Facial nerve palsy secondary to internal carotid artery dissection

We report facial palsy as the sole cranial neuropathy complicating an ipsilateral internal carotid artery dissection. A previously healthy 44-year-old man developed retro-orbital and temporal headache with associated nausea while engaged in modest physical exercise. On the following morning he noticed a left ptosis and miotic pupil. One week later he woke with a left facial weakness. On the same day he had a 90-minute episode of expressive dysphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography demonstrated left internal carotid artery dissection. The temporal association between our patient's facial nerve palsy and typical features of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection suggests a common aetiology. We suggest that involvement of the VII cranial nerve in isolation followed disruption of an anomalous nutrient artery. The delay in clinical manifestation may imply extension of the dissection.     

Upper cranial nerve palsy resulting from spontaneous carotid dissection

Introduction Upper cranial nerve palsy has a variety of causes such as cerebral and nerve ischemia, diabetes, infectious and non–infectious meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracranial aneurysm. Case 1 A 45–year–old man suffered from holocephalic headaches and a rightsided neck pain for two weeks. He presented to our emergency department because of a sudden ptosis of the right eye. On admission neurological examination revealed a right sided Horners syndrome and hypesthesia of the right side of the face. Magnetic resonance angiography identified a circumscribed dissection of the right extracranial internal carotid artery originating from the carotid bifurcation. Conventional angiography 2 weeks later showed a nearly recanalized artery. Case 2 A 55–year–old previously healthy man without cardiovascular risk factors developed right sided neck pain when loading a seeder with several sacks of crop. A few hours later he noticed a left–sided weakness. On admission a severe left sided hemiparesis and a mild neglect were present. Duplex sonography revealed a right–sided distal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. The next morning the patient complained of double vision; he had a right–sided pupil–sparing oculomotor palsy. The diagnosis of ICA dissection was confirmed by conventional angiography, at that time showing a partially recanalized ICA without involvement of the cavernous region by the dissection. Conclusion ICA dissection must be included in the differential diagnosis of upper cranial nerve palsy and should be assessed by duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. A possible explanation is nerve ischemia due to a transient or permanent interruption of the blood supply by compression of the vasa nervorum originating from the intracranial carotid artery.     

颅内颈内动脉系统交感神经的显微解剖学研究

目的 研究颅内颈内动脉系统交感神经的显微解剖.方法 收集30例血管灌注的成人头颅标本,观察交感神经的走行及其与毗邻结构的关系,并测量相关解剖结构数据.结果 通常交感神经在颈内动脉管内以2～3支神经束的形式走行,较粗的1支走在额侧,较细的1支走在枕侧,71.7％ (43/60)标本的额侧神经束由1束组成,28.3％ (17/60)由两小细束构成.96.7％(58/60)枕侧神经束主要由1束组成.2支神经束进入海绵窦内形成蝶鞍旁交感神经干,长度为( 1.32±0.56) mm,然后分为展神经支和颈内动脉支,展神经支加入动眼神经、滑车神经、三叉神经和展神经,颈内动脉支向前形成两个神经丛:内侧丛和外侧丛,与颈内动脉伴行.结论 交感神经走行、毗邻关系复杂,具有高度变异性.交感神经解剖学研究有助于减少颅内手术损伤.     

Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection with lower cranial nerve palsy

BACKGROUND: Typical presentation of spontaneous internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection is an ipsilateral pain in neck and face with Horner's syndrome and contralateral deficits. Although rare, lower cranial nerve palsy have been reported in association with an ipsilateral spontaneous ICA dissection. CASE STUDIES: We report three new cases of ICA dissection with lower cranial nerve palsies. RESULTS: The first symtom to appear was headache in all three patients. Examination disclosed a Horner's syndrome in two cases (1 and 2), an isolated XIIth nerve palsy in two patients (case 1 and 3) and IX, X, and XIIth nerve palsies (case 2) revealing an ipsilateral carotid dissection, confirmed by MRI and angiography. In all cases, prognosis was good after a few weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These cases, analysed with those in the literature, led us to discuss two possible mechanisms: direct compression of cranial nerves by a subadventitial haematoma in the parapharyngeal space or ischemic palsy by compression of the ascending pharyngeal artery.     

微小后组脑神经鞘瘤七例报告

目的 分析临床罕见的微小后组脑神经鞘瘤的临床特点,探讨其临床症状、早期诊断、手术方法和疗效.方法 回顾性分析1999年9月至2009年8月我院治疗的7例临床漏诊的微小后组脑神经鞘瘤病例,总结其临床症状、早期诊断、手术方法及疗效,并结合文献进行分析.结果 本组病例中共有舌咽神经鞘瘤5例、迷走神经鞘瘤1例、舌下神经鞘瘤1例.肿瘤均完全切除.术后并发症包括一过性轻度面瘫、声音嘶哑2例、吞咽困难1例.结论 对出现后组脑神经症状的患者应考虑到后组脑神经鞘瘤的可能,尽快明确诊断并积极手术治疗可获得优良疗效,有利于患者的治疗和康复.     

视神经/交叉-颈内动脉间隙的显微外科解剖

目的 探讨视神经/交叉一颈内动脉（ON/OC-ICA）间隙的手术解剖。方法 模拟4个手术视角,在14例尸体标本上作28个间隙的显微解剖。结果 至少24个间隙呈三角形,底边为大脑前动脉A1段,少数呈梭形或缝隙样,8个有特殊网膜封盖。颅底视角越偏侧方,内、外侧边就越长,底边则逐步缩短并向外侧偏斜,间隙下方结构亦发生相应的方位改变。结论ON/OC-ICA间隙通常在10°～30°视角下面积最大,较适于经翼点人路,此时后交通动脉可见于间隙后外部,但不内推视神经/交叉便很难看到垂体柄。     

Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy due to an anomalous vertebral artery course: report of two cases

The authors report two patients with isolated unilateral tongue atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain stem and angio-MRI demonstrated a dolichovertebral artery with an abnormal course compressing the medulla oblongata at the emergence of the hypoglossal rootlets. The semeiological observation of a sectorial and not uniform distribution of atrophy in the half-affected tongue is discussed in relation to the lesional site.

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Sommario Gli Autori descrivono due pazienti affetti da isolata atrofia monolaterale della lingua. La risonanza magnetica nucleare del troncoencefalo e l'angiografia a risonanza magnetica dimostrarono la presenza di una arteria vertebrale con anomalo decorso tortuoso the determinava compressione del bulbo a livello dell'emergenza delle radicole del nervo ipoglosso. L'osservazione semeiologica di una distribuzione settoriale e non uniforme dell'atrofia nella metà affetta della lingua viene discussa in relazione alla sede della lesione.

     

Hypoglossal nerve palsy as an isolated syndrome of internal carotid artery dissection: A review of the literature and a case report

A review of literature on the dissection of internal carotid artery was presented with a presentation of a rare case of patient with transient left hypoglossal nerve palsy caused by mechanic compression from intramural hematoma in higher extracranial portion of dissected carotid artery confirmed in MRI and CT scans. The clinical presentation and management are discussed.     

Posterior interosseous nerve palsy. Report of three unusual cases

Three unusual cases of posterior interosseous nerve palsy involving an entrapment mechanism are described. The findings in these three cases seem to support the view that PIN entrapment usually results from interaction of exogenous factors (occupation, pregnancy, compression during sleep, etc.) with anatomical anomalies at the level of the supinator brevis muscle.

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Sommario Vengono descritti tre casi di neuropatia da intrappolamento del ramo interosseo del nervo radiale. Le osservazioni relative a questi tre casi confermano la tesi che questo tipo di neuropatia è causata dall'interazione di fattori esogeni di varia natura (occupazione, gravidanza, compressione durante il sonno, ecc.) con anomalie anatomiche a livello del muscolo supinatore breve.

     

Transient ischaemic attacks in two cases of internal carotid artery hypoplasia

Abstract Congenital anomalies of the internal carotid arteries (ICA) and cerebral arteries have not been frequently reported. Moreover, in the literature there is no clear association between hypoplastic carotid and cerebral vessel systems and the occurrence of cerebral ischaemia. We report two cases of unilateral hypoplasia of the ICA affecting two young patients suffering from an episode of minor stroke and from recurrent transient ischaemic attacks, respectively. Congenital variations in the configuration and size of the carotid and cerebral arteries should not always be considered benign conditions and may predispose to cerebral ischaemia in young adults.     

Multiple cranial nerve palsy after otitis externa: a case report

We report in this paper a case of a patient who developed extensive cranial nerve paresis on the left and right side after otitis externa. Investigation revealed an osteomyelitis of the skull base. We describe this disease and stress the importance of the gallium scan in the diagnostic process and therapeutic follow up.     

颅外段颈内动脉夹层的治疗

目的 探讨颅外段颈内动脉夹层（eICAD）抗血小板药物治疗及血管内治疗的疗效。方法 2013年6月至2014年12月收治4例eICAD患者,采用抗血小板药物（阿司匹林100mg/d+氯吡格雷75mg/d）治疗或血管内支架治疗。结果 出院后随访6个月,1例在药物治疗2周后出现新发脑缺血事件,给予血管内支架成形术治疗后无再发脑缺血事件;其余3例随访期内未出现新发脑缺血事件。1例血管闭塞的患者,经双抗治疗后,血管再通;2例血管重度狭窄的患者,经双抗治疗后,血管狭窄明显减轻;1例药物治疗无效后血管内支架治疗患者,血管恢复通畅,无残余狭窄。发生脑卒中的3例患者,改良Rankin评分均不同程度的改善。结论 对eICAD的治疗,可以选择在阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷抗血小板治疗的基础上,严密观察患者病情,对有新发脑缺血事件的病例,采用血管内支架成形术治疗,可以取得良好的疗效。     

Hypoglossal nerve palsy: 245 cases

Introduction: Apart from a case series of 100 subjects in 1996 and several small cohorts, there have been no large retrospective series of cranial nerve XII (CN XII) palsy. Methods: From 1984 to 2014, 245 cases of CN XII palsy were identified via retrospective chart review using historical and exam findings that confirmed the diagnosis. In addition to clinical characteristics, univariate and multivariate models were investigated to predict neoplastic CN XII palsy. Results: Major etiologic categories included: postoperative (29.3%), idiopathic (15.1%), primary neoplastic (14.2%), metastatic malignancy (13.0%), inflammatory (7.3%), radiation (6.1%), and traumatic (4.1%). A multivariate model revealed male gender and a personal history of cancer as predictive of neoplastic CN XII palsy. Conclusions: The most frequent etiologies and disease categories of CN XII palsy were identified, and male gender and personal history of cancer were found to be predictive of a neoplastic cause of CN XII palsy. Muscle Nerve 54 : 1050–1054, 2016     

颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者的侧支循环与神经功能的单因素分析

目的 探讨颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环的代偿作用与临床神经功能缺损程度的关系. 方法对52例连续颈内动脉狭窄或闭塞所致的脑梗死患者入院时行神经功能缺损评分(NIHSS)评分,利用数字减影脑血管造影技术(DSA)评估颅内动脉的侧支循环代偿情况.应用统计学方法探讨两者之间的关系.结果 DSA发现52例患者18例出现颈内动脉闭塞,单侧颈内动脉重度狭窄28例,6例双侧重度狭窄.52例患者中出现前交通动脉代偿18例,后交通动脉代偿8例,前后交通动脉同时代偿12例,14例患者未出现Willis环血管的代偿.无Willis环代偿组与Willis环代偿组NIHSS评分平均秩次分别为35.75和23.09,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).前交通代偿组与后交通代偿组NIHSS评分平均秩次分别为12.42和15.94,两组差异无统计学意义(P<0.05).结论颈内动脉狭窄或闭塞时可通过多种方式进行有效的代偿.NIHSS评分与血管代偿及阻塞位置显著有关.DSA对侧支循环的判定在治疗干预中显得尤为重要.     

Subclavian artery aneurysm associated with absence of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery

Abstract

A 48-year-old male presented with a rare subclavian artery aneurysm associated with absence of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery The aneurysm was resected and replaced with a Gore Tex artificial graft. Computed tomography angiography and cerebral blood flow findings suggest that defect of the right internal carotid artery occurred in the developmental stage. There was no past history of trauma\, nor histological evidence of inflammatory or sclerotic changes in the aneurysmal wall. The two vascular lesions may have been influenced by a synchronous causative factor in his developmental stage. [Neurol Res 1996; 18: 140–144]     

Multiple basilar trunk aneurysms and bilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia

We describe a case of a 32-year-old woman with bilateral hypoplastic internal carotid arteries who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage and was found to have two basilar trunk aneurysms. Carotid angiography showed that both internal carotid arteries were narrowed at their origin and terminated at the cervical segment. Vertebral angiography demonstrated a dilated vertebrobasilar system which supplied sufficient blood flow for both cerebral hemispheres through the posterior communicating arteries. The patient was successfully treated by multiple operations.     

Recurrent cranial nerve palsies, midbrain infarction and hydrocephalus due to megadolichobasilar artery

A 67-year-old man presented four recurrent, alternating facial palsies, two right abducens palsies and eventually a right extrinsic third nerve palsy due to brain-stem infarction in a 37-year time-span. Neuroradiological examinations showed hydrocephalus and an elongated, tortuous, estasic basilar artery. This patient presented in his lifetime the whole clinical spectrum of the dolichoectasic basilar artery complications.

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Sommario Viene descritto un paziente di 67 anni che, dai 30 anni, presentò 4 paralisi ricorrenti, alternanti del nervo facciale, 2 paralisi del nervo abducente destro ed infine una paralisi estrinseca del terzo nervo cranico di destra secondaria ad infarto mesencefalico. Gli esami neuroradiologici evidenziarono un'arteria basilare allungata, tortuosa, ectasica ed idrocefalo. Tale paziente ha presentato nella sua vita l'intero spettro clinico delle complicazioni legate alla megadolicobasilare.

     

Recanalization of acute symptomatic occlusions of the internal carotid artery

Background Little is known about the natural course of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and its possible recanalization. The present study was designed to evaluate recanalization rates of extracranial ICA occlusions in acute stroke patients by means of color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS). Methods 305 patients with acute ischemia in the territory of the middle cerebral artery were included in this study. All patients had a neurological examination on admission and on discharge and were rated by means of the European Stroke Scale (ESS). Extracranial color-coded duplexsonography, transcranial Doppler sonography and cranial computed tomography were immediately performed after admission and within 7 days. Results 254 patients showed no sign of hemodynamic relevant stenosis greater than 70 % of the ICA. 21 patients had symptomatic high grade ICA stenosis. 20 patients had an acute occlusion and 10 patients an old ICA occlusion as judged by duplex sonographic criteria. Six patients (5 male, 1 female; age range 57 to 77 years) with an acute atherothrombotic or cardioembolic occlusion showed a recanalization of the ICA in the follow-up ultrasonography. Two patients with cardiogenic embolic occlusion of the ICA had the most favorable outcome and these patients showed no residual stenosis. 4 patients who had ultrasound findings consistent with atherosclerosis on follow-up examination (2 high-grade stenosis, 2 with carotid plaques) did not show a notable improvement of their ESS-score. Patients with carotid plaques developed complete MCA infarctions; the other 4 patients had partial anterior circulation infarction on follow-up CT. Conclusions The present study showed that recanalization of the occluded ICA in acute stroke patients is more frequent than generally presumed. CCDS should be routinely performed in the follow-up of stroke patients as spontaneous recanalization may influence clinical outcome. Received: 11 April 2001, Received in revised form: 13 June 2001, Accepted: 18 June 2001     

颈内动脉床突旁动脉瘤影像学分类探讨

研究背景颈内动脉床突旁动脉瘤的命名和分类多种多样,大部分为外科手术所用。本文介绍一种适用于血管内治疗的床突旁动脉瘤的改良分类方法,并概述其命名和分类。方法尝试将126例患者共142个床突旁动脉瘤分为两类,即类型Ⅰ(眼动脉动脉瘤)和类型Ⅱ(垂体上动脉动脉瘤)。每一类型再被眼动脉与后交通动脉之间的假想等分线分为两类,其中Ⅰa和Ⅱa类动脉瘤主要位于等分线的近心端,Ⅰb和Ⅱb类型位于等分线的远心端。结果全部动脉瘤均获得成功分类,其中Ⅰa类动脉瘤45个占31.69%(45/142),Ⅰb类动脉瘤11个占7.75%(11/142);Ⅱa类动脉瘤78个占54.93%(78/142),Ⅱb类动脉瘤8个占5.63%(8/142)。结论颈内动脉床突旁动脉瘤分类复杂多样,选择适当的分类方法有利于制定合理的治疗方案。     

颈内动脉分叉上间隙的显微外科解剖

目的 探讨颈内动脉分叉上间隙的解剖特征及其手术意义。方法 在30侧尸体标本上观察该间隙的显微解剖。结果 该间隙狭小、深在，血管多，90％呈三角形、A1段为前下边，M1段为外下边，前穿质为上边。10％呈四边形，视交叉或视束构成其内侧边。间隙内常有Heubner回返动脉和大脑中深静脉等走行，经间隙可见下方的诸多小血管。结论 在至少1／3的间隙内容易展开显微操作，多数需慎重处理间隙内的小血管。