Evaluating the safety and efficacy of medical management in extracranial pseudoaneurysms: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: As endovascular interventions become safer and their use more prevalent for treating extracranial pseudoaneurysms, fewer pseudoaneurysms are treated with medical therapy alone. This study aimed to assess the indications for intervention and the safety of medical management. METHODS: A dual-center retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with extracranial carotid and vertebral pseudoaneurysms between December 2006 and June 2023. RESULTS: Of 145 pseudoaneurysms, 121 (83%) received medical therapy, 22 (15%) were treated endovascularly, and 2 (1.4%) were treated with open surgery. In the medical group, there were 2 (1.9%) complications, one unrelated to the pseudoaneurysm. In the intervention group, there were 3 (16%) complications, with 1 patient requiring two retreatments and sacrifice of the vessel. Major trauma (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3-14; p = 0.02), use of digital subtraction angiography as the initial imaging modality (OR 9.8, 95% CI 2.5-42; p < 0.01), and a maximum lesion diameter > 6 mm (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.4-25; p = 0.03) proved to be significant in the decision to intervene. At a median follow-up of 18.1 months, 94.7% of the lesions treated with intervention healed completely compared with 19% of aneurysms in the medical group. Among those medically managed that did not resolve, the median change in diameter was -0.4 mm (IQR -1.8 to 0.4 mm). Age ≤ 50 years and aneurysm maximum diameter ≤ 6 mm predicted healing at follow-up in the medical group with 92% specificity and 65% sensitivity (area under the curve 0.87). At follow-up, 98% of patients were functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2). CONCLUSIONS: Medical management alone is safe for most extracranial pseudoaneurysms, resulting in significantly fewer complications than endovascular intervention. Maximum diameter ≤ 6 mm and age ≤ 50 years were significant predictors of pseudoaneurysm resolution with medical therapy alone. Lesions that do not heal do not cause further symptoms or require additional intervention.

Characterizing Revascularization After Encephalo-Duro-Arterio-Synangiosis (EDAS) in Adult Patients With Moyamoya Disease Using the Orbital Grading System.

BACKGROUND: The Matsushima grade has traditionally been used to evaluate vessel ingrowth from the superficial temporal artery after encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) for Moyamoya disease (MMD) patients. However, this grading is subjective and prone to measurement variability. Herein, we propose the orbital grading system quantifying leptomeningeal and burr hole-related vessel-ingrowth from the superficial temporal artery and/or middle meningeal artery to the middle and anterior cerebral arteries post EDAS in MMD patients. METHODS: An anatomical classification was developed by reference to 2 parallel vertical lines from the bony landmarks of the orbit, categorized from Grade 0-3. Regression models were used to compare clinical and functional outcomes of our grading system with the Matsushima scale. RESULTS: Forty MMD patients, with median age of 48 years, mostly females (72.5%), underwent 56 EDAS procedures. Presentation included ischemic events (65.0%), hemorrhage (22.5%), and seizures (7.5%). Most patients were categorized as Suzuki ≥ IV (69.5%). Fifty EDAS (89.9%) had concurrent burr holes placed (parietal and frontal regions). At a median follow-up of 13.7 months, collateral growth was graded as follows: grade 0 (6; 10.8%), grade 1 (12; 21.4%), grade 2 (23; 41.1%), and grade 3 (15; 26.8%). Linear regression showed similarities in the distribution between the orbital grading system and Matsushima grading (r = 0.86; P < 0.01). Ischemic events were fewer in hemispheres categorized as grade 2-3 compared to grade 0-1 (P = 0.047) as well as in Matsushima grading A or B compared to C (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The orbital grading system demonstrated agreement in identifying postoperative ischemic events as the Matsushima grade and provides a more practical and objective evaluation of collateral vessel ingrowth after EDAS with and without burr holes.

A Novel Scoring System Predicting Aneurysm Incomplete Occlusion After Flow Diversion: A 10-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Factors impacting the rate of aneurysm occlusion after flow diversion (FD) have been well described in the literature. In this article, we sought to evaluate those variables to develop and validate a scoring system predicting aneurysm incomplete occlusion after FD. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with FD at a single institution between March 2013 and March 2023. Multivariable logistic regression model was developed using factors associated with aneurysm incomplete occlusion. The ABC scoring system consisted of: Age (<60 years old: 0, 60-69 years: 1, 70-79: 2, and ≥80: 3), Branch coming out of the aneurysm dome/neck (yes: 2, no: 0), and Cigarette smoking history (never smoker: 1, current or past smoker: 0). The scoring system performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve and calculating the area under the curve. RESULTS: A total of 449 patients with 563 aneurysms treated in 482 procedures were evaluated. Most cases were females (81.7%) with a median age of 59 years old. At a median follow-up of 13.2 months, 84.0% of aneurysms were completely or near-complete occluded. The scoring system had an area under the curve of 0.71. A value ≥ 2, reached a sensitivity of 74.4%, a specificity of 60.9%, a likelihood ratio+ of 1.90, and proved to be reliable in predicting the risk of incomplete occlusion (odds ratio = 4.53; 95% confidence interval: 2.73-7.54; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed ABC scoring system can be used to evaluate the risk of aneurysm incomplete occlusion after treatment with FD, identifying patients who would benefit from adjunctive coiling or alternative treatment modalities.

Timing, type, and impact of thromboembolic events caused by flow diversion: a 10-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Thromboembolic (TE) events are among the most feared complications after flow diversion (FD) and have been reported to occur even with adequate dual antiplatelet therapy. Herein, the authors characterize thrombotic and embolic events that developed after FD, focusing on the morbidity of each of these events and the predisposing factors associated with their development. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of aneurysms treated with FD at a single institution in the US between 2013 and 2023 was performed. The authors documented the emergence of intraprocedural and postoperative TE events. A survival analysis and a Cox regression model was conducted to identify predictors associated with these events. RESULTS: The authors included 651 procedures performed in 591 patients to treat 746 aneurysms. TE events occurred in 38 of the procedures performed (5.8%), causing permanent deficit in 20 patients and death in 4 patients. Eleven cases presented with acute stent thrombosis, 11 with large-vessel occlusion, and 9 with perforator strokes. At a median follow-up of 9.5 months, 73.0% of patients with an ischemic event had a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2. Three of the deaths were secondary to occlusion at the basilar trunk and vertebral artery. In patients with TE events in the anterior circulation, 7 of 11 patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion and 9 of 12 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion achieved independence. Time-to-event Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TE events were more frequent in patients exhibiting aspirin resistance (hazard ratio 2.66; 95% CI 1.10-6.70). CONCLUSIONS: TE events after FD result from multiple factors, including age, aneurysm characteristics, aneurysm location, antiplatelet resistance, and procedural factors. In our cohort, we found the highest morbidity for patients with TE events presenting with large-vessel occlusion at the middle cerebral artery, and vertebrobasilar system.

Comparison of Postoperative Seizures Between Burr-Hole Evacuation and Craniotomy in Patients With Nonacute Subdural Hematomas: A Bi-Institutional Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative seizures are a common complication after surgical drainage of nonacute chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The literature increasingly supports the use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs for craniotomy, a procedure that is often associated with larger collections and worse clinical status at admission. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative seizures in patients treated with burr-hole drainage and those treated with craniotomy through propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients with surgical drainage of nonacute SDHs (burr-holes and craniotomies) between January 2017 to December 2021 at 2 academic institutions in the United States. PSM was performed by controlling for age, subdural thickness, subacute component, and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale. Seizure rates and accompanying abnormalities on electroencephalographic tracing were evaluated postmatching. RESULTS: A total of 467 patients with 510 nonacute SDHs underwent 474 procedures, with 242 burr-hole evacuations (51.0%) and 232 craniotomies (49.0%). PSM resulted in 62 matched pairs. After matching, univariate analysis revealed that burr-hole evacuations exhibited lower rates of seizures (1.6% vs 11.3%; P = .03) and abnormal electroencephalographic findings (0.0% vs 4.8%; P = .03) compared with craniotomies. No significant differences were observed in postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (P = .77) and length of hospital stay (P = .61). CONCLUSION: Burr-hole evacuation demonstrated significantly lower seizure rates than craniotomy using a propensity score-matched analysis controlling for significant variables.

Thromboembolic Events in the Posterior Circulation After Flow Diversion-A Closer Look at Coverage of the Posterior Cerebral Artery.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion for bifurcation aneurysms requires excluding one of the branches from the parent artery, raising concern for ischemic events. We evaluated thromboembolic events and their relationship with covering the origin of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients with confirmed basilar and proximal PCA aneurysms treated with flow diversion between 2013 and 2023. Procedures were classified according to the coverage of the origin of the PCA. Thromboembolic events associated with the excluded PCA were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the total 28 aneurysms included, 7 were at the basilar tip, 16 in the basilar trunk, and 5 in the first segment of the PCA; 15 were treated by excluding one of the PCAs. Dual antiplatelet therapy included aspirin and ticagrelor (57.1%), aspirin and clopidogrel (35.7%), or aspirin and prasugrel (3.57%). Complete and near-complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 80.8% of the aneurysms treated at a median follow-up of 12.31 months. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 3 patients (2 with basilar perforator stroke and 1 with basilar in-stent thrombosis). However, the difference in these events was not statistically significant between patients with PCA coverage and those without (P = 0.46). Diminished flow and a lack of flow was seen in 8 and 7 of the covered vessels, respectively. A modified Rankin scale score of ≤2 was reported for 89.3% of patients at a median clinical follow-up of 5.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of thromboembolic events is high in distal basilar and proximal PCA aneurysms; however, PCA coverage was not associated with their occurrence. There was no difference in postprocedural disability between patients whose aneurysms were treated by excluding one of the PCAs and those who were not.

Thromboembolic Events After the Coverage of Anterior Cerebral Artery with Flow Diversion: A Single Institution Series and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Advances in the use of flow diversion (FD) now extend to bifurcation aneurysms; herein, we compare thromboembolic events in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms treated with and without exclusion of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of aneurysms in the terminal ICA treated with FD from 2013 to 2023 at a single-center study. Procedures were classified according to the coverage at the origin of the ACA and compared through bivariate-analysis. A review was also carried on PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE until April 2024, adhering to the PRISMA reporting guidelines. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients harboring 113 aneurysms treated in 102 procedures were evaluated. Fifty-eight were treated covering the ACA origin. Dual antiplatelet regimens included aspirin-clopidogrel (50%), aspirin-ticagrelor (44.1%), and aspirin-prasugrel (4.9%). Thromboembolic events occurred in 6 patients (5.9%), all of which presented with large vessel occlusion of the ICA, but without reaching statistical difference in the 2 treated cohorts (P = 0.46). At a median clinical follow-up of 5.95 months, there were no differences in the functional outcomes in the 2 groups (P = 0.22). Contralateral angiographic runs post-treatment after covering the ACA origin demonstrated increase in the A1 (median: 0.45 mm; IQR = 0.4-1.2) and ICA diameter (median: 0.55 mm; IQR = 0.1-1.2). After pooling data from literature and our cohort, complete side branch occlusion after the coverage of ACA was seen in 25% of branches (95%CI = 0.16-0.36), and thromboembolic events were observed after 3% (95%CI = 0.01-0.04) of procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Thromboembolic events can occur in distal ICA aneurysms treated with FD, but no significant association was seen with covering the ACA origin.

Comparison of Thromboembolic Events Between Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) Shield and PED/PED Flex: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pipeline embolization device (PED) Flex with Shield technology is a third-generation flow diverter used for intracranial aneurysm treatment designed to decrease thrombogenicity through a phosphorylcholine coating. Herein, we aim to compare the rate of thromboembolic events in PED with Shield technology and PED without it through propensity score matching. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of aneurysms treated with PED first-generation/PED Flex and PED with Shield between 2013 and 2023 at a single academic institution. Patients were matched through propensity score by controlling for confounding factors including age, smoking history, diabetes, previous subarachnoid hemorrhage, modified Rankin Scale pretreatment, location, aneurysm size, previous treatment, and clopidogrel or aspirin resistance. After matching, we evaluated for periprocedural and postoperative thromboembolic events. Data analysis was performed using Stata 14. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients with 707 aneurysms treated in 605 procedures were included in the analysis. From these, 156 aneurysms were treated with PED with Shield (22.07%) and 551 (77.93%) without Shield technology. Propensity score matching resulted in 84 matched pairs. The rate of thromboembolic events was 3.57% for PED Shield and 10.71% for PED first-generation/PED Flex ( P = .07), while retreatment rates were 2.38% for PED Shield and 8.32% for PED Flex ( P = .09). Complete occlusion at first ( P = .41) and last imaging follow-up ( P = .71), in-stent stenosis ( P = .95), hemorrhagic complications ( P = .31), and functional outcomes ( P = .66) were comparable for both groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in the literature performing a propensity scored-matched analysis comparing PED with PED with Shield technology. Our study suggests a trend toward lower thromboembolic events for PED Shield, even after controlling for aspirin and clopidogrel resistance, and a trend toward lower aneurysm retreatment rates with PED Shield, without reaching statistical significance.

Late-developing posttraumatic dural arteriovenous fistula of the vertebral artery: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: A dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) involving the vertebral artery (VA) is a rare vascular pathology that can result from damage to the VA, most frequently following cervical spine trauma. In most traumatic cases, the dAVF develops and manifests shortly after trauma. OBSERVATIONS: A patient was admitted after a fall from the stairs causing neck pain. Computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed a Hangman's fracture, and angiography showed a left VA dissection. The patient was treated with a cervical brace and clopidogrel. Three weeks after trauma, the patient was admitted because of bilateral leg ataxia, dizziness, and neck pain. Repeat imaging revealed increased displacement of the cervical fracture and a dAVF from the left VA with retrograde filling of the dAVF from the right VA. Embolization of the dAVF using coils proximally and distally to the dAVF was performed prior to placing a halo brace. At 6 months, all symptoms had disappeared and union of the cervical spine fracture had occurred. LESSONS: This case report emphasizes the need for follow-up angiography after traumatic VA injury resulting from cervical spine fracture and underlines important treatment considerations for successful obliteration of a dAVF of the VA.