Awakenings from persistent vegetative state: report of three cases with parkinsonism and brain stem lesions on MRI.

Three patients with a persistent vegetative state after severe head injury are reported. They recovered from a prolonged disturbance of consciousness after the administration of levodopa. These patients all had parkinsonian features. On magnetic resonance imaging, the distribution of lesions implied a diffuse axonal injury involving the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area. The existence of patients whose dopaminergic systems may have been selectively damaged by a severe head injury should be recognised because such individuals may respond to levodopa treatment.

Perfusion-weighted MRI of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted with rapidly progressive paraplegia and sphincter disturbance. T2-weighted images of the thoracic spine showed intramedullary high signal with flow voids suggesting dilated medullary veins. Conventional spinal angiography demonstrated a dural arteriovenous fistula draining into perimedullary veins. Perfusion-weighted MRI demonstrated a prolonged mean transit time and increased blood volume in the high-signal area. The loss of normal perfusion gradient and venous hypertension and were thought to produce these differences. The time-to-peak was almost identical in the high-signal and isointense areas, although the bolus of contrast medium arrived earlier in the former. Arteriovenous shunting was thought to cause faster inflow. These changes may have resulted in increased blood volume in the spinal cord. The high signal has been attributed to oedema due to venous congestion, but there has been no histological confirmation. Perfusion MRI in this case supports this hypothesis.

The antioxidant EPC-K1 ameliorates brain injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species during the early phases of reoxygenation. EPC-K1, a phosphate diester of vitamins C and E, has been reported to possess potent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of EPC-K1 in attenuating cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia. METHOD: We evaluated the efficacy of EPC-K1 by measuring the concentration of cerebral thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of the extent of lipid peroxidation by free radicals, and infarct size in rats subjected to one hour of cerebral ischaemia and 4, 24, or 72 hours of reperfusion. FINDINGS: EPC-K1 significantly reduced both the cerebral TBARS level and the infarct size in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia. These results indicate that EPC-K1 administration during the early stages of reperfusion ameliorates ischaemic brain injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. INTERPRETATION: This report is the first to describe the protective mechanism of EPC-K1 by measuring both the TBARS level and infarct size in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia, and may suggest a potential clinical approach for the treatment of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease.

Intraoperative angiography in the surgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations and fistulas.

BACKGROUND: The role of intraoperative angiography in the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular malformations remains controversial. The authors report on their experiences with intraoperative angiography in a series of 20 cases with cerebrovascular malformation to determine whether the use of intraoperative angiography has a favorable impact on the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular malformations. METHODS: Intraoperative angiography was performed in the surgical resection of arteriovenous malformation in 18 patients and in the surgical obliteration of arteriovenous fistula in 2 patients. The incidence of unexpected findings, such as residual nidus, demonstrated by intraoperative angiography was determined. FINDINGS: High-quality subtraction images were obtained by intraoperative angiography in every case and the findings prompted an additional procedure in 1 case that displayed an unexpected residual nidus (5.6%). There were no complications from the intraoperative angiography procedure. INTERPRETATION: Intraoperative assessment of technical results prior to wound closure offers the neurosurgeon the opportunity to resect or obliterate a vascular malformation completely, obviating a second operation.

Moyamoya disease associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery: report of a case.

An 8-year-old boy presenting with a transient weakness of the left extremities had a rare association of moyamoya disease and persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA). Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated intracranial moyamoya vessels and a PPHA on the right side. There was collateral blood flow from the posterior circulation to the anterior circulation, with the PPHA functioning as a blood supplier vessel. The patient underwent multiple burr hole formation, and neovascularization via the burr holes was observed on follow-up angiography. In this case, blood flow into the posterior circulation via the PPHA, which served as the collateral vessel to the moyamoya phenomenon, may have disturbed the spontaneous closure of the PPHA. Thus, this case serves as a basis for studying important pathogenic and embryological processes that contribute to the development of these vascular abnormalities.

[Congestive heart failure caused by the thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) secreting pituitary adenoma: report of two cases].

A 42-year-old man and a 31-year-old man with congestive heart failure caused by the thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) secreting pituitary adenoma were reported. Heart failure was improved after transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma in each patient. The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of TSH causes hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormone acts directly on cardiac muscle to increase the stroke volume. Hyperthyroidism itself reduces the peripheral vascular resistance and an elevated basal metabolism which is the basic physiologic change in hyperthyroidism dilates small vessels and reduces vascular resistance. The reduced vascular resistance contributes to increase stroke volume. Thyroid hormone also acts directly on the cardiac pacemakers to be apt to cause tachycardiac atrial fibrillation. These mechanical changes in hyperthyroidism increase not only the cardiac output but also the venous return. The increased blood volume and the shortened ventricular filling time due to tachycardia result in congestive heart failure. TSH secreting pituitary adenoma is a rare tumor, however heart failure is common disease. TSH secreting pituitary adenoma should be taken into consideration in patients with heart failure. The presented cases were very enlightening to understand the relation between brain tumor and heart disease.

Venous malformation serving as the draining vein of an adjoining arteriovenous malformation. Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Widely accepted pathologic classification of venous malformations includes discrete venous, arteriovenous, capillary, and cavernous malformations, each with distinct pathological criteria for definition. Several authors have described mixed or transitional vascular malformations with pathological features of more than one type of malformation within the same lesion. We present a rare case of a venous malformation associated with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). CASE DESCRIPTION: A 37-year-old woman presented with a loss of consciousness. Computed tomography showed an enlarged vein running along the lateral wall of the right lateral ventricle. A cerebral angiogram demonstrated an AVM and a venous malformation in the right hemisphere; the AVM and the venous malformation were located in proximity to each other with the AVM using the venous malformation as its draining vein. In this case, where an AVM used the venous malformation as the draining vein, only the AVM was treated by proton-beam radiosurgery. Follow-up magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated complete obliteration of the AVM with the venous malformation remaining unchanged. CONCLUSION: Arteriovenous shunting would have disturbed venous drainage resulting in the development of the venous malformation. Thus, in addition to demonstrating a rare coexistence of AVM and venous malformation, this case also offers a new insight into the pathogenesis of these vascular malformations.

Rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma occurs by redistribution--Two case reports.

Coronal magnetic resonance imaging provided evidence of redistribution during the rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) in two patients. A 79-year-old female was transferred to our hospital after a traffic accident. Computed tomography (CT) on admission demonstrated an ASDH in the right frontal cerebral cortex. CT 12 hours after the accident revealed spontaneous resolution of the ASDH. Coronal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging 3 days after the accident clearly detected a very thin, sharply demarcated layer diffusely covering the cerebral convexity and the middle cranial fossa. A 41-year-old female fell and sustained head trauma with the loss of consciousness. CT on admission demonstrated an ASDH in the left frontal cerebral cortex. CT 12 hours after the accident revealed spontaneous resolution of the ASDH. Coronal MR imaging 3 days after the insult clearly demonstrated the redistribution and dispersal of the hematoma. Although CT showed the disappearance of the hematoma, MR imaging demonstrated redistribution rather than disappearance of the blood in both cases. These cases indicate that spontaneous resolution of ASDH occurs by redistribution and dispersal of the hematoma.

Laminoplasty improves respiratory function in elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Respiratory insufficiency after acute cervical trauma is well documented, but the relationship between respiratory function and chronic lesions, such as cervical spondylosis, has received scant attention. This clinical study investigated the effect of cervical spondylosis on respiratory function in 12 patients over 65 years of age who underwent expansive laminoplasty. Functional and neurological status were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale and Neurosurgical Cervical Spine Scale (NCSS). To assess the effect of laminoplasty on respiratory function in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, lung volumes including vital capacity, tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, and forced expiratory volume were measured by spirometer before surgery and 6 months after surgery. The arterial blood gas values were also measured before and after surgery. All patients showed functional improvement after surgery, and neurological examination 6 months after surgery revealed a significant improvement in both JOA scale and NCSS scores (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in most lung volumes, but TV (p = 0.039) at 6 months after surgery showed a significant increase compared to before surgery. PCO2 also showed a significant reduction after surgery (p = 0.047). This limited study revealed that laminoplasty improved respiratory function in patients over 65 years of age with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Lung volume measurement may be one method to estimate spinal cord function after a surgical procedure.

Ventricular diverticulum at the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle presenting as aplasia cutis congenita.

Non-communicating hydrocephalus can cause rupture of the lateral or third ventricle, generally in the medial wall of the trigone or the posterior wall of the third ventricle, resulting in a cystic lesion known as ventricular diverticulum. In this paper, we describe a rare case of ventricular diverticulum located in the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle and expanding to bulge with a convexity reaching into the subdural space in a neonate. Aplasia cutis congenita and a bone defect were also present in the same neonate. Early surgical repair of the scalp defect and ventriculoperitoneal shunting were performed. In addition to illustrating the rare co-existence of a ventricular diverticulum at the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle and aplasia cutis congenita in a neonate, this case also offers new insights into the pathogenesis of these congenital anomalies.

Ruptured aneurysm at the origin of the median artery of the corpus callosum associated with accessory middle cerebral artery--case report.

A 62-year-old male presented with ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm manifesting as severe headache associated with the rare combination of median artery of the corpus callosum (MACC) and accessory middle cerebral artery (MCA). Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left carotid angiography demonstrated an anomalous vessel originating from the ACoA complex and passing forward in the interhemispheric fissure between the two companion A2 segments. This vessel was identified as the MACC. Another anomalous vessel originated from the left A1-A2 segment and passed into the sylvian fissure. This vessel was identified as the accessory MCA. Left frontotemporal craniotomy was performed to clip the neck of the aneurysm. After identifying both A1 and A2 segments, accessory MCA, and the MACC, the aneurysm neck was occluded successfully. The ACoA complex is one of the most frequent sites of vascular anomalies. Preoperative and intraoperative care is required to identify the presence of anomalies of the ACoA complex prior to clip placement, to avoid accidental damage or clipping, which may result in severe neurological deficits.

Infratentorial arteriovenous malformation associated with persistent primitive trigeminal artery--case report.

A 58-year-old male presented with a rare association of an infratentorial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and ipsilateral persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) manifesting as sudden onset of headache and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage, and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated an infratentorial AVM mainly fed by the left superior cerebellar artery via the left PPTA. The patient refused radical treatment for the AVM, and was conservatively treated. The adjacent AVM may have been important in the preservation of the PPTA, as blood flow into the infratentorial AVM via the PPTA and the hemodynamic stress to the PPTA could have disturbed the spontaneous closure of the PPTA.

Intracerebellar penetrating injury and abscess due to a wooden foreign body--case report.

A 4-year-old boy presented with chopstick penetration into the cerebellum via the temporal squamosa and tentorium cerebelli, which resulted in a cerebellar abscess 1.5 years after the injury. The neuroimaging appearance of the wooden chopstick were unusual, hyperdense on computed tomography, and isointense on T2-weighted and hypointense on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Abscess aspiration and continuous drainage was performed with real-time intraoperative ultrasound guidance. The chopstick fragment was surgically removed and the patient discharged with minor neurological deficits. Wooden foreign body may show changes in properties after a long period of intraparenchymal retention. Extra care is required to remove wooden foreign bodies because of the high risk of infection.

Distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report.

BACKGROUND: The authors describe a case of ruptured distal superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysm in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CASE DESCRIPTION: A 31-year-old female who had been treated for SLE for 13 years presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography demonstrated an aneurysm arising from the cisternal portion of the left superior cerebellar artery. The patient underwent early endovascular coil embolization and was discharged from our hospital without neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: Aneurysms arising from peripheral segments of cerebellar arteries are rare, and delayed surgical clipping has been recommended for these lesions. In addition, the outcomes of SLE patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms are reported to be very poor due to the systemic complications of SLE. However, our patient had a favorable outcome with early endovascular treatment for the ruptured aneurysm and with appropriate medical treatment for the accompanying SLE. Therefore, early endovascular coil embolization is worthy of consideration among the options for therapeutic intervention in these conditions.

Interhemispheric subdural hematoma caused by a ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm: case report.

BACKGROUND: Interhemispheric subdural hematoma (ISH) usually occurs after head trauma; nontraumatic ISH is extremely rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe a 62-year-old male presenting with severe headache and ptosis on the left side. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a hematoma in the interhemispheric subdural space without subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed an aneurysm arising from the left internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (IC-PC) junction. The patient underwent emergency clipping of the aneurysm and was discharged without neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: Ruptured aneurysms resulting in ISH without subarachnoid hemorrhage have been reported in only a few cases; this is the second case to describe the association of a ruptured IC-PC aneurysm with an ISH. The etiology of ISH formation due to ruptured aneurysms and the diagnosis are discussed.

Distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous malformation. Intraoperative localization and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysms are rare. The outcome of patients with distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysms has been poor, and the treatment of such aneurysms is surgically challenging. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe the case of an 8-year-old girl with a ruptured distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The patient experienced sudden onset of headache and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed an intraventricular haemorrhage, and cerebral angiography demonstrated an aneurysm arising from the distal portion of the right anterior choroidal artery. The patient also had an AVM in the ipsilateral temporal lobe fed by the branches of the middle cerebral artery. A right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed with the aid of intraoperative angiography to eliminate both the AVM and the aneurysm. Intraoperative angiography was helpful in confirming the complete removal of the AVM and in accurate localization of the small and deeply placed distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm. Both the AVM and the aneurysm were successfully treated and the patient was discharged without any neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: This case is the youngest reported patient with a distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm. This report is also the first to describe an association of such an aneurysm with an AVM. The etiology of the aneurysm formation in this case and surgical strategy for deeply placed vascular lesions are discussed.

Diagnostic pitfalls in osteomyelitis of the odontoid process: case report.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the odontoid process is a very rare disease associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, and previous reports have stressed the difficulties inherent in making the diagnosis. The authors present a case of osteomyelitis of the odontoid process with epidural abscess in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in the diagnosis, assessment of the extent of concomitant epidural abscess, treatment effect, and long-term follow-up. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 68-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with cervical pain, neck stiffness, and fever. Although the diagnosis was missed at the beginning, the patient was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the odontoid process with a paravertebral epidural abscess by MRI. The patient became asymptomatic after 3 months of antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the odontoid process is a rare condition requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. MRI examination should be considered in the diagnosis in patients with neck pain combined with fever. Serial MRI during and after antibiotic therapy provided an objective assessment of the healing rate of the lesions.