Blech, Benzion

External iliac vein stenosis related to cycling has rarely been reported as a cause of deep vein thrombosis. Ischemic stroke occurring in this condition due to paradoxical embolism across a preexisting patent foramen ovale (PFO) has yet to be reported. Here we report a case of embolic ischemic strokes in a young, avid cyclist with no prior known vascular risk factors. A thorough cerebrovascular workup revealed a right-to-left shunt on transesophageal echocardiogram that prompted venous thrombosis evaluation. Pelvic MR venogram demonstrated a 3.5 cm high-grade stenosis of the right external iliac vein, concerning for possible prior thrombotic disease. His strokes were deemed most likely a result of paradoxical emboli originating in the pelvis at the site of right external iliac vein stenosis. The patient ultimately opted for PFO closure for secondary stroke prevention, as he wished to continue daily cycling. This case highlights the importance of neurohospitalists considering iliac vein stenosis as a potential cause of embolic stroke of undetermined source, especially in young patients who are avid cyclists, as part of a thorough vascular workup.

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a vasculitic process that can cause neurological dysfunction in addition to characteristic sinus and pulmonary manifestations. This case report highlights the spectrum of nervous system manifestations and includes rarely reported autonomic and pituitary involvement. Case Report: A 62-year-old woman presented with orthostatic intolerance, tachycardia, dry mouth, and temperature sensitivity; subsequent autonomic reflex study demonstrated widespread postganglionic sympathetic sudomotor, cardiovagal, and cardiovascular adrenergic impairment reflective of autonomic neuropathy and overall autonomic failure. Additional progressive symptoms included dysarthria, dysphagia, bilateral hearing loss, voice hoarseness, and right-sided facial numbness with multiple cranial neuropathies identified on neurological examination. The diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus was also confirmed. Pachymeningitis was present on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Pathologic review of the dural biopsy specimen revealed necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis consistent with GPA. She was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and rituximab. Over the next 2 months, she had near-complete resolution of her symptoms with normalization on repeat autonomic testing. Conclusions: This is a unique GPA case presenting with autonomic failure and pituitary dysfunction with conclusive objective findings of autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction and other disease manifestations were responsive to immunosuppressive therapy.

Background: Noninvasive neuromodulation devices have been used for a variety of headache disorders, including cluster and migraine, since recently being cleared by the Federal Drug Administration. Although these devices have been touted as low-risk options for improved headache control, the data behind actual efficacy endpoints remain unclear. Objective: To critically assess current evidence regarding the efficacy of the noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) device for acute migraine management. Methods: The objective was addressed through the development of a structured critically appraised topic. This included a clinical scenario with a clinical question, literature search strategy, critical appraisal, results, evidence summary, commentary, and bottom line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, a medical librarian, clinical epidemiologists, and a content expert in the field of headache. Results: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial was selected for critical appraisal. In this trial, the primary endpoint (pain freedom at 120 min after use of nVNS for first acute migraine attack) was not met when compared with sham device (30.4% for nVNS vs. 19.7% for sham; P=0.067). However, there were statistically significant differences found for various secondary endpoints favoring nVNS, such as pain freedom rates at 30 and 60 minutes, pain relief at 120 minutes, and mean percentage pain score reduction rates at 60 and 120 minutes. Conclusions: When comparing nVNS with sham, no statistically significant differences were found with regards to the primary endpoint of pain freedom at 120 minutes, although differences were found with various secondary endpoints and post hoc analysis. nVNS is likely a safe alternative to medications.

Background: Telestroke can provide indispensable expert stroke care for rural hospitals. The Stroke Telemedicine for Arizona Rural Residents program was developed in 2006 by Mayo Clinic to provide stroke expertise across the region. However, little data currently exist to determine whether this telestroke program had an impact on accepted acute stroke care metrics, such as door-to-needle time. Hypothesis: Participation of spoke sites in a telestroke program improves stroke care over time, as defined by currently accepted metrics, such as door-to-needle time. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the telestroke database from Mayo Clinic Arizona between the years of 2011 to 2018. All patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, who underwent a telestroke consultation and received intravenous alteplase were included in the analysis. Univariate linear regression was performed to look for associations between variables and defined outcomes. Results: A total of 563 patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. Average last-known normal to needle times decreased across all telestroke participating spoke sites from 176 to 147 min, with univariate linear regression showing a trend of decreased time of 3.4 min per year, which was statistically significant (p = 0.0042). Average door-to-needle times decreased from 112 to 81 min, with univariate linear regression modeling showing a decreasing trend of 3.7 min per year (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Telestroke network participation may be associated with improved acute stroke care metrics over time, with the analysis illustrating improved last-known normal to needle and door-to-needle times among participating spoke sites.

Background: Telestroke care has become a vital feature of expert stroke care for rural hospitals in recent years. The Telemedicine for Arizona Rural Residents (STARR) program was developed in 2006 by the Mayo Clinic in Arizona in order to provide stroke expertise across the region. However, little data currently exists to determine efficacy of telestroke programs on accepted stroke care metrics, such as door-to-needle times. Hypothesis: Participation of spoke sites in a telestroke program improves stroke care over time, as defined by currently-accepted metrics, such as door-to-needle time. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the telestroke database from Mayo Clinic, Arizona, between the years of 2011 to 2018. Patients who received IV-tPA for an acute ischemic stroke were included in the analysis. Patients who did not have radiographic or clinical symptoms of an acute ischemic stroke, as well as those who did not receive IV-tPA, were excluded from the analysis. Univariate linear regression was performed to look for associations between variables and defined outcomes. Results: 565 patients were identified who received IV-tPA via telestroke consultation and met inclusion criteria between 2011 to 2018. Average last known normal (LKN) to needle time decreased across all sites from 176 minutes in 2011 to 147 minutes in 2018, with univariate linear regression showing a trend of decreased time averaging 3 minutes per year, which was statistically significant (p = 0.0084). Average door-to-needle times decreased from 112 minutes in 2011 to 81 minutes in 2018, with univariate linear regression modeling showing a decreasing trend of 3.5 minutes on average per year (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Telestroke participation may be associated with improved stroke care metrics over time, with our analysis illustrating improved LKN-to-needle and door-to-needle times among participating spoke sites.