Spontaneous occlusion of the circle of willis : moyamoya disease

Objective: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to promote thrombus formation. Little is known about the exact composition of thrombi that cause ischemic stroke. In particular no information is yet available on the presence of NETs in cerebral occlusions. Such information is however essential to improve current thrombolytic therapy with t-PA. This study aimed at investigating the presence of neutrophils and more specifically NETs in ischemic stroke thrombi.

Methods: Sixty-eight thrombi retrieved from ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment were characterized by immunostaining using neutrophil markers (CD66b and neutrophil elastase) and NETs markers (citrullinated histones H3 (H3Cit) and extracellular DNA). Neutrophils and NETs were quantified. In addition, extracellular DNA was targeted by performing ex vivo lysis of retrieved thrombi with DNase 1 and t-PA.

Results: Neutrophils were detected extensively throughout all thrombi. Citrullinated histones H3 (H3Cit), a hallmark of NETs, were observed in almost all thrombi. H3Cit-positive area varied up to 13.45% of total thrombus area. Co-localization of H3Cit with extracellular DNA released from neutrophils confirmed the specific presence of NETs. H3Cit was more abundant in thrombi from cardioembolic origin compared to other etiologies. Older thrombi contained significantly more neutrophils and H3Cit compared to fresh thrombi. Interestingly, ex vivo lysis of patient thrombi was more successful when adding DNase 1 to standard t-PA.

Interpretation: Neutrophils and NETs form important constituents of cerebral thrombi. Targeting of NETs with DNase 1 might have prothrombolytic potential in treatment of acute ischemic stroke. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Neutrophil extracellular traps in ischemic stroke thrombi.

Background and purpose Studying the imaging and histopathologic characteristics of thrombi in ischemic stroke could provide insights into stroke etiology and ideal treatment strategies We conducted a systematic review of imaging and histologic characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke Materials and methods We identified all studies published between January 2005 and December 2015 that reported findings related to histologic and/or imaging characteristics of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion The five outcomes examined in this study were (1) association between histologic composition of thrombi and stroke etiology; (2) association between histologic composition of thrombi and angiographic outcomes; (3) association between thrombi imaging and histologic characteristics; (4) association between thrombi imaging characteristics and angiographic outcomes; and (5) association between imaging characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology A meta-Analysis was performed using a random effects model Results There was no significant difference in the proportion of red blood cell (RBC)-rich thrombi between cardioembolic and large artery atherosclerosis etiologies (OR 162, 95% CI 01 to 280, p=063) Patients with a hyperdense artery sign had a higher odds of having RBC-rich thrombi than those without a hyperdense artery sign (OR 90, 95% CI 26 to 312, p<001) Patients with a good angiographic outcome had a mean thrombus Hounsfield unit (HU) of 551±31 compared with a mean HU of 484±19 for patients with a poor angiographic outcome (mean standard difference 65, 95% CI 27 to 102, p<0001) There was no association between imaging characteristics and stroke etiology (OR 113, 95% CI 032 to 400, p=085) Conclusions The hyperdense artery sign is associated with RBC-rich thrombi and improved recanalization rates However, there was no association between the histopathological characteristics of thrombi and stroke etiology and angiographic outcomes

https://jnis.bmj.com/content/neurintsurg/9/6/529.full.pdf

Correlation of imaging and histopathology of thrombi in acute ischemic stroke with etiology and outcome: a systematic review

A case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome in a young soldier is described. Importance of early institution of systemic corticosteroids in such cases is stressed on the basis of treatment results obtained in this case.

Ramsay - Hunt Syndrome.

Thrombi retrieved from patients with acute ischemic stroke are highly heterogeneous. Recent data suggest that thrombus composition may impact on mechanical thrombectomy, the number of recanalization manoeuvres, resistance to retrieval, and on thrombolytic potential. Our aim was to summarize evidence describing the impact of thrombus composition on efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy and thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The scoping review methodology guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute, an adaption of the Arksey and O'Malley, was followed. Comprehensive searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Articles were classified into 4 key themes: (1) composition of stroke thrombi, (2) thrombus composition and mechanical thrombectomy, (3) thrombus composition and thrombolytic therapy, and (4) novel imaging and endovascular approaches. Our search identified 698 articles published from 1987 to June 2020. Additional articles were extracted from reference lists of the selected articles. Overall, 95 topic-specific articles identified for inclusion published in 40 different journals were included. Reports showed that thrombus composition in stroke was highly heterogeneous, containing fibrin, platelets, red blood cells, VWF (von Willebrand Factor), and neutrophil extracellular traps. Thrombi could roughly be divided into fibrin- and red blood cell-rich clots. Fibrin-rich clots were associated with increased recanalization manoeuvres, longer procedure time, and less favorable clinical outcomes compared with red blood cell-rich clots. Advances in detection or treatment of thrombi that take into account clot heterogeneity may be able to improve future endovascular and thrombolytic treatment of stroke.

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Thrombus Composition and Efficacy of Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BackgroundThe histologic features of thrombus may differ according to the stroke subtypes. However, in acute reperfusion therapy, fibrin-specific thrombolytics are used based on the assumption that...

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1747493016641965

Histologic features of acute thrombi retrieved from stroke patients during mechanical reperfusion therapy

Background and PurposezzSleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is suggested to be strongly associated with ischemic strokes. Risk factors, stroke subtypes, stroke lesion distribution, and the outcome of SDB in stroke patients remain unclear in Korea. MethodszzWe prospectively studied 293 patients (159 men, 134 women; age 68.4±10.5) with acute ischemic stroke. Cardiovascular risk factors, stroke severity, sleep-related stroke onset, distribution of stroke lesions, and 3-month score on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were assessed. Stroke severity was assessed by the US National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the mRS. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was determined 6.3±2.2 days after stroke onset with the Apnea Link portable sleep apnea monitoring device. ResultszzThe prevalence of SDB (defined as an AHI of ≥10) was 63.1% (111 men, 74 women). Those in the SDB group were older, had higher NIHSS and mRS scores, greater bulbar weakness, and a higher incidence of sleep-associated stroke onset. Among risk-factor profiles, alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation were significantly related to SDB. The stroke out come was worse in patients with SDB than in those without SDB. The lesion location and specific stroke syndrome were not correlated with SDB. ConclusionszzSDB is very common in acute cerebral infarction. Different risk-factor profiles and sleep-related stroke onsets suggest SDB as a cause of ischemic stroke. The higher NIHSS score and greater bulbar involvement in the SDB group seem to show the influence of ischemic stroke on the increased SDB prevalence.

/pdf/interaction-between-sleep-disordered-breathing-and-acute-4ds8ju1dkh.pdf

Interaction between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with vascular abnormalities, including aneurysms, have been reported frequently. However, the coexistence of AVM and unilateral moyamoya disease is rare. We report herein an AVM patient who presented with acute ischemic stroke with unilateral moyamoya disease and occlusion of the feeding artery.

Arteriovenous malformation with an occlusive feeding artery coexisting with unilateral moyamoya disease.

Background: Herpes zoster is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe. Central nervous system(CNS) involvements are uncommon complications of herpes zoster. The exact mechanism and risk factors are still unknown. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients who was admitted at our hospital due to herpes zoster from 2003 to 2013. The patients under age 15, herpes zoster infection without skin lesions, and cases not confirmed by a dermatologist were excluded. CNS involvements are defined as meningitis, encephalitis, single or multiple cranial neuropathies and all cases were evaluated with brain magnetic resonance imaging, spinal tapping, serological tests and confirmed by a neurologist. We compared the herpes zoster patients with CNS involvement to those without CNS involvement. Age, sex, body mass index, associated chronic medical illnesses, site and extent of skin lesion and development of post herpetic neuralgia were compared between two groups. Results: Total 1,131 subjects (male 460, female 671) were recruited. A group with CNS involvement was 91(8.04%). Sex, body mass index, associated chronic medical illnesses, extent of skin lesion were not different between two groups. A group with CNS involvement showed younger age(p<0.01), more facial and cervical skin lesions(p<0.01), lesser development of post herpetic neuralgia(p=0.048). Conclusions: CNS involvement is not a rare complication of herpes zoster and more frequent in patients with younger age and faciocervical zoster. J Korean Neurol Assoc 33(1):13-17, 2015

/pdf/determinants-of-central-nervous-system-involvement-in-herpes-279v27zpd8.pdf

Determinants of Central Nervous System Involvement in Herpes Zoster

A 35-year-old women with mechanical mitral valve replacement presented with fever followed by loss of consciousness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed left middle cerebral artery infarction with multiple microbleeds (Fig. 1a). Transesophageal echocardiography showed vegetation and blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus capitis. A parenteral antibiotic therapy was immediately started, and appropriate anticoagulation with warfarin was carried out (time in therapeutic range 68.9%). One year later, she experienced left hemiparesis, and the follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed another right middle cerebral artery infarction with increased microbleeds during a relatively short period (Fig. 1b, arrows). In the case of a cerebral infarction as a result of septic emboli, there is a chance of septic erosion of the arterial wall caused by the embolus to increase microbleeds. As long-term anticoagulation increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with multiple microbleeds, it might be necessary to follow up magnetic resonance imaging including gradient echo imaging within short periods, especially in

Jin Ho Kim

Papers

Histologic features of acute thrombi retrieved from stroke patients during mechanical reperfusion therapy

Interaction between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Arteriovenous malformation with an occlusive feeding artery coexisting with unilateral moyamoya disease.

Determinants of Central Nervous System Involvement in Herpes Zoster

Increased microbleeds after infective endocarditis in a patient with valvular replacement.