Preganglionic Injury of C8 Nerve Root Secondary to Shoulder Disloca tion: Diagnosis based on MRI Findings.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic spinal root injury caused by shoulder dislocation may involve the brachial plexus or, in some cases, a single nerve. The degree of severity of the injury depends on many patient-specific factors as well as the mechanism of injury. It is essential to suspect this type of lesion by means of a thorough physical examination in order to have better patient outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: We presented the subtle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 35-yearold male with left shoulder trauma and dislocation after falling off a bicycle. He complained of decreased muscle strength and sensitivity in the C8 dermatome. Atrophy of the hypothenar region and flexion deformity of the 4th and 5th digits were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with a partial preganglionic C8 motor root lesion. We found T2 increased signal intensity and thinning of the intradural segment of the C8 motor nerve root and low signal in the sequence of a multi- echo gradient recalled echo (GRE). CONCLUSION: MRI is a noninvasive tool that allows a detailed anatomical characterization of the nerves. In brachial plexus injuries, the use of the GRE sequence is useful to identify the lesions, even if they are subtle; however, some lesions may go unnoticed. It is important to note that these patients require an interdisciplinary group to reach a correct diagnosis, which is vital to establish the appropriate treatment and follow-up.

Spontaneous thrombosis of a vein of Galen malformation associated with acute sinusitis: a case report.

The vein of Galen malformation is caused by an abnormal shunting between choroidal arteries and the median prosencephalic vein during embryological development, leading to increased blood flow to the deep cerebral veins, intracranial damage, and systemic repercussions. Idiopathic spontaneous thrombosis of a vein of Galen malformation is rare, and its association with acute sinusitis has not been reported in the literature. We present the case of a girl with a postnatal diagnosis of a vein of Galen malformation at the age of 16 months, with secondary pulmonary hypertension that was adequately controlled with spironolactone. At 3 years old, while expecting elective endovascular treatment, the patient developed spontaneous thrombosis of the vein of Galen malformation, concomitant to an acute sinusitis episode, with complete resolution of the vascular malformation and secondary pulmonary hypertension. The patient continued with normal neurological development over a 5-year follow-up. We discuss the main pathophysiologic mechanisms that can explain spontaneous thrombosis of VOGMs and the patient's outcome. Awareness of different mechanisms that can lead to spontaneous thrombosis can help in the decision-making process and prompt targeted approaches to individual patients with a vein of Galen malformation.

Densidad escanográfica de los senos venosos en pacientes sanos a 2600 metros sobre el nivel del mar / Computed Tomography Density of the Venous Sinuses in Healthy Patients at 2600 Meters Above Sea Level

Introducción: Existe relación entre la densidad escanográfica de las estructuras vasculares medida en unidades Hounsfield (UH) y el hematocrito, el cual se incrementa en las personas que viven a mayor altitud sobre el nivel del mar. Se ha descrito que una densidad de 70 UH es el valor límite superior de normalidad de densidad de los senos venosos en personas sin trombosis venosa que habitan a una altitud de 1.000 m s. n. m.; sin embargo, no se ha establecido esta medida en personas que habitan en altitudes geográficas mayores. En este estudio se determinó dicho valor para personas sin trombosis de senos venosos que viven a 2.600 m s. n. m. Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como propósito caracterizar la densidad normal de los senos venosos en pacientes que habitan en altitudes geográficas de 2.600 m s. n. m. Metodología: Se analizaron las densidades escanográficas de los senos venosos longitudinal superior y de los sitios de unión entre los senos transversos y senos sigmoides de 240 sujetos que habitan a 2.600 m s. n. m., quienes asistieron a la institución entre enero de 2008 y junio de 2016. Estas personas consultaron por cefalea, convulsiones, alteración del estado de conciencia o focalización neurológica. A estos pacientes se les realizó inicialmente un estudio escanográfico de cráneo simple, hemoglobina y hematocrito con diferencia no mayor a 3 días entre el estudio escanográfico y el hemograma, así como estudios confirmatorios de positividad o ausencia de trombosis de senos intracraneales mediante resonancia magnética simple o angiorresonancia. Resultados: La media de UH fue de 59,8 con un rango entre 43,2 y 74,9, para pacientes normales. Se encontró una correlación positiva de 0,49 entre el hematocrito y las UH como es ampliamente conocido en la literatura. Conclusión: El rango en UH de los pacientes sin trombosis de senos venosos es amplio y supera por 4 puntos el informado en la literatura. Esto puede ser atribuible al aumento del hematocrito en individuos que viven a 2.600 m s. n. m. Para establecer normalidad en los pacientes con valores superiores a 70 UH se sugiere tomar en cuenta la simetría de la densidad escanográfica con respecto al seno venoso contralateral, así como evaluar la morfología del borde anterior del seno venoso y la adecuada localización del ROI (Region of Interest) para medir la densidad venosa.

Introduction: There is a relationship between the intravascular density measured in Hounsfield units (HU) in computed tomography (CT) and the hematocrit levels, which increases in people who live above sea level. The expected density in venous sinuses is lower than 70 HU in healthy people living at 1000 meters above sea level. However, this measure has not been established in people living at higher geographic altitudes. In this study, this value was determined for normal people living at 2,600 meters above sea level. Objective: The purpose of this study is to characterize the normal density of the venous sinuses in patients who live at geographical altitudes of 2,600 m above sea level. Methodology: We measured the density on CT at the superior longitudinal venous sinus and at the junction between the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus of 240 subjects living at 2600 meters above sea level from January 2008 to June 2016. These patients consulted for headache, seizures, altered state of consciousness or neurological focus. Initially, all participants had a non-enhanced CT brain, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels with a difference of no more than 3 days between the CT study and the hemogram, as well as confirmatory studies of positivity or absence of intracranial sinus thrombosis by non-enhanced MR or MRA. Results: The mean HU was 59.8 with a range between 43.2 and 74.9, for normal patients. A positive correlation of 0.49 was found between hematocrit and HU, as is widely known in the literature. Conclusion: We obtained a wide range in the HU of healthy patients compared to the values reported in other papers, and exceeds the highest value by 4 points. This may be attributable to the increased hematocrit in healthy patients living at 2,600 meters above sea level. In order to establish whether patients with venous sinus densities greater than 70 HU have venous thrombosis, our suggestion is to evaluate the symmetry of the density compared to the contralateral venous sinus, as well as to evaluate the morphology and the location of the ROI used to measure venous density.

Comprehensive Telestroke Network to Optimize Health Care Delivery for Cerebrovascular Diseases: Algorithm Development.

BACKGROUND: Health care delivery for cerebrovascular diseases is a complex process, which may be improved using telestroke networks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to establish and implement a protocol for the management of patients with acute stroke symptoms according to the available treatment alternatives at the initial point of care and the transfer possibilities. METHODS: The review board of our institutions approved this work. The protocol was based on the latest guidelines of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Stroke care requires human and technological resources, which may differ according to the patient's point of entry into the health care system. Three health care settings were identified to define the appropriate protocols: primary health care setting, intermediate health care setting, and advanced health care setting. RESULTS: A user-friendly web-based telestroke solution was developed. The predictors, scales, and scores implemented in this system allowed the assessment of the vascular insult severity and neurological status of the patient. The total number of possible pathways implemented was as follows: 10 in the primary health care setting, 39 in the intermediate health care setting, and 1162 in the advanced health care setting. CONCLUSIONS: The developed comprehensive telestroke platform is the first stage in optimizing health care delivery for patients with stroke symptoms, regardless of the entry point into the emergency network, in both urban and rural regions. This system supports health care personnel by providing adequate inpatient stroke care and facilitating the prompt transfer of patients to a more appropriate health care setting if necessary, especially for patients with acute ischemic stroke within the therapeutic window who are candidates for reperfusion therapies, ultimately contributing to mitigating the mortality and morbidity associated with stroke.

Analyses of Mortality and Prevalence of Cerebrovascular Disease in Colombia, South America (2014-2016): A Cross-Sectional and Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second cause of death and the first cause of disability worldwide. However, although numerous reports regarding stroke epidemiology in Latin America have been published, they differ widely in terms of employed methods and end points. This is the first of a series of articles that describes the epidemiology of stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in the nation, as well as their correlation with recognized risk factors and social variables. METHODS: Descriptive analyses were performed using the Colombian vital registration system and social security information system as primary data sources. Rates and ratios were calculated, corrected for under-registration, and standardized. Secondary analyses were made using data from national surveys and government organizations on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sedentarism, obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and unsatisfied basic needs. Factorial multivariate multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate correlations. Concentration curves and indices were calculated to evaluate for inequities in the distribution of events. RESULTS: Global CVD had a national mortality rate and a prevalence ratio of 28 and 142 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage had the highest mortality rate (ie, 15 per 100,000), while cerebral infarction and transitory cerebral ischemia had the highest prevalence ratios (ie, 28 and 29 per 100,000, respectively). Hypertension and tobacco use were the most relevant risk factors for most of the simple and multiple models, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy and nonpyogenous intracranial venous thrombosis were the disease categories with the most socially unequal distribution of deaths and cases (ie, concentration indices of .34 and .29, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CVDs are a cause for concern in Colombia and a marker of healthcare inequality and social vulnerability. Nationwide control of risk factors such as hypertension and tobacco use, as well as the design and conduct of public policy focused on the vulnerable and medically underserved regions and on standardizing mandatory CVD registries might ease its burden.

Conventional Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance in Brain Concussion.

Conventional neuroimaging is still the mainstay in the assessment of the acute, follow-up, and chronic settings of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Computed tomography (CT) is preferred for the initial assessment of acute mTBI, repeat evaluation in acute mTBI with neurologic deterioration, and cautious use in children with mTBI. Clinical rules have been developed to identify pediatric and adult patients with mTBI who can safely forego CT. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is mostly used in patients with acute mTBI when initial or follow-up CT is normal and there are persistent neurologic findings and in subacute or chronic mTBI.