Comparing the safety and effectiveness of overlapping stents with flow diverters for unruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment for vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) includes overlapping stents and flow diverters. This study compared the safety and effectiveness of overlapping stents and flow diverters for unruptured VADAs. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with unruptured VADAs who underwent overlapping stents or flow diverters at two tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The primary clinical outcome was the occurrence of stroke. The primary angiographic outcomes (>12 months) were categorized as regression, no decrease in size, recanalization, or stent occlusion, of which only regression was defined as a favorable angiographic outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 146 patients with VADAs, 25 (17.1%) had flow diverters and 121 (82.9%) had overlapping stents. For the primary angiographic outcomes over 12 months, the rate of favorable angiographic outcomes for flow diverters was 81.8% and for overlapping stents (triple stents) was 98.8% (P=0.006). In the multivariale analysis, after adjusting for partially thrombosed aneurysms, aneurysm shape, non-dominant vessel, posterior inferior cerebellar artery involvement, and procedure type, overlapping stents (triple stents) was not associated with favorable angiographic outcomes compared with flow diverters (OR 7.040, 95% CI 0.549 to 90.294; P=0.134), but partially thrombosed aneurysms was inversely associated with favorable angiographic outcomes (OR 0.056, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.589; P=0.016). The primary clinical outcome followed up to the last angiography did not occur in all patients. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in safety and effectiveness between overlapping stents and flow diverters in unruptured VADAs. Further endovascular treatment studies are needed regarding the association of partially thrombosed aneurysms with unfavorable angiographic outcomes.

Evaluation of the Significance of Persistent Remnant Filling and Enlargement After Flow Diversion for Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical course after flow diversion (FD) treatment with a focus on aneurysms with remnant sac filling, by analyzing angiographic outcomes, aneurysm volume, and clinical events. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 61 patients who underwent FD for intracranial aneurysms between July 2014 and June 2021. RESULTS: The majority of aneurysms (52.5%) were located in the internal carotid artery, with a median diameter of 16.6 mm and neck size of 9.3 mm. Remnant filling was observed in 17 aneurysms (27.9%) more than 18 months after FD, 10 (16.4%) of these aneurysms underwent enlargement, which occurred only in cases with subtotal filling or entry remnant states. Eleven patients experienced major adverse events, and three exhibited unfavorable functional outcomes. The incidence of major adverse events and unfavorable functional outcomes was significantly higher in the aneurysm enlargement group than that in the no-filling or stable remnant filling groups (P < 0.001). Aneurysmal diameter and the presence of incorporated branches were independent predictors of aneurysm enlargement, while the presence of incorporated branches was the only independent predictor of persistent remnant filling. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm enlargement after FD is not uncommon, particularly when the aneurysm is large, has incorporated vessels, or does not undergo occlusion within 12 months, often culminating in major adverse events and unfavorable functional outcomes. In addition to investigating angiographic results, it is necessary to evaluate the changes in aneurysm size and clinical events when assessing the efficacy of FD.

The Impact of age and outcomes of high-risk patients on carotid revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the accuracy of high-risk criteria for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and analyze the correlation between age and outcome of CEA and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in risk groups. METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively managed vascular surgery database in a single tertiary referral center, and 2482 internal carotid arteries (ICAs) had undergone carotid revascularization from November 1994 to December 2021. To validate high-risk criteria for CEA, patients were classified as high risk (Hr) and normal risk (Nr). Subgroup analysis was performed with patients older or younger than 75 years to investigate the relationship between age and outcome in each group. Primary endpoints were 30-day outcomes including stroke, death, stroke/death, myocardial infraction (MI), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). RESULTS: A total of 2345 ICAs in 2256 patients were enrolled. The number of patients in the Hr group was 543 (24%) and the number in the Nr group was 1713 (76%). CEA and CAS were performed on 1384 (61%) and 872 (39%) patients, respectively. The 30-day stroke/death rate was higher with CAS than CEA in both the Hr (1.1% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.032) and Nr (1.2% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001) groups. In unmatched logistic regression analysis of the Nr group (n = 1778), the rate of 30-day stroke/death (OR, 5.575; 95% CI, 2.922-10.636; p < 0.001) was higher for CAS than CEA. In propensity score matching of the Nr group, the rate of 30-day stroke/death (OR, 5.165; 95% CI, 2.391-11.155; p < 0.001) was also higher for CAS than CEA. In the age <75 subgroup of the Hr group (n = 428), CAS was associated with higher 30-day stroke/death (OR, 14.089; 95% CI, 1.314-151.036; p = 0.029). In the age ≥75 subgroup of the Hr (n = 139), there was no difference in 30-day stroke/death between CEA and CAS. In the age <75 subgroup of the Nr group (n = 1318), 30-day stroke/death (OR, 6.300; 95% CI, 2.797-14.193; p < 0.001) was higher in CAS. In the age ≥75 subgroup of the Nr group (n = 460), 30-day stroke/death (OR, 6.468; 95% CI, 1.862-22.471; p = 0.003) was higher in CAS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients older than 75 years in the Hr group, there were relatively poor 30-day treatment outcomes in both CEA and CAS. Alternative treatment is needed that can expect better outcomes in older high-risk patients. In the Nr group, CEA has a significant benefit compared with CAS, and CEA should be recommended more to these patients.

Vessel Wall Changes on Serial High-Resolution MRI and the Use of Cilostazol in Patients With Adult-Onset Moyamoya Disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The natural course of adult-onset moyamoya disease (MMD) is unknown, and there is no medical treatment that halts its progression. We hypothesized that progressive shrinkage of large intracranial arteries occurs in adult-onset MMD, and that cilostazol inhibits this process. METHODS: Serial high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) was performed on 66 patients with MMD: 30 patients received cilostazol, 21 received other antiplatelets, and 15 received no antiplatelets or had poor compliance to them. Serial HR-MRI was performed (interval between MRI scans: 29.67±18.02 months, mean±SD), and changes in outer diameter, luminal stenosis, and vascular enhancement were measured. Factors affecting HR-MRI changes were evaluated, including vascular risk factors and the ring finger protein 213 gene variant. RESULTS: The progression of stenosis to occlusion, recurrent ischemic stroke, and the development of new stenotic segments were observed in seven, seven, and three patients, respectively. Serial HR-MRI indicated that the degree of stenosis increased with negative remodeling (outer diameter shrinkage). Patients who received cilostazol presented significantly larger outer diameters and lower degrees of stenosis compared with other groups (p=0.005 and p=0.031, respectively). After adjusting for clinical and genetic factors, only cilostazol use was independently associated with negative remodeling (odds ratio=0.29, 95% confidence interval=0.10-0.84, p=0.023). While vascular enhancement was observed in most patients (61 patients), the progression of enhancement or the occurrence of new vascular enhancement was rarely observed on follow-up HR-MRI (6 and 1 patients, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adult-onset MMD induces progressive shrinkage of large intracranial arteries, which cilostazol treatment may prevent. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02074111.

Treatment results of carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting for patients with radiation-induced carotid stenosis.

Purpose: Exposure to ionizing radiation over the head and neck accelerates atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries. Owing to the characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS), the results regarding the optimal revascularization method for RICS vary. This study compared treatment outcomes between carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in RICS. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent CEA or CAS for carotid stenosis. RICS was defined as carotid stenosis (>50%) with the prior neck irradiation for cancer treatment on either side. For the analyses, demographics, comorbid conditions, carotid lesion characteristics based on imaging studies, surgical complications, neurologic outcomes, and mortality during the follow-up period were reviewed. To compare CEA and CAS results in RICS, a 1:1 propensity score matching was applied. Results: Between November 1994 and June 2021, 43 patients with RICS and 2,407 patients with non-RICS underwent carotid revascularization with CEA or CAS. RICS had fewer atherosclerotic risk factors and more frequent severe carotid stenosis and contralateral carotid occlusions than non-RICS. CAS was more commonly performed than CEA (22.9% vs. 77.1%) for RICS due to more frequent unfavorable carotid anatomy (0 vs. 16.2%). Procedure-related complications were more common in the CEA than in the CAS. However, there was no significant difference in neurologic outcomes and restenosis rates between CEA and CAS in RICS. Conclusion: Considering its lesion characteristics and cumulative incidence, RICS requires more attention than non-RICS. Although CAS has broader indications for RICS, CEA has shown acceptable results if selectively performed.

Surgical Strategy for Ethmoidal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.

OBJECTIVE: Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a rare type of intracranial DAVF. The aim of this study was to report our experience with a unilateral approach and discuss its effectiveness for ethmoidal DAVF treatment. METHODS: The study included 19 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ethmoidal DAVF between January 1999 and May 2021. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 59.7 years; 16 (84%) patients were male. Three patients had a ruptured ethmoidal DAVF. Preoperative digital subtraction angiography showed that all ethmoidal DAVFs were supplied by the bilateral external carotid artery branches. In 18 (95%) patients, cortical draining veins were located on the unilateral side. Bilateral lesions were identified in only 1 (5%) patient. The frontobasal approach was performed in 5 patients (26%), the pterional approach was performed in 5 (26%) patients, and the lateral supraorbital approach was performed in 9 (47%) patients; median procedural times were 198 minutes, 172 minutes, and 111 minutes, respectively. Cortical draining vein was successfully disconnected in all 19 patients with 20 ethmoidal DAVFs. Complete obliteration of ethmoidal DAVF was confirmed in all patients, with no postoperative complications. No recurrence or related clinical events were reported in 13 (68%) patients over 12 months of clinical and radiological follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We reconfirmed excellent outcomes of surgical treatment for ethmoidal DAVFs. Three different surgical strategies were attempted, and each had pros and cons. The lateral supraorbital approach is an efficient surgical option for unilateral ethmoidal DAVFs. Careful preoperative examination for the presence of bilateral drainage is essential.

Significance of D-Dimer in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion Accompanied by Active Cancer.

Background: This study aimed to investigate clinical outcome predictors of acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion and active cancer and validate the significance of D-dimer levels for endovascular thrombectomy decisions. Methods: We analyzed a prospectively collected hospital-based stroke registry to determine clinical EVT outcomes of acute stroke patients within 24 h with following criteria: age ≥18 years, NIHSS ≥6, and internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery lesion. All patients were classified into EVT and non-EVT groups. Patients were divided into two groups by initial D-dimer level. We explored variables potentially associated with successful recanalization as well as 3-month functional outcomes and mortality rates. Results: Among 68 patients, 36 were treated with EVT, with successful recanalization in 55.6%. The low D-dimer group showed a higher rate of successful recanalization and favorable outcome than the high D-dimer group. The mortality rate was higher in the high D-dimer group. No EVT and high D-dimer level were independent predictors of mortality, whereas lesion volume and low D-dimer level were independently associated with favorable outcomes. Conclusions: D-dimer level is a prognostic factor in acute LVO stroke patients with active cancer, and its high value for EVT decisions provisionally supports its testing in this patient population.

Early clinical experience of using the Surpass Evolve flow diverter in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Here, we presented our early experience with flow diversion procedures using the Surpass Evolve flow diverter (SE, Stryker) and reported the feasibility and safety profile compared to those of a control group treated with other types of flow diverters. METHODS: We included 31 and 53 consecutive flow diversion procedures performed using the SE and other commercial flow diverters, respectively, to treat intracranial aneurysms at our institution. We used two commercial flow diversion systems in the comparison group: the pipeline embolization device and Surpass Streamline. RESULTS: In the SE group, technical failures occurred in three (9.7%) cases, due to either incomplete wall apposition (n = 1, 3.2%) or stent migration (n = 2, 6.5%). Major complications occurred in four (12.9%) cases: delayed rupture of the target aneurysm (n = 1, 3.2%), major ischemic stroke (n = 1, 3.2%), sudden death from an unidentified cause (n = 1, 3.2%), and parent artery occlusion with stent thrombosis (n = 1, 3.2%). Balloon angioplasty was performed in eight (25.8%) cases. On post-procedure MRI, a DWI-positive lesion was detected in three (9.7%) cases. After multivariate adjustment, the SE group was independently associated with less procedural time of ≥ 90 min (adjusted OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.29; p < 0.001), balloon angioplasty (adjusted OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07-0.75; p = 0.015), and DWI-positive lesions (adjusted OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.19; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The SE is safe and easy to deploy.

TAB-TICI Score: Successful Recanalization Score After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke.

Background and Purpose: Successful reperfusion therapy is supposed to be comprehensive and validated beyond the grade of recanalization. This study aimed to develop a novel scoring system for defining the successful recanalization after endovascular thrombectomy. Methods: We analyzed the data of consecutive acute stroke patients who were eligible to undergo reperfusion therapy within 24 h of onset and who underwent mechanical thrombectomy using a nationwide multicenter stroke registry. A new score was produced using the predictors which were directly linked to the procedure to evaluate the performance of the thrombectomy procedure. Results: In total, 446 patients in the training population and 222 patients in the validation population were analyzed. From the potential components of the score, four items were selected: Emergency Room-to-puncture time (T), adjuvant devices used (A), procedural intracranial bleeding (B), and post-thrombectomy reperfusion status [Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI)]. Using these items, the TAB-TICI score was developed, which showed good performance in terms of discriminating early neurological aggravation [AUC 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.78, P < 0.01] and favorable outcomes (AUC 0.69, 95% CI 0.64-0.75, P < 0.01) in the training population. The stability of the TAB-TICI score was confirmed by external validation and sensitivity analyses. The TAB-TICI score and its derived grade of successful recanalization were significantly associated with the volume of thrombectomy cases at each site and in each admission year. Conclusion: The TAB-TICI score is a valid and easy-to-use tool to more comprehensively define successful recanalization after endovascular thrombectomy in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion.

Treatment Outcomes After Single-Device Flow Diversion for Large or Giant Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single-device flow diversion in patients with aneurysms measuring ≥15 mm in diameter. METHODS: For this retrospective study, we extracted medical record data for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms, who underwent flow diversion, at the authors' institution between July 2014 and August 2019. The primary effectiveness outcome was defined as angiographic occlusion of the target aneurysm within 18 months without major (>50%) parent artery stenosis, major adverse events, or additional treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five aneurysms in 35 patients were analyzed. Most aneurysms (n = 29, 82.9%) involved the anterior circulation. The median aneurysmal diameter was 18.3 mm, and the median neck size was 7.6 mm. Eleven (31.4%) aneurysms were considered giant (≥25 mm). The primary effectiveness outcome was achieved in 20 (57.1%) patients at a median of 10 months (interquartile range, 4.3-12.5) after flow diversion. Major adverse events occurred in 6 (17.1%) patients, including remote intraparenchymal hemorrhages (n = 2), a major ischemic stroke (n = 1), a delayed rupture of the target aneurysm (n = 1), and clinical deterioration caused by aggravated mass effect (n = 2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found 2 independent predictors of the primary effectiveness outcome: the aneurysmal diameter (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.86; P = 0.004) and the parent-vessel angle (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.99; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Single-device flow diversion was shown to be ineffective for large or giant intracranial aneurysms with a high parent vessel angle.

White matter hyperintensity determines ischemic stroke severity in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) on stroke severity and prognosis in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were retrieved from the Samsung Medical Center stroke registry from January 2011 to December 2016. Stroke severity was categorized into three levels according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): transient ischemic attack (TIA) or transient symptoms with infarction (TSI), mild stroke, and moderate to severe stroke. WMH volume was measured with medical image processing and visualization. The clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin scale on the 90th day from which the latest onset of the neurological symptom. Logistic regression was used to predict stroke severity, and ordinal regression was used to compare the clinical outcome. RESULTS: Among 158 patients, the numbers of patients with TIA or TSI, mild stroke, and moderate to severe stroke were 48 (30.4%), 59 (37.3%), and 51 (32.3%), respectively. The larger WMH volume was associated with moderate to severe strokes (TIA/TSI vs. moderate to severe strokes, odds ratio (OR) 2.318, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.194-4.502, p = 0.007; mild vs. moderate to severe strokes, OR 1.972, 95% CI 1.118-3.479, p = 0.013). Patients with larger volume of WMH showed poorer clinical outcome (cutoff value: 9.71 cm3, OR 2.099, 95% CI 1.030-4.311, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that larger WMH volume is associated with more severe stroke and poorer prognosis in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Novel Estimation of Penumbra Zone Based on Infarct Growth Using Machine Learning Techniques in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

While the penumbra zone is traditionally assessed based on perfusion-diffusion mismatch, it can be assessed based on machine learning (ML) prediction of infarct growth. The purpose of this work was to develop and validate an ML method for the prediction of infarct growth distribution and volume, in cases of successful (SR) and unsuccessful recanalization (UR). Pre-treatment perfusion-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data, and final infarct lesions annotated from day-7 DWI from patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion were utilized to develop and validate two ML models for prediction of tissue fate. SR and UR models were developed from data in patients with modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) scores of 2b-3 and 0-2a, respectively. When compared to manual infarct annotation, ML-based infarct volume predictions resulted in an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.73 (95% CI = 0.31-0.91, p < 0.01) for UR, and an ICC of 0.87 (95% CI = 0.73-0.94, p < 0.001) for SR. Favorable outcomes for mismatch presence and absence in SR were 50% and 36%, respectively, while they were 61%, 56%, and 25%, respectively, for the low, intermediate, and high infarct growth groups. The presented method can offer novel and alternative insights into selecting patients for recanalization therapy and predicting functional outcome.

Perfusion recovery on TTP maps after endovascular stroke treatment might predict favorable neurological outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Early recanalization and adequate collateral blood flow are surrogates for functional recovery in endovascular stroke treatment (EVT). We evaluated the prognostic value of pre- and immediate post-thrombectomy perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) parameters. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent EVT were enrolled. Lesion volumes and their corresponding changes on diffusion-weighted (DWI) and PWI were assessed. Outcome was measured with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days, and early neurological improvement (> 8 points improvement on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] or 0 to 1) at 7 days. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled. After control of initial NIHSS and recanalization status, post-thrombectomy time-to-peak (TTP) hypoperfused volume and TTP hypoperfused volume change remained independent predictors of favorable functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03-0.54, p = 0.005; OR = 1.018, 95% CI = 1.00-1.03, p = 0.017), and early neurological improvement (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.58, p = 0.003; OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00-1.03, p = 0.010). The areas under the curve of post-thrombectomy TTP hypoperfused volume and TTP hypoperfused volume change were 0.90 and 0.82 (cutoff 68 mL and 56 mL) for favorable outcome and 0.86 and 0.82 (cutoff 76 mL and 58 mL) for early neurological improvement, which had better prognostic values than other MR parameters and recanalization grades. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a large amount of perfusion recovery on TTP is associated with favorable outcome as well as early neurological improvement after EVT, and may be a useful prognostic marker. KEY POINTS: • A large amount of perfusion recovery on TTP map is associated with favorable outcome and early neurological improvement after EVT. • The best cutoff value for favorable functional outcome was 68 mL for post-EVT TTP hypoperfused volume and 56 mL decrease for TTP hypoperfused volume. • Amount of perfusion recovery on TTP map has better performance on the prediction of favorable functional recovery and early neurological improvement than other diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI parameters and recanalization grades.

Intracranial Aneurysms in Young Adult Patients: Surgical and Endovascular Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Despite its relative rarity, the potential for loss of productive years makes aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) a considerably important entity in young adult patients (20-39 years of age). This study aimed to analyze outcomes of microsurgery (MS) and endovascular treatment (EVT) for saccular intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in young adult patients. METHODS: A total of 276 young adult patients with 315 IAs, treated with MS or EVT between January 2001 and December 2015, were studied. Major recurrence and treatment-related complications were the primary outcome measures. Functional outcomes in patients with SAH were also assessed. RESULTS: Major recurrence occurred in 21 cases (6.7%). Younger age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-9.83; P = 0.007), ruptured IA (aHR, 6.44; 95% CI, 2.09-19.89; P = 0.001), size (aHR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06-3.18; P = 0.030), and EVT (aHR, 7.21; 95% CI, 2.44-21.35; P < 0.001) were independently related to major recurrence. Treatment-related complications occurred in 5 cases (1.6%) and did not differ between the MS and EVT groups (P > 0.999). Unfavorable outcomes (modified Rankin scale score ≥2) were identified in 30 patients (19.6%) with SAH, and only Hunt and Hess grade was independently associated with unfavorable functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Both MS and EVT are safe for treating IAs in young adult patients. MS showed better durability of treatment and may be preferred over EVT in young patients in view of their longer life expectancy compared with older patients.

Carotid Artery Stenting and Intracranial Thrombectomy for Tandem Cervical and Intracranial Artery Occlusions.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether carotid artery stenting (CAS) is needed in cases of tandem cervical internal carotid artery occlusion (cICAO) and intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of CAS in combination with endovascular thrombectomy (CAS-EVT) in cICAO-LVO patients and to compare its outcomes with those of EVT without CAS (EVT-alone). METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent EVT for tandem cICAO-LVO from the prospectively maintained registries of 17 stroke centers. Patients were classified into 2 groups: CAS-EVT and EVT-alone. Clinical characteristics and procedural and clinical outcomes were compared between 2 groups. We tested whether CAS-EVT strategy was independently associated with recanalization success. RESULTS: Of the 955 patients who underwent EVT, 75 patients (7.9%) had cICAO-LVO. Fifty-six patients underwent CAS-EVT (74.6%), and the remaining 19 patients underwent EVT-alone (25.4%). The recanalization (94.6% vs 63.2%, P = .002) and good outcome rates (64.3% vs 26.3%, P = .007) were significantly higher in the CAS-EVT than in the EVT-alone. Mortality was significantly lower in the CAS-EVT (7.1% vs 21.6%, P = .014). There was no significant difference in the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage between 2 groups (10.7 vs 15.8%; P = .684) and according to the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (10.0% vs 12.3%; P = .999) or antiplatelet medications (10.2% vs 18.8%; P = .392). CAS-EVT strategy remained independently associated with recanalization success (odds ratio: 24.844; 95% confidence interval: 1.445-427.187). CONCLUSION: CAS-EVT strategy seemed to be effective and safe in cases of tandem cICAO-LVO. CAS-EVT strategy was associated with recanalization success, resulting in better clinical outcome.

Identification of High Risk Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Multimodal Vascular and Perfusion Imaging Study.

Background: Risk stratification of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is still an issue for carotid revascularization. We sought to identify factors associated with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCAS) using multimodal imaging techniques. Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients who underwent carotid artery revascularization. Results from duplex sonography, computerized tomography angiography, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), perfusion-weighted imaging, and demographic profiles were compared between ACAS and SCAS patients. Differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups were balanced by the propensity matching score method. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with symptomaticity of carotid artery stenosis. We compared the strength of associations between significant imaging factors and symptomatic carotid stenosis using C statistics. Results: A total of 259 patients (asymptomatic 57.1%, symptomatic 42.9%) with carotid stenosis were included. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the multivariable regression analysis revealed that the absence of plaque calcification [Odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.182-0.870, p = 0.023], deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH; Odds ratio 3.46, 95% CI 1.842-6.682, p < 0.001), susceptibility vessel sign seen on gradient-echo MRI (Odds ratio 2.35, 95% CI 1.113-5.107, p = 0.027), and increased cerebral blood volume (CBV) seen on perfusion-weighted MRI (CBV; Odds ratio 2.17, 95% CI 1.075-4.454, p = 0.032) were associated with SCAS. The combination of these variables had a fair accuracy to classify SCAS (Area under the curve 0.733, 95% CI 0.662-0.803). Conclusions: We identified several multimodal imaging markers independently associated with SCAS. These markers may provide information to identify ACAS patients with high risk of ischemic stroke. Future studies are needed to predict SCAS using our findings in other independent cohorts.

Differentiation of postoperative changes and residual tumors in dynamic contrast-enhanced sella MRI after transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma.

To establish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that differentiate residual tumors from postoperative surgical changes following the transsphenoidal approach of a pituitary adenoma.We analyzed residual enhancements at the tumor bed in 52 patients who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced sella MRI within 48 hours after surgery and at 6 to 28 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups defined by either peripheral or nodular enhancement patterns. For each group, we measured the maximum thickness of the residual enhancing portion and compared differences in the residual tumor and postoperative changes.Among the tumors examined in the 52 patients, 19 residual tumors showed nodular (n = 16) and peripheral (n = 3) enhancement patterns, and 33 postoperative changes showed nodular (n = 3) and peripheral (n = 30) enhancement patterns. The mean residual tumor thickness was 7.1 mm (range, 2.9-16.8 mm) and 1.9 mm (range, 1.0-7.4 mm) in the postoperative change. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a 3.9-mm thickness was associated with 89% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 94% accuracy for diagnosis of residual tumor.On immediate postoperative MRI, residual enhancement with greater than 3.9-mm thickness and nodular pattern suggest residual pituitary adenoma tumor.

Saccular or dissecting aneurysms involving the basilar trunk: Endovascular treatment and clinical outcome.

Objectives: Basilar artery trunk aneurysms (BTAs) are a rare pathology and difficult to treat. We present our experience regarding angiographic results and clinical outcomes for 16 BTAs treated by reconstructive endovascular treatment (EVT) using stent or balloon. Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2014, 15 patients (mean age, 58.6 years; 11 males) with 16 BTAs were enrolled. Clinical manifestation, outcomes and procedural complications were evaluated retrospectively, and follow-up angiography was performed 12 and 24 months after procedure. Results: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) developed in seven aneurysms and nine were found incidentally. In one case, SAH followed by acute infarction on pons. The location of the aneurysms was the pure basilar artery (BA) trunk in 13 and the junction of the BA and the superior cerebellar artery in 3. Reconstructive EVT was technically successful in 15 aneurysms (93.8%) and failed in one due to the difficulty of vascular access. Stent/balloon-assisted coiling was performed in 13 aneurysms and sole stent therapy in two aneurysms. One patient had periprocedural complication of acute in-stent thrombosis. All treated patients had no symptoms with the usual activities except three patients, who died from myocardial infarction, aneurysmal rebleeding, and cerebellar infarction. Angiographic follow-up was performed in nine aneurysms; three aneurysms were recanalized (33.3%) and six aneurysms had no interval change (66.7%). There was no significant event during the follow-up period (mean, 23.5 months). Conclusion: In the treatment of BTAs, reconstructive EVT may provide a feasible and safe option to microsurgery.

Balloon Guide Catheter Is Beneficial in Endovascular Treatment Regardless of Mechanical Recanalization Modality.

Background and Purpose- Based on its mechanism, the use of balloon guide catheters (BGCs) may be beneficial during endovascular treatment, regardless of the type of mechanical recanalization modality used-stent retriever thrombectomy or thrombaspiration. We evaluated whether the use of BGCs can be beneficial regardless of the first-line mechanical endovascular modality used. Methods- We retrospectively reviewed consecutive acute stroke patients who underwent stent retriever thrombectomy or thrombaspiration from the prospectively maintained registries of 17 stroke centers nationwide. Patients were assigned to the BGC or non-BGC group based on the use of BGCs during procedures. Endovascular and clinical outcomes were compared between the BGC and non-BGC groups. To adjust the influence of the type of first-line endovascular modality on successful recanalization and favorable outcome, multivariable analyses were also performed. Results- This study included a total of 955 patients. Stent retriever thrombectomy was used as the first-line modality in 526 patients (55.1%) and thrombaspiration in 429 (44.9%). BGC was used in 516 patients (54.0%; 61.2% of stent retriever thrombectomy patients; 45.2% of thrombaspiration patients). The successful recanalization rate was significantly higher in the BGC group compared with the non-BGC group (86.8% versus 74.7%, respectively; P<0.001). Furthermore, the first-pass recanalization rate was more frequent (37.0% versus 14.1%; P<0.001), and the number of device passes was fewer in the BGC group (2.5±1.9 versus 3.3±2.1; P<0.001). The procedural time was also shorter in the BGC group (54.3±27.4 versus 67.6±38.2; P<0.001). The use of BGC was an independent factor for successful recanalization (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.54-3.10; P<0.001) irrespective of the type of first-line endovascular modality used. The use of BGC was also an independent factor for a favorable outcome (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.92; P=0.038) irrespective of the type of first-line endovascular modality used. Conclusions- Regardless of the first-line mechanical endovascular modality used, the use of BGC in endovascular treatment was beneficial in terms of both recanalization success and functional outcome.

Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke of Intracranial Atherosclerotic Origin-Neuroimaging Perspectives.

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) due to intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a common cause of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Asians. Endovascular therapy (EVT) has been established as the mainstay of treatment in patients with AIS and LVO. However, only a few patients of Asian descent with ICAS-related LVO (ICAS-LVO) were included in recent randomized controlled trials of EVT for AIS. Therefore, the findings of these trials cannot be directly applied to Asian patients with ICAS-LVO. In embolic LVO due to thrombus from the heart or a more proximal vessel, rapid, and complete recanalization can be achieved in more than 70-80% of patients, and it is important to exclude patients with large cores. In contrast, patients with ICAS-LVO usually have favorable hemodynamic profiles (good collateral status, small core, and less severe perfusion deficit), but poor response to EVT (more rescue treatments and longer procedure times are required for successful recanalization due to higher rates of reocclusion). Patients with ICAS-LVO may have different anatomic (plaque, angioarchitecture), hemodynamic (collateral status), and pathophysiologic (thrombus composition) features on neuroimaging compared to patients with embolic LVO. In this review, we discuss these neuroimaging features, their clinical implications with respect to determination of EVT responses, and the need for development of specific EVT devices and procedures for patients with ICAS-LVO.