A Case Report of Classical eight-and-a-Half Syndrome and Etiology Analysis

Eight-and-a-half syndrome is one-and-a-half syndrome plus ipsilateral seventh (facial) cranial nerve palsy, which was first reported by Eggenberger in 1998. This syndrome is caused by a lesion (most often vascular or demyelinating) in the dorsal tegmentum of the caudal pons. It involves the para pontine reticular formation and the medial longitudinal fasciculus, as well as the nucleus and the fasciculus of the facial nerve. We describe a case of a 56-year-old man presented with eight-and-a-half syndrome. We also discuss the vascular pathology and etiology of this syndrome through the literature review. Most eight-and-a-half syndrome cases are caused by occlusions of the perforating branches of the pons. The pathology can be transparent lipid-like changes at the perforator arteries. It can also be thrombosis at the orifice of the main or perforator arteries. BAH could be a very important factor in perforator artery infarction at the pontine. The etiology is closely related to hyperglycemia. An effective intervention is to avoid bad habits and control the hyperglycemia.

Perforator flaps based on the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery: anatomical study

Objectives: Tissue defects in the lateral triangle of the neck and the anterior cervical region represent a high demand for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Their management most often requires regional or free flaps. The perforator flap based on the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery (TAA) may be a good solution for these indications. The objective of this work is to propose anatomical landmarks to raise perforator flaps pedicled on the deltoid branch of the TAA. Methods: We carried out dissection of 24 perforator flaps based on the deltoid branch of the TAA, in body donor specimens preserved in a glycerin-rich, formalin-free solution. The TAA was first injected with methylene blue. The vascular territory, location of perforators relative to known landmarks, along with the flap’s potential amplitude and arc of rotation were studied. Results: The main perforating arteries of the flap were located in the middle of the deltopectoral groove, often surrounded by adipose tissue in 18 out of 24 dissections. In 22 out of 24 dissections, there were at least 2 perforator arteries originating from the deltoid branch. The average diameter of the perforator arteries was 1 mm. The flap’s amplitude of movement made it possible to reach in all cases the lateral triangle of the neck and the anterolateral cervical region. Conclusion: The thoracoacromial artery has already been used for perforator flaps. However, the individualization of its deltoid branch offers to practitioners new surgical options. This anatomical study of the perforator flap based on the deltoid branch of the TAA made it possible to review the anatomical bases for the raising of this flap, and to fix useful landmarks for the surgeon in order to propose an easily feasible surgical technique.

What is the mid-wall linear high intensity “lesion” on cardiovascular magnetic resonance late gadolinium enhancement?

Background Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a valuable technique for detecting myocardial disorders and fibrosis. However, we sometimes observe a linear, mid-wall high intensity signal in the basal septum in the short axis view, which often presents diagnostic difficulties in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to compare the linear, mid-wall high intensity in the basal septum identified by LGE with the anterior septal perforator arteries identified by coronary computed tomography angiography (CorCTA). Methods We retrospectively selected 148 patients who underwent both CorCTA and CMR LGE within 1 year. In the interpretation of LGE, we defined a positive linear high intensity (LHI+) as follows: ① LHI in the basal septum and ② observable for 1.5 cm or more. All other patients were defined as a negative LHI (LHI-). In LHI+ patients, we assessed the correlation between the LHI length and the septal perforator artery length on CorCTA. We also compared the length of the septal perforator artery on CorCTA between LHI+ patients and LHI- patients. Results A population of 111 patients were used for further analysis. Among these , there were 55 LHI+ patients and 56 LHI- patients. In LHI+ patients, linear regression analysis revealed that there was a good agreement between LGE LHI and septal perforator arteries by CorCTA in terms of length measurements. The measured length of the anterior septal perforator arteries was significantly shorter in LHI- patients than in LHI+ patients (10 ± 8 mm vs. 21 ± 8 mm; P < 0.05). Conclusions The LHI observed in the basal septum on short axis LGE may reflect contrast enhancement of the anterior septal perforator arteries. It is important to interpret this septal LHI against knowledge of anatomic structure, to avoid misinterpretations of LGE and prevent misdiagnosis.

Should we treat aneurysms in perforator arteries from the basilar trunk? Review of 49 cases published in the literature and presentation of three personal cases

Basilar trunk perforator artery aneurysms are rare. Their diagnosis and treatment are difficult, controversial, and challenging. Analysis of 52 cases (49 documented in the literature and three personal cases) clearly shows a re-bleeding rate of 15% in patients whose aneurysm has not been occluded and 0% in treated patients ( p < 0.05). The most effective treatment, and the one that presents the least complication, is double-stenting across the basilar trunk.

Tonsillobiventral fissure approach to the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle

OBJECTIVESurgical access to the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle (LR) is suboptimal with existing transvermian and telovelar approaches because of limited lateral exposure, significant retraction of the cerebellar tonsil, and steep trajectories near brainstem perforator arteries. The goal in this study was to assess surgical exposure of the tonsillobiventral fissure approach to the LR, and to describe the relevant anatomy.METHODSTwo formaldehyde-fixed cerebella were used to study the anatomical relationships of the LR. Also, the tonsillobiventral fissure approach was simulated in 8 specimens through a lateral suboccipital craniotomy.RESULTSThe pattern of the cerebellar folia and the cortical branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery were key landmarks to identifying the tonsillobiventral fissure. Splitting the tonsillobiventral fissure allowed a direct and safe surgical trajectory to the LR and into the cerebellopontine cistern. The proposed approach reduces cervical flexion and optimizes the surgical angle of attack.CONCLUSIONSThe tonsillobiventral fissure approach is a feasible and effective option for exposing the LR. This approach has more favorable trajectories and positions for the patient and the surgeon, and it should be added to the armamentarium for lesions in this location.

Color Doppler ultrasound assessment for identifying perforator arteries of the second dorsal metacarpal flap

Purpose: The second dorsal metacarpal (SDMC) perforator flap has been widely used for the soft tissue reconstruction of the hand. However, it is difficult to identify the depth and branches of the perforators of the second dorsal metacarpal artery (SDMA) using only handheld acoustic Doppler flowmetry (HADF), which is the most common method. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of examination by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) with those of HADF and to evaluate the efficacy of CDU for detection of the perforators to be used in the design of the SDMC flap. Methods: Twenty-two healthy volunteers (42 hands) were examined using both CDU and HADF. All locations identified as the perforators of the SDMA by the two examinations were mapped respectively. Results: The total perforator arteries detected with CDU in all hands were 111 branches, 49 branches of which could not be identified with HADF. The average number of perforators of the SDMA per hand found with CDU was 2.8 branches, while that for HADF was only 1.8 branches. The detection rates of the cutaneous perforators of the SDMA by CDU were 100% in the proximal one-third of the second metacarpal and 95% in the distal one-fourth of the second metacarpal. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the superiority of CDU compared with HADF for detection of the perforators of the SDMA. The CDU examination could easily identify the locations of the cutaneous perforators and help in the useful assessment of vascularity for the SDMC flap.

Microsurgical management of a large ICA bifurcation aneurysm

A 70-year-old man with progressive visual disturbances, left superior quadrantanopsia, and right-sided papilledema underwent imaging that demonstrated a right internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus aneurysm with third-ventricle mass effect and ipsilateral optic nerve and chiasm compression. We performed a right modified orbitozygomatic craniotomy, with proximal control and dissection of the aneurysm and small perforator arteries. Temporary ICA and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) clips allowed placement of a large curved permanent clip, reconstructing the ICA bifurcation and maintaining adequate patency of the ACA and middle cerebral artery. Complete aneurysm obliteration was confirmed by intraoperative indocyanine green angiography and postoperative CT angiography.The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/5WEEgmA-g2A.