Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with Negative Angiography Managed in a Stroke Unit: Clinical and Prognostic Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (p-SAH) is linked to a benign prognosis compared with aneurysmal SAH. However, the outcome in nonperimesencephalic angiographically negative SAH (np-SAH) is not well established. We reviewed our experience and evaluated the clinical and prognostic differences between patients with p-SAH and np-SAH. METHODS: Retrospective observational study based on data collected prospectively from all patients admitted to our hospital with SAH during the past 11 years. After selecting patients with normal angiography, we categorized them as either p-SAH or np-SAH according to the Rinkel criteria. Demographic, clinical, radiologic, and prognostic features were recorded. RESULTS: We collected a total of 41 (12.53%) angiographically negative SAH: 17 p-SAH (41.46%) and 24 np-SAH (58%-53%). The np-SAH group included the 6 patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) less than 15 (P = .083), and all 5 patients with Hunt & Hess (H&H) scores more than II (P = .045), being the GCS = 15 and H&H less than II in the rest of np-SAH and in all of the p-SAH patients. The average hospital stay in days was longer in the np-SAH group (24 ± 7.08) than in the p-SAH group (17 ± 5.11; P = .55). Hydrocephalus requiring external ventricular drainage (EVD) was only recorded in the np-SAH group (29.16%, P = .029). On discharge, all patients had H&H grade less than II and modified Rankin Scale measured 3 months later was less than 2 in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results agree with other studies showing a low complication rate for SAH patients with a normal angiography, especially in the p-SAH group. The prognosis appears to be less favorable in terms of a more frequent need for EVD, so a more cautious approach is recommended in this subgroup.

Guía de actuación clínica en la hemorragia subaracnoidea. Sistemática diagnóstica y tratamiento / Clinical management guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment

OBJETIVO: Actualización de la guía para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la hemorragia subaracnoidea de la Sociedad Española de Neurología. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión y análisis de la bibliografía existente. Se establecen recomendaciones en función del nivel de evidencia que ofrecen los estudios revisados. RESULTADOS: La causa más frecuente de hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea (HSA) es la rotura de un aneurisma cerebral. Su incidencia se sitúa en torno 9 casos por 100.000 habitantes/año y supone un 5% de todos los ictus. La hipertensión arterial y el tabaquismo son sus principales factores de riesgo. Se ha de realizar el tratamiento en centros especializados. Se debe considerar el ingreso en unidades de ictus de aquellos pacientes con HSA y buena situación clínica inicial (grados I y II en la escala de Hunt y Hess). Se recomienda la exclusión precoz de la circulación del aneurisma. El estudio diagnóstico de elección es la tomografía computarizada (TC) craneal sin contraste. Si esta es negativa y persiste la sospecha clínica se aconseja realizar una punción lumbar. Los estudios de elección para identificar la fuente de sangrado son la resonancia magnética (RM) y la angiografía. Los estudios ultrasonográficos son útiles para el diagnóstico y seguimiento del vasoespasmo. Se recomienda el nimodipino para la prevención de la isquemia cerebral diferida. La terapia hipertensiva y el intervencionismo neurovascular pueden plantearse para tratar el vasoespasmo establecido. CONCLUSIONES: La HSA es una enfermedad grave y compleja que debe ser atendida en centros especializados, con suficiente experiencia para abordar el proceso diagnóstico y terapéutico

OBJECTIVE: To update the Spanish Society of Neurology's guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review and analysis of the existing literature. Recommendations are given based on the level of evidence for each study reviewed. RESULTS: The most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is cerebral aneurysm rupture. Its estimated incidence in Spain is 9/100 000 inhabitants/year with a relative frequency of approximately 5% of all strokes. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Stroke patients require treatment in a specialised centre. Admission to a stroke unit should be considered for SAH patients whose initial clinical condition is good (Grades I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale). We recommend early exclusion of aneurysms from the circulation. The diagnostic study of choice for SAH is brain CT (computed tomography) without contrast. If the test is negative and SAH is still suspected, a lumbar puncture should then be performed. The diagnostic tests recommended in order to determine the source of the haemorrhage are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography. Doppler ultrasonography studies are very useful for diagnosing and monitoring vasospasm. Nimodipine is recommended for preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia. Blood pressure treatment and neurovascular intervention may be considered in treating refractory vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: SAH is a severe and complex disease which must be managed in specialised centres by professionals with ample experience in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic processes

Guía para el tratamiento preventivo del ictus isquémico y AIT (II). Recomendaciones según subtipo etiológico / Guidelines for the preventive treatment of ischaemic stroke and TIA (II). Recommendations according to aetiological sub-type

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Actualizar las guías terapéuticas del Comité ad hoc del Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Cerebrovasculares de la SEN en el tratamiento preventivo de ictus isquémico (II) y ataque isquémico transitorio (AIT). MÉTODOS: Revisión de evidencias disponibles sobre la prevención del ictus isquémico y AIT en función del subtipo etiológico. Los niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación se han basado en la clasificación del Centro de Medicina Basada en la Evidencia. RESULTADOS: En el II de origen aterotrombótico reducen el riesgo de recurrencias el tratamiento antiagregante y los procedimientos revascularizadores en casos seleccionados de estenosis carotidea ipsilateral (70-99%). La prevención de II de origen cardioembólico (fibrilación auricular, valvulopatías, prótesis valvulares y en infarto de miocardio con trombo mural) se basa en el uso de anticoagulantes orales. En el II de origen inhabitual, las terapias preventivas dependerán de la etiología; en la trombosis venosa cerebral la anticoagulación oral es eficaz. CONCLUSIONES: Se concluye con recomendaciones de práctica clínica en prevención de ictus isquémico y AIT adaptadas al subtipo etiológico de II que ha presentado el paciente

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To update the ad hoc Committee of the Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group of The Spanish Neurological Society guidelines on prevention of ischaemic stroke (IS) and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). METHODS: We reviewed the available evidence on ischaemic stroke and TIA prevention according to aetiological subtype. Levels of evidence and recommendation levels are based on the classification of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: In atherothrombotic IS, antiplatelet therapy and revascularization procedures in selected cases of ipsilateral carotid stenosis (70%-90%) reduce the risk of recurrences. In cardioembolic IS (atrial fibrillation, valvular diseases, prosthetic valves and myocardial infarction with mural thrombus) prevention is based on the use of oral anticoagulants. Preventive therapies for uncommon causes of IS will depend on the aetiology. In the case of cerebral venous thrombosis oral anticoagulation is effective. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude with recommendations for clinical practice in prevention of IS according to the aetiological subtype presented by the patient

[CLIPPERS syndrome with atypical distribution of lesions in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain]. / Sindrome CLIPPERS con distribucion atipica de las lesiones en la resonancia magnetica cerebral.

INTRODUCTION: CLIPPERS syndrome (chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids) is an inflammatory process of the central nervous system whose distinguishing features are the enhancing punctiform lesions in the brainstem that appear in the magnetic resonance images. Clinically, it is accompanied by dysarthria, ataxia and diplopia, and usually responds to treatment with corticoids. Pathologically, T lymphocytes appear infiltrated in the perivascular spaces of the brainstem. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 40-year-old woman with an initial subacute clinical picture of binocular diplopia, ataxia and dysarthria. The magnetic resonance brain scan revealed T2 hyperintense punctiform lesions in the stem, cerebellum, diencephalons and cortico-subcortical areas of both hemispheres, which were enhanced with contrast. An aetiological study was performed to rule out any underlying infectious, neoplastic or inflammatory origin, the results being negative. The patient was treated on two occasions with methylprednisolone, with a gradual lowering of the dosage, the response being favourable. CONCLUSIONS: Diplopia and ataxia, as in our case, are practically always present. The MR findings consist of punctiform enhancing lesions located in the pons extending towards the cerebellum, basal ganglia and corpus callosum, the enhancement gradient becoming lower as the distance increases rostrally away from the cortex, and caudally towards the spinal cord. In the case of our patient, this gradient is not respected, and the density found was similar to that of lesions at the supratentorial level. The differential diagnosis is wide-ranging and justifies an extensive diagnostic study with, in certain cases, a biopsy study of brain tissue. The disease courses in a relapsing-remitting pattern and the earlier steroid therapy is established and the more prolonged it is, the better the prognosis will be.

TITLE: Sindrome CLIPPERS con distribucion atipica de las lesiones en la resonancia magnetica cerebral.Introduccion. El sindrome CLIPPERS (chronic lymphocytic in?ammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids) es un proceso inflamatorio del sistema nervioso central cuyo rasgo distintivo son las lesiones puntiformes en el troncoencefalo captantes en los estudios de resonancia magnetica. Clinicamente, cursa con disartria, ataxia y diplopia, y suele responder a corticoides. Anatomopatologicamente, aparecen infiltrados de linfocitos T en los espacios perivasculares troncoencefalicos. Caso clinico. Mujer de 40 años con cuadro de instauracion subaguda de diplopia binocular, ataxia y disartria. En la resonancia magnetica cerebral presento lesiones puntiformes hipertintensas en secuencia T2 en el tronco, cerebelo, diencefalo y areas cortico-subcorticales bihemisfericas, que realzaron con contraste. Se realizo un estudio etiologico para descartar un origen infeccioso, neoplasico o inflamatorio subyacente, que resulto negativo. La paciente recibio tratamiento en dos ocasiones con metilprednisolona, con descenso progresivo de la dosis, con buena respuesta. Conclusiones. La diplopia y la ataxia, como en nuestro caso, estan presentes practicamente siempre. Los hallazgos en la RM consisten en lesiones captantes puntiformes localizadas en la protuberancia con extension hacia el cerebelo, ganglios basales y cuerpo calloso, con gradiente de captacion menor conforme se alejan rostralmente hacia la corteza, y caudalmente hacia la medula. En el caso de nuestra paciente, este gradiente no se respeta, encontrandose una densidad similar de las lesiones a nivel supratentorial. El diagnostico diferencial es amplio y justifica un estudio diagnostico extenso, y en casos seleccionados la biopsia cerebral. El curso de la enfermedad es remitente-recurrente, y el pronostico mejora cuanto mas precoz y prolongado es el tiempo de corticoterapia.

Síndrome CLIPPERS con distribución atípica de las lesiones en la resonancia magnética cerebral / CLIPPERS syndrome with atypical distribution of lesions in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain

Introducción. El síndrome CLIPPERS (chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids) es un proceso inflamatorio del sistema nervioso central cuyo rasgo distintivo son las lesiones puntiformes en el troncoencéfalo captantes en los estudios de resonancia magnética. Clínicamente, cursa con disartria, ataxia y diplopía, y suele responder a corticoides. Anatomopatológicamente, aparecen infiltrados de linfocitos T en los espacios perivasculares troncoencefálicos. Caso clínico. Mujer de 40 años con cuadro de instauración subaguda de diplopía binocular, ataxia y disartria. En la resonancia magnética cerebral presentó lesiones puntiformes hipertintensas en secuencia T2 en el tronco, cerebelo, diencéfalo y áreas córtico-subcorticales bihemisféricas, que realzaron con contraste. Se realizó un estudio etiológico para descartar un origen infeccioso, neoplásico o inflamatorio subyacente, que resultó negativo. La paciente recibió tratamiento en dos ocasiones con metilprednisolona, con descenso progresivo de la dosis, con buena respuesta. Conclusiones. La diplopía y la ataxia, como en nuestro caso, están presentes prácticamente siempre. Los hallazgos en la RM consisten en lesiones captantes puntiformes localizadas en la protuberancia con extensión hacia el cerebelo, ganglios basales y cuerpo calloso, con gradiente de captación menor conforme se alejan rostralmente hacia la corteza, y caudalmente hacia la médula. En el caso de nuestra paciente, este gradiente no se respeta, encontrándose una densidad similar de las lesiones a nivel supratentorial. El diagnóstico diferencial es amplio y justifica un estudio diagnóstico extenso, y en casos seleccionados la biopsia cerebral. El curso de la enfermedad es remitente-recurrente, y el pronóstico mejora cuanto más precoz y prolongado es el tiempo de corticoterapia (AU)

Introduction. CLIPPERS syndrome (chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids) is an inflammatory process of the central nervous system whose distinguishing features are the enhancing punctiform lesions in the brainstem that appear in the magnetic resonance images. Clinically, it is accompanied by dysarthria, ataxia and diplopia, and usually responds to treatment with corticoids. Pathologically, T lymphocytes appear infiltrated in the perivascular spaces of the brainstem. Case report. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman with an initial subacute clinical picture of binocular diplopia, ataxia and dysarthria. The magnetic resonance brain scan revealed T2 hyperintense punctiform lesions in the stem, cerebellum, diencephalons and cortico-subcortical areas of both hemispheres, which were enhanced with contrast. An aetiological study was performed to rule out any underlying infectious, neoplastic or inflammatory origin, the results being negative. The patient was treated on two occasions with methylprednisolone, with a gradual lowering of the dosage, the response being favourable. Conclusions. Diplopia and ataxia, as in our case, are practically always present. The MR findings consist of punctiform enhancing lesions located in the pons extending towards the cerebellum, basal ganglia and corpus callosum, the enhancement gradient becoming lower as the distance increases rostrally away from the cortex, and caudally towards the spinal cord. In the case of our patient, this gradient is not respected, and the density found was similar to that of lesions at the supratentorial level. The differential diagnosis is wide-ranging and justifies an extensive diagnostic study with, in certain cases, a biopsy study of brain tissue. The disease courses in a relapsing-remitting pattern and the earlier steroid therapy is established and the more prolonged it is, the better the prognosis will be (AU)

Vertebrobasilar recanalization after 12 h of onset using balloon expandable stent and thrombolysis.

Basilar artery (BA) thrombosis is a severe condition that has a high percentage of mortality if no treatment is performed. Recanalization is the most successful way of reducing mortality and improving outcome in patients with BA thrombosis. We present a case of a patient that presented to our hospital 12 h after onset of symptoms in which a combination of techniques were used to perform a vertebrobasilar recanalization.