Cerebral revascularization: extracranial-intracranial bypass.

Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass remains an important revascularization technique for management of complex cerebrovascular disease. Despite evolving endovascular techniques, the role of bypass for the purpose of flow replacement prior to planned vessel sacrifice remains relevant for treatment of complex and fusiform aneurysms. The role of bypass for purposes of flow augmentation in the setting of cerebral ischemia is limited based on current data, but remains an important option for selected cases of athero-occlusive disease, in addition to a primary treatment for symptomatic moyamoya disease. An objective flow-based approach to EC-IC bypass can enhance decision-making in preoperative patient selection, intraoperative graft assessment, and postoperative follow-up.

Dual role of caspase-11 in mediating activation of caspase-1 and caspase-3 under pathological conditions.

Caspase-11, a member of the murine caspase family, has been shown to be an upstream activator of caspase-1 in regulating cytokine maturation. We demonstrate here that in addition to its defect in cytokine maturation, caspase-11-deficient mice have a reduced number of apoptotic cells and a defect in caspase-3 activation after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a mouse model of stroke. Recombinant procaspase-11 can autoprocess itself in vitro. Purified active recombinant caspase-11 cleaves and activates procaspase-3 very efficiently. Using a positional scanning combinatorial library method, we found that the optimal cleavage site of caspase-11 was (I/L/V/P)EHD, similar to that of upstream caspases such as caspase-8 and -9. Our results suggest that caspase-11 is a critical initiator caspase responsible for the activation of caspase-3, as well as caspase-1 under certain pathological conditions.

Local Hemodynamic Conditions Associated with Focal Changes in the Intracranial Aneurysm Wall.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysm hemodynamics has been associated with wall histology and inflammation. We investigated associations between local hemodynamics and focal wall changes visible intraoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computational fluid dynamics models were constructed from 3D images of 65 aneurysms treated surgically. Aneurysm regions with different visual appearances were identified in intraoperative videos: 1) "atherosclerotic" (yellow), 2) "hyperplastic" (white), 3) "thin" (red), 4) rupture site, and 5) "normal" (similar to parent artery), They were marked on 3D reconstructions. Regional hemodynamics was characterized by the following: wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index, relative residence time, wall shear stress gradient and divergence, gradient oscillatory number, and dynamic pressure; these were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Hyperplastic regions had lower average wall shear stress (P = .005) and pressure (P = .009) than normal regions. Flow conditions in atherosclerotic and hyperplastic regions were similar but had higher average relative residence time (P = .03) and oscillatory shear index (P = .04) than thin regions. Hyperplastic regions also had a higher average gradient oscillatory number (P = .002) than thin regions. Thin regions had lower average relative residence time (P < .001), oscillatory shear index (P = .006), and gradient oscillatory number (P < .001) than normal regions, and higher average wall shear stress (P = .006) and pressure (P = .009) than hyperplastic regions. Thin regions tended to be aligned with the flow stream, while atherosclerotic and hyperplastic regions tended to be aligned with recirculation zones. CONCLUSIONS: Local hemodynamics is associated with visible focal wall changes. Slow swirling flow with low and oscillatory wall shear stress was associated with atherosclerotic and hyperplastic changes. High flow conditions prevalent in regions near the flow impingement site characterized by higher and less oscillatory wall shear stress were associated with local "thinning" of the wall.

Comparison of Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent fMRI and Provocative DSC Perfusion MR Imaging for Monitoring Cerebrovascular Reserve in Intracranial Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Loss of hemodynamic reserve in intracranial cerebrovascular disease reduces blood oxygenation level-dependent activation by fMRI and increases asymmetry in MTT measured by provocative DSC perfusion MR imaging before and after vasodilation with intravenous acetazolamide. The concordance for detecting hemodynamic reserve integrity has been compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 40) with intracranial cerebrovascular disease and technically adequate DSA, fMRI and provocative DSC perfusion studies were retrospectively grouped into single vessels proximal to and distal from the circle of Willis, multiple vessels, and Moyamoya disease. The vascular territories were classified as having compromised hemodynamic reserve if the expected fMRI blood oxygenation level-dependent activation was absent or if MTT showed increased asymmetry following vasodilation. Concordance was examined in compromised and uncompromised vascular territories of each group with the Fischer exact test and proportions of agreement. RESULTS: Extensive leptomeningeal collateral circulation was present in all cases. Decreased concordance between the methods was found in vascular territories with stenosis distal to but not proximal to the circle of Willis. Multivessel and Moyamoya diseases also showed low concordance. A model of multiple temporally displaced arterial inputs from leptomeningeal collateral flow demonstrated that the resultant lengthening MTT mimicked compromised hemodynamic reserve despite being sufficient to support blood oxygenation level-dependent contrast. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased concordance between the 2 methods for assessment of hemodynamic reserve for vascular disease distal to the circle of Willis is posited to be due to well-developed leptomeningeal collateral circulation providing multiple temporally displaced arterial input functions that bias the perfusion analysis toward hemodynamic reserve compromise while blood oxygenation level-dependent activation remains detectable.

Neuroprotection mediated by changes in the endothelial actin cytoskeleton.

Cerebral blood flow is regulated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO), and endothelial NO synthase-deficient (eNOS-deficient; eNOS(-/-)) mice develop larger cerebral infarctions following middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. We report that disruption of Rho-mediated endothelial actin cytoskeleton leads to the upregulation of eNOS expression and reduces the severity of cerebral ischemia following MCA occlusion. Mice treated with the Rho inhibitor Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase (10 microgram/d) or the actin cytoskeleton disrupter cytochalasin D (1 mg/kg) showed a two- to fourfold increase in vascular eNOS expression and activity. This increase in eNOS expression was not due to increases in eNOS gene transcription, but to prolongation of eNOS mRNA half-life from 10 +/- 3 hours to 24 +/- 4 hours. Indeed, endothelial cells overexpressing a dominant-negative Rho mutant (N19RhoA) exhibited decreased actin stress fiber formation and increased eNOS expression. Inhibition of vascular Rho guanosine-5'-triphosphate binding activity by the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor simvastatin increased cerebral blood flow to ischemic regions of the brain, and mice treated with simvastatin, C3 transferase, or cytochalasin D showed smaller cerebral infarctions following MCA occlusion. No neuroprotection was observed with these agents in eNOS(-/-) mice. These findings suggest that therapies which target the endothelial actin cytoskeleton may have beneficial effects in ischemic stroke.

Regional cerebral blood flow using quantitative MR angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to derive regional cerebral blood flow using vessel flows from quantitative MR angiography (qMRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow rates in the 15 major cerebral arteries were measured on retrospectively gated fast 2D phase-contrast MR angiography obtained in 83 healthy adult volunteers (age range, 24-74 years; mean, 42 years). The arterial network of the brain was partitioned into 12 different regions, in which flows were calculated from the measured flows of the 15 cerebral arteries. RESULTS: The mean flows of the 15 arteries and the 12 regions were calculated. The mean total cranial flow and the mean total cerebral blood flow were 949 +/- 158 mL/min and 695 +/- 113 mL/min, respectively. The mean regional flows for the anterior and posterior circulation were 483 +/- 87 mL/min and 212 +/- 34 mL/min, respectively. The relative contributions of the flows in the 11 regions to their parent regions were obtained. The mean flows in the individual arteries and the regions with age were also calculated. The mean flows for the female group were significantly lower than those for the male group (P < .001) for the 2 common carotids and the cranial circulation and left/right extracranial circulation. However, the intracranial circulation was not different between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The 12 regions in the cerebral circulation were identified and formed into a partition tree, and the mean regional flow for each region was determined using vessel flows from qMRA.

Mevastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, reduces stroke damage and upregulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) lower serum cholesterol and decrease the incidence of stroke and cardiovascular disease. There is growing evidence that statins exert some of their beneficial effects independent of cholesterol lowering. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that chronic simvastatin administration upregulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), resulting in more functional protein, augmentation of cerebral blood flow, and neuroprotection in a murine model of cerebral ischemia. In this report we examined whether another member of the statin family shared these effects and whether eNOS upregulation is sustained with longer treatment. METHODS: Mevastatin (2 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg per day) was administered to 18- to 22-g male mice for 7, 14, or 28 days before 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion with the use of the filament model (n=9 to 12). Neurological deficits and cerebral infarct volumes were assessed at 24 hours. Arterial blood pressure and gases, relative cerebral blood flow, and blood cholesterol levels were monitored in a subset of animals (n=5). Absolute cerebral blood flow was measured by the [(14)C]iodoamphetamine indicator fractionation technique (n=6). eNOS mRNA and protein levels were determined. RESULTS: Mevastatin increased levels of eNOS mRNA and protein, reduced infarct size, and improved neurological deficits in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Greatest protection was seen with 14- and 28-day high-dose treatment (26% and 37% infarct reduction, respectively). Cholesterol levels were reduced only after 28 days of treatment and did not correlate with infarct reduction. Baseline absolute cerebral blood flow was 30% higher after 14-day high-dose treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic prophylactic treatment with mevastatin upregulated eNOS and augmented cerebral blood flow. These changes occurred in the absence of changes in serum cholesterol levels, were sustained for up to 1 month of treatment, and resulted in neuroprotection after middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Pyometra after endometrial resection and ablation.

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is increasingly accepted as a safe means of controlling excessive uterine bleeding. CASE: A 47-year-old woman underwent endometrial resection and ablation for menorrhagia and subsequently developed pyometra and bacteremia. Placement of an intrauterine drain and intravenous antibiotic therapy led to full recovery. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pyometra occurred after endometrial resection and ablation, a procedure reported to have few complications. To our knowledge, this has not been reported before.

Hypertensive encephalopathy as a complication of hyperdynamic therapy for vasospasm: report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: After developing subarachnoid hemorrhage, patients may deteriorate from a variety of well-known causes, including rebleeding, hydrocephalus, and vasospasm. Many patients now undergo empirical hyperdynamic vasospasm therapy with hypervolemia, induced hypertension, and nimodipine. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report two cases of iatrogenic hypertensive encephalopathy occurring during hyperdynamic therapy for cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hypertensive encephalopathy is a syndrome of rapidly evolving generalized or focal cerebral symptoms occurring in the setting of severe hypertension, which is reversible with antihypertensive therapy. INTERVENTION: The syndrome can be diagnosed in the appropriate clinical setting with computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging that demonstrates characteristic findings. In both cases, decreasing the blood pressure resulted in neurological improvement. CONCLUSION: In the setting of induced hypertensive/hypervolemic therapy for vasospasm, hypertensive encephalopathy should be considered as a potentially reversible cause of delayed neurological decline.

Risks of surgical management for cavernous malformations of the nervous system.

OBJECTIVE: As more information evolves regarding the natural history of cavernous malformations (CMs), the risks of operative intervention must be balanced against nonoperative management. In an attempt to better delineate the surgical risks for operable CMs, we undertook a retrospective analysis of 94 patients with 97 CMs surgically excised at the Massachusetts General Hospital. METHODS: Data regarding surgical complications and outcome measures, including neurological status and seizure outcome, were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of transient neurological morbidity was 20.6%, but only 4 of the 97 operations (4.1%) resulted in persistent disabling neurological complications and 2 (2.1 %) in nondisabling deficits. There was no operative mortality. Brain stem lesions (n=14) were associated with the highest incidence of neurological complications, both transient and persistent (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-15.7). The overall neurological outcome was excellent or good in 89.7% of all lesions: 96.8% of lobar CMs (n=63), 64.2% of brain stem CMs (n=14), 87.5% of cerebellar CMs (n=8), 100% of cranial nerve CMs (n=4), and 75% of spinal cord CMs (n=8). Patients with brain stem and spinal cord CMs were in poorer preoperative neurological condition than were patients with CMs in other locations and therefore had a significantly reduced level of function after surgery (P < 0.01). There was improvement in 35.7% of the patients with brain stem lesions and 62.5% of the patients with spinal cord lesions after surgery. In the 38 patients presenting with seizures, 97% were seizure-free after surgery. CONCLUSION: The risks of operative management of CMs varies based on location. When evaluating patients with operable CMs for surgery, the incidence of complications as well as final neurological outcome should be carefully weighed against the existing knowledge of the natural history of lesions managed expectantly.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for cavernous malformations: Kjellberg's experience with proton beam therapy in 98 cases at the Harvard Cyclotron.

OBJECTIVE: The lack of treatment options for surgically inaccessible cavernous malformations has made radiosurgery a possible alternative to conservative management. The few previous reports of radiosurgical efficacy have been limited by small numbers, short follow-up, or lack of attention to the full spectrum of end points, including neurological disability. In an attempt to elucidate the risk-to-benefit ratio of radiosurgery for cavernous malformations, we undertook a retrospective analysis of of 95 patients with 98 lesions treated by the late Raymond N. Kjellberg. METHODS: Patients were followed for an average of 5.4 years (range, 0.3-12.3 yr), and data regarding hemorrhage, seizure, neurological disability, and incidence of radiation-induced complications were gathered. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a drop in annual hemorrhage rates from 17.3% per lesion per year before treatment to 4.5% per lesion per year after a latency period of 2 years. Improvement in seizure control was evident. However, a 16% incidence of permanent neurological deficit and a 3% mortality rate were attributable to radiographically confirmed radiation-induced complications. Neurological disability scores, measured by the modified Rankin disability scale, indicated a significant decline in neurological functioning during the follow-up interval, a result of the combined effects of radiation-related injury, hemorrhage, and clinical progression of the lesion. CONCLUSION: We conclude that although radiosurgery does seem to reduce hemorrhage, there is potential for complications and continued lesion progression after radiosurgery. These risks and benefits must be carefully balanced against the natural history of untreated lesions if the use of radiosurgery is considered.

Temporal clustering of hemorrhages from untreated cavernous malformations of the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhages from cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs) sometimes seem to occur in closely spaced "clusters" interspersed with long hemorrhage-free intervals. Clustering of hemorrhages could affect retrospective assessments of radiosurgery efficacy in prevention of CM rehemorrhage. However, this empirical observation had not been tested quantitatively. To test whether CM hemorrhages tend to cluster, we reviewed pretreatment rebleeding rates after a first symptomatic hemorrhage in CM patients who later underwent surgery or radiosurgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 141 patients with CMs who presented with clinically overt hemorrhage, and who subsequently underwent surgery or proton beam radiosurgery during an 18-year period. Statistical models were used to analyze all events per person and identify potential variation in rebleeding risk with time after a previous hemorrhage. RESULTS: Sixty-three of 141 patients experienced a second hemorrhage before treatment; 16 had additional hemorrhages. Five hundred thirty-eight patient years elapsed between first hemorrhages and treatment. The cumulative incidence of a second hemorrhage after the first CM hemorrhage was 14% after 1 year and 56% after 5 years. During the first 2.5 years after a hemorrhage, the monthly rehemorrhage hazard was 2%. The risk then decreased spontaneously to less than 1% per month, which represents a 2.4-fold decline (P < 0.001). Rehemorrhage rates were higher in younger patients (P < 0.01), but not in females or in patients with deep lesions. Shorter intervals between successive hemorrhages did not predict higher subsequent rehemorrhage risk. CONCLUSION: The rehemorrhage rate from untreated CMs is high initially, and it decreases 2 to 3 years after a previous hemorrhage. This hazard pattern generates the observed temporal clustering of hemorrhages from untreated CMs.

Mesonephric rest hyperplasia. A potential diagnostic pitfall.

A case of mesonephric rest hyperplasia, an incidental finding in the hysterectomy specimen of a 48-year-old woman, was initially misdiagnosed as a well-differentiated cervical adenocarcinoma. We highlight the histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical features of this potential diagnostic pitfall and review the relevant literature.

Overall surgical results of occult vascular malformations.

Surgical experience with angiographically occult vascular malformations, specifically cavernous malformations (CMs), has increased substantially over recent years. CMs are generally well-circumscribed, low-pressure vascular lesions amenable to resection. Overall, results obtained with operative management have been favorable; however, the location of the lesion impacts significantly on the outcome and morbidity of surgery, with those located within deep and brain stem regions carrying a higher incidence of persistent neurologic complications. As knowledge emerges regarding the long-term natural history of these lesions, the role of operative intervention in cases where surgical morbidity is high will become better defined.

Incidence of actinomycosis associated with intrauterine devices.

The incidence of intrauterine device (IUD)-associated cervicovaginal actinomycosis was evaluated. Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears from 1,520 women with IUDs were reviewed for the presence of Actinomyces-like organisms. The overall colonization rate was 11.4%. The colonization rates for the Progestasert, plastic IUDs and copper IUDs were 14.3%, 10.8% and 6.69%, respectively. The colonization rate appeared to increase with the duration of IUD use. The relatively high cervicovaginal Actinomyces colonization rate suggests that all patients with IUDs should undergo annual cytologic smears, with specific attention given to the presence of Actinomyces-like organisms.

PIP: A retrospective study of data from the Temple University Hospital Family Planning clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the period 1975-85 was undertaken to evaluate IUD use and the associated rate of cervicovaginal colonization of actinomycosis. All 1745 patients had a cytological smear before IUD insertion, and none showed evidence of Actinomyces-like organisms. During the study period, 1520 patients were followed regularly, and evidence of Actinomyces-like organisms appeared in 173 patients, for a colonization rate of 11.4%. The number of positive smears per user for each type of IUD was as follows: 120/960 for Saf-T-Coil, 17/254 for Copper-7, 7/49 for Progestasert, 8/36 for Lippes Loop, 2/15 for Dalkon Shield, 0/5 for Birnberg Bow, and 19/201 unknown. The type of IUD significantly affected the interval between insertion and detection of colonization, with Progestasert having the shortest duration of use prior to onset. Colonization rates also increased with duration of use for all IUDs, especially after 24 months. In this study, the first evidence of Actinomyces-like organisms occurred after 7 months of use. IUD-associated Actinomyces must be detected and treated promptly to avoid the significant implications of this infection.

In vivo evaluation of quantitative MR angiography in a canine carotid artery stenosis model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Large-vessel cerebral blood flow quantification has emerged as a potential predictor of stroke risk. QMRA uses phase-contrast techniques to noninvasively measure vessel flows. To evaluate the in vivo accuracy of QMRA for measuring the effects of progressive arterial stenosis, we compared this technique with invasive flow measurements from a sonographic transit-time flow probe in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sonographic flow probe was implanted around the CCA of hound dogs (n = 4) under general anesthesia. Pulsatile blood flow and arterial pressure were continuously recorded during CCA flow measurements with QMRA. A vascular tourniquet was applied around the CCA to produce progressive stenosis and varying flow rates. Statistical comparisons were made by using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 60 paired CCA flow measurements were compared. Mean blood flows ranged between 21 and 691 mL/min during QMRA acquisition as measured by the flow probe. The correlation coefficients between flow probe and QMRA measurements for mean, maximum, and minimum volume flow rates were 0.99 (P < .0001), 0.98 (P < .0001), and 0.96 (P < .0001), respectively. The overall proportional difference between the 2 techniques was 7.8 ± 1%. Measurements at higher flow rates and in the absence of arterial stenosis had the lowest PD. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive CCA flow measurements by using QMRA are accurate compared with invasive flow-probe measurements in a canine arterial flow model with stenosis and may be useful for the evaluation of the hemodynamic effects of stenosis caused by cerebrovascular atherosclerosis.

Use of cervical spinal cord stimulation in treatment and prevention of arterial vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Technical details.

Based on past laboratory and anecdotal clinical experience, we hypothesized that prolonged cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the acute settings of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) would be both safe and feasible, and that 2-week stimulation will reduce incidence of cerebral arterial vasospasm. The goal of our clinical study was to establish feasibility and safety of cervical SCS in a small group of selected aSAH patients. Single-arm non-randomized prospective study of cSCS in aSAH patients involved percutaneous implantation of 8-contact electrode in 12 consecutive aSAH patients that satisfied strict inclusion criteria. The electrode insertion was performed immediately upon surgical or endovascular securing of the ruptured aneurysm while the patient was still under general anesthesia. Patients were stimulated for 14 consecutive days or until discharge. There were no complications related to the electrode insertion or to SCS during the study and no long-term side effects of SCS during 1-year follow-up. There was 1 unrelated death and two electrode pullouts. This article summarizes technical details of SCS electrode insertion and the stimulation parameters used in the research study. Our study of SCS for prevention of vasospasm after aSAH conclusively shows both safety and feasibility of this promising treatment approach. Despite high level of acuity in aSAH patients, impaired level of consciousness, frequent patient re-positioning, need in multiple tests and variety of monitors, SCS electrodes may be safely implanted and maintained for the two-week period. Long-term follow up shows no adverse effects of cervical SCS in this patient category.

Long-term follow-up of giant serpentine MCA aneurysm treated with EC-IC bypass and proximal occlusion.

Giant serpentine aneurysms are a rare but important subset of giant aneurysms, with unique management considerations. We present long-term follow-up clinical and imaging features of a giant serpentine middle cerebral artery lesion treated with extracranial-intracranial bypass and proximal occlusion more than a decade earlier. Calcification of the obliterated aneurysm sac and durability of this management strategy are demonstrated.

Endometrial cultures in acute pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of endometrial culture results with the clinical diagnosis of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). METHODS: A total of 130 patients admitted with the clinical diagnosis of acute PID were prospectively enrolled in this study. Endometrial cultures by transcervical aspirate currette were obtained from all patients. RESULTS: Of 130 patients, 114 were discharged with a clinical diagnosis of PID. Of these 114 patients, 112 had positive endometrial cultures for pathogenic organisms. The correlation between endometrial culture results and the clinical diagnosis of acute PID was 98.2%. When patients with only mycoplasmas in the endometrial cavity were excluded, the correlation between endometrial culture results and the clinical diagnosis of acute PID was 93.8%. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the exceedingly high degree of correlation between endometrial culture results and the clinical diagnosis of acute PID. Therefore, endometrial cultures may serve as a useful adjunct in the evaluation of patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute PID.

Management of intrauterine device-associated actinomycosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess various methods of management of actinomyces-like organisms associated with intrauterine devices. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 173 patients with intrauterine device-associated actinomyces- like organisms detected on Pap smear was performed. The patients were managed by IUD removal with or without antibiotic therapy, antibiotic therapy alone, or no treatment at all. RESULTS: The success rate as reflected in negative follow-up smear was 100% for IUD removal combined with antibiotics, 97.4% for IUD removal alone, and 36.8% for antibiotics therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: The best way to manage intrauterine device-associated actinomyces-like organisms is removal of the device with or without antibiotics.