Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare children and young adults with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in 2 large registries.
Methods:
We compared clinical characteristics, stroke etiology, ...workup, and outcome (modified Rankin scale score mRS at 3–6 months) in children (1 month–16 years) and young adults (16.1–45 years) with AIS. Data of children were collected prospectively in the nationwide Swiss NeuroPediatric Stroke Registry, young adults in the Bernese stroke database. Outcome (mRS) and stroke severity (pediatric adaptation of the National Institutes of Health stroke scale PedNIHSS) in children were calculated retrospectively.
Results:
From January 2000 to December 2008, 128 children and 199 young adults suffered from an AIS. Children were more likely to be male than young adults (62%/49%, p = 0.023) and less frequently had hypertension (p = 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.003), and a family history of stroke (p = 0.048). Stroke severity was similar in children and young adults (median PedNIHSS/NIHSS 5/6; p = 0.102). Stroke etiology (original TOAST classification) was more likely to be “other determined cause” in children than in young adults (51%/29%; p < .001). Cervicocerebral artery dissections were less frequent in children than in young adults (10%/23%; p = 0.005). Outcome at 3 to 6 months did not differ between children and young adults (p = 0.907); 59% of children and 60% of young adults had a favorable outcome (mRS 0–1). Mortality was similar among children and young adults (4%/6%; p = 0.436). In multivariate analysis, low PedNIHSS/NIHSS was the most important predictor of favorable outcome (p < 0.001).
Interpretation:
Although stroke etiology and risk factors in children and young adults are different, stroke severity and clinical outcome were similar in both groups. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Recent studies suggest a paradoxical association between smoking status and clinical outcome after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Little is known about relationship between smoking and stroke ...outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT).
We analyzed data of all stroke patients treated with EVT at the tertiary stroke centre of Berne between January 2005 and December 2015. Using uni- and multivariate modeling, we assessed whether smoking was independently associated with excellent clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1) and mortality at 3 months. In addition, we also measured the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and recanalization.
Of 935 patients, 204 (21.8%) were smokers. They were younger (60.5 vs. 70.1 years of age, p<0.001), more often male (60.8% vs. 52.5%, p = 0.036), had less often from hypertension (56.4% vs. 69.6%, p<0.001) and were less often treated with antithrombotics (35.3% vs. 47.7%, p = 0.004) as compared to nonsmokers. In univariate analyses, smokers had higher rates of excellent clinical outcome (39.1% vs. 23.1%, p<0.001) and arterial recanalization (85.6% vs. 79.4%, p = 0.048), whereas mortality was lower (15.6% vs. 25%, p = 0.006) and frequency of sICH similar (4.4% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.86). After correcting for confounders, smoking still independently predicted excellent clinical outcome (OR 1.758, 95% CI 1.206-2.562; p<0.001).
Smoking in stroke patients may be a predictor of excellent clinical outcome after EVT. However, these data must not be misinterpreted as beneficial effect of smoking due to the observational study design. In view of deleterious effects of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular health, cessation of smoking should still be strongly recommended for stroke prevention.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Reported frequency of post-stroke dysphagia in the literature is highly variable. In view of progress in stroke management, we aimed to assess the current burden of dysphagia in acute ischemic ...stroke.
We studied 570 consecutive patients treated in a tertiary stroke center. Dysphagia was evaluated by using the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS). We investigated the relationship of dysphagia with pneumonia, length of hospital stay and discharge destination and compared rates of favourable clinical outcome and mortality at 3 months between dysphagic patients and those without dysphagia.
Dysphagia was diagnosed in 118 of 570 (20.7%) patients and persisted in 60 (50.9%) at hospital discharge. Thirty-six (30.5%) patients needed nasogastric tube because of severe dysphagia. Stroke severity rather than infarct location was associated with dysphagia. Dysphagic patients suffered more frequently from pneumonia (23.1% vs. 1.1%, p<0.001), stayed longer at monitored stroke unit beds (4.4±2.8 vs. 2.7±2.4 days; p<0.001) and were less often discharged to home (19.5% vs. 63.7%, p = 0.001) as compared to those without dysphagia. At 3 months, dysphagic patients less often had a favourable outcome (35.7% vs. 69.7%; p<0.001), less often lived at home (38.8% vs. 76.5%; p<0.001), and more often had died (13.6% vs. 1.6%; p<0.001). Multivariate analyses identified dysphagia to be an independent predictor of discharge destination and institutionalization at 3 months, while severe dysphagia requiring tube placement was strongly associated with mortality.
Dysphagia still affects a substantial portion of stroke patients and may have a large impact on clinical outcome, mortality and institutionalization.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
BACKGROUND: Plaque vulnerability plays an important role in determining the risk of subsequent cerebrovascular events in patients with carotid stenosis. Plaque morphology magnetic resonance imaging ...(MRI) can be used to assess plaque vulnerability. We therefore set out to examine the diagnostic accuracy of plaque morphology MRI compared with histopathological findings as gold standard in moderate- to high-grade carotid stenosis at our centre.
A total of 36 patients with moderate- to high-grade carotid stenosis underwent plaque morphology MRI with a multisequence protocol (time of flight sequence, dark blood T1- native and post-gadolinium and T2-weighted sequence with fat suppression). The status of the fibrous cap, calcification, lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) and intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) were assessed by means of qualitative MR analysis of plaque characteristics and compared with the histopathological findings. Detection statistics (sensitivity, specificity), chi-squared test, Cohen's kappa (κ), percentage of agreement and phi coefficient (φ) were determined.
Carotid stenosis was symptomatic (transient ischaemic attack, amaurosis fugax or ischaemic stroke in the territory of the stenosed carotid artery) in 25 patients (69.5%). Twenty-eight patients (77.8%) had a high-grade and eight patients (12.2%) a moderate-grade stenosis. Significant congruence between MRI and histology was found for plaque calcification (89% histology, 75% MRI, κ = 0.364, p = 0.013), for LRNC (89% histology, 53% MRI, κ = 0.245, p = 0.025) and IPH (75% histology, 53% MRI, κ = 0.314, p = 0.035). In a subgroup of patients with symptomatic stenosis, the agreement for LRNC and IPH was slightly better (LRNC κ = 0.390, p = 0.014; IPH κ = 0.386, p = 0.045). Status of the fibrous cap, essentially ulceration, did not show any significant agreement (κ = 0.032, p = 0.842). There was significant correlation between LRNC on MRI and symptomatic carotid stenosis (φ = 0.339, p = 0.042).
Plaque morphology MRI is capable of identifying the main components of atherosclerotic plaques with moderate to good accuracy as compared with histopathological findings as gold standard. LRNC seems to be a useful marker of plaque vulnerability and warrants its use in clinical decision making.  .
ABSTRACT
Cerebral arteries may exhibit a wide range of variation from normal anatomy, which can be incidentally discovered during imaging. Knowledge of such variants is crucial to differentiate them ...from pathologies, to understand the etiology of certain pathologies directly related to a vascular variant, and to depict the changes in collateral circulation in patients with certain variants. Detection of particular variants may lead to the discovery of other nonvascular or vascular anomalies, especially aneurysms, and may also affect planning of endovascular or neurosurgical interventions. In this review, we summarize the variants and anomalies of cerebral arteries seen on cross‐sectional imaging classified by a morphological approach and categorize their significance from a clinical perspective. This structured review is intended to serve as a guide for daily use in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE—Sustained successful reperfusion is an important prognostic factor for good clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to identify the prevalence, clinical impact, and ...predictors of early reocclusion after initially successful thrombectomies within a prospective cohort.
METHODS—A total of 711 stroke patients with successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, 2b/3) followed with magnetic resonance or computed tomographic angiography at 24 to 48 hours were included. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associated factors and clinical impact. Results are displayed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% CI. Improvement in accuracy of additional imaging findings on angiography control runs after the intervention was evaluated by area under the curve.
RESULTS—Early reocclusion was observed in 16 of 711 successfully reperfused patients (2.3%; 95% CI, 1.1–3.3; median delay20 hours). Suggestive predictors were higher platelets on admission (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01–1.02), prestroke functional dependence (aOR, 7.12; 95% CI, 1.49–34.03), and stroke of undetermined or other specified pathogenesis in the TOAST classification (aOR, 7.19; 95% CI, 1.10–47.05 and aOR, 36.50; 95% CI, 4.47–298.11, respectively). When implementing residual embolic fragments or stenosis at the thrombectomy site into the logistic regression model, discrimination between patients with and without reocclusion improved significantly (area under the curve, 0.955 versus 0.854; P=0.023). Early reocclusion was an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome at 90 days (aOR for modified Rankin Scale ≤2, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03–0.57).
CONCLUSIONS—Early reocclusion within 48 hours after successful mechanical thrombectomy is rare but associated with poor outcome. Patients with high platelets on admission and residual embolic fragments or stenosis at the thrombectomy site are at high risk for reocclusion, which may be prevented or corrected after carefully re-evaluating the last angiographic run.
Over 80% of strokes result from ischemic damage to the brain due to an acute reduction in the blood supply. Around 25-35% of strokes present with large vessel occlusion, and the patients in this ...category often present with severe neurological deficits. Without early treatment, the prognosis is poor. Stroke imaging is critical for assessing the extent of tissue damage and for guiding treatment.
This review focuses on the imaging techniques used in the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke, with an emphasis on those involving the anterior circulation. Key Message: Effective and standardized imaging protocols are necessary for clinical decision making and for the proper design of prospective studies on acute stroke.
Each minute without treatment spells the loss of an estimated 1.8 million neurons ('time is brain'). Therefore, stroke imaging must be performed in a fast and efficient manner. First, intracranial hemorrhage and stroke mimics should be excluded by the use of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The next key step is to define the extent and location of the infarct core (values of >70 ml, >1/3 of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory or an ASPECTS score ≤ 7 indicate poor clinical outcome). Penumbral imaging is currently based on the mismatch concept. It should be noted that the penumbra is a dynamic zone and can be sustained in the presence of good collateral circulation. A thrombus length of >8 mm predicts poor recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis.
Abstract Objective In men with prolactinomas, an impaired bone density is the principle consequence of hyperprolactinemia-induced hypogonadism. While dopamine (DA-) agonists are the first-line ...approach in prolactinomas, surgery can be considered in selected cases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate on the long-term control of hyperprolactinemia, hypogonadism and bone health comparing primary medical and surgical therapy in men who had not had prior DA-agonist treatment. Methods Retrospective case-note study of 44 consecutive men with prolactinomas and no prior DA-agonists managed in a single tertiary referral center. Clinical, biochemical and radiological response to the first-line approach were analyzed in the two cohorts. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 47 years (range 22-78). The prevalence of hypogonadism was 86%, and 27% of patients had pathological bone density at baseline. The primary therapeutic strategy was surgery for 34% and DA-agonists for 66% of patients. Median long-term follow-up was 63 months (range 17-238). Long-term control of hyperprolactinemia required DA-agonists in 53% of patients with primary surgical therapy, versus 90% of patients with primary medical therapy (p=.02). Hypogonadism was controlled in 73% of patients. The prevalence of patients with pathological bone density was 37% at last follow-up, with no differences between the two therapeutic cohorts (p=.48). Conclusions Despite control of hyperprolactinemia and hypogonadism in the majority of patients independent of the primary treatment modality, the prevalence of an impaired bone health status remains high, and osteodensitometry should be recommended.
Craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity is a devastating complication with limited data on whether long-term follow-up should focus on problems other than endocrine deficiencies and weight ...gain. The primary endpoint was the assessment of predictors of hypothalamic obesity development; the secondary endpoint was the assessment of functional outcome (endocrine deficiencies, visual acuity) at long-term follow-up.
This retrospective case-note study examined craniopharyngioma patients with at least 2 years of follow-up. Clinical, radiological and biochemical characteristics were assessed at diagnosis, postoperatively, and at last follow-up.
Thirty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up period was 9.8 years (range 2.2-33 years). Longitudinal changes in body mass index (BMI) were substantial (median ΔBMI/year was +0.48 kg/m2/year, interquartile range 0.28-1.33). The prevalence of patients with hypothalamic obesity had significantly increased at last follow-up (45 vs 4%; p = 0.003). Long-term pituitary deficiencies remained high. Diabetes insipidus was common (66% vs 34%, p<0.001), with postoperative diabetes insipidus but not hypothalamic involvement, being an independent predictor for hypothalamic obesity (odds ratio 15.2, 95% confidence interval 1.3-174.8, p = 0.03). Osteodensitometry in two thirds of patients at last follow-up revealed a pathological bone density in 53% of those tested.
Rates of hypothalamic obesity and long-term pituitary deficiencies are substantial, with postoperative diabetes insipidus being a potential marker for hypothalamic obesity development. Besides long-term monitoring of endocrine deficiencies with consideration of osteodensitometry, early weight control programmes and continuing multidisciplinary care are mandatory in craniopharyngioma patients.
Introduction Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a very sensitive technique that often depicts prominent focal veins (PFV) in patients with acute migraine with aura (MwA). Interpretation of ...visual venous asymmetry (VVA) between brain hemispheres on SWI may help support the clinical diagnosis of MwA. Our goal was to develop an automated algorithm for segmentation and quantification of cerebral veins using SWI. Materials and methods Expert readers visually evaluated SWI of patients with acute MwA for VVA. Subsequently a fully automated algorithm based on 3D normalization and 2D imaging processing using SPM and MATLAB image processing software including top-hat transform was used to quantify cerebral veins and to calculate volumetric differences between hemispheres. Results Fifty patients with MwA were examined with SWI. VVA was present in 20 of 50 patients (40%). In 95% of patients with VVA, the fully automated calculation agreed with the side that visually harboured more PFV. Our algorithm showed a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 90% and accuracy of 92% for detecting VVA. Patients with VVA had significantly larger vein volume on the hemisphere with more PFV compared to patients without (15.90 ± 5.38 ml vs 11.93 ± 5.31 ml; p = 0.013). The mean difference in venous volume between hemispheres in patients with VVA was larger compared to patients without VVA (16.34 ± 7.76% vs 4.31 ± 3.26% p < 1E-10). The average time between aura onset and SWI correlated negatively with venous volume of the dominant brain hemisphere (r = -0.348; p = 0.038). Conclusion A fully automated algorithm can accurately identify and quantify cerebral venous distribution on SWI. Absolute quantification may be useful for the future assessment of patients with suspected diseases, which may be associated with a unilateral abnormal degree of venous oxygenation.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
