The Prognostic Value of CT-Angiographic Parameters After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Internal Carotid Artery Terminus Occlusion: Leptomeningeal Collateral Status and Clot Burden Score

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) based on leptomeningeal collateral (LMC) status and other parameters in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus occlusion treated with endovascular treatment (EVT).

Moyamoya disease in Brazil

Introduction – Moyamoya disease was first believed to be confined to Japan, but over the years it has been reported all over the world. We report seven cases from the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo with a review of the previously described cases in Brazil. Material and methods – The diagnosis was based on the diagnostic criteria of the Research Committee on Spontaneous Occlusion of the Circle of Willis. Results – Five patients presented ischemic and two hemorrhagic events. The meta-analysis of the six cases previously described in Brazil showed that only two were true moyamoya disease according to the diagnostic criteria. Conclusion – We can assume that the real frequency of moyamoya disease has been underestimated in Brazil.     

Poor Prognosis of Acute Stroke Patients Denied Thrombolysis Due to Early CT Findings

OBJECTIVES: Whether acute stroke patients with major early infarct signs on computed tomography (CT) should be treated with intravenous (i.v.) thrombolysis remains controversial. The authors sought to define the outcomes in 5 consecutive patients who were not treated with i.v. thrombolysis, according to established guidelines. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of a consecutive series of 5 patients evaluated by an acute stroke team at a university medical center and who were denied i.v. tissue plasminogen activator due to early CT changes. RESULTS: Five patients with a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 22 (range 20-28) were evaluated. Despite aggressive care (e.g., hemicraniectomy), 2 patients died owing to herniation, 1 patient died of cardiac causes, and neither of the 2 surviving patients achieved a 3-month Rankin score below 4 (moderately severe disability). CONCLUSIONS: Given the poor prognosis of patients with hemispheric stroke and early CT changes, alternative treatment modalities such as intra-arterial thrombolysis, early hemicraniectomy, and neuroprotective therapy should be vigorously pursued.     

A Meta-analytic Study of Predictors for Informal Caregiver Burden in Patients With Stroke

Background

Several studies have reported on predictors for caregiver burden in patients with stroke, but the magnitude of the impact of these variables remains unclear. The aim of the study was to determine the magnitude of relationship between each predictor and caregiver burden.

多模式CT在缺血性卒中诊疗中的应用

缺血性卒中已成为危害人类健康的主要疾病,急需一种快速有效的影像学检查协助诊断、 指导治疗、预测病因、判断预后。多模式计算机断层扫描（computed tomography,CT）检查可一次性获 取脑组织结构、血管及血流灌注等方面信息,为缺血性卒中患者个体化治疗及二级预防提供客观的 影像学依据。文章就多模式CT在缺血性卒中诊疗中的应用进行综述。     

Baseline Computed Tomography Changes and Clinical Outcome After Thrombolysis With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only therapy of proven value for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Controversy exists with regard to the prognostic significance of early computed tomography (CT) changes in patients receiving rt-PA for AIS. The authors retrospectively reviewed all cases of AIS who received intravenous rt-PA for AIS in University of South Alabama hospitals between January 1996 and May 1999. A neuroradiologist, blinded to clinical outcomes, reviewed all baseline CT scans for the presence of the following signs: hyperdense middle cerebral artery (HMCA), loss of gray-white differentiation (LGWD), insular ribbon sign (IRS), parenchymal hypodensity (PH), and sulcal effacement (SE). Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was recorded 90 days after thrombolysis, and clinical outcome was dichotomized as favorable (0-1) or unfavorable (2-6). The authors performed both univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate the relationship between early CT signs, baseline clinical variables, and functional outcome as measured by the 90-day mRS scores. Any one early CT finding was detected in 23(64%) patients. The frequency of specific findings were as follows: SE in 13 patients (36%), LGWD in 12 patients (33%), PH in 9 patients (25%), HMCA in 4 patients (11%), and IRS in 3 patients (8%) patients. There was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of these imaging findings and subsequent functional outcome after thrombolysis. The data suggest that the presence of subtle acute CT changes in AIS patients is not predictive of clinical outcome following administration of rt-PA as per National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke protocol.     

Transcranial Duplex Sonography and CT Angiography in Acute Stroke Patients

Acute occlusion of cervical or intracranial arteries is the most common cause of ischemic stroke (IS). The aims of the current study were to compare the occurrence of acute pathologic findings in intracranial arteries using transcranial color‐coded sonography (TCCS) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed within 3 hours of IS onset and to assess the correlation between the vascular findings on admission and the patient's clinical state on admission and 3 months after the IS. Forty‐five consecutive patients with an acute IS were included in the prospective study during an 18‐month period. All patients underwent CTA and TCCS within the first 3 hours of symptom onset. A high rate of pathologic findings in the intracranial circulation was found (70.9% in CTA and 77.4% in TCCS examinations). The CTA and TCCS findings with respect to the intracranial arteries were consistent in 87.1% of cases (Cohen's κ, .797). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values achieved with TCCS in patients with middle cerebral artery main stem occlusion were 92.3%, 94.4%, and 92.3% and 94.4%, respectively. There was no correlation between the patient's clinical status on admission and 3 months after the onset of the IS and the CTA or the TCCS findings (P > .1 in all cases). A substantial agreement was found between TCCS and CTA in the detection of pathologic findings in intracranial vessels in acute stroke patients. Both methods can be used for this purpose.     

螺旋CT 血管生长技术及脑血管造影在烟雾病诊断中的价值

目的 探讨使用多排螺旋CT 血管生成技术(MSCTA)及脑数字减影(DSA)血管造影在烟雾病(MMD)中的诊断价值.方法 采用8 排螺旋CT 进行头部螺旋容积扫描,分析23 例烟雾病的CT 平扫及增强的影像表现,利用"血管生长(add vessel)"法对图像进行后处理,采用多平面体积重组及容积重建图像对脑血管进行三维重建并和DSA 结果进行比较分析.结果 CT 平扫13 例患者显示不同部位的脑出血,5 例患者表现为多发性的脑梗死,3 例患者仅见局限性的脑萎缩,2 例患者CT 平扫未发现明显异常.MSCTA 均清晰显示不同程度的颈内动脉颅内段和(或)大脑前动脉、大脑中动脉狭窄或闭塞,23 例均显示纤细迂曲的"烟雾"状异常血管网.其中15 例经股动脉插管行全脑数字血管减影(DSA)证实.结论 采用血管生成、容积重建技术,MSCTA 是明确诊断烟雾病的有效非创伤性首选检查方法,可替代DSA 进行烟雾病的筛选、诊断和随访观察.