Intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm at the thoracic spinal region: case report and literature review

Effect of Cross Theoretical Model of Behaviour Change and Motivation Interview on Self-Management Behaviour

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a trans-theoretical model (TTM) of behavioural change plus motivational interviewing on self-management behavior and quality of life (QoL) in patients with intracranial aneurysm.

Methods

A total of 94 patients with intracranial aneurysm treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2019 to 04/2021-04 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 49 patients used TTM + motivational interview as the observation group (Obs group), and 45 patients used the traditional method as the control group (Con group). The Self-Management Behavior Scale for Patients with Intracranial Aneurysm was used for analyzing the changes in the self-management behavior of the two groups of patients, and the MOS 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to analyze the changes in the QoL of the patients. The incidence of adverse events after 6 months of intervention was counted. In addition, the Barthel Index (BI) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA) were used to evaluate the recovery effects of patients. Logistic regression was conducted for analyzing the risk factors of adverse cerebrovascular events.

Results

After treatment, the Con group got lower self-management behavior score than the Obs group (P < 0.05), and also got lower SF-36 scores, BI, and MOCA scores than the Obs group (P < 0.05). Age and a history of hypertension were independent risk factors for adverse events. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was adopted for testing the goodness of fit of the regression equation (P=0.903). With the established model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse events in patients with intracranial aneurysm was determined to be 0.851, indicating that the model performed well as a risk prediction model.

Conclusion

TTM + motivational interviewing can help improve the self-management behavior and QoL of patients with intracranial aneurysm without increasing the occurrence of adverse events.

Isolated aneurysms of the spinal circulation: a systematic review of the literature

Aneurysms arising in the spinal circulation are rare and underreported. The objective of this study was to systematically review the English literature on different aspects of isolated spinal aneurysms using the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases. Eighty-two papers reporting 107 individual patient cases were included. Most isolated spinal aneurysms have a fusiform morphology, and are most commonly found in the anterior spinal artery at the thoracic or cervical levels. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is the most common form of presentation, and sudden onset back pain is the most common initial symptom. The diagnosis of spinal aneurysms requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. Because of their small size, they can be missed on CT/MR angiography and spinal angiogram may be employed. Treatment of spinal aneurysms should be individualized on a case-by-case basis. Conservative management can be a valid option in spinal aneurysms where the risk of treatment is high. Surgical or endovascular intervention may be indicated in cases of significant or progressive neurologic decline due aneurysmal mass effect, or progressive growth of the aneurysm despite conservative treatment.

Intracranial Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Caused by Cervical Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Case Report

Cervical spinal vascular abnormalities commonly present with progressive myelopathy as a result of venous congestion. They are not very prone to bleed and tend to be underdiagnosed due to their subtle clinical presentation. We came across a rare case of intracranial subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by cervical spinal dural fistula in the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Hospitals/UK in June 2020. We diagnosed the patient under strict evidence base medicine guidance, which otherwise would have been missed. We discussed the case in several multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and patient was treated under the joint care of the neurology and neurosurgical teams. Patient made a full recovery and discharged home with no neurological defects or complications. Here, we reported this case with all the evidence we gathered from our MDT discussion. We hope our experience would help improve the diagnosis and management protocol for future patients with a similar condition.

Republished: A lumbar arteriovenous fistula presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus

Pediatric spinal vascular malformations are rare entities that typically present with symptoms from their effect on surrounding structures. Here we report a unique case of lumbar spinal dural/perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that presented with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The previously healthy child presented with lethargy and headache, and initial imaging revealed only ventriculomegaly with trace intraventricular blood. His mental status improved with CSF diversion via an external ventricular drain. Further workup revealed a spinal AVF that was treated via endovascular embolization. His course was complicated by vasospasm requiring endovascular treatment and he eventually required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. He made a full recovery and has returned to his normal activities. This is a unique case of spinal AVF presentation and highlights the importance of considering imaging of the entire neuroaxis during workup for hydrocephalus.

A lumbar arteriovenous fistula presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus

Pediatric spinal vascular malformations are rare entities that typically present with symptoms from their effect on surrounding structures. Here we report a unique case of lumbar spinal dural/perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that presented with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The previously healthy child presented with lethargy and headache, and initial imaging revealed only ventriculomegaly with trace intraventricular blood. His mental status improved with CSF diversion via an external ventricular drain. Further workup revealed a spinal AVF that was treated via endovascular embolization. His course was complicated by vasospasm requiring endovascular treatment and he eventually required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. He made a full recovery and has returned to his normal activities. This is a unique case of spinal AVF presentation and highlights the importance of considering imaging of the entire neuroaxis during workup for hydrocephalus.