Extracellular Vesicles Play a Central Role in Cerebral Venous Disease-Associated Brain Atrophy.

Cerebral venous abnormalities, distinct from traditional arterial diseases, have been linked to brain atrophy in a previous community-based cohort study, specifically in relation to the reduction of deep medullary veins (r-DMVs). To better understand the properties and biological functions of serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cerebral venous disease-associated brain atrophy, EVs are extracted from the serum of both participants with r-DMV and normal controls and analyzed their proteomic profiles using Tandem Mass Tag label quantitation analysis. Phenotypic experiments showed that EVs from individuals with r-DMVs are able to disrupt the normal functions of neurons, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and induce A1 reactive astrocytes. Additionally, this study provided a comprehensive characterization of the proteomic profile of DMV EVs and found that the collagen hydroxyproline is upregulated, while complement C3 is downregulated in the r-DMV group, suggesting that r-DMV may not be a simple pathological phenomenon and highlighting the potential involvement of EVs in the progression of brain atrophy in r-DMVs which has implications for the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Diagnosis and Management of Cerebral Venous Diseases in Neuro-Ophthalmology: Ongoing Controversies.

Diseases of the cerebral venous system frequently lead to neuro-ophthalmic complications. Cortical venous sinus thrombosis and dural arteriovenous fistulas may be complicated by elevation of intracranial pressure, with secondary papilledema or abducens palsies. There is increasing recognition that stenosis at the transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus junction plays a role in the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and offers a new avenue of treatment in patients who fail medical therapy. Diseases of the cavernous sinus manifest with their own set of neuro-ophthalmic symptoms, reflecting the presence of all 3 ocular motor nerves and the oculosympathetic fibers within its walls, along with its role as the primary drainage pool of the globe and orbit. Numerous questions and controversies remain regarding the diagnosis and optimal treatment of cerebral venous disease, including the role of venous stenting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, the role of anticoagulation in cavernous sinus thrombosis, and the risks and benefits of embolization of mild indirect cavernous carotid fistulas.

Upright Catheter-Based Cerebral Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Several studies using Doppler ultrasound have suggested cerebral venous drainage is through paravertebral venous plexus due to the collapse of internal jugular veins in an upright position. METHODS: We present a technique of acquiring venographic images during an upright position as part of catheter-based angiography to provide additional information regarding cerebral venous diseases. Angiographic images in anteroposterior projection were acquired in lying position and after patients were placed at 60° using radiolucent supporting wedges on angiographic table. RESULTS: In the first patient, there was activation of the paravertebral venous plexus as supplemental venous drainage to right internal jugular vein and stenosis of left internal jugular vein in high cervical segment in the upright position. There was relative collapse of both internal jugular veins in the mid-cervical region. In the second patient, there was attenuation of contrast opacification of right posterior cervical veins and complete occlusion of right internal jugular vein proximal extracranial segment (high-grade stenosis in lying position). There was activation of additional supplemental drainage to left internal jugular vein including paravertebral venous plexus. In the third patient, there was exacerbation of stenoses of the left and right internal jugular veins proximal extracranial segment in the upright position (moderate stenoses in lying position). There was activation of additional supplemental drainage via paravertebral venous plexus to both internal jugular veins. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate prominent changes in venous drainage patterns during upright angiographic images. Further studies would have to identify the patients in whom additional information in the upright angiography may provide clinically relevant information.