Background: Only few studies have investigated the relationship between the histopathology of retrieved thrombi and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate thrombus composition and its association with clinical, laboratory, and neurointerventional findings in patients treated by mechanical thrombectomy due to acute large vessel occlusion. Methods: At our institution, 79 patients were treated by mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever and/or aspiration catheter between August 2015 and August 2016. The retrieved thrombi were quantitatively analyzed to quantify red blood cells, white blood cells, and fibrin by area. We divided the patients into two groups – a fibrin-rich group and an erythrocyte-rich group – based on the predominant composition in the thrombus. The groups were compared for imaging, clinical, and neurointerventional data. Results: The retrieved thrombi from 43 patients with acute stroke from internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, or basilar artery occlusion were histologically analyzed. Erythrocyte-rich thrombi were present in 18 cases, while fibrin-rich thrombi were present in 25 cases. A cardioembolic etiology was significantly more prevalent among the patients with fibrin-rich thrombi than among those with erythrocyte-rich thrombi. Attenuation of thrombus density as shown on computed tomography images was greater in patients with erythrocyte-rich thrombi than in those with fibrin-rich thrombi. All other clinical and laboratory characteristics remained the same. Patients with erythrocyte-rich thrombi had a smaller number of recanalization maneuvers, shorter procedure times, a shorter time interval between arrival and recanalization, and a higher percentage of stent retrievers in the final recanalization procedure. The occluded vessels did not differ significantly. Conclusions: In this study, erythrocyte-rich thrombus was associated with noncardioembolic etiology, higher thrombus density, and reduced procedure time.
Objective Various neurological manifestations have been increasingly reported in coronavirus disease 2019 . We determined the neurological features and long-term sequelae in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods We retrospectively studied 95 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between March 1 and May 13, 2020. Acute neurological presentations (within two weeks of the symptom onset of were compared between 60 non-severe and 35 severely infected patients who required high-flow oxygen. In the 12 ventilated patients (the most severe group), we evaluated neurological complications during admission, subacute neurological presentations, and neurological sequelae (51 and 137 days from the onset [median], respectively). Results Of the 95 patients (mean age 53 years old; 40% women), 63% had acute neurological presentations, with an increased prevalence in cases of severe infections (83% vs. 52%, p<0.001). Impaired consciousness and limb weakness were more frequent in severe patients than in non-severe ones (0% vs. 49%; p <0.001, and 0% vs. 54%; p<0.001, respectively). In the most severe group (mean age 72 years old; 42% women), 83% of patients had neurological complications (cerebrovascular disease [17%], encephalopathy [82%], and neuropathy [55%]), and 92% had subacute neurological presentations (impaired consciousness [17%], higher brain dysfunction [82%], limb weakness [75%], and tremor [58%]). Neurological sequelae were found in 83% of cases, including higher brain dysfunction (73%), limb weakness (50%), and tremor (58%). Conclusions Neurological manifestations are common in COVID-19, with the possibility of long-lasting sequelae.
Antibody against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) associated encephalitis is an important syndrome associated with MOG-IgG. However, there have been no reports of MOG-IgG-associated optic neuritis or demyelination following meningitis without encephalitic symptoms. A 55-year-old woman presented to our hospital with headache, nausea, fever, and nuchal rigidity that had persisted for more than a month. She was hospitalized due to aseptic meningitis and recovered with conservative therapy. However, she was re-admitted due to left optic neuritis and demyelinating lesions. We diagnosed MOG-IgG-associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). She responded to treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone. Aseptic meningitis may be an initial manifestation of MOG-IgG-positive NMOSD.
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