Lancet neurology
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Spontaneous intracranial artery dissection is an uncommon and probably underdiagnosed cause of stroke that is defined by the occurrence of a haematoma in the wall of an intracranial artery. Patients can present with headache, ischaemic stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or symptoms associated with mass effect, mostly on the brainstem. Although intracranial artery dissection is less common than cervical artery dissection in adults of European ethnic origin, intracranial artery dissection is reportedly more common in children and in Asian populations. ⋯ Treatment of intracranial artery dissections is empirical in the absence of data from randomised controlled trials. Most patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage undergo surgical or endovascular treatment to prevent rebleeding, whereas patients with intracranial artery dissection and cerebral ischaemia are treated with antithrombotics. Prognosis seems worse in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage than in those without.
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New onset of sudden or progressive headache can have various causes, including disorders of intracranial pressure (ICP). Headache is the most common-and often the presenting-symptom of both intracranial hypertension and intracranial hypotension syndromes, which can be symptomatic or idiopathic. ⋯ To improve the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension, changes in the overall diagnostic strategy for headaches will be necessary in most care centres. Improved understanding of CSF physiology and the mechanisms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension will guide the development of new treatments.
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Status epilepticus is a common neurological emergency with considerable associated health-care costs, morbidity, and mortality. The definition of status epilepticus as a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures with incomplete return to baseline is under reconsideration in an effort to establish a more practical definition to guide management. ⋯ Status epilepticus is also increasingly identified in the inpatient setting as the use of extended electroencephalography monitoring becomes more commonplace. Substantial further research to enable early identification of status epilepticus and efficacy of anti-epileptic drugs will be important to improve outcomes.