Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction with cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome concomitant with vertebral artery dissection diagnosed by MRI MSDE method: A case report and review of literature.

Headache is one of the most common symptoms encountered during the postpartum period. The cause may be unknown, or the following illnesses are possible: cervical artery dissection (CAD), reversible posterior cerebral encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), and reversible cerebral vasoconstrictor syndrome (RCVS). It is suggested that they are interrelated and share a similar mechanism such as small vessel endothelial dysfunction, deficiencies in self-regulation, and decreased sympathetic innervation of the posterior circulation. However, there are few reports of neuroradiological findings. We experienced a rare case of multiple postpartum vascular disease occurring at the same time. A 38-year-old woman suddenly developed thunderclap headache after giving birth. She was clear and had no neuropathy. Computed tomography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage, including the cortical surface of the frontal lobe. Magnetic resonance image fluid-attenuated inversion recovery revealed high-intensity area in the bilateral basal ganglia and right occipital cortex. Angiography showed "string sausage" and extracranial left vertebral artery stenosis, but no aneurysm. Based on the clinical course and neuroradiological findings, we diagnosed her as postpartum vascular disease including CAD, PRES, RCVS, and cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Three-dimensional black blood T1-weighted images using a motion-sensitized driven equilibrium three-dimensional turbo spin echo (MSDE) sequencing method revealed an intramural hematoma consistent with the extracranial vertebral artery. After 3 months, MSDE lost its abnormal signal. Our case was rare in that multiple phenomena of postpartum vascular disease occurred at the same time. In particular, we could reveal that this speculation was reversible in the MRI MSDE sequencing.

Ingenuity using 3D-MRI fusion image in evaluation before and after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

Background: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is most often caused by blood vessels touching a facial nerve. In particular, responsible vessels compress the root exit zone (REZ) of the facial nerve. Although we recognize these causes of HFS, it is difficult to evaluate the findings of precise lesion in radiological imaging when vessels compress REZ. Hence, we tried to obtain precise images of pre- and postoperative neuroradiological findings of HFS by creating a fusion image of MR angiography and the REZ of facial nerve extracted by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion tensor image (DTI). Case Description: A 52-year-old woman had a 2-year history of HFS on the left side of her face. It was confirmed that the left vertebral artery and anterior inferior cerebellar artery were presented near the facial nerve on MRI. REZ of the facial nerve was visualized using DTI and fusion image was created with vascular components, making it possible to recognize the relationship between compression vessels and REZ of the facial nerve in detail. She underwent microvascular decompression and her HFS completely disappeared. We confirmed that the REZ of the facial nerve was decompressed by MRI imaging, in the same way as before surgery. Conclusion: We describe that the REZ of facial nerve and compressive vessels was delineated in detail on MRI and this technique is useful for pre- and postoperative evaluation of HFS.

Endovascular Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm Associated with a Tentorial DAVF Using Transarterial Onyx Embolization: A Case Report.

Objective: We describe a patient treated with transarterial Onyx embolization for a tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) who presented with hemifacial spasm (HFS). Case Presentation: A 56-year-old man suffered from right blepharospasm for 4 years, and the symptom gradually spread to the right side of his face with oculo-oral synkinesis. MRI of the brain revealed abnormal multiple flow voids at the surface of brainstem and cerebellar hemisphere. MRA (time of flight) and spoiled gradient recalled echo-revealed abnormal vessels at the posterior fossa indicated arteriovenous shunting. 3D-MRI fusion images showed that a dilated vein was in contact with the root exit zone (REZ) of the right facial nerve. The right carotid angiography displayed a complex tentorial DAVF on the right side. There were multiple feeding vessels drained to the tentorial sinus at the point where the inferior cerebellar vermian vein met, and severe venous congestion was noted. We diagnosed a tentorial DAVF and thought that this was responsible for the right HFS. We used neuroendovascular treatment for this lesion. After transarterial Onyx embolization, his right HFS diminished. MRI after treatment showed that the vein in contact with the REZ of the right facial nerve had shrank. Conclusion: We experienced a rare case of HFS associated with a DAVF. Our case supports that transarterial Onyx embolization can treat HFS associated with a tentorial DAVF. It is the first description of successful treatment that could be confirmed through postoperative MRI.

Coil embolization of subarachnoid hemorrhage with ruptured persistent primitive olfactory artery aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Persistent primitive olfactory artery (PPOA) is a rare anomaly of the anterior cerebral artery. We experienced a rare case of subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured saccular aneurysm of PPOA. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 72-year-old man was transported to our hospital with sudden headache. On examination, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scale was Grade I, and computed tomography of the head showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in Fisher Group 3. Cerebral angiography showed left PPOA and a 4-mm saccular aneurysm at the hairpin turn. No other abnormalities causing bleeding were observed. Based on these findings, subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured PPOA aneurysm was diagnosed. As the patient had a ventilatory defect due to emphysema, direct approach to the lesion would have been difficult and an endovascular surgery was performed. Three coils were inserted into the aneurysm, and complete occlusion was achieved. Cerebral vasospasm was not observed, and the patient was discharged 1 month after surgery without any neurologic deficit. CONCLUSION: Most aneurysms of the PPOA are formed at the hairpin turn, as observed in our patient; therefore, a hemodynamic mechanism may be involved in the etiology. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on treatment using intra-aneurysmal coil embolization, indicating that ours was the first case. As the long-term outcome of intra-aneurysmal coil embolization for PPOA aneurysm is unknown, careful follow-up will be necessary in the future.

Malignant Progression of an IDH Mutant Brainstem Glioma in Adult.

Brain stem gliomas (BSG) in adults are rare and less aggressive than those in children. However, the molecular profile of adult BSG cases has not been well characterized. We report a case of adult BSG with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation. A 43-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with diplopia and right-sided hypesthesia. An open biopsy led to the tumor being diagnosed as a diffuse astrocytoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for IDH1 R132H, but negative for H3K27M. The patient received 54 Gy of local radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide, which resulted in the size of the lesion decreasing significantly. At 56 months after the initial diagnosis, the patient was referred to our hospital with a severe headache and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a contrast-enhanced lesion in the brain stem, which extended into the left cerebellar hemisphere and brainstem. Partial tumor removal was performed, and a pathological examination revealed the features of glioblastoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for IDH1 R132H and p53 and negative for ATRX. To the best of our knowledge, there are few reports about adult case of brain stem astrocytoma to be confirmed via histological and molecular examinations of the primary and recurrent tumor. We exhibit detailed pathological and molecular findings which resembles to IDH mutant supratentorial diffuse astrocytic tumors.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Due to Compression of Primitive Trigeminal Artery Variant: Usefulness of Fusion Images of Constructive Interference in Steady-State Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is one of the neuropathic pain syndromes, most commonly caused by vascular compression in the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve in the cerebellopontine angle. It was rare as offending artery that primitive trigeminal artery and primitive trigeminal artery variant (PTAv) as an anomaly that occurs carotid-basilar anastomosis. We report a case of TN caused by the PTAv, and usefulness of fusion images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). CASE DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of left paroxysmal facial pain in the second division of the trigeminal nerve. We diagnosed left TN due to PTAv using constructive interference in steady state magnetic resonance imaging (CISS MRI) and CTA. Microvascular decompression surgery disclosed trigeminal nerve compressed by PTAv consisted with findings from preoperative neuroimaging. We report a case of TN caused by PTAv, and usefulness of fusion images of CISS MRI and CTA to understand the neurovascular and bony structure during the perioperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The fusion image created by CISS MRI and 3-dimensional CTA was useful to identify the offending vessel and to clearly understand the neurovascular structure preoperatively.

[Intracranial Pseudoaneurysm Arising after Radiotherapy for Oligodendroglioma:A Case Report].

Intracranial pseudoaneurysms arising after radiotherapy for brain tumors are a relatively rare occurrence and associated with high-volume radiotherapy such as stereotactic radiosurgery. Herein, the authors report a rare case of intracranial pseudoaneurysm after conventional radiotherapy for oligodendroglioma. Case:A 46-year-old female incidentally presented with an intracranial hemorrhage from a middle temporal artery aneurysm. Four years earlier, she underwent surgical resection and conventional radiation therapy for oligodendroglioma. The aneurysm was successfully treated with middle cerebral artery(MCA)aneurysm trapping, in conjunction with a parietal branch superficial temporal artery-MCA bypass, to prevent re-rupture. Formation of intracranial pseudoaneurysm after conventional radiotherapy is extremely rare. However, the occurrence of cerebral aneurysm(s), as well as vascular stenosis during follow-up for brain tumors treated with radiotherapy, should be considered.