Clinical experience with the use of xenon-enhanced CT blood flow mapping in cerebral vascular disease

Modeling flow in an in vitro anatomical cerebrovascular model with experimental validation

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of mortality that occurs when an embolus becomes lodged in the cerebral vasculature and obstructs blood flow in the brain. The severity of AIS is determined by the location and how extensively emboli become lodged, which are dictated in large part by the cerebral flow and the dynamics of embolus migration which are difficult to measure in vivo in AIS patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to predict the patient-specific hemodynamics and embolus migration and lodging in the cerebral vasculature to better understand the underlying mechanics of AIS. To be relied upon, however, the computational simulations must be verified and validated. In this study, a realistic in vitro experimental model and a corresponding computational model of the cerebral vasculature are established that can be used to investigate flow and embolus migration and lodging in the brain. First, the in vitro anatomical model is described, including how the flow distribution in the model is tuned to match physiological measurements from the literature. Measurements of pressure and flow rate for both normal and stroke conditions were acquired and corresponding CFD simulations were performed and compared with the experiments to validate the flow predictions. Overall, the CFD simulations were in relatively close agreement with the experiments, to within ±7% of the mean experimental data with many of the CFD predictions within the uncertainty of the experimental measurement. This work provides an in vitro benchmark data set for flow in a realistic cerebrovascular model and is a first step towards validating a computational model of AIS.

Modeling Flow in an In Vitro Anatomical Cerebrovascular Model with Experimental Validation

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of mortality that occurs when an embolus becomes lodged in the cerebral vasculature and obstructs blood flow in the brain. The severity of AIS is determined by the location and how extensively emboli become lodged, which are dictated in large part by the cerebral flow and the dynamics of embolus migration which are difficult to measure in vivo in AIS patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to predict the patient-specific hemodynamics and embolus migration and lodging in the cerebral vasculature to better understand the underlying mechanics of AIS. To be relied upon, however, the computational simulations must be verified and validated. In this study, a realistic in vitro experimental model and a corresponding computational model of the cerebral vasculature are established that can be used to investigate flow and embolus migration and lodging in the brain. First, the in vitro anatomical model is described, including how the flow distribution in the model is tuned to match physiological measurements from the literature. Measurements of pressure and flow rate for both normal and stroke conditions were acquired and corresponding CFD simulations were performed and compared with the experiments to validate the flow predictions. Overall, the CFD simulations were in relatively close agreement with the experiments, to within ±7% of the mean experimental data with many of the CFD predictions within the uncertainty of the experimental measurement. This work provides an in vitro benchmark data set for flow in a realistic cerebrovascular model and is a first step towards validating a computational model of AIS.

Novel imaging approaches to cerebrovascular disease

Imaging techniques available to the physician treating neurovascular disease have substantially grown over the past several decades. New techniques as well as advances in imaging modalities continuously develop and provide an extensive array of modalities to diagnose, characterize, and understand neurovascular pathology. Modern noninvasive neurovascular imaging is generally based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, or nuclear imaging and includes CT angiography, CT perfusion, xenon-enhanced CT, single-photon emission CT, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, MR perfusion, functional magnetic resonance imaging with global and regional blood oxygen level dependent imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography with the use of the noninvasive optional vessel analysis software (River Forest, Ill). In addition to a brief overview of the technique, this review article discusses the clinical indications, advantages, and disadvantages of each of those modalities.

Quantitative lobar cerebral blood flow for outcome prediction after traumatic brain injury

The aim of this study was to examine cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and determine whether lobar cortical CBF is a better predictor of long-term neurological outcome assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) than global cortical CBF. Ninety-eight patients with TBI had a stable xenon computed tomography scan (Xe/CT-CBF study) performed at various time points after their initial injury. Spearman's correlation coefficients and Kruskall-Wallis' test were used to examine the relationship between patient age, emergency room Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score, prehospital hypotension, prehospital hypoxia, mechanism of injury, type of injury, side of injury, global average CBF, lobar CBF, number of lobes with CBF below normal, and GOS (discharge, 3 and 6 months). Univariate ordinal regression was performed using these same variables and in combination with principle component analysis (PCA) to determine independent variables for multi-variate ordinal regression. Significant correlation between age, GCS, prehospital hypotension, type of injury, global average CBF, lobar CBF, number of lobes below normal CBF, and GOS was found. Individual lobar CBF was highly correlated with global CBF and the number of lobes below normal CBF. PCA found one principle component among these three CBF variables; therefore, average global CBF and number of lobes with CBF below normal were each chosen as independent variables for multiple ordinal regression, which found age, GCS, and prehospital hypotension, global average CBF, and number of lobes below normal CBF significantly associated with GOS. This study found global average CBF and lobar CBF significantly correlated with GOS at follow-up. There was, however, no individual cerebral lobe that was more predictive than any other, which puts into question the value of calculating lobar CBF versus global CBF in predicting GOS.

Monitoring of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Bedside in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - A Xenon-CT and Microdialysis Study

Cerebral ischemia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although 70% of the patients show angiographic vasospasm only 30% develop symptomatic vasospasm defined as delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Early detection and management of reversible ischemia is of critical importance in patients with SAH. Using a bedside Xenon enhanced computerized tomography (Xenon-CT) scanner makes it possible to measure quantitative regional Cerebral blood flow (CBF) bedside in the neurointensive care setting and intracerebral microdialysis (MD) is a method that offers the possibility to monitor the metabolic state of the brain continuously. Here, we present results from nine SAH patients with both MD monitoring and bedside Xenon-CT measurements. CBF measurements were performed within the first 72 h following bleeding. Six out of nine patients developed DCI at a later stage. Five out of six patients who developed DCI had initial global CBF below 26 ml/100 g/min whereas one had 53 ml/100 g/min. The three patients who did not develop clinical vasospasm all had initial global CBF above 27 ml/100 g/min. High lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio was associated with lower CBF values in the area surrounding the catheter. Five out of nine patients had L/P ratio ≥25 and four of these patients had CBF ≤ 22 ml/100 g/min. These preliminary results suggest that patients with initially low global CBF on Xenon-CT may be more likely to develop DCI. Initially low global CBF was accompanied with metabolic disturbances determined by the MD. Most importantly, pathological findings on the Xenon-CT and MD could be observed before any clinical signs of DCI. Combining bedside Xenon-CT and MD was found to be useful and feasible. Further studies are needed to evaluate if DCI can be detected before any other signs of DCI to prevent progress to infarction.

Physiological response of rats to delivery of helium and xenon: implications for hyperpolarized noble gas imaging

The physiological effects of various hyperpolarized helium and xenon MRI-compatible breathing protocols were investigated in 17 Sprague-Dawley rats, by continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, EKG, temperature and endotracheal pressure. The protocols included alternating breaths of pure noble gas and oxygen, continuous breaths of pure noble gas, breath-holds of pure noble gas for varying durations, and helium breath-holds preceded by two helium rinses. Alternate-breath protocols up to 128 breaths caused a decrease in oxygen saturation level of less than 5% for either helium or xenon, whereas 16 continuous-breaths caused a 31.5% +/- 2.3% decrease in oxygen saturation for helium and a 30.7% +/- 1. 3% decrease for xenon. Breath-hold protocols up to 25 s did not cause the oxygen saturation to fall below 90% for either of the noble gases. Oxygen saturation values below 90% are considered pathological. At 30 s of breath-hold, the blood oxygen saturation dropped precipitously to 82% +/- 0.6% for helium, and to 76.5% +/- 7. 4% for xenon. Breath-holds longer than 10 s preceded by pre-rinses caused oxygen saturation to drop below 90%. These findings demonstrate the need for standardized noble gas inhalation procedures that have been carefully tested, and for continuous physiological monitoring to ensure the safety of the subject. We find short breath-hold and alternate-breath protocols to be safe procedures for use in hyperpolarized noble gas MRI experiments.

Dynamics of cerebral blood flow and metabolism in patients with cranioplasty as evaluated by 133Xe CT and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

OBJECTIVE

Prolonged improvement in neurological and mental disorders has been seen after only cranioplasty in patients initially treated with external decompression for high intracranial pressure. The objective was to evaluate, using 133Xe CT and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), how restoring the bone itself can influence cerebral blood flow and cerebral energy metabolism after high intracranial pressure is attenuated.

METHODS

Seven patients (45-65 years old) who had undergone external decompression to prevent uncontrollable intracranial hypertension after acute subarachnoid haemorrhage were evaluated. Cerebral blood flow and metabolic changes were evaluated before and after cranioplasty.

RESULTS

The ratio of phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi), which is a sensitive index of cerebral energy depletion, was calculated and beta-ATP was measured. The cerebral blood flow value in the thalamus was normalised, from 44 (SD 9) to 56 (SD 8) ml/100 g/min (P < 0.01) and the value in the hemisphere increased from 26 (SD 3) to 29 (SD 4) ml/100 g/min on the side with the bone defect. The PCr/Pi ratio improved greatly from 2.53 (SD 0.45) to 3.01 (SD 0.24) (P < 0.01). On the normal side, the values of cerebral blood flow and PCr/Pi increased significantly (P < 0.01) after cranioplasty, possibly due to transneural suppression. The pH of brain tissue was unchanged bilaterally after cranioplasty.

CONCLUSION

Cranioplasty should be carried out as soon as oedema has disappeared, because a bone defect itself may decrease cerebral blood flow and disturb energy metabolism.

Effects of acute percutaneous transluminal recanalization on cerebral embolism

The effects of percutaneous transluminal recanalization (PTR) on critical hemodynamics of cerebral embolism were studied using stable xenon-enhanced computed tomography in patients within 6 hours after onset. PTR was conducted in 10 cases (PTR group) and not conducted 8 cases (non-PTR group). The development of infarction was followed by CT scan. In the cortical arterial regions, the lowest cerebral blood flow (CBF) value in regions of interests (ROIs) without development of infarction was 12.9 ml/100 g/min in the PTR group and 17.0 ml/100 g/min in the non-PTR group. In ROIs with a cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC) less than 0 ml/100 g/min, even with a CBF greater than 12.9 ml/100 g/min, 3 of 4 ROIs underwent cerebral infarction. PTR conducted within 6 hours after onset of cerebral embolism would prevent the cortical regions with a CBF greater than 12.9 ml/100 g/min and with a CRC greater than 0 ml/100 g/min from undergoing cerebral infarction.

Current status and controversies in the inhalation protocols for the Xenon CT CBF method

The historical background and current status of the inhalation protocols for the xenon CT CBF method are reviewed. A wash-in method has been established and widely accepted as a standard protocol. A wash-in/washout method is a useful alternative for a practical CBF study. The effect of flow activation with xenon gas can be minimized by shortening the inhalation time. Xe CT CBF method remains to be an indispensable technology for the clinical decision-making in various brain disorders.

Stable xenon CT in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease

Xenon-enhanced CT (XeCT) is a method of measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Although it is used for acute and perioperative assessment the ability of XeCT to show hypoperfused areas in vivo, as compared with morphological imaging modalities other than noncontrast CT, is not defined. Correlation with MRI helps to define the smallest detectable hypoperfused area. We examined 17 patients 6 weeks after acute cerebral infarcts with CT, XeCT and MRI and the findings were compared. All examinations were performed with the same slice angulation and thickness and the sizes of the abnormal areas were measured. XeCT showed a high correlation with MRI, but less so with conventional CT. Lesions appeared significantly smaller on CT than on XeCT or MRI. No significant difference between MRI and XeCT changes was found. The minimal lesion on MRI correlating with a hypoperfused area on XeCT was 0.8 cm2, whereas lesions measuring less than 0.5 cm2 on MRI could not be detected on XeCT. The good correlation between XeCT and MRI underlines the reliability of rCBF examinations with XeCT. A significant difference between CT and XeCT findings shows the difficulty of interpreting hypoperfused regions only by correlation with CT. Combined XeCT and MRI gives a better estimate of the vascular state of the brain.

Middle cerebral artery endarterectomy: experience with two cases

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerotic stenosis of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is uncommon and long-term prognosis is not well defined. Methods of treating stenosis of the MCA range from the administration of anticoagulants to endarterectomy.

METHODS

We present two cases of patients with focal symptomatic stenosis of the MCA with evidence of focally decreased cerebral blood flow and compromise of cerebral blood flow reserves on xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe CT) scanning. Endarterectomies were performed after unsuccessful anticoagulation therapy.

RESULTS

Both patients underwent successful endarterectomies of the MCA. Improvement in cerebral blood flow postoperatively was documented for both patients. At last follow-up neither patient had demonstrated any additional ischemic episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Atherosclerotic stenosis of the MCA may be responsible for distal emboli and compromised hemodynamics, and endarterectomy of this vessel may provide definitive therapy.

Evaluation of cerebral vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage using single photon emission computed tomography

Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) occurs as a result of the breakdown in cerebral autoregulation mechanisms. Because cerebral vasospasm can occur after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), it is important to evaluate borderline perfusion. Evaluation of borderline vascular insufficiency is important to reduce ischemic complications. In this study 25 patients with SAH were investigated by somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), computed tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in order to predict borderline ischemic areas. Clinical grades were also correlated with these investigations. Thirteen patients had symptomatic vasospasm and 15 patients had angiographic vasospasm. SPECT showed hypoperfusion in 22 out of 25 patients. CT predicted CVS in 8 of these 22 patients. Our study shows that brain perfusion SPECT is a non-traumatic, non-invasive, non-allergic, inexpensive method for the prediction of cerebral vasospasm. We conclude that brain SPECT with Tc-99m HM-PAO is an accessible technique that can demonstrate varying degrees of regional tissue hypoperfusion in patients with delayed ischemic deficits due to CVS following SAH.

Balloon occlusion of the carotid artery in the treatment of cavernous giant aneurysms: two cases

Over recent years, endovascular occlusion of the carotid artery has become a valid alternative to its more traditional surgical ligation in the treatment of cavernous giant aneurysms. The authors report two cases treated with balloon occlusion in two patients with clinical signs of cavernous sinus syndrome. The procedure consisted of occluding the aneurysm and the carotid by means of detachable balloons. This was preceded by a 30-minute clinically monitored occlusion test aimed at evaluating the functioning of Willis' circle. The treatment was carried out under neuroleptoanalgesia, so optimal control of the neurological condition of the patient was possible. Partial symptom regression was obtained in both cases.

Vasodilators during cerebral aneurysm surgery

The objective of this review is to review the anaesthetic implications of vasoactive compounds particularly with regard to the cerebral circulation and their clinical importance for the practicing anaesthetist. Material was selected on the basis of validity and application to clinical practice and animal studies were selected only if human studies were lacking. Hypotensive drugs have been used to induce hypotension and in the treatment of intraoperative hypertension during cerebral aneurysm surgery. After subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral blood flow is reduced and cerebral vasoreactivity is disturbed which may lead to brain ischaemia. Also, cerebral arterial vasospasm decreases cerebral blood flow, and may lead to delayed ischaemic brain damage which is a major problem after subarachnoid haemorrhage. Recently, the use of induced hypotension has decreased although it is still useful in patients with intraoperative aneurysm rupture, giant cerebral aneurysm, fragile aneurysms and multiple cerebral aneurysms. In this review, a variety of vasodilating agents, prostaglandin E1, sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, trimetaphan, adenosine, calcium antagonists, and inhalational anaesthetics, are discussed for their clinical usefulness. Sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin and isoflurane are the drugs of choice for induced hypotension. Prostaglandin E1, nicardipine and nitroglycerin have the advantage that they do not alter carbon dioxide reactivity. Local cerebral blood flow is increased with nitroglycerin, decreased with trimetaphan and unchanged with prostaglandin E1. Intraoperative hypertension is a dangerous complication occurring during cerebral aneurysm surgery, but its treatment in association with subarachnoid haemorrhage is complicated in cases of cerebral arterial vasospasm because fluctuations in cerebral blood flow may be exacerbated. Hypertension should be treated immediately to reduce the risk of rebleeding and intraoperative aneurysmal rupture and the choice of drugs is discussed. Although the use of induced hypotension has declined, the control of arterial blood pressure with vasoactive drugs to reduce the risk of intraoperative cerebral aneurysm rupture is a useful technique. Intraoperative hypertension should be treated immediately but the cerebral vascular effects of each vasodilator should be understood before their use as hypotensive agents.

Evaluation of regional cerebral blood flow in acute head injury by stable xenon-enhanced computerized tomography

Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in head-injured patients is considered useful for understanding the cerebral hemodynamics of brain trauma and for determining the optimal therapy. Most data thus far obtained with 133Xe clearance techniques have made only relative contribution, due to limitations of the 133Xe method. More recently, is has become possible to measure rCBF by xenon-enhanced computerized tomography (Xe-CT), which obviates most problems inherent to the 133Xe method. On the other hand, computational errors and concerns regarding the safety of xenon inhalation have thwarted the clinical use of Xe-CT. Recent advances in CT technology, however, have largely eliminated these problems. Xe-CT CBF measurements in severe head injury demonstrate a good correlation between CBF values obtained with 133Xe and Xe-CT. By consistently applying these studies in conjunction with conventional CT, information on very early flow derangements (within 1 to 2 hours after injury) can be obtained, in relation to anatomical lesions. Preliminary data reveal higher incidences of global and focal ischaemia than found previously. Local ischaemia tends to evolve to hyperemia in the ensuing days.

Ultra-early evaluation of regional cerebral blood flow in severely head-injured patients using xenon-enhanced computerized tomography

The role of cerebral ischemia in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury is unclear. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements with 133Xe have thus far revealed ischemia in a substantial number of patients only when performed between 4 and 12 hours postinjury. But these studies cannot be performed sooner after injury, they cannot be done in patients with intracranial hematomas still in place, and they cannot detect focal ischemia. Therefore, the authors performed CBF measurements in 35 comatose head-injured patients using stable xenon-enhanced computerized tomography (CT), simultaneously with the initial CT scan (at a mean (+/- standard error of the mean) interval of 3.1 +/- 2.1 hours after injury). Seven patients with diffuse cerebral swelling had significantly lower flows in all brain regions measured as compared to patients without swelling or with focal contusions; in four of the seven, cerebral ischemia (CBF less than or equal to 18 ml/100 gm.min-1) was present. Acute intracranial hematomas were associated with decreased CBF and regional ischemia in the ipsilateral hemisphere, but did not disproportionately impair brain-stem blood flow. Overall, global or regional ischemia was found in 11 patients (31.4%). There was no correlation between the presence of hypoxia or hypertension before resuscitation and the occurrence of ischemia, neither could ischemia be attributed to low pCO2. Ischemia was significantly associated with early mortality (p less than 0.02), whereas normal or high CBF values were not predictive of favorable short-term outcome. These data support the hypothesis that ischemia is an important secondary injury mechanism after traumatic brain injury, and that trauma may share pathophysiological mechanisms with stroke in a large number of cases; this may have important implications for the use of hyperventilation and antihypertensive drugs in the acute management of severely head-injured patients, and may lead to testing of drugs that are effective or have shown promise in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Discrepancy of xenon concentrations between end-tidal and blood collection methods in xenon-enhanced computed tomographic measurements of cerebral blood flow

Using xenon-enhanced computed tomography for the study of cerebral blood flow, simultaneous measurements of end-tidal and arterial blood xenon concentrations using the blood collection method were performed to investigate the validity of substituting the end-tidal for the arterial blood xenon concentration. Simultaneous measurement by both methods was performed 68 times in 27 patients. There was no statistical correlation between the arterial blood accumulation rate constant obtained by arterial blood and end-tidal samples, nor between the arterial blood saturation value obtained by the two methods, even when correction was made for age. In brain tissue, all parameters calculated using the end-tidal concentration were lower than those using arterial blood. We therefore suggest that cerebral blood flow values calculated using end-tidal xenon concentration are useful only for qualitative cerebral blood flow mapping, and not applicable to absolute values of cerebral blood flow.

Effect of 33% xenon inhalation on whole-brain blood flow and metabolism in awake and fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite the documented diagnostic value of local cerebral blood flow maps by xenon-enhanced computed tomography, reports of cerebral blood flow activation by inhaled 33% Xe raised concerns about the method's safety and accuracy. We evaluated the effect of 33% Xe inhalation on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rates for oxygen and glucose in four awake and six fentanyl-anesthetized rhesus monkeys.

METHODS

Platinum microelectrodes and catheters in the torcular Herophili were used to measure cerebral blood flow by hydrogen clearance, and oxygen and glucose concentrations. Cerebral variables were measured after 5 and 35 minutes of exposure to room air followed randomly by 67% O2 in 33% N2 or Xe. Five- and 35-minute measurements were combined because the duration of exposure had no effect.

RESULTS

In awake monkeys, 33% Xe compared with 33% N2 reduced (p less than 0.05) cerebral blood flow from 75 +/- 12 to 66 +/- 9 (mean +/- SD) ml.100 g-1.min-1 and oxygen consumption from 6.1 +/- 0.7 to 5.1 +/- 0.6 ml.100 g-1.min-1. In fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys, cerebral variables during 33% N2 versus 33% Xe were cerebral blood flow, 84 +/- 26 versus 79 +/- 23 ml.100 g-1.min-1; oxygen consumption, 5.0 +/- 0.7 versus 4.9 +/- 0.5 ml.100 g-1.min-1; and glucose consumption, 8.4 +/- 1.9 versus 7.9 +/- 2.0 mg.100 g-1.min-1.

CONCLUSIONS

In awake monkeys, 33% Xe reduced rather than activated cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption by 12% and 16%, respectively; it had no effect in fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys.

A simplified method for measuring cerebral blood flow with xenon-enhanced computed tomography

The measurement of cerebral blood flow using the xenon-enhanced computed tomography (XECT) technique requires that the build-up of xenon in both brain tissue and end-tidal expired air be determined as a function of time. Monitoring of the former is carried out using CT scanning and the latter, most often, using a thermoconductivity analyser or mass spectrometer. This paper examines the possibility of greatly simplifying the XECT technique by eliminating the need for either thermoconductivity analyser or mass spectrometer. In the proposed approach, the patient's expired air is channelled through the scan field using a flexible plastic tube and sampled by the CT scanner in conjunction with the build-up of xenon in brain tissue. Phantom measurements have demonstrated the ability of the CT scanner to detect variations in the xenon concentration in expired air while computer simulations have shown that errors arising as a result of the proposed methodology are small compared to other inherent sources in the XECT technique.

Stable xenon does not increase intracranial pressure in primates with freeze-injury-induced intracranial hypertension

Stable xenon (Xe)-enhanced computed tomography is a potentially valuable tool for high resolution, three-dimensional measurement of CBF in patients. However, reports that Xe causes cerebrovascular dilation and increases intracranial pressure (ICP) have tempered enthusiasm for its use. The effects of 5 min of 33% Xe inhalation on ICP (right and left hemispheres) were studied in eight fentanyl-anesthetized Rhesus monkeys after right-sided cortical freeze injury. ICP, CBF, and physiological variables were monitored for up to 6 h postinsult. The preinjury (control) right hemispheric ICP was 8 +/- 5 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) and left hemispheric ICP was 5 +/- 2 mm Hg. Postinjury observations were classified into low (less than 15 mm Hg) and high ICP (greater than or equal to 15 mm Hg) groups. Both right and left ICP values averaged 9 +/- 3 mm Hg in the low ICP group. In the high ICP group, the right ICP was 20 +/- 4 mm Hg and left ICP was 21 +/- 6 mm Hg. ICP was unchanged by Xe inhalation under control conditions as well as in both low and high ICP groups postinjury. Postinjury, the MABP decreased 10-15 mm Hg in the low ICP group and 10-17 mm Hg in the high ICP group 2-3 min after the start of Xe inhalation (p less than 0.05). These results show that 33% Xe inhalation does not increase ICP in fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys but could decrease MABP in stressed states, presumably because of the anesthetic effects of Xe.

Effect of stable xenon on regional cerebral blood flow and the electroencephalogram in normal volunteers

We evaluated the effects of breathing 35% stable xenon in 65% oxygen on regional cerebral blood flow and the electroencephalogram in 20 normal volunteers. We measured blood flow in 32 brain regions over both hemispheres with the xenon-133 intravenous injection technique in two protocols. In the first protocol (n = 10), a baseline study was followed by a second study during 5 minutes of breathing stable xenon; in the other protocol (n = 8), the baseline study was followed by a second study after 5 minutes of breathing stable xenon. Two volunteers were excluded due to excessive movements during the inhalation of stable xenon. Some of the remaining 18 volunteers had varying alterations of consciousness accompanied by electroencephalogram changes. After stable xenon inhalation the electroencephalogram returned to normal within 2-3 minutes. During stable xenon inhalation mean +/- SD PECO2 dropped significantly from 39.4 +/- 4.4 to 33.3 +/- 5.4 mm Hg in the first protocol and from 39.4 +/- 2.6 to 34.8 +/- 4.1 mm Hg in the second protocol due to hyperventilation in 13 volunteers. Mean regional cerebral blood flow increased significantly by 13.5-25.4% without correction for PECO2. In the first protocol regional cerebral blood flow increased by greater than 12% in 11-14 (depending on the flow parameter) of the 20 hemispheres. In the second protocol regional cerebral blood flow increased by greater than 12% in 9-13 of the 16 hemispheres. We conclude that cautious interpretation is necessary in the assessment of regional cerebral blood flow with 35% xenon-enhanced computed tomography.

Comparison of [99mTc]HMPAO SPECT with [18F]fluoromethane PET in cerebrovascular disease

Positron emission tomography (PET) of [18F]fluoromethane (FM) and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) of [99mTc]hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) were performed under identical conditions within 2 h in 22 patients suffering from cerebrovascular disease (8 ischemic infarction, 2 intracerebral hemorrhages, 7 transient ischemic attacks, and 5 multi-infarct syndrome). While gross pathological changes could be seen in the images of either procedure, focal abnormalities corresponding to transient ischemic deficits or to lesions in multi-infarct syndrome and areas of functional deactivation were sometimes missed on SPECT images. Overall, HMPAO SPECT images showed less contrast between high and low activity regions than the FM PET images, and differences between lesions and contralateral regions were less pronounced (6.4 vs 13.3% difference). Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was calculated from FM PET studies in 14 large territorial regions and the pathological lesion, and the regional values relative to mean flow were compared to the relative HMPAO uptake in an identical set of regions defined on the SPECT images. Among individual patients, the Spearman rank-correlation coefficient between relative rCBF and HMPAO uptake varied between 0.48 and 0.89, with a mean of 0.70. While an underestimation of high flow with SPECT--which was demonstrated in a curvilinear relationship between all relative regional PET and SPECT values--could be corrected by linearization taking into account HMPAO efflux from the brain before metabolic trapping, correspondence of SPECT data with PET rCBF values was not improved since this procedure also increased the variance in high flow areas. In the cerebellum, however, a high HMPAO uptake in SPECT always overestimated CBF in relation to forebrain values; this finding might be due to high capillary density in the cerebellum. The differences observed between SPECT and PET data may be explained by technical and physical properties of the methods and by the incomplete first-pass extraction of HMPAO. Additionally, HMPAO or its metabolites may leak through a damaged blood-brain barrier (as observed in one infarct and in the surrounding of hemorrhages), impairing the contrast between lesion and normal tissue. The presented data indicate that the quantification of rCBF by HMPAO SPECT is limited.

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency: stable xenon computed tomography-cerebral blood flow study in posterior circulation revascularization

Preoperative and postoperative local cerebral blood flow were measured by the stable xenon computed tomography-cerebral blood flow technique in 15 patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The surgery included end-arterectomy or angioplasty of the vertebral artery (five cases), superficial temporal artery-superior cerebellar artery anastomosis (eight cases), and superficial temporal artery-posterior cerebral artery anastomosis (two cases). Fourteen (93.3%) of the 15 patients improved in the post-operative period. Low local cerebral blood flow in the ischemic area without infarction manifested a constant and significant increase postoperatively. In summary, the stable xenon computed tomography-cerebral blood flow technique is thought to be a simple and useful method for assessing local cerebral blood flow in posterior circulation perioperatively.

Stable xenon-enhanced CT measurement of cerebral blood flow in reversible focal ischemia in baboons

When the lateral striate arteries of the baboon are temporarily occluded for either 20 or 60 minutes, a near-cessation of blood flow is followed by a dramatic, transient local increase in blood flow values. These findings are evident from serial xenon (Xe)-computerized tomography (CT) measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). In this study, 20 minutes of vessel occlusion resulted in brief (less than 1 hour) hyperemia, with no subsequent CT alteration and minimal random neuronal injury. Sixty minutes of occlusion resulted in a more prolonged hyperemia, a low-density area on CT images within 3 hours of reperfusion, and infarction of all cellular elements within the anterior lentiform nucleus. The Xe-CT method provides a sensitive, noninvasive technique for examining sequential alterations of CBF in small regions deep within the brain. This method of recording CBF also permits correlative studies of cerebral infarction, both clinically and experimentally, and allows reasonable inference about the probabilities of neuronal tissue damage with or without reperfusion.

A single-photon emission computed tomography study of hypoperfusion after subarachnoid hemorrhage

We used single-photon emission computed tomography with technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime in 18 studies on 13 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage to determine whether any changes in cerebral blood flow could be correlated with clinical or computed tomographic evidence of delayed ischemia. Among the seven patients without focal neurologic deficits, regional cerebral hypoperfusion was demonstrated in only one who died. Among the 10 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, one died before surgery, and six developed postoperative delayed ischemic deficits, of whom two died. Among the patients with angiographically documented aneurysms, regional hypoperfusion correlated with the presence and severity of delayed neurologic deficits, whereas correlative computed tomographic scans showed either early infarction or no relevant abnormality. This technique facilitates early diagnosis of cerebral tissue hypoperfusion due to vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Stable xenon versus radiolabeled microsphere cerebral blood flow measurements in baboons

Regional cerebral blood flow was simultaneously determined using the stable xenon computed tomographic and the radioactive microsphere techniques over a wide range of blood flow rates (less than 10-greater than 300 ml/100 g/min) in 12 baboons under conditions of normocapnia, hypocapnia, and hypercapnia. A total of 31 pairs of determinations were made. After anesthetic and surgical preparation of the baboons, cerebral blood flow was repeatedly determined using the stable xenon technique during saturation with 50% xenon in oxygen. Concurrently, cerebral blood flow was determined before and during xenon administration using 15-microns microspheres. In Group 1 (n = 7), xenon and microsphere determinations were made repeatedly during normocapnia. In Group 2 (n = 5), cerebral blood flow was determined using both techniques in each baboon during hypocapnia (PaCO2 = 20 mm Hg), normocapnia (PaCO2 = 40 mm Hg), and hypercapnia (PaCO2 = 60 mm Hg). Xenon and microsphere values in Group 1 were significantly correlated (r = 0.69, p less than 0.01). In Group 2, values from both techniques also correlated closely across all levels of PaCO2 (r = 0.92, p less than 0.001). No significant differences existed between the slopes or y intercepts of the regression lines for either group and the line of identity. Our data indicate that the stable xenon technique yields cerebral blood flow values that correlate well with values determined using radioactive microspheres across a wide range of cerebral blood flow rates.

Xenon computed tomography measuring cerebral blood flow in the determination of brain death in children

Local cerebral blood flow was measured using stable xenon computed tomography in 21 children, 10 of whom were clinically brain dead and had electrocerebral silence as determined by electroencephalography. Radioisotopic brain scanning in 9 patients showed no visible cerebral activity in all patients and minimal residual sagittal sinus activity in 4. In this population, mean cerebral blood flow as measured by xenon computed tomography was 1.3 +/- 1.6 ml/min/100 gm. Respiratory support was discontinued in 8 patients, and 2 patients had cardiac arrest. Eleven profoundly comatose children who did not meet all clinical criteria for brain death and who had markedly suppressed but not isoelectric electroencephalograms had an average cerebral blood flow of 33.5 +/- 16.3 ml/min/100 gm. There was no difference in cerebral blood flow in those children who survived (30.4 +/- 16.3 ml/min/100 gm; n = 7) compared with those who died acutely (38.3 +/- 14.3 ml/min/100 gm; n = 4). Two patients who survived had average total flows of only 11.8 and 12.1 ml/min/100 gm. Our findings suggest that in infants and children older than 1 month, (1) cerebral blood flow below approximately 10 ml/min/100 gm is consistent with clinical brain death, (2) cerebral blood flow of less than 5 ml/min/100 gm is consistent with no flow as demonstrated by radionuclide techniques, and (3) flow of more than 10 to 15 ml/min/100 gm is associated with the potential for survival.

Cerebral blood flow determination within the first 8 hours of cerebral infarction using stable xenon-enhanced computed tomography

Cerebral blood flow mapping with stable xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe/CT) was performed in conjunction with conventional computed tomography (CT) within the first 8 hours after the onset of symptoms in seven patients with cerebral infarction. Six patients had hemispheric infarctions, and one had a progressive brainstem infarction. Three patients with very low (less than 10 ml/100 g/min) blood flow in an anatomic area appropriate for the neurologic deficit had no clinical improvement by the time of discharge from the hospital; follow-up CT scans of these three patients confirmed infarction in the area of very low blood flow. Three patients with moderate blood flow reductions (15-45 ml/100 g/min) in the appropriate anatomic area had significant clinical improvement from their initial deficits and had normal follow-up CT scans. One patient studied 8 hours after stroke had increased blood flow (hyperemia) in the appropriate anatomic area and made no clinical recovery.

Neurilemomas of the trigeminal nerve

Sixteen patients with trigeminal neurilemoma have been treated at the University Health Center of Pittsburgh during the last 15 years. Two patients had middle fossa tumors arising from the trigeminal ganglion, four had posterior fossa tumors arising from the trigeminal roots, six had "hourglass" lesions extending above and below the tentorium and involving the trigeminal ganglion and its roots, and four had tumors arising from the trigeminal branches and extending through the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, or foramen ovale. In seven patients, tumor had also invaded the cavernous sinus. The clinical and radiographic features of these tumors, the operative approaches employed, and the postoperative outcome are discussed. Complete tumor excision was achieved in 12 patients; all 12 remain free of recurrence 3 to 157 months after surgery. In contrast, all four patients who underwent subtotal tumor excision showed progressive neurological deterioration from regrowth of residual tumor within 3 years of the initial surgery. Two of these four subsequently had total tumor excision and both are disease-free 23 and 34 months after the second procedure. Major morbidity developed in only one of the 16 patients. There were no operative deaths. Nine patients had preserved or improved trigeminal function after treatment.

Heat loss and blood flow during hyperthermia in normal canine brain. I: Empirical study and analysis

The effects of blood flow and thermal conduction during microwave hyperthermia were investigated in normal canine brain. Heating was accomplished with an external microstrip spiral antenna and temperature measurements were made using a multichannel fluoroptic thermometry system. In order to determine cooling rates, temperature measurements made during cooling were fitted with a model consisting of a constant value and an exponential term. Data from experiments in both perfused and non-perfused brains could be fitted with this simple model. The resulting cooling rates indicated that heat loss by conduction is comparable to that by blood flow. In another series of experiments, temperature measurements were made during several 1 min cooling intervals in which the power was shut off intermittently during a 35 min heating episode. Results were consistent with a 2-3-fold increase in blood flow rate which occurred gradually throughout the course of heating. Parameters that affect the determination of cooling rates are discussed in terms of the bioheat transfer equation. These investigations demonstrate that a simple heat sink model provides a good representation of the cooling data for the thermal distributions obtained.

Improvement of global cerebral blood flow after STA-MCA bypass in a patient with bilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery: effect of surgery or natural course?

A xenon-CT examination was performed on a patient who had received a STA-MCA bypass. Evaluation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) pre- and postoperatively shows a post-operative increase of about 60%. During manual compression of STA, a decrease of 20% was observed so that one third of the total CBF increase could be attributed to anastomosis. The remaining two thirds may originate from the natural collateral circulation.

Stable xenon enhanced computed tomography in the study of clinical and pathologic correlates of focal ischemia in baboons

When the lateral striate arteries of baboons are occluded, an immediate cessation of blood flow followed by a transient, minimal restitution of flow occurs in that vascular distribution. These findings are evident from serial xenon/computed tomography cerebral blood flow imaging. In our study, infarction consistently accompanied arterial occlusion for 6 hours or more. The xenon/computed tomography method provides a sensitive, noninvasive technique for examining sequential alterations of cerebral blood flow in small regions deep within the brain. This methodology for recording cerebral blood flow permits correlative studies of cerebral infarction, clinically and experimentally, and allows reasonable inferences about the probabilities of neural tissue damage.

Regional cerebral blood flow of patients with focal epilepsy studied using xenon enhanced CT brain scanning

Stable xenon-enhanced X-ray computed tomography (XeCT) was used to measure the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of 12 patients with drug resistant partial epilepsy and a marked unilateral focus on electroencephalography (EEG). Interictal mean rCBF of fixed regions of interest (ROIs) was reduced by 25% in the cortex of the epileptogenic cerebral lobe compared with the same regions on the contralateral side (p less than 0.02). Six control scans showed a mean side to side cortical difference in rCBF of 14%, whereas the epileptogenic focus was associated with a reduction in the cortical rCBF of greater than 30% in six out of the 12 patients. In an additional patient with partial epilepsy XeCT demonstrated significant focal hypoperfusion when interictal EEGs and conventional CT scans showed no abnormalities.

Stable-xenon-CT: effects of xenon inhalation on EEG and cardio-respiratory parameters in the human

The effects of inhalation of a 33% Xenon-O2 mixture over a period of 5 minutes on EEG and cardio-respiratory parameters were studied in 18 human volunteers. This dosage is similar to that used clinically in Xenon-CT studies. In 4 cases no EEG power change was observed during the study. In the 14 other subjects EEG variations were seen. The most prominent change was an increase in beta EEG power. No change was observed in theta and delta EEG power. The findings seem to correlate with the early induction (excitation) phase of an anaesthetic. Hyperventilation was observed before the study and increased during the Xenon inhalation. Blood pressure remained stable while the heart rate tended to decrease a little. All these changes disappeared rapidly following the termination of the Xenon inhalation. The effects are minimal and should not reduce the clinical value of CBF measurement using the Xenon-CT method.

Effect of stable xenon in room air on regional cerebral blood flow and electroencephalogram in normal baboons

Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed in 6 healthy baboons during ventilation with 35% stable xenon in artificial air. rCBF was measured with the intraarterial xenon-133 method. EEG was recorded continuously. All CBF areas of interest over one hemisphere reacted in the same way. Mean flow increased during short-term exposure to stable xenon and decreased if stable xenon inhalation was continued for at least 24 minutes. EEG showed a decrease of alpha- and beta-wave patterns a short time after the start of stable xenon inhalation without further changes over the period when rCBF finally decreased. CO2 reactivity increased in most animals, and autoregulation to mild arterial hypotension was significantly impaired with increased flow. It is concluded that 35% stable xenon in artificial air increases rCBF after short-term exposure and decreases rCBF after longer exposure. EEG changes were noted after short-term exposure. rCBF and EEG recovered rapidly after the end of stable xenon inhalation.

Operative management of tumors involving the cavernous sinus

In the past, neurosurgeons have been reluctant to operate on tumors involving the cavernous sinus because of the possibility of bleeding from the venous plexus or injury to the internal carotid artery (ICA) or the third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerves. The authors describe techniques for a more aggressive surgical approach to neoplasms in this area that are either benign or locally confined malignant lesions. During the last 2 years, seven tumors involving the cavernous sinus have been resected: six totally and one subtotally. The preoperative evaluation included axial and coronal computerized tomography, cerebral angiography, and a balloon-occlusion test of the ICA. Intraoperative monitoring of the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh cranial nerves was used to assist in locating the nerves and in avoiding injury to them. The first major step in the operative procedure was to obtain proximal control of the ICA at the petrous apex and distal control in the supraclinoid segment. The cavernous sinus was then opened by a lateral, superior, or inferior approach for tumor resection. Temporary clipping and suture of the ICA was necessary in one patient. None of the patients died or suffered a stroke postoperatively. Permanent trigeminal nerve injury occurred in three patients; in two, this was the result of tumor invasion. One patient suffered temporary paralysis of the third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerves, and in another the sixth cranial nerve was temporarily paralyzed. Preoperative cranial nerve deficits were improved postoperatively in three patients. Radiation therapy was administered postoperatively to four patients. These seven patients have been followed for 6 to 18 months to date and none has shown evidence of recurrence of the intracavernous tumor.

Effects of xenon and krypton on regional cerebral blood flow in the rat

The effects of high inspired concentrations of xenon and krypton on regional CBF (rCBF) were assessed in the rat using [14C]iodoantipyrine and quantitative autoradiography. Inhalation of 80% xenon for 1 or 2 min and inhalation of 40% xenon for 2 min were found to have significant effects on rCBF, including average increases of 75-96% in cerebral neocortical regions. Inhalation of 40% xenon for 1 min and of 80% krypton for 2 min had no significant effect on rCBF in most brain regions studied. If xenon inhalation produces effects on rCBF in humans similar to those observed in the rat, such effects could be an important source of error in xenon computed tomography rCBF studies.

Stable xenon CT blood flow mapping for evaluation of patients with extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery

Xenon computerized tomography (Xe CT) blood flow studies were conducted in 25 patients referred for a possible extracranial-intracranial bypass procedure for occlusive vascular disease in one or more extra- or intracranial vessels. These studies were helpful in selecting eight candidates for surgery. The Xe CT studies were performed at one or two brain levels using a prototype Xe CT system for measurement of cerebral blood flow which was designed in collaboration with the General Electric Co., and adapted for the GE 9800 scanner. In those patients selected to undergo operation, Xe CT demonstrated compromise of flow reserve regionally, globally, and/or in the watershed area. All eight patients who underwent the procedure showed a favorable clinical response postoperatively, and seven had a dramatic increase in flow. The 17 patients whose baseline CT studies showed no reduction of flow with the Xe CT method were not selected for surgery. All 25 patients have remained neurologically stable to date. Case studies of three of the eight patients undergoing bypass surgery are presented. This limited but consistent experience suggests that Xe CT blood flow mapping makes possible the recognition of brain regions in which flow reserves are compromised. This is due to the relatively high degree of spatial resolution that this technique provides and to the fact that mapping can be correlated directly with the anatomy. Used in combination with a careful clinical examination and an accurate medical history, this study method appears to be a useful guide in the selection of patients who are most at risk from hemodynamic instability and those who are most likely to benefit from flow-augmentation surgery.