Unresponsiveness to Chiari Malformation Type I Surgery Can Be Related to the Accompanying Chiari Network.

Surgical treatment is indicated for Chiari malformation type 1 (CMI) with tonsillar descent (TD) of >5 mm and other clinical manifestations. However, some patients remain unresponsive to surgery; this is an active topic of discussion. A patient presented to the emergency department with dizziness and an impaired gait. He had a history of hypertension. Magnetic resonance investigations revealed a 9-mm TD and cervical syringomyelia. There was no evidence of interatrial septum pathology on transthoracic echocardiography performed preoperatively. Although his complaints were attributed to CMI and surgery was performed, his symptoms remained persistent. Two years later, when the patient's dizziness increased, a posterior fossa transient ischemic attack (TIA) was suspected. A large patent foramen ovale (PFO) and Chiari network (CN) were also detected on transesophageal echocardiography. His complaints were resolved following PFO closure. Our case suggests that neurosurgeons should be informed about the results of the companionship of a PFO and CN. Before deciding on CMI surgery for patients with only dizziness complaints, a detailed investigation of accompanying cardiac pathologies is paramount to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Time­dependent changes in blood cells, NIHSS and mRS according to reperfusion treatment type in stroke patients who developed hemorrhagic complication.

Hemorrhagic complications may be seen following reperfusion therapy with rtPA and/or thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets have important roles in the inflammatory and immune responses that develop in these patients. We investigated time­dependent changes in blood cells, NIHSS and mRS values according to type of reperfusion therapy in AIS patients who developed cerebral hemorrhage. In AIS patients who underwent rtPA and/or thrombectomy and developed cerebral hemorrhage within the first 24 hours after treatment, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts and their ratios were recorded on admission, 1st, 3rd, and 7th days. NIHSS values on admission, 3rd days and mRS values on admission, discharge, and the 3rd month were recorded. These values were compared according to the type of reperfusion therapy. Out of 436 AIS patients, rtPA was applied in 50.5%, thrombectomy in 28.2%, and rtPA+thrombectomy in 21.3%. Hemorrhage developed in 25.5% of the patients. Patients treated with thrombectomy had a greater rate of cerebral hemorrhage. Pre­stroke mRS values were lower in all therapy types than mRS scores at discharge and the 3rd month. The NIHSS scores did not differ significantly in 3 days. Depending on the type of reperfusion treatment, there are a few time­dependent significant changes observed in the blood cell counts and ratios. In conclusion, there is a relation between the type of reperfusion therapy and the time­dependent changes in blood cells and ratios as well as mRS scores among AIS patients who have undergone rtPA and/or thrombectomy and developed cerebral hemorrhage.

HaNDL Syndrome: The Innocent Lymphocytic Pleocytosis.

INTRODUCTION: HaNDL syndrome is a transient and rare condition that presents with neurological deficit and headache accompanied by lymphocytosis on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. It is usually characterized by spontaneous recovery without neurological sequelae. This is a benign condition, which has not yet been adequately defined and includes many diseases in the differential diagnosis. We indicated 2 different cases that applied with acute neurological findings. CASE REPORT: Two patients who were admitted to our hospital with transient neurological deficits and headaches were evaluated. There was no significant pathology in cranial imaging and EEG reports. Lymphocytic pleocytosis was observed in CSF. Patients were followed up with attacks but were discharged without deficits. We diagnosed the patients with HaNDL syndrome with clinical features, imaging, and laboratory findings. CONCLUSION: HaNDL is an underdiagnosed syndrome and it should be considered especially for young patients with headaches is prominent without a risk factor for ischemia, recurrent episodes with neurological symptoms, CSF pleocytosis, and normal imaging findings.Therefore, we wanted to raise awareness for the existence of this rare disease which is a waste of time by performing unnecessary tests and therapies during the diagnosis period.

Warfarin vs doac: Comparative outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). METHODS: A total of 71 consecutive patients with AF who underwent MT due to AIS between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped as warfarin versus DOAC group. CHA2DS2-VASc, HAS-BLED, The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at the time of admission and at 24 h, successful recanalization, post- MT complications and technical properties of MT were evaluated. Patients were divided into a good prognosis group, and a mortality group according to the 90th day mRS. RESULTS: HAS-BLED score was significantly higher in DOAC group (p = 0.006) There were no significant differences in stroke severity, successful recanalization rates, post-procedural complications and mRS 90th day scores between patients with warfarin and DOACs. CHA2DS2-VASc, NIHSS at admission and NIHSS on the 24th hour scores were significantly lower in the good mRS group (p = 0.012, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: MT is safe and effective in patients receiving warfarin or DOACs. HASBLED and CHA2DS2-VASc scores can help to predict functional outcome after MT.

Prediction of Bleeding by the PRECISE-DAPT Score in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenting.

PURPOSE: The predicting bleeding complications in patients undergoing stent implantation and the subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score predicts the risk of bleeding in patients with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Patients with carotid artery stenting (CAS) are also treated with DAPT. In this study, we aimed to investigate the performance of the PRECISE-DAPT score in predicting bleeding in patients with CAS. METHODS: Patients who had CAS between January 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The PRECISE-DAPT score was calculated for each patient. The patients were divided into two groups based on their PRECISE-DAPT score: low < 25 and high ≥ 25. Bleeding and ischemia complications and laboratory data among the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients with a mean age of 67.3 ± 9.7 years were included. Forty-three patients had high PRECISE-DAPT scores, and 77 patients had low PRECISE-DAPT scores. Six patients developed bleeding events during the six-month follow-up, and five of them were in the PRECISE DAPT score ≥ 25 group. The difference between the two groups regarding bleeding events at six months was significant (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The PRECISE-DAPT score might be used for predicting the bleeding risk in patients with CAS, and the bleeding rate was significantly higher in patients with a PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 25.

Changes in neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet ratios and their relationship with NIHSS after rtPA and/or thrombectomy in ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various reactive oxygen radicals and inflammatory mediators emerge in ischemic stroke, and changes occur in the number of leukocytes and platelets. Variations in the counts and ratios of these cells may be related to the early and late course and prognosis of stroke. In this study, the relationship between changes in counts or ratios of neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and National Health Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores was investigated in patients who presented with an ischemic stroke and treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and/or thrombectomy. METHODS: Changes in neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts; neutrophil-to-leukocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-leukocyte ratio (PLR), and platelet-to- lymphocyte ratio between day of admission (day 0), and 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after application of treatment modalities in 296 patients presented with acute ischemic stroke who underwent rtPA within the first 4,5 hours and / or thrombectomy within 6 hours after stroke and the relationship between these changes and the NIHSS (National Health Institute Stroke Scale) scores were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: In our study, leukocyte and neutrophil counts were higher on the first day after acute ischemic stroke. Platelet counts decreased on the 1st and 3rd days relative to baseline values. Lymphocyte values decreased on day 1, 3 and 7 compared to day 0. There was a significant increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios at day 1 and 3 compared to day 0. On the 7th day, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were significantly lower. There was an increase in platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios at day 1 compared to day 0. The increase in NLR values was more evident on day 1. The increase in PLR on the 7th day was also significant. The patients who underwent rtPA and/or thrombectomy had significantly lower NIHSS scores at the 72th hour of the stroke compared to the NIHSS values at hospital admissions. A positive correlation was found between NIHSS difference values and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte percent changes. CONCLUSIONS: There are dynamic changes in platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte counts and ratios in early period after treatment with rtPA and/or thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. Variations in the counts and ratios of these cells may be related to NIHSS, which determines the degree of neurological damage of stroke.