Sonothrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke - Break on through to the other side.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion combined with transcranial low-frequency ultrasound waves targeted on the occluded arterial segment (sonothrombolysis) can increase recanalization in large artery-acute ischemic stroke (LA-AIS). AIMS: To evaluate the benefits of sonothrombolysis in LA-AIS. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: An open-labeled observational study done in a quaternary care teaching hospital. METHODOLOGY: Patients with LA-AIS within the window period (<4.5 h) with no contraindications for IV-recombinant tPA were sonothrombolysed. Recanalization was monitored and graded using the transcranial Doppler thrombolysis in brain ischemia (TIBI) flow criteria and also by time of flight magnetic resonance angiography using a modified thrombolysis in myocardial infarction score. Parenchymal changes were assessed using computed tomography (CT) or diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess the outcome. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent sonothrombolysis and the mean onset to needle time was 138 min (range 65-256). TIBI residual flow grade of ≥2 was seen in 15 of 18 patients (83%). Immediate dramatic improvement (NIHSS score ≤3 points or improvement by ≥10 points) was seen in 6 of 18 patients (30%) and in 9 of 18 patients (50%) within the next 24 h. Two patients (one with TIBI 0, another with re-occlusion) underwent mechanical thrombectomy post-sonothrombolysis. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 5.5% of the patients. At 6 months, 2 of 18 patients (11%) died and 10 of 16 patients (63%) achieved mRS ≤2. CONCLUSIONS: Sonothrombolysis appears to be a safe way to augment the effect of tPA without increasing the door to needle time with the added advantage of observing flow through the occluded artery in real time.

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome: Long-Term Outcome and Role of Steroid-Sparing Agents.

BACKGROUND: Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome (THS) is one of the causes of cavernous sinus syndrome causing painful ophthalmoplegia. Literature on long-term outcome of this rare condition is scarce. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim is to study the recurrence and role of steroid-sparing agents in THS. METHODOLOGY: All cases of THS treated at a tertiary-level teaching hospital during a 10-year period were studied. Clinical and radiological profile, response to treatment and recurrences were noted. RESULTS: A total of 44 cases were studied. The mean age was 49.5 years, Males constituted 23/44 (52%). The first symptom was pain in 90%. Ptosis with ophthalmoplegia was the most common deficit 29/44 (66%). Lesions confined to cavernous sinus 27/44 (61%) was the most frequent magnetic resonance imaging finding. All patients received steroids as the initial treatment and 15/44 (34%) received steroid-sparing agents. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 120 months (Mean 39 months). Two patients had alternative diagnosis of leptomeningeal malignancy and hypertrophic pachymeningitis on follow-up. Recurrences occurred in 18/37 (48.6%). Time for recurrence varied from 8 months to 7 years. (Mean 18 months). No clinical or radiological predictors for recurrence were identified. Patients who received steroid-sparing agents had a significantly lower recurrence 3/15 (20%) versus 14/26 (53.8%)P < 0.034. CONCLUSIONS: Around 50% of patients with THS can have recurrence. Steroid-sparing agents appear to prevent recurrence. A prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial may help to evaluate the risk and benefits of steroid-sparing therapy and to identify any possible predictors for recurrence.

Spectrum of Visual Impairment in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Importance of Tailoring Therapies Based on Pathophysiology.

Visual impairment can complicate cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Here, we describe the various pathophysiological mechanisms and treatments available. A retrospective chart review of all patients treated for CVT in a large quaternary teaching hospital was done, and cases with visual impairment due to CVT were identified. The various mechanisms causing visual impairment in CVT were (1) raised intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by venous thrombosis without venous infarcts resulting in a benign intracranial hypertension-like presentation of CVT, (2) venous infarcts involving the occipital cortex, (3) raised ICP following the development of a secondary dural arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and (4) arterial occipital infarcts due to posterior cerebral artery compression secondary to herniation in large venous infarcts. Apart from using systemic anticoagulants to attempt recanalization and drugs with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor activity to reduce the ICPs, treatment modalities employed to save vision were (1) recanalization by local thrombolysis, stenting, or mechanical devices; (2) cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures such as theco-periotoneal shunting; (3) optic nerve sheath fenestration; and (4) specific treatment for conditions such as dural AV fistula occurring as a late complication. CVT can cause visual impairment through different pathophysiological mechanisms. Depending on the mechanism, treatment strategies need to be tailored. Furthermore, very close monitoring is needed both in the acute and in the follow-up period, as new pathophysiological mechanisms can arise, compromising the vision. This may require a different treatment approach. Literature on this aspect of CVT is lacking.