a cause of postoperative neurologic deterioration in organized CSH.

Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting with Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated with Chronological Angiographic Demonstration of Disturbed Leptomeningeal Venous Drainage as the Sole Outflow Route.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous sinus (CS) dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) rarely causes intracranial hemorrhage. The authors describe a case of CS DAVF presenting with intracranial hemorrhage, focusing on the findings in digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed before and after the onset. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 80-year-old woman, diagnosed as Borden type 3 CS DAVF on DSA 2 years before, presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and right temporal subcortical hemorrhage. DSA findings after the onset showed that the right superficial middle cerebral vein, the sole drainage of the DAVF, had various changes including stenosis on the proximal portion, venous pouch formation, and occlusion of the distal portion compared with those 2 years before the onset. The occlusion was observed near the point where drainage of DAVF joined normal brain venous drainage, suggesting that the competition between the drainages caused impaired venous drainage, stagnation, and subsequent thrombotic occlusion. The CS DAVF was treated with evacuation of the intracerebral hematoma and surgical interruption of the right superficial middle cerebral vein at the dural origin from the CS. CONCLUSIONS: This report showed the development of thrombotic occlusion of a distal draining cortical vein as one of risk factors for CS DAVFs to cause intracranial hemorrhage on repeated DSAs.

A novel method to evaluate vertebral remodeling by radiography following anterior cervical decompression and interbody fixation with cylindrical cages: a contrast-comparing method using "Scion image".

In an attempt to study bone remodeling by noninvasive methods, spinal bone radiodensity was assessed in five patients treated with anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) using cylindrical titanium cages. Plain radiographs were used to study specific areas of vertebral bone interposed in two-level cages with the two cephalad vertebrae for controls. Measurements were made immediately after surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively. The data were analyzed quantitatively with a contrast-comparing method (CCM) using "Scion image". There were two cyclical changes in vertebral remodeling. First, in all patients there were gradual increases in bone density at the ventral part compared to the dorsal part of the vertebral body for up to 12 months; then the density decreased at 18 months. Second, a linear gradient in radiodensity from the ventral part to the dorsal part of the vertebral body observed immediately following spinal fusion gradually disappeared by 12 months; nonhomogeneous distributions of trabecular bone were appeared. Then, the linear gradient in density appeared again at 18 months. This investigation helps elucidate the radiographic evidence for the remodeling of vertebral bone in patients treated with ACDF.

[A case of organized chronic subdural hematoma showing an early recurrence after craniotomy].

A 64-year-old man who had undergone single burr hole drainage twice prior to this admission was hospitalized with a recurrent right chronic subdural hematoma. A head CT showed a mixed density subdural hematoma on the right frontotemporoparietal region. Based on the intraoperative findings of the previous surgeries, the hematoma was known to be organized. Therefore, we decided to do a small craniotomy under general anesthesia, and remove the organized subdural hematoma and thick outer membrane while leaving the thickened dura matter intact. The inner membrane was left untouched. One week later, despite adequate decompression, the hematoma recurred with midline shift on head CT. It is likely that the uniquely thick and vascular enriched outer membrane and dura contributed to such an early recurrence. Finally, we performed an extensive craniotomy, removing all the organized hematoma, outer membrane and dura. Again, the inner membrane was left intact. On one year follow-up the patient has been asymptomatic with complete resolution of the subdural hematoma on CT scan. The successful treatment of organized chronic subdural hematoma can be challenging. We strongly recommend an extensive removal of the organized hematoma, outer membrane and excision of the dura mater in order to achieve a successful outcome after failed burr hole evacuation.