The coexistence of persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) and Moyamoya disease (MMD) has been reported. If their pathogenesis is related and if PTA is protective or harmful in MMD remains unknown as ...these are rare cerebrovascular anomalies.
A 35-year-old woman with sudden global aphasia whose CT head and CT angiography of head and neck showed a hypodensity in the left posterior middle cerebral artery (MCA), a possible left proximal internal carotid artery occlusion, and a left PTA with hypoplasia of vertebral and basilar arteries. Digital subtraction angiography showed chronic MMD in the left MCA with extensive pial collateralization from anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The patient was initiated on single antiplatelet therapy and later she underwent direct bypass surgical intervention and rehabilitation.
Our case report brings attention to the infrequent coexistence of ipsilateral MMD and PTA suggesting a potential congenital pathogenesis based on embryologic development and hemodynamics. Also, we propose a protective role of PTA in MMD in case of large anterior vessel occlusion. This case contributes to the scarce literature on the intriguing relationship between MMD and PTA.
Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is the most common, benign, congenital vascular malformation of the brain and mostly an incidental finding on imaging. The exact etiology of DVA is unknown but ...thought to be due to medullary vein thrombosis during embryonic venous development. DVA is generally asymptomatic although associated neurologic deficits and seizures have been described. Several reports of DVA causing neurovascular compression, obstructive hydrocephalus, venous infarction, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have been described. In this report, we discuss a patient with fluctuating neurological symptoms found to have multiple DVA, predominantly draining into the deep venous system. To the best of our knowledge, DVAs leading to simultaneous ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and seizures are not reported in the literature. We reviewed the relevant literature and discussed the epidemiology and clinical and radiological characteristics of DVA.
Background Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been shown to improve functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation strokes and emergent large‐vessel occlusion (ELVO). Despite successful ...recanalization, some of these patients require decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC). We aimed to study the predictors of DHC in successfully recanalized anterior circulation ELVO patients. Methods Consecutive patients with anterior circulation ELVO treated with MT during a 6‐year period were evaluated. Only successfully recanalized patients (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades 2b, 2c, or 3) after MT were included in the analysis. Baseline demographic, clinical, and procedural variables were compared between patients requiring DHC after successful recanalization versus those who did not. Results Of 453 successfully recanalized patients with ELVO, 47 who underwent DHC had higher admission blood glucose levels (170±88 versus 142±66 mg/dL; P =0.008), lower median Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (9 interquartile range, 8–10 versus 10 interquartile range, 9–10; P =0.002), higher prevalence of poor collaterals on pretreatment computed tomography angiogram (75% versus 26%; P <0.001), and required more passes during MT (median, 3 interquartile range, 3–4 versus 2 interquartile range, 1–2; P =0.001) compared with those who did not undergo DHC. In a multivariable model after adjusting for multiple confounders, higher admission blood glucose levels ( P =0.031), poor collaterals on computed tomography angiography ( P <0.001), and higher number of passes during MT ( P <0.001) emerged as independent predictors of DHC in successfully recanalized patients with ELVO. Conclusions Higher admission blood glucose levels, poor collateral pattern on computed tomography angiography, and higher number of passes during MT were independently associated with DHC in patients with anterior circulation ELVO achieving successful recanalization following MT.
Subpial transection surgery for epilepsy Krishnaiah, Balaji; Ramaratnam, Sridharan; Ranganathan, Lakshmi Narasimhan ...
Cochrane database of systematic reviews,
11/2018, Volume:
2018, Issue:
11
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Background
Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite using several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Such patients are regarded as having refractory, or uncontrolled, epilepsy. ...While there is no universally accepted definition of uncontrolled, or medically refractory, epilepsy, for the purposes of this review we will consider seizures as drug resistant if they have failed to respond to a minimum of two AEDs. Specialists consider that early surgical intervention may prevent seizures at a younger age, which in turn may improve the intellectual and social status of children. Many types of surgery are available for treating refractory epilepsy; one such procedure is known as subpial transection.
Objectives
To assess the effects of subpial transection for focal‐onset seizures and generalised tonic‐clonic seizures in children and adults.
Search methods
For the latest update we searched the following databases on 7 August 2018: the Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), which includes the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to August 06, 2018), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We imposed no language restrictions.
Selection criteria
We considered all randomised and quasi‐randomised parallel‐group studies, whether blinded or non‐blinded.
Data collection and analysis
Two review authors (BK and SR) independently screened trials identified by the search. The same two review authors planned to independently assess the methodological quality of studies. Had we identified studies for inclusion, one review author would have extracted the data, and the other would have verified the data.
Main results
We found no relevant studies.
Authors' conclusions
We found no evidence to support or refute the use of subpial transection surgery for patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Well‐designed randomised controlled trials are needed to guide clinical practice.
Subpial transection surgery for epilepsy Krishnaiah, Balaji; Ramaratnam, Sridharan; Ranganathan, Lakshmi Narasimhan
Cochrane database of systematic reviews,
12/2015
12
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures in spite of using several antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens. Such patients are regarded as having refractory, or uncontrolled, epilepsy. ...No definition of uncontrolled, or medically refractory, epilepsy has been universally accepted, but for the purposes of this review, we will consider seizures as drug resistant if they have failed to respond to a minimum of two AEDs. It is believed that early surgical intervention may prevent seizures at a younger age, which, in turn, may improve the intellectual and social status of children. Many types of surgery are available for treatment of refractory epilepsy; one such procedure is known as subpial transection.
To determine the benefits and adverse effects of subpial transection for partial-onset seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures in children and adults.
We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register (29 June 2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; May 2015, Issue 5) and MEDLINE (1946 to 29 June 2015). We imposed no language restrictions.
We considered all randomised and quasi-randomised parallel-group studies, whether blinded or non-blinded.
Two review authors (BK and SR) independently screened trials identified by the search. The same two review authors planned to independently assess the methodological quality of studies. When studies were identified for inclusion, one review author would have extracted the data, and the other would have verified the data.
We found no relevant studies.
We found no evidence to support or refute use of subpial transection surgery for patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to guide clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The sarcoglycanopathies are a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive limb‐girdle muscular dystrophies that cause varying degrees of progressive proximal muscle weakness. ...Methods: We describe the case of a Caucasian girl who presented with exercise intolerance, myalgia, and dark urine. Onset of symptoms was at age 4, and she had myalgia with physical activity throughout childhood. Creatine kinase levels were as high as 18,000. Results: Immunostaining of a muscle biopsy showed mildly diminished alpha sarcoglycan staining, and SGCA gene sequencing revealed n.C229T; p.Arg77Cys (R77C) and n.C850T; p.Arg284Cys (R284C), which is associated with alpha sarcoglycanopathy. Conclusions: This patient presented with exercise intolerance, myoglobinuria, and almost normal muscle strength into adolescence, which is uncommon in sarcoglycanopathies. This uncommon presentation should be kept in mind, so that early recognition and intervention may prevent future comorbidities and help preserve the quality of life. Muscle Nerve 54: 161–164, 2016
Seizures are followed by a post-ictal period, which is characterized by usual slowing of brain activity. This case report describes a 68-year old woman who presented with right-sided rhythmic, ...non-voluntary, semi-purposeful motor behavior that started 2 days after an episode of generalized seizure. Her initial electroencephalogram (EEG) showed beta activity with no evidence of epileptiform discharges. Computed tomography scan showed hypodensity in the left parieto-occipital region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed restricted diffusion/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities in the left precentral and post-central gyrus. Unilateral compulsive motor behavior during the post-ictal state should be considered, and not confused with partial status epilepticus to avoid unnecessary treatment. Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, which are reversible, can help with the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Subpial transection surgery for epilepsy Krishnaiah, Balaji; Ramaratnam, Sridharan; Ranganathan, Lakshmi Narasimhan
Cochrane database of systematic reviews,
08/2013
8
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures in spite of several antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens. In such cases they are regarded as having refractory, or uncontrolled ...epilepsy.There is no universally accepted definition for uncontrolled or medically refractory epilepsy, but for the purpose of this review, we will consider seizures to be drug resistant if they failed to respond to a minimum of two AEDs. It is believed that early surgical intervention may prevent seizures at a younger age and improve the intellectual and social status of children. There are many types of surgery for refractory epilepsy with subpial transection being one.
Our main aim is to determine the benefits and adverse effects of subpial transection for partial-onset seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures in children and adults.
We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register (8 August 2013), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL Issue 7 of 12, The Cochrane Library July 2013), and MEDLINE (1946 to 8 August 2013). We did not impose any language restrictions.
We considered all randomised and quasi-randomised parallel group studies either blinded or non-blinded.
Two review authors (BK and SR) independently screened the trials identified by the search. The same two authors planned to independently assess the methodological quality of studies. If studies had been identified for inclusion, one author would have extracted the data and the other would have verified it.
No relevant studies were found.
There is no evidence to support or refute the use of subpial transection surgery for medically refractory cases of epilepsy. Well designed randomised controlled trials are needed in future to guide clinical practice.
The role of endovascular thrombectomy is uncertain for patients presenting beyond 24 hours of the time they were last known well.
To evaluate functional and safety outcomes for endovascular ...thrombectomy (EVT) vs medical management in patients with large-vessel occlusion beyond 24 hours of last known well.
This retrospective observational cohort study enrolled patients between July 2012 and December 2021 at 17 centers across the United States, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. Eligible patients had occlusions in the internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery (M1 or M2 segment) and were treated with EVT or medical management beyond 24 hours of last known well.
Endovascular thrombectomy or medical management (control).
Primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2). Mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were safety outcomes. Propensity score (PS)-weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were adjusted for prespecified clinical characteristics, perfusion parameters, and/or Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and were repeated in subsequent 1:1 PS-matched cohorts.
Of 301 patients (median IQR age, 69 years 59-81; 149 female), 185 patients (61%) received EVT and 116 (39%) received medical management. In adjusted analyses, EVT was associated with better functional independence (38% vs control, 10%; inverse probability treatment weighting adjusted odds ratio IPTW aOR, 4.56; 95% CI, 2.28-9.09; P < .001) despite increased odds of sICH (10.1% for EVT vs 1.7% for control; IPTW aOR, 10.65; 95% CI, 2.19-51.69; P = .003). This association persisted after PS-based matching on (1) clinical characteristics and ASPECTS (EVT, 35%, vs control, 19%; aOR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.02-9.72; P = .047); (2) clinical characteristics and perfusion parameters (EVT, 35%, vs control, 17%; aOR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.15-15.17; P = .03); and (3) clinical characteristics, ASPECTS, and perfusion parameters (EVT, 45%, vs control, 21%; aOR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.04-18.53; P = .04). Patients receiving EVT had lower odds of mortality (26%) compared with those in the control group (41%; IPTW aOR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27-0.89; P = .02).
In this study of treatment beyond 24 hours of last known well, EVT was associated with higher odds of functional independence compared with medical management, with consistent results obtained in PS-matched subpopulations and patients with presence of mismatch, despite increased odds of sICH. Our findings support EVT feasibility in selected patients beyond 24 hours. Prospective studies are warranted for confirmation.
Background:
Aphemia, or pure motor mutism, is a phenomenon that has been reported previously in the literature and typically is associated with small infarcts in the inferior dominant precentral ...gyrus, pars opercularis, or inferior perirolandic gyrus. Clinically, it is important to distinguish aphemia from aphasia syndromes. Telemedicine is becoming more prevalent and involving neurologists across the country. This is an important consideration when addressing aphemic patients as many mistakes can be made during a virtual exam clouding a patient’s clinical picture.
Case Presentation:
Our patient is a 61-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes, and an old right frontoparietal stroke without any residual deficits. She presented after her family stated that she “quit speaking” for about seven hours. Initial neurological evaluation was done via telemedicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was pertinent for decreased consciousness, inability to answer either orientation question, a right facial droop, and aphasia. Later it was found that the patient exhibited a pure motor mutism rather than aphasia and had an MRI lesion in the left inferior precentral gyrus.
Conclusion:
Differentiating aphemia from aphasia is an important clinical skill for a neurologist to foster especially in the era of telemedicine. An intimate knowledge of the parts of a speech exam are vital in directing emergency staff during stroke evaluation. Additionally, distinguishing these clinical syndromes has implications with respect to prognosis and long-term rehabilitation.
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