Posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistula: anatomical, symptomatological, and therapeutic considerations in comparison with hypoglossal canal dural arteriovenous fistula.

BACKGROUND: Posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are extremely rare. METHODS: We report a case series and literature review of posterior condylar canal dAVFs and discuss similarities and differences between posterior condylar and hypoglossal canal dAVFs with respect to the related vascular anatomy, angioarchitecture of the fistula, presentation, and treatment. RESULTS: Four cases of posterior condylar canal dAVF were identified at our institutions and six cases were identified in the literature. Posterior condylar canal dAVFs were predominantly frequent in relatively young women. All patients presented with pulsatile tinnitus. There was no history of hemorrhage as there was no cortical venous reflux. This is different from hypoglossal canal dAVFs which can present with myelopathy or hemorrhage from cortical venous reflux. Transvenous embolization was safe and eliminated the symptoms. Palliative transarterial embolization can be an option to mitigate the symptoms, although there is a potential risk of cranial nerve palsy or lateral medullary stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior condylar canal dAVFs are generally benign lesions. However, intolerable tinnitus may require intervention. Transvenous embolization is effective and safe.

Early detection of large-vessel occlusion stroke after cardiac surgery using CT angiography leading to early recanalization with endovascular thrombectomy.

CT angiography may be useful for early diagnosis of ischemic stroke after cardiac surgery. When patients diagnosed with large-vessel occlusion, endovascular thrombectomy may be a therapeutic option and may improve their neurological complications.

Duplicated Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms Treated by Coil Embolization; A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Duplication of the middle cerebral artery (DMCA) is an anomalous vessel arising from the internal carotid artery (ICA). Aneurysms at the origin of a DMCA have been reported; however, most have been treated with clipping surgery. Here, we describe two cases of aneurysms at the origin of a DMCA treated with coil embolization. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A seventy-three year-old man presented with severe headache and was diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3-dimensional (3-D) DSA showed an aneurysm arising from a DMCA. Coil embolization was performed with DMCA patency. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. CASE 1: A 44-year-old woman presented with a history of clipping for an IC-anterior choroidal artery (AchA) aneurysm 8 years prior. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed regrowth of the aneurysm. 3-D DSA showed an IC-DMCA aneurysm located laterally and distal to the AchA. The DMCA arose from the bottom of the aneurysm. Coil embolization was performed without DMCA occlusion and showed no postoperative ischemic changes. CONCLUSION: An IC-DMCA aneurysm is rare and may be misdiagnosed as an AchA aneurysm. Clinicians should perform a 3D-DSA evaluation if the aneurysm arises from the lateral wall of the IC to obtain a precise diagnosis and to preserve the DMCA during coil embolization.

Clinical outcome after microsurgical resection of intraventricular trigone meningiomas: a single-centre analysis of 20 years and literature overview.

BACKGROUND: Outcome and treatment-associated morbidity analysis of trigone meningioma surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 27 neurosurgically treated patients (median age 63 years, range 15-84) between 1999 and 2019. The median preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) was 80 (range 20-100), and the majority (78%) suffered from tumour-specific symptoms. The most frequent symptoms were aphasia (n = 6), visual field deficits (n = 5), and increased intracranial pressure (n = 5). The median tumour volume was 11.2 cm3 (range 3.9-220.5). The most common approaches were the transtemporal (n = 17) and transparietal routes (n = 5). RESULTS: At last follow-up (median follow-up 35 months, range 3-127), the median KPS was 90 (range 30-100); eleven (42%) patients had improved, nine (35%) were unchanged, six (23%) had worsened, and one was lost to follow-up. One year after surgery, 18/21 (86%) patients had retained an activity level similar or improved compared with preoperatively. No surgery-related mortality was recorded. Postoperative new neurological deficits were seen in 13 (48%) patients; eight suffered from permanent, most commonly motor deficits (n = 4), and five of transient deficits. Permanent new motor deficits improved in the majority of affected patients (3/4) over time. New deficits were more often seen for transtemporal (8/17) than transparietal approaches (1/5). Patients with postoperative permanent new deficits had a significantly worse KPS at last follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The transtemporal and transparietal approaches provide good access, but the latter might provide for a better risk profile. Patients show favourable outcome, but there is a considerable risk for new neurological deficits. This must be taken into consideration for oligosymptomatic patients.

Recurrent periventricular hemorrhage in cerebral proliferative angiopathy: Case report.

Cerebral proliferative angiopathy (CPA) is a rare vascular lesion. Bleeding from CPA is uncommon, but the risk of rebleeding is high once it bleeds. We describe a case of CPA with multiple intra- and periventricular hemorrhages during 30-year follow-up. Recurrent bleeding in these areas are common in moyamoya disease. These lesions may share the cause of bleeding: proliferation of the periventricular vessels functioning as collateral pathways. Revascularization surgery for CPA may attenuate the vascular proliferation in the vicinity of the ventricle, which may prevent rebleeding.

Bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, reduces cerebral aneurysm rupture in Ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen deficiency is thought to be responsible for the higher frequency of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in post- than premenopausal women. Estrogen replacement therapy appears to reduce this risk but is associated with significant side effects. We tested our hypothesis that bazedoxifene, a clinically used selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator with fewer estrogenic side effects, reduces cerebral aneurysm rupture in a new model of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Ten-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to ovariectomy, hemodynamic changes, and hypertension to induce aneurysms (ovariectomized aneurysm rats) and treated with vehicle or with 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg/day bazedoxifene. They were compared with sham-ovariectomized rats subjected to hypertension and hemodynamic changes (HT rats). The vasoprotective effects of bazedoxifene and the mechanisms underlying its efficacy were analyzed. RESULTS: During 12 weeks of observation, the incidence of aneurysm rupture was 52% in ovariectomized rats. With no effect on the blood pressure, treatment with 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg/day bazedoxifene lowered this rate to 11 and 17%, almost the same as in HT rats (17%). In ovariectomized rats, the mRNA level of ERα, ERß, and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was downregulated in the cerebral artery prone to rupture at 5 weeks after aneurysm induction; the mRNA level of interleukin-1ß and the matrix metalloproteinase-9 was upregulated. In HT rats, bazedoxifene restored the mRNA level of ERα and ERß and decreased the level of interleukin-1ß and matrix metalloproteinase-9. These findings suggest that bazedoxifene was protective against aneurysmal rupture by alleviating the vascular inflammation and degradation exacerbated by the decrease in ERα and ERß. CONCLUSIONS: Our observation that bazedoxifene decreased the incidence of aneurysmal rupture in ovariectomized rats warrants further studies to validate this response in humans.

The role of estrogen on the pathology of cerebral aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies suggest that postmenopausal estrogen deficiency is responsible for the increased risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, while menopausal hormone therapy is protective against cerebral aneurysms. These findings indicate the critical role of estrogen in the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysm. AREAS COVERED: Here, we provide a narrative review for understanding the roles of estrogen and estrogen receptors in the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysms. A specific selective estrogen receptor modulator is a potential drug for cerebral aneurysms, since it may favorably interact with estrogen receptors while avoiding unwanted side effects related to estrogen therapy. Expert Commentary: Future investigations into the role of estrogen on cerebral aneurysm pathophysiology may lead to the development of a novel drug, which interacts with estrogen receptors to modify the pathological mechanism of cerebral aneurysm formation on postmenopausal women.

Factors Determining Surgical Approaches to Basilar Bifurcation Aneurysms and Its Surgical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The basilar bifurcation aneurysm (BBA) is still considered to be one of the most challenging aneurysms for micro- and endovascular surgery. Classic surgical approaches, such as subtemporal, lateral supraorbital (LSO), and modified presigmoid, are still reliable and effective. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and radiological factors that affect the selection of these classic surgical approaches and their outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and radiological data from computed tomographic angiography of BBA that have been clipped in the Department of Neurosurgery of Helsinki University Central Hospital between 2004 and 2014. Statistical analyses were performed using parametric and nonparametric tests where values were considered significant below P = .05. RESULTS: One hundred four patients with BBA underwent surgical clipping in our department between 2004 and 2014. Eight patients were excluded from the study because of incomplete preoperative radiological evaluations, leaving 96 patients for further analysis. Multiple aneurysm clipping, mean basilar bifurcation angle, and aneurysm neck distance from posterior clinoid process were shown to be factors that determine the surgical approach. Unfavorable outcome is strongly associated with poor Hunt-Hess grade on admission, distance from aneurysm neck (the posterior clinoid process), thrombosis, and dome size. CONCLUSION: Microsurgery for BBA clipping can be performed safely with simple surgical approaches: subtemporal and LSO. There are several factors determining the approach selected. Poor patient outcome in BBA was highly associated with poor preoperative clinical grade and large size of aneurysm dome.

Role of bypass surgery and balloon occlusion test for the endovascular management of fusiform dissecting aneurysms. Report of two cases.

Fusiform intracranial aneurysm is one of the most difficult pathologies to treat. The role and efficacy of recent advanced endovascular technique and conventional bypass surgery are discussed.

Middle meningeal artery aneurysm associated with meningioma.

Middle meningeal artery aneurysm associated with meningioma is extremely rare, and only two cases have previously been reported. In our case, a 72-year-old woman with convexity meningioma underwent preoperative cerebral angiography, which revealed a flow-related aneurysm on the middle meningeal artery. Embolization of the aneurysm was performed with N-butycyanoacrylate glue, and complete obliteration was confirmed under craniotomy. In order to eliminate the risk of preoperative rupture resulting in intracranial hemorrhage, endovascular embolization with liquid glue is safe and effective for this kind of aneurysm.