A Collet–Sicard syndrome due to internal carotid artery dissection associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation

Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation is a rare condition with approximately 100 reported cases. Its clinical manifestations are varied. We report here a novel presentation of this disease. Case presentation: A 61-year-old Caucasian man presented with rapidly progressive paralysis of the IX, X, XI and XII right cranial nerves associated with right central facial nerve palsy. Brain computed tomography angiography and cerebral catheter angiography found a focal fusiform enlargement of the distal cervical portion of the right internal carotid artery, related to a pseudo-aneurysm suggesting an evolution of a dissection and intra-cranial vessel dysplasia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple asymmetrical subcortical regions of hyperintensity on T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. Punctiform cortical hyposignals on T2-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences were mostly congruent with the white matter hyperintensities. There was a decreased cerebral perfusion at the frontal hyperintense fluid-attenuated inversion recovery region. Spectrometry identified a lactate–lipid peak. A brain biopsy showed intravascular amyloid deposits. Corticosteroid therapy was initiated, leading to a dramatic improvement of both clinical condition and magnetic resonance imaging brain lesions. Conclusion: This case report suggests that extra-cranial vasculitis and dysplasia can exceptionally be found in patients satisfying cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation criteria

Stroke with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: a descriptive population-based study from the Brest stroke registry

International audienceIn the 1990s, epidemiological studies estimated the prevalence of stroke caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) at about 15 %. Given the aging population, there is a rise in the number of AF patients. AF prevention guidelines based on clinical practice and the literature have been published and updated since 2001. Implementation seems to have an impact on the prescription of vitamin K antagonist (VKA). During the last 20 years, few population-based studies have focused on the prevalence of atrial arrhythmia (AA) in patients with stroke. The objective of the present prospective study, using data from 2008, was to evaluate the prevalence of AA (atrial fibrillation/flutter) in patients with stroke and the impact of implementing AF guidelines. The prevalence of AA was studied in patients diagnosed with stroke from January 1 to December 31, 2008 in the population-based Stroke Registry of Brest, France (total population, 363,760 according to the 2008 census, with 295,553 aged 15 years or older). Guidelines implementation was assessed in terms of antithrombotic therapy (VKA, antiplatelet agent, none), and the CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age > 75 years, Diabetes mellitus, and prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack). 851 cases of stroke were identified. The prevalence of AA was 31.7 % (n = 264), and increased with age from < 20 % in patients aged 45 to 54 years to nearly 50 % in patients ≥ 85 years. In patients with AA, 231 strokes were ischemic, 28 hemorrhagic and 5 undetermined. At time of stroke, AA was known in 207 patients (78.4 %). 54 of the 152 patients with CHADS2 score ≥ 2 (35.5 %) were treated with VKA; this proportion decreased with age: 50 % between 50 and 74 years, 43.8 % between 75 and 84 years, and 25 % at 85 years and older. The prevalence of AA in the population-based Brest Stroke Registry in 2008 was higher than that reported by studies conducted 20 years ago. Despite publication of AF prevention guidelines, VKA prescription and use in elderly patients were significantly low

Prevention of venous thrombosis in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

International audienceOBJECTIVE: To assess intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: The authors randomly allocated patients with a documented intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) to elastic stockings (ES) alone or combined with IPC. The primary outcome was a combined criteria assessed at day 10: a symptomatic and well-documented VTE, or a death arising before day 10 and related to pulmonary embolism (PE), or an asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs detected by compression ultrasonography (CUS). Outcome assessment was blinded. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one patients were randomized; 133 (88%) patients were evaluated at day 10. No clinical suspicion of VTE arose before day 10. Fourteen patients died before having a CUS but no death was definitely related to PE. Fourteen asymptomatic DVT were detected by CUS: three (4.7%) in the ES + IPC group (all distal) and 11 (15.9%) in the ES group (three proximal and eight distal). ES combined with IPC is associated with a reduced risk of asymptomatic DVT compared to ES alone: relative risk, 0.29 (95% CI 0.08 to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected at day 10 in 15.9% of patients wearing elastic stockings alone. Intermittent pneumatic compression significantly decreased the occurrence of asymptomatic DVT for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

High completeness of the brest stroke registry evidenced by analysis of sources and capture-recapture method.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Population-based stroke registries are necessary to evaluate the precise burden of stroke. The methodology used in the Brest Stroke Registry and an estimation of its completeness are described. METHODS: 'Hot pursuit' as well as 'cold pursuit' were used, and five sources of identification were included: emergency wards, brain imaging, practitioners, death certificates and hospital-based electronic research. Ascertainment for each case was certified by a neurologist. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age >15 years; (2) a stroke defined by WHO criteria or all neurological deficits lasting at least 1 h. Completeness was estimated using capture-recapture method. RESULTS: For 2008, 2009 and 2010, 851, 898, 823 patients were collected, respectively. The number of sources of identification per patient was as follows: one source: 30.8, 24.1 and 18.7%; two sources: 54.5, 42.9 and 31.0%; three sources: 13.4, 30.1 and 46%; four sources: 1.3, 3.0 and 3.8%. Capture-recapture analysis showed data completeness over 90%. Standardized cumulative first-ever stroke incidence using a world standard population was 87 in 2008, 87 in 2009 and 84 in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Case ascertainment by a neurologist, numerous sources, as well as 'hot' and 'cold' pursuit can provide a reliably large data set suitable for further epidemiological studies

Concordance rate differences of 3 noninvasive imaging techniques to measure carotid stenosis in clinical routine practice: results of the CARMEDAS multicenter study.

International audienceBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in carotid stenosis evaluation, noninvasive imaging techniques have to reach a high concordance rate. Our purpose is to compare the concordance rates of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CEMRA) and CT angiography (CTA) with Doppler ultrasound (DUS) in clinical routine practice. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively with DUS, CEMRA, and CTA 150 patients suspected of carotid stenosis. The overall concordance rates of the 3 techniques were calculated for symptomatic stenosis > or =50% and > or =70%, for asymptomatic stenosis > or =60%, and for occlusion. For the carotid arteries treated by surgery (n=97), the results of each method and combined techniques were recorded, and misclassification rates were evaluated from surgical reports. RESULTS: The overall concordance rates of DUS-CEMRA, DUS-CTA, and CEMRA-CTA were not statistically different. However, the concordance rate of DUS-CEMRA (92.53%) was significantly higher than that for DUS-CTA (79.10%) in the surgical asymptomatic stenosis group (P=0.0258). CTA considered alone would misclassify the stenosis in a significant number of cases (11 of 64) in the surgical asymptomatic group compared with CEMRA (3 of 67) and DUS (1 of 66) (P=0.0186 versus MRA, P=0.0020 versus DUS). CONCLUSIONS: With the techniques as utilized in our study, the overall concordance rates of combined noninvasive methods are similar for measuring carotid stenosis in clinical routine practice, but in asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the decision making for surgery is significantly altered if DUS and CTA are considered in place of DUS and CEMRA

Safety of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (Tegeline®), Administered at Home in Patients with Autoimmune Disease: Results of a French Study

The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) has been known for several decades. Majority of these patients received IVIg in hospital. A retrospective study was conducted in 22 centers in France to evaluate the feasibility of the administration of Tegeline, an IVIg from LFB Biomedicaments, and assess its safety at home, compared to in hospital, in patients with AID. The included patients were at least 18 years old, suffering from AID, and treated with at least 1 cycle of Tegeline at home after receiving 3 consecutive cycles of hospital-based treatment with Tegeline at a dose between 1 and 2 g/kg/cycle. Forty-six patients with AID, in most cases immune-mediated neuropathies, received a total of 138 cycles of Tegeline in hospital and then 323 at home. Forty-five drug-related adverse events occurred in 17 patients who received their cycles at home compared to 24 adverse events in hospital in 15 patients. Serious adverse events occurred in 3 patients during home treatment, but they were not life-threatening and did not lead to discontinuation of Tegeline. Forty-five patients continued their treatment with Tegeline at home or in hospital; 39 (84.8%) were still receiving home treatment at the end of the study. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the good safety profile of Tegeline administered at home at high doses in patients with AID who are eligible for home administration of Tegeline

Plaque density on CT, a potential marker of ischemic stroke.

International audienceThe authors sought to determine in a retrospective analysis whether carotid plaque soft TD on CT is associated with recent ischemic neurologic events. Among 141 patients (99 asymptomatic), 106 plaques with more than 50% stenosis were selected for density measurements. They found an odds ratio for neurologic events associated with a 10-point decrease in density of 1.54 (p = 0.002), showing an association between plaque density and neurologic events

Long-Term Effectiveness, Safety and Tolerability of Fingolimod in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Real-World Treatment Settings in France: The VIRGILE Study

Online ahead of printInternational audienceIntroduction: It is important to confirm the effectiveness and tolerability of disease-modifying treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in real-world treatment settings. This prospective observational cohort study (VIRGILE) was performed at the request of the French health authorities. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of fingolimod 0.5 mg in reducing the annualised relapse rate (ARR) in patients with RRMS.Methods: Participating neurologists enrolled all adult patients with RRMS starting fingolimod treatment between 2014 and 2016, who were followed for 3 years. Follow-up consultations took place at the investigator's discretion. The primary outcome measure was the change in ARR at month 24 after fingolimod initiation. Relapses and adverse events were documented at each consultation; disability assessment (EDSS) and magnetic resonance imagery were performed at the investigator's discretion.Results: Of 1055 eligible patients, 633 patients were assessable at month 36; 405 (64.0%) were treated continuously with fingolimod for 3 years. The ARR decreased from 0.92 ± 0.92 at inclusion to 0.31 ± 0.51 at month 24, a significant reduction of 0.58 [95% CI - 0.51 to - 0.65] relapses/year (p < 0.001). Since starting fingolimod, 461 patients (60.9%) remained relapse-free at month 24 and 366 patients (55.5%) at month 36. In multivariate analysis, no previous disease-modifying treatment, number of relapses in the previous year and lower EDSS score at inclusion were associated with a greater on-treatment reduction in ARR. The mean EDSS score remained stable over the course of the study. Sixty-one out of 289 (21.1%) patients presented new radiological signs of disease activity. Treatment-related serious adverse events were lymphopenia (N = 21), bradycardia (N = 19), elevated transaminases (N = 9) and macular oedema (N = 9).Conclusions: The effectiveness and tolerability of fingolimod in everyday clinical practice are consistent with findings of previous phase III studies. Our study highlights the utility of fingolimod for the long-term management of patients with multiple sclerosis