Microvascular decompression for intractable singultus.

Intractable singultus due to cerebrovascular disease is very rare. We report a case of intractable singultus that improved after microvascular decompression and present a literature review. The patient was a 58-year-old man with a 30-year history of persistent singultus. Its frequency and duration gradually increased and it was resistant to multiple medical treatments. Microvascular decompression to relieve pressure on the anterolateral surface of the lower medulla oblongata from the vertebral artery resulted in the resolution of singultus. Patients with intractable idiopathic singultus who fail to respond to medical therapy need to be considered for the evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases and microvascular decompression.

A Dissecting Aneurysm of the Distal Medial Lenticulostriate Artery: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Medial lenticulostriate artery (MLSA) aneurysms are rare; to our knowledge, only 2 cases without an association with moyamoya disease have been documented. We treated a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the distal MLSA surgically using a tube retractor. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 66-year-old woman suffered a sudden-onset disturbance in consciousness. Computed tomography showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and a dense intraventricular hematoma associated with acute hydrocephalus. She underwent emergent ventricular drainage. Angiography revealed a 3-mm distal MLSA aneurysm. On repeat angiographs, the aneurysm had not disappeared. Because the stenotic, narrow structure of the proximal portion of the MLSA disallowed the endovascular approach, we performed direct surgery via the transventricular approach using a tube retractor. The aneurysm on the intraventricular surface of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle adjacent to the caudate nucleus was exposed. We resected the aneurysm under transcranial motor-evoked potential monitoring because neck clipping would have endangered the patency of the MLSA. Her postoperative course was uneventful. The pathologic diagnosis was ruptured dissecting aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: There is no definitive strategy to treat distal MLSA aneurysms. Our experience illustrates that natural healing of the vessel wall cannot be expected in all cases. Therefore, less-invasive direct surgical as well as endovascular treatment should not be ruled out in patients with ruptured distal MLSA aneurysms.

[Analysis of Rupture during Follow-up of Unruptured Aneurysm].

OBJECT: To elucidate clinical aspects of ruptured aneurysms, we retrospectively investigated associations between risk factors and ruptured and unruptured cases during conservative management. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with 291 unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed. Mean duration of observation was 62 months (1183.4 person-years). We investigated the following six risk factors: history of subarachnoid hemorrhage;multiplicity;location of aneurysms;aneurysm size ≤5mm;bleb or irregular forms;and follow-up period <1 year. RESULTS: Twenty-two aneurysms in 22 patients (19 women;86.4%) ruptured during this study. The annual rate of rupture was 1.86%. In ruptured cases, mean age was 66.7 years. According to univariate analysis, aneurysm size≥5mm(p=0.000), bleb or irregular form(p=0.006)and duration of observation<1 year (p =0.000) were significantly associated with aneurysmal rupture. In multivariate analysis of these factors, aneurysm size≥5mm(p =0.0188;odds ratio(OR), 3.4;95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-9.7) and duration of observation<1 year (p=0.006;OR, 5.0;95% CI, 1.6-14.9) represented independent risk factors for aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study were almost the same as those of the UCAS Japan study. In addition, duration of observation <1 year was a risk factor for aneurysm rupture. When we decide on surgical treatment after considering factors such as aneurysm size, form, and surgical risk, surgery should be performed as soon as possible.

Effectiveness of intraarterial administration of fasudil hydrochloride for preventing symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of intraarterial administration of fasudil hydrochloride (IAFC), a Rho kinase inhibitor, for the prevention of symptomatic vasospasm after SAH by evaluating cerebral circulation. METHODS: We evaluated IAFC cases of 57 sides of 38 patients (12 men and 26 women, average age 60.2 years old) diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from February 2012 to November 2012. All cases were treated by clipping or coil embolization within 48 h after onset. Indication for IAFC was the existence of a spastic change on follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA) compared with that of onset. RESULTS: Clipping was performed in 30 cases and coil embolization in 8 cases. IAFC was performed an average of 6.6 days after onset. Color gradient mapping demonstrated reduction of the circulation time after IAFC compared with before IAFC on 39 sides, no change on 15 sides, and extension on 3 sides. Average arterial circulation time before IAFC was 2.25 ± 0.57 s and after IAFC was 1.95 ± 0.55 s. IAFC significantly shortened average arterial circulation (P = 0.005). No case developed symptomatic vasospasm after IAFC. CONCLUSION: IAFC significantly reduced the cerebral circulation time after aneurysmal SAH and might be effective for the prevention of symptomatic vasospasm.

[An operated case of a giant fusiform aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery with alternating radiological findings within a short period].

We report an operated case of a giant fusiform aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). An 18-year-old man presenting with a 6-month history of severe left temporal headache was admitted to our department. On admission, MRI revealed a mass lesion measuring 45 mm in diameter in the left frontal lobe. A left carotid angiogram revealed aneurysmal dilatation and stenosis in the M2 portion of the left MCA, which was diagnosed as a giant fusiform dissecting aneurysm. An intracarotid amobarbital test (Wada test)demonstrated ischemic tolerance to occlusion of the parent artery. Spontaneous occlusion of the parent artery and obliteration of the aneurysmal lesion incidentally occurred 15 days after admission. Follow-up 3D-CT angiography revealed recurrence of the aneurysmal dilatation in the same segment of the artery 6 days after the spontaneous obliteration. The lesion was then successfully resected without revascularization. Histopathological examination revealed a pseudolumen and loss of the three-layer structure of the aneurysmal wall. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged without neurological deficits. We present the case report and a review of the literature.

Brain metastasis from invasive thymoma mimicking intracerebral hemorrhage: case report.

A 55-year-old man with an 8-year history of invasive thymoma presented with sudden onset of left hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a right frontal lobe intracerebral hemorrhage and the possibility of brain metastasis could not be rejected. The patient underwent removal of the hematoma. Histological examination showed brain metastasis from invasive thymoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hemorrhagic brain metastasis from invasive thymoma (non-cancerous) mimicking intracerebral hemorrhage.

Arachnoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa presenting with pulsatile exophthalmos: case report and literature review.

A 20-year-old woman suffered gradual progression of right pulsatile exophthalmos and slight headache. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated outward and downward displacement of the right globe and an arachnoid cyst in the right middle cranial fossa associated with thinned and anterior protrusion of a bony orbit. Microscopic cystocisternotomy was performed and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside of the cyst communicated into the carotid cistern and cistern in the posterior cranial fossa. Pulsatile exophthalmos improved immediately after surgery. Arachnoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa presenting with exophthalmos is rare. Microscopic cystocisternotomy might successfully improve CSF flow and relieve exophthalmos.

Subdural empyema due to Lactococcus lactis cremoris: case report.

Lactococcus lactis cremoris (L. lactis cremoris) infections are very rare in humans. Only three case reports of brain abscess have been reported and the infectious routes and pathological features are still unknown. We experienced a subdural empyema due to L. lactis cremoris in an immunocompetent adult. A 33-year-old man was admitted with fever, right facial pain, left hemiparesis, and left hemianopsia. Computed tomography demonstrated low density fluid collection in the right falcotentorial subdural space. Magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed a high signal lesion on a diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images in the right paratentorial and parafalcine subdural space, right maxillary sinus, and bilateral ethmoidal sinus. He underwent two sequential open surgeries for removal and drainage of empyema and was treated with antibiotics including meropenem and ampicillin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of subdural empyema caused by L. lactis cremoris infection. We report the case and discuss the pathological features with the previous literature.

[An operated case of a meningioma causing acute subdural hematoma].

We report a rare case of a meningioma causing acute hematoma. A 67-year-old woman presented with sudden headache. No evidence of trauma was seen. CT demonstrated a subdural hematoma in the convexity of the fronto-temporal lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging showed marked signal heterogeneity in the convexity of the frontal lobe. One week later, the patient underwent hematoma evacuation and tumor resection including the attached dura mater. The histological diagnosis was meningothelial meningioma. The clot was connected directly to the tumor and the origin of the subdural hematoma was identified as the meningioma. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the headache improved. Meningiomas have a relatively benign course but rarely present with hemorrhage. Surgical exploration is the effective and recommended treatment.

Increase in the number of patients with seizures following the Great East-Japan Earthquake.

In the afternoon of March 11, 2011, Kesennuma City was hit by the Great East-Japan Earthquake and a devastating tsunami. The purpose of this retrospective study is to document possible changes in the number of patients with distinct neurologic diseases seeking treatment following this disaster. Because of Kesennuma's unique geographical location, the city was isolated by the disaster, allowing for a study with relatively limited population selection bias. Patients admitted for neurologic emergencies from January 14 to May 5 in 2011 (n = 117) were compared with patients in the corresponding 16-week periods in 2008-2010 (n = 323). The number of patients with unprovoked seizures was significantly higher during the 8-week period after the earthquake (n = 13) than during the same periods in 2008 (n = 6), 2009 (n = 3), and 2010 (no patients) (p = 0.0062). In contrast, the number of patients treated for other neurologic diseases such as stroke, trauma, and tumors remained unchanged. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an increase in the number of patients with seizures following a life-threatening natural disaster. We suggest that stress associated with life-threatening situations may enhance seizure generation.

Endoscopic surgery for traumatic acute subdural hematoma.

Traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is generally addressed by craniotomy under general anesthesia. We report a patient whose traumatic ASDH was treated under local anesthesia by one-burr-hole endoscopic surgery. This 87-year-old woman had undergone coil embolization for a ruptured right middle-cerebral artery aneurysm and placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for normal pressure hydrocephalus 5 years earlier. Upon admission, she manifested consciousness disturbance after suffering head trauma and right hemiplegia. Her Glasgow Coma Scale score was 8 (E2V2M4). Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a thick, left-frontotemporal ASDH. Due to her advanced age and poor condition, we performed endoscopic surgery rather than craniotomy to evacuate the ASDH. Under local anesthesia, we made a burr hole in her left forehead and increased its size to 15 mm in diameter. After introducing a transparent sheath into the hematoma cavity with a rigid endoscope, the clot was evacuated with a suction tube. The arterial bleeding point was electrically coagulated. A postoperative CT scan confirmed the reduction of the hematoma. There was neither brain compression nor brain swelling. Her consciousness disturbance and right hemiplegia improved immediately. Endoscopic surgery may represent a viable method to address traumatic intracranial hematomas in some patients.

[Childhood transverse sinus dural arteriovenous fistula treated with endovascular and direct surgery: a case report].

Infantile dural arteriovenous fistula is a rare cerebrovascular malformation carrying a poor prognosis with an anatomic cure of only 9%. Endovascular embolization is mainly selected to treat this entity, aiming to obtain normal development of the patients. We present a case of a 20-month-old girl with epilepsy. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a dural arteriovenous fistula involving the right transverse sinus. The arteriovenous fistula was fed by multiple dural branches from the middle meningeal, occipital, meningohypophyseal, and anteroinferior cerebellar arteries. The right transverse sinus was transvenously embolized with platinum coils. Although the shunt flow remained, the patient was liberated from epilepsy. Nine months later, the patient suffered from a recurrence of epilepsy. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated some increase in shunt flow. Right middle meningeal, occipital, posterior deep temporal, and tentorial arteries were transarterially embolized using N-butyl cyanoacrylate, followed by complete surgical resection of the right transverse sinus. The shunt flow disappeared after surgery, and her epilepsy improved significantly. Our experience suggests that the combination of endovascular and surgical treatment is effective for recurrent infantile dural arteriovenous fistula.

[Regression of MALT lymphoma of the rectum after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in a patient negative for Helicobacter pylori].

A 53-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination of a rectal polypoid lesion. Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor in the rectum (Ra) and a diagnosis of MALT lymphoma was made on the histological examination of the biopsy specimens and Southern blot analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. Although the patient was negative for Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori eradication therapy was performed. Colonoscopy 3 months after the eradication therapy showed disappearance of the rectal tumor. H. pylori eradication appears to be a useful treatment for not only H. pylori-positive colonic MALT lymphoma but H. pylori-negative colonic MALT lymphoma.

Thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysm presenting with hemorrhage and bulbar compression: report of two cases.

Bulbar compression by vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm is extremely rare and only reported in a few cases. We report two cases with thrombosed VA aneurysm compressing medulla oblongata; one presented with bulbar apoplexy hemorrhage and the other with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 61-year-old male (case 1) presented with consciousness disturbances, left hemiplegia, and subsequent respiratory arrest. He was subjected to controlled ventilation, and computed tomography (CT) scan showed bulbar hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) revealed fusiform right VA aneurysm with partial thrombosis and bulbar compression. Intra-aneurysmal embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) relieved his clinical symptom including respiratory disturbance. Three months after the onset, he remained moderately disabled. A 76-year-old male (case 2) presented with severe headache and subsequent respiratory disturbance. CT scan on admission showed subarachnoid hemorrhage with acute hydrocephalus. Ventricular drainage rapidly improved consciousness while respiratory disturbance persisted over several days. MRI and DSA suggested spontaneous thrombosis of the right VA dissection with bulbar compression. He showed gradual recovery of his respiration over a week. After ventriculo-peritoneal shunting, he was transferred with moderate disability. These results suggest that the elimination of the pulsatile effect of VA aneurysm adjacent to medulla oblongata can improve symptoms caused by aneurysm-related compression. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment such as intra-aneurysmal embolization for ameliorating the blood flow inside the aneurysm can relieve mass effect and clinical symptoms.

Cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus associated with acute epidural hematoma and diffuse brain injury in a child after severe head injury.

CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital 20 min after receiving a direct impact to his head in an automobile accident. He was semi-comatose on admission and computed tomography showed acute epidural hematoma in the right supratentorial region. Three hours later, his consciousness deteriorated due to the enlargement of the hematoma. Surgical removal of hematoma relieved his consciousness disturbance. Post-operative magnetic resonance imaging revealed spotty high-intensity lesions in the corpus callosum on T2-weighted images, and a solitary high-intensity lesion in the left caudate nucleus extending to the medial globus pallidum on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. Magnetic resonance angiography showed no abnormality in the main arteries. These results suggested cerebral infarction in the vascular territory supplied by the recurrent artery of Heubner in association with diffuse brain injury. Post-operative course was uneventful and he was discharged without neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus is extremely rare, and its association with diffuse brain injury and epidural hematoma is apparently unique.

Hydrocephalus due to cerebrospinal fluid overproduction by bilateral choroid plexus papillomas.

CASE REPORT: A 10-month-old boy, with congenital deafness and blindness associated with chromosomal deletion [46XY, del(13)(q32)], presented with intractable ascites 9 months after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for congenital hydrocephalus. Revision of the ventriculo-atrial shunt resulted in shunt failure 1 month later. External ventricular drainage revealed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overproduction (2,000 ml/day). Magnetic resonance imaging showed marked lobular enlargement of the bilateral choroid plexuses extending from the trigone to the body and inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. Multi-staged resection was performed via bilateral temporo-occipital transcortical approaches, and CSF production significantly decreased to 100 ml/day postoperatively. Histological assessment of the villous surface suggested villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus and thorough evaluation including the proximal portion of the lobular lesion near the attachment revealed choroid plexus papilloma. He was discharged after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting without additional neurological deficits except for hyperreflexia of the left extremities. CONCLUSION: CSF overproduction caused by bilateral choroid plexus papillomas can result in hydrocephalus. Radical resection of the bilateral ventricular lesions should be considered for this entity. Thorough evaluation of the surgical specimen is recommended because histological examination of only the lobular surface of the choroid plexus lesion may fail to identify choroid plexus neoplasm.

[Two cases of impending herniation due to multiple traumatic acute subdural hematomas: combination of burr hole evacuation and craniotomy].

A contralateral extra-axial hematoma sometimes occurs during an operation on an acute subdural hematoma and may become fatal. Using a combined procedure of burr hole evacuation and craniotomy, we treated 2 cases of multiple traumatic acute subdural hematomas. Our policy for such cases is first to perform a burr hole evacuation for the acute subdural hematoma in the emergency room, while simultaneously preparing the operation room for a possible further operation. Next, we perform computed tomography (CT) of the brain. If the evacuation does not provide enough decompression, we either carry out a craniotomy at the same site, or, we observe the patient without resorting to craniotomy. However, if the patient's condition deteriorates, burr hole evacuation is repeated and/or craniotomy is carried out as soon as possible on the lesion at the already prepared operation room. Both of our patients received craniotomy for another subdural hematoma after the burr hole evacuation. Though his intracranial pressure was well managed during the acute stage, one of the patients died 21 days after the trauma due to an extensive brain infarction caused by vasospasm. The other regained consciousness and was able to walk 5 months after the trauma in spite of cerebral infarction from vasospasm. The possible mechanism of vasospasm in severe head injury is also discussed.

[A case of vertebral artery occlusion following heading play in soccer].

A 13-year-old boy suffered from cerebeller infarction due to right vertebral artery occlusion after heading a ball during a rainy soccer game. Dissection of the vertebral artery after trivial head trauma is well known, but heading as the cause has not been reported. We speculated in this present case that excessive impact force to the young boy's neck due to the heavy rain-soaked ball might have caused right vertebral artery dissection and occlusion. High quality balls are recommended for young amateur players on rainy days.

[The review of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric practice].

In order to create the least restrictive setting in psychiatric practice, we investigated the effects of an assessment by a committee on seclusion and restraint. Using consistent procedures, the committees, which were established in 9 hospitals, reviewed seclusion and restraint maintained for periods of over 2 weeks during a 4-month period. Frequency and duration of seclusion and restraint, staff perceptions of and attitudes to the review system, and patient satisfaction were evaluated before and after the study period. As a result of this review process, the frequency of seclusion decreased slightly in 7 hospitals and 1 of the remaining 2 hospitals showed an increased frequency of seclusion days that were partially interrupted. Frequency of restraint decreased slightly in 5 hospitals, and of the remaining 3, 1 interrupted all periods of restraint, while the other 2 institutions showed an increase in interruption of restraint periods. As there were no common patients in 2 specialist psychiatric emergency hospitals between before and after the study periods, statistical analyses were performed. Only minor variables such as duration of partially interrupted periods of restraint, and duration of periods of restraint that were partially released showed a statistically significant increase. Although patient satisfaction showed a significant increase, staff attitudes to and perceptions of the review system became appreciably more negative. These findings suggest that although the review system had the potential to slightly reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, and to increase patient satisfaction, staff burnout was risked because staff effort was perceived to be disproportionately high in relation to the effect achieved. Furthermore, the possibility remains that the slight decrease of seclusion and restraint demonstrated did not necessarily reflect the appropriate use of these strategies, and were not necessarily lasting effects. However, as differences in opinion existed between the review system committee and treating clinicians regarding continuation of long term seclusion and restraint, the review system could have a role in monitoring the long term use of seclusion and restraint. Further investigation is needed into the long term effectiveness of procedures reviewing the use of seclusion and restraint in the psychiatric setting, taking into account both positive and negative outcomes.