Analysis of Cerebral CT Based on Supervised Machine Learning as a Predictor of Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In light of limited intensive care capacities and a lack of accurate prognostic tools to advise caregivers and family members responsibly, this study aims to determine whether automated cerebral CT (CCT) analysis allows prognostication after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: In this monocentric, retrospective cohort study, a supervised machine learning classifier based on an elastic net regularized logistic regression model for gray matter alterations on nonenhanced CCT obtained after cardiac arrest was trained using 10-fold cross-validation and tested on a hold-out sample (random split 75%/25%) for outcome prediction. Following the literature, a favorable outcome was defined as a cerebral performance category of 1-2 and a poor outcome of 3-5. The diagnostic accuracy was compared with established and guideline-recommended prognostic measures within the sample, that is, gray matter-white matter ratio (GWR), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) in serum. RESULTS: Of 279 adult patients, 132 who underwent CCT within 14 days of cardiac arrest with good imaging quality were identified. Our approach discriminated between favorable and poor outcomes with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% CI 0.59-0.82). Thus, the prognostic power outperformed the GWR (AUC 0.66, 95% CI 0.56-0.76). The biomarkers NfL, measured at days 1 and 2, and NSE, measured at day 2, exceeded the reliability of the imaging markers derived from CT (AUC NfL day 1: 0.87, 95% CI 0.75-0.99; AUC NfL day 2: 0.90, 95% CI 0.79-1.00; AUC NSE day: 2 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.94). DISCUSSION: Our data show that machine learning-assisted gray matter analysis of CCT images offers prognostic information after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Thus, CCT gray matter analysis could become a reliable and time-independent addition to the standard workup with serum biomarkers sampled at predefined time points. Prospective studies are warranted to replicate these findings.

Feasibility, Safety, and Efficacy of Endovascular vs. Surgical Treatment of Unruptured Multi-Sac Intracranial Aneurysms in a Single-Center Retrospective Series.

PURPOSE: Multi-sac aneurysms (MSAs) are not uncommon, but studies on their management are scarce. This study aims to evaluate and compare the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of MSAs treated with either clipping or coiling after interdisciplinary case discussion at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MSAs treated by microsurgical clipping, coiling, or stent-assisted coiling (SAC). Treatment modalities, complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Major neurological events were defined as a safety endpoint and complete occlusion as an efficacy endpoint. RESULTS: Ninety patients (mean age, 53.2±11.0 years; 73 [81.1%] females) with MSAs met our inclusion criteria (clipping, 50; coiling, 19; SAC, 21). Most aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral artery (48.9%). All clipping procedures were technically successful, but endovascular treatment failed in 1 coiling case, and a switch from coiling to SAC was required in 2 cases. The major event rates were 4.0% after clipping (1 major stroke and 1 intracranial hemorrhage) and 0% after endovascular therapy (P=0.667). At mid-term angiographic follow-up (mean 12.0±8.9 months), all 37 followed clipped aneurysms were completely occluded, compared to 8/17 (41.7%) after coiling and 11/15 (73.3%) after SAC (P<0.001). Coiling was significantly associated with incomplete occlusion in the adjusted analysis (odds ratio, 11.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.7-52.6; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Both endovascular and surgical treatment were feasible and safe for MSAs. As coiling was associated with comparatively high recanalization rates, endovascular treatment may be preferred with stent support.

Propensity Score-matched Comparison of WEB 17 and WEB 21 with 4-7 mm Device Sizes for the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: The WEB 17 system represents the fifth generation of Woven Endobridge (WEB) flow disruptors and features a low profile with fewer wires than its predecessor, the WEB 21. The present study compares the safety and efficacy of the WEB 17 and WEB 21 for the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms with 4-7 mm device sizes, which were available for both systems. METHODS: Patient and aneurysm characteristics, complications, clinical outcome and angiographic results were retrospectively analysed. 1:1 propensity score matching was performed to adjust for minor baseline differences between the groups. RESULTS: Sixty aneurysms treated with WEB 21 and 90 with WEB 17 were included. The overall failure rate (deployment failure and adjunctive stent) was significantly higher with WEB 21 (16.7%) than with WEB 17 (3.3%, p < 0.01). The rates of neurological events between WEB 21 (6.7%) and WEB 17 treatment (1.1%) were not significantly different (p = 0.08). Also, procedural morbidity was comparably low in both groups (WEB 21: 3.3%, WEB 17: 0%, p = 0.16). The rates of complete/adequate occlusion at follow up were 69.7%/86.4% for WEB 17 vs. 80.4%/91.3% for WEB 21 at short-term (p = 0.27), and 64.5%/83.9% vs. 75.9%/86.2% at mid-term (p = 0.41), respectively. Propensity score matching confirmed the results of the unmatched series. CONCLUSION: WEB 17 and WEB 21 had a similar safety and efficacy profile, but WEB 17 was associated with an improved feasibility. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up will define the full potential of the WEB 17 system.

Treatment of intracranial aneurysms with large-diameter (≥5.5 mm) Derivo Embolization Devices, with particular focus on 7 and 8 mm diameter devices.

OBJECTIVE: There are few studies on flow diverters with diameters >5 mm. We present our preliminary experience with the 5.5-8 mm Derivo Embolization Device (DED) implants for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: A consecutive series of 26 patients (median age: 60 years) treated for 32 aneurysms in 26 procedures was retrospectively analyzed for procedural characteristics, complications, and mid-term angiographic results. RESULTS: The median aneurysm size was 10.5 mm, 2 of 30 (6%) aneurysms were ruptured and 9 (28%) had a fusiform or dissecting morphology. DED implantation was performed in the internal carotid artery in 18 of 26 (69%) procedures and in the vertebrobasilar artery in 8 (31%). Device deployment failed in 1 (4%) procedure. The 7 and 8 mm implants were successfully deployed in 5 cases. Additional balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was performed in 3 (12%) cases to improve wall apposition. Complications included 1 (4%) major stroke and 2 (8%) minor strokes. Angiographic follow up at a mean of 6 months showed complete occlusion in 8 of30 (27%) aneurysms and favorable occlusion in 14 (47%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of large diameter DEDs was safe and feasible. The mid-term occlusion rates are acceptable considering the complex subset of aneurysms studied. Further studies are warranted to define the indications for large-diameter DEDs and to evaluate their long-term efficacy.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of the Derivo Embolization Device in a Single-center Series.

PURPOSE: This study analyzes the long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of the Derivo Embolization Device (DED), an advanced flow diverter device with an electropolished surface, for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A consecutive series of 101 patients (mean age: 58 years, 72% female) treated with the DED for 122 aneurysms at a single center between 2017 and 2023 was retrospectively analyzed for major (change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≥ 4 points) and minor (change in NIHSS score < 4 points) neurological events, procedural morbidity (increase of at least one point on the modified Rankin Scale), and angiographic results. RESULTS: There were 14 (11%) recurrent aneurysms, 15 (12%) ruptured aneurysms, 26 (21%) posterior circulation aneurysms and 16 (13%) fusiform or dissecting aneurysms. Device deployment failed in 1 case (1%). Procedure-related symptomatic procedural complications consisted of 2 (2%) major events (1 major stroke and 1 vessel perforation with intracranial hemorrhage and infarction) and 6 minor events (6 minor strokes). Procedural morbidity was 5%. There were no late ischemic or hemorrhagic events during follow-up. Complete and favorable aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 54% (40/74) and 62% (46/74) at a mean of 5 months, 71% (27/38) and 87% (33/38) at a mean of 12 months, and 76% (25/33) and 97% (32/33) at a mean of 35 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate progressive aneurysm occlusion beyond 12 months after DED implantation with an almost 100% favorable occlusion rate. Procedural morbidity was low and there were no late complications.

Safety and efficacy of coated flow diverters in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter study evaluated the safety and efficacy of coated flow diverters (cFDs) for the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with different cFDs for ruptured aneurysms under tirofiban at eight neurovascular centers between 2016 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The majority of patients were loaded with dual antiplatelet therapy after the treatment. Aneurysm occlusion was determined using the O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading scale. Primary outcome measures were major procedural complications and aneurysmal rebleeding during hospitalization. RESULTS: The study included 60 aneurysms (posterior circulation: 28 (47%)) with a mean size of 5.8±4.7 mm. Aneurysm morphology was saccular in 28 (47%), blister-like in 12 (20%), dissecting in 13 (22%), and fusiform in 7 (12%). Technical success was 100% with a mean of 1.1 cFDs implanted per aneurysm. Adjunctive coiling was performed in 11 (18%) aneurysms. Immediate contrast retention was observed in 45 (75%) aneurysms. There was 1 (2%) major procedural complication (a major stroke, eventually leading to death) and no aneurysmal rebleeding. A good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was achieved in 40 (67%) patients. At a mean follow-up of 6 months, 27/34 (79%) aneurysms were completely occluded (OKM D), 3/34 (9%) had an entry remnant (OKM C), and 4/34 (12%) had residual filling (OKM A or B). There was 1 (3%) severe in-stent stenosis during follow-up that was treated with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ruptured aneurysms with cFDs was reasonably safe and efficient and thus represents a valid treatment option, especially for complex cases.

FRED X flow diverter for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: Two-center experience and mini-review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The flow re-direction endoluminal device (FRED) is a safe and effective treatment option for intracranial aneurysms. The novel FRED X features an antithrombotic surface coating ("X Technology") on an otherwise unmodified stent design. This two-center study evaluates the clinical safety and efficacy of FRED X and compares it to the literature. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated between 2020 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed for aneurysm characteristics, procedural details and complications, and angiographic outcomes. A mini-review of the literature for FRED X clinical trials was performed and results were pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (mean age 56 years) were treated for 34 aneurysms. The mean aneurysm size was 7.7 ± 5.0 mm, 7 (21%) were ruptured, 6 (18%) were recurrent after previous treatment, 11 (32.3%) were located in the posterior circulation, and 4 (12.5%) had non-saccular morphology. All procedures were technically successful and no balloon angioplasty was required. There was 1 (2.9%) symptomatic complication (a transient ischemic attack) and no procedural morbidity or mortality. Technical asymptomatic events included 1 procedural stent occlusion that was reopened with thrombectomy and 3 cases of vasospasm. Complete and adequate occlusion rates were 68% (19/28) and 89% (25/28) at a mean follow-up time of 6 months, respectively. The results of this study are comparable to previous FRED X studies. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a high feasibility and procedural safety of the FRED X with adequate mid-term occlusion rates. Long-term and comparative studies are needed to evaluate the full potential of the FRED X.

Immediate angiographic control after intra-arterial nimodipine administration underestimates the vasodilatory effect.

Intra-arterial nimodipine administration is a widely used rescue therapy for cerebral vasospasm. Although it is known that its effect sets in with delay, there is little evidence in current literature. Our aim was to prove that the maximal vasodilatory effect is underestimated in direct angiographic controls. We reviewed all cases of intra-arterial nimodipine treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage-related cerebral vasospasm between January 2021 and December 2022. Inclusion criteria were availability of digital subtraction angiography runs before and after nimodipine administration and a delayed run for the most affected vessel at the end of the procedure to decide on further escalation of therapy. We evaluated nimodipine dose, timing of administration and vessel diameters. Delayed runs were performed in 32 cases (19 patients) with a mean delay of 37.6 (± 16.6) min after nimodipine administration and a mean total nimodipine dose of 4.7 (± 1.2) mg. Vessel dilation was more pronounced in delayed vs. immediate controls, with greater changes in spastic vessel segments (n = 31: 113.5 (± 78.5%) vs. 32.2% (± 27.9%), p < 0.0001) vs. non-spastic vessel segments (n = 32: 23.1% (± 13.5%) vs. 13.3% (± 10.7%), p < 0.0001). In conclusion intra-arterially administered nimodipine seems to exert a delayed vasodilatory effect, which should be considered before escalation of therapy.

Comparative Analysis of the Low-Profile Acclino Stent and the Enterprise Stent for the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: In preliminary studies, advanced intracranial stents appear to have a favorable safety profile for intracranial aneurysm treatment. This dual-center study is a head-to-head comparison of the low-profile Acandis Acclino stent (a third-generation stent) and the first- and second-generation Enterprise stent. METHODS: Patients who underwent stent-assisted coiling with either the Enterprise or the Acclino stent for unruptured aneurysms during an 8-year period were enrolled and compared for complications, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results. Primary outcome measures were ischemic stroke rate and mid-term complete occlusion rate. Propensity score adjustment was performed to account for small differences between the groups. RESULTS: Enterprise and Acclino stents were used in 48 cases each. The overall rate of thrombotic complications was higher in the Enterprise group than in the Acclino group (20.8% vs. 4.2%, HR: 6.6, 95%CI: 2.2-20.0, P = 0.01, adjusted P < 0.01), which translated into a higher rate of major ischemic stroke after Enterprise treatment (6.3% vs. 0%, HR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.8-2.4, P = 0.08, adjusted P < 0.01). Mid-term and long-term angiographic follow-up showed complete occlusion rates of 83.3% and 75.0% for Enterprise and 89.2% and 75.9% for Acclino (both P > 0.05). Retreatment rates were 10.4% in the Enterprise group and 4.2% in the Acclino group (P = 0.42, adjusted P = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a favorable safety profile of the Acclino over the Enterprise, justifying the use of advanced stent systems in clinical practice. However, further comparative studies of the Acclino and other competing stent systems are needed to draw a definitive conclusion on the state of stent-assisted coiling.

Oversizing of the Woven EndoBridge for Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms Improves Angiographic Results (WEBINAR).

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated a high safety and efficacy profile of the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) for endovascular aneurysm treatment. However, contemporary large-scale studies of the WEB are rare. This multicenter study attempts to set a benchmark for state-of-the-art WEB treatment with consistent application of the WEB oversizing technique. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multicenter study of aneurysms (dome width 2-10 mm) treated with the WEB between 2015 and 2023. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, complications, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The study consisted of 247 patients treated for 251 aneurysms (25.5% ruptured, 5.6% recurrent). WEB implantation was feasible in 98.8%, achieving a mean WEB/dome ratio of 1.2 ± 0.1. The thromboembolic complication rate was 7.2%, which was higher in ruptured versus unruptured aneurysms (hazard ratio: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.0-7.6, P = 0.04), but lower in cases where WEB 17 was used (hazard ratio: 4.0, 95%CI: 1.4-11.2, P = 0.01). Neurological complications occurred in 8 procedures (3.2%), including 3 (1.2%) major, and 5 (2.0%) minor events. Procedural morbidity and mortality were 0.8% and 0%, respectively. Mid-term complete and adequate occlusion rates were 66.3% and 88.4%, respectively. The retreatment rate was 5.2%. Feasibility, complication, and occlusion rates were comparable between typical and atypical aneurysm locations. CONCLUSIONS: Oversizing the WEB and using currently available WEB types in this series resulted in slightly better treatment outcomes compared to early WEB studies, confirming the high safety, feasibility, and efficacy of this technique.

Aneurysm Treatment With the Pipeline Vantage Embolization Device in Retrospective Evaluation: Periprocedural Results from the Pipe-VADER Study.

OBJECTIVE: The Pipeline Vantage Embolization Device is a fourth-generation flow diverter with an antithrombotic coating and a reduced profile compared to previous Pipeline versions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the procedural feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this device. METHODS: The Pipe-VADER study was designed as a retrospective, observational study of consecutive patients treated with the Vantage at 3 neurovascular centers. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural parameters, early complications, and extent of postinterventional contrast retention were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with 31 aneurysms (median size: 5.0 mm, posterior circulation: 4 [12.9%], ruptured: 5 [16.1%]) were included. The technical success rate was 100%, with multiple stents used in 4/30 (13.3%) procedures. Of the 30 procedures, adjunctive coiling was performed in 3 (10.0%) and balloon angioplasty in 2 (6.7%). Median procedure time was 62 minutes. Procedural ischemic stroke occured in 4 (13.3%) cases, whereof 2 were major strokes (6.6%). There were no hemorrhagic complications. Initial contrast retention was observed in 29/31 (93.5%) aneurysms. All 27 overstented side vessels were patent at the end of the procedure. Short-term follow-up (median: 5 months) showed complete and favorable occlusion rates of 70% (14/20) and 80% (16/20), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The new Pipeline Vantage appears to be safe and feasible for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and warrants further evaluation.

Safety and efficacy of the fourth-generation Acandis Acclino flex plus stent for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The low-profile Acandis Acclino flex plus (AFP) is a fourth-generation laser-cut microstent with a flexible structure designed for the treatment of a wide variety of aneurysms. We report our single-center experience with this device in the treatment of complex aneurysms. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were treated with the Acclino flex plus for 28 aneurysms. Aneurysm characteristics, technical success, complications, clinical outcome, and angiographic results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The cohort included 8 unruptured untreated aneurysms, 9 unruptured recurrent aneurysms, and 12 ruptured aneurysms with aneurysm diameters ranging from 3 to 23 mm. The anterior communicating artery was the most common location (52%). Stent deployment was successful in 28 cases (97%) with an average of 1.3 stents per aneurysm. The overall procedural complication rate was 17%, including 2 (6.8%) major clinical events (one ischaemic stroke and one aneurysm perforation) and one (3.4%) minor clinical event (one seizure). Angiographic results of 23 aneurysms at a mean of 6 months were complete occlusion in 74%, neck remnants in 13% and aneurysm remnants in 13%. Three patients were retreated. CONCLUSIONS: Given the complexity of the aneurysms, the use of the Acclino flex plus was feasible and associated with a favourable safety and efficacy profile. Further studies are needed to evaluate Acclino flex plus in other aneurysm subsets and to define its role in endovascular aneurysm treatment.

Liraglutide restores impaired associative learning in individuals with obesity.

Survival under selective pressure is driven by the ability of our brain to use sensory information to our advantage to control physiological needs. To that end, neural circuits receive and integrate external environmental cues and internal metabolic signals to form learned sensory associations, consequently motivating and adapting our behaviour. The dopaminergic midbrain plays a crucial role in learning adaptive behaviour and is particularly sensitive to peripheral metabolic signals, including intestinal peptides, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). In a single-blinded, randomized, controlled, crossover basic human functional magnetic resonance imaging study relying on a computational model of the adaptive learning process underlying behavioural responses, we show that adaptive learning is reduced when metabolic sensing is impaired in obesity, as indexed by reduced insulin sensitivity (participants: N = 30 with normal insulin sensitivity; N = 24 with impaired insulin sensitivity). Treatment with the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide normalizes impaired learning of sensory associations in men and women with obesity. Collectively, our findings reveal that GLP-1 receptor activation modulates associative learning in people with obesity via its central effects within the mesoaccumbens pathway. These findings provide evidence for how metabolic signals can act as neuromodulators to adapt our behaviour to our body's internal state and how GLP-1 receptor agonists work in clinics.

First clinical experience with the Derivo 2heal embolization device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The development of new flow-diverting devices with antithrombotic coatings may result in an improved safety profile, particularly a reduction in ischaemic stroke rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate our initial experience with the recently introduced coated Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device (Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany). METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-centre analysis of patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device treatment. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural parameters, complications, and degree of initial and short-term aneurysm occlusion were evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 16 unruptured aneurysms in 9 patients were treated with the Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device in 10 treatment sessions. In one case the Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device could not be deployed due to severe friction in the microcatheter. In all successful cases, one Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device was sufficient to treat the target aneurysm and no additional coiling was performed. In-stent balloon angioplasty was performed in one procedure (10%) to improve vessel wall apposition. Twelve arterial side branches were covered in 9 procedures and all were patent at the end of the procedure. There were no clinical complications and no thromboembolic events during treatment. At the end of the procedure, contrast retention was observed in 13/16 (81%) aneurysms and at short-term follow-up, 6/9 (67%) were completely occluded. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of the new Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device appear promising and warrant further evaluation by multicentre studies with long-term follow-up.

Cost-effectiveness of WEB Embolization, Coiling and Stent-assisted Coiling for the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Information about the cost-effectiveness of a certain treatment is relevant for decision-making and healthcare providers. This study compares the cost-effectiveness of the novel Woven Endobridge (WEB) for intracranial aneurysm treatment with conventional coiling and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) from the perspective of the German Statutory Health Insurance. METHODS: A patient-level simulation was constructed to simulate 55-year-old patients with an unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm (size: 3-11 mm) considering WEB treatment, coiling or SAC in terms of morbidity, angiographic outcome, retreatment, procedural and rehabilitation costs and rupture rates. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated as costs per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs per year with neurologic morbidity avoided. Uncertainty was explored with deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The majority of data were obtained from prospective multi-center studies and meta-analyses of non-randomized studies. RESULTS: In the base case, lifetime QALYs were 13.24 for the WEB, 12.92 for SAC and 12.68 for coiling. Lifetime costs were 20,440 € for the WEB, 23,167 € for SAC, and 8200 € for coiling. Compared to coiling, the ICER for the WEB was 21,826 €/QALY, while SAC was absolutely dominated by WEB. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that at a willingness-to-pay of ≥ 30,000 €/QALY, WEB was the preferred treatment. Deterministic sampling showed that the discount rate, material costs and retreatment rates had the largest impact on the ICERs. CONCLUSION: The novel WEB showed at least comparable cost-effectiveness to SAC for treatment of broad-based unruptured aneurysms. Considering all three modalities, coiling had the least costs; however this modality is often not appropriate for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms.

Combined Transarterial and Inferior Ophthalmic Vein Approach to a Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Technical Note.

OBJECTIVE: We describe our rescue technique for direct puncture of the inferior ophthalmic vein (IOV) for transvenous access of a direct, high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF). METHODS: The CCF was caused by rupture of a large internal carotid artery aneurysm. Aneurysm and fistula embolization solely via the transarterial approach did not appear promising due to partial aneurysm thrombosis. Also, transvenous access via the facial vein failed due to extensive vessel tortuosity. Instead, the engorged and arterialized IOV was accessed by direct puncture with an 18-gauge venous cannula. After a small skin incision of the medial aspect of the lower eyelid and further transseptal puncture, the cannula was advanced stepwise between the maxillary bone and the bulbus oculi and below the medial rectus muscle to the IOV under repeated biplane roadmap guidance in 2 planes. Thereafter, the fistula and the aneurysm dome could be embolized with coils via a low-profile microcatheter. Hereby, a protective flow diverter was implanted via the arterial route into the internal carotid artery to seal the parent artery, prevent coil protrusion, and ensure permanent aneurysm occlusion. RESULTS: At 1-month follow-up, the aneurysm and CCF were completely occluded. CONCLUSIONS: Direct puncture of the IOV represents a feasible and minimally invasive approach for venous CCF access. The proposed method needs to be validated by further reports.

Habitual daily intake of a sweet and fatty snack modulates reward processing in humans.

Western diets rich in fat and sugar promote excess calorie intake and weight gain; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Despite a well-documented association between obesity and altered brain dopamine function, it remains elusive whether these alterations are (1) pre-existing, increasing the individual susceptibility to weight gain, (2) secondary to obesity, or (3) directly attributable to repeated exposure to western diet. To close this gap, we performed a randomized, controlled study (NCT05574660) with normal-weight participants exposed to a high-fat/high-sugar snack or a low-fat/low-sugar snack for 8 weeks in addition to their regular diet. The high-fat/high-sugar intervention decreased the preference for low-fat food while increasing brain response to food and associative learning independent of food cues or reward. These alterations were independent of changes in body weight and metabolic parameters, indicating a direct effect of high-fat, high-sugar foods on neurobehavioral adaptations that may increase the risk for overeating and weight gain.

Differentiation of a Falcine Meningioma From Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Using DOTATATE PET.

ABSTRACT: Differentiating brain tumors from nonneoplastic lesions using conventional MRI may be challenging. Clinical symptoms often remain unspecific, and imaging findings from MRI may be inconclusive. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman in whom an MRI suggested a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. On the other hand, additional atypical MRI findings raised doubts regarding the initial diagnosis. Given the need for a diagnostic procedure with higher sensitivity and specificity for neoplastic tissue, PET with the radiolabeled somatostatin receptor ligand DOTATATE ( 68 Ga-DOTA- d -Phe1-Tyr3-octreotate) was performed. DOTATATE PET facilitated the diagnosis of a falcine meningioma consistent with its value for the differential diagnosis of meningioma.