1/39. Carotid endarterectomy and intracranial thrombolysis: simultaneous and staged procedures in ischemic stroke.PURPOSE: The feasibility and safety of combining carotid surgery and thrombolysis for occlusions of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA), either as a simultaneous or as a staged procedure in acute ischemic strokes, was studied. methods: A nonrandomized clinical pilot study, which included patients who had severe hemispheric carotid-related ischemic strokes and acute occlusions of the MCA, was performed between January 1994 and January 1998. Exclusion criteria were cerebral coma and major infarction established by means of cerebral computed tomography scan. Clinical outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS: Carotid reconstruction and thrombolysis was performed in 14 of 845 patients (1.7%). The ICA was occluded in 11 patients; occlusions of the MCA (mainstem/major branches/distal branch) or the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) were found in 14 patients. In three of the 14 patients, thrombolysis was performed first, followed by carotid enarterectomy (CEA) after clinical improvement (6 to 21 days). In 11 of 14 patients, 0.15 to 1 mIU urokinase was administered intraoperatively, ie, emergency CEA for acute ischemic stroke (n = 5) or surgical reexploration after elective CEA complicated by perioperative intracerebral embolism (n = 6). Thirteen of 14 intracranial embolic occlusions and 10 of 11 ICA occlusions were recanalized successfully (confirmed with angiography or transcranial Doppler studies). Four patients recovered completely (Rankin 0), six patients sustained a minor stroke (Rankin 2/3), two patients had a major stroke (Rankin 4/5), and two patients died. In one patient, hemorrhagic transformation of an ischemic infarction was detectable postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Combining carotid surgery with thrombolysis (simultaneous or staged procedure) offers a new therapeutic approach in the emergency management of an acute carotid-related stroke. Its efficacy should be evaluated in interdisciplinary studies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/39. neurologic manifestations of intravascular coagulation in patients with cancer. A clinicopathologic analysis of 12 cases.Among 1,459 autopsied patients with cancer, 12 had multifocal infarcts of the brain that appeared to be caused by intravascular coagulation. Most of these patients were women with leukemia or lymphoma, and all had a clinical course in which neurologic signs and symptoms were prominent. All had evidence of generalized brain disease (delirium and stupor or coma), and several also had focal brain disease (focal seizures, hemiparesis). All patients had laboratory evidence of coagulation abnormalities, although these were often not severe when neurologic symptoms began. Pathologically, there were multifocal hemorrhagic or ischemic infarcts in the distribution of several cerebral vessels, without a systemic source for cerebral emboli. fibrin thrombi were identified in cerebral vessels and in vessels of several other organs. The clinical findings fit the pathologic picture, and in most instances the correct diagnosis might have been made earlier had it been considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/39. Cerebral embolization resulting from esophageal-atrial fistula.A rare but catastrophic complication of nontraumatic esophageal perforation is the formation of an esophageal-left atrial fistula. Although surgical correction of this condition should be possible, failure to recognize it antemortem has thus far prevented such intervention. A woman with long-standing severe esophagitis, was admitted with hematemesis and acute neurologic abnormalities that progressed to coma and death. A similar picture of chronic esophagitis terminating in uppergastrointestinal-tract bleeding accompanied by neurologic signs was seen in the three previously reported cases as well. Recognition of this symptom complex should permit future cases to be diagnosed clinically, and, it is hoped, corrected.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/39. adult postanoxic "erratic" status epilepticus.A 66-year-old woman with posttraumatic anoxic coma after diffuse cerebral fat embolism had continuous alternating-side myoclonic jerks. Usually, this kind of myoclonic status epilepticus (SE) occurs in newborn infants. We postulate the unusual combination of diffuse cerebral anoxia plus commissural fiber damage as a possible explanation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/39. Giant thrombus trapped in foramen ovale with pulmonary embolus and stroke.We describe the case of a young man who, while he was in coma because of a traffic accident, had first a pulmonary embolus and immediately afterwards had a systemic (cerebral) embolus. A transesophageal echocardiographic image revealed a giant thrombi trapped in foramen ovale protruding in right and left ventricles, diagnosing, thus, a paradoxical embolism. The relationship between patent foramen ovale and pulmonary embolism has been reported in some series. Elevated right-chamber pressure caused by pulmonary hypertension could favor the establishment of a right-to-left shunt, causing, in some cases, paradoxical embolisms. We review the clinical implications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/39. Intracerebral thrombosis. Case report and brief clinical review.A 29-yr-old writer presented with seizures and left hemiparesis 8 days post-partum. Studies revealed right parietal hemorrhagic infarction secondary to superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. An anticoagulant was given for clot extension associated with increasing cerebral edema and coma. Inpatient rehabilitation was undertaken for residual left hemiparesis, most severe in the leg. Left arm strength rapidly returned to normal. Significant improvement in left leg strength occurred but was delayed for many months. Intracerebral thrombosis is an uncommon but significant cause of stroke in young adults. It frequently occurs in the puerperium and may be associated with unilateral or bilateral neurologic deficits. Treatment with anticoagulants is controversial because of the risk of hemorrhagic cerebral infarction, but may be beneficial in some cases. Recovery may be delayed for several months pending recanalization of the sinus or the development of collateral circulation. The overall prognosis for neurologic and functional recovery in survivors of intracerebral thrombosis is good.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/39. Fatal bilateral vertebral artery dissection in a patient with cystic medial necrosis.A 38-year-old man experienced severe neck pain while playing badminton. This was followed by symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischaemia, seizure and coma. autopsy showed bilateral vertebral artery dissection and cystic medial necrosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/39. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in two patients with basilar artery occlusion.Two patients with angiographically proved basilar artery occlusion were treated with systemic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) according to protocol. The first patient was in a locked-in state and gradually deteriorated. On repeat angiography the basilar artery remained occluded. He died and necropsy revealed a pontine haemorrhagic infarction. The second patient, who was comatose and with decerebrate posturing, made a remarkable recovery. angiography showed reperfusion. Therapy was initiated in the first patient after six hours and in the second after two hours. Treatment with rtPA is promising but probably not feasible for every patient. Success may depend on duration of occlusion and composition of occluding thrombus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/39. Hyperbaric treatment of cerebral air embolism sustained during an open-heart surgical procedure.A case of cerebral air embolism sustained during replacement of the mitral valve resulted in postoperative coma and seizures. Hyperbaric treatment, begun 30 hours after the occurrence of the air embolism, resulted in good immediate and long-term recovery. Mild deficits of the left hemisphere were present at follow-up 53 days after the embolus was sustained, and lesser, minimal residua were present at 14-month follow-up. Hyperbaric treatment is the definitive therapy for cerebral air embolism. Although it is most effective when administered early, the outcome may be excellent even with late treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/39. death following external carotid artery embolization for a functioning glomus jugulare chemodectoma. Case report.A 24-year-old man with left sixth through twelfth cranial nerve palsies and severe, fluctuating, systemic arterial hypertension was found to have a large, vascular, catecholamine-forming glomus jugulare chemodectoma. After his electrolyte imbalance was corrected, left external carotid embolization (using Gelfoam) was carried out. The systemic blood pressure stabilized at around 160/100 mm Hg over the next 12 hours. Ten hours later the hitherto conscious patient developed acute arterial hypotension, lapsed into coma, and died. autopsy showed tumor infarction, swelling, cerebellar tonsillar herniation, and medullary compression. An unusual complication of glomus tumor embolization is highlighted. The roles of preliminary decompressive surgery and urgent resuscitation by vasopressors are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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