RESUMEN
Chronic subdural hematoma is one of the most common diseases requiring a neurosurgical operation that affect elderly and fragile patients. In addition to standard neurosurgical operations (trepanation and craniotomy), embolization of the meningeal artery media is an alternative solution. Several review aerticles have confirmed the very high rate of success and safety of the endovascular treatment. We present the technical details and results of our 10 consecutive selective media meningeal artery embolization procedures for residual chronic subdural hematomas. Our interventions were performed without complications and all resulted in complete recovery.
.Asunto(s)
Embolización Terapéutica , Hematoma Subdural Crónico , Arterias Meníngeas , Humanos , Embolización Terapéutica/métodos , Hematoma Subdural Crónico/cirugía , Hematoma Subdural Crónico/diagnóstico por imagen , Hematoma Subdural Crónico/terapia , Anciano , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
If severe cervical spinal cord injury or severe cervical vertebral fracture, subluxation or luxation is confirmed, 20-40% of the cases have vertebral artery dissection or occlusion. These can be asymptomatic, but can cause additional neurological damage in addition to cervical myelon and cervical nerve root symptoms. Vertebral artery dissection can be caused by direct injuries, stab wounds or gunshot wounds. Indirect vertebral artery dissection can occur at the same time as subluxation, luxation, or complex fractures of the cervical vertebra. CTA is the examination procedure of choice. In many cases, digital subtaction angiography examination and, if necessary, neurointerventional treatment must precede open neurosurgery. In our report, in the first patient, complete luxation of the C.VI vertebra caused unilateral vertebral artery 2-segment dissection-occlusion, while in our second patient, a stab injury caused direct vertebral artery compression and dissection. The occlusion of the vertebral artery did not cause neurological symptoms in any of the cases. In both of our cases, parent vessel occlusion was performed at the level of the vertebral artery injury before the neurosurgical operation.
.Asunto(s)
Vértebras Cervicales , Disección de la Arteria Vertebral , Humanos , Disección de la Arteria Vertebral/diagnóstico por imagen , Disección de la Arteria Vertebral/etiología , Vértebras Cervicales/lesiones , Masculino , Heridas Punzantes/complicaciones , Heridas Punzantes/cirugía , Adulto , Traumatismos Vertebrales/complicaciones , Traumatismos Vertebrales/diagnóstico por imagen , Traumatismos Vertebrales/cirugía , Persona de Mediana Edad , Arteria Vertebral/lesiones , Arteria Vertebral/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) is a widely used measure of the disability progression rate. However, the global MSSS may not be the best basis for comparison between all patient groups. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated sex-specific and onset phenotype-specific MSSS matrices to determine if they were more effective than the global MSSS as a basis for comparison within these subsets. METHODS: Using a large international dataset of multiple sclerosis (MS) patient records and the original MSSS algorithm, we constructed global, sex-specific and onset phenotype-specific MSSS matrices. We compared matrices using permutation analysis. RESULTS: Our final dataset included 30,203 MS cases, with 28.9% males and 6.5% progressive-onset cases. Our global MSSS matrix did not differ from previously published data (p > 0.05). The progressive-onset-specific matrix differed significantly from the relapsing-onset-specific matrix (p < 0.001), with lower MSSS attributed to cases with the same Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) and disease duration. When evaluated with a simulation, using an onset-specific MSSS improved statistical power in mixed cohorts. There were no significant differences by sex. CONCLUSION: The differences in the disability accrual rate between progressive- and relapsing-onset MS have a significant effect on MSSS. An onset-specific MSSS should be used when comparing the rate of disability progression among progressive-onset cases and for mixed cohorts.
Asunto(s)
Esclerosis Múltiple , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Esclerosis Múltiple/diagnóstico , Esclerosis Múltiple/epidemiología , Fenotipo , Recurrencia , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
We assessed cognitive function of female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and analyze the determinants, with special focus on cerebrovascular morphology. Sixty methotrexate (MTX-) or biologic-treated RA patients and 39 healthy controls were included in a cross-sectional study. Smoking habits, alcohol intake and time spent in education were recorded. Standard measures were performed to assess cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MOCA; Trail Making Test, TMT; Victoria Stroop Test, VST; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, WAIS; Benton Visual Retention test, BVRT), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAIT/S) and general health status (Short Form 36, SF-36). Mean disease activity (28-joint Disease Activity Score, mDAS28; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mESR; C-reactive protein, mCRP) of the past 12 months was calculated; anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were assessed. Cerebral vascular lesions and atrophy, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaques, as well as median cerebral artery (MCA) circulatory reserve capacity (CRC) were assessed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound and transcranial Doppler, respectively. Cognitive function tests showed impairment in RA vs controls. Biologic- vs MTX-treated subgroups differed in TMT-A. Correlations were identified between cognitive function and depression/anxiety tests. WAIS, STAIS, STAIT and BDI correlated with most SF-36 domains. Numerous cognitive tests correlated with age and lower education. Some also correlated with disease duration, mESR and mDAS28. Regarding vascular pathophysiology, cerebral vascular lesions were associated with VST-A, carotid plaques with multiple cognitive parameters, while MCA and CRC with MOCA, BVRT and BDI. RA patients have significant cognitive impairment. Cognitive dysfunction may occur together with or independently of depression/anxiety. Older patients and those with lower education are at higher risk to develop cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening might be a useful tool to identify subgroups to be further investigated for cerebrovascular pathologies.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/psicología , Disfunción Cognitiva/diagnóstico , Anciano , Antirreumáticos/administración & dosificación , Ansiedad/complicaciones , Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Productos Biológicos/administración & dosificación , Grosor Intima-Media Carotídeo , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Cognición , Disfunción Cognitiva/complicaciones , Estudios Transversales , Depresión/complicaciones , Depresión/diagnóstico , Femenino , Humanos , Pruebas de Estado Mental y Demencia , Metotrexato/administración & dosificación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Arteria Cerebral Media/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Anatomic variants of the circle of Willis (CW) are commonly observed in healthy subjects. Genetic and environmental factors influencing these variants remain unclear. Our aim was to assess the genetic and environmental background affecting variant CW phenotypes. METHODS: A total of 122 adult healthy twins from the Hungarian Twin Registry (39 monozygotic (MZ) and 22 dizygotic (DZ) pairs, average age 49.7 ± 13.4 years) underwent Time-of-Flight magnetic resonance angiography and transcranial Doppler sonography. We investigated the anterior and posterior CW according to morphological categories. Prevalence and concordance rates of CW variants were calculated. MZ twins discordant for CW variants were analyzed for cardiovascular risk factors and altered blood flow. RESULTS: Complete CW (45.0%) and bilaterally absent posterior communicating artery (PCoA) (22.5%) were the most prevalent variants in the anterior and posterior CW, respectively. There was no significant difference regarding the prevalence of variants across zygosity except for bilaterally hypoplastic PCoA (p = .02). DZ concordance was higher compared to MZ twins regarding morphological categories of the CW. Cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly associated with variant CW in MZ twins discordant to CW morphology. Flow parameters did not differ significantly among MZ twins discordant to CW variants. CONCLUSION: CW variants may not be determined by substantial genetic effects and are not influenced by altered blood flow in healthy individuals. Further investigations are needed to identify potential environmental factors affecting these variants.
Asunto(s)
Círculo Arterial Cerebral/anatomía & histología , Enfermedades en Gemelos/genética , Gemelos Dicigóticos/genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genética , Adulto , Anciano , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/genética , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/fisiopatología , Círculo Arterial Cerebral/diagnóstico por imagen , Círculo Arterial Cerebral/fisiología , Femenino , Interacción Gen-Ambiente , Humanos , Angiografía por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Flujo Sanguíneo Regional/genética , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios en Gemelos como AsuntoRESUMEN
Data of our 254 patients who were treated with rt-PA between 1st of Jan, 2011 and 31st of Dec, 2014 were processed. We focused on angioneurotic oedema as allergic complication of thrombolysis which caused life threatening respiratory obstruction in two cases. We describe these two patients' history. Out of 254 patients six (2.3%) suffered angioneurotic edema caused respiratory obstruction in two (0.90%) cases. This occurrence is approximately 1.3-5.1% in literature. Five, out of six patients who suffered from angioneurotic oedema, had been treated with ACE inhibitors or ARB before. The role of ACE inhibitors is known in metabolism of bradykinin cascade. Plasmin which present during thrombolysis, precipitates biochemical mechanisms of this potential life threatening complication. Therefore rt-PA alone can be the cause of angioedema, but it can be more frequent together with ACE inhibitors therapy.
Asunto(s)
Angioedema/inducido químicamente , Fibrinolíticos/efectos adversos , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Terapia Trombolítica/efectos adversos , Activador de Tejido Plasminógeno/efectos adversos , Hipersensibilidad a las Drogas/etiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Terapia Trombolítica/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An estimated 20% of ischemic strokes are of cardiogenic origin, half of which is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Anticoagulation treatment of patients with this arrhythmia reduces their risk of stroke. Effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is limited, however, by their well-known narrow therapeutic window and the substantial inter- and intraindividual variability of INR values depending on genetic and dietary factors as well as drug interactions. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of adequate anticoagulation and the level of anticoagulant effect actually achieved among patients with AF hospitalized for acute stroke. METHODS: Patients with AF admitted to our hospital ward in 2012 for acute stroke (n = 226) were included in the analysis. Using descriptive statistics, relevant clinical and therapeutic characteristics of the patients were assessed, with special reference to the INR values on admission (among patients with known AF), and the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of the study cohort, 170 patients had a diagnosis of AF before the admission for stroke, but 47% of them did not take anticoagulants. Patients who suffered stroke while on anticoagulants (83 on VKA, 7 on low-molecular-weight heparins), were in most cases (75%) out of the therapeutic INR range, typically undertreated (INR < 2). Overall, inadequate or completely absent anticoagulation was documented in 81% of the stroke cases occurring in patients with known AF. Of the entire study cohort, 41% was discharged home, 34% required continued institutional care, and 25% died. CONCLUSIONS: The inadequacy or lack of anticoagulation was observed in the vast majority of acute strokes in patients with known AF. These cases are often related to the well-documented limitations of VKA therapy in terms of its safety, tolerability and/or practical aspects. To prevent them, important changes are warranted in the anticoagulation practice, including the closer control of VKA therapy and the broader use of new oral anticoagulants.
Asunto(s)
Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Fibrilación Atrial/complicaciones , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Accidente Cerebrovascular/etiología , Vitamina K/antagonistas & inhibidores , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Hungría , Relación Normalizada Internacional , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Assessment of intracranial vessels includes transcranial Doppler (TCD). TCD performance requires intact temporal acoustic windows (TAW). Failure of TAW (TAWF) is present in 8-20% of people. There have been no reports on TAWF in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Altogether, 62 female RA patients were included. Among them, 20 were MTX-treated and biologic-free, 20 received infliximab, and 22 tocilizumab. The controls included 60 non-RA women. TAWF, temporal bone thickness, and texture were determined by ultrasound and CT. BMD and T-scores of multiple bones were determined by DEXA. Several bone biomarkers were assessed by ELISA. In RA, 54.8% of the patients had TAWF on at least one side. Neither TAW could be identified in 34% of RA subjects. In contrast, only 20.0% of control subjects had TAWF on either or both sides (p < 0.001). In RA vs controls, 53.0 vs 2.9% of subjects exerted the trilayer, "sandwich-like" structure of TAW (p < 0.001). Finally, in RA vs controls, the mean temporal bone thickness values of the right TAW were 3.58 ± 1.43 vs 2.92 ± 1.22 mm (p = NS), while those of the left TAW were 4.16 ± 1.56 vs 2.90 ± 1.16 mm (p = 0.001). There was close association between TAWF, bone thickness, and texture (p < 0.05). These TAW parameters all correlated with age; however, TAW failure and texture also correlated with serum osteoprotegerin. TAW bone thickness inversely correlated with hip BMD (p < 0.05). TAWF, thicker, and heterogeneous temporal bones were associated with RA. These features have been associated with bone loss and OPG production. Bone loss seen in RA may result in OPG release and stimulation of bone formation around TAW.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagen , Densidad Ósea/fisiología , Hueso Temporal/diagnóstico por imagen , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ultrasonografía Doppler TranscranealRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Stroke has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed patients with RA and healthy control subjects by transcranial Doppler (TCD), carotid ultrasonography and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Altogether, 41 female patients with RA undergoing methotrexate (MTX) or biologic treatment and 60 age-matched control subjects underwent TCD assessment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery. Pulsatility index (PI), resistivity (resistance) index (RI) and circulatory reserve capacity (CRC) were determined at rest (r) and after apnoea (a) and hyperventilation (h). The presence of carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were also determined. Intracerebral vascular lesions were investigated by brain MRI. RESULTS: MCA PI and RI values at rest and after apnoea were significantly increased in the total and MTX-treated RA populations vs control subjects. MCA CRC was also impaired, and basilar artery PI was higher in RA. More patients with RA had carotid plaques and increased cIMT. Linear regression analysis revealed that left PI(r) and RI(r) correlated with disease duration and that left PI(r), RI(r), PI(a), PI(h) and basilar PI correlated with disease activity. Right CRC inversely correlated with 28-joint Disease Activity Score. Disease activity was an independent determinant of left PI(a) and right CRC. Compared with long-term MTX treatment alone, the use of biologics in combination with MTX was associated with less impaired cerebral circulation. Impaired cerebral circulation was also associated with measures of carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show increased distal MCA and basilar artery occlusion in RA as determined by TCD. Patients with RA also had CRC defects. We also confirmed increased carotid plaque formation and increased cIMT. Biologics may beneficially influence some parameters in the intracranial vessels.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Arteria Basilar/patología , Encéfalo/patología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/etiología , Arteria Cerebral Media/patología , Adulto , Anciano , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Arteria Basilar/diagnóstico por imagen , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/etiología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/diagnóstico por imagen , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Infliximab/uso terapéutico , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Metotrexato/uso terapéutico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Arteria Cerebral Media/diagnóstico por imagen , Ultrasonografía/métodos , Ultrasonografía Doppler TranscranealRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome are multisystemic autoimmune diseases which can be associated to each other. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if there are any distinct clinical, laboratory or serologic features due to the association of the two diseases that can influence the follow up of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors proved the association of these two autoimmune diseases in 56 patients, and these patients' clinical, laboratory and immunoserologic alterations. 50 patients with Sjögren's syndrome and 50 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were used as control groups. RESULTS: Compared with Sjögren's syndrome alone, in the cases of the association of the diseases, rheumatoid factor was present less frequently, Ro/SS-A, La/SS-B and DNA antibodies were present more frequently, such as antiphospholipid autoantibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome. Anaemia, leukopenia and lymphopenia were detected more often and the patients were younger than in Sjögren's syndrome. Also, affection of the lung, kidney, skin, central nervous system and serous membranes are more common. The group with systemic lupus erythematosus differs in being older, having thyroiditis, Ro/SS-A, La/SS-B and DNA more frequently. CONCLUSION: Definitive clinical, laboratory and serological features make the difference between the association of the two diseases and the diseases observed alone.