Perceived Interpersonal Racism and Incident Stroke Among US Black Women.

Importance: Black individuals in the US experience stroke and stroke-related mortality at younger ages and more frequently than other racial groups. Studies examining the prospective association of interpersonal racism with stroke are lacking. Objective: To examine the association of perceived interpersonal racism with incident stroke among US Black women. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Black Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort study of 59 000 Black women from across the US, assessed the longitudinal association between perceived interpersonal racism and stroke incidence. Stroke-free participants were followed up from 1997 until onset of stroke, death, loss to follow-up, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2019). Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs, adjusting for major confounders, including education, neighborhood socioeconomic environment, and cardiometabolic factors. Data analysis was performed from March 2021 until December 2022. Exposure: On a questionnaire completed in 1997, participants reported experiences of racism in everyday life and when dealing with situations that involved employment, housing, and interactions with police. Main Outcomes and Measures: Strokes were identified through self-report on biennial questionnaires, medical records adjudication, and linkage with the National Death Index. Results: In 1997, 48 375 Black women (mean [SD] age, 41 [10] years) provided information on perceived interpersonal racism and were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer. During the 22 years of follow-up, 1664 incident stroke cases were identified; among them, 550 were definite cases confirmed by neurologist review and/or National Death Index linkage. Multivariable HRs for reported experiences of racism in all 3 domains of employment, housing, and interactions with police vs no such experiences were 1.38 (95% CI, 1.14-1.67), a 38% increase, for all incident cases and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.00-1.88) for definite cases. For comparisons of women in the highest quartile of everyday interpersonal racism score vs women in the lowest quartile, multivariable HRs were 1.14 (95% CI, 0.97-1.35) for analyses that included all incident stroke and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.83-1.45) for analyses that included definite cases only. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, Black women who reported experiences of interpersonal racism in situations involving employment, housing, and interactions with police appeared to have an increased risk of stroke, even after accounting for demographic and vascular risk factors, suggesting that the high burden of racism experienced by Black US women may contribute to racial disparities in stroke incidence.

Strokes in Patients With Injection Drug Use and Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis - A Case Series.

Research Design: In this study, we describe patients from a tertiary care safety-net hospital endocarditis registry with tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE), and concomitant acute or subacute ischemic stroke predominantly associated with injection drug use (IDU). We retrospectively obtained data pertinent to neurologic examinations, history of injection drug use (IDU), blood cultures, transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE), neuroimaging, and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at discharge. Only those patients with bacteremia, tricuspid valve vegetations, and neuroimaging consistent with acute to subacute ischemic infarction and microhemorrhages in two cases were included in this series. Results: Of 188 patients in the registry, 66 patients had TVIE and 10 of these were complicated by ischemic stroke. Neurologic symptoms were largely non-specific, eight patients had altered mental status and only 3 had focal deficits. Nine cases were associated with IDU. Two patients had evidence of a patent foramen ovale on echocardiography. Blood cultures grew S. aureus species in 9 of the patients, all associated with IDU. Three patients died during hospitalization. The mRS score at discharge for survivors ranged 0-4. Conclusions: Patients with strokes from TVIE had heterogeneous presentations and putative mechanisms. We noted that robust neuroimaging is lacking for patients with TVIE from IDU and that such patients may benefit from neuroimaging as a screen for strokes to assist peri-operative management. Further inquiry is needed to elucidate stroke mechanisms in these patients.

Hospitalized Infants With Medical Complexity Experience Slow Acquisition of Gross Motor Skills.

OBJECTIVES: The progression of infant gross motor development during an acute hospitalization is unknown. Understanding gross motor skill acquisition in hospitalized infants with complex medical conditions is necessary to develop and evaluate interventions that may lessen delays. Establishing a baseline of gross motor abilities and skill development for these infants will guide future research. The primary purposes of this observational study were to: (1) describe gross motor skills of infants with complex medical conditions (n = 143) during an acute hospitalization and (2) evaluate the rate of change in gross motor skill development in a heterogenous group of hospitalized infants with prolonged length of stay (n = 45). METHODS: Gross motor skills in hospitalized infants aged birth to 18 months receiving physical therapy were evaluated monthly using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Regression analysis was completed to assess rate of change in gross motor skills. RESULTS: Of the 143 participants, 91 (64%) demonstrated significant motor delay at initial evaluation. Infants with prolonged hospitalization (mean 26.9 ± 17.5 weeks) gained new gross motor skills at a significant rate of 1.4 points per month in Alberta Infant Motor Scale raw scores; however, most (76%) continued with gross motor delays. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with complex medical conditions admitted for prolonged hospitalization frequently have delayed gross motor development at baseline and have slower than typical acquisition of gross motor skills during hospitalization, gaining 1.4 new skills per month compared with peers acquiring 5 to 8 new skills monthly. Further research is needed to determine effectiveness of interventions designed to mitigate gross motor delay in hospitalized infants.

Imaging of Central Nervous System Ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes imaging modalities used in the evaluation of patients presenting with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: The year 2015 marked the beginning of a new era in acute stroke care with the widespread adoption of mechanical thrombectomy. Subsequent randomized controlled trials in 2017 and 2018 brought the stroke community even further into this new territory with the expansion of the eligibility window for thrombectomy using imaging-based patient selection, which led to an increase in the use of perfusion imaging. Now, after several years of routine use, the debate is ongoing as to when this additional imaging is truly required and when it results in unnecessary delays in time-sensitive stroke care. At this time, more than ever, a robust understanding of neuroimaging techniques, applications, and interpretation is essential for the practicing neurologist. ESSENTIAL POINTS: CT-based imaging is the first step in most centers for the evaluation of patients presenting with symptoms of acute stroke because of its wide availability, speed, and safety. Noncontrast head CT alone is sufficient for IV thrombolysis decision making. CT angiography is very sensitive for the detection of large-vessel occlusion and can be used reliably to make this determination. Advanced imaging including multiphase CT angiography, CT perfusion, MRI, and MR perfusion can provide additional information useful for therapeutic decision making in specific clinical scenarios. In all cases, it is essential that neuroimaging be performed and interpreted rapidly to allow for timely reperfusion therapy.

Clinical Assessment of Mechanical Allodynia in Youth With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Development and Preliminary Validation of the Pediatric Tactile Sensitivity Test of Allodynia (Pedi-Sense).

Youth with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) commonly experience mechanical allodynia and disability. Assessment of mechanical allodynia is typically binary (present or absent), making it difficult to assess the quality and degree of mechanical allodynia before and after treatment. This study developed and validated the Pediatric Tactile Sensitivity Test of Allodynia (Pedi-Sense) to provide an easy way for rehabilitation clinicians to evaluate mechanical allodynia before and after intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment. The 6 Pedi-Sense items demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability (CR) at admission (CR = .956) and discharge (CR = .973), reasonably fit the hypothesized linear model of stimulus intensity (P < .0001), and significantly loaded onto a single latent factor, mechanical allodynia (P < .0001), at admission and discharge. Pedi-Sense scores significantly correlated with disability (rs = .40; P = .004) and pain catastrophizing (rs = .33; P = .017) at admission. The Pedi-Sense appeared responsive to intervention as participants' total scores improved by 1.44 points (95% CI: .72, 2.15) after IIPT interventions that included daily tactile desensitization. However, test-retest and interrater reliability and the specific contribution of desensitization treatment to the overall success of multi-modal pain rehabilitation still needs to be evaluated. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the development and preliminary validation of a novel clinical assessment of static and dynamic mechanical allodynia. The Pediatric Tactile Sensitivity Test of Allodynia (Pedi-Sense) allows rehabilitation clinicians to easily evaluate mechanical allodynia at the bedside with minimal training and simple equipment to guide desensitization treatment in clinical settings.

Pediatric pain rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring the effectiveness of a hybrid intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment model.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to (1) examine improvements in rehabilitation outcomes after participation in a pediatric hybrid intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment model (50% in-person and 50% video-based telehealth) and (2) compare magnitude of hybrid model improvements to patients treated in a traditional, 100% in-person model prior to the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rehabilitation outcomes for 33 youth with chronic pain from the model were compared to 33 youth with chronic pain who completed a traditional, in-person model. Improvements between admission and discharge in both models were examined using paired student t-tests. Independent samples t-tests compared change scores for the hybrid and traditional models. RESULTS: Participants in both models experienced significant improvements on all rehabilitation outcomes, including cardiovascular endurance, pain interference, functional disability, and occupational performance (p < 0.001), except for pain intensity (p = 0.15). Change scores for rehabilitation outcomes did not significantly differ between models. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitatively, hybrid model rehabilitation outcomes appeared clinically equivalent to the traditional, in-person model. Qualitative and psychosocial outcome comparisons of each model are warranted to better understand challenges and barriers associated with hybrid pain treatment models. The feasibility and impact of tools to enhance telehealth, such as actigraphy or virtual reality, should also be explored.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study supports the efficacy of video-based telehealth interventions for children and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes.Disability outcomes for a hybrid (50% in-person, 50% video-based telehealth) intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program appear to be equivalent to patients treated within a fully in-person program.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Risk of Stroke in U.S. Black Women.

Hypertensive Disorders and Stroke in Black WomenIn 42,924 U.S. Black women enrolled in 1995, there were 1555 incident strokes, including 310 among 4938 women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This association may help explain the disproportionately higher stroke incidence in Black women given the higher prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in this population.

Alterations in the structure and function of the brain in adolescents with new daily persistent headache: A pilot MRI study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore brain morphological and functional connectivity alterations in adolescents with new daily persistent headache (NDPH) compared to pain-free, healthy controls. BACKGROUND: NDPH is one of the most disabling and least understood primary headache conditions. To date, no studies have considered the role of brain function and structure in pediatric patients with NDPH. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, resting-state functional and structural images were acquired for 13 patients with NDPH (M age = 15.9, standard deviation [SD] ± 1.4) and 13 age- and sex-matched controls (M age = 16.2, SD ± 1.8) using magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were recruited from the Pediatric Headache Program at Boston Children's Hospital and from the Greater Boston area. In patients, clinical features of NDPH, including disease duration, pain intensity ratings, pain sensitivity, and functional disability were also assessed, and their associations with functional and structural brain alterations were explored. RESULTS: Compared to controls, patients with NDPH demonstrated reduced cortical thickness in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, left superior, and middle frontal gyrus areas (p < 0.05, Monte Carlo corrected for multiple comparisons). Furthermore, reduced cortical thickness of the left superior frontal gyrus was related to elevated pain sensitivity in NDPH (r = -0.79, p = 0.006). Patients showed altered functional connectivity between regions involved in emotional and cognitive networks of pain, including the amygdala, insula, frontal regions, and cerebellar subregions. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first preliminary evidence of functional and structural brain differences in pediatric patients with NDPH compared to controls. Identifying alterations in cortical thickness and resting-state connectivity between specific brain regions could provide characteristics of NDPH and probable mechanisms that may guide personalized therapeutic interventions.

Does intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment improve pediatric headache-related disability?

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for improving disability in children with chronic headache using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model as a conceptual framework for disability assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with chronic headache (n = 50; ages 10-19 years; 62% female) attended an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment program 8 h/day, 5 times/week for 2-7 weeks. Disability measures were administered at admission, discharge, and 6-8 week follow-up. Disability outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Friedman's analyses of variance were used to compare scores across two and three longitudinal time points, respectively. RESULTS: After rehabilitation, disability reduced on the Headache Impact Test-6 from severe impact at admission to some impact at follow-up (p < 0.001). Median time on the modified Bruce protocol increased from 13.1 min (interquartile range = 12.6-14.1) to 14.4 min (interquartile range = 12.9-16.3), p < 0.001, with gains maintained at follow-up. Improvements in pain and disability were associated with improvements in school participation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study support the effectiveness of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for improving disability in children with chronic headache.Implication for rehabilitationIntensive interdisciplinary pain treatment is effective for improving pain and disability in children with chronic headaches.Application of the ICF model to disability assessment suggests that children with chronic headaches may experience significant disability, even when standardized assessments of physical capacity are normal.The modified Bruce protocol, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - Computerized Adaptive Tests, and Headache Impact Test-6 appear particularly valuable in understanding the nature of disability in children with chronic headaches.

Endovascular thrombectomy time metrics in the era of COVID-19: observations from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Multicenter Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Unprecedented workflow shifts during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have contributed to delays in acute care delivery, but whether it adversely affected endovascular thrombectomy metrics in acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) is unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of observational data from 14 comprehensive stroke centers in nine US states with acute LVO. EVT metrics were compared between March to July 2019 against March to July 2020 (primary analysis), and between state-specific pre-peak and peak COVID-19 months (secondary analysis), with multivariable adjustment. RESULTS: Of the 1364 patients included in the primary analysis (51% female, median NIHSS 14 [IQR 7-21], and 74% of whom underwent EVT), there was no difference in the primary outcome of door-to-puncture (DTP) time between the 2019 control period and the COVID-19 period (median 71 vs 67 min, P=0.10). After adjustment for variables associated with faster DTP, and clustering by site, there remained a trend toward shorter DTP during the pandemic (ßadj=-73.2, 95% CI -153.8-7.4, Pp=0.07). There was no difference in DTP times according to local COVID-19 peaks vs pre-peak months in unadjusted or adjusted multivariable regression (ßadj=-3.85, 95% CI -36.9-29.2, P=0.80). In this final multivariable model (secondary analysis), faster DTP times were significantly associated with transfer from an outside institution (ßadj=-46.44, 95% CI -62.8 to - -30.0, P<0.01) and higher NIHSS (ßadj=-2.15, 95% CI -4.2to - -0.1, P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-center study, there was no delay in EVT among patients treated for intracranial occlusion during the COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID era.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Patients with Coronavirus Disease: A Multicenter Case Series.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: RCVS (Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstrictive Syndrome) is a condition associated with vasoactive agents that alter endothelial function. There is growing evidence that endothelial inflammation contributes to cerebrovascular disease in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In our study, we describe the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of RCVS in a multicenter case series of patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter retrospective case series. We collected clinical characteristics, imaging, and outcomes of patients with RCVS and COVID-19 identified at each participating site. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified, 7 women, ages 21 - 62 years. Risk factors included use of vasoconstrictive agents in 7 and history of migraine in 2. Presenting symptoms included thunderclap headache in 5 patients with recurrent headaches in 4. Eight were hypertensive on arrival to the hospital. Symptoms of COVID-19 included fever in 2, respiratory symptoms in 8, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 1. One patient did not have systemic COVID-19 symptoms. MRI showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3 cases, intraparenchymal hemorrhage in 2, acute ischemic stroke in 4, FLAIR hyperintensities in 2, and no abnormalities in 1 case. Neurovascular imaging showed focal segment irregularity and narrowing concerning for vasospasm of the left MCA in 4 cases and diffuse, multifocal narrowing of the intracranial vasculature in 6 cases. Outcomes varied, with 2 deaths, 2 remaining in the ICU, and 6 surviving to discharge with modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 0 (n=3), 2 (n=2), and 3 (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Our series suggests that patients with COVID-19 may be at risk for RCVS, particularly in the setting of additional risk factors such as exposure to vasoactive agents. There was variability in the symptoms and severity of COVID-19, clinical characteristics, abnormalities on imaging, and mRS scores. However, a larger study is needed to validate a causal relationship between RCVS and COVID-19.

Questionnaire and Portable Sleep Test Screening of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Acute Stroke and TIA.

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent, but frequently unrecognized among stroke patients. Polysomnography (PSG) is difficult to perform soon after a stroke. We evaluated the use of screening questionnaires and portable sleep testing (PST) for patients with acute stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or transient ischemic attack to expedite SDB diagnosis and management. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of a quality improvement study on SDB screening of consecutive daytime, weekday, adult admissions to a stroke unit. We excluded patients who were unable to communicate and lacked available family members. Patients were screened with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin Questionnaire, and STOP-BANG Questionnaire and underwent overnight PST and/or outpatient PSG. The 4-item STOP Questionnaire was derived from STOP-BANG for a secondary analysis. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaires for the diagnosis of at least mild SDB (apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5) on PST and correlated AHI measurements between PST and PSG using the Spearman correlation. Out of sixty-eight patients included in the study, 54 (80%) were diagnosed with SDB. Only one (1.5%) had a previous SDB diagnosis. Thirty-three patients completed all questionnaires and a PST. The STOP-BANG questionnaire had the highest sensitivity for at least mild SDB (0.81, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.65-0.92) but a low specificity (0.33, 95% CI 0.10, 0.65). The discrimination of all questionnaires was overall poor (C statistic range 0.502-0.640). There was a strong correlation (r = 0.71) between the AHI results estimated using PST and outpatient PSG among 28 patients. The 4-item STOP Questionnaire was the easiest to administer and had a comparable or better sensitivity than the other questionnaires. Inpatient PSTs were useful for screening in the acute setting to facilitate an early diagnosis of SDB and to establish further outpatient evaluations with sleep medicine.

Acute occlusion of the fetal posterior cerebral artery: diagnosis and management paradigms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The diagnosis and management of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion are challenging. While endovascular treatment is established for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke, little is known about the course of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusions. We report the clinical course, radiological findings and management considerations of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients presenting with acute large vessel occlusion who underwent cerebral angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy between January 2015 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were included. Demographic data, clinical presentation, imaging findings and management strategies were reviewed. RESULTS: Between January 2015 and January 2021, three patients with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were identified from 400 patients who underwent angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke (0.75%). The first patient presented with concomitant fetal posterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery occlusions. Thrombectomy was performed with recanalisation of the fetal posterior cerebral artery but the patient died from malignant oedema. The second patient presented with isolated fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion. No endovascular intervention was performed and the patient was disabled from malignant posterior cerebral artery infarct. The third patient presented with carotid occlusion and was found to have fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion after internal carotid artery recanalisation. No further intervention was performed. The patient was left with residual contralateral homonymous hemianopia and mild left sided weakness. CONCLUSION: Fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion is a rare, but potentially disabling, cause of ischaemic stroke. Endovascular treatment is feasible. Further investigation is needed to compare the efficacy of medical versus endovascular management strategies.

Neurologic Emergencies during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

Although minor neurologic complications of coronavirus disease 2019 are common, life-threatening neurologic emergencies are rare. Acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, venous sinus thrombosis, seizures, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome have been described. Hospitals have seen significant changes in the volume of patients presenting with neurologic emergencies. We review what has thus far been published about the intersection of coronavirus disease 2019 and neurologic emergencies with particular attention to cerebrovascular disease and seizure. Considerations in managing the acute presentations of these conditions in the context of the pandemic can serve as a model for management of other neurologic emergencies.

Intravenous tPA for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), however, there is a paucity of data regarding outcomes after administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) for stroke in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We present a multicenter case series from 9 centers in the United States of patients with acute neurological deficits consistent with AIS and COVID-19 who were treated with IV tPA. RESULTS: We identified 13 patients (mean age 62 (±9.8) years, 9 (69.2%) male). All received IV tPA and 3 cases also underwent mechanical thrombectomy. All patients had systemic symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at the time of admission: fever (5 patients), cough (7 patients), and dyspnea (8 patients). The median admission NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score was 14.5 (range 3-26) and most patients (61.5%) improved at follow up (median NIHSS score 7.5, range 0-25). No systemic or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were seen. Stroke mechanisms included cardioembolic (3 patients), large artery atherosclerosis (2 patients), small vessel disease (1 patient), embolic stroke of undetermined source (3 patients), and cryptogenic with incomplete investigation (1 patient). Three patients were determined to have transient ischemic attacks or aborted strokes. Two out of 12 (16.6%) patients had elevated fibrinogen levels on admission (mean 262.2 ± 87.5 mg/dl), and 7 out of 11 (63.6%) patients had an elevated D-dimer level (mean 4284.6 ±3368.9 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: IV tPA may be safe and efficacious in COVID-19, but larger studies are needed to validate these results.

Chronic Kidney Disease as Risk Factor for Enlarged Perivascular Spaces in Patients With Stroke and Relation to Racial Group.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) are considered subclinical markers of small vessel disease, associated with increased risk of stroke and dementia. Increasing evidence links chronic kidney disease (CKD) to small vessel disease. We explored the relationship between CKD and EPVS burden and the influence of racial group in this relation. METHODS: Consecutive patients with stroke who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging were included (n=894). Racial group was categorized as White, Black, or other (other racial groups). CKD was defined by glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/minute per 1.73 m2 for >3 months. EPVS were rated following a standardized method, dichotomized for analyses (mild [<20] versus severe [≥20]), and stratified by brain region (basal ganglia and centrum semiovale). RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted analysis, the association of CKD with severe EPVS varied across racial groups. Comparing patients with and without CKD within racial groups, we found that Whites with CKD had higher odds of severe centrum semiovale EPVS (odds ratio [OR], 2.41 [95% CI, 0.98-5.88]). Among patients with CKD, Black patients had higher odds of severe EPVS in the basal ganglia and centrum semiovale compared with Whites (OR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.18-3.16] and OR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.16-3.11], respectively) and other racial groups (OR, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.23-3.36] and OR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.22-3.34], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CKD was more prevalent in our sample of patients with stroke with severe EPVS in the centrum semiovale. The relation differed when stratified by racial group and brain topography. Further studies are needed to confirm that CKD may relate differently to subclinical measures of small vessel disease according to race.

Offset analgesia identifies impaired endogenous pain modulation in pediatric chronic pain disorders.

Offset analgesia (OA), a psychophysical test of endogenous pain inhibition, is diminished in many adult chronic pain disorders but OA has not been investigated in youth with chronic pain disorders. This study assessed OA responses in 30 youth with chronic primary and secondary pain disorders and 32 healthy controls. The OA, control, and constant thermal tests were evoked with an individualized noxious heat stimulus of approximately 50/100 mm on a visual analogue scale followed by 1°C offset temperature. This study also examined the association of OA responses with 2 self-report measures of pain sensitivity, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire. Patients exhibited diminished capacity to activate OA with a reduction in ΔeVASc of 53 ± 29% vs controls 74 ± 24% (P = 0.003) even after multivariate regression adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Patients also showed decreased ability to habituate to a constant noxious heat stimulus compared to controls (P = 0.021). Central Sensitization Inventory scores showed excellent predictive accuracy in differentiating patients from controls (area under the curve = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91-0.99) and CSI score ≥30 was identified as an optimal cutoff value. Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire scores did not differentiate patients from controls nor correlate with OA. In this study, 60% of youth with chronic pain showed reduced capacity for endogenous pain inhibition.

Perihematomal edema surrounding spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage by CT: Ellipsoidal versus morphometric volumetry.

Perihematomal edema (PHE) surrounding intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may contribute to disease-associated morbidity. Before quantifying PHE's effects on morbidity, a fast, accurate, and reproducible method for measuring PHE volume is needed. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of a semiautomated dual clustering segmentation algorithm to generate PHE volumetrics on noncontrast computed tomography (CT) of the head and compare this technique to physicians' manual calculations.This is a single-center, retrospective imaging study that included head CTs performed from January 2008 to December 2014 on 154 patients with ICH. Subjects ≥ 18 years old who were admitted to the hospital with spontaneous ICH were included. Included subjects had head CTs performed upon admission and within 6 to 24 hours. Two neurologists, 2 neuroradiologists, and a computer program all calculated hemorrhage and PHE volumes. Inter-rater correlation was evaluated using 2 statistical methods: intraclass correlations (ICCs) and limits of agreement (LOA). Additionally, correlation between volumes was separately evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient.There was an excellent correlation between measurements performed by neurologists and neuroradiologists using ABC/2 for ICH (0.93) and PHE (0.78). There was a good correlation between measurements performed by neurologists using ABC/2 and the volume measurements generated by the algorithm for ICH (0.69) and PHE (0.70). There was a fair correlation between measurements performed by neuroradiologists using ABC/2 and volume measurements generated by the algorithm for ICH (0.47) and good correlation for PHE (0.73).Although the ABC/2 method for measuring PHE is quick and practical, algorithms that do not assume ellipsoidal shape may be more accurate.