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The representation of the visual field in visual cortex was established over a century ago by correlating perimetric defects with the estimated location of war wounds. The availability of high-definition MRI offers the possibility of more precise correlation.Homonymous hemianopias disclosed on automated visual fields (HVFs) were drawn from an electronic medical record search from 2009 to 2020 at the Michigan Medicine, a tertiary care academic medical center. The patterns of the visual field defects (VFDs) were interpreted by a consensus of 2 authors. The VFDs were correlated with the location of MRI lesions in 92 patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) domain ischemic strokes, as determined by the neuroradiologist author, who was masked as to the VFDs.Among the 77 VFDs confined to 1 hemifield, 74 (96%) correctly predicted the side of the visual cortex lesion. In 3 cases, the MRI lesion in the opposite cerebral hemisphere was not foretold. Among the 15 VFDs present in both hemifields, 5 (33.3%) overestimated the MRI lesions, which were evident in only 1 hemisphere. Among the 30 VFDs confined to 1 quadrant, 29 (97%) correctly predicted the lesioned visual cortex quadrant. However, 14 VFDs failed to predict MRI lesions present in both superior and inferior visual cortex quadrants on the same side. Those unpredicted lesions mostly had subtle or indistinct signal abnormalities or were confined to anterior visual cortex, an area that is inaccessible with the HVF test protocol used in this study.In this study of PCA ischemic stroke, VFDs limited to 1 hemifield were accurate in locating the side and quadrant of the MRI visual cortex lesions. However, the quadrantic VFDs sometimes failed to predict that the lesions involved both the superior and inferior quadrants on the same side, largely because those lesions had subtle imaging features that defied accurate radiologic assessment or were out of the reach of the visual field test protocol.

The concepts of the representation of visual field in primary visual cortex are based on studies of war wounds and correlations with brain imaging in small cohorts. Because of the difficulty of judging brain lesion extent and the small number of studied patients, there is lingering controversy as to whether the central 15° of visual field are mapped onto the posterior 25% of primary visual cortex or onto a larger area. To improve the delineation of MRI lesion extent, we have studied only patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) ischemic strokes.We accrued a cohort of 92 patients with PCA strokes from an electronic medical records search between 2009 and 2020 at a single tertiary care academic institution. Patients had reliable static perimetry demonstrating homonymous hemianopias and high-definition reviewable brain imaging. We divided the primary visual cortex on the MRI T1 sagittal sequence into 8 equal segments in right and left cerebral hemispheres and located lesions according to the segments they occupied. We correlated lesion locations with 3 visual field defects (VFDs): macular-sparing homonymous quadrantanopias, macular-splitting homonymous quadrantanopias, and homonymous paracentral scotomas.Among 25 cases with macular sparing, 13 had lesion-sparing confined to the posterior 25% of visual cortex. Among 6 cases with homonymous paracentral scotomas, 2 had lesions confined to the posterior 25% of visual cortex. Macular-splitting quadrantanopia did not occur in any patients with lesions confined to the posterior 25% of visual cortex, but did occur in 3 patients with lesions confined to the posterior 50% of visual cortex. These phenomena would not be expected if the central 15° of visual field were mapped onto a region extending beyond the posterior 25% of visual cortex. In patients with PCA strokes that involved the retrogeniculate visual pathway proximal to visual cortex, the visual cortex lesions were often less extensive than predicted by the VFDs, perhaps because of widespread damage to axons before they reached their destination in visual cortex.These results support the concept that the central 15° of the visual field are represented in the posterior 25% of visual cortex. Although this study contributes a larger cohort of patients with better-defined lesion borders than in past reports, its conclusions must be tempered by the variability of patient attention during visual field testing, the subjectivity in the interpretation of the defect patterns, and the difficulty in judging MRI lesion extent even on diffusion-weighted and precontrast T1 sagittal sequences.

The territorial involvement and the clinical benefit of endovascular therapy (EVT) of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion may vary between patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusions (IPCAOs) and the prognostic factors of EVT.Forty-eight patients with acute PCA occlusion who underwent EVT between Mar 2008 and Apr 2021 from 2 tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics, imaging and perfusion abnormalities, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Ischemic changes were assessed with the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS). Perfusion abnormalities were assessed using automated software for Tmax volume measurement and identification of Tmax involved in PCA eloquent areas.The IPCAO sites were P1 (n = 17) and P2 (n = 31). Overall successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 68.8% (33/48) and excellent outcome (90-day mRS 0-1) in 52.1% (25/48) of the patients. Excellent/non-excellent outcome was associated with male sex (p = 0.036), admission NIHSS (p = 0.002), pc-ASPECTS (p = 0.035), Tmax6 s involvement of the midbrain-thalamus (p = 0.008), first-line stent-retriever thrombectomy (p = 0.036), complete recanalization (p = 0.009), and modified first pass effect (FPE, p = 0.047). Tmax6 s involvement of the midbrain-thalamus was an independent predictor for non-excellent outcome on multivariable analysis.Acute stroke from IPCAO may be successfully treated with EVT. Tmax6 s involvement of the midbrain-thalamus on perfusion imaging may be a predictor for clinical outcome.

A 57-year-old man presented with a bilateral posterior cerebral artery attack and was visually impaired. He had a hard time identifying familiar faces and shades. He also felt that the familiar building looked different, and complained that it was not possible to tell from visual information alone whether the food was cooked or the kimono fabric was soft.We assessed the patient's visual function using real materials and material images and was diagnosed with visual texture agnosia. There are few reports of visual texture agnosia, detailed evaluation is considered important because perceiving texture is important for activities of daily living.

Little is known about the character and underlying lesions of ischaemic amnesia. Episodic memory functions and brain lesions were therefore studied in 84 patients with acute ischaemic infarcts in the supply territory of the posterior cerebral artery. The aim was also to learn how the neural memory systems are organized.Standard neuropsychological tests were used to assess verbal and figural memory. Patients were split into memory-impaired and memory-intact groups. Lesions were demarcated, normalized and anatomically labelled, using standard mapping procedures.Of the 84 patients more than 80% had an amnestic syndrome, mostly with combined memory impairment, less often with figural or verbal memory impairment. Amnesia in subjects with left hemispheric lesions was more frequent and more severe, with significantly lower scores on the verbal memory test. Normal performance or figural amnesia were prevalent after right hemispheric lesions. However, no amnesia subtype was strictly tied to left- or right-sided brain damage. Hippocampal and thalamic lesions were common, but 30% of lesions were extrahippocampal located in the ventral occipito-temporal cortex and long occipital white matter tracts. Most amnestic patients lacked awareness for their memory impairment.Memory impairment is a key clinical manifestation of acute posterior cerebral artery stroke. Amnesia is more frequent and more severe after left stroke, suggesting a left hemisphere dominance of the two memory systems. Domain specific memory appears not to be strictly lateralized, since deficits in verbal and figural memory were found after lesions of both sides. Extrahippocampal lesions may also cause memory impairment.

Background and Purpose: High-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is a powerful tool in diagnosing intracranial vasculopathies not detected on routine imaging. We hypothesized that 7T HR-VWI may detect the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis disease initially misdiagnosed as cryptogenic strokes. Methods: Patients diagnosed as cryptogenic stroke but suspected of having an intracranial arteriopathy by routine imaging were prospectively imaged with HR-VWI. If intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were identified, they were classified as culprit or nonculprit based on the likelihood of causing the index stroke. Plaque characteristics, such as contrast enhancement, degree of stenosis, and morphology, were analyzed. Contrast enhancement was determined objectively after normalization with the pituitary stalk. A cutoff value for plaque-to-pituitary stalk contrast enhancement ratio (CR) was determined for optimal prediction of the presence of a culprit plaque. A revised stroke cause was adjudicated based on clinical and HR-VWI findings. Results: A total of 344 cryptogenic strokes were analyzed, and 38 eligible patients were imaged with 7T HR-VWI. Intracranial atherosclerosis disease was adjudicated as the final stroke cause in 25 patients. A total of 153 intracranial plaques in 374 arterial segments were identified. Culprit plaques (n=36) had higher CR and had concentric morphology when compared with nonculprit plaques ( P ≤0.001). CR ≥53 had 78% sensitivity for detecting culprit plaques and a 90% negative predictive value. CR ≥53 ( P =0.008), stenosis ≥50% ( P P =0.030) were independent predictors of culprit plaques. Conclusions: 7T HR-VWI allows identification of underlying intracranial atherosclerosis disease in a subset of stroke patients with suspected underlying vasculopathy but otherwise classified as cryptogenic. Plaque analysis in this population demonstrated that culprit plaques had more contrast enhancement (CR ≥53), caused a higher degree of stenosis, and had a concentric morphology.

The fetal-type posterior cerebral artery (FTP) is a normal variation of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), occurring in 3-36% of general population. The effects of the FTP in stroke mechanisms remain debatable. We aimed to investigate the differences in stroke mechanisms and lesion locations between patients with and without FTP.A total of 394 patients with PCA territory stroke were divided into those with PCA ischemic stroke associated with ipsilateral FTP and those without. The baseline characteristics, vascular risk factors, infarct pattern, stroke location, stroke etiology, and the diameter of P1 in patients without FTP or posterior communicating artery (PcoA) in patients with FTP were investigated.Among the 394 patients, 52 (13.2%) PCA stroke patients with ipsilateral FTP were enrolled. Patients with FTP, in comparison with those without, had a higher frequency of deep infarct pattern (69.2% vs. 47.1%, P=0.012), small vessel occlusion (51.9% vs. 28.9%, P=0.009), ventrolateral thalamic involvement (65.4% vs. 49.1%, P=0.042), and a lower frequency of cardiac embolism (9.6% vs. 24.0%, P=0.009). The diameter of P1 in patients without FTP was larger than that of PcoA in patients with FTP (2.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mm, P0.001).The stroke mechanisms, infarct pattern, and the location of the stroke were different between patients with and without FTP. PCA stroke patients with FTP more often had small vessel occlusion and ventrolateral thalamic involvement. These results are probably associated with difference in the hemodynamic status according to the presence of FTP.

Introduction: More than half of all worldwide deaths and disabilities were caused by stroke. Large artery atherosclerosis is identified as a high etiological risk factor because it accounts for 20% of ischemic stroke. Objectives: To identify the significance of TRAIL and adropin release and the relative changes related to S100B levels, as well as the relationship between these biomarkers and the final infarct core, the clinical outcome, and the presence of large artery atherosclerosis in acute stroke patients. Materials and methods: Over a one-year period, demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging findings of 90 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated. Results: The mean age of participants was 69.28 ± 10 and 39 patients were female. The increased level of S100B and the decreased levels of sTRAIL with adropin were significantly associated with moderate to severe neurologic presentation (p=0.0001, p=0.002, p=0.002, respectively). On the control CT, a large infarct core was significantly associated with decreased serum levels of sTRAIL and adropin (p=0.001 and p=0.000, respectively); however, the levels of S100B were not significantly associated with good ASPECTS score (p=0.684). Disability and an unfavorable outcome were significantly related to the decreased level of sTRAIL and adropin (p=0.001 and p=0.000 for THRIVE score>5, respectively). Decreased sTRAIL and adropin levels and an increased S100B level were correlated with the presence of large artery atherosclerotic etiologic factors (p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.036, respectively). Conclusion: TRAIL and adropin serum levels were associated with poor clinical outcomes and greater infarcted area in acute ischemic stroke patients. Resumen: Introducción. Más de la mitad de todas las muertes y discapacidades en todo el mundo fueron causadas por accidentes cerebrovasculares. La aterosclerosis de las grandes arterias se identifica como un factor de alto riesgo etiológico debido a que representa el 20 % de los accidentes cerebrovasculares isquémicos. Objetivo. Determinar la importancia de la liberación de TRAIL y adropina y los cambios relativos relacionados con los niveles de S100B, así como la relación entre estos biomarcadores y el núcleo final del infarto, el resultado clínico y la presencia de aterosclerosis de arterias grandes en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular agudo. Materiales y métodos. Durante un año, se evaluaron los hallazgos demográficos, clínicos y de neuroimágenes de 90 pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular isquémico agudo. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 69,28 ± 10 y 39 eran mujeres. El aumento del nivel de S100B y la disminución de los niveles de sTRAIL y adropina se asociaron significativamente con una presentación neurológica moderada a grave en los pacientes (p=0,0001, p=0,002 y p=0,002, respectivamente). En la TC de control, un gran núcleo de infarto se asoció significativamente con una disminución del nivel sérico de sTRAIL y adropina (p=0,001 y p=0,000, respectivamente); sin embargo, los niveles de S100B no se asociaron significativamente con una buena puntuación en el ASPECT (p=0,684). La discapacidad y el resultado desfavorable se relacionaron significativamente con la disminución de los niveles de sTRAIL y adropina (p=0,001 y p=0,000 para una puntuación >5 en el THRIVE, respectivamente). La disminución de los niveles de sTRAIL y adropina y el aumento del nivel de S100B, se correlacionaron con la presencia de un factor etiológico aterosclerótico de arterias grandes entre la población de estudio (p=0,000, p=0,000 y p=0,036, respectivamente). Conclusiones. Los niveles séricos de TRAIL y adropina se asociaron con un resultado clínico deficiente y una mayor área infartada en pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular isquémico agudo.

Acute ischemic stroke in the territory of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is uncommon. Therefore, large population studies evaluating ACA infarction are scarce. We sought to evaluate epidemiological and etiological characteristics of ACA infarction compared to other territorial infarctions. We analyzed a prospectively collected stroke registry of all acute ischemic stroke patients for 19 years at two tertiary hospitals. We included patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel stenosis or occlusion including ACA, middle cerebral artery (MCA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA). A total of 4171 patients were enrolled. Patients with ACA infarction (N = 288) were significantly older with more females than those with MCA, PCA, or VBA infarction. There were more patients with history of prior ischemic stroke in the ACA infarction group than in other groups. The etiology of the ACA infarction was similar to those of the MCA, PCA and also the total population (66.7–71.8% of LAA and 17.9–20.9% of CE). When patients had prior ischemic stroke history, ACA infarction was more likely to be caused by LAA than MCA or PCA infarction (OR = 6.2, 95% CI 2.0–19.2, p = 0.002 and OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.1–14.6, p = 0.038, respectively). Patients with ACA infarction had significantly more prior ischemic stroke than those with MCA, PCA, or VBA infarction. The etiology of ACA infarction in patients with prior ischemic stroke showed significantly more LAA than that of MCA or PCA infarction.

Objective This study was to assess the clinical features and prognostic factors of posterior circulation cerebral infarction (PCCI) patients. Methods A total of 165 PCCI patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology, Beijing Friendship hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2016 and December 2016 were included. Patients had complete medical record and received 12-month follow-up. The demographics, risk factors, clinical manifestations, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and imaging findings were collected and factors affecting their prognosis were further analyzed. Results The mean age was 59.5 ± 10.8 years and the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission was 6.6 ± 2.8. The one-year recurrence rate of stroke was 6.7%; 84.8% of patients had good prognosis (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0–3) and 15.2% had poor prognosis (mRS score >3). The one-year mortality was 3.0%. Patients with ≥50% stenosis in the basilar artery and higher NIHSS score were more likely to have poor outcome. Conclusion The majority of PCCI patients have a good prognosis and a low mortality. The prognosis is poor in patients with ≥50% stenosis in the basilar artery and higher NIHSS score on admission.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of eye movements and vestibular function tests in PCI patients.Thirty-eight PCI patients and 31 patients with unilateral vestibular neuritis (UVN) were enrolled and underwent eye movement tests and vestibular function tests (spontaneous nystagmus [SN], head-shaking nystagmus [HSN]).The rates of eye movement abnormality were 78.9% and 41.9% in PCI and UVN patients, respectively. The positive rate of SN and HSN were, respectively, 41.2% and 43.8% in cerebellar infarction patients, 33.3% and 66.7% in medullary infarction patients, and 100.0% and 86.2% in UVN patients. The horizontal direction of SN and HSN coincided with the affected side in cerebellar infarction patients, and the healthy side in UVN patients, which coincided with the healthy side and the affected side, respectively in medullary infarction patients. The horizontal direction of HSN was bidirectional nystagmus in 16.0% (4/25) of UVN patients.Eye movement and vestibular function tests contribute to the early diagnosis of PCI. The horizontal direction of SN and HSN are consistently toward the affected side in cerebellar infarction patients and the healthy side in UVN patients, in contrast to medullary infarction patients, and deserve further investigations.

This study analyzed the topography of acute ischemic stroke in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. We studied 84 patients with unilateral ischemic PCA stroke. Patients were classified according to lesion levels as cortico-subcortical (superficial), combined (cortical and mesodiencephalic) or isolated thalamic. To receive a lesion map, data from acute MR and CT imaging were normalized and labelled automatically by mapping to stereotaxic anatomical atlases. Cortical lesions accounted for 41.7%, combined for 36.9%, and isolated thalamic lesions for 21.4%. The maximum overlay of ischemia and, thus, highest occurrence of PCA ischemic stroke was found in the ventral and medial occipito-temporal cortex and adjacent white matter association tracts. Dorsal and peripheral segments of the occipito-temporo-parietal region were only rarely lesioned. This configuration was similar in both hemispheres. Consistent with this lesion pattern, visual field defects (VFD) were the most frequent signs, followed by sensorimotor signs, dizziness and sopor, cognitive and oculomotor deficits, and ataxia. The three vascular subgroups differed not only by their anatomical lesion profile and lesion load, but also by their clinical manifestation; although patients with combined and thalamic lesions were sigificantly younger, they were more disabled than participants with cortical lesions. VFD were only found in cortical and combined, and oculomotor deficits only in mesodiencephalic lesions. White matter lesions were common in the cortico-subcortical and the combined group. Basal occipito-temporal and calcarine regions, and neighbouring white matter tracts have the highest risk of ischemia in acute PCA stroke.

Patient: Female, 84-year-old Final Diagnosis: Angioedema Symptoms: Angioedema Medication:— Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Critical Care Medicine • General and Internal Medicine Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Angioedema is characterized by localized swelling of subcutaneous or submucosal tissue resulting from fluid extravasation due to the loss of vascular integrity. It most commonly occurs with exposure to allergens and certain medications, namely nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. There have been few incidences of angioedema following the administration of tissue plasminogen activator. Case Report: We describe an 84-year-old woman with a history of hypertension managed with lisinopril who presented with an acute onset of right-sided hemiparesis, slurred speech, and right-sided hemianopsia. Urgent computed tomography of the head revealed subacute infarct of the left pons without hemorrhage. Intravenous alteplase was administered and within 30 min our patient developed severe orolingual edema requiring emergent intubation. Subsequent imaging revealed acute to subacute infarct of the left occipital lobe in the posterior cerebral artery region, consistent with her initial presenting symptoms. Conclusions: Angioedema induced by tissue plasminogen activator occurs in approximately 1–5% of patients receiving thrombolysis for ischemic stroke and can be life-threatening. The risk is increased in patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in patients with ischemic strokes of the middle cerebral artery, and in the presence of C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. This phenomenon is usually self-limited and treatment is supportive, although evidence supports the use of antihistamines, steroids, epinephrine, and complement inhibitors. Due to the severity of angioedema and the potential progression to airway compromise, it is crucial to closely monitor patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator.

Background and Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy techniques for intracranial medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs) have evolved in recent years, although the optimal approach is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in MeVOs using mini (0.017 inches microcatheter compatible) stent retrievers combined with low-profile (0.035 inches distal inner diameter) distal aspiration catheters through the blind exchange/mini-pinning (BEMP) technique compared with mini stent retrievers alone. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients treated with the BEMP technique or mini stent retriever alone for intracranial MeVOs from 2017 to 2020 in a comprehensive stroke center. Both groups were compared about baseline characteristics, occlusion site, clinical presentation, clot cause, procedural outcomes (MeVO first-pass and final expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score, the mini stent retriever used, number of passes with the front-line approach, and need of rescue therapy), safety outcomes (emboli to unwanted territories and hemorrhagic complications), and clinical outcomes at 90 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with potential predictors of vessel recanalization to find independent variables associated with MeVO first-pass expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2c/3 recanalization. Results: We reviewed 102 patients/106 MeVOs treated with the BEMP technique (n=56) or mini stent retriever (n=50). There was a higher rate of MeVO first-pass expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2c/3 recanalization (57% versus 34%, P =0.017), lower need of rescue therapy (7.1% versus 22%, P =0.028), and lower rate of emboli to new territory (1.8% versus 12%, P =0.035) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (1.9% versus 12.8%, P =0.038) with the BEMP technique. After multivariable analysis, the sole independent factor associated to MeVO first-pass expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2c/3 recanalization was the BEMP technique (odds ratio, 2.72 [95% CI, 1.19–6.22]; P =0.018). Conclusions: In the setting of MeVOs, the BEMP technique may lead to higher rates of the first-pass recanalization and a lower incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage than mini stent retrievers alone.

Background and Purpose: Reports are emerging regarding the association of acute ischemic strokes with large vessel occlusion and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While a higher severity of these patients could be expected from the addition of both respiratory and neurological injury, COVID-19 patients with strokes can present with mild or none respiratory symptoms. We aimed to compare anterior circulation large vessel occlusion strokes severity between patients with and without COVID-19. Methods: We performed a comparative cohort study between patients with COVID-19 who had anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and early brain imaging within 3 hours from onset, in our institution during the 6 first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak and a control group admitted during the same calendar period in 2019. Results: Twelve COVID-19 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and early brain imaging were included during the study period and compared with 34 control patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and early brain imaging in 2019. Patients in the COVID-19 group were younger ( P =0.032) and had a history of diabetes mellitus more frequently ( P =0.039). Patients did not significantly differ on initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale nor time from onset to imaging ( P =0.18 and P =0.6, respectively). Patients with COVID-19 had more severe strokes than patients without COVID-19, with a significantly lower clot burden score (median: 6.5 versus 8, P =0.016), higher rate of multivessel occlusion (50% versus 8.8%, P =0.005), lower DWI-ASPECTS (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging–Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores; median: 5 versus 8, P =0.006), and higher infarct core volume (median: 58 versus 6 mL, P =0.004). Successful recanalization rate was similar in both groups ( P =0.767). In-hospital mortality was higher in the COVID-19 patients’ group (41.7% versus 11.8%, P =0.025). Conclusions: Early brain imaging showed higher severity large vessel occlusion strokes in patients with COVID-19. Given the massive number of infected patients, concerns should be raised about the coming neurovascular impact of the pandemic worldwide.

Background Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome is a rare condition characterized by a subclavian artery pathology associated with a bone abnormality. It is rarely associated with thromboembolic stroke. The mechanism of cerebral embolism associated with thoracic outlet syndrome have rarely been demonstrated. We present here a fully studied case with a high probability of reverse flow embolism. Case presentation A 24-year-old man with a known arterial thoracic outlet syndrome presented with a right cerebral posterior artery brain infarction. An ultrasound examination depicted the compression of the right subclavian artery in the scalene defile with a post stenotic aneurysm and the presence of a floating thrombus in this aneurysm. There was a reverse flow during diastole in this aneurysm. Anticoagulation was carried out with the disappearance of the floating thrombus with no new clinical or brain MRI event. Corrective surgery of this thoracic outlet syndrome was performed one month after stroke. Conclusion Very few cases of stroke in arterial thoracic outlet syndrome have been described with thorough dynamic vascular imaging. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case that advocates for a reverse flow embolism mechanism in stroke associated with thoracic outlet syndrome, and the first to realize an extensive ultrasound and doppler workup.

A 3-month-old male infant appeared on multiple clinical examinations to have acutely developed bilateral retrogeniculate blindness. Electroencephalography showed focal status epilepticus confined to the left posterior cerebral hemisphere. MRI demonstrated restricted diffusion in the domain of the left posterior cerebral artery consistent with acute stroke. Notably, the restricted diffusion extended across the midline in the splenium of the corpus callosum. This splenial sign may be the imaging correlate of cerebral diaschisis, a well-described phenomenon in which patients with new brain lesions develop acutely impaired neurologic function in related but nonlesioned brain regions. Diaschisis has been posited as the explanation for the temporary bilateral blindness in adult patients suffering from unilateral occipital infarctions.

Background and Purpose— The strong evidence of endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is revealed. Such patients are required to direct transport to the hospital capable of endovascular therapy. There are several prehospital scales available for paramedics to predict LVO. However, they are time consuming, and several of them include factors caused by other types than LVO. Therefore, we need a fast, simple, and reliable prehospital scale for LVO. Methods— We developed a new prehospital stroke scale, emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) screen, for paramedics to predict LVO. The study was prospectively performed by multistroke centers. When paramedics referred to stroke center to accept suspected stroke patients, we obtain the following information over the telephone. ELVO screen was designed focusing on cortical symptoms: 1 observation; presence of eye deviation and 2 questions; paramedics show glasses, what is this? and paramedics show 4 fingers, how many fingers are there? If the presence of eye deviation or ≥1 of the 2 items were incorrect, ELVO screen was identified as positive. We evaluated between results of ELVO screen and presence of LVO on magnetic resonance angiography at hospital arrival. Results— A total of 413 patients (age, 74±13 years; men, 234 [57%]) were enrolled. Diagnosis was ischemic stroke, 271 (66%); brain hemorrhage 73 (18%); subarachnoid hemorrhage, 7 (2%); and not stroke, 62 (15%). One hundred fourteen patients had LVO (internal carotid artery, 33 [29%]; M1, 52 [46%]; M2, 21 [18%]; basilar artery, 5 [4%]; P1, 3 [3%]). Sensitively, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for ELVO screen to predict LVO were 85%, 72%, 54%, 93% and 76%, respectively. Among 233 patients with negative ELVO screen, only 17 (7%) had LVO, which indicated to be an ideal scale to avoid missing endovascular therapy. Conclusions— The ELVO screen is a simple, fast, and reliable prehospital scale for paramedics to identify stroke patients with LVO for whom endovascular therapy is an effective treatment.

Background We aimed to establish a risk score system without radio-image examination, which could help clinicians to differentiate patients with vertigo and posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) rapidly from the other dizzy patients. Methods We analyzed 304 patients with vertigo (50% PCI). The attributes with more significant contributions were selected as the risk factors for the PCI risk score system, and every one of them was assigned a value according to their respective odds ratio values. We also compared the respective receiver operating characteristic curves of the 3 diagnostic methods (PCI score system, ABCD2, and Essen score systems) to evaluate their prediction effectiveness. Results Nine risk factors were ultimately selected for PCI score system, including high blood pressure (1′), diabetes mellitus (1′), ischemic stroke (1′), rotating and rocking (−1′), difficulty in speech (5′), tinnitus (−5′), limb and sensory deficit (5′), gait ataxia (1′), and limb ataxia (5′). According to their respective PCI risk scores, the patients were divided into 3 subgroups: low risk (≤0′, risk 95.0%). When 0′ was selected as a cutoff point for differentiating the patients with PCI from patients without PCI, the sensitivity was 94.1%, with a specificity of 41.4%. The areas under the receiver operator curve value of PCI score system was .82 (P = .000), much higher than the areas under the receiver operator curve value of ABCD2 (.69, P = .000) and that of the Essen system (.67, P = .000) Conclusion The PCI score system could help clinicians to differentiate patients with vertigo and PCI rapidly from the other dizzy patients.

Percheron infarction, arising from occlusion of the Artery of Percheron, is few, which can result in bilateral thalamic and mesencephalic infarctions. We herein showcase a confirmed case of the Percheron infarction at the admission day, in which the patient advanced into severe multiple posterior circulation infarcts, along with petechial hemorrhage within the infarcts, even given the right therapy without delay. It reminds us that whether we could or should take this special infarction as a forewarning of more harmful infarcts getting in the way, or at least a precaution of poor vessel condition.

The authors sought to investigate if short-term gaze stability exercises have an effect on postural stability of dynamic standing during neck movement in patients with posterior circulation stroke (PCS). Patients in both PCS and non-PCS groups were assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group performed the gaze stability exercises for 10 min while the control group was merely resting. The center of pressure velocity was calculated to evaluate the postural stability. After intervention, PCS and non-PCS showed a significant reduction in center of pressure velocity during dynamic standing with eyes closed condition, and the PCS group showed a significant improvement in eye-opened condition. This study indicated that gaze stability exercises improve PCS patients' postural control, especially during dynamic standing.

Background: Although 20-30% of all strokes occur in the posterior circulation, few studies have explored the characteristics of patients with strokes in the posterior compared to the anterior circulation so far. Especially data on young patients is missing. Methods: In this secondary analysis of data of the prospective multi-centre European sifap1 study that investigated stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients aged 18-55 years, we compared vascular risk factors, stroke aetiology, presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cerebral microbleeds (CMB) between patients with ischaemic posterior circulation stroke (PCS) and those having suffered from anterior circulation stroke (ACS) based on cerebral MRI. Results: We diagnosed PCS in 612 patients (29.1%, 407 men, 205 women) and ACS in 1,489 patients (70.9%). Their age (median 46 vs. 47 years, p = 0.205) and stroke severity (modified Rankin Scale: both 2, p = 0.375, Barthel Index 90 vs. 85, p = 0.412) were similar. PCS was found to be more frequent among the male gender (66.5 vs. 60.1% with ACS, p = 0.003). Vertebral artery (VA) dissection was more often the cause of PCS (16.8%) than was carotid artery dissection of ACS (7.9%, p < 0.001). Likewise, small vessel disease (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment [TOAST] = 3, PCS: 14.7%, ACS: 11.8%) and stroke of other determined aetiology (TOAST = 4, PCS: 24.5%, ACS: 16.0%) were more frequent in those with PCS. Furthermore, patent foramen ovale (PFO; PCS: 31.1%, ACS: 25.4%, p = 0.029) was more often detected in patients with PCS. In contrast, large-artery atherosclerosis (TOAST = 1, PCS: 15.4%, ACS: 22.2%) and cardio-embolic stroke (TOAST = 2, PCS: 15.6%, ACS: 18.0%) were less frequent in those with PCS (p < 0.001) as were preceding cerebrovascular events (10.1 vs. 14.1%, p = 0.014), TIA (4.8 vs. 7.7%, p = 0.016) and smoking (53.2 vs. 61.0%, p = 0.001). The presence, extent, and location of WMH and CMB did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Our data suggested a different pattern of aetiology and risk factors in young patients with PCS compared to those with ACS. These findings especially call for a higher awareness of VA dissection and potentially for more weight of a PFO as a risk factor in young patients with PCS. Clinical trial registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00414583.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by thunderclap headache and multifocal cerebral vasoconstriction. Cerebral vasoconstriction is reversible, and most cases have good prognosis. However, clinical outcome is possibly severe when it is complicated by stroke, yet detailed reports on such a case are few. We experienced a case of severe reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in a 32-year-old woman with medical history of preeclampsia 3years prior. She presented with sudden sharp headache followed by altered mental status and vasoconstriction of the bilateral posterior cerebral arteries. She was treated with intravenous and oral calcium channel blockers, edaravone, and glycerol. However, the cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation subsequently remained, and her impaired consciousness did not recover. Furthermore, although imaging findings of vasoconstriction showed improvement a day after the occurrence of symptom, the same vessels showed poor visualization 7 weeks later, which indicated the recurrence of vasoconstriction, without additional symptom due to the fixed infarction. Although most cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome show good prognosis, neurologists must monitor the possibility of worse clinical course and permanent neurological deficit when associated with stroke, such as cerebral infarction. Strict management and treatment are needed in these cases.

In this study, we aimed to examine the risk factors, topographic features and stroke mechanisms of acute ischemic unilateral infarcts of thalamus.Patient with isolated thalamic infarct and those with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) infarction who were admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and January 2017 with acute unilateral thalamic infarction (TI) were included in this study (isolated thalamic infarction/ isolated TI; thalamic and posterior cerebral artery infarction/PCA+TI). Demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors of the patients were determined. Thalamic infarct areas were recorded topographically as anterior, posteromedial, ventrolateral, posterolateral, more than one area, and variant areas. Stroke mechanism was determined according to the criteria of "Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment" (TOAST). Patients with isolated TI and PCA TI were compared according to risk factors, stroke mechanism and infarct topography.Forty-three patients with a mean age of 63.3 ± 14.5 years were included in the study. Twenty-eight patients (60.1%) were found to have isolated TI and the remaining 15 patients (34.9%) had PCA+TI. 32.1% of patients with isolated TI had sensory symptoms on presentation, and 60% of patients with PCA-TI had sensorimotor symptoms. The mean age, the mean score on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the mean frequency of atrial fibrillation were higher in PCA+TI patients than in isolated-TI patients (p: 0.04, p: 0.004, p: 0.02 respectively). 32.6% of the patients had ventrolateral, 30.2% had posteromedial involvement. Ventrolateral topography was seen in 46.7% of the PCA+TI patients, while posteromedial topography was seen in 39.3% of the isolated-TI patients. 53.6% of the isolated-TI had small vessel disease etiology, while 40% of the PCA+TI had cardioembolic etiology, and the other 40% had large artery atherosclerosis.Our study showed that the most ommon stroke mechanism in patients with thalamic infarction is the small vessel disease. Isolated TI and PCA+TI patients differ in terms of etiologic mechanism and infarct topography. Variant territorial involvement and multiple area involvements can be quite common in thalamic infarcts.A thalamus egyoldali, akut ischaemiás infarktusai­nak mechanizmusát, rizikótényezőit és topográfiai jellem­zőit vizsgáltuk.A vizsgálatba a kórházunkba 2014 januárja és 2017 januárja között akut egyoldali thalamus infarktussal felvett betegek kerültek (a betegek vagy izolált thalamicus infarktusban/TI, vagy kombinált thalamicus infarktusban szenvedtek; a kombinált infarktusban a thalamuson kívül a posterior cerebralis artéria területe volt érintett: PCA + TI). Meghatároztuk a betegek demográfiai jellem­zőit és vascularis rizikótényezőit. A thalamicus infarktusokat topográfiai szempontból anterior, posteromedialis, ventrolateralis, posterolateralis, egy területnél többre terjedő és variáns csoportokba osztottuk. A stroke- mecha­niz­must a „Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment” (TOAST) kritériumai alapján állapítottuk meg. Az izolált TI és a PCA + TI betegek csoportját a kockázati tényezők, a stroke-mechanizmus és az infarktustopográfia alapján hasonlítottuk össze.A vizsgálatba 43 beteget vontunk be (az életkor mediánja: 63,3 ± 14,5 év). 28 beteg (60,1%) izolált TI-ben, míg 15 beteg (34,9%) PCA + TI-ben szen­ve­dett. A kórházi felvételkor az izolált TI-betegek 32,1%-a esetében jelentkeztek szenzoros tünetek, míg a PCA + TI betegek 60%-a szenzomotoros tünetektől szenvedett. A PCA + TI betegek körében magasabb volt az életkor, a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS-) pontszám, valamint a pitvarfibrilláció gyakoriságának mediánja, mint az izolált TI-betegek csoportjában (p: 0,04, p: 0,004, p: 0,02). A betegek 32,6%-a ventrolateralis, 30,2%-a posteromedialis elhelyezkedésű infarktustól szenvedett. A PCA + TI betegek 46,7%-ára volt jellemző a ventrolateralis elhelyez­kedés, míg az izolált TI-betegek 39,3%-ának infarktusa posteromedialis elhelyezkedésű volt. Etiológia szempontjából az izolált TI-betegek 53,6%-a kisérbetegségben, míg a PCA + TI betegek 40%-a cardialis emboliában, 40%-a nagyartéria-atherosclerosisban szenvedett.Vizsgálatunk szerint a thalamicus infarktus leggyakrabban kisérbetegség talaján alakul ki. Az izo­lált TI-betegek és a PCA + TI betegek esetében eltérő az infarktus etiológiája és topográfiája egyaránt. Thala­mi­cus infarktus esetén gyakori, hogy számos különböző te­rü­let érintett.

Alien limb syndrome following stroke within the territory of the posterior cerebral artery is exceedingly rare. A right-handed female experienced left homonymous hemianopia, visuospatial neglect, and proprioceptive loss of her left hemi-body. She experienced unintended, involuntary movements of her left arm and hand, which interfered with and disturbed motor actions of daily life performed with her right upper limb. There was no denial of ownership, but she interpreted movements of her left upper limb to be annoying, out of her will and unwanted. The alien limb phenomenon improved in parallel with improvement of proprioceptive loss over a 12-week of in-patient rehabilitation. A recently proposed theoretical concept of the alien limb phenomenon after posterior artery stroke is discussed.

Hip arthroplasty is associated with a high incidence of embolic events that, although usually not relevant at a clinical level, may be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in certain situations. Extreme caution should be taken in patients with cardiac defects that favor communication between the pulmonary and systemic circulation, due to their greater risk of complications. We present the case of a 72-year-old patient who suffered a paradoxical embolism during the intervention, with devastating consequences.

We recently generated a high-resolution supratentorial vascular topographic atlas using diffusion-weighed MRI in a population of large artery infarcts. These MRI-based topographic maps are not easily applicable to CT scans, because the standard-reference-lines for axial image orientation (i.e., anterior-posterior commissure line versus orbito-meatal line, respectively) are ‘not parallel’ to each other. Moreover, current, widely-used CT-based vascular topographic diagrams omit demarcation of the inter-territorial border-zones. Thus, we aimed to generate a CT-specific high-resolution atlas, showing the supratentorial cerebrovascular territories and the inter-territorial border-zones in a statistically rigorous way. The diffusion-weighted MRI lesion atlas is based on 1160 patients (67.0 ± 13.3 years old, 53.7% men) with acute (50%) stenosis or occlusion of a single large cerebral artery: anterior, middle, or posterior cerebral artery. We developed a software package enabling the transformation of our MR-based atlas into a re-oriented CT space corresponding to the axial slice orientations used in clinical practice. Infarct volumes are individually mapped to the three vascular territories on the CT template-set, generating brain maps showing the voxelwise frequency of infarct by the affected parent vessel. We then mapped the three vascular territories collectively, generating a dataset of Certainty-Index (CI) maps to reflect the likelihood of a voxel being a member of a specific vascular territory. Border-zones could be defined by using either relative infarct frequencies or CI differences. The topographic vascular territory atlas, revised for CT, will allow for easier and more accurate delineation of arterial territories and borders on CT images.

Background The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is the most widespread clinical scale used in patients presenting with acute stroke. The merits of the NIHSS include simplicity, quickness, and agreement between clinicians. The clinical evaluation on posterior circulation stroke remains still a limit of NIHSS. Methods We assessed the application of a new version of NIHSS, the e-NIHSS (expanded NIHSS), adding specific elements in existing items to explore signs/symptoms of a posterior circulation stroke. A total of 22 consecutive patients with suspected vertebrobasilar stroke were compared with 25 patients with anterior circulation stroke using NIHSS and e-NIHSS. Results We compared the NIHSS and e-NIHSS scores obtained by the 2 examiners, in patients with posterior circulation infarct (POCI), using the Wilcoxon test. Patients with POCI evaluated with e-NIHSS had an average of 2 points higher than patients evaluated with classical NIHSS. The difference was statistically significant ( P Conclusions The NIHSS is a practical scale model, with high reproducibility between trained, different examiners, focused on posterior circulation strokes, with the same total score and number of items of the existing NIHSS. The e-NHISS could improve the sensitivity of NIHSS in posterior circulation stroke and could have an impact on clinical trials, as well as on outcomes. Further studies are needed to investigate a larger number of patients and the correlation between the e-NIHSS score and neuroimaging findings.

Purpose: The neural mechanisms that support aphasia recovery are not yet fully understood. Our goal was to evaluate longitudinal changes in naming recovery in participants with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke using a case-by-case analysis. Methods: Using task based and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and detailed language testing, we longitudinally studied the recovery of the naming network in four participants with PCA stroke with naming deficits at the acute (0 week), sub acute (3–5 weeks), and chronic time point (5–7 months) post stroke. Behavioral and imaging analyses (task related and resting state functional connectivity) were carried out to elucidate longitudinal changes in naming recovery. Results: Behavioral and imaging analysis revealed that an improvement in naming accuracy from the acute to the chronic stage was reflected by increased connectivity within and between left and right hemisphere “language” regions. One participant who had persistent moderate naming deficit showed weak and decreasing connectivity longitudinally within and between left and right hemisphere language regions. Conclusions: These findings emphasize a network view of aphasia recovery, and show that the degree of inter- and intra- hemispheric balance between the language-specific regions is necessary for optimal recovery of naming, at least in participants with PCA stroke.

Background Vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) is common, but its role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, characteristics, and role of VAH in a large typical cohort of patients with AIS. Methods Up to 815 AIS patients (52.8% men, mean age 70 ± 14 years) were included in the study. All patients received a stroke work-up including brain imaging and duplex ultrasound. VAH was defined by a vessel diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 mm or a difference to the contralateral side of greater than 1:1.7. Vascular risk factors and stroke features were recorded. The subgroup of patients with posterior circulation AIS and magnetic resonance imaging was analyzed additionally, including the parameter of stroke extent. Results Up to 111 patients (13.6%) had VAH, with a mean diameter of 2.4 ± .4 mm. Patients with VAH were significantly younger ( P = .037) and more often male ( P = .033). There was no difference considering the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale scores on admission or history of stroke. The distribution of patients without VAH was significantly different among the groups with anterior, posterior, and both circulations ischemia ( P = .009). In the group with posterior circulation stroke, 36 patients (20.9%) had VAH. There were no differences in age, sex, history of stroke, risk factors, vascular territory, stroke size, or etiology. VAH patients had less often embolic stroke patterns ( P = .009). Conclusions VAH is more common in patients with posterior circulation stroke and in younger patients. Apart from that, we found no clear evidence that VAH would be a predisposing factor for stroke or that it increased the risk for larger ischemic lesions in the posterior circulation.

Background and Purpose: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) has a high diagnostic value in the detection of acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation. However, the diagnostic value in suspected posterior circulation (PC) stroke is uncertain, and whole brain volume perfusion is not yet in widespread use. We therefore studied the additional value of whole brain volume perfusion to non-contrast CT (NCCT) and CT angiography source images (CTA-SI) for infarct detection in patients with suspected acute ischemic PC stroke. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients with suspected stroke in the PC in a database of our stroke center (n = 3,011) who underwent NCCT, CTA and CTP within 9 h after stroke onset and CT or MRI on follow-up. Images were evaluated for signs and pc-ASPECTS locations of ischemia. Three imaging models - A (NCCT), B (NCCT + CTA-SI) and C (NCCT + CTA-SI + CTP) - were compared with regard to the misclassification rate relative to gold standard (infarction in follow-up imaging) using the McNemar's test. Results: Of 3,011 stroke patients, 267 patients had a suspected stroke in the PC and 188 patients (70.4%) evidenced a PC infarct on follow-up imaging. The sensitivity of Model C (76.6%) was higher compared with that of Model A (21.3%) and Model B (43.6%). CTP detected significantly more ischemic lesions, especially in the cerebellum, posterior cerebral artery territory and thalami. Conclusions: Our findings in a large cohort of consecutive patients show that CTP detects significantly more ischemic strokes in the PC than CTA and NCCT alone.

Aphasia is one of the most common complications after stroke and occurs in 21-38% of the patients during acute period. The present study aimed to investigate the response to speech and language therapy according to artery involvement and lesion location in patients with post-stroke aphasia.The medical records of 107 patients with post-stroke aphasia (mean age, 58.8 ± 14.8 years) who were admitted to a single rehabilitation center for usual care after stroke were reviewed. Location of the ischemic lesion and involved artery was determined assessing the brain MRI of the patients. All the patients received 24 sessions speech and language therapy (3 days a week) as a part of 8-week rehabilitation program. Evaluation of the aphasia was performed with Gülhane Aphasia Test-2 (GAT-2) at baseline and at the end of the rehabilitation program.Baseline GAT-2 scores was significantly worse in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) involvement compared to patients with other artery involvements (p = 0.007). While the GAT-2 scores of patients with MCA involvement were improved significantly after speech and language therapy (p 0.001), the changes in those with anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) involvements were not significant (p 0.05).The present findings suggested that speech functions might be more affected in ischemic lesion of MCA and response to SLT might be better in patients with MCA involvement.

BACKGROUND MRI FLAIR hyperintense vessels sign (FHVs) is a special imaging marker that plays a key role in acute infarction imaging and diagnosis. However, FHVs have not been studied in the context of progressive posterior circulation infarction (PPCI), and little is known about the association of hyperintense endo-vessels sign (HEVs) on transverse section MRI with infarction. Thus, our objective here was to investigate the clinical significance of transverse MRI T2 HEVs in patients with PPCI. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective, case-control study, we enrolled 100 consecutive posterior circulation infarction patients. All the patients underwent head MRI examinations on the onset day and the seventh day after admission. Neurologic deficits of the patients were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores upon admission and after 7 days. Infarction volume on DWI was compared. RESULTS HEVs were detected in 25 of 37 patients in the PPCI group (67.6%) and 22 of 63 patients in the NPPCI group (34.9%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the proportion of HEVs in the PPCI group was higher than in the NPPCI group (P=0.007). Among all the patients, HEVs were detected in 15 of 18 patients (83.3%) with occlusion of the vertebral artery or basilar artery, and 17 of 23 (73.9%) showed severe stenosis. The proportion of vertebrobasilar artery occlusions in the PPCI group was higher than in the NPPCI group (P

Background: There are limited data comparing posterior (PC) and anterior (AC) circulation acute ischemic strokes (AIS). We aimed to identify specific features of PC and AC strokes regarding clinical, etiological, radiological, and outcome factors. Methods: Patients from the Acute STroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne, a prospective cohort of consecutive AIS, from years 2003 to 2008 were included. The stroke territory was determined by a combination of neuroimaging and clinical symptoms. Patients with uncertain localization or with simultaneous AC and PC strokes were excluded. Multivariate associations between territory and multiple variables were investigated. Results: A total of 1449 patients were included, 466 (32.2%) had a PC territory stroke and 983 (67.8%) an AC. On multivariate analysis, those with PC AIS had lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission, more often showed decreased consciousness, visual field defects, and vestibulo-cerebellar signs, but less hemisyndromes, dysarthria, and cognitive symptoms compared to AC AIS patients. Male sex, arterial dissection, lacunar mechanisms, and endovascular recanalization were more frequent in PC strokes, whereas cardioembolic strokes and IV-thrombolysis rates were lower. Less early ischemic signs on admission CT, overall arterial pathology, and 24-hour recanalization were present in PC strokes but intracranial arterial pathology was more prevalent than in AC. The adjusted clinical outcome at 3 months was similar in both groups. Conclusions: In this large retrospective consecutive AIS series, there were specific differences in clinical presentation, etiology, and arterial pathology between PC and AC strokes which did not influence clinical outcome. These findings could lead to a tailored diagnostic work-up, acute treatment strategies, and secondary prevention.

Purpose Damage to left ventral occipito-temporal cortex can give rise to written language impairment characterized by pure alexia/letter-by-letter (LBL) reading, as well as surface alexia and agraphia. The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of a combined treatment approach to address concurrent LBL reading with surface alexia/agraphia. Method Simultaneous treatment to address slow reading and errorful spelling was administered to 3 individuals with reading and spelling impairments after left ventral occipito-temporal damage due to posterior cerebral artery stroke. Single-word reading/spelling accuracy, reading latencies, and text reading were monitored as outcome measures for the combined effects of multiple oral re-reading treatment and interactive spelling treatment. Results After treatment, participants demonstrated faster and more accurate single-word reading and improved text-reading rates. Spelling accuracy also improved, particularly for untrained irregular words, demonstrating generalization of the trained interactive spelling strategy. Conclusion This case series characterizes concomitant LBL with surface alexia/agraphia and demonstrates a successful treatment approach to address both the reading and spelling impairment.

Given its limited vascular territory, occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) usually does not result in malignant infarction. Challenging this concept, we present 3 cases of unilateral PCA infarction with secondary malignant progression, resulting from extension into what would classically be considered the posterior middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Interestingly, these were true PCA infarctions, not "MCA plus" strokes, since the underlying occlusive lesion was in the PCA. We hypothesize that congenital and/or acquired variability in the distribution and extent of territory supplied by the PCA may underlie this rare clinical entity. Patients with a PCA infarction should thus be followed closely and offered early surgical decompression in the event of malignant progression.

Background In acute posterior cerebral artery, occlusion involvement of the hippocampus is a common finding. Nevertheless, until today, infarction and ischemic lesion evolution in the hippocampus has not been studied systematically. Aim Evaluation of hippocampal infarction patterns in posterior cerebral artery occlusion in the very early phase (≤six-hours) and ischemic lesion evolution on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging in relation to collateral blood flow assessed by a magnetic resonance imaging-based approach was conducted. Methods In 28 patients [mean age 69·4 ± 13·8 years, 19 (67·9%) males, 10 (32·1%) females] with proximal posterior cerebral artery occlusion, magnetic resonance imaging findings were analyzed, with emphasis on hippocampal infarction patterns on diffusion-weighted images and collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms derived from perfusion-weighted raw images. Results On initial diffusion-weighted images, we identified all known hippocampal infarction patterns: type 1 (complete) in 6/18 (33·3%) patients, type 2 (lateral) in 10/18 (55·6%) patients, and type 3 (dorsal) and type 4 (circumscribed) in 1/18 (5·6%) patient respectively. On dynamic 4D angiograms, the grade of collateralization was classified as 1 in 9 (32·1%), 2 in 1 (3·6%), 3 in 10 (35·7%), and 4 in 8 (28·6%) patients. On follow-up diffusion-weighted images, we found new ischemic lesions in three and infarction growth in the hippocampus in five patients. Patients with better collateralization (grades 3 and 4) less often had hippocampal infarctions on initial ( P = 0·003)/follow-up diffusion-weighted images ( P = 0·046) as well as type 1 on initial ( P = 0·007)/follow-up diffusion-weighted images ( P = 0·005). Conclusions Involvement of the hippocampus in proximal posterior cerebral artery occlusion is frequently but not obligatorily observed and highly dependent on the extent of collateralization. The same holds true for hippocampal infarction patterns.

Background Susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) has a high sensitivity and specificity to detect the intra-arterial thrombus in anterior circulation stroke. However, SVS has not been evaluated in posterior circulation stroke. Methods We reviewed the data from patients with acute posterior cerebral artery (PCA) infarction within 24 hours from stroke onset. To elucidate the usefulness of SVS for the detection of intraluminal thrombus in acute PCA infarction, the frequency and location of SVS were compared with those of occlusion on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and hyperdense PCA sign on computed tomography (CT). Results Twenty-five patients with acute PCA infarction were enrolled in the study. The SVS was found in 92% (23 of 25). MRA showed occlusions in 64% (16 of 25). The SVS was identified in 100% (16 of 16) of patients with occlusion on MRA. Patients without occlusion on MRA also showed the SVS in 78% (7 of 9; P = .0233). The positive SVS without occlusion on MRA was mainly identified in patients with occlusion of distal branches of PCA; P3 segment in 4 and P4 segment in 3. However, the hyperdense PCA sign on CT showed in only 8% (2 of 25) of all patients; its sensitivity was significantly lower than those of the SVS on SWI ( P Conclusions SWI is more sensitive than MRA for the detection of intraluminal thrombus, especially peripheral one, in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the PCA territory. In addition, irrespective of thrombus location, SWI is significantly superior to CT in detecting thrombus in acute PCA infarction.

A 21-year-old man with no reported medical history presented to the emergency department complaining of bilateral blurry vision. His symptoms began abruptly 2 days prior to presentation, preceded by a thunderclap headache the week prior. Initial evaluation at an outside emergency department found a urine drug screen positive for cannabis, and his symptoms were misattributed to marijuana intoxication. The patient was a chronic, daily marijuana user. There was no family history of migraine, early-onset cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, or hypercoagulable state.

Background Posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms are among the most common aneurysms. Because blockage of the PCoA and perforators can cause adverse outcomes, occlusion of these arteries by surgical clipping should be avoided. The impact of factors on PCoA perforator infarction when using a distal transsylvian approach for PCoA aneurysms was examined. Methods A total of 183 patients underwent PCoA aneurysm clipping, excluding application of fenestrated clips. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with PCoA perforator infarction (infarction group) and patients without infarction (noninfarction group). Multiple factors were analyzed in the 2 groups. Results Twenty-two of the 183 patients (12.0%) showed perforator infarction, mainly on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation, resulting in permanent deficits in 2 patients (1.1%). The proportion of right-sided operations (86.4% vs. 53.4%; P = 0.005) and surgery for rupture (90.9% vs. 55.9%; P = 0.002) were significantly higher in the infarction group than in the noninfarction group. Aneurysms were significantly larger in the infarction group (8.4 ± 3.8 mm) than in the noninfarction group (6.3 ± 3.0 mm; P = 0.02). Ruptured status (odds ratio [OR], 7.35; P = 0.01), right side (OR, 5.19; P = 0.01), and aneurysm size (OR, 1.18; P = 0.02) remained independent predictors of perforator infarction on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Ruptured status, right side, and large PCoA aneurysm were independent predictors of PCoA perforator infarction. Symptoms due to PCoA perforating infarction were mostly transient and rarely affected outcomes.

Severe orolingual angioedema is a life-threatening complication of alteplase treatment for acute ischemic stroke that occurs during alteplase infusion or in the first 2 hours afterward. Currently, there are no proven therapies, although glucocorticoids, antihistamines, and adrenaline are sometimes used. Intubation is required if significant airway compromise supervenes. The incidence is .2%-5.1%, and risk factors include treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and total insular infarcts. Here we report a case of alteplase-induced severe angioedema, which resolved briskly following icatibant treatment.

Background context Complications associated with C1 lateral mass screw placement are relatively infrequent. The most commonly feared complications include neural or vascular injury. Although both vertebral artery and internal carotid artery injuries have been discussed in the literature, there have been no reports of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) injury from C1 lateral mass screw placement. We report a case of patient who had a cerebellar stroke after C1 lateral mass screw placement, secondary to injury of an aberrant PICA. Purpose To describe the normal anatomy of the PICA, the anatomic variations previously reported in the literature, the sequela and symptoms of a patient with PICA injury, and the relevance to C1 lateral mass screw placement. No previous reports of PICA injury with a cerebellar stroke have been reported with C1 lateral mass screw instrumentation. Study design Case report and literature review. Methods The patient underwent an Occiput–C6 posterior instrumentation for a pathologic fracture, secondary to multiple myeloma. In the postoperative period, the patient was found to have dysarthria, imbalance, and dysdiadochokinesia. Urgent computed tomography confirmed well placed C1 lateral mass screws. Magnetic resonance imaging/Magnetic Resonance Angiography showed an infarct in the PICA distribution with an abnormal variant of the PICA coursing extracranially around C1. Neurologic monitoring did not detect the injury intraoperatively. Results The patient was treated with anticoagulation and he made a reasonable recovery from his stroke. Conclusions We report the first case of an aberrant PICA injured during a C1 lateral mass screw placement, resulting in a cerebellar stroke. Consideration should be given to abnormal PICA variation when placing C1 lateral mass screws.

Background and purpose Growing number of vertebral artery dissection has been detected due to higher awareness and improved imaging techniques, even after seemingly minor head turning in young- or middle-aged adults without predisposing risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. Treatment options for this condition at this time are limited and there is a troubling shortage of controlled studies. Summary of case Our patient suffered a bilateral vertebral artery dissection complicated by posterior circulation stroke. We decided to treat acute stroke with intravenous thrombolytic therapy. Patient's condition worsened despite the treatment so emergency angiography was performed to assess the arterial patency. Additional dose of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator together with mechanical thrombectomy was administered using intraarterial route. The patient recovered well and at 12-month follow-up visit he had only right marginal incomplete hemianopia. Conclusions Vertebral artery dissection should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke or TIA in young patients with a history of even as subtle precipitating events as forceful head movements. Combined thrombolytic therapy may provide safe and effective treatment of stroke-complicated cases. This case report shows that expanded diagnostic protocol for acute ischemic stroke, including computed tomography perfusion study and angiography of cervical and cranial vessels, assures rapid and correct diagnosis.