Analysis of the association between location and patient prognosis in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia and thalamus: A retrospective single-center study.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes profound neurological sequelae in survivors. The patient's prognosis is closely linked to the location and amount of hemorrhage. Therefore, we explored the relationship between the hemorrhage location within the basal ganglia, including the thalamus, and its clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. A retrospective analysis of consecutively enrolled patients with basal ganglia and thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage treated conservatively at a single tertiary neurosurgical center was conducted between January 2014 and December 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the lateralization of the right or left hemisphere hemorrhage. Furthermore, baseline patient demographics, hematoma volume, location of the hemorrhage (i.e., caudate nucleus, globus palidus, putamen, internal capsule anterior limb, internal capsule posterior limb, thalamus), and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale at the 1-year follow-up. An modified Rankin scale score between 3 and 6 was considered a poor outcome. In the analysis according to location, the prognosis was poor when the ICH was localized to the posterior limb of the internal capsule (P < .000) and globus palidus (P = .001) in the right hemisphere. Similarly, the prognosis was also poor when the ICH was localized to the posterior limb of the internal capsule (P < .000), globus palidus (P < .000), putamen (P = .018), and thalamus (P < .000) of the left hemisphere. In the spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages of the basal ganglia and thalamus, hemorrhaging within the internal capsule and the left thalamus's bilateral posterior limbs is associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that hematoma volume (odds ratio [OR] = 70.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95-60.53, P = .007) and the posterior limb of the internal capsule (OR = 10.98, 95% CI:1.02-118.49, P = .048) were independent predictors of poor outcomes in the right hemisphere, while hematoma volume (OR = 70.85, 95% CI: 1.95-60.53, P = .007), the posterior limb of the internal capsule (OR = 10.98, 95% CI:1.02-118.49, P = .048) and thalamus (OR = 10.98, 95% CI:1.02-118.49, P = .048) were independent predictors of poor outcomes in the left hemisphere.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery in a patient with nasopharyngeal cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal cancer can cause several complications. In rare cases, an internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm can occur, which can be fatal. We report the experience of a nasopharyngeal cancer patient who underwent radiation therapy and subsequently developed a fatal pseudoaneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old man was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer 2 years ago (American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage T3N2M0) and received concurrent chemoradiation therapy. He subsequently relapsed and received chemotherapy. One week after the 4th cycle of chemotherapy, he was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital because of massive epistaxis accompanied by a headache. A pseudoaneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Stent-assisted endovascular coil embolization was performed and complete occlusion was achieved. No pseudoaneurysm was observed on DSA after coil embolization; however, intermittent epistaxis was maintained even after coil embolization. After seven days, a diagnostic laryngoscopy was performed. Massive bleeding occurred after aspiration of the blood clot during the laryngoscopy and the patient died of hypovolemic shock. In this case, epistaxis may have been a sign of pseudoaneurysm; therefore, treatment such as embolization should be performed promptly, and careful management should be undertaken after treatment. CONCLUSION: This case highlights a rare, serious complication of RT in nasopharyngeal cancer and how it should be recognized and treated.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and ß-endorphin concentration as a prognostic factor in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture.

OBJECTIVE: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and ß-endorphin are pituitary neuro-peptides released by acute stress. We determined why the prognosis of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) due to aneurysmal rupture is not always dependent on the Hunt-Hess grading system (HHS) and delta-National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), while studying endogenous neuropeptides, including ACTH and ß-endorphin. METHODS: We analyzed blood samples collected from patients with SAH (SAH group; n=37) and those with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (control group; n=37). Blood sampling was performed before any procedure or chemical agents administration. The results of ACTH and ß-endorphin measurements were compared using the delta-NIHSS and HHS. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson's correlations. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients with low-grade HHS, 13 had low delta-NIHSS and five showed high delta-NIHSS. Of the 19 patients with high-grade HHS, the delta-NIHSS was ≥14 in the other five patients. ACTH concentration was high (497.3 pg/mL) in five patients with high-grade HHS and high delta-NIHSS. ß-endorphin concentration was high (159.7 pg/mL) in 13 patients with low-grade HHS and low delta-NIHSS. CONCLUSIONS: High ACTH levels in patients with massive bleeding and poor neurological status suggests increasing ACTH secretion in response to bleeding stress, which may aggravate neurological status. Contrary to ACTH, high ß-endorphin levels in patients with low-grade HHS implied the involvement of additional factors in predicting fair outcomes related to low delta-NIHSS. These results may provide insight into the varying prognostic potential of HHS in SAH patients.

Initial Experience of ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Related to Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Penumbra ACE68 reperfusion catheter is a new large bore aspiration catheter used for reperfusion of large vessel occlusion. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this catheter in comparison to that of previous Penumbra catheters in patients with acute ischemic stroke related to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. METHODS: Data of all eligible patients who received endovascular treatment (EVT) for ICA occlusion using Penumbra aspiration catheters between January 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. After dividing into two groups according to use of penumbra ACE68, baseline characteristics of patients, successful recanalization rate, puncture to recanalization time, and switch to stent base technique rate were assessed. Successful recanalization was defined by a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score ≥2b and favorable functional outcome was defined according to modified Rankin scale (score, 0-2). RESULTS: ACE68 reperfusion catheter was used in 29 of 75 eligible patients (39%). The puncture to recanalization time was significantly shorter (26±18.2 minutes vs. 40±24.9 minutes, p=0.011) and the rate of switch to stent-based retrieval was significantly lower (3% vs. 20%, p=0.046) in ACE68 catheter group. Moreover, although not statistically significant, the successful recanalization rate was higher (83% vs. 76%, p=0.492) in ACE68 catheter group. Favorable functional outcome was observed in 48% of patients treated with ACE68 reperfusion catheter and in 30% of patients treated using other Penumbra systems (p=0.120). Baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores ≥8 (odds ratio [OR], 9.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-54.99; p=0.010) and successful recanalization (OR, 10.20; 95% CI, 1.13-92.46; p=0.039) were independent predictors of favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: EVT using ACE68 reperfusion catheter can be considered a first-line therapy in patients with acute ICA occlusion as it can achieve rapid recanalization and reduce the frequency of conversion to stent-retrieve therapy.