Controversies and evolving new mechanisms in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Despite decades of study, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) continues to be a serious and significant health problem in the United States and worldwide. The mechanisms contributing to brain injury after SAH remain unclear. Traditionally, most in vivo research has heavily emphasized the basic mechanisms of SAH over the pathophysiological or morphological changes of delayed cerebral vasospasm after SAH. Unfortunately, the results of clinical trials based on this premise have mostly been disappointing, implicating some other pathophysiological factors, independent of vasospasm, as contributors to poor clinical outcomes. Delayed cerebral vasospasm is no longer the only culprit. In this review, we summarize recent data from both experimental and clinical studies of SAH and discuss the vast array of physiological dysfunctions following SAH that ultimately lead to cell death. Based on the progress in neurobiological understanding of SAH, the terms "early brain injury" and "delayed brain injury" are used according to the temporal progression of SAH-induced brain injury. Additionally, a new concept of the vasculo-neuronal-glia triad model for SAH study is highlighted and presents the challenges and opportunities of this model for future SAH applications.

[Historical outline of subarachnoid hemorrhage of aneurysmal origin]

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from aneurysmal origin was regarded for long time as a stroke like others vascular attacks. The specific identity of SAH is only recognized anatomically in the XVIIIth century and clinically in the XIXth century. The aneurysmal etiology and the treatment become regular only in the second half of the XXth century.

Petite histoire et quelques réflexions à propos des échelles de grades des hémorragies sous-arachnoïdiennes d’origine anévrismale et des échelles de suivi

A brief history of the most current scales of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and follow-up is presented. Advantages and inaccuracies of these scales are discussed. The World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) classification is recommended as the most objective and reliable although some critics exist about its use in particular conditions. The grading of the follow-up is also analyzed. Here, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) is the most common employed and promoted in a first approach in spite of its briefness. Secondary functional and neuropsychological examination at 6 or 12 months is to be recommended to enable a more accurate evaluation. In conclusion, the WFNS scales for subarachnoid hemorrhage and follow-up is proposed as the best way to allow comparison between work of different centers.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage as a cause of hypopituitarism

Common causes of pituitary insufficiency include pathologies such as pituitary adenomas, other intra- and parasellar tumors, as well inflammatory, surgical or radiation-induced destruction of pituitary tissue. More recently, hypopituitarism has also been identified as a frequent sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite the close anatomical relationship between pituitary gland, hypothalamic structures and the arteries of the circle of Willis and the observation that many bodily and psychosocial long-term sequelae of survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) resemble those of patients with untreated hypopituitarism, aneurysmal SAH has so far been considered a rare cause of endocrine abnormalities. However, in recent clinical investigations partial hypopituitarism has been diagnosed in 37.5-55% of SAH survivors. At present, many questions concerning the most appropriate diagnostic work-up, the clinical implications of hormone deficiencies and relative importance of hormone replacement in this patient group are not yet satisfactorily clarified. This article gives an overview of the historical and current studies on hypopituitarism as a consequence of aneurysmal SAH, which show that neuroendocrine deficiency occurs more often than has so far been appreciated. Despite the still unresolved issues, endocrine abnormalities should be considered a cause for impaired recovery and long-term morbidity in SAH-survivors. Enhanced awareness of physicians treating SAH-patients for post-traumatic hypopituitarism is called for, so that screening for hormone deficiencies and appropriate replacement therapy can be initiated.

Harvey W. Cushing and cerebrovascular surgery: Part I, aneurysms

✓ The development of surgical techniques for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms has paralleled the evolution of the specialty of neurological surgery. During the Cushing era, intracranial aneurysms were considered inoperable and only ligation of the carotid artery was performed. Cushing understood the limitations of this approach and advised the need for a more thorough understanding of aneurysm pathology before further consideration could be given to the surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Despite his focus on brain tumors, Cushing's contributions to the discipline of neurovascular surgery are of great importance. With the assistance of Sir Charles Symonds, Cushing described the syndrome of subarachnoid hemorrhage. He considered inserting muscle strips into cerebral aneurysms to promote aneurysm sac thrombosis and designed the “silver clip,” which was modified by McKenzie and later used by Dandy to clip the first intracranial aneurysm. Cushing was the first surgeon to wrap aneurysms in muscle fragments to prevent recurrent hemorrhage. He established the foundation on which pioneers such as Norman Dott and Walter Dandy launched the modern era of neurovascular surgery.

History of diagnosis and treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The pioneers of microsurgery created a new world of neurosurgery through their efforts, including attention to anatomic details, physiologic principles, and technical maneuvers. The impact of microsurgery and the ability to teach it to successive generations of neurosurgeons during the last 25 years are surely the material from which the future history of neurosurgery will be written.

The life, legacy, and premature death of Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn is one of the great classical composers of all time. During his short lifetime in the first half of the nineteenth century, he reached enormous heights as a composer, conductor, and leader in the world of music. Nearly one hundred years after his death, the Nazi regime attempted, unsuccessfully, to erase his music and his memory from history. Since the end of World War II, there has been a resurgence in interest in the life and music of Felix Mendelssohn and that of his sister, Fanny. Felix Mendelssohn died in 1947 at the age of 38. Both of his sisters died suddenly at the ages of 42 and 45. There is insufficient laboratory or post-mortem data to make a medical diagnosis with certainty. However, based on the information available to us, we speculate that Mendelssohn suffered a subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. The differential diagnosis of familial stroke syndrome is discussed.

A tribute to Helge Nornes

This supplement of the Acta Neurochirurgica is dedicated to professor Helge Nornes on the occasion of his retirement. Helge Nornes started his neurosurgical training in Oslo in 1965. In 1980 he was offered the neurosurgical chair of Bern, Switzerland, where he stayed until 1983 when his old university called him back to the chair at the National Hospital in Oslo, a position he filled until he retired last year. The present paper briefly reviews examples of his contributions to neurosurgery and to the understanding of intracranial pathophysiology, including the transcranial doppler, the miniature transducer for intracranial pressure monitoring, his observations on intracranial pressure and internal carotid blood flow during subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracranial arterial blood flow in patients undergoing aneurysm surgery, his studies of the pathophysiology of arteriovenous malformations, the introduction of intraoperative Doppler recordings during surgery for aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations, and his methods for evaluating collateral circulation prior to internal carotid artery occlusion.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage syndrome and its aneurysmal etiology. From Morgagni to Moniz, Dott and Dandy. A historical overview]

Although obvious today, the concept of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms emerged slowly in medical knowledge with the clinical and pathological observations of many perspicacious authors beginning with Morgagni in the middle of the eighteenth century. This body of clinical material made it possible for Symonds in 1924 to affirm this concept on clinical and pathological grounds just a few years before Egas Moniz performed the first cerebral angiograms and such pioneers as Norman Dott and Walter Dandy the first direct attacks on cerebral aneurysms.

Laceration of vertebral artery. An historic boxing death

An historic case of a boxing death (c. 1913) was reviewed, since the cause of death given at the time is now deemed incorrect. Using current literature on traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage, the cause of death is now hypothesized to have been a tear in the right vertebral artery associated with hyperextension and rotation of the neck.

Norman Dott's contribution to aneurysm surgery

Between 1926-36 Norman Dott managed 39 patients with suspected intracranial haemorrhage. During this period he established important principles of diagnosis and developed new methods for the medical and surgical treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Dott performed the first intracranial operation to treat an aneurysm and the first angiogram to demonstrate an intracranial aneurysm. This article reviews Dott's early experiences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Advances in the management of victims struck by ruptured intracranial aneurysms

The advances in management of victims struck by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is reviewed. In the 1970s the management outcome was still far from acceptable; many victims who had 'recovered' following a major aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) succumbed or became crippled as the result of repeat bleeds and/or delayed SAH-induced ischaemic deterioration ('cerebral vasospasm'). The era of prosperity for microneurosurgery, the introduction of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine and the accumulation of cases in centres with a team of dedicated aneurysm surgeons form the basis of a recent breakthrough in the previously gloomy management outcome. With microsurgical techniques elective surgery can now be performed in the acute stage thereby preventing disastrous reruptures which occur frequently in the early phase after the first bleed. The concomitant use of nimodipine minimizes delayed SAH-induced ischaemic deterioration. Today a management regime including early operation combined with nimodipine has led to grossly improved results. Nevertheless cognitive disturbances and psychosocial maladjustment are frequent sequelae following a major aneurysmal bleed. Hope for further improvements could depend on the development of techniques which may allow identification of intracranial aneurysms before they rupture and increased knowledge of the aetiology of such cerebral arterial wall lesions.

Management of ruptured intracranial aneurysm: a review

The discouraging history associated with management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is reviewed along with improvements in outlook attributable to progress made within the past decade. Among the new developments is the introduction of microsurgical techniques that allow elective surgery in the acute stage thereby preventing repeat haemorrhages. Early operation also offers the possibility of a more aggressive pharmacological anti-ischaemic treatment. Notwithstanding the improved results of acute elective surgery and the fact that delayed ischaemic deterioration (symptomatic cerebral vasospasm) now may be almost eliminated, the overall outcome remains gloomy. Despite recent advances not more than one out of three individuals, who are struck by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, may be expected to make a good neurological and functional recovery. Hope for further improvements may depend on the development of techniques that can identify intracranial aneurysms before they rupture and increased knowledge of the aetiology of such arterial wall lesions.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage--historical background from a Scandinavian horizon

The historical background of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is depicted with emphasis in the Scandinavian contribution to improvements in the treatment. It is concluded that an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with all certainty was the cause of death of the prospective King of Sweden, Charles August, in the year 1810. Despite advances in management and surgical treatment of this devastating disease the outcome in this important patient--which led to a new royal dynasty in Sweden--would certainly have turned out as fatal today as became the case 174 years ago.