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Background and Purpose: The efficiency of prehospital care chain response and the adequacy of hospital resources are challenged amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, with suspected consequences for patients with ischemic stroke eligible for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods: We conducted a prospective national-level data collection of patients treated with MT, ranging 45 days across epidemic containment measures instatement, and of patients treated during the same calendar period in 2019. The primary end point was the variation of patients receiving MT during the epidemic period. Secondary end points included care delays between onset, imaging, and groin puncture. To analyze the primary end point, we used a Poisson regression model. We then analyzed the correlation between the number of MTs and the number of COVID-19 cases hospitalizations, using the Pearson correlation coefficient (compared with the null value). Results: A total of 1513 patients were included at 32 centers, in all French administrative regions. There was a 21% significant decrease (0.79; [95%CI, 0.76–0.82]; P <0.001) in MT case volumes during the epidemic period, and a significant increase in delays between imaging and groin puncture, overall (mean 144.9±SD 86.8 minutes versus 126.2±70.9; P <0.001 in 2019) and in transferred patients (mean 182.6±SD 82.0 minutes versus 153.25±67; P <0.001). After the instatement of strict epidemic mitigation measures, there was a significant negative correlation between the number of hospitalizations for COVID and the number of MT cases ( R 2 −0.51; P =0.04). Patients treated during the COVID outbreak were less likely to receive intravenous thrombolysis and to have unwitnessed strokes (both P <0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant decrease in patients treated with MTs during the first stages of the COVID epidemic in France and alarming indicators of lengthened care delays. These findings prompt immediate consideration of local and regional stroke networks preparedness in the varying contexts of COVID-19 pandemic evolution.

BackgroundEmbolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) has emerged as a potential treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs).ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact on recurrence rate of postsurgical embolization of CSDH in patients with a higher than average risk of recurrence.MethodsA monocentric retrospective study was performed on retrospectively collected data. From March 2018 to December 2019, embolization of the MMA was proposed as an adjunct postoperative treatment after burr-hole surgery in patients operated for a recurrent CSDH or a CSDH with an independent recurrence risk factor, including antiplatelet therapy, full anticoagulation therapy, coagulation disorder, hepatopathy, or chronic alcoholism. Patients who had undergone postoperative embolization were compared with a historic group of patients operated between March 2016 and March 2018, selected based on the same inclusion criteria.ResultsDuring the study period, 89 patients (with 74 unilateral and 15 bilateral CSDHs) were included and underwent an embolization procedure, leading to 91 out of a total of 104 MMA being embolized (88%). These were compared with 174 patients (138 unilateral and 36 bilateral CSDH) in the historic control group. One major procedure-related adverse event was registered. Four of the 89 patients (4%) required surgery for a CSDH recurrence in the embolization group, significantly less than the 24 of 174 patients (14%) in the control group (OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.86, p=0.02).ConclusionsPostsurgical embolization of the MMA may reduce the recurrence rate of CSDHs with a risk factor of recurrence.

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Background and purpose. -To compare outcomes of minor stroke patients with intracranial vessel occlusions (IVO) underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) versus those treated with intravenous thrombolysis alone (IVT). Methods. -We retrospectively reviewed two large prospective stroke databases from two European centers searching for patients admitted with minor stroke (i.e. NIHSS Score ≤ 5), baseline mRS = 0 and occlusion of the M1-M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Groups receiving (A) IVT alone and (B) MT+/-IVT were compared. Primary outcome measures were MT safety, successful recanalization rate (mTICI 2b-3) and NIHSS shift (discharge NIHSS minus admission NIHSS); secondary outcomes included discharge rates and excellent outcome (mRS 0-1) at 3 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.Results. -Thirty-two patients were enrolled in Group B (19 MT alone; 13 MT + IVT) and 24 in Group A. Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b-3) was obtained in 100% of cases in Group B vs 38% in Group A. Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation rate did not differ between the two groups. Multivariate analysis reported MT as the only predictor of early (< 12 h) favorable NIHSS shift and lower NIHSS at discharge. Moreover, discharge at home and excellent outcome at 3-month follow-up were statistically associated with MT. Conclusions. -MT in patients with minor strokes and intracranial vessel occlusion (IVO) is safe and can determine a rapid improvement of NIHSS Score. MT seems also associated with a higher rate of patients discharged at home after hospitalization and better clinical outcome at 3-month follow-up. Larger randomized trials are warranted to confirm these results.

Hamate-pisiform coalition is an exceptional form of carpal coalition. Case reports are essential to gain a better understanding of this variant. We report a case of congenital bilateral hamate-pisiform coalition in a 20-year-old male discovered in the context of a right wrist trauma. Radiographs also revealed a bilateral scapholunate diastasis. Clinical examination and radiological findings suggested that the right wrist scapholunate diastasis was related to scapholunate instability. Left wrist scapholunate diastasis could be related to (1) a pathological feature or (2) a normal variant associated with hamate-pisiform coalition. Lateral radiographs showed a volar C-shaped osseous bridge corresponding to the coalition. We associated it with a new sign: the "carpal C-sign". Computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction provides helpful information about the type of coalition (osseous versus non-osseous) and excludes potential fracture. We discuss the specific embryologic features of the hamate-pisiform coalition, as well as its prevalence, radiographic classification, clinical significance, and treatment.

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