Application of pigtail catheter tailing combined with long-wire swapping technique in cerebral angiography via the right radial artery

The safety and feasibility of transradial approach for cerebral angiography has been confirmed previously. However, this approach has been limited used due to the difficulty during the procedure. This study aimed to introduce a pigtail catheter tailing and long-wire swapping technique to improve the success rate without increasing complications.From August 2015 to December 2018, 560 patients who underwent cerebral angiography via transradial approach were recruited. The data including the type of aortic arch, type of Simmon catheter were collected.The loop was successfully constructed in 553 patients using Simmon-2 or Simmon-1 catheter. Of these patients, 72 patients successfully underwent cerebral and renal angiography, while 481 patients underwent cerebral angiography. The time for angiography was 52.87 ± 11.23 minutes and 47.8 ± 11.8 minutes, respectively. There were 369 (66.7%), 135 (24.4%), and 49 (8.9%) patients with type I, type II, and type III aortic arches, respectively, and their success rates of looping using Simmon-2 catheter were 97.8%, 97.0%, and 89.8%, respectively. The success rates of angiography in the right internal carotid artery, right vertebral artery, left internal carotid artery, and left vertebral artery were 100%, 100%, 98.9%, and 98.9%, respectively. No serious complications were observed in all patients.The pigtail catheter tailing and long guidewire swapping is considered as a safe procedure with high success rate for loop construction using a Simmon-2 catheter through the right radial artery, subsequently improving the success rate as well as the efficiency of angiography.

The Use of High-Risk Criteria in Screening Patients for Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury: A Survey

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is uncommon, but delayed detection can have disastrous consequences. The Denver criteria are the most commonly used screening criteria. We aim to examine the utilization of screening criteria in the emergency department (ED) of our institution and assess whether patients with risk factors were imaged.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey questionnaire was sent out to radiologists in a large academic institution. A search was performed in the database on the use of CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) among patients with risk factors in the last 11 years.

RESULTS

The survey was sent to 173 radiologists, with 41 responses (35 complete). Most of the physicians (30 out of 35) surveyed selected CTA as their preferred modality to screen for BCVI, whereas the remaining physicians selected MRA. None of the respondents reported routine use of Denver screening criteria or grading scale in their readouts. Only five respondents selected risk factors in the Denver criteria correctly. In the institution search, among the 1331 patients with blunt trauma and risk factors for BCVI, 537 underwent at least one angiographic study (40.3%). There was an increase in the screening rate after February 2010 in all risk factors, but only statistically significant among patients with foramen transversarium fractures and C1-C3 fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the Denver screening criteria and grading scale of vascular injury have been underutilized in the ED for patients with risk factors. Greater awareness and utilization of imaging can potentially result in decreased incidence of subsequent stroke in patients with blunt injury.

Complications of in-patient Cerebral Angiography: Comparison between patients with and without sub arachnoid haemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To compare complications of cerebral angiography among patients with and without subarachnoid haemorrhage.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of patients undergoing inpatient therapeutic and diagnostic cerebral angiographies from 2001 to 2010. The patients were divided into subarachnoid and non-subarachnoid haemorrhage groups. During the study period no modifications were made to the operational protocol and all patients were subjected to the same procedure and prophylactic care.

RESULTS

Of the 93 patients, 42(45.2%) were women and 51(54.8%) were men. The overall mean age was 45.27±16.15 years (range: 4-80 years). The comparison between the two groups regarding new onset of neurological deficit was statistically significant (p=0.001). However, the same comparison regarding drop in Glasgow Coma Scale was statistically not significant (p=0.073).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of neurological complications was higher in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Determinants of leptomeningeal collateral flow in stroke patients with a middle cerebral artery occlusion

Introduction

Poor leptomeningeal collateral flow is related to worse clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke, but the factors that determine leptomeningeal collateral patency are largely unknown. We explored the determinants of leptomeningeal collateral flow and assessed their effect on the relation between leptomeningeal collateral flow and clinical outcome.

Methods

We included 484 patients from the Dutch acute stroke study (DUST) with a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The determinants of poor leptomeningeal collateral flow (≤50 % collateral filling) were identified with logistic regression. We calculated the relative risk (RR) of poor leptomeningeal collateral flow in relation to poor clinical outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale 3–6) using Poisson regression and assessed whether the determinants of leptomeningeal collateral flow affected this relation.

Results

Leptomeningeal collateral flow was poor in 142 patients (29 %). In multivariable analyses, higher admission glucose level (odds ratio (OR) 1.1 per mmol/L increase (95 % CI 1.0–1.2)), a proximal MCA occlusion (OR 1.9 (95 % CI 1.3–3.0)), and an incomplete posterior circle of Willis (OR 1.7 (95 % CI 1.1–2.6)) were independently related to poor leptomeningeal collateral flow. Poor leptomeningeal collateral flow was related to poor clinical outcome (unadjusted RR 1.7 (95 % CI 1.4–2.0)), and this relation was not affected by the determinants of leptomeningeal collateral flow.

Conclusion

Our study shows that admission glucose level, a proximal MCA occlusion, and an incomplete ipsilateral posterior circle of Willis are determinants of leptomeningeal collateral flow that represent a combination of congenital, acquired, and acute factors. After adjustment for these determinants, leptomeningeal collateral flow remains related to clinical outcome.

Diagnostic performance of CT and MRI on the detection of symptomatic intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula: a meta-analysis with indirect comparison

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to review the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in symptomatic dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF).

METHODS

EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched until April 2015 for studies which compared CT, MRI, or both with angiography for the detection of DAVF. The diagnostic performances of MRI and CT were indirectly compared using modality as a covariate in the analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria. MRI had a sensitivity of 0.90 (95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.83-0.94) and specificity of 0.94 (95 % CI = 0.90-0.96). CT had a sensitivity of 0.80 (95 % CI = 0.62-0.90) and specificity of 0.87 (95 % CI = 0.74-0.94). MRI showed better diagnostic performance than CT (p = 0.02). Contrast medium use and time-resolved MR angiography did not improve MRI diagnostic performance (p = 0.31 and 0.44, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Both CT and MRI had good diagnostic performance. MRI was better than CT on the detection of symptomatic intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula in the indirect comparison.

Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score applied to CT angiography source images is a strong predictor of futile recanalization in acute ischemic stroke

INTRODUCTION

Reliable predictors of poor clinical outcome despite successful revascularization might help select patients with acute ischemic stroke for thrombectomy. We sought to determine whether baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) applied to CT angiography source images (CTA-SI) is useful in predicting futile recanalization.

METHODS

Data are from the FUN-TPA study registry (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02164357) including patients with acute ischemic stroke due to proximal arterial occlusion in anterior circulation, undergoing reperfusion therapies. Baseline non-contrast CT and CTA-SI-ASPECTS, time-lapse to image acquisition, occurrence, and timing of recanalization were recorded. Outcome measures were NIHSS at 24 h, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, modified Rankin scale score, and mortality at 90 days. Futile recanalization was defined when successful recanalization was associated with poor functional outcome (death or disability).

RESULTS

Included were 110 patients, baseline NIHSS 17 (IQR 12; 20), treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT; 45 %), primary mechanical thrombectomy (MT; 16 %), or combined IVT + MT (39 %). Recanalization rate was 71 %, median delay of 287 min (225; 357). Recanalization was futile in 28 % of cases. In an adjusted model, baseline CTA-SI-ASPECTS was inversely related to the odds of futile recanalization (OR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.3-0.7), whereas NCCT-ASPECTS was not (OR 0.8; 95 % CI 0.5-1.2). A score ≤5 in CTA-SI-ASPECTS was the best cut-off to predict futile recanalization (sensitivity 35 %; specificity 97 %; positive predictive value 86 %; negative predictive value 77 %).

CONCLUSIONS

CTA-SI-ASPECTS strongly predicts futile recanalization and could be a valuable tool for treatment decisions regarding the indication of revascularization therapies.

Incidence of delayed ipsilateral intraparenchymal hemorrhage after stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms in a high-volume single center

INTRODUCTION

Delayed ipsilateral intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) has been reported following technically successful treatment of intracranial aneurysms using flow-diverting stents in up to 8.5% of patients. We report a similar, though less frequent phenomenon in the setting of stent-assisted coil embolization.

METHODS

Institutional review board approval was obtained. A retrospective analysis of a prospective neurointerventional procedure registry was performed to review all IPHs that occurred in aneurysm patients within 90 days of endovascular treatment performed between November 2002 and November 2014 at one institution. Age, sex, hypertension, dual antiplatelet therapy, and technical details of the procedure were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 1697 patients underwent endovascular treatment of an intracranial aneurysm without a flow diverter at our institution during the study period. Among these, 138 patients underwent stent-assisted coiling (8.1%). Of these, three patients (2.2%) suffered a delayed IPH within the vascular territory distal to the treated lesion (one woman, median age 60 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Recently described in the setting of flow diversion, delayed ipsilateral IPH is not limited to flow-diverting stents. Though less frequent, a potential for this complication may exist following any intracranial stenting procedure, possibly related to hemorrhagic conversion of microembolic phenomena in the setting of dual antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy.

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator before endovascular treatment increases symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in patients with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery second division: subanalysis of the RESCUE-Japan Registry

INTRODUCTION

No previous study has investigated the relationship between intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) according to the location of vessel occlusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between preprocedural IV t-PA and endovascular treatment (EVT) and ICH according to the location of occlusion using data from the nationwide prospective registry of acute cerebral large vessel occlusion (LVO), the RESCUE-Japan Registry.

METHODS

Among 1442 patients with acute LVO enrolled in the registry, we examined 410 patients who received EVT. Patients were divided into the following four groups according to the location of occlusion: the internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery first division (M1), middle cerebral artery second division (M2), and vertebral artery (VA)/basilar artery (BA) groups.

RESULTS

A total of 399 patients in whom the occlusion was located in these vessels were finally included. Any ICH (aICH) was identified in 127 (30.9%) patients, and symptomatic ICH (sICH) was identified in 20 (4.9%). Preprocedural IV t-PA did not increase the incidence of aICH in any group and tended to increase the incidence of sICH in only the M2 group. In multivariate analysis of the M2 group, IV t-PA was an independent risk factor for sICH.

CONCLUSION

Preprocedural IV t-PA did not increase the incidence of ICH in total, but could increase the incidence of sICH in those with M2 occlusion. IV t-PA before EVT may be an independent risk factor for sICH in patients with M2 occlusion.

Timing of Mean Transit Time Maximization is Associated with Neurological Outcome After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PURPOSE

Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) has gained significant relevance for the radiological screening of patients at risk of developing delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Particularly, the impact of MTT_PEAK, i.e., the maximal mean transit time value in a series of CTP measurements, for the prediction of long-term outcome has recently been demonstrated by our group. Complementing this recent work, the present study investigated how the timing of MTT_PEAK affected the long-term outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS

CTP examinations from 103 patients with clinical deterioration attributed to DCI after aSAH were retrospectively analyzed for time interval between SAH ictus and onset of MTT_PEAK in association with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 23.1 months after SAH.

RESULTS

Patients with unfavorable outcome (mRS > = 2) suffered significant earlier MTT_PEAK onsets than patients with favorable outcome (mRS = 0 and 1). MTT_PEAK within the first week was associated with significantly higher mRS scores compared to later MTT_PEAK. Timing of MTT_PEAK together with the value of MTT_PEAK and initial World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade was a significant predictor for an unfavorable outcome (mRS > = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings suggest a presumably higher vulnerability of the brain to early microcirculatory impairments after aSAH and highlight that timing of MTT elevations could be considered for the identification of patients at increased risk for poor neurological outcome due to DCI.

Brain radiation doses to patients in an interventional neuroradiology laboratory

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2011, the International Commission on Radiologic Protection established an absorbed-dose threshold to the brain of 0.5 Gy as likely to produce cerebrovascular disease. In this paper, the authors investigated the brain doses delivered to patients during clinical neuroradiology procedures in a university hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The radiation dose delivered to the brain was investigated in 99 diagnostic and therapeutic interventional neuroradiology procedures. Brain doses were calculated in a mathematic model of an adult standard anthropomorphic phantom by using the technical and radiation dose data of an x-ray biplane system submitted to regular quality controls and calibration programs.

RESULTS

For cerebral embolizations, brain doses resulted in a maximum value of 1.7 Gy, with an average value of 500 mGy. Median and third quartile resulted in 400 and 856 mGy, respectively. For cerebral angiography, the average dose in the brain was 100 mGy.

CONCLUSIONS

This work supports the International Commission on Radiologic Protection recommendation on enhancing optimization when doses to the brain could be higher than 0.5 Gy. Radiation doses should be recorded for all patients and kept as low as reasonably achievable. For pediatric patients and young adults, an individual evaluation of brain doses could be appropriate.

Realism, criterion validity, and training capability of simulated diagnostic cerebral angiography

Computer-based simulation is increasingly used in medical education for training, assessment, credentialing, and practice. Compared to medical specialties such as anesthesiology and general surgery, the adoption of simulation for neurointerventional training has been slow. This may be due to the limited number of neurointerventional simulators available and the lack of research assessing their validity and training capability. The objective of this study was to assess the realism, validity, and training capability of computer-based simulation for diagnostic cerebral angiography using a commercially available simulator called the ANGIO Mentor Express.

Stent-assisted coiling in endovascular treatment of 500 consecutive cerebral aneurysms with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stent-assisted coil embolization has become one of the most preferred techniques in the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms; however, long-term patency and safety of the self-expanding neurostents and their role in durability of the endovascular treatment has remained ambiguous. We sought to retrospectively examine the long-term results of self-expanding stent usage in conjunction with coil embolization in treatment of wide-neck cerebral aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We coiled 500 wide-neck cerebral aneurysms with different types of self-expanding neurostent assistance in 468 patients. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, pharmacologic therapy protocol, complications, and initial occlusion grades were analyzed. Patients underwent angiographic follow-up at 6 months to 7 years after treatment. DSA or MRA images of all patients were analyzed to assess the occlusion rate of aneurysms and patency of the parent artery.

RESULTS

Enterprise (n = 340), Solitaire (n = 98), Wingspan (n = 41), LEO (n = 16), and Neuroform (n = 5) stent systems were used in this series. Stent-related thromboembolic events occurred in 21 patients and intraoperative rupture occurred in 4 patients. Initially, complete occlusion was achieved in 42.2% of the aneurysms, and, according to the last follow-up data, the rate had progressed to 90.8%. Recanalization rate at 6 months was 8%, whereas the late recanalization rate was 2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of stents in endovascular treatment provides high rates of complete occlusion and low rates of recurrence at a long-term follow-up study.

Use of CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm: evaluation of a large multihospital data base

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Both CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography are used to detect aneurysms in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. We examined a large multihospital data base to determine how practice is evolving with regard to the use of CT angiography and DSA in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Premier Perspective data base was used to identify hospitalizations of patients treated with clipping or coiling of ruptured cerebral aneurysms from 2006-2011. Billing information was used to determine pretreatment and posttreatment use of DSA and CT angiography during hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 4972 patients (1022 clipping, 3950 coiling) at 116 hospitals were identified. The percentage of patients with SAH who underwent pretreatment CT angiography significantly increased from 20% in 2006 to 44% in 2011 (P < .0001), whereas the percentage of patients who underwent DSA remained unchanged from 96-94% (P = .28). This CT angiography trend was observed in coiling patients (17-42%, P < .0001) and clipping patients (32-54%, P < .0001). There was a significant increase in the percentage of patients who underwent posttreatment imaging from 41% in 2006 to 48% in 2011 (P = .0037). This trend was observed in clipping patients (33-65%, P < .0001) but not coiling patients (43-45%, P = .62).

CONCLUSIONS

For the pretreatment evaluation of ruptured aneurysms, the use of CT angiography increased from 2006-2011 without a corresponding decrease in the use of DSA. These results raise the question of potential redundancy without added clinical value of the second test.

Coil type does not affect angiographic follow-up outcomes of cerebral aneurysm coiling: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous studies varied in their conclusions about the superiority of second-generation coils compared with bare platinum. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed differences in reported unfavorable angiographic outcomes of cerebral aneurysms treated with coil embolization as a function of coil type.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This systematic review covered 1999-2011 through the use of Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE. Search terms were "subarachnoid hemorrhage," "intracranial aneurysms," "endovascular treatment," and "coiling." Inclusion criteria were studies reporting >50 aneurysms with imaging follow-up. We defined "unfavorable angiographic outcome" as either "recanalization," <90% occlusion, or "incomplete occlusion" at follow-up. Rates of unfavorable outcomes were pooled through the use of random effects models and compared across various coil types. Multivariate random effects meta-regression models were used to further explore the differences in outcomes related to coil type.

RESULTS

We included 82 studies, comprising 90 patient cohorts, among which, 65 (72%) used bare platinum coils, 8 (8.9%) used Matrix, 11 (12%) used HydroCoil, and 6 (6.7%) used Cerecyte. The overall unfavorable outcome rate was 19% (95% CI: 17%,21%). Unfavorable outcome rates were 20% (95% CI: 17%, 22%) for bare platinum coils, 23% (95% CI: 16%, 29%) for Matrix, 15% (95% CI: 9%, 21%) for HydroCoil, and 15% (95% CI: 7%, 23%) for Cerecyte, respectively. The difference in unfavorable outcome rates among the various coil types was not statistically significant after adjusting for baseline characteristics, including aneurysm size, rupture status, and follow-up duration.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of unfavorable angiographic outcomes was not statistically different across the major approved coil types. The quality of the evidence, however, remains low because of high heterogeneity, small sample size, and potential publication bias.

Development of workflow task analysis during cerebral diagnostic angiographies: time-based comparison of junior and senior tasks

OBJECTIVE

Assessing neuroradiologists' skills in the operating room (OR) is difficult and often subjective. This study used a workflow time-based task analysis approach while performing cerebral angiography.

METHODS

Eight angiographies performed by a senior neuroradiologist and eight performed by a junior neuroradiologist were compared. Dedicated software with specific terminology was used to record the tasks. Procedures were subdivided into phases, each comprising multiple tasks. Each task was defined as a triplet, associating an action, an instrument and an anatomical structure. The duration of each task was the metric. Total duration of the procedure, task duration and the number of times a task was repeated were identified. The focus was on tasks using fluoroscopy and for moving the X-ray table/tube.

RESULTS

The total duration of tasks to complete the entire procedure was longer for the junior operators than for the seniors (P=0.012). The mean duration per task during the navigation phase was 86s for the juniors and 43s for the seniors (P=0.002). The total and mean durations of tasks involving the use of fluoroscopy were also longer for the juniors (P=0.002 and P=0.033, respectively). For tasks involving the table/tube, the total and mean durations were again longer for the juniors (P=0.019 and P=0.082, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This approach allows reliable skill assessment in the radiology OR and comparison of junior and senior competencies during cerebral diagnostic angiography. This new tool can improve the quality and safety of procedures, and facilitate the learning process for neuroradiologists.

Basilar artery fenestration detected with CT angiography

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the characteristics of basilar artery (BA) fenestrations and their coexistence with aneurysms and other anomalies in a massive cases by computed tomographic angiography (CTA).

METHODS

A total of 5,657 sequential cerebral CTA images performed from January 2006 to February 2012 were reviewed. CTA images were obtained from the raw datasets by using volume rendering and maximal intensity projection reconstruction.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-two (2.33 %) BA fenestrations were detected with CTA, and most common at the proximal segment (n = 124). BA fenestration-associated aneurysms were found in 34 cases and 7 located at the posterior circulation, and the frequency of posterior circulation aneurysms was significantly different in patients with and without BA fenestrations (P = 0.025). Other associated anomalies included arteriovenous malformation (n = 7) and moyamoya disease (n = 6). BA fenestrations were classified into Type I (74 cases), Type II (15 cases), Type III (41 cases) and Type IV (2 cases). A significant difference was observed between Types II + III associated with convex-lens-like and slit-like fenestrations (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

BA fenestrations were found in 2.33 % with CTA. They were significantly more often associated with posterior circulation aneurysms than those without BA fenestration. The anterior inferior cerebral artery (AICA) tends to originate more often from convex-lens-like fenestration than slit-like.

KEY POINTS

• Basilar artery fenestrations were found in 2.33 % of patients undergoing CT angiography. • Fenestrations were seen more often in the lower third with slit-like configurations. • No obvious relationship exists between basilar artery fenestration and aneurysm formation. • Basilar artery fenestrations perhaps predispose a patient to posterior circulation aneurysm formation. • The AICA tends to originate more often from convex-lens-like than slit-like fenestrations.

CT-detected intracranial hemorrhage among patients with head injury in Lagos, Nigeria

PURPOSE

To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) findings of intracranial hemorrhage among patients with head trauma in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 500 patients with head trauma who had diagnostic cranial CT scans was selected. All the radiological reports and CT scans of patients with head trauma were retrieved in the hospitals selected as study sites. The reports were sorted into 2 groups - normal findings and intracranial bleeding. The reports of intracranial bleeding were sorted again into different classes of intracranial bleeding as identified by the radiologist who reported it. All data were analyzed using the Epi Info public domain software package. The chi-square test was used to measure the statistical significance of study results at P < .05.

RESULTS

Most of the study subjects (68%) were men. Traffic accidents accounted for 44% of all the head traumas found in the study, and 58% of the head traumas resulted in intracranial bleeding. Among the hemorrhages found, 37% were intracerebral, 25% were subdural, 16% were intraventricular, 15% were subarachnoid, and 7% were epidural.

DISCUSSION

Intracranial hemorrhage was a common consequence of acute head trauma sustained from traffic accidents in the population studied, with intracerebral hemorrhage being the most prevalent type.

CONCLUSION

Traffic accidents are the main cause of acute head trauma in Lagos, Nigeria. The use of CT for early diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage appears justifiable.

Clinical and angiographic characteristics of multiple dural arteriovenous shunts

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The pathogenesis and characteristics of multiple DAVSs are not well-known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiographic and clinical characteristics of patients with multiple DAVSs with an emphasis on the pathomechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred seventy-nine patients with DAVS were reviewed. Patients with ≥ 2 fistulas at anatomically separate sites were included. Multiple DAVSs were categorized into synchronous (simultaneous multiplicity) or metachronous (temporal sequential development of multiplicity) types. The angiographic and clinical characteristics of these lesions were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were diagnosed with multiple DAVSs (7.8%; synchronous, n = 7; metachronous, n = 7). Thirteen of the 14 patients showed CVR (93%, Borden type II/III). Multiple DAVSs were frequently associated with dural sinus thrombosis (71.4%, n = 10). Synchronous DAVSs developed in association with an occluded sinus (n = 5). De novo metachronous lesions developed in association with thrombosis of a previously patent dural sinus (n = 3) or reopening of an occluded sinus (n = 2). Multiplicity was associated with aggressive initial symptoms in 64.3% (n = 9). The newly developed lesions in the metachronous types were accompanied by hemorrhage (n = 1), neurologic deficit (n = 1), worsening of the initial benign symptoms (n = 2), and incidental detection (n = 3). The mean time interval between the initial diagnosis and de novo lesion detection was 31.3 ± 29.8 months (range, 12-92 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiplicity of DAVSs is associated with poor angiographic and clinical prognosis, requiring an aggressive treatment and management strategy. Sinus thrombosis has a prominent role in the pathomechanism of DAVSs.

Does intracranial venous thrombosis cause subdural hemorrhage in the pediatric population?

Unexplained SDH in infants and children is an accepted marker for AHT. It has been proposed that IVT may be the initiating event leading to the development of acute SDH, mimicking the appearance of traumatic SDH. Our study aims to investigate if nontraumatic IVT causes SDH in the pediatric population. We retrospectively identified 36 patients with IVT and reviewed neuroimaging studies for the concurrent presence of SDH. In our 36 patients with IVT, no associated SDH was observed. Even with extensive IVT, no SDH was present. Three false-positive diagnoses of IVT were identified in the setting of mastoiditis and traumatic SDH, demonstrating pitfalls in imaging. In conclusion, our findings do not support the previous AHT literature stating that IVT is associated with, or leads to, SDH in neonates, infants, or children.

Regional leptomeningeal score on CT angiography predicts clinical and imaging outcomes in patients with acute anterior circulation occlusions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The regional leptomeningeal score is a strong and reliable imaging predictor of good clinical outcomes in acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes and can therefore be used for imaging based patient selection. Efforts to determine biological determinants of collateral status are needed if techniques to alter collateral behavior and extend time windows are to succeed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective Institutional Review Board-approved study of patients with acute ischemic stroke and M1 middle cerebral artery+/- intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion at our center from 2003 to 2009. The rLMC score is based on scoring pial and lenticulostriate arteries (0, no; 1, less; 2, equal or more prominent compared with matching region in opposite hemisphere) in 6 ASPECTS regions (M1-6) plus anterior cerebral artery region and basal ganglia. Pial arteries in the Sylvian sulcus are scored 0, 2, or 4. Good clinical outcome was defined as mRS ≤ 2 at 90 days.

RESULTS

The analysis included 138 patients: 37.6% had a good (17-20), 40.5% a medium (11-16), and 21.7% a poor (0-10) rLMC score. Interrater reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77%-0.95%). On univariate analysis, no single vascular risk factor was associated with the presence of poor rLMCs (P ≥ .20 for all comparisons). In multivariable analysis, the rLMC score (good versus poor: OR, 16.7; 95% CI, 2.9%-97.4%; medium versus poor: OR, 9.2, 95% CI, 1.7%-50.6%), age (< 80 years), baseline ASPECTS (≥ 8), and clot burden score (≥ 8) were independent predictors of good clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The rLMC score is a strong imaging parameter on CT angiography for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic strokes.

Is fasting necessary for elective cerebral angiography?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In order to prevent unexpected events such as aspiration pneumonia, cerebral angiography has been performed under fasting in most cases. We investigated prospectively the necessity of fasting before elective cerebral angiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study is an open-labeled clinical trial without random allocation. In total, 2554 patients who underwent elective cerebral angiography were evaluated on development of nausea, vomiting, and pulmonary aspiration during and after angiography. Potential risks and benefits associated with fasting were provided in written documents and through personal counseling to patients before the procedure. The patients chose their fasting or nonfasting option. No restriction in diet was given after angiography. The patients were observed for 24 hours. Nausea and vomiting during and within 1 hour after angiography was considered as a positive event associated with cerebral angiography.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of nausea and vomiting during and within 1 hour after angiography was 1.05% (27/2554 patients). There was no patient with pulmonary aspiration. No statistical difference in nausea and vomiting development between the fasting and the diet groups was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of nausea and vomiting associated with cerebral angiography is low and not affected by diet or fasting. Pulmonary aspiration had no difference between the diet and the fasting group. Our study suggests that fasting may not be necessary for patients who undergo elective cerebral angiography.

Avoiding complications in neurosurgical interventional procedures

The aim of this paper is to describe common complications during neurosurgical interventional procedures. We describe our experience and review the literature about how to avoid complications during diagnostic cerebral angiography and neurosurgical interventional procedures. Recent technological advances have expanded the therapeutic options of neuroendovascular interventions. However, with higher complexity there is also an increased risk of complications. Common complications include hematoma at the puncture site, arterial dissection and microembolism. Treatment of complex aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations involves a higher complication rate. Standardized training and operator's certification reduces the risk of complications. It is also important to work with specialized ancillary staff and to provide dedicated neurocritical care after the neuroendovascular intervention.

The safety of dedicated-team catheter-based diagnostic cerebral angiography in the era of advanced noninvasive imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Given the current high quality and usefulness of noninvasive cerebrovascular imaging, invasive angiographic evaluation of the cerebrovascular system is justified if the procedural risk for a neurologic complication is far below the anticipated benefit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of diagnostic cerebral angiography provided by a dedicated neurointerventional team in a high-volume university hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive cohort of 1715 patients undergoing diagnostic cerebral angiography at our institution from 2000 to 2008 was retrospectively assessed for incidence of stroke or TIA related to cerebral angiography. In the subgroup of patients (n = 40) who serendipitously underwent DWI within the first 30 days after cerebral angiography, the presence of new DWI hyperintensities found in territories explored during angiography was tabulated. Complications related to the catheter technique and sheath placement were also studied.

RESULTS

No stroke or permanent neurologic deficit was seen in any of the 1715 patients undergoing diagnostic neuroangiography. One patient experienced a TIA. Nonneurologic complications without long-term sequelae occurred in 9 patients. Two patients had punctate areas of restricted diffusion in territories that had been angiographically explored.

CONCLUSIONS

Within a high-volume neurointerventional practice, the risk for neurologic complications related to catheter-based diagnostic cerebral angiography can approach zero. As the absolute number of invasive diagnostic procedures diminishes with time, diagnostic cerebral angiography remains a useful tool while providing a foundation for neuroendovascular interventions, and should preferably be performed in institutions with high-volume operators also capable of managing unanticipated complicating adverse events.

Intracranial aneurysms in childhood: 27-year single-institution experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pediatric aneurysms are rare and, thus, relatively poorly understood as compared to those in adults. Our aim was to characterize the clinical, imaging, treatment, and outcome data of patients younger than 19 years diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms at a tertiary care institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective medical record review of pediatric patients examined at our university hospital between 1981 and 2008.

RESULTS

We evaluated 77 patients (mean age, 12 years; 40 female, 37 male) with 103 intracranial aneurysms. Patients presented with headache (45%), cranial neuropathies (16%), nausea/vomiting (15%), vision changes (13%), trauma (13%), seizure (4%), or sensory changes (3%). Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in 25 patients. Thirty-one fusiform aneurysms occurred in 25 patients. Forty-seven saccular aneurysms occurred in 35 patients. Twelve infectious aneurysms occurred in 6 patients. Fifteen traumatic aneurysms occurred in 12 patients. Fifty-nine patients underwent treatment of their aneurysms; 18 patients' conditions were managed conservatively. Nineteen patients underwent primary endovascular coiling, 1 patient had endovascular stent-assisted coiling, 11 patients underwent endovascular parent artery occlusion, 19 patients underwent surgical clipping, and 10 patients had aneurysms trapped and bypassed. Mortality was 1.3%. Morbidity included 8% infarction and 4% new-onset seizures. Six patients developed new aneurysms or had enlargement of untreated aneurysms.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, intracranial aneurysms of childhood show a female predilection and predominantly saccular morphology. In neurovascular centers where microneurosurgical and endovascular options are available, most children with intracranial aneurysms can be successfully treated with low morbidity and mortality. Fusiform aneurysms require a combined microneurosurgical and endovascular approach more often than saccular aneurysms. The development of new aneurysms in pediatric patients during limited follow-up warrants further investigation.

The investigation of acute severe headache suggestive of probable subarachnoid haemorrhage: a hospital-based study

We reviewed the diagnostic approach to patients presenting with headache suggestive of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and normal cranial imaging, both locally and using a questionnaire, in other units throughout the United Kingdom. We emphasize the correct timing of cranial imaging and lumbar puncture (LP), the importance of proceeding to LP and utilizing spectrophotometry in patients with normal cranial imaging, and the appropriate use of angiography.

[Progredient intracranial bleeding after traumatic brain injury. When is a control CCT necessary?]

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to quantify the occurrence of progressive intracranial bleeding (PIB) and to identify concomitant parameters in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

TBI patients were included if initial and serial cranial computed tomography (CCT) scans were conducted within 24 h after trauma. A progression of > or =25% was considered as PIB. Patients with progression were compared to those with constant bleeding regarding clinical parameters, time lapse and coagulation status.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients with TBI and intracranial hemorrhaging were analyzed. PIB was detected in 45 patients showing significantly more intracerebral bleeding as well as fractures to the skull (p<0.05), compared to patients with constant bleeding. No significant differences between the groups regarding demographic and clinical parameters, time interval between trauma and initial CCT, and coagulation status were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Early progression of intracranial hemorrhaging occurs in nearly every second TBI patient and is recognized frequently in cerebral contusions and after fractures to the skull. Hence, early repeated CT scanning is indicated in all TBI patients suffering from intracranial bleeding.

Predictors of hemorrhage following intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: the role of pial collateral formation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The extent of pial collateral formation during acute ischemic stroke has been shown to influence outcomes. This study examines whether angiographic assessment of pial collateral formation is predictive of hemorrhagic transformation following intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) for acute ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rates of any hemorrhage and significant hemorrhage (>25 mL) were reviewed in 104 consecutive patients who underwent IAT following acute ischemic stroke. The influence of the anatomic extent of pial collateral formation on the rates of hemorrhage and significant hemorrhage relative to known predictors for hemorrhagic transformation (presenting systolic blood pressure, blood glucose level, platelet level, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score, history of diabetes, time to treatment, age, sex, occlusion site, and extent of reperfusion) was analyzed by using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Rates of any hemorrhage and significant hemorrhage were 25.2% (26/104) and 9.7% (10/104), respectively. The rate of significant hemorrhage was 25.0% (8/32) in patients with poor pial collaterals and 2.78% (2/72) in those with good pial collaterals (P = .0004, Pearson correlation). The rate of any hemorrhage was also significantly higher in patients with poor pial collaterals (40.6% versus 18.1%; P = .0142, Pearson correlation). Logistic regression analyses revealed that pial collateral formation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04), history of diabetes (OR = 4.83), platelets <200,000/microL (OR = 2.95), and time to treatment <3 hours (OR = 12.0) were statistically significant predictors of hemorrhage, whereas pial collateral formation (OR = 13.1) and platelets <200,000/microL (OR = 8.1) were statistically significant predictors of significant hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor pial collateral formation is associated with higher incidence and larger size of hemorrhage following IAT.

Double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery: association with intracranial aneurysm on catheter angiography

OBJECTIVE

Double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is a congenital anomaly in which the PICA forms from two separate vessels arising from the vertebral artery. The prevalence of double origin of the PICA on catheter angiography is unknown because only four case reports have been published. Because some congenital intracranial vascular oddities are associated with an elevated incidence of aneurysm formation, we sought to determine the association between intracranial aneurysm and double origin of the PICA and to measure the prevalence of double origin of the PICA on catheter angiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was done over a 27-month period to identify patients with double origin of the PICA. Patients were excluded if both PICAs were not adequately visualized on catheter angiography. The cohort was then divided into two groups consisting of patients with and those without intracranial aneurysm.

RESULTS

A total of 207 patients (101 males, 106 females) met the inclusion criteria. One or more cerebral aneurysms were found in 35.3% and double origin of the PICA in 1.45% of the patients. Double origin of the PICA was present in 4.1% of the patients with an aneurysm, and none of the patients without an aneurysm had double origin of the PICA (p = 0.043). A majority of the seven known cases of double origin of the PICA described by angiography in the peer-reviewed literature have associated intracranial aneurysm disease.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that double origin of the PICA is seen in 4.1% of patients with intracranial aneurysm and on 1.45% of catheter angiograms. Double origin of the PICA has an increased association with intracranial aneurysmal disease and may represent a risk factor for subsequent development of intracranial aneurysm.

The Stroke Outcomes and Neuroimaging of Intracranial Atherosclerosis (SONIA) Trial

BACKGROUND

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can identify intracranial atherosclerosis but have not been rigorously validated against the gold standard, catheter angiography. The WASID trial (Warfarin Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease) required performance of angiography to verify the presence of intracranial stenosis, allowing for prospective evaluation of TCD and MRA. The aims of Stroke Outcomes and Neuroimaging of Intracranial Atherosclerosis (SONIA) trial were to define abnormalities on TCD/MRA to see how well they identify 50 to 99% intracranial stenosis of large proximal arteries on catheter angiography.

STUDY DESIGN

SONIA standardized the performance and interpretation of TCD, MRA, and angiography. Study-wide cutpoints defining positive TCD/MRA were used. Hard copy TCD/MRA were centrally read, blind to the results of angiography.

RESULTS

SONIA enrolled 407 patients at 46 sites in the United States. For prospectively tested noninvasive test cutpoints, positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were TCD, PPV 36% (95% CI: 27 to 46); NPV, 86% (95% CI: 81 to 89); MRA, PPV 59% (95% CI: 54 to 65); NPV, 91% (95% CI: 89 to 93). For cutpoints modified to maximize PPV, they were TCD, PPV 50% (95% CI: 36 to 64), NPV 85% (95% CI: 81 to 88); MRA PPV 66% (95% CI: 58 to 73), NPV 87% (95% CI: 85 to 89). For each test, a characteristic performance curve showing how the predictive values vary with a changing test cutpoint was obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

Both transcranial Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography noninvasively identify 50 to 99% intracranial large vessel stenoses with substantial negative predictive value. The Stroke Outcomes and Neuroimaging of Intracranial Atherosclerosis trial methods allow transcranial Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography to reliably exclude the presence of intracranial stenosis. Abnormal findings on transcranial Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance angiography require a confirmatory test such as angiography to reliably identify stenosis.

Angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage in the era of three dimensional rotational angiography

BACKGROUND

Three dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is a powerful method for depicting intracranial vascular lesions because of its 3D imaging capability. The purpose of this study was to analyse if 3DRA had reduced the incidence of angiogram-negative subarchnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and which type of aneurysm tended to be overlooked with conventional digital subtraction angiography.

METHOD

Angiogram-negative SAH was defined as present in those patients with SAH who had no demonstrable lesion revealed by more than two adequate cerebral angiograms. From January 1, 1992, to December 31, 2004, angiography was performed on 247 patients at the Yamaguchi University Hospital. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) alone was used for 105 patients (DSA group) from 1992 to 2000. After the technology of 3DRA was introduced to our hospital in 2000, 142 patients were evaluated by 3DRA and DSA together (3DRA group).

FINDINGS

The incidence of angiogram-negative SAH was 9/105 (8.6%) in the DSA group and 6/142 (4.2%) in the 3DRA group. 3DRA revealed six aneurysms not depicted by the conventional DSA, including a basilar tip aneurysm, anterior cerebral artery aneurysm and a basilar tip aneurysm originating from a previously clipped aneurysm.

CONCLUSION

Three dimensional RA is more sensitive in detecting aneurysms, but in our study still produced a 4.2% rate of angiogram-negative SAH. Three dimensional RA has some advantages for evaluation, especially of complicated sites and previously clipped aneurysms because of its three dimensional imaging capability.

Observer agreement in the assessment of endovascular aneurysm therapy and aneurysm recurrence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Assessments of completeness of endovascular cerebral aneurysm therapy are commonly reported in the literature. We studied several aneurysm assessment scales with regard to observer variability, which directly affects validity of these scales.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initial aneurysm occlusion and occlusion at a follow-up angiogram at 3-6 months were assessed independently by 2 experienced observers. Assessments of each aneurysm were made using 3 different scales: 4-response (complete, dog ear, neck remnant, incomplete), 3-response (complete, near-complete, incomplete), and 2-response (complete or near-complete, incomplete). Assessments were also made of comparisons of initial treatment angiogram with follow-up angiogram using 2 different scales: 3-response (better, same, worse) and 2-point response (not worse, worse).

RESULTS

With assessments of both initial and follow-up angiograms, interobserver and intraobserver agreement was progressively worse with increasing response choices in the scales. Observer agreement on assessments of initial angiograms (kappa values 0.48-0.67) was worse than that for follow-up angiograms (kappa values 0.66-0.97). For the comparisons of the initial angiogram with the follow-up angiogram, there was worse observer agreement with the 3-response scale (kappa values 0.64-0.71) than with the 2-response scale (kappa values 0.78-0.89).

CONCLUSION

Interobserver and intraobserver variability are inherent to assessment scales of completeness of cerebral aneurysm therapy. Observer variability is substantially better in scales that offer fewer observer responses. However, scales with fewer observer responses may not identify aneurysm subgroups that have differing risks of recurrence and/or rehemorrhage.

Inter- and intraobserver variability in the assessment of brain arteriovenous malformation angioarchitecture and endovascular treatment results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several angiographic features of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) have been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage. However, interpretation of these features may not be consistent between observers. We conducted a study to determine inter- and intraobserver agreement of various angioarchitectural characteristics of BAVM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two experienced interventional neuroradiologists independently reviewed pre- and post-endovascular treatment angiograms from 50 consecutive patients. Axial CT and/or MR images before treatment were included. We collected the following data: Spetzler-Martin grades, number of involved arterial territories, associated aneurysms by location (circle of Willis, feeding artery, intranidal, and venous), and nidus reduction after endovascular treatment (<33%, 33%-66%, and >66%). The reviewers were compared with each other, and 1 was compared with himself after a 3-month interval. Measures of agreement were performed by using the kappa statistic (kappa) for nominal data and the weighted kappa for ordinal data.

RESULTS

Inter- and intraobserver agreement were higher for assessment of the Spetzler-Martin grade (weighted kappa = 0.70/0.75) and nidus size reduction after endovascular treatment (kappa = 0.74/0.77). Inter- and intraobserver agreement were inferior for findings concerning feeding artery aneurysms (kappa = 0.19/0.36), intranidal aneurysms (kappa = 0.34/0.35), and venous aneurysms (kappa = 0.50/0.67).

CONCLUSION

Angiographic characteristics of BAVMs considered as risk factors for hemorrhage, such as aneurysms, are not reliably detected on global angiograms between different observers. In contrast, the Spetzler-Martin grading system and angiographic results of endovascular treatment can be used with high observer agreement.

Validation of transcranial Doppler with computed tomography angiography in acute cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Both transcranial Doppler (TCD) and spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) are used for noninvasive vascular assessment tools in acute stroke. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of TCD against CTA in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.

METHODS

Consecutive patients presenting to the Emergency Department with symptoms of acute (<24 hours) cerebral ischemia underwent emergent high-resolution brain CTA with a multidetector helical scanner. TCD was performed at bedside with a standardized, fast-track insonation protocol before or shortly (<2 hours) after completion of the CTA. Previously published diagnostic criteria were prospectively applied for TCD interpretation independent of angiographic findings.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients (74 men, mean+/-SD age 63+/-15 years) underwent emergent neurovascular assessment with brain CTA and TCD. Compared with CTA, TCD showed 34 true-positive, 9 false-negative, 5 false-positive, and 84 true-negative studies (sensitivity 79.1%, specificity 94.3%, positive predictive value 87.2%, negative predictive value 90.3%, and accuracy 89.4%). In 9 cases (7%), TCD showed findings complementary to the CTA (real-time embolization, collateralization of flow with extracranial internal carotid artery disease, alternating flow signals indicative of steal phenomenon).

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside TCD examination yields satisfactory agreement with urgent brain CTA in the evaluation of patients with acute cerebral ischemia. TCD can provide real-time flow findings that are complementary to information provided by CTA.

CT angiography "spot sign" predicts hematoma expansion in acute intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Morbidity and mortality in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are correlated with hematoma progression. We hypothesized that the presence of tiny, enhancing foci ("spot sign") within acute hematomas is associated with hematoma expansion.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 39 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH by computed tomography angiography within 3 hours of symptom onset. Scans were reviewed by 3 readers. Patients were dichotomized according to the presence or absence of the spot sign. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between groups. The predictive value of this sign was assessed in a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (33%) demonstrated 31 enhancing foci. Baseline clinical variables were similar in both groups. Hematoma expansion occurred in 11 patients (28%) on follow-up. Seventy-seven percent of patients with and 4% without hematoma expansion demonstrated the spot sign (P<0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratio for expansion were 91%, 89%, 77%, 96%, and 8.5, respectively. Interobserver agreement was high (kappa=0.92 to 0.94). In patients with the spot sign, mean volume change was greater (P=0.008), extravasation more common (P=0.0005), and median hospital stay longer (P=0.04), and fewer patients achieved a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score <2), although the latter was not significant (P=0.16). No differences in hydrocephalus (P=1.00), surgical intervention (P=1.00), or death (P=0.60) were noted between groups. In multiple regression, the spot sign independently predicted hematoma expansion (P=0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

The computed tomography angiography spot sign is associated with the presence and extent of hematoma progression. Fewer patients achieve a good clinical outcome and hospital stay was longer. Further studies are warranted to validate the ability of this sign to predict clinical outcomes.

Aneurysmal surgery in the presence of angiographic vasospasm: an outcome assessment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The timing of aneurysmal surgery for patients presenting within the period at risk for vasospasm (VS) is controversial. The goal of this study is to review our experience of surgically treated patients in the presence of angiographic VS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1990-2004, 894 consecutive patients presented with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and were treated with a policy of early surgery. We retrospectively analyzed the patients that had pre-operative angiographic VS. In this study, symptomatic VS was diagnosed when a decreased level of consciousness and/or focal deficit occurred after SAH in the presence of angiographic VS without confounding factors. Functional outcome was assessed three months after SAH using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

RESULTS

Of the 40 patients studied, 62.5% were in good clinical grade Hunt & Hess (H&H 1-2) on admission; 25%, intermediate grade (H&H 3); 12.5%, poor grade (H&H 4-5). Surgery was performed 24 hours or less after initial angiography in 87.5% of patients and less than 48 hours in 97.5%. Pre-operative symptomatic VS was diagnosed in 25%. Post-operatively, angiographic VS was documented in 87.2%. Of the 30% of patients that presented post-operative symptomatic VS, 66.7% also demonstrated pre-operative symptomatic VS. The functional outcome was favorable in 92.5% of the studied patients. Two deaths occurred in patients presenting pre-operative early radiological and symptomatic VS.

CONCLUSION

Aneurysmal surgery, especially between 3-12 days following SAH, in the presence of asymptomatic pre-operative angiographic VS can be associated with a good outcome. Early surgery is not contra-indicated and might enable optimal treatment of VS.

Wall shear stress variations in basilar tip aneurysms investigated with computational fluid dynamics

Hemodynamics are thought to play an important role in the creation, thrombosis, recanalization, regrowth and re-bleeding of cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular means. However, their exact role and interaction is unclear and warrants further study. Towards a systematic classification of the hemodynamics in intracranial aneurysms, we investigated the dependence of the values of the magnitude of the wall shear stresses in the vicinity of the aneurysm on varying inflow conditions in three basilar tip aneurysms.

Estimating the annual rate of de novo multiple aneurysms: three statistical approaches

Object

Individuals with unruptured intracranial aneurysms experience a higher rate of rupture if their history includes another aneurysm that has previously bled. The authors used systematic review and metaregression to estimate the annual rate of development of second de novo aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods

This investigation included studies in which more than 300 patients with intracranial aneurysms were described, and in which the age of the patients and the proportion with multiple aneurysms were documented. Studies describing delayed follow-up angiography that was performed after treatment of aneurysms were also reviewed.

Twenty studies were included in a between-study analysis. The univariate odds ratio (OR) for multiple intracranial aneurysms per year of age was 1.085 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.015–1.165); this value was calculated using a hierarchical model for between-study heterogeneity. Five studies were included that provided age stratification. The estimated OR for multiple intracranial aneurysms per year was 1.011 (95% CI 1.005–1.018). Four follow-up studies were available.

Conclusions

According to the three different approaches (study-level, patient-level, and follow-up analyses), the estimated annual rates of development of de novo aneurysms were 1.62% (95% CI 0.28–3.59%), 0.28% (95% CI 0.12–0.49%), and 0.92% (95% CI 0.64–1.25%), respectively. The estimated annual rate of development of second de novo aneurysms ranged from 0.28 to 1.62%.

Nonsaccular aneurysms of the azygos anterior cerebral artery

Object

The azygos or undivided anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is a rare variant, and aneurysms associated with this variant are particularly rare. Most reported azygos ACA aneurysms are saccular, but the authors encountered four patients with this variant who had nonsaccular aneurysms. A review of the management of these lesions and this morphological distinction is presented.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with aneurysms treated over a 6-year period identified five Type I (according to the Baptista classification) azygos ACA lesions, of which four were nonsaccular. Aneurysms associated with other ACA variants (Baptista Types II and III) were excluded.

Azygos ACA aneurysms accounted for 0.5% of all treated lesions and 1.7% of all ACA and anterior communicating artery aneurysms. One lesion in this series was located proximally at the azygos ACA origin, and three were located distally. All four aneurysms were large (>10 mm in diameter), and two were thrombotic. All aneurysms were treated with microsurgical clip occlusion.

Conclusions

Azygos ACA aneurysms are rare, and may have unusual nonsaccular anatomy (for example, fusiform shape, broad base, complex branching, and/or thrombus in the lumen). The nonsaccular morphology of these aneurysms may render them unsuitable for endovascular coil placement, and may complicate their microsurgical management.

Combined endovascular and microsurgical management of giant and complex unruptured aneurysms

Object

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and describe the technical features of combined endovascular and microsurgical treatments for complex and giant unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify all patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated with combined techniques. Twenty-one lesions were treated in as many patients: six lesions involved the posterior cerebral artery (PCA); seven the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA); two the basilar apex; two the basilar trunk; and one each the anterior communicating artery, anterior cerebral artery, petrous ICA, and cervical ICA. Aneurysms were treated with combined extracranial–intracranial bypass procedures and parent-vessel occlusion, flow redirection, or arterial transposition.

Aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 20 patients. In the remaining patient the aneurysm recurred, requiring stent-assisted repeated coil placement. Three patients suffered permanent neurological deficits related to treatment, and three died, two of whom had basilar trunk aneurysms.

Conclusions

Certain complex aneurysms may be treated optimally by combining endovascular and surgical procedures. A low incidence of complications follows treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms. Treatment of complex posterior circulation aneurysms is associated with a higher incidence of complications, although this likely reflects the more complex nature of these lesions. The risks of this combined treatment strategy are likely lower than the risks associated with the natural history of this subset of aneurysms.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system at conventional angiography

PURPOSE

To retrospectively determine the sensitivity and specificity of cerebral angiography for the diagnosis of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was not required. Thirty-eight patients (13 men, 25 women; mean age, 55 years) had undergone cerebral angiography followed by cortical and leptomeningeal biopsy for possible primary angiitis of the CNS during an 8-year period. Angiography reports were reviewed by investigators blinded to the results of biopsy. Angiographic findings were categorized as typical for vasculitis, normal, or other. Sensitivity and specificity of cerebral angiography for the diagnosis of primary angiitis of the CNS were calculated.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had typical angiographic findings of vasculitis. None had primary angiitis of the CNS at brain biopsy (60% specificity). Specific pathologic diagnoses other than primary angiitis of the CNS were made in six patients. Findings of brain biopsy in the remaining eight patients were nondiagnostic. Repeat angiograms were obtained in three of the eight patients. One patient demonstrated interval improvement in multiple focal intracranial arterial stenoses and two demonstrated worsening. Primary angiitis of the CNS was found at biopsy in two of the remaining 24 patients (0% sensitivity). One of the two patients had slow filling of a single distal cortical artery, and the other patient had multiple regions of abnormally prolonged capillary blush.

CONCLUSION

In this series, patients suspected of having primary angiitis of the CNS on the basis of clinical and angiographic findings did not have primary angiitis of the CNS at biopsy. Typical angiographic findings of primary angiitis of the CNS are often associated with other specific pathologic diagnoses, which emphasizes the importance of brain biopsy.

Do the morphological characteristics of arteriovenous malformations affect the results of radiosurgery?

OBJECT

The authors sought to determine which morphological features of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are statistically predictive of preradiosurgical hemorrhage, postradiosurgical hemorrhage, and neuroimaging-defined failure of radiosurgical treatment. In addition, correlation between computerized tomography (CT) scanning and angiography for the identification of AVM structures was investigated.

METHODS

Archived CT dosimetry and available angiographic and clinical data for 268 patients in whom AVMs were treated with linear accelerator radiosurgery were retrospectively reviewed. Many of the morphological features of AVMs, including location, volume, compact or diffuse nidus, neovascularity, ease of nidus identification, number of feeding arteries, location (deep or superficial) of feeding arteries, number of draining veins, deep or superficial venous drainage, venous stenoses, venous ectasias, and the presence of intranidal aneurysms, were analyzed. In addition, a number of patient and treatment factors, including patient age, presenting symptoms, radiation dose, repeated treatment, and radiological outcome, were subjected to multivariate analyses. Two hundred twenty-seven patients were treated with radiosurgery for the first time and 41 patients underwent repeated radiosurgery. Eighty-one patients presented with a history of AVM hemorrhage and 91 patients had AVMs in a periventricular location. Twenty-six patients (10%) experienced a hemorrhage following radiosurgery. Of the 268 patients, 81 (30%) experienced angiographically defined cures, and 37 (14%) experienced MR imaging-defined cures. Eighty-six patients (32%) experienced neuroimaging-defined treatment failure, and 64 underwent insufficiently long follow up. A larger AVM volume (odds ratio [OR] 0.349; p = 0.004) was associated with a decreased rate of pretreatment hemorrhage, whereas periventricular location (OR 6.358; p = 0.000) was associated with an increased rate of pretreatment hemorrhage. None of the analyzed factors was predictive of hemorrhage following radiosurgery. A higher radiosurgical dose was strongly correlated with neuroimaging-defined success (OR 3.743; p = 0.006), whereas a diffuse nidus structure (OR 0.246; p = 0.008) and associated neovascularity (OR 0.428; p = 0.048) were each associated with a lower neuroimaging-defined cure rate. A strong correlation between CT scanning and angiography was noted for both nidus structure (p = 0.000; Fisher exact test) and neovascularity (p = 0.002; Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting with AVMs that are small or periventricular were at higher risk for experiencing hemorrhage. A higher radiosurgical dose correlated strongly with neuroimaging-defined success. Patients in whom the AVM had a diffuse structure or associated neovascularity were at higher risk for neuroimaging-defined failure of radiosurgery. A strong correlation between CT scanning and angiography in the assessment of AVM structure was demonstrated.

Assessment: transcranial Doppler ultrasonography: report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

OBJECTIVE

To review the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) for diagnosis.

METHODS

The authors searched the literature for evidence of 1) if TCD provides useful information in specific clinical settings; 2) if using this information improves clinical decision making, as reflected by improved patient outcomes; and 3) if TCD is preferable to other diagnostic tests in these clinical situations.

RESULTS

TCD is of established value in the screening of children aged 2 to 16 years with sickle cell disease for stroke risk (Type A, Class I) and the detection and monitoring of angiographic vasospasm after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (Type A, Class I to II). TCD and TCCS provide important information and may have value for detection of intracranial steno-occlusive disease (Type B, Class II to III), vasomotor reactivity testing (Type B, Class II to III), detection of cerebral circulatory arrest/brain death (Type A, Class II), monitoring carotid endarterectomy (Type B, Class II to III), monitoring cerebral thrombolysis (Type B, Class II to III), and monitoring coronary artery bypass graft operations (Type B to C, Class II to III). Contrast-enhanced TCD/TCCS can also provide useful information in right-to-left cardiac/extracardiac shunts (Type A, Class II), intracranial occlusive disease (Type B, Class II to IV), and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease (Type B, Class II to IV), although other techniques may be preferable in these settings.

Is cerebral angiography redundant in undetermined cause of stroke in patients below 50 years when the stroke is lacunar?

BACKGROUND

In the diagnostic work-up of young stroke patients angiography is still considered as mandatory to identify otherwise undetected causes of stroke. We hypothesized that stroke cause is more heterogeneous among patients with a territorial infarct, whereas in lacunar stroke it is generally small vessel disease. Therefore, angiography yields more often a specific stroke cause in territorial than in lacunar infarct patients.

METHODS

Angiograms of 39 lacunar and 41 territorial brain infarct patients, aged between 14 and 51 years, and who had unexplained stroke cause, were evaluated.

RESULTS

1 of the 39 lacunar (3%), and 18 of the 41 territorial stroke patients (44%) had abnormal angiogram: odds ratio 0.03, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.017. The predictive value of lacunar stroke for a normal angiogram was 97%.

CONCLUSION

When undetermined cause of stroke in young patients is lacunar, it is highly predictive for a normal angiogram. Our data may be of value in deciding on performing angiography in individual young stroke patients, depending on whether the stroke is territorial or lacunar.

Computed tomographic angiography for detecting cerebral aneurysms: implications of aneurysm size distribution for the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the efficacy of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for detection of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms after adjustment for their size distributions under various conditions of aneurysm prevalence.

METHODS

A systematic review was used to estimate 1) the aneurysm size-specific sensitivity and specificity of CTA, and 2) the size distributions of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Probabilistic computer simulation was used to estimate the efficacy of CTA in the detection of aneurysms.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of CTA ranged from 53% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44-62%) for 2-mm aneurysms to 95% (95% CI, 92-97%) for 7-mm aneurysms. The overall specificity was 98.9% (95% CI, 91.5-99.99%), but there was between-study heterogeneity. The estimated negative likelihood ratios for ruptured, unruptured, and at least 6-mm unruptured aneurysms were 0.081, 0.18, and 0.012, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio for CTA was sensitive to the pretest probability, the size of the positive finding, and the clinical context. With a small pretest probability, the positive likelihood ratio for unruptured aneurysms ranged from 15 for 2-mm aneurysms to 61 for 5-mm aneurysms. The positive likelihood ratio for ruptured aneurysms with an intermediate pretest probability (50%) ranged from 3.9 to 56 for 2- to 5-mm aneurysms.

CONCLUSION

Small aneurysms detected on CTA should be investigated further unless there is a high pretest probability of a ruptured aneurysm. During screening for ruptured aneurysms, a negative CTA should be investigated further. During screening for unruptured aneurysms, a negative CTA results in a very low probability of a clinically important aneurysm.