Asterixis as a Presentation of Cerebellar Ischemic Stroke

Asterixis is not yet considered a common neurological sign of cerebellum infarction, and the pathogenic mechanism for asterixis remains elusive. We report a 58-year-old male with moderate hypertension who presented to our emergency department for acute headache in both cervical and occipital regions of the left side. About 2 hours later the patient developed ipsilateral asterixis in the upper left limb; 3 days later the asterixis disappeared. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain disclosed cerebellarinfarctions at the left superior cerebellar artery. In conclusion, we observed that a transitory asterixis associated with ipsilateral headache can be an initial clinical manifestation of ipsilateral cerebellar infarctions in the superior cerebellar artery area

Asterixis as a Presentation of Cerebellar Ischemic Stroke

Asterixis is not yet considered a common neurological sign of cerebellum infarction, and the pathogenic mechanism for asterixis remains elusive. We report a 58-year-old male with moderate hypertension who presented to our emergency department for acute headache in both cervical and occipital regions of the left side. About 2 hours later the patient developed ipsilateral asterixis in the upper left limb; 3 days later the asterixis disappeared. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain disclosed cerebellarinfarctions at the left superior cerebellar artery. In conclusion, we observed that a transitory asterixis associated with ipsilateral headache can be an initial clinical manifestation of ipsilateral cerebellar infarctions in the superior cerebellar artery area. [West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(6):507-508

[Linee guida flebo-linfologiche SIF-SICVE 2016 della Società Italiana di Flebologia e della Società Italiana di Chirurgia Vascolare ed Endovascolare]

Phlebology is not a specialty for its own in Italy. Phlebological patients are treated by vascular and general surgeons, dermatologists, phlebologists, angiologists, internists and even general practitioners. Even tough guidelines present a series of recommendations based on evidence-based medicine, guidelines may also be a tool to unify the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in a vast medical field like phlebology. Since vascular surgeons and phlebologists are particularly involved in phlebology-related pathologies the scientific societies of the Italian Society of Phlebology (SIF) and the Italian Society for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE) decided to cooperate for the preparation of phlebo-lymphological guidelines. These guidelines comprehend also an important chapter dealing with the lymphology of the lower extremities; phlebological active physicians are often faced with lymphatic pathologies and a good differential diagnosis can be sometimes very helpful. Sclerotherapy and Surgery as the major therapeutical alternatives are extensively analyzed, but also the compression therapy, the medical and physical therapy are presented under the critical view of evidence based analyses. Separate chapters deal with the treatment alternatives for superficial and deep venous thromboses and the recommendations for the treatment of venous ulcers. The current scientific evidences were confronted with the experiences of Italian specialists and the particular practice and reality in Italy. They represent therefore the actual valid positions and recommendations in Italy which shall be updated regularly

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion with Patent Intracranial Arteries : The Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke

I Purpose: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed. Patients with intracranial carotid artery occlusion (infraclinoid and supraclinoid) with or without cervical artery occlusion but with patent intracranial arteries were included. The 3‑month functional independence, mortality, successful reperfusion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were evaluated. Results: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries was diagnosed in 387 out of 4940 (7.8%) patients. The median age was 74 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 18. Functional independence was achieved in 130 (34%) patients, successful reperfusion in 289 (75%) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 33 (9%), whereas mortality occurred in 111 (29%) patients. In univariate analysis functional independence was associated with lower age, lower NIHSS at presentation, higher rate of successful reperfusion and lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable regression analysis found age (odds ratio, OR:1.03; P = 0.006), NIHSS at presentation (OR: 1.07; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.60; P = 0.002), successful reperfusion (OR:0.20; P < 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 4.17; P < 0.001) as the best independent predictors of outcome. Conclusion: Our study showed a not negligible rate of intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries, presenting mostly as severe stroke, with an acceptable rate of 3‑month functional independence. Age, NIHSS at presentation and successful reperfusion were the best independent predictors of outcom