Distal Embolization in Relation to Radiological Thrombus Characteristics, Treatment Details, and Functional Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Distal embolization (DE) is a common complication of endovascular treatment (EVT). We investigated the association of radiological thrombus characteristics and treatment details with DE. METHODS: Patients with thin-slice (≤2.5 mm) baseline noncontrast computed tomography and computed tomography angiography from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke) were included. Thrombus annotation was performed manually on coregistered scans by experienced readers. We assessed thrombus location, distance from internal carotid artery terminus, length, perviousness, absolute attenuation, and hyperdense artery sign. In addition, we evaluated balloon guide catheter use during EVT, first-line EVT approach, the number of thrombectomy passes, and prior intravenous thrombolysis administration. DE was defined as the occurrence of emboli distal to the target artery or in new territories during EVT. The association between thrombus characteristics, treatment details, and DE was evaluated using descriptive statistics and multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression, resulting in adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% CI. Interaction between IVT and radiological thrombus characteristics was assessed by adding interaction terms in separate models. RESULTS: In total, 496 out of 1105 (44.9%) ESCAPE-NA1 patients were included. DE was detected in 251 out of 496 patients (50.6%). Patients with DE had longer thrombi (median, 28.5 [interquartile range, 20.8-42.3] mm versus 24.4 [interquartile range, 17.1-32.4] mm; P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the other thrombus characteristics. Factors associated with DE were thrombus length (aOR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.04]), balloon guide catheter use (aOR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.29-0.85]), and number of passes (aOR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.04-1.47]). In patients with hyperdense artery sign, IVT was associated with reduced odds of DE (aOR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.31-0.97]), P for interaction=0.04. CONCLUSIONS: DE was associated with longer thrombi, no balloon guide catheter use, and more EVT passes. IVT was associated with a reduced risk of DE in patients with hyperdense artery sign. These findings may support treatment decisions on IVT and EVT approaches.

Recanalization and Functional Outcome in Patients with Cervico-cephalic Arterial Dissections.

BACKGROUND: Cervico-cephalic arterial dissections (CeAD) are an important cause of stroke in young patients. This study aimed to determine the frequency and predictors of recanalization in spontaneous CeAD and to study the effect of recanalization on functional outcomes. METHODS: We identified patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke secondary to CeAD from the CT angiography (CTA) database of the Calgary Stroke Program. Dissections were diagnosed based on standard clinical and imaging findings. At the discretion of treating stroke Neurologists, the patients were either treated with single antiplatelet or dual antiplatelet or triple therapy. Follow-up imaging with CTA, magnetic resonance imaging, and DSA was completed, and a Modified Rankin scale (mRS) was performed to determine the outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients with CeAdD were studied. Thirty-four patients (18 VAD; vertebral artery dissection and 16 CAD; carotid artery dissection) were followed up for recanalization. Complete recanalization was observed in 27 subjects; 13 patients with VAD recanalized in comparison to 14 with CAD (p = 0.40). All non-recanalized patients had hypertension. A good clinical outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was observed in 47 patients. Interestingly, the likelihood of a good neurological outcome was not influenced by recanalization status. There was no difference in clinical outcome for different sites in VAD, whereas patients with intracranial CAD had severe strokes (NIHSS > 21). CONCLUSIONS: CeAD has good recanalization rates and neurological outcomes, with recanalization seen even in vessels with initial complete occlusion. The presence of hypertension may influence recanalization. The efficacy of dual antiplatelets and heparin for early recanalization needs to be assessed in future clinical trials.

Treatment of Acute Stroke: Current Practices and Future Horizons.

PURPOSE: This review will discuss revascularization of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), discussing the concept of the ischemic penumbra and how thrombolysis and thrombectomy take advantage of it. SUMMARY: The goal of AIS revascularization is to rescue the ischemic penumbra and the approach to has gone from a time-based to tissue-based approach. Patients must be carefully selected for thrombolysis, which traditionally was limited to those whose last known normal time (LKNT) was known and within 4.5 h. However, newer imaging techniques involving MRI and CT perfusion (CTP) can select patients for thrombolysis whose LKNT is unknown. Alteplase, or tPA, is still the agent of choice for thrombolysis in patients with AIS but tenecteplase (TNK) may be just as effective and more efficient to use. Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has shown considerable efficacy for treating large-vessel occlusions and using CTP, patients can be selected for hours after symptom-onset if viable tissue remains. Further research is underway to determine if EVT can be used for medium vessel occlusions and for basilar artery thromboses as well as to determine whether an "EVT-alone" strategy is superior to "tPA + EVT" strategy.

Clinical considerations and assessment of risk factors when choosing endovascular thrombectomy for acute stroke.

INTRODUCTION: The advent of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been a game changer for the management of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. However, the selection of suitable candidates for EVT remains a significant challenge. AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on the clinical, radiological, and procedural considerations for EVT in acute stroke that assist in optimal patient selection. EXPERT OPINION: All patients presenting with significant clinical deficits with treatable occlusions, who have salvageable brain tissue at presentation might benefit from treatment up to twenty-four hours from symptom onset. Neuroimaging tools form the backbone for this decision making.

Assessment of visual misperceptions in patients with Parkinson's disease using single and bistable percepts as testing tools.

BACKGROUND: Visual misperceptions (VMs) and hallucinations (VHs) often go unreported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We assessed the utility of single and bistable visual percepts as testing tools for visual perceptual abnormalities in PD. AIM: To assess VM in patients with PD using single and bistable percepts as testing tools. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a case-control study conducted at a movement disorders clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with PD and 30 age and sex-matched controls were assessed for motor severity and stage using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (UPDRS-III) and modified Hoehn and Yahr scale. Higher mental functions were assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Trail making tests (TMT-A and B) scores. The participants were presented with monochromatic images representing either "single" or "bistable percepts" and the misperceptions were recorded. VM scores of patients and controls were compared. The correlation between disease duration, treatment period, motor severity, frontal executive functions, and VMs were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients had mild-to-moderate PD. Patients with PD had higher mean VM scores (P < 0.0005). None of the patients reported VHs. TMT-A, TMT-B, TMT-B - A scores were significantly lower in the control group (P < 0.0005). Cases showed significant positive correlation of VM with disease duration, treatment duration, UPDRS-III score, H and Y stage, and TMT A and B and an inverse correlation with MMSE and FAB scores. The patients with VM score greater than the upper limit of normal (Mean + 1.5 standard deviation [SD]), calculated from the control group, showed similar correlation of VM with motor and cognitive parameters. CONCLUSIONS: VMs are frequent in patients with PD when assessed using single and bistable visual percepts. VM correlates with frontal executive dysfunction, disease duration, and severity.

Cardiac arrhythmia in Wilson's disease: An oversighted and overlooked entity!

Wilson's disease is a multisystem disorder which manifests with hepatic, neurological, musculoskeletal, hematological, renal, and cardiac symptoms. The hepatic and neurological manifestations often overshadow the other system involvement including cardiac symptoms and signs, which may prove fatal. We report a case of a young female who presented with progressive parkinsonian features and dystonia for around 4 months followed 2 months later by the complaint of episodes of light-headedness. She was diagnosed to have Wilson's disease based on the presence of Kayser-Fleischer ring and laboratory parameters of copper metabolism. Electrocardiography of the patient incidentally revealed 2nd degree Mobitz type-1 atrioventricular block explaining her episodes of light-headedness. She was started on penicillamine and trihexyphenidyl. The heart block improved spontaneously. Cardiac autonomic function tests including blood pressure response to standing and heart rate response to standing were observed to be normal. We review the literature on cardiac manifestations of Wilson's disease and emphasize that patients with Wilson's disease should be assessed for cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac dysfunction as these may have therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Impact of sleep quality on the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease: a questionnaire based study.

OBJECTIVE: Poor sleep quality contributes to the inferior quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) despite appropriate treatment of motor symptoms. The literature about the impact of sleep quality on quality of life of patients with PD is as yet sparse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients of PD diagnosed as per UK Brain Bank criteria were assessed for severity and stage of PD using UPDRS and modified Hoehn &Yahr scales. The quality of sleep was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) was evaluated using Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire -39 (PDQ-39) was used to determine quality of life of the patients. Comorbid depression and anxiety were assessed using Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self Rated and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze relation of sleep quality with quality of life of patients. RESULTS: Fifty patients had poor sleep quality. EDS was present in only 9 patients. Co-morbid depression and anxiety were present in 52 and 34 patients respectively. While the motor severity assessed by UPDRS-III was observed to adversely affect quality of life, it did not negatively impact quality of sleep. Higher score on UPDRS-total and UPDRS IV suggesting advanced disease correlated with poor sleep quality. Depression and anxiety were significantly more frequent in patients with poor sleep quality (p<0.01). Patients with poor sleep quality had worse quality of life (r=0.338, p<0.05). Depression and anxiety were also observed to have significant negative impact on quality of life of PD patients (p<0.01). Poor sleep quality was not found to be an independent predictor of quality of life using multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality along with comorbid depression, anxiety and advanced stage of disease is associated with poor quality of life.

Primary angiitis of central nervous system: The story of a great masquerader.

Primary angiitis of central nervous system (PACNS) is characterized by non-caseating granulomatous angiitis restricted to CNS. The condition often masquerades as migraine, stroke, epilepsy, dementia, demyelinating disorder and CNS infection. The protean manifestations frequently lead to misdiagnoses. We present a case of a young male from rural background that remained undiagnosed for years as the possibility of PACNS was not considered. He had history suggestive of migraine-like headaches followed by seizures. Subsequently, he developed rapidly progressive dementia and two episodes of hemorrhagic strokes over a short period. The diagnosis was finally clinched by the absence of evidence of systemic vasculitis and the presence of characteristic non-caseating granuloma around vessels of duramater and cerebral parenchyma on brain biopsy. He was started on pulse therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone. The current literature about the condition and its management is reviewed in this report.

HIV-Associated Neurocysticercosis.

Few cases of HIV and neurocysticercosis co-infection have been reported till date. The symptomatic manifestation of cysticercosis may be further reduced by interactions between the 2 disease processes. In patients with HIV, the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is challenging and management must be individualized depending on the stage and the coexistent opportunistic conditions. We present 2 such cases. First was a 35-year-old driver seropositive for HIV-1 presented with complex partial seizures and a CD4 count of 530 cells/mm(3). The second case was a 40-year-old businessman with a CD4 count of 350 cells/mm(3). Both of them had multiple parenchymal lesions, with 1 being a large cystic lesion. Relatively high CD4 count and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay increased the likelihood for diagnosis and treatment. Both of our patients received cysticidal therapy, and none of them deteriorated with treatment.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like presentation in a HIV-positive patient.

There has been several reports of an MND like syndrome in HIV-1 infection, however the data is still sparse. Furthermore, HIV-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) syndrome differs from the classical ALS in some key aspects.. A 44-year-old male presented with a history of insidious onset and gradually progressive asymmetric weakness of lower limbs. He also complained of thinning in both legs, the left leg more than the right since 1 year along with spontaneous twitching of muscles in both the thighs. On neurological examination, the assessment of higher mental functions was normal. There were no cranial nerve deficits. Motor power was grade 5/5 (Medical Research Council scale) in both the upper limbs and 4+ at hips and knees bilaterally, 5 at right ankle, and 4+ at left ankle. All the deep tendon reflexes were brisk with extensor planter responses. There were no cerebellar signs or sensory deficits. HIV-1 was reactive in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Electrophysiological studies were conducted per the MND protocol.None of the nerves studied showed an abnormal drop in compound muscle action potential amplitude with proximal stimulation. There was evidence of diffuse spontaneous activity, which manifests as fibrillation and fasciculation potentials in most muscles tested . Overall there seems to be sufficient evidence to implicate HIV as a potential cause of an ALS-like disorder, but one must also consider the possibility of coincidental HIV infection in patients who have sporadic ALS.

A Case of Cerebellar Ataxia Associated with HIV Infection.

Cerebellar complications of HIV infection primarily manifested in ataxia, usually arise as the result of cerebellar lesions due to opportunistic infections, vasculitis or neoplastic processes. A 28 year old female known to have HIV infection for last four years, presented to our hospital with progressive unsteadiness in walking, slurring of speech and intention tremors for the last two months. There was no family history of similar complaints, and she was on Anti retroviral treatment for last one and a half years. The results of examination were notable for severe dysarthria, slow saccades, a conspicuous dysmetria and dysdiadokokinesia. She had no cognitive, sensory or motor deficits. MRI revealed diffuse cerebellar atrophy. Extensive laboratory work up failed to disclose a cause for subacute ataxia. Isolated cerebellar degeneration in an HIV patient is rare and should prompt a diagnostic work up.

Babinski the great: Failure did not deter him.

Joseph Babinski (1857-1932) was born on November 17, 1857. He worked in a clinical arena dominated by Charcot and a focus on hysteria. His primary aim was in trying to find the reliable clinical signs to distinguish organic from non-organic disease of the nervous system. He was considered as masterly diagnostician, relying considerably less on neuropathological reports. Babinski's first attention to the reflex of the toes occurred during a chance observation of the contrasting responses between two female patients, one a hysteric and the other a hemiplegic. He first published description of his famous "sign" in 1896. Babinski's love for research works could be gauzed from his desire to publish and by the age of 27 years, he had to this credit, 12 important articles, mainly concerned with histological and neurological themes and one of his articles on the basic description of muscle spindles was considered to be a significant one. He was awarded the doctorate degree in 1885. Babinski introduced the concept of pithiatism, meaning "curable by suggestion." He anticipated the emergence of neurosurgery in France and only 6 days prior to his death he is on record to have said that his most vital contribution to the cause of neurosciences was not the sign he described, but that he could goad Clovis Vincent and Martel to take up neurosurgery as a specialty.