Retrospective study of Heparin Administration for Ischemic Stroke when there is an IV-tPA Contraindication.

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients presenting with an ischemic stroke arrive after the 3-4.5 h time window allowed for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) administration. Most of the literature on heparin use in acute ischemic stroke does not describe dose-adjusted intravenous unfractionated heparin (IV UFH) without bolus, a common method of administration. This study was designed to test whether an anticoagulation regimen of intravenous dose-adjusted UFH with no bolus, in patients with a contraindication to IV TPA, administered within 24 h of an acute ischemic stroke could be effective and safe. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 273 patients over two consecutive years with acute ischemic stroke, who were outside the window for IV tPA. All patients had imaging studies on admission. The primary outcome measure of the study was to evaluate the safety of dose-adjusted IV UFH use in the setting of acute stroke. We looked at duration of heparin infusion, average partial thromboplastin time (PTT) value, and the incidence of new hemorrhagic events. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients met the inclusion criteria. These patients received heparin infusion within 24 h of symptom onset. The duration of intravenous heparin infusion ranged from 1 to 18 days with a mean of 4 days. Mean PTT value was 72.4. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 26 patients (9.5%), and included 12 asymptomatic petechial or hemorrhagic conversion (4.3%), 2 symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (0.7%), 5 gastrointestinal bleeds (2 requiring transfusion and interventions), 2 patients experienced benign hematuria, 4 patients with groin hematomas, and one neck hematoma. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intravenous dose-adjusted UFH with no bolus can be administered to patients with acute ischemic stroke with relative safety.

The value of immediate postoperative MR imaging following endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although the value of early MR imaging has been justified for microscopic transphenoidal surgery, there is no literature evaluating immediate postoperative MR imaging following endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary adenomas. We hypothesized that MRI of the pituitary gland performed on the first postoperative day is just as effective at detecting residual disease and/or reconstruction materials as the MRI at 3 months following surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 102 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for presumed pituitary adenomas. Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria with immediate and 3 months MR imaging. Imaging was evaluated by two sets of observers. The following parameters were assessed: enhancement pattern of the pituitary gland, pituitary stalk, nodular enhancement (residual tumor) or linear enhancement (non-tumoral) and residual reconstruction/packing materials. RESULTS: Gross total resection of the tumors with no cavernous sinus involvement was achieved in 49 out of 52 (94%) patients. Eleven out of 12 remaining patients with cavernous sinus invasion had residual cavernous sinus component visible on both immediate and 3 month MR imaging. The pituitary gland, position of stalk, and nasoseptal flap could be identified on both post-operative MRIs in all patients. The sensitivity and specificity for residual tumor detection on immediate MRI was 100% and 97.9%, respectively. The kappa index evaluating interobserver agreement for identification of residual tumor and packing/reconstruction material on immediate MR was 0.83 and 0.72 indicating near perfect and substantial agreement, respectively. CONCLUSION: Immediate MR imaging performed following endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary lesions provides accurate and reliable information regarding the presence of residual tumor compared to reconstruction and packing materials.

Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma metastatic to the brain.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS) is a rare tumor with an aggressive growth pattern. They occur in women from 40 to 60 years and are generally characterized by poor prognosis, a high rate of local recurrence, and distant metastases. UUS accounts for 0.2% of all gynecological malignancies. Possible treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old female with postmenopausal bleeding was found to have a uterine mass for which she underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. The pathologic evaluation was consistent with undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. She began experiencing headaches with associated visual disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a homogenous enhancing occipital dural-based mass measuring 1.6 × 1.8 × 1.7 cm. Due to the rarity of metastatic uterine sarcoma to the brain, this was believed to represent a meningioma and subsequently observed. Interval MRI scan revealed a significant increase in size of the right occipital mass to 2.3 cm with increased edema and mass effect. She underwent right occipital image guided craniotomy for resection of the mass. Histopathology confirmed UUS metastases. CONCLUSION: Randomized trials analyzing these treatment options are limited due to the rarity of this disease; therefore, a standard therapy is not established. Based on a review of the literature, this is only the fourth case reported of UUS metastatic to the brain.