RESUMO
Introduction: We aimed to assess the clinical significance of M1-MCA occlusion with visualization of both MCA-M2 segments ["Tilted-V sign" (TVS)] on initial CT angiography (CTA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods: Data for patients with consecutive AIS undergoing EVT for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in two academic centers are recorded in ongoing databases. Patients who underwent EVT for M1-MCA occlusions ≤ 6 h from symptom onset were included in this retrospective analysis. Results: A total of 346 patients met the inclusion criteria; 189 (55%) had positive TVS. Patients with positive TVS were younger (68 ± 14 vs. 71 ± 14 years, P = 0.028), with similar rates of vascular risk factors and baseline modified Rankin scores (mRS) 0-2. The rates of achieving thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) 2b-3 were similar to the two groups (79%), although successful first-pass recanalization was more common with TVS (64 vs. 36%, p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, higher collateral score [odds ratio (OR) 1.38 per unit increase, p = 0.008] and lower age (OR 0.98 per year increase, p = 0.046) were significant predictors of TVS. Patients with positive TVS had higher post-procedural Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS; 6.9 ± 2.2 vs. 5.2 ± 2.3, p = 0.001), were discharged with lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS; 6±6 vs. 9±7, p = 0.003) and higher rates of mRS 0-2 (29.5 vs. 12%, p = 0.001), and had lower rates of 90-day mortality (13.2 vs. 21.6%, p = 0.038). However, TVS was not an independent predictor of functional independence (OR 2.51; 95% CI 0.7-8.3). Conclusion: Tilted-V Sign, an easily identifiable radiological marker, is associated with fewer recanalization attempts, better functional outcomes, and reduced mortality.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to present an unusual case of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) as the presenting feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: The presented case includes clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings as well as surgical and pathology reports. Treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) and the response to this treatment are presented. RESULTS: A 71-year-old woman was evaluated for debilitating low back pain and walking disability. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an oval, lumbar, intramedullary mass with benign features and surgery was scheduled. On preoperative evaluation for the lumbar mass, a multinodular thyroid goiter (unfortunately overlooked previously) was noticed, causing severe narrowing of the trachea. Total thyroidectomy was performed with a pathology diagnosis of PTC. In a second operation, the lumbar lesion was removed and proved to represent metastatic PTC. External beam radiation was subsequently administered to the thyroid bed, lumbar spine, and other skeletal metastases, followed by 150 milliCurie of RAI. A post-treatment scan showed high uptake over the lumbar spine, and skeletal and lung lesions. Clinically, the patient restored her walking ability and back pain improved. CONCLUSION: ISCM rarely is the presenting feature of PTC. Our patient presented with back pain which is the typical, though non-specific symptom, of ISCM. She showed good clinical response to multimodal treatment which is in line with the few other differentiated thyroid cancer patients with ISCM reported in the literature. Prompt surgical resection, followed by external beam radiation and RAI, may improve neurological signs, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life.