[A case of neurofibromatosis type 1 associated with arteriovenous fistula caused by re-bleeding of a vertebral dissecting aneurysm].

We described a dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery (VA), which was associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of abrupt, severe headache. A CT scan revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) predominantly in the prepontine cistern. The angiograms showed a string sign in the left VA, just distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). The vertebral dissection was considered responsible for SAH, and endovascular occlusion of the left VA was attempted. During the intervention, the patient complained of severe neck pain at the time of selective vertebral angiography, which revealed an arteriovenous fistula. The VA was occluded proximal to the PICA with GDC, which covered the fistula. Open surgery confirmed the two unruptured aneurysms. Intracranial dissection is rarely reported in association with NF1. However, ateriovenous fistula is not an uncommon combination with dissecting aneurysm and the extracranial segment of the VA is a characteristic target. Anatomical feasibility is conceivably the pathogenesis.

Anatomic study of anterior frontal cortical bridging veins with special reference to the frontopolar vein.

Anatomic variations of the frontopolar vein were investigated in 21 cadaver brains to improve the preservation rate of this vein in interhemispheric surgery for anterior communicating aneurysms. Most of the frontopolar vein has been considered to drain the outer convex side of the frontal lobe, but in reality, the area of its venous drainage was found to cover a large part of the frontal lobe, including its medial and basal surfaces. This observation suggests that sacrifice of the vein during surgery carries a risk of venous infarction. Therefore, care must be taken to not injure the vein during surgery. The mean distance between the frontopolar vein and the most anterior point of the frontal lobe was 31.1 mm. Although the vein became smaller close to the frontal tip, the mean diameter of the vein was 1.9 mm. Morphologically, approximately two-thirds of the frontopolar veins was found to have a "main trunk." The frontopolar vein can be spared during surgery by using a flexible surgical technique incorporating vein dissection or additional craniotomy.

Serial transcranial Doppler flow velocity and cerebral blood flow measurements for evaluation of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Serial transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) examinations were performed in 73 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm to evaluate cerebral vasospasm. Twenty-six (35.6%) of the 73 patients developed ischemic neurological symptoms associated with cerebral vasospasm, which were reversible in all except four patients (5.5%) who demonstrated low-density areas associated with vasospasm on computed tomographic scans. In general, the flow velocities in the middle cerebral arteries began to increase soon after onset of SAH, reaching the maximum between days 8 and 10, subsequently decreasing gradually. There was no significant difference in the highest value and the time course of flow velocities between symptomatic vasospasm and asymptomatic vasospasm patients. Patients with symptomatic vasospasm demonstrated two typical time courses of flow velocities: rapid increases in flow velocities that preceded the clinical manifestations of vasospasm (16 patients, 61.5%), and no rapid increases in flow velocities despite the presence of ischemic symptoms (10 patients, 38.5%). In the latter, angiograms demonstrated vasospasm in segments distal to those evaluated by TCD examination. These results showed that the degree of cerebral vasospasm cannot be assessed only by the absolute flow velocities. CBF was measured two to 10 (mean 4.7) times within 3 weeks of SAH using the 133Xe intravenous injection method. The CBF value remained stable even during the period of major risk of vasospasm. However, the CBF was significantly lower in patients with symptomatic vasospasm on days 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15, when compared with patients without symptomatic vasospasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intraoperative anatomical studies in patients with aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery complex.

The intraoperative anatomical findings of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) complex in 46 patients with anatomical variations were compared to those in an equal number of patients without variations in order to determine the visualization of the elements of the vascular complex. All patients underwent radical surgery for an ACoA aneurysm by one of three different surgical approaches: transsylvian, anterior interhemispheric, or basal interhemispheric. Visualization of the vascular elements was similar in patients with or without anatomical variations. The differences observed were dependent on the surgical approach selected and on the projection of the aneurysm. It was found that, even when the intraoperative anatomical field and the number of vascular elements visualized are different from those obtained in autopsy studies, the vascular microanatomical characteristics can be confirmed with each surgical approach to the extent necessary to ensure safe clipping of aneurysms in patients both with and without anatomical variations.

[Ventricular puncture; is it a safe procedure?].

Four hundred and fifty patients underwent 755 ventricular punctures as a procedure for continuous ventricular drainage (CVD), or ventriculoperitoneal/ventriculoatrial shunt (shunt) between April, 1983 and March, 1990. In all patients, postoperative findings on CT scan and related clinical manifestations were studied. Of the total of 755 punctures in 100 cases (13.2%) some high density areas (HDA) (i.e. intracerebral hemorrhage) appeared on CT scans, and, of these, HDA larger than 3 cm in diameter (Type C) was seen in 12 cases (1.6%). On the other hand, some low density areas (LDA) appeared in 448 cases (59.3%), and, of these, an extensive LDA (Type C) was seen in 65 cases (8.6%). LDA on CT scan tended to improve gradually with time, and in one third of the cases it was undetectable one year after puncture. Nine percent of the LDA decreased in density, and they were regarded as areas of infarction or porencephalus. The factors considered to affect postoperative HDA were 1) old age, 2) puncture in the occipital region, 3) puncture in a previously damaged brain area, 4) repuncture using the same tract within a short interval from the previous puncture, 5) CVD. Conversely, factors that affected the LDA were 1) low age, 2) puncture in the occipital region, 3) puncture to normal, non-damaged brain, 4) puncture using a new tract. Ten out of 12 patients with large HDA (Type C) showed deterioration of consciousness level or epilepsy as an acute manifestation, and a prolonged disturbance of consciousness. Mental change and/or homonymous hemianopia were seen in all surviving patients in the chronic phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to choroid plexus of lateral ventricle; a case report].

A rare case of renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle is reported. A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our institution on November 26, 1987 complaining of left-half headache for one month. She had a past history of right nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma 4 years before admission, and of right radical mastectomy due to breast cancer 10 years before admission. She had no abnormal neurological findings and laboratory results were normal. CT scan revealed a well-circumscribed, apparently homogeneously enhancing mass in the left lateral ventricle with mild ventricular dilatation. Left vertebral angiogram showed a tumor stain fed by the left posterior choroidal artery. The most likely diagnosis was thought to be metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. The patient underwent the operation for tumor removal via the posterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach 14 days after admission. A histological examination of the tumor determined the diagnosis of clear-cell type renal cell carcinoma. The operation was uneventful and the patient was discharged 20 days after operation without neurological deficit. But she had recent-memory disturbance, low activity, and gait disturbance in May 1989. CT scan revealed ventricular dilatation and tumor recurrence at the same site. She also suffered from diabetes due to the regrowth and invasion of primary tumor to the pancreas. She was discharged free of neurological defects after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. In December 1989, she gradually deteriorated due to the regrowth of the intraventricular metastatic lesion, and now she is bedridden. Choroid plexus metastasis is quite rare, and, to our knowledge, only three cases have been described.

[Clinical course in poor grade patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms and extensive subarachnoidal clot].

Three hundred and eight cases with ruptured intracranial aneurysms and variable amounts of subarachnoidal clot were evaluated clinically with special emphasis on the natural course of poor grade patients. Clinical severity was classified according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS); severe cases (score 3-8) and mild cases (score 9-15). Patients were further divided into four groups based on the preoperative clinical course, and on whether radical surgery was performed or not. Group A, severe cases without radical surgery (17 patients, mean GCS score 4.2); group B, severe cases (which had undergone) radical surgery (24 cases, mean GCS score 5.5); group C, patients considered as severe cases on admission that had improved to mild cases before radical surgery (3 patients, mean GCS score 11.7); group D, mild cases which had undergone radical surgery (254 cases, mean GCS score 14.3). CT findings after their last bleeding episode were evaluated in each group using subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) score from "0"-"3" according to the severity of SAH. In addition, the SAH-B (brainstem) score ("0"-"9") was also evaluated. In this score, the amount of SAH in each perimesencephalic cistern (a. prepontine or interpeduncular cistern, b. ambient cistern, c. quadrigeminal cistern) was considered with a possible score of "0"-"3" for each cistern. (No patient had a concurrent intracerebral or intraventricular hematoma causing a mass effect on CT scan). All cases in group A died except one patient that remained in a vegetative state. All of them had severe subarachnoidal clot (mean SAH score 2.9, SAH-B score 8.2). In group B, in patients with same scores (mean SAH score 2.8, mean SAH-B score 7.3), the outcome was as follows: 6 patients (33.3%) had full recovery or were capable of self-management, 6 patients (33.3%) were partially or fully dependent, and 12 patients (50%) were either in vegetative state or died. Patients in groups C and D with good outcome had significantly less amount of SAH, especially in the perimesencephalic cistern (group C--mean SAH score 2.3, mean SAH-B score 3.7, group D--mean SAH score 1.9, mean SAH-B score 3.3). It is concluded that duration and level of unconsciousness in the cases of SAH without concurrent hematoma causing mass effect, has a good correlation with the severity of SAH in the perimesencephalic cisterns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Clinical study of growing up aneurysms: report of 25 cases].

Twenty-five cases of patients with growing up aneurysms are reported. Growth of the aneurysm was confirmed by repeated angiography within 1 month in 11 cases (short-term group), and for over 1 month in the other 14 cases (long-term group) following the initial angiography. Clinical history, shape and growth pattern of aneurysms, as well as hemodynamic factors that effect the growth were investigated in each group. The aneurysms were classified according to the shape into dome-type (smooth contour) and bleb-type (irregular contour). In all cases of the short-term group, the first angiography was performed because of rupture of the aneurysm. In this group, 4 cases bled again because of enlargement or the development of an aneurysmal bleb. Growth rate and the initial size of the aneurysm did not effect the potential of re-rupture. In the long-term group, 9 cases out of 14 (64.3%) had "non-ruptured aneurysm" at the time of first angiography. In the follow up, 5 cases were ruptured (two because of re-bleeding and three for the first time). In 3 out of these 5 cases, a bleb was demonstrated on initial angiography, and in another case, a bleb was demonstrated in follow-up angiography. Only one case ruptured because of the growth of the aneurysmal dome. Most of the aneurysms that rupture, in the follow-up survey, showed a larger growth rate in comparison with aneurysms that did not rupture. Many cases of this long-term group were associated with hypertension or vascular abnormalities which would effect the aneurysmal growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of adult pilocytic astrocytoma in the right temporal lobe].

A case of adult pilocytic astrocytoma in the right temporal lobe is reported here. The patient was a twenty-four year old man, who came to the neurological division of our hospital on October 6, 1987 because of repeated consciousness-loss attacks accompanied with uncinate fit. He had no neurological deficits. However, an EEG revealed spike-and-wave complexes in the right temporal region, and a CT scan showed a small cystic lesion in the right temporal lobe. A diagnosis of psychomotor seizure was made, and the administration of anticonvulsants was started. The incidence of attack then decreased, but after approximately two years of drug therapy the attacks increased again. A CT scan was again performed, and revealed that the lesion in the right temporal lobe was enlarging. Also a noticeable enhanced lesion, identified as a mural nodule was found in the post-contrast enhancement study. A brain tumor was then suspected, and he was admitted to the neurosurgical division on October 11, 1989. He had no neurological deficits on admission. An MRI showed a low intensity lesion in the T1 weighted image, and a high intensity lesion in the T2 weighted image. A cystic lesion with a marked enhanced mural nodule was also found in the base of the right temporal lobe, according to the Gd enhancement study. Perifocal edema was not recognized. Cerebral angiography showed no positive findings. Positron emission tomography (PET), using H2(15)O, revealed low perfusion at or around the lesion, and PET using [11C]-methionine revealed an accumulation of methionine at the lesion. A diagnosis of low-grade glioma was made, and a right temporal craniotomy, for the purpose of totally removing the tumor was performed on October 26, 1989.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment for serious cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with severe subarachnoid clot].

Forty-one serious cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with severe subarachnoid clot were clinically analyzed, with special emphasis on the prognosis, pathophysiology, and surgical indications. All cases had thick subarachnoid clot without concurrent intracerebral hematoma and/or intraventricular hematoma causing mass signs on the CT scan. In this series, 23 cases underwent radical surgery while in the acute stage, 18 cases were treated conservatively (including 5 cases treated only by continuous ventricular drainage). The criterion for determining the degree of severity was defined as either a "semicoma" or "coma" state just prior to radical surgery for the radically-operated group, with the same designations for the conservative group at their time of admission. All patients except two in the conservatively-treated group died due to primary brain damage caused by massive subarachnoid hemorrhage. The two remaining cases died from other complications. On the other hand, the outcome for the 23 surgically-treated patients was as follows: Three (13%) fully recovered; three (13%) were capable of self-management; eight (34.8%) were partially or fully dependent. Nine (39.1%), died. In the radically-treated group, pre-operative factors that might predict clinical outcome were investigated. Those factors were the neurological grade, the brain-stem response, the response after the rapid administration of 20% Mannitol (300-900 ml), and the length of time from the last bleeding episode to the time that radical surgery was performed. It was recognized that there was no relationship between the neurological grade just prior to radical surgery and the outcomes in the serious cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Intraventricular hematomas associated with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhages: with special reference to third ventricular hematoma].

Intraventricular hematoma (IVH) is often associated with many kinds of intracranial hemorrhage; for example, hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and so on. In this paper we discuss the clinical significance of IVH in the third ventricle, as well as the effects of surgical treatment. Forty-five patients were treated in our hospital because of massive IVH associated with small or mode-rate-size (hematoma volume less than or equal to 15 ml) thalamic or caudate-head hemorrhage between April, 1983 and April, 1988. All cases had an intraventricular cast in at least one ventricle. The patients were divided into two subgroups (depending on the site of the dominant IVH): the third-fourth ventricle dominant type-IVH group, and the lateral ventricle dominant type-IVH group. The former was further divided into two subgroups based on the thickness of the IVH in the third ventricle (its thickness being greater than or equal to 1 cm and less than 1 cm), and the area of IVH in the fourth ventricle (its area being greater than or equal to 1 cm2 and less than 1 cm2) as determined by CT scan monitoring. All cases were also divided according to continuous ventricular drainage (CVD), position of the catheter tip (in either the third ventricle or the lateral ventricle), and the intraventricular administration of urokinase (UK). For each group we checked the consciousness grade using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on day 0 and on day 7, as well as the interval between day 0 and the day on which the IVH in the third ventricle disappeared on the CT scan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contrast medium extravasation during cerebral angiography for ruptured intracranial aneurysm--clinical analysis of 26 cases.

Since 1976, the authors performed angiography on 837 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm, among which extravasation (EV) of contrast medium occurred in 26. Eleven patients underwent radical surgery within 3 hours after the EV, and four recovered well. The other 15 patients were conservatively treated, and all died. A large quantity of EV occurred when consciousness was severely disturbed and angiography was performed within 3 hours of the last attack. Most EV resulted in poor outcome. However, some patients with mildly disturbed consciousness before angiography, even with severe temporary disturbance of consciousness after the EV, recovered well after emergency radical surgery.

[Combination of serial transcranial Doppler examinations and cerebral blood flow studies in the management of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

In 13 patients who had ruptured intracranial aneurysms, serial transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) examinations were performed in order to evaluate the degree of cerebral vasospasm. All patients showed some extent of vasospasm on angiography, which was performed between Day 7 and 10. The flow velocities of either the middle cerebral arteries or the anterior cerebral arteries, measured by TCD, began to increase on post hemorrhage Day 5, and maximum flow velocities were recorded between Day 9 and 13, with normalization occurring within the following 2 weeks. In 5 cases of symptomatic vasospasm, a rapid increase of flow velocities preceded clinical manifestation of the vasospasm. Maximum flow velocities of the 5 cases were at a higher level in the range of 119-184cm/sec (mean 149cm/sec) that the cases where there were no symptoms. Consequently, serial TCD examinations were very useful for the early detection of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. And it was confirmed that the change of flow velocities was more important than the value itself, and that the rapid increase of flow velocities indicated severe ischemia. However, for judging when vessel narrowing was resolving, the usefulness of the TCD examinations were doubtful. This is because flow velocities measured by TCD are thought to be fairly much influenced by multiple factors such as the change of blood pressure, blood volume, which were caused by the active treatment for the vasospasm. Serial measurements of CBF were also made 2-7 times (mean 3.1 times) during the first two weeks following subarachnoid hemorrhage using the 133Xe intravenous injection method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Early surgery in elderly patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms--preoperative clinical evaluation and prognosis.

Numerous clinical classification systems have been developed for patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, most systems do not take age into account and are less reliable in elderly than in younger patients in terms of indications for early surgery and predicting the clinical outcome. The authors have studied this problem using our clinical classification system and, present here the results of 38 elderly patients (greater than or equal to 65 years of age) who underwent neck clipping and implementation of continuous ventricular drainage within 3 days of aneurysm rupture. The clinical outcome at 1 year after onset was considered "good" if the patient was able to function independently and "poor" if he or she was partially or fully dependent or had died. The preoperative level of consciousness was not significantly correlated with the outcome according to Spearman's nonparametric statistical analysis. Age, however, was a significant factor: the incidence of poor outcome was significantly higher in patients over age of 70 years than in those between 65 and 70 (p less than 0.05). Postoperative complications, which were previously found to be significantly related to the outcome in elderly patients, were significantly more common in patients who had a history of cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, and/or renal disease than in those without such a history (p less than 0.005). The authors found that the prognostic accuracy of clinical classification systems, based on preoperative level of consciousness, is improved in geriatric cases if one point is added for patients over age of 70 years or those with a history of systemic diseases. Additional relevant factors included computed tomographic findings and pre-existing cerebral dysfunction.