Early focal electroencephalogram and neuroimaging findings predict epilepsy development after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Seizures are a common complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in both acute and late stages: 10-20 % acute symptomatic seizures, 12-25 % epilepsy rate at five years. Our aim was to identify early electroencephalogram (EEG) and computed tomography (CT) findings that could predict long-term epilepsy after SAH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective, longitudinal study of adult patients with aneurysmal SAH admitted to two tertiary care hospitals between January 2011 to December 2022. Routine 30-minute EEG recording was performed in all subjects during admission period. Exclusion criteria were the presence of prior structural brain lesions and/or known epilepsy. We documented the presence of SAH-related cortical involvement in brain CT and focal electrographic abnormalities (epileptiform and non-epileptiform). Post-SAH epilepsy was defined as the occurrence of remote unprovoked seizures ≥ 7 days from the bleeding. RESULTS: We included 278 patients with a median follow-up of 2.4 years. The mean age was 57 (+/-12) years, 188 (68 %) were female and 49 (17.6 %) developed epilepsy with a median latency of 174 days (IQR 49-479). Cortical brain lesions were present in 189 (68 %) and focal EEG abnormalities were detected in 158 patients (39 epileptiform discharges, 119 non-epileptiform abnormalities). The median delay to the first EEG recording was 6 days (IQR 2-12). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed higher risk of long-term epilepsy in those patients with CT cortical involvement (HR 2.6 [1.3-5.2], p 0.009), EEG focal non-epileptiform abnormalities (HR 3.7 [1.6-8.2], p 0.002) and epileptiform discharges (HR 6.7 [2.8-15.8], p < 0.001). Concomitant use of anesthetics and/or antiseizure medication during EEG recording had no influence over its predictive capacity. ROC-curve analysis of the model showed good predictive capability at 5 years (AUC 0.80, 95 %CI 0.74-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Focal electrographic abnormalities (both epileptiform and non-epileptiform abnormalities) and cortical involvement in neuroimaging predict the development of long-term epilepsy. In-patient EEG and CT findings could allow an early risk stratification and facilitate a personalized follow-up and management of SAH patients.

Epileptic seizures in the emergency room: clinical and electroencephalographic findings associated with brain perfusion patterns on computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of epileptic seizures, particularly regarding status epilepticus (SE), may be challenging in an emergency room setting. The aim of the study was to study the diagnostic yield of perfusion computed tomography (pCT) in patients with single epileptic seizures and SE. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who followed an acute ischemic stroke pathway during a 9-month period and who were finally diagnosed with a single epileptic seizure or SE. Perfusion maps were visually analyzed for the presence of hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion. Clinical data, EEG patterns, and neuroimaging findings were compared. RESULTS: We included 47 patients: 20 (42.5%) with SE and 27 (57.5%) with single epileptic seizure. Of 18 patients who showed hyperperfusion on pCT, 12 were ultimately diagnosed with SE and eight had EEG findings compatible with an SE pattern. Focal hyperperfusion on pCT had a sensitivity of 60% (95% CI 36.4-80.2) and a specificity of 77.8% (95% CI 57.2-90.6) for predicting a final diagnosis of SE. The presence of cerebral cortical and thalamic hyperperfusion had a high specificity for predicting SE presence. Of note, 96% of patients without hyperperfusion on pCT did not show an SE pattern on early EEG. CONCLUSIONS: In acute settings, detection by visual analysis of focal cerebral cortical hyperperfusion on pCT in patients with epileptic seizures, especially if accompanied by the highly specific feature of thalamic hyperperfusion, is suggestive of a diagnosis of SE and requires clinical and EEG confirmation. The absence of focal hyperperfusion makes a diagnosis of SE unlikely.

Impact of blood pressure changes and course on hematoma growth in acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An association between high blood pressure (BP) in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and hematoma growth (HG) has not been clearly demonstrated. Therefore, the impact of BP changes and course on HG and clinical outcome in patients with acute ICH was determined. METHODS: In total, 117 consecutive patients with acute (<6 h) supratentorial ICH underwent baseline and 24-h CT scans, CT angiography for the detection of the spot sign and non-invasive BP monitoring at 15-min intervals over the first 24 h. Maximum and minimum BP, maximum BP increase and drop from baseline, and BP variability values from systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were calculated. SBP and MAP loads were defined as the proportion of readings >180 and >130 mmHg, respectively. HG (>33% or >6 ml), early neurological deterioration (END) and 3-month mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Baseline BP variables were unrelated to either HG or clinical outcome. Conversely, SBP 180-load independently predicted HG (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.010-1.097, P = 0.016), whilst both SBP 180-load (odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.001-1.076, P = 0.042) and SBP variability (odds ratio 1.2, 95% CI 1.047-1.380, P = 0.009) independently predicted END. Although none of the BP monitoring variables was associated with HG in the spot-sign-positive group, higher maximum BP increases from baseline and higher SBP and MAP loads were significantly related to HG in the spot-sign-negative group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute supratentorial ICH, SBP 180-load independently predicts HG, whilst both SBP 180-load and SBP variability predict END.

Meckel's cave anatomic variation.

We present a rare radiographic abnormality found in a patient who consulted us for progressive left hearing loss.

Ultraearly hematoma growth predicts poor outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the adjustment of initial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume by onset-to-imaging time (ultraearly hematoma growth [uHG]) on further hematoma enlargement and outcome in patients with acute ICH. METHODS: We studied 133 patients with acute (<6 hours) supratentorial ICH. Patients underwent baseline and 24-hour CT scans for ICH volume measurement, and a CT angiography (CTA) for the detection of the spot sign. We defined uHG as the relation between baseline ICH volume/onset-to-imaging time, hematoma growth (HG) as hematoma enlargement >33% or >6 mL at 24 hours, early neurologic deterioration (END) as increase ≥4 points in the NIH Stroke Scale score or death at 24 hours, and poor long-term outcome as modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 3 months. RESULTS: The uHG was significantly faster in spot sign patients (p < 0.001), as well as in patients who experienced HG (p = 0.021), END (p < 0.001), 3-month mortality (p < 0.001), and poor long-term outcome (p < 0.001). The uHG improved the accuracy of baseline ICH volume in the prediction of END (sensitivity 93.1% vs 82.8%, specificity 85.3% vs 82.4%) and 3-month mortality (sensitivity 77.5% vs 70%, specificity 87.9% vs 84.6%). A uHG >10.2 mL/hour emerged as the most powerful predictor of HG (odds ratio [OR] 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-9.07, p = 0.008), END (OR 70.22, 95% CI 14.63-337.03, p < 0.001), 3-month mortality (OR 16.96, 95% CI 5.32-54.03, p < 0.001), and poor long-term outcome (OR 6.19, 95% CI 1.32-28.98, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The uHG represents a powerful and easy-to-use tool for improving the prediction of HG and outcome in patients with acute ICH.

High lipoprotein (a), diabetes, and the extent of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) has important atherothrombogenic properties, but its role in intracranial atherosclerosis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Lp(a) level and the extent of intracranial large-artery occlusive disease. METHODS: Between June 2001 and August 2003, 166 consecutive first-ever TIA or stroke patients had intracranial stenoses on transcranial Doppler, of which 100 fulfilled all inclusion criteria. The extent of intracranial large-artery occlusive disease was assessed by the number of angiographically confirmed intracranial stenoses. Serum Lp(a) was determined a minimum of 3 months after stroke onset. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-one intracranial stenoses were documented. Fifty-one (51%) patients had three or more stenoses (greater-extent group). Patients in the highest Lp(a) quartile had a higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a greater extent than those in the lowest quartile (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.04 to 11.33, p = 0.04). A positive correlation was found between Lp(a) concentration and the number of stenoses (r = 0.310, p = 0.002). Moreover, Lp(a) level increased gradually with the number of stenoses (p = 0.02). A multiple logistic regression model identified diabetes (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.57, p = 0.04) and high Lp(a) (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.03 to 6.18, p = 0.043) as independent markers of a greater extent of intracranial large-artery occlusive disease. CONCLUSIONS: High Lp(a) level and diabetes mellitus are independent markers of a greater extent of intracranial large-artery occlusive disease. These findings support a role for Lp(a) in intracranial stenotic atherogenesis and might be useful for the selection of high-risk patients.

[Intraventricular hemorrhage due to the rupture of atherosclerotic dissecting aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery]. / Hemorragia intraventricular por rotura de aneurisma disecante ateroscleroso de la arteria cerebral media.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of fusiform intracranial aneurysm where, apart from the unusual site, we draw attention to the form of clinical presentation, namely intraventricular haemorrhage. Clinical case. A 68 year-old-man with a history of smoking, hyperuricemia with seizures of gout treated with colchicine and allopurinol, and hypertension treated with captopril. Nine years previously he had a right capsulothalamic haematoma and presented (as a sequela of this) a left sensomotor deficit, with a good functional level. In December 1998 he was admitted for sudden onset of headache and deterioration of consciousness. He had right limb movements which were typical of decerebration and made intubation and mechanical ventilation necessary. Cerebral CT, with angiographic sequences, showed blood in the lateral ventricles and III ventricle, with ventricular dilation and a fusiform aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery. In view of the neurological state of the patient, treatment of the aneurysm was postponed. After initial improvement, which permitted extubation, tetraparesia (predominantly right) and a pseudobulbar syndrome were seen. The patient had repeated respiratory infections and died from sepsis caused by Pseudomona aeruginosa (of respiratory origin) three months after admission. CONCLUSIONS: Fusiform intracranial aneurysms form 9% of all aneurysms. Localization to the middle cerebral artery is infrequent, the basilar trunk and internal carotid artery are commoner sites. In our case angio-CT was a useful non-invasive neuro-radiological technique.

[Arteriography using helicoidal computerized tomography in the study of complex aneurysms of the circle of Willis]. / La arteriografía con tomografía computarizada helicoidal en el estudio de los aneurismas complejos del polígono de Willis.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) can add information to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in selected cases of aneurysms of the circle of Willis. CLINICAL CASES: 1. Patient with progressive visual loss and headache. CT and DSA showed an image of partially thrombosed suprasellar aneurysm. CTA better defined the relationship between the lesion and regional vessels. 2. Woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CTA defined the aneurysmal neck and its relationship to the clinoid process. 3. Man with SAH, CT and DSA showed an arteriovenous malformation and three arterial aneurysms one of which was in a tortuous vessel. CTA confirmed digital angiographic data. CONCLUSION: CTA is a new image technique that can either add or confirm DSA findings in complex aneurysms of the circle of Willis.

[Intracranial mass as single manifestation of sarcoidosis]. / Masa intracraneal como única manifestación de sarcoidosis.

Neurological involvement in sarcoidosis occurs in 5-10% of cases and may adopt a great variety of forms, included space-occupying cerebral masses. The presence of these masses as single G manifestation of the disease, with no evidence of systemic involvement, is uncommon. In a review of the literature we found 15 reported cases and we report here the case of a 74 year-old woman with a parietooccipital mass histologically diagnosed with sarcoidosis, with no evidence of systemic involvement. In most cases masses are supratentorial, evidenced by neuroradiological procedures and diagnosed by means of pathological investigation. Corticosteroids are the therapy of choice because of the favorable outcome of cases so treated.

Chronic liver disease: comparison of ultrasound patterns with laparoscopy and biopsy.

We studied the correlation of ultrasound patterns with laparoscopy and biopsy results in 140 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Of the 23 patients with a normal ultrasound pattern (N), biopsies revealed CLD in 18; in the 22 patients with unspecified hepatomegaly (H), biopsies disclosed CLD in 20; and in the 64 patients with a homogeneous bright pattern (HB), biopsies showed CLD in 62. All 22 cases of heterogeneous bright pattern (HTB) and all 9 patients with nodular pattern (ND) had CLD. In conclusion, it appears that the HTB and nodular ultrasound patterns confirm the presence of CLD, the HB pattern is suggestive of CLD, but diagnosis of CLD cannot be made from N and H patterns.

Imaging of the azygos lobe: normal anatomy and variations.

We describe the normal appearance of the azygos lobe on plain radiography and CT. Several findings are presented that, to our knowledge, have not been previously reported, such as the inferior prolongation of the fissure, the apparent intrapulmonary path of the right brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava seen on the anteroposterior chest radiograph, and the visible fissure on the lateral chest radiograph.

The growing teratoma syndrome: radiologic findings in four cases.

Radiologic findings in four patients with metastatic mixed germ-cell tumors of the testis are presented. In all cases metastases had increased in size following chemotherapy in spite of normal biomarker levels, and histological study of the residual masses showed mature teratoma with an absence of malignant cells, thus confirming the diagnosis of growing teratoma syndrome. At present CT appears to be the best technique both for diagnosis and follow-up in these patients. In one case, the growing teratoma syndrome presented as cavitation of a pulmonary nodular lesion, a finding rarely described in the literature, and with CT demonstration not reported.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of pelvic soft tissue: CT appearance.

A case of aggressive angiomyxoma of pelvic tissue is described. The characteristic clinical presenting symptoms together with radiographic findings can be suggestive of this disease. Computed tomography (CT) clearly depicted a solid mass in the pelvis without invasion of visceral structures and reaching caudally into the perineal region.

Echogenic focus in the gastrointestinal wall as a sign of ulceration.

An ultrasound study carried out on 22 patients with ulcerated gastrointestinal lesions (20 adenocarcinomas and 2 peptic ulcers) showed, in all cases, an echogenic focus (EF) that was situated in the gastrointestinal wall. In order to find out the histopathologic significance of this focus and its location, an examination was made "in vitro" of 8 surgical specimens obtained from gastrectomies--6 from peptic and 2 from malignant ulcers. The specimens were immersed in a water bath using a 5-MHz transducer. A common finding in all the specimens was an EF similar to that seen in the clinical study and situated behind the crater of the ulcer. In this location the histopathologic findings demonstrated necrotic and inflammatory material in both the benign and malignant lesions.