Biomedical subjects

R Anxionnat

Publications and source records attributed to R Anxionnat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Cerebral venous thrombosis in four patients with multiple sclerosis.

We report four new cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) occurring in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Each patient had undergone lumbar puncture at varying times prior to clinical presentation (4 days to over 1 year). Only two of the patients had received intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone 48 h prior to CVT and were under oral contraception, a risk factor for cerebral thrombophlebitis. The other two patients had not undergone recent lumbar puncture, were not taking corticosteroids and did not present vascular risk factors. The patients all had normal routine blood work-ups and none had thrombophilia. All patients dramatically improved with full systemic heparinization. Minor sequelae were noticed in two patients. The pathogenesis underlying the occurrence of CVT in MS patients remains unclear and we discuss the relationship between lumbar puncture, steroid treatment and CVT.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Thrombus of the left lateral sinus spreading to the internal jugular vein].

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an uncommon event which presents a wide spectrum of sometimes extraneurological signs different from the classical clinical presentation. We report the cases of two middle-aged women who developed thrombosis of the left lateral sinus spread-ing to the internal jugular vein from the sigmoid sinus. The time course of the symptoms suggested that intracranial thrombosis occurred first. No infectious or neoplastic local disease could be found but both women were taking oral contraceptives. Medical treatment led to good reperfusion of the intracranial sinuses but occlusion of the jugular vein persisted despite prolonged oral anticoagulants. Long-term outcome was favorable with residual benign epilepsy in one patient, and occurrence of an arteriovenous fistula in the other.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMed2002

[Multifocal progressive leukoencephalitis in a patient given fludarabine for chronic lymphoid leukemia].

A 74-year- man was hospitalized for subacute aphasia and right hemiparesis. He had had chronic lymphoid leukemia for 11 years and had been treated 5 months earlier with 3 courses of fludarabine. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions of the temporo-occipital white matter compatible with progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML). The presence of JC virus was demonstrated first by in situ hybridation after a brain biopsy and second with polymerase chain reaction on CSF. The diagnosis of PML was confirmed. The causality of fludarabine treatment is discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Intracranial aneurysms: clinical value of 3D digital subtraction angiography in the therapeutic decision and endovascular treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as a supplement to two-dimensional (2D) DSA in the endovascular treatment (EVT) of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 22 ruptured aneurysms, neck visualization, aneurysm shape, and EVT feasibility were analyzed at 2D DSA (anteroposterior, lateral, and rotational views) and at maximum intensity projection (MIP) and surface shaded display (SSD) 3D DSA. The possibility of obtaining a working view for EVT at 3D DSA and the relevance of measurements in choosing the first coil also were assessed. RESULTS: Two-dimensional DSA images clearly depicted the aneurysm neck in four of 22 aneurysms; MIP images, in 10; and SSD images, in 21, but SSD led to overestimation of the neck size in one aneurysm. Aneurysm shape was precisely demonstrated in five of 22 aneurysms at 2D DSA, in eight at MIP, and in all cases at SSD. In two of 22 aneurysms, EVT seemed to be nonfeasible at 2D DSA; however, SSD demonstrated feasibility and EVT was successfully performed. In one aneurysm, only SSD demonstrated the extension of the neck to a parent vessel, which was proved at surgery. Working views for EVT were deduced from 3D DSA findings in 20 of 21 aneurysms. The choice of the first coil was correct in 19 of 21 aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional DSA is valuable for evaluating the potential for EVT, finding a working view, and performing accurate measurements.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: interest in diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is responsible for severe ischemic complications. Although effective, angioplasty must be performed at a very early stage to produce any clinical recovery. Diagnostic investigations to assess arterial narrowing (transcranial Doppler, angiography) or cerebral perfusion (xenon CT, single-photon emission CT) do not provide evidence of the extent of parenchymal ischemia. In stroke, diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) appears to be the most sensitive procedure to detect cerebral ischemia. We studied asymptomatic vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal SAH to assess whether DWI provides predictive markers of silent ischemic lesions and/or progression toward symptomatic ischemia. METHODS: Seven asymptomatic vasospasm patients (average blood velocity rates >120 cm/s), 3 patients with symptomatic vasospasm, and 4 patients with SAH but without vasospasm were studied at regular intervals by DWI, and their apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated. RESULTS: All patients with vasospasm including those without symptoms presented abnormalities on DWI with a reduction of the ADC prevalently in the white matter. No such abnormalities were observed in patients without vasospasm. The abnormalities on DWI resolved completely in 4 of the 7 patients, with no parenchymal lesion. Resolution was partial in 3 patients whose white matter still presented residual round, focal ischemic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Being able to correlate abnormalities on DWI with parenchymal involvement in asymptomatic patients would be of considerable clinical significance. It is hoped that larger studies will be undertaken to determine whether the ADC has a reversibility threshold, because this would facilitate patient management.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Relevance of diffusion and perfusion weighted mri for endovascular treatment of vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The endovascular treatment of vasospasm is effective when implemented rapidly. However its indication often proves difficult on account of the lack of diagnostic arguments or the difficulties in obtaining them in daily practice. We report a case that highlights the relevance of MRI in the decision-making process. A 37-year-old patient presented with symptomatic vasospasm of the middle cerebral artery and was subjected to morphological, diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI. These investigations confirmed the presence of significant oligemia in the MCA territory and revealed onsetting diffusion disorders. Angioplasty was immediately performed, resulting in normal diffusion and hemodynamic parameters and complete regression of clinical signs. This case highlights the relevance of MRI when assessing vasospasm before treatment. Coupled with transcranial Doppler, it should help teams quickly select patients most likely to benefit from angioplasty.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Acute spontaneous hemorrhage after embolization of brain arteriovenous malformation with N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors predisposing to spontaneous hemorrhage in the early period after embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: The authors report 15 cases of spontaneous hemorrhage in a consecutive series of 492 brain AVMs totally or partially treated with intranidal injections of a polymerizing mixture, from 1984 to June 1998. Retrospective analysis of the records was performed with special attention to the angio-architectural features before embolization, details of embolization procedures and induced angiographic modifications. RESULTS: Pre-embolization features of greater incidence were the presence of steal phenomena (87%), multiple feeding arteries (100%), a compact aspect of the nidus (93%), and lobar topography (87%). In most cases the volume of injected glue exceeded 1 ml (80%), venous embolization was significant (67%) and immediate angiographic control showed venous stagnation in and/or around the nidus (80%). Four patients were asymptomatic (incidental discovery on systematic CT at day 3). Among the remaining 11 symptomatic patients, 6 were operated to evacuate an intracerebral hematoma, outcome was good for 4, 5 were left with sequelae and 2 died. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous hemorrhagic complications affected 3.04% of embolized patients. The combination of certain angio-architectural features, significant venous embolization and persistent venous stagnation within the nidus seem to have some predictive value of high risk hemorrhage. In light of this, additional preventive measures must be taken and a neurosurgical team systematically kept on standby.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

[Painless abducens palsy disclosed by spontaneous dissection of the intracavernous internal carotid artery].

A 63-year-old man presented suddenly and spontaneously an isolated painless oculomotor palsy of the nerve abducens. As no etiology could be suspected a head MRI was performed. It showed a T1 hypersignal of the intracavernous segment of the internal carotid artery with a double-lumen pattern typical of dissection. The patient was treated with aspirin and recovered from clinical symptoms in 10 weeks. A control MRI was performed 3 months after the onset of symptoms and showed the regression of the images of dissection. There was no ischemic lesion of the brain. This case underlines the diversity of the symptoms of spontaneous dissections of cervicocephalic arteries, especially absence of pain, palsies of cranial nerve that are not always limited to lower cranial nerve, and existence of dissections limited to the intracranial segment of the carotid artery. It suggests the interest of MRI in the diagnosis of isolated oculomotor nerve palsies.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗

PubMed2000

[Isolated dissection of the basilar artery].

Two cases of isolated dissection of the basilar artery responsible for ischemic stroke are reported. This rare condition is still associated with a poor outcome. Most patients were male and the clinical presentation consisted of ischemic symptoms or subarachnoid hemorrhage in posterior circulation. Angiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are usefull for the diagnostic, showing parietal hematoma, or as for our first case, double lumens. Optimal therapeutic is unknown.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Radioanatomy of the cerebral cortex. Practical guide of identification].

Cerebral sulci identification process is based on several formal rules: it consists a series of steps allowing the identification of the major sulci. The process may be variable for each of us and we propose to read the images in certain order starting with the frontal lobe and its superior frontal gyrus than precentral and central gyri followed by the lateral fissure. Then the insular, lateral parietal and medial hemispheric regions. Finally the major sulci within the temporal and occipital lobes are described in the frontal plane. This presentation indicates the principal rules of cerebral lobes'identification, the basis of variability perception and the localization of small lesions allowing an accurate correlation with clinical findings and a suitable therapeutic procedure.

Cerebral Cortex↗

PubMed2000

[Thrombosis of deep cerebral veins in form adults: clinical features and diagnostic approach].

Thrombosis of deep cerebral veins is a rare condition, and is associated with a poor prognosis. We report four new cases observed between 1994 and 1997. All four cases were women, aged less than 45 years. Initial symptoms associated alteration of consciousness, change in mental status, progressive headache and vomiting. We observed also uni or bilateral signs of long tract injury. In three cases, diagnosis initially suspected by CT scan was confirmed with encephalic MRI. For the last patient, conventional angiography was needed. Thrombosis affected straight sinus, vein of Galien and internal cerebral veins in all patients. Basilar veins were also affected in one patient, without dural sinuses extension. Lateral sinus was involved in two others cases, and superior sagittal in the last patient. Etiology remains undetermined in one patient, associated with post-partum, use of oral contraceptive pill, and familial protein S deficiency, one case each. Outcome was favorable in all four cases with anticoagulation therapy. Precocity of diagnosis is determinant and MRI is usefull in this issue. These observations show that evolution of deep veins thrombosis can be favorable, without needing fibrinolytic therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome revealing T-cell lymphoma].

BACKGROUND: Nonrhythmic involuntary ocular oscillations and axial and segmentary myoclonia are associated in the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. In adults, a paraneoplastic origin is generally found. We report the first of opsoclonus-myoclonus associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman rapidly developed a typical opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome within a few hours, presenting vertigo, cerebellous ataxia, multidirectional involuntary ocular movements and non-rhythmic axial and segmentary myoclonia. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated discrete diffuse anomalies of the white substance predominating in the pons. The cerebrospinal fluid showed discrete lymphocytosis. Antineuron antibodies were negative. No cause could be identified until the development 11 months later of pleomorphic T-cell mediastino-cervical lymphoma. The patient responded moderately to a CHOP regimen which had no effect on the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Death occurred after a 16-month course due to pulmonary complications. DISCUSSION: Neuroblastoma and infectious causes predominate in opsoclonus-myoclonus syndromes observed in children; in adults, the predominant cause is cancer. Antineuron, anti-Ri and anti-Hu antibodies can be evidenced in some cases, arguing in favor of a paraneoplastic mechanism. Recent reports have evidenced MRI anomalies in the pons and the cerebellum, anatomically well correlated with the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Besides small-cell bronchogenic anaplastic cancer, the possibility of cancer of the breast and uterus, and both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma should be explored, knowing the cancer develops several month after the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Endovascular treatment of vasospasm].

Cerebral vasospasm remains a leading cause of heightened morbidity and mortality rates following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage despite the apparent benefit of recent medical therapeutics. Successful resolution of medically refractory angiographically demonstrated vasospasm with concomitant reversal of delayed neurological deficit has been observed after balloon angioplasty. Subsequent reports confirmed these encouraging results but also emphasized the limitations of the technique and the risks of complications. Intraarterial papaverine infusion has been performed for the treatment of diffuse cerebral vasospasm with controversial results and has also been combined with angioplasty either to facilitate balloon navigation or to treat arteries inaccessible to balloon catheterization. All these different endovascular approaches explain the confusion existing about the indications, timing and efficacy of the endovascular treatments. This article reviews several clinical and experimental studies dealing with these questions.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed1999

[Diffusion imaging in asymptomatic focal vasospasm. Apropos of a case].

We report a case of an asymptomatic vasospasm with a focal, reversible apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) decrease after a middle cerebral artery aneurysm rupture. This isolated decrease of ADC has not yet been reported in this pathological situation. It could be interesting to predict the risk of ischemic delayed complications of vasospasm.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

3D angiography. Clinical interest. First applications in interventional neuroradiology.

3D angiography is a true technical revolution that allows improvement in the quality and safety of diagnostic and endovascular treatment procedures. 3D angiography images are obtained by reconstruction of a rotational angiography acquisition done on a C-arm (GE Medical Systems) spinning at 40 degrees per second. The carotid or vertebral selective injection of a total of 15 ml of non-ionic contrast media at 3 ml/sec over 5 seconds allows the selection of the "arterial phase". Four hundred sixty 3D angiographic studies were performed from December 1996 to September 1998 on 260 patients and have been analyzed in MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) and SSD (Shaded Surface Display) views. The exploration of intracranial aneurysms is simplified and only requires, for each vascular axis, a biplane PA and Lateral run followed by a single rotational angiography run. The 3D angiography image is available on the workstation's screen (Advantage Workstation 3.1, GE Medical Systems) in less than 10 minutes after the acquisition of the rotational run. It therefore allows one to analyze, during the intervention, the aneurysm's angioarchitecture, in particular the neck, and select the best therapeutic technique. When endovascular treatment is the best indication, 3D angiography allows one to define the optimal angle of view and accurately select the microcoils dimensions. 3D angiography replaces the multiple oblique views that used to be required to analyze the complex aneurysms and therefore allows a reduction of the total contrast medium quantity, the patient X-ray dose and the length of the intervention time which is a safety factor. Also, in particular for complex cases, it brings additional elements complementing the results of standard 2D DSA and rotational angiograms. In the cervical vascular pathology, 3D angiography allows for a better assessment of the stenosis level and of dissection lesions. Our current research activities focus on the matching without stereotactic frame between 3D X-ray angiography and volumetric MR acquisition, which should allow us to improve the treatment of intracerebral arterio-venous malformations (AVMs).

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed1998

[MRI aspects of spinal cord abscesses. Report of 5 cases and review of the literature].

The spinal canal is an uncommon site for abscess formation resulting from bloodstream disseminated infection. Prognosis is often unfavorable. Rapid treatment is essential for satisfactory neurological recovery. Abscesses within the spinal canal are thus diagnostic and therapeutic emergencies. The neuro-infectious and inflammatory manifestations and laboratory findings vary considerably and are insufficient for diagnosis. MRI plays a decisive role. The most commonly reported signs are the presence of an intramedullary collection giving a low-intensity signal on T1-weighted images and a high-intensity signal on T2-weighted images with peripheral contrast uptake and generally extended adjacent medullary edema. We report here five cases of spinal canal abscesses diagnoses with MRI at different stages of development (pre-suppurative myelitis in two cases, constituted abscess in three cases). For each case we reviewed the clinical course and describe the details of the imaging findings. In our series, the collected abscesses presented as round lesions within the canal with contrast uptake. It is noteworthy that the periependymal gray matter adjacent to the lesion also took up the contrast agent in all patients with a collected abscess. This sign has not been described previously and appears to be a going argument orienting the diagnosis towards an infectious rather than tumoral formation.

Abscess↗

PubMed1997

Intravenous angiography in brain death: report of 140 patients.

We present our experience and discuss the value of cerebral intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) in the diagnosis of brain death. A total of 140 patients presenting with clinical signs of brain death were studied by IV DSA. According to the angiographic appearance of the vertebrobasilar system, the patients were divided into four groups. Cessation of blood flow within the internal carotid arteries and their branches was consistently found. Attention is focused on 9 patients with persistent blood flow within the posterior fossa. In sedated patients in whom EEG and evoked brain-stem responses are non-diagnostic, or in order to shorten the observation time, transcranial Doppler should be performed to determine the appropriate moment for IV DSA, which is a reliable method of confirming brain death.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Stroke related to a dermoid cyst: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report the case of a woman presenting with sudden neurological deficit, revealing a parasellar dermoid cyst. To our knowledge, this clinicopathological finding is the first reported in the literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A neurological examination of the patient revealed a left hemiparesis, including central facial palsy, which hampered her speech. The well-documented neuroradiological work-up (including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography) demonstrated right frontorolandic ischemia caused by a right supra- and parasellar dermoid cyst leading to middle and anterior cerebral arterial stenoses. INTERVENTION: Surgical intervention, using a right subfrontopterional approach, was successful. Complete dermoid cyst removal was achieved. The mechanism of the arterial stenoses is extensively discussed and is thought to result from an inflammatory reaction of the basal vessels. CONCLUSION: The patient recovered fully. Nevertheless, postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed cerebral infarction.

Adult↗