Xanthochromia after subarachnoid haemorrhage needs no revisitation.

Recently it was contended that it is bloodstained cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is important in the diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and not xanthochromia, and also that a normal CT scan and the absence of xanthochromia in the CSF do not exclude a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. The CSF findings were therefore reviewed of 111 patients with a proven SAH. All patients had xanthochromia of the CSF. Lumbar punctures were performed between 12 hours and one week after the ictus. Xanthochromia was still present in all (41) patients after 1 week, in all (32) patients after 2 weeks, in 20 of 22 patients after three weeks and in 10 of 14 patients after four weeks. In six years we identified only 12 patients with sudden headache, normal CT, bloodstained CSF, and no xanthochromia. Angiography was carried out in three and was negative. All 12 patients survived without disability and were not re-admitted with a SAH (mean follow up 4 years). It is concluded that it is still xanthochromia that is important in the diagnosis of SAH and not bloodstained CSF. Furthermore a normal CT scan and the absence of xanthochromia do exclude a ruptured aneurysm, provided xanthochromia is investigated by spectrophotometry and lumbar puncture is carried out between 12 hours and 2 weeks after the ictus.     

Can CT angiography rule out aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in CT scan-negative subarachnoid haemorrhage patients?

Current management guidelines for CT scan-negative subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients recommend cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We aimed to investigate the utility of CT angiography (CTA) as a substitute for DSA in these patients. We included patients who presented with SAH confirmed by spectrophotometric xanthochromia analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) whereby the CT scan was negative. Electronic records were reviewed to collect data on non-contrast CT scan, CTA and DSA results. Patients without DSA or with other explanations for CSF xanthochromia were excluded. Sixty-three patients with CT scan-negative SAH were included. The diagnosis of SAH was confirmed by CSF analysis. All 63 patients underwent both DSA and CTA. Using DSA as the benchmark, CTA demonstrated a negative predictive value, positive predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of 98%, 82%, 90% and 96%, respectively, for the detection of intracranial aneurysms. CTA correctly identified patients in whom there were no underlying aneurysms responsible for SAH, with one patient with suspected dissection referred for further evaluation using MRI and DSA.     

CSF spectrophotometry in the diagnosis and exclusion of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage.

AIMS: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of CSF spectrophotometry for the detection of xanthochromia in patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) but normal cranial computed tomography (CT). METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing both cranial CT and lumbar puncture for investigation of possible SAH at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, between January 2000 and April 2003 were included in the study. All case histories, radiology and laboratory results were retrospectively assessed. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the spectrophotometry test were calculated. RESULTS: 253 patients were included in the study. Spectrophotometry was shown to have a sensitivity of 100% but a specificity of only 75.2%. The positive predictive value of spectrophotometry as an indicator of SAH was 3.3%. CONCLUSIONS: CSF spectrophotometry has an unacceptably low specificity and positive predictive value, which greatly limit its use as a clinical tool.     

Study of CT and etiology In 11B cases of eoute headache without hemlplegla

objectal To study the relation between CT and etiology of acute headache without hemiplegia. Methods 118 cases of acute headache without hemiplegia were studied with CT scan. The patients with normal CT were diagnosed with lumbar punc -tura or diagnostic standard for establishing disease. Results The first three etiologies were cerebrovescular disease (65 cases, 55%), migraine (25 cases, 21%), meningitis and encephalitis (19 cases, 155. 9%). 53% of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) was diagnosed in CT unnormal group, and 12.4% of patients with Sall was showed by lumbar puncture in CT normal group(P＜0. 001). CT was normal in 18% of patients with a definite SAH(7/39). The positive rates of intracranial infection in CT normal group(by lumbar puncture) was reearkably higher than in CT unnormal group (18/58 versus 2/60, p＜0.005), Conolusion CT is more sensitive to intracranial hemorrhage, tumor and infarction. SAH of a negative Ctscan is not rare. CT is far inferior to lumbar puncture in meningitis or encephalitis.     

Spectrophotometry of cerebrospinal fluid in subacute and chronic subdural haematomas

Spectrophotometric examinations were performed on cerebrospinal and subdural fluids in subacute (five patients) and chronic (20 patients) subdural haematomas, with special reference to the diagnostic aid of CSF spectrophotometry. Spectrophotometric xanthochromia of haemorrhagic origin was found in all CSFs examined, while definite visible xanthochromia was observed in only 28% and the CSF was judged as colourless in 52% of those cases. Characteristic bleeding patterns were found spectrophotometrically in all the 20 CSFs examined within 24 hours after lumbar puncture, haematoma patterns being detected in 90-95% of the cases. In many cases the electrophoretically separated protein fractions of CSF and subdural fluids were spectrophotometrically examined. In conclusion, CSF spectrophotometry is a simple, fast, and extremely sensitive method, which in our opinion should be used routinely in the diagnosis of suspected subdural haematomas, if lumbar puncture is not contraindicated.     

Detection of subarachnoid haemorrhage on early CT: is lumbar puncture still needed after a negative scan?

Computed tomography may be normal in up to 5% of patients who are investigated within one or two days after subarachnoid haemorrhage. This study investigated the need for further diagnostic evaluation after a normal CT scan was found very early (within 12 hours) in patients suspected of subarachnoid haemorrhage. A consecutive series of 175 patients with sudden headache and a normal neurological examination who had first CT within 12 hours after the onset of headache were investigated. The patients with normal CT underwent lumbar puncture, but not earlier than 12 hours after the event. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid blood in 117 patients, and was normal in 58. Spectrophotometric analysis of CSF gave evidence for a subarachnoid haemorrhage in two of these 58 patients (3%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.4-12%); a ruptured aneurysm was found in both. Thus CT was normal in two of 119 patients with a definite subarachnoid haemorrhage (2%; 95% CI 0.2-6%). It is concluded that in patients with sudden headache but normal CT a deferred lumbar puncture is necessary to rule out subarachnoid haemorrhage, even if CT is performed within 12 hours after the onset of symptoms.     

腰大池引流术防治颅内动脉瘤栓塞术后脑血管痉挛的临床疗效

目的 探讨腰大池引流术防治颅内破裂动脉瘤栓塞后脑血管痉挛（CVS）的临床效果。方法 将73例颅内破裂动脉瘤患者随机分为观察组（36例）和对照组（37例）,观察组栓塞术后1 d内行腰大池引流术释放脑脊液,对照组采用腰椎穿刺术。结果 两组栓塞术后3、7、10、14 d颅内压、脑脊液红细胞数量和脑脊液SP100蛋白浓度较术前均明显降低（P<0.05）,观察组更显著（>P<0.05）。两组术后7、14 d大脑中动脉的血流速度、双侧颈内动脉颅外段血流速度较术前均显著降低（P<0.05）,观察组更显著（>PP<0.05）。两组术后并发症发生率无统计学差异（>P>0.05）。结论 颅内破裂动脉瘤血管内栓塞治疗后,早期应用腰大池引流术能够显著降低CVS发生率。     

Computed Tomographic Angiography as the Primary Diagnostic Study in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) as the primary diagnostic investigation in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and to correlate the results with intraoperative findings in those with ruptured aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 243 patients with spontaneous SAH was performed. The patients selected were those with acute SAH confirmed by noncontrast head computed tomography or by cerebrospinal fluid findings from a lumbar puncture. Patients subsequently underwent preoperative three-dimensional CTA as the sole or primary diagnostic study. The results of the CTA were correlated with the intraoperative findings in those patients undergoing emergent surgical clipping of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms. RESULTS: CTA correctly detected the ruptured aneurysm in 170 of the 171 cases, which required surgical clipping. Our data demonstrates that CTA has a 99.4% detection rate in acutely ruptured aneurysms as compared to intraoperative findings [confidence interval 97.8-99.9%]. CONCLUSION: CTA can provide prompt and accurate diagnostic and anatomic information in the setting of SAH with an excellent detection rate in acute ruptured aneurysms. These findings suggest an increased role for CTA in the evaluation of cerebral aneurysms.     

重型颅脑损伤患者术后脑积水的相关因素多元回归分析

目的探讨重型颅脑损伤患者术后并发脑积水相关因素。方法选取2006年3月~2013年7月在我院收治的281例重型颅脑损伤患者,将其分为脑积水组(45例)和非脑积水组(236例),采用单因素分析和Logistic多元回归法分析颅内血肿位置、手术持续时间、开放性颅脑损伤、SAH、去骨瓣减压、硬脑膜敞开、腰椎穿刺脑脊液置换等因素。结果单因素分析显示,两组患者在血肿部位、开放性颅脑损伤、SAH、去骨瓣减压、硬脑膜敞开、腰穿脑脊液置换方面差异有统计学意义(P0.05);行Logistic回归分析,开放性颅脑损伤、SAH、血肿位于硬膜下或脑内、去骨瓣减压、硬脑膜敞开为并发脑积水危险因素,腰穿脑脊液置换为保护因素,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论开放性颅脑损伤、硬膜下或脑内血肿、SAH、术中去除骨瓣以及硬脑膜敞开是s TBI患者术后并发脑积水的危险因素;而腰穿脑脊液置换为预防术后脑积水发生的保护因素。     

腰穿置管脑脊液持续引流防治创伤性蛛网膜下腔出血后脑血管痉挛

目的 观察腰穿置管脑脊液（CSF）持续引流防治蛛网膜下腔出血（SAH）后脑血管痉挛（CVS）的疗效。方法 将SAH患者88例，随机分两组。对照组（48例）采用常规治疗加腰穿。治疗组（40例）采用常规治疗加腰穿置管CSF持续引流。结果 治疗组CSF压力和细胞学检查恢复正常时间较对照组快（P〈0．05），不同时间痉挛指数及脑梗死、死亡的例数、再出血发生率明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）。两组间疗效评价采用出院时GOS评定，显示两组间有明显差别（P〈0．05）。结论 腰穿置管CSF持续引流防治SAH后CVS疗效确切，能促进神经功能的尽快恢复，减少并发症。     

Chance of aneurysm in patients suspected of SAH who have a ‘negative’ CT scan but a ‘positive’ lumbar puncture

In patients with sudden severe headache and a negative computed tomography (CT) scan, a lumbar puncture (LP) is performed to rule in or out a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), but this procedure is under debate. In a hospital-based series of 30 patients with sudden headache, a negative CT scan but a positive LP (defined as detection of bilirubin >0.05 at wavelength 458 nm), we studied the chance of harbouring an aneurysm and the clinical outcome. Aneurysms were found in none of both patients who presented within 3 days, in 8 of the 18 (44%) who presented within 4–7 days and in 5 of the 10 (50%) who presented within 8–14 days. Of the 13 patients with an aneurysm, 3 (23%) had poor outcome. In patients who present late after sudden headache, the yield in terms of aneurysms is high in those who have a positive lumbar puncture. In patients with an aneurysm as cause of the positive lumbar puncture, outcome is in the same range as in SAH patients admitted in good clinical condition.     

Is cerebrospinal fluid spectrophotometry useful in CT scan-negative suspected subarachnoid haemorrage?

Missed cerebral aneurysms in CT-negative patients can have serious implications. We set out to determine the usefulness of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spectrophotometry and the individual significance of CSF oxyhaemoglobin, bilirubin and methaemoglobin in 463 CT scan-negative patients with suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and normal neurological examination. CSF spectrophotometry resulted in the diagnosis of an intracranial aneurysm in 2% (9/463) of patients with CT-negative suspected SAH. No aneurysms were found in patients in whom spectrophotometry was negative for haem pigments. Less than 1% of patients with oxyhaemoglobin alone had aneurysms diagnosed, whilst 21% of patients with bilirubin had an aneurysm. CSF spectrophotometry is an important investigation in patients with CT-negative suspected SAH, particularly where clinical suspicion is strong. Patients positive for bilirubin are likely to provide a high yield of aneurysmal bleed and should undergo angiography. Patients with oxyhaemoglobin alone in whom SAH is strongly suspected may benefit from angiography. Based on a small number of patients, we recommend that patients with methaemoglobin should also be investigated. Patients with negative spectrophotometry are unlikely to benefit from further investigation.     

Spinal axis imaging in non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study

In 15 % of all spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH), no intracranial vascular pathology is found. Those non-aneurysmal hemorrhages are categorized into perimesencephalic SAH (PMSAH) and non-perimesencephalic SAH (NPSAH). Searching for spinal pathology might reveal a cause for the hemorrhage in some patients. Our goal was to assess the yield of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the complete spinal axis in search for a spinal origin in non-aneurysmal SAH. In a prospective, observational study at a tertiary SAH referral center, we assessed clinical and radiological characteristics of patients who consecutively presented with spontaneous non-aneurysmal SAH, diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) or lumbar puncture, and negative CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Eligible patients were enrolled for investigation of the complete spinal axis by standard T1- and T2-weighted MR-imaging. Ninety-seven non-aneurysmal SAH patients were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between PMSAH and NPSAH patients. DSA and spinal MR-imaging were performed in 95 and 91 % of patients, respectively. This revealed one lumbar ependymoma in a 43-year-old male who was diagnosed by LP (yield 1 %). No spinal origin for the SAH was found in 51 PMSAH patients. The yield of MR-imaging of the complete spinal axis in spontaneous non-aneurysmal SAH patients is low. Routine radiological investigation of the spinal axis in non-aneurysmal SAH patients is therefore not recommended.     

蛛网膜下腔出血时脑脊液检查的意义

５２５例ＳＡＨ患者６８７次腰穿所得ＣＳＦ理化检查表明：ＳＡＨ后早期ＣＳＦ呈浓血性者死亡率达２０．９％压力高于１．９６ｋＰａ者死亡率达２８．４％；血性ＣＳＦ维持最长者到病后１８天，ＣＳＦ黄变的高峰是在病后２～３周。黄变延续时间最长可到病后５７天；ＣＳＦ中含噬铁颗粒的白细胞可存子病后的第十周。因此。ＳＡＨ急性期治疗以到病后３～４周为宜。ＣＳＦ检查对ＳＡＨ诊断、预后判断有价值。     

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension in the absence of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a neurologic syndrome of unknown etiology, characterized by features of low cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pressure, postural headache and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. METHODS: Four symptomatic cases of SIH presented to our institution over a six-month period. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in all four cases. Diagnostic lumbar puncture was done in all except one case. RESULTS: All of the patients on whom lumbar punctures were performed demonstrated low CSF pressure and CSF protein elevation with negative cultures and cytology. Three out of the four patients exhibited MRI findings of diffuse spinal and intracranial pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement and extradural or subdural fluid collections. One patient had no MRI abnormalities despite prominent postural headache and reduced CSF pressure at lumbar puncture. All patients recovered with intravenous fluids and conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities are found in most, but not all patients, with SIH. Cerebral spinal fluid abnormalities can be detected even in patients with normal MRI studies. It is important to recognize the variability of imaging results in this usually benign disorder.     

Early epidural blood patch in spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Thirty patients with a typical orthostatic headache were treated by early lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) without previously performing lumbar puncture or identifying a CSF leak and with or without typical MRI changes. A complete cure was obtained in 77% of patients after one (57%) or two (20%) EBPs. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension with typical orthostatic headache can be diagnosed without lumbar puncture and can be cured by early EBP in a majority of patients.     

Diagnostic and prognostic value of additional neurologic diagnosis in alcohol withdrawal delirium

A severe course of alcohol withdrawal has been observed in 28% of patients in a neurological intensive care unit due to complicating central nerve system (CNS) diseases. In any atypical alcoholic delirium, especially with focal neurological signs, partial seizures, or decreased level of consciousness, CNS diseases like meningoencephalitis, intracranial hemorrhage, or central pontine myelinolysis must be diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tap. The diagnostic and prognostic value of CT scan and CSF analysis was examined in 32 persons with alcohol withdrawal syndrome or delirium tremens. Neurological complications and cerebral convulsions at the beginning of delirium tremens appear to predispose the patient to a protracted clinical course and necessary mechanical ventilation. Blood-CSF barrier permeability is increased in 70% of alcohol withdrawal patients and that also seems to be a marker of a prolonged clinical course. Cerebral atrophy as shown in CT scan does not play a role in predicting clinical course. In our experience, CT examination or lumbar puncture is not necessarily recommended if clinical signs are typical for alcohol delirium.     

Diagnostischer und prognostischer Wert neurologischer Zusatzdiagnostik beim Alkoholdelir

A severe course of alcohol withdrawal has been observed in 28% of patients in a neurological intensive care unit due to complicating central nerve system (CNS) diseases. In any atypical alcoholic delirium, especially with focal neurological signs, partial seizures, or decreased level of consciousness, CNS diseases like meningoencephalitis, intracranial hemorrhage, or central pontine myelinolysis must be diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tap. The diagnostic and prognostic value of CT scan and CSF analysis was examined in 32 persons with alcohol withdrawal syndrome or delirium tremens. Neurological complications and cerebral convulsions at the beginning of delirium tremens appear to predispose the patient to a protracted clinical course and necessary mechanical ventilation. Blood-CSF barrier permeability is increased in 70% of alcohol withdrawal patients and that also seems to be a marker of a prolonged clinical course. Cerebral atrophy as shown in CT scan does not play a role in predicting clinical course. In our experience, CT examination or lumbar puncture is not necessarily recommended if clinical signs are typical for alcohol delirium.     

Early surgery of ruptured anterior circulation aneurysm based on multislice helical computerised tomography angiography

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) as the primary diagnostic investigation in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from anterior circulation aneurysms, and to correlate the results with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and intraoperative findings. From May 2005 to May 2007 a total of 38 consecutive patients admitted for SAH, suspicious for ruptured anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm, underwent 3D-CTA. Inclusion criteria were a SAH confirmed by a non-contrast head computed tomographic scan or by lumbar puncture. Exclusion criteria were: previous DSA, severe contrast medium allergy and severe renal failure. All patients underwent early surgical clipping of the aneurysm. The mean time between SAH onset and surgery was 43.6 h (range, 14–74 h). The 3D-CTA was performed in all cases; and in 13 out of 38 patients (34%) represented the only preoperative exam. In all patients that underwent surgery with the sole 3D-CTA, the images collected allowed a good visualisation of the morphology of aneurysms and of the anatomical relationship with the vascular structures. 3D-CTA allows accurate diagnosis with an excellent visualisation of ruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation. Our results suggest that, in selected cases, ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms could be successfully treated on the basis of 3D-CTA alone.