Dushyant Patel

Racial differences in the distribution of anterior circulation occlusive disease

We compared clinical and angiographic features of 26 white and 45 black patients with symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease. White patients had more transient ischemic attacks, carotid bruits, and more severe occlusive disease of the internal carotid artery origin. Blacks had more severe disease of the middle cerebral artery stem and supraclinoid internal carotid arteries. Differences were not explained by racial differences in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or ischemic heart disease. Since the middle cerebral artery lesions in blacks do not correlate with other accepted epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory markers of atherosclerosis, the lesions may arise from a disorder that differs from atherosclerosis.

Cranial computed tomographic observations in multi-infarct dementia. A controlled study.

Background and Purpose We compared cranial computed tomography findings among 58 multi-infarct dementia index cases and 74 multi-infarct control subjects without cognitive impairment to identify potential determinants of multi-infarct dementia. Methods The cranial computed tomography records of acute ischemic stroke patients with a history of multiple cerebral infarcts were compared to determine the number, location, and size of cerebral infarcts; the pattern of infarction; brain volume loss; and the degree of white matter lucency, sulcal enlargement, and ventricular enlargement Multi-infarct patients were divided into two groups: 1) index cases were defined as those with multi-infarct dementia as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edition 3 (DSM-III) criteria; and 2) control subjects were defined as those multi-infarct patients without dementia or multi-infarct dementia according to DSM-LU criteria. Results Overall, multi-infarct index cases had more cerebral infarcts, more cortical and subcortical left hemisphere infarcts, higher mean ventricular volume to brain volume ratio, more extensive enlargement of the body of the lateral ventricles and cortical sulci, and a higher prevalence of white matter lucencies. Among multi-infarct cases and control subjects the most frequent site of infarction was the subcortical region, and the most frequent pattern of infarction was lacunar. Stepwise logistic regression analysis examined cranial computed tomography as well as other factors and showed that level of education, stroke severity, left cortical infarction, and diffuse enlargement of the left lateral ventricle were the best overall predictors of multi-infarct dementia. Conclusions Level of education, stroke severity, and left hemisphere infarction may be predictors of multi-infarct dementia.

Absence of sensorineural hearing loss in treated infants and children with congenital toxoplasmosis.

Educationally significant hearing loss has been reported in 10% to 15% of children with congenital toxoplasmosis. As part of a pilot study to assess feasibility and safety of prolonged therapy for congenital toxoplasmosis, 30 congenially infected infants and children were evaluated for auditory function. Serial testing, beginning within 2 months of birth, was performed. Availability of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing made evaluation at an earlier age than previously possible. Six (20%) of the 30 infants had mild to moderate conductive type hearing loss associated with otitis media. No infant or child had sensorineural hearing loss. The better outcome we observed compared to previous reports of a 15% to 26% incidence of sensorineural hearing loss and 10% to 15% incidence of educationally significant, bilateral hearing impairment may be related to early initiation and/or prolonged institution of antimicrobial therapy. Continued followup to exclude progressive hearing impairment and study of larger numbers of children are needed to verify these preliminary findings.

Reversibility of CT and MR findings in neuro-Behçet disease.

A woman with neuro-Behçet disease characterized by recurrent attacks of meningoencephalitis is reported. During an attack of brain stem dysfunction characterized by dysarthria, diplopia, and ataxia, the postcontrast CT showed an enhancing lesion of the upper brain stem. During a subsequent attack characterized by subcortical dementia and amnesia, magnetic resonance (MR) showed abnormal signal intensity in the hypothalamus and upper brain stem. Upon remission of her symptoms, follow-up contrast enhanced CT and MR were entirely normal. Magnetic resonance is especially useful in localizing acute inflammatory lesions in Behçet disease. This case suggests that abnormal MR and CT findings in neuro-Behçet disease are potentially reversible and that radiographic improvement parallels clinical improvement.

Clinical and angiographic comparison of asymptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease

We compared clinical and arteriographic features in 106 patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid territory occlusive disease to determine the frequency and distribution of occlusive arterial lesions in asymptomatic vessels. Among black patients who were predominantly from Chicago, young, and female, there were fewer transient ischemic attacks and myocardial infarcts, less claudication, and more asymptomatic lesions of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery, anterior cerebral artery stem, and the middle cerebral artery stem. Among white patients predominantly from New England, elderly, and male, there was more frequent and severe occlusive asymptomatic disease at extracranial carotid and vertebral artery sites. Knowledge of the distribution of asymptomatic lesions will help guide evaluation and treatment strategies for patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease.