Trial of Thrombectomy for Stroke with a Large Infarct of Unrestricted Size

BACKGROUND

The use of thrombectomy in patients with acute stroke and a large infarct of unrestricted size has not been well studied.

METHODS

We assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, patients with proximal cerebral vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and a large infarct (as defined by an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score of ≤5; values range from 0 to 10) detected on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography within 6.5 hours after symptom onset to undergo endovascular thrombectomy and receive medical care (thrombectomy group) or to receive medical care alone (control group). The primary outcome was the score on the modified Rankin scale at 90 days (scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability). The primary safety outcome was death from any cause at 90 days, and an ancillary safety outcome was symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

RESULTS

A total of 333 patients were assigned to either the thrombectomy group (166 patients) or the control group (167 patients); 9 were excluded from the analysis because of consent withdrawal or legal reasons. The trial was stopped early because results of similar trials favored thrombectomy. Approximately 35% of the patients received thrombolysis therapy. The median modified Rankin scale score at 90 days was 4 in the thrombectomy group and 6 in the control group (generalized odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 2.06; P<0.001). Death from any cause at 90 days occurred in 36.1% of the patients in the thrombectomy group and in 55.5% of those in the control group (adjusted relative risk, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.84), and the percentage of patients with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was 9.6% and 5.7%, respectively (adjusted relative risk, 1.73; 95% CI, 0.78 to 4.68). Eleven procedure-related complications occurred in the thrombectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute stroke and a large infarct of unrestricted size, thrombectomy plus medical care resulted in better functional outcomes and lower mortality than medical care alone but led to a higher incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. (Funded by Montpellier University Hospital; LASTE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03811769.).

Ocular and cerebral infarction from periocular filler injection

A 20-year-old woman presented with loss of vision in her right eye and a "black nose" after receiving hyaluronic acid filler injections in her right glabella 1 month prior. Her vision was no light perception, and external examination revealed resolving skin necrosis at the nasal tip. A dilated fundus exam showed a fibrotic membrane emanating from a pale optic nerve and a diffusely atrophic retina with sclerotic vessels. An MRI demonstrated scattered right-sided parietal lobe infarcts. These findings were consistent with inadvertent cannulation of the supraorbital artery, followed by injection of filler into the internal carotid circulation. The product traveled in a retrograde fashion, occluding the right ophthalmic artery, right dorsal nasal artery, and arterial segments to the Circle of Willis. This case highlights the importance of understanding the complex vascular architecture of the periorbita and the mechanism by which such occlusions occur.

FLAIR vascular hyperintensities and 4D MR angiograms for the estimation of collateral blood flow in anterior cerebral artery ischemia

PURPOSE

To assess FLAIR vascular hyperintensities (FVH) and dynamic (4D) angiograms derived from perfusion raw data as proposed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging markers of leptomeningeal collateral circulation in patients with ischemia in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA).

METHODS

Forty patients from two tertiary care university hospitals were included. Infarct volumes and perfusion deficits were manually measured on DWI images and TTP maps, respectively. FVH and collateral flow on 4D MR angiograms were assessed and graded as previously specified.

RESULTS

Forty-one hemispheres were affected. Mean DWI lesion volume was 8.2 (± 13.9; range 0-76.9) ml, mean TTP lesion volume was 24.5 (± 17.2, range 0-76.7) ml. FVH were observed in 26/41 (63.4%) hemispheres. Significant correlations were detected between FVH and TTP lesion volume (ρ = 0.4; P<0.01) absolute (ρ = 0.37; P<0.05) and relative mismatch volume (ρ = 0.35; P<0.05). The modified ASITN/SIR score correlated inversely with DWI lesion volume (ρ = -0.58; P<0.01) and positively with relative mismatch (ρ = 0.29; P< 0.05). ANOVA of the ASITN/SIR score revealed significant inter-group differences for DWI (P<0.001) and TTP lesion volumes (P<0.05). No correlation was observed between FVH scores and modified ASITH/SIR scores (ρ = -0.16; P = 0.32).

CONCLUSIONS

FVH and flow patterns on 4D MR angiograms are markers of perfusion deficits and tissue at risk. As both methods did not show a correlation between each other, they seem to provide complimentary instead of redundant information. Previously shown evidence for the meaning of these specific MR signs in internal carotid and middle cerebral artery stroke seems to be transferrable to ischemic stroke in the ACA territory.

Establishment of the intracranial hemodynamic model based on contrast medium and clinical applications

Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases are one of the most common vascular diseases in aged people and CT perfusion (CTP) is a very popular tool to detect the ischemic changes in brain vascular. The present study aims to establish a novel intracranial hemodynamic model to simulate anterior cerebral artery blood flow, and compare the actual and simulated hemodynamic parameters of healthy people and patients with carotid stenosis or occlusion.A mathematical model of the intracranial hemodynamic was generated using MATLAB software, and data from patients with or without infarct disease (57 and 44 cases, respectively) were retrospectively collected to test the new model. The actual time-density curve (TDC) of anterior cerebral artery was obtained from the original intracranial CTP data, and simulated TDC was calculated from our intracranial hemodynamic model. All model parameters were adjusted according to patients' sex, height, and weight. Time to peak enhancement (TTP), maximum enhancement (ME), and mean transit time (MTT) were selected to evaluate the status of hemodynamics.In healthy people, there were no significant differences of TTP and ME between actual and simulated curves. For patients with infarct symptoms, ME was significantly decreased in actual data compared with simulated curve, while there was no obvious difference of TTP between actual and simulated data. Moreover, MTT was delayed in infarct patients compared with healthy people.Our group generated a computer-based, physiologic model to simulate intracranial hemodynamics. The model successfully simulated anterior cerebral artery hemodynamics in normal healthy people and showed noncompliant ME and MTT in infarct patients, reflecting their abnormal cerebral hemodynamic status. The digital model is reliable and may help optimize the protocol of contrast medium enhancement in intracranial CT, and provide a solid tool to study intracranial hemodynamics.

Regional leptomeningeal score on CT angiography predicts clinical and imaging outcomes in patients with acute anterior circulation occlusions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The regional leptomeningeal score is a strong and reliable imaging predictor of good clinical outcomes in acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes and can therefore be used for imaging based patient selection. Efforts to determine biological determinants of collateral status are needed if techniques to alter collateral behavior and extend time windows are to succeed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective Institutional Review Board-approved study of patients with acute ischemic stroke and M1 middle cerebral artery+/- intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion at our center from 2003 to 2009. The rLMC score is based on scoring pial and lenticulostriate arteries (0, no; 1, less; 2, equal or more prominent compared with matching region in opposite hemisphere) in 6 ASPECTS regions (M1-6) plus anterior cerebral artery region and basal ganglia. Pial arteries in the Sylvian sulcus are scored 0, 2, or 4. Good clinical outcome was defined as mRS ≤ 2 at 90 days.

RESULTS

The analysis included 138 patients: 37.6% had a good (17-20), 40.5% a medium (11-16), and 21.7% a poor (0-10) rLMC score. Interrater reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77%-0.95%). On univariate analysis, no single vascular risk factor was associated with the presence of poor rLMCs (P ≥ .20 for all comparisons). In multivariable analysis, the rLMC score (good versus poor: OR, 16.7; 95% CI, 2.9%-97.4%; medium versus poor: OR, 9.2, 95% CI, 1.7%-50.6%), age (< 80 years), baseline ASPECTS (≥ 8), and clot burden score (≥ 8) were independent predictors of good clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The rLMC score is a strong imaging parameter on CT angiography for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic strokes.

Oxfordshire community stroke project clinical stroke syndrome and appearances of tissue and vascular lesions on pretreatment ct in hyperacute ischemic stroke among the first 510 patients in the Third International Stroke Trial (IST-3)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) clinical stroke syndrome classification correlates well with the stroke lesion in established ischemic stroke, but there are few data in patients with hyperacute stroke. We wished to assess whether the OCSP correlated with the site and size of the ischemic lesion and location of cerebral vessel lesion on computed tomography (CT) in hyperacute stroke.

METHODS

Prospective study of ischemic stroke patients presenting within 6 hours of onset in the Third International Stroke Trial (IST-3), a randomized, controlled trial of rt-PA. OCSP syndrome was assigned by a computer-based algorithm. The CT assessment was made by a neuroradiologist blinded to clinical details.

RESULTS

We assessed baseline data and CT findings for the first 510 patients; early tissue ischemic changes were present in 329/510 (65%) total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS) - 79%; partial anterior circulation syndrome (PACS) - 57%, lacunar syndrome (LACS) - 40%; posterior circulation syndrome (POCS) - 33%. The site and size of ischemic change on CT was compatible with the clinical syndrome in 79%, 37%, 2%, and 14%, respectively. Assuming that all patients with a normal CT scan will develop an incompatible lesion these numbers reflected the "worst possible scenario." For the "best possible scenario" we presumed that those with a normal CT will develop concordant ischemic change and the proportions were 100%, 80%, 62% and 81%, respectively. The hyperattenuated artery sign was seen in 206/510 (40%); (TACS 54%; PACS 35%, LACS 5%, and POCS 19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Within 6 hours of stroke, in patients with a nonlacunar syndrome, the OCSP syndrome correlated well with the pattern of ischemic change on CT. For clinicians who wish to restrict the use of thrombolytic therapy to large-artery ischemic stroke, concordance of clinical and CT appearances may give greater confidence in making therapeutic decisions in hyperacute stroke. In centers where immediate access to MR is limited, use of the classification may help focus use of MR on patients with suspected LACS and POCS. The utility of the classification may further increase if IST-3 establishes that the OCSP syndrome significantly modifies response to thrombolytic therapy.

[Contralateral infarction in the territory of the recurrent artery of Heubner after anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery]

We report a rare case of postoperative infarction in the territory of the contralateral recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) after surgery. A 67-year-old male was treated by the right pterional approach with clipping surgery for an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm projecting inferiorly. Postoperative CT scan revealed infarctions in the left caudate head and the left putamen. In this case, the RAH probably coursed inferiorly to the A1 segment and was behind the aneurysmal dome. These infarctions were considered to result from occlusion of the left RAH because the clip blade extended too far beyond the aneurysmal neck.

Diminution of basal ganglia dopaminergic function may play an important role in the generation of akinetic mutism in a patient with anterior cerebral arterial infarct

We report the clinical features and dopamine transporter [2-[[2-[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-yl]methyl](2-mercaptoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]ethanethiolato(3-)-N2,N20,S2,S20]oxo-[1R-(exo-exo)]-[99mTc] technetium([99mTc]TRODAT-1) image finding in an 86-year-old woman with akinetic mutism due to infarction of bilateral anterior cerebral arterial territories. TRODAT-1 is a cocaine analogue that can be labeled with technetium-99m and bound to the dopamine transporter (DAT) site. It reflects primarily the integrity of presynaptic dopamine neuron terminals. With the evolution of the clinical features, the TRODAT SPECT images change from bilateral diminution of radioactivity uptake at the 81st-day check point to normal pattern at the 6-month one when the akinetic mute manifestations were nearly gone. This novel illustration suggests that the akinetic mutism caused by anterior cerebral arterial infarct is closely linked to the perturbation of the subcortical dopaminergic system. And the amelioration of the clinical features concordantly evolved with the restoration of the dopaminergic function.

Recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis: Does a recanalization time window exist?

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the time course of major vessel recanalization under IV thrombolysis in relation to functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 99 patients with an acute anterior circulation vessel occlusion who underwent IV thrombolysis were included. All patients had a standardized admission and follow-up procedure. Color-coded duplex sonography was performed on admission, 30 minutes after thrombolysis, and at 6 and 24 hours after onset of symptoms. Recanalization was classified as complete, partial, and absent. Functional outcome was rated with the modified Rankin Scale on day 30.

RESULTS

Complete recanalization occurred significantly more frequently in patients with multiple branch occlusions compared to those with mainstem occlusion (OR 5.33; 95% CI, 2.18 to 13.05; p < 0.0001) and was associated with lower NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (p < 0.001). Not the specific time point of recanalization at 6 or 24 hours after stroke onset, but recanalization per se within 24 hours (OR 7.8; 95% CI 2.2 to 28.2; p = 0.002) was significantly associated with a favorable outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed recanalization at any time within 24 hours and NIHSS scores on days 1 and 7 together explaining 75% of the functional outcome variance 30 days after stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete recanalization up to 24 hours after stroke onset is significantly associated with the short-term clinical course and functional outcome 30 days after acute stroke.

[Sign of hyperdense and hyperintense anterior cerebral artery]

INTRODUCTION

The sign of a hyperdense middle cerebral artery (MCA) in computed tomography (CT) scan, or hyperintense MCA in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been associated with recent acute occlusion of the vessel. Hyperdense or hyperintense signs in the basilar and cerebral posterior arteries in association with acute infarct have also been reported. These signs may help to clarify localization and provide prognostic information, especially when the clinical findings are not clear or conclusive. We hereby report on a case of acute infarct in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory with hyperdensity and hyperintensity of the affected vessel.

CASE REPORT

This is a case report of a 74 year old male patient with vascular risk factors who had the acute onset of speech impairment and left side hemiparesis, evolving over the next several hours to include depression of the level of consciousness, mutism, and right leg paresis. The A2 segment of the right ACA was found to be hyperdense in CT scan without contrast, and hyperintense in the FLAIR-MRI respectively. MR-angiography showed occlusion of the probably dominant right ACA at the A2 segment shortly after its onset.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of a hyperdense and hyperintense ACA may be useful for diagnosis of acute stroke in the ACA territory, particularly in clinically ambiguous cases. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hyperdense and hyperintense ACA as an early sign of acute stroke. Its prognostic value in the ACA is thus far unknown.

Memory dysfunction in caudate infarction caused by Heubner’s recurring artery occlusion

We report five cases with caudate infarction due to Heubner's recurring artery occlusion, in which we conducted detailed memory examinations in terms of explicit memory and implicit memory. We performed the auditory verbal learning test as explicit memory tasks, and motor and cognitive procedural memory tasks, developed by Komori, as implicit memory tasks. Comparing normal control subjects with patients with left caudate infarction due to Heubner's recurring artery occlusion demonstrated lower scores on both declarative and motor procedural memory tasks. These results suggest that the left caudate nucleus may be related with both declarative memory and procedural memory.

[Topography of ischemic strokes in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire): a computed tomographic approach]

OBJECTIVE

The authors used computed tomography (CT) to assess and categorize the topography of ischemic strokes (IS) among blacks living in Abidjan, the commercial and administrative center of Côte d'Ivoire, in West Africa.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed CT data of patients admitted to the Sainte Anne Marie Polyclinic (the principal private hospital in the country) and to the neurology department of the university hospital center in Cocody, from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2001. The study included patients who met World Health Organisation criteria for stroke and had CT performed during the hospitalization for this stroke. We examined CT data to find early and late signs of IS, analyze lesion diameter (15 mm cutoff used to distinguish infarcts from lacuna), and determine their topography (cerebral arterial territory and localization, that is, brain lobes, basal ganglia and posterior cerebral fossa).

RESULTS

We included 260 subjects (58% males) with a median age of 45 years (range: 20-80 years). CT findings were abnormal for 224 patients with infarcts (72.7%), lacuna (27.3%), or both (8%). As reported elsewhere, the anterior arterial territory was most often affected (83.9%) with a middle cerebral artery lesion in 79.4% of patients. Posterior territory (16.1%) lesions and lacuna were probably underestimated because CT exploration is reported to be less useful for this area than for the carotid area. On the other hand, CT diagnoses infarcts more easily than it does lacuna. CT was normal for 36 patients although performed no more than 3 days after IS. These patients did not undergo CT angiography, which might have shown cerebral artery occlusion.

CONCLUSION

Our study included IS of all types and typography. Stroke registries in Africa would provide useful data for better assessment of prevalence for specific topographic and etiologic types of stroke.

Higher Serum Triglyceride Level in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Is Associated with Lower Infarct Volume on CT Brain Scans

We investigated the relationship between serum triglyceride level and acute ischemic stroke severity using infarct volume on CT brain scans as a marker. A total of 121 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (53 males and 68 females, age 47-93 years) with anterior circulation (75%), posterior circulation (9%) or lacunar infarcts (16%) were examined. All patients were admitted within 24 h of the symptom onset, and CT scans were taken over the subsequent 24-72 h. With adjustment for the infarct type, age, sex, timing of CT imaging (24-36, >36-48 or >48-72 h since admission), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, a higher (> or =1.70 mmol/l) fasting serum triglyceride level (within 24 h after admission) was associated with a lower infarct volume (p = 0.014). In line with a recent report on milder clinical symptoms in acute ischemic stroke patients with higher triglycerides, the results suggest an independent association between serum triglyceride level and stroke severity.

Sagittal Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Intramural Hematoma From Non-traumatic Dissection of the Anterior Cerebral Artery-Case Report-

A 46-year-old woman presented with non-traumatic anterior cerebral artery dissection manifesting as sudden onset of headache and motor weakness of the right lower limb. Angiography revealed luminal narrowing of the left anterior cerebral artery from the A(3) portion to the distal portion. Sagittal T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintensity due to an intramural hematoma around the flow void signal of the affected anterior cerebral artery. Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging should be performed in suspected cases of anterior cerebral artery dissection to detect the diagnostic finding of intramural hematoma.

Hemodynamic changes in limb shaking TIA associated with anterior cerebral artery stenosis

Limb shaking TIA is a rare but well-known feature of severe carotid artery stenosis. The authors report a patient who developed recurrent shaking movements of a leg. An angiogram showed the focal stenosis of the anterior cerebral artery. Ictal and postacetazolamide SPECT scans suggested a local hyperfunction of cortical neurons and an impaired hemodynamic reserve in the vicinity of the ischemic area.

Dominant Ipsilateral Posterior Cerebral Artery on Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

In acute infarction involving the anterior circulation, the ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery (PCA) often appears to be longer than the contralateral PCA on magnetic resonance angiography. We described this finding as dominant ipsilateral PCA (DIPCA). We sought to find the frequency of DIPCA and its predictors.

METHODS

We recruited 164 consecutive individuals with acute infarct involving the anterior circulation, and analyzed their radiological and clinical features.

RESULTS

DIPCA was noted in 27 patients (16.5%). It was more frequent in patients with than in patients without steno-occlusive disease of the ipsilateral anterior circulation (30.5 vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the severity of arterial lesions in the ipsilateral anterior circulation and DIPCA (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

DIPCA may reflect increased leptomeningeal collateral flow via the ipsilateral PCA, and its development may be dependent on the stenotic anterior circulation.

Mechanisms of Single and Multiple Borderzone Infarct: Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemodynamic patterns after borderzone (BZ) infarction are variable and dynamic. However, stroke mechanisms in different types of BZ infarctions have not been systematically studied by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).

METHODS

Forty-nine patients who experienced a stroke limited to the territory of either the superficial or internal borderzone proved on MRI included in our registry, corresponding to 4% of 1,200 patients with ischemic stroke, were studied. All these patients underwent MRA, extracranial Doppler ultrasonography, TCD and other investigations from the standard protocol of our registry. Twenty of them (41%) had a posterior BZ infarct, 14 (29%) an anterior BZ infarct, 10 (20%) a subcortical BZ infarct and 5 (10%) bilateral BZ infarcts.

RESULTS

Unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) tight stenosis or occlusion ipsilateral to the lesion was present in 14 patients (70%) with a posterior BZ infarct, in 72% of those with an anterior BZ infarct, in 80% of those with a subcortical BZ infarct and in 80% of those with bilateral BZ infarcts. TCD showed cross-filling of the middle cerebral artery via the anterior communicating artery in 5 patients (25%) with a posterior BZ infarct and 10% had an increased mean flow velocity (MFV) in the ipsilateral P1 posterior cerebral artery (PCA). In patients with an anterior BZ infarct, 3 (23%) had an MFV increase in the contralateral A1 anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and 2 (15%) had a higher MFV in the ipsilateral PCA. An elevated velocity at midline depths with reversed A1 ACA flow direction was seen in 2 patients (20%) with a subcortical infarct, and 1 patient (10%) had an MFV increase in the ipsilateral P1 PCA. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%) was present in 50% of patients with a posterior BZ infarct, in 36% of those with an anterior BZ infarct, in 20% of those with a subcortical BZ infarct and bilateral BZ infarcts each.

CONCLUSION

The association of severe ICA stenosis or occlusion with cardiopathies and left ventricular dysfunction may play a critical role in those with BZ infarcts having inadequate collateral supply, while a cardioembolism or acute ICA dissection may also cause BZ infarction due to the rapidity of the occlusive process and the inability of the cerebral vasculature to recruit collateral pathways quickly enough.

Relationships between angiographic findings and National Institutes of Health stroke scale score in cases of hyperacute carotid ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke severity in cases of hyperacute carotid ischemic stroke may be related to site of arterial occlusion. We evaluated the relationships between National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and findings on intra-arterial digital subtraction angiograms (IA-DSA) of patients with ischemic stroke within 6 hr of stroke onset.

METHODS

A total of 43 consecutive patients (38 men and five women; mean age, 69.4 +/- 8.7 years) with ischemic stroke in the carotid territory underwent IA-DSA within 6 hr of stroke onset. Baseline NIHSS score was assessed immediately before IA-DSA. Patients were divided into four groups according to site of arterial occlusion: 1) the internal carotid artery (ICA group, n = 10); 2) stem of the middle cerebral artery or stem of the anterior cerebral artery (Stem group, n = 14); 3) branches of middle cerebral artery or anterior cerebral artery (Branch group, n = 11); and 4) no arterial occlusion (Normal group, n = 8).

RESULTS

Mean (+/-SD) NIHSS score was 14.7 +/- 7.4. The interval from stroke onset to IA-DSA study was 205 +/- 76 min. NIHSS score was higher in the ICA group (median, 23; range, 6-32) than in the Branch (median, 17; range, 11-25; P =.02) or Normal (median, 15; range, 2-17; P <.001) groups but was not higher than in the Stem group (median, 6; range, 1-11; P =.73). Sensitivity-specificity curve analysis suggested an NIHSS score > or = 10 as indicative of arterial occlusion of the carotid system. A total of 96.9% of patients with NIHSS scores > or = 10 displayed arterial occlusion, and 63.6% of patients with NIHSS scores <10 displayed no arterial occlusion.

CONCLUSION

NIHSS score is related to site of arterial occlusion in cases of hyperacute carotid ischemic stroke. An NIHSS score of 10 seems to represent the cut-off for discriminating between patients with arterial occlusion and patients without.

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis with bifrontal encephalogaleo(periosteal)synangiosis in the pediatric moyamoya disease: the surgical technique and its outcomes

METHODS

To increase the blood flow of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories, we modified the "ribbon" procedure in combination with encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS). This is referred to as "EDAS with bifrontal encephalogaleo(periosteal)synangiosis (EGS)." The surgical technique, clinical outcomes, complications, extent of revascularization, and changes in CBF in 67 pediatric MMD patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The excellent and good clinical recovery rates were 57% and 31%. The rate for complete disappearance of TIA was 63%. All the bifrontal EGS made abundant collateral vessels in the ACA territory. When the EDAS with bifrontal EGS was performed in the first operation, collaterals of EGS sites developed more on the contralateral side of the EDAS. The arachnoid opening of the medial frontal lobe in the EGS site had no effect on the results. There was a positive correlation between the clinical outcome and the extent of angiographic revascularization. Improvements in the CBF and the reserve in ACA territory were observed in 57%.

CONCLUSIONS

EDAS with bifrontal EGS resulted in excellent revascularization in both the MCA and ACA territories. The clinical and hemodynamic results were also excellent. This procedure may be an effective and safe surgical modality for the prevention of ischemia in the whole territory of the anterior circulation of the brain in pediatric MMD.

'Mirror image' distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms. A case report of two patients with review of literature

We report two cases of patients with bilateral 'mirror image' or 'kissing' aneurysms at the distal anterior cerebral arteries who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage and frontal intracerebral haematoma.

Anterior cerebral artery dissections manifesting as cerebral hemorrhage and infarction, and presenting as dynamic angiographical changes--case report

A 65-year-old woman presented with multiple dissecting aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) manifesting as hemiparesis on the right with dominance in the lower extremity. Computed tomography revealed hematoma in the left frontal lobe, corresponding to the area perfused by the callosomarginal artery. Initial angiography showed string sign and occlusion in the distal portion of the left callosomarginal artery and abnormal feeding suggesting double lumen of the A2 portion of the left ACA. The patient was treated conservatively under a diagnosis of multiple spontaneous dissecting aneurysms of the left ACA. Repeat angiography on Day 8 showed improvement of the string sign and occlusion in the left callosomarginal artery, and change of the double lumen of the A2 portion into string sign. Further angiography on Day 36 showed normalization of the left callosomarginal artery and improvement of the string sign in the A2 portion. Multiple spontaneous dissecting aneurysms of the ACA are extremely rare. Serial angiography beginning in the early stage will be important for correct diagnosis.