Outcome of stroke patients eligible to mechanical thrombectomy managed by spoke center, primary stroke center or comprehensive stroke center in the East of France.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with suspected stroke are referred to the nearest hospital and are managed either in a spoke center (SC), a primary stroke center (PSC), or a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) in order to benefit from early intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). In case of large vessel occlusion (LVO), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is only performed in the CSC, whereas the effectiveness of MT is highly time-dependent. There is a debate about the best management model of patients with suspected LVO. Therefore, we aimed to compare functional and safety outcomes of LVO patients eligible for MT managed through our regional telestroke system. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of our observational prospective clinical registry in all consecutive subjects with LVO within six hours of onset who were admitted to the SC, PSC, or CSC in the east of France between October 2017 and November 2022. The primary endpoint was the functional independence defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 0 to 2 at 90 days. Secondary endpoints were functional outcome, early neurological improvement, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Among the 794 included patients with LVO who underwent MT, 122 (15.4%) were managed by a SC, 403 (50.8%) were first admitted to a PSC, and 269 (33.9%) were first admitted to the CSC. The overall median NIHSS and ASPECTS score were 16 and 8, respectively. Multivariate analysis did not find any significant difference for the primary endpoint between patients managed by PSC versus CSC (OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.64;1.76], P=0.82) and between patient managed by SC versus CSC (OR 0.69 [0.34;1.40], P=0.30). No difference between the three groups was found except for the parenchymal hematoma rate between PSC and CSC (15.7 versus 7.4%, OR 2.25 [1.07;4.74], P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a first admission to a CSC, the clinical outcomes of stroke patients with LVO eligible for MT first admitted to a SC or a PSC are similar.

General anesthesia or conscious sedation for endovascular therapy of basilar artery occlusions: ETIS registry results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute basilar artery occlusions (BAO) are associated with poor outcome despite modern endovascular treatment (EVT). The best anesthetic management during EVT is not known and may affect the procedure and clinical outcome. We compared the efficacy and safety of general anesthesia (GA) and conscious sedation/local anesthesia (CS/LA) in a large cohort of stroke patients with BAO treated with EVT in current clinical practice. METHODS: Data from the ongoing prospective multicenter Endovascular Treatment In Ischemic Stroke Registry of consecutive acute BAO patients who had EVT indication from January 1st, 2015, to December 31st, 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Two groups were compared: patients treated with CS/LA versus GA (both types of anesthesia being performed in the angiosuite). Good outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-3 at 90 days. RESULTS: Among the 524 included patients, 266 had GA and 246 had CS/LA (67 LA). Fifty-three patients finally did not undergo EVT: 15 patients (5.9%) in the GA group and 38 patients (16.1%) in the CS/LA group (P < 0.001). After matching, two groups of 129 patients each were retained for primary analysis. The two groups were well balanced in terms of baseline characteristics. After adjustment, CS/LA compared to GA was not associated with good outcome (OR=0.90 [95%CI 0.46-1.77] P=0.769) or mortality (OR=0.75 [0.37-1.49] P=0.420) or modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3 (OR=0.43 [0.16-1.16] P=0.098). On mixed ordinal logistic regression, the modality of anesthesia was not associated with any significant change in the overall distribution of the 90-day mRS (adjusted OR=1.08 [0.62-1.88] P=0.767). CONCLUSIONS: Safety, outcome and quality of EVT under either CS/LA or GA for stroke due to acute BAO appear similar. Further randomized trials are warranted.

Predictive factors of functional independence after optimal reperfusion in anterior circulation ischaemic stroke with indication for intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy (IVT + MT) is the best current management of acute stroke due to large-vessel occlusion and results in optimal reperfusion for most patients. Nevertheless, some of these patients do not subsequently achieve functional independence. The aim was to identify baseline factors associated with 3-month independence after optimal reperfusion and to validate a prediction model. METHODS: All consecutive patients with intracranial anterior large-vessel occlusion, with indication for IVT + MT and achieving optimal reperfusion (defined as modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischaemia score 2b-3), from the THRACE trial and the ETIS registry, were included in order to identify a prediction model. The primary outcome was 3-month independence [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2]. Multivariate inferences invoked forward logistic regression, multiple imputation and bootstrap resampling. Predictive performance was assessed by c-statistic. Model validation was conducted on patients from the ASTER trial. RESULTS: Amongst 139 patients (mean age 65.5 years; 54.3% female), predictors of 3-month mRS ≤ 2 (n = 82) were younger age [odds ratio 0.62 per 10-year increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.72] and higher Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) (odds ratio 1.65 per 1-point increase; 95% CI 1.47-1.86) with c-statistic 0.77. Model validation (n = 104/181 patients with 3-month mRS ≤ 2) demonstrated a moderate discrimination (c-statistic 0.74; 95% CI 0.66-0.81) combining age and ASPECTS. The validation model was improved by the adjunction of three candidate variables that were found to be predictors. Addition of baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, history of vascular risk factor and onset-to-reperfusion time significantly improved discrimination (c-statistic 0.85; 95% CI 0.83-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: After optimal reperfusion, younger age, higher ASPECTS, lower NIHSS score, shorter onset-to-reperfusion time and absence of vascular risk factor were predictive of independence and could help to guide patient management.

Advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT) of the cerebrum is a rare brain lesion with suggestive imaging features. The aim of our study was to report the largest series of MVNTs so far and to evaluate the utility of advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) techniques. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study was approved by our institutional research ethics board. From July 2014 to May 2019, two radiologists read in consensus the MR examinations of patients presenting with a lesion suggestive of an MVNT. They analyzed the lesions' MR characteristics on structural images and advanced multiparametric MR imaging. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (29 women and 35 men, mean age 44.2 ± 15.1 years) from 25 centers were included. Lesions were all hyperintense on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T2-weighted imaging without post-contrast enhancement. The median relative apparent diffusion coefficient on diffusion-weighted imaging was 1.13 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.2]. Perfusion-weighted imaging showed no increase in perfusion, with a relative cerebral blood volume of 1.02 (IQR, 0.05) and a relative cerebral blood flow of 1.01 (IQR, 0.08). MR spectroscopy showed no abnormal peaks. Median follow-up was 2 (IQR, 1.2) years, without any changes in size. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive characterization protocol including advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging sequences showed no imaging patterns suggestive of malignancy in MVNTs. It might be useful to better characterize MVNTs.

The ophthalmic artery: a new variant involving two branches from the supracavernous internal carotid artery.

PURPOSE: We report an extremely rare, double ophthalmic artery configuration. METHODS: We present 2D- and 3D-angiographic features of an anomalous origin of the ophthalmic artery. RESULTS: The double ophthalmic artery was the result of the persistence of the primitive dorsal ophthalmic artery combined with the presence of a second orbital artery originating from the supracavernous internal carotid artery, passing through the superior orbital fissure and into the orbit to furnish the muscular, lacrimal and ethmoidal arteries and the medial long posterior ciliary artery. CONCLUSIONS: A heretofore undocumented instance of ophthalmic artery duplication is presented. Knowledge of such variations is important for the planning of endovascular treatments and the comprehension of unusual angiographic images. Such fine arterial variants may very well be frequent, but difficult to demonstrate on simple 2D angiographies. Multiplanar reconstructions of 3D angiography data make it possible to diagnose rare, but embryologically predictable arterial variants.

Thrombectomy outcomes for acute stroke patients with anterior circulation tandem lesions: a clinical registry and an update of a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) appears to be superior in stroke patients with extracranial carotid disease (ECD) compared to thrombolysis alone, the impact of emergent carotid stenting during MT remains unclear. The MT outcomes were assessed in anterior stroke patients with ECD, especially when combined with carotid stenting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our registry was performed and an update of a systematic review and meta-analysis of MT studies with or without stenting for anterior circulation stroke with ECD published between November 2010 and April 2017 was conducted. RESULTS: In our registry, 46 patients with ECD underwent MT. In the meta-analysis including 13 primary studies plus our prospective registry data (590 patients in total), the successful reperfusion rate (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b) reached 75% [95% confidence interval (CI) 69%-81%]. The rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) was 8% (95% CI 6%-11%), 90-day favourable outcome was achieved in 50% (95% CI 42%-59%) and mortality rate was 16% (95% CI 11%-22%). When using carotid stenting, rates of successful reperfusion, sICH, 90-day favourable outcome and mortality were 80% (95% CI 73%-87%), 7% (95% CI 4%-12%), 53% (95% CI 43%-62%) and 14% (95% CI 9%-19%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data report an association between acute stenting and successful reperfusion rates in stroke patients with tandem lesion treated with MT. Further studies are warranted to determine the intracranial bleeding risk after MT and stenting according to the antiplatelet therapy.

Transradial access with Simmons guiding catheter for carotid artery stenting: Feasibility and procedural complications in a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing number of transradial approach (TRA) for carotid artery stenting (CAS), however, similar techniques and materials as for femoral access are used. We report the results of TRA lower profile technique for CAS using a 7 F Simmons guiding catheter, especially in terms of feasibility and procedural safety in a single center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 68 consecutive patients with symptomatic extracranial carotid stenoses who underwent 75 CAS between January 2018 and December 2021. The success and crossover rate, procedural time, fluoroscopy, clinical outcomes, technical considerations, and procedural complications were analyzed. RESULTS: TRA CAS with Simmons guiding catheter was successful in 67/75 (89.3%) cases, with a 7 (9.3%) crossover rate. Fluoroscopy mean time was 15.8 minutes. Two forearm hematomas were described. No ischemic or surgical site complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience frontline TRA with a 7 F Simmons guiding catheter is feasible with high procedural success and a low rate of access site complications.

[Imaging of cranial gunshot traumas]. / Imagerie des traumatismes crâniens par arme à feu.

Cranial traumas from gunshot wounds are characterised by the impact of a high velocity projectile. There are therefore serious, life threatening traumas. CT Scan is essential in the emergency setting for initial evaluation of traumatic bone and parenchymatous injuries to determine the indication for neurosurgery and appropriate medical management. In case of survival, CT Scan and MRI can be used to monitor progress and any possible complications, in particular vascular or infectious complications which are specific to this type of injury.

[Radiosurgery of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: a prescription algorithm]. / Radiochirurgie des malformations artérioveineuses cérébrales : élaboration d'un algorithme de prescription.

PURPOSE: To study prognostic factors of obliteration and risk factors of brain radiation necrosis in order to propose an algorithm for radiosurgery prescription for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-nine patients were analysed. Radiosurgery delivered 6 or 10 MV X-rays by arc therapy in 84% of cases, or by fixed field in 16% of cases using two different micro-multileaf collimators (micro-MLC). Follow-up consisted of screening radiation necrosis by MRI every 6 months, and assessing local control by arteriography every 2 years. Obliteration was defined as at least 95% reduction of cAVM volume. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the local control and the appearance of radiation necrosis over time. RESULTS: Local control rate was 82.7% with the mean follow-up of 3.1 years (0.5-11). Significant prognostic factors were: simple nidus (RR=2.8, p<0.0001), number of embolizations before radiosurgery below 4 (RR=2.9, p<0.0001), prescribed dose to the periphery of at least 18 Gy (RR=2, p=0.0002), nidus volume below8cm(3) (RR=1.9, p=0.0002), and number of table positions below six (RR=1.4, p=0.05). Radiation necrosis rate was 11.2% with a mean time to onset of 18 months. Significant predictive factors were: fixed field versus arc therapy (according to MLC RR=9.1, p<0.0001, and RR=15.1, p=0.01), age below 30 years (RR=2.5, p=0.04), depth of cAVM greater than or equal to 7 cm (RR=7.6, p=0.008), and volume of brain tissue covered by the 12 Gy isodose (V12 Gy) of at least 11 cm(3) (RR=7.8, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: A radiosurgery prescription algorithm taking into account the prescribed dose to the periphery (> or = 18 Gy) and reduction of V12 Gy was elaborated from these data.

Susceptibility-Weighted Angiography for the Follow-Up of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

The criterion standard for assessing brain AVM obliteration postradiosurgery is DSA. To explore the value of susceptibility-weighted angiography, we followed 26 patients with brain AVMs treated by radiosurgery using susceptibility-weighted angiography and DSA. Studies were evaluated by 2 independent readers for residual nidi. Susceptibility-weighted angiography demonstrated good intermodality (κ = 0.71) and interobserver (κ = 0.64) agreement, and good sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (85.7%). Susceptibility-weighted angiography is a useful radiation- and contrast material-free technique to follow-up brain AVM obliteration postradiosurgery.

[A survey of the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms as practised by French neuroradiological and neurosurgical teams]. / Prise en charge des anévrismes intracrâniens non rompus. Enquête de pratique des équipes neurochirurgicales et neuroradiologiques françaises.

BACKGROUND: The lack of consensus in the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) has resulted in a variety of different clinical practices. The aim of this study is to analyze these different practices. METHODS: A questionnaire concerning the management of UIA was mailed out to French neurosurgeons (NS) and neuroradiologists (NR). Eighteen responses from 17 teams of NS and 23 responses from 19 teams of NR were included in our analysis. RESULTS: In making a therapeutic decision, about three-quarters of both NR and NS take into account the age of the patient and all of our responders except one consider the aneurysm's morphology, especially its size and neck structure. Pinpointing the location of the aneurysm is an important factor for 61% of NR and 40% of NS. Information concerning the risk of aneurysm rupture and the risks of treatment is routinely given to the patient orally and, sometimes, in writing. The follow-up of UIA treated by NR usually consists of one X-ray angiography and several MR angiographic (MRA) films taken over a period of at least five years and, sometimes, for the rest of the patient's life (22%). The follow-up after surgical treatment mainly comprises X-ray angiography for a limited period of time-usually from five to ten years. The follow-up of untreated aneurysms is usually by either MRA or angioCT. For most NR, the duration of follow-up is long and, sometimes, unlimited. For NS, the duration is more difficult to pinpoint: the response was indeterminate in 28 and 33% gave no response at all. If the first screening tests negative, 44% of NS and 61% of NR propose a repeat screening. CONCLUSION: Given the differences in the management of UIA as revealed by this survey, a multidisciplinary approach that combines the various clinical practices may be the best way forward.

Blood vessel modeling for interactive simulation of interventional neuroradiology procedures.

Endovascular interventions can benefit from interactive simulation in their training phase but also during pre-operative and intra-operative phases if simulation scenarios are based on patient data. A key feature in this context is the ability to extract, from patient images, models of blood vessels that impede neither the realism nor the performance of simulation. This paper addresses both the segmentation and reconstruction of the vasculature from 3D Rotational Angiography data, and adapted to simulation: An original tracking algorithm is proposed to segment the vessel tree while filtering points extracted at the vessel surface in the vicinity of each point on the centerline; then an automatic procedure is described to reconstruct each local unstructured point set as a skeleton-based implicit surface (blobby model). The output of successively applying both algorithms is a new model of vasculature as a tree of local implicit models. The segmentation algorithm is compared with Multiple Hypothesis Testing (MHT) algorithm (Friman et al., 2010) on patient data, showing its greater ability to track blood vessels. The reconstruction algorithm is evaluated on both synthetic and patient data and demonstrate its ability to fit points with a subvoxel precision. Various tests are also reported where our model is used to simulate catheter navigation in interventional neuroradiology. An excellent realism, and much lower computational costs are reported when compared to triangular mesh surface models.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is related to disability, depression and quality of life.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is a frequent and disabling symptom that can interfere in daily functioning. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relationship between fatigue and disability, disease course, depression and quality of life. We administered French valid versions of the Fatigue Impact Scale (EMIF-SEP), the short form of the Beck depression inventory (13 items) and the SF-36 to 237 out of 312 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis with EDSS

[Imaging follow-up of post-traumatic myelomalacia]. / Evolution d'une myelomalacie post-traumatique vers une syringomyelie: suivi iconographique.

The authors report a case of secondary worsening of neurological symptoms in a patient 2 months after cord injury at T5 causing paraplegia. The MRI showed myeolomalacia, which appears as cord oedema, located in the grey matter, extending increasingly from the initial lesion (eighth thoracic vertebra) to the bulb. This cord lesion known as grey matter cytotoxic oedema, evolved into a syringomyelic cavity.

[Endovascular treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms]. / Traitement endovasculaire des anévrismes géants.

Giant aneurysms are defined as having a maximal diameter higher than 25mm. The dynamic aspect of giant aneurysms, in particular, is its growth, which was responsible for parenchyma sequellae either due to haemorrhagic complications or a compression of cranial nerves. The treatment of these giant aneurysms was challenging because of its size, the mass effect and the neck diameter. These morphologic conditions required complex endovascular procedures such as remodelling, stenting, using flow diverters. Subsequently, the complex procedures increased the risk of morbidity because of ischemic complications. Despite these procedures, the risk of recurrence was high.

[Neuroimaging of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia]. / Neuroradiologie de la maladie de Rendu Osler.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder with high penetrance and variable expressivity. Most cases are caused by mutations in the endoglin gene on chromosome 9 (HHT type 1) or the activin receptor-like kinase 1 gene on chromosome 12 (HHT type 2). HHT is characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectases and visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Neurological complications occur in 8 to 10% of the patients. Brain ischemia or abscess are often associated with pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Cerebral or spinal arteriovenous malformations are frequent but have a lower risk of haemorrhage than sporadic AVMs and routine screening should not be practiced in adult patients. Routine screening should be discussed for children with a familial history of cerebral haemorrhage and/or HHT type 1.

Comparison of intravenous and intra-arterial urokinase thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.

Intravenous fibrinolysis (IVF) with rt-PA (alteplase) provides significant benefits in acute ischaemic stroke when it is given within the first three hours following stroke onset. Intra-arterial fibrinolysis (IAF) with pro-urokinase in PROACT II study provides quite the same benefit in the first 6 hours. IVF and IAF have never been compared. To compare the efficacy and safety of IVF and IAF with urokinase given within the first 6 hours of acute ischaemic stroke. Patients fulfilling the selection criteria were randomly assigned to receive urokinase 900,000 units via intravenous or intra-arterial routes. This randomised monocentre study was done between December 1995 and August 1997. The primary outcome was defined as the number of patients with a modified Rankin score of 2 or less. Secondary outcomes included mortality, frequency of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SIH), neurological and functional scores. Fourteen patients were given IVF and 13 IAF. The study was terminated by the National Health Authorities when 27 patients had been included because of the mortality rate. Seven patients (26%) died, 4 in the IV group (oedematous infarct in 3 and recurrence in 1), 3 in the IA group (SIH in 2, and oedematous infarct in 1). Patients given IVF were treated significantly earlier (4:16 h vs 5:24 h; p=.007). Although IA patients showed greater and earlier improvement there was no significant difference in primary and secondary outcomes. Because of premature termination, the trial was too small to provide any reliable and conclusive results. Intra-arterial fibrinolysis began significantly later than IV fibrinolysis but it gave non-significantly better results in this prematurely terminated study.

[Risks and responsibilities in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Ethical and medicolegal considerations]. / Risques et responsabilités en radiologie diagnostique et interventionnelle. Aspects éthiques et médico-légaux.

Medical risk management has one main purpose: to ensure the safety of care. The law of March 2002 has generated a true cultural revolution. The radiologist is involved with new and difficult areas of medical liability due to technical advances, the increasing number of imaging techniques, the increasing complexity of imaging techniques, their efficiency and the need for multidisciplinary approach. Imaging recommendations requiring increasing levels of technical and clinical skills. The radiologist is liable with regards to the indications of imaging studies, and also with regards to informed consent. The prevention of medicolegal problems is achieved by competency, which must be combined to good liability insurance and ongoing vigilance supported by appropriate continuous medical education.