Oedema extension distance in intracerebral haemorrhage: Association with baseline characteristics and long-term outcome

Introduction: Oedema extension distance is a derived parameter that may reduce sample size requirements to demonstrate reduction in perihaematomal oedema in early phase acute intracerebral haemorrhage trials. We aimed to identify baseline predictors of oedema extension distance and its association with clinical outcomes. Patients and methods: Using Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive-Intracerebral Haemorrhage, first Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial, and Minimally Invasive Surgery and rtPA for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation II datasets, we calculated oedema extension distance at baseline and at 72 h measured using computed tomography. Using linear regression, we tested for associations between baseline characteristics and oedema extension distance at 72 h. Ordinal regression (underlying assumptions validated) was used to test for associations between oedema extension distance at baseline and 72 h and oedema extension distance change between baseline and 72 h, and modified Rankin scale scores at 90 days, adjusted for baseline and 72 h prognostic factors. Results: There were 1028 intracerebral haemorrhage cases with outcome data for analyses. Mean (standard deviation, SD) oedema extension distance at 72 h was 0.54 (0.26) cm, and mean oedema extension distance difference from baseline (EED72–0) was 0.24 (0.18) cm. Oedema extension distance at 72 h was greater with increasing baseline haematoma volume and baseline oedema extension distance. Increasing age, lobar haemorrhage, and intraventricular haemorrhage were independently associated with EED72–0. In multifactorial ordinal regression analysis, EED72–0 was associated with worse modified Rankin scale scores at 90 days (odds ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.00–3.82). Discussion: Increase in oedema extension distance over 72 h is independently associated with decreasing functional outcome at 90 days. Oedema extension distance may be a useful surrogate outcome measure in early phase trials of anti-oedema or anti-inflammatory treatments in intracerebral haemorrhage

Early inflammatory cytokine expression in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage

We investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) expression of inflammatory cytokines and their relationship with spontaneous intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage (ICH, IVH) and perihematomal edema (PHE) volumes in patients with acute IVH. Twenty-eight adults with IVH requiring external ventricular drainage for obstructive hydrocephalus had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for up to 10 days and had levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and C-C motif chemokine ligand CCL2 measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Median [IQR] ICH and IVH volumes at baseline (T0) were 19.8 [5.8–48.8] and 14.3 [5.3–38] mL respectively. Mean levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and CCL2 peaked early compared to day 9–10 (p < 0.05) and decreased across subsequent time periods. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and CCL2 had positive correlations with IVH volume at days 3–8 whereas positive correlations with ICH volume occurred earlier at day 1–2. Significant correlations were found with PHE volume for IL-6, IL-10 and CCL2 at day 1–2 and with relative PHE at days 7–8 or 9–10 for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Time trends of CSF cytokines support experimental data suggesting association of cerebral inflammatory responses with ICH/IVH severity. Pro-inflammatory markers are potential targets for injury reduction

Early Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-07-13, pub-electronic 2021-07-30Publication status: PublishedWe investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) expression of inflammatory cytokines and their relationship with spontaneous intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage (ICH, IVH) and perihematomal edema (PHE) volumes in patients with acute IVH. Twenty-eight adults with IVH requiring external ventricular drainage for obstructive hydrocephalus had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for up to 10 days and had levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and C-C motif chemokine ligand CCL2 measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Median [IQR] ICH and IVH volumes at baseline (T0) were 19.8 [5.8–48.8] and 14.3 [5.3–38] mL respectively. Mean levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and CCL2 peaked early compared to day 9–10 (p 0.05) and decreased across subsequent time periods. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and CCL2 had positive correlations with IVH volume at days 3–8 whereas positive correlations with ICH volume occurred earlier at day 1–2. Significant correlations were found with PHE volume for IL-6, IL-10 and CCL2 at day 1–2 and with relative PHE at days 7–8 or 9–10 for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Time trends of CSF cytokines support experimental data suggesting association of cerebral inflammatory responses with ICH/IVH severity. Pro-inflammatory markers are potential targets for injury reduction

Early Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage

We investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) expression of inflammatory cytokines and their relationship with spontaneous intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage (ICH, IVH) and perihematomal edema (PHE) volumes in patients with acute IVH. Twenty-eight adults with IVH requiring external ventricular drainage for obstructive hydrocephalus had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for up to 10 days and had levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and C-C motif chemokine ligand CCL2 measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Median [IQR] ICH and IVH volumes at baseline (T0) were 19.8 [5.8–48.8] and 14.3 [5.3–38] mL respectively. Mean levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and CCL2 peaked early compared to day 9–10 (p &lt; 0.05) and decreased across subsequent time periods. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and CCL2 had positive correlations with IVH volume at days 3–8 whereas positive correlations with ICH volume occurred earlier at day 1–2. Significant correlations were found with PHE volume for IL-6, IL-10 and CCL2 at day 1–2 and with relative PHE at days 7–8 or 9–10 for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Time trends of CSF cytokines support experimental data suggesting association of cerebral inflammatory responses with ICH/IVH severity. Pro-inflammatory markers are potential targets for injury reduction

Brainstem stroke following uncomplicated cervical epidural steroid injection

Background Cervical epidural steroid injection treatment of radicular pain has become a common procedure. Objectives To describe the clinical, radiologic, and autopsy findings of a 41-year-old patient treated with methylprednisolone acetate cervical epidural steroid injection, who developed a fatal hemorrhagic brainstem infarction and to discuss the possible mechanisms involved. Design Case report. Setting Pain management center and tertiary care hospital. Results Immediately following a seemingly uncomplicated epidural steroid injection at C5-6, the patient developed progressive symptoms of extensive brainstem and thalamic infarction (documented by magnetic resonance imaging and autopsy) with hemorrhagic conversion and hydrocephalus. Hemorrhage within the adventitia of the left vertebral artery, but no dissection, was found at the C5 vertebral level at necropsy. Conclusions This case report shows the possibility of serious intracranial pathology resulting from cervical epidural steroid injection despite use of fluoroscopic guidance. Vascular spasm distant to the site of injection is a possible mechanism

The Need for a Rational Approach to Vasoconstrictive Syndromes: Transcranial Doppler and Calcium Channel Blockade in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Introduction: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) typically affects young patients and left untreated can result in hemorrhage or ischemic stroke. Though the disorder has been well characterized in the literature, the most appropriate way to diagnose, treat, and evaluate therapeutic response remains unclear. In previous studies, transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) has shown elevated velocities indicative of vasospasm. This imaging modality is noninvasive and inexpensive; an attractive option for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring if it is sensitive enough to detect changes in the acute setting given that RCVS often affects the distal vessels early in the course of disease. There is also limited data that calcium channel blockade may be effective in treating vasospasm secondary to RCVS, though the agent of choice, formulation, and dose are unclear. Methods: We report a small cohort of seven patients presenting with thunderclap headache whose vascular imaging was consistent with RCVS. All were treated with calcium channel blockade and monitored with TCD performed every 1–2 days. Results: On presentation, TCD correlated with standard neuroimaging findings of vasospasm (on MR, CT, and conventional angiography). TCD was also able to detect improvement in velocities in the acute setting that correlated well with initiation of calcium channel blockade. Long-acting verapamil appeared to have the greatest effect on velocities compared to nimodipine and shorter-acting calcium channel blockers. Conclusion: Though small, our cohort demonstrates potential utility of TCD to monitor RCVS, and relative superiority of extended-release verapamil over other calcium channel blockers, illustrating the need for larger randomized trials