Therapeutic outcomes for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: There are no guidelines regarding the optimal treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Although coiling has been favored as the first-line treatment, clipping may also be indicated in patients with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms or in those with massive intracerebral hemorrhage. The study objective is (1) to report the feasibility/safety of clipping/coiling and (2) to identify possible prognosticators in that population. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2014, 371 consecutive patients with aneurysmal SAH underwent transthoracic echocardiography after admission, and 30 with TCM (7.7 %) were identified. We reviewed the incidence and type of perioperative complications among clipped (n = 11) and coiled (n = 19) patients. The 30 patients were dichotomized based on their 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores into favorable (mRS: 0-2) and unfavorable (mRS: 3-6) groups, and their demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic variables were compared. RESULTS: Neither clipped nor coiled patients developed serious perioperative cardiopulmonary complications, but coiled patients had a higher incidence of fatal procedure-related complications. Among the 30 patients, 13 (43 %) had favorable 90-day outcomes, and the favorable group was significantly younger. Age, but not the degree of cardiac dysfunction, correlated with outcomes by multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Clipping was shown to be a safe treatment modality in our cohort, and treatment selection may better be made on a case-by-case basis in most patients with SAH-induced TCM. The lack of correlation between the degree of cardiac dysfunction and outcomes indicates that aggressive intervention is justified in patients with severely impaired cardiac function.

Association between elevated plasma norepinephrine levels and cardiac wall motion abnormality in poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are frequently complicated by acute cardiac dysfunctions, including cardiac wall motion abnormality (WMA). Massive release of catecholamine into the systemic circulation after aneurysmal rupture is believed to result in WMA, and poor-grade SAH seems to be the most important risk factor. However, plasma catecholamine levels have rarely been measured in SAH patients with WMA, and previous studies indicated that the elevated levels might not necessarily predict WMA. The objective of this study is (1) to evaluate relationship between WMA and plasma catecholamine levels in poor-grade SAH patients in the acute phase and (2) to clarify clinical characteristics of SAH patients with WMA. Among 142 poor-grade (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grades IV and V) SAH patients, 48 underwent both transthoracic ultrasound and measurement of plasma catecholamine levels within 24 h of SAH onset. They were divided into WMA+ (n = 23) and WMA- (n = 25) groups, and intergroup comparison was made on demographics, plasma catecholamine levels, and outcomes. Plasma norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in WMA+ group than in WMA- group (2,098.4 ± 1,773.4 vs. 962.9 ± 838.9 pg/mL, p = 0.02), and the former showed significantly worse outcomes 90 days after admission. There were no intergroup differences in the plasma levels of epinephrine. Plasma norepinephrine levels were inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased plasma norepinephrine levels were predictive of WMA, although age, female sex, and grade V SAH were not. This retrospective study highlights the role of norepinephrine in pathogenesis of SAH-induced WMA.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant hemispheric stroke in the elderly: comparison of outcomes between individuals 61-70 and >70 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hemispheric infarction is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is frequently a life-saving procedure that has shown the highest grade of evidence for patients 18 to 60 years of age. However, the efficacy of DHC in patients>60 years of age has rarely been investigated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a single academic institution. Surrogates of patients with clinical signs of impending brain herniation despite standard medical therapy were offered the option of DHC regardless of age or the side of the lesion. The clinical data from 18 patients>60 years of age who underwent DHC for malignant hemispheric infarction in our institution were analyzed. Patients were classified into the following 2 groups: 61-70 and >70 years of age, and their demographics and surgical outcomes were compared. The variables compared included the male:female ratio, side of the lesion, type of stroke, site of vascular occlusion, use of thrombolytic therapy, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, stroke onset-to-DHC interval, duration of hospital stay, infectious complications, and 90-day mortality rate. RESULTS: There were no significant intergroup differences in any of the demographic variables evaluated. However, the 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the group that was >70 years of age (0% v 60%; P=.01) than in the group that was 61 to 70 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the efficacy of DHC in malignant hemispheric stroke patients between 61 and 70 years of age be further investigated in future randomized trials. By contrast, it appears unlikely that patients>70 years of age would benefit from DHC.

The role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) occurs frequently after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and excessive release of catecholamines (epinephrine/norepinephrine) has been suggested as its principal cause. The objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate the relative contribution of each catecholamine in the pathogenesis of NPE associated with SAH. METHODS: Records of 63 SAH patients (20 men/43 women) whose plasma catecholamine levels were measured within 48 h of SAH onset were reviewed, and the clinical characteristics and laboratory data of those who developed early-onset NPE were analyzed thoroughly. RESULTS: Seven patients (11 %) were diagnosed with NPE on admission. Demographic comparison revealed that the NPE+ group sustained more severe SAH than the NPE- group. Cardiac dysfunction was also significantly more profound in the former, and the great majority of the NPE+ group sustained concomitant cardiac wall motion abnormality. There was no significant difference in the plasma epinephrine levels between NPE+ and NPE- group (324.6 ± 172.8 vs 163.1 ± 257.2 pg/ml, p = 0.11). By contrast, plasma norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in the NPE+ group (2977.6 ± 2034.5 vs 847.9 ± 535.6 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that increased norepinephrine levels were associated with NPE (OR, 1.003; 95 % CI, 1.002-1.007). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were positively correlated (R = 0.48, p < 0.001). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the threshold value for plasma norepinephrine predictive of NPE was 2,000 pg/ml, with an area under the curve value of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated plasma norepinephrine may have more active role in the pathogenesis of SAH-induced NPE compared with epinephrine, although both catecholamines may be involved via multiple signaling pathways.

Hydrocephalus in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Caused by a Cyst Formation Similar to Late-Onset Aqueductal Membranous Occlusion: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Cyst formation in the third ventricle and the histopathological findings were rarely reported. We report a similar case of late-onset aqueductal membranous occlusion (LAMO) caused by a thin gliotic cyst and a review of related literature. A 28-year-old woman with enlarged lateral ventricles was referred to our hospital with complaints of headache and dizziness. In our hospital, the obvious cause of the hydrocephalus was unknown on any examination and we decided performing endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus. A thin cyst covering the entrance of the aqueduct was identified and we perforated it. Histopathological finding of the cyst wall was gliosis and our case was similar to LAMO, although not typical. The postoperative symptoms and ventricle size improved for 4 years. When suspecting cases similar to definition of LAMO, neuroendoscopic surgery would be the first-choice treatment and might detect causes undetectable on preoperative imaging such as our thin membrane.

Delayed neurological deterioration following atlantoaxial facet joint distraction and fixation in a patient with Chiari malformation type I.

Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is typically treated with foramen magnum decompression. However, a recent study proposed a new technique for patients with CM-I, wherein only short atlantoaxial joint fusion and distraction is applied. Posterior fusion with or without atlantoaxial distraction is a potential option for patients with CM-I associated with basilar invagination or complex anomalous bony craniovertebral junction pathology, since this procedure allows clinicians to avoid using the technically demanding transoral approach in which some or all of the odontoid tip is invisible. Distraction of the atlantoaxial joint reduces ventral cervicomedullary compression, leading to neurological improvement. Here, the authors report the case of a 50-year-old woman with CM-I plus basilar invagination whose condition immediately improved but then gradually deteriorated following atlantoaxial joint distraction and fusion. Therefore, the authors performed endonasal/transoral odontoidectomy, which resulted in prolonged neurological recovery. Short atlantoaxial fusion with distraction is a smart and ideal surgical planning concept that can result in significant neurological improvement. However, this case suggests that anterior odontoidectomy is still an essential element of the intervention strategy for patients with CM-I with complex craniovertebral junction pathology.

Predictive Value of Motor Evoked Potential Monitoring during Surgery of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Cerebral Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: Surgery of unruptured aneurysms is always a great challenge to neurovascular surgeons because no postoperative neurological deficits should be expected postoperatively as the patients are fully asymptomatic before the surgery. Here, we present our experience with selective motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring of our patients in a 2-year time window. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2012 to 2014, 27 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms were operated in our institute with the help of MEP monitoring. All patients underwent endoscope-assisted microsurgery with pre- and post-clipping indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: In this period, no mortality was observed, but 18.5% of the patients developed postoperative deficits which showed good recovery in all cases. Overall, MEP showed about 90% accuracy in predicting postoperative deficits. CONCLUSIONS: MEP as a part of multimodality monitoring of aneurysm surgeries is a valuable tool to improve the outcome. However, we should know its limitations as its results are not always consistent with the outcome.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by an undifferentiated sarcoma of the sellar region.

BACKGROUND: It is rare for patients with pituitary apoplexy to exhibit concomitant subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Only a handful of patients with pituitary apoplexy have developed such hemorrhagic complications, and histopathological examination revealed pituitary adenoma as the cause of SAH. CASE REPORT: A previously healthy 35-year-old woman was brought to our institution after complaining of severe headache and left monocular blindness. Brain computed tomography showed a diffuse SAH with a central low density. Subsequently, the brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intrasellar mass with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The patient was presumptively diagnosed with SAH secondary to hemorrhagic pituitary adenoma and underwent transcranial surgery to remove both the tumor and subarachnoid clot. A histological evaluation of the surgical specimen revealed malignant cells with strong predilection for vascular invasion. Following immunohistochemical evaluation, the tumor was negative for the majority of tumor markers and was positive only for vimentin and p53; thus, a diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma was established. CONCLUSIONS: This case was informative in the respect that tumors other than pituitary adenoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with pituitary apoplexy.

The outcomes of early aneurysm repair in World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade V subarachnoid haemorrhage patients with emphasis on those presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3.

Grade V subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients may be dichotomised into those with temporary deterioration and those with irreversible injury, and only the former have a chance of favourable outcomes by aneurysm obliteration. One method of differentiating the two conditions is to wait and observe potential recovery for 12-48hours. However, early rebleeding and non-convulsive seizures may occur during this period. In our institution, grade V SAH patients receive immediate treatment (general anaesthesia induction and aneurysm obliteration within 24hours of onset) to minimise those risks. We focused on therapeutic outcomes in SAH patients presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 (GCS-3). Between January 2006 and December 2013, 82 GCS-3 SAH patients were admitted, among whom 51 (62%) underwent immediate aneurysm obliteration. Their outcomes 90days after onset were evaluated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale, with either good recovery or moderate disability regarded as favourable outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables correlated with favourable outcomes. Among the 51 patients, 11 (22%) had favourable 90-day outcomes. Age (odds ratio [OR], 0.838; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733-0.959; p=0.010) and intact pupillary light reflex (OR, 21.939; 95% CI, 1.465-328.576; p=0.025) were correlated with favourable outcomes. By contrast, neither intact respiratory pattern nor isocoric pupils was correlated with favourable outcomes. The current results indicate that vigorous intervention may be worth attempting in young GCS-3 SAH patients with intact pupillary light reflex. It remains unclear, however, whether the seemingly high frequency of favourable outcomes was truly due to reduction in early rebleeding or seizures.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of chronic subdural haematoma associated with clipping of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of clipping unruptured cerebral aneurysms. We conducted a study to identify the patients who are at risk of developing postoperative CSDH. The data from 713 consecutive patients who underwent clipping of unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms were reviewed, and risk factors correlated with CSDH were identified by multivariate regression analysis of demographic variables. Fifteen patients (2.1%) developed CSDH after the surgery. Advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.151, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.051-1.261) and male gender (OR 3.167, 95% CI 1.028-9.751) were correlated with CSDH. Subsequently, all 713 patients were quadrichotomized on the basis of gender and age, with 70 years as the cut-off value for age. The frequency of CSDH in men <70 years of age was 1.3% and that in men ≥70 years of age was 15.1%, with risk of CSDH was significantly higher in the older men (OR 13.39; 95% CI: 3.42-52.44). The frequency of CSDH in women <70 years of age was 0.6% and that in women ≥70 years of age was 3.7%. As in men, the risk of CSDH was significantly higher in the older women (OR 6.69, 95% CI 1.10-40.73). The interval between the aneurysm clipping and CSDH development was 0.5-6 months, suggesting that clinical observation should be continued up to 6 months after surgery. Although prognosis for patients with a postoperative CSDH complication is generally favourable, the risk of CSDH should be taken into account when considering elective clipping of unruptured aneurysms in patients ≥70 years of age.

Detection of pulsation in ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms by electrocardiographically gated 3-dimensional computed tomographic angiography with a 320-row area detector computed tomography and evaluation of its clinical usefulness.

BACKGROUND: In ruptured cerebral aneurysms (RCAs), identification of the rupture point of a cerebral aneurysm is useful for treatment planning. In unruptured cerebral aneurysms (URCAs), detection of the risk of aneurysmal rupture is also useful for patient management. OBJECTIVE: Electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated 3D-CT angiography was performed for patients with RCAs and URCAs using 320-row area detector CT (ADCT) to detect pulsation of the cerebral aneurysms. The clinical usefulness of this method was then evaluated. METHODS: Twelve patients had 12 RCAs, and 39 patients had 53 URCAs. A 320-row ADCT system was used to scan. ECG-gated reconstruction was then performed with the R-R interval divided into 20 phases. RESULTS: Pulsation was observed in 10 of the 12 RCAs. The bleeding site was considered to correspond to the area of pulsation. Pulsation was observed in 14 of 53 URCAs. Thirteen patients with 18 URCAs were followed. Of the 11 URCAs in which pulsation was not observed, 1 showed a change in shape. Of the 7 URCAs in which pulsation was observed, 3 showed a change in shape. URCAs in which pulsation was observed were more likely to show a change in shape (P = .082). CONCLUSION: The area of pulsation was found to correspond to the bleeding site in many RCAs. This information would be extremely useful for treatment planning. The detection of pulsation in an URCA is therefore considered to provide useful information for patient management.