Step-by-step venous navigation in treatment of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula supplied by artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari.

The artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari is a small infraclinoid branch of the internal carotid artery that originates from its cavernous segment and then runs along the tentorium. Because of its gracile appearance, it is often visible only when related to neoplasms and vascular lesions in the tentorial regions.1 Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are arteriovenous shunts contained within the dural leaflets, supplied largely by the regional meningeal arteries and classified based on the type of venous drainage. Tentorial dAVFs are mostly supplied by branches of the meningohypophyseal trunk, including the artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari.2 Unlike fistulas of other locations, tentorial fistulas are linked with a higher risk for venous hypertension and hemorrhage and thus demand immediate and appropriate treatment.3 Digital subtraction angiography is necessary to understand its arterial and venous components. Treatment aims to achieve complete embolization of the fistulous connection and venous portions by either a transarterial or transvenous approach, without causing serious changes in the flow dynamics.4, 5.

First multicenter experience using the Silk Vista flow diverter in 60 consecutive intracranial aneurysms: technical aspects.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the technical success and procedural safety of the new Silk Vista device (SV) by evaluating the intraprocedural and periprocedural complication rate after its use in several institutions worldwide. METHODS: The study involved a retrospective review of multicenter data regarding a consecutive series of patients with intracranial aneurysms, treated with the SV between September 2020 and January 2021. Clinical, intra/periprocedural and angiographic data, including approach, materials used, aneurysm size and location, device/s, technical details and initial angiographic aneurysm occlusion, were analyzed. RESULTS: 60 aneurysms were treated with SV in 57 procedures. 66 devices were used, 3 removed and 63 implanted. The devices opened instantaneously in 60 out of 66 (91%) cases and complete wall apposition was achieved in 58 out of 63 (92%) devices implanted. In 4 out of 66 (6%) devices a partial opening of the distal end occurred, and in 5 (8%) devices incomplete apposition was reported. There were 3 (5%) intraprocedural thromboembolic events managed successfully with no permanent neurological morbidity, and 4 (7%) postprocedural events. There was no mortality in this study. The initial occlusion rates in the 60 aneurysms were as follows: O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) A in 34 (57%) cases, OKM B in 15 (25%) cases, OKM C in 6 (10%) cases, and OKM D in 5 (8%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the use of the new flow diverter Silk Vista for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is feasible and technically safe.

LARGE ANEURYSM OF BASILAR ARTERY TIP MIMICKING MIDBRAIN TUMOR AND CAUSING UNILATERAL OBSTRUCTIVE HYDROCEPHALUS: A CASE REPORT AND TECHNICAL NOTE.

Cerebral ventricular system is a sporadic location of intracranial aneurysms including those of basilar artery tip. Treatment of such aneurysms remains challenging regardless of endovascular or microsurgical techniques applied. Basilar tip aneurysm presenting as third ventricular mass is rarely associated with obstructive hydrocephalus, mimicking midbrain expansive process and urging precise diagnostics and prompt treatment. Hence, the management of such patients may be delicate, having an uncertain outcome. We report on a case of a patient with unilateral hydrocephalus caused by large basilar tip aneurysm mimicking a midbrain tumor. We also discuss different operative strategies influencing the outcome, including our own endovascular treatment technical modification. A 62-year-old female patient presented with slightly decreased cognition, minor gait disturbances and urinary incontinence. Computed brain tomography revealed a third ventricle mass with unilateral ventricular dilatation, indicating hypertensive obstructive hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance and digital subtraction angiography identified the third ventricular mass as a large saccular basilar tip aneurysm. The patient was selected for endovascular treatment followed by cerebrospinal fluid derivation. After aneurysm endovascular occlusion and temporary external ventricular drainage, the symptoms diminished and ventricular dilatation decreased. On post-procedure day 10, the hydrocephalus was relieved and external drainage removed. The patient recovered fully and was discharged without neurological deficit. In conclusion, large basilar tip aneurysms associated with obstructive hydrocephalus are rare and best treated by a combination of endovascular obliteration and cerebrospinal fluid ventricular diversion. The possibility of such an aneurysm should always be considered on the differential diagnosis of cerebral ventricular growths.

Periprocedural safety and technical outcomes of the new Silk Vista Baby flow diverter for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: results from a multicenter experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the technical success and the safety of this new low-profile flow diverter Silk Vista Baby (SVB) by evaluating the intraprocedural and periprocedural complication rate. MATERIAL/METHODS: Clinical, procedural, and angiographic data were analyzed. RESULTS: 41 consecutive patients (28 women; age average 50.5 years) with 43 aneurysms were treated with SVB. Aneurysm sizes were classified by their maximum diameter, with an average size of 9.5 mm (range 2-30 mm). Thirty-four cases were unruptured. five aneurysms previously ruptured, had recurrence after the initial coiling. There were two ruptured cases. Aneurysms' locations were: M1 segment (five cases), M2 segment (three cases), M3 segment (one case), middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation (six cases), carotid-T (two cases), anterior communicating artery/A1/A2 (11 cases), pericallosal artery (four cases), supraclinoid ICA (two cases), PCom (one case), V4 segment (three cases), PCA (three cases), SCA (one case), and PICA (one case). We had five intraprocedural complications which resolved without clinical consequences and three events postprocedural events. Initial occlusion rates were: eight aneurysms (18.6%) were completely occluded, five aneurysms (11.6%) showed near-complete occlusion, four cases (9.3%) showed incomplete filling, and 26 cases (60.4%) showed persisting filling. The mRS score at discharge from the hospital did not change from the admission mRS score. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the use of the new low-profile flow diverter, SVB device, for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is feasible and technically safe.

Prognostic significance of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in endometrial cancer.

We investigated the prognostic significance of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP 2) and 9 (MMP 9) in endometrial cancer (EC). The expression of MMP 2 and MMP 9 was analyzed immunohistochemically in 73 primary EC patients. In most cases, the gelatinases were predominantly localized to epithelial cell of tumor origin. In univariate analysis histological type, tumor grade, FIGO (1988) surgical stage and high stromal MMP 2 expression were identified as a significant determinant for EC recurrence, while epithelial MMP 2 expression and epithelial and stromal MMP 9 expression were not. Multivariate analysis revealed a subgroup of patient age > or = 63.6 years with endometrioid adenocarcinoma and papillary serous carcinoma, all FIGO (2009) stage I disease where strong staining of stromal MMP 2 increase risk of EC recurrence (p = 0.037).