Cost-effectiveness of platelet function testing in dual antiplatelet therapy decision-making after intracranial aneurysm treatment with flow diversion.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) use is the standard of practice after flow diversion (FD) for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Yet, no consensus exists in the literature regarding the optimal regimen. Certain institutions utilize various platelet function testing (PFT) to assess patient responsiveness to DAPT. Clopidogrel is the most commonly prescribed drug during DAPT; however, up to 52% of patients can be non-responders, justifying PFT use. Additionally, prices vary significantly among antiplatelet drugs, often further complicated by insurance restrictions. We aimed to determine the most cost-effective strategy for deciding DAPT regimens for patients after IA treatment. A decision tree with Monte Carlo simulations was performed to simulate patients undergoing various three-month postoperative DAPT regimens. Patients were either universally administered aspirin alongside clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel without PFT, or administered one of the former thienopyridine medications based on platelet reactivity unit (PRU) results after clopidogrel. Input data for the model were extracted from the current literature, and the willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) was defined as $100,000 per QALY as per standard practice in the US. The baseline comparison was with universal clopidogrel DAPT without any PFT. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the model. Utilizing PFT and switching clopidogrel to prasugrel if resistance is documented was the most cost-effective regimen compared to universal clopidogrel, with a base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $-35,255 (cost $2,336.67, effectiveness 0.85). Performing PFT and switching clopidogrel to ticagrelor (ICER $-4,671; cost $2,995.06, effectiveness 0.84), universal prasugrel (ICER $5,553; cost $3,097.30, effectiveness 0.84), or universal ticagrelor (ICER $75,969; cost $3,801.36, effectiveness 0.84) were all more cost-effective than treating patients with universal clopidogrel (cost $3,041.77, effectiveness 0.83). These conclusions remain robust in probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses. The most cost-effective strategy guiding DAPT after FD for IAs is to perform PFTs and switch clopidogrel to prasugrel if resistance is documented, alongside aspirin. The cost of PFT is strongly justified and recommended when deciding patient-specific DAPT regimens.

Femoral versus radial access for middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas: multicenter propensity score matched study.

BACKGROUND: With transradial access (TRA) being more progressively used in neuroendovascular procedures, we compared TRA with transfemoral access (TFA) in middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing MMAE for cSDH at 14 North American centers (2018-23) were included. TRA and TFA groups were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) controlling for: age, sex, concurrent surgery, previous surgery, hematoma thickness and side, midline shift, and pretreatment antithrombotics. The primary outcome was access site and overall complications, and procedure duration; secondary endpoints were surgical rescue, radiographic improvement, and technical success and length of stay. RESULTS: 872 patients (median age 73 years, 72.9% men) underwent 1070 MMAE procedures (54% TFA vs 46% TRA). Access site hematoma occurred in three TFA cases (0.5%; none required operative intervention) versus 0% in TRA (P=0.23), and radial-to-femoral conversion occurred in 1% of TRA cases. TRA was more used in right sided cSDH (58.4% vs 44.8%; P<0.001). Particle embolics were significantly higher in TFA while Onyx was higher in TRA (P<0.001). Following PSM, 150 matched pairs were generated. Particles were more utilized in the TFA group (53% vs 29.7%) and Onyx was more utilized in the TRA group (56.1% vs 31.5%) (P=0.001). Procedural duration was longer in the TRA group (median 68.5 min (IQR 43.1-95) vs 59 (42-84); P=0.038), and radiographic success was higher in the TFA group (87.3% vs 77.4%; P=0.036). No differences were noted in surgical rescue (8.4% vs 10.1%, P=0.35) or technical failures (2.4% vs 2%; P=0.67) between TFA and TRA. Sensitivity analysis in the standalone MMAE retained all associations but differences in procedural duration. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TRA offered comparable outcomes to TFA in MMAE for cSDH in terms of access related and overall complications, technical feasibility, and functional outcomes. Procedural duration was slightly longer in the TRA group, and radiographic success was higher in the TFA group, with no differences in surgical rescue rates.

Comparison of Postoperative Seizures Between Burr-Hole Evacuation and Craniotomy in Patients With Nonacute Subdural Hematomas: A Bi-Institutional Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative seizures are a common complication after surgical drainage of nonacute chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The literature increasingly supports the use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs for craniotomy, a procedure that is often associated with larger collections and worse clinical status at admission. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative seizures in patients treated with burr-hole drainage and those treated with craniotomy through propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients with surgical drainage of nonacute SDHs (burr-holes and craniotomies) between January 2017 to December 2021 at 2 academic institutions in the United States. PSM was performed by controlling for age, subdural thickness, subacute component, and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale. Seizure rates and accompanying abnormalities on electroencephalographic tracing were evaluated postmatching. RESULTS: A total of 467 patients with 510 nonacute SDHs underwent 474 procedures, with 242 burr-hole evacuations (51.0%) and 232 craniotomies (49.0%). PSM resulted in 62 matched pairs. After matching, univariate analysis revealed that burr-hole evacuations exhibited lower rates of seizures (1.6% vs 11.3%; P = .03) and abnormal electroencephalographic findings (0.0% vs 4.8%; P = .03) compared with craniotomies. No significant differences were observed in postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (P = .77) and length of hospital stay (P = .61). CONCLUSION: Burr-hole evacuation demonstrated significantly lower seizure rates than craniotomy using a propensity score-matched analysis controlling for significant variables.

Association between cervicocerebral artery dissection and tortuosity - a review on quantitative and qualitative assessment.

Cervicocerebral artery dissection stands out as a significant contributor to ischemic stroke in young adults. Several studies have shown that arterial tortuosity is associated with dissection. We searched Pubmed and Embase to identify studies on the association between arterial tortuosity and cervicocerebral artery dissection, and to perform a review on the epidemiology of cervicocerebral artery tortuosity and dissection, pathophysiology, measurement of vessels tortuosity, strength of association between tortuosity and dissection, clinical manifestation and management strategies. The prevalence of tortuosity in dissected cervical arteries was reported to be around 22%-65% while it is only around 8%-22% in non-dissected arteries. In tortuous cervical arteries elastin and tunica media degradation, increased wall stiffness, changes in hemodynamics as well as arterial wall inflammation might be associated with dissection. Arterial tortuosity index and vertebrobasilar artery deviation is used to measure the level of vessel tortuosity. Studies have shown an independent association between these two measurements and cervicocerebral artery dissection. Different anatomical variants of tortuosity such as loops, coils and kinks may have a different level of association with cervicocerebral artery dissection. Symptomatic patients with extracranial cervical artery dissection are often treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, while patients with intracranial arterial dissection were often treated with antiplatelets only due to concerns of developing subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients with recurrent ischemia, compromised cerebral blood flow or contraindications for antithrombotic agents are usually treated with open surgery or endovascular technique. Those with subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracranial artery dissection are often managed with surgical intervention due to high risk of re-hemorrhage.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms in the Pathogenesis and Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms.

This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in vascular diseases, focusing on their involvement in the pathogenesis and their contributions to enhancing the efficacy of endovascular treatments for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Initially discovered as CD34+ bone marrow-derived cells implicated in angiogenesis, EPCs have been linked to vascular repair, vasculogenesis, and angiogenic microenvironments. The origin and differentiation of EPCs have been subject to debate, challenging the conventional notion of bone marrow origin. Quantification methods, including CD34+ , CD133+ , and various assays, reveal the influence of factors, like age, gender, and comorbidities on EPC levels. Cellular mechanisms highlight the interplay between bone marrow and angiogenic microenvironments, involving growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, and signaling pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In the context of the pathogenesis of IAs, EPCs play a role in maintaining vascular integrity by replacing injured and dysfunctional endothelial cells. Recent research has also suggested the therapeutic potential of EPCs after coil embolization and flow diversion, and this has led the development of device surface modifications aimed to enhance endothelialization. The comprehensive insights underscore the importance of further research on EPCs as both therapeutic targets and biomarkers in IAs.

Factors Associated with Extended Hospitalization in Patients Who Had Adjuvant Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization After Conventional Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematomas.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the length of stay (LOS) in patients who had adjunct middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma after conventional surgery and determine the factors influencing the LOS in this population. METHODS: A retrospective review of 107 cases with MMAE after conventional surgery between September 2018 and January 2024 was performed. Factors associated with prolonged LOS were identified through univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The median LOS for MMAE after conventional surgery was 9 days (interquartile range = 6-17), with a 3-day interval between procedures (interquartile range = 2-5). Among 107 patients, 58 stayed ≤ 9 days, while 49 stayed longer. Univariable analysis showed the interval between procedures, type of surgery, MMAE sedation, and the number of complications associated with prolonged LOS. Multivariable analysis confirmed longer intervals between procedures (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52; P < 0.01), ≥2 medical complications (OR = 13.34; P = 0.01), and neurological complications (OR = 5.28; P = 0.05) were independent factors for lengthier hospitalizations. There was a trending association between general anesthesia during MMAE and prolonged LOS (P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis revealed diabetes (OR = 5.25; P = 0.01) and ≥2 medical complications (OR = 5.21; P = 0.03) correlated with a LOS over 20 days, the 75th percentile in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The interval between procedures and the number of medical and neurological complications were strongly associated with prolonged LOS in patients who had adjunct MMAE after open surgery. Reducing the interval between the procedures and potentially performing both under 1 anesthetic may decrease the burden on patients and shorten their hospitalizations.

Safety and Outcomes of the Off-Label Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms with Pipeline Embolization Device: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Off-label use of pipeline embolization devices (PEDs) has been increasingly used for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Numerous articles have highlighted the safety and effectiveness of PED placement from independent centers for both on- and off-label indications. There remains a paucity of information that considers overall safety and efficacy of off-label PED placement across the existing literature. Our objective is to systematically review the safety and occlusion outcomes of PED off-label use in intracranial aneurysm embolization. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was performed to identify studies on off-label use of PED. The selected studies provided relevant information, including study characteristics, patient demographics, clinical outcomes, peri-procedural complications, and long-term outcomes, which were subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 747 patients and 791 aneurysms included for analysis. Among the patient, 69.2% were female, with an age range of 16 to 80 years. The overall incidence rates for ischemic and hemorrhagic complications were 7% (95% CI: 4%-10%) and 2% (95% CI: 0%-4%), respectively. The mortality rate was 1% (95% CI: 0%-4%). The occlusion rates of aneurysm at initial follow up and 1 year follow-up were 82% (95% CI: 72%-91%) and 81% (95%CI: 75%-86%), respectively. Meta-regression analysis indicated no correlation between occlusion rate and factors such as age, sex, aneurysm size, location, morphology, rupture, or history of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variations in results observed in single-center studies, this meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of PED off-label use.

General Versus Nongeneral Anesthesia for Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematomas: Multicenter Propensity Score Matched Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The choice of anesthesia type (general anesthesia [GA] vs nongeneral anesthesia [non-GA]) in middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) procedures for chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) differs between institutions and left to care team discretion given lack of standard guidelines. We compare the outcomes of GA vs non-GA in MMAE. METHODS: Consecutive patients receiving MMAE for cSDH at 14 North American centers (2018-2023) were included. Clinical, cSDH characteristics, and technical/clinical outcomes were compared between the GA/non-GA groups. Using propensity score matching (PSM), patients were matched controlling for age, baseline modified Rankin Scale, concurrent/prior surgery, hematoma thickness/midline shift, and baseline antiplatelet/anticoagulation. The primary end points included surgical rescue and radiographic success rates (≥50% reduction in maximum hematoma thickness with minimum 2 weeks of imaging). Secondary end points included technical feasibility, procedural complications, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-eight patients (median age 73 years, 73.2% male patients) underwent 956 MMAE procedures, 667 (70.4%) were non-GA and 280 were GA (29.6%). After running 1:3 PSM algorithm, this resulted in 153 and 296 in the GA and non-GA groups, respectively. There were no baseline/procedural differences between the groups except radial access more significantly used in the non-GA group (P = .001). There was no difference between the groups in procedural technical feasibility, complications rate, length of stay, surgical rescue rates, or favorable functional outcome at the last follow-up. Subsequent 1:1 sensitivity PSM retained the same results. Bilateral MMAE procedures were more performed under non-GA group (75.8% vs 67.2%; P = .01); no differences were noted in clinical/radiographic outcomes between bilateral vs unilateral MMAE, except for longer procedure duration in the bilateral group (median 73 minutes [IQR 48.3-100] vs 54 minutes [39-75]; P < .0001). Another PSM analysis comparing GA vs non-GA in patients undergoing stand-alone MMAE retained similar associations. CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences in radiological improvement/clinical outcomes between GA and non-GA for MMAE.

Exoscopic resection of a parasagittal atypical meningioma.

This video demonstrates use of the Synaptive 3D exoscope to enhance complex meningioma resection. The patient was a 58-year-old female who presented with new-onset seizures. Workup revealed a parasagittal meningioma over the bilateral cortices. She was started on 750 mg of Keppra twice daily and tapered dexamethasone and discharged. MR venography demonstrated segmental occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus. She then underwent a diagnostic angiogram and tumor Onyx embolization of the bilateral middle meningeal artery feeders. She then underwent a craniotomy for meningioma resection using 3D exoscope guidance. She awoke with a stable examination in the intensive care unit and worked with physical therapy on postoperative day 1. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23164.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting of petrous and cavernous internal carotid artery stenosis - a systematic review.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting have been used for the treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis over the past two decades. A systematic review was performed to understand the efficacy of PTA and/or stenting for petrous and cavernous ICA stenosis. In total, 151 patients (mean age 64.9) met criteria for analysis, 117 (77.5%%) were male and 34 (22.5%) were female. Of the 151 patients, 35 of them (23.2%) had PTA, and 116 (76.8%) had endovascular stenting. Twenty-two patients had periprocedural complications. There was no significant difference in the complication rates between the PTA (14.3%) and stent (14.7%) groups. Distal embolism was the most common periprocedural complication. Average clinical follow up for 146 patients was 27.3 months. Eleven patients (7.5%) out of 146 had retreatment. The treatment of petrous and cavernous ICA with PTA and stenting has relatively significant procedure related complication rates and adequate long-term patency.

Predictors for Rupture of Small (<7mm) Intracranial Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying predictors for rupture of small intracranial aneurysms (sIAs) have become a growing topic in the literature given the relative paucity of data on their natural history. The authors performed a meta-analysis to identify reliable predictors. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were used to systematically extract references which involved at least 10 IAs <7mm which including a control group experiencing no rupture. All potential predictors reported in the literature were evaluated in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen studies yielding 4,739 sIAs were included in the meta-analysis. Four studies were prospective and 11 were retrospective. Univariate analysis identified 7 predictors which contradicted or are absent in the current scoring systems, while allowing to perform subgroup analysis for further reliability: patient age (MD -1.97, 95%CI -3.47-0.48; P = 0.01), the size ratio (MD 0.40, 95%CI 0.26-0.53; P < 0.00001), the aspect ratio (MD 0.16, 95%CI 0.11-0.22; P < 0.00001), bifurcation point (OR 3.76, 95%CI 2.41-5.85; P < 0.00001), irregularity (OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.91-4.55; P < 0.00001), the pressure loss coefficient (MD -0.32, 95%CI -0.52-0.11; P = 0.002), wall sheer stress (Pa) (MD -0.16, 95%CI -0.28-0.03; P = 0.01). All morphology related predictors listed above have been confirmed as independent predictors via multivariable analysis among the individual studies. CONCLUSIONS: Morphology related predictors are superior to the classic patient demographic predictors present in most scoring systems. Given that morphology predictors take time to measure, our findings may be of great interest to developers seeking to incorporate artificial intelligence into the treatment decision-making process.

Management of Intracranial Aneurysms that Do Not Occlude on Initial Follow-up After Treatment With the Pipeline Embolization Device.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pipeline embolization device (PED) has become widely accepted as a safe and efficacious treatment for intracranial aneurysms with high rates of complete occlusion at initial follow-up. For aneurysms that are not completely occluded at initial follow-up, further treatment decision-making is varied. Furthermore, the risk of aneurysmal rupture in these incompletely occluded aneurysms after PED is not known. The objective of this study was to determine treatment decision-making that results in increased occlusion status at final follow-up and to evaluate risk of rupture in those aneurysms that do not go onto occlusion. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of prospective data for intracranial aneurysms treated with PED at two institutions from 2013 to 2019. Aneurysms with near-complete or incomplete occlusion at initial follow-up were included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 606 total aneurysms treated at two academic institutions with PED with incomplete occlusion at initial follow-up in 134 aneurysms (22.1%). Of the 134 aneurysms that were nonoccluded at initial follow-up, 76 aneurysms (56.7%) went on to complete or near complete occlusion with final complete or near complete occlusion in 90.4% of all aneurysms treated. The time to final imaging follow-up was 28.2 months (13.8-44.3) Retreatment with a second flow diverter was used in 28 aneurysms (20.9%). No aneurysms that were incompletely occluded at initial follow-up had delayed rupture. Furthermore, older patient age was statistically significant for incomplete occlusion at initial follow-up ( P = .05). CONCLUSION: Intracranial aneurysms treated with the PED that do not occlude at initial follow-up may go on to complete occlusion with continuous observation, alteration in antiplatelet regimens, or repeat treatment. Delayed aneurysmal rupture was not seen in patients with incomplete occlusion.

Predictors for a Collar Sign and its Association with Outcomes in Aneurysms after Pipeline Embolization.

BACKGROUND: The collar sign has been previously described as an angiographic indicator of incomplete occlusion after deployment of a pipeline embolization device (PED) for intracranial aneurysms. In the present study, we explore the predictors for a collar sign in aneurysms treated with the PED. METHODS: Aneurysms with a collar sign at the initial follow-up angiogram were identified in a retrospective review of single-center data. The predictors of a collar sign were analyzed through univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 492 cases of cerebral aneurysm treated with the PED were identified. Among them, 53 were found to have a collar sign on the initial follow-up angiogram. Univariate analysis showed that previous treatment of the same aneurysm (odds ratio [OR], 2.46; P = 0.01), a branch vessel from the aneurysm neck or dome (OR, 6.2; P < 0.001), and a smaller aneurysm neck size (OR, 0.75; P = 0.01) were all predictors for the presence of a collar sign. A larger diameter (OR, 0.92; P = 0.06), increased dome/neck ratio (OR, 1.38; P = 0.1), increased aspect ratio (OR, 1.14; 0 P =.17), and previous treatment showed a trend toward an association with a collar sign. However, after multivariate analysis, a branch from the aneurysm neck or dome (OR, 6.23; P < 0.001), aneurysm diameter (OR, 0.75; P = 0.032), an increased dome/neck ratio (OR, 4.62; P = 0.006), and previous treatment were the strongest predictors for a collar sign. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a branch vessel arising from the aneurysm neck or dome, an increased dome/neck ratio, aneurysm diameter, and previous treatment are the strongest predictive factors for a collar sign in the angiographic follow-up of PED-treated aneurysms.

Standalone middle meningeal artery embolization versus middle meningeal artery embolization with concurrent surgical evacuation for chronic subdural hematomas: a multicenter propensity score matched analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a promising therapy for chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs). The efficacy of standalone MMAE compared with MMAE with concurrent surgery is largely unknown. METHODS: cSDH patients who underwent successful MMAE from 14 high volume centers with at least 30 days of follow-up were included. Clinical and radiographic variables were recorded and used to perform propensity score matching (PSM) of patients treated with standalone MMAE or MMAE with concurrent surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models were used for additional covariate adjustments. The primary outcome was recurrence requiring surgical rescue, and the secondary outcome was radiographic failure defined as <50% reduction of cSDH thickness. RESULTS: 722 MMAE procedures in 588 cSDH patients were identified. After PSM, 230 MMAE procedures remained (115 in each group). Median age was 73 years, 22.6% of patients were receiving anticoagulation medication, and 47.9% had no preoperative functional disability. Median midline shift was 4 mm and cSDH thickness was 16 mm, representing modestly sized cSDHs. Standalone MMAE and MMAE with surgery resulted in similar rates of surgical rescue (7.8% vs 13.0%, respectively, P=0.28; adjusted OR (aOR 0.73 (95% CI 0.20 to 2.40), P=0.60) and radiographic failure (15.5% vs 13.7%, respectively, P=0.84; aOR 1.08 (95% CI 0.37 to 2.19), P=0.88) with a median follow-up duration of 105 days. These results were similar across subgroup analyses and follow-up durations. CONCLUSIONS: Standalone MMAE led to similar and durable clinical and radiographic outcomes as MMAE combined with surgery in select patients with moderately sized cSDHs and mild clinical disease.

Integrated molecular analysis reveals hypermethylation and overexpression of HOX genes to be poor prognosticators in isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant glioma.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse gliomas represent over 80% of malignant brain tumors ranging from low-grade to aggressive high-grade lesions. Within isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas, there is a high variability in survival and a need to more accurately predict outcome. METHODS: To identify and characterize a predictive signature of outcome in gliomas, we utilized an integrative molecular analysis (using methylation, mRNA, copy number variation (CNV), and mutation data), analyzing a total of 729 IDH-mutant samples including a test set of 99 from University Health Network (UHN) and 2 validation cohorts including the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RESULTS: Cox regression analysis of methylation data from the UHN cohort identified CpG-based signatures that split the glioma cohort into 2 prognostic groups strongly predicting survival that were validated using 2 independent cohorts from TCGA and DKFZ (all P-values < .0001). The methylation signatures that predicted poor outcomes also exhibited high CNV instability and hypermethylation of HOX gene probes. Integrated multi-platform analyses using mRNA and methylation (iRM) showed that parallel HOX gene overexpression and simultaneous hypermethylation were significantly associated with increased mutational load, high aneuploidy, and worse survival (P-value < .0001). A 7-HOX gene signature was developed and validated using the most significantly associated HOX genes with patient outcome in both 1p/19q codeleted and non-codeleted IDHmut gliomas. CONCLUSIONS: HOX gene methylation and expression provide important prognostic information in IDH-mutant gliomas that are not captured by current molecular diagnostics. A 7-HOX gene signature of outcome shows significant survival differences in both 1p/19q codeleted and non-codeleted IDH-mutant gliomas.

Effect of Chronic Anticoagulation on Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms-A Propensity-Matched Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in patients receiving anticoagulant medications has not been well studied. Whether long-term anticoagulation (AC) use affects aneurysmal obliteration rates and treatment-related complications is unclear. METHODS: Patients with endovascular treatment for UIA from 4 academic centers were identified and divided into AC and non-AC groups. Periprocedural complications, radiographic and clinical outcomes, and retreatment rates were compared between the 2 groups before and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: The initial cohort consisted of 70 patients in the AC group and 355 in the non-AC group. After one-to-one nearest neighbor propensity matching, 38 pairs of patients were compared for periprocedural complications. The total number of complications were higher in the AC group yet not significant (18.4% vs 5.3%, P = .15). After adding imaging follow-up duration to matched variables, 36 pairs were obtained. There was no significant difference in Raymond-Roy occlusion rate between the 2 groups ( P = .74). However, retreatment rate trended higher in the AC group compared with the non-AC group (22.2% vs 5.6%, P = .09). When clinical follow-up duration was added among matched variables, 26 pairs of cases were obtained for long-term clinical outcomes. There was no significant difference in modified Rankin Scale score between the 2 groups ( P = .61). One-to-many nearest neighbor propensities matched analysis with bigger sample sizes yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: The use of anticoagulants does not affect occlusion rates or long-term outcomes in endovascular treatment of UIAs. Retreatment rates were higher in the AC group; however, this was not statistically significant.

Effect of Statin on Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Intracranial Aneurysms Treated With Pipeline Embolization: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that use of statin can improve radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients receiving treatment for coronary artery or peripheral vascular stenosis. Statins are thought to be effective by reducing arterial wall inflammation. The same mechanism may have an influence on the efficacy of pipeline embolization device (PED) for intracranial aneurysm treatment. Although this question has been of interest, there is a lack of well-controlled data in the literature. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of statins on outcomes of aneurysms treated with pipeline embolization through propensity score matching. METHODS: Patients who underwent PED for unruptured intracranial aneurysms at our institution between 2013 and 2020 were identified. Patients on statin treatment vs those who were not were matched through propensity score by controlling for confounding factors including age, sex, current smoking status, diabetes, aneurysm morphology, volume, neck size, location of aneurysm, history of treatment for the same aneurysm, type of antiplatelet therapy, and elapsed time at last follow-up. Occlusion status at first follow up and last follow-up, and incidence of in-stent stenosis and ischemic complications during the follow-up period were extracted for comparison. RESULTS: In total, 492 patients with PED were identified, of whom 146 were on statin therapy and 346 were not. After one-to-one nearest neighbor matching, 49 cases in each group were compared. At last follow-up, 79.6%, 10.2%, and 10.2% of cases in the statin therapy group and 67.4%, 16.3%, and 16.3% in the nonstatin group were noted to have Raymond-Roy 1, 2, and 3 occlusions, respectively ( P = .45). No significant difference was observed in immediate procedural thrombosis ( P > .99), long-term in-stent stenosis ( P > .99), ischemic stroke ( P = .62), or retreatment ( P = .49). CONCLUSION: Statin use does not affect occlusion rate or clinical outcomes in patients treated with PED treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Outcome of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Intervention in Patients on Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapy-A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs) and on antiplatelet medications for various medical conditions often complicate surgical decision making. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risks of preprocedural and postprocedural antiplatelet use in patients with cSDHs. METHODS: Patients with cSDH who were treated between January 2006 and February 2022 at a single institution with surgical intervention were identified. A propensity score matching analysis was then performed analyzing length of hospitalization, periprocedural complications, reintervention rate, rebleeding risk, and reintervention rates. RESULTS: Preintervention, 178 patients were on long-term antiplatelet medication and 298 were not on any form of antiplatelet. Sixty matched pairs were included in the propensity score analysis. Postintervention, 88 patients were resumed on antiplatelet medication, whereas 388 patients did not have resumption of antiplatelets. Fifty-five pairs of matched patients were included in the postintervention propensity score analysis. No significant differences were found in length of hospitalization (7.8 ± 4.2 vs 6.8 ± 5.4, P = .25), procedural complications (3.3% vs 6.7%, P = .68), or reintervention during the same admission (3.3% vs 5%, P = 1). No significant differences were seen in recurrence rate (9.1% vs 10.9%, P = 1) or reintervention rate after discharge (7.3% vs 9.1%, P = 1) in the postintervention group. CONCLUSION: Preintervention antiplatelet medications before cSDH treatment do not affect length of hospitalization, periprocedural complications, or reintervention. Resumption of antiplatelet medication after cSDH procedures does not increase the rebleeding risk or reintervention rate.

Spontaneous Thrombosis of a Giant Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm and Parent Vessel Occlusion in a Patient With Bilateral Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms.

Spontaneous thrombosis of giant aneurysms is a well-reported phenomenon. However, reports of complete occlusion of the aneurysm and parent vessel are scarce. Here, we describe the case of a patient with spontaneous thrombosis of a giant cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm and occlusion of the ICA. A 59-year-old female initially presented with frequent headaches and was otherwise completely neurologically intact. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) demonstrated a giant, partially thrombosed right cavernous ICA aneurysm. She was also found to have a contralateral left-sided intracavernous aneurysm. Cerebral angiogram revealed a giant, partially thrombosed right cavernous segment ICA aneurysm measuring 27.1 x 32.4 mm with slow, turbulent flow within the lesion. The patient was started on aspirin 325 mg and a dexamethasone taper with plans for follow-up flow diversion for treatment of the right cavernous ICA aneurysm. The patient presented three months later with worsening headaches, and on examination was found to have anisocoria (right > left) with a nonreactive right pupil as well as cranial nerve III/IV palsies, and facial edema. There was no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage or ischemia seen on head computed tomography (HCT). The diagnostic cerebral angiogram demonstrated complete occlusion of the right ICA at the carotid bifurcation with no filling of the giant right cavernous ICA aneurysm and a stable left cavernous ICA aneurysm. Although the exact mechanism of simultaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm and its parent artery remains unclear, it is likely due to stagnant flow. The presence of cranial nerve palsies was most likely secondary to acute edema of the lesion after thrombus formation. There was no evidence of ischemic symptoms due to collateral flow across a patent anterior communicating artery.