Triolein emulsion enhances temozolomide brain delivery: an experimental study in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the enhancement of temozolomide (TMZ) delivery in the rat brain using a triolein emulsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into the five groups as following: group 1 (negative control), group 2 (treated with triolein emulsion and TMZ 20 mg/kg), and group 3 (TMZ 20 mg/kg treatment without triolein), group 4 (treated with triolein emulsion and TMZ 10 mg/kg), and group 5 (TMZ 10 mg/kg treatment without triolein). Triolein emulsion was infused into the right common carotid artery. One hour later, the TMZ concentration was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-MS) and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging, respectively. The concentration ratios of the ipsilateral to contralateral hemisphere in each group were determined and the statistical analysis was conducted using an unpaired t-test. RESULTS: Quantitatively, the TMZ concentration ratio of the ipsilateral to the control hemisphere was 2.41 and 1.13 in groups 2 and 3, and were 2.49 and 1.14 in groups 4 and 5, respectively. Thus, the TMZ signal intensities of TMZ in group 2 and 4 were statistically high in the ipsilateral hemispheres. Qualitatively, the signal intensity of TMZ was remarkably high in the ipsilateral hemisphere in group 2 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: The triolein emulsion efficiently opened the blood-brain barrier and could provide a potential new strategy to enhance the therapeutic effect of TMZ. HPLC-MS and DESI-MS imaging were shown to be suitable for analyses of enhancement of brain TMZ concentrations.

Postoperative Thecal Sac Compression Induced by Hydrogel Dural Sealant after Spinal Schwannoma Removal.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a common complication of spinal and cranial surgery, and patients undergoing spinal tumor surgery are probably particularly predisposed due to the presence of an intradural tumor and many other factors. Furthermore, a meticulous dural closure technique does not always result in watertight closure. A number of adjunctive methods have been used to assist with dural closure. Synthetic, absorbable polyethylene glycol hydrogel dural sealants are widely used and have been approved for use as adjuncts for cranial applications requiring sutured dural closure. We report a case of thecal sac compression by DuraSeal® Dural Sealant used to repair the CSF leak after intentional durotomy during lumbar schwannoma extirpation.

Trajectories for Freehand-Guided Aspiration of Deep-Seated Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Although external landmarks and trajectories for external ventricular drainage have been described for the freehand-guided method, no standard trajectory has been reported for deep-seated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This article presents a freehand-guided catheter insertion technique for deep-seated spontaneous ICH using external landmarks. METHOD: Freehand-guided hematoma aspiration using Kocher's point and the external auditory canal as landmarks was performed in 32 patients with a diagnosis of spontaneous ICH in basal ganglia treated between May 2015 and July 2018 at the author's institute. RESULTS: In computed tomographic images, the mean actual to planned catheter tip distance was 16.1 ± 7.7 mm, the mean right-left deviation was 4.6 ± 5.2 mm, the mean anterior-posterior deviation was 11.1 ± 9.5 mm, and the mean superior-inferior deviation was 8.7 ± 4.4 mm. On largest hematoma slice, the mean distance from hematoma centers to inserted catheter was 9.8 ± 4.9 mm, and the mean horizontal and vertical distances were 4.0 ± 4.7 mm and 7.7 ± 4.8 mm, respectively. In 29 of the 32 patients, all the catheter holes contacted hematomas, whereas in the other 3 patients, 1 or more holes were in contact with brain parenchymal tissue. CONCLUSION: For patients with basal ganglia hemorrhage, freehand-guided catheter insertion and hematoma aspiration with subsequent fibrinolysis is a feasible procedure that shortens procedural times. The described technique could be used as an alternative method because it can be performed when the patient is in a critical state without additional equipment.

Stent-Assisted Angioplasty of Spontaneous Bilateral Extracranial Vertebral Dissections under Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance.

The authors here report a case of stent-assisted angioplasty under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance for the treatment of spontaneous bilateral extracranial vertebral artery (VA) dissection. A 47-year-old woman presented with spontaneous severe posterior neck pain. Examinations revealed bilateral extracranial VA dissection, which was thought to be the reason for her symptom. However, since the pain was gradually worsening even after sufficient medical treatment, she underwent stent angioplasty under IVUS guidance, following which her symptoms improved. We propose that stent placement under IVUS guidance is a safe and feasible method for treating extracranial VA dissections. Since the intravascular environment is seen in real time with IVUS, this technique is useful for confirming a true lumen and evaluating appropriate stent apposition. More clinical experience with this technique is required and mandatory, and devices with smaller diameters with improved trackability are essential for further introduction of IVUS into the field of endovascular neurosurgery.

A Modified Surgical Technique for Transposition of the Vertebral Artery to the Common Carotid Artery.

A proximal occluded vertebral artery (VA) with reconstitution by muscular collateral vessels is a relatively common finding. However, due to inadequate intracranial anastomosis and hypoplasia or stenosis of the opposite VA, a number of patients develop symptoms of brain ischemia. In the current case, a 63-year-old man presented with repeat neurological symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dysarthria, left hemiparesis, and right hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple posterior infarctions. Angiography revealed the VA to be occluded and reconstituted by collateral vessels. Considering the above results, we performed vertebral carotid artery transposition. However, several technical difficulties were encountered due to space limitations in the operative field and the limited length of the vessels to be anastomosed. To overcome such situations, we introduced a modified posterior wall end-to-side anastomosis technique.

Herniated Proximal Marker of the Stent into the Meningohypophyseal Trunk after Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Intracranial Aneurysms.

The SolitaireTM AB Neurovascular Remodeling Device (ev3, Irvine, CA, USA) is used to retain coils within an aneurysm, reducing the risk of embolic complications from coil herniation into the parent artery. Stents are deployed after confirming the optimal position of the stent markers across the aneurysm to avoid entry into perforators or branching arteries. Stent marker position is very important to prevent perforating or branching artery infarction. We performed stent-assisted coil embolization using the Solitaire AB stent to treat 2 aneurysms simultaneously. After successful coil embolization, we detached the Solitaire stent in the usual manner. However, the proximal stent marker, which was located at the horizontal segment of the cavernous internal carotid artery, moved into the meningohypophyseal trunk and occluded it. Although the distal markers were positioned optimally, we did not expect the proximal marker to be in the position where it was located. Fortunately, cranial nerve dysfunctions and pituitary deficiency did not develop. It is important to prevent ischemic injury by occlusion of the perforators or branching vessels that can be caused by malpositioned stent markers. We consider where the proximal marker of the stent might be located after detachment.

Delayed Branching Artery Occlusion Caused by Clip Rotation after Intracranial Aneurysm Clippings.

Clip rotation after clipping is a major cause of delayed cerebral ischemia and may occur after any of several intraoperative monitoring techniques. We experienced 3 cases of clip rotation in 3 patients after clipping between March 2011 and December 2013. One of these patients has permanent motor weakness of the left upper extremity because of delayed occlusion of the right M1 lenticulostriate artery. The other two developed delayed occlusion of the frontopolar artery or of the A1 perforating artery, but did not have any neurologic deficits. Clinicians need to exercise great care not to compromise distal blood flow after clipping intracranial aneurysms. We present 3 cases in which clip rotation occurred after aneurysm clipping and progressively compromised blood flow of a nearby branching artery.

Postoperative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Multipunctate Intracerebral Hemorrhages Following Evacuation of Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematomas.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) can be easily treated by burr hole surgery. However, several complications including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and acute subdural hematoma are rare after evacuation of a CSDH. A 77-year-old man was admitted with right hemiparesis and dysarthria. A brain computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a bilateral CSDH with midline shifting toward the right side. The patient got the burr hole trephination with the catheters insertion in the both sides of parietal area under the local anesthesia. After burr hole surgery immediately, he developed left side weakness and decreased level of consciousness. Repeat CT scans detected a diffuse SAH and multiple small ICHs. He was treated conservatively and fully recovered at discharge after 1 month. To avoid these complications, slow and gradual drainage of the CSDH is needed. The authors report a rare case of SAH and multipunctate ICHs in both cerebral hemispheres after evacuation of a bilateral CSDH.

Cellular Neurothekeoma of the Scalp in the Elderly.

Cellular neurothekeoma (CNT) is an uncommon variant of neurothekeoma that is composed of pithelioid to spindled cells with variable nuclear atypia or pleomorphism but no myxoid stroma. CNT occurs predominantly in the head and neck or upper trunk of children and young adults, with female predominance. The following case is different from typical CNTs. An 88-year-old female presented with a palpable mass on the scalp, which we excised. Histologically, the tumor was non-encapsulated and composed of spindled and epithelioid cells arranged in fascicles and nodules separated by a collagen-rich stroma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the epithelioid and spindle-shaped cells were focally positive for vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, smooth muscle actin, CD68, and CD10 but negative for S-100 protein, HMB-45, epithelial membrane antigen, and CD34. We report a new case of CNT that arose in the scalp of an older patient and that was associated with uncommon clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical profiles.

The Pterional-Transsylvian Approach for Tumor in the Temporal Horn: A Case Report.

A variety of surgical approaches to temporal horn tumors of the lateral ventricle have been described. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography are the preferred modalities for preoperative evaluation and provide important information for the choice of surgical approach. A 59-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to confusion and gait disturbance. On enhanced MRI, a homogeneous enhanced solitary mass was observed within the temporal horn of the left lateral ventricle with transependymal extension. The lesion was accompanied by increased hypervascular tumor blush on preoperative cerebral angiography. Subtotal removal of the temporal horn tumor was performed because the lesion was identified as lymphoma during surgery. The postoperative course was un-eventful. The patient was referred to the oncology department for conventional chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy improved the clinical outcome. The pterional-transsylvian approach was beneficial for partial removal of the tumor and tissue diagnosis in this case.

A Large Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Presenting with Bitemporal Hemianopsia.

Anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms sometimes present with visual symptoms when they rupture or directly compress the optic nerve. Giant or large ACoA aneurysms producing bitemporal hemianopsia are extremely rare. Here we present an unusual case of bitemporal hemianopsia caused by a large intracranial aneurysm of the ACoA. A 41-year-old woman was admitted to our neurosurgical department with a sudden-onset bursting headache and visual impairment. On admission, her vision was decreased to finger counting at 30 cm in the left eye and 50 cm in the right eye, and a severe bitemporal hemianopsia was demonstrated on visual field testing. A brain computed tomography scan revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the basal cistern, and conventional cerebral catheter angiography of the left internal carotid artery demonstrated an 18×8 mm dumbbell-shaped aneurysm at the ACoA. Microscopic aneurysmal clipping was performed. An ACoA aneurysm can produce visual field defects by compressing the optic chiasm or nerves. We emphasize that it is important to diagnose an aneurysm through cerebrovascular study to prevent confusing it with pituitary apoplexy.

Outcomes of Stent-assisted Coil Embolization of Wide-necked Intracranial Aneurysms Using the Solitaire™ AB Neurovascular Remodeling Device.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study presents our experience with respect to the clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients treated with stent-assisted coil embolization using Solitaire™ AB stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2011 to December 2014, 50 patients with 55 wide-necked and/or complex intracranial aneurysms were evaluated. Four patients presented with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stent deployment was performed with a standard coiling procedure in 49 aneurysms. Three patients underwent bailout stenting, 2 patients were treated by temporary stenting and one patient was treated only by stenting without coiling for dissecting aneurysm. RESULTS: Successful placement of the Solitaire AB stent was achieved in all the cases. Based on the postprocedural angiographic results, a Raymond 1 was obtained in 32 (59%) of 54 aneurysms, excluded by one case of dissecting aneurysm, and a Raymond 2 in 13 (24%), and a Raymond 3 in 9 (17%). There was one thromboembolic (2%) and three hemorrhagic complications (6%). However, procedure-related morbidity or mortality was not found. Annual follow-up angiographic results from the embolization were obtained in 40 (74.1%) of 54 cases. These results were represented as Raymond 1 in 27 (67.5%), class 2 in 9 (22.5%), and class 3 in 4 (10%) cases. Angiographic improvement associated with progressive thrombosis of the aneurysm was obtained in 10 aneurysms. Four aneurysms were recanalized without requiring additional treatment. In-stent stenosis was found in one aneurysm, but stent migration was not seen on follow-up angiography. CONCLUSION: Stent-assisted coil embolization using the Solitaire AB stent for treating wide-necked and/or complex intracranial aneurysms was found to be safe and effective immediately post-embolization and after follow-up. Long-term follow-up will be required to identify the effect of the Solitaire AB stent on recanalization rates.

Rapid Ossification of Epidural Hematoma in a Child: A Case Report.

The author present a rare case of rapid ossification of epidural hematoma (EDH) in a 5-year-old boy. At admission, the computed tomography (CT) revealed an EDH on left temporoparietal region. On the follow-up CT scan doing 14 days after traffic accident, the expansion of the former hematoma was not visible, but the hematoma accompanied by the thin hyperdense layer on the dura. On follow-up CT scans, the hematoma was decreased but the ossified layer progressing. After 6 months of conservative therapy, the hematoma was fully absorbed and the ossified lesion merged to inner table of the skull. Hence, rapid ossification of an EDH should be considered in children and serial follow-up CT scans must be conducted.

Efficacy of transradial cerebral angiography in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Transradial angiography has become popular among many cardiologists as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, transradial cerebral angiography is not utilized to the same extent. The purpose of this study is to present our experience regarding the usefulness of transradial cerebral angiography, especially in elderly patients. METHODS: Between May 2011 and February 2012, a total of 126 cerebral angiographies were performed via a transradial approach in a single center. Of them, only 47 patients were over 60 years old. In our institution, we shifted the initial access from the right femoral artery to the right radial artery in all patients requiring cerebral angiography in 2011. We did not attempt radial access in 40 cases for variable reasons. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 92.2%. We have four failures of transradial angiography; two because of loop formations of the radial and brachial artery and two due to multiple puncture failures. All supra-aortic vessels were successfully catheterized. However, the selective catheterization rates of the left side distal vessels were lower, as success rates were 89.7% for the right internal carotid artery and 75% for the left internal carotid artery. Procedure-related vascular complications, such as puncture site hematoma, hand ischemia, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula and arterial dissection were not observed in our series. However, intraprocedural thrombosis developed in one patient, which was resolved completely by intraarterial thrombolytic agents. CONCLUSION: With advancing patient's age, we believe that transradial cerebral angiography is a useful tool to decrease patient's discomfort and more effectively manage the vessel tortuosity.

Fatal septic internal jugular vein-sigmoid sinus thrombosis associated with a malpositioned central venous catheter.

Septic internal jugular vein-sigmoid sinus thrombosis (IJV-SST) associated with a malpositioned central venous catheter is a rare condition. It is potentially life-threatening and necessitates early diagnosis and rapid administration of appropriate medications. Unfortunately, it is difficult to diagnose due to vague clinical presentations. Several studies such as CT, MRI, and cerebral angiography should be performed and carefully examined to help make the diagnosis. We report a case of septic IJV-SST due to a malpositioned central venous catheter.

Stent-assisted coil trapping in a manual internal carotid artery compression test for the treatment of a fusiform dissecting aneurysm.

Internal carotid artery (ICA) trapping can be used for the treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms, blood blister-like aneurysms, and fusiform dissecting aneurysms. Fusiform dissecting aneurysms are challenging to treat surgically and endovascularly because of no definite neck and critical perforators. Surgical or endovascular trapping of the ICA with or without an extracranial-intracranial bypass has commonly been used as an effective method to treat these lesions, but balloon test occlusion (BTO) must be performed. Here, we report a case of a ruptured fusiform dissecting aneurysm of the distal ICA, which was successfully treated using an endovascular ICA trapping with a manual ICA compression test instead of BTO.

Successful treatment of tracheoinnominate artery fistula following tracheostomy in a patient with cerebrovascular disease.

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula is a critical complication of tracheostomy. The most important factors influencing patient outcome are prompt diagnosis, immediate control of bleeding with a patent airway, and emergency operation with or without interruption of the innominate artery. Here, we report a case of tracheoinnominate artery fistula in a 40-year-old woman with cerebrovascular accident who was successfully managed with an aorta-axillary artery bypass.