颈动脉超声在无症状脑梗死患者中的应用分析

目的分析无症状脑梗死患者的颈动脉超声特点及应用价值。方法选取2015-12—2016-11于我院接受治疗的无症状脑梗死患者40例(观察组),症状性脑梗死40例(症状组),另选取健康体检者32例为对照组,回顾性分析其颈动脉彩超特征。结果斑块检出率、IMT厚度、Crouse斑块积分及斑块形态3组组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);狭窄程度观察组与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),观察组与症状组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);3组颈内动脉血流参数比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),颈总动脉血流参数观察组与症状组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),观察组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论存在颈部动脉硬化及斑块但尚未明确诊断无症状脑梗死者,颈动脉彩超观察斑块的形态和性质尤为重要;诊断明确的无症状脑梗死患者,应常规筛查颈动脉超声评估斑块情况,定期监测颈动脉斑块及血流参数变化,给予早期干预,预防疾病进一步发展。     

颈动脉内膜剥脱术致周围性舌下神经麻痹综合康复治疗:1例报道及文献复习

目的:周围性舌下神经麻痹的临床诊治率较低,相当一部分患者未能得到及时而正确的康复治疗。本文旨在报道颈动脉内膜剥脱术致周围性舌下神经麻痹的综合康复治疗方法及临床疗效。方法:2016年3月1日,天津医科大学总医院康复医学科收入1例颈动脉内膜剥脱术致周围性舌下神经麻痹患者,对该患者进行包括舌肌运动训练、神经肌肉电刺激疗法和远红外线治疗在内的为期15 d的综合康复治疗及口服神经营养药物治疗。回顾性分析诊治过程,并对相关文献进行复习。结果:接受综合康复治疗15 d后,舌肌较治疗前灵活,构音较治疗前清晰,吞咽时对食团的控制能力和搅拌能力均得到改善;伸舌虽然仍略向右偏斜,但舌正中沟与正中线的夹角较治疗前减少17.5°;右侧舌体表面皱褶减少,舌体饱满红润;舌尖向上可触及上嘴唇;向左舔嘴角时费力程度减轻;向右伸舌时颈部肌肉张力明显降低;向口腔内部卷曲舌尖可触及软腭边缘。康复治疗效果令人满意。结论:周围性舌下神经麻痹的康复治疗方法鲜见报道。在口服神经营养药物的基础上,同时应用舌肌运动训练、神经肌肉电刺激疗法和远红外线治疗在内的康复治疗方法,可以有效地改善患者的舌肌运动功能和舌肌萎缩程度,成为改善周围性舌下神经麻痹的安全而有效的康复治疗方法。     

Risk prediction of cerebrovascular events with carotid plaque magnetic resonance analysis: A meta-analysis

Background and purpose

It is not conclusive that magnetic resonance (MR)-based carotid atherosclerotic plaque assessment identifies high-risk features associated with cerebrovascular events. We aimed to systematically summarize the association of MR imaging (MRI)-determined intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and thinning/rupture of the fibrous cap (TRFC) with subsequent ischemic events.

Carotid webs and ischemic stroke: Experiences in a comprehensive stroke center

Background and purpose

Carotid webs are intraluminal filling defects at the carotid bulb which are considered rare, though possibly underappreciated entities with recent studies demonstrating a likely casual association with ischemic stroke. The purpose of the study is to describe our recent experience with clinical and imaging manifestations of carotid webs.

Prévalence et facteurs déterminants de l’épaisseur intima-media carotidienne élevée dans une population de 1203 hypertendus noirs africains

ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence and determinants of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in a population of black hypertensive patients and it influence of on the assessment of their overall cardiovascular risk.Patients and methodsThis was a 16-month, cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient unit of the cardiology department of the Campus teaching hospital of Lome, and included 1203 hypertensive patients, both sexes, aged 35 years and more. Each patient benefited from a carotid IMT measure. Carotid IMT was increased if it was > 0.9 mm and the plaque was defined as a carotid IMT > 1.2 mm.ResultsThe mean age of our patients was 53.3 ± 10.4 years with a sex ratio of 1.6 in favor of women. The duration of hypertension was less than 5 years in 56.7% and hypertension was grade 1 in 47.7% of cases. The mean carotid IMT was 0.89 mm ± 0.20. The prevalence of the increased carotid IMT was 45.8% and that of an atheroma plaque was 15.8%. Carotid IMT was correlated with age (P ˂ 0.0001), duration of arterial hypertension (P = 0.01), history of stroke (P ˂ 0.0001), and presence of left ventricular hypertrophy to cardiac ultrasound (P = 0.01). The overall cardiovascular risk was modified after taking into account the carotid IMT. An increase in cardiovascular risk was observed in 30.5% of hypertensive patients.ConclusionIncreased carotid intima-media thickness is frequent in Togolese hypertension. The determining factors are age, duration of arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and stroke. The systematic measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness would better evaluate the overall cardiovascular risk for our patients.     

Carotid intima-media thickness,lipid profile,serum amyloid A and vitamin D status in children with familial Mediterranean fever

Aim of the workIt was to estimate the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), lipid profile, serum amyloid A and vitamin D in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients and to explore the relationship between CIMT and FMF.Patients and methodsThe study comprised forty-five FMF patients diagnosed during the attack free period and 40 healthy children with similar demographic features as control. The diagnosis of the FMF cases was confirmed by clinical, laboratory assessments and confirmed by the molecular diagnosis. The CIMT, lipid profile, complete blood picture, serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, vitamin D and the growth pattern were investigated.ResultsThe study showed no significant difference of CIMT among patients and controls, significant decrease of vitamin D levels, while lipid profile parameters, triglyceride (TG) to HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, serum amyloid A were significantly increased. A significant correlation was present between the CIMT with the serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides as well as between SAA and the number of attacks. In addition, vitamin D levels showed significant negative correlation with colchicine. M694I mutation was the most prevalent among FMF patients. Growth parameters were normal in FMF cases.ConclusionThis study sheds light that the normal CIMT in the FMF patients makes it difficult to describe the children as having subclinical atherosclerosis although the higher TG/HDL ratio reflects their risk of atherosclerosis. Moreover, significant decrease of vitamin D in FMF patients was observed. The growth parameters of the FMF patients on regular treatment of colchicine were not affected.     

Lung age is related to carotid structural alterations in hypertensive subjects

Hypertensive patients exhibit higher cardiovascular risk and reduced lung function compared with the general population. Whether this association stems from the coexistence of two highly prevalent diseases or from direct or indirect links of pathophysiological mechanisms is presently unclear. This study investigated the association between lung function and carotid features in non-smoking hypertensive subjects with supposed normal lung function. Hypertensive patients (n = 67) were cross-sectionally evaluated by clinical, hemodynamic, laboratory, and carotid ultrasound analysis. Forced vital capacity, forced expired volume in 1 second and in 6 seconds, and lung age were estimated by spirometry. Subjects with ventilatory abnormalities according to current guidelines were excluded. Regression analysis adjusted for age and prior smoking history showed that lung age and the percentage of predicted spirometric parameters associated with common carotid intima-media thickness, diameter, and stiffness. Further analyses, adjusted for additional potential confounders, revealed that lung age was the spirometric parameter exhibiting the most significant regression coefficients with carotid features. Conversely, plasma C-reactive protein and matrix-metalloproteinases-2/9 levels did not influence this relationship. The present findings point toward lung age as a potential marker of vascular remodeling and indicate that lung and vascular remodeling might share common pathophysiological mechanisms in hypertensive subjects.     

Helical Radiotherapy in Early Laryngeal Cancers Could Lead to Excess Local Recurrence: Lessons From a Phase II Prospective Study

AimsA prospective study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of carotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (CSIMRT) in early glottic cancers (EGC).Materials and methodsEighteen patients underwent CSIMRT using helical tomotherapy to a dose of 55 Gy/20 fractions/4 weeks. Carotid intimal thickness (CIT) at prespecified carotid levels was measured using B-mode ultrasound at 6, 18 and 36 months. Serial changes in CIT were also measured in a control prospective cohort of 18 patients with head and neck cancers receiving bilateral neck nodal radiation over the same time period (54–60 Gy/30 fraction/6 weeks). The outcomes of 18 patients undergoing CSIMRT were compared against a retrospective consecutive cohort of 41 patients with EGC to confirm comparable local control.ResultsNo significant CIT differences were identified between patients undergoing CSIMRT versus the control group. However, four patients in the CSIMRT group had a local recurrence between 8 and 39 months. In all patients the epicentre of the recurrence was noted at the anterior part of the larynx. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival was 75.1% (95% confidence interval 56.6–99.7%). By contrast, in the group of EGC patients treated without carotid sparing, local recurrence was noted only in a single patient (patient treated with helical tomotherapy) and the 5-year local recurrence-free survival was 97.1% (95% confidence interval 91.8–100%) (Log-rank P = 0.01).ConclusionWe failed to show the safety of CSIMRT using helical tomotherapy in this population of EGC patients. Use of CSIMRT also did not translate into a substantial reduction in CIT until 36 months. Use of CSIMRT using rotational arc techniques such as helical tomotherapy may be associated with a greater risk of local recurrence due to intrafractional motion interplay effects.