Dynamic digitized cerebral parenchymography

Summary Aortic arch injections centred on the head have been performed routinely in patients with cerebral ischaemia. Digital angiograms with modified windowing (low and narrow) have been used. This cerebral arch injection allows much improved analysis of the cerebral parenchymal vascularization, giving better understanding of hemispheric ischaemia and making the decision about revascularization more rational.     

Magnetic resonance angiography compared to intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage

Summary In order to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage, 14 patients with recent haemorrhage verified by CT or lumbar puncture were investigated with both selective intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) and MRA by two independent teams, each having the same preangiographic information. The results were compared with each other and whenever possible (all positive cases except one) with those of surgical intervention. Seven patients were identified by MRA and IA-DSA as having a single aneurysm on the circle of Willis, 1 an aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery 1 an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery (siphon) and 2 patients with two aneurysms on the circle of Willis. MRA and IA-DSA both failed to demonstrate aneurysms in 2 cases. Three patients had negative results on both methods and no surgical intervention was attempted. The aneurysms ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 cm in size. In most cases there was agreement between MRA and DSA, leading us to believe that, if the proper protocols are followed, MRA is a powerful alternative to other established methods in the detection of intracranial aneurysms. At this stage it will not replace IA-DSA prior to surgery, but the ability to obtain various projections using 3D MRA may improve surgical planning.     

Hyperdense middle cerebral artery CT sign

Summary The early CT finding of an hyperdensity of a portion of the middle cerebral artery Hyperdense Middle Cerebral Artery Sign (HMCAS), in patients with supratentorial stroke, is often indicative of an embolic occlusion. Aim of this study was to verify the incidence and reliability of the HMCAS and its possible correlation with early CT findings and with the extent of late brain damage. We studied 36 patients presenting with symptoms of stroke in the MCA territory, by means of CT and angiography performed respectively within 4 and 6 hours. Follow-up CT scans were then obtained after one week and three months from the ischemic event. The HMCAS was present in 50% of our patients and in this group it always correlated positively with the angiographic finding of occlusion. The same group presented a high incidence of erly CT hypodensity (88%). Finally the presence of HMCAS might be considered a negative prognostic sign for the development of extensive brain damage.     

Effect of continuous cisternal drainage on cerebral vasospasm

Summary The effect of continuous cisternal drainage on cerebral vasospasm was studied under strict criteria in 140 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The degree of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) on the computed tomography scan was graded from I to IV. The patients were classified according to the total amount of cisternal drainage into three groups, regardless of the duration of the drainage and whether or not it was accompanied by irrigation; i.e., those with less than 500 mL (group 157 cases), those with 500–3000 mL (group 2 44 cases), and those with 3000–9500 mL (group 3 39 cases).While correlations could be found between both clinical and SAH grades with the severity of vasospasm, closer correlation could be found in the SAH grades. In analyzing the cases with subarachnoid haemorrhage grades III–IV (severe clots), the angiographic vasospasm was less severe in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1, and the incidences of permanent symptomatic vasospasm and low-density area on computed tomography were lower in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. Regarding the surgical outcome in cases with SAH grades III–IV, the mortality rate was lower in groups 2 and 3 (22% and 19%) than in group 1 (33%). Further, the rate of good recovery was higher in groups 2 and 3 (61% and 57%) than in group 1 (28%). However, there were no differences between groups 2 and 3 in cerebral vasospasm or in surgical outcome. As a shortcoming of continuous cisternal drainage, the need for shunt operation was higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1.     

Differentiation of normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral atrophy by computed tomography and spinal infusion test

Summary The diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and spinal infusion test (SIT) was investigated in 27 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and 35 patients with cerebral atrophy. The most consistent CT finding of NPH was dilatation of the temporal horns, that of cerebral atrophy widening of the convexity sulci. However, 43% of patients with cerebral atrophy demonstrated no cortical atrophy. The SIT showed an excellent relation with isotope cisternography and continuous intracranial pressure recording. NPH and cerebral atrophy were correctly differentiated in 71% by CT and SIT. A normal SIT and a CT scan without the typical features of NPH exclude impairment of cerebrospinal fluid absorption. An abnormal SIT and a CT scan showing ventricular enlargement without dilatation of convexity sulci, require isotope cisternography and possibly intracranial pressure recording to determine the degree of the absorption deficit.

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Zusammenfassung Der diagnostische Wert von Computertomographie (CT) und Spinalen Infusions-Test (SIT) wurde bei 27 Patienten mit Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) und 35 Patienten mit zerebraler Atrophie untersucht. Der häufigste CT-Befund des NPH war Erweiterung der Temporalhörner und bei zerebraler Atrophie eine Erweiterung der Konvexitätssulci. Aber 43% der Patienten mit zerebraler Atrophie zeigte keine Rindenatrophie. Der SIT zeigte eine sehr gute Korrelation mit Isotopenzisternographie und kontinuierlicher intrakraniellen Druckmessung. NPH und zerebrale Atrophie wurden korrekt differenziert in 71% mittels CT und SIT. Ein normaler SIT und ein CT-Scan ohne die typischen Merkmale von NPH schließen Liquorrückresorptionsstörungen aus. Ein abnormer SIT und ein CT-Scan, der einen Hydrozephalus ohne Erweiterung der Konvexitätssulci zeigt, erfordern eine Isotopenzisternographie und eventuell intrakranielle Druckmessung zur Ermittlung des Grades der Liquorrückresorptionsstörung.

     

Experimental cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Summary Behaviour of biogenic amines was studied in the brains of Mongolian gerbils subjected to unilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery. Assays on the hemispheres ipsilateral to occlusion revealed in symptom-positive animals a progressive decrease in norepinephrine and dopamine, and an increase in serotonin throughout the duration of an ischemic insult. In post-ischemic periods following the release of the clip, changes in biogenic amine levels generally conformed to the principles of a previously described maturation phenomenon, with delayed reactions occurring after the shorter ischemic insults.     

Microembolic signals and clinical outcome in patients with acute stroke – a prospective study

The occurrence of microembolic signals (MES) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke has already been described; the influence of the time interval between onset of symptoms and transcranial Doppler monitoring (TCD) on the MES rate or MES prevalence and the possible prognostic value of the early detected MES rate on the outcome of TIA or stroke symptoms in a 3 month interval are discussed. In a prospective study we evaluated 61 patients consecutively admitted to our stroke unit after their first ischemic neurological deficit involving the vascular territory of MCA and/or ACA. All of the patients underwent a 30-minute bilateral transcranial Doppler monitoring of their MCAs for the identification of MES. Monitoring was performed within 12.3 + -9.3 (average mean + -SD) hours of stroke onset for the first time, the second time 48 hours after first TCD monitoring. Prognosis for the recovery of neurological deficits was evaluated by using the Barthel index (BI) and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) at the time of admission of the patient to the stroke unit, and with Barthel indices after one month and after 3 months. As a result, 56% of all patients showed MES in at least one of the two registrations. MES were recorded not only on the symptomatic side. The MES prevalence between both TCD monitorings was significantly different (total MES prevalence: 1st TCD: 26 patients: 2nd TCD: 13 patients; p < 0.04; ipsilateral MES prevalence: 1st TCD: 19 patients; 2nd TCD: 9 patients; p < 0.01). The regression analysis showed a significant influence of the total MES rate on both neurological scores at admission (SSS: 0.03; Barthel index: 0.04), but not for the Barthel scores after one and three months. In conclusion, we found an influence of the time interval between onset of neurological symptoms of TIA or stroke on the MES rate and the prevalence of MES. The prevalence of MES or the MES rate, found after a short time interval to the onset of symptoms, did not have a prognostic value on the outcome of neurological deficits up to a three month follow-up.     

Spontaneous improvement in reduced vasodilatory capacity in major cerebral arterial occlusive disease

Reduced vasodilatory capacity resulting from occlusive lesions of the major cerebral arteries may return to normal without surgical revascularisation. We aimed to determine prospectively the frequency and predictors of recovery of impaired haemodynamics as demonstrated by acetazolamide (ACZ) reactivity on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Vasoreactivity was measured by ¹²³I-IMP SPECT with an ACZ challenge, in 37 medically treated patients with unilateral occlusive disease of the internal carotid or middle cerebral artery at an interval of 1–2 years. Each ACZ challenge test was analysed semiquantitatively by calculating the degree of increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) asymmetry after ACZ administration (ΔAI). Vasodilatory capacity was abnormal initially in 20 patients (65 %); eight of whom (40 %) exhibited spontaneous normalisation on follow-up. Although the baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between patients with or without increase in reactivity, logistic regression analysis revealed that the initial ΔAI (P < 0.05) and the type of vascular lesion (stenosis or occlusion) (P < 0.05) correlated significantly with a return towards normal of reduced ACZ reactivity. Spontaneous improvement of impaired vasodilatory capacity may not be a rare phenomenon. We found that mild reduction in the initial ACZ reactivity and a stenosis, but not complete occlusion, were independent factors contributing to normalisation of impaired cerebral haemodynamics. Received: 12 October 1998/Accepted: 27 April 1999     

Diagnosing CADASIL using MRI: evidence from families with known mutations of Notch 3 gene

Clinical data and MRI findings are presented on 18 subjects from two families with neuropathologically confirmed CADASIL. DNA analysis revealed mutations in exon 4 of Notch 3 gene in both families. All family members with mutations in Notch 3 gene had extensive abnormalities on MRI, principally lesions in the white matter of the frontal lobes and in the external capsules. Of several family members in whom a diagnosis of CADASIL was suspected on the basis of minor symptoms, one had MRI changes consistent with CADASIL; none of these cases carried a mutation in the Notch 3 gene. MRI and clinical features that may alert the radiologist to the diagnosis of CADASIL are reviewed. However, a wide differential diagnosis exists for the MRI appearances of CADASIL, including multiple sclerosis and small-vessel disease secondary to hypertension. The definitive diagnosis cannot be made on MRI alone and requires additional evidence, where available, from a positive family history and by screening DNA for mutations of Notch 3 gene. Received: 17 February 1999 Accepted: 23 July 1999     

头针结合现代康复治疗小儿脑瘫临床研究

目的观察头针与现代康复疗法在治疗小儿脑瘫中的协同作用.方法90例脑瘫患儿随机分为3组,Ⅰ组采用头针疗法、Ⅱ组采用现代康复疗法和Ⅲ组采用头针结合现代康复疗法,治疗前后进行日常生活能力(ADL)、运动功能评定.结果经60天治疗后,3个组ADL评分明显高于治疗前(P<0.01),Ⅲ组的ADL评分、运动功能评分明显优于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P<0.01),Ⅰ、Ⅱ组相比则差异无显著性意义.结论头针与现代康复疗法在治疗小儿脑瘫中有协同作用.