Retrospective review of previous minor leak before major subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosed by MRI as a predictor of occurrence of symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVE This study attempted to determine whether a previous minor leak correlated with the occurrence of symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia (sDCI). METHODS The authors retrospectively evaluated sDCI-related clinical features and findings from MRI, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-FLAIR mismatch at the time of admission, in 151 patients admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) within 48 hours of ictus. RESULTS The overall incidence of sDCI was 23% (35 of 151 patients). In all subjects, multivariate analysis revealed that World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grades II-V, age 70 years or older, presence of rebleeding after admission, a previous minor leak before the major SAH attack as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, acute infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging, and CT SAH score were significantly associated with occurrence of sDCI. In patients with no previous minor leak before major SAH as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, the incidence of sDCI was only 7% (7 of 97 patients). CONCLUSIONS A previous minor leak before major SAH as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch represents an important sDCI-related factor. When the analysis was restricted to patients with true acute SAH without a previous minor leak diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, the incidence of sDCI was extremely low.

Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Women.

OBJECTIVE: Sex differences in various diseases recently have been recognized as an important factor in the approach to more efficient preventive and therapeutic medicine. We clarified sex differences in the clinical characteristics of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) by comparing men and women with CSDH, as there is a well-known male predominance in the prevalence of CSDH. METHODS: Clinical factors and computed tomography findings were investigated retrospectively in 490 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital between 2006 and 2015 who were diagnosed with CSDH. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, women were significantly older than men (P < 0.05). In women, premorbid impaired activities of daily living, consciousness disturbance, acute-to-chronic subdural hematoma, and death as outcomes at discharge were significantly more frequent than in men (P < 0.05). In contrast, women had less frequent instances of good recovery and less alcohol intake (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated female sex as an independent predictor of consciousness disturbance at admission. Female sex also was identified as a predictor of death at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated sex differences in the clinical characteristics of CSDH. In the future, management of patients with CSDH with regard to sex differences in disease characteristics could be expected to improve the outcomes of women, which have been worse than in men.

Endovascular treatment of a dural arteriovenous fistula in a patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome: A case report.

Background Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a recently recognized autosomal dominant connective tissue disease. The manifestations of LDS include vascular tortuosity, scoliosis, craniosynostosis, aneurysm and aortic dissections. Clinical presentation A 35-year-old woman treated with Stanford type B aortic dissection and breast cancer was referred to us for Borden type II dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) draining to the vein of Galen, involving the midline of tentorium cerebelli. The dAVF was treated successfully by combined transarterial and transvenous embolization. Because of tortuosity of vertebral arteries, a genetic test was conducted confirming LDS type 2. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case report of dAVF associated with LDS. The relationship between LDS and dAVF is unknown but this report shows the possibility that mutation of transforming growth factor ß receptors 2 ( TGFBR2) related to LDS may be related to shunt diseases. Because intervention in LDS seems to be feasible compared to Ehlers Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome, it is important to make the correct diagnosis.

Endoscopic Microvascular Decompression with Transposition for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Hemifacial Spasm: Technical Note.

Background Endoscopic microvascular decompression (MVD) offers reliable identification of neurovascular conflicts under superb illumination, and it provides minimally invasive surgery for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Transposition techniques have been reported as a decompression method to prevent adhesion and granuloma formation around decompression sites, providing better surgical outcomes. The feasibility and effects of transposition under endoscopic MVD were evaluated. Material and Methods Fully endoscopic MVD was performed using 4-mm 0- and 30-degree endoscopes. The endoscope was fixed with a pneumatic holding system, and a bimanual technique using single-shaft instruments was performed. Transposition was performed with Teflon felt string and fibrin glue. Surgical results were evaluated using the scoring system proposed by Kondo et al. Results The endoscope was introduced via a retrosigmoid keyhole. The 0-degree endoscope was advanced through the lateral aspect of the cerebellar tentorial surface to the trigeminal nerve in cases of trigeminal neuralgia and through the petrosal surface of the cerebellum to the facial nerve in cases of hemifacial spasm. Neurovascular conflicts and perforators from the offending artery were clearly demonstrated under the 30-degree endoscopic view, and transposition of the offending artery was safely performed with preservation of perforators. Clinical symptoms improved without permanent complications. Conclusion Endoscopic MVD with the transposition technique is feasible. Superb endoscopic views demonstrate perforators arising from the offending artery behind the corner, allowing damage to perforators to be avoided during the transposition technique. Endoscopic MVD using the transposition technique is expected to offer excellent surgical results.

Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Caused by a Rare Traumatic Clival Fracture.

An 89-year-old male presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea associated with head trauma sustained as a pedestrian in a traffic accident. Computed tomography (CT) showed pneumocephalus and multiple cranial bone fractures, including the clivus. Although the CSF rhinorrhea was treated conservatively for a week, clinical symptoms did not improve and surgical repair was performed. Preoperative thin-sliced bone CT and steady-state magnetic resonance images revealed a bone defect at the middle clivus and a collection of CSF fluid from the clival fistula in the sphenoid sinus. Endoscopic endonasal reconstruction was performed, and the 3-mm diameter dural tear and bone defect at the middle clivus were well visualized. The fistula was repaired using a pedicled nasoseptal mucosal flap. The CSF rhinorrhea completely disappeared as a result of the endoscopic endonasal surgery. The present report describes a rare case of CSF rhinorrhea caused by a traumatic clival fracture and surgical management by endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Risks and benefits of CT angiography in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the risk of computed tomography angiography (CTA) during the acute phase of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), while the benefits of CTA in ICH have been well-documented. The present study investigated both the benefits of identifying spot signs, which are supposed to indicate hematoma enlargement after admission, and risks of CTA performed during the acute phase of ICH. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 323 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICHs admitted to our hospital between April 2009 and March 2012 and who underwent CTA on admission. RESULTS: In 80 patients (24.7 %), spot signs were demonstrated on CTA source images. Multivariate analysis revealed two independent factors correlated with presence of the spot sign: age and hematoma volume (p < 0.05 each). The presence of spot sign was associated with unfavorable outcomes at discharge and hematoma growth after admission (p < 0.05 each). Adverse events related to CTA occurred in 17 patients (5.2 %), including transient renal dysfunction in 16 patients and allergy to contrast medium in one patient. All adverse events completely resolved within 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of the spot sign indicated the possibility of hematoma growth and unfavorable outcomes. A small number of adverse events occurred in association with CTA, but without any permanent deficits. Given the potential benefits and risks, we believe that CTA performed at admission in all patients with ICH is beneficial to improve the outcomes.

The striate artery, hematoma, and spot sign on coronal images of computed tomography angiography in putaminal intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A spot sign is a bright spot on computed tomography angiography source images, which is predictive of hematoma growth in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, although the cause of the spot sign is unclear. Our aim was to investigate the spot sign seen on computed tomography angiography and a striate artery, which is a presumed site of intracerebral hemorrhage bleeding origin in the putamen. METHODS: In consecutive cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the putamen, spot signs and striate arteries were evaluated. Coronal reformat images of computed tomography angiography were created to visualize the striate arteries. Acute deterioration, defined as hematoma enlargement, emergency hematoma removal, or death within the day of admission, was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 141 patients undergoing computed tomography angiography, 15 of the 30 patients (50%) who had spot signs showed an intrahematoma striate artery (termed spot and tail sign), which was a linear density extending from the middle cerebral artery toward the spot sign. Acute deterioration occurred more frequently in patients who had a spot and tail sign compared with patients who had spot signs without intrahematoma striate arteries (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that hematoma volume, spot signs, and intrahematoma striate arteries were independent predictors of acute deterioration (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a spot and tail sign, assumed to indicate active bleeding from the striate artery, could be a more sensitive predictor of acute deterioration than the presence of a simple spot sign.