Elevated Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio is Predictive of Poor Outcomes Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background Recent studies of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage suggest an association between peripheral blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and neurologic deterioration. We aimed to study the prognostic utility of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting inpatient mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods We conducted a retrospective electronic medical record review of the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage 18 years of age or older presenting to the neuroscience intensive care unit from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were divided into 2 groups (group 1, alive at discharge; group 2, deceased prior to discharge), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio laboratory mean values were recorded for each patient. Our primary outcome measure was inpatient mortality, and our secondary measure was incidence of pneumonia with hospitalization. Results We identified 403 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage for the study. After exclusion criteria, 44 eligible patients were divided into the 2 groups (group 1, n = 32; group 2, n = 12). Mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for group 1 was 11.53, and for group 2, 17.85 (P < .01). The mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio of those who developed pneumonia compared to those who did not was 15.28 versus 12.81, respectively (P = .39). A Kaplan-Meier plot demonstrated increased mortality among patients with a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio equal to or greater than 12.5 compared to those with a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio less than 12.5. Conclusions These preliminary data demonstrate that a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio equal to or greater than 12.5 at admission predict higher inpatient mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

An RCVS Spectrum Disorder? New Daily Persistent Headache Starting as a Single Thunderclap Headache (3 New Cases).

OBJECTIVE: To describe 3 new cases of new daily persistent headache (NDPH) starting as a single thunderclap headache. BACKGROUND: NDPH is a form of chronic daily headache that is unique in its temporal profile of onset. Distinct subtypes of NDPH are being described with specific efficacious treatments. A single case of NDPH starting as a single thunderclap headache has been previously reported but no further cases have been documented in the literature. New cases need to be published to better define the syndrome. METHODS: To report a case series of patients diagnosed with this unique NDPH subtype at an academic headache center from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: Three new cases of NDPH starting as a single thunderclap headache at onset were diagnosed. All patients were female with an average age of onset of 46 years. All presented with neurologic symptoms/stroke-like spells at headache onset. No defined triggering events were noted in any of the patients. There is a possible seasonal predilection to develop the syndrome around the fall clock change to the winter solstice. Neuroimaging was normal in the case patients. All patients rapidly responded to nimodipine. The duration of headache prior to nimodipine therapy ranged from 3 months to 4 years. CONCLUSION: This NDPH subtype appears to be rare. The key to diagnosis is asking about the temporal profile of the onset of the first ever NDPH headache. None of the case patients had been asked about the initial headache and its pattern of onset. Nimodipine seems to be very effective in treating this NDPH subtype. This syndrome is most likely precipitated by persistent or intermittent cerebral artery vasospasm. It is possibly a subform of the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.