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Background and Objectives: In patients with ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), there are few data regarding the risk of future cerebrovascular events and also about the benefits and safety of antithrombotic drugs for secondary prevention. We investigated the associations of cSS and stroke risk in patients with recent IS or TIA., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the Microbleeds International Collaborative Network (MICON) database. We selected patients with IS or TIA from cohorts who had MRI-assessed cSS, available data on antithrombotic treatments, recurrent cerebrovascular events (intracranial hemorrhage [ICrH], IS, or any stroke [ICrH or IS]), and mortality. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) and performed univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses., Results: Of 12,669 patients (mean age 70.4 ± 12.3 years, 57.3% men), cSS was detected in 273 (2.2%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 24 ± 17 months, IS was more frequent than ICrH in both cSS (IR 57.1 vs 14.6 per 1,000 patient-years) and non-cSS (33.7 vs 6.3 per 1,000 patient-years) groups. Compared with the non-cSS group, cSS was associated with any stroke on multivariable analysis {IR 83 vs 42 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for cSS 1.62 (95% CI: 1.14-2.28; p = 0.006)}. This association was not significant in subgroups of patients treated with antiplatelet drugs (n = 6,554) or with anticoagulants (n = 4,044). Patients with cSS who were treated with both antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants (n = 1,569) had a higher incidence of ICrH (IR 107.5 vs 4.9 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted HR 13.26; 95% CI: 2.90-60.63; p = 0.001) and of any stroke (IR 198.8 vs 34.7 per 1,000 patient-years, adjusted HR 5.03; 95% CI: 2.03-12.44; p < 0.001) compared with the non-cSS group., Discussion: Patients with IS or TIA with cSS are at increased risk of stroke (ICrH or IS) during follow-up; the risk of IS exceeds that of ICrH for patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment alone, but the risk of ICrH exceeds that of IS in patients receiving both treatments. The findings suggest that either antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment alone should not be avoided in patients with cSS, but combined antithrombotic therapy might be hazardous. Our findings need to be confirmed by randomized clinical trials., (© 2022 American Academy of Neurology.)

The emerging use of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke treatment focuses on the importance of patient selection. Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is one of widely used techniques. However, the accuracy and reliability of this modality is in debate among vascular neurologists. We present a case of an 80-year-old man admitted because of acute ischemic stroke. CT angiography demonstrated left proximal M2 occlusion. As CTP demonstrated signs of large ischemic core with no significant penumbra, mechanical thrombectomy was not performed following tPA administration. Twenty-four hours after thrombolysis, the patient was neurologically intact. Both non-contrast CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated small stroke involving the left caudate. Differences between CTP and MRI diffuse-weighted imaging were previously described. However, in the presented case, these differences were brought to extreme, precluding endovascular treatment. In our opinion, this case emphasizes why CTP should not be used for patient exclusion among patients in the early time frame for intervention. Such patients should be evaluated by MRI or by clinical-radiological mismatch only. CTP may have a role in selecting patients for endovascular intervention in borderline circumstances such as prolonged time window, wake-up stroke, etc., (Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Post-radiation leukoencephalopathy is characterized by cognitive impairment and white matter alternations on imaging. Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is one of several suggested etiologies. Cerebral microinfarction (CMI) is a recently described marker of SVD. We sought to examine the rate of CMI as a biomarker of ongoing ischemia among patients who underwent brain radiotherapy (RT). 110 patients treated with RT for primary or metastatic brain tumors were enrolled. A total of 685 brain MRI tests performed 1-108 months post-radiation were examined. The annual incidence of CMI was calculated. Only 2 definite CMI were found (2/685, 0.3 %). The calculated annual incidence of CMI was 0.11. This incidence is similar to the normal population, and lower than the reported incidence in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage or cognitive impairment. CMI incidence in patients treated with brain RT is similar to the general population. This finding suggests that post-radiation leukoencephalopathy and cognitive impairment are not due to active SVD solely but rather secondary to other causes such as inflammation, metabolic or direct cell damage.

Introduction: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is an important cause of ischemic stroke which may occur following minor traumatic neck manipulations or hyperextension. This paper describes four cases of CAD secondary to dental procedures., Cases: Four patients were admitted to the neurology department due to various neurological deficits, which developed subsequently to dental procedure. CT angiography demonstrated CAD in all patients. No predisposing background disease or other neck manipulations were found., Discussion: We describe four cases of dental procedure induced CAD. Since dental procedures are very common, CAD incidence may be higher than recognized. High clinical suspicion is crucial for promoting vascular imaging and diagnosis, especially among patients with non-neurologically symptomatic CAD. We suggest avoiding prolonged neck hyperextension during dental procedures, especially under general anesthesia, in order to prevent this rare but dramatic complication., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)