Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Non-Obese Female Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

While the typical patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is an obese female of childbearing age, there are unique patient populations, such as non-obese females, that have not been well studied. Characterizing this subpopulation may increase awareness our of it, which may prevent underdiagnosis and improve our understanding of IIH's underlying pathophysiology. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records and compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of non-obese (BMI < 30) and obese (BMI > 30) female patients with IIH. Two hundred and forty-six patients (age 32.3 ± 10) met our inclusion criteria. The non-obese patients (n = 59, 24%) were significantly younger than the obese patients (29.4 ± 9.9 vs. 33.2 ± 10.2, p = 0.004) and had higher rates of severe papilledema (Friesen 4-5; 25.4% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.019), scleral flattening (62.7% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.008), and optic nerve dural ectasia (78.0% vs. 55.6%, p = 0.044). Non-obese patients also had a tendency to have a higher lumbar puncture opening pressure (368 ± 92.7 vs. 344 ± 76.4, p = 0.062). Non-obese patients were three times more likely to present with a combination of scleral flattening and optic nerve dural ectasia (OR = 3.00, CI: 1.57-5.72, χ2 = 11.63, α < 0.001). Overall, non-obese females with IIH were found to have a more fulminant presentation, typified by higher rates of severe papilledema and radiological findings typical for IIH.

The pivotal role of timing of intravenous thrombolysis bridging treatment prior to endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: The role of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) as bridging treatment prior to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is under debate and better patient selection is needed. Objectives: As the efficacy and safety of IVT diminish with time, we aimed to examine the impact of bridging treatment within different time frames from symptom onset. Design: A retrospective registry study. Methods: Data were extracted from ongoing prospective EVT registries in two large tertiary centers. The current study included IVT-eligible patients with onset to door (OTD) < 4 h. We examined the efficacy and safety of bridging treatment through a comparison of the IVT + EVT group with the direct-EVT group by different time frames. Results: In all, 408 patients (age 71.1 ± 14.6, 50.6% males) were included, among them 195 received IVT + EVT and 213 underwent direct EVT. Both groups had similar characteristics. In the IVT + EVT group only, longer OTD was associated with lower rates of favorable outcome (p = 0.021) and higher rates of hemorrhagic transformation (HT; p = 0.001). In patients with OTD ⩽ 2 h, IVT + EVT compared to direct EVT had higher rates of TICI 2b-3 (86.2% versus 80.7%, p = 0.038). In patients with OTD > 2 h, IVT + EVT had lower rates of favorable outcome (33.3% versus 56.9%, p = 0.021), worse discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [7 (2-13) versus 3 (1-8), p = 0.024], and higher rates of HT (34.0% versus 8.5%, p < 0.001). Discussion: In this study, we found OTD times to have a significant effect on the impact of IVT bridging treatment. Our study shows that among patients with OTD < 2 h bridging treatment may be associated with higher rates of successful recanalization. By contrast, in patients with OTD > 2 h, bridging treatment was associated with worse outcomes. Further time-sensitive randomized trials are needed.

Improved first-pass effect in acute stroke thrombectomy using Solitaire-X compared to Solitaire-FR.

Background: In acute ischemic stroke (AIS), successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) of large vessel occlusion (LVO) necessitates the most suited device. Solitaire-X has longer and larger diameter pusher wires than Solitaire-FR.As the role of a larger pusher-wire diameter is uncertain, we aim to compare procedural, clinical, and radiological outcomes for AIS patients undergoing EVT using either type of Solitaire device. Procedures were performed using the Solumbra technique, which combines a large-bore aspiration catheter with a stentriever. The primary outcome was to compare rates of successful first-pass recanalization (defined as TICI 2b/3 score). The secondary objectives were procedural (rates of successful recanalization), clinical (post-procedural NIHSS and days of hospitalization), and radiological (post-procedural ASPECT score and hemorrhagic transformation) outcome measures. Design: Consecutive AIS patients undergoing EVT for LVO were recruited into a prospective multicenter database at our academic center. We have used Solitaire-FR until October 2020 and Solitaire-X ever since. We retrospectively analyzed our prospective consecutive registry. Included in our analysis are patients undergoing EVT using Solitaire only; patients with tandem lesions or underlying stenosis requiring emergent stenting during the procedure were excluded. The cohort of patients treated with Solitaire-X was compared with a cohort consisting of the most recent consecutive cases undergoing EVT with the Solitaire-FR. Results: A total of 182 (71.9 ± 14, 61% male patients) AIS patients were included in the analysis with both groups (n = 91 each) sharing similar demographic characteristics, premorbid conditions, and stroke characteristics (time from symptom-onset, NIHSS, ASPECTS, occlusion site, and rates of intravenous-tPA treatment). The Solitaire-X group had a higher rate of first-pass recanalization (65.9% vs. 50.5%, p = 0.049). On 24-h post-procedural head-CT, the Solitaire-X group had higher ASPECT scores (6.51 ± 2.9 vs. 5.49 ± 3.4, p = 0.042) and lower post-procedural average bleeding volumes (0.67 ± 2.1 vs. 1.20 ± 3.4 mL, p = 0.041). The Solitaire-X group had shorter duration of hospitalization (16.6 ± 13.1 days vs. 25.1 ± 23.2, p = 0.033). On multivariate analysis, using Solitaire-X was the sole independent predictor of first-pass recanalization (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.12-4.26, p = 0.023). Conclusion: In our study, the use of the Stentriever-X with a larger pusher-wire diameter was associated with a higher likelihood of first-pass effect and improved procedural, clinical, and radiological outcomes in AIS patients.

Automated CT perfusion analysis reveals medial temporal perfusion abnormalities during transient global amnesia.

INTRODUCTION: The underlying pathophysiology of Transient global amnesia (TGA) remains elusive. Reports of perfusion abnormalities in TGA were inconsistent, but semi-automated analysis of perfusion CT (CTP) may improve reliability and precision of perfusion deficit detection. METHODS: Per institutional protocol, all TGA patients undergo multiphasic contrast-CT with arch to vertex CT angiography, intracranial CT venography, MRI, and EEG upon admission. During the study period consecutive patients diagnosed with TGA underwent CTP during the early acute amnestic phase. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological findings. RESULTS: Five patients (3 female. median age 71, range 47-74) fulfilled entry criteria. Automated CTP analysis revealed the absence of an ischemic core (defined by CBF < 30%) or conventionally defined clinically relevant hypoperfusion area (defined by Time-to-maximum (Tmax) >6 s) in any of the patients. However, four of the five patients demonstrated territories of benign oligemia defined as Tmax>4 s in areas supplied by the Posterior Cerebral Artery. Three of these four patients had clear involvement of the bilateral medial temporal lobes. None of the patients had epileptic activity on their EEG. Both CTA and MRI were normal apart for small foci of restricted diffusion in the hippocampus of four patients. DISCUSSION: Deficits in perfusion were found in the hippocampi of 60% of patients in the acute phase of TGA using automated image analysis software. This method may provide a quick and simple method to detect these abnormalities. These perfusion abnormalities could help solidify the diagnosis at an early stage and may advance our understanding of this elusive syndrome.

Emergent cerebral venous stenting: A valid treatment option for fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension (FIIH) is characterized by rapid, severe, progressive vision loss and often treated surgically. Cerebral transverse venous stenting (CTVS) is efficacious in IIH patients, but emergent CTVS in FIIH is rarely reported. We present our experience with emergent CTVS in patients with FIIH. METHODS: Since 01/2019, an institutional protocol allowed emergent CTVS in FIIH patients with bilateral transverse sinus stenosis and gradient pressure > 15 on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We retrospectively analyzed a prospective registry of all IIH patients with details of neurological and neuro-ophthalmological assessments before and after treatment, and subjective assessments of headache and tinnitus were made pre-and post-procedure. RESULTS: 259 IIH patients, including 49 who underwent CTVS, were registered. Among them, five female patients met inclusion criteria for FIIH and underwent emergent CTVS. FIIH patients were younger (18.8 ± 1.64 vs 27.7 ± 4.85, p < 0.01), mean BMI was lower (30.8 ± 10.57 vs 34.6 ± 4.3, p < 0.01), and lumbar puncture opening pressure higher (454 ± vs 361 ± 99.4, p < 0.01) than that of IIH patients. They presented with acute visual loss, severe headache, papilledema, significant bilateral transverse sinus stenosis on CT-venography, and mean dominant side gradient pressure of 26.4 ± 6.2 on DSA. CTVS was performed without significant complications, resulting in remarkable improvement in headache, optical coherence tomography, and visual fields within 1 week. At 1-year follow-up (four patients) and 6-month follow-up (1 patient), there was complete resolution of papilledema and headache, and marked improvement in visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: In these patients, emergent-CTVS was a safe and effective treatment option for FIIH. Further evaluation is warranted.

Herpes zoster and long-term vascular risk: a retrospective cohort study.

Herpes zoster (HZ) represents a serious health problem in the general population due to its abundance and complications. Stroke and acute myocardial infarction are well-documented short-term complications of HZ, primarily due to vasculopathy in the cerebral and coronary arteries. However, no major study to date has specifically demonstrated that HZ is a long-term risk factor for all Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCE). A retrospective cohort study was conducted analyzing the association between HZ and MACCE. We compared HZ patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2018 and a matched control group. The model was stratified according to matched pairs and adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, history of dyslipidemia, and prior myocardial infarction (MI). Association between HZ exposure and stroke was assessed through a multivariable Cox regression analysis. The study included 41,930 patients, with 20,965 patients in each group. The risk of MACCE was 19% higher among HZ patients in the first year of follow up (P < 0.001). Antiviral treatment did not positively affect long-term survival among HZ patients (P < 0.001). These results suggest that HZ is a marker of long-term vascular risk. Additional studies will be needed to further evaluate this risk, the impact of HZ vaccination on such risk, and potential mitigation strategies.

Visualization of both proximal M2-MCA segments in patients (the Tilted-V Sign) with acute M1-MCA occlusion stroke is associated with better procedural and prognostic outcomes.

Introduction: We aimed to assess the clinical significance of M1-MCA occlusion with visualization of both MCA-M2 segments ["Tilted-V sign" (TVS)] on initial CT angiography (CTA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods: Data for patients with consecutive AIS undergoing EVT for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in two academic centers are recorded in ongoing databases. Patients who underwent EVT for M1-MCA occlusions ≤ 6 h from symptom onset were included in this retrospective analysis. Results: A total of 346 patients met the inclusion criteria; 189 (55%) had positive TVS. Patients with positive TVS were younger (68 ± 14 vs. 71 ± 14 years, P = 0.028), with similar rates of vascular risk factors and baseline modified Rankin scores (mRS) 0-2. The rates of achieving thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) 2b-3 were similar to the two groups (79%), although successful first-pass recanalization was more common with TVS (64 vs. 36%, p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, higher collateral score [odds ratio (OR) 1.38 per unit increase, p = 0.008] and lower age (OR 0.98 per year increase, p = 0.046) were significant predictors of TVS. Patients with positive TVS had higher post-procedural Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS; 6.9 ± 2.2 vs. 5.2 ± 2.3, p = 0.001), were discharged with lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS; 6±6 vs. 9±7, p = 0.003) and higher rates of mRS 0-2 (29.5 vs. 12%, p = 0.001), and had lower rates of 90-day mortality (13.2 vs. 21.6%, p = 0.038). However, TVS was not an independent predictor of functional independence (OR 2.51; 95% CI 0.7-8.3). Conclusion: Tilted-V Sign, an easily identifiable radiological marker, is associated with fewer recanalization attempts, better functional outcomes, and reduced mortality.

Endovascular thrombectomy is beneficial for functional nonagenarians - a multicenter cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The use of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has dramatically increased in recent years. However, most existing studies used an upper age limit of 80 and data regarding the safety and efficacy of EVT among nonagenarians is still lacking. METHODS: 767 consecutive patients undergoing EVT for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in three participating centers were recruited into a prospective ongoing database. Demographic, clinical and imaging characteristics were documented. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate EVT outcome among nonagenarians compared to younger patients. RESULTS: The current analysis included 41 (5.4%) patients older than 90 years. Compared to younger patients, nonagenarians were more often female (78% versus 50.3%, p ≤ 0.001), had worse baseline mRS scores (2 [0-3] versus 0 [0-2], p < 0.001), higher rates of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and a higher admission NIHSS (20 [14-23] versus 16 [11-20], p < 0.001). No differences were found between groups regarding the involved vessel, stroke etiology, time from symptoms to door or symptoms to EVT, successful recanalization rates and hemorrhagic transformation rates. Nonagenarians had worse mRS at 90 days (5 [3-6] versus 3 [2-5], p = 0.001), similar discharge NIHSS (5 [1-11] versus 4 [1-11], p = 0.78) and higher mortality rates (36.6% versus 15.8%, p < 0.001). All nonagenarians with baseline mRS 4 have died within 90 days. 36.4% of nonagenarian patients with baseline MRS of 3 or less had favorable outcome. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that nonagenarian stroke patients with baseline mRS of 3 or less benefit from EVT with no significant difference in the rate of favorable outcome compared to octogenarians.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Alteplase before Endovascular Thrombectomy: A Pooled Analysis with Focus on the Elderly.

Current guidelines advocate intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for all patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We evaluated outcomes with and without IVT pretreatment. Our institutional protocols allow AIS patients presenting early (<4 h from onset or last seen normal) who have an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) ≥6 to undergo EVT without IVT pretreatment if the endovascular team is in the hospital (direct EVT). Rates of recanalization and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and neurological outcomes were retrospectively compared in consecutive patients undergoing IVT+EVT vs. direct EVT with subanalyses in those ≥80 years and ≥85 years. In the overall cohort (IVT+EVT = 147, direct EVT = 162), and in subsets of patients ≥80 years (IVT+EVT = 51, direct EVT = 50) and ≥85 years (IVT+EVT = 19, direct EVT = 32), the IVT+EVT cohort and the direct EVT group had similar baseline characteristics, underwent EVT after a comparable interval from symptom onset, and reached similar rates of target vessel recanalization. No differences were observed in the HT frequency, or in disability at discharge or after 90 days. Patients receiving direct EVT underwent more stenting of the carotid artery due to stenosis during the EVT procedure (22% vs. 6%, p = 0.001). Direct EVT and IVT+EVT had comparable neurological outcomes in the overall cohort and in the subgroups of patients ≥80 and ≥85 years, suggesting that direct EVT should be considered in patients with an elevated risk for HT.

Cerebral Venous Stenting for Pulsatile Tinnitus After Unsuccessful Jugular Ligation: Case Report and Literature Review.

Pulsatile tinnitus constitutes up to 10% of all tinnitus cases. Cerebral venous stenosis is a known etiology of pulsatile tinnitus. Treatment of pulsatile tinnitus secondary to venous stenosis with venous stenting has been reported in the literature but is not performed routinely. We would like to report a case of chronic pulsatile tinnitus treated with venous stent in a patient who previously underwent jugular vein ligation.

A Comparison Between Pressure Wire and Microcatheter Measurements for Evaluating the Cerebral Venous Pressure Gradient.

Introduction: A pressure gradient of over 8 mm Hg across the stenosis (usually located in the transverse-sigmoid junction) is one of the criteria for cerebral venous stenting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients. The possible inaccuracy of the traditional microcatheter-based pressure measurements has been discussed in previous studies. In the cardiology field, a dual-sensor pressure wire is routinely used for the evaluation of stenotic lesions. Using a pressure wire for cerebral vasculature was previously discussed in a small case series and case reports. In this study, we compared venous pressure measurements obtained using both a microcatheter and a pressure wire in patients who were candidates for stenting. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, comparing the two methods of pressure measurements in 26 patients with venous stenosis. Altogether, 120 measurements were performed using both methods. Demographic characteristics, medical history, procedural details, medications, indications for the procedure, and complications were collected from the patient charts. Results: Based on an 8-mm Hg pressure gradient cutoff indication, 19 patients were found eligible to go through unilateral venous stenting based on catheter measurements alone. The wire results corroborated the catheter results in detecting all cases indicated for a stent. This finding implies a sensitivity equal to 100% for the wire measurements. There were no wire-related complications, demonstrating its safety. Conclusions: We conclude that the pressure wire is as safe as the microcatheter and can identify cases requiring intervention. A larger-scale study is needed to assess the measurement accuracy of the pressure wire in brain vasculature.

Reduction in Acute Stroke Admissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data from a National Stroke Registry.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health-care systems worldwide, and medical care for other acute diseases was negatively impacted. We aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on admission rates and in-hospital care for acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in Israel, shortly after the start of the pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study, based on data reported to the Israeli National Stroke Registry from 7 tertiary hospitals. All hospital admissions for acute stroke or TIA that occurred between January 1 and April 30, 2020 were included. Data were stratified into 2 periods according to the timing of COVID-19 restrictions as follows: (1) "pre-pandemic" - January 1 to March 7, 2020 and (2) "pandemic" - March 8 to April 30, 2020. We compared the weekly counts of hospitalizations between the 2 periods. We further investigated changes in demographic characteristics and in some key parameters of stroke care, including the percentage of reperfusion therapies performed, time from hospital arrival to brain imaging and to thrombolysis, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 2,260 cases were included: 1,469 in the pre-COVID-19 period and 791 in the COVID-19 period. Hospital admissions significantly declined between the 2 periods, by 48% for TIA (rate ratio [RR] = 0.52; 95% CI 0.43-0.64) and by 29% for stroke (RR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.78). No significant changes were detected in demographic characteristics and in most parameters of stroke management. While the percentage of reperfusion therapies performed remained unchanged, the absolute number of patients treated with reperfusion therapies seemed to decrease. Higher in-hospital mortality was observed only for hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSION: The marked decrease in admissions for acute stroke and TIA, occurring at a time of a relatively low burden of COVID-19, is of great concern. Public awareness campaigns are needed as patients reluctant to seek urgent stroke care are deprived of lifesaving procedures and secondary prevention treatments.

Are there disparities in acute stroke treatment between the Jewish and Arab populations in Israel? Results from the National Acute Stroke Israeli registry.

BACKGROUND: According to the latest reported data from the National Acute Stroke Israeli Survey (NASIS), around 18,000 strokes occur annually in Israel. Data regarding disparities in stroke care between the Jewish and the Arab populations in Israel are lacking. AIMS: We wished to compare demographics, comorbidities, stroke characteristics and outcomes between Jewish and Arab stroke patients in Israel that were acutely treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), in order to test if there are disparities or any ethnic-specific parameters. METHODS: The National Acute Stroke Israeli registry of patients undergoing revascularization (NASIS-REVASC) prospectively enrolled patients in six comprehensive stroke centers between 1/2014 and 3/2016. In this observational research, we compared demographics, comorbidities, time metrics, stroke characteristics and outcomes between Jewish and Arab patients enrolled. RESULTS: NASIS-REVASC included 1432 patients out of which 143 (10%) were of Arab ethnicity and 1289 (90%) of Jewish ethnicity. Arab patients were significantly younger (66 ± 14 vs. 73 ± 29, p = 0·004), exhibited higher rates of smoking and diabetes (31% vs. 18% and 57% vs. 34%, p < 0·001 for both), and were less often treated with systemic thrombolysis (48% vs. 59%, p = 0·012). However, the rates of any interventional treatment with either intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy as well as the rates of favorable outcomes and mortality were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several baseline differences between Arab and Jewish Israeli stroke patients, treatment allocations, survival and functional outcomes were similar indicating lack of disparity in stroke care among patients treated acutely with IVT and/or EVT in Israel. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: Full data is available following a formal request to the NASIS-REVASC registry at the Israeli Health Ministry.

Overestimation of carotid stenosis on CTA - Real world experience.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic carotid stenosis is responsible for 10% of all strokes. Currently, CT angiography (CTA) is the main diagnostic tool for carotid stenosis. It is frequently the only diagnostic test preceding recommendations for carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However, the specificity of CTA, especially in patients with 50-70% stenosis, was previously reported to be relatively low. Most studies testing the diagnostic accuracy of CTA were published more than a decade ago. Therefore, we aimed to test the diagnostic accuracy of CTA, performed with current available technology, compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with carotid stenosis. This study aims to characterize patients who were candidates for CAS/CEA based on CTA, but may not require it based on DSA. METHODS: Consecutive candidates for carotid interventions (CAS or CEA) following CTA were identified from prospectively maintained stroke center registries at two large academic centers. As part of our institutional practice all patients had a routine pre-procedural diagnostic DSA. In each patient, degree of carotid stenosis was compared between CTA and DSA. Patients with concordant degree of stenosis on DSA and CTA (true positive group) were compared to patients with a discordant degree of stenosis with less than 50% on DSA (false positive group). RESULTS: Out of 90 patients with significant stenosis on CTA, only 70 (78%) were found to have a significant stenosis on DSA. Severe plaque calcification was significantly more common in the false-positive group. In those patients whose CTA reported stenosis of ≥90%, we found a strong agreement between CTA and DSA (positive predictive value [PPV] - 0.9) for a significant stenosis (≥50%). Conversely, the correlation between CTA and DSA in patients with CTA reported 50-70% stenosis was poor (PPV - 0.29) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that despite ongoing radiological progress, the specificity of CTA in accurately assessing carotid stenosis remains relatively low in patients with both moderate stenosis and heavily calcified plaques. Consequently, patients could possibly be referred for unnecessary CEA surgery and may become exposed to associated potential complications.

Adjunctive treatment with low dose intra-arterial eptifibatide and intravenous aspirin during carotid stenting: A case series.

PURPOSE: According to most guidelines, medical protocol for carotid stenting includes the administration of oral Aspirin and Clopidogrel at least four days before the procedure, with intraprocedural intravenous (IV) heparin. Some publications have also reported the safety of adding glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors to the protocol. In this retrospective study, we evaluate the safety of a new medication protocol that includes IV aspirin and intra-arterial Eptifibatide (glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitor) during carotid stenting. All patients who underwent carotid stenting at Soroka University Medical Center between January 2015 and May 2020 were included (emergent cases were excluded). We divided patients into two groups-patients treated under the standard protocol, and patients treated under the new protocol. In the latter, patients received both the standard protocol regimen, as well as 150 mg IV aspirin immediately before stenting, and a slow intra-arterial injection of 2-3 mg Eptifibatide (glycoprotein 2b/3a antagonist) immediately after stenting. Forty-four patients were treated according to the standard protocol (group 1), and 41 patients were treated according to the new protocol (group 2). In group 1, six patients had complications, while in group 2, no complications of any kind were noted (p = 0.027). The safety and possible efficacy of this novel protocol was preliminarily demonstrated in the present study. Future studies are needed to prove the safety and efficacy of a specific drug regimen that will further reduce the complication rates of carotid stenting.

The Value of Neurological Assessment for Prediction of Subtle Cerebral Infarction.

We examined to what extent clinical assessment alone can predict subtle acute cerebral infarction on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the 72 patients presented to the emergency department (ED) with transient neurological deficits, 26 (36.1%) were predicted to be "positive" and 46 (63.9%) "negative" for transient ischemic attack/minor stroke by two independent neurologists. Twenty patients (27.8%) had acute restricted diffusion on MRI. Clinical assessment showed substantial agreement with MRI findings (Kappa = 0.75), sensitivity (95.0%), specificity (86.5%), positive-likelihood ratio 7.06, and negative-likelihood ratio 0.06. Neurological assessment has an excellent predicting value for MRI-confirmed acute cerebral infarction and a key role in the facilitation of effective patient care in the ED.

Case Report: Anti-LGI1 Encephalitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination.

Anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is characterized by cognitive impairment or rapid progressive dementia, psychiatric disorders, faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS) and refractory hyponatremia. Since December 2020, millions of people worldwide have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Several soft neurological symptoms like pain, headache, dizziness, or muscle spasms are common and self-limited adverse effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, several major neurological complications, despite the unproven causality, have been reported since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. Herein, we describe a 48 years old man presenting with rapidly progressive cognitive decline and hyponatremia diagnosed with anti LGI1 AE, occurring shortly after the second dose of mRNA COVID -19 vaccine and possibly representing a severe adverse event related to the vaccination. Response to high dose steroid therapy was favorable. As millions of people worldwide are currently receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, this case should serve to increase the awareness for possible rare autoimmune reactions following this novel vaccination in general, and particularly of anti-LGI1 AE.

Effect of time from onset to endovascular therapy on outcomes: the National Acute Stroke Israeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy (EVT) is currently the most effective treatment for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke. Earlier treatment is associated with a better clinical outcome. Our aim was to examine the association between onset-to-EVT (OTE) time and clinical outcomes using real-world nationwide data from the National Acute Stroke ISraeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry. METHODS: Stroke patients undergoing EVT within the Endovascular Capable Centres (ECCs) in Israel between January 2014 and March 2016 were prospectively included. Several clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated. The association between OTE time and outcomes was analyzed with logistic regression models using time as a continuous variable and then by OTE groups of <2, 2-4, 4-6, and >6 hours. RESULTS: 299 patients with acute stroke were included in the analysis. OTE time was significantly associated with favorable outcomes. ORs for each hour of delay in EVT were 0.84 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.99) for significant early recovery, 0.80 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.94) for discharge to home, 0.80 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.95) for freedom from disability at discharge, and 0.78 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.91) for excellent reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 3). The <2 OTE group was significantly associated with better outcomes than the ≥2 OTE group including significant early recovery (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1), discharge to home (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.3 to 8.5), and excellent reperfusion (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 29.5). The same trend was observed for freedom from disability at discharge and 3 months (OR 2.08, 95% CI 0.7 to 5.7 and OR 2.57, 95% CI 0.8 to 8.3, respectively). Only 1% of transferred patients achieved an OTE time of <2 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide real-life registry data indicate that benefit from EVT is strongly associated with OTE time and is most prominent within the 'two golden hours' from stroke onset. This time goal may not be applicable in inter-hospital transfer patients.

Fibromyalgia-Like Syndrome Associated with Parkinson's Disease-A Cohort Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two relatively common disorders that are considered distinct diagnoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of patients with both PD and FM, as well as their comorbidities and medication use. We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study in Israel from 2000 to 2015. We identified patients with PD according to a refined medication tracer algorithm and patients with FM according to their medical records. Using the algorithm, we identified 2606 patients diagnosed with PD, 60 of them (2.3%) were also diagnosed with FM. Most of the patients were females (88.3%) and the mean age of FM diagnosis was 63.95 ± 12.27 years. These patients had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and dementia. Of the patients diagnosed with PD + FM, 46 (76.7%) were diagnosed with FM after the diagnosis of PD. Patients with PD + FM used analgesics of distinct kinds in higher rates, as well as more anti-PD medications. We suggest that patients with PD + FM represent a distinct subgroup with a fibromyalgia-like syndrome associated with Parkinson's disease (FLISPAD). Their PD is more treatment resistant, and they take more medications, both analgesics and anti-PD.