Ririko Takeda

A practical prediction model for early hematoma expansion in spontaneous deep ganglionic intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE Early hematoma expansion is a known cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The goal of this study was to identify clinical predictors of ICH growth in the acute stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 201 patients with acute (<6 h) deep ganglionic ICH. Patients underwent CT scan at baseline and hematoma expansion (>33% or >12.5 ml increase) was determined on the second scan performed within 24 h. Fourteen clinical and neuroimaging variables (age, gender, GCS at admission, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, stroke, hemorrhagic, antiplatelet use, anticoagulant use, hematoma density heterogeneity, hematoma shape irregularity, hematoma volume and presence of IVH) were registered. Additionally, blood pressure was registered at initial systolic BP (i-SBP) and systolic BP 1.5 h after admission (1.5 h-SBP). The discriminant value of the hematoma volume and 1.5 h-SBP for hematoma expansion were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Factors associated with hematoma expansion were analyzed with multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Early hematoma expansion occurred in 15 patients (7.0%). The cut-off value of hematoma volume and 1.5 h-SBP were determined to be 16 ml and 160 mmHg, respectively. Hematoma volume above 16 ml (HV>16) ([OR]=5.05, 95% CI 1.32-21.36, p=0.018), hematoma heterogeneity (HH) ([OR]=7.81, 95% CI 1.91-40.23, p=0.004) and 1.5 h-SBP above 160 mmHg (1.5 h-SBP>160) ([OR]=8.77, 95% CI 2.33-44.56, p=0.001) independently predicted ICH expansion. If those three factors were present, the probability was estimated to be 59%. CONCLUSIONS The presented model (HV>16, HH, 1.5 h-SBP>160) can be a practical tool for prediction of ICH growth in the acute stage. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate the ability of this model to predict clinical outcome.

Characteristics and prognostic value of acute catecholamine surge in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract Objectives: The characteristics of serum catecholamine concentration at the hyper-acute phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its relationship between patient outcome and delayed vasospasm were investigated. Methods: Patients with aneurysmal SAH (170) were prospectively studied between August 2008 and June 2011. Baseline demographic data and physiological parameters, including plasma concentrations of adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DP) were evaluated for all patients. Results: On admission, plasma AD, NA, and DP levels were significantly higher in patients with a poor clinical grade on admission (Hunt and Kosnik grade: IV–V), compared to those with a good clinical grade on admission (Hunt and Kosnik grade: I–III). AD showed a markedly high concentration immediately after the onset of SAH and then rapidly decreased. NA levels peaked within 6 hours after onset, then significantly decreased. The increase of DP with time was not significant, but showed a similar trend to that of NA. The level of each catecholamine showed significant mutual correlation. Our multivariate model demonstrated that age, poor clinical grade at admission, plasma AD and NA levels were good predictors of poor patient outcome [receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area: 0·83]. And that poor clinical grade at admission, Fisher scale, blood sugar level and plasma AD level were good predictors of the development of delayed vasospasm (ROC area: 0·81) (1·3). Conclusions: The present findings suggest that sympathetic activation in patients in the acute phase of SAH reflects the severity of SAH, and is closely related to the development of delayed vasospasm, leading to the subsequent immune response and inflammatory reactions. Strategies for suppressing catecholamine at the hyper-acute phase may contribute to vasospasm prevention and improve patient outcome.

Altered Expression of MicroRNA-15a and Kruppel-Like Factor 4 in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a major determinant of prognosis in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Alteration in the vascular phenotype contributes to development of CVS. However, little is known about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the phenotypic alteration after SAH. We investigated the expression profile of miRNAs and the chronologic changes in the expression of microRNA-15a (miR-15a) and Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a potent regulator of vascular phenotype modulation that modulates the expression of miR-15a, in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with SAH. METHODS Peripheral blood and CSF samples were collected from 8 patients with aneurysmal SAH treated with endovascular obliteration. Samples obtained from 3 patients without SAH were used as controls in the analysis. Exosomal miRNAs were isolated and subjected to microarray analysis with the three-dimensional-gene miRNA microarray kit. The time course of the expression of miR-15a and KLF4 was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Microarray analysis showed that 12 miRNAs including miR-15a were upregulated or downregulated both in the CSF and in plasma after SAH within 3 days. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that miR-15a expression was significantly increased in both the CSF and plasma, with a peak around 3-5 days after SAH, whereas the expression of KLF4 was significantly decreased around 1-3 days after SAH and remained lower than in controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an early and persistent decrease in KLF4 followed by an increase in miR-15a may contribute to the altered vascular phenotype, resulting in development of CVS.

Ruptured posterior spinal artery aneurysm: intraoperative and histologic findings with appreciable thrombosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Little is known on the natural course of ruptured spinal artery aneurysm, and a treatment strategy remains to be elucidated. PURPOSE This case report aims to describe a rare case of a posterior spinal artery aneurysm that showed progressive thrombosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN This is a case report and literature review. METHODS A 54-year-old man presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to posterior spinal artery aneurysm at the T10 level. The patient underwent surgery 19 days after onset. RESULTS Most of the aneurysm appeared unenhanced on intraoperative indocyanine green video angiography, and total resection was performed. Histologic examination confirmed spontaneous thrombosis of the lesion. A review of the literature identified 19 cases of ruptured posterior spinal artery aneurysm. Thrombosed aneurysm and thrombosed parent artery were observed in 7 (44%) of the 16 cases treated with surgical or endovascular interventions. In the three cases treated conservatively, fatal rebleeding in the acute stage was noted in one case, whereas the lesion disappeared spontaneously in the chronic stage without rebleeding in two cases. CONCLUSIONS Ruptured spinal artery aneurysms are prone to spontaneous thrombosis. The healing process of the lesion was well documented in the present case. Repeated angiographic follow-up offers a feasible alternative in the management of this fairly rare aneurysm.

Factors Associated with Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in Patients with Cervical Spine Injury

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is known to be a potentially fatal complication of cervical spine injury (CSI). Methods for screening the appropriate population remain to be elucidated, especially in Japan. This retrospective study was conducted to predict the risk factors relevant to BCVIs. Among 92 patients with CSI transferred to our institution from April 2007 to March 2012, 40 patients (35 men, 5 women) with neurological deficits and/or significant cervical spine fracture including fracture of transversarium, facet, body, lamina, and spinous process, underwent multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which identified 10 patients with BCVI [2 carotid artery injuries (BCAIs) and 9 vertebral artery injuries (BVAIs); 1 patient suffered both]. Univariate analyses exploring associations between individual risk factors and BCVI and BVAI were performed using Fishers exact test and Chi-square test for dichotomous variables and the unpaired t-test for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression analyses for BCVI and BVAI were carried out using stepwise methods. On univariate and multivariate analysis, hyperextension injury was significantly associated with BVAI (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02), and subluxation (dislocation of vertebral body > 5 mm) was a significant predictor of BCVI (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03) and BVAI (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01). Prompt evaluation for BCVIs is recommended in CSI patients with hyperextension injury and dislocation of the vertebral body.

Successful Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm Caused by an Ectatic Vertebral Artery Accompanying Agenesis of the Carotid Artery

We report the successful treatment of a patient with hemifacial spasm due to a tortuous vertebral artery that appeared to have developed to compensate for agenesis of the ipsilateral carotid artery. The 51-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of progressive left hemifacial spasm. His medical history was otherwise unremarkable except for untreated mild hypertension. Magnetic resonance angiography and bone window computed tomography demonstrated congenital agenesis of the left carotid artery and compression of the root exit zone of the left facial nerve by a tortuous left vertebral artery (VA). Microvascular decompression was performed via a left suboccipital craniotomy, and the offending vessel was identified using endoscopy. The vertebral artery was successfully transposed using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape and a PTFE ball (Bard PTFE felt, Tempe, Arizona). This is the first report of a patient with hemifacial spasm caused by an ectatic VA associated with agenesis of the ipsilateral carotid artery.

Distal transsylvian keyhole approach for unruptured anterior circulation small aneurysms

BackgroundTo reduce complications associated with conventional pterional craniotomy, a transsylvian keyhole approach for unruptured small anterior circulation aneurysms is proposed.MethodsA 7-cm linear scalp incision is made along the hairline, beginning at the zygoma, followed by minimal temporal muscle dissection. Two burr holes are drilled out at McCarty’s point and the temporal bone, and a 3-cm equilateral triangle bone flap is made, whose apex is located above the sylvian point. After the sphenoid ridge is drilled off, aneurysms are exposed and clipped with conventional microsurgical instruments.ConclusionsThis approach permits access to aneurysms via the transsylvian corridor with a smaller area of potential injury of superficial structures.

Oculomotor Nerve Palsy in a Patient with a Ruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm

We describe a case of acute oculomotor nerve palsy caused by a ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. A 59-year-old female presenting with headache and nausea was admitted to our hospital. Her consciousness was alert, and had no other neurological deficit without left oculomotor nerve palsy. A computed tomography (CT) showed SAH extending from left sylvian cistern to basal cistern. CT angiography revealed a left MCA aneurysm which protruded toward internal carotid artery. The patient was successfully treated with surgical clipping. The oculomotor nerve palsy resolved immediately after the surgery. Perioperative radiological evaluation revealed that there were no evidence of midbrain hemorrhage or stroke, vessel anomaly of basilar, posterior cerebral or superior cerebellar artery, vasospasm, and uncal herniation. Furthermore, intraoperative findings revealed that the aneurysm was projected toward the affected carotid cistern and oculomotor nerve. From these findings and time course of oculomotor nerve palsy, it is suggested that the jet flow of bleeding from the ruptured MCA aneurysm caused oculomotor nerve palsy in the patient. J. Med. Invest. 64: 165-167, February, 2017.

Multiple simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhages: Clinical presentations and risk factors

OBJECTIVE Multiple simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhages (MSICH) are a rare clinical entity. The mechanism and risk factors have yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to clarify clinical presentations and risk factors of MSICH compared with solitary intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). PATIENTS AND METHODS Medical records of 313 consecutive patients with ICH admitted to our institution between April 2011 and September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen cases of MSICH were identified, and 10 clinical and neuroimaging variables were compared between MSICH cases and solitary ICH cases using the unpaired t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS There were significant differences in size between larger hematomas (mean 59.2±69.1mL) and smaller hematomas (mean 1.7±2.1mL) in patients with MSICH (p=0.001). Larger hematoma volume was the only independent risk factor for MSICH in multiple logistic regression analysis (OR=1.012, 95%CI 1.004-1.021, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Patients with MSICH have clinical characteristics and outcomes similar to patients with solitary ICH. They present with two significantly different hematoma sizes, both of which are significantly larger than patients with solitary ICH, suggesting that a larger hematoma can trigger smaller hematomas. A future prospective study with a larger number of patients will explore the precise mechanism of this rare entity.

Hybrid Cerebrovascular Surgery for Complex Cerebral Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations: —直達術の立場より—

The purpose of this study was to introduce our initial experience of using hybrid microsurgery and intravascular surgery for treating complex cerebral aneurysms(ANs)and arteriovenous malformations(AVMs). The hybrid surgery included a single operative intervention of microsurgical partial neck clipping(neck plasty)followed by coil embolization for patients with ANs and strategic intravascular embolization after craniotomy followed by removal for patients with AVMs. Intraoperative microcatheter 3D-angiography, ICG videoangiography, Doppler sonography, and electrophysiological monitoring were all routinely used. Total obliteration of the lesion was achieved in all patients without significant morbidity. The hybrid suite is a useful setup which allowed for an unconstrained combined microsurgical and neuroradiological workflow. Our initial experience introduces hybrid surgery as a safe and more durable treatment option for the management of complex intracranial ANs and AVMs. (Received November 12, 2014;accepted December 2, 2014)