Postpartum Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, also known as postpartum cerebral angiopathy, is clinically characterized by headache and focal neurologic deficits, and angiographically by transient, fully reversible cerebral vasoconstriction. A 26-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room with a 3-day history of confusion, agitation, and headache. She was 2 weeks postpartum. She went on to develop right leg weakness two days after admission. A cerebral angiogram showed diffuse irregularities of all intracerebral vessels, and MRI showed multiple acute infarcts. Her clinical condition improved significantly over the next several days without any intervention, and she was discharged. MRA 3 months after initial presentation was normal. It is important to consider this syndrome in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with headache and focal neurologic deficits in the postpartum period.

Effects of the selective endothelin A (ET(A)) receptor antagonist Clazosentan on cerebral perfusion and cerebral oxygenation following severe subarachnoid hemorrhage - preliminary results from a randomized clinical series

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of clazosentan, a new selective endothelin receptor subtype A antagonist, on cerebral perfusion and cerebral oxygenation following severe aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODS

All 12 patients treated at our institution in the context of a phase IIa, multicenter, randomized trial on clazosentan's safety and efficacy in reducing the incidence of angiographic cerebral vasospasm were included in this substudy. The phase IIa study (n = 34) consisted of two parts: a double-blind, randomized Part A (clazosentan 0.2 mg/kg/h versus placebo) and an open-label Part B (clazosentan 0.4 mg/kg/h for 12 h followed by 0.2 mg/kg/h) for patients with established vasospasm. In parallel to the phase IIa study protocol, which included assessment of vasospasm by angiography and transcranial Doppler sonography, we determined regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), cerebrovascular resistance, and regional tissue oxygenation.

RESULTS

Cerebral perfusion was comparable between treatment groups during the early post-bleeding period (rCBF placebo, 22.6 +/- 3.5 ml/100 g/min versus rCBF clazosentan, 23.9 +/- 1.1 ml/100 g/min). By the time of control angiography (day 8 after aSAH), rCBF decreased by 50% in the placebo group (11.3 +/- 6.7 ml/ 100 g/min) while it remained stable in the clazosentan group (23.5 +/- 12.9 ml/100 g/min). During Part B of the study, all 3 patients who developed haemodynamically relevant vasospasm during placebo treatment, showed a sustained improvement in rCBF upon conversion to clazosentan.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data suggest that clazosentan reduces the extent of vasospasm-associated impairment of cerebral perfusion following aSAH. Furthermore, clazosentan may exert beneficial actions on overt vasospasm-associated hypoperfusion.

Lactate Contents From Cerebrospinal Fluid in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Well Correlate With Vasospasm

The role of lactate composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with vasospasm severity and rabbit neurologic status in subarachnoid hemorrhage was determined. The neurologic status of 20 New Zealand rabbits were graded initially and then, anesthetized and basal angiograms were performed. Then 1.0 mL of CSF was withdrawn through cisterna magna and then 1 mL autologous arterial blood was injected in all rabbits over 1 minute. After 5 days, neurologic severity score (NSS) and vertebrobasilar angiograms of all rabbits were repeated. Rabbits without radiologic vasospasm or spasm under 50% (n=7) were termed as group 1. Rabbits whose cerebral vasospasm were 50% or over 50% (n=7) and NSS is lesser than 3 were termed as groups 2, and rabbits whose cerebral vasospasm were 50% or above 50% (n=7) and NSS is greater than 3 were termed groups 3. On day 7, the CSF lactate values of each group were significantly different (P<0.05) with each other. But when compared with only CSF baseline lactate values groups 2 and 3 were significantly different (P<0.05). However, the NSSs were similar in groups 1 and 2, but group 3 significantly differed from groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). All groups significantly differed from baseline NSSs (P<0.05). The data showed clearly that the degree of vasospasm correlates not only with neurologic status but also with CSF lactate levels. We suggest that CSF lactate level may be useful as a surrogate marker of cerebral vasospasm degree after subarachnoid hemorrhage in clinics where invasive cerebral angiography could not be assessed for whatever reasons.

Reversible cortical auditory dysfunction caused by cerebral vasospasm after ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and evaluated by perfusion magnetic resonance imaging

✓ A 52-year-old woman developed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by a ruptured right internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Because of the aneurysm configuration, the authors decided to delay surgery and instead undertook serial imaging studies of the aneurysm. The patient remained alert but developed acute bilateral deafness on Day 7. Audiological examination and auditory brainstem responses suggested that the hearing disturbance was cortical in origin. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) angiography showed severe vasospasm in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and moderate vasospasm in the left ICA and MCA. Three-tesla magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed 2 days after the onset of symptoms. Diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted MR images showed an acute infarction in the right insular cortex caused by vasospasm. Perfusion-weighted MR imaging, particularly mean transit time mapping, revealed hypoperfusion in both temporal lobes including the auditory cortex and right auditory radiation. The vasospasm was treated with induction of mild hypertension and hypervolemia. Follow-up MR images, 3D CT angiograms, and audiometry performed 2 weeks after the first examination showed recovery of vasospasm and resolution of perfusion abnormality and hearing disturbance. On Day 26, the aneurysm was successfully occluded with clips and the patient was discharged with no deficits. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of reversible cortical auditory dysfunction purely due to bilateral cerebral vasospasm detected using perfusion MR imaging after SAH.

Cerebral vasospasm after resection of an esthesioneuroblastoma: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

In the last 40 years, there were several reports of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm occurring after resection of brain neoplasms. In most cases, delay in recognition of this complication leads to significant neurologic deterioration postoperatively, regardless of the outcome of surgery. We illustrate in this report a case of cerebral vasospasm after resection of an esthesioneuroblastoma in an adult patient. This is the first report of vasospasm after resection of this neoplasm.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 41-year-old woman presented with complaints of headache, dizziness, visual blurring, and diplopia of several-day duration. Funduscopic examination revealed papilledema. Radiological studies revealed a large frontal lobe mass extending through the cribriform plate into the ethmoid sinus with accompanying brain edema. The patient underwent a craniotomy for resection of the neoplasm. Pathological findings were consistent with a high-grade esthesioneuroblastoma. Eleven days postoperatively, the patient's neurologic status declined. Diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain showed an infarct involving mainly the left PCA as well as branches of the left anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Angiography revealed narrowing of the corresponding cerebral vessels consistent with vasospasm. Hypervolemic, hypertensive therapy with nimodipine and corticosteroids were instituted. The patient initially improved but was left with a right homonymous hemianopsia upon discharge 23 days postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed neurologic deficit from vasospasm after tumor resection is a complication that is being reported in increasing numbers. These cases involved tumors in or adjacent to the basal cisterns, or surgical approaches that increase the propensity of blood to accumulate intraoperatively or postoperatively in a specific pattern in the basal subarachnoid space. A high index of suspicion for vasospasm should be maintained in patients who develop delayed neurologic deficit, especially when there is evidence of profuse intraoperative bleeding or postoperative blood in the basal cisterns. Early recognition of this phenomenon and early institution of proper therapy can reverse some or all of the neurologic deficit and improve the overall outcome for these patients.

[Computerized analysis of brain perfusion parameter images]

PURPOSE

The development of a computerized method which allows a direct quantitative comparison of perfusion parameters. The display should allow a clear direct comparison of brain perfusion parameters in different vascular territories and over the course of time. The analysis is intended to be the basis for further evaluation of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The method should permit early diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Angiotux 2D-ECCET software was developed with a close cooperation between computer scientists and clinicians. Starting from parameter images of brain perfusion, the cortex was marked, segmented and assigned to definite vascular territories. The underlying values were averages for each segment and were displayed in a graph. If a follow-up was available, the mean values of the perfusion parameters were displayed in relation to time. The method was developed under consideration of CT perfusion values but is applicable for other methods of perfusion imaging.

RESULTS

Computerized analysis of brain perfusion parameter images allows an immediate comparison of these parameters and follow-up of mean values in a clear and concise manner. Values are related to definite vascular territories. The tabular output facilitates further statistic evaluations. The computerized analysis is precisely reproducible, i. e., repetitions result in exactly the same output.

CONCLUSION

Computerized analysis of brain perfusion parameters with Angiotux 2D-ECCET is objective and ensures reproducible results. It may become the basis and a requirement for the analysis of minimal changes in brain perfusion prior to irreversible damage from posthemorrhagic vasospasm.

Analysis of Intrathecal Interleukin-6 As a Potential Predictive Factor for Vasospasm in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory response seems to be one of the relevant pathophysiological aspects for developing vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage. The probable diagnostic value of intrathecal proinflammatory markers is still unclear and is assessed in this study.

METHODS

We analyzed daily clinical data and laboratory tests of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 64 patients with mostly poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage during a period of 14 days. Special attention was given to the relationship between the development of vasospasm and the time course of the intrathecal interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations in CSF (IL-6CSF). The potential power of IL-6CSF for predicting vasospasm was studied.

RESULTS

Vasospasm developed in 28.1% of the patients, with a mean onset of 6.4 days after bleeding, and was detected by conventional methods. Patients with vasospasm demonstrated statistically significant higher median values of IL-6CSF on Days 4 and 5 (P < 0.05). Most importantly, the increase of IL-6CSF preceded the conventional signs of vasospasm. A cut-off value of IL-6CSF of at least 2000 pg/ml on Day 4 yielded an 11.72-fold higher relative risk (95% confidence interval, 2.93-46.60) of developing vasospasm, predicting vasospasm with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 78.3%. We found a statistically significant correlation between IL-6CSF and delayed cerebral ischemia for Day 7 (P = 0.03). However, there was no correlation with IL-6CSF on any other day and outcome.

CONCLUSION

IL-6CSF seems to be a reliable early marker for predicting vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage on Days 4 and 5 before clinical onset.

Impairment of cerebral perfusion and infarct patterns attributable to vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective MRI and DSA study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate disturbance of perfusion and infarct patterns attributable to cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

One hundred seventeen patients with aneurysmal SAH specifically selected at high risk for CVS were enrolled in this prospective study. One hundred twelve patients underwent surgical (n=63) or endovascular (n=59) therapy. For assessment of CVS, relative diameter changes of proximal and distal vessel segments on follow-up angiography at day 7+/-3 after SAH were analyzed in relation to baseline measurements, and cerebral circulation times were measured. Postprocedure MRI was undertaken selectively at four time points: within 3 days, between days 4 and 6, day 7 to 14, and day 15 to 28 from onset of SAH, including perfusion- and diffusion-weighted images. Procedure-related lesions were excluded and CVS-associated infarct patterns analyzed.

RESULTS

Occurrence of angiographic CVS was as high as 87.5% between days 7 and 14 and 52.5% showed new infarcts. Eighty-one percent of the infarcts were related to severe CVS (vascular narrowing >66%) and significant (P<0.001) cerebral circulation times prolongation of 8.47+/-2.25 seconds (time-to-peak delay on perfusion-weighted image: 6.52+/-4.75 seconds), 16% were associated with moderate CVS (34% to 66% vascular narrowing; cerebral circulation times prolongation: 4.72+/-0.66 seconds). Besides territorial (47%), lacunar (20%), and watershed infarcts (26%), in 7%, band-like cortical lesions developed without evidence for severe CVS.

CONCLUSIONS

CVS after SAH may involve the complete arterial system from the circle of Willis up to the distal vessel segments. Depending on the variable types of collateral flow, location of affected vessels segments as well as the degree of CVS may induce different infarct patterns.

MRA captures vasospasm in fatal migrainous infarction

A 57-year-old woman presented with an escalation of her headaches which ultimately progressed to multiple strokes and death. MRI/MRA demonstrated diffuse vasospasm and other causes of stroke were excluded on premortem investigation and postmortem examination. Reversible MRI abnormalities, vasospasm on angiogram and fatal migrainous infarction have been previously reported; however, no previous case with this combination of clinical, imaging, and postmortem findings has been documented.

Cerebral vasospasm in shunt infection

OBJECTIVE

In bacterial shunt infection, CNS inflammation is a frequently observed complication that may cause vascular complications including vasospasms. Here, we describe the first patient with shunt infection-induced cerebral vasospasms.

METHODS

A 35 year old woman with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt that was implanted years before developed facial nerve palsy and somnolence one week before admission to the hospital.

RESULTS

After admission, the shunt was removed, and an external ventricular drainage was inserted. Microbiological analyses revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus on abdominal and cranial catheters. Follow-up NMR showed infarctions. Transcranial doppler sonography and cerebral arteriography revealed severe generalized cerebral vasospasms. Inspite of triple-H therapy and intraarterial spasmolysis, bilateral anterior and media artery infarction evolved. The patient was dismissed in a vegetative state.

CONCLUSIONS

This case shows that severe cerebral vasospasms are a serious complication in patients with bacterial shunt infection that should be considered in patients, that don't improve following adequate antibiotic treatment.

Severe reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome mimicking aneurysmal rupture and vasospasm

INTRODUCTION

Presenting symptoms of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) may overlap. Patients with RCVS often harbor unruptured aneurysms. We report a case of RCVS in a patient with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm. The development of diffuse vasoconstriction after aneursym clipping in the absence of any subarachnoid blood was initially confusing, until subtle vasoconstriction before clipping was seen retrospectively.

RESULTS

We obtained perfusion and diffusion MRI studies on this patient, which shed light on the pathophysiology of RCVS.

CONCLUSION

It is important for physicians who care for patients with aneurysmal SAH to recognize RCVS, as the treatments for these two conditions are different.

Brain Vasospasm After Head Injury

Object.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the cumulative incidence, duration, and time course of cerebral vasospasm after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a cohort of 299 patients.

Methods.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography studies of blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral and basilar arteries (VMCA and VBA, respectively) were performed at regular intervals during the first 2 weeks posttrauma in association with 133Xe cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements. According to current definitions of vasospasm, five different criteria were used to classify the patients: A (VMCA > 120 cm/second); B (VMCA > 120 cm/second and a Lindegaard ratio [LR] > 3); C (spasm index [SI] in the anterior circulation > 3.4); D (VBA > 90 cm/second); and E (SI in the posterior circulation > 2.5). Criteria C and E were considered to represent hemodynamically significant vasospasm. Mixed-effects spline models were used to analyze the data of multiple measurements with an inconsistent sampling rate.

Overall 45.2% of the patients demonstrated at least one criterion for vasospasm. The patients in whom vasospasm developed were significantly younger and had lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores on admission. The normalized cumulative incidences were 36.9 and 36.2% for patients with Criteria A and B, respectively. Hemodynamically significant vasospasm in the anterior circulation (Criterion C) was found in 44.6% of the patients, whereas vasospasm in the BA—Criterion D or E—was found in only 19 and 22.5% of the patients, respectively. The most common day of onset for Criteria A, B, D, and E was postinjury Day 2. The highest risk of developing hemodynamically significant vasospasm in the anterior circulation was found on Day 3. The daily prevalence of vasospasm in patients in the intensive care unit was 30% from postinjury Day 2 to Day 13. Vasospasm resolved after a duration of 5 days in 50% of the patients with Criterion A or B and after a period of 3.5 days in 50% of those patients with Criterion D or E. Hemodynamically significant vasospasm in the anterior circulation resolved after 2.5 days in 50% of the patients. The time course of that vasospasm was primarily determined by a decrease in CBF.

Conclusions.

The incidence of vasospasm after TBI is similar to that following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Because vasospasm is a significant event in a high proportion of patients after severe head injury, close TCD and CBF monitoring is recommended for the treatment of such patients.

Effects of balloon angioplasty on perfusion- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging results and outcome in patients with cerebral vasospasm

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects and outcome of transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA) on brain tissue perfusion by using combined perfusion- and diffusion-weighted (PW/DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS

Ten consecutive patients with cerebral vasospasm treated using TBA were included in this prospective study. Hemodynamically relevant vasospasm was diagnosed using a standardized PW/DW MR imaging protocol. Digital subtraction angiography was used to confirm vasospasm, and TBA was performed to dilate vasospastic arteries. The PW/DW imaging protocol was repeated after TBA. The evaluation of the passage of contrast medium after standardized application using the bolus tracking method allowed for the calculation of the time to peak (TTP) before and after TBA. Tissue at risk was defined based on perfusion delays in individual vessel territories compared with those in reference territories. In cases with proximal focal vasospasm, TBA could dilate spastic arteries. Follow-up PW/DW MR imaging showed the disappearance of, or a decrease in, the mismatch. A TBA-induced reduction in the perfusion delay of 6.2 +/- 1 seconds (mean +/- standard error of the mean) to 1.5 +/- 0.45 seconds resulted in the complete prevention of infarction; a reduction in the delay of 6.2 +/- 2.7 to 4.1 +/- 1.9 seconds resulted in the preservation of those brain tissue parts having only small infarcts in the vessel territories. Without TBA, however, the perfusion delay remained or even increased (11.1 +/- 3.7 seconds), and the complete infarction of a territory occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Angioplasty of vasospastic arteries leads to hemodynamic effects that can be quantified using PW/DW MR imaging. In cases of a severe PW/DW imaging mismatch successful TBA improved tissue perfusion and prevented cerebral infarction. The clinical significance of PW/DW MR imaging and the concept of tissue at risk is shown by cerebral infarction in vessels not accessible by TBA.

Nonspecific behaviors as early indications of cerebral vasospasm

This study investigated nonspecific behaviors as early indications of vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although symptoms of vasospasm (e.g., lowered level of consciousness, focal deficits such as hemiplegia or aphasia), are well recognized, the significance of early appearance of nonspecific symptoms such as restlessness, unusual behaviors, and impulsive behavior has not been investigated in detail. The study design included descriptive quantitative elements and a small qualitative component. Nonspecific behaviors were recorded, and the prevalence of those behaviors in individuals developing vasospasm was noted. Of 60 participants, 31 developed vasospasm; 24 of the 31 initially presented with nonspecific behaviors (p < .0001). Early detection of cerebral vasospasm allows prompt intervention and treatment, with the goal of preventing further ischemia or infarction.

Narrative review: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) comprise a group of diverse conditions, all characterized by reversible multifocal narrowing of the cerebral arteries heralded by sudden (thunderclap), severe headaches with or without associated neurologic deficits. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes are clinically important because they affect young persons and can be complicated by ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. The differential diagnosis of RCVS includes conditions associated with thunderclap headache and conditions that cause irreversible or progressive cerebral artery narrowing, such as intracranial atherosclerosis and cerebral vasculitis. Misdiagnosis as primary cerebral vasculitis and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is common because of overlapping clinical and angiographic features. However, unlike these more ominous conditions, RCVS is usually self-limited: Resolution of headaches and vasoconstriction occurs over a period of days to weeks. In this review, we describe our current understanding of RCVS; summarize its key clinical, laboratory, and imaging features; and discuss strategies for diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

Clinical review: Prevention and therapy of vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Vasospasm is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Radiographic vasospasm usually develops between 5 and 15 days after the initial hemorrhage, and is associated with clinically apparent delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DID) in one-third of patients. The pathophysiology of this reversible vasculopathy is not fully understood but appears to involve structural changes and biochemical alterations at the levels of the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells. Blood in the subarachnoid space is believed to trigger these changes. In addition, cerebral perfusion may be concurrently impaired by hypovolemia and impaired cerebral autoregulatory function. The combined effects of these processes can lead to reduction in cerebral blood flow so severe as to cause ischemia leading to infarction. Diagnosis is made by some combination of clinical, cerebral angiographic, and transcranial doppler ultrasonographic factors. Nimodipine, a calcium channel antagonist, is so far the only available therapy with proven benefit for reducing the impact of DID. Aggressive therapy combining hemodynamic augmentation, transluminal balloon angioplasty, and intra-arterial infusion of vasodilator drugs is, to varying degrees, usually implemented. A panoply of drugs, with different mechanisms of action, has been studied in SAH related vasospasm. Currently, the most promising are magnesium sulfate, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, nitric oxide donors and endothelin-1 antagonists. This paper reviews established and emerging therapies for vasospasm.

DELAYED CEREBRAL VASOSPASM SECONDARY TO BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AFTER LUMBOSACRAL SPINAL SURGERY

OBJECTIVE

Delayed cerebral vasospasm is an under-recognized complication of meningitis. This case report is important because it is the first to definitively associate vasospasm with meningitis using catheter angiography. Furthermore, it is the first to correlate the time course of delayed cerebral vasospasm with meningitis.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We present a patient who developed a partial expressive aphasia 9 days after developing meningitis, consistent with cerebral vasospasm, after lumbosacral spinal surgery.

INTERVENTION

Vasospasm was confirmed by angiography and transcranial Doppler sonography, and symptoms responded to hypervolemia, hypertension, and hemodilution therapy.

CONCLUSION

If a patient develops neurological symptoms consistent with a timeline of delayed cerebral vasospasm in the setting of meningitis, angiographic evaluation and appropriate therapy should be pursued.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage in the subacute stage: elevated apparent diffusion coefficient in normal-appearing brain tissue after treatment

PURPOSE

To prospectively evaluate whether subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a change in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in normal-appearing brain parenchyma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained for all patient and volunteer studies. One hundred patients (48 men, 52 women; mean age, 52 years +/- 12 [standard deviation]) with aneurysmal SAH underwent conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at a mean of 9 days +/- 3 after SAH to evaluate possible lesions caused by SAH, treatment of SAH, and vasospasm. Aneurysms were treated surgically (n = 70) or endovascularly (n = 30) before MR imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging was performed at 1-year follow-up in 30 patients (10 men, 20 women; mean age, 51 years +/- 11). Thirty healthy age-matched volunteers (11 men, 19 women; mean age, 54 years +/- 16) underwent MR imaging with an identical protocol. ADC values were measured bilaterally in the gray and white matter (parietal, frontal, temporal, occipital lobes; cerebellum; caudate nucleus; lentiform nucleus; thalamus; and pons) that appeared normal on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR images. Linear mixed model was used for comparison of ADC values of supratentorial gray matter and white matter; general linear regression analysis was used for comparison of ADC values of cerebellum and pons.

RESULTS

In patients with SAH, the ADC values in normal-appearing white matter, with a single exception in the frontal lobe (P = .091), were significantly higher than they were in healthy volunteers (P </= .011). The differences disappeared by 1 year, except in parietal white matter (P = .045). The ADC values of cortical gray matter did not significantly differ between patients and volunteers (P >/= .121).

CONCLUSION

SAH and its treatment may cause global mild vasogenic edema in white matter and deep gray matter that is undetectable on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR images but is detectable by measuring the ADC value in the subacute stage of SAH.

Ruptured internal carotid artery anterior wall aneurysm identified during vasospasm: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Aneurysms of the paraclinoid segment arising from the anterolateral wall of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) are usually located in the intradural space, and the proximal neck of the aneurysm is closely adjacent to the dural ring. Although most of these aneurysms can be identified by cerebral angiography, the top of the aneurysm can be flattened because of its relationship to the undersurface of the clinoid process. We report a rare case of a ruptured ICA anterolateral wall aneurysm that was not identified by initial angiography but was clearly observed at the time of vasospasm.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 59-year-old female patient was transferred to our hospital because of sudden loss of consciousness. Initial angiography failed to disclose any aneurysm except for one projecting to the right at the C3-C4 portion of the left ICA. A left frontotemporal craniotomy with drilling of the anterior clinoid process was performed 1 day after the onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Within the operative field, however, no hemorrhage was detected near the C3-C4 portion of the left ICA. Subsequent angiography performed during vasospasm clearly demonstrated a ruptured aneurysm in the anterior paraclinoid segment of the right ICA.

INTERVENTION

After drilling the anterior clinoid process and cutting the dural ring, we successfully clipped the aneurysm. The aneurysm was saccular, with a broad neck that extended below the dural ring. Intraoperative inspection demonstrated that the dome of the aneurysm was in a subclinoid location, suggesting that most of the aneurysm might have been flattened by the dural ring at the time of initial angiography but before the onset of vasospasm.

CONCLUSION

The presented case suggests that this type of aneurysm may be missed by routine angiography performed before and after vasospasm. If initial angiography fails to reveal the origin of the subarachnoid hemorrhage but computed tomography still discloses hemorrhage from an ICA aneurysm, repeated angiography should be considered within 14 days after the onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage to confirm whether the aneurysm has arisen from the anterior clinoid segment of the ICA.

Vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: diagnosis, prevention, and management

Cerebral vasospasm is a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Advances in neuroimaging and development of newer intraparenchymal monitoring devices have improved the prediction and diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm significantly. Recent experimental and clinical trials have increased the armamentarium of preventive and treatment strategies for cerebral vasospasm. Vasospasm refractory to medical therapy usually is treated endovascularly with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) for proximal vessel vasospasm and vasodilator infusion for distal vessel vasospasm. Although vasospasm usually does not recur after PTA, recurrence is frequent after vasodilator infusion. The development of newer microballoon catheters has led to improvements in treatment of not only proximal but also distal vessel vasospasm with balloon angioplasty. This article reports on current knowledge in the diagnosis, prediction, prevention, and management of cerebral vasospasm.

Magnesium infusion for vasospasm prophylaxis after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Object

Despite the application of current standard therapies, vasospasm continues to result in death or major disability in patients treated for ruptured aneurysms. The authors investigated the effectiveness of continous MgSO4 infusion for vasospasm prophylaxis.

Methods

Seventy-six adults (mean age 54.6 years; 71% women; 92% Caucasian) were included in this comparative matched-cohort study of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage on the basis of computed tomography (CT) findings. Thirty-eight patients who received continuous MgSO4 infusion were matched for age, race, sex, treatment option, Fisher grade, and Hunt and Hess grade to 38 historical control individuals who did not receive MgSO4 infusion. Twelve grams of MgSO4 in 500 ml normal saline was given intravenously daily for 12 days if the patient presented within 48 hours of aneurysm rupture. Vasospasm was diagnosed on the basis of digital substraction angiography, CT angiography, and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, and evidence of neurological deterioration.

Symptomatic vasospasm was present at a significantly lower frequency in patients who received MgSO4 infusion (18%) compared with patients who did not receive MgSO4 (42%) (p = 0.025). There was no significant difference in mortality rate at discharge (p = 0.328). A trend toward improved outcome as measured by the modifed Rankin Scale (p = 0.084), but not the Glasgow Outcome Scale (p = 1.0), was seen in the MgSO4-treated group.

Conclusions

Analysis of the results suggests that MgSO4 infusion may have a role in cerebral vasospasm prophylaxis if therapy is initiated within 48 hours of aneurysm rupture.

Comparison between clipping and coiling on the incidence of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cerebral vasospasm is one of the most important complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The effect of aneurysm occlusion technique on incidence of vasospasm is not exactly known. The objective was to analyze surgical clipping versus endovascular coiling on the incidence of cerebral vasospasm and its consequences. Using the MEDLINE PubMed (1966-present) database, all English-language manuscripts comparing patients treated by surgical clipping with patients treated by endovascular coiling, regarding vasospasm incidence after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, were analyzed. Data extracted from eligible studies included the following outcome measures: incidence of total vasospasm, symptomatic vasospasm, ischemic infarct vasospasm-induced and delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND). A pooled estimate of the effect size was computed and the test of heterogeneity between studies was carried out using The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software, RevMan 4.2. Nine manuscripts that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included and analyzed. The studies differed substantially with respect to design and methodological quality. The overall results showed no significant difference between clipping and coiling regarding to outcome measures. According to the available data, there is no significant difference between the types of technique used for aneurysm occlusion (clipping or coiling) on the risk of cerebral vasospasm development and its consequences.

[Idiopathic thunderclap headache: reversible vasospasm of the Arteria basilaris]

Thunderclap headache describes a rare headache syndrome characterized by abrupt-onset severe headache mimicking subarachnoidal bleeding, which has to be excluded by adequate diagnostic procedures such as digital subtraction angiography. The pathophysiology is still not clear but there are an increasing number of reports which describe some kind of vasospasm of the intracranial arteries during the headache episode. Here we describe a patient with a thunderclap headache and a mid-basilar narrowing due to a reversible vasospasm.