Mechanical thrombectomy for basilar artery thrombosis: a comparison of outcomes with anterior circulation occlusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in basilar artery occlusions (BAO) have not been explored in recent clinical trials. We compared outcomes and procedural complications of MT in BAO with anterior circulation occlusions. METHODS: Data from the Madrid Stroke Network multicenter prospective registry were analyzed, including baseline characteristics, procedure times, procedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and mortality at 3 months. RESULTS: Of 479 patients treated with MT, 52 (11%) had BAO. The onset to reperfusion time lapse was longer in patients with BAO (median (IQR) 385 min (320-540) vs 315 min (240-415), p<0.001), as was the duration of the procedures (100 min (40-130) vs 60 min (39-90), p=0.006). Moreover, the recanalization rate was lower (75% vs 84%, p=0.01). A trend toward more procedural complications was observed in patients with BAO (32% vs 21%, p=0.075). The frequency of SICH was 2% vs 5% (p=0.25). At 3 months, patients with BAO had a lower rate of independence (mRS 0-2) (40% vs 58%, p=0.016) and higher mortality (33% vs 12%, p<0.001). The rate of futile recanalization was 50% in BAO versus 35% in anterior circulation occlusions (p=0.05). Age and duration of the procedure were significant predictors of futile recanalization in BAO. CONCLUSIONS: MT is more laborious and shows more procedural complications in BAO than in anterior circulation strokes. The likelihood of futile recanalization is higher in BAO and is associated with greater age and longer procedure duration. A refinement of endovascular procedures for BAO might help optimize the results.

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with medical contraindications for intravenous thrombolysis: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the safety of primary mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke and comorbidities that preclude treatment with IV thrombolysis (IVT), compared with patients who received standard IVT treatment followed by MT. Secondary objectives were to analyse the recanalization rate and outcomes. METHODS: A prospective observational multicenter study (FUN-TPA) that recruited patients treated within 4.5 hours of symptom onset was performed. Treatments were IVT followed by MT if occlusion persisted, or primary MT when IVT was contraindicated. Outcome measures were procedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), recanalization rate, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 7 days, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and mortality at 90 days. RESULTS: Of 131 patients, 21 (16%) had medical contraindications for IVT and were treated primarily with MT whereas 110 (84%) underwent IVT, followed by MT in 53 cases (40%). The recanalization rate and procedural complications were similar in the two groups. There were no SICHs after primary MT vs 3 (6%) after IVT+MT. Nine patients (43%) in the primary MT group achieved independence (mRS 0-2) compared with 36 (68%) in the IVT+MT group (p=0.046). Mortality rates in the two groups were 14% (n=3) vs 4% (n=2) (p=0.13). Adjusted ORs for independence in patients receiving standard IVT+MT vs MT in patients with medical contraindications for IVT were 2.8 (95% CI 0.99 to 7.98) and 0.24 (95% CI 0.04 to 1.52) for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: MT is safe in patients with potential comorbidity-derived risks that preclude IVT. MT should be offered, aiming for prompt recanalization, to patients with LVO stroke unsuitable for IVT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02164357; Results.

Futile Interhospital Transfer for Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Madrid Stroke Network Experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The complexity of endovascular revascularization treatment (ERT) in acute ischemic stroke and the small number of patients eligible for treatment justify the development of stroke center networks with interhospital patient transfers. However, this approach might result in futile transfers (ie, the transfer of patients who ultimately do not undergo ERT). Our aim was to analyze the frequency of these futile transfers and the reasons for discarding ERT and to identify the possible associated factors. METHODS: We analyzed an observational prospective ERT registry from a stroke collaboration ERT network consisting of 3 hospitals. There were interhospital transfers from the first attending hospital to the on-call ERT center for the patients for whom this therapy was indicated, either primarily or after intravenous thrombolysis (drip and shift). RESULTS: The ERT protocol was activated for 199 patients, 129 of whom underwent ERT (64.8%). A total of 120 (60.3%) patients required a hospital transfer, 50 of whom (41%) ultimately did not undergo ERT. There were no differences in their baseline characteristics, the times from stroke onset, or in the delays in interhospital transfers between the transferred patients who were treated and those who were not treated. The main reasons for rejecting ERT after the interhospital transfer were clinical improvement/arterial recanalization (48%) and neuroimaging criteria (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Forty-one percent of the ERT transfers were futile, but none of the baseline patient characteristics predicted this result. Futility could be reduced if repetition of unnecessary diagnostic tests was avoided.

Guía de actuación clínica en la hemorragia subaracnoidea. Sistemática diagnóstica y tratamiento / Clinical management guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment

OBJETIVO: Actualización de la guía para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la hemorragia subaracnoidea de la Sociedad Española de Neurología. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión y análisis de la bibliografía existente. Se establecen recomendaciones en función del nivel de evidencia que ofrecen los estudios revisados. RESULTADOS: La causa más frecuente de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea (HSA) es la rotura de un aneurisma cerebral. Su incidencia se sitúa en torno 9 casos por 100.000 habitantes/año y supone un 5% de todos los ictus. La hipertensión arterial y el tabaquismo son sus principales factores de riesgo. Se ha de realizar el tratamiento en centros especializados. Se debe considerar el ingreso en unidades de ictus de aquellos pacientes con HSA y buena situación clínica inicial (grados I y II en la escala de Hunt y Hess). Se recomienda la exclusión precoz de la circulación del aneurisma. El estudio diagnóstico de elección es la tomografía computarizada (TC) craneal sin contraste. Si esta es negativa y persiste la sospecha clínica se aconseja realizar una punción lumbar. Los estudios de elección para identificar la fuente de sangrado son la resonancia magnética (RM) y la angiografía. Los estudios ultrasonográficos son útiles para el diagnóstico y seguimiento del vasoespasmo. Se recomienda el nimodipino para la prevención de la isquemia cerebral diferida. La terapia hipertensiva y el intervencionismo neurovascular pueden plantearse para tratar el vasoespasmo establecido. CONCLUSIONES: La HSA es una enfermedad grave y compleja que debe ser atendida en centros especializados, con suficiente experiencia para abordar el proceso diagnóstico y terapéutico

OBJECTIVE: To update the Spanish Society of Neurology's guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review and analysis of the existing literature. Recommendations are given based on the level of evidence for each study reviewed. RESULTS: The most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is cerebral aneurysm rupture. Its estimated incidence in Spain is 9/100 000 inhabitants/year with a relative frequency of approximately 5% of all strokes. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Stroke patients require treatment in a specialised centre. Admission to a stroke unit should be considered for SAH patients whose initial clinical condition is good (Grades I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale). We recommend early exclusion of aneurysms from the circulation. The diagnostic study of choice for SAH is brain CT (computed tomography) without contrast. If the test is negative and SAH is still suspected, a lumbar puncture should then be performed. The diagnostic tests recommended in order to determine the source of the haemorrhage are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography. Doppler ultrasonography studies are very useful for diagnosing and monitoring vasospasm. Nimodipine is recommended for preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia. Blood pressure treatment and neurovascular intervention may be considered in treating refractory vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: SAH is a severe and complex disease which must be managed in specialised centres by professionals with ample experience in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic processes

[Antipituitary antibodies in patients with suspected autoimmune hypophysitis]. / Anticuerpos antihipófisis en pacientes con sospecha de hipofisitis autoimmune.

INTRODUCTION: Definitive diagnosis of autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is histological. However, a presumptive diagnosis can be made through clinical, biochemical and imaging data. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review the presence of antipituitary antibodies (APA) and antithyroid antibodies (ATA) in patients with suspected AH in order to determinate the utility of APA in the diagnosis of AH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 36 patients divided into seven groups according to the data suggesting AH (isolated corticotropin deficiency, other idiopathic pituitary deficiencies, idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, empty sella, sellar mass with thickened stalk, proven histological hypophysitis) or because of previous autoimmune endocrine diseases. Twenty-four controls without endocrinological disease were also included. In all subjects, APA were determined by immunofluorescence over primate pituitary gland and ATA by an agglutination technique. RESULTS: None of the controls and only 9 patients, all of them women, were APA-positive. Of the 9 APA-positive patients, 43% belonged to the group of patients with isolated ACTH deficiency. In 8 patients, APA were determined again during the follow-up; 6 remained APA-negative, but one patient became APA-positive and another became APA-negative. ATA were positive in 12 patients, 22.2% of whom were also APA-positive, and in one control. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of APA positivity among the study patients was low. These antibodies were found only in women, mostly with isolated corticotropin deficiency. APA and ATA coexisted in only 22% of the patients studied.

Anticuerpos antihipófisis en pacientes con sospecha de hipofisitis autoimmune / Antipituitary antibodies in patients with suspected autoimmune hypophysitis

Introducción El diagnóstico definitivo de la hipofisitis autoinmune es histológico; sin embargo, puede sospecharse en base a criterios clínicos, bioquímicos y radiológicos. Objetivo El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue revisar la presencia de anticuerpos antihipófisis (AAH) y anticuerpos antitiroideos en pacientes con sospecha de hipofisitis autoinmune por si la presencia de los primeros pudiera ayudar en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudiamos 36 pacientes divididos en 7 grupos por datos que hicieran sospechar una hipofisitis autoinmune (insuficiencia suprarrenal secundaria aislada, deficiencias hormonales sin causa justificada, hiperprolactinemia idiopática, silla turca vacía, masa selar con engrosamiento del tallo, confirmación histológica de hipofisitis) o por historia de autoinmunidad endocrina. Incluimos también 24 controles sin patología endocrina conocida. En todos se determinaron AAH mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta sobre sustrato de glándula pituitaria de primate y anticuerpos antitiroideos mediante técnica de aglutinación. Resultados Los AAH fueron positivos en 9 pacientes, todos ellos mujeres, y en ningún control, perteneciendo el 43% de los pacientes con AAH positivos al grupo de pacientes con insuficiencia suprarrenal aislada. En 8 pacientes se determinaron de nuevo AAH durante el seguimiento, en 6 se mantuvieron negativos, en una se positivizaron y en otra se hicieron negativos. Los anticuerpos antitiroideos fueron positivos en 12 pacientes, de los cuales el 22,2% también tenían AAH positivos y en un control. Conclusiones La prevalencia de AAH fue baja, siendo todos los casos mujeres y en su mayoría con insuficiencia suprarrenal secundaria aislada. Solo en el 22% de los pacientes estudiados coexistieron AAH y anticuerpos antitiroideos (AU)

Introduction Definitive diagnosis of autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is histological. However, a presumptive diagnosis can be made through clinical, biochemical and imaging data. Objective The objective of this study was to review the presence of antipituitary antibodies (APA) and antithyroid antibodies (ATA) in patients with suspected AH in order to determinate the utility of APA in the diagnosis of AH. Material and methods We studied 36 patients divided into seven groups according to the data suggesting AH (isolated corticotropin deficiency, other idiopathic pituitary deficiencies, idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, empty sella, sellar mass with thickened stalk, proven histological hypophysitis) or because of previous autoimmune endocrine diseases. Twenty-four controls without endocrinological disease were also included. In all subjects, APA were determined by immunofluorescence over primate pituitary gland and ATA by an agglutination technique. Results None of the controls and only 9 patients, all of them women, were APA-positive. Of the 9 APA-positive patients, 43% belonged to the group of patients with isolated ACTH deficiency. In 8 patients, APA were determined again during the follow-up; 6 remained APA-negative, but one patient became APA-positive and another became APA-negative. ATA were positive in 12 patients, 22.2% of whom were also APA-positive, and in one control. Conclusions The prevalence of APA positivity among the study patients was low. These antibodies were found only in women, mostly with isolated corticotropin deficiency. APA and ATA coexisted in only 22% of the patients studied (AU)

Nasolacrimal stents for the treatment of epiphora: technical problems and long-term results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of nasolacrimal stents for the treatment of obstructive epiphora, and the complications related to the procedure. METHODS: This study is a non-randomized prospective clinical trial. Eighty-five patients underwent fluoroscopally-guided placement of polyurethane stent in 86 lacrimal systems for the treatment of severe idiopathic obstructive epiphora. The sites of obstruction were: sac-duct junction (n = 65), sac (n = 10), and nasolacrimal duct (n = 11). The procedure was performed in an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Patients were followed for a mean of 24 months (1-84) with clinical examinations and/or dacryocystography. Clinical success was defined as symptoms resolution or improvement, and the patency of the lacrimal system to irrigation. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in 76 (88.4%) eyes. Technical failures (11.6%) were caused by inability to pass the guide-wire through the lacrimal system. Immediate complications occurred in 19 (22%) eyes, were mild and included: self-limited epistaxis (7), mild palpebral hematoma (7), moderate pain (3), lacrimal puncta bleeding (1), palpebral emphysema (1), and false passage (1). Of the 76 inserted stents, 33 (43.4%) became occluded, and 43 (56.6%) remained patent after a mean of 24 months. Mean duration of stent patency was 38 months. Clinical success was achieved in 40 (52.6%) of the successfully implanted stents. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure is well tolerated and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patency decreases with follow-up, and, in the long-term, the success rate is inferior to that achieved by external dacryocystorhynostomy. However, it many be considered as a valid alternative to surgery in selected patients.

Cobb syndrome: case report.

We present a 7-year-old boy in whom cutaneous hemangioma and intramedullary and paraspinal arteriovenous malformations were associated. Magnetic resonance arteriography revealed the presence of the two arterovenous malformations, and the selective intercostal arteriography demonstrated that the intraspinal and paraspinal arteriovenous malformations were supplied by the same intercostal arteries. Rubbing the back was required to detect the cutaneous changes, which were only suspected by casual inspection.

Facial nerve schwannoma of the cerebellopontine angle: a diagnostic challenge.

Facial nerve schwannomas are rare lesions that may involve any segment of the facial nerve. Because of their rarity and the lack of a consistent clinical and radiological pattern, facial nerve schwannomas located at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. In this report, a case of a CPA/IAC facial nerve schwannoma is presented. Contemporary diagnosis and management of this rare lesion are analyzed.