The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial : surgical results in 1415 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study reports the surgical results in those patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET). METHODS: The rates of perioperative stroke and death at 30 days and the final assessment of stroke severity at 90 days were calculated. Regression modeling was used to identify variables that increased or decreased perioperative risk. Nonoutcome surgical complications were summarized. The durability of carotid endarterectomy was examined. RESULTS: In 1415 patients there were 92 perioperative outcome events, for an overall rate of 6.5%. At 30 days the results were as follows: death, 1.1%; disabling stroke, 1.8%; and nondisabling stroke, 3.7%. At 90 days, because of improvement in the neurological status of patients judged to have been disabled at 30 days, the results were as follows: death, 1.1%; disabling stroke, 0.9%; and nondisabling stroke, 4.5%. Thirty events occurred intraoperatively; 62 were delayed. Most strokes resulted from thromboembolism. Five baseline variables were predictive of increased surgical risk: hemispheric versus retinal transient ischemic attack as the qualifying event, left-sided procedure, contralateral carotid occlusion, ipsilateral ischemic lesion on CT scan, and irregular or ulcerated ipsilateral plaque. History of coronary artery disease with prior cardiac procedure was associated with reduced risk. The risk of perioperative wound complications was 9.3%, and that of cranial nerve injuries was 8.6%; most were of mild severity. At 8 years, the risk of disabling ipsilateral stroke was 5.7%, and that of any ipsilateral stroke was 17.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of perioperative stroke and death was 6.5%, but the rate of permanently disabling stroke and death was only 2.0%. Other surgical complications were rarely clinically important. Carotid endarterectomy is a durable procedure.

Long-term prognosis and the effect of carotid endarterectomy in patients with recurrent ipsilateral ischemic events. North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial Group.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study examines how the prognosis of patients who present with an ischemic event (TIA or nondisabling stroke) referable to a 70 to 99% carotid artery stenosis is modified by the pattern of their ischemic history. We also examined the benefits of performing carotid endarterectomy on the recently symptomatic artery. METHODS: A total of 608 patients was divided into two groups. The recent group (N = 444) consisted of patients who became newly symptomatic within the previous 6 months of their presenting event. Prior to this, they were asymptomatic. The recurrent group (N = 164) consisted of patients who had one or more ischemic events within the previous 6 months of their presenting event, as well as one or more within the previous 7 to 12 months. All events were ipsilateral to the presenting event. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier risk estimates of ipsilateral stroke at 2 years for medically treated patients were 18.6 +/- 3.3% in the recent group and 41.2 +/- 6.9% in the recurrent group (p = 0.0002, logrank test). For patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, the risks were 7.8 +/- 2.0% and 10.8 +/- 3.4% (p = 0.36, logrank test). Multivariate analyses did not identify any baseline patients characteristics as confounders nor any statistical interactions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for urgency in considering carotid endarterectomy for patients with 70 to 99% carotid artery stenosis who have had recurrent ipsilateral ischemic events extending back more than 6 months. These patients are at more than twice the risk of stroke as those who are newly symptomatic.

Cognitive functioning in long-term survivors of high-grade glioma.

In a pilot study, two groups of patients with malignant glioma underwent sequential neuropsychological evaluations after successful tumor treatment. Group 1 included nine patients treated from 1981 to 1985; all patients received irradiation and eight underwent chemotherapy. The baseline neuropsychological assessment was performed 1 to 63 months after tumor diagnosis, with follow-up evaluations at irregular intervals over the next 3 to 7 years. Six patients in Group 1 exhibited impairment on most measures at baseline; subsequently, two patients developed profound cognitive impairment. Initially, three patients functioned in the average range on most tasks; thereafter, two deteriorated on one measure each. Group 2 was ascertained prospectively and included 16 patients treated from 1985 to 1987, all of whom received irradiation and chemotherapy. The first evaluation was performed 18 months after diagnosis, then every 6 months for 2 years, and then yearly. Compared to a control group, those in Group 2 had significant cognitive impairment at baseline. Cognitive performance did not change over the next 12 months in 10 patients who remained free of tumor, but within 2 years of baseline testing, deterioration on specific tasks was evident in two of seven disease-free survivors. When last tested, five of six disease-free survivors had deteriorated on one or more measures. Unlike Group 1, severe global cognitive impairment was not seen, perhaps because Group 2 was followed for a shorter time. Verbal and nonverbal composite scores derived from intelligence quotient (IQ) tests showed less impairment at baseline than did other measures and were more likely to remain stable subsequently. Verbal memory and sustained attention were the most impaired at baseline, and verbal learning and flexibility in thinking showed the greatest tendency to decline over time. Cognitive functioning in survivors of high-grade glioma is best measured and monitored by tests that probe a broader spectrum of abilities than IQ. Neuropsychological measures used in this analysis lacked sensitivity at the lower end of the impaired range. Future studies should use tests better able to discern cognitive differences at low performance levels. Based on this experience, the authors conclude that most long-term survivors of high-grade glioma will have significant cognitive difficulties, usually evident by the first assessment; some patients will develop profound impairment years later, and few are capable of fully independent living.

Hemodynamic activity associated with a paraganglioma of the cauda equina. Case report.

A 53-year-old man presented with a paraganglioma of the cauda equina that caused significant hemodynamic instability during removal. The clinical implications of this phenomenon are discussed.

Intentional isoniazid overdosage in young Southeast Asian refugee women.

During a two-year period, from January 1984 through December 1985, six cases of intentional overdosage with isoniazid were reported in young Southeast Asian refugee women. The patients were aged 14 to 23 years, had all immigrated within one year and were receiving isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis infection without disease. Clinically, all patients experienced generalized seizures, and three sustained moderate metabolic acidosis. All recovered uneventfully. Psychiatric evaluations revealed that two patients had major depression; two, adjustment disorders with depressed mood; and two, no psychiatric illness. The latter two patients and two others ingested an excessive amount of isoniazid immediately following an argument with a family member. Because tuberculosis infection is prevalent in refugees immigrating from Southeast Asia, isoniazid, given for six months to one year as preventive therapy, is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs during the early resettlement period. There may be an increased risk of intentional isoniazid overdosage during preventive therapy of young refugee women.

The natural history of asymptomatic carotid bifurcation plaques.

Seventy-three patients with an angiographically identified asymptomatic stenosis (greater than 50%) and/or ulceration of the common carotid bifurcation have been followed from 6 months to 10 years (average 4 years). All patients had previously undergone contralateral carotid endarterectomy for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke in that carotid territory. During follow-up, 22 patients (30%) developed new symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Twelve developed ischemia referable to the previously asymptomatic side (10 TIA's, 2 strokes). Six developed recurrent ischemic symptoms in the territory of the previously symptomatic and operated carotid artery (2 TIA's, 4 strokes). Five developed ischemia in the vertebro-basilar territory (2 TIA's, 3 strokes). Thirteen patients (17%) died during follow-up, including 6 from cardiovascular disease and 3 from stroke. In our series the incidence of stroke in the territory of a significant asymptomatic carotid plaque was low (3%). Patients were as likely to develop stroke in the territory of a previously operated carotid artery (5%) with asymptomatic carotid lesions is to keep them under review and to consider endarterectomy only if appropriate ischemic symptoms (which are most likely to be TIA's) develop.

Presentation and management of mesencephalic hematoma. Report of two cases.

Two patients presenting with a mesencephalic hematoma are reported. Clinical features, particularly paralysis of all vertical eye movements and a marked tendency to fall backwards when standing, allowed accurate localization of these lesions. In one case, the etiology was a proven arteriovenous malformation, and the other was suspected to be due to hypertensive arteriolar rupture. Deterioration resulted from further expansion of the mesencephalic mass in one patient. A subtemporal approach allowed excellent exposure of the midbrain for evacuation of the hematoma. The other patient developed hydrocephalus due to obstruction of the aqueduct and was treated successfully by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Both patients survived, although one remains moderately disabled. The authors emphasize the importance of initial observation and supportive care in the stable patient with a mesencephalic hematoma. Surgery is indicated for those who show evidence of deterioration from rebleeding or hydrocephalus.

Trigeminal neuralgia: a comparison of the results of percutaneous rhizotomy and microvascular decompression.

Seventy-five patients were treated between March 1976 and June 1980 for classical idiopathic tic douloureux. Fifty-five patients underwent percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy (PTR) and twenty-four had posterior fossa microvascular decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal nerve. Four patients had both procedures. In the PTR group, 4% were immediate failures, 42% had a delayed recurrence of pain, while 54% remained totally pain free with an average follow-up of 30 months. In the MVD group, 12% were immediate failures, 17% had a delayed recurrence of pain, and 71% have remained free of pain with a average follow-up of 28 months. Neither procedure can be regarded as ideal surgical treatment for patients with pain refractory to medical treatment. Percutaneous rhizotomy has an established place because of its safety, particularly in elderly patients. A high rate of recurrent pain is to be expected. Microvascular decompression has appeal in younger patients because of its non-destructive nature but the long term efficacy of the procedure is not known.

How old people tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysm.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how well (or poorly) patients past the age of 60 tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysms in all locations. The records of 93 consecutive good risk patients (Botterell Grades 1 and 2) have been reviewed. Co-existing chronic medical conditions, e.g., hypertension, were ignored in patient grading. The results indicate that, for treatment of aneurysms on the anterior circulation, older patients tolerate intracranial procedures as well as younger patients. This is not true for operations upon posterior circulation aneurysms. Some possible reasons for this discrepancy are suggested.