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Cortical changes in epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia: new insights with T2 mapping
(2020)
Background: In epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) as the epileptogenic focus, global cortical signal changes are generally not visible on conventional MRI. However, epileptic seizures or antiepileptic medication might affect normal-appearing cerebral cortex and lead to subtle damage. Purpose: To investigate cortical properties outside FCD regions with T2-relaxometry. Study Type: Prospective study. Subjects: Sixteen patients with epilepsy and FCD and 16 age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Field Strength/Sequence: 3T, fast spin-echo T2-mapping, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and synthetic T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echoes (MP-RAGE) datasets derived from T1-maps. Assessment: Reconstruction of the white matter and cortical surfaces based on MP-RAGE structural images was performed to extract cortical T2 values, excluding lesion areas. Three independent raters confirmed that morphological cortical/juxtacortical changes in the conventional FLAIR datasets outside the FCD areas were definitely absent for all patients. Averaged global cortical T2 values were compared between groups. Furthermore, group comparisons of regional cortical T2 values were performed using a surface-based approach. Tests for correlations with clinical parameters were carried out. Statistical Tests: General linear model analysis, permutation simulations, paired and unpaired t-tests, and Pearson correlations. Results: Cortical T2 values were increased outside FCD regions in patients (83.4 ± 2.1 msec, control group 81.4 ± 2.1 msec, P = 0.01). T2 increases were widespread, affecting mainly frontal, but also parietal and temporal regions of both hemispheres. Significant correlations were not observed (P ≥ 0.55) between cortical T2 values in the patient group and the number of seizures in the last 3 months or the number of anticonvulsive drugs in the medical history. Data Conclusion: Widespread increases in cortical T2 in FCD-associated epilepsy patients were found, suggesting that structural epilepsy in patients with FCD is not only a symptom of a focal cerebral lesion, but also leads to global cortical damage not visible on conventional MRI. Evidence Level: 21. Technical efficacy Stage: 3 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1783–1789.
Fasting Ramadan is known to influence patients’ medication adherence. Data on patients’ behavior to oral anticoagulant (OAC) drug intake during Ramadan is missing. We aimed to determine patient-guided modifications of OAC medication regimen during Ramadan and to evaluate its consequences. A multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected shortly after Ramadan 2019. Participants were patients who fasted Ramadan and who were on long-term anticoagulation. Patient-guided medication changes during Ramadan in comparison to the regular intake schedule before Ramadan were recorded. Modification behavior was compared between twice daily (BID) and once daily (QD) treatment regimens. Rates of hospital admission during Ramadan were determined. We included 808 patients. During Ramadan, 53.1% modified their intake schedule (31.1% adjusted intake time, 13.2% skipped intakes, 2.2% took double dosing). A higher frequency of patient-guided modification was observed in patients on BID regimen compared to QD regimen. During Ramadan, 11.3% of patients were admitted to hospital. Patient-guided modification was a strong predictor for hospital admission. Patient-guided modification of OAC intake during Ramadan is common, particularly in patients on BID regimen. It increases the risk of hospital admission during Ramadan. Planning of OAC intake during Ramadan and patient education on the risk of low adherence are advisable.
Background: The objective of the STREAM Trial was to evaluate the effect of simulation training on process times in acute stroke care.
Methods: The multicenter prospective interventional STREAM Trial was conducted between 10/2017 and 04/2019 at seven tertiary care neurocenters in Germany with a pre- and post-interventional observation phase. We recorded patient characteristics, acute stroke care process times, stroke team composition and simulation experience for consecutive direct-to-center patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT). The intervention consisted of a composite intervention centered around stroke-specific in situ simulation training. Primary outcome measure was the ‘door-to-needle’ time (DTN) for IVT. Secondary outcome measures included process times of EVT and measures taken to streamline the pre-existing treatment algorithm.
Results: The effect of the STREAM intervention on the process times of all acute stroke operations was neutral. However, secondary analyses showed a DTN reduction of 5 min from 38 min pre-intervention (interquartile range [IQR] 25–43 min) to 33 min (IQR 23–39 min, p = 0.03) post-intervention achieved by simulation-experienced stroke teams. Concerning EVT, we found significantly shorter door-to-groin times in patients who were treated by teams with simulation experience as compared to simulation-naive teams in the post-interventional phase (−21 min, simulation-naive: 95 min, IQR 69–111 vs. simulation-experienced: 74 min, IQR 51–92, p = 0.04).
Conclusion: An intervention combining workflow refinement and simulation-based stroke team training has the potential to improve process times in acute stroke care.
Background: Treatment of acute stroke is highly time-dependent and performed by a multiprofessional, interdisciplinary team. Interface problems are expectable and issues relevant to patient safety are omnipresent. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) is a validated and widely used instrument to measure patient safety climate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SAQ for the first time in the context of acute stroke care. Methods: A survey was carried out during the STREAM trial (NCT 032282) at seven university hospitals in Germany from October 2017 to October 2018. The anonymous survey included 33 questions (5-point Likert scale, 1 = disagree to 5 = agree) and addressed the entire multiprofessional stroke team. Statistical analyses were used to examine psychometric properties as well as descriptive findings. Results: 164 questionnaires were completed yielding a response rate of 66.4%. 67.7% of respondents were physicians and 25.0% were nurses. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the original 6-factor structure fits the data adequately. The SAQ for acute stroke care showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.88). Exploratory analysis revealed differences in scores on the SAQ dimensions when comparing physicians to nurses and when comparing physicians according to their duration of professional experience. Conclusion: The SAQ is a helpful and well-applicable tool to measure patient safety in acute stroke care. In comparison to other high-risk fields in medicine, patient safety climate in acute stroke care seems to be on a similar level with the potential for further improvements. Trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT032282.
Background and purpose: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a sporadic finding in magnetic resonance imaging, resulting from recurrent bleedings into the subarachnoid space. This study aimed to determine the frequency of spinal dural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks amongst patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern. Methods: In all, 97,733 magnetic resonance images performed between 2007 and 2018 in our neurocenter were screened by a keyword search for “hemosiderosis” and “superficial siderosis.” Siderosis patterns on brain imaging were classified according to a previously published algorithm. Potential causative intracranial bleeding events were also assessed. Patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern but without causative intracranial bleeding events in history were prospectively evaluated for spinal pathologies. Results: Forty-two patients with isolated supratentorial siderosis, 30 with symmetric infratentorial siderosis and 21 with limited (non-symmetric) infratentorial siderosis were identified. Amyloid angiopathy and subarachnoid hemorrhage were causes for isolated supratentorial siderosis. In all four patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern but without a causative intracranial bleeding event in history, spinal dural abnormalities were detected. Dural leaks were searched for in patients with symmetric infratentorial siderosis and a history of intracranial bleeding event without known bleeding etiology, considering that spinal dural CSF leaks themselves may also cause intracranial hemorrhage, for example by inducing venous thrombosis due to low CSF pressure. Thereby, one additional spinal dural leak was detected. Conclusions: Persisting spinal dural CSF leaks can frequently be identified in patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern. Diagnostic workup in these cases should include magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine.
Background and purpose: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a sporadic finding in magnetic resonance imaging, resulting from recurrent bleedings into the subarachnoid space. This study aimed to determine the frequency of spinal dural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks amongst patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern. Methods: In all, 97,733 magnetic resonance images performed between 2007 and 2018 in our neurocenter were screened by a keyword search for “hemosiderosis” and “superficial siderosis.” Siderosis patterns on brain imaging were classified according to a previously published algorithm. Potential causative intracranial bleeding events were also assessed. Patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern but without causative intracranial bleeding events in history were prospectively evaluated for spinal pathologies. Results: Forty-two patients with isolated supratentorial siderosis, 30 with symmetric infratentorial siderosis and 21 with limited (non-symmetric) infratentorial siderosis were identified. Amyloid angiopathy and subarachnoid hemorrhage were causes for isolated supratentorial siderosis. In all four patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern but without a causative intracranial bleeding event in history, spinal dural abnormalities were detected. Dural leaks were searched for in patients with symmetric infratentorial siderosis and a history of intracranial bleeding event without known bleeding etiology, considering that spinal dural CSF leaks themselves may also cause intracranial hemorrhage, for example by inducing venous thrombosis due to low CSF pressure. Thereby, one additional spinal dural leak was detected. Conclusions: Persisting spinal dural CSF leaks can frequently be identified in patients with a symmetric infratentorial siderosis pattern. Diagnostic workup in these cases should include magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine.
(1) Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke is limited because of several contraindications. In routine clinical practice, patients with a recent stroke are typically not treated with rt-PA in case of a recurrent ischemic event. The same applies to its use in the context of pulmonary artery embolism and myocardial infarction with a recent stroke. In this translational study, we evaluated whether rt-PA treatment after experimental ischemic stroke with or without additional hyperglycemia increases the risk for hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and worsens functional outcome regarding the old infarct area. (2) In total, 72 male C57BL/6N mice were used. Ischemic stroke (index stroke) was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Mice received either rt-PA or saline 24 h or 14 days after index stroke to determine whether a recent ischemic stroke predisposes to HT. In addition to otherwise healthy mice, hyperglycemic mice were analyzed to evaluate diabetes as a second risk factor for HT. Mice designated to develop hyperglycemia were pre-treated with streptozotocin. (3) The neurological outcome in rt-PA and saline-treated normoglycemic mice did not differ significantly, either at 24 h or at 14 days. In contrast, hyperglycemic mice treated with rt-PA had a significantly worse neurological outcome (at 24 h, p = 0.02; at 14 days, p = 0.03). At 24 h after rt-PA or saline treatment, HT scores differed significantly (p = 0.02) with the highest scores within hyperglycemic mice treated with rt-PA, where notably only small petechial hemorrhages could be detected. (4) Thrombolysis after recent ischemic stroke does not increase the risk for HT or worsen the functional outcome in otherwise healthy mice. However, hyperglycemia as a second risk factor leads to neurological deterioration after rt-PA treatment, which cannot be explained by an increase of HT alone. Direct neurotoxic effects of rt-PA may play a role.
Context: Despite overwhelming evidence for endovascular therapy in anterior circulation ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion, data regarding the treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) are still equivocal. The BASICS trial failed to show an advantage of endovascular therapy (EVT) over best medical treatment (BMT). In contrast, data from the recently published BASILAR registry showed a better outcome in patients receiving EVT.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of EVT plus BMT vs. BMT alone in acute BAO.
Methods: We analyzed the clinical course and short-term outcomes of patients with radiologically confirmed BAO dichotomized by BMT plus EVT or BMT only as documented in a state-wide prospective registry of consecutive patients hospitalized due to acute stroke. The primary endpoint was a favorable functional outcome (mRS 0–3) at hospital discharge assessed as common odds ratio using binary logistic regression. Secondary subgroup analyses and propensity score matching were added. Safety outcomes included mortality, the rate of intracerebral hemorrhages, and complications during hospitalization.
Results: We included 403 patients with acute BAO (2017–2019). A total of 270 patients (67%) were treated with BMT plus EVT and 133 patients (33%) were treated with BMT only. A favorable outcome (mRS 0–3) was observed in 33.8% of the BMT and 26.7% of the BMT plus EVT group [OR.770, CI (0.50–1.2)]. Subgroup analyses for patients with a NIHSS score > 10 at admission to the hospital revealed a benefit from EVT [OR 3.05, CI (1.03–9.01)].
Conclusions: In this prospective, quasi population-based registry of patients hospitalized with acute BAO, BMT plus EVT was not superior to BMT alone. Nevertheless, our results suggest that severely affected BAO patients are more likely to benefit from EVT.
Background: Mechanical thrombectomy and systemic thrombolysis are important therapies for stroke patients. However, there is disagreement about the accompanying risk of acute symptomatic seizures.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with an acute ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion was performed. The patients were divided into four groups based on whether they received either mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or systemic thrombolysis (ST; group 1: MT+/ST−; group 2: MT+/ST+; group 3: MT−/ST+; group 4: MT−/ST−). Propensity score matching was conducted for each group combination (1:3, 1:4, 2:3, 2:4, 1:2, 3:4) using the covariates “NIHSS at admission”, “mRS prior to event” and “age”. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures.
Results: A total of 987 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 208, 264, 169 and 346 belonged to groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Propensity score matched groups consisted of 160:160, 143:143, 156:156, 144:144, 204:204 and 165:165 patients for the comparisons 1:3, 1:4, 2:3, 2:4, 1:2 and 3:4, respectively. Based on chi-squared tests, there was no significant difference in the frequency of acute symptomatic seizures between the groups. Subgroups varied in their frequency of acute symptomatic seizures, ranging from 2.8 to 3.8%, 2.8–4.4%, 3.6–3.8% and 4.9–6.3% in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.
Conclusion: There was no association between MT or ST and an increased risk of acute symptomatic seizures in patients with an acute ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion who were treated at a primary stroke centre.