Intrinsic stenosing and occlusive pathologies of the vertebral artery: A narrative review.

Intrinsic pathologies of the vertebral arteries, such as atherosclerosis, dissection, fibromuscular dysplasia, radionecrosis and vasculitis, are important causes of vertebrobasilar insufficiency and cerebrovascular events. This review focuses on non-aneurysmal intrinsic stenosing and occlusive pathologies, covering their epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. It also provides a detailed summary of key clinical presentations and syndromes, including an in-depth examination of lateral medullary syndrome, historically known as Wallenberg's syndrome, which is arguably the most emblematic condition resulting from vertebral artery involvement and is depicted in an illustrative cartoon.

Brain-Computer Interfaces for Communication in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: A Gap Analysis and Scientific Roadmap.

Background: We developed a gap analysis that examines the role of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), focusing on their assessment, establishment of communication, and engagement with their environment.

Methods: The Curing Coma Campaign convened a Coma Science work group that included 16 clinicians and neuroscientists with expertise in DoC. The work group met online biweekly and performed a gap analysis of the primary question.

Osteovascular Conflicts in the Neck Region and Cerebrovascular Events: Illustrative Cases and Literature Review.

Study Design: Literature Review.

Objective: Abnormal bone structures in the neck can cause headache, neck pain, and difficulty swallowing, but also cerebrovascular events. We introduce the term "osteovascular conflicts" to describe this phenomenon.

A Focus on Subtle Signs and Motor Behavior to Unveil Awareness in Unresponsive Brain-Impaired Patients: The Importance of Being Clinical.

Brain-injured patients in a state of cognitive motor dissociation (CMD) exhibit a lack of command following using conventional neurobehavioral examination tools but a high level of awareness and language processing when assessed using advanced imaging and electrophysiology techniques. Because of their behavioral unresponsiveness, patients with CMD may seem clinically indistinguishable from those with a true disorder of consciousness that affects awareness on a substantial level (coma, vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness state, or minimally conscious state minus). Yet, by expanding the range of motor testing across limb, facial, and ocular motricity, we may detect subtle, purposeful movements even in the subset of patients classified as vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness state.

Intima-Media Thickness and Pulsatility Index of Common Carotid Arteries in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Ultrasonographic parameters such as the common carotid artery (CCA) pulsatility index (PI) and CCA intima-media thickness (IMT) have been associated with an increased mortality and risk of recurrent stroke, respectively. We hypothesized that these ultrasonographic parameters may be useful for monitoring diabetic patients after an acute stroke. We analysed retrospective data of consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients from the ASTRAL registry who underwent pre-cerebral ultrasonographic evaluation within 7 days of symptom onset.

Preconditioning by Preceding Ischemic Cerebrovascular Events.

Background Emerging yet contrasting evidence from animal and human studies associates ischemic preconditioning with improvement of subsequent stroke severity, although long-term outcome remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze how preceding cerebral ischemic events influence subsequent stroke severity and outcome. Methods and Results Data for this retrospective cohort study were extracted from ASTRAL (Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne).

Factors Associated With Focal Computed Tomographic Perfusion Abnormalities in Supratentorial Transient Ischemic Attacks.

Background And Purpose: Computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) is useful in diagnosis of patients with transient focal neurological symptoms. In acute imaging of patients with a suspected transient ischemic attack (TIA), it remains unclear which patients develop focal perfusion abnormalities (FPA), that is, hypoperfusion or hyperperfusion. We aimed at determining independent factors associated with FPA in patients with supratentorial TIAs.

Portal Vein Embolization Followed by Liver Resection versus Liver Resection Alone: a Comparison of Liver Regeneration Dynamics.

Background/aims: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is an accepted procedure, which, by redirecting portal vein flow toward specific hepatic segments, is able to pre-operatively increase the volume of the future liver remnant (FLR). The consequent reduction of liver dysfunction risk enables to extend the number of pa tients eligible for major hepatic resection. This study aims at comparing liver regeneration dynamics and long-term volumetric recovery after major hepatic re section preceded by PVE versus major hepatic resec tion not preceded by PVE.

Beauty parlor stroke revisited: An 11-year single-center consecutive series.

Background: Hairdresser-related ischemic cerebrovascular events (HICE) are attributed to compression of vertebral arteries or cervical artery dissections. We determined their frequency, mechanisms, localization and outcome in a pre-specified study.

Methods: We prospectively collected ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks occurring in relation to a hairdresser visit from 2002 to 2013, using consecutive data from an ischemic stroke registry (ASTRAL).