N ovel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) reduce incidence of stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.1 Several studies demonstrated hematoma expansion in patients with ICH occurring during warfarin therapy and poor clinical outcomes.2 However, information regarding hematoma size, its expansion, and functional and vital outcomes of patients with ICH occurring during NOAC treatment have been limited and remain largely unclear.Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are said to be predictive of the occurrence of ICH or ischemic stroke 3 and to increase the risk of warfarin-associated ICH. 4 Furthermore, a considerable interest has been shown in association between CMBs and subsequent ICH in patients treated with NOACs. 5 In the present study, we investigated clinical and neuroradiological characteristics of patients with ICH occurring during NOAC treatment. MethodsFrom April 2011 through October 2013, 585 patients (342 men) with ICH were admitted to the Hirosaki Stroke and Rehabilitation Center for acute therapy <7 days after the onset (n=329) and for further rehabilitation therapy <60 days after the onset from other hospitals (n=256). Of all, 5 patients (1%) had ICH during NOAC treatment with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, 56 (10%) during warfarin, and the other 524 (89%) during Background and Purpose-Neuroradiological characteristics and functional outcomes of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during novel oral anticoagulant treatment were not well defined. We examined these in comparison with those during warfarin treatment. Methods-The consecutive 585 patients with ICH admitted from April 2011 through October 2013 were retrospectively studied. Of all, 5 patients (1%) had ICH during rivaroxaban treatment, 56 (10%) during warfarin, and the other 524 (89%) during no anticoagulants. We focused on ICH during rivaroxaban and warfarin treatments and compared the clinical characteristics, neuroradiological findings, and functional outcomes. Results-Patients in the rivaroxaban group were all at high risk for major bleeding with hypertension, abnormal renal/ liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs/alcohol concomitantly (HAS-BLED) score of 3 and higher rate of past history of ICH. Moreover, multiple cerebral microbleeds (≥4) were detected more frequently in rivaroxaban group than in warfarin (80% versus 29%; P=0.04). Hematoma volume in rivaroxaban group was markedly smaller than that in warfarin (median: 4 versus 11 mL; P=0.03). No patient in the rivaroxaban group had expansion of hematoma and surgical treatment. Rivaroxaban group showed lower modified Rankin Scale at discharge relative to warfarin, and the difference between modified Rankin Scale before admission and at discharge was smaller in rivaroxaban than in warfarin (median: 1 versus 3; P=0.047). No patient in the rivaroxaban group died during hospitalization, whereas 10 (18%) warfarin patients died. Conclusions-Rivaroxaban-associated ICH occur...

Meningeal melanocytoma is a benign melanocytic tumor that originates most frequently from the melanocytes in the posterior fossa or along the spinal cord. This tumor generally occurs as an extraaxial mass that compresses adjacent neural structures to produce various neurological signs. The authors describe an unusual case in which a patient with a meningeal melanocytoma located at the thoracic spinal cord presented with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (CNS). Extensive neuroradiological studies identified the presence of a spinal cord tumor, and postsurgical histological examination revealed the meningeal melanocytoma as a bleeding source. After surgery, lumbar puncture demonstrated normalization of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid; however, no neurological improvement occurred. The neurological deficits seem irreversible. Meningeal melanocytoma is biologically benign and can be cured by complete surgical resection; therefore, this tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the CNS. The authors reviewed 14 cases of well-documented meningeal melanocytoma in the literature and discuss the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of the present case to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and identification of the source of bleeding in patients with superficial siderosis.

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Context: Acute hemiparesis is a common initial presentation of ischemic stroke. Although hemiparesis due to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an uncommon symptom, a few cases have been reported and misdiagnosed as cerebral infarction. Design: Case reports of SSEH with acute hemiparesis. Findings: In these two cases, acute stroke was suspected initially and administration of intravenous alteplase therapy was considered. In one case, the presentation was neck pain and in the other case, it was Lhermitte's sign; brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography were negative for signs of ischemic infarction, hemorrhage, or arterial dissection. Cervical MRI was performed and demonstrated SSEH. Conclusion: Clinicians who perform intravenous thrombolytic treatment with alteplase need to be aware of this possible contraindication.

A 3-month-old boy presented with a tail associated with lipomeningocele. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated the presence of spina bifida and lipoma continuous from the tail to the thickened conus medullaris. The human tail may be related to spinal dysraphism and requires detailed neuroimaging investigation, and possibly microsurgery to prevent the tethered cord syndrome.