Clinical Utility of Multislice Computed Tomographic Angiography for Detection of Cerebral Vasospasm in Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been used as the standard method for detecting cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Multislice computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is a relatively recent method used for evaluating the vasculature of the intracranial arteries. The purpose of this study was to compare multislice CTA and DSA for the detection and quantification of cerebral vasospasm after SAH, and to analyze the usefulness of multislice CTA. Eight patients with SAH underwent initial CTA with DSA within 72 hours after the onset of symptoms and follow-up multislice CTA and DSA 8 to 48 days after SAH. Five arterial locations were established in the A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery, the M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery and the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) on both multislice CTA and DSA images. Vasospasm was classified as none, mild (up to 30% reduction in luminal diameter), moderate (31-60% reduction), and marked (at least 60% reduction) using the scale of Schneck and Kricheff. The multislice CT system used the following parameters: 1.25 mm collimation and 3.75 pitch with a 4-channel system. The degree of vasospasm revealed by the multislice CTA was significantly correlated with the degree of vasospasm revealed by DSA. In general, most discrepancies between CTA and DSA were in the detection of mild and moderate vasospasm. We found that the consistency between multislice CTA and DSA was greater for mild (100%, n=3) or moderate (100%, n=3) vasospasm than none (n=1) or marked vasospasm (n=1). However, it was unclear whether multislice CTA was more specific for a proximal location (A1, M1, PCA) or distal location (A2, M2) for evaluation of cerebral arteries. Multislice CTA can detect angiographic vasospasm after SAH with an accuracy similar to that of DSA. Multislice CTA is highly sensitive, specific and accurate in detecting mild and moderate cerebral vasospasm. It is less accurate for detecting no vasospasm and marked vasospasm. Therefore, the authors propose that multislice CTA be considered as a useful tool for the detection and management of intracranial vasospasm after SAH.

Utility of computed tomography perfusion in detection of cerebral vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECT

Digital subtraction (DS) angiography is the gold standard for detecting cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Computed tomography (CT) perfusion is a recently developed modality for the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using CT perfusion to detect vasospasm in patients with SAH.

METHODS

Fourteen patients between the ages of 41 and 66 years with aneurysmal SAH underwent 23 CT perfusion scans for suspected vasospasm. All patients underwent DS angiography within 12 hours of the CT perfusion scans. The presence of vasospasm on CT perfusion images was determined based on qualitative reading using color maps of mean transit time, cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume as criteria. The presence or absence of vasospasm as retrospectively determined using CT perfusion was compared with DS angiography findings. Of the 23 CT perfusion scans performed, 21 (91%) were concordant with angiography findings in predicting the presence or absence of vasospasm. In 15 of 23 scans, the presence of vasospasm was detected on CT perfusion scans and confirmed on DS angiography studies. In two cases, vasospasm was revealed on DS angiography but was not confirmed on CT perfusion. The degree of agreement between CT perfusion and DS angiography for detection of vasospasm was high (K = 0.8, p , 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography perfusion is an accurate, reliable, and noninvasive method to detect the presence or absence of vasospasm. It can be used as a tool to help guide the decision to pursue DS angiography with the intent to treat vasospasm.

Computed tomography grading schemes used to predict cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a historical review

✓The elucidation of predictive factors of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major area of both clinical and basic science research. It is becoming clear that many factors contribute to this phenomenon. The most consistent predictor of vasospasm has been the amount of SAH seen on the postictal computed tomography scan. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear that the greater the amount of blood within the basal cisterns, the greater the risk of vasospasm. To evaluate this risk, various grading schemes have been proposed, from simple to elaborate, the most widely known being the Fisher scale. Most recently, volumetric quantification and clearance models have provided the most detailed analysis. Intraventricular hemorrhage, although not supported as strongly as cisternal SAH, has also been shown to be a risk factor for vasospasm.

Intravenous magnesium versus nimodipine in the treatment of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE

The prophylactic use of nimodipine in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage reduces the risk of ischemic brain damage. However, its efficacy seems to be rather moderate. The question arises whether other types of calcium antagonists offer better protection. Magnesium, nature's physiological calcium antagonist, is neuroprotective in animal models, promotes dilatation of cerebral arteries, and has an established safety profile. The aim of the current pilot study is to evaluate the efficacy of magnesium versus nimodipine to prevent delayed ischemic deficits after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were enrolled in the study and were randomized to receive either magnesium sulfate (loading 10 mg/kg followed by 30 mg/kg daily) or nimodipine (48 mg/d) intravenously until at least postoperative Day 7. Primary outcome parameters were incidence of clinical vasospasm and infarction. Secondary outcome measures were the incidence of transcranial Doppler/angiographic vasospasm, the neuronal markers (neuron-specific enolase, S-100), and the patients' Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at discharge and after 1 year.

RESULTS

One hundred and four patients met the study requirements. In the magnesium group (n = 53), eight patients (15%) experienced clinical vasospasm and 20 (38%) experienced transcranial Doppler/angiographic vasospasm compared with 14 (27%) and 17 (33%) patients in the nimodipine group (n = 51). If clinical vasospasm occurred, 75% of the magnesium-treated versus 50% of the nimodipine-treated patients experienced cerebral infarction resulting in fatal outcome in 37 and 14%, respectively. Overall, the rate of infarction attributable to vasospasm was virtually the same (19 versus 22%). There was no difference in outcome between groups.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of magnesium in preventing delayed ischemic neurological deficits in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage seems to be comparable with that of nimodipine. The difference in their pharmacological properties makes studies on the combined administration of magnesium and nimodipine seem promising.

Time Course in the Development of Cerebral Vasospasm after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Clinical and Neuroradiological Assessment of the Rat Double Hemorrhage Model

OBJECTIVE

The "double hemorrhage" model in the rat is frequently used to simulate delayed cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in humans. However, an exact neurological and angiographic characterization of the CVS is not available for this model so far and is provided in the present investigation. Additionally, perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) at 3 tesla magnetic resonance (MR) tomography was implemented to assess the reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF).

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized setting CVS was induced by injection of 0.2 ml autologous blood twice in the cisterna magna of 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The surviving animals were examined on Days 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 and compared to a sham operated control group (n = 9). Rats were neurologically graded between 0 and 3, followed by MRI and selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The relative CBF was set in relation to the perfusion of the masseter muscle.

RESULTS

The neurological state was significantly worsened on Day 2 (Grade 3), 3 (Grade 3), and 5 (Grade 2) (medians). The relative CBF/muscle BF ratio (2.5 +/- 0.8 (SAH) versus 9.2 +/- 1.3 (sham) (mean +/- SEM) and the basilar artery (BA) diameter (0.15 +/- 0.02 mm (SAH) versus 0.32 +/- 0.01 mm (sham) were significantly decreased on Day 5. Correlation between relative CBF/muscle BF ratio and BA diameter was 0.70.

CONCLUSION

A valid and reproducible CVS simulation was proven by neurological score, DSA, and PWI on Day 5. Furthermore, our data demonstrate the practicability and validity of MR PWI for the monitoring of CVS in a rat SAH model.

Aneurysmal surgery in the presence of angiographic vasospasm: an outcome assessment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The timing of aneurysmal surgery for patients presenting within the period at risk for vasospasm (VS) is controversial. The goal of this study is to review our experience of surgically treated patients in the presence of angiographic VS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1990-2004, 894 consecutive patients presented with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and were treated with a policy of early surgery. We retrospectively analyzed the patients that had pre-operative angiographic VS. In this study, symptomatic VS was diagnosed when a decreased level of consciousness and/or focal deficit occurred after SAH in the presence of angiographic VS without confounding factors. Functional outcome was assessed three months after SAH using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

RESULTS

Of the 40 patients studied, 62.5% were in good clinical grade Hunt & Hess (H&H 1-2) on admission; 25%, intermediate grade (H&H 3); 12.5%, poor grade (H&H 4-5). Surgery was performed 24 hours or less after initial angiography in 87.5% of patients and less than 48 hours in 97.5%. Pre-operative symptomatic VS was diagnosed in 25%. Post-operatively, angiographic VS was documented in 87.2%. Of the 30% of patients that presented post-operative symptomatic VS, 66.7% also demonstrated pre-operative symptomatic VS. The functional outcome was favorable in 92.5% of the studied patients. Two deaths occurred in patients presenting pre-operative early radiological and symptomatic VS.

CONCLUSION

Aneurysmal surgery, especially between 3-12 days following SAH, in the presence of asymptomatic pre-operative angiographic VS can be associated with a good outcome. Early surgery is not contra-indicated and might enable optimal treatment of VS.

[Symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: study of 186 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the risk factors associated with symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

The clinical data of 186 cases with SAH verified by radiology and lumbar puncture were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Fifty-five of the 186 patients (29.6%) developed symptomatic vasospasm. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm was significantly higher in the patients of Fisher grade III than in those of Fisher grade I and Fisher grade II, in the patients in poor clinical status at admission the in those in better clinical status, and in the patients with repeated reoccurrence of SAH then in those without reoccurrence (all P < 0.01). Sex, age, treatment modality, and use of antifibrinolytic drugs (AFD) did not influence the development of symptomatic vasospasm (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that Fisher grade III [odds ratio (OR) 2.549, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.406 - 4.517], poor clinical status at admission (OR 2.342, 95% CI 1.320 - 4.159) and repeated reoccurrence of SAH (OR 2.492, 95% CI 1.394 approximately 4.448) were associated with the increased risk of symptomatic vasospasm.

CONCLUSION

Fisher grade III, poor clinical status at admission and repeated reoccurrence of SAH are significant independent risk factors of symptomatic vasospasm. The presence of symptomatic vasospasm can be independently predicted by the amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage, clinical status at admission, and times of SAH.

Detecting and treating microvascular ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an overview of the current management of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage, emphasizing the detection and treatment of delayed ischemia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sensitive and specific monitoring methods are necessary to register the onset of cerebral vasospasm early to prevent long-term morbidity and mortality. Therefore, various techniques to measure cerebral perfusion and/or surrogate parameters have been developed. Prophylaxis with calcium antagonists such as nimodipine is administered for neuroprotection. Resolution of ongoing cerebral vasospasm can be achieved by either dilating constricted vessels or optimizing hemodynamics. Therapeutic treatment with hypertension, hypervolemia and hemodilution (HHH) has a direct influence on cerebral vasospasm, ischemic sequelae and outcome, while prophylactic HHH leads to excess complications. Other treatments, for example endothelin antagonists, statins or magnesium salts, used to prevent or treat cerebral vasospasm, are being tested. Endovascular treatment options can be used for therapy-refractory cerebral vasospasm, but they carry procedure-related risks and may be short-acting.

SUMMARY

Diagnosis of microvascular ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage involves clinical observation, non-invasive determination of cerebral hemodynamic variables, autoregulation studies and invasive online monitoring of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism. Nimodipine is administered prophylactically, while HHH is initiated therapeutically. New causal therapies are being evaluated.

[Evaluation of cerebral vasospasm resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage with 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in evaluating cerebral vasospasm resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Six dogs were subjected to autologous non-heparinized blood injection via cisternal puncture twice at one-day interval to establish models of SAH, and another 6 received injections with normal saline in an identical manner. (1)H-MRS scan was performed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days after the injections to measure the changes of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho). After the (1)H-MRS scan, all the dogs underwent brain digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for determining the basilar artery diameter.

RESULTS

DSA results on day 3 presented development of obvious vasospasm of the basilar artery, which was most evident on day 7 and recovered obviously on day 14. (1)H-MRS results demonstrated obvious changes of NAA, Cho and Cr on days 3 and 7 in SAH model group, and NAA declined to the lowest level on day 3 followed by gradual ascending till reaching the normal level on day 14. Cho decreased slightly on day 3, then increased and reached the peak level on day 7 and then decreased. Cr rose steadily from day 3 to 14, but since day 7, the rise slowed down obviously and Cr maintain a level not significantly different from that on day 14 (P>0.05). The functional results of (1)H-MRS were consistent with the DSA results.

CONCLUSION

(1)H-MRS can be used to monitor the development of cerebral vasospasm resulting from SAH as a good evaluation method for functional imaging.

Management of cerebral vasospasm

Cerebral vasospasm is delayed narrowing of the large arteries of the circle of Willis occurring 4 to 14 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It is but one cause of delayed deterioration after SAH but, in general, is the most important potentially treatable cause of morbidity and mortality after SAH. Development of vasospasm is best predicted by the volume, location, persistence and density of subarachnoid clot early after SAH. Diagnosis is made by catheter angiography or, with less accuracy, by computed tomographic angiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound or other methods. Treatment remains problematic because it is expensive, time-consuming, associated with substantial risk and largely ineffective. Treatment includes optimization of factors that affect cerebral blood flow and metabolism, systemic administration of nimodipine, hemodynamic therapy and pharmacologic and mechanical angioplasty.

Cerebral Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An Overview of Pharmacologic Management

Cerebral vasospasm remains one of the leading causes of mortality in patients who experience a subarachnoid hemorrhage but survive the initial 24 hours. Vasospasm generally occurs 3-4 days after the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage and peaks at 5-7 days. The pathophysiology of vasospasm is poorly understood, which directly contributes to the inconsistency of management and creates a formidable challenge in clinical practice. Traditionally, hemodilution, hypervolemia, and induced hypertension (so-called triple H therapy); calcium channel blockers; and endovascular therapy have been used as either prophylactic therapy or treatment. However, management of vasospasm varies among physicians and institutions mainly because of a lack of large clinical trials and inconsistent results. Practice has been based primarily on case reports and the preference of each practitioner. Several experimental therapies have been explored; however, large, prospective, randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the role of these therapies.

Controversies in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage*

BACKGROUND

The care of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has evolved significantly with the advent of new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Although it is believed that these advances have contributed to improved outcomes, considerable uncertainty persists regarding key areas of management.

OBJECTIVE

To review selected controversies in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with a special emphasis on endovascular vs. surgical techniques for securing aneurysms, the diagnosis and therapy of cerebral vasospasm, neuroprotection, antithrombotic and anticonvulsant agents, cerebral salt wasting, and myocardial dysfunction, and to suggest venues for further clinical investigation.

DATA SOURCE

Search of MEDLINE and Cochrane databases and manual review of article bibliographies.

DATA SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS

Many aspects of care in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remain highly controversial and warrant further resolution with hypothesis-driven clinical or translational research. It is anticipated that the rigorous evaluation and implementation of such data will provide a basis for improvements in short- and long-term outcomes.

External Carotid Artery Aneurysm Developing After Embolization of a Ruptured Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm in a Patient With Cervicocephalic Fibromuscular Dysplasia-Case Report-

A 30-year-old man presented with an aneurysm of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebellar infarction. Angiography demonstrated string-of-beads sign typical of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries. The aneurysm and the parent artery were successfully embolized with Guglielmi detachable coils. Severe vasospasm developed 1 week after admission, and was treated several times by selective injection of vasodilator. A new aneurysm of the left external carotid artery became evident 1 month later, whereas only slight dilation had previously been apparent. This angiographic sequence demonstrated a new arterial dissection. Despite the possibility of damage to the artery during multiple catheterizations, arterial wall changes caused by FMD appear to have been primarily responsible. This case emphasizes the need for particular care in performing vascular interventional procedures in the presence of FMD.

Absence of acute cerebral vasoconstriction after cocaine-associated subarachnoid hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Cocaine use has been associated with neurovascular complications, including arterial vasoconstriction and vasculitis. However, there are few studies of angiographic effects of cocaine on human cerebral arteries. Information on these effects could be obtained from angiograms of patients with cocaine-associated subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who underwent angiography shortly after cocaine use.

METHODS

We screened patients with SAH retrospectively and identified those with positive urine toxicology for cocaine or its metabolites. Quantitative arterial diameter measurements from angiograms of these patients were compared to measurements from control patients with SAH who were matched for factors known to influence arterial diameter. Qualitative comparisons of small artery changes also were made.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with positive cocaine toxicology were compared to 26 controls. There were no significant differences between groups in the mean diameters of the intradural internal carotid, sphenoidal segment of the middle cerebral, precommunicating segment of the anterior cerebral, or basilar arteries (p greater than 0.05 for all comparisons, unpaired t-tests). There also were no significant differences between groups when expressing diameters as the sum of the precommunicating segment of the anterior cerebral + sphenoidal segment of the middle cerebral + supraclinoid internal carotid artery + basilar artery divided by the diameter of the petrous internal carotid artery (p greater than 0.05, unpaired t-tests). Qualitative assessments showed two arterial irregularities in the distal vasculature in each group.

CONCLUSION

No quantitative evidence for narrowing of large cerebral arteries or qualitative angiographic evidence for distal narrowing or vasculitis could be found in patients who underwent angiography after aneurysmal SAH associated with cocaine use.

Intraarterial injection of colforsin daropate hydrochloride for the treatment of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: preliminary report of two cases

We describe two patients with symptomatic vasospasms after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were successfully treated with intraarterial injection of colforsin daropate hydrochloride (HCl). Colforsin daropate HCl is capable of directly stimulating adenylate cyclase, which in turn causes vasorelaxation via elevated intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. We suggest that colforsin daropate HCl might be a useful therapeutic tool in treating cerebral vasospasm.

Relationship between hyperglycemia and symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage*

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between blood glucose levels (mg/dL) and occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm (VSP) and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study of 352 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted within 48 hrs of ictus between January 1995 and June 2002.

SETTING

Neurointensive care unit.

PATIENTS

Adult patients admitted after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Variables included age; Hunt-Hess classification score; Fisher group; insulin use; infectious disease status; history of diabetes mellitus; and blood glucose values. Poor clinical outcome was defined by a modified Rankin score > or =3, and hyperglycemia was defined by a blood glucose level >140 mg/dL. Mean daily blood glucose values were assessed from admission to development of VSP or day 14. Mean admission blood glucose value, mean inpatient blood glucose value, insulin use, infectious disease status, Hunt-Hess classification score, Fisher group, and history of diabetes mellitus were entered in a Cox proportional hazards model. VSP occurred in 103 (29.2%) of 352 patients. Mean admission blood glucose values (176.6 +/- 40.3 mg/dL vs. 162.3 +/- 47.8 mg/dL; p = .01) and mean inpatient blood glucose values (166.2 +/- 24.7 mg/dL vs. 155.8 +/- 29.7 mg/dL; p = .001) were significantly higher in patients with VSP. Mean inpatient blood glucose value (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.03; p = .04), Hunt-Hess classification score > or =3 (relative risk, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.99; p = .02), and Fisher group score of 3 (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.1; p = .05) increased the risk for VSP. Hyperglycemia was associated with longer length of stay in the neurointensive care unit (14.5 +/- 7.1 days vs. 11.6 +/- 5.4 days; p < .001) and poor outcome at discharge (modified Rankin score > or =3: 58.9% vs. 18.8%; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mean inpatient blood glucose value is associated with the development of VSP and may represent a target for therapy to prevent VSP and improve clinical outcomes.

Ruptured superior cerebellar artery aneurysm in a child with bilateral fibromuscular hyperplasia of the renal arteries: case report and review of the literature

The authors report the case of a pediatric patient with bilateral fibromuscular hyperplasia (FMH) of the renal arteries who sustained a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by the rupture of a superior cerebellar artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was successfully treated with microsurgical clip occlusion. The association between renal artery FMH and aneurysmal SAH is extremely rare and incompletely understood. There are six previously published cases in the English literature; only one case involved direct aneurysm treatment and none involved the posterior circulation. In addition to presenting this case, the authors discuss the complexities involved in treating these patients from a technical and conceptual standpoint.

Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Cerebral vasospasm is a significant problem after subarachnoid hemorrhage, with often devastating consequences. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood despite extensive research. Owing to the lack of a clear etiology, medical treatment is still largely limited to triple-H therapy and calcium channel blockers, although newer treatments such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and papaverine infusion are becoming more common. Clinical symptoms are often first noted by the registered nurse, who must then alert the physician to the need for diagnostic workup and therapy. Caring for patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage requires awareness of the potential for the development of vasospasm, and knowledge of the steps necessary to ensure its timely diagnosis and treatment. This article will review the current body of knowledge as it pertains to vasospasm and outline the direction of ongoing research.

Metabolites from cerebrospinal fluid in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage correlate with vasospasm and clinical outcome: a pattern-recognition 1H NMR study

Following subarachnoid haemorrhage the most significant complication is sustained cerebral vascular contraction (vasospasm), which may result in terminal brain damage from cerebral infarction. Despite this, the biochemical cause of vasospasm remains poorly understood. In this study, the global high-concentration metabolite composition of CSF has been correlated with patient outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage using multivariate statistics and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In total, 16 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) were compared with 16 control patients who required a procedure where CSF was obtained but did not have aSAH. Multivariate statistics readily distinguished the aSAH group from the heterogeneous control group, even when only those controls with blood contamination in the CSF were used. Using principal components analysis and orthogonal signal correction, vasospasm was correlated to the concentrations of lactate, glucose and glutamine. These pattern recognition models of the NMR data also predicted Glasgow Coma Score (54% within +/- 1 of the actual score on a scale of 1-15 for the whole patient group), Hunt and Hess SAH severity score (88% within +/- 1 of the actual score on a scale of 1-5 for the aSAH group) and cognitive outcome scores (78% within +/- 3 of the actual score on a 100% scale for the whole patient group). Thus, the approach allowed the prediction of outcome as well as confirming the presence of aSAH.

[Vasospastic cerebral infarction induced by smoking: a case report]

A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of frequent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The first episode involved right amaurosis fugax and left hemiparesis at the age of 26. Treatment with aspirin did not reduce frequency of TIA. Cerebral angiography at the age of 29 showed a significant stenosis in the right internal carotid artery with a string-of-beads-like appearance. This pattern suggested fibromuscular dysplasia. TIAs persisted despite of prophylactic medication with ticlopidine. When cerebral angiography was repeated at age of 28, stenosis in the right internal carotid artery had almost disappeared. At the present admission, MR angiography showed stenoses of bilateral internal carotid arteries and middle cerebral arteries, which had disappeared when the study was repeated after 5 days. Vasospasm was suspected based on reversibility of changes in both conventional and MR angiographies. The patient was treated with a calcium antagonist to prevent vasospasm as well as cessations of smoking. The patient had a history of 20 cigarettes a day for 12 years and neurologic deficits often occurred after smoking. Therefore, smoking is considered to be a main trigger for TIAs in this patient.