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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.

In diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia and ketosis result in cerebral vasculitis, which can cause cerebral edema and thrombosis. A previously healthy, 12-year-old girl visited the emergency department with a history of vomiting, polydipsia, polyuria, decreased mentality, and a 7 kg (12%) weight loss within 1 week. She showed laboratory features of severe diabetic ketoacidosis, stuporous mentality, respiratory failure, and unilateral fixed mydriasis with contralateral hemiparesis. However, brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal ischemic stroke mainly involving the left posterior cerebral artery territory, instead of uncal herniation. This case highlights the possible occurrence of ischemic stroke in children with early-stage diabetes mellitus.

Background and Purpose We aimed to assess whether early resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could predict recovery from visual field defect (VFD) in acute stroke patients. Methods Patients with VFD due to acute ischemic stroke in the visual cortex and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Serial resting-state (RS)-fMRI and Humphrey visual field (VF) tests were performed within 1 week and at 1 and 3 months (additional VF test at 6 months) after stroke onset in the patient group. The control group also underwent RS-fMRI and a Humphrey VF test. The changes in RSFCs and VF scores (VFSs) over time and their correlations were investigated. Results In 32 patients (65±10 years, 25 men), the VFSs were lower and the interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortices was decreased compared to the control group (n=15, 62±6 years, seven men). The VFSs and interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortex increased mainly within the first month after stroke onset. The interhemispheric RSFC and VFSs were positively correlated at 1 month after stroke onset. Moreover, the interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortex within 1 week were positively correlated with the follow-up VFSs. Conclusions Interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortices within 1 week after stroke onset may be a useful biomarker to predict long-term VFD recovery.

The clinical features, imaging, treatment and prognosis of 3 cases of Percheron artery infarction were analyzed retrospectively. Risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases existed in all patients. They presented acute onset, with varying degrees of disturbance of consciousness, lags in response, dysgnosia and mental changes, but without movement disorders. Two cases also presented eye movement disorders. Brain MRI showed symmetrical long T1 and long T2 signal in bilateral thalami and midbrain. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) showed hyperintensity, and FLAIR of one case showed "V sign" in midbrain. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of one case demonstrated right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was mainly extended posterior communicating artery (PCoA), with dysplastic P1 segment, which was embryonal PCA. The clinical symptoms of 3 cases were improved significantly after cerebrovascular disease treatment. The classical clinical symptoms, symmetrical high signal in bilateral paramedian thalami on DWI and "V sign" in midbrain on FLAIR, can improve early diagnosis of Percheron artery infarction. Unilateral embryonal PCA may be underlying risk factor for Percheron artery infarction. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2016.11.011

Background: Acute isolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions account for 5-10% of all ischemic events. Due to peculiar patient presentation, the potential benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) remains controversial. We evaluated the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of MT in our patients and compared our results with the literature review conducted., Methods: Charts were reviewed retrospectively for consecutive patients diagnosed with acute PCA stroke who underwent MT. Demographics, procedural, and follow-up details were noted. For the literature review, a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases was conducted for the keywords "posterior cerebral artery" and "thrombectomy" for articles published between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2021. Estimated rates for recanalization, favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality were extracted., Results: Our cohort included 21 patients. Mean age was 71.2 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.2). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) presentation score was 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 5-15), with visual symptoms reported in 12(57.1%) patients. Overall, final modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 2b-3 was achieved in 17 patients (80.9%) with first-pass mTICI 2b-3 attained in 8 (38.1%). Postprocedure sICH occurred in 1 (4.8%) patient. Fifteen (71.4%) patients had a 0-2 mRS score at 90 days. Visual symptoms resolved in 10 of 12(83.3%) patients. Mortality occurred in 2 (9.5%) patients. For the systematic review, cohorts from 4 articles plus ours were included, totaling 222 patients. The estimated rate of successful recanalization was 85.25% (95% confidence interval[CI], 73.05%-97.45%), sICH was 3.60% (95% CI, 1.11%-6.09%), and mortality was 10.51% (95% CI, 5.88%-15.15%)., Conclusion: The results of our series and systematic review indicate MT as a potentially safe and effective treatment modality for acute PCA stroke. These results also indicate that patient selection and assessment may be the key in obtaining favorable outcomes.

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

An uncommon cause of cerebral ischemia in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is the combination of a fetal origin of the PCA and atherosclerotic disease in the internal carotid artery. This study compared the accuracy of CTA with DSA in the assessment of a fetal origin of the PCA. Patients in whom an intracranial DSA and CTA had been performed were reviewed. A fetal origin was defined as a normal-sized patent posterior communicating artery (PCoA) with hypoplasia or aplasia of the ipsilateral P1 segment. One hundred PCAs in 51 patients were analyzed. A fetal origin was present in ten vessels (10%, eight patients). CTA revealed all of them. CTA considered an additional three vessels as having a fetal origin, while DSA revealed a PCoA with the same diameter as the P1 segment of the PCA. Sensitivity and specificity of CTA in the assessment of a fetal origin could be estimated at 100 and 97%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 77 and 100%, respectively. CTA can be considered a valid diagnostic tool for the assessment of a fetal origin of the PCA in patients with a cerebral ischemic event in the territory of the PCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Bilateral posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions are exceedingly rare, and are considered a devastating phenomenon that presents as cortical blindness. Predominant causes of PCA infarcts include cardiac and arterial embolisms. Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy is also an extremely rare cardiopathology. Several reports describe stroke as a potential manifestation of LVNC, but bilateral PCA infarcts are likely also caused by underlying LVNC cardiomyopathy, although this has not yet been reported. CASE REPORT A 63-year-old man presented to the emergency department of an outside hospital with acute vision loss in both eyes and dysarthria. His neurological examination necessitated an emergent stroke evaluation. His electrocardiogram and telemetry at admission did not reveal arrhythmia. He underwent an emergency endovascular thrombectomy at our facility. During the post-intervention stroke workup, a transthoracic echocardiogram with contrast showed left ventricle dilation, with an ejection fraction (EF) of 29%. Subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of LVNC cardiomyopathy. He was started on therapeutic anticoagulation (apixaban) and remained stable neurologically during the 3-month followup, with some residual visual field deficits. His cardiac outcome also improved (stress test was unremarkable for any cardiac ischemia, and an echocardiogram showing improved EF of 40%). CONCLUSIONS Our report is distinct, as it presents 2 exceedingly rare events in a patient: the occurrence of simultaneous bilateral PCA infarcts and LVNC cardiomyopathy. Prompt and accurate diagnosis was pivotal to the successful management of both conditions. Prospective studies are warranted to further knowledge of LVNC pathophysiology and the occurrence of stroke in such patients so that comprehensive management plans can be devised.

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.

Background and Purpose: We aimed to assess whether early resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could predict recovery from visual field defect (VFD) in acute stroke patients., Methods: Patients with VFD due to acute ischemic stroke in the visual cortex and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Serial resting-state (RS)-fMRI and Humphrey visual field (VF) tests were performed within 1 week and at 1 and 3 months (additional VF test at 6 months) after stroke onset in the patient group. The control group also underwent RS-fMRI and a Humphrey VF test. The changes in RSFCs and VF scores (VFSs) over time and their correlations were investigated., Results: In 32 patients (65±10 years, 25 men), the VFSs were lower and the interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortices was decreased compared to the control group (n=15, 62±6 years, seven men). The VFSs and interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortex increased mainly within the first month after stroke onset. The interhemispheric RSFC and VFSs were positively correlated at 1 month after stroke onset. Moreover, the interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortex within 1 week were positively correlated with the follow-up VFSs., Conclusions: Interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortices within 1 week after stroke onset may be a useful biomarker to predict long-term VFD recovery.