Transient cortical weakness following cerebral angiography: A new syndrome.

Transient cortical blindness is a known complication of iodinated contrast administration and is believed to reflect osmotic injury or autoregulatory dysfunction of the posterior circulation. Here, we report 2 cases of postangiography transient cortical weakness, a rare clinical analog to transient cortical blindness that affects the anterior circulation. The symptoms, timeline, and imaging findings of transient cortical weakness are distinct from more common post-procedural complications such as acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

In-hospital imaging utilization after elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment: a surrogate metric for the value of hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the adoption of same-day outpatient surgical procedures in some specialties, it remains common practice to admit patients for monitoring after elective endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms to monitor for complications. The necessity of such monitoring has not been fully characterized. Here, the authors reviewed the utilization of imaging during posttreatment hospitalization, a surrogate measure for workup of suspected complications requiring hospital resources, to infer the value of inpatient monitoring after endovascular aneurysm treatment. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed for demographic characteristics, imaging indications, timing of imaging, and imaging findings. Patients were included if they underwent elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment, and patients were excluded if significant intraprocedural complications occurred. The recorded imaging modalities included CT, MRI, catheter-based imaging, and ultrasound; plain radiographs were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of the need for posttreatment imaging. RESULTS: In total, 1229 elective endovascular procedures for brain aneurysm treatment were included. Patients underwent imaging before discharge in 13.4% (165/1229) of cases, with significant findings in 5.0% (61/1229) of cases. The median (interquartile range) time to first posttreatment imaging was 13.2 (4.2-22.8) hours. The need for imaging during posttreatment hospitalization was positively associated with larger aneurysm size (p < 0.05) and negatively associated with underlying cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More than 1 in 8 patients who underwent elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment required imaging during posttreatment hospitalization, most within the first 24 hours, and 1 in 20 had significant findings. These results suggest the importance of short-term hospitalization after elective endovascular aneurysm treatment.

Comparative cost analysis of endovascular and open approaches for elective treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery can be treated using several open surgical and endovascular approaches. Given the growing evidence of clinical equipoise between these various treatment strategies, there is a need to assess the costs associated with each. METHODS: Cost of aneurysm treatment was divided into two categories for comparison. "Initial cost" comprised the total in-hospital expenses for initial aneurysm treatment and "total cost" comprised initial aneurysm treatment and all expenses relating to readmission due to treatment-related complications, prescribed catheter angiograms for monitoring of treatment stability, and any retreatments needed for a given aneurysm. The open surgical group was subdivided into a pterional approach group and a lateral supraorbital (LSO) approach group for. RESULTS: Median initial cost was $37,152 (IQR $31,318-$44,947) for aneurysms treated with the pterional approach, $29,452 (IQR $27,779-$32,826) for aneurysms treated with the LSO approach, and $19,587 (IQR $14,125-$30,521) for aneurysms treated with endovascular approaches. The median total cost was $39,737 (IQR $33,891-$62,259) for aneurysms treated with the pterional approach, $31,785 (IQR $29,513-$41,099) for aneurysms treated with the LSO approach, and $24,578 (IQR $18,977-$34,547) for aneurysms treated with endovascular approaches. Analysis of variance test demonstrated variance across groups for both initial and total cost (p = 0.004, p = 0.008, respectively). In our subsequent analysis, initial cost and total cost were higher in the pterional group than the endovascular group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of elective aneurysms has a significantly lower cost than open surgical treatment with the pterional approach, but not with the LSO approach. For aneurysms not amenable to endovascular treatment, a minimally invasive LSO approach carries a lower cost burden than a pterional approach.

Upregulation of the Oct3/4 Network in Basal Breast Cancer Is Associated with Its Metastatic Potential and Shows Tissue Dependent Variability.

Adaptive plasticity of Breast Cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is strongly correlated with cancer progression and resistance, leading to a poor prognosis. In this study, we report the expression profile of several pioneer transcription factors of the Oct3/4 network associated with tumor initiation and metastasis. In the triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) stably transfected with human Oct3/4-GFP, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using qPCR and microarray, and the resistance to paclitaxel was assessed using an MTS assay. The tumor-seeding potential in immunocompromised (NOD-SCID) mice and DEGs in the tumors were also assessed along with the intra-tumor (CD44+/CD24-) expression using flow cytometry. Unlike 2-D cultures, the Oct3/4-GFP expression was homogenous and stable in 3-D mammospheres developed from BCSCs. A total of 25 DEGs including Gata6, FoxA2, Sall4, Zic2, H2afJ, Stc1 and Bmi1 were identified in Oct3/4 activated cells coupled with a significantly increased resistance to paclitaxel. In mice, the higher Oct3/4 expression in tumors correlated with enhanced tumorigenic potential and aggressive growth, with metastatic lesions showing a >5-fold upregulation of DEGs compared to orthotopic tumors and variability in different tissues with the highest modulation in the brain. Serially re-implanting tumors in mice as a model of recurrence and metastasis highlighted the sustained upregulation of Sall4, c-Myc, Mmp1, Mmp9 and Dkk1 genes in metastatic lesions with a 2-fold higher expression of stem cell markers (CD44+/CD24-). Thus, Oct3/4 transcriptome may drive the differentiation and maintenance of BCSCs, promoting their tumorigenic potential, metastasis and resistance to drugs such as paclitaxel with tissue-specific heterogeneity.

Need for Y-stenting in stent-assisted coiling of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted coiling of wide neck bifurcation aneurysms in the anterior communicating segment and basilar tip region can be performed with varying stent configurations, including single stenting or Y-stenting. Y-stenting requires two stents and thus incurs greater cost and procedural complexity than single-stent constructs. The influence of first stent type on the need for Y-stenting remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively obtained for patients that underwent stent-assisted coiling for basilar tip or anterior communicating aneurysms at a high-volume center. Patients were included in this study if stent-assisted coiling was performed using Neuroform Atlas or LVIS Jr stents. A multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to measure the influence of first stent type on the need for Y-stenting. RESULTS: Stent-assisted coiling was used to treat 82 aneurysms in 81 patients during the study period, and Y-stenting was performed in 18.3% (15/82) of cases. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, use of LVIS Jr. as the first stent did not significantly influence the need for subsequent Y-stenting after controlling for aneurysm morphology (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.18-2.43). CONCLUSION: Controlling for aneurysm morphology and location, the use of Y-stenting for stent-assisted coiling was not independently influenced by the choice of LVIS Jr or Neuroform Atlas as the first stent. A larger cohort may reveal differences between these two stents, particularly for aneurysms with large neck sizes.

A review of technological innovations leading to modern endovascular brain aneurysm treatment.

Tools and techniques utilized in endovascular brain aneurysm treatment have undergone rapid evolution in recent decades. These technique and device-level innovations have allowed for treatment of highly complex intracranial aneurysms and improved patient outcomes. We review the major innovations within neurointervention that have led to the current state of brain aneurysm treatment.

Early Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Incidence and Mechanisms.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating condition causing significant morbidity and mortality. While outcomes from subarachnoid hemorrhage have improved in recent years, there continues to be significant interest in identifying therapeutic targets for this disease. In particular, there has been a shift in emphasis toward secondary brain injury that develops in the first 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This time period of interest is referred to as the early brain injury period and comprises processes including microcirculatory dysfunction, blood-brain-barrier breakdown, neuroinflammation, cerebral edema, oxidative cascades, and neuronal death. Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms defining the early brain injury period have been accompanied by improved imaging and nonimaging biomarkers for identifying early brain injury, leading to the recognition of an elevated clinical incidence of early brain injury compared with prior estimates. With the frequency, impact, and mechanisms of early brain injury better defined, there is a need to review the literature in this area to guide preclinical and clinical study.

A challenging case of recurrent and progressive fusiform anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial fusiform aneurysms are circumferential dilations of cerebral arteries that can lead to complications including ischemic stroke due to vessel occlusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intracerebral hemorrhage. Treatment options for fusiform aneurysms have expanded significantly in recent years. Microsurgical treatment options include proximal and distal surgical occlusion and microsurgical trapping of the aneurysm, usually in association with high-flow bypass procedures. Endovascular treatment options include the placement of coils and/or flow diverters. OBSERVATIONS: Here the authors report a case of aggressive surveillance and treatment of a man with multiple progressive, recurrent, and de novo fusiform aneurysms of the left anterior cerebral circulation over 16 years. Because the long-term course of his treatment coincided with the recent expansion of endovascular treatment options, he underwent every type of treatment listed above. LESSONS: This case demonstrates the wide range of therapeutic options for fusiform aneurysms and how the treatment model for these lesions has evolved.

Recent trends in high-volume Medicare stroke thrombectomy provider characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is increasingly indicated for use in acute ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed recent trends in the characteristics and geographic distributions of physicians providing this service with frequency to Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: We linked public data sources to elucidate and visualize trends in high-volume MT providers between 2016 and 2019. RESULTS: High-volume MT providers increased by 184% between 2016 and 2019. The number of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and radiologists in this physician population increased by 251%, 205%, and 139%, respectively. Male practitioners accounted for 96% of providers in the most recent year of analysis. International medical graduates accounted for roughly one-third of these physicians across all 4 years of analysis. As of 2019, the three states with the most high-volume MT providers were Florida, California, and Texas, accounting for 7%, 7%, and 6% of providers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume providers of MT services for Medicare beneficiaries represent a dynamic and rapidly expanding subset of physicians with diverse specialty backgrounds.

Retreatment of previously flow diverted intracranial aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is frequently performed, but the outcomes of retreatment for aneurysms that failed to occlude after prior treatment with PED have not been well studied. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of PED retreatment after initial failure to occlude. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed for demographics, aneurysm occlusion status, and clinical outcomes. Patients were included in this study if they underwent PED retreatment to treat an aneurysm that had previously been treated with PED. RESULTS: Retreatment of previously flow-diverted aneurysms with PED was performed in 42 cases. At final angiographic follow-up, angiographic improvement was observed after 45% (19/42) of retreatments and complete aneurysm occlusion was observed following 26% (11/42). Significant clinical complications occurred in 10% (4/42) of PED retreatments. CONCLUSIONS: Retreatment of intracranial aneurysms with PED following initial failure to achieve aneurysm occlusion has a low rate of subsequent complete aneurysm occlusion.

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Vascular Anomalies in Chiari I Malformation.

Mounting evidence has suggested a relationship between Chiari I malformation and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, with some studies implicating anomalies of the cerebral venous system in the development of these conditions. However, precise mechanisms explaining these associations are not well described. There is a clear need to clarify the interplay between these conditions to guide further study in this area. In tandem with these efforts, it is necessary to review proper diagnosis and management to improve outcomes in patients suffering from these diseases.

Time Line of Occlusion for Intracranial Aneurysms Treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device.

BACKGROUND: Rates of aneurysm occlusion following treatment with flow-diverting stents have been quantified at predefined time points in clinical trials, but data characterizing the continuous temporal progression of aneurysm occlusion are lacking. This study used real-world variability in timing of angiographic follow-up to characterize the time line of aneurysm occlusion following treatment with the Pipeline embolization device (PED). METHODS: All aneurysms treated with a PED at our institution between 2011 and 2020 were screened. Nonsaccular or ruptured aneurysms were excluded. Aneurysm occlusion status and time since treatment were recorded for each follow-up angiogram. Aneurysm occlusion was characterized using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analysis after censoring at last follow-up or subsequent treatment. RESULTS: There were 290 aneurysms in 222 patients analyzed. The median time of observed aneurysm occlusion was 7.5 months, and overall rate of aneurysm occlusion was 77.9%. Larger aneurysms demonstrated a longer median time to occlusion and lower rate of aneurysm occlusion (P = 0.029). There were no observed differences in the time line of occlusion for aneurysms treated with a single PED or multiple PEDs (P = 0.889) or without or with adjunctive coiling (P = 0.771). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysms treated with a PED had a median time to observed occlusion of 7.5 months. Occlusion of larger aneurysms occurred more slowly than occlusion of smaller aneurysms following flow diversion. The number of PEDs deployed or the use of adjunctive coiling did not affect the time line or likelihood of aneurysm occlusion. These findings may guide optimal timing of follow-up after treatment with a PED.

Management of In-Stent Stenosis with Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Following Pipeline Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device (PED) may produce angiographically apparent stenosis within the PED, which can lead to secondary ischemic complications. In-stent stenosis can be treated medically with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), but the safety and efficacy of this approach are unknown. In this work, we review the safety and efficacy of DAPT to prevent progression of in-stent stenosis or development of cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data from eligible patients were assessed from a prospectively maintained neurointerventional database. Details surrounding in-stent stenosis and DAPT were extracted. Patients were included in this study if in-stent stenosis was detected at any angiographic follow-up and managed with DAPT. The primary efficacy endpoint was lack of angiographic progression of in-stent stenosis or new ipsilateral infarct following initiation of medical therapy. RESULTS: In total, 23 PED constructs developed in-stent stenosis and were managed with DAPT. Follow-up angiography was available for 19 constructs. Eighty-nine percent (17/19) of PED constructs achieved the primary endpoint of lack of stenosis progression and lack of new ipsilateral ischemic events. Of the 2 PED constructs that failed to achieve the primary endpoint of this study, one demonstrated worsening of in-stent stenosis from 55% to 76% over 16 months, while the other developed ipsilateral ischemic stroke 4 months after detection of in-stent stenosis. In addition, one patient experienced intracranial hemorrhage 9 months after the initiation of DAPT. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of in-stent stenosis and new ipsilateral ischemic events are limited in the presence of DAPT. However, hemorrhagic events related to DAPT may occasionally occur.

Comparative study of on-label versus off-label treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device.

OBJECTIVE: The Pipeline embolization device (PED) is widely used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, including in off-label applications. In this work, the authors compared the real-world efficacy and safety of PED use in on-label and off-label aneurysm treatments. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data of patients who underwent PED placement at a high-volume academic medical center were retrospectively obtained. Treatments were classified as on-label if they fell within the applications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as of 2021. Recorded outcomes included aneurysm occlusion, procedural complications, ischemic events, in-stent stenosis, intracranial hemorrhage, postprocedural functional status, and death. RESULTS: In total, 416 aneurysms in 330 patients were treated with PED, comprising 256 aneurysms that received on-label treatments and 160 that received off-label treatments. The overall rate of complete aneurysm occlusion was 76.4% for on-label aneurysms and 75.6% for off-label aneurysms (p = 0.898). The risk of ischemic stroke in patients who underwent off-label treatments was 15.2%, which was higher than the 4.2% rate in patients who underwent on-label treatment (p = 0.003). All other clinical complications, procedural complications, and long-term functional status were comparable between the on-label and off-label groups. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world practice, off-label use of PED is common and can achieve similar efficacy as on-label use. However, in aggregate, off-label use was found to carry an increased rate of ischemic complications. With judicious attention to safety and individual patient characteristics, these results highlight the scale and general feasibility of off-label PED use by experts.

Pipeline embolization of MCA aneurysms in the M2-M4 segment: Dual center study and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Flow diversion of distal MCA aneurysms in the M2-M4 segments with Pipeline embolization device is promising, but further study is needed. Here, we seek to quantify the safety and efficacy of Pipeline embolization in the M2-M4 region in a dual-center cohort and comprehensive meta-analysis. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data of eligible patients was obtained from participating centers. A systematic review was performed with searches of Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles from inception to May 2021. 86 studies were identified in systematic review. Of these, 7 studies with 46 aneurysms met the inclusion criteria and were aggregated with 8 aneurysms from our dual-center cohort for analysis. RESULTS: In our dual-center cohort, complete occlusion was observed in 88% (7/8) of aneurysms, and no patients experienced hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications. Clinical outcomes were reported for 100% (54/54) of aneurysms included in meta-analysis and angiographic follow-up was available for 91% (49/54). The overall rate of complete aneurysm occlusion was 80% (95% CI, 69-91%), and the overall rate of clinical complication was 9% (95% CI, 2-16%). CONCLUSION: Pipeline embolization of cerebral aneurysms of the M2-M4 segments of the MCA was reasonably effective and safe in a small group of selected patients, but further study is needed to validate these preliminary results.

Pipeline embolization of proximal middle cerebral artery aneurysms: A multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow diversion of aneurysms located in the M1 segment and middle cerebral artery bifurcation with Pipeline embolization device is sometimes performed, but further study is needed to support its regular use in aneurysm treatment. Here, we report measures of safety and efficacy for Pipeline embolization in the proximal middle cerebral artery in a multi-center cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data of eligible patients were retrospectively obtained from participating centers and assessed for key clinical and angiographic outcomes. Additional details were extracted for patients with complications. RESULTS: In our multi-center cohort, complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 71% (17/24) of treated aneurysms. There were no deaths or disabling strokes, but non-disabling ischemic strokes occurred in 8% (2/24) of patients. For aneurysms in the M1 segment, complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 75% (12/16) of aneurysms, aneurysm volume reduction was observed in 100% (16/16) of aneurysms, and non-disabling ischemic strokes occurred in 13% (2/16) of patients. For aneurysms at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation, complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 63% (5/8) of aneurysms, aneurysm volume reduction occurred in 88% (7/8) of aneurysms, and ischemic or hemorrhagic complications occurred in 0% (0/8) of patients. CONCLUSION: Pipeline embolization of cerebral aneurysms in the M1 segment and middle cerebral artery bifurcation demonstrated a 71% rate of complete aneurysm occlusion. There were no deaths or disabling strokes, but there was an 8% rate of non-disabling ischemic strokes.

Safety of pediatric cerebral angiography.

OBJECTIVE: Catheter-based cerebral angiography is commonly used for neurovascular diagnosis in children. In this work, the authors aimed to quantify the complication rate of cerebral angiography in children, characterize these complications, and identify risk factors for complications. METHODS: Relevant clinical data were retrospectively obtained for 587 consecutive cerebral angiography procedures performed in 390 children from March 2002 to March 2020. Complications were categorized as neurological or nonneurological, and severity was graded using a standard schema. Incidences of complications were reported as point estimates. Associations between risk factors and complications were characterized in univariate analysis using the two-tailed Fisher exact test and in multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression with bidirectional elimination based on the Akaike information criterion. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, statistical significance was corrected for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 6.5% of procedures, including neurological complications in 1.9% and nonneurological complications in 4.8%. Permanent deficits occurred in only 0.2% of cases. Overall, 0.5% of procedures resulted in major complications, while 6.0% resulted in minor complications. Female sex and a history of hypertension or ischemic stroke were associated with an increased risk of complications, while femoral artery access was associated with a decreased risk of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric cerebral angiography was shown to have a low rate of major or permanent complications. Children who were female and those with a history of hypertension or ischemic stroke were shown to be at higher risk of complications, while the use of femoral access carried a lower risk of complications.

The value of long-term angiographic follow-up following Pipeline embolization of intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is commonly performed, but the value of long-term angiographic follow-up has not been rigorously evaluated. Here we examine the prevalence of actionable findings of aneurysm recurrence and development of in-stent stenosis in a cohort of patients that underwent long-term angiographic follow-up at multiple time points. METHODS: Angiographic data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed for aneurysm occlusion, in-stent stenosis, and aneurysm regrowth or recurrence. Patients were included in this study if they underwent angiographic imaging at 6 months post-treatment and at least one later time point. RESULTS: 100% (132/132) of aneurysms occluded at 6 months remained occluded at final follow-up. 85.7% (6/7), 56.3% (27/48), and 25% (6/24) of aneurysms with entry remnant, subtotal filling, and total filling, respectively, at 6 months were completely occluded at final follow-up. 98.7% (147/149) of PED constructs that demonstrated no stenosis at 6 months demonstrated no stenosis at final angiography, while 44.4% (8/18) of PED constructs demonstrating in-stent stenosis at 6 months had resolution of stenosis on final angiography. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who undergo treatment of intracranial aneurysms with PED, the value of long-term angiography in patients demonstrating complete aneurysm occlusion and no in-stent stenosis on 6 month post-treatment angiography is low.