Interventional Neuroradiology最新文献

Background: Studies investigating endovascular therapy in vertebro-basilar stroke have led to controversial results in the past, but recent randomized trials seem to show an effectiveness superiority of endovascular therapy versus best medical treatment. However, uncertainty remains concerning many aspects of thrombectomy in acute basilar artery occlusion, notably technical considerations. This study compared the first-pass effect of direct thromboaspiration and combined thrombectomy in the setting of distal basilar occlusion.

Methods: An in-vitro experimental set-up was used, consisting of a vascular phantom model and thrombus analogs of different consistencies to mimic human clots. Thrombus analogs were injected into the model through the vertebral artery and flowed to the basilar distal third to mimic a distal basilar occlusion. Ten procedures were performed for each thrombus analog stiffness and technique (direct thromboaspiration versus combined thrombectomy).

Results: Direct thromboaspiration showed an overall first-pass effect rate of 83.3% (25/30) and was particularly effective for ultra-soft and soft clot analogs, but decreased for hard clot analogs. Combined thrombectomy had an overall first-pass effect rate of 56.7% (17/30). The effect rate for ultra-soft and soft clot analogs was 60% and 50% for hard clot analogs. In the softer clot analogs, the stent-retriever device used for the combined thrombectomies tended to deviate the clot analog from a co-axial trajectory with the aspiration catheter.

Conclusions: In the context of distal basilar occlusion, our in-vitro results showed that higher first-pass effect rates were achieved with direct thromboaspiration compared to combined thrombectomy in all types of thrombus analogs.

Post-operative cerebral edema and hemorrhage are common after resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. This has traditionally been attributed to normal perfusion pressure breakthrough, a phenomenon of pathologic vasoreactivity in the surrounding brain caused by chronic oligemia from the nearby shunt. As endovascular techniques for arteriovenous malformation treatment have advanced, more arteriovenous malformations are being treated without open surgery, even to the point of cure. Here we revisit the concept of normal perfusion pressure breakthrough as applied to the hemodynamic changes after arteriovenous malformation embolization, which we propose is responsible for the persistent rate of hemorrhagic complications seen after these procedures.

Background: The registry of cerebral aneurysms <5 mm, known for their low risk of rupture, is significant, given their high incidence globally. Our study aimed to identify, in small aneurysms (<5 mm), the potential morphological characteristics, risk factors that can predict the risk of rupture, and the risk or benefit of treating them with endovascular or conservative treatment in ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: The medical records of patients with cerebral aneurysms <5 mm were retrospectively reviewed between January 2014 and December 2022 at two neurovascular centers in Colombia. We evaluated clinical and angiographic outcomes using statistical tests.

Results: Two hundred fifty-six patients (425 intracranial aneurysms) were registered in the database. Two hundred and seventy-five IA were treated with endovascular treatment: 70 ruptured aneurysms and 205 unruptured aneurysms. One hundred fifty intracranial aneurysms underwent conservative treatment (follow-up). Women accounted for 82.1% of cases. Most cases were incidentally diagnosed (83.5%). After a year of follow-up, 87.3% of unruptured and 67.1% of ruptured intracranial aneurysms had an mRS 0-2. In the Raymond-Roy occlusion classification, among 101 unruptured intracranial aneurysms embolized were 53 cases class I, and among 66 ruptured intracranial aneurysms embolized, 67.1% were class I.

Conclusion: Endovascular therapy for aneurysms <5 mm appears to be a technically feasible treatment, with satisfactory occlusion rates and few re-treatments at the 12-month follow-up. The complication rates were similar to those reported in studies on small aneurysms.

Venous sinus stenting for dural venous sinus outflow obstruction due to an intrinsic filling obstruction or extrinsic stenosis is an increasingly popular treatment strategy for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and isolated pulsatile tinnitus (PT). The most common site of stenosis is the lateral venous sinus at the transverse-sigmoid junction. Approximately 10% of the population has a persistent occipital venous sinus (OVS), a variant that may be the dominant venous drainage pathway in the setting of a hypoplastic or aplastic transverse sinus. OVS stenosis has been rarely associated with IIH and isolated PT with only a handful published cases. We herein report a retrospective series of OVS stenting in five patients, four of whom presented with non-IIH PT and one with IIH.

Background: There have been immense advancements in the hardware and software of digital subtraction angiography systems over the last several years. These advancements continue to make progress toward the goals of offering better visualization and reducing radiation exposure. A newer advancement in this arena is presenting three-dimension data over time resulting in four-dimensional-digital subtracted angiography visualization. We have evaluated these protocols related to the evaluation of the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with pipeline flow diversion.

Methods: Four-dimensional-digital subtracted angiography imaging was acquired on an Artis Q Biplane angiographic system (Siemens Healthcare AG, Forchheim, Germany). A six second four-dimensional-digital subtracted angiography protocol was performed pre and post flow diverter placement. Pre and post reconstructed images were sent through a dedicated prototype research workstation (Syngo X-Workplace; Siemens Healthineers AG) for further flow evaluation.

Results: The treatment of an aneurysm with flow diversion led to a filling delay of 0.278 ± 0.422 s inside the aneurysms, whereas distal to the aneurysms the filling of the vessel segment occurred earlier post procedural (negative filling delay of -0.15 ± 0.31 s. The flow ratio inside the aneurysm decreased to 63.6 ± 23% of its pre-treatment value and distal to the aneurysm the flow remained substantially the same (flow ratio: 95.6 ± 0.29%). Data showed a relative filling delay of the aneurysm normalized to the distal vessel of 0.43 ± 0.36 s. The relative flow ratio of the aneurysm in comparison to the distal parent vessel was 72.2 ± 31%.

Conclusions: Analysis of a four-dimensional-digital subtracted angiography acquisition allows assessment of the effects of flow diversion treatment on aneurysm hemodynamic parameters and shows a significant decrease in flow inside the aneurysm compared to the parent vessel distal to the aneurysm.

In this study, we address the rarity and management challenges associated with ruptured spinal artery pseudoaneurysms, which comprise < 1% of subarachnoid hemorrhage cases. With our limited understanding of their natural history, the prevailing consensus leans towards surgical clipping, contrasting with the typically benign symptoms of sudden back pain and lower extremity weakness. Despite reported low morbidity and mortality, fatal re-ruptures underscore the need for effective management strategies. In this context, we present the largest case series to date, featuring five patients with spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage from isolated posterior spinal artery pseudoaneurysms. All cases achieved spontaneous thrombosis and resolution through conservative management, challenging the prevailing surgical emphasis. The patients, aged 58-81, exhibited varied symptoms, including back pain, paresthesia, confusion, and seizures, with hypertension as a common comorbidity. The results of these cases lead us to tender a "hybrid" management strategy, combining conservative measures with short-term follow-up angiograms, fostering a paradigm shift and warranting further investigation into individualized patient care within larger clinical cohorts.

Background and purpose: Intracranial aneurysm treatment using flow-diverters and flow-disruptors requires a higher level of expertise when compared to more traditional methods. Our hypothesis was that the procedural success and the rate of complications are dependent on the annual case load of a center.

Materials and methods: Conducting a retrospective analysis on the Database of the German Society for Interventional Radiology for the years 2020 to 2021, we examined flow-diverter and flow-disruptor procedures. We categorized centers into four groups according to their annual case load and proceeded to analyze success rates, complication rates, and fluoroscopy times across these centers.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups in both flow-diverter and flow-disruptor cases concerning fluoroscopy time and the incidence of technical complications. However, within the subgroup of flow-disruptor cases, centers with lower case load exhibited significantly higher rates of hemorrhagic and clinically relevant complications. Additionally, it was noted that the rate of therapeutic success in the flow-diverter group significantly increased in centers with higher case volumes.

Conclusion: Our findings support the intention towards centralization of medical care especially for complex neuroendovascular procedures. Furthermore, our findings are an argument to further develop a standardized educational and procedural algorithm based on defined case numbers and training modules for complex neurovascular procedures as already implemented by the Database of the German Society for Interventional Radiology.

Background: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for subdural hematomas (SDH) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) has gained momentum in the neuroendovascular space. However, there is variability in the technique for safe and effective embolization. The aim of this report is to describe the technical feasibility and clinical performance of using Zoom^™ 45 catheter for MMA access to facilitate embolization.

Methods: We analyzed all cases of MMA embolization in which the Zoom^™ 45 catheter was used and performed in our institution from February 2021 to March 2023 for SDH and dAVFs.

Results: A total of 32 patients were included. Mean age was 64.0 ± 18.0 years, 75.0% (4/32) were male, and 56.7% (17/30), were black. The technical success was achieved in 93.8% (30/32) of cases, with selective embolization utilizing microcatheter directly into frontal and parietal branches for most patients (96.9%, 31/32). Identification of dangerous collaterals, such as lacrimal and petrous branches, prior to embolization, was achieved in most patients (96.9%, 31/32). Bilateral MMA embolization was done in 50.0% (16/32) of patients. The transradial approach and transfemoral approach were used in 53.1% (17/32) and 46.9% (15/32) of patients, respectively. The most common embolization material was n-butyl cyanoacrylate (84.4%, 27/32). There were no access site complications or complications related to the MMA embolization procedures and used devices.

Conclusions: The use of Zoom^™ 45 Catheter seems to be technically feasible, safe, and effective for facilitating MMA access for embolization in the context of SDH and dAVFs.

Objective: There are few studies on flow diverters with diameters >5 mm. We present our preliminary experience with the 5.5-8 mm Derivo Embolization Device (DED) implants for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

Methods: A consecutive series of 26 patients (median age: 60 years) treated for 32 aneurysms in 26 procedures was retrospectively analyzed for procedural characteristics, complications, and mid-term angiographic results.

Results: The median aneurysm size was 10.5 mm, 2 of 30 (6%) aneurysms were ruptured and 9 (28%) had a fusiform or dissecting morphology. DED implantation was performed in the internal carotid artery in 18 of 26 (69%) procedures and in the vertebrobasilar artery in 8 (31%). Device deployment failed in 1 (4%) procedure. The 7 and 8 mm implants were successfully deployed in 5 cases. Additional balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was performed in 3 (12%) cases to improve wall apposition. Complications included 1 (4%) major stroke and 2 (8%) minor strokes. Angiographic follow up at a mean of 6 months showed complete occlusion in 8 of30 (27%) aneurysms and favorable occlusion in 14 (47%).

Conclusions: The use of large diameter DEDs was safe and feasible. The mid-term occlusion rates are acceptable considering the complex subset of aneurysms studied. Further studies are warranted to define the indications for large-diameter DEDs and to evaluate their long-term efficacy.

Introduction: After several uncontrolled studies and one randomized clinical trial, there is still uncertainty regarding the role of endovascular treatment (EVT) in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). This study aims to describe and assess different acute management strategies in the treatment of CVT.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of an international two-center registry of CVT patients admitted since 2019. Good outcome was defined as a return to baseline modified Rankin scale at three months. We described and compared EVT versus no-EVT patients.

Results: We included 61 patients. Only one did not receive systemic anticoagulation. EVT was performed in 13/61 (20%) of the cases, with a median time from diagnosis to puncture of 4.5 h (1.25-28.5). EVT patients had a higher median baseline NIHSS [6 (IQR 2-17) vs 0 (0-2.7), p = 0.002)] and a higher incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (53.8% vs 20.3%, p = 0.03). Recanalization was achieved in 10/13 (77%) patients. Thrombectomy was performed in every case with angioplasty in 7 out of 12 patients and stenting in 3 cases. No postprocedural complication was reported. An improvement of the median NIHSS from baseline to discharge [6 (2-17) vs 1(0-3.75); p < 0.001] was observed in EVT group. A total of 31/60 patients (50.8%) had good outcomes. Adjusting to NIHSS and ICH, EVT had a non-significant increase in the odds of a good outcome [aOR 1.42 (95%CI 0.73-2.8, p = 0.307)].

Conclusions: EVT in combination with anticoagulation was safe in acute treatment of CVT as suggested by NIHSS improvement. Selected patients may benefit from this treatment.