Association Between Cerebral Angiography and Asymmetrical Cortical and Deep/Medullary Vein Signs on T2 Star Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Hyperacute Horizontal Segment of the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: When treating acute ischemic stroke patients, evaluation of collateral flow to the ischemic area is essential. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent imaging, including T2 star (T2∗), can identify elevated deoxyhemoglobin levels, reflecting an increase in the oxygen extraction fraction. Prominent veins on T2∗ represent increased deoxyhemoglobin and cerebral blood volume. This study compared asymmetrical vein signs (AVSs) on T2∗ and digital subtraction angiography findings during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with hyperacute middle cerebral artery occlusion. METHODS: Clinical and imaging data of 41 patients with occlusion of the horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery who underwent MT were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on angiographic occlusion sites as: proximal and distal to the lenticulostriate artery (LSA). AVSs on T2∗ were divided into asymmetrical cortical vein sign (cortical AVS) and asymmetrical deep/medullary vein sign (deep/medullary AVS), and were compared with the findings of intraoperative digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients had AVSs. Cortical AVS was the only parameter with a significant association with poor angiographic collateral supply. In terms of occlusion site, deep/medullary AVS was the only parameter with a significant association with occlusion proximal to the LSA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with occlusion of the horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery, presence of the cortical AVS on T2∗ suggests a poor angiographic collateral supply, while presence of the deep/medullary AVS suggests impaired blood flow to the basal ganglia through LSAs. Both these signs contribute to poor outcomes in patients undergoing MT.

Case report: Near-complete cortical hearing loss caused by sequential development of bilateral putaminal hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage with sudden hearing loss as the initial symptom is rare. A right-handed man with a history of right putaminal hemorrhage developed near-complete hearing loss and right hemiplegia and was taken to our hospital by ambulance. Non-contrast computed tomography demonstrated acute intracerebral hemorrhage in the left putamen. A region of old right putaminal hemorrhage involving the right temporal stem was also shown on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. Standard pure-tone audiometry showed right-dominant bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. More than 2 months after onset, the bilateral sensorineural hearing loss gradually improved without interfering with daily life. Detailed history-taking indicated that the old hemorrhage in the right putamen 12 years previously had caused sudden left-dominant bilateral hearing impairment due to asymmetric but bilateral innervation from the auditory nerve. The bilateral damage to the temporal stem involving acoustic radiation resulted in temporary near-complete hearing loss after the recurrence, but the amelioration of edema in the left temporal stem may have resulted in partial recovery of the hearing loss. This patient's clinical progression suggests that the auditory tract ascends mainly on the side opposite the ear and may explain the left dominance in the level of acoustic radiation.