Middle cerebral artery dissection: diagnostic and prognostic value of transcranial color-coded sonography.

We report 2 patients with ischemic stroke related to an initial severe focal narrowed middle cerebral artery caused by a dissection mechanism, a presentation that has received little attention to date. Diagnostic modalities and follow-up using transcranial color-coded sonography are reported and discussed. Results with transcranial color-coded sonography were correlated with computed tomographic angiography, showing the great value of this radiation-free arterial monitoring process in this setting, especially in young adults.

[Impact of a stroke-unit on rtPA use in a community hospital: a 3-year prospective study].

Introduction: Although intravenous thrombolysis has been used for ischemic strokes since 2004 in our community hospital located in Pau (southwest of France), a specifically dedicated stroke-unit (SU) was created only recently in June 2010. We decided to collect prospective data to compare the use and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis before and after the opening of this dedicated stroke unit.

Methods: Stroke patients with internal carotid artery territory involvement treated with intravenous thrombolysis were compared between two similar periods.

[Mutism and acute behavioral disorders revealing MELAS syndrome].

Introduction: MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) is a rare genetic mitochondrial disease which can cause cerebral (cerebrovascular accident, migraine, mental deterioration..), sensorial (bilateral symmetrical deafness) and peripheral (muscular involvement, neuropathy) disorders potentially associated with diabetes, renal or cardiac disorders, or growth retardation.

[Ischemic strokes related to benign primitive cardiac tumours].

Background: We report three cases of ischemic cardioembolic strokes related to benign primary cardiac tumours (two fibromas and one fibroelastoma).

Case Reports: This is a retrospective study over a five years period (from December 2004 to December 2009) in a French community hospital. Data on hospital strokes were obtained from the informatics department.

Stroke thrombolysis in the emergency department as an alternative service for community hospitals lacking a stroke unit.

Objective: A significant advancement in the management of acute ischemic stroke has been the use of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). French guidelines recommend that stroke patients should be treated in stroke units (SU); however, community hospitals experience practical difficulties in treating their patients because SUs are not sufficient in number. Only one SU is available in the Aquitaine area (southwest of France) and it is located in Bordeaux.

The cytosolic domain of APP induces the relocalization of dynamin 3 in hippocampal neurons.

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been the subject of intense research to uncover its implication in Alzheimer's disease. Its physiological function is, however, still poorly understood. Herein, we investigated its possible influence on the development of cultured hippocampal neurons.

[Pseudomigraine with transient neurological deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis].

Introduction: Pseudomigraine with temporary neurological symptoms and lymphocytic pleocytosis is a rare syndrome resolving within less than 3 months.

Case Report: A young 17-year-old woman without previous medical history was admitted to the hospital because of right motor weakness and language disturbances. The symptoms resolved in a few hours and were followed by severe left headaches with important vegetative signs.