Abstract Background and aims Intracranial artery calcification (IAC) is common and associated with increased stroke risk. Recent studies have identified two subtypes of intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC), intimal and internal elastic lamina (IEL) calcification. We investigated the association between IAC volume and morphology with TOAST stroke subtypes, extracranial carotid stenosis (ECS) and recurrent stroke risk. Methods We included patients with a diagnosis of TIA or ischemic stroke with non-cardioembolic etiology enrolled in the CONVINCE trial, who had baseline CT of sufficient quality. IAC volume was quantified on non-contrast CT using a threshold of 130 HU and categorized in tertiles. ICAC morphology was determined by histologically validated CT-based criteria. Associations with etiology according to TOAST and ≥ 50% ECS were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared tests and logistic regression. IAC volume as a predictor for recurrent stroke was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression adjusted for baseline characteristics. Results In a cohort of 519 patients, IAC was present in 475 (91.5%). Patients with large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) exhibited larger IAC volumes and more intimal dominant ICAC morphology compared with lacunar and cryptogenic aetiologies groups (table 1). With increasing IAC volume, the prevalence of ≥50% ECS was greater (P < 0.001; table 2). The highest IAC tertile had an increased risk of recurrent stroke compared with the lowest (aHR 2.56, 95% CI 1.12-5.84; figure 1). Conclusions Patients with TIA/ischaemic stroke due to LAA had higher IAC volumes and intimal dominant calcification compared with those with lacunar and cryptogenic aetiologies. Increased intracranial artery calcification burden is associated with risk of recurrent stroke. Conflict of interest Tim Cassidy should also be considered an author. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. Table 1 - belongs to Results Table 2 - belongs to Results Figure 1 - belongs to Conclusions

In patients with atherosclerosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA), stenosis grading is commonly performed using the NASCET (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial) method. Semi-automated software techniques for computed tomography angiography (CTA) offer alternative methods. We compared the NASCET method (based on the absolute minimal diameter) with three different stenosis measurements. We analysed 519 baseline CTA scans from patients in the CONVINCE (Colchicine for prevention of vascular inflammation in Non-CardioEmbolic stroke) trial. For each ICA, we calculated stenosis with semi-automated imaging software using four methods: absolute minimal diameter (NASCET method, dia[min]), area, effective diameter from area (dia[area]), and effective diameter from perimeter (dia[perim]). We assessed agreement using a weighted kappa statistic (κ), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis. We identified 579 atherosclerotic arteries in 360 patients. Within the clinically relevant 30-99

Background and ObjectivesDespite effective secondary prevention, including oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, the risk of recurrent stroke (RS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains substantial with an annualized risk of 3.2%-6.5% per year. The reasons for this high residual risk are unclear. There is growing need for improved risk prediction tools to identify patients at greatest risk of RS in AF and to find new therapeutic targets for secondary prevention. Our objective was to perform a systematic review to investigate the association of clinical factors and echocardiographic, blood, and neuroimaging biomarkers, with stroke recurrence after AF-related stroke.MethodsWe searched Embase/Ovid Medline until August 2023. Studies were included irrespective of OAC use. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled using random effects. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed.ResultsOf 5,427 records searched, 42 reports from 28 studies including 52,798 patients (5,046 RS events during follow-up) were identified. In addition to the CHA2DS2-Vasc score (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.30, per point) and its individual components, the clinical factors associated with recurrence were a qualifying stroke despite OAC (RR 1.55, 1.23-1.94 [vs OAC-na & iuml;ve]), sustained AF (RR 1.44, 1.19-1.75 [vs paroxysmal]), hyperlipidemia (RR 1.27, 1.05-1.53), chronic kidney disease (RR 1.86, 1.19-2.92), and malignancy (RR 4.36, 1.85-10.78). NIH Stroke Scale scores (RR 0.97, 0.95-0.99) and Asian ethnicity (RR 0.59, 0.36-0.97) were associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. Known AF was not associated with a higher risk of stroke compared with AF detected after stroke (RR 1.20, 0.93-1.55). Neuroimaging markers associated with RS included chronic lacunar (RR 1.91, 1.29-2.84) or embolic-appearing (RR 2.76, 1.32-5.77) infarcts and cerebral microbleeds (RR 1.29, 1.04-1.59). Echocardiographic markers included atrial size (RR 1.40, 1.12-1.75 per cm/m2), intracardiac thrombus (RR 1.99, 1.38-2.87), spontaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) echocardiographic contrast (RR 2.91, 1.21-6.17), or low LAA intensity variation (RR 2.81, 1.48-5.32). Data were limited for blood biomarkers.DiscussionWe identified several clinical factors associated with recurrence after AF-related stroke, with AF burden and stroke despite OAC of particular clinical relevance. Biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy, small vessel disease, or previous infarction were also associated with RS. Collaborative efforts are needed to identify and validate new risk factors and biomarkers of RS in AF.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Despite effective secondary prevention, including oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, the risk of recurrent stroke (RS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains substantial with an annualized risk of 3.2%-6.5% per year. The reasons for this high residual risk are unclear. There is growing need for improved risk prediction tools to identify patients at greatest risk of RS in AF and to find new therapeutic targets for secondary prevention. Our objective was to perform a systematic review to investigate the association of clinical factors and echocardiographic, blood, and neuroimaging biomarkers, with stroke recurrence after AF-related stroke. METHODS:We searched Embase/Ovid Medline until August 2023. Studies were included irrespective of OAC use. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled using random effects. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. RESULTS:Of 5,427 records searched, 42 reports from 28 studies including 52,798 patients (5,046 RS events during follow-up) were identified. In addition to the CHA2DS2-Vasc score (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.30, per point) and its individual components, the clinical factors associated with recurrence were a qualifying stroke despite OAC (RR 1.55, 1.23-1.94 [vs OAC-naïve]), sustained AF (RR 1.44, 1.19-1.75 [vs paroxysmal]), hyperlipidemia (RR 1.27, 1.05-1.53), chronic kidney disease (RR 1.86, 1.19-2.92), and malignancy (RR 4.36, 1.85-10.78). NIH Stroke Scale scores (RR 0.97, 0.95-0.99) and Asian ethnicity (RR 0.59, 0.36-0.97) were associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. Known AF was not associated with a higher risk of stroke compared with AF detected after stroke (RR 1.20, 0.93-1.55). Neuroimaging markers associated with RS included chronic lacunar (RR 1.91, 1.29-2.84) or embolic-appearing (RR 2.76, 1.32-5.77) infarcts and cerebral microbleeds (RR 1.29, 1.04-1.59). Echocardiographic markers included atrial size (RR 1.40, 1.12-1.75 per cm/m2), intracardiac thrombus (RR 1.99, 1.38-2.87), spontaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) echocardiographic contrast (RR 2.91, 1.21-6.17), or low LAA intensity variation (RR 2.81, 1.48-5.32). Data were limited for blood biomarkers. DISCUSSION:We identified several clinical factors associated with recurrence after AF-related stroke, with AF burden and stroke despite OAC of particular clinical relevance. Biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy, small vessel disease, or previous infarction were also associated with RS. Collaborative efforts are needed to identify and validate new risk factors and biomarkers of RS in AF.

Background Anti-inflammatory therapy with long-term colchicine prevented vascular recurrence in coronary disease. Unlike coronary disease, which is typically caused by atherosclerosis, ischaemic stroke is caused by diverse mechanisms including atherosclerosis and small vessel disease or is frequently due to an unknown cause. We aimed to investigate the hypothesis that long-term colchicine would reduce recurrent events after ischaemic stroke. Methods We did a randomised, parallel-group, open-label, blinded endpoint assessed trial comparing long-term colchicine (05 mg orally per day) plus guideline-based usual care with usual care only. Hospital-based patients with non-severe, non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or high-risk transient ischaemic attack were eligible. The primary endpoint was a composite of first fatal or non-fatal recurrent ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or hospitalisation (defined as an admission to an inpatient unit or a visit to an emergency department that resulted in at least a 24 h stay [or a change in calendar date if the hospital admission or discharge times were not available]) for unstable angina. The p value for significance was 0048 to adjust for two prespecified interim analyses conducted by the data monitoring committee, for which the steering committee and trial investigators remained blinded. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02898610) and is completed. Findings 3154 patients were randomly assigned between Dec 19, 2016, and Nov 21, 2022, with the last follow-up on Jan 31, 2024. The trial finished before the anticipated number of outcomes was accrued (367 outcomes planned) due to budget constraints attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten patients withdrew consent for analysis of their data, leaving 3144 patients in the intention-to-treat analysis: 1569 (colchicine and usual care) and 1575 (usual care alone). A primary endpoint occurred in 338 patients, 153 (98%) of 1569 patients allocated to colchicine and usual care and 185 (117%) of 1575 patients allocated to usual care alone (incidence rates 332 vs 392 per 100 person-years, hazard ratio 084; 95% CI 068-105, p=012). Although no between-group difference in C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed at baseline, patients treated with colchicine had lower CRP at 28 days and at 1, 2, and 3 years (p<005 for all timepoints). The rates of serious adverse events were similar in both groups. Interpretation Although no statistically significant benefit was observed on the primary intention-to-treat analysis, the findings provide new evidence supporting the rationale for anti-inflammatory therapy in further randomised trials. Copyright (c) 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous(SS-CNS) is a rare condition caused by haemosiderin deposition along the subpial surfaces of the brain and spinal cord secondary to chronic bleeding in the subarachnoid space. We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with SS-CNS secondary to trauma from previous spinal surgery and which mimicked motor neurone disease.

Background: The Oxford Carotid Stenosis tool (OCST) and Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS) are validated to predict recurrent stroke in patients with and without carotid stenosis. The Symptomatic Carotid Atheroma Inflammation Lumen stenosis (SCAIL) score combines stenosis and plaque inflammation on fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET). We compared SCAIL with OCST and ESRS to predict ipsilateral stroke recurrence in symptomatic carotid stenosis. Patients and methods: We pooled three prospective cohort studies of patients with recent (<30 days) non-severe ischaemic stroke/TIA and internal carotid artery stenosis (>50%). All patients had carotid (18)FDG-PET/CT angiography and late follow-up, with censoring at carotid revascularisation. Results: Of 212 included patients, 16 post-PET ipsilateral recurrent strokes occurred in 343 patient-years follow-up (median 42 days (IQR 13-815)). Baseline SCAIL predicted recurrent stroke (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.96, CI 1.20-3.22, p = 0.007, adjusted HR 2.37, CI 1.31-4.29, p = 0.004). The HR for OCST was 0.996 (CI 0.987-1.006, p = 0.49) and for ESRS was 1.26 (CI 0.87-1.82, p = 0.23) (all per 1-point score increase). C-statistics were: SCAIL 0.66 (CI 0.51-0.80), OCST 0.52 (CI 0.400.64), ESRS 0.61 (CI 0.48-0.74). Compared with ESRS, addition of plaque inflammation (SUVmax) to ESRS improved risk prediction when analysed continuously (HR 1.51, CI 1.05-2.16, p = 0.03) and categorically (p(trend) = 0.005 for risk increase across groups; HR 3.31, CI 1.42-7.72, p = 0.006; net reclassification improvement 10%). Findings were unchanged by further addition of carotid stenosis. Conclusions: SCAIL predicted recurrent stroke, had discrimination better than chance, and improved the prognostic utility of ESRS, suggesting that measuring plaque inflammation may improve risk stratification in carotid stenosis.

The early clinical features of corticobasal syndrome (CBS) may include limb myoclonus, occurring in approximately 15%. 1 Isolated lingual dystonia was recently reported as a new clinical feature her-alding early CBS, 2 and lingual dyskinesia is also a recognized phenomenon in CBS. 3 Here, we add a case with isolated lingual and facial myoclonus that we hypothesize as a potential sole initial manifestation of CBS for more than 3 years before other features emerged

Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is a monogenic disorder which causes disabling neurological symptoms. Similarly, multiple sclerosis (MS) may result in disability, but in contrast, is diagnosed without genetic testing. Clinicians are advised to exercise caution in diagnosing MS in the presence of a pre-existing genetic disorder, as it may be a potential 'red flag'. A dual diagnosis of MS and TS has not previously been reported in the literature. We provide two cases of known cases of TS who presented with new neurological symptoms and associated physical signs compatible with a dual diagnosis of TS/MS.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common causes of viral encephalitis. Hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction has rarely been reported in HSV encephalitis, with few reports into the longer term outcomes for these patients. A 46-year-old male presented with a 10-day history of delirium, fever, and polydipsia. Initial computed tomography of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid cell counts were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed T2-hyperintensity affecting bilateral infundibuli, hypothalami, subthalamic nuclei, and optic radiations. Serial cerebrospinal fluid detected HSV1 DNA and we diagnosed him with HSV diencephalitis. He had marked biochemical abnormalities from the outset, with dramatic changes in serum sodium levels. He was ultimately diagnosed with permanent central diabetes insipidus and panhypopituitarism following evidence of central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, and a flat cortisol response to an insulin tolerance test. Neurocognitive recovery took several months, but subtle deficits in executive function and information processing remain. Hypothalamic hyperphagia developed as well as temperature dysregulation. He requires lifelong hormonal replacement and is undergoing regular endocrine follow up. This case highlights hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction as a rare endocrine complication of HSV diencephalitis and illustrates the complexity of managing this in the long term.

Background and Objectives In pooled analyses of endarterectomy trials for symptomatic carotid stenosis, several subgroups experienced no net benefit from revascularization. The validated symptomatic carotid atheroma inflammation lumen-stenosis (SCAIL) score includes stenosis severity and inflammation measured by PET and improves the identification of patients with recurrent stroke compared with lumen-stenosis alone. We investigated whether the SCAIL score improves the identification of recurrent stroke in subgroups with uncertain benefit from revascularization in endarterectomy trials. Methods We did an individual-participant data pooled analysis of 3 prospective cohort studies (Dublin Carotid Atherosclerosis Study [DUCASS], 2008-2011; Biomarkers and Imaging of Vulnerable Atherosclerosis in Symptomatic Carotid Artery Disease [BIOVASC], 2014-2018; Barcelona Plaque Study, 2015-2018). Eligible patients had a recent nonsevere (modified Rankin Scale score <= 3) anterior circulation ischemic stroke/TIA and ipsilateral mild carotid stenosis (<50%); ipsilateral moderate carotid stenosis (50%-69%) plus at least 1 of female sex, age <65 years, diabetes mellitus, TIA, or delay >14 days to revascularization; or monocular loss of vision. Patients underwent coregistered carotid F-18-fluorodeoxyglucosePET/CT angiography (<= 7 days from inclusion). The primary outcome was 90-day ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Multivariable Cox regression modeling was performed. Results We included 135 patients. All patients started optimal modern-era medical treatment at admission, and 62 (45.9%) underwent carotid revascularization (36 within the first 14 days and 26 beyond). At 90 days, 18 (13.3%) patients had experienced at least 1 stroke recurrence. The risk of recurrence increased progressively according to the SCAIL score (0.0% in patients scoring 0-1, 15.1% scoring 2-3, and 26.7% scoring 4-5; p = 0.04). The adjusted (age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, carotid revascularization, antiplatelets and statins) hazard ratio for ipsilateral recurrent stroke per 1-point SCAIL increase was 2.16 (95% CI 1.32-3.53; p = 0.002). A score >= 2 had a sensitivity of 100% for recurrence. Discussion The SCAIL score improved the identification of early recurrent stroke in subgroups who did not experience benefit in endarterectomy trials. Randomized trials are needed to test whether a combined stenosis-inflammation strategy will improve selection for carotid revascularization when benefit is currently uncertain. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that, in patients with recent anterior circulation ischemic stroke who do not benefit from carotid revascularization, the SCAIL score accurately distinguishes those at risk for recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke.

Background and Objectives To determine whether carotid plaque inflammation identified by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG)-PET is associated with late (5-year) recurrent stroke. Methods We did an individual-participant data pooled analysis of 3 prospective studies with near-identical study methods. Eligible patients had recent nonsevere (modified Rankin Scale score ≤3) ischemic stroke/TIA and ipsilateral carotid stenosis (50%–99%). Participants underwent carotid 18FDG-PET/CT angiography ≤14 days after recruitment. 18FDG uptake was expressed as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the axial single hottest slice of symptomatic plaque. We calculated the previously validated Symptomatic Carotid Atheroma Inflammation Lumen-Stenosis (SCAIL) score, which incorporates a measure of stenosis severity and 18FDG uptake. The primary outcome was 5-year recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke after PET imaging. Results Of 183 eligible patients, 181 patients completed follow-up (98.9%). The median duration of follow-up was 4.9 years (interquartile range 3.3–6.4 years, cumulative follow-up period 901.8 patient-years). After PET imaging, 17 patients had a recurrent ipsilateral ischemic strokes at 5 years (recurrence rate 9.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6%–14.6%). Baseline plaque SUVmax independently predicted 5-year ipsilateral recurrent stroke after adjustment for age, sex, carotid revascularization, stenosis severity, NIH Stroke Scale score, and diabetes mellitus (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.98, 95% CI 1.10–3.56, p = 0.02 per 1–g/mL increase in SUVmax). On multivariable Cox regression, SCAIL score predicted 5-year ipsilateral stroke (adjusted HR 2.73 per 1-point increase, 95% CI 1.52–4.90, p = 0.001). Discussion Plaque inflammation–related 18FDG uptake improved identification of 5-year recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Addition of plaque inflammation to current selection strategies may target patients most likely to have late and early benefit from carotid revascularization. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class I evidence that in individuals with recent ischemic stroke/TIA and ipsilateral carotid stenosis, carotid plaque inflammation–related 18FDG uptake on PET/CT angiography was associated with 5-year recurrent ipsilateral stroke.

Background and Purpose— In randomized trials of symptomatic carotid endarterectomy, only modest benefit occurred in patients with moderate stenosis and important subgroups experienced no benefit. Carotid plaque 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography, reflecting inflammation, independently predicts recurrent stroke. We investigated if a risk score combining stenosis and plaque 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose would improve the identification of early recurrent stroke. Methods— We derived the score in a prospective cohort study of recent (<30 days) non-severe (modified Rankin Scale score ≤3) stroke/transient ischemic attack. We derived the SCAIL (symptomatic carotid atheroma inflammation lumen-stenosis) score (range, 0–5) including 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose standardized uptake values (SUV max <2 g/mL, 0 points; SUV max 2–2.99 g/mL, 1 point; SUV max 3–3.99 g/mL, 2 points; SUV max ≥4 g/mL, 3 points) and stenosis (<50%, 0 points; 50%–69%, 1 point; ≥70%, 2 points). We validated the score in an independent pooled cohort of 2 studies. In the pooled cohorts, we investigated the SCAIL score to discriminate recurrent stroke after the index stroke/transient ischemic attack, after positron emission tomography-imaging, and in mild or moderate stenosis. Results— In the derivation cohort (109 patients), recurrent stroke risk increased with increasing SCAIL score ( P =0.002, C statistic 0.71 [95% CI, 0.56–0.86]). The adjusted (age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, antiplatelets, and statins) hazard ratio per 1-point SCAIL increase was 2.4 (95% CI, 1.2–4.5, P =0.01). Findings were confirmed in the validation cohort (87 patients, adjusted hazard ratio, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.9–5], P <0.001; C statistic 0.77 [95% CI, 0.67–0.87]). The SCAIL score independently predicted recurrent stroke after positron emission tomography-imaging (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.52 [95% CI, 1.58–12.93], P =0.005). Compared with stenosis severity (C statistic, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.46–0.80]), prediction of post-positron emission tomography stroke recurrence was improved with the SCAIL score (C statistic, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.66–0.97], P =0.04). Findings were confirmed in mild or moderate stenosis (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.74 [95% CI, 1.39–5.39], P =0.004). Conclusions— The SCAIL score improved the identification of early recurrent stroke. Randomized trials are needed to test if a combined stenosis-inflammation strategy improves selection for carotid revascularization where benefit is currently uncertain.

Cerebrovascular pathologies occur in up to 80% of cases of Alzheimer's disease; however, the underlying mechanisms that lead to perivascular pathology and accompanying blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption are still not fully understood. We have identified previously unreported mutations in colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) in an ultra-rare autosomal dominant condition termed adult-onset leucoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP). Cerebrovascular pathologies such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and perivascular p-Tau were some of the primary neuropathological features of this condition. We have identified two families with different dominant acting alleles with variants located in the kinase region of the CSF-1R gene, which confer a lack of kinase activity and signalling. The protein product of this gene acts as the receptor for 2 cognate ligands, namely colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and interleukin-34 (IL-34). Here, we show that depletion in CSF-1R signalling induces BBB disruption and decreases the phagocytic capacity of peripheral macrophages but not microglia. CSF-1R signalling appears to be critical for macrophage and microglial activation, and macrophage localisation to amyloid appears reduced following the induction of Csf-1r heterozygosity in macrophages. Finally, we show that endothelial/microglial crosstalk and concomitant attenuation of CSF-1R signalling causes re-modelling of BBB-associated tight junctions and suggest that regulating BBB integrity and systemic macrophage recruitment to the brain may be therapeutically relevant in ALSP and other Alzheimer's-like dementias.

Rottach and colleagues [ 11 have recently published an electro-oculographic analysis focusing particularly on dynamic properties of horizontal, vertical, and especially oblique eye movements in patients with a variety of parkinsonian syndromes. One novel observation was disproportionate hypometria of vertical compared with horizontal saccades, most marked in patients with pure akinesia (PA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), producing a curved course of oblique saccades. I have observed a similar abnormality at the bedside in several patients in the early stages of PSP, which, for the want of a better term, I call the “round the houses” sign. Thus, at a stage when full vertical excursions are still present, some PSP patients display an inability to produce pure vertical saccades along a straight line in the midline. Instead, they can only accomplish vertical saccades by moving their eyes in a lateral arc. This bedside sign may be useful as an additional clinical sign in the early diagnosis of PSP.

There are no previously published reports regarding the epidemiology and characteristics of moyamoya disease or syndrome in Ireland. To examine patient demographics, mode of presentation and the outcomes of extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery in the treatment of moyamoya disease and syndrome in Ireland. All patients with moyamoya disease and syndrome referred to the National Neurosurgical Centre during January 2012–January 2019 were identified through a prospective database. Demographics, clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical procedures, postoperative complications and any strokes during follow-up were recorded. Twenty-one patients were identified. Sixteen underwent surgery. Median age at diagnosis was 19 years. Fifteen were female. Mode of presentation was ischaemic stroke in nine, haemodynamic TIAs in eight, haemorrhage in three and incidental in one. Sixteen patients had Moyamoya disease, whereas five patients had moyamoya syndrome. Surgery was performed on 19 hemispheres in 16 patients. The surgical procedures consisted of ten direct (STA-MCA) bypasses, five indirect bypasses and four multiple burr holes. Postoperative complications included ischaemic stroke in one patient and subdural haematoma in one patient. The median follow-up period in the surgical group was 52 months; there was one new stroke during this period. Two patients required further revascularisation following recurrent TIAs. One patient died during follow-up secondary to tumour progression associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Moyamoya is rare but occurs in Caucasians in Ireland. It most commonly presents with ischaemic symptoms. Surgical intervention in the form of direct and indirect bypass is an effective treatment in the majority of cases.

PurposeInflammation is important in stroke. Anti-inflammatory therapy reduces vascular events in coronary patients. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) identifies plaque inflammation-related metabolism. However, long-term prospective cohort studies investigating the association between carotid plaque inflammation, identified on 18F-FDG PET and the risk of recurrent vascular events, have not yet been undertaken in patients with stroke.ParticipantsThe Biomarkers Imaging Vulnerable Atherosclerosis in Symptomatic Carotid disease (BIOVASC) study and Dublin Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (DUCASS) are two prospective multicentred observational cohort studies, employing near-identical methodologies, which recruited 285 patients between 2008 and 2016 with non-severe stroke/transient ischaemic attack and ipsilateral carotid stenosis (50%–99%). Patients underwent coregistered carotid 18F-FDG PET/CT angiography and phlebotomy for measurement of inflammatory cytokines. Plaque 18F-FDG-uptake is expressed as maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) and tissue-to-background ratio. The BIOVASC-Late study is a follow-up study (median 7 years) of patients recruited to the DUCASS/BIOVASC cohorts.Findings to dateWe have reported that 18F-FDG-uptake in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis predicts early recurrent stroke, independent of luminal narrowing. The incorporation of 18F-FDG plaque uptake into a clinical prediction model also improves discrimination of early recurrent stroke, when compared with risk stratification by luminal stenosis alone. However, the relationship between 18F-FDG-uptake and late vascular events has not been investigated to date.Future plansThe primary aim of BIOVASC-Late is to investigate the association between SUVmax in symptomatic ‘culprit’ carotid plaque (as a marker of systemic inflammatory atherosclerosis) and the composite outcome of any late major vascular event (recurrent ischaemic stroke, coronary event or vascular death). Secondary aims are to investigate associations between: (1) SUVmax in symptomatic plaque, and individual vascular endpoints (2) SUVmax in asymptomatic contralateral carotid plaque and SUVmax in ipsilateral symptomatic plaque (3) SUVmax in asymptomatic carotid plaque and major vascular events (4) inflammatory cytokines and vascular events.

Background and Purpose- Focal cerebral arteriopathy is monophasic inflammatory stenosis of the distal internal carotid artery or the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery. It is one of the most common causes of acute arterial ischemic stroke in young children but is a less familiar entity for adult neurologists. Methods- We retrospectively reviewed stroke service radiology records at a tertiary referral center from January 2013 to December 2014. Focal cerebral arteriopathy was defined as nonprogressive unifocal and unilateral stenosis/irregularity of the distal internal carotid artery or its proximal branches. Only patients aged 16 to 55 years with stroke were included. Results- There were 5 cases of focal cerebral arteriopathy: 2 males and 3 females. Three cases were from the cohort of 123 acute presentations of young stroke, and 2 cases were outpatient referrals. The mean age (range) was 43 (32-55) years. The majority presented with recurrent transient ischemic attacks/minor strokes within a single vascular territory over days to weeks. All cases had characteristic radiological features. Interval imaging demonstrated resolution in 1 case and improvement in 3 cases. Functional outcome was excellent with discharge modified Rankin Scale score ranging from 0 to 1. Recurrence occurred in 1 case. Conclusions- Focal cerebral arteriopathy is a rare cause of arterial ischemic stroke in young adults. Follow-up intracranial imaging is essential to differentiate from progressive arteriopathies. Evidence-based treatment warrants further investigation. Prognosis is favorable.