Influence of Bilateral Cerebellar Infarction on Functional Outcome After Endovascular Treatment for Basilar Artery Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To measure the magnitude of the effect of the infarct location measured using the posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score (pc-ASPECTS) on the functional outcome at 90 days in patients with basilar artery (BA) occlusion undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS: Of the acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing EVT for acute posterior circulation large vessel occlusion enrolled in the multicenter observational registry from December 2013 to February 2021, patients with BA occlusion were included. A favorable outcome was defined as achieving a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-3 at 90 days. The effect of pc-ASPECTS including the distribution on favorable outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred patients were analyzed. Fifty-one patients (51%) achieved favorable outcome. Patients achieving a favorable outcome were younger, had a lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score before EVT, and had a higher pc-ASPECTS before EVT than those not achieving a favorable outcome. Multivariable logistic analysis showed a significant association between higher pc-ASPECTS and a favorable outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.52; P = 0.028). Considering the infarct location, bilateral cerebellar infarction was significantly associated with a lower frequency of favorable outcomes than those without cerebellar infarction (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04-0.51; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A higher pc-ASPECTS before EVT could be a predictor of a favorable outcome after EVT for BA occlusion. In particular, the presence of bilateral cerebellar infarction before EVT was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Bleb Embolization of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms with Coils and n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Following Proximal Flow Control: Two Case Reports.

Objective: Morphologically challenging cerebral aneurysms cannot be treated through standard endovascular procedures. We report two cases of ruptured aneurysms treated using coils and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). Case Presentations: Case 1 was an 80-year-old woman diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). An angiogram revealed a large and wide-necked basilar artery bifurcation aneurysm. Bilateral superior cerebellar and posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) originated from the aneurysmal wall. A 3-mm-diameter bleb was detected on the aneurysmal fundus. The bleb enlarged 1 month following coil insertion. During the second treatment, we infused a small volume of 33% NBCA into the coil-framed bleb following proximal flow control of the bilateral vertebral arteries (VAs). The complete bleb obliteration was confirmed by the angiogram at 6 months later. The coil shape was followed up via plane X-ray for 5 years. No rebleeding occurred. Case 2 was a 41-year-old woman diagnosed with SAH. An angiogram revealed a dissecting aneurysm of the left PCA (P1 and P2 segments) accompanying a bleb on the P1 segment. Endovascular treatment was performed, and a coil was inserted into the bleb, infusing 33% NBCA into the coil frame following proximal flow control of bilateral VAs and the right internal carotid artery. Angiograms conducted at 3 months, 1 year, and 9 years and an MRA conducted 12 years later revealed a lack of bleb recanalization. Conclusion: We developed a Coil and NBCA technique to obliterate ruptured blebs following proximal flow control. This technique can be considered an effective alternative for treating morphologically challenging cerebral aneurysms.

Internal Trapping of an Acutely Ruptured Dissecting Aneurysm of a Dominant Vertebral Artery Following Balloon Test Occlusion: A Case Report.

Objective: To report a case of an acutely ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) with a hypoplastic contralateral vertebral artery (VA) successfully treated with internal trapping following the estimation of the collateral flow from anterior circulation. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. Ventriculostomy was performed under general anesthesia. CTA revealed a left VADA distal to the origin of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). The right VA was hypoplastic, and the right posterior communicating artery (Pcom) was fetal type. We performed balloon test occlusion (BTO) of the VA proximal to the origin of the left PICA and estimated sufficient collateral blood flow via the right Pcom and basilar artery (BA) to the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and the left PICA. Internal trapping of the left VADA was then performed. The angiograms after internal trapping revealed collateral flow from the right Pcom to the BA, and the hypoplastic right VA perfused the proximal BA and ASA. She recovered without any neurological deficits following antiplatelet therapy and vasospasm treatment. She was followed up for 6 years without any neurological events occurring. Conclusion: When BTO indicates sufficient collateral flow, internal trapping could be a useful treatment for acutely ruptured VADAs on the dominant side, given a complete understanding of the angioarchitecture and the risk of vasospasm due to subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Bleeding from an Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm following the Local Intra-arterial Administration of Urokinase: A Case Report.

A 57-year-old woman with a wide-necked anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm underwent stent-assisted coiling (SAC) due to aneurysm enlargement. Dual antiplatelet therapy was initiated 7 days before the operation, and systemic heparinization was performed while maintaining an activated clotting time (ACT) of approximately 300 s during the procedure. SAC was performed using a laser-cut closed-cell stent and bare platinum coils. At the end of the procedure, the Acom and right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) were occluded by in-stent thrombosis. Following local intra-arterial administration of 480000 U of urokinase, the Acom and right ACA were recanalized, accompanied by extravasation around the Acom aneurysm. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a right frontal hematoma, which did not enlarge after the administration of protamine sulfate. The hematoma disappeared spontaneously, and the patient recovered without any neurological deficits. Local administration of urokinase is an effective treatment for in-stent thrombosis. However, because the devices for SAC may cause mechanical injuries to the aneurysms, urokinase should be used cautiously for cerebral aneurysms, even if unruptured.

Unruptured Aneurysmal Shrinkage of the Distal Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Following Stent Jailing of the Arterial Orifice: A Case Report.

A 57-year-old woman who presented with a sudden severe headache and subsequently diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage was referred to our hospital. CTA revealed a large irregularly shaped dissecting aneurysm of the right vertebral artery (VA) and a small round distal aneurysm of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), which originated just proximal to the VA aneurysm. We diagnosed the VA aneurysm as a ruptured aneurysm and performed endovascular treatment the day the patient was hospitalized. Because the left VA was aplastic, stent-assisted coiling was performed to preserve the blood flow of the right VA, following the administration of antiplatelets and heparin. The proximal part of the laser-cut closed-cell stent jailed the orifice of the right PICA. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital 3 weeks later without any neurological deficits. The follow-up VA angiogram revealed complete disappearance of the distal PICA aneurysm 17 months after stent jailing. Flow reduction by stent jailing of the arterial orifice is considered to be the main mechanism of aneurysmal shrinkage. Jailing of the orifice of the cerebral artery using even a low-metal-coverage stent may cause arterial flow reduction, which may shrink a distal aneurysm.

Recovery of Visual Loss Following Internal Trapping of Anterior Cerebral Artery (A1 Segment) for Partially Thrombosed Large Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

A 60-year-old woman, who experienced progressive right visual loss, was diagnosed with an unruptured large cerebral aneurysm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography revealed a large partially thrombosed anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm. The aneurysmal neck was located at the junction of the left A1-A2 segments, and the aneurysmal dome communicated with the right A1-A2 junction by the Acom. Endovascular treatment using the flow alteration technique was selected. Following an oral antiplatelet therapy for 9 days, balloon test occlusion (BTO) of the medial portion of the left A1 segment was performed under local anesthesia. After confirming the tolerance of the BTO, internal trapping of the medial portion of the left A1 segment by detachable coils was performed following intra-aneurysmal coil embolization. Oral antiplatelet treatment was continued for 19 days postoperatively. Within 3 months following the operation, her right visual acuity dramatically improved to the original level. Owing to aneurysmal recanalization and the disappearance of the thrombus, the second and third embolization was performed through the Acom route, 4 months and 3 years following the first embolization, respectively, and followed up for an additional 7 years by MRI; no deterioration of her visual acuity and no aneurysmal recanalization was observed. Thus, endosaccular embolization combined with flow alteration is considered a useful alternative treatment for large and partially thrombosed Acom aneurysms.

[Endosaccular embolization of an intrasellar aneurysm with hypopituitarism: case report].

An 81-year-old male presented with weight loss and hyponatremia. A baseline endocrinological examination revealed anterior pituitary dysfunction. A computed tomography and MRI revealed a large, unruptured intrasellar aneurysm protruding from the right internal carotid artery and pushing the pituitary stalk leftward. The patient developed polyuria and polydipsia from 10 days after commencing corticosteroid supplementation and was diagnosed with partial central diabetes insipidus (DI). Balloon assisted endosaccular embolization was performed about one month after the posterior pituitary dysfunction was identified. The unruptured aneurysm was successfully embolized with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) without narrowing of the parent vessel. DI resolved completely and the posterior pituitary dysfunction improved soon after endosaccular embolization. The remission of DI after coil embolization suggested that the DI might have been induced by the progressive mass effect of the aneurysm rather than by the steroid. An endocrinological evaluation and cerebral angiography confirmed partial recovery of anterior pituitary dysfunction and almost complete obliteration of the aneurysm, respectively at 1 year after the operation. We report a case of hypopituitarism secondary to the large intrasellar aneurysm. This aneurysm was embolized with GDCs, resulting in partial recovery of anterior pituitary dysfunction and complete recovery of posterior pituitary dysfunction.

Correlations between Cognitive Impairments and Employment Status in Patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury.

Patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) may initially present with prominent physical impairments, but their cognitive dysfunctions are more persistent and are attributable to later unemployment. In this study, we analyzed how the findings of early and delayed neuropsychological assessments correlated with employment outcome of patients with DAI. A total of 56 patients with DAI without motor or visual dysfunction were included in this study. The neuropsychological battery consisted of the Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale - Revised (WAIS-R), Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised (WMS-R), Trail Making Test (TMT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Word Fluency Test (WFT). This battery of tests was administered twice in early stage after injury and in later stage. The results of all of the neuropsychological tests improved significantly (P <0.001) between the early and later assessments. All scores other than TMT part A and B improved to the normal range (Z-score ≥ 2). The patient characteristics (age, gender, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, and duration of posttraumatic amnesia) had no relationship to the outcome. The results of TMT part B, however, were significantly correlated with employment outcome in both the early and later assessments (P = 0.01, 0.04). Given that TMT evaluates visual attention, we surmise that a lack of attention may be the core symptom of the cognitive deficit and cause the re-employment failure in patients with DAI. TMT part B in both early and later assessments has the potential to accurately predict chronic functional outcome.

[Stent-assisted coiling of an acutely ruptured large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery: case report].

A 48-year-old female was referred to our hospital for the management of a ruptured 22-mm-diameter internal carotid aneurysm, located immediately distal to the ophthalmic artery. The right internal carotid artery was completely involved in the aneurysm. Because the right carotid siphon was relatively nontortuous stent-assisted coiling of the aneurysm was attempted 4 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. A new coil-type coronary stent, a DRIVER stent, was deployed after microcatheter insertion into the aneurysm dome under systemic heparinization, followed by dome packing using Guglielmi detachable coils. Systemic heparinization was continued for 18 hours postoperatively, and aspirin (100 mg/day) was administered orally immediately after the embolization. However, 4 hours after heparin administration cessation, left hemiparesis became apparent. Immediate magnetic resonance angiography revealed a right internal carotid artery occlusion. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated ischemic spots in the watershed zones of the right cerebral hemisphere. Following an immediate thrombolysis of the right internal carotid artery, systemic heparinization was continued for 5 days, and aspirin and ticlopidine were administrated orally. The patient was discharged on day 37, following the recovery from left hemiparesis within ten days. A DRIVER stent is a low profile coil-type coronary stent, which can be used for the stent-assisted coiling of large internal carotid aneurysms, located distal to the carotid siphon. It seems necessary to continue systemic heparinization for more than 2 days and to administer increased dose or two types of antiplatelet after the stent-assisted coiling of large cerebral aneurysms.

Efficacy of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for ultra-early, intentional antihypertensive therapy in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Whether the intentional antihypertensive therapy recommended by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) guidelines has clinical benefit for patients who have acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has yet to be proven. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 175 patients with putaminal or thalamic ICH with acute hypertension to examine the correlation between the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy within 3 hours of onset, hematoma expansion (HE) after hospitalization and clinical outcome. The aim of the antihypertensive therapy was to achieve and maintain a systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg to 160 mm Hg until the second CT scan. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) after admission was the average MAP values measured every hour for the first 3 hours of hospitalization or until the second CT scan, if this was performed within the same timeframe. Thirty-two (18.3%) patients were found to have HE. Prior to the second CT scan, antihypertensive medications were administered to all patients without any major complications. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that a MAP of >110 mm Hg after admission was the only variable independently associated with HE (odds ratio [OR] = 3.455; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.510-8.412; p = 0.004). Modified Rankin Scale scores of < or = 3 on day 30 were significantly more common in those patients without HE (p = 0.002). Our findings suggest that there are clinical benefits, by the prevention of subsequent HE, in maintaining a MAP level lower than that recommended by the AHA/ASA (110 mm Hg) after hospitalization for patients who have ICH.