Hima Pendharkar

Diffusion restriction in thrombosed superior ophthalmic veins: Two cases of diverse etiology and literature review

Thrombosis of superior ophthalmic veins (SOV) is a well known entity occurring secondary to varied etiologies. We describe diffusion restriction in thrombosed SOV in two cases of different etiologies- bilateral involvement in a patient with septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) and another where embolisation of an indirect carotico-cavernous fistula (CCF) resulted in complete SOV thrombosis accompanied by clinical worsening. Our cases add to the limited literature on diffusion findings in SOV thrombosis.

Imaging findings in intracranial aspergillus infection in immunocompetent patients.

AIM To study the neuroimaging features of craniocerebral aspergillosis infection in immunocompetent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical and imaging data of 12 patients of aspergillus fungal infection were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis of fungal infection was confirmed by histopathologic examination of surgically excised specimen, stereotactic biopsy material, or endoscopic sinus biopsy. The radiologic studies were evaluated for anatomic distribution of lesions, signal intensity, contrast enhancement, presence of hemorrhage, diffusion restriction, perfusion, and spectroscopy characteristics. Medical records, biopsy reports, and autopsy findings were also reviewed. RESULTS Twelve cases of aspergillosis infections in immunocompetent patients were diagnosed at our hospital over a period of 10 years. Lesions could be classified based on imaging of lesions of sinonasal origin, intracranial mass lesion including both parenchymal or extraparenchymal meningeal based and stroke. Coexisting meningitis was also noted in one patient. Disease of sinonasal origin commonly showed invasion of the cavernous sinus and orbital apex resulting in visual symptoms and multiple cranial nerve palsies. Intracranial mass lesions without sinonasal involvement were seen in five cases that included isolated parenchymal lesion in two patients and dural-based mass lesions in three patients. Isolated intraparenchymal lesions included two cases of fungal cerebritis. Dural-based lesions were large granulomas with a significant mass effect. Infarcts were seen in three patients and angiography showed vessel narrowing or occlusion in all the three patients. CT demonstrated isodense to hyperdense attenuation of primary sinus disease with evidence of bone destruction in all the cases of sinonasal origin. Primary parenchymal lesions showed heterogenous attenuation with predominantly low-density areas. Dural-based lesions showed isodense to hyperdense attenuation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed isointense to hypointense signal intensity on both T(1)-weighted (T1W) and T(2)-weighted (T2W) images in all lesions of sinonasal origin and isolated dural-based mass lesions. Primary parenchymal lesions showed heterogenous signal intensity pattern with predominantly hypointense signal on T1W and hyperintense signal on T2W images. Diffusion weighted imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and perfusion-weighted imaging gave valuable ancillary information in these cases. CONCLUSION Sinonasal disease with intracranial extension is the commonest pattern of aspergillus infection followed by intracranial mass lesions. Hyperdense sinonasal disease with bone destruction and intracranial extension on computed tomography, hypointense signal intensity of the lesions on T2W magnetic resonance images, presence of areas of restricted diffusion, decreased perfusion on perfusion-weighted imaging, and presence of hemorrhages are key to the imaging diagnosis of fungal infection.

Septo-optic dysplasia with encephalocele

Septo-optic dysplasia is a rare congenital anomaly presenting with visual deficits or pituitary dysfunction. We report the first case of septo-optic dysplasia associated with encephalocele, partial callosal agenesis, polymicrogyria and subcortical nodular heterotopia.

Profile of Patients with Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies with Posterior Circulation Strokes

BACKGROUND Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies are rare and treatable risk factors for posterior circulation strokes (PCSs). Most of the literature comprises case reports and from varied specialities. METHODS Chart review of patients with PCS with CVJ anomalies admitted in a single tertiary stroke care unit. We describe their clinical profile, investigative findings, and therapeutic outcomes. RESULTS We saw 7 patients (6 males, mean age 20.1 ± 12.0 years), all previously undiagnosed during the 6-year period. Three patients had a combination of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), basilar invagination (BI) and Klippel-Feil anomalies, 2 patients had os odontoideum with AAD, and 1 patient each had isolated AAD and BI. Clinically, they presented with first or recurrent episodes of stroke with neck pain. Examination revealed noticeable skeletal markers and neurologic deficits involving the arterial territory. Routine stroke risk factors were absent. X-ray of CVJ was abnormal and diagnostic in all the patients. Other imaging modalities had their own contributions for identifying associated defects, demonstrating pathophysiology, and management of these patients. Acute care with anticoagulation and supportive measures helped in recovery of all of them. Posterior fusion was done in 4 patients, and 2 patients are awaiting the surgery. During follow-up all patients have improved and none had recurrences. CONCLUSIONS In case of a young patient with PCS (first/recurrent) in the absence of routine risk factors for stroke, careful physical examination and imaging with basic X-ray may help in the diagnosis CVJ abnormalities, which may be effectively managed by a multidisciplinary team to prevent recurrences.

Anterior dural ectasia mimicking a lytic lesion in the posterior vertebral body in ankylosing spondylitis

Anterior dural ectasia is an extremely rare finding in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The authors describe a unique case of AS in which the patient presented with cauda equina syndrome as well as an unusual imaging finding of erosion of the posterior aspect of the L-1 (predominantly) and L-2 vertebral bodies due to anterior dural ectasia. Symptomatic patients with long-standing AS should be monitored for the presence of dural ectasia, which can be anterior in location, as is demonstrated in the present case.

Aggressive management of vasospasm with direct intra-arterial nimodipine therapy

Background: The conventional medical management of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with uncertainty of outcome and complications. Aims and Objectives: To examine the effect of direct intra-arterial nimodipine therapy on outcome in patients with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Settings and Design: The retrospective observational study was conducted at a single neurosurgical unit and interventional neuroradiolgy suite of a center managing SAH. Materials and Methods: Data analysis of SAH managed surgically during the period from January 2014 through October 2015 was performed. Any decline in the neurological status on clinical examination, such as consciousness, motor and speech deficits, without other identifiable causes such as hydrocephalus, hyponatremia, seizure, intracranial hematoma, or infection, was used to define the presence of DCI. Patients with suspected DCI underwent computed tomography (CT) scan of the head followed by angiography. When vasospasm was detected in the absence of any major arterial territory infarct, the patients were managed with intra-arterial nimodipine therapy. The outcome at discharge was assessed. Statistical Analysis: Mid-P exact, two-tailed P value was used for categorical variables. Results: A total of 106 patients underwent surgical clipping of an aneurysm following SAH. DCI was diagnosed in 26 (24.5%) patients. Twenty three (88.5%) patients underwent intra-arterial nimodipine therapy. Angiographic response was seen in 22 (95.7%) patients and clinical response in 20 (87%) patients. At discharge, 19 patients (73.1%) with vasospasm had a favorable outcome. There was no significant difference in the outcome of patients with or without vasospasm. Conclusions: Aggressive management with intra-arterial nimodipine therapy is effective in preventing disability caused by DCI.

Concealed vascular injury during coiling of intracranial aneurysm leading to severe resistant hypotension and poor outcome: The lesson learnt

213 Journal of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care | Vol. 1 • Issue 3 • Sep-Dec 2014 | immunoglobulin therapy and anti‐Rh‐D therapy would be useful in chronic patients not responding to steroids. If the medical management fails to improve the platelet count, other options such as splenectomy, immune‐suppressants, corticosteroid sparing agents, monoclonal antibodies and thrombopoietin receptor agonists would be beneficial.[2]

Case report: Thrombosed giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysm secondary to cervical internal carotid artery dissection: An unusual entity

Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant intracranial aneurysm with parent artery occlusion is known. The exact mechanism is however unclear and various theories have been proposed. We present an unusual case of an angiographically documented cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, which led to total occlusion of the ICA distal to the dissected site, with acute cessation of forward blood flow. This resulted in acute upstream thrombosis of the giant cavernous carotid artery aneurysm and an acute cavernous sinus syndrome-like presentation.

Rete mirabile of the ICA: Report of three cases

Carotid rete mirabile is an arterial meshwork, occurring at the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Rete mirabile in humans is not present during normal development of the intracranial circulation and hence is considered as a collateral pathway that develops as a consequence of segmental agenesis of the ICA. We report three cases of this rare entity encountered at our institute.

Imaging of dentate nucleus pathologies; a pictorial essay

Dentate nucleus is affected in a wide variety of conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is the diagnostic modality of choice for delineating the signal characteristics, which helps in narrowing down a vast list of differentials for conditions affecting the dentate. Computed tomography plays an important role, especially for pathologies associated with calcification of dentate nucleus.