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Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a public health emergency worldwide, predominantly affecting the respiratory tract. However, evidence supports the involvement of extrapulmonary sites, including reports of intracranial hemorrhages.

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes high rates of disability and neurological sequelae Objective To evaluate spot signs as predictors of expansion and worse prognosis in non-traumatic ICH in a Brazilian cohort. Method We used multidetector computed tomography angiography to study 65 consecutive patients (40 men, 61.5%), with ages varying from 33 to 89 years (median age 55 years). Clinical and imaging findings were correlated with the findings based on the initial imaging. Results Of the individuals who presented a spot sign, 73.7% died (in-hospital mortality), whereas in the absence of a spot sign the mortality rate was 43.0%. Although expansion of ICH was detected in 75% of the patients with a spot sign, expansion was observed in only 9.0% of the patients who did not present a spot sign. Conclusions The spot sign strongly predicted expansion in non-traumatic ICH and an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two different methods for measuring intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume: the ellipse volume (called ABC/2), and the software-aided planimetric. METHODS: Four observers evaluated 20 brain computed tomography (CT) scans with spontaneous ICH. Each professional measured the volume using the ABC/2 and the planimetric methods. The average volumes were obtained, and the intra- and inter-rater variability was determined. RESULTS: There is an absolute 2.24 cm3 average difference between both methodologies. Volumes yielded by the ABC/2 method were as much as 14.9% smaller than by the planimetric one. An intra-observer variability rate of 0.46% was found for the planimetric method and 0.18% for the ABC/2. The inter-observer rates were 1.69 and 1.11% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods are reproducible. The ABC/2 yielded hemorrhage volumes as much as 14.9% smaller than those measured using the planimetric methodology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of hyperglycemic (HG) control in acute stroke. METHODS: Anonymous survey through Internet questionnaire. Participants included Latin-American physicians specialized in neurocritical care. RESULTS: The response rate was 74%. HG definition varied widely. Fifty per cent considered it when values were >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). Intravenous (IV) regular insulin was the drug of choice for HG correction. One fifth of the respondents expressed adherence to a protocol. Intensive insulin therapy (IIT) was used by 23%. Glucose levels were measured in all participants at admission. Routine laboratory test was the preferred method for monitoring. Reactive strips were more frequently used when monitoring was intensive. Most practitioners (56.7%) monitored glucose more than two times daily throughout the Intensive Care Unit stay. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variability and heterogeneity in the management of elevated blood glucose during acute phase of stroke by the surveyed Latin-American physicians.

OBJETIVE: To describe the CT scan findings of 21 thrombocytopenic patients with central nervous system (CNS) hemorrhage. METHOD: Retrospective study of the computed tomography (CT) of 21 platelet-depleted patients with CNS hemorrhage. One patient presented two episodes of hemorrhagic episode with different intervals. The clinical data were obtained by the review of the medical records. Two radiologists analyzed the films and reached the decisions by consensus. The following findings were studied: type of bleeding, number of lesions, topography, laterality, size and associated findings. RESULTS: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) was the most common findings, found in 20 cases, being six of them associated with subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhages. The size of the lesions varied between 1.8 and 10.5 cm. The parietal lobes were more commonly affected (n=11, 50%), followed by the temporal (n=7, 31.8%), frontal (n=7, 31.8%) and occipital (n=2, 9.09%) lobes. In 15 cases (68.2%) there was a single area of hemorrhage and in the remaining cases there were multiple hemorrhages. Associated findings were found in 20 cases. The most prevalent were edema (n=17, 77.3%), hydrocephalus (10, 45.4%) and midline shift (n=9, 41%). CONCLUSION: The most frequent CT scan findings in thrombocytopenic patients with CNS hemorrhage are single IPH, located mostly in the parietal, temporal and frontal lobes, with varied sizes and associated with edema, hydrocephalus and midline shift.OBJETIVO: Descrever os achados tomográficos de 21 pacientes trombocitopênicos com hemorragia no sistema nervoso central (SNC). MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo das tomografias computadorizadas (TC) de 21 pacientes trombocitopênicos que apresentaram hemorragia no SNC. Um dos pacientes apresentou 2 episódios hemorrágicos em épocas diferentes. Os dados clínicos foram obtidos por revisão de prontuários médicos. Dois radiologistas analisaram os exames e estabeleceram os achados por consenso. Os seguintes achados foram estudados: tipo de sangramento, número de lesões, topografia, lateralidade, tamanho e achados associados. RESULTADOS: A hemorragia intraparenquimatosa foi o achado mais comum, observada em 20 casos, sendo que em seis deles apresentavam hemorragia subaracnóidea e intraventricular associadas. O tamanho das lesões variou entre 1,8 e 10,5 cm (mediana= 4,5 cm). Os lobos parietais foram mais acometidos (n=11, 50%), seguidos pelos temporais (n=7, 31,8%), frontais (n=7, 31,8%) e occipitais (n=2, 9,09%). Em 15 casos (68,2%) houve uma única área de hemorragia, e nos demais múltiplas áreas foram observadas. Em 20 casos foram encontrados achados associados, sendo mais comum edema (n=17, 77,3%), hidrocefalia (n=10, 45,4%) e desvio da linha média (n=9, 41%). CONCLUSÃO: Os achados tomográficos mais freqüentes em pacientes trombocitopênicos com hemorragia cerebral são lesões intraparenquimatosas únicas acometendo principalmente os lobos parietais, temporais e frontais, com tamanhos variados e associadas a edema, hidrocefalia e desvio da linha média.

The decline of stroke mortality rates has been described in Brazil; however, there is no data about stroke subtypes. We described the changes of stroke mortality rates in the city of Sao Paulo (1996-2003) emphasizing intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction. We categorized mortality data by gender and 10-year age-strata from 30 to 79 years-old. For men, an annual reduction of all types of stroke (-3.9%), and of stroke subtypes as intracerebral hemorrhage (-3.0%) and cerebral infarction was observed (-2.7%) as well as, a decline of ill-defined stroke (-7.4%). For women, a decline was observed for all types of stroke (-3.3%) and for ill-defined stroke (-12%). However, the switch of ill-defined cases to stroke subtype categories due to a better clinical diagnosis blurred a real decline of both cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke among women.O declínio da mortalidade pela doença cerebrovascular no Brasil é conhecido, porém há poucos dados sobre a evolução temporal dos dois principais subtipos, a hemorragia parenquimatosa e o infarto cerebral. As modificações temporais dos subtipos de doença cerebrovascular foram estudadas na cidade de São Paulo entre 1996 e 2003 por gênero e faixa etária decenal entre os 30 e 79 anos. Para os homens detectou-se redução anual para todo os tipos (-3,9%), para hemorragia parenquimatosa (-3,0%), para infarto cerebral (-2,7%) bem como para os casos mal definidos (-7.4%). Para as mulheres somente houve variação significativa para todos os tipos da doença cerebrovascular (-3,3%) e para os casos mal definidos (-12%). Concluindo, as taxas de doença cerebrovascular estão em queda, porém entre as mulheres devido à melhoria do diagnóstico clínico houve migração de casos mal definidos para casos bem definidos. Devido a isso não foi possível detectar declínio nas taxas de mortalidade pelos subtipos de doença cerebrovascular.

OBJECTIVE: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, have been associated with improved clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, but with an increased risk of incidental spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated whether the statin use before ICH, was associated with functional independence, 90 days after treatment. METHOD: We analyzed 124 consecutive ICH patients with 90-day outcome data who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 2006 and 2009. Eighty-three patients were included in this study. Among ICH survivors, univariate Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to determine subject characteristics that were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Statin usage was determined through interviewing the patient at the time of ICH and confirmed by reviewing their medical records. Independent status was defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale grades 4 or 5. RESULTS: Statins were used by 20 out of 83 patients (24%) before ICH onset. There was no effect from pre-ICH statin use on functional independence rates (28% versus 29%, P=0.84) or mortality (46% versus 45%, P=0.93). CONCLUSION: Pre-ICH statin use is not associated with changes to ICH functional outcome or mortality.

Analisamos 53 casos de malformações arteriovenosas (MAV) admitidos no Serviço de agosto de 1986 a março de 1998. A distribuição por sexo foi masculino 1,9:1 feminino, com faixa etária média de 32,5±11,5 anos. A apresentação clínica inicial incluiu, em ordem de frequência, hemorragia intracraniana, sinais neurológicos focais, cefaléia, epilepsia, e coma profundo agudo. As MAV supratentoriais tiveram a seguinte distribuição: 10 temporais, 9 parietais, 6 frontais, 3 occipitais, 3 fronto-parietais, 4 corpo caloso/pericalosas, 1 têmporo-occipital, 1 têmporo-parieto-occipital e 6 profundas. As MAV de acordo com a classificação de Spetzler-Martin, distribuiram-se em: grau II 17 casos (32%), grau III 21 casos (39%) e grau IV 10 casos (19%). Em 3 pacientes (5,6%) havia presença concomitante de aneurisma intracraniano. Trinta e sete pacientes foram operados, 12 dos quais, com embolização parcial prévia. Em somente um caso a ressecção cirúrgica foi parcial. Onze pacientes foram somente embolizados, sendo a embolização parcial em 3 casos. Dois pacientes não foram embolizados e nem operados (1 caso devido a pneumonite intersticial por AIDS e outro por problemas administrativos). Três casos foram encaminhados para radiocirurgia. Houve somente um óbito por embolia pulmonar aguda (1,8%). Concluímos que a abordagem multidisciplinar individualizada, envolvendo as especialidades de neurorradiologia intervencionista, neurologia e neurocirurgia, oferece a possiblidade de indicar a terapia mais adequada para cada caso, com bons resultados.

Foram estudadas seis pacientes com doenças cerebrovasculares no período gravídico-puerperal. Uma apresentou hemorragia cerebral, três apresentaram infarto cerebral e duas trombose de seio venoso cerebral. A associação de fatores clínicos ao estado peculiar produzido pela gravidez parece ter resultado nas doenças apresentadas, com especial ênfase à doença de Chagas presente em todos os infartos cerebrais.Six patients who presented cerebrovascular disease during puerperium or pregnancy were studied. One of them presented hemorrhagic stroke caused by intracerebral bleeding due to pre-eclampsia. Three patients presented ischemic stroke, they all had positive serologic reactions for Chagas' disease, but only two of them had clinical cardiopathy; one of these patients had anticardiolipin antibody. The other two patients presented cerebral venous thrombosis of sagittal sinus. Both were smokers and one of them used oral contraceptive. We emphasize the importance of clinical investigation to seek for the common causes of cerebrovascular disease in young people, with special attention to Chagas disease in Brazil.

Os autores apresentam dados clínicos, achados radiológicos, aspectos histopatológicos e resultados do tratamento de oito pacientes com angioma cavernoso intracraniano. Cinco apresentavam crise convulsiva; dois, manifestação de efeito de massa; um, hemorragia cerebral. A tomografia computadorizada de crânio e a ressonância magnética detectaram a lesão em todos os casos. Entretanto, não há uma imagem patognomômica para os angiomas cavernosos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a remoção microcirúrgica das suas lesões. Obtivemos remoção total da lesão em sete pacientes e subtotal em um. Não ocorreu óbito nesta série e somente um paciente apresentou novo deficit neurológico.

Seventy patients with hemorrhagic stroke were prospectively evaluated regarding the electrocardiographic abnormalities observed within the first 48 hours of the ictus. Group I comprised 55 patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage, and group II 15 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients taking cardiac drugs (beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, inotropic drugs) or with severe metabolic/electrolyte disturbances were excluded. The most common ECG abnormality was a prolonged Q-Tc interval: group I, 37 (67.2%); group II, 8 (53.3%). Only 4 (7.2% patients of group I and no patient of group II had a normal ECG. No relation was found between the site of the intracerebral hematoma and the occurrence of any particular ECG change. A prolonged Q-Tc may be related to the development of severe cardiac arrhythmias observed in some patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage.

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebrovascular disorder caused by progressive deposition of β-amyloid peptides in the walls of small and medium-sized cortical and leptomeningeal vessels. Until today, the prevalence of CAA is unknown in our region. Objective: This study aims to analyze the prevalence of this entity in a specific elderly population in a tertiary hospital in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study with the enrollment of patients aged 65 or older followed in the neurological outpatient service of the Universidade Federal do Piauí, Brazil, who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from July 2016 to June 2018. Results: One hundred and seventy-four patients were enrolled, of whom 100 were women (57.4%) and 74, men (42.6%), aged from 65 to 91 years old (median age 73.27). Nine patients were excluded from the study due to unavailability of MRI sequences needed for an appropriate analysis. Out of the 165 remaining patients, 12 (7.2%) had established the diagnosis of CAA, according to the modified Boston criteria. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAA in our study was like those of medical literature, with a progressive age-related increase.

ABSTRACT One in six patients admitted for stroke was previously demented. These patients have less access to appropriate stroke care, although little is known about their optimal management. Objective To determine how pre-stroke cognitive impairment can be detected, its mechanism, and influence on outcome and management. Methods Literature search. Results (i) A systematic approach with the Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly is recommended; (ii) Pre-stroke cognitive impairment may be due to brain lesions of vascular, degenerative, or mixed origin; (iii) Patients with pre-stroke dementia, have worse outcomes, more seizures, delirium, and depression, and higher mortality rates; they often need to be institutionalised after their stroke; (iv) Although the safety profile of treatment is not as good as that of cognitively normal patients, the risk:benefit ratio is in favour of treating these patients like others. Conclusion Patients with cognitive impairment who develop a stroke have worse outcomes, but should be treated like others.