Object Catheter-based evacuation is a novel surgical approach for the treatment of brain hemorrhage. The object of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound in combination with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) delivered through a microcatheter directly into spontaneous intraventricular (IVH) or intracerebral (ICH) hemorrhage in humans. Methods Thirty-three patients presenting to the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, with ICH and IVH were screened between November 21, 2008, and July 13, 2009, for entry into this study. Entry criteria included the spontaneous onset of intracranial hemorrhage ≥ 25 ml and/or IVH producing ventricular obstruction. Nine patients (6 males and 3 females, with an average age of 63 years [range 38–83 years]) who met the entry criteria consented to participate and were entered into the trial. A ventricular drainage catheter and an ultrasound microcatheter were stereotactically delivered together, directly into the IVH or ICH. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and 24 hours of continuous ultrasound were delivered to the clot. Gravity drainage was performed. In patients with IVHs, 3 mg of rt-PA was injected; in patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhages, 0.9 mg of rt-PA was injected. The rt-PA was delivered in 3 doses over 24 hours. Results All patients had significant volume reductions in the treated hemorrhage. The mean percentage volume reduction after 24 hours of therapy, as determined on CT and compared with pretreatment stability scans, was 59 ± 5% (mean ± SEM) for ICH and 45.1 ± 13% for IVH (1 patient with ICH was excluded from analysis because of catheter breakage). There were no intracranial infections and no significant episodes of rebleeding according to clinical or CT assessment. One death occurred by 30 days after admission. Clinical improvements as determined by a decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were demonstrated at 30 days after treatment in 7 of 9 patients. The rate of hemorrhage lysis was compared between 8 patients who completed treatment, and patient cohorts treated for IVH and ICH using identical doses of rt-PA and catheter drainage but without the ultrasound (courtesy of the MISTIE [Minimally Invasive Surgery plus T-PA for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation] and CLEAR II [Clot Lysis Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage II] studies). Compared with the MISTIE and CLEAR data, the authors observed a faster rate of lysis during treatment for IVH and ICH in the patients treated with sonolysis plus rt-PA versus rt-PA alone. Conclusions Lysis and drainage of spontaneous ICH and IVH with a reduction in mass effect can be accomplished rapidly and safely through sonothrombolysis using stereotactically delivered drainage and ultrasound catheters via a bur hole. A larger clinical trial with catheters specifically designed for brain blood clot removal is warranted.

Objective Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the proposed mechanisms leading to poor outcomes in patients with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). We sought to characterize the occurrence and significance of intracranial hypertension in severe IVH requiring extraventricular drainage (EVD). Design Prospective analysis from two randomized multicenter clinical trials. Setting Intensive care units of 23 academic hospitals. Patients One hundred patients with obstructive IVH, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume < 30cc requiring emergency EVD from two randomized multicenter studies comparing intraventricular recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (n=78) to placebo (n=22). Interventions ICP was recorded every 4 hours in all patients and before and after a 1 hr EVD closure period post-injection. ICP readings were analyzed at pre-defined thresholds and compared between treatment groups, pre- and post-injection of study agent, and pre- and post-opening of 3rd and 4th ventricles on CT. Impact on 30 day outcomes was assessed. Measurements and Main Results Initial ICP ranged from −2 to 60 mm Hg (median, interquartile range; 11,10). Of 2576 ICP readings, 91.5% (2359) were ≤ 20 mm Hg, 1.6% were >30, 0.5% were >40, and 0.2% were > 50 mm Hg. In a multivariate analysis threshold events > 20 and > 30 mm Hg were more frequent in placebo vs. rt-PA treated groups (p=0.03 and p=0.08, respectively). ICP elevation > 20 mm Hg occurred during a required 1 hr EVD closure interval in 207/868 (23.8%) injections of study agent although early re-opening of the EVD only occurred in 7.9%. After radiographic opening of the lower ventricular system, ICP events > 20 mmHg remained significantly associated with initial IVH volume (p=0.002), and EVD placement ipsilateral to the largest IVH volume (p=0.001), but not with thrombolytic treatment (p=0.05) or ICH volume (p=0.14). VP shunts were required in 13.6% of Pcb and 6.4% of rt-PA treated patients (p=0.37). Percentage of ICP readings per patient > 30 mmHg, and initial ICH and IVH volumes were independent predictors of 30 day mortality after adjustment for other outcome predictors (p=0.003; p=0.03; p<0.001, respectively). Independent predictors of poor modified Rankin Score (mRS) at 30 days were % of ICP events > 30 mmHg/patient (p=0.01) (but not > 20 mmHg), both ICH and IVH volume and pulse pressure. Conclusions ICP is not frequently elevated during monitoring and drainage with an EVD in patients with severe IVH although ICP > 30 mm Hg predicts higher short-term mortality. Thrombolytic therapy may reduce the frequency of high ICP events. ICP elevation appears to be significantly correlated with EVD placement in the ventricle with greatest clot volume.

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The decision to place dual EVDs is generally reserved for large IVH (>40 ml) with casting and mass effect. The use of dual simultaneous catheters may increase clot resolution with or without adjunctive thrombolytic therapy.

Background There is no consensus regarding optimal position of external ventricular drain (EVD) with regard to clearance of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Objective To assess the hypothesis that EVD laterality may influence the clearance of blood from the ventricular system, with and without administration of thrombolytic agent. Methods The EVD location was assessed in 100 patients in two CLEAR Phase II trials assessing the safety, and dose optimization of thrombolysis through the EVD to accelerate the clearance of obstructive IVH. Laterality of catheter was correlated with clearance rates. Results Clearance of IVH over the first 3 days was significantly greater when thrombolytic was administered as compared to placebo, regardless of catheter laterality (p < 0.005, CI −14.0, −4.14 for contralateral EVD and CI −24.7, −5.44 for ipsilateral EVD, respectively). When thrombolytic was administered, there was a trend of more rapid clearance of total IVH through an EVD placed on the side of dominant intraventricular blood as compared to an EVD on the side with lesser blood (P = 0.09; CI −9.62, 0.69). This was not true when placebo was administered. Clearance of 3rd and 4th ventricular blood was unrelated to EVD laterality. Conclusion It is possible that placement of EVD may be optimized to enhance the clearance of total IVH if lytic agents are used. Catheters on either side can clear the 3rd and 4th ventricles with equal efficiency.

Funding and support: By JACEP Open policy, all authors are required to disclose any and all commercial, financial, and other relationships in any way related to the subject of this article as per ICMJE conflict of interest guidelines (see www.icmje.org). The authors have stated that no such relationships exist.

An Amyand’s hernia is an inguinal hernia that contains vermiform appendix. De Garengeot’s hernias are similar; however, in this case the appendix is within a femoral hernia. Both types of hernia are rare, and those hernias associated with appendicitis, perforation, or abscess are even scarcer presentations. The treatment of Amyand’s hernia and De Garengeot’s hernia is not standardized. Generally, hernia repair is performed but disagreement remains regarding the use of mesh and performing appendectomy. This case series describes two individuals with appendicitis presenting to one emergency department within a 24-hour time frame. One case is of a patient with Amyand’s hernia and another case is a patient with De Garengeot’s hernia with an adjacent abscess. Both individuals were managed with appendectomy and hernia repair without the use of mesh.

Epigastric pain is a common complaint made by patients being evaluated in the emergency department. Spontaneous isolated visceral artery dissection is a rare cause with no reported prevalence. We present a case of a 37-year-old male evaluated in the emergency department for epigastric pain and subsequently diagnosed with a spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection with involvement of the hepatic and splenic arteries. Recent case series suggest this disease may be managed medically in most cases. Surgical intervention may be considered for significant bleeding or signs of intestinal ischemia.