Dual Layer vs Single Layer Woven EndoBridge Device in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) devices have been used for treating wide neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) with several generational enhancements to improve clinical outcomes. The original device dual-layer (WEB DL) was replaced by a single-layer (WEB SL) device in 2013. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of these devices in managing intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was conducted, and data from 1,289 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with either the WEB SL or WEB DL devices were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching was utilized to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Outcomes assessed included immediate occlusion rate, complete occlusion at last follow-up, retreatment rate, device compaction, and aneurysmal rupture. RESULTS: Before propensity score matching, patients treated with the WEB SL had a significantly higher rate of complete occlusion at the last follow-up and a lower rate of retreatment. After matching, there was no significant difference in immediate occlusion rate, retreatment rate, or device compaction between the WEB SL and DL groups. However, the SL group maintained a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up. Regression analysis showed that SL was associated with higher rates of complete occlusion (OR: 0.19; CI: 0.04 to 0.8, p = 0.029) and lower rates of retreatment (OR: 0.12; CI: 0 to 4.12, p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: The WEB SL and DL devices demonstrated similar performances in immediate occlusion rates and retreatment requirements for intracranial aneurysms. The SL device showed a higher rate of complete occlusion at the final follow-up.

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: association with cerebral venous thrombosis, baseline aggressiveness, and clinical outcomes. A retrospective multicenter study on 263 consecutive patients and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (icDAVFs) is controversial. Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) and venous hypertension are recognized predisposing factors. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of association between icDAVF and CVT and describe baseline aggressiveness and clinical outcomes for icDAVFs associated with CVT. The authors also performed a literature review of studies reporting icDAVF associated with CVT. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three consecutive patients in two university hospitals with confirmed icDAVFs were included. A double-blind imaging review was performed to determine the presence or absence of CVT close or distant to the icDAVF. Location, type (using the Cognard classification), aggressiveness of the icDAVF, clinical presentation, treatment modality, and clinical and/or angiographic outcomes at 6 months were also collected. All prior brain imaging was analyzed to determine the natural history of onset of the icDAVF. RESULTS: Among the 263 included patients, 75 (28.5%) presented with a CVT concomitant to their icDAVF. For 18 (78.3%) of 23 patients with previous brain imaging available, CVT preceding the icDAVF was proven (6.8% of the overall population). Former/active smoking (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.079-3.682, p = 0.022) and prothrombogenic status (active inflammation or cancer/coagulation trouble) were risk factors for CVT associated with icDAVF (OR 3.135, 95% CI 1.391-7.108, p = 0.003). One hundred eighty-seven patients (71.1%) had a baseline aggressive icDAVF, not linked to the presence of a CVT (p = 0.546). Of the overall population, 11 patients (4.2%) presented with spontaneous occlusion of their icDAVF at follow-up. Seven patients (2.7%) died during the follow-up period. Intracranial DAVF + CVT was not associated with a worse prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score at 3-6 months: 0 [interquartile range {IQR} 0-1] for icDAVF + CVT vs 0 [IQR 0-0] for icDAVF alone; p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: This was one of the largest studies focused on the incidence of CVT associated with icDAVF. For 6.8% of the patients, a natural history of CVT leading to icDAVF was proven, corresponding to 78.3% of patients with previous imaging available. This work offers further insights into icDAVF pathophysiology, aiding in identifying high-risk CVT patients for long-term follow-up imaging. Annual imaging follow-up using noninvasive vascular imaging (CT or MR angiography) for a minimum of 3 years after the diagnosis of CVT should be considered in high-risk patients, i.e., smokers and those with prothrombogenic status.

Initial experience, feasibility, and technical development with an electromagnetic navigation assistance in percutaneous pelvic bone cementoplasty: retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and technical outcomes of pelvic bone cementoplasty using an electromagnetic navigation system (EMNS) in standard practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentric retrospective study of all consecutive patients treated with cementoplasty or reinforced cementoplasty of the pelvic bone with EMNS-assisted procedures. The endpoints were periprocedural adverse events, needle repositioning rates, procedure duration, and radiation exposure. RESULTS: A detailed description of the technical steps is provided. Thirty-three patients (68 years ± 10) were treated between February 2016 and February 2020. Needle repositioning was required for 1/33 patients (3%). The main minor technical adverse event was soft tissue PMMA cement leaks. No major adverse event was noted. The median number of CT acquisitions throughout the procedures was 4 (range: 2 to 8). Radiation exposure and mean procedure duration are provided. CONCLUSION: Electromagnetic navigation system-assisted percutaneous interventions for the pelvic bone are feasible and lead to low rates of minor technical adverse events and needle repositioning. Procedure duration and radiation exposure were low. KEY POINTS: • Initial experience for 33 patients treated with an electromagnetic navigation assistance for pelvic cementoplasty shows feasibility and safety. • The use of an electromagnetic navigation system does not expose to high procedure duration or radiation exposure. • The system is efficient in assisting the radiologist for extra-axial planes in challenging approaches.

The Egyptian Escalator: Gaining access to distal parent vessel in giant and large aneurysms.

Flow-diverter stents have become the mainstay of endovascular treatment for giant and large intracranial aneurysms. However, the local aneurysmal hemodynamics, the incorporation of the parent vessel and the frequent wide-neck configuration render gaining stable distal parent artery access difficult. In this technical video, we present three cases in which we employed the so called "Egyptian Escalator technique" for obtaining and maintaining stable distal access: after looping the microwire and microcatheter inside the aneurysmal sac and exiting in the distal parent artery, we deployed a stent-retriever and utilized a gentle traction on the microcatheter in order to straighten the intra-aneurysmal loop. Afterwards, a flow-diverter stent was deployed, with optimal coverage of the aneurysmal neck. The "Egyptian Escalator" technique provides a useful approach for obtaining stable distal access for flow-diverter deployment in giant and large aneurysm (supplementary mmc1 (Video 1)).

Direct puncture embolization of a medulla oblongata hemangioblastoma.

Hemangioblastoma is a rare tumor of vascular origin, most commonly located in the posterior fossa, which presents with severe symptoms and usually very hard to resect without remarkable operative blood loss.1-2 Pre-operative embolization may decrease the amount of intra-operative bleeding, but the endovascular treatment of such tumor may be very challenging due to the high risk of infarction of the surrounding tissues. Direct puncture embolization has been developed to overcome many of the limitations of endovascular techniques for many hypervascular lesions, also hemangioblastomas.3-5 We present in this Technical Video (video 1) a direct puncture embolization with balloon-protection of a hemangioblastoma of the medulla oblongata using Onyx 18 (Medtronic, inc.) as sole liquid embolic agent.

Radial artery occlusion after aneurysm treatment using the rist guide catheter: Single center cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed radial artery occlusion (dRAO) is a frequent complication after transradial access (TRA) for neurointervention when using standard large guide catheters. The RIST 079 guide catheter (RIST GC) is the first catheter designed for TRA in neurointervention. We aimed to assess the rate of dRAO after intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment using the RIST GC. METHODS: Patients treated for an IA using TRA and the RIST GC between June 2021 and November 2022 were referred to a systematic US-doppler assessment of the radial artery patency at 3-month follow-up. Patients with and without dRAO were compared to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included in the analysis. At 3-months follow up, 6 patients (27.3 %) presented with dRAO. Four patients were asymptomatic and 2 experienced post-operative radial hematoma and wrist pain. There was a tendency towards younger age, longer procedure duration and higher rate of forearm hematoma in patients with dRAO. Navigation using the RIST GC was successful in 90.9 % of cases. Intracranial access failures and navigation complications were all related to left internal carotid artery navigation. CONCLUSIONS: At 3-month follow up, 27.3 % of patients treated for IA using TRA with the RIST GC presented dRAO.

The "Eiffel Tower" technique: novel long-axis sacroplasty under electromagnetic navigation assistance; feasibility and descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel long-axis multimodal navigation assisted technique - the so-called Eiffel Tower technique - aimed at integrating recent technological improvements for the routine treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The long-axis approach described in the present study aimed at consolidating the sacral bone according to biomechanical considerations. The purpose was (i) to cement vertically the sacral alae all along and within the lateral fracture lines, resembling the pillars of a tower, and (ii) to reinforce cranially with a horizontal S1 landing zone (or dense central bone) resembling the first level of the tower. An electromagnetic navigation system was used in combination with CT and fluoroscopic guidance to overtop extreme angulation challenges. All patients treated between January 2019 and October 2021 in a single tertiary center were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A description of the technique is provided. Twelve female patients (median age: 80 years [range: 32 to 94]) were treated for sacral insufficiency fractures with the "Eiffel Tower" technique. The median treatment delay was 8 weeks (range: 3 to 20) and the initial median pain assessed by the visual analogue scale was 7 (range: 6 to 8). Pain was successfully relieved (visual analogue score < 3) for 9 patients (75%) and persisted for 2 patients (17%). One patient was lost during the follow-up. No complication was noted. CONCLUSION: The "Eiffel Tower" multimodal cementoplasty integrates recent technological developments, in particular electromagnetic navigation, with the purpose of reconstructing the biomechanical chain of the sacral bone. KEY POINTS: • Sacral insufficiency fractures are common and can be efficiently treated with percutaneous sacroplasty. • The long axis sacroplasty approach can be challenging given both the shape of the sacral bone and the angulation to reach the target lesion. • The "Eiffel Tower" technique is a novel approach using electromagnetic navigation to expand the concept of the long axis route, adding a horizontal S1 landing zone.

Extraction of cement leakages and malpositioned spindles complicating percutaneous interventions: why, when and how?

OBJECTIVES: Cement leakages in soft tissues are a common occurrence during cementoplasty. They may cause chronic pain, and thus treatment failure. Spindle malposition during reinforced cementoplasty may cause vascular, nerve or cartilage injury. Our goal was to evaluate the rate of cement leakage/spindle extraction and describe the techniques used. METHODS: This retrospective monocentre study included 104 patients who underwent reinforced cementoplasty and 3425 patients who underwent cementoplasty between 2012 and 2020. Operative reports and fluoroscopic images were reviewed to identify extraction attempts and their outcomes. RESULTS: Six patients (5.8%) had a malpositioned spindle, and all of them underwent spindle extraction during reinforced cementoplasty, with an 80% success rate. A total of 7 attempts were performed, using 2 different techniques. One thousand one hundred thirty patients (32%) had a cement leak in soft tissues, and 7 (0.6%) underwent cement leakage extraction during cementoplasty, with a 100% success rate. A total of 10 attempts were performed, using 3 different techniques. No major complication related to the extraction procedures occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Spindle malpositions and soft tissue cement leakages are not uncommon. We described 5 different percutaneous techniques that were safe and effective to extract spindles and paravertebral cement fragments. KEY POINTS: • Soft tissue cement leakages or spindle malpositions are a non-rare occurrence during cementoplasty, and may cause technical failure and/or chronic pain. • Most soft tissue cement fragments and malpositioned spindles can easily be extracted using simple percutaneous techniques.

Reinforced cementoplasty for pelvic tumour lesions and pelvic traumatic fractures: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic bone pathological lesions and traumatic fractures are a considerable source of pain and disability. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effectiveness of reinforced cementoplasty (RC) in painful and unstable lesions involving the pelvic bone in terms of pain relief and functional recovery. METHODS: All patients with neoplastic lesion or pelvic fracture for whom a pelvic bone RC was carried out between November 2013 and October 2017 were included in our study. All patients who failed the medical management, patients unsuitable for surgery, and patients with unstable osteolytic lesions were eligible to RC. Clinical outcome was evaluated with a 1-month and 6-month post-procedure follow-up. The primary endpoint was local pain relief measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (18 females, 4 males; mean age of 65.4 ± 13.3 years [range 38-80]) presenting with painful and unstable pelvic lesions were treated by RC during the study period. Among the 22 patients, 8 patients presented with unstable pelvic fractures (3 patients with iliac crest fracture, 3 with sacral fractures, and the remaining 2 with peri-acetabular fractures). No procedure-related complications were recorded. All patients had significant pain relief and functional improvement at 1 month. One patient (4.5%) had suffered a secondary fracture due to local tumour progression. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforced cementoplasty is an original minimally invasive technique that may help in providing pain relief and effective bone stability for neoplastic and traumatic lesions involving the pelvic bone. KEY POINTS: • Reinforced cementoplasty is feasible in both traumatic fractures and tumoural bone lesions of the pelvis. • Reinforced cementoplasty for pelvic bone lesions provides pain relief and functional recovery. • Recurrence of pelvic bone fracture was observed in 4.5% of the cases in our series.

Exclusion treatment of ruptured and unruptured low-grade brain arteriovenous malformations: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To assess the obliteration rate, functional outcome, hemorrhagic complication, and mortality rates of exclusion treatment of low-grade brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) (Spetzler and Martin grades (SMGs) 1 and 2), either ruptured or unruptured. METHODS: Electronic databases-Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed-were searched for studies in which there was evidence of exclusion treatment of low-grade BAVMs treated either by endovascular, surgical, radiosurgical, or multimodality treatment. The primary outcome of interest was angiographic obliteration post-treatment and at follow-up. The secondary outcomes of interest were functional outcome (mRS), mortality rate, and hemorrhagic complication. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate rates and means. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 1809 patients with low-grade BAVMs were included. Among these, 1790 patients treated by either endovascular, surgical, radiosurgical, or multimodality treatment were included in this analysis. Seventy-two percent of BAVMs were Spetzler-Martin grade II. The overall (i.e., including all exclusion treatment modalities) complete obliteration rate ranged from 36.5 to 100%. The overall symptomatic hemorrhagic complication rate ranged from 0 to 7.3%; procedure-related mortality ranged from 0 to 4.7%. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review of the literature reveals a high overall obliteration rate for low-grade BAVMs, either ruptured or unruptured, with low mortality rate and an acceptable post-treatment hemorrhagic complication rate. These results suggest that exclusion treatment of low-grade BAVMs may be safe and effective, regardless of the treatment modality chosen.

Pathomechanisms behind cognitive disorders following ruptured anterior communicating aneurysms: A diffusion tensor imaging study.

INTRODUCTION: After the rupture of anterior communicating aneurysms, most patients experience debilitating cognitive disorders; and sometimes even without showing morphological anomaly on MRI examinations. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) may help understanding the pathomechanisms leading to such disorders in this subset of patients. METHODS: After independent assessment, we constituted a population of patients with normal morphological imaging (ACOM group). Then, a case-control study comparing volumetric and voxel-based DTI parameters between the ACOM group and a control population was performed. All patients underwent the full imaging and neuropsychological assessments at 6 months after the aneurysm rupture. Results were considered significant when p<2.02.10-4. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included in the ACOM group: 75% had at least one disabled cognitive domain. Significant differences in DTI parameters of global white matter were noted (average Fractional Anisotropy: 0.915 [±0.05] in ACOM group versus 0.943 (±0.03); p = 1.10-5) and in frontal white matter tracts (superior fronto-occipital fasciculus and anterior parts of the corona radiata) as well as in the fornix. CONCLUSION: Cognitive disorders are under-estimated, and DTI confirmed that, even when conventional MRI examinations were normal, there were still signs of diffuse neuronal injuries that seemed to dominate in frontal areas, close to the site of rupture.

Safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy for primary isolated distal vessel occlusions: A monocentric retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Distal vessel occlusions represent about 25-40% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), either as primary occlusion or secondary occlusion complicating mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of MT associated with the best medical treatment (BMT) in the management of AIS patients with distal vessel occlusion in comparison with the BMT alone. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on AIS patients treated by MT+BMT for primary distal vessel occlusion between 2015 and 2020, and were compared with a historic cohort managed by BMT alone between 2006 and 2015 selected based on the same inclusion criteria. A secondary analysis was conducted using propensity score matching (PSM) including the following: NIHSS, age and treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) as covariates. RESULTS: Of 650 patients screened, 44 patients with distal vessel occlusions treated by MT+BMT were selected and compared with 36 patients who received BMT alone. After PSM, 28 patients in each group were matched without significant difference. Good clinical outcome defined as mRS≤2 was achieved by 53.6% of the MT+BMT group and 57% of the BMT group (OR, 0.87; 95%CI, 0.3-2.4; p = 1.00). The mortality rate was comparable in both groups (7% vs. 10.7% in MT+BMT and BMT patients, respectively; OR=0.64; 95%CI, 0.1-4; p = 1.00). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was seen in only one patient treated by MT+BMT (3.6%). CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy seems to be comparable with the best medical treatment regarding the effectiveness and safety in the management of patients with distal vessel occlusions.

Benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke related to calcified cerebral embolus.

PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomies (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) related to calcified cerebral embolus (CCE) have been reported, through small case series, being associated with low reperfusion rate and worse outcome, compared to regular MT. The purpose of the MASC (Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Related to Calcified Cerebral Embolus) study was to evaluate the incidence of CCEs treated by MT and the effectiveness of MT in this indication. METHODS: The MASC study is a retrospective multicentric (n = 37) national study gathering the cases of adult patients who underwent MT for acute ischemic stroke with LVO related to a CCE in France from January 2015 to November 2019. Reperfusion rate (mTICI ≥ 2B), complication rate and 90-day mRS were systematically collected. We then conducted a systematic review by searching for articles in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Google Scholar from January 2015 to March 2020. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate clinical outcome at 90 days, reperfusion rate and complications. RESULTS: We gathered data from 35 patients. Reperfusion was obtained in 57% of the cases. Good clinical outcome was observed in 28% of the patients. The meta-analysis retrieved 136 patients. Reperfusion and good clinical outcome were obtained in 50% and 29% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MASC study found worse angiographic and clinical outcomes compared to regular thrombectomies. Individual patient-based meta-analysis including the MASC findings shows a 50% reperfusion rate and a 29% of good clinical outcome.

Reliability and accuracy of time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in hypervascular spinal metastases prior embolization.

OBJECTIVES: Preoperative embolization of hypervascular spinal metastases (HSM) is efficient to reduce perioperative bleeding. However, intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) must confirm the hypervascular nature and rule out spinal cord arterial feeders. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (TR-CE-MRA) in assessing HSM prior to embolization. METHODS: All consecutive patients referred for preoperative embolization of an HSM were prospectively included. TR-CE-MRA sequences and selective IA-DSA were performed prior to embolization. Two readers independently reviewed imaging data to grade tumor vascularity (using a 3-grade and a dichotomized "yes vs no" scale) and identify the arterial supply of the spinal cord. Interobserver and intermodality agreements were estimated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Thirty patients included between 2016 and 2019 were assessed for 55 levels. Interobserver agreement was moderate (κ = 0.52; 95% CI [0.09-0.81]) for TR-CE-MRA. Intermodality agreement between TR-CE-MRA and IA-DSA was good (κ = 0.74; 95% CI [0.37-1.00]). TR-CE-MRA had a sensitivity of 97.9%, a specificity of 71.4%, a positive predictive value of 95.9%, a negative predictive value of 83.3%, and an overall accuracy of 94.6%, for differentiating hypervascular from non-hypervascular SM. The arterial supply of the spine was assessable in 2/30 (6.7%) cases with no interobserver agreement (κ < 0). CONCLUSIONS: TR-CE-MRA can reliably differentiate hypervascular from non-hypervascular SM and thereby avoid futile IA-DSAs. However, TR-CE-MRA was not able to evaluate the vascular supply of the spinal cord at the target levels, thus limiting its scope as a pretherapeutic assessment tool. KEY POINTS: • TR-CE-MRA aids in distinguishing hypervascular from non-hypervascular spinal metastases. • TR-CE-MRA could avoid one-quarter of patients referred for HSM embolization to undergo futile conventional angiography. • TR-CE-MRA's spatial resolution is insufficient to replace IA-DSA in the pretherapeutic assessment of the spinal cord vascular anatomy.

Dural arteriovenous fistula formation following bilateral middle meningeal artery embolization for the treatment of a chronic subdural hematoma: a case report.

Here is reported a case of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) formation following middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization. A 64-year-old male patient was operated for a bilateral CSDH by burr-hole craniostomy. Prophylactic post-operative MMA embolization was performed with 300-500-µm calibrated microparticles. The patient was admitted 3 months later for a left CSDH recurrence. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated formation of a superior sagittal sinus DAVF fed by both superficial temporal arteries. This case highlights the possible role of local tissue hypoxia as a significant component of DAVF pathogenesis. Moreover, it has potential implications for MMA embolization as a management strategy for CSDH.

Is Anatomical Variations a Risk Factor for Cerebral Vasospasm in Anterior Communicating Complex Aneurysms Rupture?

Background and Purpose- One-third of ruptured aneurysms are located on the anterior communicating complex with high prevalence of anatomic variations of this arterial segment. In this study, we hypothesized that anatomic variations of the anterior communicating complex increase the risk of angiographic vasospasm. Methods- Retrospective study of prospectively collected data from a monocentric subarachnoid hemorrhage cohort of patients admitted to neurointensive care between 2002 and 2018. Univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with angiographic vasospasm. Results- One thousand three hundred seventy-four patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage were admitted to our institution; 29.8% (n=410) were related to an anterior communicating complex aneurysm rupture; 9.2% (n=38) of them showed an anterior communicating artery variation. Angiographic vasospasm was diagnosed in 55.6% of this subgroup (vs 28.1%, P=0.003). In the multivariate analysis, external ventricular drain (2.2 [1.32-3.65], P=0.003) and anterior communicating artery variation (2.40 [1.2-4.9], P=0.04) were independently and significantly associated with angiographic vasospasm, while age above 60 years (0.3 [0.2-0.7]; P=0.002) was a protective factor. However, anterior communicating artery variation was not statistically associated with ischemic vasospasm or poor neurological outcome after anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture. Conclusions- Anatomic variation of anterior communicating artery could be a new biomarker to identify patients at risk to develop angiographic vasospasm post-subarachnoid hemorrhage. External validation cohorts are necessary to confirm these results.

Safety of vertebral augmentation with cranio-caudal expansion implants in vertebral compression fractures with posterior wall protrusion.

OBJECTIVES: Vertebral augmentation (VA) has become routinely used in vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). VCFs are often associated with posterior wall protrusions (PWPs), which theoretically contraindicates vertebroplasty due to a higher risk of neurological complications. The latest generation of VA devices uses intravertebral cranio-caudal expandable implants to improve the correction of structural deformities but could also be used to prevent further PWP during cement injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of VA with expandable implant for VCFs with PWP. METHODS: All consecutive patients treated with expandable implants were considered eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: (1) non-neurological VCF, (2) considered unstable (A3-A4 in AOSpine classification), (3) significant PWP (> 2 mm), (4) back pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥ 4. PWPs were independently measured by two investigators; Pearson's statistics were used for interobserver reproducibility. RESULTS: Fifty-one consecutive patients, with a mean age of 75 ± 8.3 years (range, 50-92), were included. There was a slight decrease between mean preoperative (6.7 mm ± 2.2 mm) and postoperative (6.5 mm ± 2.2 mm) PWP (p = 0.02), with an excellent interobserver reproducibility (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.92). A mean kyphosis reduction of 34.9% (± 28.4) was observed (p < 0.001). Forty-two patients (82.4%) had significant pain improvements (mean preoperative VAS = 6.9 [± 1.7] versus 3.1 [± 2.0] postoperatively [p < 0.001]). Secondary adjacent level fractures were noted in 16 patients (31.4%), with a reduction of that risk down to 18.8% if a preventive adjacent vertebroplasty was performed, without reaching the significance threshold (p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: VA with expandable implants appeared safe for non-neurological VCFs with PWP, while allowing satisfactory pain relief. KEY POINTS: • Vertebral augmentation with cranio-caudal expandable implants is safe for non-neurological vertebral compression fractures with posterior wall protrusions. • Vertebral augmentation with cranio-caudal expandable implants might increase the occurrence of secondary adjacent level fractures. • Adjacent level vertebroplasty might be helpful to prevent secondary adjacent level fractures.

Safety and effectiveness of cervical vertebroplasty: report of a large cohort and systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively safety and effectiveness of cervical vertebroplasty (cVP) based on a single-center large cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cVP performed at a single center from January 2001 to October 2014 were included and reviewed. Procedure-related complications (minor and major) were systematically recorded. Effectiveness in terms of analgesia was evaluated using a semi-quantitative grading scale at 1-month follow-up. Risk factors for the occurrence of a procedure-related complication or cement leakage, as well as factors influencing pain relief at 1-month follow-up, were evaluated using a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and forty cVP procedures (176 vertebrae) were performed in 130 consecutive patients (88 female, 42 male; mean age = 56 years) during the inclusion period. Among the treated lesions, 80% were bone metastases (mostly from breast cancer), 8% were related to hematological malignancies, and 12% were non-malignant lesions. One fatal complication (0.7%) was related to cement migration in the vertebrobasilar system. Three cervical hematomas were recorded, one of them requiring prolonged oral intubation. The overall rate of major complications was 1.5%. At 1 month, pain reduction was observed in 76% of the cases. Additional surgical fixation was required in 6.1% of the cases. cVP of more than one vertebra during the same session was an independent risk factor for procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Cervical vertebroplasty is a safe technique with an acceptable major complication rate. Its effectiveness in terms of pain relief is good at mid-term follow-up. KEY POINTS: • Cervical vertebroplasty (cVP) is a safe procedure with a low rate of major complications (1.5%). • cVP provides pain relief in 76% of the cases. • Additional fixation surgery is rarely required after cVP (6.1% of the cases).

Rescue stenting versus medical care alone in refractory large vessel occlusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) failure is associated with very poor prognosis. Permanent intracranial stenting (PIS) may be useful in such refractory occlusions. However, this strategy requires an aggressive antithrombotic regimen that may be harmful in extended strokes. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between patients with refractory acute large vessel occlusions (LVOs) treated by PIS versus patients for whom the procedure was stopped without recanalization. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review by searching for articles in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 2015 to September 2019. Two reviewers independently selected studies comparing PIS after failed MT in addition to usual care versus usual care only. A comparative meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate odds ratios of favorable clinical outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin scale 0-2, mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). RESULTS: Four comparative studies were included for a total of 352 patients: 149 in the PIS group versus 203 in the control group. PIS was associated with significantly higher rates of 90-day favorable clinical outcome (odds ratio [OR], 2.87 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.77-4.66]; p < 0.001; I2, 0%) and lower mortality (OR, 0.39 [0.16-0.93]; p = 0.03; I2, 43%), whereas SICH rates did not significantly differ (OR, 0.68 [0.37-1.27]; p = 0.23; I2, 0%). CONCLUSION: From observational study results, attempting PIS after failed MT seems to improve clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of intracranial bleeding. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.

Secondary S100B Protein Increase Following Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture is Associated with Cerebral Infarction.

Early S100B protein serum elevation is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM). The purpose of this study is to determine whether a secondary elevation of S100B is associated with early complications or poor outcome in this population. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted for BAVM rupture. A secondary increase of S100B was defined as an absolute increase by 0.1 µg/L within 30 days of admission. Fisher's and unpaired t tests followed by multivariate analysis were performed to identify markers associated with this increase. Two hundred and twenty-one ruptures met inclusion criteria. Secondary S100B protein serum elevation was found in 17.1% of ruptures and was associated with secondary infarction (p < 0.001), vasospasm-related infarction (p < 0.001), intensive care (p = 0.009), and hospital length of stay (p = 0.005), but not with early rebleeding (p = 0.07) or in-hospital mortality (p = 0.99). Secondary infarction was the only independent predictor of secondary increase of S100B (OR 9.9; 95% CI (3-35); p < 0.001). Secondary elevation of S100B protein serum levels is associated with secondary infarction in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations.