Ipsilateral Reversible Cerebral Vasculopathy Secondary to Carotid Artery Revascularization: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of neurologic symptoms after carotid revascularization is not uncommon and typically caused by perioperative ischemic stroke or hyperperfusion. Postoperative vasculopathy, including reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare complication of carotid intervention and may be an under-identified cause of neurologic deficit after revascularization. We report a case of reversible postoperative vasculopathy following carotid revascularization as well as its management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74 year old right-handed woman presented to the emergency department with sudden onset left arm weakness and episodic shaking while hypotensive. Computed tomography angiography revealed total occlusion of her right internal carotid artery. Transcranial Doppler monitoring demonstrated active embolic events in her right middle cerebral artery raising concern for continued stump embolization. She underwent carotid revascularization with carotid endarterectomy, mechanical thrombectomy, and carotid angioplasty and initially did well postoperatively. On postoperative day 5, she developed a fixed right gaze and left hemiparesis. Computed tomography revealed new right frontal lobe and basal ganglia infarcts, and angiography showed new right internal carotid, middle cerebral, and anterior cerebral artery vasoconstriction consistent with postoperative vasculopathy. Despite treatment with pressure augmentation and vasodilator therapy, her symptoms persisted resulting in left hemiplegia at discharge. DISCUSSION: This case highlights postoperative vasculopathy (including RCVS) as a rare potential complication after carotid revascularization that should be considered in a patient with persistent acute neurologic symptoms. Information regarding incidence and predisposing risk factors is limited. Multiple diagnostic and therapeutic modalities may be necessary in the recognition and treatment of postoperative vasculopathy.

Decompression Hemicraniectomy for Refractory Intracranial Hypertension in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a disorder of dysregulation of cerebrovascular tone resulting in transient segmental vasoconstriction which resolves in 1-3 months. Cerebral edema is an underrecognized complication in RCVS. It is likely multifactorial. This edema can lead to intracranial hypertension that can be refractory to medical management. Limited evidence exists regarding surgical management of intracranial hypertension in RCVS. We present a 29-year-old Caucasian right-handed female patient with a medical history of migraine, polysubstance abuse presented to the emergency department (ED) daily for 3 days with the chief complaint of recurrent thunderclap headache. She declined neuroimaging and lumbar puncture. She was treated for migraine with abortive medications with no improvement. During the third ED visit, she became lethargic with right-sided homonymous hemianopia. Computerized tomography of the brain showed left parietal intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular extension, cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage, and diffuse cerebral edema. Digital subtraction angiography showed multifocal moderate-to-severe segmental vasoconstriction suggestive of vasculopathy. Oral verapamil was initiated. Continuous intracranial pressure monitoring showed uncontrolled intracranial hypertension, despite maximal medical management with hyperosmolar therapy, induced coma, and hypothermia. Decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty was performed for refractory intracranial hypertension. We provisionally diagnosed her with RCVS. She was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation with residual right homonymous hemianopia. Transcranial Doppler study during follow-up showed improved mean flow velocities. She continued to have residual cognitive deficits with complete resolution of headache.

Dihydroergotamine Complicating Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Status Migrainosus.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a clinicoradiological syndrome that occurs due to dysfunction of cerebrovascular autoregulation. It is characterized by recurrent thunderclap headache from cerebral vasoconstriction which can cause ischemic infarction, spontaneous intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage. This syndrome can be triggered by a variety of etiologies including medications, infectious, and inflammatory conditions. The diagnosis is often delayed due to unawareness among the health-care providers and delayed neuroimaging evidence of vasoconstriction with or without ischemic and/or hemorrhagic infarction. Status migrainosus is a prevalent condition requiring emergency room visits and inpatient admission. Thus, patients with RCVS can be easily misdiagnosed with migraine. We report a patient with RCVS misdiagnosed as status migrainosus with visual aura, treated with intravenous dihydroergotamine with worsening of cerebral vasoconstriction and lead to ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. We discuss this complication and provide guidance on differentiating between migraine and RCVS.

A new strategy in neurocritical care nurse continuing stroke education: A hybrid simulation pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: High-fidelity simulation is frequently utilized in medical education. Its use in the neurosciences is limited by the inherent limitations of the manikin to simulate neurological changes. We report here the use of a hybrid simulation - a combination of lecture and high-fidelity manikin - in the education of neurosciences nurses, involved in care of neurocritical care patients. METHODS: Neurosciences nurses from at the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, which is an academic, tertiary-care medical center participated in the simulation during Spring of 2016. The simulation involved a patient presenting with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who neurologically deteriorated to brain death. Pre- and post-simulation questionnaires were administered using a questionnaire with five-point Liker scale. RESULTS: Seventy-two responses were returned. The majority had 0-5 years of nursing experience with 83.8% having prior critical care experience. Pre-simulation, the majority of nurses (85.7%) agreed or strongly agreed with managing patients with ICH. When the responses of "agree" were compared to "strongly agree", a significant improvement (p<0.001) in all responses except confidence in speaking with other healthcare providers was found. CONCLUSION: Nurses reported significant improvement in understanding and managing patients with acute ICH and neurological deterioration after participating in a neurocritical care hybrid simulation. This study shows the benefit of using hybrid simulation in the education of neurocritical care nurses.

Iatrogenic venous thrombosis secondary to supplemental medicine toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: We described a case of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient taking multiple supplements as part of a naturopathic anti-aging regimen. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: The patient presented with a thalamic infarct associated with a thrombus in the vein of Galen. He reported no previous history of endocrinopathy and no known hypercoagulability risk factors. He was treated with therapeutic anticoagulation resulting in improvement. Diagnostic workup revealed hyperthyroidism and gonadotrophic deficiency attributed to significant supplement medicine usage. CONCLUSION: This case highlights a potential risk of dietary supplements. Use of these supplements may be a risk factor for idiopathic cerebral venous thrombosis.