Acute stroke care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ictus Madrid Program recommendations. / Atención al ictus agudo durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Recomendaciones Plan Ictus Madrid.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in complete saturation of healthcare capacities, making it necessary to reorganise healthcare systems. In this context, we must guarantee the provision of acute stroke care and optimise code stroke protocols to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and rationalise the use of hospital resources. The Madrid Stroke multidisciplinary group presents a series of recommendations to achieve these goals. METHODS: We conducted a non-systematic literature search using the keywords "stroke" and "COVID-19" or "coronavirus" or "SARS-CoV-2." Our literature review also included other relevant studies known to the authors. Based on this literature review, a series of consensus recommendations were established by the Madrid Stroke multidisciplinary group and its neurology committee. RESULTS: These recommendations address 5 main objectives: 1) coordination of action protocols to ensure access to hospital care for stroke patients; 2) recognition of potentially COVID-19-positive stroke patients; 3) organisation of patient management to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare professionals; 4) avoidance of unnecessary neuroimaging studies and other procedures that may increase the risk of infection; and 5) safe, early discharge and follow-up to ensure bed availability. This management protocol has been called CORONA (Coordinate, Recognise, Organise, Neuroimaging, At home). CONCLUSIONS: The recommendations presented here may assist in the organisation of acute stroke care and the optimisation of healthcare resources, while ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals.

[Hyperintensity on T2 MRI and size as predictors of obliteration in radiosurgically treated arteriovenous malformations]. / Hiperintensidad en secuencias T2 y tamaño como factores pronósticos de obliteración en malformaciones arteriovenosas tratadas mediante radiocirugía.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine which factors were statistically related to radiological and clinical outcomes following radiosurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: The data of 59 patients receiving radiosurgical treatment at our department were retrospectivelly reviewed. Different clinical and biological data, including Spetzler-Martin grade, the presentation of symptoms, radiation dose, number of isocenters and both radiological and clinical outcome, were subjected to multivariate analysis. RESULTS: AVM obliteration was achieved in 77% of patients, the majority of them occurring between 3-5 years after treatment. Ten patients (17%) showed either acute or delayed complications. Only one patient died due tor hemorrhage during the follow-up after radiosurgery. A multivariate analysis showed that, hyperintensity on T2 MRI and a nidus smaller than 3 cm were the only factors statistically related to oclusion of the AVM (p=0.03 and p=0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The nidus size and the development of hyperintensity on T2 MRI after the treatment were the strongest predictive factors of obliteration in our series of AVMs radiosurgically treated. Moreover, given that many AVMs showed complete obliteration between 3-5 years after treatment, we recommend to wait untill 5 years after treatment before considering a new terapeuthic approach in patients showing small residual nidus at control imaging.

Hiperintensidad en secuencias T2 y tamaño como factores pronósticos de obliteraciónen malformaciones arteriovenosas tratadas mediante radiocirugía / Hyperintensity on T2 MRI and size as predictors of obliteration in radiosurgically treated arteriovenous malformations

Objetivo. Analizar retrospectivamente los factoresimplicados en la obliteración de las malformacionesarteriovenosas (MAVs) tratadas mediante radiocirugía.Métodos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historiasclínicas y las pruebas de imagen de 59 pacientescon MAVs tratados consecutivamente mediante tratamientoradioquirúrgico en nuestro Servicio. Se recogenlos datos demográficos y clínicos en el momentodel diagnóstico, así como los referentes al tratamientoempleado y la evolución de dichos pacientes.Resultados. Se consiguió la obliteración en el 77%de las MAVs tratadas. La obliteración completa seobservó en los primeros tres años en sólo el 40% de loscasos, mientras que en el resto, la obliteración ocurrióentre los tres y los cinco años. Diez pacientes (17%)sufrieron complicaciones agudas o crónicas. Sólo unpaciente murió como resultado de una hemorragiaintraparenquimatosa durante el periodo de seguimiento.El análisis multivariable utilizando los diversosfactores y parámetros potencialmente relacionadoscon la obliteración mostró que sólo la hiperintensidadperilesional observada en secuencias T2 de la RM yun tamaño del nidus menor de 3 cm incrementaron demanera estadísticamente significativa la probabilidadde oclusión completa (p=0,03 y p=0,05, respectivamente).Conclusión. Nuestros resultados, son similares a losreportados en otras series. Sin embargo, se obtuvo unamenor tasa de oclusiones en las MAVs >3cm de diámetro,confirmando que el tamaño es un factor determinanteen probabilidad de cierre de las MAVs tratadas (..) (AU)

Objetive. The aim of this study was to determinewhich factors were statistically related to radiologicaland clinical outcomes following radiosurgical treatmentof arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).Methods. The data of 59 patients receiving radiosurgicaltreatment at our department were retrospectivellyreviewed. Different clinical and biological data,including Spetzler-Martin grade, the presentation ofsymptoms, radiation dose, number of isocenters andboth radiological and clinical outcome, were subjectedto multivariate analysis.Results. AVM obliteration was achieved in 77% ofpatients, the majority of them occurring between 3-5years after treatment. Ten patients (17%) showed eitheracute or delayed complications. Only one patient dieddue tor hemorrhage during the follow-up after radiosurgery.A multivariate analysis showed that, hyperintensityon T2 MRI and a nidus smaller than 3 cm werethe only factors statistically related to oclusion of theAVM (p=0,03 and p=0,05, respectively).Conclusion. The nidus size and the development ofhyperintensity on T2 MRI after the treatment were thestrongest predictive factors of obliteration in our seriesof AVMs radiosurgically treated. Moreover, given thatmany AVMs showed complete obliteration between 3-5years after treatment, we recommend to wait untill 5years after treatment before considering a new terapeuthicapproach in patients showing small residual nidusat control imaging. (AU)

[Embolization of indirect carotid-cavernous sinus fistula through the ophthalmic vein]. / Embolización de fístula cavernosa indirecta a través de la vena oftálmica superior.

Indirect or dural carotid cavernous fistulas are abnormal connections between the cavernous sinus and meningeal branches of the external and/or internal carotid arteries. Most of them are idiopathic and occurs spontaneously. Symptoms vary from a tiny episcleral injection to a severe visual loss. Conservative therapy is recomended in cases with few symptoms and no leptomeningeal drainage, as spontaneous resolution is not infrequent. Whenever symptoms worsen, treatment of the fistula should be prescribed. Nowadays, transvenous endovascular treatment consisting of packing the cavernous sinus is the first choice. In most cases, cavernous sinus can be approached through the inferior petrosal sinus. However, sometimes that is not possible, and an approach directly through the superior ophthalmic vein could be necessary. We report a case of a patient with a dural carotid cavernous fistula treated with embolization of the cavernous sinus through the ophthalmic vein.

Embolización de fístula carótido cavernosa indirecta a través de la vena oftálmica superior / Embolization of indirect carotid-cavernous sinus fistula through the ophthalmic vein

Las fístulas carótido cevernosas (FCC) indirectaso durales son comunicaciones entre el seno cavernoso y ramas extradurales de la arteria carótida interna, la carótida externa o ambas. La mayoría de las FCC indirectas son idiopáticas y aparecen espontáneamente. Los síntomas pueden variar desde una leve inyección conjuntival y escleral hasta la reducción severa de la agudeza visual. En casos poco sintomáticos y sin drenaje leptomeníngeo, el tratamiento conservador estaría indicado inicialmente, pues existe la posibilidad del cierre espontáneo de la fístula. Cuando la sintomatología progresa, requieren algún tipo de tratamiento para cerrarla. Hoy en día, el tratamiento endovascular es el de elección, y la vía transvenosa, con sellado o empaquetado del SC, ha demostrado mayor efectividad que la transarterial. En la mayoría de los casos se puede acceder al SC a través del seno petroso inferior. Sin embargo, en ocasiones no es posible el acceso a la FCC por vía venosa transfemoral, siendo necesario un abordaje directo a la vena oftálmica superior (VOS). Presentamos un caso de FCC indirecta tratada mediante abordaje directo a la VOS y embolización del seno cavernoso

Indirect or dural carotid cavernous fistulas are abnormal connections between the cavernous sinus and meningeal branches of the external and/or internal carotid arteries. Most of them are idiopathic and occurs spontaneously. Symptoms vary from a tiny episcleral injection to a severe visual loss. Conservative therapy is recommended in cases with few symptoms and no leptomeningeal drainage, as spontaneous resolution is not infrequent. Whenever symptoms worsen, treatment of the fistula should be prescribed. Nowadays, transvenousendo vascular treatment consisting of packing the cavernous sinus is the first choice. In most cases, cavernous sinus can be approached through the inferior petrosal sinus. However, sometimes that is not possible, and an approach directly through the superior ophthalmic vein could be necessary. We report a case of a patient with a dural carotid cavernous fistula treated with embolization of the cavernous sinus through the ophthalmic vein

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a dissecting carotid artery aneurysm]. / Hemorragia subaracnoidea como forma de presentación de aneurisma disecante carotídeo.

Dissecting aneurysms of the carotid artery as a cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage are rare. However, the association of arterial dissection with the etiology of some aneurysms of the dorsal or anterior wall of the carotid artery, carotid trunk or "blister-like" aneurysms has increased the interest in the description of dissecting aneurysms, as they are difficult to treat and require non-habitual surgical techniques. We present the case of a patient that presented with a poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a right carotid artery dissecting aneurysm characterised in angiography by a carotid artery stenosis accompanied by a post-stenotic dilatation and the finding of a saccular aneurysm that increased in size in the follow-up study. A carotid occlusion test showed an asymmetry in the opacification of the venous phase indicating the need for a revascularization procedure prior to arterial sacrifice. A high flow EC-IC bypass was performed using a saphenous vein graft prior to right carotid artery occlusion without morbidity. Eight months after the procedure the patient is free of neurological deficit. Control image studies demonstrate the resolution of the carotid lesion and the bypass permeability. We discuss the difficulties in the diagnosis of these aneurysms, their clinical and imaging characteristics and the problems related to their treatment as they often require arterial sacrifice with or without prior cerebral revascularization.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea como forma de presentación de aneurisma disecante carotídeo / Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a disecting carotid artery aneurysm

Las disecciones carotídeas se presentan con muy poca frecuencia en forma de hemorragia subaracnoidea. Sin embargo, la implicación de la disección arterial en la patogenia de algunos aneurismas de la pared dorsal o anterior de la carótida, tronco carotídeo y aneurismas“blister-like”, ha hecho que cobre interés la descripción de los aneurismas disecantes, ya que con frecuencia son lesiones de difícil tratamiento y requieren de técnicas quirúrgicas no habituales. Presentamos el caso de una enferma que debutó con una hemorragia subaracnoidea en mal grado clínico secundaria a un aneurisma disecante de la carótida interna derecha, caracterizado por la presencia en el estudio angiográfico de una estenosis carotídea asociada a una dilatación postestenótica y al hallazgo de una lesión sacular que creció en el estudio de control. Se realizó un test de oclusión carotídea que mostró una asimetría en la aparición del drenaje venoso que determinó la conveniencia de practicar un by-pass extraintracraneal de alto flujo con injerto de safena para su tratamiento mediante sacrificio de la carótida interna. Ocho meses tras la cirugía la enferma no presenta focalidad neurológica alguna y los estudios de imagen muestran una resolución de la lesión carotídea con permeabilidad del bypass. Se discuten las dificultades en el diagnóstico de estos aneurismas, sus características clínicas y radiológicas y los problemas en su tratamiento que casi siempre requieren de sacrificio arterial con o sin revascularización cerebral previa

Dissecting aneurysms of the carotid artery as a cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage are rare. However, the association of arterial dissection with the etiology of some aneurysms of the dorsal or anterior wall of the carotid artery, carotid trunk or “blister-like” aneurysms has increased the interest in the description of dissecting aneurysms, as they are difficult to treat and requiren on-habitual surgical techniques. We present the case of a patient that presented with a poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a right carotid artery dissecting aneurysm characterised in angiography by a carotid artery stenosis accompanied by a post-stenotic dilatation and the finding of a saccular aneurysm that increased in size in the follow-up study. A carotid occlusion test showed an asymmetry in the opacification of the venous phase indicating the need for a revascularization procedure prior to arterial sacrifice. A high flow EC-IC bypass was performed using a saphenous vein graft prior to right carotid artery occlusion without morbidity. Eight months after the procedure the patientis free of neurological deficit. Control image studies demonstrate the resolution of the carotid lesion and the bypass permeability. We discuss the difficulties in the diagnosis of these aneurysms, their clinical and imaging characteristics and the problems related to their treatment as they often require arterial sacrifice with or without prior cerebral revascularization

[Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: case report and review of the literature]. / Regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Spontaneous regression of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare phenomenon. Such an event is more likely to occur with small AVMs that present with intracranial hemorrhage, which are fed by a unique artery and drained through a single vein. The factors responsible for AVMs regression remain unclear. Thrombosis of the AVM secondary to intracranial hemorrhage ha been the most commonly associated factor. Other possible causes are the gliosis around the clot secondary to repeated frequent microbleedings or occlusion of the feeding arteries by small emboli. We report a new case of spontaneous regression of a AVM and review the literature related to this entity.

Regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: case report and review of the literature

La regresión espontánea de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales (MAVs) es poco frecuente. Este hecho parece ser más común en aquellas MAVs de pequeño tamaño, cuyo modo de presentación clínica preferente es con hemorragia cerebral, con una única arteria aferente, y una sola vena de drenaje. No se conocen con exactitud cuáles son los factores responsables dela desaparición de las MAVs. La trombosis secundaria al sangrado es el factor más comúnmente asociado a este hecho. Otros posibles factores implicados son la gliosis secundaria a micro-sangrados repetidos o la oclusión de las arterias aferentes por pequeños émbolos. Se presentan las características clínico radiológicas de un caso de regresión espontánea de MAV y se revisa la literatura al respecto

Spontaneous regression of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare phenomenon. Such an event is more likely to occur with small AVMs that present with intracranial hemorrhage, which are fed by a unique artery and drained through a single vein. The factors responsible for AVMs regression remain nuclear. Thrombosis of the AVM secondary to intracranial hemorrhage ha been the most commonly associated factor. Other possible causes are the gliosis around the clot secondary to repeated frequent microbleedings or occlusion of the feeding arteries by small emboli. Were port a new case of spontaneous regression of a AVM and review the literature related to this entity

Dural arteriovenous fistula presenting as brainstem ischaemia.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas presenting with ascending myelopathy are characterised by the presence of an abnormal retrograde drainage through spinal veins. The authors present a case of cranial dural arteriovenous fistula causing brainstem dysfunction secondary to venous hypertension, treated by surgical interruption of the pial venous drainage which resulted in complete clinical and radiological resolution of the brainstem lesion.

A comparison of different grading scales for predicting outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Most scales used to assess prognosis after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) are based on the level of consciousness of the patient. Based on information from a logistic regression model, Ogilvy et al. developed a new grading scheme (Massachussetts General Hospital (MGH) Scale) which applied a simple scoring method to each prognostic factor considered relevant such as level of consciousness, age, quantity of blood in the first CT scan and size of the aneurysm. The purpose of this study is to introduce a modified version of the MGH scale, built up using factors applicable to every patient suffering SAH, and compare this new scale to the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scale (WFNS), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scale for SAH and the MGH scale. METHOD: A series of 442 patients consecutively admitted to Hospital 12 de Octubre between January 1990 and September 2001 with the diagnosis of spontaneous SAH were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome was assessed by means of the Glasgow Outcome Scale measured six months after hospital discharge. Differences between grades of the WFNS, the GCS scale for SAH, the MGH scale and the new scale were computed by chi2 statistics. ROC curves were plotted for the different scales and their areas compared. FINDINGS: Both WFNS and GCS scales fail to present significant differences between most of their grades, while the proposed scale shows a constant inter-grade significant difference in predicting outcome. The proposed scale presents a significantly higher prognostic efficacy in the whole series of patients suffering spontaneous SAH, patients with idiopathic subarachnoid haemorrhage (ISAH) and patients with confirmed aneurysmal SAH. The MGH scale is not applicable to some groups of patients suffering SAH. INTERPRETATION: Grading scales including additional factors to the level of consciousness show higher prognostic efficacy. The proposed modification of the MGH scale makes it applicable to every patient suffering SAH without losing its prediction capability.

Unruptured dural arteriovenous malformation of the transverse-sigmoid sinus presenting with focal symptoms and coma.

We are presenting the case of a 63 year-old man with a dural arteriovenous malformation of the transverse sigmoid sinus who developed focal deficits followed by less localized symptoms such a disorientation, lethargy and eventually comatose status. Initial cerebral angiography showed retrograde filling of the cortical and deep cerebral venous system with marked delay in venous empting. Following embolization clinical symptoms completely cleared at the time that control angiography showed retrograde venous flow turning anterograde. Patient's symptoms recurred four months later when there was a relapse of retrograde cerebral venous drainage at the time he developed thrombosis of the superior longitudinal and right transverse sinuses. Sinus thrombosis and thrombosis of the central retinal artery were coincidental with hypercoagulability related to hyperhomocysteinemia. Since control angiography still showed persistence of the AV shunting radical excision of the involved dural sinuses was performed. The final outcome was excellent. The physiopathological mechanism responsible for neurological deficits in our patient most likely was ischemia of venous origin secondary to venous hypertension resulting from retrograde cerebral venous drainage. The clinical and angiographic presentation in few similar cases reported in the literature is reviewed.

[Arteriovenous malformation of the middle and posterior third section of the corpus callosum treated with embolization and surgery]. / Malformación arteriovenosa de los tercios medio y posterior del cuerpo calloso tratada con embolización y cirugía.

We are presenting the case of a 58 year-old woman with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the middle and posterior thirds of the corpus callosum which had produced two episodes of bleeding before admission to our Department, when the patient was neurologically intact. The nidus was fed by the anterior and posterior pericallosal arteries draining through the left medial atrial vein to the vein of Galen, by parasagittal cortical veins to the superior sagittal sinus and by right temporal veins to the sphenoparietal sinus. The patient underwent embolization of the anterior and posterior feeders in two sessions separated by a week interval, and then the AVM was removed through a left paramedial parietooccipital craniotomy in a single stage. The patient showed transient mild short term memory deficit, but the final outcome was excellent.

[Idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage; comparison of different bleeding patterns and long-term outcome]. / Hemorragia subaracnoidea no filiada: comparación de diferentes patrones de sangrado y evolución a largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic subarachnoid haemorrhage (ISAH) represents approximately 15-30% of all subarachnoid haemorrhages. On the basis of the diagnostic CT and depending on the location of the subarachnoid bleeding, patients with ISAH may be classified into three groups: a) Patients with normal CT and diagnosis made by lumbar puncture (ISAHNCT); b) patients with a pure perimesencephalic pattern (ISAHPM) and c) patients with a bleeding pattern resembling that of aneurismatic rupture (ISAHA). This classification could permit the establishment of differences in the management and prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of these three classes of patients and analyse their medium and long term outcome and moreover, compare these with those observed in patients suffering aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 122 patients consecutively admitted to Hospital 12 de Octubre Madrid between 1990 and 2000 with the diagnosis of ISAH were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were considered to have suffered ISAH when the first complete four vessel angiography did not show the presence of any aneurysm or vascular lesion responsible for the bleeding. Patients were classified depending on the pattern of bleeding into ISAHNCT, ISAHPM as described by Van Gijn et al., and ISAHA. The angiography study was repeated when: a) the first study was incomplete or had poor quality, b) vasospasm was present, c) in those patients who had an aneurysmal pattern of bleeding in the initial CT. Different clinical and radiological characteristics were recorded as well as complications that occurred during the hospital stay. Final outcome was evaluated by means of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). With the purpose of comparing these clinical and radiological characteristics and the outcome of patients with ISAH with those suffering aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH), 294 patients diagnosed with ASAH during the same study period were also reviewed. RESULTS: 27% of patients admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhaged were diagnosed as ISAH. Of these, 41% presented with a ISAHA pattern, 39% ISAHPM and 20% ISAHNCT. The average age was similar in the different subgroups of SAH, being around 55 years. There was a greater frequency of male patients in the ISAHNCT and ISAHPM groups. In comparison with ASAH, ISAH characterises by patients presenting with less frequency a bad clinical grade and also loss of consciousness at stroke. There are fewer complications in patients with ISAH than ASAH, with a frequency of rebleeding and ischemia much less (5 and 6% respectively). Within the ISAH group, patients with ISAHA pattern of bleeding present more complications. Outcome is excellent for patients with ISAHNCT and ISAHPM, and rather worse for patients with ISAHA (median followup 5.8 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the frequency of ISAH in our environment reaches the higher limit of that shown previously in the literature, replicating the results previously published by our group. Patients with ISAH have a better prognosis and a smaller risk of complications than patients with ASAH, the prognosis of patients with ISAHCTN and ISAHPM being particularly good. Patients with ISAHA present initially with a severe clinical situation, probably related to the bigger amount of bleeding, as well as a higher frequency of systemic complications, cerebral ischemia and hydrocephalus. However, if the absence of vascular lesions is confirmed, the long term prognosis is similar to that of the other subgroups of ISAH.

[Parasplenial arteriovenous malformations. Report of 15 surgically treated cases]. / Malformaciones arteriovenosas paraesplénicas. A propósito de 15 casos tratados quirúrgicamente.

INTRODUCTION: Yasargil called paraesplenial those AVMs located at the confluence of the hippocampus, the isthmus of the cingulate girus and the girus occipitotemporalis medialis. Large AVMs at this location are among the most difficult to delineate and to treat. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the clinical presentation, the findings in the imaging studies, the surgical management and the final outcome in 15 patients with paraesplenial AVMs treated with embolization (the last 4 cases), and microsurgical removal. RESULTS: Nine patients (60%) were female and 6 males of ages between 15 and 39 years (mean = 24 yrs). Eleven (75%) presented with hemorrhage, (intraventricular in most cases) and the remaining with epilepsy. The Spetzler-Martin grade was II in one Case, III in 5 cases, IV in 8 cases and V in one case. Preoperative embolization clearly improved surgical management. All the patients had complete resection of the lesion, 13 in a single stage and 2 in two stages. The final outcome was good but four patients developed defects of the visual field not seen preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The authors comment the peculiarities of paraesplenial AVMs which can be safely and completely removed with microsurgery and the aid of preoperative embolization.

Malformaciones arteriovenosas para esplénicas. A propósito de 15 casos tratados quirúrgicamente / Paraesplenial arteriovenous malformations. Analysis of 15 cases treated by microsurgery

Introducción: Yasargil denominó paraesplénicas a las malformaciones arteriovenosas (MAVs) localizadas en la confluencia del hipocampo, el istmo del girus cinguli y el girus occipito temporal medial. Estas malformaciones cuando alcanzan un tamaño moderado o grande están entre las más difíciles de tratar quirúrgicamente. Aunque existen diversos abordajes, el interhemisférico posterior es el de elección. Objetivo: Analizar la presentación clínica y en los estudios de imagen, el manejo terapéutico y la evolución final de 15 pacientes operados con técnica microquirúrgica de MAVs paraesplénicas, cuatro de los cuales fueron sometidos a embolización preoperatoria. Resultados: Nueve (60 por ciento) pacientes eran mujeres y 6 (40 por ciento) hombres de edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 39 años (media = 24 años). Once (75 por ciento) debutaron con sangrado preferentemente intraventricular y en el resto la presentación fue con epilepsia. El grado Spetzler-Martin fue II en un caso, III en 5 casos, IV en 8 casos y V en un caso. La embolización facilitó considerablemente la cirugía. La resección fue completa en todos los pacientes y se llevo a cabo en una sola sesión en todos menos en dos, que precisaron dos sesiones quirúrgicas. La evolución postoperatoria fue satisfactoria, si bien 4 pacientes desarrollaron hemianopsia homónima postquirúrgica. Conclusiones: Se comentan las peculiaridades anatómico-quirúrgicas de estas MAVs, que con una técnica quirúrgica adecuada y sobre todo tras practicar embolización preoperatoria, pueden ser resecadas con seguridad y sin comprometer las radiaciones ópticas (AU)

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no filiada: comparación de diferentes patrones de sangrado y evolución a largo plazo / Idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage: Comparison of different bleeding patterns and long term outcome

Introducción: La hemorragia subaracnoidea idiopática (HSAI) o no filiada representa en torno al 15-30 por ciento de todas las hemorragias subaracnoideas. Sobre la base de la TC craneal realizada en el momento del diagnóstico inicial y dependiendo del patrón de sangrado subaracnoideo los enfermos con HSAI se pueden clasificar en tres grupos: a) pacientes con TC normal y diagnóstico mediante punción lumbar (HSAITCN); b) pacientes con patrón perimesencefálico puro (HSAIPM) y c) pacientes con patrón de sangrado subjetivo de rotura aneurismática (HSAIPA). Esta clasificación de los enfermos con HSAI podría permitir establecer diferencias de manejo y pronósticas. Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas y radiológicas de estas tres poblaciones de pacientes y analizar su evolución final a medio y largo plazo, comparándola además con la observada en la población de pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSAAN).Material y métodos: Se analizan retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de 122 pacientes con HSAI ingresados consecutivamente en el Hospital 12 de Octubre, entre 1990 y 2000. Se consideraron portadores de HSAI todos los enfermos en los que la primera angiografía completa de cuatro vasos no mostró la presencia de aneurismas o lesiones vasculares responsables del sangrado. Los enfermos fueron clasificados según el patrón de sangrado en TAC normal, patrón de sangrado perimesencefálico puro (HSAIPM) según los criterios de Van Gijn y cols., y patrón de sangrado aneurismático (HSAIPA). Se repitió el estudio angiográfico cuando: a) el estudio inicial fue de insuficiente calidad o incompleto, b) o se apreció vasoespasmo y c) en los pacientes que presentaron HSAIPA en la TC inicial. Se recogieron diferentes características clínicas, radiológicas, así como complicaciones surgidas durante el ingreso. La evolución final fue determinada mediante la escala Neurocirugía 2002; 13: 110-119 de evolución de Glasgow (GOS). Con el propósito de comparar las características clínicas, radiológicas y la evolución de los enfermos con diferentes patrones de HSAI con los enfermos que presentaban HSAAN, se revisaron también las historias de los 294 pacientes diagnosticados de HSAAN en el mismo periodo de estudio. Resultados: El 27 por ciento de los enfermos ingresados por hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea fue diagnosticado como HSAI. De estos, 41 por ciento de los enfermos correspondían al patrón HSAIPA, el 39 por ciento HSAIPM y el 20 por ciento HSAITCN. La edad media es muy similar en los diferentes subgrupos de HSA, estando en torno a los 55 años. Es de destacar la mayor frecuencia de varones en los grupos con HSAITCN y HSAIPM. En comparación con la HSAAN, la HSAI se caracteriza porque los enfermos presentan con mucha menor frecuencia un mal grado clínico, y también fue poco frecuente la pérdida de conciencia en el momento del sangrado en los enfermos. La frecuencia de complicaciones fue menor en los sujetos con HSAI que los enfermos con HSAAN, con una frecuencia de isquemia y resangrado mucho menor (5 y 6 por ciento respectivamente). Dentro de la HSAI, los enfermos con patrón HSAIPA son los que presentan complicaciones con mayor frecuencia. La evolución es excelente en los enfermos con HSAITCN y HSAIPM, y algo peor en los enfermos con HSAIPA (mediana de seguimiento 5,8 años). Sin embargo, no existieron diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos. Conclusiones: El presente estudio confirma que la frecuencia de HSAI en nuestro medio se sitúa en el límite alto de la mostrada previamente en la literatura, replicando los resultados previamente publicados por nuestro grupo. Los pacientes con HSAI tienen un mejor pronóstico y menor riesgo de complicaciones que los enfermos con HSAAN, siendo particularmente bueno o excelente el de los enfermos con HSAIPM y HSAITCN. Los pacientes con HSAIPA presentan un cuadro clínico inicial más grave, probablemente relacionado con la mayor cuantía del sangrado, así como con una mayor frecuencia de complicaciones sistémicas, isquemia cereHemorragia subaracnoidea no filiada: comparación de diferentes patrones de sangrado y evolución a largo plazo bral e hidrocefalia. Sin embargo, si se confirma la ausencia de lesiones responsables del sangrado, el pronóstico a largo plazo es similar al de los otros dos subgrupos de pacientes con HSAI (AU)

Malformación arteriovenosa de los tercios medio y posterior del cuerpo calloso tratada con embolización y cirugía / Artenovenous malformacion of the middle and posterior thirds of the corpus callosum treated with embolization and surgery

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 58 años con una malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) de los tercios medio y posterior del cuerpo calloso que había sufrido dos episodios de sangrado antes de su ingreso en nuestro hospital, momento en el cual la exploración neurológica era normal. La lesión, que ocupaba preferentemente el lado izquierdo, se nutría por arterias pericallosas anteriores y pericallosa posterior, y drenaba por la vena atrial izquierda hacia la vena de Galeno, por venas corticales mediales izquierdas al seno longitudinal superior y por venas temporales derechas al seno esfenoparietal. Se realizaron, con un intervalo de siete días, dos sesiones de embolización de las aferencias anteriores y posteriores respectivamente, logrando reducir el tamaño del nidus en un 80 por ciento aproximadamente. Posteriormente se resecó la lesión en un solo estadio a través de una craneotomía parietooccipital paramedial. La paciente presentó déficit transitorio de memoria de fijación, siendo excelente la evolución final. Se cometan la anatomía, presentación clínica y técnica quirúrgicas para resecar estas MAVs tras revisar la literatura (AU)

Prognostic factors on hospital admission after spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Factors related to prognosis after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) have been mainly extracted from surgical series, and only few authors have considered these factors in total management or population series. Though the level of consciousness is a major determinant of outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage, there is not a consensus about which classification should be used to define it. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly to find which factors recorded on hospital admission relate to outcome determining their relative importance in a non-selected series of patients suffering from aneurysmal SAH admitted to our centre, and secondly to assess the validity of the WFNS clinical scale for predicting the final result. METHODS: A series of 294 patients consecutively admitted to Hospital 12 de Octubre Madrid between January 1990 and June 2000 with the diagnosis of aneurysmal SAH were retrospectively reviewed. All factors possibly related to prognosis were recorded on hospital admission. Outcome was measured by means of the Glasgow Outcome Scale measured one month after hospital discharge. Relationship between factors and outcome was evaluated by univariate and logistic regression multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Although several factors, appeared related to prognosis in the univariate analysis, only the age. the level of consciousness defined by the WFNS scale and the presence of global brain hypodensity on the initial CT scan had a significant prognostic influence in the logistic regression model. Global brain hypodensity was strongly related to mortality. Since a number of factors associated with poor outcome in the univariate analysis are related to age, their influence could be explained by the difficulty of recovery of the ageing brain. The WFNS grading scale failed to predict significant differences in outcome between some of its grades. CONCLUSIONS: Age and clinical grade on admission are the most important factors influencing the final outcome of patients suffering aneurysmal SAH. A reappraisal of the WFNS grading scale should be considered as no significant differences in outcome were found between some of its grades.