BackgroundVasospasm of the cerebral blood vessels is a common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) which results in delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and worsening of the outcome.MethodsThis study was performed on 41 aSAH patients diagnosed by non-contrast brain CT, CT angiography, and digital subtraction angiography followed by interventional aneurysmal embolization. Patients were followed up for 20 days by clinical assessment, EEG monitoring, and transcranial duplex studies (TCD) for early detection of vasospasm and DCI.ResultsThe most common ruptured aneurysmal sites were middle cerebral, anterior communicating, posterior communicating, terminal internal carotid, and anterior cerebral arteries respectively. The incidence of vasospasm was 36.8% of the included cases; 57% progressed to DCI while 43% passed a spontaneous regressive course. The most common arteries undergoing vasospasm were the MCA followed by the ACA, ICA, and lastly the basilar arteries. The mean time of vasospasm development as detected by EEG monitoring and/or TCD was 8.4 ± 2.8 days which was earlier than clinical signs by 12.5 ± 5.3 h in those progressed to DCI.ConclusionContinuous EEG monitoring and TCD are valuable methods for early detection of vasospasm and they allow for early therapeutic intervention before irreversible ischemic neurological deficits take place.

Background: Early detection of neuropsychological changes in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is essential to improve their quality of life. Aim of the Work: To assess neurological and psychological disorders in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) using multimodal approach through clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies in a trial to detect etiological risk factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Pediatric (Hematology Unit) and Department of Neurology, Tanta University Hospital Egypt, between April 2016 and April 2018. Methodology: This study was conducted on 50 children (27 male and 23 female; age range 2-18 years) with SCD and 25 healthy children matched age and sex. All subjects were subjected to full history taking, neurologic examination using pediatric neurological sheet, laboratory investigations, neuroimaging including: CT and /or MRI, MRA and/or CT angiography, also MR, EEG and  Stanford-Binet Intelligence scales-Fifth Edition. Results: Most of patients presented with headache 66%, cognitive decline 48%, seizures 28%, and visual affection 24%. Less common presentations were, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke 6% and 4% respectively. SCD children showed many abnormalities on neurological examination and on different modalities of MR imaging on the brain with positive correlation (X2=7.641, p-value <0.001*, r=0.248) with many risk factors. Prophylactic blood transfusion in SCD patients with abnormal TCD had a role in reducing the incidence of stroke. Conclusion: Children with SCD were presented with variable neuropsychological disturbance that correlated with the brain imaging.

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