J Neuroradiology
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Traditional data and recent advances in the field of spinal cord ischemia are reviewed, with special attention to clinical and radiological features, as well as underlying etiology, outcome, and pathophysiology. Acute spinal cord ischemia includes arterial and venous infarction and global ischemia resulting from cardiac arrest or severe hypotension. MRI has become the technique of choice for the imaging diagnosis of spinal cord infarction. ⋯ Chronic spinal cord ischemia results in a syndrome of progressive myelopathy. The cause is usually an arteriovenous malformation. Most often, diagnosis may be suspected on MRI, leading to diagnostic, and eventually therapeutic, spinal angiography.
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Between 3.6 and 6% of the population harbour an unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Risk of rupture is related to aneurysm site and size and whether or not the patient has already had a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from another aneurysm. In ISUIA 2, the rupture rate for anterior circulation aneurysms<7mm was 0% per year in patients with no prior SAH, and 0.3% per year in patients with previous SAH; 7-12mm aneurysms, 0.5% per year (both groups); 13-24mm aneurysms, 3% per year; and giant aneurysms 8% per year. ⋯ There is an increased risk of SAH in relatives of patients with SAH (highest in those with two or more first degree relatives affected), but most SAH is sporadic and therefore the balance of available evidence indicates that mass screening for aneurysms is not cost effective. There may be a limited role for investigation of high-risk subgroups and ideally such screening should be tested in a randomised trial. The avoidance and active management of vascular risk factors should also be part of the management of at risk subjects.
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Effective collateral blood flow seem to be an important factor associated with a small infarct volume and a good clinical outcome. We aimed to assess leptomeningeal collateral blood flow on source perfusion-weighted images in patients with acute stroke. ⋯ These preliminary data suggest that a delayed contrast filling observed on native perfusion-weighted images may be a marker of leptomeningeal collateral blood flow, and may lead to better clinical and morphological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Carotid stenting with filter protection. Correlation of ACT values with angiographic and histopathologic findings.
Filter cerebral protection during carotid stenting has been proposed as a new tool to reduce brain embolism. Angiographic findings (filter patency), pathological analysis of the collected materials inside the filters and coagulation parameters were analyzed to identify potential down sides in the use of these protection devices. ⋯ Distal protection filters can collect plaque fragments occurring during carotid stenting. Significant proportion of the debris found in the filters consisted of thrombotic material. Precise monitoring of heparin anticoagulation is recommended to prevent filter occlusion.
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Liponeurocytoma (lipomatous medulloblastoma) is an uncommon clinicopathologic entity. We report a case of cerebellar liponeurocytoma in an adult and attempt to better characterize this uncommon lesion. A 43-year-old woman presented with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar dysfunction. ⋯ Careful analysis of the histopathological and immunohistochemical studies correctly identifies liponeurocytoma (lipomatous medulloblastoma). To our knowledge, only 16 cases have been reported. Although this lesion appears to have a better prognosis than the conventional form of adult medulloblastoma, complete surgical removal with postoperative radiation therapy is recommended.