Contrast stasis on noncontrast computed tomography as a predictor of stroke postthrombolysis

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
George M. Ghobrial ◽  
Anil K. Nair ◽  
Richard T. Dalyai ◽  
Pascal Jabbour ◽  
Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris ◽  
...  

Multimodal endovascular intervention is becoming more commonplace for the acute intervention of ischemic stroke. Hyperdensity in a portion of the treated territory is a common finding on postthrombolytic noncontrast CT (NCCT), but its significance is poorly understood. The authors conducted a single-institution, retrospective chart review of patients who had intraarterial thrombolysis of the anterior circulation between 2010 and 2011 with evidence of hyperdensity on NCCT following recanalization. Eighteen patients had evidence of postoperative contrast stasis causing hyperdensity on NCCT. One hundred percent of the patients had MR imaging evidence of completed strokes postoperatively in the same distribution as the stasis. Stasis on NCCT after intervention had a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 0% for predicting stroke, respectively. Furthermore, the positive predictive value was 100%. The presence of contrast stasis on postthrombolytic NCCT correlates well with stroke seen on subsequent MR imaging.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shraddha Mainali ◽  
Mervat Wahba ◽  
Lucas Elijovich

Introduction. Noncontrast head CT (NCCT) is the standard radiologic test for patients presenting with acute stroke. Early ischemic changes (EIC) are often overlooked on initial NCCT. We determine the sensitivity and specificity of improved EIC detection by a standardized method of image evaluation (Stroke Windows). Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients with acute ischemic stroke who had NCCT at presentation. EIC was defined by the presence of hyperdense MCA/basilar artery sign; sulcal effacement; basal ganglia/subcortical hypodensity; and loss of cortical gray-white differentiation. NCCT was reviewed with standard window settings and with specialized Stroke Windows. Results. Fifty patients (42% females, 58% males) with a mean NIHSS of 13.4 were identified. EIC was detected in 9 patients with standard windows, while EIC was detected using Stroke Windows in 35 patients (18% versus 70%; P<0.0001). Hyperdense MCA sign was the most commonly reported EIC; it was better detected with Stroke Windows (14% and 36%; P<0.0198). Detection of the remaining EIC also improved with Stroke Windows (6% and 46%; P<0.0001). Conclusions. Detection of EIC has important implications in diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Utilization of Stroke Windows significantly improved detection of EIC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092110497
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Hashimoto ◽  
Takenobu Kunieda ◽  
Tristan Honda ◽  
Fabien Scalzo ◽  
Latisha K Sharma ◽  
...  

Background The potential heterogeneity in occlusive thrombi caused by in situ propagation by secondary thrombosis after embolic occlusion could obscure the characteristics of original thrombi, preventing the clarification of a specific thrombus signature for the etiology of ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of occlusive thrombi by pretreatment imaging. Methods Among consecutive stroke patients with acute embolic anterior circulation large vessel occlusion treated with thrombectomy, we retrospectively reviewed 104 patients with visible occlusive thrombi on pretreatment non-contrast computed tomography admitted from January 2015 to December 2018. A region of interest was set on the whole thrombus on non-contrast computed tomography under the guidance of computed tomography angiography. The region of interest was divided equally into the proximal and distal segments and the difference in Hounsfield unit densities between the two segments was calculated. Results Hounsfield unit density in the proximal segment was higher than that in the distal segment (mean difference 4.45; p < 0.001), regardless of stroke subtypes. On multivariate analysis, thrombus length was positively correlated (β = 0.25; p < 0.001) and time from last-known-well to imaging was inversely correlated (β = −0.0041; p = 0.002) with the difference in Hounsfield unit densities between the proximal and distal segments. Conclusions The difference in density between the proximal and distal segments increased as thrombi became longer and decreased as thrombi became older after embolic occlusion. This time/length-dependent thrombus heterogeneity between the two segments is suggestive of secondary thrombosis initially occurring on the proximal side of the occlusion.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan McTaggart ◽  
Shadi Yaghi ◽  
Daniel C Sacchetti ◽  
Richard Haas ◽  
Shawna Cutting ◽  
...  

Background: There is very limited data on the use of advanced neuroimaging to select patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion for intraarterial therapy beyond 6 hours from onset. Our aim is to report the outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke and large artery occlusion who presented beyond 6 hours from onset, had favorable MRI imaging profile, and underwent mechanical embolectomy. Methods: This is a single institution retrospective study between December 1st, 2015, and July 30 th , 2016 with acute ischemic stroke and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) with ASPECTS of 6 or more and beyond 6 hours from symptoms onset. Favorable imaging profile was defined as 1) DWI lesion volume (as defined as apparent diffusion coefficient < 620 X 10-6 mm2/s) of 70 mL or less AND 2) Penumbra volume (as defined by volume of tissue with Tmax >6 sec) of 15 mL or greater AND 3) A mismatch ratio of 1.8 or more AND 4) Volume of tissue with perfusion lesion with Tmax > 10 sec is less than 100 mL. Good outcome was defined as a 90 day mRS≤2. Results: In the study period, 41 patients met the inclusion criteria; 22 (53.6%) had favorable imaging profile and underwent mechanical embolectomy. The median age was 75 years (59-92), 68.2% were females; the median time from last known normal to groin puncture was 684.5 minutes (range 363-1628) and the median admission NIHSS score was 17.5 (range 4-28). The rate of good outcomes in this series was similar to that in a patient level pooled meta-analysis of the recent endovascular trials (68.2% vs. 46.0%, p=0.07). The rate of good outcome matches that of the EXTEND-IA trial that selected patients using perfusion imaging (68.2% vs. 71.0%, p = 1.00). None of the patients in our cohort had symptomatic intracereberal hemorrhage. Conclusion: Advanced MR imaging may help select patients with acute ischemic stroke and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion for embolectomy beyond the treatment window used in most endovascular trials.


2019 ◽  
pp. 014556131988184
Author(s):  
William J. Moss ◽  
Andrey Finegersh ◽  
Ajay Narayanan ◽  
Danielle Gillard ◽  
Joseph Califano ◽  
...  

Objective: Posterior neck masses are a relatively poorly characterized entity. The authors attempt to further characterize the anatomy and pathology of the posterior neck by way of a combined single-institution retrospective chart review and systematic review of the literature. Methods: A single-institution retrospective chart review was undertaken for all patients undergoing excision of a posterior neck mass between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2017. A systematic review of the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane database was undertaken in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in search of case reports and series describing posterior neck masses. Results: A total of 28 patients who underwent excision of a posterior neck mass were encountered during the retrospective chart review. All pathologies were benign, the most prevalent of which was lipoma (22/28, 79%). A total of 19 articles describing a collective 36 posterior neck masses were encountered during the systematic review. Lipomas were the most common pathology (15/36, 42%). All but one of the masses reported were benign (35/36, 97%). Conclusions: Patients presenting with posterior neck masses can be reassured of a low risk of malignancy. The majority of posterior neck masses can be appropriately evaluated via physical examination and ultrasound.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young H. An ◽  
Giridhar Venkatraman ◽  
John M. DelGaudio

Background Isolated inflammatory sphenoid sinus disease (IISSD) can be difficult to diagnose. Frequently, history and physical are inadequate in establishing a diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) is an excellent screening tool; however, it often is obtained late in the disease process because of vague symptoms at presentation. Identifying the most common presenting symptoms of IISSD may allow earlier detection and avoidance of more severe sequelae by determining earlier indications for CT. Presently, headache is not an indication for sinus CT. Methods A retrospective chart review of IISSD presentation was performed at our institution. A literature review was performed also to quantitatively document trends in presentation of IISSD, including characterization of headache symptoms by location. Cumulative findings were then compared with current CT indications to determine if presentation patterns warrant a change in indications for CT. Results A total of 361 cases were evaluated by our inclusion criteria. Headache was the most common finding (81.7%), particularly peri/retro-orbital, vertex, and frontal headache. Ocular changes (17.5%) and cranial nerve involvement (16.1%) were common also, but headache frequently was a solitary finding (42.6%). Twenty-six IISSD cases were reviewed at our institution over 7 years, with similar results. Under current guidelines, the only IISSD findings that are indications for CT scan are the ophthalmologic and neurological complications. Conclusion Not every headache necessitates a CT scan. However, the deep-seated vertex, frontal, and, particularly, peri/ retro-orbital headaches, especially when aggravated by head movement and refractory to analgesics, as is often seen in IISSD, should be an indication for CT evaluation. (American Journal of Rhinology 19, 627–632, 2005)


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 2558-2562
Author(s):  
Jai Ho Choi ◽  
Jinhee Jang ◽  
Jaseong Koo ◽  
Kook-Jin Ahn ◽  
Yong Sam Shin ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Differentiation between pseudo-occlusion and true occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) is important in treatment planning for acute ischemic stroke patients. We compared the findings of multiphasic computed tomography angiography between cervical ICA pseudo-occlusion and true occlusion at the cervical ICA in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke to determine their diagnostic value. Methods: Thirty patients with nonvisualization of the proximal ICA were included. Diagnosis of pseudo- or true occlusion of the ICA was made based on digital subtraction angiography. Diagnostic performances of multiphasic computed tomography angiography findings—(1) a flame-shaped stump and (2) delayed contrast filling at the cervical ICA— were evaluated and compared. The Fisher exact test, χ 2 test, or Wilcoxon rank-sum test and McNemar test were used in the data analysis. Results: Twelve patients had true proximal ICA occlusion and 18 had pseudo-occlusion. Delayed contrast filling at the cervical ICA on multiphasic computed tomography angiography was found in all patients with pseudo-occlusion of the ICA, while 1 case of true occlusion showed delayed contrast filling ( P <0.001). The presence of a flame-shaped stump was not significantly different between the pseudo- and true occlusion groups. The sensitivity of delayed contrast filling (0.94 [95% CI, 0.73–1]) was significantly higher than that of flame-shaped stump (0.75 [95% CI, 0.36–0.83]). Conclusions: We demonstrated that the delayed filling sign on multiphasic computed tomography angiography could be a useful and readily available finding for differentiating proximal ICA pseudo-occlusion from true occlusion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2-6) ◽  
pp. 116-122
Author(s):  
Ameer E. Hassan ◽  
Hafsah Shamim ◽  
Haralabos Zacharatos ◽  
Saqib A. Chaudhry ◽  
Christina Sanchez ◽  
...  

Background: Studies have shown a lack of agreement of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in the selection of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients for endovascular treatment. Purpose: To demonstrate whether non-contrast computed tomography (CT) within 8 h of symptom onset is comparable to CTP imaging. Methods: Prospective study of consecutive anterior circulation AIS patients with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score > 7 presenting within 8 h of symptom onset with endovascular treatment. All patients had non-contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP. The neuro-interventionalist was blinded to the results of the CTP and based the treatment decision using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS). Baseline demographics, co-morbidities, and baseline NIHSS scores were collected. Outcomes were modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at discharge and in-hospital mortality. Good outcomes were defined as a mRS score of 0–2. Results: 283 AIS patients were screened for the trial, and 119 were enrolled. The remaining patients were excluded for: posterior circulation stroke, no CTP performed, could not obtain consent, and NIHSS score < 7. Mean ­NIHSS score at admission was 16.8 ± 3, and mean ASPECTS was 8.4 ± 1.4. There was no statistically significant correlation with CTP penumbra and good outcomes: 50 versus 47.8% with no penumbra present (p = 0.85). In patients without evidence of CTP penumbra, there was 22.5% mortality compared to 22.1% mortality in patients with a CTP penumbra. If ASPECTS ≥7, 64.6% had good outcome versus 13.3% if ASPECTS < 7 (p < 0.001). Patients with an ASPECTS ≥7 had 10% mortality versus 51.4% in patients with an ASPECTS < 7 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: CTP penumbra did not identify patients who would benefit from endovascular treatment when patients were selected with non-contrast CT ASPECTS ≥7. There is no correlation of CTP penumbra with good outcomes or mortality. Larger prospective trials are warranted to justify the use of CTP within 6 h of symptom onset.


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