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BackgroundHyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) following carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. At present, there are no reliable parameters to predict HPS. The aim of this study was to clarify whether perfusion computed tomography (CT) is a feasible and reliable tool in predicting HPS after CAS.Methodology/principal findingsWe performed a retrospective case-control study of 54 patients (11 HPS patients and 43 non-HPS) with unilateral severe stenosis of the carotid artery who underwent CAS. We compared the prevalence of vascular risk factors and perfusion CT parameters including regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and time to peak (TTP) within seven days prior to CAS. Demographic information, risk factors for atherosclerosis, and perfusion CT parameters were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The rCBV index was calculated as [(ipsilateral rCBV - contralateral rCBV)/contralateral rCBV], and indices of rCBF and TTP were similarly calculated. We found that eleven patients had HPS, including five with intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) of whom three died. After a comparison with non-HPS control subjects, independent predictors of HPS included the severity of ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis, 3-hour mean systolic blood pressure (3 h SBP) after CAS, pre-stenting rCBV index >0.15 and TTP index >0.22.Conclusions/significanceThe combination of severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis, 3 h SBP after CAS, rCBV index and TTP index provides a potential screening tool for predicting HPS in patients with unilateral carotid stenosis receiving CAS. In addition, adequate management of post-stenting blood pressure is the most important treatable factor in preventing HPS in these high risk patients.

Due to a unique cortical venous drainage pattern without sinus drainage, ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) are uncommon cerebral vascular lesions that carry a high risk of brain bleeding and neurologic deficit. Surgical intervention has been found to have a lower complication rate and a more satisfactory obliteration rate than endovascular treatment among the various DAVF treatment options. The supraorbital keyhole subfrontal approach is one of the least invasive and appropriate surgical techniques for addressing the anterior fossa vascular lesion in eDAVFs. We describe two men, ages 60 and 71, who underwent this surgical intervention to treat asymptomatic Cognard type IV eDAVFs. Complete obliteration with a detached fistulous point and skeletonization was accomplished with the aid of intraoperative neuronavigation. Thus, we suggest that a suitable surgical method for the treatment of eDAVFs would be to use a supraorbital keyhole subfrontal approach.

Abstract Background Few systematic methods prioritize the image education in medical students (MS). We hope to develop a checklist of brain computerized tomography (CT) reading in patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for MS and primary care (PC) physicians. Methods Our pilot group generated the items indicating specific structures or signs for the checklist of brain CT reading in suspected AIS patients for MS and PC physicians. These items were used in a modified web-based Delphi process using the online software “SurveyMonkey”. In total 15 panelists including neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and emergency department physicians participated in the modified Delphi process. Each panelist was encouraged to express feedback, agreement or disagreement on the inclusion of each item using a 9-point Likert scale. Items with median scores of 7–9 were included in our final checklist. Results Fifty-two items were initially provided for the first round of the Delphi process. Of these, 35 achieved general agreement of being an essential item for the MS and PC physicians. The other 17 of the 52 items in this round and another two added items suggested by the panelists were further rated in the next round. Finally, 38 items were included in the essential checklist items of brain CT reading in suspected AIS patients for MS and PC physicians. Conclusions We established a reference regarding the essential items of brain CT reading in suspected AIS patients. We hope this helps to minimize malpractice and a delayed diagnosis, and to improve competency-based medical education for MS and PC physicians.

Malignant glioma (MG) is extremely aggressive and highly resistant to chemotherapeutic agents. Using electrospraying, the potent chemotherapeutic agent 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecia (SN-38) was embedded into 50:50 biodegradable poly[(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide] (PLGA) microparticles (SMPs). The SMPs were stereotactically injected into the brain parenchyma of healthy rats and intratumorally injected into F98 glioma-bearing rats for estimating the pharmacodynamics and therapeutic efficacy. SN-38 was rapidly released after injection and its local (brain tissue) concentration remained much higher than that in the blood for more than 8 weeks. Glioma-bearing rats were divided into three groups—group A (n = 13; stereotactically injected pure PLGA microparticles), group B (n = 12; stereotactically injected Gliadel wafer and oral temozolomide), and group C (n = 13; stereotactic and intratumoral introduction of SMPs). The SMPs exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy, with prolonged survival, retarded tumor growth, and attenuated malignancy. The experimental results demonstrated that SMPs provide an effective and potential strategy for the treatment of MG.

Background: To study a case of para-Bombay phenotype caused by compound heterozygous mutation of the FUT1 gene. Methods: We performed an agglutination examination to anti-H serum. Secretor status was determined in order to assess the presence of soluble blood group substances. Genotyping of ABO and FUT1 genes were also performed. Results: Our results showed the presence of A and H antigens in the saliva. Based on these results, the patient in the present case was diagnosed to have a para-Bombay A phenotype. Direct DNA sequencing of the patient's ABO gene indicated A1v/O1vgenotype. FUT1 gene sequence analysis revealed that the patient harbored the compound heterozygous mutations c.881_882delTT (p.Phe294Cysfs) and c.551_552delAG (p.Glu184Valfs). Conclusions: In summary, our findings support that the occurrence of a heterozygous mutation in FUT1, 547- delAG/880delTT, is the most common mutation in Taiwanese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Aneurysms at nonbranching sites in the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA), known as blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs), are rare entities and differ from saccular aneurysms. In this study, we attempt to describe our clinical experience and the outcome of treatments for BBAs. Method. Thirteen of 745 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who visited our institution between March 2005 and July 2010, and were confirmed to have BBAs at nonbranching sites of the supraclinoid ICA by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or computed tomography angiography, were followed-up. In these patients, several therapeutic managements were provided depending on their clinical condition. Data analyzed included patient age, sex, World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons (WFNS) scale, time interval from first DSA to second DSA, treatment of aneurysms, and the modified Rankin scale score at follow-up, 6 months after SAH. Result. Of these 13 patients, 5 underwent rapid configuration change from blood blister-like aneurysm to saccular-shaped. Different therapeutic managements were provided, including clipping on wrapping material in 2 patients, ICA trapping without extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass in 3 patients, EC-IC bypass and ICA trapping in 3 patients, transarterial endovascular therapy in 3 patients, direct clipping in 1 patient, and external ventricular drainage in 1 patient. Good clinical outcome was achieved in 4 patients, whereas the other 9 patients had moderate to severe disability due to rebleeding of aneurysms, large cerebral infarction, or severe cerebral vasospasm. Conclusions. BBAs of the supraclinoid ICA have special neuroradiological and clinicopathological characteristics. Direct clipping or endovascular coil embolization along may not be sufficient and sometimes have undesirable results. ICA trapping or ligation including the lesion segment can be considered an alternative choice if the balloon occlusion test (BOT) is successful. However, if the patient does not tolerate the BOT, EC-IC bypass surgery with ICA ligation or trapping is another option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) were retrospectively reviewed in an effort to identify patients at high risk of ACA aneurysm. Methods: Blunt craniofacial trauma patients featuring vascular injuries over the region of the ACA were studied. Results: Six patients featuring eight ACA aneurysms were diagnosed between June 1992 and December 2005, inclusively. Seven aneurysms were located at nonbranched sites and one was located over the right ACA-anterior communicating artery junction. One patient died immediately of massive intracranial lobar hemorrhage (ICH). The other 5 patients experienced rebleeding during a period of from 1 to 29 days. Brain computed tomography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 1 of these 6 patients, ICH over the medial frontal area or cingulated gyrus in 4 patients, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in 3 patients, and an interhemispheric subdural hematoma (SDH) in 2 patients. Conclusion: Delayed-onset deterioration of neurological deficit is the most common clinical presentation of traumatic ACA aneurysms. Midline hemorrhage such as medial frontal hemorrhage or cingulate gyrus hemorrhage, and the presence of an interhemispheric SDH associated with SAH and IVH subsequent to blunt craniofacial trauma should be further evaluated, as they pre-sent a high risk of traumatic ACA aneurysms to patients. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic direct type carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an acquired arteriovenous shunt between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus post severe craniofacial trauma or iatrogenic injury. We reported a 46-year-old woman who had developed a traumatic direct type CCF after severe head trauma with a skull base fracture and brain contusion hemorrhage. The clinical manifestations of the patient included pulsatile exophthalmos, proptosis, bruits, chemosis, and a decline in consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed engorgement of the right superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), perifocal cerebral edema in the right frontal–temporal cortex, right basal ganglia, and brain stem. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) disclosed a direct type high-flow CCF with an aggressive cortical venous reflux drainage pattern, which was attributed to Barrow type A and Thomas classification type 5. After partial treatment by transvenous coil embolization for the CCF, the residual high-flow fistula with aggressive venous drainage had an unusual rapid spontaneous resolution in a brief period. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to meticulously monitor the clinical conditions of patients and perform brain MRI and DSA at short intervals to determine the treatment strategy for residual CCF after partial endovascular treatment.