A Novel Training Method for Endovascular Clot Retrieval Using a Portable Vascular Model and Red Film.

Hands-on training is a crucial part of education in neuroendovascular treatment to ensure safe and rapid acquisition of techniques. However, there is a significant gap between training and actual clinical practice. This study will introduce innovations for more practical thrombus retrieval training that was developed in this process. A Smart Vascular Model 3 in 1 was used. A pink pseudothrombus was inserted into the M1 (horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery) section of the model. Then, a "red underlay" purchased at a stationery store was placed to cover the proximal part of M1 and beyond so that the pseudothrombus was not visible. The thrombus was retrieved during training by looking for the location of the thrombus based on the behavior and resistance of the tip of the guidewire and deployment of the stent retriever. The participants were required to have detailed observation skills and precise manipulation skills using a red film to prevent the direct visualization of the pseudothrombus. The implementation of this innovation to the previous hands-on training made the training more practical and effective. If the exact thrombus location can be determined by the behavior of the wire tip, the device's capabilities can be maximized, and rapid retrieval can be expected. It could also reduce complications, as unnecessary peripheral guidance of the device could be avoided.

Delayed Stent Infection after Deployment of a Carotid Dual Layer Stent in Dialysis Cases.

Objective: Infection after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is rare. We report two dialysis cases of delayed stent infection associated with a carotid dual-layer stent (DLS), which occurred several months after deployment of the stent. Case Presentations: Case 1: A 74-year-old man receiving dialysis underwent CAS with DLS. Three months after CAS, the patient developed a high fever, neck pain, and neck swelling. Neck CT and carotid ultrasonography (CUS) indicated an abscess around the inserted DLS. The patient was treated with antibiotic agents and fully recovered. Case 2: A 73-year-old man receiving dialysis underwent CAS with DLS. Two months after CAS, this patient also developed a high fever, neck pain, and neck swelling. Contrast-enhanced neck CT indicated inflammatory effusion with an abscess and a giant infectious pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular stent graft reconstruction was employed urgently under antibiotic therapy to prevent its rupture. However, intracranial hemorrhage occurred postoperatively and left hemiparesis remained. Conclusion: Delayed carotid stent infection is a rare but severe complication. The use of a DLS might be avoided during CAS for dialysis cases.

Hairball-Like Migration of "Onyx Threads" into the Draining Vein during Transarterial Embolization of a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Case Report and Experimental Validation.

Transarterial embolization using Onyx is a well-established treatment for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). However, complications can arise when Onyx migrates into the venous side, impairing the draining veins. We encountered a case where Onyx, injected through the arterial side, strayed into the jugular vein, forming a hairball-like structure. Our study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of this unusual phenomenon. We postulated that Onyx precipitates into thread-like shapes when passing through extremely narrow openings. To test this, we extruded Onyx from a syringe through a 27-gauge needle into a silicone tube with flowing water. By varying the flow speed, we observed the hardening behavior of Onyx. Under slow flow, the extruded Onyx quickly solidified at the needle tip, forming a round mass. Conversely, high-speed flow resulted in Onyx being dispersed as small pieces. We successfully replicated the formation of "Onyx threads" under continuous slow flow conditions, similar to our case. This phenomenon occurs when Onyx unexpectedly migrates to the draining vein through a tiny opening during transarterial embolization for arteriovenous shunt diseases. Early recognition and appropriate measures are necessary to prevent occlusive complications in the draining veins and the pulmonary system.

A Novel Approach to Neuroendovascular Treatment Looking Up from the Ascending Aorta Using an Alpha Shape Guiding Catheter.

BACKGROUND: A method of guiding an intermediate catheter from a new alpha-type guiding catheter placed in the ascending aorta to the carotid artery is evaluated in neuroendovascular treatment in challenging anatomic directions of the guiding catheter, such as the bovine aortic arch and type III aortic arch. METHODS: The existing 8-Fr guiding catheter was given a strong bending shape at the tip to make it an alpha type. The total length of the catheter was 85 cm. This guiding catheter was inserted into the ascending aorta to verify whether a 6-Fr intermediate or aspiration catheter could be coaxially guided into the right and left internal carotid arteries. A silicone vascular model was used for evaluation and in actual clinical cases. RESULTS: Creating an alpha shape of the catheter at the aortic arch was very easy. The inner catheter could be easily guided from the brachiocephalic artery to the right common carotid artery by pushing the alpha shape guiding catheter toward the aortic valve. The catheter was easily guided into the left common carotid artery when the α-guide was pulled a little bit backward. The 0.071-inch lumen aspiration catheter reached the bilateral middle cerebral arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-Fr alpha shape guiding catheter quickly guides the inner catheter into the bovine and the type III aortic arch by looking up from the ascending aorta.

[Anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-positive unilateral cerebral cortical encephalitis occurring first as general convulsion after meningitis symptoms and second after headache].

The case was a 30-year-old man. He had generalized convulsion after preceding meningitis symptoms and transferred to our emergency department. He was tentatively diagnosed with meningoencephalitis and Todd paralysis based on elevation of cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid and abnormal high signals in the right cerebral cortex on brain FLAIR-MRI, and admitted on the same day. After admission, treatment with antibiotics, dexamethasone, antiviral drug and anticonvulsants was started. Both his clinical symptoms and findings on MRI improved steadily, and then he was discharged on day 19. Subsequently, headache exacerbated again and an additional examination for his serum sample taken on first admission day revealed presence of anti myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody, resulting in his diagnosis of anti-MOG antibody unilateral cerebral cortical encephalitis (MOG-UCCE) on day 42. Rehospitalization was planned for introduction of steroid therapy, but generalized convulsion recurred on day 44 and he was hospitalized again. MRI image revealed no FLAIR high signal and cerebrospinal fluid was almost normal, but his headache and mild hemiparesis and numbness on the left side deteriorated again. Therefore, he was treated with intravenous high dose methylprednisolone followed by oral steroids. His clinical symptoms gradually improved, and he was discharged with slight headache on day 71. After discharge, there has been no recurrence under continuation of low dose oral steroids for two years. This case shows the need to measure anti-MOG antibody and introduce steroid therapy in the early phase in a case of suspected MOG-UCCE in a young patient with meningoencephalitis accompanied by generalized convulsion and characteristic abnormal findings on FLAIR-MRI.

[A case of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome requiring prolonged intensive care management: a trial of intravenous ketamine and intrathecal dexamethasone therapy].

A 16-year-old male was brought to the emergency room with fever and status epilepticus, and was diagnosed with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES). Seizure control was not achieved and the patient developed multiple complications. Ketamine infusion therapy and intrathecal dexamethasone therapy were administered, in addition to other anti-seizure treatment and immunotherapy for super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE). The patient was weaned from the ventilator on day 170 and was able to live at home, although he continued to experience monthly focal motor seizures and moderate motor impairment. This case suggests that more aggressive treatment might be an option in FIRES with prolonged SRSE.

Present State of the Infection Protection System and Effects of a Change in the In-Hospital System in Endovascular Treatment for Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Stroke Patients at a Single Institution.

Objective: Endovascular treatment (EVT) for large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke patients during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic requires the implementation of an in-hospital system to guard against infection. Changes to this system may be needed upon aggravation of the epidemic in a particular region. The objective of this study was to clarify the present state of infection protection and the effects of a change in the in-hospital system in EVT at a single institution. Methods: The subjects were consecutive patients treated by EVT under the protocol of infection protection using medical history and chest CT at our hospital between April 2020 and February 2021. For the subjects, background factors, time metrics, including door-to-puncture time (D2P), clinical outcome, and success of infection protection for medical staff were examined. The patients were divided into a group of those with PCR measurement after EVT (Group C; from April 2020 to November 2020) and a group of all with PCR measurement before EVT (Group P; from December 2020 to February 2021). Time metrics and clinical outcome were compared between the groups. Results: There were 69 subjects, including 40 and 29 patients in groups C and P, respectively. The median age was 82, which was higher in group P. The median D2P was 70 min, which did not differ significantly between the two groups, but it was slightly longer in group P than in group C by multivariate analysis. A favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2 at 3 months) was observed in 23 patients (38%), which did not differ significantly between the two groups, but the rate of a favorable outcome was slightly lower in group P than in group C by multivariate analysis. Although medical staff wearing full personal protection equipment were needed for 15 patients (22%), 12 of whom were suspected of being positive and three (4%) were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR, no staff member who participated in EVT was infected. Conclusion: The median D2P was 70 min and 38% had a favorable outcome of EVT under the present state of infection protection. After a change in the in-hospital system for clinical settings during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, the D2P increased and the rate of a favorable clinical outcome slightly decreased, but both were not significantly affected and infection protection for medical staff was effective. Therefore, the effects of a change were acceptable considering the circumstances.

[Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome-like acute course. A case report].

A 57-years-old man with a history of bronchial asthma and pansinusitis developed acute progressive muscle weakness and sensory disturbance of the distal limbs after upper respiratory infection. On day 15 after onset of sensory disturbance and muscle weakness, the patient admitted to our hospital. A neurological examination revealed asymmetry weakness of both proximal and distal muscles, "glove and stocking type" hypoesthesia, and paresthesia without obvious pain. Blood tests and a nerve conduction study demonstrated eosinophilia and elevation of MPO-ANCA, axonal multiple mononeuropathy, respectively. The cerebrospinal fluid was normal. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were suspected. So intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) and high dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy (HDMP) followed by oral prednisolone were started. However, neurological symptoms did not improve. Sural nerve biopsy on day 31 revealed varying myelinating fiber loss at every nerve bundle and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration. The results did not fulfill the pathologic criteria for EGPA, but supported the changes of vasculitis. Cyclophosphamide (CPA) pulse therapy was administered for the additional therapy. Neurological symptoms did not improve and worsened again after decreasing oral prednisolone; therefore, combined therapy with IVIg, HDMP, and CPA was administered. Neurological symptoms then diminished gradually and the MPO-ANCA level and number of eosinophils normalized. This case suggests the importance of early nerve biopsy to obtain pathological findings supportive of EGPA diagnosis to allow introduction of aggressive immunosuppressive therapy such as CPA in a case with acute progressive motor-sensory neuropathy due to EGPA mimicking GBS.

[Autopsy case of cerebral embolism with lung cancer and atrial fibrillation in which the left atrium may have become an incubator for a tumor embolus].

An 82-year-old man with advanced lung cancer who had declined aggressive therapy was transferred to our hospital due to sudden-onset consciousness disturbance, global aphasia, and right hemiplegia. An electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation, and brain MRI and MRA revealed acute ischemic lesions of the left hemisphere and occlusion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), respectively. We diagnosed acute ischemic stroke due to left ICA occlusion and performed endovascular thrombectomy, which resulted in complete recanalization of the left ICA after retrieval of the culprit embolus. Pathological examination of the retrieved thrombus revealed the presence of tumor tissue, as well as fibrin or red blood cells. Treatment was continued after admission, but the patient died of respiratory failure on day 40 of hospitalization. Autopsy revealed invasion of the tumor in the pulmonary vein, but not in the wall of the left atrium where thrombi were present. However, pathological examination of these thrombi in the left atrium revealed tumor tissue, along with fibrin or red blood cells. These findings suggest that the wall of the left atrium, in which lung cancer had not invaded, may be an incubator of a mixed embolus containing tumor tissue and thrombi in a case of cerebral embolism associated with both lung cancer and atrial fibrillation.

[A case of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with neck neuroendocrine carcinoma].

A 69-year-old man presented with a history of personality change for several years. He was admitted to our hospital due to partial seizure. A cerebrospinal fluid test and an electroencephalogram showed no specific abnormalities, but brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal findings in the right temporal pole, bilateral amygdala to hippocampus, and insular cortex. He was diagnosed with limbic encephalitis accompanied by partial seizure, and received infusion of an antiepileptic agent and acyclovir. Additional examinations for malignancy and autoimmune disease were performed, and neck CT and MRI revealed a neck tumor. Neck lymph node biopsy suggested lymph node metastasis of a neuroendocrine neoplasm derived from other organs. He did not want aggressive treatment involving surgical resection and chemotherapy, and thus, conservative treatment was chosen by an otorhinolaryngologist and immunotherapy was not used. After discharge, the neck tumor grew gradually. To manage the focal mass effect, chemotherapy and surgical resection followed by chemoradiotherapy were performed by the otorhinolaryngologist on days 244 and 325 of the disease course, respectively. Histology of resected tissues disclosed neck neuroendocrine carcinoma derived from a submandibular gland. His personality change improved temporarily after surgical resection, but then worsened again with regrowth of the tumor. He died on day 723. After death, a blood test revealed the presence of anti-amphiphysin antibody. This case suggests that neck neuroendocrine carcinoma can induce paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, and in such cases, early surgical resection of the neck tumor with suspected lymph node metastasis is necessary both to control symptoms associated with encephalitis and to exclude carcinoma derived from the neck itself.