Abstract 117: Digitally Subtracted Angiogram & Biopsy Negative Recurrent Spontaneous Bilateral Anterior Cerebral Artery Territory Intracranial Hemorrhage
Authors: Blanden Adam R. , Johnson Griffin , Reddy Aravind , Burke Devin , Swarnkar Amar , Masoud Hesham 
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Up to 18% of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages are cryptogenic despite a thorough workup, usually noted in a lobar location. Although undetected on DSA, a significant proportion of these represent ruptured micro‐AVM/AVF or cavernous malformations that ultimately are amenable to surgical resection if detected on biopsy. However, occult cerebral amyloid angiopathy can also present similarly, and their management is markedly different.

Methods

We present a case of recurrent bilateral medial frontal hemorrhage in a patient without known cerebrovascular disease that evaded diagnosis despite hematologic evaluation, MRI, CTA, two DSAs, three clot evacuations with pathology, and brain biopsy.

Results

The patient is a 60‐year‐old previously healthy woman who presented with sudden onset right hemiparesis and speech arrest. CT revealed a left parasagittal hemorrhage. She was brought to the OR for clot evacuation. Pathology from the clot revealed blood vessels of multiple sizes consistent with meningeal vessels or underlying AVM/AVF. A 6‐vessel cerebral angiogram as unremarkable. The patient’s inpatient course was complicated by new onset Afib with RVR and asymptomatic DVT with PE, however no etiology of coagulopathy was detected. MRI brain showed no evidence of cerebral microbleed or other underlying pathology, noting only DWI + FLAIR hyperintensity in the left ACA territory. The patient was diagnosed with ACA territory stroke complicated by PH2‐type hemorrhagic conversion. She was initially placed on IV Heparin, before transition to apixaban uneventfully. She continued to recover in the hospital and was eventually discharged to rehab. She re‐presented 1 month later with worsening behavioral arrest and right hemiparesis. CT head revealed recurrence of left parasagittal ICH. She underwent clot evacuation in the OR again and repeat pathology was unrevealing. A repeat MRI showed only the evident bleed and a subtle hyperintensity in the right occipital cortex suspicious for an interval subacute occipital lobe stroke with laminar necrosis, ostensibly from Afib. She improved clinically and was discharged to rehab with a diagnosis of recurrent hemorrhage attributed to anticoagulant use and recent stroke. She was discharged this time on no anticoagulant or antiplatelets. She re‐presented 1 month later with sudden onset speech arrest, but now with left hemiparesis. CT revealed a right parasagittal hemorrhage. She was brought to the OR for emergent clot evacuation and parenchymal biopsy – which was initially normal. A repeat 6‐vessel DSA was again unremarkable as was repeat brain MRI. The patient’s parenchymal biopsy was sent for specific congo‐red and immunohistochemistry for beta‐amyloid. IHC revealed beta‐amyloid plaques in the parenchyma and vessel walls, confirming a diagnosis of CAA.

Conclusion

Apparently cryptogenic lobar hemorrhage may be caused by both occult micro‐AVM/fistula and CAA. As in this case, when a patient experiences recurrent DSA negative lobar hemorrhages, biopsy should be pursued. This case was particularly challenging given the anatomical plausibility of parasagittal AVM/fistula given its midline location and venous drainage, considering the patient’s evident predisposition to systemic venous thrombosis hemorrhagic venous infarction mimicking lobar ICH is also possible. We present this case to raise awareness of the potential need for early biopsy, especially in patients who may also require anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications.