Lack of Association between Statin Use and Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes after Pipeline Embolization for Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Use of statin medications has been demonstrated to improve clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients receiving endovascular stent placement for coronary, peripheral, carotid, and intracranial stenoses. We studied the impact of statin use on long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes after flow-diverter treatment of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis from pooled patient-level datasets from 3 Pipeline Embolization Device studies: the International Retrospective Study of the Pipeline Embolization Device, the Pipeline for Uncoilable or Failed Aneurysms Study, and the Aneurysm Study of Pipeline in an Observational Registry. We analyzed data comparing 2 subgroups: 1) patients on statin medication, and 2) patients not on statin medication at the time of the procedure and follow-up. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were compared by using the χ2 test, Fisher exact test, or Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: We studied 1092 patients with 1221 aneurysms. At baseline, 226 patients were on statin medications and 866 patients were not on statin medications. The mean length of clinical and angiographic follow-up was 22.1 ± 15.1 months and 28.3 ± 23.7 months, respectively. There were no differences observed in angiographic outcomes at any time point between groups. Rates of complete occlusion were 82.8% (24/29) versus 86.4% (70/81) at 1-year (P = .759) and 93.3% (14/15) versus 95.7% (45/47) at 5-year (P = 1.000) follow-up for statin-versus-nonstatin-use groups, respectively. There were no differences in any complication rates between groups, including major morbidity and neurologic mortality (7.5% versus 7.1%, P = .77). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no association between statin use and angiographic or clinical outcomes among patients treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device.

Treatment of wide-necked aneurysms with the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS Jr) device: a multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: The Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) Junior stent is newly approved for the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. OBJECTIVE: To report our multicenter experience with use of the LVIS Jr device. METHODS: The neurointerventional databases of the participating institutions were retrospectively reviewed for aneurysms treated with LVIS Jr from the time of Food and Drug Administration approval until February 2016. All patients in the study period were included. Clinical presentation, aneurysm location, aneurysm size, vessel size, procedural complications, clinical and imaging follow-up were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (54 female and 31 male) met the inclusion criteria for the study. Sixty-eight (80%) of the aneurysms were unruptured and the remainder were ruptured. The most common location of the treated aneurysms was anterior communicating artery (36%), middle cerebral artery bifurcation (22%), and basilar terminus (15%). The mean aneurysm size was 6.1 mm. The mean minimum parent vessel size was 2.3 mm. The LVIS Jr was successfully deployed in all but one case (99%). Initial angiographic results demonstrated Roy-Raymond class 1-2 occlusions in 61/84 patients (73%). At 6 months, 85% of the patients seen at follow-up had Roy-Raymond class 1-2 aneurysm occlusion. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Two cases of procedure-related complications (intraprocedural rupture and delayed rupture at day 2) were seen, leading to permanent neurologic morbidity. Both these cases were in patients with ruptured aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: The LVIS Jr is a technically feasible, safe, and effective treatment for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Early results are promising but will need to be corroborated with longer-term follow-up.

Pipeline Embolization Device with or without Adjunctive Coil Embolization: Analysis of Complications from the IntrePED Registry.

Flow diversion to treat cerebral aneurysms has revolutionized neurointerventional surgery. Because the addition of coils potentially increases the time and complexity of endovascular procedures, we sought to determine whether adjunctive coil use is associated with an increase in complications. Patients in the International Retrospective Study of Pipeline Embolization Device registry were divided into those treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device alone (n = 689 patients; n = 797 aneurysms; mean aneurysm size, 10.3 ± 7.6 mm) versus those treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device and concurrent coil embolization (n = 104 patients; n = 109 aneurysms; mean aneurysm size, 13.6 ± 7.8 mm). Patient demographics and aneurysm characteristics were examined. Rates of neurologic morbidity and mortality were compared between groups. The Pipeline Embolization Device with versus without coiling required a significantly longer procedure time (135.8 ± 63.9 versus 96.7 ± 46.2 min; P < .0001) and resulted in higher neurological morbidity (12.5% versus 7.8%; P = .13). These data suggest that either strategy represents an acceptable risk profile in the treatment of complex cerebral aneurysms and warrants further investigation.

Platelet Testing is Associated with Worse Clinical Outcomes for Patients Treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The necessity for platelet-inhibition testing before aneurysm treatment in patients premedicated with antiplatelet agents is controversial. Using the International Retrospective Study of Pipeline Embolization Device registry, we studied complication rates in groups of patients who underwent platelet testing and those who did not undergo platelet testing to determine if these test results were associated with improved outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in the International Retrospective Study of Pipeline Embolization Device registry with an unruptured aneurysm were categorized as those who underwent platelet testing before Pipeline embolization device treatment or those who did not. Complication rates were compared by using the Fisher exact or Pearson χ(2) test. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine if platelet function testing was independently associated with poor outcomes after adjusting for age, number of devices and aneurysms, aneurysm location and size, and practitioner and center volume. RESULTS: Compared with the patients who received a Pipeline embolization device without platelet testing, those who underwent platelet testing and Pipeline embolization device placement experienced higher rates of intracranial hemorrhage (0 of 187 [0.0%] vs 12 of 511 [2.3%], respectively; P = .04), neurologic morbidity (4 of 187 [2.1%] vs 42 of 511 [8.2%], respectively; P < .01), and combined neurologic morbidity and mortality (6 of 187 [3.2%] vs 45 of 511 [8.8%], respectively; P = .01). More patients in the platelet testing and Pipeline embolization device group were treated with multiple devices (227 [38.0%] vs 56 [27.8] patients, respectively; P = .01). On multivariate analysis, the group of patients who underwent platelet testing and Pipeline embolization device placement had higher odds of neurologic morbidity (OR, 3.25 [95% CI, 1.10-9.61]; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Platelet testing in patients who undergo Pipeline embolization device placement is associated with higher rates of morbidity. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine if and when platelet testing in these patients is appropriate.

Interobserver variability in retreatment decisions of recurrent and residual aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The degree of variation in retreatment decisions for residual or recurrent aneurysms among endovascular therapists remains poorly defined. We performed a multireader study to determine what reader and patient variables contribute to this variation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven endovascular therapists (4 neuroradiologists, 3 neurosurgeons) independently reviewed 66 cases of patients treated with endovascular coil embolization for ruptured or unruptured aneurysm. Cases were rated on a 5-point scale recommending for whether to retreat and a recommended retreatment type. Reader agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient and by identifying cases with a "clinically meaningful difference" (a difference in score that would result in a difference in treatment). Variables that affect reader agreement and retreatment decisions were examined by using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson χ(2) test, and linear regression. RESULTS: Overall interobserver variability for decision to retreat was moderate (ICC = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.40-0.61). Clinically meaningful differences between at least 2 readers were present in 61% of cases and were significantly more common among neuroradiologists than neurosurgeons (P = .0007). Neurosurgeons were more likely to recommend "definitely retreat" than neuroradiologists (P < .0001). Previously ruptured aneurysms, larger remnant size, and younger patients were associated with more retreat recommendations. Interobserver variability regarding retreatment type was fair overall 0.25 (95% CI, 0.14-0.41) but poor for experienced readers 0.14 (95% CI, 0-0.34). CONCLUSIONS: There is a large amount of interobserver variability regarding the decision to retreat an aneurysm and the type of retreatment. This variability must be reduced to increase consistency in these subjective outcome measurements.

Endoscopic tracking of a ventricular catheter for entry into the lateral ventricle: technical note.

INTRODUCTION: Tapping the ventricle with a cannula prior to introducing the endoscope is the preferred technique by many neurosurgeons in gaining ventricular access during endoscopic procedures. We have adapted this technique by passing a soft ventricular catheter into the ventricle (instead of a cannula), subsequently following this catheter into the lateral ventricle with the endoscope. Access to the lateral ventricle is planned according to trajectories selected from preoperative imaging and anatomic landmarks with or without the use of stereotactic navigation. The endoscope is introduced along the catheter tract with constant and direct visualization of the shaft of the catheter. RESULTS: The authors performed endoscopic tracking of a catheter during 47 consecutive endoscopic procedures. No injuries to deep structures or mistrajectories occurred. Safe and precise access to the lateral ventricles can be achieved by using a ventricular catheter as a guide for the endoscope. CONCLUSIONS: This technique was used with and without stereotactic navigation and deemed useful in both circumstances as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) egress through the catheter verifies positioning before the introduction of a larger diameter endoscope. Moreover, once CSF is obtained, the catheter is not removed from this position so no additional error is incurred when the endoscope or rigid plastic sheath is placed. Finally, the catheter serves as a continuous marker to the ventricle allowing repeated endoscopic entries. This technique was found to be particularly useful in biportal procedures to mark specific trajectories that could be easily re-accessed in situations where intraoperative shift occurs.

Navigability trumps all: stenting of acute middle cerebral artery occlusions with a new self-expandable stent.

Acute stroke intervention is rapidly evolving. New technologies are improving device deliverability and rates of recanalization. We describe 2 cases of acute middle cerebral artery occlusions wherein Wingspan stents could not be delivered to the occlusive site because of excessive vascular tortuosity. Merci thrombectomy was also unsuccessful. Revascularization was only achieved with deployment of the highly navigable Enterprise stent, resulting in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 2/3 flow. Thus, all devices should be considered in the armamentarium of stroke therapy.

Self-expanding stents for recanalization of acute cerebrovascular occlusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted revascularization increases prevailing recanalization rates ( congruent with 50%-69%) for vessel occlusions recalcitrant to thrombolytics. Although balloon-mounted coronary stents can displace thrombus (via angioplasty) and retain clot along vessel walls, intracranial self-expanding stents are more flexible and exert less radial outward force during deployment, increasing deliverability and safety. To understand the effectiveness of self-expanding stents for recanalization of acute cerebrovascular occlusions, we retrospectively reviewed our preliminary experience with these stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (19 lesions) presenting with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke underwent catheter-based angiography documenting focal occlusion of an intracranial artery. A self-expanding stent was delivered to the occlusion and deployed. Stent placement was the initial mechanical maneuver in 6 cases; others involved a combination of pharmacologic and/or mechanical maneuvers prestenting. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered in 10 cases intraprocedurally or immediately postprocedurally to avoid acute in-stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Stent deployment at the target occlusion (technical success) was achieved in all cases. Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI)/Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) 2/3 recanalization (angiographic success) was achieved in 15 of 19 lesions (79%). All single-vessel lesions (n=8) were recanalized, but only 7 of 11 combination internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery lesions were recanalized. No intraprocedural complications occurred. Seven in-hospital deaths occurred: stroke progression, 4; intracranial hemorrhage, 2; respiratory failure, 1. Seven patients had >or=4-point National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale improvement within 24 hours after the procedure, 6 had modified Rankin Score (mRS)

Self-expanding versus balloon-mounted stents for vessel recanalization following embolic occlusion in the canine model: technical feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite advances in mechanical thrombolysis for acute stroke, recanalization rates remain approximately 50%-60%. Technologic improvements allowed safe intracranial delivery of stents. To study the feasibility of stent-assisted recanalization for acute stroke, we deployed self-expanding or balloon-mounted stents in 2- to 3.5-mm canine vessels acutely occluded with clot emboli. METHODS: Six mongrel dogs were placed under general anesthesia. A guiding catheter was placed in the distal vertebral artery or an external carotid artery branch. A 7 x 3 mm (length x diameter) soft or hard clot was injected into the catheter and allowed to embolize distally; 20 vessels were successfully occluded. After systemic heparin anticoagulation, recanalization with a self-expanding stent was attempted in 11 vessels (5 occluded with soft clot; 6, with hard clot). Balloon-mounted stents were placed in an attempt to revascularize 9 vessels (4 occluded with soft clot; 5, with hard clot). Vessel recanalization was assessed as the primary end point. Side-branch occlusion and stent-induced vasospasm were also assessed. RESULTS: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction/Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction flow for 11 vessels treated with self-expanding stents versus 9 treated with balloon-mounted stents was as follows: grade 3, 91% of vessels versus 78% of vessels; grade 2, 0% versus 11%; grade 1, 9% versus 0%; grade 0, 0% versus 11%. Lower rates of spasm and side-branch occlusion were noticed with self-expanding stents. Grade 2/3 flow was achieved in 18/20 vessels (90%). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent recanalization was demonstrated with both stents. Recanalization in self-expanding stents was achieved without pre- or post-balloon dilation. Stents may prove to be a useful adjunct for intra-arterial acute stroke treatment.

Randomized comparison of intra-arterial and intravenous thrombolysis in a canine model of acute basilar artery thrombosis.

We compared the rates of recanalization cerebral infarct and hemorrhage between intra-arterial (i.a.) reteplase and intravenous (i.v.) alteplase thrombolysis in a canine model of basilar artery thrombosis. Thrombosis was induced by injecting a clot in the basilar artery of 13 anesthetized dogs via superselective catheterization. The animals were randomized in a blinded fashion, 2 h after clot injection and verification of arterial occlusion, to receive i.v. alteplase 0.9 mg/kg over 60 min and i.a. placebo, or i.a. reteplase 0.09 units/kg over 20 min, equivalent to one-half the alteplase dose, and i.v. placebo. Recanalization was studied for 6 h after treatment with serial angiography; the images were later graded in a blinded fashion. Blinded interpretation of postmortem MRI was performed to assess the presence of brain infarcts and/or hemorrhage. At 3 h after initiation of treatment, partial or complete recanalization was observed in one of six dogs in the i.v. alteplase group and in five of seven in the i.a. reteplase group (P = 0.08). At 6 h, no significant difference in partial or complete recanalization was observed between the groups (two of six vs. five of seven; P = 0.20). Postmortem MRI revealed infarcts in four of six animals treated with i.v. alteplase and three of seven treated with i.a. reteplase (P = 0.4). Intracerebral hemorrhage was more common in the i.v. alteplase group (four of six vs. none of seven; P = 0.02). This study thus suggests that i.a. thrombolysis affords a recanalization rate similar to that of i.v. thrombolysis, but with a lower rate of intracerebral hemorrhage.

[Meningiomas in pediatric patients: report of 2 cases]. / Meningiomas em pacientes pediátricos: relato de 2 casos.

Meningiomas correspond to 1% - 4% of primary intracranial tumors in pediatric group, with their incidence raising according to age. There is not gender prevalence, in spite of some authors describe a male tendency opposed to female one in adulthood. At present study we describe two cases of pediatric meningiomas reviewing clinical, radiological and histological aspects of these lesions. The authors review also treatment options and prognosis of childhood meningiomas. A two-year-old boy was admitted with seizures. Computerized tomography showed a right parietal lesion, which was totally resected. Histological features were compatible with meningioma. After 17 months the child is doing well, with no deficits or seizures. The second case is a 12-year-old girl, with a headache complain. During investigation, a CT revealed a right frontal lesion. She was operated under a right frontal craniotomy with total tumor resection. Nowadays she is asymptomatic, 20 months after surgery. Despite meningiomas in pediatric group are uncommon; they should be included in differential diagnosis list of expansive intracranial lesions of childhood.

[Uncommon presentation of central neurocytoma causing intraventricular hemorrhage: case report]. / Neurocitoma central com apresentação incomum por hemorragia intraventricular: relato de caso.

Central neurocytoma was first described by Hassoun et al. in 1982 as a well-differentiated tumor from neuronal origin. This tumor typically occurs in young adults, localized in the ventricular system. It usually presents as intracranial hypertension due to obstructive hydrocephalus. The differential diagnosis should be done with others intraventricular tumors as oligodendroglioma, subependymoma and choroidal plexus papilloma. There are few cases of central neurocytoma presented by intraventricular hemorrhage in the literature. We report a case of 35 year-old woman, who presented with obstructive hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage within the tumor. MRI revealed a tumor localized in the right lateral ventricle. Histopathological and immunohystochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of central neurocytoma. We review options for the treatment of this entity as well reinforce the inclusion of central neurocytoma as a differential diagnosis for intraventricular hemorrhage.

[Spinal cord ganglioglioma: case report]. / Ganglioglioma da medula espinhal: relato de caso.

Gangliogliomas are rare tumors of the CNS, representing only 2.7-3.8% of primary tumors of the CNS, and the intramedullary location accounts 7.6-14.3% of cases. The main goal of treatment is the total resection, preserving as much as possible the patients neurological function. Adjuvant therapy as radiotherapy is reserved to cases of progression of disease after surgery or in such lesion with more aggressive biological behavior. In this article we report the case of a patient with a intramedullary ganglioglioma involving spinal levels T5 to T10, who was operated in our service, and we review the literature analyzing various aspects, including the modalities of treatment which can be used in this kind of lesion.

[Epidural spinal cavernous angioma: case report]. / Angioma cavernoso espinhal epidural: relato de caso.

Epidural spinal cavernous angiomas account for approximately 4% of all spinal epidural tumors. More recently the diagnosis has become more frequent due to refinement of imaging modalities. We describe a 50-year-old woman with a spinal epidural cavernous angioma at L1-L2, which was successfully surgical treated. Clinical picture, imaginology and treatment of this entity is reviewed.

Cerebrospinal fluid fistula as the presenting manifestation of pituitary adenoma: case report with a 4-year follow-up.

We report the case of a young woman who presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea due to an undiagnosed and untreated pituitary adenoma. The tumor had extended well beyond sella turcica and caused bony erosion. The patient initially refused surgery and was treated with bromocriptine and a radiation therapy. CSF leakage did not improved and she was submitted to surgery by the transsphenoidal approach with removal of a tumor mass located in sphenoid sinus and sellar region. Origin of the leak was localized and repaired with fascia lata and a lumbar subarachnoid drain was left in place for 5 days. After 4 years she has normal serum PRL levels and no rhinorrhea. The management, complications and mechanisms involved in this rare condition are discussed.

Posterior approach for soft cervical disc herniation: a neglected technique?

BACKGROUND: The ideal approach to the treatment of soft cervical disc herniation remains controversial. Recent reports emphasize several variations of anterior cervical approaches, including the introduction of instrumentation techniques. New issues have been raised and modern neurosurgeons seem to be less familiar with the posterior approach. The objective of this study was to analyze the results obtained by surgical treatment via a posterior approach of soft cervical disc herniation. METHOD: Fifty-one patients who underwent laminectomy/flavectomy and disc removal for the treatment of soft cervical disc herniation in the period of 1990 to 1999 were analyzed retrospectively. Relief of pain and motor and sensory improvement were the criteria used to measure the success of the procedure. RESULTS: Most of the patients presented with acute radiculopathy. Radicular involvement was as follows: 25 cases-C7 root, 19 cases-C6 root, 4 cases-C5 root, and 3 cases-C8 root. Total relief of pain was obtained in 49 of 51 patients (96%). Motor improvement was obtained in 35 of 46 patients (76%) and sensory improvement in 22 of 35 patients (62.8%) in the short term. The mean time of hospitalization was 3 days. There was no mortality and no morbidity. CONCLUSION: The advantage of this method, in selected cases, over the classical anterior approach, is that there is no need for grafting, thus avoiding the additional pain and possible complications at the donor and receptor sites, while obtaining similar results.

Multiple brain abscesses caused by Salmonella typhi: case report.

BACKGROUND: Focal intracranial infections caused by Salmonella species are uncommon. The authors report a case of multiple brain abscesses caused by Salmonella typhi. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-month-old girl was admitted to the hospital because of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and poor feeding. Neurological examination revealed cervical hyperextension and absence of sucking and Moro reflexes. During the next 20 hours she developed complex partial seizures with secondary generalization and alternated irritability with drowsiness. Investigation showed hemoglobin 6.3 g/dl; white blood cell count of 19500/mm3 with a marked shift to the left. The analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed white cell count of 1695/mm3, lymphocytes 61%, protein 300 mg/dl and glucose 6 mg/dl. The patient was treated for acute gastroenterocolitis, sepsis, and meningitis. Blood culture taken on the day of admission showed gram-negative bacilli, later identified as S. typhi. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a lesion in the right parietal lobe compatible with a brain abscess. Follow-up computed tomography after 7 days showed several other lesions with the same features. Surgical drainage of the right parietal lesion was performed on the 13th day, through a burr hole. The patient was discharged 5 weeks after admission without neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: Bacteremia, sepsis, and meningitis are relatively common in children with Salmonella infection but intracranial abscesses are very rare. Surgical drainage combined with prolonged antibiotic therapy (drug of choice: chloramphenicol) is the best treatment for Salmonella brain abscesses. The possibility of intracranial infection should be considered in patients with Salmonellosis and neurological dysfunction.

[Common iliac artery false aneurysm as complication of lumbar disc hernia surgery. Case report]. / Pseudoaneurisma de artéria ilíaca comum como complicação de cirurgia para hérnia discal lombar. Relato de caso.

Surgery for discogenic disease of lumbar region is a challenging and diverse field. The significance of complications in disc surgery arises from the possibility that failure of primary treatment may lead to a permanently disable patient. The most common iatrogenic lesions in the posterior approach to lumbar disc herniation are neurologic, vascular, enteric, ureteral, and sexual dysfunction. Abramovitz reports that vascular complications of the posterior approach occur in at least 0.1% of cases. The vascular complications may present during surgery as severe bleeding leading to hypotension. The most common late complication is arteriovenous fistula followed by false aneurysms. We describe the case of a 39 year-old woman who was operated on for a lumbar disc herniation in other hospital. She came to us with a persistent pain in lumbar area. A MRI scan of lumbosacral region revealed a paravertebral lesion suggesting abscess. An angiography was performed and showed a false aneurysm of left common iliac artery, which was surgically treated successfully. We discuss the mechanisms of lesion and precautions against vascular ones during lumbar disc surgery.

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: case report with recurrence associated with the use of olanzapine]. / Síndrome neuroléptica maligna. Relato de caso com recorrência associada ao uso de olanzapina.

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) consists in an idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptic drugs, probably related to a blockage of dopamine receptors in basal ganglia. Research criteria for diagnosing NMS from DSM-IV require severe rigidity and fever accompanied by 2 of 10 minor features including diaphoresis, dysphagia, tremor, incontinence, altered mentation, mutism, tachycardia, elevated or labile blood pressure, leukocytosis and elevation of creatine phosphokinase. From a clinical point of view, the NMS may range a large spectrum of presentations. Haloperidol is the most frequent drug associated with this syndrome. We report the case of a 30 year-old man who developed NMS at two different occasions, the first related to haloperidol and chlorpromazine and the second related to olanzapine, to our knowledge without previous mention in the indexed literature.

Infrared spectroscopy of the lower stratosphere with a balloon-borne cryogenic Fourier spectrometer.

The IR limb emission of the lower stratosphere has been measured using a balloon-borne liquid nitrogencooled Michelson interferometer with liquid helium-cooled Si:Ga detectors. Portions of the thermal emission spectrum have been recorded between 650 and 2000 cm(-1) with an unapodized spectral resolution of 0.03 cm(-1). This is the highest spectral resolution limb emission thus far obtained. A preliminary description is given of these data along with a discussion of the significant features. Species identified to date include CO(2), O(3), CFCl(3), CF(2)Cl(2), H(2)O, CH(4), HNO(3), N(2)O, NO(2), and ClONO(2). A tentative identification is made for NO, representing the first direct spectroscopic detection of NO in emission.