Plasma thrombopoietin levels in Sebastian platelet syndrome.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
S Nakano
Publications and source records attributed to S Nakano.
The effect of pregnancy on cytochrome P4501A2, xanthine oxidase, and N-acetyltransferase activities in humans.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the activity of cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2), xanthine oxidase (XO), and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) from early to late pregnancy and after delivery. METHODS: Twelve women were studied on three occasions during pregnancy (early, 8-16 weeks' gestation; middle, 20-28 weeks' gestation; and late, 32-39 weeks' gestation) and about 1 month after delivery. Caffeine was used as a metabolic probe. After the women ingested a can or a bottle of caffeine-containing soft drink, urine samples were collected for 12 hours. The caffeine metabolites measured were 5-acetylamino-6-amino-3-methyluracil (AAMU), 1-methylxanthine (1X), 1-methyl-uric acid (1U), 1,7-dimethyl-uric acid (17U), and 1,7-dimethylxanthine (17X). The hepatic enzyme activities were estimated by the urinary caffeine metabolic ratios as follows: CYP1A2 = (AAMU + 1X + 1U)/17U; XO = 1U/(1X + 1U); NAT2 = AAMU/(AAMU + 1X + 1U). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in CYP1A2 (P < .0001) and NAT2 (P < .01). The mean metabolic ratios for CYP1A2 during pregnancy (6.80, 5.18, and 4.97 for the early phase, middle phase, and late phase, respectively) were significantly lower than the ratio after delivery (10.39). The mean metabolic ratio for NAT2 in the early phase (0.57) was significantly lower than after delivery (0.66). There was no significant difference in metabolic ratios for XO during pregnancy and after delivery. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that pregnancy influences CYP1A2 and NAT2 activity. CYP1A2 activity decreases not only in late pregnancy but also in early and middle pregnancy.
Adult↗
Number of lymph node metastases determined by presurgical ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound is related to prognosis in patients with esophageal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact on prognosis of the number of lymph node metastases detected by ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound in patients with esophageal carcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound are useful for diagnosing tumor depth and lymph node metastasis in patients with esophageal carcinoma. However, the clinical significance of the number of lymph node metastases before surgery has not been elucidated. METHODS: The authors evaluated lymph node metastases using preoperative ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound in 329 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy. TNM classification and one-to-one comparison of lymph node metastasis was performed between the preoperative and histologic diagnosis. The number of lymph node metastases was subdivided into four groups: zero, one to three, four to seven, and eight or more. RESULTS: The accuracy of preoperative ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis exceeded 70% in each category of TNM classification. The incidence of lymph node metastasis determined by preoperative and histologic diagnosis was 69.0% (234/339) and 59.3% (201/339), respectively. The correlation between preoperative and histologic diagnosis was significant (P <.0001). According to the subdivision of number of lymph node metastases, the accuracy rates associated with nodal involvement of zero, one to three, four to seven, and eight or more were 83.8%, 59.7%, 43.3%, and 96.0%, respectively. The clinical outcome between ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis and histologic diagnosis in stage grouping was almost similar. The 5-year survival rates of patients with zero, one to three, four to seven, and eight or more lymph node metastases determined by ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound were 53.3%, 33.8% 17.0%, and 0%, respectively. The differences among groups were statistically significant. The survival curves associated with preoperative and histologic diagnosis were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Not only the stage grouping of TNM classification but also the number of lymph node metastases determined by ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound before surgery may be useful for predicting prognosis in patients with esophageal carcinoma.
Adult↗
Celiprolol stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and improves myocardial remodeling in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats.
OBJECTIVE: Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is attenuated in humans and experimental hypertension models, and this phenomenon may be largely due to decreased release or activity of nitric oxide (NO). However, very few studies have evaluated whether beta-adrenoceptor antagonists increase endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression in the left ventricle. We examined the effects of long-term treatment with celiprolol, a specific beta1-antagonist with a weak beta2-agonist action, on eNOS expression in the left ventricle and evaluated its relationship to myocardial remodeling in the left ventricle of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. METHODS: DOCA-salt rats (n = 18) were induced with weekly injections of DOCA (30 mg/kg) and 1% saline in their drinking water after right nephrectomy. Celiprolol (DOCA-CEL, n = 9, 10 mg/kg per day, subdepressor dose) or a vehicle (DOCA-V, n = 9) were given after induction of DOCA-salt hypertension for 5 weeks, and age-matched sham-operated rats (ShC, n = 9) served as a control group. RESULTS: Blood pressure levels in DOCA-V and DOCA-CEL were similar and significantly higher than that in ShC. The eNOS mRNA and protein levels, and NOS activity in the left ventricle significantly decreased in DOCA-V compared with ShC, and significantly increased in DOCA-CEL compared with DOCA-V. DOCA-V showed a significant increase in the wall-to-lumen ratio, perivascular fibrosis, myocardial fibrosis, and type I collagen mRNA, with all these parameters being significantly improved by celiprolol. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial remodeling of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats was significantly ameliorated by subdepressor doses of celiprolol, which may be due to increased eNOS expression in the left ventricle.
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
Altered cytokine response in rat acute pancreatitis complicated with endotoxemia.
We demonstrated that the dynamic aspects of cytokine production in rat acute pancreatitis, which was induced by cerulein and aggravated by subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. A priming effect by induction of mild pancreatitis with cerulein enhanced the subsequent cytokine production by LPS injection. Alternatively, after induction of severe pancreatitis with cerulein and LPS, cytokine production was markedly suppressed for > or = 90 hours. Production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by splenocytes decreased, and mortality rate after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) increased significantly after induction of severe acute pancreatitis. These results suggest that the suppression of a cytokine response in severe acute pancreatitis may alter the defense system and, as a result, increase mortality after CLP.
Acute Disease↗
Interferon responsiveness in patients infected with hepatitis C virus 1b differs depending on viral subtype.
BACKGROUND: Genotype 1b of hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprises mainly three subtypes, each named for its geographic prevalence (worldwide, W; Japan, J; and not in Japan, NJ). AIM: To characterise the newly identified subtypes of genotype 1b and to review factors associated with response to interferon (IFN) for each subtype. PATIENTS: Chronic hepatitis patients (80 men and 41 women; mean age 48.5 years, range 20.7--69.3) with HCV genotype 1b (W type, n=41; J type, n=38) or genotype 2a (n=42) were treated according to the same IFN protocol. Forty four patients (36.4%) negative for serum HCV RNA six months after cessation of treatment were considered complete responders. METHODS: Factors associated with complete response were investigated. RESULTS: Genotype 2a patients had lower viral loads (odds ratio 0.11 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.049--0.256)) and a better IFN response (odds ratio 0.25 (95% CI 0.117--0.552)) than genotype 1b patients whereas W type and J type patients had similar viral loads and responses to IFN. IFN response in W type patients was associated with female sex (odds ratio 0.23 (95% CI 0.055--0.983)) and low viral load (odds ratio 84.00 (95% CI 14.04--502.6)) whereas response in J type patients was related to transfusion history (odds ratio 7.20 (95% CI 1.443--35.91)), low viral load (odds ratio 117.0 (95% CI 17.82--768.3)), and genetic mutation in the interferon sensitivity determining region of the virus (odds ratio 0.08 (95% CI 0.013--0.553)). Multivariate analysis found low viral load (odds ratio 64.19 (95% CI 14.66--281.06)) to be the only significant independent factor associated with IFN response. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with IFN responsiveness in HCV infection differ with viral subtype.
Adult↗
Effect of the dose and duration of interferon-alpha therapy on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic patients with a nonsustained response to interferon for chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of dose and duration of treatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after IFN treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: A total of 291 noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C without hepatitis B virus coinfection in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) was not eradicated by IFN-alpha therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of HCC after IFN therapy was compared according to the total dose or duration of treatment. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 6-117 months after the end of IFN treatment. The duration of IFN treatment (< or =24 vs. >24 weeks) had no effect on the incidence of HCC. However, the incidence of HCC was significantly lower in patients who received >500 million units of IFN as a total dose than in patients who received < or =500 million units of IFN (p = 0.0480), and the total dose of IFN (>500 million units) was an independent factor affecting the incidence of HCC (p = 0.0405). In addition, when focusing on patients whose histology was F2 or F3 before IFN treatment, the suppressive effect of the total dose of IFN (>500 million units) was emphasized (p = 0.0049 in generalized Wilcoxon test and p = 0.0178 in multivariate analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C should receive more than 500 million units of IFN when IFN is used to decrease the incidence of subsequent HCC.
Adolescent↗
Parenchymal hyperdensity on computed tomography after intra-arterial reperfusion therapy for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion: incidence and clinical significance.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence and clinical significance of the intraparenchymal hyperdense areas on the posttherapeutic CT scan just after intra-arterial reperfusion therapy. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion were studied prospectively with post-therapeutic CT. Hyperdense areas were classified into three groups: those in the lentiform nucleus, insular cortex and cerebral cortex. We investigated the incidence of hyperdense areas and hemorrhagic transformations and assessed whether location of hyperdense areas may play a role in the incidence of hemorrhagic transformations. We also evaluated correlation between early CT signs and hyperdense areas. RESULTS: Forty-five hyperdense areas were seen in 37 of the 77 patients (48.1%): 19 of the 45 (42.2%) were confirmed to be hematomas themselves, 6 (13.4%) showed later conversion to petechial hemorrhages, and 20 (44.4%) showed rapid disappearance without hemorrhagic transformations. Eleven of the 37 patients (29.7%) had neurological worsening due to massive hematoma (symptomatic hemorrhage), whereas none of the 40 patients without hyperdense areas had symptomatic hemorrhage. The incidence of hemorrhage among hyperdense areas was significantly lower in the insular cortex than in the other 2 regions (P<0.01). On the other hand, hyperdense areas in the lentiform nucleus had a significantly higher incidence of neurological worsening (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between early CT signs and hyperdense areas (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of hyperdense areas was a significant risk factor for severe hemorrhagic transformations, although only 29.7% of patients with hyperdense areas had symptomatic hemorrhage. On the contrary, the absence of hyperdense areas was a reliable negative predictor for symptomatic hemorrhage.
Acute Disease↗
Apoptosis induced by doxorubicin and cinchonine in P388 multidrug-resistant cells.
Acquired drug resistance is a major factor in the failure of doxorubicin-based cancer chemotherapy. We determined the ability of cinchonine to reverse doxorubicin drug resistance in a doxorubicin-resistant leukaemia cell line (mouse P388/DOX). A non-cytotoxic concentration of cinchonine (10 microM) increased the sensitivity to doxorubicin of multidrug-resistant P388/DOX cells and significantly enhanced the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in resistant cells, but had no effect in parent cells. Time-course studies demonstrated that DNA fragmentation was present 24 h after incubation with doxorubicin and cinchonine, indicating that DNA degradation was a preceding event. In cultured cells, cinchonine increased the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in the resistant cells in a dose-dependent manner. Using flow cytometry to measure the inhibition of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) dependent efflux of rhodamine 123, cinchonine was found to be considerably more effective than quinine. The results with cinchonine suggest that there may be quinine derivatives with a similar capacity to inhibit drug transport by P-gp. Additionally, the G2/M phase cell population in resistant cells is increased by doxorubicin/cinchonine treatment. Exposure of resistant cells to 1 microM doxorubicin and 10 microM cinchonine resulted in the expression of Fas (APO-1/CD95) in cells after 6 h. These studies demonstrate that the cell killing effects of doxorubicin and cinchonine in resistant cells
Animals↗
Mechanism of resistance to oxidative stress in doxorubicin resistant cells.
Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline drug widely used in chemotherapy for cancer patients, but it often gives rise to multidrug resistance in cancer cells. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of hydrogen peroxide in DOX-sensitive mouse P388/S leukemia cells and in the DOX-resistant cell line. Hydrogen peroxide induced a significant increase in dose- and time-response cell death in cultured P388/S cells. The degree of cell death in P388/DOX cells induced by hydrogen peroxide was less than that in P388/S cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. Parent cells exposed to 3 mM of hydrogen peroxide showed a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential correlated with cell death. Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration greater than 0.3 mM increased the intracellular Ca2+ of P388/S cells dose-dependently; however, no change following addition of hydrogen peroxide (0.3-1 mM) was observed in the resistant cells. Hydrogen peroxide (0.1 and 1 mM) treatment also induced the production of intracellular ROS in P388/S cells, while no such increase was produced by this substance in P388/DOX cells. Resistant cells also showed a significant level of glutathione (GSH) compared with the parent cells. In addition, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and reduced GSH antioxidants abolished death of P388/S cells caused by hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, it is believed that the reduced effect of oxidative stress towards the resistant cells may be related to an increase in intracellular GSH level.
Animals↗
New sterols and triterpenoids from four edible mushrooms.
Four edible mushrooms, Panellus serotinus, Lepista nuda, Tricholoma matsutake and Naematoloma sublateritium, have been investigated chemically. Two new sterols, 5alpha,9alpha-epidioxy-(22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,6alpha-diol (1) and 5alpha,9alpha-epidioxy-(22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,6beta-diol (2), have been isolated from Panellus serotinus. Compound 2 was also isolated from Lepista nuda. A new sterol, 3beta,5alpha,9alpha,14beta-tetrahydroxy-(22E)-ergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (3), and compound 2 have been isolated from Tricholoma matsutake. Three new triterpenoids, sublateriols A-C (4-6), have been isolated from Naematoloma sublateritium. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data.
Agaricales↗
Benidipine inhibits expression of ET-1 and TGF-beta1 in Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.
Endothelin and growth factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 are important regulators of the cardiovascular system. Although increased production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and TGF-beta1 have been reported in left ventricular hypertrophy, the detailed roles of these substances in hypertrophy remain to be determined. To elucidate the cardioprotective effects of calcium antagonists in left ventricular hypertrophy, we evaluated the effects of long-term treatment with benidipine, a long-acting calcium antagonist, on preproET-1, ET(A) receptor (ETAR) and TGF-beta1 expression in the left ventricle and evaluated the relations between these effects and myocardial remodeling in Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive (DS) rats fed a high-salt diet. After 5 weeks of feeding an 8% NaCl diet to 6-week-old DS rats (i.e., at 11 weeks of age), a distinct stage of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (DSLVH) was noted. Benidipine (DSLVH-B group, n= 8; 1 mg/kg/day, subdepressor dose) or vehicle (DSLVH-V group, n=8) was administered to 6-week-old DS rats for 5 weeks, or until the onset of DSLVH stage, and age-matched (11-week-old) Dahl salt-resistant rats fed the same diet served as a control group (DR-C, n=8). Blood pressure was similar between the DSLVH-B and DSLVH-V groups, but was significantly lower in DR-C rats. The preproET-1, ETAR and TGF-beta1 expressions in the left ventricle were significantly higher in DSLVH-V than in DR-C rats, and significantly lower in DSLVH-B than in DSLVH-V. Benidipine administration resulted in significant improvements in the wall-to-lumen ratio and perivascular fibrosis in the coronary arterioles, and in myocardial fibrosis. We therefore concluded that myocardial remodeling and left ventricular hypertrophy in DS hypertensive rats fed a high-salt diet were significantly ameliorated by a subdepressor dose of benidipine, and that this amelioration was partly due to decreases in the expression of ET-1 and TGF-beta1 in the left ventricle.
Animals↗
Effects of TCV-116 on endothelin-1 and PDGF A-chain expression in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats.
Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to stimulate cardiac growth and collagen synthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and to increase fibroblast proliferation. Chronic infusion with Ang II increases blood pressure and activates growth mechanisms to produce hypertrophy of the heart. This study investigated the effects of an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on preproendothelin-1 (preproET-1), ETA receptor and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain expression in the left ventricle of Wistar-Kyoto rats treated for 2 weeks with Ang II (200 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)), and the relation of these effects to myocardial remodeling. Rats given Ang II alone (ANGII-V) were compared with rats also receiving TCV-116 (ANGII-TCV). In both groups, blood pressure was similar and significantly higher than in control rats. The preproET-1, ET(A) receptor and PDGF A-chain expressions in the left ventricle were significantly increased in ANGII-V compared with control rats, and were significantly suppressed in ANGII-TCV compared with ANGII-V rats. ANGII-V rats showed a significant increase of the type I collagen expression, wall-to-lumen ratio, perivascular fibrosis, and myocardial fibrosis, with all these parameters being significantly improved by TCV-116. Myocardial remodeling in Ang II-induced hypertensive rats was significantly ameliorated by a subdepressor dose of TCV-116, which may have been due to a decrease in ET-1 and PDGF A-chain expression in the left ventricle.
Angiotensin II↗
Kinetic flow-injection determination of hydrogen peroxide by use of iron(III)-catalyzed coloration and its application to the determination of biological substances.
A kinetic flow-injection (FI) method is described for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. This method is based on an iron(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of 4-aminoantipyrine with N,N-dimethylaniline by hydrogen peroxide. By measuring the change in the absorbance of the dye formed at 560 nm, 1 x 10(-6) - 6 x 10(-4) M hydrogen peroxide could be determined with a sampling rate of 15 h(-1). The relative standard deviation (n = 30) was 0.8% for 5 x 10(-5) M hydrogen peroxide. There was little interference of the co-existing ions and compounds. After introducing some immobilized enzyme reactors to the FI system, the proposed method allowed the determination of glucose and uric acid ranging from 1 x 10(-6) to 6 x 10(-4) M with relative standard deviations of below 2%. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by determining these substances in serum samples.
Ampyrone↗
Large cholesterol granuloma arising from the frontal sinus--case report.
A 59-year-old male presented with a large cholesterol granuloma arising from the frontal sinus manifesting as a large, fluctuated, soft mass in his brow, compressing left eye. Skull radiography showed dilation of the frontal sinus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass extending into the left orbit and anterior cranial fossa. Gross inspection at the frontal craniotomy showed mucinous, dark green fluid intermingled with shining material. The histological diagnosis was cholesterol granuloma with epithelial lining. Large cholesterol granuloma with facial deformity is always associated with bone and cosmetic problems. Wide opening of the frontal sinus followed by cyst wall removal and plastic repair of the skull is necessary.
Cholesterol↗
Defect of lck in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency.
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a congenital immunological disorder characterized by defective antibody production with normal count of peripheral B lymphocytes. The basic immunologic defects that leads to CVID are still unknown, however, a proportion of CVID is suggested to be caused by decreased CD4+ helper T cell activity. In addition, recent reports indicate that a defect of T cell receptor (TCR)-associated signaling molecules results in congenital immune deficiency in human. In the present study, we investigated lck, a signaling molecule downstream of TCR, in a patient with CVID plus CD4 lymphopenia, and found an aberrantly spliced lck transcript lacking the entire exon 7 associated with the decrease in the expression of lck protein. An identical splicing abnormality has been previously demonstrated in a case of severe combined immunodeficiency with selective CD4 lymphopenia, although the case showed almost complete loss of the expression of lck protein. Considering these findings, the aberrant splicing of lck gene is suggested to be correlated, at least with a subset of congenital immunodeficiency plus CD4 lymphopenia.
3' Untranslated Regions↗
Characteristics and course of small hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with hepatitis C virus types 1 and 2.
The associations between types of HCV and tumor characteristics and recurrence and survival after treatment of small HCC were investigated. Viral genotype-specific antibodies were measured in sera obtained at the time of diagnosis of HCC, in 92 patients with HCC < or = 2 cm in diameter who were treated between 1990 and 1998. The degrees of tumor differentiation and angiographically-evaluated hypervascularity were compared between patients infected with HCV type 1 and those with type 2. Survival, time to recurrence, and patterns of recurrence after initial treatment also were compared. On pathologic evaluation, 6 of 21 HCC (28.6%) in patients with HCV type 2 were well-differentiated, whereas 28 of 48 HCC (58.3%) in patients with HCV type 1 were well-differentiated (P = 0.0229). HCC in patients with HCV type 2 showed hypervascularity more frequently than HCC in patients with HCV type 1, with tumor staining evident by digital subtraction arteriography in 17 of 22 patients with HCV type 2 (77.3%) vs. 20 of 50 in patients with HCV type 1 (40.0%, P = 0.0036). Survival and overall recurrence rates were similar in patients infected with HCV type 1 and with HCV type 2 (P = 0.5537). In the analyses of patterns of recurrence, recurrences in patients infected with HCV type 2 were relatively more likely to be intrahepatic metastases (P = 0.0342), that was closely related to the differentiation of HCC. Multicentric occurrence of HCC was a more frequent type of recurrence in patients with HCV type 1 (P = 0.1619), and infection of HCV type 1 was an independent factor for multicentric occurrence in multivariate analysis (P = 0.0021). In HCC < or = 2 cm in diameter, HCV type 2 is associated with more progression of HCC than HCV type 1, whereas patients with HCV type 1 may be at higher risk for multicentric HCC occurrence after the treatment of HCC.
Aged↗
Correlation of early CT signs in the deep middle cerebral artery territories with angiographically confirmed site of arterial occlusion.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early CT signs in the deep middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories have been reported to be seen at the initial period of ischemia. We attempted to investigate the incidence of parenchymal hypodensity within 3 hours after ischemic onset among patients with angiographically proved embolic MCA occlusion and to assess the correlation of subtle hypodensity in the deep MCA territories with involvement of the lenticulostriate arteries in the presence of ischemia. METHODS: Fifty CT images obtained within 3 hours after onset of embolic MCA occlusion were retrospectively reviewed by three neurosurgeons who were aware of clinical features. Early CT signs in the deep MCA territories were divided into three grades according to their anatomic location: grade I, normal basal ganglia with hypodensity localized to the insula; grade II, partial obscuration of the posterolateral part of the putamen; and grade III, hypodensity of the entire lentiform nucleus. A grade I CT sign was considered to be a negative finding for lenticulostriate artery involvement, whereas grade II and III CT signs were considered to be positive findings. Site of occlusion and involvement of the lenticulostriate arteries were confirmed by angiography. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (76%) of 50 patients had early CT signs in the deep MCA territories. Sensitivity and specificity of a grade I CT sign indicating absence of lenticulostriate artery involvement in ischemia were 65% and 87%, respectively. On the other hand, sensitivity and specificity of grade II and grade III CT signs for presence of lenticulostriate artery involvement in ischemia were 77% and 100%, respectively. Grade II CT signs resulted from various sites of occlusion, whereas grade III was unequivocally predictive of proximal occlusion to all of the lenticulostriate arteries. CONCLUSION: Involvement of the lenticulostriate arteries may be presumed by precise evaluation of subtle, CT-revealed hypodensity in the deep MCA territories, even within 3 hours of ischemic onset.
Aged↗