Meta-analysis of clinical and safety profiles after reperfusion therapy in acute posterior circulation strokes: insights and implications.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation stroke (PCS) accounts for approximately 20% of all acute ischemic strokes. The optimal reperfusion therapy for PCS management remains uncertain. PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), and bridging therapy in PCS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 19 studies examining reperfusion therapy outcomes in PCS patients, including 9765 individuals. We pooled prevalence data and assessed associations between reperfusion therapies and clinical, safety, and recanalization outcomes using random-effects models. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of reperfusion therapies post-acute PCS was 39% for IVT, 54% for EVT, and 48% for bridging therapy. EVT was associated with significantly higher odds of favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-3) at 90 days compared to standard medical therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.07-15.59; P = 0.001). Conversely, bridging therapy was linked to reduced odds of favorable functional outcomes at 90 days compared to EVT (OR = 0.35; 95% CI=0.26-0.47; P < 0.001). Bridging therapy was also significantly associated with lower odds of good functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) (OR = 0.25; 95% CI=0.11-0.54; P < 0.001), reduced risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.26; 95% CI=0.07-0.68; P = 0.009), lower mortality (OR = 0.13; 95% CI=0.04-0.44; P = 0.001), and less successful recanalization (OR = 0.35; 95% CI=0.13-0.94; P = 0.038) relative to EVT. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis underscores the favorable outcomes associated with EVT in PCS cases. With notable reperfusion rates, understanding factors influencing PCS outcomes can inform patient selection and prognostic considerations.

General anesthesia vs. conscious sedation and local anesthesia for endovascular treatment in patients with posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The best anesthetic choice for patients with acute posterior circulation stroke during endovascular treatment (EVT) remains uncertain. METHOD: We searched five databases to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. Our primary outcome measure was functional independence (FI). Secondary outcomes were 3-month mortality, any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH (sICH), successful reperfusion, and procedure- and ventilator-associated complications. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were included in our meta-analysis. No significant differences were detected between the general anesthesia (GA) and conscious sedation and local anesthesia (CS/LA) groups in 3-month FI (nine studies; OR=0.69; 95% CI 0.45-1.06; P=0.083; I2=66%;), 3-month mortality (nine studies; OR=1.41; 95% CI 0.94-2.11; P=0.096; I2=61.2%;), any ICH (three studies; OR=0.75; 95% CI 0.44-1.25; P=0.269; I2=0%;), or sICH (six studies; OR=0.64; 95% CI 0.40-1.04; P=0.073; I2=0%;). No significant differences were observed for successful reperfusion (10 studies; OR=1.17; 95% CI 0.91-1.49; P=0.219; I2=0%;), procedure-related complications (four studies; OR=1.14; 95% CI 0.70-1.87; P=0.603; I2=7.9%;), or respiratory complications (four studies; OR=1.19; 95% CI 0.61-2.32; P=0.616; I2=64.9%;) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no differences in 3-month FI, 3-month mortality, and successful reperfusion between patients treated with GA and those treated with CS/LA. Additionally, no increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation or pulmonary infection was observed in the CS/LA group. These results indicate that CS/LA may be an EVT option for acute posterior circulation stroke patients.

Pearls for the Emergency Clinician: Posterior Circulation Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation (PC) stroke in adults is a rare, frequently misdiagnosed, serious condition that carries a high rate of morbidity. OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: This review evaluates the presentation, diagnosis, and management of PC stroke in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: PC stroke presents most commonly with dizziness or vertigo and must be distinguished from more benign diagnoses. Emergency clinicians should consider this condition in patients with dizziness, even in younger patients and those who do not have traditional stroke risk factors. Neurologic examination for focal neurologic deficit, dysmetria, dysarthria, ataxia, and truncal ataxia is essential, as is the differentiation of acute vestibular syndrome vs. spontaneous episodic vestibular syndrome vs. triggered episodic vestibular syndrome. The HINTS (head impulse, nystagmus, and test of skew) examination can be useful for identifying dizziness presentations concerning for stroke when performed by those with appropriate training. However, it should only be used in patients with continuous dizziness who have ongoing nystagmus. Contrast tomography (CT), CT angiography, and CT perfusion have limited sensitivity for identifying PC strokes, and although magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard, it may miss some PC strokes early in their course. Thrombolysis is recommended in patients presenting within the appropriate time window for thrombolytic therapy, and although some data suggest endovascular therapy for basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery infarcts is beneficial, its applicability for all PC strokes remains to be determined. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of PC stroke can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this disease.

Ocular Lateral Deviation as a Vestibular Sign to Improve Detection of Posterior Circulation Strokes: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation stroke can present with dizziness/vertigo without other general neurological symptoms or signs, making it difficult to detect, and missed stroke can deteriorate. Therefore, a sign that can be easily identified during an examination would be helpful to improve the detection of this type of stroke. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to highlight an ocular sign that is seen in posterior circulation strokes called ocular lateral deviation (OLD). OLD is mostly seen in dorsolateral medullary strokes, and it is also seen in pontine and cerebellar strokes. OLD is detected by asking a patient to look straight ahead and then briefly close their eyes. Upon re-opening their eyes, the examiner will see that the eyes have deviated to one side; the patient's eyes will then make corrective saccade(s) to return to looking straight ahead. Complete eye deviation is a central sign of posterior circulation stroke. DISCUSSION: OLD is an under-recognized vestibular ocular sign of central vestibulopathies including posterior circulation stroke. The most common location is in the dorsolateral medulla, where one-third of such strokes have complete OLD. Eye deviation can also be appreciated on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. OLD can be detected up to 6 months after a posterior circulation stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Checking for the sign of complete eye deviation in patients with dizziness/vertigo could be a simple, quick method for detecting posterior circulation stroke, and a means to improving the patients' outcome.

Vertebro-basilar stroke due to Bow-Hunter syndrome: an unusual presentation of rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation in a fourteen year old.

Bow Hunter's syndrome is a rare disorder usually producing transient ischemic symptoms as a result of dynamic compression of the vertebral artery during head turning. We report a case of a 14 year old male presenting with stroke due to occlusion of vertebral artery due to rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation. The patient presented with sudden onset vertigo and ataxia. History revealed led mild torticollis since childhood which was never investigated. MRI and MRA showed infarcts in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres and the occipital lobes with a hypoplastic left vertebral artery and kinking of the right vertebral artery at the cranio-vertebral junction due to rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation. The patient was successfully treated by C1 lateral mass and C2 sub-facetal screw with rod fixation. Bow-Hunter's syndrome producing transient ischemia is well reported but stroke in the vertebro-basilar territory in a 14 year old due to rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation is uncommon, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the eighth such reported case.

Early surrogates of outcome after thrombectomy in posterior circulation stroke.

BACKGROUND: Early surrogates for functional outcome in anterior circulation stroke have been described with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 24 h being reported as the most accurate metric. We compare discriminatory power of established definitions of early neurological improvement (ENI) and NIHSS scores at admission and 24 h to predict functional outcome at 90 days after thrombectomy in posterior circulation stroke (PCS). METHODS: All patients enrolled in the German Stroke Registry (June 2015-December 2019) with PCS and at least vertebral or basilar artery occlusions were included. NIHSS admission, 24 h and ENI definitions (improvement of 8/10 NIHSS points or 0/1 NIHSS points at 24 h) were compared for predicting functional outcome at 90 days. Favourable and good outcome were defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 and 0-3. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors impairing predictive power. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-seven patients were included. NIHSS 24 h had the highest discriminative power with receiver operator characteristics area under the curve of 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.83; 0.90) for good and 0.89 (0.85; 0.92) for favourable outcome; optimal cut-off values were ≤9 and ≤5. Higher age (odds ratio = 1.10 [1.05; 1.16]), adverse events during treatment (9.46 [1.52; 72.5]) and until discharge (18.34 [2.33; 172]) and high NIHSS scores at 24 h (1.29 [1.10; 1.53]) were independent predictors for turning the outcome prognosis from good (mRS ≤3) to poor (mRS ≥4). CONCLUSIONS: NIHSS 24 h ≤9 points serves best as surrogate for good functional outcome after thrombectomy in PCS. Advanced age, severe neurological symptoms at admission and adverse events decrease its predictive value.

The Effect of Cerebellar Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Dysphagia due to Posterior Circulation Stroke, a Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebellum might be active during the task of swallowing. Little is known whether cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could improve post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) due to occlusion in the posterior circulation. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the effect of cerebellar rTMS on dysphagia due to posterior circulation stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Thirty patients with PSD due to occlusion in the posterior circulation will be randomly divided to receive real (n = 20) or sham (n = 10) cerebellar rTMS. Patients in the real rTMS group will receive 250 pulses rTMS at a low intensity with 10 Hz frequency for 10 days (five consecutive days per week). The severity of dysphagia will be assessed with videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) using the Rosenbek penetration aspiration scale (PAS), the pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR), and the dysphagia outcome and severity scale (DOSS) before and immediately after the last session and then again after 1 and 3 months. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be assessed before and after the last session and then again after 1 month and 3 months. The primary outcome is the improvement of swallowing function determined by PAS, PCR, and DOSS. The secondary outcomes include changes in brain connectivity network detected using fMRI. DISCUSSION: This study will determine whether cerebellar rTMS improves dysphagia due to posterior circulation stroke in Chinese patients. Our findings will contribute to a new approach for swallowing function recovery after posterior circulation stroke.

Practical approach to vertigo: a synthesis of the emerging evidence.

Vestibular presentations are common in both the acute and recurrent setting, burdening emergency departments and community clinics alike. Commonly, an unease among the emergency or general physician is felt, and historically focus has been on gaining knowledge of each potential disease rather than honing the diagnostic process. Consequently, this paper focuses on the approach itself, helping to categorise this common complaint into one of four main syndromes: the Acute Vestibular Syndrome, Recurrent Positional Vertigo, Recurrent Spontaneous Vertigo, and Imbalance. Its simplicity is aimed to minimise uncertainty and highlight clear scenarios when to refer. Together with descriptions of the clinically relevant pathophysiology, the reader should approach the vertiginous patient with a new clarity.

Endovascular Treatment of Basilar Artery Occlusion: What Can We Learn from the Results?

Background and Objectives: Current guidelines lack specific endovascular treatment (EVT) recommendations for posterior circulation stroke (PCS). The results of earlier studies are controversial. We aimed to compare early hospital outcomes of stroke caused by large-vessel occlusion (LVO) treated with EVT or bridging therapy (BT) in anterior circulation stroke (ACS) versus PCS (middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and basilar artery occlusion (BAO), and establish the risk factors for poor outcome. Materials and Methods: we analyzed the data of 279 subjects treated with EVT due to LVO-caused stroke in a comprehensive stroke centre in 2015−2021. The primary outcome was hospital mortality, secondary outcomes were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after 24 h, early neurological deterioration, futile recanalization (FR), the ambulatory outcome at discharge, and complications. Results: BAO presented with higher baseline NIHSS scores (19 vs. 14, p < 0.001), and longer door-to-puncture time (93 vs. 82 min, p = 0.034), compared to MCAO. Hospital mortality and the percentage of FR were the same in BAO and almost two times higher than in MCAO (20.0% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.048), other outcomes did not differ. In BAO, unsuccessful recanalization was the only significant predictor of the lethal outcome, though there were trends for PAD and RF predicting lethal outcome. A trend for higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was observed in the BAO group when BT was applied. Nevertheless, neither BT nor sICH predicted lethal outcomes in the BAO group. Conclusions: Compared to the modern gold standard of EVT in the ACS, early outcomes in BAO remain poor, there is a substantial amount of FR. Nevertheless, unsuccessful recanalization remains the strongest predictor of lethal outcomes. BT in PCS might pose a higher risk for sICH, but not the lethal outcome, although this finding requires further investigation in larger trials.

CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES OF MEDIAL MEDULLARY INFARCTION: RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL-BASED COHORT STUDY ILLUSTRATED WITH A CASE REPORT IN A WHITE EUROPEAN ADULT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: This study aims in a prospective hospital-based cohort study to determine clinical and imaging features of medial medullary infarction and report a relevant clinical case in a white European adult. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We have prospectively enrolled one hundred twenty adult patients with acute posterior circulation stroke. All patients were admitted and enrolled in the study within 6 to 24 hours from the onset of the stroke symptoms. Study subjects were recruited from the hospital's wards and emergency departments from 2011 to 2020. Comprehensive clinical, MRI, ultrasound, and laboratory examinations were performed on all patients. RESULTS: Results: 68 men and 52 women aged 28 to 89 years (average age 60.7 ± 12.1 years) with an acute ischemic posterior circulation stroke were enrolled in the study. Out of these 120 patients, 22 (18.3%) had acute medulla oblongata infarctions. Clinical and imaging features of medial medullary infarction are analyzed and illustrated with a clinical case presentation in a white European adult. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Specific features of medial medullary infarction were determined, analyzed, described, and illustrated with a clinical case.

MULTIPLE ACUTE POSTERIOR CIRCULATION STROKE WITH LESIONS IN THE PONS AND BOTH HEMISPHERES OF THE CEREBELLUM ASSOCIATED WITH OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT OF A WHITE EUROPEAN ADULT IN UKRAINE.

We have presented a brief literature overview of the disease, supported by a clinical case of multiple acute posterior circulation strokes with lesions in the pons and both hemispheres of the cerebellum associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a white young European adult in Ukraine. Specific features of posterior circulation stroke associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were determined, analyzed, and described. Complex posterior circulation cerebral infarction in the pons and both hemispheres of the cerebellum associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome has not been reported before but has devastating consequences for both mother and fetus. Strokes in patients with OHSS must be timely prevented, promptly diagnosed, and treated to avoid high morbidity and mortality associated with it.

LATERAL MEDULLARY INFARCTION: A PROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL-BASED COHORT STUDY OF CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES AND A CASE REPORT IN A WHITE ADULT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The purpose of this study is to determine clinical and imaging features of lateral medullary infarction in a prospective hospital-based cohort study, illustrated with a clinical case presentation in a white adult. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We prospectively recruited 120 acute posterior circulation stroke patients, admitted to the Neurological Center of the University Hospital (Oleksandrivska Clinical Hospital) in Kyiv, Ukraine, within 6 to 24 hours from the onset of the stroke symptoms. Comprehensive neurological, clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, and imaging examination was performed on all patients. RESULTS: Results: Out of 120 adult patients (68 men, 52 women aged 28 to 89 years; average age 60.7 ± 12.1 years) with an acute ischemic MRI/CT-proven posterior circulation stroke, 22 (18.3%) patients have acute medulla oblongata infarctions.We provided a complex clinical, neurological, laboratory, and instrumental analysis of lateral medullary infarction illustrated with a clinical case presentation. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Specific clinical and imaging features of lateral medullary infarction were determined, analyzed, compared, and described.

Endovascular treatment for basilar artery occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Independent randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have provided robust evidence for endovascular treatment (EVT) as the standard of care treatment for acute large vessel occlusions in the anterior circulation. We examined available studies specific to posterior cerebral circulation ischemic strokes to see if any conclusions can be drawn regarding EVT options. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search to identify studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of EVT versus standard medical treatment for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). We extracted data for outcomes of interest and presented associations between the two groups with the use of risk ratios (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used a random-effects model to pool the effect estimates. RESULTS: We identified five studies (two RCTs, three observational cohorts) including a total of 1098 patients. Patients receiving EVT had a higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) compared to those receiving non-interventional medical management (RR 5.42, 95% CI 2.74-10.71). Nonsignificant trends towards modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-2 (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.74-1.41), mRS scores 0-3 (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.64-1.47), overall functional improvement (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.57-1.51), and all-cause mortality (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.78-1.35) at 3 months were seen. CONCLUSION: Although EVT increases the probability of sICH, the available data do not exclude the possibility of improved functional outcomes over standard therapy. As larger studies are challenged by the perceived lack of equipoise in this vulnerable patient population, results of ongoing RCTs are expected to provide substantial input for future meta-analyses.

Multimodal CT pc-ASPECTS in infratentorial stroke: diagnostic and prognostic value.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke may be challenged. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and brain imaging (non-contrast brain computed tomography-CT) are used for diagnosis; evaluation on posterior circulation stroke remains a limit of NIHSS, and the value of non-contrast CT (NCCT) is limited due to artifacts caused by the bones of the base of the skull. We tested the validity and prognostic value of posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) in patients with posterior circulation stroke. METHODS: Pc-ASPECTS allots the posterior circulation 10 points. We studied 50 patients with posterior circulation stroke. We applied pc-ASPECTS to NCCT, CT angiography, and CT Perfusion. We evaluated the correlation of pc-ASPECT with outcome parameters for stroke. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients, CTP showed abnormalities in 34 cases. The pc-ASPECT score calculated on brain CT and on the brain CT + angio CT had a sensibility of 24%, calculated on brain CT, angio CT and CTPerfusion gain a sensibility of 72%. Pc-ASPECT MTT resulted to be the more reliable parameter: outcome given by NIHSS score at discharge, mRS at discharge, and at 3 months was more severe in patients with Pc-ASPECT MTT alteration. Outcome given by NIHSS score at discharge and mRS at discharge and 1 at 3 months was more severe in patients with higher NIHSS score at admission. CONCLUSION: We evaluated the usefulness of pc-ASPECTS on CTP in predicting functional outcome in acute posterior circulation stroke that appears to be a powerful marker for predicting functional outcome.

Dynamic compression in vertebral artery dissection in children: apropos of a new protocol.

PURPOSE: Our goals are (1) to report a consecutive prospective series of children who had posterior circulation stroke caused by vertebral artery dissection at the V3 segment; (2) to describe a configuration of the vertebral artery that may predispose to rotational compression; and (3) to recommend a new protocol for evaluation and treatment of vertebral artery dissection at V3. METHODS: All children diagnosed with vertebral artery dissection at the V3 segment from September 2014 to July 2020 at our institution were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and radiological data were collected. RESULTS: Sixteen children were found to have dissection at a specific segment of the vertebral artery. Fourteen patients were male. Eleven were found to have compression on rotation during a provocative angiogram. All eleven underwent C1C2 posterior fusion as part of their treatment. Their mean age was 6.44 years (range 18 months-15 years). Mean blood loss was 57.7 mL. One minor complication occurred: a superficial wound infection treated with oral antibiotics only. There were no vascular or neurologic injuries. There have been no recurrent ischemic events after diagnosis and/or treatment. Mean follow-up was 33.3 months (range 2-59 months). We designed a new protocol to manage V3 dissections in children. CONCLUSION: Posterior C1C2 fusion is a safe and effective option for treatment of dynamic compression in vertebral artery dissection in children. Institution of and compliance with a strict diagnostic and treatment protocol for V3 segment dissections seem to prevent recurrent stroke.

The Bucket Test Improves Detection of Stroke in Patients With Acute Dizziness.

BACKGROUND: It is challenging to detect posterior circulation strokes in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute dizziness. The current approach uses a combinatorial head-impulse, nystagmus, and test-of-skew method and is sensitive enough to differentiate central causes from peripheral ones. However, it is difficult to perform and underused. Further, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is not always available and can have low sensitivity for detecting posterior circulation strokes. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the feasibility and utility of the bucket test (BT), which measures the difference between patient's subjective perception of the visual vertical and the true vertical, as a screening tool for stroke in patients presenting to the ED with acute dizziness. METHODS: In this work, we prospectively enrolled 81 patients that presented to our academic medical center ED with dizziness as their chief complaint. The BT was performed 3 times for every patient. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients met the study criteria and were included in the analysis. Ten patients were excluded because of a history of drug-seeking behavior. There were no reported difficulties performing the BT. Six patients (8%) were diagnosed with ischemic stroke on MRI and 1 additional patient was diagnosed with transient ischemic attack and found to have a stroke on subsequent MRI. All 7 patients with dizziness attributed to cerebrovascular etiology had an abnormal BT, resulting in a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 59-100%). The specificity of the BT was 38% (95% CI 24-52%). The positive predictive value of the BT for detecting stroke was 18% (95% CI 15-21%). CONCLUSIONS: The BT is an easy, cheap, safe, and quick test that is feasible and sensitive to screen acutely dizzy patients for stroke in the ED.

CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES OF LACUNAR AND NON-LACUNAR SUBTYPES OF ISCHEMIC POSTERIOR CIRCULATION STROKE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The purpose of this study is to determine clinical and imaging features of etiological subtypes of posterior circulation stroke in a prospective hospital-based cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We prospectively recruited 120 acute posterior circulation stroke patients, admitted to the Neurological Center of the University Hospital (Oleksandrivska Clinical Hospital) in Kyiv, Ukraine, within 6 to 24 hours from the onset of the stroke symptoms. Comprehensive neurological, clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, and imaging examination was performed on all patients. RESULTS: Results: MRI/CT-proven etiological subtypes of ischemic posterior circulation stroke were defined - atherothrombotic (n = 59), cardioembolic (n = 24), lacunar (n = 27), and definitively indeterminate (n = 7). Two main study groups were formed - lacunar (n = 27) and non-lacunar (n = 90) subtypes of posterior circulation stroke. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Specific clinical and imaging features of etiological subtypes of posterior circulation stroke were determined, analyzed, compared, and described.

Serum miRNA125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-433-5p as biomarkers to differentiate between posterior circulation stroke and peripheral vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Acute vertigo is a common presentation of inner ear disease. However, it can also be caused by more serious conditions, especially posterior circulation stroke. Differentiating between these two conditions by clinical presentations and imaging studies during the acute phase can be challenging. This study aimed to identify serum microRNA (miRNA) candidates that could differentiate between posterior circulation stroke and peripheral vertigo, among patients presenting with acute vertigo. METHODS: Serum levels of six miRNAs including miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-376a-3p, and miR-433-5p were evaluated. Using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the serum miRNAs were assessed in the acute phase and at a 90 day follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients with posterior circulation stroke (n = 23) and peripheral vertigo (n = 35) were included in the study. Serum miR-125a-5p (P = 0.001), miR-125b-5p (P <  0.001), miR-143-3p (P = 0.014) and miR-433-5p (P = 0.0056) were present at significantly higher levels in the acute phase, in the patients with posterior circulation infarction. Based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) only miR-125a-5p (0.75), miR-125b-5p(0.77), and miR-433-5p (0.71) had an acceptable discriminative ability to differentiate between the central and peripheral vertigo. A combination of miRNAs revealed no significant improvement of AUROC when compared to single miRNAs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential of serum miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-433-5p as biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of posterior circulation infarction among patients presenting with acute vertigo.

The Trouble with Swallowing: Dysphagia as the Presenting Symptom in Lateral Medullary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation strokes account for approximately one-fourth of all ischemic strokes, but are frequently misdiagnosed by emergency providers. Current standard stroke screening tools such as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale are weighted toward anterior circulation stroke diagnosis. Lateral medullary syndrome, a type of posterior circulation stroke, can be particularly challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific presenting symptoms, such as dysphagia. CASE REPORT: This report describes a 65-year-old man who presented with dysphagia, dizziness, and hoarseness. An initial neurological examination did not reveal any gross deficits, and imaging to evaluate for posterior circulation stroke was not obtained. The patient presented the following day with worsening symptoms, prompting imaging that revealed a large cerebellar ischemic infarction. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although dysphagia frequently occurs in lateral medullary syndrome, it is rarely the presenting symptom in the emergency department. In patients with cerebrovascular risk factors who present with dysphagia, a complete neurological examination should be performed and noncontrast computed tomography (CT) of the head should be obtained if a neurological deficit is appreciated. Due to their poor sensitivity, CT scans can frequently miss posterior circulation strokes, therefore magnetic resonance imaging should be considered if provider suspicion remains high. Emergency providers are encouraged to have a high level of suspicion for this rare but debilitating stroke syndrome to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed care.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients With Acute Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT) for posterior circulation stroke (PCS) in the real world are rarely studied. This study was designed to evaluate the prestroke and baseline characteristics, stroke sub-types, complications, and outcomes of PCS patients and compare them with anterior circulation stroke (ACS) after intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients with PCS and ACS treated with alteplase in a standard dose of 0.9 mg/kg in our stroke center were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Presenting characteristics, hemorrhage transformation, mortality, and favorable outcomes (modified Rankin scale 0 or 1) at 90 days were compared between PCS and ACS patients. RESULTS: A total of 462 patients were included in this study, including 350 (75.8%) in ACS group and 112 (24.2%) in PCS group. A history of coronary artery disease was significantly more common in ACS patients than that in PCS patients (15.1% versus 6.3%, P = .015). There was no significant difference in fast glucose and baseline NIHSS scores between PCS and ACS groups. In PCS group, 7 patients (6.3%) had hemorrhage transformation after IVT and 5 patients (4.5%) were symptomatic versus 32 (9.1%) and 22 (6.3%) in ACS group (P > .05). 75.5% PCS patients versus 72.2% ACS patients had excellent recovery outcomes (mRS 0-1) at 90 days (P = .507). For PCS patients, logistic regression analysis after adjusting the covariates identified age (P = .047, OR .920, 95% CI = .847-.999) and atrial fibrillation (P = .007, OR 12.149, 95% CI = 1.966-75.093) as independent significant predictors of hemorrhage transformation. In addition, atrial fibrillation was also an independent predictor of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (P = .008, OR 21.176, 95% CI = 2.228-201.273). Multivariate logistic analysis identified hemorrhage transformation (P = .012; OR .131, 95% CI = .027-.644) and onset to drug time (P = .026, OR 1.006, 95% CI = 1.001-1.011) as independent predictors of functional independence (mRS 0-2). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (P = .007, OR 15.094, 95% CI = 2.097-108.661) and baseline NIHSS score (P = .050; OR 1.070, 95% CI = 1.000-1.145) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that IVT in PCS patients is safe and effective as that in ACS patients. In PCS patients, long onset to needle time and hemorrhage transformation were identified as independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes.