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Background COVID-19 is a pandemic disease responsible for many deaths worldwide. Many neurological manifestations have been described. We report a case of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) 2 months after acute COVID19 infection, in a patient without other risk factors. Case presentation A 45-year-old male patient presented an 8-month history of progressive gait disorder and cognitive impairment after being hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compatible with NPH. A spinal tap test was positive and there was progressive improvement after shunting, with complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion Other infections such as syphilis, cryptococcosis and Lyme disease have been associated with NPH. Possible mechanisms for NPH after COVID include disruption of choroid plexus cells by direct viral invasion or as a result of neuroinflammation and cytokine release and hypercoagulability leading to venous congestion and abnormalities of CSF flow. Given the significance of NPH as a cause of reversible dementia, it is important to consider the possibility of a causal association with COVID19 and understand the mechanisms behind this association.

Sub-arachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) promotes impairment of upper cortical functions. However, few information is available emphasizing changes in language after aneurismal SAH and aneurysm location influence. Objective To assess the language and verbal fluency performance in aneurismal SAH pre- and post-surgery in patients caused by an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (AcomA), left middle cerebral artery (L-MCA) and left posterior comunicating artery (L-PcomA). Methods Assessment in 79 patients with SAH, on two occasions: pre- and post surgical treatment. They were divided into three groups by the aneurysms’ location. Results Deterioration is detected in the performance of all patients during the post-surgical period; L-MCA aneurysm patients displayed a reduction in verbal naming and fluency; L-PcomA patients deteriorated in the written language and fluency tasks. Conclusion After the surgical procedure the patients decreased in various language tasks and these differences in performance being directly related to the location of the aneurysm.

This study aimed to propose an alternative treatment for carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) using the balloon-assisted sinus coiling (BASC) technique and to describe this procedure in detail. Under general anesthesia, we performed the BASC procedure to treat five patients with traumatic CCF. Percutaneous access was obtained via the right femoral artery, and a 7F sheath was inserted, or alternatively, a bifemoral 6F approach was accomplished. A microcatheter was inserted into the cavernous sinus over a 0.014-inch microwire through the fistulous point; the microcatheter was placed distal from the fistula point, and a “U-turn” maneuver was performed. Through the same carotid access, a compliant balloon was advanced to cross the point of the fistula and cover the whole carotid tear. Large coils were inserted using the microcatheter in the cavernous sinus. Coils filled the adjacent cavernous sinus, respecting the balloon. Immediate complete angiographic resolution was achieved, and an early angiographic control (mean = 2.6 months) indicated complete stability without recanalization. The clinical follow-up has been uneventful without any recurrence (mean = 15.2 months). An endovascular approach is optimal for direct CCF. Because the detachable balloon has been withdrawn from the market, covered stenting requires antiplatelet therapy and its patency is unconfirmed, but cavernous sinus coiling remains an excellent treatment option. Currently, there is no detailed description of the BASC procedure. We provide detailed angiograms with suitable descriptions of the exact fistula point, and venous drainage pathways. Familiarity with these devices makes this technique effective, easy and safe.

Characterize the profile of aphasic syndromes determined by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) of the left middle cerebral artery (LMCA).An analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using a database of cognitive assessments of 193 patients with aSAH admitted to Hospital da Restauração between March 2007 and November 2009. Of these, a total of 26 patients with aSAH in the LMCA territory confirmed by digital angiography were selected. Aphasia was assessed through the Montreal-Toulouse Language Assessment Alpha Version Protocol (Alpha Version) and the CERAD Neuropsychological Test Battery (Verbal fluency).Language and verbal fluency impairments were identified in patients with aSAH in the LMCA territory when compared with the control population (50 individuals). Of the 26 patients with aSAH, 11 presented aphasic characteristics preoperatively.The results of this research corroborate the literature, showing that the aSAH frame causes cognitive impairments even in the preoperative phase for aneurysm occlusion. Considering the observed aspects, the predominant aphasic syndromes characterize comprehension aphasia due to sequels in the posterior cerebral artery territory.Caracterizar o perfil dos quadros afásicos determinados pela hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática (HSA) da artéria cerebral média esquerda.Estudo analítico, retrospectivo, transversal, tendo como banco de dados as avaliações cognitivas de 193 pacientes do Hospital da Restauração com HSA aneurismática no período de março de 2007 a novembro de 2009. Destes, foram selecionados 26 pacientes com HSA em território da ACM-E, confirmada por angiografia digital. Os quadros afásicos foram classificados através do desempenho da linguagem dos pacientes através do Protocolo Montreal Toulose - Versão Alpha e a tarefa de fluência verbal da bateria CERAD. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de junho a agosto de 2015.Foi identificado comprometimento da linguagem e fluência verbal nos pacientes com HSA em território de ACM–E quando comparados com a população controle (50 indivíduos). Dos 26 pacientes com HSA, 11 apresentaram quadros afásicos ainda no período pré-operatório.Os resultados da pesquisa corroboram com a literatura, mostrando que o quadro da HSA promove comprometimentos cognitivos ainda na fase pré-operatória para oclusão de aneurisma. Tendo em vista os aspectos observados, os quadros afásicos predominantes caracterizam afasia de compreensão por sequelas nas áreas cerebrais posteriores.

Objective To associate the presence of language deficits with varying scores of the Fisher grading scale in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the period preceding the treatment of aneurysm in the anterior circulation, as well as to compare the scores of this scale, identifying the grades more associated with the decline of language. Methods Database analysis of 185 preoperative evaluations of language, through the Montreal Toulouse Protocol Alpha version and verbal fluency through CERAD battery, of patients from “Hospital da Restauracao” with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, divided according to the Fisher grading scale (Fisher I, II, III, or IV) and compared with a control group of individuals considered normal. Results The various scores of the Fisher grading scale have different levels of language deficits, more pronounced as the amount of blood increases. Fisher III and IV scores are most associated with the decline of language. Conclusions Our study made it possible to obtain information not yet available in the literature, by correlating the various scores of the Fisher grading scale with language yet in the period preceding treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular technique. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of patient files of Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Brazil. RESULTS: We report the results of 163 cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular techniques from January 2002 to October 2005. Patients with ruptured aneurysms (87.2%), according to Hunt-Hess scale were: 33.7% HH I, 28.4% HH II, 24.1% HH III, 13.8% HH IV. The Fisher scale grade IV was the most common (39.7%). Remodeling, coil embolization, arterial occlusion and histoacryl embolization were the techniques employed. Effective occlusion was achieved in 87.7%, partial occlusion in 5.3% and non-effective occlusion in 7.0% of the patients. Glasgow outcome scale results were: 76.3% GOS 5, 5.0% GOS 4, 5.8% GOS 3, 1.4% GOS 2 and 11.5% GOS 1. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment seems to be feasible within Brazilian public health system, with results as good as those obtained in larger international centers. OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados de aneurismas tratados pela técnica endovascular. MÉTODO: Análise retrospectiva de prontuários do Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Apresentamos os resultados de 163 aneurismas cerebrais tratados por técnicas endovasculares de Janeiro de 2002 a Outubro de 2005. Os pacientes com aneurismas rotos (87,2%) eram, segundo a escala de Hunt-Hess: 33,7% HH1; 28.4% HH II, 24.1% HH III, 13.8% HH IV. O Grau IV da escala de Fisher foi o mais comum (39,7%). Empregaram-se as técnicas de remodeling, espiras metálicas, oclusão arterial e embolização com histoacryl. Foi obtida oclusão efetiva em 87,7%, oclusão parcial em 5,3% e oclusão não-efetiva em 7,0% dos casos. De acordo com a Glasgow outcome scale, os resultados foram: 76,3% GOS 5, 5,0% GOS 4, 5,8% GOS 3, 1,4% GOS 2 e 11,5% GOS 1. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicação de técnica endovasculares mostra-se viável na rede pública brasileira, com resultados comparáveis aos de grandes centros mundiais.

Cognitive deficits caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after rupture of cerebral aneurysms are common, as approximately half of patients have severe, or at least striking, declines in one or more functions of the cognitive domain. The Fisher Scale is associated with the development of vasospasm and thus with the final performance of the patient after SAH. The association of this scale with language disorders in the period preceding the treatment has not been reported yet in the literature. Associate the presence of language deficits with varying degrees of the Fisher Scale in patients with SAH in the period preceding the treatment of aneurysm, as well as compare the various degrees of this scale, identifying the Fisher Scale degrees more associated with the decline of language. The database of 185 preoperative evaluations of language was studied, through the Montreal Toulouse Protocol Alpha version and verbal fluency through CERAD battery, of patients of Hospital da Restauração with aneurysmal SAH. The data relating to the Fisher Scale, the location of the aneurysm, the age and the gender of patients were obtained through review of medical records. Patients were divided according to the Fisher Scale (Fisher I, II, III or IV) and compared with a control group of individuals considered normal. Disorders in language and verbal fluency in patients with SAH in the preoperative period were evidenced. The classification of the patients according to the Fisher Scale allowed to identify differences between the sub-groups and to conclude that patients with bulkier bleeding (Fisher III and IV) have larger declines in the analyzed functions.