Cerebral microbleeds. Utility of SWI sequences.

OBJECTIVES: Define the concept of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and describe the most useful MRI sequences for detecting this finding. Review the entities that most frequently present with CMBs and that may benefit from the use of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) sequences. CONCLUSIONS: SWI is a useful MRI sequence for the detection and characterization of microhemorrhages, venous structures and other sources of susceptibility in imaging. SWI is particularly sensitive to local magnetic field inhomogeneities generated by certain substances and is superior to T2* GRE sequences for this assessment. CMBs may be seen in different neurologic conditions, in certain infrequent clinical contexts and have a key role as a biomarker status in gliomas (ITTS) and as a marker of inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis.

Analysis of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in patients with monogenic PRKN and LRRK2 forms of Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is the most common surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). Patient selection and genetic background can modify the response to this treatment. The objective of this study was to compare both clinical and pharmacologic response of STN-DBS between patients with monogenic forms of PD and non-mutation carriers with idiopathic PD. METHODS: A retrospective analysis among 23 carriers of genetic mutations (8 PRKN and 15 LRRK2) and 74 patients with idiopathic PD was performed. The study included comparisons of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II and III scores, Schwab and England (S&E) scale values, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage scores, and equivalent doses of levodopa before and after the surgery (at 6 and 12 months) between both groups. RESULTS: The mean age at the time in which STN-DBS was performed was 59.5 ± 8.6. Linear mixed models showed the absence of statistically significant differences between mutation and non-mutation carriers regarding levodopa doses (p = 0.576), UPDRS II (p = 0.956) and III (p = 0.512) scores, and S&E scale scores (0.758). The only difference between the two groups was observed with respect to H&Y stage in OFF medication/ON stimulation status being lower in genetic PD at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.030). CONCLUSION: Clinical and pharmacological benefit of bilateral STN-DBS is similar in PRKN and LRRK2 mutation carriers and patients with idiopathic PD.

[Is there a relationship between white matter lesions associated with migraine and patent foramen ovale? Analysis of a series of patients with chronic migraine]. / ¿Existe relación entre las lesiones de la sustancia blanca asociadas a migraña y el foramen oval permeable? Análisis de una serie de pacientes con migraña crónica.

INTRODUCTION: White matter lesions are more prevalent in migraine patients than in the general population, especially those with a high frequency of attacks. A patent foramen ovale has been described as a possible link between migraine and white matter lesions. AIM: To determine the existence of a possible relationship between a patent foramen ovale and white matter lesions in a series of patients with chronic migraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, single-centre, case-control study. Eighty-nine women with chronic migraine were selected. The persistence and characteristics of the patent foramen ovale were assessed by means of a transcranial Doppler study. The patent foramen ovale was classified as small, moderate or massive. Those detected at rest were considered permanent, and the others were classified as latent. The MRI protocol included T1-enhanced sagittal images, FLAIR-T2-enhanced axial images, and a proton density and T2-FSE combined sequence. The white matter lesions were classified as deep, periventricular or both. RESULTS: The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (53.6% versus 48.5%; p = 0.80) and the proportion of massive, permanent patent foramen ovale were similar among patients with and without white matter lesions. Neither was there any difference in the prevalence (55.6% versus 52.6%; p = 1.00) or the characteristics of the patent foramen ovale as a function of the distribution of white matter lesions. CONCLUSION: The results do not suggest that a patent foramen ovale intervenes in the pathophysiology of the white matter lesions observed in patients with migraine.

TITLE: ¿Existe relación entre las lesiones de la sustancia blanca asociadas a migraña y el foramen oval permeable? Análisis de una serie de pacientes con migraña crónica.Introducción. Las lesiones de la sustancia blanca son más prevalentes en los pacientes migrañosos que en la población general, especialmente en los que tienen una alta frecuencia de ataques. El foramen oval permeable se ha descrito como posible nexo de unión entre la migraña y las lesiones de la sustancia blanca. Objetivo. Determinar la existencia de una posible relación entre el foramen oval permeable y las lesiones de la sustancia blanca en una serie de pacientes con migraña crónica. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, unicéntrico, de casos y controles. Se seleccionó a 89 mujeres con migraña crónica. La persistencia y las características del foramen oval permeable se evaluaron mediante un estudio Doppler transcraneal. El foramen oval permeable se clasificó como pequeño, moderado o masivo. Se consideraron permanentes los detectados en reposo, y latentes, el resto. El protocolo de resonancia magnética incluyó imágenes sagitales potenciadas en T1, axiales potenciadas en FLAIR-T2 y secuencia combinada de densidad protónica y T2-FSE. Las lesiones de la sustancia blanca se clasificaron como profundas, periventriculares o ambas. Resultados. La prevalencia de foramen oval permeable (53,6% frente a 48,5%; p = 0,80) y la proporción de foramen oval permeable masivo y permanente fueron similares entre los pacientes con y sin lesiones de la sustancia blanca. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias en la prevalencia (55,6% frente a 52,6%; p = 1,00) o las características del foramen oval permeable en función de la distribución de las lesiones de la sustancia blanca. Conclusión. Los resultados no sugieren la intervención del foramen oval permeable en la fisiopatología de las lesiones de la sustancia blanca observadas en pacientes migrañosos.

[Appraisal of cerebral atrophy in multiple sclerosis by means of the corpus callosum index. Reply]. / Valoracion de la atrofia cerebral en la esclerosis multiple mediante el indice de cuerpo calloso. Replica.

TITLE: Valoracion de la atrofia cerebral en la esclerosis multiple mediante el indice de cuerpo calloso. Replica.

[Appraisal of cerebral atrophy in multiple sclerosis by means of the corpus callosum index]. / Valoracion de la atrofia cerebral en la esclerosis multiple mediante el indice de cuerpo calloso.

INTRODUCTION: The course of multiple sclerosis is characterised by the development of cerebral atrophy. It is of interest to monitor it in order to evaluate the treatment response, and the preferred technique consists in performing brain volume analyses, which are currently restricted to the field of research. AIM: To analyse the corpus callosum index (CCI) as a possible alternative to the methods based on brain segmentation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our sample was made up of 109 patients with recently diagnosed demyelinating diseases (90 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, 7 primary progressive forms and 12 isolated demyelinating syndromes), and the CCI was calculated in their first magnetic resonance brain scan, together with 101 healthy controls. The sequences of the patients were submitted to a volumetric analysis using the software package MSmetrix. RESULTS: The mean value of the CCI was 0.377 in patients and 0.411 in the controls, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The CCI also showed a statistically significant correlation with the brain volume (p < 0.001; r = 0.444) and with the lesional volume in the FLAIR sequence (p < 0.001; r = -0.521), while no association was observed with the volume of grey matter (p = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: The CCI is related to the overall brain volume obtained by volumetric techniques and may reflect the presence of atrophy in the initial stages of demyelinating diseases, which makes it a fast and easy to calculate alternative.

TITLE: Valoracion de la atrofia cerebral en la esclerosis multiple mediante el indice de cuerpo calloso.Introduccion. La esclerosis multiple se caracteriza en su evolucion por el desarrollo de atrofia cerebral. Su monitorizacion resulta de interes para evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento, y son de eleccion los analisis volumetricos cerebrales, actualmente confinados al ambito de la investigacion. Objetivo. Analizar el indice de cuerpo calloso (ICC) como una posible alternativa a los metodos basados en la segmentacion cerebral. Sujetos y metodos. Se reune a 109 pacientes con enfermedades desmielinizantes de reciente diagnostico (90 con esclerosis multiple remitente recurrente, 7 con formas primarias progresivas y 12 con sindrome desmielinizante aislado) y se calcula el ICC en su primer estudio de resonancia magnetica cerebral, asi como en 101 controles sanos. Las secuencias de los pacientes se someten a analisis volumetrico mediante el programa MSmetrix. Resultados. El valor medio del ICC es de 0,377 en los pacientes y 0,411 en los controles, y la diferencia es estadisticamente significativa (p < 0,001). El ICC muestra una correlacion estadisticamente significativa con el volumen encefalico (p < 0,001; r = 0,444) y con el volumen lesional en secuencia FLAIR (p < 0,001; r = ­0,521), mientras que no se demuestra asociacion con el volumen de la sustancia gris (p = 0,058). Conclusiones. El ICC se relaciona con el volumen encefalico global obtenido mediante tecnicas volumetricas y puede reflejar la presencia de atrofia ya en los estadios iniciales de las enfermedades desmielinizantes, por lo que se presenta como una alternativa de rapido y sencillo calculo.

[Assisted techniques for the endovascular treatment of complex or atypical cerebral aneurysms]. / Técnicas asistidas para el tratamiento endovascular de aneurismas cerebrales complejos o atípicos.

In the last ten years, the endovascular approach to the management of cerebral aneurysms has gone from being an alternative to surgery to being the first-choice technique in the vast majority of cases. The continuous development of new assisted techniques and of new materials for embolization have multiplied its therapeutic possibilities, so that safe and efficacious endovascular treatment is now possible for aneurysms that would have required surgery only a few years ago. These continuous technological advances require the professionals that treat patients with cerebral aneurysms to achieve a high degree of specialization and to keep up to date through continuous training. In this article, we review some of the most widely used assisted techniques in the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, discussing their main indications, their advantages over conventional embolization techniques, and their possible limitations.

[Orbital metastases in colorectal cancer: a case report]. / Metástasis orbitarias en carcinoma colorrectal: a propósito de un caso.

CLINICAL CASE: A 32-year-old male, with colon cancer stage IV, resistant to chemotherapy, was referred to our department due to palpebral oedema, conjunctival chemosis, severe exophthalmos, complete ptosis in left eye, and limitation in eye movements, mainly in abduction and supraversion. In the orbital MR scan we observed two nodular lesions in the left orbital, with involvement of the superior rectus-elevator muscle of upper eyelid complex and external rectus muscle, suggestive of metastases. Due to the patient generally feeling unwell, radiotherapy was not considered, and an intravenous bolus of corticoids was given, without response, resulting in the death of the patient. DISCUSSION: Orbital metastases usually originate from breast and lung cancer, with those secondary to colon cancer being much less frequent. The treatment is palliative, based on intravenous corticoids, and, above all, radiotherapy, and, only in cases with a long-term survival, surgery.

[Myocardial clefts: a report of four cases]. / Hendiduras miocárdicas: a propósito de 4 casos.

Current cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) techniques enable many heart defects, like myocardial clefts, to be detected. We present four clinical cases of myocardial clefts. Myocardial clefts are uncommon abnormalities that are found in both healthy individuals and patients with different heart problems. The etiopathogenesis is unknown, although several hypotheses have been proposed. Although myocardial clefts are usually discovered incidentally, it is important to be aware of their existence because they can cause systemic embolisms.

[Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: advances in magnetic resonance imaging]. / Diagnóstico de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: avances en RM.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. It selectively affects both upper and lower motor neurons. Nowadays, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is diagnosed on the basis of clinical and electromyographic findings and by ruling out other diseases with similar symptoms. To date, there are no specific tests or biologic markers to confirm the diagnosis. This article discusses new MRI techniques like magnetization transfer imaging, MR spectroscopy, functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and volumetric techniques that can contribute to early confirmation of the diagnosis and to the follow-up of this disease. We review the usefulness of each of these techniques and discuss their possible applications in clinical practice.

[Review of the target for the deep brain stimulation of chronic cluster headache]. / Revision de la diana para la estimulacion cerebral profunda de la cefalea en racimos cronica.

Cluster headache is included in the group of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Although the pathophysiology of cluster headache has not yet been sufficiently established, the theory of a central origin tells us that this headache is produced by hypothalamic dysfunction. More than 50 patients have been treated with deep brain stimulation of the posterior nucleus of the hypothalamus from 2001. The results show clinical improvement in more than 60% of the cases, opening a promising issue for the treatment of the cluster headache persistent after medical treatment. The surgical target that have been used until now is based on the origin of the cluster headache in the hypothalamic dysfunction. Nevertheless, It has still some open questions as the lack of proving the posterior nucleus of the hypothalamus is the real origin of the cluster headache, the lack of consensus about the anatomy of the surgical target and the variability of the structures stimulated with the surgery. The aim of this article is a review of the target used and propose another surgical target based on physiopathological concepts to explain the improvement with the deep brain stimulation in these patients.

[Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter: A case report]. / Leucoencefalopatía con sustancia blanca evanescente: a propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that was first reported in 1997. Some time later the genetic anomalies responsible for the disease were identified, these being different mutations in any of the five genes that code for the five subunits of the translation initiation factor, eIF2B. Since then, the clinical spectrum of this condition has proved to be much broader and far more frequent than was initially believed. We report on a case of the classical clinical form, which is to our knowledge the first to be published in Spain to date. CASE REPORT: A 5-year-old female who presented gait instability that recently got worse following a mild traumatic head injury. The examination revealed overall cerebellar ataxia and generalised spasticity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse and symmetrical involvement of the white matter of the brain with the presence of cavities in which the signal intensity and the proton spectrum were similar to those of cerebrospinal fluid. The genetic study revealed a mutation of the gene that codes for eIF2B-epsilon. CONCLUSIONS: A suggestive MRI scan, even in an atypical presentation, would be enough to rule out a mutation of the genes that code for eIF2B. This would make it possible to reach an early diagnosis of this disease, which is probably more prevalent than is currently thought. This would allow genetic counselling to be conducted and would help to establish a genotype-phenotype correlate that would also make it possible to offer an estimated prognosis.

[Arteriovenous malformations in children: a report of four cases]. / Malformaciones arteriovenosas en la infancia: a proposito de cuatro casos.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Vascular malformations are the most frequent cause of intracranial haemorrhage (IH) after the neonatal period that are not due to traumatic injury. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are the vascular malformations that most often give rise to symptoms in infancy and are the most common cause of IH in children over one year of age. CASE REPORTS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients under the age of 16 years diagnosed with AVM from the year 2000 to the present. Four cases aged between 7 and 15 years were found, all of whom were examined with computerised tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral arteriography scans. One patient started with headaches and another had learning disabilities. The other two began with IH, the most common clinical manifestations of which were a diminished level of awareness and vomiting. The final diagnosis was established by means of arteriography in all cases. Surgical treatment was carried out in three cases (using surgery, catheter embolisation and stereotaxic radiosurgery) and the patients' progress following the intervention was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous haemorrhage constitutes the most common presenting symptom of AVM. However, there are sometimes earlier manifestations that are a challenge to diagnosis and which should be the target of future research, since preventing IH would lead to a drastic reduction in the morbidity and mortality rate of AVM.

[Transient ischemic attack: the only presenting syndrome of dural sinus thrombosis]. / Ataque isquémico transitorio como expresión de trombosis de senos venosos durales.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial hypertension (ICHT) is the most frequent presenting syndrome of dural vein sinus thrombosis (CVT). A transient ischemic attack as an acute mode of onset is exceptional. CASE REPORT: A right handed, forty years old man with a medical history of recurrent headaches, microcephalia and calcifications in his brain, presenting to the emergency department with left paresis that lasted a few minutes and with a complete recovery. The cerebral and neck magnetic resonance (MR) including MR angiography showed superior sagittal sinus, both transverse sinuses and right sigmoid sinus thrombosis with an increase in size of superficial cerebral venous that drained to the left sigmoid sinus. There was no evidence of intracranial dural malformations. The cerebral MR did not show any abnormal parenchymal enhancement (edema, arterial or venous infarctions, hemorrhage) including diffusion-weighted IMR. The digital subtraction angiography (ADC) confirmed the same findings as the MR angiography. The diagnosis was a chronic CVT. We studied stroke in a young adult and we did not find other irregularities. The neurological examination was normal when the patient left the hospital with an antiplatelet drug. CONCLUSIONS: Focal neurological deficit is an exceptional event of a chronic vein sinus thrombosis during follow-up. Isolated cases regarding an acute time course have been described. The interest of this case lies in the fact that venous sinus thrombosis rarely has transitory focal deficit in its course and we found no such description as onset symptoms.