[Acute global amnesia as an exclusive presenting symptom of thalamic infarct: a diagnostic challenge]. / Amnesia global aguda como forma exclusiva de presentacion de infarto talamico: un reto diagnostico.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated acute amnesia is an exceptional presenting symptom of thalamic stroke. This study analyses the clinical profile, the diagnosis, the treatment and the prognosis of these patients. CASE REPORTS: We conducted a retrospective review of the cases of thalamic infarct that presented exclusively as acute amnesia in our university tertiary hospital (n = 3) and a review of similar cases in PubMed (n = 20). 48% presented at least one risk factor of stroke (arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation or a previous stroke). Amnesia was anterograde in three cases (13%) and global in the remaining 20 (87%). The infarct was detected in neuroimaging studies carried out within the first 24 hours in one patient (4%) and later in all the others; the average time until a diagnosis was established was 11 days. The initial CT scan was normal in five patients (22%). Eight cases (35%) required magnetic resonance imaging to detect the infarct. Of these, four subjects were studied directly with MR imaging. Amnesia clearly improved in eight patients (35%), and three of them (13%) made a full recovery. Fifteen patients (65%) presented mnemonic sequelae that interfered with their functional capacity. The clinical picture lasted less than 24 hours in two patients (9%). None of the cases received revasculisation therapy in the acute phase. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of thalamic infarcts that begin exclusively with amnesia is very difficult and this has negative repercussions on their treatment in the acute phase. These infarcts can produce a functionally disabling memory deficit in a high percentage of patients.

TITLE: Amnesia global aguda como forma exclusiva de presentacion de infarto talamico: un reto diagnostico.Introduccion. La amnesia aguda aislada es una forma excepcional de presentacion del ictus talamico. Se analizan el perfil clinico, el diagnostico, el tratamiento y el pronostico de estos pacientes. Casos clinicos. Revision retrospectiva de los casos de infarto talamico que se presentaron exclusivamente como amnesia aguda en nuestro hospital terciario universitario (n = 3) y revision de casos similares en PubMed (n = 20). El 48% presentaba al menos un factor de riesgo de ictus (hipertension arterial, dislipidemia, diabetes mellitus, fibrilacion auricular o ictus previo). La amnesia fue anterograda en tres casos (13%) y global en los otros 20 (87%). El infarto se detecto en estudio de neuroimagen en las primeras 24 horas en un paciente (4%) y posteriormente en los demas, y la media de dias hasta el diagnostico fue de 11. La tomografia computarizada inicial fue normal en cinco (22%) pacientes. Precisaron estudio por resonancia magnetica ocho (35%) casos para detectar el infarto. De estos, cuatro sujetos se estudiaron directamente con resonancia magnetica. La amnesia presento una mejoria clara en ocho (35%) pacientes, y la recuperacion fue completa en tres (13%). Las secuelas mnesicas que interferian la capacidad funcional se presentaron en 15 pacientes (65%). La clinica persistio menos de 24 horas en dos pacientes (9%). Ningun caso recibio tratamiento revascularizador en fase aguda. Conclusion. Los infartos talamicos que comienzan de forma exclusiva con amnesia presentan notables dificultades diagnosticas que repercuten negativamente en su tratamiento en la fase aguda. Estos infartos pueden producir un deficit mnesico funcionalmente discapacitante en un porcentaje elevado de pacientes.

Clinical management guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To update the Spanish Society of Neurology's guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review and analysis of the existing literature. Recommendations are given based on the level of evidence for each study reviewed. RESULTS: The most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is cerebral aneurysm rupture. Its estimated incidence in Spain is 9/100 000 inhabitants/year with a relative frequency of approximately 5% of all strokes. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Stroke patients require treatment in a specialised centre. Admission to a stroke unit should be considered for SAH patients whose initial clinical condition is good (Grades I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale). We recommend early exclusion of aneurysms from the circulation. The diagnostic study of choice for SAH is brain CT (computed tomography) without contrast. If the test is negative and SAH is still suspected, a lumbar puncture should then be performed. The diagnostic tests recommended in order to determine the source of the haemorrhage are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography. Doppler ultrasonography studies are very useful for diagnosing and monitoring vasospasm. Nimodipine is recommended for preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia. Blood pressure treatment and neurovascular intervention may be considered in treating refractory vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: SAH is a severe and complex disease which must be managed in specialised centres by professionals with ample experience in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

Influencia de la curva de aprendizaje y del código ictus extrahospitalario en el tratamiento trombolítico del ictus agudo / Influence of the experience and of out-of-hospital stroke code in thrombolytic treatment of acute stroke

Introducción. Se presenta la experiencia en el tratamientodel ictus isquémico con activador del plasminógeno tisularrecombinante (rt-PA) en un hospital universitario. Seevalúa la influencia de la curva de aprendizaje, individual ycolectiva, y de la activación del código ictus extrahospitalario(CIE) en las demoras hasta el inicio del tratamiento, en elnúmero de pacientes tratados y en su evolución.Método. Registro prospectivo de pacientes con ictus isquémicotratados con rt-PA entre enero de 2004 y diciembrede 2006. Análisis comparativo entre los pacientes tratadosen los 3 años del estudio y en función de la experienciadel neurólogo que aplica el tratamiento, así como en pacientestratados con o sin activación del CIE.Resultados. Se trataron 87 pacientes (66,6±13,7 años).El tiempo puerta-aguja fue de 79±21 min en 2004, 64±22 minen 2005 y 63±26 min en 2006 (p=0,003). Los neurólogoscon experiencia aplicaron el tratamiento más rápido (tiempopuerta-aguja: 62±22 frente a 75±27 min; p=0,03). La activacióndel CIE redujo el tiempo puerta-aguja (53±17 frentea 65±21 min; p=0,032) y el tiempo puerta-tomografíacomputarizada (21±10 frente a 29±24 min; p=0,016). Nohubo diferencias en la evolución de los pacientes en los distintosgrupos.Conclusión. La experiencia adquirida y la activación delCIE disminuyen las demoras intrahospitalarias, contribuyendoa aumentar el número de pacientes tratados con trombólisis.El tratamiento trombolítico es seguro y eficaz, inclusosi se aplica por neurólogos sin experiencia si se siguencriterios estrictos (AU)

Introduction. We present the experience for thrombolytictreatment using recombinant tisular plasminogenactivator (rt-PA) at a university hospital. We analyze theinfluence of individual and collective acquired experienceand of the activation of an out-of-hospital stroke code(OSC) on the delays to onset of treatment, number ofpatients treated and outcome.Method. Prospective register of patients with ischemicstroke treated with rt-PA within the period 1/2004-12/2006. Comparison of results between patients treatedduring the three years of study and based on the individualexperience of the neurologist who applies the treatmentand on the patients treated with or without activationof OSC.Results. A total of 87 patients were treated (meanage: 66.6±13.7). Door-to-needle time was 79±21 min in2004, 64±22 in 2005 and 63±26 in 2006 (p=0.003).Experienced neurologists started thrombolysis sooner(door-to-needle time: 62±22 min vs 75±27, p=0.03).Activation of the ESC reduced door-to-needle time (53±17 min vs 65±21; p=0.032) and door-to-computed tomographyscan time (21±10 min vs 29±24; p=0.016). Therewere no differences in outcome in the different groups.Conclusions. Individual and collective acquired experienceand the activation of an OSC can lower in-hospitaldelays. This contributes to increasing the number of patientseligible for thrombolysis. Thrombolytic therapy issafe and effective even when it is applied by inexperiencedneurologists if strict guidelines are followed (AU)