Location specific rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms: case of ophthalmic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysm location is a key element in predicting the rupture risk of an intracranial aneurysm. A common impression suggests that pure ophthalmic aneurysms are under-represented in ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs). The purpose of this study was to specifically evaluate the risk of rupture of ophthalmic aneurysms compared with other aneurysm locations. METHODS: This multicenter study compared the frequency of ophthalmic aneurysms in a prospective cohort of RIAs admitted to 13 neuroradiology centers between January 2021 and March 2021, with a retrospective cohort of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) who underwent cerebral angiography at the same neuroradiology centers during the same time period. RESULTS: 604 intracranial aneurysms were included in this study (355 UIAs and 249 RIAs; mean age 57 years (IQR 49-65); women 309/486, 64%). Mean aneurysm size was 6.0 mm (5.3 mm for UIAs, 7.0 mm for RIAs; P<0.0001). Aneurysm shape was irregular for 37% UIAs and 73% RIAs (P<0.0001). Ophthalmic aneurysms frequency was 14.9% of UIAs (second most common aneurysm location) and 1.2% of RIAs (second least common aneurysm location; OR 0.07 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.23), P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic aneurysms seem to have a low risk of rupture compared with other intracranial aneurysm locations. This calls for a re-evaluation of the benefit-risk balance when considering preventive treatment for ophthalmic aneurysms.

Antithrombotic therapies for neurointerventional surgery: a 2021 French comprehensive national survey.

BACKGROUND: Neurointerventionists lack guidelines for the use of antithrombotic therapies in their clinical practice; consequently, there is likely to be significant heterogeneity in antithrombotic use between centers. Through a nationwide survey, we aimed to obtain an exhaustive cross-sectional overview of antithrombotic use in neurointerventional procedures in France. METHODS: In April 2021, French neurointerventional surgery centers were invited to participate in a nationwide 51-question survey disseminated through an active trainee-led research collaborative network (the JENI-RC). RESULTS: All 40 centers answered the survey. Fifty-one percent of centers reported using ticagrelor and 43% used clopidogrel as premedication before intracranial stenting. For flow diversion treatment, dual antiplatelet therapy was maintained for 3 or 6 months in 39% and 53% of centers, respectively, and aspirin was prescribed for 12 months or more than 12 months in 63% and 26% of centers, respectively. For unruptured aneurysms, the most common heparin bolus dose was 50 IU/kg (59%), and only 35% of centers monitored heparin activity for dose adjustment. Tirofiban was used in 64% of centers to treat thromboembolic complications. Fifteen percent of these comprehensive stroke centers reported using tenecteplase to treat acute ischemic strokes. Cangrelor appeared as an emergent drug in specific indications. CONCLUSION: This nationwide survey highlights the important heterogeneity in clinical practices across centers. There is a pressing need for trials and guidelines to further evaluate and harmonize antithrombotic regimens in the neurointerventional field.

Woven EndoBridge device shape modification can be mitigated with an appropriate oversizing strategy: a VasoCT based study.

BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) shape modification (WShM) during follow-up may be a potential cause of poor angiographic outcomes. WShM predisposing factors have not yet been determined. Our systematic use of rotational cone beam computed tomography (VasoCT) imaging during follow-up allowed us to perform the first quantitative analysis of the shape of WEBs over time. Our goal was to identify possible strategies to reduce the occurrence of this phenomenon. METHODS: All patients treated in our hospital with a WEB device between October 2015 and January 2019 were included. Using VasoCT acquisitions, systematically performed after implantation and during follow-up, we analyzed WEB morphology. WShM was defined as the percentage reduction in the distance between the two WEB markers. RESULTS: Sixty-three aneurysms treated with a WEB device were finally included in this analysis. At the last follow-up (mean 15.5 months), mean WShM was 48%±24. The mean WShM was significantly higher in the aneurysm recurrence group than in the adequate occlusion group (51±6.5% vs 36±3.4%, difference 15% points (95% CI 0.7 to 30); p<0.05). Conversely, the extent of WShM did not directly correlate with occlusion rates. Indeed, 32% of completely occluded aneurysms presented severe WShM (≥50%). Importantly, the absence of WShM guaranteed complete occlusion in our study (n=12). We demonstrated that oversizing the width of the WEB significantly correlated with WShM reduction during follow-up (r=-0.38, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: WShM can be partly overcome by use of an appropriate width oversizing strategy that could lead to improved angiographic results.

WEB device for treatment of posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms has proved to be safe and effective, but the use of these devices in sidewall aneurysms has been reported only in a small number of case series. OBJECTIVE: To report our results in a cohort of consecutive patients in whom a WEB device was used as first-line treatment for posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of PComA aneurysms treated with a WEB device in our institution from June 1, 2012 to November 15, 2020. Clinical and radiological findings were evaluated at immediate and last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 219 aneurysms were treated with a WEB device, including 15 PComA aneurysms in 15 patients, 10 of which were ruptured. Aneurysms were wide necked, with a mean aspect ratio of 1.6 (range 0.7-3.0) and a mean neck size of 4.2 mm (range 2.6-7.4 mm). No intraoperative rupture occurred and only one thromboembolic event was noted. Among the group with at least a 3-month digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up, complete and adequate occlusion were obtained in 54% and 72%, respectively (average follow-up 13 months). Re-treatment was needed for two initially ruptured aneurysms. No procedure-related morbidity or mortality was reported. CONCLUSION: This series suggests the high safety profile of WEB devices even when used in off-label indications. Treatment with these devices seems to be a valuable strategy for ruptured wide-neck PComA aneurysms, avoiding the need for antiplatelet medication. However, occlusion rates should be investigated in further larger studies.

Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in Advanced Well-Differentiated Digestive Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Multicenter National Retrospective Study from the French Group of Endocrine Tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Oxaliplatin-based regimens have shown promising antitumor activity in digestive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); however, the available data are limited. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of FOLFOX (association of 5-fluorouracil with oxaliplatin) in a large series of patients with advanced digestive NETs. METHODS: All patients with advanced digestive well-differentiated NETs treated with at least 3 cycles of FOLFOX between January 2004 and December 2018 in 12 centers from the French Group of Endocrine Tumors were included. Tumor response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 criteria, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival, as well as prognostic factors, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five patients were included. Primary tumor locations were pancreas (n = 89), small intestine (n = 40), unknown with no evidence for lung primary (n = 13), stomach (n = 7), and rectum (n = 6). Median Ki-67 was 10%, and 65% of the tumors were grade 2. The partial response rate was 30% for pancreatic NETs, 12.5% for small intestine NETs, 38.5% for unknown primary NETs, 14% for gastric NETs, and 17% for rectal NETs. Significant prognostic factors for poor PFS after FOLFOX were progressive disease at the beginning of treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.83, p = 0.007), hepatic involvement superior to 50% (HR = 2.67, p = 0.0001), and rectal primary tumor location (HR = 2.6, p = 0.0036). Among pancreatic NETs, insulinomas had a better median PFS (22 months) than other pancreatic NETs (9 months, p = 0.026) and showed a high rate (8/9) of serum glucose normalization. CONCLUSIONS: FOLFOX shows a promising antitumor activity in advanced digestive NETs. Rapid symptomatic response is observed in metastatic insulinomas.