Distribution Patterns of Spinal Epidural Fluid in Patients with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Syndrome.

The aim of this study is to clarify the details of distribution patterns of spinal epidural fluid and to establish it as measure of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) syndrome diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the spine were analyzed in 37 patients, 24 women and 13 men (mean age 46.3 years), with SIH. Detection rate, thickness and patterns of the fluid collection were evaluated at every vertebral level. Follow-up spinal MRI findings were also analyzed for changes in epidural fluid collection and association with clinical symptoms. The MR images of the cervical spine were obtained in 30 patients, the thoracic spine in 36, and the lumbar spine in 17 patients. Epidural fluid collection was detected totally in 36 patients (97%) and was predominantly found at the mid-thoracic vertebrae. The fluid tended to locate dorsal to the dural sac at the thoracic spine and ventral at the cervical and lumbar spine. Patients with shorter duration of illness tended to have thicker fluid in the thoracic spine. In follow-up MRI, the findings of epidural fluid collection has disappeared in 32/36 cases within 3 months after treatment. Although residual fluid collection was found at the thoracic level in 4 cases, clinical symptoms were improved in all patients. This study suggested that the mid-thoracic spine should be chosen as the target of MRI in screening of SIH, and enlarged dorsal epidural space is strongly indicative of SIH.

Cerebral hemodynamic disturbance in dural arteriovenous fistula with retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage: a prospective study using (123)I-iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography.

OBJECT: The severity of cerebral hemodynamic disturbance caused by retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (RLVD) of a dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is related to neurological morbidity and unfavorable outcome. However, the cerebral hemodynamics of this disorder have not been elucidated well. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the cerebral venous congestive encephalopathy represented as a high-intensity area (HIA) on T2-weighted MR images and the cerebral hemodynamics examined by (123)I-iodoamphetamine (IMP) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), as well as the predictive value of (123)I-IMP SPECT for the development and reversibility of venous congestion encephalopathy. METHODS: Based on the pre- and posttreatment T2 HIAs associated with venous congestion encephalopathy, patients were divided into 3 groups: a normal group, an edema group, and an infarction group. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at the region with RLVD was analyzed by (123)I-IMP SPECT, and the results were compared among the groups. RESULTS: There were 11, 6, and 3 patients in the normal, edema, and infarction groups, respectively. No patients in the normal group showed any symptoms related to venous congestion. In contrast, all patients in the edema and infarction groups developed neurological symptoms. The rCBF in the edema group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, and significantly higher than that in the infarction group. The cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR) of the infarction group was significantly lower than that of the normal and edema groups. After treatment, the neurological signs disappeared in the edema group, but only partial improvement was seen in the infarction group. The rCBF also significantly increased in the normal and edema groups, but not in the infarction group. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative rCBF measurement is useful for evaluating hemodynamic disturbance in dAVF with RLVD. The reduction of rCBF was strongly correlated with the severity of venous congestive encephalopathy, and loss of CVR is a reliable indicator of irreversible venous infarction caused by RLVD.

Anchor coil technique for arteriovenous fistula embolization. A technical note.

We describe a case of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) successfully treated by coil embolization with an anchor coil inserted in the varix to facilitate dense packing at the shunting site. AVF of the left anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) draining into the ipsilateral basal vein of Rosenthal was incidentally found in a newborn female. A single detachable coil was inserted as an anchor into the varix adjacent to the shunt, and the microcatheter was pulled back to the shunting point. Three more detachable coils were delivered at the shunting point without migration under the support of the anchor coil, and the AVF was successfully obliterated with preservation of AChoA blood flow. The anchor coil technique can reduce the risk of coil migration and the number of coils required.

Intracranial pial arteriovenous fistula caused by dural tenting: case report.

We describe a rare case where a patient developed intracranial pial arteriovenous (AV) fistula due to dural tenting. The patient was a 63-year-old woman who had undergone neck clipping for an unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. The surgery was performed without any problems and her postoperative course was uneventful. Two weeks after cerebral angiography operation revealed a pial AV fistula fed by the right MCA and drained into the vein of Trolard through the Sylvian vein which had not existed before surgery. Being diagnosed as de novo pial AV fistula, surgical repair was performed. The AV fistula was located just beneath the dural tenting. The fistulous point was confirmed with fluorescein video angiography and obliterated using a clip. Although rare, we should pay attention to the AV fistula due to dural tenting as the complications of cranial surgery.

Advantage of microscope integrated for both indocyanine green and fluorescein videoangiography on aneurysmal surgery: case report.

Neck clipping of a large middle cerebral artery aneurysm was performed using a newly developed surgical microscope integrated with modules for both indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein videoangiography. During surgery, ICG and fluorescein videoangiography by intra-arterial or intravenous injection were safely carried out without interrupting the surgical procedure. Based on the findings obtained from the case, we evaluated the differences between the dyes and the injection routes. With intra-arterial injection, fluorescein offered sharper contrast images and was better at depicting fine arteries than ICG. Patchy staining of vessel walls was observed in intravenous fluorescein videoangiography, while it was not evident in ICG. Intra-arterial injection method had a great advantage in the rapid clearance of the dyes, which allowed us to perform repeated videoangiography within a short period, and was useful in detecting incomplete clipping in this case; however, catheter insertion requires additional work and carries a potential risk. Use of a microscope integrated for both ICG and fluorescein videoangiography would be another method for repeated evaluation. Namely, alternate use of the dyes enables us to perform videoangiography in a short time even via intravenous injection.

In-stent thrombosis after carotid artery stenting despite sufficient antiplatelet therapy in a bladder cancer patient.

In-stent thrombosis (IST) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a rare but potentially devastating complication. We present a case of early IST after CAS despite sufficient antiplatelet therapy in a patient with bladder cancer. A 77-year-old man under preventive triple antiplatelet therapy underwent CAS without any intra- or periprocedural complications. However, the patient developed a large asymptomatic IST 6 days after CAS. Anticoagulant therapy with argatroban was reintroduced to treat IST concomitant with antiplatelet agents. Subsequently, the IST shrank and disappeared without any thrombotic symptoms. Malignancy is regarded as an acquired thrombophilic condition associated with a significant risk of thrombosis. In the field of coronary stents, cancer is associated with a significant increasing risk of IST. The cause of IST in our case was possibly related in hypercoagulable state because of the patient's cancer. Attention for IST should be paid in CAS cases with these risk factors, and repeated examination is recommended.

Expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and correlation with pathological malignancy in gliomas.

BACKGROUND: : Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a tryptophan catabolic enzyme involved in immune tolerance and tumor immune escape processes. Recently, IDO expression has been found to correlate with the prognosis of malignant tumors, but the implication of IDO in glioma progression remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: : To investigate the relationship between IDO expression and histological malignancy in gliomas. METHODS: : IDO expression was examined in a total of 75 surgical specimens obtained from 68 patients with glioma using immunohistochemical staining. The 75 specimens included 15 diffuse astrocytomas, 21 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 39 glioblastomas. Six of 39 glioblastomas were secondary glioblastomas, transforming from grade II or III gliomas that had been determined at the first surgery. IDO expression rate was compared in each histological grade, and patient survival was analyzed. RESULTS: : Expression of IDO was found in 72 of 75 gliomas at varying intensities. Stronger expression of IDO was more likely to be observed in malignant gliomas compared with low-grade gliomas. IDO expression in the 6 cases of secondary glioblastoma was stronger than in the initial low-grade glioma. Survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method revealed that grade IV patients with strong IDO expression had significantly worse overall survival rates (P = .04) than patients with weak IDO expression. CONCLUSION: : IDO is expressed more strongly in both primary and secondary glioblastoma tissue than low-grade glioma and may affect clinical outcome. If IDO promotes glioma cells to escape from the immune system, IDO may be a crucial therapeutic target for malignant gliomas.

Effects of cilostazol on cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a multicenter prospective, randomized, open-label blinded end point trial.

OBJECT: Cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major cause of subsequent morbidity and mortality. Cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3, may attenuate cerebral vasospasm because of its antiplatelet and vasodilatory effects. A multicenter prospective randomized trial was conducted to investigate the effect of cilostazol on cerebral vasospasm. METHODS: Patients admitted with SAH caused by a ruptured anterior circulation aneurysm who were in Hunt and Kosnik Grades I to IV and were treated by clipping within 72 hours of SAH onset were enrolled at 7 neurosurgical sites in Japan. These patients were assigned to one of 2 groups: the usual therapy group (control group) or the add-on 100 mg cilostazol twice daily group (cilostazol group). The group assignments were done by a computer-generated randomization sequence. The primary study end point was the onset of symptomatic vasospasm. Secondary end points were the onset of angiographic vasospasm and new cerebral infarctions related to cerebral vasospasm, clinical outcome as assessed by the modified Rankin scale, and length of hospitalization. All end points were assessed for the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: Between November 2009 and December 2010, 114 patients with SAH were treated by clipping within 72 hours from the onset of SAH and were screened. Five patients were excluded because no consent was given. Thus, 109 patients were randomly assigned to the cilostazol group (n = 54) or the control group (n = 55). Symptomatic vasospasm occurred in 13% (n = 7) of the cilostazol group and in 40% (n = 22) of the control group (p = 0.0021, Fisher exact test). The incidence of angiographic vasospasm was significantly lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (50% vs 77%; p = 0.0055, Fisher exact test). Multiple logistic analyses demonstrated that nonuse of cilostazol is an independent factor for symptomatic and angiographic vasospasm. The incidence of new cerebral infarctions was also significantly lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (11% vs 29%; p = 0.0304, Fisher exact test). Clinical outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months after SAH in the cilostazol group were better than those in the control group, although a significant difference was not shown. There was also no significant difference in the length of hospitalization between the groups. No severe adverse event occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of cilostazol is effective in preventing cerebral vasospasm with a low risk of severe adverse events. Clinical trial registration no. UMIN000004347, University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry.

Intra-arterial injection fluorescein videoangiography in aneurysm surgery.

BACKGROUND: To visualize blood flow in the arteries and aneurysm during surgery, intravenous fluorescence videoangiography has been used. However, the image contrast with this procedure is diminished by repeated study because the dye remains for about 10 minutes after injection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal dye concentration and to clarify the usefulness of fluorescein videoangiography by intra-arterial dye injection. METHODS: In the pilot study, fluorescein sodium dissolved at various concentrations was illuminated with excitation light, and fluorescence was detected by cameras. The fluorescence of 0.001% fluorescein sodium solution mixed with plasma at various concentrations was then examined. In 13 aneurysm patients, dye solution was administered through the catheter for intraoperative digital subtraction angiography. The intravenous injection method was also performed, and the findings were compared. RESULTS: Dye was clinically used at a concentration of 0.005% to 0.1% on the basis of the results of the pilot study. Fluorescence emission from the vessels and aneurysms was clearly observed by both methods; however, arterial injection provided brighter emission, resulting in clearer demonstration of the bloodstream than venous injection. Dye clearance was also quicker, which allowed repeat injections without delay. Dye filling in the aneurysm indicating incomplete occlusion was detected in 2 cases, and occlusion of the perforating artery was observed in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial fluorescein videoangiography provides brighter and clearer imaging of blood flow with a smaller dose of dye than intravenous videoangiography. It can be repeated within a short time and is useful for detecting incomplete clipping or unexpected obstruction of arteries.

Simultaneous onset of anterior and middle cerebral artery dissections with an old vertebral artery dissection.

Multiple arterial dissections in the anterior circulation with simultaneous onset are extremely rare. We report a patient with infarctions caused by simultaneous arterial dissections in the right anterior cerebral artery and the left middle cerebral artery and discuss the characteristic feature of this vascular disorder. A 53-year-old woman presented with a severe headache and a mild aphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple acute cerebral infarctions in the left temporal and right frontal lobes. The initial angiographic findings revealed arterial dissections of the anterior cerebral, left middle cerebral, and right vertebral arteries. The follow-up angiographic examination found improvement of the stenosis in both the anterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries. We have concluded that the lesion of the vertebral artery was not in an acute stage, because no interval change was seen during the radiologic evaluation. She underwent conservative therapy, and her symptoms disappeared. Multiple arterial dissections are rare, especially those developing simultaneously in different arteries. This is the first case of multiple arterial dissections of the different arteries in the anterior circulation manifesting cerebral infarction simultaneously.

Recovery process and prognosis of aphasic patients with left putaminal hemorrhage: relationship between hematoma type and language modalities.

To elucidate the precise recovery process and prognosis of language functions in aphasic patients with left putaminal hemorrhage, we investigated 48 aphasic patients classified into 4 groups according to the location and extent of hematoma. The hematoma extended to the corona radiata in all patients, extracapsular in type I (12 cases), to the anterior limb in type II (10 cases), to the posterior limb in type III (12 cases), and to both limbs in type IV (14 cases). The Standard Language Test for Aphasia was performed at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the attack. The type II, III, and IV patients were divided into 2 groups, with and without ventricular rupture of the hemorrhage. At 3 and 6 months after the attack, the type I, II, and III patients showed significant improvement (P < .05) in all language modalities compared with the type IV patients. Most improvement in language modalities occurred in the first 3 months. The evaluation of patients with ventricular rupture after 6 months revealed poor recovery (P < .05) in oral commands, visual commands, confrontation naming, sentence repetition, narratives, verbal fluency, and writing in type II and III patients. In type IV patients, this evaluation showed poor recovery (P < .05) only in oral and written naming (kanji words). No significant difference in prognostic outcome was observed between the surgical treatment group and the nonsurgical treatment group. The classification of hemorrhage may be useful in predicting the outcome of aphasia with putaminal hemorrhage and in guiding clinicians in providing effective instructions to patients and their relatives.

Diagnostic value of the optic nerve sheath subarachnoid space in patients with intracranial hypotension syndrome.

OBJECT: The size of the subarachnoid space in the optic nerve sheath (ONS) on MR images is thought to reflect intracranial pressure. The diagnostic value of this space was investigated in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) syndrome. METHODS: Coronal fat-saturated T2-weighted MRI of the orbit was performed in 15 patients with SIH fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for headache caused by low CSF pressure of the International Classification of Headache Disorders or the criteria for spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension. The size of the subarachnoid space in the ONS was measured in 2 slices behind the eyeballs. The images were compared before and after treatment. The CSF pressure was measured by lumbar puncture. RESULTS: Before treatment, the diameter of the ONS subarachnoid space ranged from 2.58 to 4.21 mm (mean 3.34 mm) and the thickness from 0 to 0.48 mm (mean 0.15 mm). Both measurements showed significant correlations with CSF opening pressure, and 8 patients had no CSF space before treatment. The size of CSF space increased in many patients after effective treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Disappearance of the CSF space in the ONS was frequently observed in patients with SIH. This characteristic finding may be useful in the diagnosis of SIH as well as in the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.

Endoscopic indocyanine green video angiography in aneurysm surgery: an innovative method for intraoperative assessment of blood flow in vasculature hidden from microscopic view.

Recently, intraoperative fluorescence video angiography using indocyanine green (ICG) has been widely used in aneurysm surgery. This is a simple and useful method to confirm complete occlusion of the aneurysm lumen and preservation of blood flow in the arteries around the aneurysm. However, the observation field of ICG video angiography is limited under a microscope, making it difficult to confirm the flow in the arteries behind the parent arteries or aneurysm. The authors developed a new technique of intraoperative endoscopic ICG video angiography to assess the blood flow in perforating arteries hidden by the parent arteries or aneurysm. The endoscope emits excitation light with a wavelength of approximately 800 nm, and video images were obtained through a cut filter. The authors used this ICG fluorescence endoscope in treating 3 patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. During clip placement, the endoscope was inserted to confirm aneurysm occlusion. Then, ICG was intravenously administered, and the fluorescence in the vessels was observed via the endoscope as well as under the microscope. The blood flow in the perforating arteries was clearly identified, and no procedural complication occurred. The authors conclude that the technique is very useful and facilitates intraoperative real-time assessment of the patency of perforating arteries behind parent arteries or aneurysms.

Giant serpentine aneurysm of the distal anterior cerebral artery.

We report a case of a 38-year-old man with a giant serpentine aneurysm arising from the distal anterior cerebral artery. This aneurysm grew from a fusiform aneurysm to a huge aneurysm within 5 months before manifesting as a mass lesion. The aneurysm was largely filled with thrombus, and 4 distal branches arose from the aneurysm dome. Selective balloon test occlusion of the distal anterior cerebral artery using an intravascular technique was performed to confirm the tolerance of the brain tissue. The balloon test occlusion elicited adequate leptomeningeal collateral circulation and no neurologic symptoms; thus, the aneurysm was treated with trapping and resection. The patient had no ischemic complications after the surgery and returned to his job 1 month later. No ischemia developed in the 2 years after surgery. Selective balloon test occlusion of the distal cerebral artery using an intravascular technique can be a very useful tool in planning the therapeutic strategy for a complicated distal cerebral aneurysm.

Activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 in the hippocampal CA1 region in a rat model of global cerebral ischemic preconditioning.

The signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been suggested to have neuroprotective roles. However, its role in ischemic preconditioning (PC) is still obscure. In this study, we examined the phosphorylation status of ser727-STAT3, which is necessary for activation of STAT3, and its roles in a rat global ischemia model with or without PC. PC was induced by 3 min of nonlethal ischemia 48 h before 5 min of lethal ischemia. Western blot analysis showed that phospho-ser727-STAT3 significantly increased from 8 to 48 h after nonlethal ischemia, while it increased only for 1h after lethal ischemia and returned to the baseline within 24h. In the preconditioned brains, phospho-ser727-STAT3 was induced at 1 to 4h after lethal ischemia, and decrease of its levels delayed compared to the nonconditioned brains. Immunohistochemistry revealed that phospho-ser727-STAT3 was expressed mainly in CA1 neurons after nonlethal ischemia. Additionally, STAT3 inhibitor peptide treatment prevented PC induced-neuroprotection. These results indicate that phosphorylation of ser727-STAT3 plays an important role in PC induced- neuroptotection.

Indocyanine green videoangiography to detect aneurysm and related vascular structures buried in subarachnoid clots.

This 44-year-old woman presented with a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography demonstrated the aneurysm neck and dome, which were buried in subarachnoid clots. Dissection and aspiration of the clots around the neck were safely performed without touching the ruptured points. The aneurysm was successfully clipped. The patient's postoperative course was excellent. This case illustrates the use of intraoperative ICG videoangiography to provide information about the anatomical location of the aneurysm neck and dome despite their being completely obscured by subarachnoid clots. Intraoperative ICG videoangiography allowed safer dissection of the ruptured aneurysm from the blood clots.

A cortical dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor initially occurring in the periventricular white matter.

In this report, a rare case of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) initially presented as a small white matter lesion with calcification adjacent to the lateral ventricle and extending to the frontal cortex after 7 years. This 1-year-old boy initially suffered from partial seizures. Initial CT revealed a small, low-density area surrounding a tiny calcified mass in the deep white matter of the left frontal lobe. Seven years later, his seizures had become intractable to antiepileptic agents, and MR imaging demonstrated a relatively large mass extending from the calcified lesion up to the adjacent cortical surface. He underwent surgery and the tumor was subtotally removed. Histological examination of the tumor verified it as a DNET consisting of clusters of small oligodendrocytes with floating neurons in the mucoid background. The pattern of the tumor progression in this case suggests that a DNET in the cortex originates from the subependymal germinal layer near the ventricle.

Clear cell meningioma causing Castleman syndrome in a child.

This 11-year-old boy presented with a rare case of Castleman syndrome caused by a clear cell meningioma manifesting as persistent fever of unknown origin, 2 years after glomerulonephritis. Laboratory investigation of the patient showed an increased inflammatory reaction, as well as elevated polyclonal gamma globulin titer and serum level of C-reactive protein. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor at the cerebellopontine angle. Neurosurgical intervention was performed under the presumptive diagnosis of Castleman syndrome caused by intracranial tumor. Histological examination of the tumor verified that it was clear cell meningioma with infiltration of lymphoplasma cells, and surgical removal resulted in complete resolution of the patient's symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. The present case of clear cell meningioma manifesting as Castleman syndrome shows that the possibility of a brain tumor should be considered in patients presenting with fever of unknown origin, anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, or other systemic illness.