Infarto cerebral embólico de origen no determinado: más allá de la fibrilación auricular

IntroductionEmbolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) accounts for 25% of all cerebral infarcts; only 30% are associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Various biochemical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic findings may suggest left atrial damage and increased risk of embolism in the absence of clinically documented AF or atrial flutter. In this review, we analyse the available evidence on atrial cardiopathy or atrial disease, its involvement in ESUS, and its identification through electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and serum markers and its possible therapeutic implications.DevelopmentA systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed) using the following MeSH terms: MeSH [ESUS] + [atrial cardiopathy] + [atrial fibrillation] + [interatrial block] + [treatment]. We selected what we considered to be the most useful original prospective or retrospective studies and systematic reviews. We then read the full texts of the articles and checked the references cited in each article.We analyse epidemiological and demographic variables of patients with ESUS, as well as recent evidence related to presentation and prognosis and factors associated with recurrence and mortality. We review the contribution of atrial cardiopathy diagnosis prior to the detection of AF and the clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic variables and the biochemical markers associated with its development and its potential contribution to cerebral embolism.ConclusionsThe systematic search of biochemical and electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic alterations can be useful to identify ESUS patients at higher risk of recurrence.     

Craniectomía descompresiva en el infarto maligno de arteria cerebral media: percepción familiar,resultados y factores pronósticos

ObjectiveThe prognosis of one hemisphere malignant infarction creates doubt among neurosurgeons about decompressive hemicraniectomy indication. What results are achieved in the short to medium term? Are families satisfied with the surgery once the patient is at home? In the present study, we analyze our experience in this matter during the last thirteen years.Material and methodsIn our review, twenty-one patients were included from 2004 to 2017, according to the protocol for the management of ischaemic stroke that is implemented in our institution. The relatives were interviewed by telephone. The functional outcome at discharge, 3 months, 1 year, and at present was measured using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).ResultsPatient age was shown to be directly related to the mRS (r = 0.56; p = 0.035) and 37.5% achieved a good outcome (mRS ≤ 3); 78.9% of the interviewed relatives would repeat the surgical decision.ConclusionsWe present a 21 patients group where the best outcome was achieved in patients ≤ 60 years old. The severe neurological sequelae in patients with malignant infarction subjected to decompressive hemicraniectomy are tolerated and accepted by most families to the benefit of survival. We must not let this family satisfaction hide the prognosis, having to contextualize it within the real ambulatory situation of the patients.     

Desarrollo de un linfoma cerebral con relación a un quiste epidermoide de larga evolución

IntroductionEpidermoid cysts (EC) are benign and slow growing lesions. A primary brain lymphoma development related to a EC is presented, second case described in literature.Case presentationA woman 40 years old, harbouring a EC for more than 20 years, develops a fast growing brain lesion next to the EC. Surgery was performed and diagnosis was primary diffuse B cells lymphoma.DiscussionMalignant transformation of EC has been described, usually to squamous cells carcinoma, and much less frequently, to another tumours. Inflammatory mechanisms have been advocated to explain this evolution. Chronic inflammation and lymphoma genesis are related, and this could be the mechanism behind this rare evolution of an EC.ConclusionsEven being benign lesions, EC can develop malignant tumours due to the chronic inflammation secondary to them.     

Más allá de la hiperglucemia: la variabilidad glucémica como factor pronóstico en el infarto cerebral agudo

IntroductionGlycaemic variability (GV) refers to variations in blood glucose levels, and may affect stroke outcomes. This study aims to assess the effect of GV on acute ischaemic stroke progression.MethodsWe performed an exploratory analysis of the multicentre, prospective, observational GLIAS-II study. Capillary glucose levels were measured every 4 hours during the first 48 hours after stroke, and GV was defined as the standard deviation of the mean glucose values. The primary outcomes were mortality and death or dependency at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital complications, stroke recurrence, and the impact of the route of insulin administration on GV.ResultsA total of 213 patients were included. Higher GV values were observed in patients who died (n = 16; 7.8%; 30.9 mg/dL vs 23.3 mg/dL; p = 0.05). In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and comorbidity, both GV (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.003-1.06; p = 0.03) and stroke severity (OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.2; p = 0.004) were independently associated with mortality at 3 months. No association was found between GV and the other outcomes. Patients receiving subcutaneous insulin showed higher GV than those treated with intravenous insulin (38.95 mg/dL vs 21.34 mg/dL; p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigh GV values during the first 48 hours after ischaemic stroke were independently associated with mortality. Subcutaneous insulin may be associated with higher VG levels than intravenous administration.     

Dabigatrán: una nueva alternativa terapéutica en la prevención del infarto cerebral

Therapy with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is especially feared because of its variable therapeutic effect. Direct thrombin inhibitors have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) eligible for inclusion in the RE-LY trial. Dabigatran provides equal or superior efficacy to VKA (110 mg BID) and is much safer than VKA, with a similar safety margin (150 mg BID). Dabigatran does not lead to liver dysfunction and does not require monitoring. The choice of dose should be based on specific patient characteristics (coronary disease, decreased renal function, age, low body weight, administration of other drugs for AF or P-glycoprotein inhibitors, history of gastrointestinal bleeding). Dabigatran is a viable alternative to VKA that provides many advantages over these drugs and is certainly preferred by most patients due to the problems of VKA follow-up.     

Influencia de la estimulación cerebral profunda en la carga de cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson

Introduction

Our aim is to assess the burden on caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) compared to those caring for patients at advanced stages and undergoing other treatments. We have also assessed the variables associated with presence of caregiver overload.

Variante amelanótica en melanoma cerebral primario: a propósito de un caso

Primary brain melanoma is a very rare tumour (only 0.07% of primary CNS neoplasms) which usually shows with abundant melanin content; whereas hypo/melanotic variants have been scarcely described.We introduce the case of a female patient with headache, left brachial paresis and frontal lobar syndrome. The MRI image showed a right frontal mass with homogeneous contrast uptake. As treatment, a complete surgical resection was performed. Pathology was diagnostic for melanoma, with very low melanin content and a high proliferative index. A thorough extension study was performed to rule out an extracranial primary origin. Due to several intercurrent complications, the patient evolved unfavorably, not being able to receive further treatment.The amelanotic variant of primary intracranial malignant melanomas has not been described in detail previously. We will review the literature, focusing on the particularities of management and diagnosis of this clinical entity.     

PREMIO SIXTO OBRADOR SENEC 2019: El uso de la secuencia Tensor de difusión como herramienta pronóstica en los pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave y moderado. Parte II: Análisis longitudinal de las características del Tensor de difusión y su relación con la evolución de los pacientes

Background and objectivesTraumatic axonal injury is the main cause of the cognitive and neuropsychological situation of patients after head trauma (TBI). Additionally, there are some evidences about the dynamic evolution of traumatic axonal injury. Although the diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) sequence is considered a useful technique for modifying the extent of the traumatic axonal injury, few studies have evaluated the longitudinal changes in the characteristics of the DTI and its relation to evolution of patients.Materials and methodsWe performed a prospective observational study in 118 patients with moderate to severe TBI. The study included clinical outcome assessment based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and serial DTI studies in the early subacute setting (< 60 days) and 6 and 12 months after injury. Fractional anisotropy, axial and radial diffusivities were measured in the 3 portions of corpus callosum (genu, body, splenium) at each time point and compared to normalized values from an age-matched control group. Longitudinal fractional anisotropy analysis and its correlation with patient improvement was also done by non-parametric testing and ordinal regression analysis.ResultsAlthough dynamic changes in DTI characteristics have been detected in the 3 portions of corpus callosum, patients continue to show lower fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivities values and higher radial diffusivities values compared to controls at the end of the period of study. We have also found differences in the pattern of DTI metrics change between subgroups of patients according with their favorable outcomeConclusionsThe temporal profile of the change in DTI characteristics seems to provide important information about the clinical recovery of patients after TBI.