Code stroke in Asturias.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase is an effective treatment for ischaemic stroke when applied during the first 4.5 hours, but less than 15% of patients have access to this technique. Mechanical thrombectomy is more frequently able to recanalise proximal occlusions in large vessels, but the infrastructure it requires makes it even less available. METHODS: We describe the implementation of code stroke in Asturias, as well as the process of adapting various existing resources for urgent stroke care in the region. By considering these resources, and the demographic and geographic circumstances of our region, we examine ways of reorganising the code stroke protocol that would optimise treatment times and provide the most appropriate treatment for each patient. RESULTS: We distributed the 8 health districts in Asturias so as to permit referral of candidates for reperfusion therapies to either of the 2 hospitals with 24-hour stroke units and on-call neurologists and providing IV fibrinolysis. Hospitals were assigned according to proximity and stroke severity; the most severe cases were immediately referred to the hospital with on-call interventional neurology care. Patient triage was provided by pre-hospital emergency services according to the NIHSS score. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to code stroke in Asturias have allowed us to apply reperfusion therapies with good results, while emphasising equitable care and managing the severity-time ratio to offer the best and safest treatment for each patient as soon as possible.

El código ictus de Asturias / Code stroke in Asturias

Introducción: La trombólisis intravenosa con alteplasa es un tratamiento efectivo para el ictus isquémico si se aplica dentro de las primeras 4,5 horas, pero al que acceden <15% de los pacientes. La trombectomía mecánica recanaliza más obstrucciones proximales en las grandes arterias, pero necesita una infraestructura que la hace menos disponible. Métodos: Se detalla la evolución del código ictus en el Principado de Asturias y la adaptación del mismo a los sucesivos recursos para la atención urgente al ictus en la región. Teniendo en cuenta dichos recursos, las circunstancias poblacionales y geográficas de nuestra región, se plantea la reorganización del código ictus buscando la optimización del tiempo y la adecuación a cada paciente. Resultados: Reparto de las ocho áreas sanitarias de Asturias para derivar los pacientes candidatos a tratamientos de reperfusión hacia los dos hospitales donde se dispone de Unidad de Ictus y guardia de Neurología, con posibilidad de aplicar la fibrinólisis IV. Este reparto se realizó en función de la proximidad y la gravedad de los mismos, derivando todos los casos más graves directamente al hospital que dispone de guardia de Neurorradiología Intervencionista. El cribado del paciente se realizó por los Servicios de Emergencias Extrahospitalarias según la escala NIHSS. Conclusiones: Las modificaciones en el código ictus de Asturias permiten ofrecer tratamientos recanalizadores con buenos resultados, buscando la equidad y optimizando el manejo del binomio gravedad-tiempo para ofrecer a cada paciente el tratamiento óptimo en el menor plazo de tiempo posible y en condiciones de seguridad

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase is an effective treatment for ischaemic stroke when applied during the first 4.5 hours, but less than 15% of patients have access to this technique. Mechanical thrombectomy is more frequently able to recanalise proximal occlusions in large vessels, but the infrastructure it requires makes it even less available. Methods: We describe the implementation of code stroke in Asturias, as well as the process of adapting various existing resources for urgent stroke care in the region. By considering these resources, and the demographic and geographic circumstances of our region, we examine ways of reorganising the code stroke protocol that would optimise treatment times and provide the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Results: We distributed the 8 health districts in Asturias so as to permit referral of candidates for reperfusion therapies to either of the 2 hospitals with 24-hour stroke units and on-call neurologists and providing IV fibrinolysis. Hospitals were assigned according to proximity and stroke severity; the most severe cases were immediately referred to the hospital with on-call interventional neurology care. Patient triage was provided by pre-hospital emergency services according to the NIHSS score. Conclusions: Modifications to code stroke in Asturias have allowed us to apply reperfusion therapies with good results, while emphasising equitable care and managing the severity-time ratio to offer the best and safest treatment for each patient as soon as possible

[Post-stroke epilepsy]. / Epilepsia postictus.

AIMS: To study the characteristics and clinical course of the seizures in patients with post-stroke epilepsy, to evaluate the clinical behaviour of the epilepsy depending on the early or late onset of the seizures, and to analyse the effectiveness of antiepileptic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1990, a total of 1400 patients have been analysed at the epilepsy service. Epilepsy was diagnosed as having a vascular origin in 69, and after suffering a stroke 41. A retrospective study was conducted with the following eligibility criteria: suffering a stroke and, later, at least one crisis as a result of the first event. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of the stroke: 54.7 +/- 20.5 years (range: 3-85 years). FOLLOW-UP: 7.6 years (53.7% over 5 years). Type of stroke: ischaemic, 75.6%, and haemorrhagic 24.4%. Aetiology of the stroke: atherothrombotic, 29.2%, and cardioembolic, 24.4%. Mean interval between the stroke and the first seizure: 18 months (range: 0-17 years) (six patients the same day the stroke occurred, all of which were haemorrhagic). Type of seizures: secondarily generalised partial, 60.9%; generalised primary, 21.9%; and partial, 17.1%. Single crisis: 19.5%. Early seizures, 36.6%, and late, 63.4%. In all, 19.1% of the patients suffered a single crisis after the stroke. TREATMENT: phenytoin (43.9%), carbamazepine (19.5%) and lamotrigine (19.5%). Fourteen patients required combination therapy. At the end of the follow-up 53.7% were free of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: In the analysis that was performed, an association was found between a cardioembolic aetiology and late onset of the seizures. On comparing the type of seizures, early versus late, the courses paralleled each other in the two types of patients. A little over half the patients were free of seizures.

[Cystic bulbar hemangioblastoma]. / Hemangioblastoma quístico de bulbo raquídeo.

INTRODUCTION: Hemangioblastomas are neoplasm of vascular type having benign characteristics. They represent between 2-3% of brain tumors and 7-12% of neoformative processes in the posterior fossa. The first description of the disease goes back to the year 1904, when Eugene von Hippel made the description of retinal haemangioblastoma. CASE REPORT: A male patient of 41 years-old who went to his doctor after three weeks of having intermittent episodes of hiccups. In the neurological examination the presence of left thoracic-abdominal hypoesthesia was shown. Brain tumor was diagnosed by neuroimage techniques. It was well defined, cystic and placed in bulbar region. Surgical approach was carried out by means of suboccipital craniectomy, with the complete removal of the lesion. The histological study confirmed the hemangioblastoma diagnosis. The patient evolved satisfactory, without presenting new neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: The most frecuent localization of hemangioblastomas is in vermix and cerebellum hemispheres. The bulbar localization is infrequent (which represents less percentage than 5% of cerebral hemangioblastomas) likewise the clinical manifestation though hiccups.

Epilepsia postictus / Post Stroke epilepsy

Objetivos. Estudiar las características y evolución clínica de las crisis en los pacientes con epilepsia postictus, valorar el comportamiento clínico de la epilepsia dependiendo del inicio temprano o tardío de las crisis, y analizar la eficacia del tratamiento antiepiléptico. Pacientes y métodos. Desde 1990, en la consulta de epilepsia se analizaron 1.400 pacientes. Se diagnosticó a 69 de epilepsia vascular, 41 tras sufrir un ictus. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con los siguientes criterios de inclusión: padecer un ictus y, posteriormente, al menos una crisis como consecuencia del primer evento. Resultados. Edad media en el momento del ictus: 54,7 ± 20,5 años (rango: 3-85 años). Seguimiento: 7,6 años (el 53,7% más de 5 años). Tipo de ictus: isquémico, el 75,6%, y hemorrágico, el 24,4%. Etiología del ictus: aterotrombótico, el 29,2%, y cardioembólico, el 24,4%. Intervalo medio entre el ictus y la primera crisis: 18 meses (rango: 0-17 años) (seis pacientes el mismo día que sucedió el ictus, todos ellos fueron hemorrágicos). Tipo de crisis: parciales secundariamente generalizadas, el 60,9%; primarias generalizadas, el 21,9%, y parciales, el 17,1%. Crisis única: el 19,5%. Crisis tempranas, el 36,6%, y tardías, el 63,4%. El 19,1% sufrió una única crisis tras el ictus. Tratamiento: fenitoína (43,9%), carbamacepina (19,5%) y lamotrigina (19,5%). Catorce pacientes precisaron politerapia. Al final del seguimiento, el 53,7% estaba libre de crisis. Conclusiones. En el análisis realizado, se encontró asociación entre la etiología cardioembólica y el inicio tardío de las crisis. Comparando el tipo de crisis, temprano frente a tardío, se observó en ambos tipos de pacientes evoluciones paralelas. Algo más de la mitad de los pacientes estaba libre de crisis (AU)

Aims. To study the characteristics and clinical course of the seizures in patients with post-stroke epilepsy, to evaluate the clinical behaviour of the epilepsy depending on the early or late onset of the seizures, and to analyse the effectiveness of antiepileptic treatment. Patients and methods. Since 1990, a total of 1400 patients have been analysed at the epilepsy service. Epilepsy was diagnosed as having a vascular origin in 69, and after suffering a stroke 41. A retrospective study was conducted with the following eligibility criteria: suffering a stroke and, later, at least one crisis as a result of the first event. Results. Mean age at the time of the stroke: 54.7 ± 20.5 years (range: 3-85 years). Follow-up: 7.6 years (53.7% over 5 years). Type of stroke: ischaemic, 75.6%, and haemorrhagic 24.4%. Aetiology of the stroke: atherothrombotic, 29.2%, and cardioembolic, 24.4%. Mean interval between the stroke and the first seizure: 18 months (range: 0-17 years) (six patients the same day the stroke occurred, all of which were haemorrhagic). Type of seizures: secondarily generalised partial, 60.9%; generalised primary, 21.9%; and partial, 17.1%. Single crisis: 19.5%. Early seizures, 36.6%, and late, 63.4%. In all, 19.1% of the patients suffered a single crisis after the stroke. Treatment: phenytoin (43.9%), carbamazepine (19.5%) and lamotrigine (19.5%). Fourteen patients required combination therapy. At the end of the follow-up 53.7% were free of seizures. Conclusions. In the analysis that was performed, an association was found between a cardioembolic aetiology and late onset of the seizures. On comparing the type of seizures, early versus late, the courses paralleled each other in the two types of patients. A little over half the patients were free of seizures (AU)

Hemangioblastoma quístico de bulbo raquídeo / Cystic bulbar hemangioblastoma

Introducción. Los hemangioblastomas son neoplasias de naturaleza vascular y de características benignas. Representan entre el 2 y el 3% de los tumores cerebrales, y entre el 7 y el 12% de los procesos neoformativos localizados en la fosa posterior. La primera descripción de esta enfermedad se remonta al año 1904, cuando von Hippel hizo pública la primera descripción del hemangioma retiniano. Caso clínico. Varón de 41 años que acudió a su médico, tras presentar durante tres semanas episodios intermitentes de hipo, autolimitados y de duración variable, en ocasiones relacionados con la ingesta y en otras aparecían de forma espontánea. En la exploración neurológica llamaba la atención la presencia de hipoestesia toracoabdominal izquierda. Mediante técnicas de neuroimagen se diagnosticó una lesión tumoral, bien delimitada, quística, de localización bulbar. El abordaje quirúrgico se realizó mediante craniectomía suboccipital, y se llevó a cabo una extirpación completa de la lesión. El estudio anatomopatológico confirmó el diagnóstico de hemangioblastoma. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente, sin presentar nueva clínica neurológica. Conclusión. La localización más frecuente de los hemangioblastomas es en el vérmix y los hemisferios cerebelosos, siendo infrecuente la localización bulbar, que representa un porcentaje inferior al 5% de los hemangioblastomas cerebrales, así como la forma de presentación clínica mediante hipo persistente

Introduction. Hemangioblastomas are neoplasm of vascular type having benign characteristics. They representbetween 2-3% of brain tumors and 7-12% of neoformative processes in the posterior fossa. The first description of the disease goes back to the year 1904, when Eugene von Hippel made the description of retinal haemangioblastoma. Case report. A male patient of 41 years-old who went to his doctor after three weeks of having intermittent episodes of hiccups. In the neurological examination the presence of left thoracic-abdominal hypoesthesia was shown. Brain tumor was diagnosed by neuroimagetechniques. It was well defined, cystic and placed in bulbar region. Surgical approach was carried out by means of suboccipital craniectomy, with the complete removal of the lesion. The histological study confirmed the hemangioblastoma diagnosis. The patient evolved satisfactory, without presenting new neurological symptoms. Conclusion. The most frecuent localization of hemangioblastomas is in vermix and cerebellum hemispheres. The bulbar localization is infrequent (whichrepresents less percentage than 5% of cerebral hemangioblastomas) likewise the clinical manifestation though hiccups