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Background: It remains unclear how chronic kidney disease and its underlying pathological conditions, kidney dysfunction, and kidney damage, are associated with cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether kidney dysfunction (ie, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate), kidney damage (ie, proteinuria), or both are associated with the long-term outcomes after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 12 576 patients (mean age, 73.0±12.6 years; 41.3% women) with ischemic stroke who were registered in a hospital-based multicenter registry, Fukuoka Stroke Registry, between June 2007 and September 2019, were prospectively followed up after stroke onset. Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate and categorized into G1: ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m 2 ), G2: 45–59 mL/(min·1.73 m 2 ), and G3: 2 ). Kidney damage was evaluated by proteinuria using a urine dipstick test and classified into P1: −, P2: ±/1+, and P3: ≥2+. Hazard ratios and 95% CI for events of interest were estimated by a Cox proportional hazards model. Long-term outcomes included recurrence of stroke and all-cause death. Results: During the median follow-up of 4.3 years (interquartile range, 2.1–7.3 years), 2481 patients had recurrent stroke (48.0/1000 patient-years) and 4032 patients died (67.3/1000 patient-years). Chronic kidney disease was independently associated with increased risks of stroke recurrence and all-cause death even after adjustment for multiple confounding factors, including traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Both estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria were independently associated with increased risks of stroke recurrence (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI], G3: 1.22 [1.09–1.37] versus G1, P3: 1.25 [1.07–1.46] versus P1) and death (G3: 1.45 [1.33–1.57] versus G1, P3: 1.62 [1.45–1.81] versus P1). In subgroup analyses, effect modifications were found in the association of proteinuria with death by age and stroke subtype. Conclusions: Kidney dysfunction and kidney damage were independently, but differently, associated with increased risks of recurrent stroke and all-cause death.

An 82-year-old Japanese woman without underlying disease was admitted to our hospital 3 days after she noticed lower-limb weakness. At presentation, she had lower-leg motor paralysis with mild upper-limb paresis and left Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings revealed moderate pleocytosis. A polymerase chain reaction for varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in CSF was positive. MRI using 3D Nerve-VIEW (Philips) and contrast T

The clinical significance of many RAS-family mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of mutations on an exon basis (i.e., mutations in KRAS exons 2, 3 and 4 and in NRAS) with clinicopathological features and prognosis in CRC. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the medical records and frozen tissue samples of 268 consecutive patients with stage I-III CRC who underwent curative resection at a single institution in 2014–2018. The RAS mutation rate was significantly associated with age and histology. Patients with KRAS exon 2 mutations exhibited shorter RFS compared to those with KRAS wild-type, KRAS exon 3 mutations, KRAS exon 4 mutations and NRAS mutations (73.0% vs. 85.5%, 86.7%, 85.7%. p = 0.031). Age and histology were independent risk factors for RAS mutations. RAS mutations were independent prognostic factors with respect to RFS in patients with stage I–III CRC. In stage I–III CRC patients, KRAS exon 2 mutations have the worst prognosis, while RAS wild type, RAS exon 3 mutations, RAS exon 4 mutations and NRAS mutations have better prognoses.

Background and objectives Most guidelines of colorectal cancers (CRCs) recommend evaluating the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level during postoperative surveillance to detect tumor recurrence, which originates from postsurgery residual tumor cells. We hypothesized that the postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA level may be the most accurate biomarker to predict tumor recurrence, and we evaluated the prognostic significance of the postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA level in patients with stage II and III CRCs. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 150 Stage II-III CRC patients who had undergone curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Preoperative, postoperative, and postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA levels were evaluated, and their associations with recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed. Results The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that a high preoperative CEA level, high postoperative CEA, and high postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA were associated with poor RFS (p = .001, .0001, and .001, respectively). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that high postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA was an independent factor for poor RFS (HR 2.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-6.05, p = .033), whereas high preoperative and postoperative CEA levels were not. Conclusions The serum levels of postadjuvant chemotherapy CEA were a strong prognostic biomarker in patients with Stage II-III CRCs who had undergone surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background/aim The prognosis of colorectal cancer is reported to differ depending on the tumor site, and clinical differences depending on the site of occurrence have gained attention. The aim was to compare nutrition index and inflammatory markers according to the site of colon cancer. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed 272 cases of stage I-III colon cancer (55% males, 45% females). The clinical characteristics, nutrition index and inflammatory markers were compared between patients with right colon cancer (RCC, n=119) and those with left colon cancer (LCC, n=153), and the relapse-free survival was then compared. Results RCC was associated with older age (p=0.03), female gender (p=0.003), higher T stage (p=0.01), elevated platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p=0.009), and elevated CONUT score (p=0.028). The prognostic values differed between RCC and LCC (RCC: CONUT score, p=0.04, LCC: PLR, p=0.02). Conclusion RCC was associated with an elevated CONUT score and PLR. In RCC, the CONUT score was an independent recurrence factor, and in LCC, the PLR was an independent recurrence factor.

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a marker of nutrition and is associated with poor survival in various kinds of cancers. However, no reports have yet compared risk factors for colorectal cancer recurrence using a nutritional index. We assessed the predictive value of the CONUT score compared with the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the medical records of 336 consecutive patients with stage I-I I I CRC who underwent curative resection at a single institution in 2012–2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify prognostic factors associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). The low CONUT score group exhibited higher RFS and longer OS compared to the high CONUT score group (82.2% vs. 63.3%, p = 0.002 and 95.5% and 86.2%, p = 0.005, respectively). The Akaike’s information criterion values of each index for RFS and OS were superior in CONUT score (723.71 and 315.46, respectively) compared to those of PNI (726.95 and 316.52) and mGPS (728.15 and 318.07, respectively). The CONUT score was found to be a good predictor of RFS and OS in patients with resectable CRC.

Background: It was reported that in surveillance colonoscopy (SC), targeted and random biopsies detected similar proportions of neoplasias. However, that study was conducted by experienced endoscopists familiar with colitic cancer. We report two cases of disseminated colitic cancer in patients who had undergone SC. Case Presentation: Case-1: A 69-year-old Japanese man first suffered from ulcerative colitis (UC) in 1979. Annual SCs had been performed since 1998. In 2017, colonoscopy confirmed a cancer in the ascending colon. A laparoscopy-assisted anal-preserving total proctocolectomy was performed in 2018. Histological findings showed the cancer reaching serosa and lymph node metastasis. Peritoneal dissemination occurred 1 year after the surgery. Two years after the first surgery, an ileostomy was created due to bowel obstruction caused by peritoneal dissemination. Case-2: A 77-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed with UC at another hospital in 2010. SCs were performed annually since 2011. In April 2019, he developed frequent bowel movements, bleeding, and weight loss. Colonoscopy revealed stenosis at the rectum and sigmoid colon. The biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. Laparoscopy-assisted surgery was performed in July 2019. The yellow ascites was aspirated and submitted for lavage cytology, which revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma. Many white nodules were found in the peritoneum and were diagnosed as peritoneal dissemination. A colostomy was performed. Chemotherapy was administered. Five months have passed since the operation, and the patient is alive. Conclusion: Chromoendoscopy had not been performed in either patient. It is advisable to use chromoendoscopy when a target biopsy is performed.

Introduction Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated complication of heparin exposure. A limited number of studies have reported cerebral venous sinus thrombosis accompanied by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Here, we present a case of successful endovascular therapy (EVT) without periprocedural heparinization in this situation. Case presentation A 47-year-old woman taking an oral contraceptive was admitted to our hospital with severe headache to be diagnosed as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Initially, she got improved by medical treatment with intravenous unfractionated heparin. However, she rapidly developed disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis accompanied by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia on the 14th hospital day. She underwent emergent EVT by immediate conversion of anticoagulation from heparin to argatroban. Despite a large clot burden, sufficient recanalization and anterograde venous drainage were re-established by combined EVT including aspiration, balloon sinoplasty, and local thrombolysis with urokinase infusion. She got improved immediately after the intervention and discharged home without any neurological sequelae after two months. Conclusion This unique case of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis worsened by occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during the treatment finally resulted in excellent outcome highlights effectiveness of emergent endovascular intervention for critical cerebral venous sinus thrombosis resistant to initial medical treatment and of immediate establishment of effective anticoagulant strategy for both of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Neuroendovascular therapy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis using alternative argatroban to heparin for periprocedural anticoagulation might be safe and feasible.

Background and Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether variability of day-by-day blood pressure (BP) during the subacute stage of acute ischemic stroke is predictive of long-term stroke recurrence. Methods: We analyzed 7665 patients (mean±SD age: 72.9±13.1 years; women: 42.4%) hospitalized for first-ever ischemic stroke in 7 stroke centers in Fukuoka, Japan, from June 2007 to November 2018. BP was measured daily during the subacute stage (4–10 days after onset). Its mean and coefficient of variation (CV) values were calculated and divided into 4 groups according to the quartiles of these BP parameters. Patients were prospectively followed up for recurrent stroke or all-cause death. The cumulative event rate was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. We estimated the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the events of interest after adjusting for potential confounders and mean BP values using Cox proportional hazards models. The Fine-Gray model was also used to account for the competing risk of death. Results: With a mean (±SD) follow-up duration of 3.9±3.2 years, the rates of recurrent stroke and all-cause death were 3.9 and 9.9 per 100 patient-years, respectively. The cumulative event rates of recurrent stroke and all-cause death increased with increasing CVs of systolic BP and diastolic BP. The systolic BP CV was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke after adjusting for multiple confounders and mean BP (hazard ratio [95% CI] for fourth quartile versus first quartile, 1.26 [1.05–1.50]); the risk of recurrent stroke also increased with an increasing systolic BP CV for nonfatal strokes (1.26 [1.05–1.51]) and when death was regarded as a competing risk (1.21 [1.02–1.45]). Similar associations were observed for the diastolic BP CV. Conclusions: Day-by-day variability of BP during the subacute stage of acute ischemic stroke was associated with an increased long-term risk of recurrent stroke.

Purpose: T The world is becoming longer-lived, and the number of elderly colorectal cancer patients is increasing. It is very important to identify simple and inexpensive postoperative predictors in elderly colorectal cancer patients. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a marker of systemic nutrition and is associated with poor survival in various kinds of cancers. A few reports have investigated recurrence factors using preoperative GNRI with CRC patients. This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative GNRI is associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in elderly patients with CRC.Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 259 patients with StageⅠ-Ⅲ CRC who were more than 65 years old and underwent curative surgery at a single institution in 2012–2017. We classified them into low GNRI (RFS: ≤90.5, OS ≤101.1) group and high GNRI (RFS:>90.5, OS >101.1) group.Results: Multivariable analyses showed low GNRI group was an independent risk factor for 3-year RFS (P = 0.006) and OS (P = 0.001) in the patients with CRC. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 3-year RFS and 3-year OS were significantly worse in the low GNRI group than in high GNRI group (p = 0.001, 0.0037).Conclusion: A low-preoperative GNRI was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in elderly CRC patients.

Background and Purpose: Little is known about how β-cell dysfunction affects clinical outcome after ischemic stroke. We examined whether β-cell function is associated with clinical outcome after acute ischemic stroke and if so, whether insulin resistance influences this association in a prospective study of patients with acute stroke. Methods: A total of 3590 nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke (mean age, 71 years) were followed up for 3 months. β-Cell function was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment for β-cell function (HOMA-β). Study outcomes were poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 3–6) and stroke recurrence at 3 months after stroke onset and neurological deterioration (≥2-point increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score) at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between quintile levels of serum HOMA-β and clinical outcomes. Results: The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios for poor functional outcome and neurological deterioration increased significantly with decreasing HOMA-β levels ( P for trend, Conclusions: Our findings suggest that β-cell dysfunction is significantly associated with poor short-term clinical outcome independently of insulin resistance in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.

It has been shown that nutritional status correlates with survival in patients with various kinds of cancers. Besides, cancer causes inflammation which has been suggested to stimulate cancer progression. Therefore, inflammation status also has shown to reflect prognosis of cancers. In this study, we evaluated several kinds of nutritional and inflammation parameters in preoperative blood samples and constructed new risk model predicting a survival in patients with CRC (colorectal cancers). We retrospectively examined 286 patients with stage I-III CRC who had undergone curative resection in Teikyo University Hospital between 2013 to 2017. The association between overall survival (OS) and preoperative body mass index, albumin (Alb), cholesterol (Chol), and lymphocyte count, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (Neu), platelet count (Plt), C-reactive protein (CRP) were examined using Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test. and eventually Alb, Chol, Neu, Plt, and CRP were shown to correlate with OS. Alb, Chol, Neu, Plt, and CRP were shown to correlate with OS. We constructed a new risk model (NIS: nutrition inflammation status) using these factors, and compared its usefulness with known models such as CRP-albumin ratio (CAR), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR). NIS prepared using nutritional indicators and inflammatory findings was useful as a new model for predicting overall survival in patients undergoing curative resection for CRC, compared with known models.

Background/Aim: To evaluate the benefits of the addition of oxaliplatin (OX) to fluoropyrimidine (FP)-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancers (LARCs). Patients and Methods: We performed retrospective analyses comparing the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) between FP-based and FP+OX-based CRT groups and for patients who had completed the CRT. Results: One hundred patients were included in the analyses: the pCR rate, OS, RFS, and LRFS were similar between these groups. The FP+OX group showed significantly more frequent incompleteness of the CRT compared to the FP group (p=0.049). Among the patients who had completed the CRT, the FP+OX group demonstrated significantly improved LRFS compared to the FP group (p=0.048). Conclusion: The addition of OX to an FP regimen in neoadjuvant CRT for LARC may reduce local recurrence in patients who have achieved good compliance to CRT.

A 72-year-old male was diagnosed pneumococcal meningitis and we started treatment with antibacterial drugs and corticosteroids. On the 6th day, his consciousness level decreased. On the 7th day DWI of MRI showed a new infarction in bilateral cerebellar, and MRA showed multiple arterial stenosis. On the 12th day, CT angiography showed expansion of cerebral infarction and progress of diffuse stenosis. After that the stenosis improved over time, it disappeared on the 39th day. These results suggest that vasospasm is involved in the pathology of vascular stenosis.

A 47-year-old male patient without a documented past medical history was referred to Sanno Hospital because of constipation and abdominal pain, which he had had for more than 5 years. Abdominal X-ray and CT scan showed an enlarged ascending colon from the cecum to the transverse colon, without apparent mechanical obstruction. The patient was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic colonic pseudo-obstruction, and because his symptoms were resistant to medication, surgical treatment was required. Laparoscopic subtotal colectomy was performed without any complications. Constipation was relieved, and the patient began defecating 2-3 times a day without medication. Pathological specimens showed that Meissner's plexus and Auerbach's plexus had decreased and that there were fewer ganglion cells-findings consistent with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

A 76-year-old Japanese female who was treated with long-term use of prednisolone at 10 mg/day for interstitial pneumonia developed acute right-dominant lower limb paralysis and then upper limb paralysis with herpes zoster eruptions on the right C7-Th1 dermatomes. On admission, right predominant quadriplegia was observed with sensory symptoms; Hughes functional grade was level 4; the hand grip power was right, 0, and left, 7 kg, the deep tendon reflexes were abolished throughout without pathologic reflexes. Twenty days after the onset of the symptoms, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed mild increases of lymphocytes (13 cells/μl) and protein content (73 mg/dl). Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) PCR was negative in the CSF, but an enzyme immunoassay for VZV was positive in her serum and CSF, and the high titers were prolonged. Peripheral nerve conduction and F wave studies suggested right-dominant demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. A T1-weighted MR contrast image exhibited right-dominant high-intensity lesions on the C7-Th1 spinal roots and similar lesions on the L4-5 spinal roots. We compared with several similar cases from the literature and proposed that VZV itself involves the pathogenesis of the polyradiculoneuritis in immunocompromised hosts.

Background The term “mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD)” is used to describe an ischemic injury resulting from phlebitis or venulitis that affects the bowel or mesentery in the absence of arteritis. MIVOD is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity and frequent confusion with other diseases. The incidence and etiology of MIVOD remain unclear; only a few cases have been reported. We describe a case of the successful surgical management of a patient with MIVOD with characteristic images. Case presentation A 65-year-old Japanese man visited a hospital with the chief complaint of abdominal pain in January 2018. CT showed edema and thickening of the intestinal wall from the descending colon to the rectum. The patient was admitted to the hospital. Suspected diagnoses were enteritis, ulcerative colitis, amyloidosis, vasculitis, malignant lymphoma, and venous thrombus, but no definitive diagnosis was obtained. The patient was transferred to our hospital for the treatment of stenosis (located from the descending colon to the rectum) and bowel obstruction. An emergency transverse colostomy was performed. The sigmoid colon and mesentery were too rigid and edematous to resect. Colonic hemorrhage occurred 2 weeks after the surgery. With radiology intervention, coiling for the arteriovenous fistula in the descending colon was performed, and hemostasis was obtained. A colonoscopy at 6 months post-surgery showed neither ulceration nor stenosis in the rectum, indicating that the rectum could be preserved in the next surgery. However, severe stenosis in the descending and sigmoid colon remained unchanged. Ten months after the transverse colostomy, we performed a subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis, and an ileostomy was created. The sigmoid colon and mesentery were not so rigid compared to the first surgery’s findings, and we were able to resect intestine and mesentery. Histopathology revealed phlebitis and venulitis, fibrinoid necrosis, and normal arteries, meeting the diagnostic criteria for MIVOD. Postoperatively, the patient showed no recurrence for 8 months. Conclusion Clinicians should consider MIVOD when examining a patient with intestinal ischemia. When MIVOD is suspected, the patient is indicated for surgery based on an accurate diagnosis and good prognosis.

Background The occurrence of sacral dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is rare. The detailed vascular architecture of sacral dAVF, including 3-dimensional (3D) angiographic images with operative findings, has not been evaluated compared with that of the thoracic and lumbar levels. We report a case of sacral dAVF with 3D angiographic examination and operative findings, with a literature review. Case Description A 60-year-old man presented with progressive urinary incontinence and gait disturbance. A sacral dAVF was detected at the S1-2 level. The shunt point was at the medial side of the line between the intermediate sacral crest and the most medial point of the L5 pedicle circle at the anterior posterior view of the angiography; we defined this type as the medial type. After embolization, latent inflow arteries were visualized ipsilaterally and contralaterally. During surgery, because of dAVF recurrence, a vascular tangle was found on the dura. The surgical interruption of the draining vein improved the patient's symptoms. From the literature review, 92% of cases had medial-type shunt point. It is possible for sacral dAVF to have multiple inflow arteries originating ipsilaterally or bilaterally, and a venous pouch. Conclusions The shunt point of sacral dAVF tended to be located medially, not in the sacral foramen. Sacral dAVF has unique angioarchitecture. The differentiation of dAVF from epidural arteriovenous fistula may not be easy in some cases of sacral lesions. Therefore, further studies with a larger number of patients focused on the detailed vascular architecture are needed.

Angiotensin signaling is suggested to be involved in tumorigenesis, tumor proliferation, and metastases. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it was demonstrated that angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) may reduce the risk of CRC; however, their impact on tumor recurrence remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the impact of ACEIs/ARBs on tumor recurrence in CRC patients. We retrospectively investigated the clinicopathological data of 461 stage I–III CRC patients. We divided the patients into those who took an ACEI and/or ARB (the ACEI/ARB+ group) and those who did not (the ACEI/ARB− group), and we compared the two groups’ recurrence-free survival (RFS) using a Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and log rank test. We also examined the impact of AGTR1 expression on tumor recurrence, using two public CRC datasets. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a trend toward improved RFS in the ACEI/ARB+ group versus the ACEI/ARB− group (p = 0.063). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the RFS was significantly better in the ACEI/ARB+ group versus the ACEI/ARB− group in the patients with left-sided CRC (p = 0.030) and those with stage I CRC (p = 0.009). Consistent with these findings, the AGTR1 expression was higher in the left-sided versus right-sided colon (p = 0.048). High AGTR1 expression levels were associated with poor RFS in the GSE39582 dataset’s stage I–III CRC patients (p

Background: The number of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients is increasing in Japan and other countries. Selective depletion of myeloid lineage leucocytes by adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn (JIMRO, Takasaki, Japan) was introduced as a nonpharmacologic treatment strategy in UC patients in 2000. GMA has been reported to be effective in clinical trials; however, the effect of concomitant prednisolone (PSL) on GMA needs to be clarified. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with active UC were treated with GMA at our institute between June 2009 and September 2018. All patients received GMA therapy once or twice a week with the Adacolumn. Conventional medication was to be continued during the whole GMA treatment course. The clinical response was retrospectively evaluated. Results: According to the partial Mayo score, remission was 33.3%, significant efficacy 25.6%, effective 25.6%, and no response 15.4%. The average partial Mayo score was 6.2 ± 1.4 at entry and significantly declined to 1.8 ± 1.8 after GMA sessions (p < 0.0001). The average number of bowel movements was 9.5 ± 5.6 at entry and significantly declined to 3.0 ± 2.8 after GMA sessions (p < 0.0001). In a comparison between the group treated with concomitant PSL and the group without PSL, the change in partial Mayo score or the number of bowel movements from entry to after GMA sessions was not significantly different. Among 24 patients treated by GMA with concomitant PSL, 75% (18/24) became steroid free. Conclusions: The effect of GMA with concomitant PSL and that of GMA without PSL were not different, and GMA was effective irrespective of PSL administration. The present study showed that GMA had efficacy and led many UC patients treated by PSL to be steroid free with no safety concern in the real world, although there is the possibility of recruitment bias due to the retrospective nature of the study.

A 56-year-old right-handed woman was successfully treated by coil embolisation for a large unruptured paraclinoid aneurysm of the left internal carotid artery. Though she was discharged on day 3 after the intervention with uneventful clinical course, she was rehospitalised for continuous headache and right upper limb weakness 2 weeks after the treatment. Subsequent progression of cognitive dysfunction and right hemiparesis were observed. Repeated MRI revealed diffuse leucoencephalopathy within the ipsilateral brain hemisphere. Clinical course, serological examination, and radiological findings were consistent with localised hypocomplemental vasculitis caused by delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Immunosuppressive treatments using prednisolone successfully improved her symptoms. After a washout period for immunosuppressant, skin reaction test was performed and revealed polyglycolic-polylactic acid, coating material of the coil, positive for delayed allergic reaction. Given the increased frequency of endovascular treatment for unruptured aneurysms, even such a rare complication should be recognised and treated properly to avoid neurological sequelae.

Background The safety of antithrombotic therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke harboring unruptured intracranial aneurysms remains unclear. Aims This study was performed to determine whether treatment with antiplatelets, anticoagulants, or intravenous thrombolytic agents is safe for patients with acute ischemic stroke and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods Among 9149 patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in the Fukuoka Stroke Registry from June 2007 to December 2014, 8857 patients with data on cerebrovascular imaging and three-month outcomes were included in this study. The frequency of adverse events, including intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and in-hospital mortality, was compared between patients with and without unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The risk of a poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score of ≥3) at three months after stroke onset was estimated after adjusting for confounding factors by logistic regression analysis. Results Unruptured intracranial aneurysms were identified in 412 (4.7%) patients, and the mean diameter was 4.1 ± 3.2 mm. There was no significant difference in the frequency of any adverse events between patients with and without unruptured intracranial aneurysms among the overall patients or patients receiving antiplatelets, anticoagulants, or intravenous thrombolytic agents. The odds ratios of a poor functional outcome were not significantly higher in the presence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, even in patients undergoing antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation therapy, or intravenous thrombolysis. Conclusions These findings suggest that unruptured intracranial aneurysms are not associated with increased risks of adverse events or poor functional outcomes even after antithrombotic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, accumulation of cases is required to verify these findings.

Background: Patients with minor acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk for subsequent stroke, and more potent antiplatelet therapy in the acute setting is needed. However, the potential benefit of more intense antiplatelet therapy must be assessed in relation to the risk for major bleeding. The SOCRATES trial (Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated With Aspirin or Ticagrelor and Patient Outcomes) was the first trial with ticagrelor in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in which the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor were compared with those of aspirin. The main safety objective was assessment of PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes)–defined major bleeds on treatment, with special focus on intracranial hemorrhage (ICrH). Methods: An independent adjudication committee blinded to study treatment classified bleeds according to the PLATO, TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction), and GUSTO (Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries) definitions. The definitions of ICrH and major bleeding excluded cerebral microbleeds and asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformations of cerebral infarctions so that the definitions better discriminated important events in the acute stroke population. Results: A total of 13 130 of 13 199 randomized patients received at least 1 dose of study drug and were included in the safety analysis set. PLATO major bleeds occurred in 31 patients (0.5%) on ticagrelor and 38 patients (0.6%) on aspirin (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–1.34). The most common locations of major bleeds were intracranial and gastrointestinal. ICrH was reported in 12 patients (0.2%) on ticagrelor and 18 patients (0.3%) on aspirin. Thirteen of all 30 ICrHs (4 on ticagrelor and 9 on aspirin) were hemorrhagic strokes, and 4 (2 in each group) were symptomatic hemorrhagic transformations of brain infarctions. The ICrHs were spontaneous in 6 and 13, traumatic in 3 and 3, and procedural in 3 and 2 patients on ticagrelor and aspirin, respectively. In total, 9 fatal bleeds occurred on ticagrelor and 4 on aspirin. The composite of ICrH or fatal bleeding included 15 patients on ticagrelor and 18 on aspirin. Independently of bleeding classification, PLATO, TIMI, or GUSTO, the relative difference between treatments for major/severe bleeds was similar. Nonmajor bleeds were more common on ticagrelor. Conclusions: Antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack showed a bleeding profile similar to that of aspirin for major bleeds. There were few ICrHs. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01994720.

Background Among patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation, which ones are at high risk of recurrent stroke is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether left atrial size was associated with long‐term risk of stroke recurrence in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results In this multicenter prospective cohort study, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke were enrolled and followed up after discharge. Indexed‐left atrial diameter was obtained by dividing left atrial diameter by body surface area. Cause‐specific and subdistribution hazard ratios of recurrent stroke were estimated by Cox proportional hazards and Fine–Gray models, respectively. Risk prediction was evaluated by integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement. In total, 1611 patients (77.8±10.2 [mean± SD ] years, 44.5% female) were included. During follow‐up for 2.40±1.63 (mean± SD ) years, 251 patients had recurrent stroke and 514 patients died. An increased indexed‐left atrial diameter (per 1 cm/m 2 ) was significantly associated with elevated risk of stroke recurrence (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.30–1.98). The association was maintained when death was regarded as the competing risk and in 1464 patients who were treated with anticoagulants (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.27–2.00). Risk prediction for recurrent stroke was significantly improved by adding indexed‐left atrial diameter to the baseline model composed of the factors in the CHADS 2 score or those in the CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score. Conclusion These findings suggest that left atrial enlargement is associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with ischemic stroke.

Background and Purpose— The role of early hospital arrival in improving poststroke clinical outcomes in patients without reperfusion treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether early hospital arrival was associated with favorable outcomes in patients without reperfusion treatment or with minor stroke. Methods— This multicenter, hospital-based study included 6780 consecutive patients (aged, 69.9±12.2 years; 63.9% men) with ischemic stroke who were prospectively registered in Fukuoka, Japan, between July 2007 and December 2014. Onset-to-door time was categorized as T 0-1 , ≤1 hour; T 1-2 , >1 and ≤2 hours; T 2-3 , >2 and ≤3 hours; T 3-6 , >3 and ≤6 hours; T 6-12 , >6 and ≤12 hours; T 12-24 , >12 and ≤24 hours; and T 24- , >24 hours. The main outcomes were neurological improvement (decrease in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥4 during hospitalization or 0 at discharge) and good functional outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1). Associations between onset-to-door time and main outcomes were evaluated after adjusting for potential confounders using logistic regression analysis. Results— Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) increased significantly with shorter onset-to-door times within 6 hours, for both neurological improvement ( T 0- 1 , 2.79 [2.28–3.42]; T 1-2 , 2.49 [2.02–3.07]; T 2-3 , 1.52 [1.21–1.92]; T 3-6 , 1.72 [1.44–2.05], with reference to T 24- ) and good functional outcome ( T 0-1 , 2.68 [2.05–3.49], T 1-2 2.10 [1.60–2.77], T 2-3 1.53 [1.15–2.03], T 3-6 1.31 [1.05–1.64], with reference to T 24- ), even after adjusting for potential confounding factors including reperfusion treatment and basal National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. These associations were maintained in 6216 patients without reperfusion treatment and in 4793 patients with minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤4 on hospital arrival). Conclusions— Early hospital arrival within 6 hours after stroke onset is associated with favorable outcomes after ischemic stroke, regardless of reperfusion treatment or stroke severity.

A 40-year-old man who presented with left hemiparesis was admitted to our hospital. He had tachycardia and a fever. He had a 25-year history of insulin therapy for diabetes mellitus. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) images showed fresh infarction in the right hemisphere, and carotid ultrasonography showed stenosis of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). We determined that atherothrombotic brain infarction had likely occurred. After admission, the right ICA became narrow and finally occluded. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a thrombus in the right ICA, and gadolinium-enhanced MRA showed vasculitis of the ICA. In laboratory tests, his thyroid hormones were elevated. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. After treatment, the tachycardia and high fever were improved. Because of a positive anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody test result, he was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We found that he had anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome because he was positive for anti-beta-glycoprotein I antibody. These findings suggested that his condition was autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3. He received prednisolone and warfarin. After 3 months, his neurological findings were improved; however, occlusion of the ICA remained. Autoimmunity was considered to be the cause of ICA occlusion. Ischemic stroke with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome is very rare and is associated with progressive carotid lesions in juvenile patients. It is necessary to diagnose and treat this condition as soon as possible.

Background and Purpose— Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for stroke. However, it is uncertain whether prestroke glycemic control (PSGC) status affects clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between PSGC status and neurological or functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods— From the Fukuoka Stroke Registry (FSR), a multicenter stroke registry in Japan, 3627 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke within 24 hours after onset were included in the present analysis. The patients were categorized into 4 groups based on their PSGC status: excellent (hemoglobin [Hb] A1c on admission Results— The age- and sex-adjusted ORs for neurological improvement were lower, and those for neurological deterioration and a poor functional outcome were higher in patients with poorer PSGC status. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, these trends were unchanged (all probability values for trends were Conclusions— In ischemic stroke patients, HbA1c on admission was an independent significant predictor for neurological and functional outcomes.

We report a 50-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed stroke-like symptoms, including disturbance of consciousness and severe left hemiparesis. Despite the stroke-like symptoms, MR imaging showed quite atypical findings for stroke; broad high-intensity areas in the right fronto-parietal lobes on diffusion-weighted images were shown mainly as iso-intensity areas on the ADC map, without any findings of stenosis of the cerebral large arteries. The cerebral blood flow in these areas was significantly decreased, as evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography. The present case suggests that small vessel vasculopathies localized in the unilateral hemisphere could cause "stroke-like" symptoms in SLE.

To verify the safety and validity of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer in elderly patients.A meta-analysis was performed of a systematic search of studies on an electronic database. Studies that compared laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) in elderly colorectal cancer patients with open colectomy (OC) were retrieved, and their short and long-term outcomes compared. Elderly people were defined as 65 years old or more. Inclusion criteria were set at: Resection of colorectal cancer, comparison between laparoscopic and OC and no significant difference in backgrounds between groups.Fifteen studies were identified for analysis. LAC was performed on 1436 patients, and OC performed on 1810 patients. In analyses of short-term outcomes, operation time for LAC was longer than for OC (mean difference = 34.4162, 95%CI: 17.8473-50.9851, P0.0001). The following clinical parameters were lower in LAC than in OC: Amount of estimated blood loss (mean difference = -93.3738, 95%CI: -132.3437 to -54.4039, P0.0001), overall morbidity (OR = 0.5427, 95%CI: 0.4425-0.6655, P0.0001), incisional surgical site infection (OR = 0.6262, 95%CI: 0.4310-0.9097, P = 0.0140), bowel obstruction and ileus (OR = 0.6248, 95%CI: 0.4519-0.8638, P = 0.0044) and cardiovascular complications (OR = 0.4767, 95%CI: 0.2805-0.8101, P = 0.0062). In analyses of long-term outcomes (median follow-up period: 36.4 mo in LAC, 34.3 mo in OC), there was no significant difference in overall survival (mean difference = 0.8321, 95%CI: 0.5331-1.2990, P = 0.4187) and disease specific survival (mean difference = 1.0254, 95%CI: 0.6707-1.5675, P = 0.9209). There was also no significant difference in the number of dissected lymph nodes (mean difference = -0.1360, 95%CI: -4.0553-3.7833, P = 0.9458).LAC in elderly colorectal cancer patients had benefits in short-term outcomes compared with OC except operation time. The long-term outcomes and oncological clearance of LAC were similar to that of OC. These results support the assertion that LAC is an effective procedure for elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

A 62-year-old man complained of gait disturbance, bladder and bowel dysfunction and paresthesia of both legs one month before admission. His symptoms were suggestive of cauda equina syndrome. After admission, he developed rapid progressive numbness and weakness of both legs and a disturbance of consciousness. A random skin biopsy was performed and a histological diagnosis of intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) was reached. His symptoms were improved after rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy.