Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Distinguish Primary Central Nervous System Vasculitis from Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) from glioblastoma to facilitate the development of an appropriate treatment for PCNSV. METHODS: We enrolled patients who were treated for PCNSV or glioblastoma at our center between January 2007 and August 2018. We compared the diagnoses of the 2 conditions by retrospectively reviewing patients' data for contrast-enhanced MRI, perfusion MRI, flow-sensitive black-blood (FSBB) imaging, and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). RESULTS: We evaluated 108 patients (6 PCNSV; 102 glioblastoma). We found a statistically significant correlation between diagnosis and the contrast pattern on MRI. Perivascular enhancement was observed in all cases of PCNSV as follows: ring-like, homogeneous, and irregular patterns were observed in 53 (60%), 18 (20%), and 17 (19%) cases of glioblastoma, respectively. We identified a statistically significant correlation between diagnosis and cerebral blood volume (CBV) in 3 patients with PCNSV who underwent perfusion MRI; and all had low CBVs. Among the 55 patients with glioblastoma who underwent perfusion MRI, low and high CBVs were detected in 3 and 52 patients, respectively. There was no significant correlation between diagnosis and FSBB findings. Evaluation of 1H-MRS data showed statistically significant differences between PCNSV and glioblastoma as functions of neuronal amino acid levels on long echo time MRS, with a slightly different amino acid profile, including glutamine + glutamate on short echo time MRS. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced MRI, perfusion MRI, and quantitative analysis of 1H-MRS are valuable techniques for distinguishing PCNSV from glioblastoma before surgery.

Factors Associated with Prolonged Impairment of Consciousness in Adult Patients Admitted for Seizures: A Comprehensive Single-center Study.

Seizures are common neurological emergencies that occasionally cause prolonged impairment of consciousness. The aim of this retrospective single-center study is to clarify factors associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness for admitted adult patients investigating patient backgrounds, blood tests, electroencephalographic patterns, and MRI findings. The patients who were admitted to the hospital due to epileptic seizures were classified into two groups: (1) early recovery group, in which patients recovered their consciousness within 6 hr, and (2) delayed recovery group, in which patients showed impairment of consciousness more than 6 hr. Factors associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness were compared between these groups. In this study, 42 cases (33 patients), with a mean age of 67.8 years, were included. Fifteen cases (13 patients) and 27 cases (20 patients) were classified into the early and delayed recovery groups, respectively. The populations of older patients and patients from a nursing home were significantly higher in the delayed recovery group. With regard to radiological analyses, a high grade of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), high Evans index score, and enlarged bilateral atrial widths were significantly associated with prolonged impairment of consciousness. Multivariable analyses showed that a high grade of PVH was significantly associated with delayed recovery of consciousness independent of age and status epilepticus. In conclusion, we proposed that diffuse white matter degeneration around the lateral ventricles contributes to prolonged impairment of consciousness.

Reduction of thromboembolic complications during the endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms by employing a tailored dual antiplatelet regimen using aspirin and prasugrel.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic complications (TECs) are frequent during the endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms. To prevent TECs, dual antiplatelet therapy using aspirin and clopidogrel is recommended for the perioperative period. In patients with a poor response, clopidogrel is a risk factor for TECs. To prevent TECs, our study assessed the stratified use of prasugrel. METHODS: Patients who underwent endovascular therapy for unruptured cerebral aneurysms from April 2017 to August 2019 were enrolled in this clinical study and given premedication with aspirin and clopidogrel for 2 weeks prior to the procedure. P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) were measured using the VerifyNow assay on the day before the procedure (tailored group). In subgroups with PRU <240, the clopidogrel dose was maintained (CPG subgroup). In subgroups with PRU ≥240, clopidogrel was changed to prasugrel (PSG subgroup). We compared the occurrence of TECs with retrospective consecutive cases from January 2015 to March 2017 without PRU assessments (non-tailored group). The frequency of TECs within 30 days was assessed as the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The tailored and non-tailored groups comprised 167 and 50 patients, respectively. TECs occurred in 11 (6.6%) and 8 (16%) patients in the tailored and non-tailored groups (P=0.048), respectively. The HR for TECs was significantly reduced in the tailored group (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.81); P=0.017) compared with the non-tailored group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that tailored dual antiplatelet therapy medication with PRU significantly reduces the frequency of TECs without increasing hemorrhagic complications.

Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System Caused by Glioneuronal Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Superficial siderosis is a rare disease resulting from the deposited hemosiderin owing to repeated subarachnoid hemorrhage. It has been reported that hemosiderin deposits on the brain surface and brain parenchyma causes nerve disorder, resulting in progressive and irreversible hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal disorder. The brain tumor is one of the cause of superficial siderosis. A 16-year-old female present a nearby hospital with complaints of absence seizure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogeneously enhanced mass at the right temporal lobe. Susceptibility-weighted imaging revealed diffuse and extensive superficial siderosis on the brain surface. The tumor was gross totally removed and diagnosed as glioneuronal tumor. The patient had been well, although susceptibility-weighted imaging performed one year after the surgery showed superficial siderosis remained. Early diagnosis and prevention of bleeding sources are recommended to prevent symptom progression associated with superficial siderosis. Susceptibility-weighted imaging is considered useful for early detection of superficial siderosis.

Efficacy of cabergoline and triptans for cluster-like headache caused by prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma: A literature review and case report.

OBJECTIVE: Cluster-like headache (CLH) associated with pituitary adenoma (PA) is rare. Although numerous cases have been reported, no summary of the literature has been published. Furthermore, the mechanism and efficacy of medication in CLH associated with PA remains unknown. METHODS: We reviewed 14 cases of CLHs associated with PA published in the English and Japanese literature. We have also included and presented our experience with such a case. RESULTS: The median age of patients with CLHs associated with PA was 46 years (range, 17-58 years). The ratio of men to women was 14:1. Headache duration ranged from 15-480 min, with left fronto-orbital pain being common. The most common autonomic nervous symptoms were eye-related in 13 patients (86.6 %), followed by nasal symptoms in 12 (80.0 %). Thirteen patients (86.6 %) had functional adenomas; the remaining two were nonfunctional. Twelve of the functional adenomas were lactotroph adenomas (80.0 %), and one was a somatotroph adenoma (6.6 %). CLHs significantly improved after cabergoline administration in 7/9 patients with a lactotroph adenoma (77.7 % response rate). In 5/11 patients with either a functional or nonfunctional PA who received a triptan, CLHs improved (45.4 % response rate). CONCLUSION: Based on the efficacies of cabergoline and triptans, two different mechanisms may coexist in the pathogenesis of CLHs associated with PA: endocrinological and physical effects of the tumor itself. Cabergoline is the first-line treatment for headaches caused by lactotroph adenomas. Triptans can be effective as an acute drug for headaches associated with nonfunctional PAs and persistent headaches that remain after cabergoline administration.

Surgical Strategy for and Anatomic Locations of Petroapex and Petroclival Meningiomas Based on Evaluation of the Feeding Artery.

BACKGROUND: The anterior transpetrosal (ATP) approach is the most appropriate approach for petroclival meningiomas (PCMs), which are typically located from the dorsum sellae to the upper border of the internal auditory meatus (IAM). Although neurosurgeons can resect over this area if the tumor is detached from the dura, tumors within the indication area for PCMs are not appropriate for the ATP approach, because it can be difficult to evaluate whether the tumor is attached to or only touching the dura. In this study, we investigated the tumor extension area based on an evaluation of the feeding artery to achieve a more accurate assessment of the dural attachment area. METHODS: Using various angiography techniques, we studied 51 feeding arteries from 24 patients who had undergone surgical treatment of primary petroapex meningiomas and PCMs via the ATP approach. We measured the lower and posterior extension distances, the extension rate of the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave, and the midline extension rate of the tumors. RESULTS: The ascending pharyngeal artery (AphA) was the predominant feeding artery for tumors with lower extension. We determined that tumors extending over the lower border of IAM in cases in which the feeding artery was not the AphA can be resected using the ATP approach. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an association between the predominant feeding artery and tumor extension area and demonstrates that an evaluation of the dural attachment area based on the feeding artery can aid selection of the appropriate surgical approach.

The outcomes of early aneurysm repair in World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade V subarachnoid haemorrhage patients with emphasis on those presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3.

Grade V subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients may be dichotomised into those with temporary deterioration and those with irreversible injury, and only the former have a chance of favourable outcomes by aneurysm obliteration. One method of differentiating the two conditions is to wait and observe potential recovery for 12-48hours. However, early rebleeding and non-convulsive seizures may occur during this period. In our institution, grade V SAH patients receive immediate treatment (general anaesthesia induction and aneurysm obliteration within 24hours of onset) to minimise those risks. We focused on therapeutic outcomes in SAH patients presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 (GCS-3). Between January 2006 and December 2013, 82 GCS-3 SAH patients were admitted, among whom 51 (62%) underwent immediate aneurysm obliteration. Their outcomes 90days after onset were evaluated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale, with either good recovery or moderate disability regarded as favourable outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables correlated with favourable outcomes. Among the 51 patients, 11 (22%) had favourable 90-day outcomes. Age (odds ratio [OR], 0.838; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733-0.959; p=0.010) and intact pupillary light reflex (OR, 21.939; 95% CI, 1.465-328.576; p=0.025) were correlated with favourable outcomes. By contrast, neither intact respiratory pattern nor isocoric pupils was correlated with favourable outcomes. The current results indicate that vigorous intervention may be worth attempting in young GCS-3 SAH patients with intact pupillary light reflex. It remains unclear, however, whether the seemingly high frequency of favourable outcomes was truly due to reduction in early rebleeding or seizures.

Therapeutic outcomes for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: There are no guidelines regarding the optimal treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Although coiling has been favored as the first-line treatment, clipping may also be indicated in patients with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms or in those with massive intracerebral hemorrhage. The study objective is (1) to report the feasibility/safety of clipping/coiling and (2) to identify possible prognosticators in that population. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2014, 371 consecutive patients with aneurysmal SAH underwent transthoracic echocardiography after admission, and 30 with TCM (7.7 %) were identified. We reviewed the incidence and type of perioperative complications among clipped (n = 11) and coiled (n = 19) patients. The 30 patients were dichotomized based on their 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores into favorable (mRS: 0-2) and unfavorable (mRS: 3-6) groups, and their demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic variables were compared. RESULTS: Neither clipped nor coiled patients developed serious perioperative cardiopulmonary complications, but coiled patients had a higher incidence of fatal procedure-related complications. Among the 30 patients, 13 (43 %) had favorable 90-day outcomes, and the favorable group was significantly younger. Age, but not the degree of cardiac dysfunction, correlated with outcomes by multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Clipping was shown to be a safe treatment modality in our cohort, and treatment selection may better be made on a case-by-case basis in most patients with SAH-induced TCM. The lack of correlation between the degree of cardiac dysfunction and outcomes indicates that aggressive intervention is justified in patients with severely impaired cardiac function.

Primary Intraventricular Brain Abscess Resulting in Isolated Dilation of the Inferior Horn and Unilateral Hydrocephalus.

Primary intraventricular brain abscesses are rare, and there are no established treatment guidelines for this condition. We report a case in which isolated ventricular dilatation and unilateral hydrocephalus developed after seemingly successful conservative management and which required surgical diversion of the cerebrospinal fluid. A 59-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with high-grade fever and headache. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abscesses in the bilateral posterior horn. Although surgical evacuation of the abscesses was considered, conservative management with antibiotics was selected because of the paucity of severe neurological deficits and the concern that an attempt to evacuate the intraventricular abscess might lead to inadvertent rupture of the abscess capsule and acute ventriculitis. Despite reduction in the abscess volume, the patient developed an altered mental status 4 weeks after admission. Follow-up MRI revealed isolated dilation of the left inferior horn, compressing the brainstem. Emergency fenestration of the dilated inferior horn was performed, and endoscopic observation revealed an encapsulated abscess with adhesion to the ventricular wall which was thought responsible for the ventricular dilation and unilateral hydrocephalus. Two weeks after the initial surgery, the unilateral hydrocephalus was treated by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Eradication of the intraventricular brain abscesses without surgical evacuation may justify the conservative management of this patient. However, the possibility that earlier surgical evacuation might have prevented development of the isolated ventricular dilation cannot be denied. Additional clinical experience is required to determine which treatment (surgical vs. conservative) is more appropriate in patients with primary intraventricular brain abscesses.

Early rebleeding in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage under intensive blood pressure management.

The objective of this study was to report the frequency and clinical characteristics of early rebleeding in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients who underwent intensive blood pressure (BP) management. Patients with aneurysmal SAH frequently present to the emergency department (ED) with elevated BP. Intensive BP management has been recommended to lower the risk of early rebleeding. However, few studies have reported the frequency of early rebleeding in SAH patients undergoing BP management. In our institution, SAH patients with systolic BP (SBP)>140 mmHg received continuous intravenous nicardipine to maintain their SBP within 120±20 mmHg after diagnosis. An attempt to implement intensive BP management was made on 309 consecutive SAH patients who presented to our ED within 48 hours of SAH onset. Overall, 24 (7.8%) of the 309 patients sustained early rebleeding. Fifteen patients sustained early rebleeding before the implementation of BP management, and the other nine sustained early rebleeding after the implementation of BP management. Therefore, the frequency of early rebleeding under BP management was 3.1% (9/294). When the 309 patients were dichotomised using ED SBP of 140 mmHg as a cut off (SBP>140 mmHg; n=239 versus SBP⩽140 mmHg; n=70), the latter counter-intuitively exhibited a significantly higher frequency of early rebleeding (5.9% versus 14.2%; p=0.04). This relatively low frequency of early rebleeding under BP management may be acceptable. However, early rebleeding is not eradicated even with strict BP control as factors other than elevated BP are involved. ED SBP within the target range (SBP⩽140 mmHg) does not negate the risk of early rebleeding. Other treatment options that reduce the risk should also be explored.