Posterior Circulation Infarction Research Articles

Risk factors, types and outcomes of arterial ischemic stroke in Polish pediatric patients: a retrospective single-center study.

IntroductionVarious neurological complications may occur as a consequence of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and have an impact on daily activity of the patients, costs of their medical care and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors, stroke symptoms and post-stroke consequences in Polish pediatric patients depending on stroke subtype.Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 77 children under the age of 18 years following their first AIS. Patients were white, Polish Caucasians, recruited in the Department of Pediatric Neurology at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 12.0.ResultsGender differed significantly between stroke subgroups (p = 0.030). The presence of focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) and chronic diseases was associated with type of AIS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.050, respectively). An outcome without neurological deterioration (normal outcome) was observed in 43% of children with lacunar anterior circulation infarct (LACI). Hemiparesis was present in almost all children with total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), in two thirds of children with partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI) and in almost 50% of children with LACI or posterior circulation infarct (POCI). In every child with hemiplegia the stroke symptom evolved into hemiparesis at follow-up. Additionally, patients with a normal outcome were older at the time of AIS than those with at least one neurological consequence (OR = 0.894, p = 0.034).ConclusionsThe presence and number of neurological outcomes depend on stroke subtypes. A relation between the presence of post-stroke deficits and age at onset was observed. The odds of deficit after ischemic stroke decreases by an average of 10.6% if the child is 1 year older at the time of AIS.

Double adjacent basilar artery fenestration with cerebellar infarct: Case report and new classification of double basilar fenestrations

Basilar artery (BA) fenestration is an uncommon congenital variant associated with aneurysms and posterior circulation infarcts. We present a 42-year-old male, smoker and hypertensive who came with acute onset vertigo and gait ataxia. Cerebellar signs were positive on the left side. Diffusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed acute infarct in the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) territory. Computed tomography angiography showed BA double adjacent fenestration of proximal segment of BA, without thrombus, dissection/aneurysm. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of double adjacent BA fenestration have been described so far. The association between vertebro-BA fenestrations and posterior circulation stroke is controversial. It has been suggested that turbulent flow at the site of fenestration predisposes to thrombus formation, which may be cause of stroke. This rare anatomic variant of the posterior circulation is important to recognize and may have associated neurologic consequences (double BA fenestrations are rare yet known congenital variants associated with aneurysms and associated neurological implications) (double adjacent BA fenestration presenting with AICA infarct are still rarer with only three cases reported across the world).

The Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Older Chinese Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

To study the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis for the older acute ischemic stroke patients, clinical data were prospectively analyzed from 168 patients with acute ischemic stroke including 42 older adult patients (ET group), 66 younger patients (NET group) treated with rt-PA, and 60 older adult patients treated without rt-PA (ENT group). Stroke severity was assessed with an NIHSS score at baseline, 1-day and 14-day after treatment. Functional outcomes were evaluated by the modified Rankin scale and a Barthel index. Adverse effects were observed during the treatment. The rate of "good" prognosis was higher in the ET group than that in the ENT group at 90 days post-stroke. In older patients with stroke, thrombolytic therapy was found to be of greater benefit to patients with lower NIHSS scores at baseline, or patients classified as posterior circulation infarction, than for patients with higher NIHSS scores or infarctions located in other brain regions. Thrombolytic therapy may exhibit long-term efficacy by improving the future quality of life for older stroke patients with fewer bleeding risk factors and lower baseline NIHSS scores.

Diagnostic Yield of Neck CT Angiography in Young Adults With Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke: A Community Based Study.

Few community-based studies investigating young adult strokes exist. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of head and neck CTA in evaluation of anterior circulation ischemic stroke in young adults. This retrospective review is limited to patients between the ages of 18-50 presenting to the Mayo Clinic Rochester emergency department or referred from smaller institutions in adjacent counties. Patients with posterior circulation infarcts, amaurosis fugax, central retinal artery occlusion or transient ischemic attacks were excluded. The presence of carotid dissection, webs, plaque, or other high-risk lesions were recorded. A total of 136 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean degree of carotid stenosis ipsilateral to infarct was 14.1%, compared to 6.5% on the contralateral side (p = .006). Ipsilateral mean carotid wall thickness measured .79 mm, compared to contralateral thickness of .80 mm (p = .51). Ipsilateral low-density plaque was observed in 22 patients (16.2%), and 21 patients (15.4%) on the contralateral side (p = .87). Ipsilateral calcified plaque was observed in 37 patients (27.2%), and 29 patients (21.3%) on the contralateral side (p = .31). 20 (14.7%) ipsilateral dissections were noted, compared to 4 (2.9%) contralateral dissections (p = .001). 3 (2.2%) ipsilateral carotid webs were identified, compared to 0 contralateral webs (p = .25). Carotid dissection was the most common cause of anterior circulation infarct identified on cervical CTA in this population. Carotid webs and atherosclerosis were not common findings.

Does the Occurrence of Particular Symptoms and Outcomes of Arterial Ischemic Stroke Depend on Sex in Pediatric Patients?-A Pilot Study.

Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in childhood is reported to occur more frequently in boys, which may lead to the assumption that the prevalence of post-stroke deficits is sex related. The present study aimed to evaluate sex-related differences in functional outcomes (hemiparesis, seizures, aphasia, and motor disturbances other than hemiparesis) in pediatric patients with AIS. A total of 89 children (52 boys and 37 girls; mean age at stroke onset: 8.4 ± 5.6 years) were evaluated retrospectively based on data from medical records. The patients were divided into subgroups according to age (i.e., infants and toddlers, children, and adolescents), stroke subtype (i.e., lacunar anterior circulation infarct (LACI), total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI), posterior circulation infarct (POCI)) and stroke location (i.e., anterior stroke, posterior stroke). Significant differences in the prevalence of stroke subtypes between girls and boys were observed (p = 0.034). POCI stroke were found to be more frequent in boys than in girls (OR = 8.57 95%CI 1.05–70.23, p = 0.023). Males predominated in the total group and in all analyzed age subgroups. The proportions of boys within the subgroups according to stroke subtype were extremely high for the POCI and TACI stroke subgroups. On the other hand, girls predominated in the LACI stroke subgroup. Frequency of central type facial nerve palsy and other symptoms of AIS were found to significantly differ between male subgroups according to stroke subtype (p = 0.050 and p < 0.001, respectively), as well as between children with anterior stroke and those with posterior stroke (p = 0.059 and p < 0.001, respectively). Post-stroke seizures appeared significantly more commonly in girls with TACI and POCI stroke than in girls with LACI and PACI stroke (p = 0.022). In turn, the prevalence of post-stroke hemiparesis differed between stroke subtypes in boys (p = 0.026). In conclusion, sex may have an impact in predisposing to a certain type of AIS in the patient. Post-stroke seizure may be related to stroke subtype in girls and hemiparesis in boys. However, further studies are needed to confirm the results.

Serum miRNA125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-433-5p as biomarkers to differentiate between posterior circulation stroke and peripheral vertigo

BackgroundAcute vertigo is a common presentation of inner ear disease. However, it can also be caused by more serious conditions, especially posterior circulation stroke. Differentiating between these two conditions by clinical presentations and imaging studies during the acute phase can be challenging. This study aimed to identify serum microRNA (miRNA) candidates that could differentiate between posterior circulation stroke and peripheral vertigo, among patients presenting with acute vertigo.MethodsSerum levels of six miRNAs including miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-376a-3p, and miR-433-5p were evaluated. Using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the serum miRNAs were assessed in the acute phase and at a 90 day follow-up visit.ResultsA total of 58 patients with posterior circulation stroke (n = 23) and peripheral vertigo (n = 35) were included in the study. Serum miR-125a-5p (P = 0.001), miR-125b-5p (P < 0.001), miR-143-3p (P = 0.014) and miR-433-5p (P = 0.0056) were present at significantly higher levels in the acute phase, in the patients with posterior circulation infarction. Based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) only miR-125a-5p (0.75), miR-125b-5p(0.77), and miR-433-5p (0.71) had an acceptable discriminative ability to differentiate between the central and peripheral vertigo. A combination of miRNAs revealed no significant improvement of AUROC when compared to single miRNAs.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the potential of serum miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-433-5p as biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of posterior circulation infarction among patients presenting with acute vertigo.

Effects of Preexisting Psychotropic Medication Use on a Cohort of Patients with Ischemic Stroke Outcome.

Background Several studies investigated the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) after ischemic stroke to improve motor recovery. However, little is known about the effects of preexisting psychotropic medication use (PPMU), such as antidepressants, on a long-term ischemic stroke functional disability. Objective We sought to determine the prevalence of PPMU and whether PPMU relates to the long-term clinical outcome in a cohort of patients presenting with acute ischemic strokes. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 323 consecutive patients who presented with an acute ischemic stroke in a single institution between January 2015 and December 2017. Baseline characteristics, functional disability as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and major adverse cardiovascular complications (MACE) within 365 days were recorded. The comparison groups included a control group of ischemic stroke patients who were not on psychotropic medications before and after the index ischemic stroke and a second group of poststroke psychotropic medication use (PoMU), which consisted of patients started on psychotropic medication during the index admission. Results The prevalence of PPMU in the studied cohort was 21.4% (69/323). There was a greater proportion of females in the PPMU than in the comparison groups (P < 0.001), while vascular risk factors were similar in all groups, except for an increased presence of posterior circulation infarcts in the PPMU (37.4% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001). Among the patients with available 1-year follow-up data (n = 246), we noted significantly greater improvement in stroke deficits, measured by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) between PPMU and PoMU vs. control (3 (0-7) versus 1 (0-4), P = 0.041). The 1-year mRS was worse in PPMU and PoMU compared to the control group (2 (IQ 1-3) vs. 2 (IQ 0-3) vs. 1 (IQ 0-2), respectively, P = 0.013), but delta mRS reflecting the degree of mRS improvement showed no significant difference between any PMU and control patients (P = 0.76). There was no statistically significant difference in MACE. Conclusion PPMU in ischemic stroke is common; it can be beneficial in ischemic stroke in the long-term clinical outcome and is not associated with increased risks of MACE.

Vertebral Artery Loops and Cervicobrachial Pain

AbstractVertebral artery loop formation is an uncommon anatomical variation which may be asymptomatic or can cause cervicobrachial pain, radiculopathy, or even bone erosions and enlargement of neural foramina. As this entity is one of the uncommon causes of cervical radiculopathy, this report aims to create awareness among radiologists and clinicians, as vertebral artery loops may be seen incidentally in routine neuroimaging. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with magnetic resonance (MR) angiography or multislice computerized tomography (CT) angiography plays an important role in diagnosing as well as creating a roadmap for the surgery.Vertebral artery loop formation as a cause of radiculopathy is an uncommon condition. An abnormal course of vessel can lead to vascular injury during surgery, hence preoperative evaluation with CT or MRI is essential.1 2 Anomalous looping of vertebral artery can cause neurovascular compression apart from bony erosion, widening of vertebral foramen, and even vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Clinical features of vertebral artery loop formation can be radiculopathy, compression over cervical cord leading to sensory and motor deficit, and vertigo when associated with vertebra–basilar insufficiency, which is known as vascular vertigo. It has also been postulated that loop formation of vertebral artery can also lead to posterior circulation infarcts. Left vertebral artery is more prone for loop formation than the right vertebral artery, probably due to increased caliber in greater proportion of individuals. Multilevel and bilateral tortuosity can occur in younger patients rarely where imaging plays an important role.

Clinical phenotypes of embolic strokes of undetermined source.

The embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) represents a heterogeneous clinical entity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether distinct clinical phenotypes may be identified in the ESUS population. We retrospectively identified consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke who met the ESUS diagnostic criteria. Baseline characteristics and diagnostic workup findings were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out to classify clinical features and identify different groups of ESUS patients. One hundred twenty-seven patients with a mean age of 68.6 (12.5) years were included. Three main clusters were identified. The first cluster associated young age, male sex, presence of patent foramen ovale, and posterior circulation infarct. The second phenotype linked hypertension, severe stroke, left atrial cardiopathy, diabetes mellitus, and involvement of multiple vascular territories. The third cluster gathered smoking, dyslipidemia, ipsilateral vulnerable sub-stenotic carotid plaque, and infarct of anterior vascular territory. Distinct clinical phenotypes have been identified within the ESUS population, which may supply clues to the underlying pathogenic mechanisms.

Left Vertebral Artery to Common Carotid Artery Transposition in a Patient With Bilateral Vertebral Insufficiency: 3-Dimensional Operative Video

Extracranial vertebral artery (VA) atherosclerosis is responsible for 14% to 32% of posterior circulation infarctions.1 In the posterior circulation, narrowing of the VA>30% is significantly associated with strokes. Subclavian artery (SCA) atherosclerosis can produce subclavian steal. Retrograde VA flow around an occluded SCA decreases blood flow to the posterior circulation and causes vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). Flow augmentation to the posterior circulation can be achieved by VA endarterectomy, arterial stenting, VA-common carotid artery (CCA) transposition, or bypass using an interposition graft.2,3 This video illustrates microsurgical revascularization of the proximal VA with VA-CCA transposition. A 58-yr-old man with a prior stroke and chronic right VA occlusion presented with dysarthria and gait instability. Angiographic evaluation confirmed complete midcervical right VA occlusion and left SCA occlusion proximal to VA origin, with subclavian steal. After obtaining patient consent and a failed attempt at endovascular recanalization of the left SCA, a left VA-CCA end-to-side transposition was performed. Neck dissection exposed the left CCA. The thyrocervical trunk served as a landmark to identify the SCA, which was traced proximally to the VA origin. After proximal occlusion, the VA was transected and "fish-mouthed" for end-to-side anastomosis to CCA. An intraluminal, continuous suture technique was used to sew the back walls of this anastomosis. Postoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed bypass patency. Collateral circulation through the thyrocervical and costocervical trunks likely supplied the left arm, and no cerebral, or limb, ischemic symptoms were noted on follow-up. VA-CCA transposition is an uncommon technique for safe and effective revascularization of symptomatic, medically refractory VBI caused by VA occlusion or, as in this case, SCA occlusion with secondary subclavian steal. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

Ethnic differences in characteristics and outcome of acute ischemic stroke in China: A single center experience

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore ethnic differences of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients' characteristics, management and outcome in Chinese population in an institutional retrospective study. MethodsData of consecutive patients with AIS treated at our center from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Ethnic differences in demographics, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. ResultsA total of 400 patients were included in the present analysis. Compared with Han patients, patients in ethnic group showed shorter interval between symptom onset and admission, lower baseline Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, lower prevalence of diabetes, higher prevalence of medical history of anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment, lower rates of partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI), lacunar infarct (LACI) and posterior circulation infarct (POCI). They were less likely to receive antiplatelet therapy and more likely to present higher risks of pulmonary infection. Furthermore, multivariable analysis revealed that the ethnic group was associated with unfavorable outcomes in AIS patients at discharge. In subgroup analysis after adjustment, only pulmonary infection remained an independent predictor of poor outcomes at discharge in ethnic group, while in Han group, baseline GCS score, total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), LACI and pulmonary infection were determined to be independent predictors of poor outcomes at discharge. ConclusionsPatients from ethnic minority groups presented distinctive characteristics in their baseline measurements, background cerebrovascular risk factors, treatment after admission, risk of in-hospital complications compared with Han patients. The ethnic difference of the AIS appeared to affect the neurological outcome.

Basilar artery thrombosis due to hyperhomocysteinemia treated conservatively: a therapeutic success

Basilar artery thrombosis is a rare and potentially fatal cause of posterior circulation stroke. Among the various etiologies, hyperhomocysteinemia is crucial and often under diagnosed, especially in developing countries. Authors describe the case of a 15-year male who presented with 1-day history of headache, vomiting and altered mental status. Non-contrast CT Head revealed multiple acute infarcts in posterior circulation of brain. Laboratory investigations revealed hyperhomocysteinemia. Contrast enhanced MRI Brain showed acute infarcts in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, pons, midbrain, medulla and vermis. MR venography was suggestive of Basilar Artery thrombosis. Thrombolysis was not done due to delayed presentation; hence authors resorted to conservative management with folic acid and vitamin B supplementation. The patient showed gradual clinical improvement and had complete clinical recovery during follow up visit. A favorable outcome with conservative management of basilar artery thrombosis is rarely reported in literature.

Factores asociados a resultados funcionales en pacientes con ictus isquémico tratados con trombolisis endovenosa en un hospital del Perú.

Objetivo: Describir el tratamiento del ictus isquémico agudo con reperfusión endovenosa y determinar los factores asociados al rendimiento funcional de pacientes sometidos a trombolisis en un hospital peruano. Material y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo y longitudinal de una cohorte de pacientes con ictus isquémico que recibieron rtPA en un periodo de 3 años. Se evaluó la relación entre datos demográficos y clínicos y el estado funcional a los 3 meses de la intervención. La asociación del pronóstico funcional se valoró mediante el modelo de regresión simple y multivariado de Poisson, y el Riesgo Relativo (RR) con un intervalo de confianza (IC) al 95%, como medida de asociación. Resultados. Durante el periodo del estudio, 74 pacientes (1.19% del total) recibieron el tratamiento. El 68,18% logró independencia funcional (mRS 0-2) a los 90 días. La mortalidad fue de 6 % y un 3% mostró hemorragia intracerebral (HIC). Glicemia &gt;140 mg/dl (OR 5,12; 1,31-20,02; p=0,019) e infarto de tipo posterior (OR 7,47; 1,01-55,15; p =0,04) se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de dependencia funcional. Conclusiones: En la cohorte estudiada, la mayoría de los pacientes alcanzaron independencia funcional a los 3 meses de tratamiento trombolítico. La hiperglicemia (&gt;140gr/dl) y el infarto vertebro-basilar se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de dependencia funcional.

Evaluation of hemodynamic characteristics in posterior circulation infarction patients with vertebral artery dominance by color doppler flow imaging and transcranial doppler sonography

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic characteristics of posterior circulation infarction (PCI) patients with the vertebral artery dominance (VAD) using Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and to explore the pathogenesis of PCI caused by VAD. Materials and methods A total of 186 consecutive PCI patients were enrolled. All the patients underwent magnetic resonance (MR) examination and the clinical data were collected. According to the brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), the patients were divided into VAD and non-VAD groups. CDFI and TCD were performed to identify the hemodynamic parameters of the vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA). Results The male population was significantly more frequent in the VAD group (71.3%) as compared to the non-VAD group (53.1%). The significant difference in hemodynamic parameters was observed between VAD and non-VAD groups. Resistance index (RI) of extracranial and intracranial VA was different as well. There were also differences in the VA side-to-side diameter difference-value, peak velocity (Vp), mean velocity (Vm) and pulsatility index (PI) with varying degrees of BA curvature. Conclusions VA and BA hemodynamic changes caused by VAD may be an important risk factor in the process of occurrence of PCI. The combination of CDFI and TCD can help to detect the hemodynamic changes in the intracranial and extracranial segments of VA and BA. This can have important clinical value in understanding the pathogenesis of PCI.

Effects of Periprocedural Tirofiban vs. Oral Antiplatelet Drug Therapy on Posterior Circulation Infarction in Patients With Acute Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusion.

Background and purpose: Tirofiban and oral antiplatelet drugs can be used to inhibit reocclusion and restore microvascular reperfusion during endovascular treatment (EVT). This study compared recanalization rates, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), 90 day mortality, and functional outcomes between periprocedural tirofiban and antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute intracranial atherosclerosis-related vertebrobasilar artery occlusion.Methods: A total of 105 consecutive patients with acute intracranial atherosclerosis-related vertebrobasilar artery occlusion who underwent EVT + tirofiban + oral antiplatelet or EVT + oral antiplatelet therapy at the Beijing Tiantan Hospital between January 2012 and July 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters, and functional outcomes were assessed.Results: Among the 105 patients, 74 underwent EVT + tirofiban + oral antiplatelet therapy, while 31 underwent EVT + oral antiplatelet drug therapy. EVT + tirofiban + oral antiplatelet therapy resulted in higher recanalization rates compared to EVT + oral antiplatelet drug therapy (93.24% vs. 77.42%; p = 0.038), whereas the risk for SICH, 90 day mortality, and functional independence outcomes did not differ between the groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that EVT + tirofiban + oral antiplatelet therapy had an increased probability of higher recanalization rates (OR 0.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–24.39]; p = 0.025). There were no differences in SICH (OR 0.00 [95% CI 0.00–Inf]; p = 0.998), 90 day mortality (OR 1.19 [95% CI 0.17–4.05]; p = 0.826), or functional independence (modified Rankin score 0 to ≤ 2) (OR 1.43 [95% CI 0.23–2.17]; p = 0.538) between the groups.Conclusions: Ninety day functional outcomes of EVT + tirofiban + oral antiplatelet therapy were not superior to those of EVT + oral antiplatelet drug therapy; however, the recanalization rate was higher and the risks for SICH and 90 day mortality were lower.

Abstract TP219: Hyperintense Vessels on FLAIR MRI Suggest Dissection and Large-Artery Atherosclerosis but Do Not Predict Outcome in Acute Posterior Circulation Infarct

Background and Purpose: Hyperintense vessel sign on FLAIR (HVS) has been described in hyperacute stroke patients with arterial occlusion. It’s a surrogate marker for stroke severity in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the anterior circulation. We aimed to reveal the clinical significance of HVS in patients with acute posterior circulation infarction. Methods: This observational study is based on a single-center prospective registry study. Inclusion criteria were: symptomatic ischemic stroke patients who have lesions only in posterior circulation; and taken initial MRI within 14 days from onset.An unfavorable outcome was defined as mRS score of 2 to 6 at 3 months from the onset. First investigation is to estimate whether HVS could be related to the subtype of acute ischemic stroke (cohort A). Second, the correlation between HVS and mRS at 3 months was evaluated (cohort B). Results: From October 2012 to May 2019, consecutive 1,079 ischemic stroke subjects were screened, including 277 in cohort A (191 male, median age 64 years) and 240 in cohort B (165 male, median age 66 years, Figure A). In cohort A, HVS was independently associated with intracranial artery dissection (OR 5.228; 95% CI 2.270-12.039; p = 0.001) and large-artery atherosclerosis (OR 3.582; 95% CI 1.244-10.317; p = 0.018, Figure B). In cohort B, HVS was not a factor independently associated with unfavorable outcome (OR 2.925; 95% CI 0.881-9.714; p = 0.080). Conclusions: HVS in patients with posterior circulation infarct suggests intracranial artery dissection or large-artery atherosclerosis, but does not have impact on their clinical courses.

Traumatic vertebral artery injuries in the geriatric population: a retrospective cohort study.

Traumatic vertebral artery injuries (TVAIs) are a common finding in cervical spine trauma and can predispose patients to posterior circulation infarction. While extensive research has been conducted regarding the management and criteria for imaging in patients with suspected blunt vascular injury, little research has been conducted highlighting these injuries in the geriatric population. The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients evaluated at a level 1 trauma center and found to have TVAIs between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2018. Biometric, clinical, and imaging data were obtained from a trauma registry database. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of age, a geriatric group (age ≥ 65 years) and an adult group (age 18 to < 65 years). Variables evaluated included type of trauma, mortality, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and ICU length of stay. The Student t-test was used for continuous variables, and Pearson's chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Of the 2698 of patients identified with traumatic cervical spine injuries, 103 patients demonstrated evidence of TVAI. Of these patients, 69 were < 65 and 34 were ≥ 65 years old at the time of their trauma. There was no difference in the incidence of TVAIs between the 2 groups. The ICU length of stay (4.71 vs 4.32 days, p > 0.05), hospital length of stay (10.71 vs 10.72 days, p > 0.05), and the ISS (21.50 vs 21.32, p > 0.05) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Mortality was significantly higher in the geriatric group, occurring in 9 of 34 patients (26.5%) compared with only 3 of 69 patients (4.4%) in the adult group (p < 0.001). Ground-level falls were the most common inciting event in the geriatric group (44% vs 14.5%, p < 0.001), whereas motor vehicle accidents were the most common etiology in the younger population (72.5% vs 38.2%, p < 0.001). Incidence of ischemic stroke did not vary significantly between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). TVAI in the older adult population is associated with a significantly greater risk of mortality than in the younger adult population, despite the 2 groups having similar ISSs. Additionally, low-velocity mechanisms of injury, such as ground-level falls, are a greater risk factor for acquired TVAI in older adults than in younger adults, in whom it is a significantly less common etiology.

Stroke Type, Etiology, Clinical Features and Prognosis of Diabetic Patients in Southern China.

To analyze the type, etiology, clinical features and prognosis of stroke in southern China diabetic patients. From January to August 2019, acute stroke patients were prospectively enrolled in the Wenzhou Stroke Registry within 7 days of admission to the Hospital. The differences between the 2 groups of stroke patients with or without diabetes were in the following aspects: bleeding site of hemorrhagic stroke, different ischemic stroke etiology, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification, death and disability within 3 months. Of the 497 patients enrolled, 104 (20.9%) were diabetic patients. 114(22.9%) patients had hemorrhagic stroke. The incidence of hemorrhagic stroke in the diabetic group was 10.6%, deep hemorrhage stroke account for 90.9%.In patients with ischemic stroke, the proportions of the new Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) etiological subtype classifications (atherothrombosis (AT), cardioembolism (CE), small artery disease (SAD), stroke of other determined etiology (SOD) and stroke of undetermined etiology (SUD)) in the diabetic (non-diabetic) group was 43% (31%), 7.5% (14.1%), 27.9% (16.9%), 1% (0.3%), and 20.4% (37.6%), respectively; the proportion of The OCSP classifications(total anterior circulation infarcts(TACI), partial anterior circulation infarcts(PACI), lacunar infarcts(LACI) and posterior circulation infarcts(POCI)) in the diabetic (non-diabetic) group was16.1% (22%), 30.1%(37.2%), 42% (31.4%), and 10.8% (9%), respectively. The 3-month poor prognosis of the diabetic and non-diabetic groups was 23.1% and 28.2%. For diabetic patients, the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke is low, deep hemorrhage is common; SAD and LACI are common in the ischemic stroke; There was no significant difference in the 3-month prognosis between the 2 groups.

Treatment of posterior circulation strokes by mechanical thrombectomy with a stent-retriever: a retrospective observational study at a single centre

ObjectivesTo determine the rate of recanalization, functional outcome at three months, and independent prognostic factors in patients with posterior circulation strokes treated with stent-retrievers and to compare these results with those of patients in an earlier series treated with “classical methods”. Material and methodsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with posterior circulation strokes treated with stent-retrievers at our center between December 1, 2011 and May 1, 2018. The main outcome variables were the rate of recanalization according to the Thrombosis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale and functional independence score 90 days after treatment according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We analyzed demographics, cerebrovascular risk factors, clinical findings, and probable origin. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. ResultsWe included 75 patients: 27 treated with “classical methods” and 48 treated with stent-retrievers (10 women; mean age, 63.9 years; median National Institute of Health Stroke Score, 15.8 (IQR 9–25); median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), 9.1 (IQR 6–14,5). TICI 2b-3 recanalization was achieved in 46 (95.8%) patients treated with stent-retrievers and in 15 (55.6%) patients treated with “classical methods” (p<0.0001). No significant differences were observed in the rate of patients achieving mRS 0–2at 90 days (19 (39.6%) of those treated with stent-retrievers vs. 6 (22.2%) of those treated with “classical methods”). Mortality was lower among patients treated with stent-retrievers (14 (29.2% vs. 15 (55.6%) in those treated with “classical methods”, p=0.024). GCS score was independently associated with mRS at 90 days (OR:0.67; 95%CI:0.5–0.91; p=0.01). ConclusionsIn patients with posterior circulation infarcts, treatment with stent-retrievers achieved high rates of recanalization and functional independence at 90 days. The rate of complications was similar to those reported in other studies. GCS is an independent predictor of functional independence at 90 days.

Multifocal Stroke From Ozone Gas Emboli

A 34-year-old man with chronic neck pain was treated with regular cervical paravertebral ozone injections. After his last injection, he experienced a syncopal episode and, upon awakening, was found to have ataxia, aphasia, hemiparesis, and left sixth nerve palsy. Computed tomographic angiography demonstrated intra-arterial gas in the right vertebral artery; multiple posterior circulation infarcts were seen on brain MRI. This case illustrates the potential dangers of paravertebral injections of ozone.