Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Surgery Versus Craniotomy for Hypertensive Putamen Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopy for treating hypertensive putamen hemorrhage (HPH), compared with traditional craniotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 81 consecutive patients with HPH treated with neuroendoscopy (n=36) or craniotomy (n=45) in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University between January 2015 and December 2017. We compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes, excluded 14 patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Patient characteristics in emergency room were recorded. In addition, hospitalization days, total cost during hospitalization, operative time, blood loss, evacuation rate, rebreeding, intracranial infection, pulmonary infection, epilepsy, hemorrhage of digestive tract, venous thrombus, hypoproteinemia, aphasia, oculomotor paralysis, mortality, Modified Rankin Scale score 6 months after surgery, and Glasgow Outcome Scale score 6 months after surgery were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of preoperative patient data revealed no notable disparities. Neuroendoscopic surgery afford distinct benefits including reduced operative time, minimal patient blood loss, and enhanced efficacy in hematoma evacuation. However, the incidence of postoperative complications such as rebleeding, intracranial infections, pulmonary infections, postoperative epilepsy, hemorrhage of digestive tract, venous thrombus, hypoproteinemia, aphasia, and oculomotor paralysis did not significantly differ. In contrast, endoscopic techniques, relative to conventional craniotomy for hematoma evacuation, are characterized by less invasive incisions, a marked decrease in the duration of hospitalization, and a substantial reduction in associated healthcare costs. Furthermore, endoscopic techniques contribute to superior long-term recuperative outcomes in patients, without altering mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the conventional method of craniotomy, the utilization of neuroendoscopy in the treatment of hypertensive putamen hemorrhage (HPH) may offer a more efficacious, minimally invasive, and cost-effective approach. This alternative approach has the potential to decrease the length of hospital stays and improve long-term neurologic outcomes, without altering mortality rates.

Long insular artery damage might be a key sign for predicting functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Although the putamen is the most common area of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, previous reports about the effects of surgery are limited. We sometimes experience a poor prognosis in patients in whom there is no damage to the internal capsule, but with injury in the long insular artery (LIA) region. The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between LIA damage and patient prognosis following surgery for putaminal hemorrhage. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 287 surgical cases who presented with putaminal hemorrhage between January 2004 and March 2022. Among them, we chose patients without initial damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, and divided these patients into two groups, those without (Group A) and with (Group B) final damage in the LIA region. We compared positivity rates of final manual muscle test (MMT) scores≥3 and related factors. RESULTS: Sixty-three of the 287 patients were included in this study. Of them, 11 cases in Group A were positive for MMT scores≥3 (68.8%) and 9 cases (19.1%) in Group B had MMT scores≥3 seven days after surgery. Group A thus had a significantly higher rate of MMT scores≥3 than group B (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: In patients without initial damage to the internal capsule, LIA injury might be a key sign for predicting the functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage.

Sequential Development of Putaminal Hemorrhage and Corona Radiata Infarction in the Same Lenticulostriate Arterial Territory.

Putaminal hemorrhage is a common type of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage. However, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of sequential cerebral hemorrhage and infarction in the same perforating arterial territory. Herein, we present the first reported case of the sequential development of putaminal hemorrhage and corona radiata infarction in the same lenticulostriate arterial (LSA) territory. Early intensive blood pressure lowering treatment may have aggravated ischemic damage. If a patient presents with motor weakness that cannot be explained by putaminal hemorrhage, the sequential development of corona radiata infarction in the same LSA territory should be ruled out.

Relationships among language ability, the arcuate fasciculus and lesion volume in patients with putaminal hemorrhage: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

Relationships among language ability, arcuate fasciculus and lesion volume were investigated by use of diffusion tensor tractography in patients with putaminal hemorrhage. Thirty-three right-handed patients within six weeks of hemorrhage onset were recruited. Correlation of the aphasia quotient with subset (fluency, comprehension, repetition, naming) scores, diffusion tensor tractography parameters and lesion volume of patients, aphasia quotient (r = 0.446) with subset (naming: r = 0.489) score had moderate positive correlations with fractional anisotropy of the left arcuate fasciculus. The aphasia quotient subset (repetition) score had a strong positive correlation with fractional anisotropy of the left arcuate fasciculus (r = 0.520), whereas, aphasia quotient subset (fluency and comprehension) scores had no significant correlations with fractional anisotropy of the left arcuate fasciculus after Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Aphasia quotient (r = 0.668) with subset (fluency: r = 0.736, comprehension: r = 0.739, repetition: r = 0.649, naming: r = 0.766) scores had strong positive correlations with the tract volume of the left arcuate fasciculus and strong negative correlations with lesion volume (r = -0.521, fluency: r = -0.520, comprehension: r = -0.513, repetition: r = -0.518, naming: r = -0.562). Fractional anisotropy of the left arcuate fasciculus had a moderate negative correlation with lesion volume (r = -0.462), whereas the tract volume of the left arcuate fasciculus had a strong negative correlation with lesion volume (r = -0.700). According to the result of mediation analysis, tract volume of the left arcuate fasciculus fully mediated the effect of lesion volume on the aphasia quotient. Regarding the receiver operating characteristic curve, the lesion volume cut-off value was 29.17 cm3 and the area under the curve (0.74), sensitivity (0.77) and specificity (0.80) were higher than those of fractional anisotropy, tract volume and aphasia quotient cut-off values. It was found that level of language disability was related to lesion volume as well as to injury severity of arcuate fasciculus in the dominant hemisphere of patients with putaminal hemorrhage. In particular, the tract volume of the arcuate fasciculus in the dominant hemisphere fully mediated the effect of lesion volume on language ability. Additionally, a lesion volume of approximately 30 cm3 was helpful in discriminating arcuate fasciculus discontinuation in the dominant hemisphere.

Alterations of functional connectivity in auditory and sensorimotor neural networks: A case report in a patient with cortical deafness after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke.

RATIONALE: Cortical deafness is a rare auditory dysfunction caused by damage to brain auditory networks. The aim was to report alterations of functional connectivity in intrinsic auditory, motor, and sensory networks in a cortical deafness patient. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 41-year-old woman suffered a right putaminal hemorrhage. Eight years earlier, she had suffered a left putaminal hemorrhage and had minimal sequelae. She had quadriparesis, imbalance, hypoesthesia, and complete hearing loss. DIAGNOSES: She was diagnosed with cortical deafness. After 6 months, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) were performed. DTI revealed that the acoustic radiation was disrupted while the corticospinal tract and somatosensory track were intact using deterministic tracking methods. Furthermore, the patient showed decreased functional connectivity between auditory and sensorimotor networks. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent in-patient stroke rehabilitation therapy for 2 months. OUTCOMES: Gait function and ability for activities of daily living were improved. However, complete hearing impairment persisted in 6 months after bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic stroke. LESSONS: Our case report seems to suggest that functional alterations of spontaneous neuronal activity in auditory and sensorimotor networks are related to motor and sensory impairments in a patient with cortical deafness.

Subcortical deafness as a subtype of auditory agnosia after injury of bilateral auditory radiations caused by two cerebrovascular accidents - normal auditory brainstem responses with I-VII waves and abolished consciousness of hearing.

BACKGROUND: In central auditory disorders caused by damage of the cerebral hemispheres, there are cortical deafness and auditory agnosia. Although clinical cases of cortical deafness have been reported, little is known about the hearing problems and localized lesions associated with cortical deafness. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of our research are to elucidate lesion sites associated with cortical deafness and to clarify why patients with cerebral lesions are not aware of any sound at all. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients diagnosed as having total loss of hearing participated in this study. We conducted pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose cortical deafness with aphasia tests of these patients. RESULTS: Our studies showed that waves VI and VII as well as waves I to V have normal peak latencies in ABRs in all three patients. In brain MRI, we found complete damage of proximal parts of bilateral auditory radiations in the three patients. CONCLUSIONS: We propose 'subcortical deafness' as a subtype of auditory agnosia.

[A Case of Putaminal Hemorrhage Caused by Underlying Tectal Glioblastoma].

We report a case of glioblastoma due to putaminal hemorrhage. Notably, the glioblastoma was located at some distance from the hematoma. A 42-year-old right-handed man presented with a sudden-onset headache, motor aphasia, and right hemiplegia. CT showed left putaminal hemorrhage and a mass lesion with a slightly high density in the midbrain away from the hematoma. Conservative treatment was initiated for the patient. Initially, we suspected a benign tumor-like cavernous malformation based on the CT findings. However, MRI showed ring enhancement of the mass lesion on contrast-enhanced MRI and hyperintensity on arterial spin labeling(ASL). A part of the wall of the putaminal hemorrhage also exhibited hyperintensity on ASL. Since we suspected a malignant brainstem tumor and a secondary intracerebral hemorrhage caused by this tumor, we performed a stereotactic brain biopsy. Histological examination revealed that the tumor was a wild-type IDH-1 glioblastoma. In the acute phase, the intracerebral hemorrhage presented as a hyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging. Therefore, it was difficult to distinguish hemorrhagic glioblastoma from an intracerebral hemorrhage. Even if an intracerebral hemorrhage is observed at common sites, it is important to consider the possibility of a malignant brain tumor and complete a prompt examination. In addition, ASL imaging may be useful in detecting hemorrhagic malignant brain tumors.

Influence of hematoma volume and age on cognitive functions and ADL after putaminal hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: After cerebral hemorrhage, cognitive functions and activities of daily living (ADL) are affected by various factors, including hematoma volume and patient age. In the present study, we investigated the effect of age and hematoma volume on cognitive functions and on ADL. METHODS: The sample comprised 274 patients (183 men and 91 women; mean age 58.2 ± 12.5 years) with putaminal hemorrhage who were hospitalized in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. Hematoma volume was estimated from computed tomography imaging at stroke onset. Cognitive functions were evaluated using Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices test (RCPM) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at hospital admission, while ADL score was assessed at discharge using the Functional Independence Measure motor subscale (FIM-M). In the present study, we classified the patients into six groups according to whether they were non-elderly or elderly (cutoff age, 60 years) and whether their hematoma was small, medium, or large (cutoff volumes, 20 and 40 mL, respectively). Subsequently, the scores on the RCPM, MMSE, and FIM-M were compared among the groups. RESULTS: In both age groups, patients with a larger hematoma volume had lower RCPM and MMSE scores. Patients <60 years old exhibited different trends in their RCPM and MMSE scores, such that the RCPM score showed a step-wise decrease according to hematoma volume, while a difference in the MMSE score was only observed at the 20 mL boundary. Most of the younger patients (<60 years of age) attained high FIM-M scores at discharge, as long as their hematoma volume was either medium or small (<40 mL). This age group had higher RCPM scores on admission, which may have contributed to their higher FIM-M scores on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we demonstrated that advancing age increases the effect of hematoma volume on RCPM and MMSE scores and identified differences in the effects observed on these two scores. Thus, it may be important to use the RCPM alongside the MMSE for patient assessment.

Mechanism of cognitive impairment in chronic patients with putaminal hemorrhage: A diffusion tensor tractography.

It is not clear whether the fornix and cingulum are involved in cognition after putaminal hemorrhage (PH). We investigated structural changes and differences of the neural tracts, and the relationship between the integrity of the neural tracts and cognition not only at the affected but also at the unaffected side.Sixteen patients with left chronic putaminal hemorrhage and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), we compared fiber number (FN), fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the neural tracts between patient and control groups. The relationship between the neural tract parameters and neuropsychological results was also analyzed.The left fornix FN was significantly lower than the right fornix FN in the patient group. Except for the cingulum FA, the neural tracts parameters for both the affected and unaffected hemispheres differed significantly between the groups. The fornix FA and ADC at the affected side were significantly correlated with intelligence quotient (IQ), mini-mental status examination (MMSE), and short-term memory. Interestingly, the fornix ADC at the unaffected side was significantly correlated with MMSE. However, none of the cingulum parameters was correlated with neuropsychological results.The fornix integrity is critical for cognitive impairment after putaminal hemorrhage.

Aphasia Following Left Putaminal Hemorrhage at a Rehabilitation Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the relationship between aphasia and hematoma type/volume in patients with left putaminal hemorrhage admitted to a rehabilitation facility. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between the presence, type, and severity of aphasia and hematoma type/volume in 92 patients with putaminal hemorrhage aged 29-83 years. Hematoma type and volume were evaluated on the basis of CT images obtained at stroke onset. The Standard Language Test for Aphasia was conducted as part of the initial assessment. RESULTS: Aphasia was observed in 79 of 92 patients. A total of 31 patients had fluent aphasia, while 48 had non-fluent aphasia. Non-fluent aphasia often involved hematoma on the anterior limb of the internal capsule, while fluent aphasia often involved hematoma on the posterior limb of internal capsule. When the hematoma volume exceeded 20 mL, patients experienced difficulty in repeating spoken words. When hematoma volume exceeded 40 mL, non-fluent aphasia was observed in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that hematoma type and volume not only influence the development of aphasia following putaminal hemorrhage but also play a major role in determining the patient's fluency and repetition ability.

Auditory agnosia caused by bilateral putamen haemorrhage.

A 55-year-old right-handed man with a history of hypertension suddenly fell and developed right hemiparesis. Neurological examination revealed that he was alert, but did not appropriately respond to verbal questions and commands. Detailed examination revealed that he could correctly respond to written commands. His speech was almost fluent, showing no paraphasia and normal articulation. His written sentences were legible. Pure tone audiometry showed that his auditory acuity was relatively preserved. His brainstem auditory evoked potential components from I to V were recorded bilaterally with normal latency. Cerebral CT demonstrated fresh bleeding in the left putamen and an old haemorrhage on the opposite side. He was treated by antihypertensive therapy and rehabilitation. Although there remained mild sensory deficit on his right extremities and he felt a slight noise during conversation, he had little difficulty with verbal communication when he was transferred to another hospital on day 38.

Auditory agnosia associated with bilateral putaminal hemorrhage: A case report of clinical course of recovery.

A 45-year-old right-handed man with a past history (10 years) of putaminal hemorrage presented with auditory agnosia associated with left putaminal hemorrhage. It was suspected that the auditory agnosia was due to bilateral damage in the acoustic radiations. Generalized auditory agnosia, verbal and non-verbal (music and environmental), was diagnosed by neuropsychological examinations. It improved 4 months after the onset. However, the clinical assessment of attention remained poor. The cognition for speech sounds improved slowly, but once it started to improve, the progress of improvement was rapid. Subsequently, the cognition for music sounds also improved, while the recovery of the cognition for environmental sounds remained delayed. There was a dissociation in recovery between these cognitions. He was able to return to work a year after the onset. We also reviewed the literature for cases with auditory agnosia and discuss their course of recovery in this report.

Frequency and Predicting Factors on Chronic Expanding Intracerebral Hematoma in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma is a well-known complication of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. However, because chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma is relatively rare, it has not been studied systemically. The purpose of this study was to characterize a patient population with chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma, and to identify the predictive factors for it. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 112 patients with spontaneous putaminal hemorrhage who were treated at our institution between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. Data on age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale score, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage volume were collected, and their predictive values for chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma were investigated. We also evaluated the predictive value of a characteristic radiological finding at onset called the "layer sign," which was represented as a fluid level adjacent to the clot. RESULTS: Chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma was observed in 4 patients (4.9%) with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Only the layer sign was significantly related to chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma (P = .003), and was found to be independently associated with chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma in a multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 18.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-291.0; P = .037). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma in those with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage was estimated at 4.9%. The layer sign was a useful factor for predicting chronic expanding intracerebral hematoma.

Gait recovery by activation of the unaffected corticoreticulospinal tract in a stroke patient: A case report.

RATIONALE: A 50-year-old man presented with complete paralysis at the onset of a putaminal hemorrhage. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient presented with complete paralysis of the left upper and lower extremities (Medical Research Council:0/5). DIAGNOSES: Spontaneous intra crebral hemorrhage on putamen. INTERVENTION: He underwent comprehensive rehabilitative therapy from 3 weeks after onset. At 3weeks after onset, he presented with severe weakness of the left extremities. The weakness of his left extremities had recovered as follows at 3 months after onset. Consequently, he was able to walk independently on an even floor. OUTCOMES: On 3-week and 3-month diffusion tensor tractography (DTTs), the right corticospinal tract (CST) and the corticoreticulospinal tract (CRT) showed discontinuations below the lesion. On 3-month DTT, the left CST had become thinner; however, the left CRT had become thicker compared with 3-week DTT (Fig. 1). LESSONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the activation process of the CRT in the unaffected hemisphere in relation to gait recovery from early to chronic stage of stroke.

Neuronavigation-Assisted Aspiration and Electro-Acupuncture for Hypertensive Putaminal Hemorrhage: A Suitable Technique on Hemiplegia Rehabilitation.

AIM: To identify whether neuronavigation-assisted aspiration (NA) combined with electro-acupuncture (EA) provides better motor recovery in events of hypertensive putaminal hematoma (HPH) sized 30 to 50 ml. This study aims to examine whether neuronavigation-assisted aspiration and electro-acupuncture have additional value to cerebral hemorrhage motor rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 240 patients with HPH sized 30 to 50 ml and admitted within 6 to 10 hours after stroke ictus were included in this study. Group 1 contained 60 patients who underwent neuronavigation-assisted aspiration and electro-acupuncture (NAEA), group 2 contained 60 patients who underwent neuronavigation-assisted aspiration (NA), group 3 contained 60 patients who underwent electro-acupuncture (EA), and group 4 contained 60 patients who received conservative therapy consisting solely of medications. All the patients received the same therapeutic plan on admission and functional exercises three days after stroke onset. Electro-acupuncture was performed on the third day of admission; motor recovery was examined on weeks zero and eight by blinded assessors. Outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer assessment, modified Ashworth Scale and Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS: Group one showed significantly improved motor outcomes compared to group four (p < 0.01). Group one also showed significant motor improvement when pre-and post- therapy functioning was examined (p < 0.01). Cerebral edema and ischemia were significantly decreased in group one compared to group 3 and 4 (p < 0.05). While not as effective as group one treatment, group two and group three patients had significant motor recovery after intervention when compared to group four (p < 0.05). Muscular tension secondary to stroke was considerably improved between group one and group four, group two and group four, group three and group four respectively (p < 0.05). Activities of daily living (ADL) improved a lot with EA together with NA. CONCLUSION: Neuronavigation-assisted aspiration and electro-acupuncture of HPH at the early stage can provide improved motor recovery with fewer complications. Significant motor recovery can be achieved by neuronavigation-assisted aspiration with acupuncture. Based on our findings, we recommend early intervention with NA and EA in order to promote early rehabilitation of hemiplegia secondary to HPH.

Flexible Endoscopic Aspiration for Intraventricular Casting Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, patients suffering a massive intraventricular hemorrhage have undergone external ventricular drainage. However, long-term or repeated drainage increases the risk of complications due to infections or shunt dependency. Neuroendoscopic surgery may offer some advantages over more conventional procedures. METHODS: Thirteen patients suffering intraventricular hematoma associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, treated in our hospital between April 2011 and March 2014, were reviewed retrospectively. Casting hematomas in the ventricles were manually aspirated using a flexible endoscope. The timing of the operation, period of post-endoscopic ventricular drainage, additional internal shunt surgery, 3-month post-surgical outcome, and critical complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Two patients (treated during our earliest use of endoscope) who underwent surgery on the 7th and 16th day post-onset required subsequent cerebrospinal shunt surgery. In contrast, of the 11 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery on the day of onset, only 1 patient required an additional, third ventriculostomy due to a secondary obstruction of the aqueduct by adhesive fibrous membranes. After 3 months, all six patients with mRS scores of 2-3 satisfied all the following criteria: initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores higher than 8, flexible endoscopic surgeries performed on the day of onset, and period of ventricular drainage of less than 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention using a flexible endoscope and short period of post-surgical drainage can be highly effective for patients suffering from casting intraventricular hematomas associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. The advantages of this treatment may be a less invasive procedure, ICP control in the acute phase, breaking away from ventricular drainage in the early stage, and prevention of hydrocephalus or intracranial infectious complications in the long term.

Dysphagia Following Putaminal Hemorrhage at a Rehabilitation Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia occurs frequently during the acute phase of cerebral hemorrhage; however, there are few reports of dysphagia associated with cerebral hemorrhage in the subacute and chronic phase. We focused on putaminal hemorrhage at a rehabilitation hospital and evaluated the relationships between the frequencies of dysphagia, focus, and hematoma volume and type. METHODS: A hundred patients with putaminal hemorrhage referred to our rehabilitation hospital were evaluated. Bedside swallowing assessments (BSAs) were conducted and results were evaluated relative to the information obtained on computed tomography imaging, including hematoma type and volume, and oral intake at the time of admission/discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: A regular diet was provided to 48 patients, dysphagia diet to 44 patients, and enteral feeding to 8 patients. There were significant feeding group differences in age, hematoma volume and type, existence of ventricle rupture, neurological manifestation, cognitive function, existence of unilateral neglect and aphasia, initial BSA, activities of daily living (ADL) score using the Functional Independence Measure at the time of admission/discharge from the hospital, and length of stay. At discharge, we provided a regular diet to 81 patients and dysphagia diet to 19 patients. Age and ADL score had the greatest influence on oral intake at the time of discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of dysphagia caused by putaminal hemorrhage is good, with no patient requiring enteral feeding, although putaminal hemorrhage often causes dysphagia. Patient age and ADL score on admission are used to predict the residual factors of dysphagia.

A prospective, randomized, blinded assessment of multitarget thalamic and pallidal deep brain stimulation in a case of hemidystonia.

OBJECTIVE: Dystonia is increasingly being interpreted as a multi-nodal "network" disorder. We aimed to investigate multitarget DBS (pallidal and thalamic) versus each target alone in a prospective, randomized, blinded trial in a case of hemidystonia secondary to putaminal stroke. METHODS: DBS leads were implanted in the GPi and Vim/Vop and each stimulation combination (GPi, Vim/Vop, and both) was tested for three months in a single patient. Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) were completed at the end of each trial period. RESULTS: Multitarget (GPi+Vim/Vop) stimulation was clinically the most effective treatment and resulted in the most improvement in function and quality of life. The patient's hemidystonia improved by 25% as measured by the BFMDRS during the multitarget stimulation trial period and at the 6-month follow-up. The patient's quality of life improved by 86% and 59% during the multitarget stimulation trial period and at the 6 month follow-up respectively. CONCLUSION: Multitarget thalamic and pallidal DBS proved to be the most effective therapy for this patient with secondary hemidystonia due to a putaminal stroke. A single-lead approach may not be sufficient in neuromodulating a highly disorganized motor network seen in hemidystonia. Multitarget DBS should be further explored in post-stroke dystonia and may offer improved outcome in other forms of secondary dystonia with limited response to GPi DBS.

Executive Dysfunction in Patients with Putaminal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The frontal-subcortical circuits link the specific areas of the frontal cortex to the striatum, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Disruption of the frontal-subcortical circuits may lead to cognitive impairment with frontal lobe features. The putamen is a central component of frontal-subcortical circuits. Although putaminal lesions presumably lead to cognitive and behavioral changes, studies on frontal lobe dysfunctions after putaminal stroke are scarce. There are no previous studies that systematically examined frontal lobe functions with a focal putaminal lesion. The objective of this study is to demonstrate whether putaminal hemorrhage causes frontal lobe dysfunction. METHODS: Cognitive functions, including various aspects of frontal lobe functions, were systematically assessed in 15 patients with left- or right-sided putaminal hemorrhage 2 months after the onset and compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: Patients did not have signs of aphasia, apraxia, or spatial neglect. They performed significantly worse on tests of frontal lobe function, including Letter-Number Sequencing (U = 22, P < .001), lexical fluency (U = 30, P < .001), and motor series subtest (U = 45, P = .004) of the Frontal Assessment Battery. On the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, patients performed significantly worse for "categories achieved" (U = 29.5, P < .001), "perseverative errors" (U = 25, P < .001), and "set loss" (U = 49, P = .008). None showed behavioral impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated putaminal hemorrhage causes modest frontal lobe dysfunction without behavioral symptoms. Our findings indicate that isolated putaminal hemorrhage disrupts the dorsolateral-striato-pallido-thalamic circuits and causes executive dysfunction.