Admission blood glucose levels and early change of neurological grade in poor-grade patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The neurological grade of poor-grade subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) often changes soon after the patient is admitted to the hospital. It is important to closely monitor for such changes within a short period of time after admission; however, there are other problems that can occur during this time such as rebleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between admission blood glucose levels (ABGL) and early change of neurological grade after admission in patients with poor-grade SAH.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with poor-grade SAH (Hunt & Kosnik Grade IV or V), who were admitted within 3 hrs after SAH onset, and who did not have haematomas causing mass effect, or a history of diabetes mellitus, were included in the study. Patients were pretreated to control blood pressure and intracranial pressure, and they were monitored for early change of grade after admission. Blood glucose level was measured at the time of admission.

FINDINGS

Spontaneous grade improvement was observed in 9 of 17 Grade IV patients and 9 of 29 Grade V patients. The ABGL of the patients with grade improvement were significantly lower than the ABGL of the patients who did not improve or who got worse. ABGL were lower than 180 mg/dl in 15 of 18 patients who showed grade improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that there was a relationship between ABGL and neurological grade changes which were observed after admission in patients with poor-grade SAH. These results suggest that ABGL might be a useful parameter for making therapeutic decisions.

Antidromic effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide containing nerves on cerebral arteries in rats--a possible role of sensory nerves on cerebral circulatio

It has generally been thought that the neurogenic control of cerebral circulation is decided mainly by the autonomic nervous system. Recent studies, however, indicate that sensory nerves rich in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are also distributed on cerebral arteries. CGRP is one of neuropeptides that has strong vasodilative effect. This indicates that sensory nerves may antidromically dilate cerebral arteries mediated by CGRP. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the CGRP containing nerves and cerebral circulation. Firstly, we developed a selective denervation model of CGRP containing nerves. The denervation was performed with intrathecal administration of capsaicin in rats. Secondly, we measured the change of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the occlusion of bilateral common carotid artery or systemic hypotension. CGRP immunoreactivity around cerebral arteries disappeared after capsaicin treatment. The rCBF during the occlusion of bilateral common carotid artery decreased more in the capsaicin group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in the changes of rCBF during systemic hypotension. These results showed that CGRP containing nerves would participate in the vascular response of cerebral arteries. It is likely that sensory nerves with CGRP should have antidromic effect on cerebral circulation.

Urokinase cisternal irrigation therapy for prevention of symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a study of urokinase concentration and the fibrinolytic system

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cisternal irrigation therapy with urokinase (UK) was performed in multiple institutions to prevent symptomatic vasospasm. The efficacy and safety of this therapy were evaluated, and the optimal concentration of UK was estimated.

METHODS

This therapy was performed in 28 patients who underwent surgery within 72 hours of the onset of severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher's group 3, CT number [Hounsfield units] >60). After the aneurysm was clipped, irrigation tubes were placed in the Sylvian fissure (inlet) unilaterally and in the prepontine or chiasmatic cistern (outlet). Lactated Ringer's solution with UK (30, 60, or 120 IU/mL) was infused at a rate of 30 mL/h. The presence of symptomatic vasospasm was evaluated by changes in the clinical symptoms and the presence of a new low-density area on CT scan. Drained irrigation fluid and peripheral blood were examined chronologically to evaluate the fibrinolytic system.

RESULTS

Symptomatic vasospasm was observed transiently in 3 cases (10.7%) without any low-density area on CT scan. In the 120-IU/mL group, no symptomatic vasospasm occurred. Analysis of drainage fluid suggested that UK 120 IU/mL is effective. The mean values of total drained blood volume for the respective groups were as follows: 58 mL in 30 IU/mL, 106 mL in 60 IU/mL, and 143 mL in 120 IU/mL. No abnormal changes were observed in the coagulative and fibrinolytic systems after UK irrigation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that cisternal irrigation therapy with UK is safe and effective for the prevention of symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Cisternal irrigation therapy with urokinase and ascorbic acid for prevention of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Outcome in 217 patients

BACKGROUND

Cisternal irrigation therapy with urokinase and ascorbic acid was introduced to prevent symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). To dissolve and wash out the subarachnoid clot, cisternal irrigation with urokinase is used. Ascorbic acid is added to degenerate oxy-hemoglobin, one of the strongest spasmogenic substances, into verdohemelike products, which are nonspasmogenic. The efficacy and safety of this therapy were evaluated.

METHODS

This therapy was performed consecutively in 217 patients. The degree of SAH of the patients was classified as Fisher CT Group 3, and the highest CT number (Hounsfield number) exceeded 60 in the SAH, which suggested a significant risk for symptomatic vasospasm. All patients underwent surgery within 72 hours from the onset of SAH. After clipping the aneurysm, irrigation tubes were placed in the Sylvian fissure (inlet) unilaterally or bilaterally and in the prepontine or chiasmal cistern (outlet). Lactated Ringer's solution with urokinase (120 IU/mL) and ascorbic acid (4 mg/mL) was infused at a rate of 30 mL/hour/side for approximately 10 days.

RESULTS

Of the 217 patients studied, symptomatic vasospasm was observed in 6 cases (2.8%), and two of these six cases (0.9%) demonstrated sequelae. The average total blood volume calculated from the drainage fluid was approximately 114 mL. Analysis of the absorption spectrum of the drainage fluid revealed disappearance of the oxy-hemoglobin-specific 576-nm peak. Complications occurred in eight patients during irrigation therapy; two patients experienced seizures, two patients developed meningitis, and four patients had an intracranial hemorrhage. However, all of these patients recovered without neurological deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that cisternal irrigation therapy with urokinase and ascorbic acid is effective in preventing symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH.

[Recanalization of dural sinus occlusion following the disappearance of dural arteriovenous fistula: report of a case]

A 73-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of disturbed consciousness and left-sided motor weakness. Computed tomographic scans demonstrated a hemorrhagic infarction in the right parietal region. Right carotid angiograms showed both the posterior portion of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and the entire left transverse sinus simultaneously occluded. Left carotid angiograms revealed an enlarged occipital artery, which had direct communications to the left sigmoid sinus and the superior petrosal sinus. These findings were consistent with dural arteriovenous fistula (D-AVF). The laboratory examinations yieled normal results. The patient was managed conservatively with glyceol and anticonvulsants for four weeks and eventually recovered with complete resolution of hemiparesis. Follow-up angiography carried out 6 weeks later showed the SSS, partially stenotic, but recanalized with no evidence of venous congestion. The D-AVF still remained opacified, but there was a marked reduction in retrograde flow to the sigmoid sinus. Further repeated angiograms obtained at 10 months after the onset confirmed complete recanalization of the SSS and disappearance of the D-AVF. From the timing of the angiographies, we considered that the sinus occlusion was caused by the high arterial flow to the fistula and its disappearance made recanalization of SSS possible.

[A case of prolactinoma associated with craniopharyngioma]

A surgical case of prolactinoma associated with craniopharyngioma is reported. A 47-year-old man was admitted to some neurosurgical clinic on October 12, 1982, because of visual disturbance, general fatigue and impotence. Laboratory study revealed hyperprolactinemia (360 ng/ml) and slight enlargement of sella turcica indicated the pituitary adenoma. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed to remove the tumor on November 20, 1982. Histopathological examination revealed chromophobe adenoma, and prolactin was stained in the tumor cells by means of immunoperoxidase staining. Though the clinical symptoms had been improved after surgery, visual disturbance became worse about one month later. At that time empty sella syndrome was suspected and the second operation (interhemispheric approach) was performed on January 21, 1983. No pathological changes were observed at all. On July 13, 1983, he was transferred to our clinic, because his visual acuity was deteriorating. At this time we reviewed the previous CT scan and noticed a suprasellar mass. It was supposed that the lesion had been overlooked and was the cause of the visual disturbance. On August 1, 1983, a bifrontal craniotomy was performed and the suprasellar tumor was removed. Pathological examination of the tumor revealed craniopharyngioma. So it was supposed that pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma had been coexisting since onset. Except for cases with von Recklinghausen's disease, multiple primary intracranial tumors of different cell types are relatively rare. A review of literature revealed 94 cases until 1986. The most frequent combination of multiple tumors was meningioma and glioma. But we could not find any case of pituitary adenoma associated with craniopharyngioma in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)