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The thalamus is predominantly supplied by multiple small vessels originating from the posterior communicating artery and the P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). The artery of Percheron (AOP) is a rare anatomical variant of arterial supply to the thalamus. This single thalamic perforating branch supplies the bilateral thalamus so that occlusion results in a characteristic cerebral infarction. Herein, we report a case of posterior cerebral artery occlusion that developed into an AOP infarction. A 74-year-old man, who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 5 days previously presented with sudden consciousness disorder and tetraplegia, and was admitted to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a hyper-intense area in the bilateral paramedian thalamus on diffusion-weighted imaging and a deficit of the left PCA on MR angiography (MRA). The patient was diagnosed with cardiogenic cerebral embolism, and immediately underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT), thereby complete recanalization was obtained. Post-procedural MRI showed no new lesions, and the left PCA could keep patency. His consciousness disorder and tetraplegia improved; however, cognitive impairment and vertical gaze palsy persisted as sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, such cases have not been previously reported. Additionally, in this case, we were able to identify an AOP on digital subtraction angiography, which was considered to be the responsible artery.

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Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinical syndrome that refers to a disorder with reversible subcortical vasogenic brain edema involving the parieto-occipital lobe, temporal lobe, basal ganglia, and its surroundings. Radiologically, it is characterized by symmetrical lesions; however, atypical findings have sometimes been reported. Case Description: A 79-year-old woman experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) a year and a half previously before this hospitalization. She presented with sudden-onset coma, dacryorrhea, and moderate right hemiparesis and was taken to our hospital. Computed tomography showed no apparent abnormal acute lesions. Electroencephalography confirmed periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges in the left hemisphere. First, based on the findings, she was diagnosed with nonconvulsive status epilepticus and started antiepileptic therapy. Six days after admission, however, multiple asymmetric lesions were confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. Considering that findings subsequently improved, we finally diagnosed her with asymmetric PRES secondary to epilepsy occurring in the chronic phase of SAH. Aphasia and right hemispatial neglect persisted as sequelae and she was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital with a modified Rankin scale of 3. Conclusion: Excessive elevation of blood flow in the hemisphere is inferred to lead to blood-brain barrier collapse and subsequent asymmetric PRES.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is sometimes difficult to diagnose intracranial vertebral artery dissection in patients with headache as the only symptom. Knowledge of the characteristics of the headache would facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of intracranial vertebral artery dissection-related headache using our original self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: Via the questionnaire, we ascertained headache characteristics and investigated whether they differed between two types of unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissection, headache type and ischemic type, based on analysis of the responses. Then, we tried to validate the consistency of commonly used criteria for intracranial artery dissection by comparing them with our results. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were analyzed. Our results identified the following seven headache characteristics in patients with intracranial vertebral artery dissection: (i) occurring in the occipitonuchal region (89%); (ii) unilateral (81%); (iii) pulsatile (70%); (iv) of acute onset (70%); (v) severe (73%); (vi) without nausea or vomiting (73%); and (vii) with concomitant clinical symptoms unrelated to ischemia (81%). Comparison of headache characteristics between the two types of intracranial vertebral artery dissection headache showed that the pain was significantly more severe in headache type than ischemic type intracranial vertebral artery dissection ( p = 0.01). Concomitant clinical symptoms occurred significantly more often in ischemic type than headache type intracranial vertebral artery dissection ( p = 0.03). Our results generally satisfied the established headache diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION: The pain characteristics of headache type and ischemic type intracranial vertebral artery dissection shown in our study may facilitate its diagnosis.

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AIM: Endoscopic surgery for acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) has recently been performed in elderly patients. Unlike other reported procedures, we used the endoscope's fixation device to ensure hemostasis because the surgeon can then use a surgical instrument with each hand. To date, there have no reports that prove lesser invasiveness or noninferiority of endoscopic surgery based on direct comparison with a large craniotomy. In this study, we investigated whether our endoscopic procedure was effective and safe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 6 cases of endoscopic surgical procedures in elderly patients over the past year. First, our surgical outcomes were evaluated. Second, the outcomes were compared between our endoscopic surgery and our large craniotomy procedures. Third, the outcomes were compared between our endoscopic surgery and other reported endoscopic surgeries. RESULTS: The outcomes of our endoscopic surgery were generally satisfactory without complications or rebleeding. Mean hematoma evacuation percentage was 91.6 ± 4%. Compared with a large craniotomy, operative time was significantly shorter ( P = .01), and the hospital costs were significantly less for endoscopic surgery ( P = .008). There was no inferiority of outcomes when compared with other reported endoscopic surgeries. CONCLUSION: Our surgical procedure is safe and effective when performed with strict operative indications. Endoscopic surgery for ASDH in elderly adults may be an alternative to a large craniotomy in simple-type hematomas.

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Refractory chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is rare but remains a difficulty for neurosurgeons, and no consensus on treatment procedures has been established. To discuss effective surgical procedures for refractory CSDH, we analyzed our surgical procedures and outcomes for refractory CSDH. We defined patients with refractory CSDH as those who presented with two or more recurrences. Fourteen patients with refractory CSDH were analyzed. Eight patients underwent burr-hole irrigation and closed-system drainage alone, four patients received embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA), and two patients with organized CSDH underwent large craniotomy with outer membranectomy as the third surgery. Two of the eight patients (25%) treated with burr-hole irrigation and drainage alone showed a third recurrence. No further recurrences were identified in patients treated with embolization of the MMA or craniotomy. However, statistical analysis showed no significant difference in cure rate between patients treated with burr-hole irrigation and drainage alone and patients treated with burr-hole irrigation and drainage with embolization of the MMA (P = .42). Similarly, no significant differences in cure rate were seen between patients treated with burr-hole irrigation and drainage alone and patients treated with craniotomy (P = .62). When selecting a surgical procedure, assessing whether the CSDH is organized is crucial. Embolization of the MMA may be considered as one of the optional treatments for refractory CSDH without organized hematoma. On the other hand, for refractory cases of organized CSDH, hematoma evacuation and outer membranectomy with large craniotomy or mini-craniotomy assisted by an endoscope may be suitable, as previous reports have recommended.

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Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) with brain herniation signs is rarely seen in the emergent department. As such, there are few cumulative data to analyze such cases. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features, risk factors, and rates of completion with impending brain herniation on arrival in a cohort study. We analyzed 492 consecutive patients with CSDH between January 2010 and October 2015. First, we analyzed the clinical factors and compared them between patients with or without brain herniation signs on admission. Second, we compared clinical factors between patients with or without completion of brain herniation after operation among patients who had brain herniation signs on arrival. Eleven (2.2%) patients showed brain herniation signs on arrival, and six patients (1.2%) progressed to complete brain herniation. Patients with brain herniation signs on arrival were significantly older (P = 0.03) and more frequently hospitalized with a concomitant illness (P < 0.0001). Niveau formation (P = 0.0005) and acute-on CSDH (P = 0.0001) on computed tomography were also more frequently seen in patients with brain herniation signs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age older than 75 years (OR 2.16, P < 0.0001), niveau formation (OR 3.09, P < 0.0001), acute-on CSDH (OR 14, P < 0.0001), and admitted to another hospital (OR 52.6, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for having had brain herniation signs on arrival. On the other hand, having a history of head injury (P = 0.02) and disappearance of the ambient cistern (P = 0.0009) were significantly associated with completion of brain herniation. The prognosis was generally poor if the patient had presented with brain herniation signs on admission. Our results demonstrate that the diagnosis is often made late, despite hospitalization for a concomitant illness. When the elderly show mild disturbance of consciousness, physicians except neurosurgeons need to consider the possibility of CSDH regardless of a recent history of head injury.

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BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is sometimes refractory, and this is troublesome for neurosurgeons. Although many studies have reported risk factors or treatments in efforts to prevent recurrence, those have focused on single recurrence, and few cumulative data are available to analyze refractory CSDH. METHODS: We defined refractory CSDH as ≥2 recurrences, then analyzed and compared clinical factors between patients with single recurrence and those with refractory CSDH in a cohort study, to clarify whether patients with refractory CSDH experience different or more risk factors than patients with single recurrence, and whether burr-hole irrigation with closed-system drainage reduces refractory CSDH. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients had at least 1 recurrence, with single recurrence in 62 patients and ≥2 recurrences in 13 patients. In comparing clinical characteristics, patients with refractory CSDH were significantly younger (P = 0.04) and showed shorter interval to first recurrence (P < 0.001). Organized CSDH was also significantly associated with refractory CSDH (P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified first recurrence interval <1 month (odds ratio, 6.66, P < 0.001) and age <71 years (odds ratio, 4.16, P < 0.001) as independent risk factors for refractory CSDH. On the other hand, burr-hole irrigation with closed-system drainage did not reduce refractory CSDH. CONCLUSIONS: When patients with risk factors for refractory CSDH experience recurrence, alternative surgical procedures may be considered as the second surgery, because burr-hole irrigation with closed-system drainage did not reduce refractory CSDH in our study.

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