Laser-Doppler Flowmetry and Horner’s Syndrome in Patients with Complete Unilateral Damage to the Parasellar Sympathetic Fibers During Cavernous Sinus Surgery

Aim: To determine ocular, sudomotor, and vasomotor components of Horner’s syndrome resulting from complete unilateral intraoperative damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers during cavernous sinus surgery. Methods: Complete damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers was found in four patients operated for central skull base lesions. Pupilometry, eyelid fissure measurement, Hertel’s exophthalmometry, starch iodine sweat test, and laser-Doppler perfusion assessment of bilaterally symmetrical forehead and cheek areas were performed. Results: Pupil diameter was smaller and the eyelid fissure was >2 mm narrower on the affected side in all four patients. Exophthalmometry after the operation never revealed >1 mm difference. Anhydrosis was localized to the medial forehead in three and to the entire forehead in one patient. Average perfusion did not significantly differ between the affected and opposite side of the forehead or cheek. Conclusions: The parasellar sympathetic fibers exclusively innervate the orbit and variably innervate the forehead sweat glands. No conclusion regarding their contribution to the facial vasomotor control could be established

Multimodal Therapy for the Treatment of Severe Ischemic Stroke Combining Endovascular Embolectomy and Stenting of Long Intracranial Artery Occlusion

Embolic occlusion of cerebral arteries is a major cause for stroke. Intravenous thrombolysis showed positive results in this condition, however even when strict criteria are used, the risk of hemorrhagic transformation is possible. Microsurgical embolectomy has been described earlier. Purpose. We performed multimodal therapy of cerebral artery occlusion. Case Report. We present a case of a 49-year-old female patient who—according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)—was rated as 19 due to acute occlusion of the horizontal segment of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). After failed i.v. thrombolysis, only a part of the clot could be evacuated by the endovascular approach—without restoration of blood flow. Normal patency of the left MCA was re-established after stenting. Within 72 hours, the patient had an NIHSS score of 14, with a small haematoma in the left hemisphere. Conclusion. In our case multimodal therapy combining i.v. thrombolysis, mechanical disruption of thrombus, MCA stenting and platelet function antagonists, resulted in successful recanalization of the acutely occluded left MCA

DURAL CAROTID-CAVERNOUS FISTULAS

Background. Dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas (CCF) are communications fed by meningeal branches of the intracavernous internal carotid artery (ACI) or/and external carotid artery (ACE). In contrast to typical CCF, the arteriovenous shunting of blood is usually low flow and low pressure. Spontaneous dural CCF are more common in postmenopausal women. Aetiology is unknown, but congenital malformation or rupture of thin-walled dural arteries within venous sinuses is believed to be the cause.Case reports. 3 cases lacking the typical clinical signs of CCF who had been treated as chronic conjunctivitis, myositis of the extraocular muscle and orbital pseudotumour are presented. Clinical presentation depends on the direction and magnitude of fistular flow and on the anatomy of the collateral branches. If increased blood flow is directed anteriorly in ophthalmic veins the signs of orbito-ocular congestion are present (»redeyed shunt syndrome«). Drainage primarly in the inferior petrosal sinus may cause painful oculomotor and abducens palsies without signs of ocular congestion (»white-eyed shunt syndrome«). Also different therapeutic approaches as well as possible complications are described.Conclusions. For definite diagnosis angiography is obligatory and is also therapeutic as one third to one half of dural CCF close spontaneously. Because of potential severe eye and systemic complications, surgical intervention is indicated only in cases with uncontrolled secondary glaucoma and hypoxic retinopathy.</p

Laser-Doppler Flowmetry and Horner’s Syndrome in Patients with Complete Unilateral Damage to the Parasellar Sympathetic Fibers During Cavernous Sinus Surgery

Aim: To determine ocular, sudomotor, and vasomotor components of Horner’s syndrome resulting from complete unilateral intraoperative damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers during cavernous sinus surgery. Methods: Complete damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers was found in four patients operated for central skull base lesions. Pupilometry, eyelid fissure measurement, Hertel’s exophthalmometry, starch iodine sweat test, and laser-Doppler perfusion assessment of bilaterally symmetrical forehead and cheek areas were performed. Results: Pupil diameter was smaller and the eyelid fissure was >2 mm narrower on the affected side in all four patients. Exophthalmometry after the operation never revealed >1 mm difference. Anhydrosis was localized to the medial forehead in three and to the entire forehead in one patient. Average perfusion did not significantly differ between the affected and opposite side of the forehead or cheek. Conclusions: The parasellar sympathetic fibers exclusively innervate the orbit and variably innervate the forehead sweat glands. No conclusion regarding their contribution to the facial vasomotor control could be established