Objective To investigate the predictive factors of progressive motor deficits (PMD) after isolated pontine infarction. Methods Consecutive patients with isolated pontine infarction admitted to hospital within 48 hours after onset were enroled. They were divided into either a PMD group (increase ≥1 within 7 days) or a non-PMD group according to the clinical course and the changes of motor scores of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The pontine infarction patterns were classified as basal surface infarction and deep infarction, the sides were divided into left and right, the infarct levels were divided into upper, middle, and lower according to diffusion-weighted imaging. The demographics, baseline clinical data, and imaging features were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictive factors of PMD after isolated pontine infarction. Results A total of 101 patients with isolated pontine infarction admitted to hospital within 48 h of onset were enroled, including 16 in the PMD group and 85 in the non-PMD group. The proportions of pontine infarction involving the basal surface (87. 5% vs. 47. 1% , χ2 = 8. 851, P = 0. 003), the infarcts on the middle levels (56. 2% vs. 24. 7% , χ2 = 4. 851, P = 0. 028), and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion (62. 5% vs. 27. 1% ,χ2 = 7. 689, P = 0. 006) of the PMD group were significantly higher than those of the non-PMD group, while the proportions of the infarcts on the left sides (18. 8% vs. 56. 5% , χ2 = 7. 664, P = 0. 006) and the infarcts on the upper levels (37. 5% vs. 72. 9% , χ2 = 7. 689, P = 0. 006) of the PMD group was significantly lower than those of the non-PMD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that pontine infarction involving the basal surface (odds ratio 5. 650, 95% confidence interval 1. 011 - 31. 580, P = 0. 049) and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion (odds ratio 4. 075, 95% confidence interval 1. 127 - 14. 741, P = 0. 032) were the independent risk factors for PMD after isolated pontine infarction. Conclusions Infarction involving the basal surface and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion may be the predictors for PMD after isolated pontine infarction.

Objective:To analyze any effect of combining hyperbaric oxygen with qingkailing on the metabolic biomarkers of consciousness disorder (CD) caused by brain trauma using metabolomics technology. Also, to screen out diagnostic markers for clinical treatment and prognosis.Methods:Thirty-six patients with a CD caused by brain trauma formed the observation group, while 40 healthy gender-, age- and ethnicity-matched individuals were the control group. Both groups were given routine supportive treatment, while the observation group additionally received hyperbaric oxygen and oral qingkailing medication. Before and after 14 days consciousness disturbance was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Venous blood was collected for metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography linked to a mass spectrometer to screen out specific metabolic biomarkers. Metabolic markers associated with the disease and of diagnostic significance were thus identified.Results:After the treatment the average GCS score of the observation group had improved significantly and the degree of coma was significantly relieved. Twenty-one metabolic markers were found to be significant, with creatine, proline, uric acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, histidine, proline leucine, tryptophan and 9E-octagenoic acid potentially of high diagnostic value. After the treatment, all of those markers came close to the levels observed in the healthy control group.Conclusions:Proline, leucine, 9E-octagenoleic acid, uric acid and acetyl-L-carnitine could be used for diagnosis and evaluating efficacy with such patients. Hyperbaric oxygen supplemented with qingkailing can relieve coma, correct metabolic disorders and accelerate patients′ awakening. Metabolomics provides a new method for identifying endogenous metabolic abnormalities in patients with post-traumatic consciousness disorders. It can be useful in prognosis and clinical treatment.