Prospective observational study of stroke in Cayenne, Tours and Besançon: The BECATOUR study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major public health issue. Its epidemiology is still poorly known in French Guiana. METHOD: We conducted a prospective observational study including 100 consecutive patients hospitalized for stroke in Cayenne (in French Guiana), and Tours and Besançon (in metropolitan France). We compared their age, medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, pre-admission Rankin score, Glasgow and NIHSS scores, usual treatments, acute phase management, type of stroke, duration of hospitalization, mechanism of stroke according to TOAST classification, NIHSS and Rankin scores at discharge, discharge treatments, and mode of discharge. RESULTS: In French Guiana, the average age of patients was 7years lower (62 y), patients were more frequently affected by hypertension (75%) and diabetes (31%). Lacunar strokes were overrepresented (16.1%), and infarctions of cardioembolic origin were underrepresented (12%). NIHSS entry and Glasgow scores were similar between French Guiana and mainland France. Acute management was different: thrombolysis rate (9.3%) was 3 to 4 times lower, thrombectomy was not available. Fewer patients were transferred to rehabilitation centers and more patients were transferred to home hospitalization. DISCUSSION: In Tours and Besançon, patients eligible for thrombectomy were overrepresented. This bias explains the overrepresentation of more severe infarctions and probably the overrepresentation of strokes of cardioembolic origin. Infarctions of undetermined origin were more numerous in French Guiana because patients were often discharged from hospital with an incomplete cardiological workup. CONCLUSION: Despite some caveats, the profile of patients admitted for stroke in French Guiana is different from mainland France. The establishment of a stroke unit and an information campaign on the symptoms of stroke would allow better management.

Advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT) of the cerebrum is a rare brain lesion with suggestive imaging features. The aim of our study was to report the largest series of MVNTs so far and to evaluate the utility of advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) techniques. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study was approved by our institutional research ethics board. From July 2014 to May 2019, two radiologists read in consensus the MR examinations of patients presenting with a lesion suggestive of an MVNT. They analyzed the lesions' MR characteristics on structural images and advanced multiparametric MR imaging. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (29 women and 35 men, mean age 44.2 ± 15.1 years) from 25 centers were included. Lesions were all hyperintense on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T2-weighted imaging without post-contrast enhancement. The median relative apparent diffusion coefficient on diffusion-weighted imaging was 1.13 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.2]. Perfusion-weighted imaging showed no increase in perfusion, with a relative cerebral blood volume of 1.02 (IQR, 0.05) and a relative cerebral blood flow of 1.01 (IQR, 0.08). MR spectroscopy showed no abnormal peaks. Median follow-up was 2 (IQR, 1.2) years, without any changes in size. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive characterization protocol including advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging sequences showed no imaging patterns suggestive of malignancy in MVNTs. It might be useful to better characterize MVNTs.

[Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in a patient presenting granulomatosis with polyangiitis]. / Syndrome d'encéphalopathie postérieure réversible au cours d'une granulomatose avec polyangéite.

BACKGROUND: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is characterised by clinical neurological features of sudden onset and brain MRI findings such as T2/Flair white matter hyperintensities. RPLS can occur in autoimmune diseases, and rarely in systemic vasculitis. We report a case of RPLS in a woman presenting granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 22-year-old female patient was treated with methylprednisolone pulses for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and neurological impairment. A few hours after the second pulse, the patient had seizures, blindness and confusion associated with high blood pressure and acute renal failure. MRI revealed a high-intensity area on T2-Flair weighted images of the occipital-temporal lobes. The patient was treated with antiepileptic and antihypertensive medications, oral steroids and cyclophosphamide; the clinical and radiological findings proved reversible over the ensuing days. DISCUSSION: The occurrence of RPLS in systemic vasculitis is rare. Six cases of RPLS associated with granulomatosis and polyangiitis have been reported. It appears important to screen for high blood pressure in patients recently treated with corticosteroids for vasculitis as this condition may represent a precipitating factor for RPLS.

Impact of a direct-admission stroke pathway on delays of admission, care, and rates of intravenous thrombolysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the impact of a "direct potential thrombolysis" pathway with direct admission to a neurological stroke unit (SU) on delays of admission, stroke care and proportion of patients with ischemic stroke (IS) treated with intravenous (IV) rtPA. METHODS: This prospective study included all patients admitted in the intensive SU for potential thrombolysis over a 2-month period. Data collected included the time of symptom onset, mode of transport, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on arrival, delays of care, delays of imaging and modalities, diagnosis and therapeutic data. RESULTS: During the 2-month study period, 81 patients (mean age of 65 years) were included in the study. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were involved in 86% of admissions, with a median delay of admission of 1h48 and access within 4.5h in 84% of cases. Every patient underwent immediate neurovascular assessment and imaging examination, which was a MRI in 80% of cases. Only 70% of patients had a final diagnosis of stroke. Intravenous rtPA therapy was administered to 26 patients (32%), and 58% of patients with IS. The median door-to-needle time delay was 63min. CONCLUSION: A direct 'potential thrombolysis' pathway, based on EMS and located in the SU, can result in earlier admission, reaching the recommended care delay, and a large proportion (58%) of IS patients receiving rtPA therapy. On the other hand, the proportion of patients with stroke mimics is high, thereby increasing the chances of intermittent periods of saturation of this specific pathway.

Canal wall reconstruction in cholesteatoma surgeries: rate of residual.

To evaluate the rates of residual and recurrent cholesteatoma following canal wall reconstruction (CWR) tympano-mastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration, for the treatment of chronic otitis with cholesteatoma. Consecutive cohort study. We included patients following surgical cholesteatoma removal by CWR tympano-mastoidectomy with hydroxyapatite mastoid obliteration from 2008 to 2012. We analyzed audiometric and postoperative radiologic data. We determined the rates of residual disease and recurrence, and evaluated postoperative complications. Thirty-six ears were included in this study. The mean follow-up after surgery was 24 months (range 12.3-51.4 months). The recurrence rate was 3.1% (one case) and the rate of residual disease was 6.2% (two cases including one of iatrogenic cholesteatoma). No canal-wall-down tympanoplasty was required. Local infection was detected in 33% of cases and was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics. Postoperative audiometry showed no impairment of the cochlear reserve. No postoperative facial palsy or deafness was observed. CWR permits well exposure of the lesion, making complete excision of the cholesteatoma possible. This study showed a decreasing of the rate of residual cholesteatoma and must be confirmed with further studies. CWR makes it possible to use hearing aids for auditory rehabilitation.

2022 SPILF - Clinical Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of disco-vertebral infection in adults.

These guidelines are an update of those made in 2007 at the request of the French Society of Infectious Diseases (SPILF, Société de Pathologie Infectieuse de Langue Française). They are intended for use by all healthcare professionals caring for patients with disco-vertebral infection (DVI) on spine, whether native or instrumented. They include evidence and opinion-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with DVI. ESR, PCT and scintigraphy, antibiotic therapy without microorganism identification (except for emergency situations), therapy longer than 6 weeks if the DVI is not complicated, contraindication for spinal osteosynthesis in a septic context, and prolonged dorsal decubitus are no longer to be done in DVI management. MRI study must include exploration of the entire spine with at least 2 orthogonal planes for the affected level(s). Several disco-vertebral samples must be performed if blood cultures are negative. Short, adapted treatment and directly oral antibiotherapy or early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotherapy are recommended. Consultation of a spine specialist should be requested to evaluate spinal stability. Early lifting of patients is recommended.

FLAIR Vascular Hyperintensities as a Surrogate of Collaterals in Acute Stroke: DWI Matters.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: FLAIR vascular hyperintensities are thought to represent leptomeningeal collaterals in acute ischemic stroke. However, whether all-FLAIR vascular hyperintensities or FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch, ie, FLAIR vascular hyperintensities beyond the DWI lesion, best reflects collaterals remains debated. We aimed to compare the value of FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch versus all-FLAIR vascular hyperintensities for collateral assessment using PWI-derived collateral flow maps as a reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the registries of 6 large stroke centers and included all patients with acute stroke with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion who underwent MR imaging with PWI before thrombectomy. Collateral status was graded from 1 to 4 on PWI-derived collateral flow maps and dichotomized into good (grades 3-4) and poor (grades 1-2). The extent of all-FLAIR vascular hyperintensities and FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch was assessed on the 7 cortical ASPECTS regions, ranging from 0 (absence) to 7 (extensive), and associations with good collaterals were compared using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Of the 209 included patients, 133 (64%) and 76 (36%) had good and poor collaterals, respectively. All-FLAIR vascular hyperintensity extent was similar between collateral groups (P = .76). Conversely, FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch extent was significantly higher in patients with good compared with poor collaterals (P < .001). The area under the curve was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.74-0.87) for FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.44-0.60) for all-FLAIR vascular hyperintensities (P < .001 for the comparison), to predict good collaterals. Variables independently associated with good collaterals were smaller DWI lesion volume (P < .001) and larger FLAIR vascular hyperintensities-DWI mismatch (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In acute ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion, the extent of FLAIR vascular hyperintensities does not reliably reflect collateral status unless one accounts for DWI.

Using PET with 18F-AV-45 (florbetapir) to quantify brain amyloid load in a clinical environment.

PURPOSE: Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of brain amyloid load has been suggested as a core biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of using PET imaging with (18)F-AV-45 (florbetapir) in a routine clinical environment to differentiate between patients with mild to moderate AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normal healthy controls (HC). METHODS: In this study, 46 subjects (20 men and 26 women, mean age of 69.0 ± 7.6 years), including 13 with AD, 12 with MCI and 21 HC subjects, were enrolled from three academic memory clinics. PET images were acquired over a 10-min period 50 min after injection of florbetapir (mean ± SD of radioactivity injected, 259 ± 57 MBq). PET images were assessed visually by two individuals blinded to any clinical information and quantitatively via the standard uptake value ratio (SUVr) in the specific regions of interest, which were defined in relation to the cerebellum as the reference region. RESULTS: The mean values of SUVr were higher in AD patients (median 1.20, Q1-Q3 1.16-1.30) than in HC subjects (median 1.05, Q1-Q3 1.04-1.08; p = 0.0001) in the overall cortex and all cortical regions (precuneus, anterior and posterior cingulate, and frontal median, temporal, parietal and occipital cortex). The MCI subjects also showed a higher uptake of florbetapir in the posterior cingulate cortex (median 1.06, Q1-Q3 0.97-1.28) compared with HC subjects (median 0.95, Q1-Q3 0.82-1.02; p = 0.03). Qualitative visual assessment of the PET scans showed a sensitivity of 84.6% (95% CI 0.55-0.98) and a specificity of 38.1% (95% CI 0.18-0.62) for discriminating AD patients from HC subjects; however, the quantitative assessment of the global cortex SUVr showed a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 90.5% with a cut-off value of 1.122 (area under the curve 0.894). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that PET with florbetapir is a safe and suitable biomarker for AD that can be used routinely in a clinical environment. However, the low specificity of the visual PET scan assessment could be improved by the use of specific training and automatic or semiautomatic quantification tools.

Influence of age on the dynamics of fMRI activations during a semantic fluency task.

PURPOSE: Age-related fMRI changes have not been extensively studied for language, whereas important adaptive mechanisms have been seen in other cognitive fields. This study examined age-related changes in fMRI activation during language tasks and, in particular, their dynamic course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: fMRI was performed on 22 young and 21 old healthy right-handed subjects during a silent category word-generation task. Activation and dynamics of BOLD signals were studied separately during the first and second portions of each 30-s block. RESULTS: Activation of the left frontal lobe was initially similar in young and old participants; however, it decreased after 30 s in the old participants. On the other hand, additional areas were initially involved only in old subjects and especially in the default mode network. CONCLUSION: This study showed age-related differences in the dynamics of fMRI activation during a silent word-generation task, suggesting a different pattern of language function with aging.

Sheep as a large animal model for cochlear implantation.

INTRODUCTION: In surgical training, large animal models are more suitable as their anatomy is more similar to humans. In otology, there have been relatively few studies about large animal models for surgical training. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to do a neuroradiologic evaluation and surgical insertion of a cochlear implant electrode array on a sheep head model. METHODS: Twenty cadaveric sheep heads were studied. A computed tomography scan and neuroradiologic evaluation was performed on each head, obtaining measurements of the inner ear for each sheep. Sheep measurements were compared to those from temporal bone computed tomography scans from 20 female humans. Surgical procedures were first trained with 13 of the sheep temporal bones, after which cochlear implantation was performed on the remaining 7 temporal bones. The position of the inserted electrode array insertion was confirmed by computed tomography scan after the procedure. RESULTS: Neuroradiologic evaluation showed that, relative to the 20 female humans, the mean ratio for sheep was 0.60 for volume of cochlea, 0.70 for height of cochlea, 0.73 for length of cochlea; ratios for other metrics were >0.80. For the surgical training, the round window was found in all 20 sheep temporal bones. Computed tomography scans confirmed that electrode insertions were fully complete; the mean value of electrode array insertion was 18.3 mm. CONCLUSION: The neuroradiologic and surgical training data suggest that the sheep is a realistic animal model to train cochlear implant surgery and collection of perilymph samples, but less so for surgical training of mastoidectomy due to pneumatization of the mastoid.

Review of cerebral microangiopathy and Alzheimer's disease: relation between white matter hyperintensities and microbleeds.

Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is basically considered to be a neurodegenerative disorder, cerebrovascular disease is also involved. The role of vascular risk factors and vascular disease in the progression of AD remains incompletely understood. With the development of brain MRI, it is now possible to detect small-vessel disease, whose prevalence and severity increase with age. The first types of small-vessel disease to be described were white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). More recently, small areas of signal loss on T(2)*-weighted images, also called microbleeds (MBs), have been reported. Cerebral MBs are focal deposits of hemosiderin that indicate prior microhemorrhages around small vessels, related to either ruptured atherosclerotic microvessels or amyloid angiopathy. Consequently, using brain MRI for the detection of microangiopathy may prove useful to improve our understanding of the impact of the vascular burden in AD pathology. The relationship between microangiopathy and the clinical course of AD or the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to AD remains questionable in terms of cognitive or affective symptoms, particularly if we consider MBs.

Overestimation of moderate carotid stenosis assessed by both Doppler US and contrast enhanced 3D-MR angiography in the CARMEDAS study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement and diagnostic accuracy of Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA), Doppler ultrasound (DUS) and Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the assessment of carotid stenosis. METHODS: DUS, CE-MRA and DSA were performed in 56 patients included in the Carotide-angiographie par résonance magnétique-échographie-doppler-angioscanner (CARMEDAS) multicenter study with a carotid stenosis ≥ 50%. Three readers evaluated stenoses on CE-MRA and DSA (NASCET criteria). Velocities criteria were used for stenosis estimation on DUS. RESULTS: CE-MRA had a sensitivity and specificity of 96-98% and 66-83% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 50% and a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 76-84% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 70%. The interobserver agreement of CE-MRA was excellent, except for moderate stenoses (50-69%). DUS had a sensitivity and specificity of 88 and 75% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 50% and a sensitivity and specificity of 83 and 86% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 70%. Combined concordant CE-MRA and DUS had a sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 85-90% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 50% and a sensitivity and specificity of 96-100% and 80-87% respectively for carotid stenoses ≥ 70%. The positive predictive value of the association CE-MRA and DUS for carotid stenoses ≥ 70% is calculated between 77 and 82% while the negative predictive value is calculated between 97 and 100%. CE-MRA and DUS have concordant findings in 63-72%, and the overestimations cases were recorded only for carotid stenosis ≤ 69%. CONCLUSION: Combined DUS-CE-MRA is excellent for evaluation of severe stenosis but remains debatable in moderate stenosis (50-69%) due to the risk of overestimations.

Multinodular and Vacuolating Posterior Fossa Lesions of Unknown Significance.

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum is a rare supratentorial brain tumor described for the first time in 2013. Here, we report 11 cases of infratentorial lesions showing similar striking imaging features consisting of a cluster of low T1-weighted imaging and high T2-FLAIR signal intensity nodules, which we referred to as multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance. No relationship was found between the location of the lesion and clinical symptoms. A T2-FLAIR hypointense central dot sign was present in images of 9/11 (82%) patients. Cortical involvement was present in 2/11 (18%) of patients. Only 1 nodule of 1 multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesion of unknown significance showed enhancement on postcontrast T1WI. DWI, SWI, MRS, and PWI showed no malignant pattern. Lesions did not change in size or signal during a median follow-up of 3 years, suggesting that multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance are benign malformative lesions that do not require surgical intervention or removal.

[Failure of transverse sinus dural fistula embolization using ethanol injection]. / Echec de l'embolisation transartérielle par l'alcool absolu d'une fistule durale du sinus transverse.

This is a case report of successful arterial embolization of a dural fistula using absolute alcohol. In this two-part embolization of a dural fistula of the left sagittal venous sinus, the use of n-BCA (n-butyl-cyanoacrylate) was followed by 1 ml of absolute alcohol four months later. The first procedure, using n-BCA via the external carotid, permitted exclusion of the arterial supply coming from the medial meningeal and occipital arteries. Persistence of the blood supply through the internal carotid prompted us to perform the second procedure, to occlude the tentorium marginalis artery, using 1 ml of 95% ethanol. This was followed by a cranial nerve (III) palsy that was reversible. The three-month follow-up was satisfactory, although arteriography after one year showed revascularization of the fistula, which was successfully treated by Onyx. Routinely used in the treatment of superficial vascular malformations, the use of absolute alcohol intracerebrally appears to be unreliable, with results that were only temporary.

Anterior cerebrospinal fluid leaks in children and adults: five years experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe surgical experience in the repair of anterior skull base defects, we studied patients with congenital or acquired defects. According to a multidisciplinary evaluation, all subjects underwent surgery performed by an ENT surgeon in order to avoid craniotomy. DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients who were treated for an anterior skull base defect between 2000 and 2005 at a tertiary referral centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients had surgery to correct anterior skull base defects. Four patients had spontaneous anterior basal defect and eight had a post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. The diagnosis was made with imaging studies: Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, possibly supplemented by a cisternography. The defects were repaired using the endoscopic endonasal approach excepted in frontal sinus location. RESULTS: CT and MRI scans demonstrated the defect in all but two cases. In one of them, MR cisternography showed the intranasal sac and in the other CT cisternography demonstrated a CSF fistula without any bone defect at the ethmoid roof. After surgery, the follow-up period was at least 16 months (mean 26 months). Success rate at first attempt was 83%. Two adults needed a second surgical repair with successful outcome in one, increasing the success rate to 92% after the second attempt. One female patient, obese with a body mass index > 30 and hydrocephaly, had a recurrence of CSF leakage despite surgical revision. Postoperative imaging studies, CT scan or MRI, showed that the defect had successfully been repaired in 11 patients. CONCLUSION: High-resolution CT scan, MRI with or without cisternography, should investigate osteo-meningeal defect. Our report confirms that endonasal surgical techniques are useful for treating meningoceles and meningo-encephaloceles. The external route is to be preferred when the lesion is located in the apex of the frontal sinus.

Sheep as a large animal model for cochlear implantation / Uso de ovelhas como um modelo animal de grande porte para implante coclear

Abstract Introduction In surgical training, large animal models are more suitable as their anatomy is more similar to humans. In otology, there have been relatively few studies about large animal models for surgical training. Objective In this study, we aimed to do a neuroradiologic evaluation and surgical insertion of a cochlear implant electrode array on a sheep head model. Methods Twenty cadaveric sheep heads were studied. A computed tomography scan and neuroradiologic evaluation was performed on each head, obtaining measurements of the inner ear for each sheep. Sheep measurements were compared to those from temporal bone computed tomography scans from 20 female humans. Surgical procedures were first trained with 13 of the sheep temporal bones, after which cochlear implantation was performed on the remaining 7 temporal bones. The position of the inserted electrode array insertion was confirmed by computed tomography scan after the procedure. Results Neuroradiologic evaluation showed that, relative to the 20 female humans, the mean ratio for sheep was 0.60 for volume of cochlea, 0.70 for height of cochlea, 0.73 for length of cochlea; ratios for other metrics were >0.80. For the surgical training, the round window was found in all 20 sheep temporal bones. Computed tomography scans confirmed that electrode insertions were fully complete; the mean value of electrode array insertion was 18.3 mm. Conclusion The neuroradiologic and surgical training data suggest that the sheep is a realistic animal model to train cochlear implant surgery and collection of perilymph samples, but less so for surgical training of mastoidectomy due to pneumatization of the mastoid.

Resumo Introdução No treinamento cirúrgico, os modelos animais de grande porte são mais adequados, pois sua anatomia é mais semelhante à humana. Em otologia, existem relativamente poucos estudos com modelo animal de grande porte para treinamento cirúrgico. Objetivo Fazer a avaliação neurorradiológica e a inserção cirúrgica de um eletrodo de implante coclear em um modelo de ovelha. Método Vinte cabeças de cadáveres de ovelhas foram estudadas. Foram feitas tomografia computadorizada e avaliação neurorradiológica de cada cabeça, obtiveram‐se medidas da orelha interna de cada ovelha. As medidas das ovelhas foram comparadas às de tomografias computadorizadas do osso temporal de 20 mulheres. Os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram inicialmente treinados com 13 dos ossos temporais de ovelhas, após o qual o implante coclear foi feito nos 7 ossos temporais restantes. A posição de inserção do arranjo de eletrodos foi confirmada por tomografia computadorizada após o procedimento. Resultados A avaliação neurorradiológica mostrou que, em comparação às 20 mulheres, a proporção média para as ovelhas foi de 0,60 para o volume da cóclea, 0,70 para a altura da cóclea, 0,73 para o comprimento da cóclea; as proporções para as outras medidas foram > 0,80. Em relação ao treinamento cirúrgico, a janela redonda foi encontrada em todos os 20 ossos temporais de ovelhas. A tomografia computadorizada confirmou que as inserções dos eletrodos foram totalmente completas; o valor médio da inserção do arranjo de eletrodos foi de 18,3 mm. Conclusão Os dados do treinamento neurorradiológico e cirúrgico sugerem que a ovelha é um modelo animal realista para o treinamento da cirurgia de implante coclear e coleta de amostras da perilinfa, mas não tão realista para o treinamento cirúrgico de mastoidectomia devido à pneumatização da mastoide.

TIPIC Syndrome: Beyond the Myth of Carotidynia, a New Distinct Unclassified Entity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The differential diagnosis of acute cervical pain includes nonvascular and vascular causes such as carotid dissection, carotid occlusion, or vasculitis. However, some patients present with unclassified vascular and perivascular changes on imaging previously reported as carotidynia. The aim of our study was to improve the description of this as yet unclassified clinico-radiologic entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 through April 2016, 47 patients from 10 centers presenting with acute neck pain or tenderness and at least 1 cervical image showing unclassified carotid abnormalities were included. We conducted a systematic, retrospective study of their medical charts and diagnostic and follow-up imaging. Two neuroradiologists independently analyzed the blinded image datasets. RESULTS: The median patient age was 48 years. All patients presented with acute neck pain, and 8 presented with transient neurologic symptoms. Imaging showed an eccentric pericarotidian infiltration in all patients. An intimal soft plaque was noted in 16 patients, and a mild luminal narrowing was noted in 16 patients. Interreader reproducibility was excellent. All patients had complete pain resolution within a median of 13 days. At 3-month follow-up, imaging showed complete disappearance of vascular abnormalities in 8 patients, and a marked decrease in all others. CONCLUSIONS: Our study improved the description of an unclassified, clinico-radiologic entity, which could be described by the proposed acronym: TransIent Perivascular Inflammation of the Carotid artery (TIPIC) syndrome.

[Treatment of an intracerebral mycotic aneurysm with embolisation]. / Traitement par embolisation d'un anévrisme mycotique intracéérbral.

We report the case of a patient with streptococcal mitral endocarditis discovered following an ischaemic cerebrovascular accident. The clinical evolution was marked by the progressive development of a mycotic aneurysm. Surveillance was performed with repeated angio-MRI which provided an indication for embolisation. We demonstrate the value and the current quality of angio-MRI for the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysms, and the value of active management of these lesions which present a high risk of rupture and which are associated with a significant excess mortality. Embolisation can allow earlier cardiac surgery for haemodynamically unstable patients and for those whose neurological state until now contra-indicated intervention.

[Cortical malformations and epilepsy: Role of MR imaging]. / Malformations corticales et épilepsie: apport de l'IRM.

Malformations of cortical development are increasingly recognized as important causes of epilepsy, developmental delay and other neurological disorders. Our purpose is to present the relevance of the MRI in these pathologies with the clinical, genetic and therapeutic aspects. This classification is based on the three fundamental events of cortical formation: proliferation of neurons and glie in the periventricular zone, migration of postmitotic neurons to the periphery, subsequent cortical organization. MR analysis evaluates particularly the cortical thickness, sulcal and cortical morphology, gray-white matter junction, and looks for gray matter in abnormal location. These data coupled with the familial history, the seizure characteristics and genetic findings should allow an appropriate classification of the lesions. MR imaging allows the detection and classification of cortical malformations. MR imaging findings are primordial to consider surgery when the epilepsy becomes refractory to the anti-epileptic drugs. An adequate classification of these malformations should help to provide to the family an appropriate counseling both in terms of genetics and outcome.