Evaluation of demographic/clinical features and hemorrhagic complications in patients with ischemic stroke who underwent reperfusion therapy.

The relationship between demographic/clinical characteristics, clinical outcomes and the development of hemorrhagic complications in patients with ischemic stroke who underwent reperfusion therapy has not been studied sufficiently. We have aimed to compare genders and age groups in terms of clinical features and outcome; and types of reperfusion treatments and clinical features regarding the development of hemorrhagic complications in patients with ischemic stroke who underwent recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and/or thrombectomy. Patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing rtPA and/or thrombectomy were divided into six age groups. Parameters including hemorrhagic complications, anticoagulant and antiaggregant use, hyperlipidemia, smoking status, biochemical parameters, and comorbidities were documented. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, modified Rankin Score (mRS) and Glasgow Coma Scale scores were recorded. Etiological classification of stroke was done. These parameters were compared in terms of age groups, genders, and hemorrhagic complications. Significant differences were found between age groups concerning hypertension, coronary artery disease, smoking status, and antiaggregant use. Rate of hemorrhagic complications in rtPA group was significantly lower when compared with other treatment groups. Hemorrhagic complications developed mostly in the rtPA+thrombectomy group. Among the patients who developed hemorrhagic complications, NIHSS scores on admission were found to be significantly lower in men than women. Admission, discharge, and 3rd month mRS values in men were significantly lower than those of women. Knowing demographic and clinical features of patients that may have an impact on the clinical course of ischemic stroke managed with reperfusion therapy will be useful in predicting the hemorrhagic complications and clinical outcomes.

Time­dependent changes in blood cells, NIHSS and mRS according to reperfusion treatment type in stroke patients who developed hemorrhagic complication.

Hemorrhagic complications may be seen following reperfusion therapy with rtPA and/or thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets have important roles in the inflammatory and immune responses that develop in these patients. We investigated time­dependent changes in blood cells, NIHSS and mRS values according to type of reperfusion therapy in AIS patients who developed cerebral hemorrhage. In AIS patients who underwent rtPA and/or thrombectomy and developed cerebral hemorrhage within the first 24 hours after treatment, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts and their ratios were recorded on admission, 1st, 3rd, and 7th days. NIHSS values on admission, 3rd days and mRS values on admission, discharge, and the 3rd month were recorded. These values were compared according to the type of reperfusion therapy. Out of 436 AIS patients, rtPA was applied in 50.5%, thrombectomy in 28.2%, and rtPA+thrombectomy in 21.3%. Hemorrhage developed in 25.5% of the patients. Patients treated with thrombectomy had a greater rate of cerebral hemorrhage. Pre­stroke mRS values were lower in all therapy types than mRS scores at discharge and the 3rd month. The NIHSS scores did not differ significantly in 3 days. Depending on the type of reperfusion treatment, there are a few time­dependent significant changes observed in the blood cell counts and ratios. In conclusion, there is a relation between the type of reperfusion therapy and the time­dependent changes in blood cells and ratios as well as mRS scores among AIS patients who have undergone rtPA and/or thrombectomy and developed cerebral hemorrhage.

Changes in neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet ratios and their relationship with NIHSS after rtPA and/or thrombectomy in ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various reactive oxygen radicals and inflammatory mediators emerge in ischemic stroke, and changes occur in the number of leukocytes and platelets. Variations in the counts and ratios of these cells may be related to the early and late course and prognosis of stroke. In this study, the relationship between changes in counts or ratios of neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and National Health Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores was investigated in patients who presented with an ischemic stroke and treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and/or thrombectomy. METHODS: Changes in neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts; neutrophil-to-leukocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-leukocyte ratio (PLR), and platelet-to- lymphocyte ratio between day of admission (day 0), and 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after application of treatment modalities in 296 patients presented with acute ischemic stroke who underwent rtPA within the first 4,5 hours and / or thrombectomy within 6 hours after stroke and the relationship between these changes and the NIHSS (National Health Institute Stroke Scale) scores were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: In our study, leukocyte and neutrophil counts were higher on the first day after acute ischemic stroke. Platelet counts decreased on the 1st and 3rd days relative to baseline values. Lymphocyte values decreased on day 1, 3 and 7 compared to day 0. There was a significant increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios at day 1 and 3 compared to day 0. On the 7th day, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were significantly lower. There was an increase in platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios at day 1 compared to day 0. The increase in NLR values was more evident on day 1. The increase in PLR on the 7th day was also significant. The patients who underwent rtPA and/or thrombectomy had significantly lower NIHSS scores at the 72th hour of the stroke compared to the NIHSS values at hospital admissions. A positive correlation was found between NIHSS difference values and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte percent changes. CONCLUSIONS: There are dynamic changes in platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte counts and ratios in early period after treatment with rtPA and/or thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. Variations in the counts and ratios of these cells may be related to NIHSS, which determines the degree of neurological damage of stroke.

Bilateral optic neuropathy, acral gangrene and visceral ischaemia as a rare presentation of calciphylaxis: A case report.

We report a case with calciphylaxis very rarely presenting with bilateral optic neuropathy, acral gangrene and visceral ischaemia. Bilateral papilloedaema was found in a 43 year-old female with chronic renal failure. Acral dry gangrene was observed. Pathological examination of her amputated thumb revealed calcification, thrombi, obstructive endovascular fibrotic areas in the walls of arteries. She was diagnosed with calciphylaxis. Bilateral optic neuropathy was defined secondary to calciphylaxis. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed prominent calcifications in mesenteric, spleen and renal arteries. She died eight months after the diagnosis. Calciphylaxis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the optic neuropathy.

Trigeminal Neuralgia as an Unusual Isolated Symptom of Pituitary Adenoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Pituitary adenomas account for approximately 10% of intracranial tumors and 5% are locally invasive. Cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary tumors presents mostly with cranial nerve palsies, especially involving the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves, which is well documented in the literature. However, an isolated complaint of trigeminal neuralgia due to pituitary adenoma is an extremely rare entity with a limited number of reported cases. A 51-year-old female patient presented to our clinic with complaints of pain and numbness on the left side of face for six months, with each event lasting 5-10 seconds. No improvement was obtained with administration of carbamazepine therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sellar region revealed a mass with the left cavernous sinus invasion. The patient underwent surgery via endoscopic transsphenoidal approach and after than radiosurgery with gamma-knife. The patient's complaints resolved totally after gamma-knife radiosurgery. We report herein a case of pituitary adenoma with an isolated complaint of trigeminal neuralgia. Pituitary adenomas may be presented with cavernous sinus invasion and multiple cranial nerve palsies but isolated trigeminal neuralgia due to pituitary adenoma is an extremely rare entity.

Value of F-wave inversion in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and it's relation with anthropometric measurements.

BACKGROUND: The clinical importance of F-wave inversion in the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is not yet well known. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the value of F-wave inversion in diagnosing CTS, and to evaluate the relationship of F-wave inversion with age, gender, diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), wrist or waist circumferences. METHODS: Patients (n=744) who were considered to have CTS with clinical findings were included in the study. In order to confirm the diagnosis of CTS, standard electrophysiological parameters were studied with electroneuromyography. In addition, median nerve F-wave measurements were done and we determined if F-wave inversion was present or not. Sensitivity and specificity of F-wave inversion were investigated for its value in showing CTS diagnosed by electrophysiological examination. RESULTS: CTS diagnosis was confirmed by routine electrophysiological parameters in 307 (41.3%) patients. The number of the patients with the presence of F-wave inversion was 243 (32.7%). Sensitivity of F-wave inversion was found as 56% and specificity as 83.8%. BMI and wrist circumference values were significantly higher in patients with F-wave inversion present than those with F-wave inversion absent (p=0.0033, p=0.025 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: F-wave inversion can be considered as a valuable electrophysiological measurement for screening of CTS.

Relationship of age, body mass index, wrist and waist circumferences to carpal tunnel syndrome severity.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has a multifactorial etiology involving systemic, anatomical, idiopathic, and ergonomic characteristics. In this study, an investigation of the relationship between the CTS degree established by electrophysiological measurements in patients with clinical CTS prediagnosis, and age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hand wrist circumference, and waist circumference measurements has been done. On 547 patients included in the study, motor and sensory conduction examinations of the median and ulnar nerve were done on one or two upper extremities thought to have CTS. In terms of CTS severity, the patients were divided into four groups (normal, mild, medium, and severe CTS). A total of 843 electrophysiological examinations were done consisting of 424 on the right hand wrist and 419 on the left hand wrist. When the age group of 18-35 years is taken as the reference group, the CTS development risk independent of BMI has been found to have increased by a factor of 1.86 for ages 36-64 years, and by 4.17 for ages 65 years and higher after adjustment for BMI. With respect to normal degree CTS group, the BMI were significantly different in groups with mild, medium, and severe CTS. The waist circumferences of groups with mild, medium, and severe CTS severity were found to be significantly higher in comparison to the normal reference group. When this value was corrected with BMI and re-examined the statistically significant differences persisted. The study identified a significant relationship between the CTS severity and age, BMI, waist circumference.