Clinical characteristics and brain MRI findings in myeloproliferative neoplasms

Recurrent Stroke with Rapid Development of Intracranial Artery Stenosis and Subsequent Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy in Essential Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Ischemic stroke is frequently the first manifestation of essential thrombocythemia. We herein report a patient with JAK2V617 mutation-positive essential thrombocythemia who developed recurrent ischemic stroke with rapid development of intracranial artery stenosis and subsequently underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy. The high JAK2V617F allele burden in our patient (58.4%) may have affected the patient's condition. We discuss similar reports in the literature and the possible pathophysiologic mechanism of large artery involvement in these patients.

JAK2 V617F Mutation and Large Cerebral Artery Disease in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

AIM

The aim of the present study was to clarify the association between the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F mutation and large cerebral artery disease (LCAD) in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed patients diagnosed with MPNs between June 1992 and June 2022 who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. LCAD was defined as extracranial or intracranial large artery stenosis (≥ 50%) or occlusion on magnetic resonance angiography.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients (47 males; median age, 69 years old) were enrolled in this study. JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 63 (73.3%) patients and LCAD in 35 (40.7%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that history of ischaemic stroke (LCAD, 62.9% vs. non-LCAD, 11.8%; P＜0.001), JAK2 V617F mutation (91.4% vs. 60.8%, P=0.002), and age ≥ 60 years (85.7% vs. 60.8%, P=0.016) were significantly associated with LCAD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, in addition to ischaemic stroke, age ≥ 60 years and diabetes mellitus, JAK2 V617F mutation (odds ratio 29.2, 95% confidence interval 1.2-709.8, P=0.038) was independently associated with LCAD. LCAD was frequently observed in the intracranial carotid (14/35, 40.0%) and middle cerebral (13/35, 37.1%) arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a significant association between the JAK2 V617F mutation and LCAD in patients with MPNs. This suggests that the JAK2 V617F mutation may promote cerebrovascular atherosclerosis and could be very important in determining therapeutic strategies for patients with not only JAK2 V617F-mutated MPNs but also LCAD-related stroke.

Clinical characteristics and management of headache in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

Background

Headache is frequently reported as a neurological manifestation of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia. This study sought to clarify the clinical characteristics and response to treatment of headaches in patients with MPNs.

Methods

We prospectively studied 137 patients with MPNs. The following information was gathered to assess the features of headache at baseline and at follow-up (>6 months): (1) average duration of headache attacks, (2) number of headache days per month, (3) numerical rating scale (NRS), (4) Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), and (5) Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS). We compared those parameters for headaches between the baseline and follow-up interviews according to the management.

Results

Thirty-seven (27.0%) patients had headache. The prevalence of headaches gradually decreased with increasing age (Age ≤ 49 years: 61.0%, 50-59 years: 38.5%, 60-69 years: 17.2%, 70-79 years: 5.1%, and ≥80 years: 0.0%, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, but not platelet counts or the JAK2 V617F mutation, was independently associated with headaches (Odds Ratios 2.004, 95% confidence intervals 1.293-3.108, P = 0.002). Scintillating scotomas were present in 22 (59.5%) of 37 patients with headaches, while four patients developed sudden headaches that lasted for only 0-10 min. Follow-up interviews were available for 31 (83.8%) of 37 patients with headaches. Twenty-one (67.7%) patients were treated with low-dose aspirin (100 mg once daily) [low-dose aspirin alone: n = 9; combined cytoreductive therapy: n = 12] for headache management. All parameters for headache [average duration of headache attacks, number of headache days per month, NRS score, HIT-6 score, and MIDAS score (all P < 0.001)] were significantly improved at follow-up in patients taking low-dose aspirin. However, there were no significant differences in these parameters of headaches in patients who did not receive low-dose aspirin.

Conclusion

Headaches is common in patients with MPNs, particularly in younger patients. MPN-related headaches may be managed by using low-dose aspirin and controlling MPNs.

JAK2V617F Is a Risk Factor for TIA/Stroke in Young Patients

The objective of this study was to assess the risk of arterial thrombosis in patients who harbor the JAK2V617F allele burden ≥1% detected during workup for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). We conducted a large cross-sectional analysis consisted of 5,220 patients who were tested for JAK2V617F and 1,047,258 people matched in age from health care insurance provider, taking into account age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation. Compared with noncarriers, mutation carriers were older, less likely to be current or past smokers and had lower body mass index. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease. However, JAK2V617F ≥1% at age 34 to 54 years was associated with eightfold more likely to have transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke history unrelated to hypertension, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation. Association of JAK2V617F with TIA/stroke was also observed in the older age group, albeit a weaker association and not statistically significant. Prevalence of TIA/stroke was higher in patients with JAK2V617F negative, with odds ratio of 3.93 when compared with the general population after confounder adjustments. Further research is warranted to verify the relation between allele burden of JAK2V617F mutation and TIA/stroke and the role of JAK2V617F per se as a risk factor for arterial thrombosis in the absence of overt MPN. Also, consideration should be paid to the screened group with JAK2V617F negative due to the high incidence of TIA/stroke among them in comparison to the general population.

Covert Brain Infarcts in Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Myeloproliferative Disorders

Backgrounds and Purpose. Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative disorders (Ph-negative MPD) are a rare group of hematological diseases, including three distinct pathologies: essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). They most often manifest with thrombotic complications, including cerebrovascular events. Covert brain infarcts (CBIs) are defin ed as predominantly small ischemic cerebral lesions that are detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the absence of clinical stroke events. The relationship between MPD and CBIs remains unclear. Methods. Included in the study were 103 patients with the diagnosis of Ph-MPD (according to WHO 2016 criteria) (median age—47 (35; 54) years; 67% female). In total, 38 patients had ET, 42 had PV, and 23 had PMF. They underwent clinical examination, routine laboratory analyses (complete blood count), brain MRI, ultrasound carotid artery, flow-mediated dilatation (as a measure of endothelial dysfunction—FMD). Results. Overall, 23 patients experienced an ischemic stroke (as per MRI and/or clinical history), of which 16 (15.5%) could be classified as CBIs. The rate of CBIs per MPD subtype was statistically non-significant between groups (p = 0.35): ET–13.2%, PV–21.4%, and PMF–8.7%. The major vascular risk factors, including arterial hypertension, carotid atherosclerosis, and prior venous thrombosis, were not associated with CBIs (p > 0.05). Age was significantly higher in patients with CBIs compared to patients without MRI ischemic lesions: 50 (43; 57) years vs. 36 (29; 48) (p = 0.002). The frequency of headaches was comparable between the two groups. CBIs were associated with endothelial dysfunction (OR - 0.71 (95% CI: 0.49–0.90; p = 0.02)) and higher hemoglobin levels (OR—1.21 (95% CI: 1.06–1.55); p =0.03). Conclusions. CBIs are common in patients with Ph-negative MPD. Arterial hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis were not associated with CBIs in this group of patients. The most significant factors in the development of CBIs were endothelial dysfunction (as measured by FMD) and high hemoglobin levels. Patients with Ph-negative MPD and CBIs were older and had more prevalent endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical and Radiological Profile of Cerebrovascular Disease in Polycythemia: Analysis of Neurologic Manifestations from a Tertiary Center in South India

PURPOSE

Patients with polycythemia, either primary or secondary, are at elevated risk for thrombotic complications, including stroke. We aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological characteristics of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in polycythemia, and describe other neurologic manifestations.

METHODOLOGY

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with polycythemia between 2014 and 2019 at a tertiary care center and collected relevant medical data with a special focus on cerebrovascular disease and neurologic manifestations. We performed descriptive and inferential analyses. We have also described and analyzed the available neuroimaging features.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 56 patients. 20 patients (35.7%) had ischemic stroke. The incidence of CVD was higher in those with primary polycythemia (43%) than in those with secondary polycythemia (8%). The most common subtype of stroke was large vessel disease, and the most common arterial territory was the anterior circulation. There was no statistically significant difference in the hematocrit level between those with or without CVD. Neuroimaging revealed multiple large vessel intracranial stenoses on MR Angiography, and hyperdense vessels on plain CT. Other neurologic manifestations included headache, seizures, dizziness, visual symptoms and papilledema, and these were significantly more common in primary polycythemia.

CONCLUSIONS

CVD is common in patients with polycythemia. The most common type observed was large vessel occlusion, predominantly in the anterior circulation. In stroke patients, multiple vessel stenosis and hyperdense vessels may be clues to polycythemia.