Histological Analysis of Carotid Plaques: The Predictors of Stroke Risk.

OBJECTIVES: The morphology and histological structure of the atherosclerotic plaque seem critical to its stability. Our study aimed to identify the epidemiological, morphological and histological parameters associated with stable and unstable plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 280 plaques harvested from 269 consecutive patients. Epidemiological and demographic data were recorded as well as the histological features of plaque, i.e. calcifications, myxoid changes, bleeding into plaque, presence of thrombus, inflammation, macrophages, giant cell reaction, siderophages, neovascularization and plaque ossification. All specimens were classified according to the American Heart Association (AHA). RESULTS: Monofactorial analysis identified three significant histological predictors for the symptomatic plaque: a plaque with a large necrotic core (odds ratio, OR=2.0, p = 0.03), thrombosis (OR=3.7, p = 0.01) and the formation of foamy macrophages (OR=2.0, p = 0.01). Multifactorial logistic regression revealed that the presence of foamy macrophages (OR=1.9, p = 0.03) and thrombosis (OR=3.5, p = 0.02) were significant predictors of symptomatic stenosis. Symptomatic plaques were significantly more frequently classified as AHA type VI than AHA type IV-V compared to asymptomatic ones (OR=1.8, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that no single histological feature, except for the presence of foamy macrophages and thrombosis on the plaque, is predictive of plaque instability. Rather, a complex plaque structure (AHA type VI) is predictive of plaque instability. Our findings should be kept in mind during the assessment of non-invasive imaging and stroke risk estimation.

Blood Flow Volume Measurement in Cervical and Intracranial Arteries using Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Duplex Sonography (Bocaccia) - A Prospective Observational Study.

PURPOSE: Cerebral blood flow volume is an important factor for the accurate diagnosis of neurovascular diseases and treatment indication. This study aims to assess correlations of blood flow volume measurements in cervical and intracranial arteries between duplex sonography and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (qMRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with suspicion of cerebral vascular pathology underwent qMRA and duplex sonography of cervical and intracranial arteries with measurement of blood flow volume in bilateral common (CCA), internal (ICA) and external carotid arteries, vertebral and basilar arteries, middle, anterior, posterior cerebral and posterior communicating arteries using 2 different ultrasound machines. Ten patients underwent all examinations twice. Correlations between blood flow volume measurements were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficient and inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: In total, 21 subjects (15 males, mean age: 56.3 ± 6.2 years) were included in the study. Duplex sonography inter-investigator correlation was excellent (ICC = 0.972, p < 0.0001) as well as intra-investigator correlations of both qMRA and duplex sonography (ICC ˃ 0.990, p < 0.0001). Mostly high correlations were recorded between qMRA and duplex sonography in particular cervical arteries but only low to moderate correlations were obtained for intracranial arteries. The mean differences between blood flow volume measurements were 10.9 ±â€Š8.1 % in the CCA and its branches when using qMRA and 15.0 ±â€Š11.9 % when using duplex sonography, 13.5 ±â€Š11.8 %/35.4 ±â€Š34.2 % in the ICA siphon and its branches when using qMRA/duplex sonography, and 24.1 ±â€Š19.7 %/44.9 ± 44.0 % in both vertebral arteries and the basilar artery when using qMRA/duplex sonography. CONCLUSION: Duplex sonography as well as qMRA allow for highly reproducible measurement of blood flow volume in cervical and intracranial arteries in routine clinical practice.

Anesthesia type determines risk of cerebral infarction after carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Silent and symptomatic cerebral infarctions occur in up to 34% of patients after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This prospective study compared the risk of new brain infarctions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis undergoing CEA with local anesthesia (LA) vs general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: Consecutive patients with internal carotid artery stenosis indicated for CEA were screened at two centers. Patients without contraindication to LA or GA were randomly allocated to the LA or GA group by ZIP code randomization. Brain MRI was performed before and 24 hours after CEA. Neurologic examination was performed before and 24 hours and 30 days after surgery. The occurrence of new infarctions on the control magnetic resonance images, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and other complications was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Of 210 randomized patients, 105 underwent CEA with LA (67 men; mean age, 68.3 ± 8.1 years) and 105 with GA (70 men; mean age, 63.4 ± 7.5 years). New infarctions were more frequently detected on control magnetic resonance images in patients after CEA under GA compared with LA (17.1% vs 6.7%; P = .031). Stroke or transient ischemic attack occurred within 30 days of CEA in three patients under GA and in two under LA (P = 1.000). There were no significant differences between the two types of anesthesia in terms of the occurrence of other complications (14.3% for GA and 21.0% for LA; P = .277). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of silent brain infarction after CEA as detected by MRI is higher under GA than under LA.

Sonolysis in Prevention of Brain Infarction During Carotid Endarterectomy and Stenting (SONOBUSTER): a randomized, controlled trial.

AIMS: Previous case series have detected silent brain infarctions in as many as one-third of patients after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and in up to two-thirds of patients after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Sonolysis employs ultrasound to facilitate disruption of thrombi and has been shown to be safe and effective for improving long-term outcomes following acute stroke. Here, we examined whether intraoperative sonolysis alters the risk of new brain ischaemic lesions during CEA or CAS. METHODS AND RESULTS: All consecutive patients with internal carotid stenosis ≥70% indicated for CEA/CAS were screened in this prospective study. Patients were allocated randomly to sonolysis and control groups. Neurological examination, cognitive function tests, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted before intervention and at 24 and 30 days post-surgery. Of the 487 screened patients, 121 (87 males; mean age, 66.65 ± 7.17 years) were allocated to the sonolysis group and 121 (75; 66.02 ± 8.11 years) to the control group. New brain ischaemic lesions on post-procedure MRI were significantly less frequent in the sonolysis group than in the control group (31.4% of patients vs. 47.1%; P = 0.018). Sonolysis and CEA were identified as independent predictors of reduced brain ischaemic risk [sonolysis: odds ratio (OR) = 0.450 (0.215-0.942), P = 0.034 and CEA: OR = 0.208 (0.087-0.495), P < 0.001]. Stroke or transient ischaemic attack occurred in one sonolysis patient and three control patients (P = 0.372). No significant group differences were found in post-intervention cognitive test scores (P > 0.3). CONCLUSION: This study provides Class II evidence that sonolysis during CEA or CAS reduces the risk of new brain ischaemic lesions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01591005).

Effects of extracranial carotid stenosis on intracranial blood flow.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The hemodynamic effects of extracranial carotid stenosis on intracranial blood flow are not well characterized. We sought to determine the impact of degree of stenosis, stenosis length, and residual lumen on intracranial blood flow in patients with extracranial carotid stenosis. METHODS: Carotid stenosis patients who had undergone both vessel flow rate measurements using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography were examined. The impact of the anatomic measurements of the stenosis relative to ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) flow and ipsilateral-to-contralateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow ratio were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (mean age, 67 years; 64% symptomatic) were included. Higher percentage stenosis and smaller residual lumen were associated with a significant decrease in ICA flow (P<0.01 and 0.04, respectively). On multivariate analysis, percentage stenosis remained as the primary predictor of ICA flow (P<0.001). MCA flow ratio was not significantly associated with percentage stenosis, stenosis length, or residual lumen. However, mean MCA flow ratio was significantly lower in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (0.92 versus 1.22; P=0.001). In contrast, mean ICA flow ratio was similar among these 2 groups (0.55 versus 0.55; P=0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Percentage stenosis and residual lumen are significantly associated with ICA but not MCA flow, suggesting that local hemodynamic effects of carotid stenosis do not translate directly to distal vasculature, because intracranial flows can be maintained through collaterals. The lower MCA flow ratio in symptomatic patients highlights the potential importance of distal hemodynamics in symptomatic presentation.

Open Microsurgical Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment After Failed Endovascular Therapy: An Evaluation of Aneurysm Treatment Frequencies in All Neurovascular Centers Across Austria and the Czech Republic Over 20 Years.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms has tremendously advanced over the past decades. Nevertheless, aneurysm residual and recurrence remain challenges after embolization. The objective of this study was to elucidate the portion of embolized aneurysms requiring open surgery and evaluate whether newer endovascular treatments have changed the need for open surgery after failed embolization. METHODS: All 15 cerebrovascular centers in Austria and the Czech Republic provided overall aneurysm treatment frequency data and retrospectively reviewed consecutive cerebral aneurysms treated with open surgical treatment after failure of embolization from 2000 to 2022. All endovascular modalities were included. RESULTS: On average, 1362 aneurysms were treated annually in the 2 countries. The incidence increased from 0.006% in 2005 to 0.008% in 2020 in the overall population. Open surgery after failed endovascular intervention was necessary in 128 aneurysms (0.8%), a proportion that remained constant over time. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was the initial presentation in 70.3% of aneurysms. The most common location was the anterior communicating artery region (40.6%), followed by the middle cerebral artery (25.0%). The median diameter was 6 mm (2-32). Initial endovascular treatment included coiling (107 aneurysms), balloon-assist (10), stent-assist (4), intrasaccular device (3), flow diversion (2), and others (2). Complete occlusion after initial embolization was recorded in 40.6%. Seventy-one percent of aneurysms were operated within 3 years after embolization. In 7%, the indication for surgery was (re-)rupture and, in 88.3%, reperfusion. Device removal was performed in 16.4%. Symptomatic intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 10.2%. Complete aneurysm occlusion after open surgery was achieved in 94%. CONCLUSION: Open surgery remains a rare indication for cerebral aneurysms after failed endovascular embolization even in the age of novel endovascular technology, such as flow diverters and intrasaccular devices. Regardless, it is mostly performed for ruptured aneurysms initially treated with primary coiling that are in the anterior circulation.

Real-World Data on the Usage of Hemopatch® as a Hemostat and Dural Sealant in Cranial and Spinal Neurosurgery.

Background and objectives Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a significant complication in cranial and spinal interventions. Hemostatic patches such as Hemopatch® are therefore used to support the watertight closure of the dura mater. Recently, we published the results of a large registry documenting the effectiveness and safety of Hemopatch® in various surgical specialties, including neurosurgery. Here we aimed to analyze the outcomes from the neurological/spinal cohort of this registry in more detail. Methods Based on the data from the original registry, we performed a post hoc analysis for the neurological/spinal cohort. The Hemopatch® registry was designed as a prospective, multicenter, single-arm observational study. All surgeons were familiar with the application of Hemopatch® and it was used at the discretion of the responsible surgeon. The neurological/spinal cohort was open for patients of any age if they had received Hemopatch® during an open or minimally invasive cranial or spinal procedure. Patients with known hypersensitivity to bovine proteins or brilliant blue, intraoperative pulsatile severe bleeding, or an active infection at the potential target application site (TAS) were excluded from the registry. For the posthoc evaluation, we stratified the patients of the neurological/spinal cohort into two sub-cohorts: cranial and spinal. We collected information about the TAS, intraoperative achievement of watertight closure of the dura, and occurrence of postoperative CSF leaks. Results The registry comprised 148 patients in the neurological/spinal cohort when enrolment was stopped. The dura was the application site for Hemopatch® in 147 patients (in one patient in the sacral region after tumor excision), of which 123 underwent a cranial procedure. Twenty-four patients underwent a spinal procedure. Intraoperatively, watertight closure was achieved in 130 patients (cranial sub-cohort: 119; spinal sub-cohort: 11). Postoperative CSF leakage occurred in 11 patients (cranial sub-cohort: nine; spinal sub-cohort: two). We observed no serious adverse events related to Hemopatch®. Conclusion Our post hoc analysis of real-world data from a European registry confirms the safe and effective use of Hemopatch® in neurosurgery, including cranial and spinal procedures, as also observed in some case series.

Changes in Cognitive Functions after Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Stenting: A Decade-Apart Comparison.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates changes in cognitive function in patients with severe carotid stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) over two decades. METHODS: We compared cognitive function within 30 days after the procedure in 267 patients (first 100 each for CEA and CAS in two periods: 2008-2012 and 2018-2022) in a single institution. Assessments used Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Speech Fluency Test (SFT), and Clock Drawing Test (CDT), conducted before and 30 ± 2 days after surgery. RESULTS: Patients (mean age 67.2 years, 70%+ carotid stenosis) exhibited different cognitive changes over periods. In 2008-2012, significant declines in MMSE (CEA, p = 0.049) and CDT (CAS, p = 0.015) were observed among asymptomatic patients. On the contrary, in 2018-2022, improvements were observed in ACE-R and MMSE for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA and CAS. CONCLUSION: Over a decade, advances in interventional techniques and patient management have reduced risks of cognitive decline in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and also have improved cognitive functions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

Comparison of carotid endarterectomy and repeated carotid angioplasty and stenting for in-stent restenosis (CERCAS trial): a randomised study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In-stent restenosis (ISR) belongs to an infrequent but potentially serious complication after carotid angioplasty and stenting in patients with severe carotid stenosis. Some of these patients might be contraindicated to repeat percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting (rePTA/S). The purpose of the study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of carotid endarterectomy with stent removal (CEASR) and rePTA/S in patients with carotid ISR. METHODS: Consecutive patients with carotid ISR (≥80%) were randomly allocated to the CEASR or rePTA/S group. The incidence of restenosis after intervention, stroke, transient ischaemic attack myocardial infarction and death 30 days and 1 year after intervention and restenosis 1 year after intervention between patients in CEASR and rePTA/S groups were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included in the study; 14 patients (9 males; mean age 66.3±6.6 years) were allocated to CEASR and 17 patients (10 males; mean age 68.8±5.6 years) to the rePTA/S group. The implanted stent in carotid restenosis was successfully removed in all patients in the CEASR group. No clinical vascular event was recorded periproceduraly, 30 days and 1 year after intervention in both groups. Only one patient in the CEASR group had asymptomatic occlusion of the intervened carotid artery within 30 days and one patient died in the rePTA/S group within 1 year after intervention. Restenosis after intervention was significantly greater in the rePTA/S group (mean 20.9%) than in the CEASR group (mean 0%, p=0.04), but all stenoses were <50%. Incidence of 1-year restenosis that was ≥70% did not differ between the rePTA/S and CEASR groups (4 vs 1 patient; p=0.233). CONCLUSION: CEASR seems to be effective and save procedures for patients with carotid ISR and might be considered as a treatment option. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05390983.

Safety and efficacy of surgical treatment of carotid stump syndrome: pilot study.

Surgical exclusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) stump combined with endarterectomy of the external carotid artery is an established treatment approach. The aim of this pilot study was to compare the risk of cerebrovascular events between surgical treatment and best medical treatment in patients with ICA occlusion and carotid stump syndrome. Forty patients (23 males; age: 43-80 years; mean age: 61.1 ± 9.0 years) with carotid occlusion and carotid stump syndrome were enrolled. Ten patients with asymptomatic ICA occlusion and 10 patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion and carotid stump syndrome were enrolled to the best medical therapy group. Patients with chronic ICA occlusion, carotid stump syndrome, and one (15 patients) or recurrent (three patients) episodes of ipsilateral stroke or transient ischemic attack were enrolled to the surgical group. Neurological examination was undertaken on the day of randomization and then every 6 months in all patients for 4 years. All vascular events and death were recorded. Only one vascular event occurred in patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion without recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack who were treated medically. No other vascular event was noted in the other subgroups. One patient with symptomatic carotid occlusion without recurrent stroke died due to myocardial infarction 6 months after surgery. Surgical treatment of carotid stump syndrome seems to be a safe procedure. Nevertheless, the benefit of a surgical approach in comparison with the best medical treatment is not clear.

Risk factors for carotid plaque progression after optimising the risk factor treatment: substudy results of the Atherosclerotic Plaque Characteristics Associated with a Progression Rate of the Plaque and a Risk of Stroke in Patients with the carotid Bifurcation Plaque Study (ANTIQUE).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Carotid plaque progression contributes to increasing stroke risk. The study aims to identify factors influencing carotid plaque thickness progression after changing the preventive treatment to the 'treating arteries instead of risk factors' strategy, that is, change in treatment depending on the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS: The study participants who completed sonographic controls over the course of 3 years were enrolled to the analysis. Duplex sonography of cervical arteries was performed in 6-month intervals with measurement of carotid plaque thickness. Plaque thickness measurement error (σ) was set as 3 SD. Only evidently stable and progressive plaques (defined as plaque thickness difference between initial and final measurements of ˂σ and >2σ, respectively) were included to analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing plaque progression. RESULTS: A total of 1391 patients (466 males, age 67.2±9.2 years) were enrolled in the study. Progressive plaque in at least one carotid artery was detected in 255 (18.3%) patients. Older age, male sex, greater plaque thickness, coronary heart disease, vascular surgery/stenting history and smoking were more frequently present in patients with progressive plaque (p˂0.05 in all cases). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified only the plaque thickness (OR 1.850 for left side, 95% CI 1.398 to 2.449; and OR 1.376 for right side, 95% CI 1.070 to 1.770) as an independent factor influencing plaque progression. CONCLUSION: Carotid plaque thickness corresponding to stenosis severity is the only independent risk factor for plaque thickness progression after optimising the prevention treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02360137.

Hemopatch® is effective and safe to use: real-world data from a prospective European registry study.

Surgical procedures are often impeded by bleeding and/or leakage of body fluids. These complications cannot always be resolved by conventional surgical techniques. Hemopatch® is a hemostatic patch that also functions as a sealant. Here we document the effectiveness and safety of Hemopatch® for routine procedures of multiple surgical disciplines. To this end, we performed a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, observational registry study. Patients were eligible if they had received Hemopatch® during an open or minimally invasive procedure in one of these specialties: hepatobiliary, cardiovascular, urological, neurological/spinal, general, or lung surgery. Patients were excluded if they had a known hypersensitivity to bovine proteins or brilliant blue, intraoperative pulsatile or severe bleeding and/or infection at the target application site (TAS). The primary endpoint for intraoperative effectiveness was hemostasis assessed as the percentage of patients achieving hemostasis within 2 min and the percentage of patients achieving hemostasis without re-bleeding at the time of surgical closure. The registry enrolled 621 patients at 23 study sites in six European countries. Six hundred twenty patients had completed follow-up information. Hemostasis within 2 min was achieved at 463 (74.5%) of all 621 TASs. Hemostasis without re-bleeding was observed at 620 (99.8%) TASs. Adverse events were reported in 64 patients (10.3%). This Hemopatch® registry shows that Hemopatch® efficiently establishes hemostasis and sealing in a variety of surgical specialties, including minimally invasive procedures. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the safety of Hemopatch® across all the specialties included in the registry. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03392662.

Eighteen years' experience with tumor treating fields in the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Introduction: The prognosis of glioblastoma remains unfavorable. TTFields utilize low intensity electric fields (frequency 150-300 kHz) that disrupt cellular processes critical for cancer cell viability and tumor progression. TTFields are delivered via transducer arrays placed on the patients' scalp. Methods: Between the years 2004 and 2022, 55 patients (20 female), aged 21.9-77.8 years (mean age 47.3±11.8 years; median 47.6 years) were treated with TTFields for newly-diagnosed GBM, and compared to 54 control patients (20 females), aged 27.0-76.7 years (mean age 51.4±12.2 years; median 51.7 years) (p=0.08). All patients underwent gross total or partial resection of GBM. One patient had biopsy only. When available, MGMT promoter methylation status and IDH mutation was detected. Results: Patients on TTFields therapy demonstrated improvements in PFS and OS relative to controls (hazard ratio: 0.64, p=0.031; and 0.61, p=0.028 respectively). TTFields average time on therapy was 74.8% (median 82%): median PFS of these patients was 19.75 months. Seven patients with TTFields usage ≤60% (23-60%, mean 46.3%, median 53%) had a median PFS of 7.95 months (p=0.0356). Control patients with no TTFields exposure had a median PFS of 12.45 months. Median OS of TTF patients was 31.67 months compared to 24.80 months for controls. Discussion: This is the most extensive study on newly-diagnosed GBM patients treated with TTFields, covering a period of 18 years at a single center and presenting not only data from clinical trials but also a group of 36 patients treated with TTFields as a part of routine clinical practice.

HLA-E and HLA-F Are Overexpressed in Glioblastoma and HLA-E Increased After Exposure to Ionizing Radiation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest human cancers responding very poorly to therapy. Although the central nervous system has been traditionally considered an immunologically privileged site with an enhanced immune response, GBM appears to benefit from this immunosuppressive milieu. Immunomodulatory molecules play an important role in immune tumor-host interactions. Non-classical human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class Ib molecules HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G have been previously described to be involved in protecting semi-allogeneic fetal allografts from the maternal immune response and in transplant tolerance as well as tumoral immune escape. Unfortunately, their role in GBM remains poorly understood. Our study, therefore, aimed to characterize the relationship between the expression of these molecules in GBM on the transcriptional level and clinicopathological and molecular features of GBM as well as the effect of ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed the analysis of HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G mRNA expression in 69 GBM tissue samples and 21 non-tumor brain tissue samples (controls) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, two primary GBM cell cultures had been irradiated to identify the effect of ionizing radiation on the expression of non-classical HLA molecules. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that both HLA-E and HLA-F are significantly up-regulated in GBM samples. Subsequent survival analysis showed a significant association between low expression of HLA-E and shorter survival of GBM patients. The dysregulated expression of both molecules was also observed between patients with methylated and unmethylated O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter. Finally, we showed that ionizing radiation increased HLA-E expression level in GBM cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: HLA-E and HLA-F play an important role in GBM biology and could be used as diagnostic biomarkers, and in the case of HLA-E also as a prognostic biomarker.

Shear-Wave Elastography Enables Identification of Unstable Carotid Plaque.

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is a novel ultrasound technique for quantifying tissue elasticity. The aim of this study was to identify differences in atherosclerotic plaque elasticity measured using SWE among individuals with symptomatic, asymptomatic progressive and asymptomatic stable carotid plaques. Consecutive patients from the Atherosclerotic Plaque Characteristics Associated with a Progression Rate of the Plaque and a Risk of Stroke in Patients with the Carotid Bifurcation Plaque Study were screened for this research. Neurosonography examination of carotid arteries was performed to identify plaque stenosis of ≥50% using B-mode ultrasound and SWE imaging to measure the mean, maximal and minimal elasticity. The set consisted of 97 participants-74 with asymptomatic stable stenosis, 12 with asymptomatic progressive stenosis and 11 with symptomatic stenosis. The mean elasticity in the asymptomatic stable plaque group was significantly higher than in the asymptomatic progressive (52.2 vs. 30.4 kPa; p < 0.001) and symptomatic (52.2 vs. 36.4 kPa; p = 0.033) plaque groups. No significant differences were found between asymptomatic progressive and symptomatic (p > 0.1) plaque groups. Asymptomatic stable, asymptomatic progressive and symptomatic plaques did not differ in echogenicity, calcifications, homogeneity, occurrence of ulcerated surface, or intra-plaque hemorrhage (p > 0.05 in all cases). SWE was a helpful modality for differentiating between stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries.

Brain single photon emission tomography and hypercapnia test in testing cerebrovascular reserve capacity, in Moya moya disease.

Moya moya is a progressive cerebral occlusive vasculopathy, rare in European countries. We describe a case of a young woman with right-hand side hemiparesis, mixed expressive aphasia, organic psychosyndrome and cognitive malfunction. Detailed imaging methods displayed bilateral stenosis of the internal carotid artery, bilateral ischemic cerebral changes and bilateral perfusion deficit, which guided us to the final diagnosis. Before the bypass surgery, cerebrovascular reserve capacity (vasoreactivity), by the brain single photon emission tomography and hypercapnia, were assessed and the lower cerebrovascular reserve was demonstrated. Bilateral bypass surgery with extracranial-intracranial anastomosis, improved the neurological deficit. Diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the vessel wall specimen.

SONOlysis in prevention of Brain InfaRctions During Internal carotid Endarterectomy (SONOBIRDIE) trial - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a beneficial procedure for selected patients with an internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Surgical risk of CEA varies from between 2 and 15%. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of sonolysis (continual transcranial Doppler monitoring, TCD) using a 2-MHz diagnostic probe with maximal diagnostic energy on the reduction of the incidence of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and brain infarction detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by the activation of the endogenous fibrinolytic system during CEA. METHODS/DESIGN: Design: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. SCOPE: international, multicenter trial for patients with at least 70% symptomatic or asymptomatic ICA stenosis undergoing CEA. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic ICA stenosis of at least 70% are candidates for CEA; a sufficient temporal bone window for TCD; aged 40-85 years, functionally independent; provision of signed informed consent. Randomization: consecutive patients will be assigned to the sonolysis or control (sham procedure) group by computer-generated 1:1 randomization. Prestudy calculations showed that a minimum of 704 patients in each group is needed to reach a significant difference with an alpha value of 0.05 (two-tailed) and a beta value of 0.8 assuming that 10% would be lost to follow-up or refuse to participate in the study (estimated 39 endpoints). ENDPOINTS: the primary endpoint is the incidence of stroke or TIA during 30 days after CEA and the incidence of new ischemic lesions on brain MRI performed 24 h after CEA in the sonolysis and control groups. Secondary endpoints are occurrence of death, any stroke, or myocardial infarction within 30 days, changes in cognitive functions 1 year post procedure related to pretreatment scores, and number of new lesions and occurrence of new lesions ≥0.5 mL on post-procedural brain MRI. ANALYSIS: descriptive statistics and linear/logistic multiple regression models will be performed. Clinical relevance will be measured as relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction and the number needed to treat. DISCUSSION: Reduction of the periprocedural complications of CEA using sonolysis as a widely available and cheap method may significantly increase the safety of CEA and extend the indication criteria for CEA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02398734 . Registered on 20 March 2015.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in previously shunted children.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a routine and safe procedure for therapy of obstructive hydrocephalus. The aim of our study is to evaluate ETV success rate in therapy of obstructive hydrocephalus in pediatric patients formerly treated by ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt implantation. From 2001 till 2011, ETV was performed in 42 patients with former V-P drainage implantation. In all patients, the obstruction in aqueduct or outflow parts of the fourth ventricle was proved by MRI. During the surgery, V-P shunt was clipped and ETV was performed. In case of favourable clinical state and MRI functional stoma, the V-P shunt has been removed 3 months after ETV. These patients with V-P shunt possible removing were evaluated as successful. In our group of 42 patients we were successful in 29 patients (69%). There were two serious complications (4.7%)-one patient died 2.5 years and one patient died 1 year after surgery in consequence of delayed ETV failure. ETV is the method of choice in obstructive hydrocephalus even in patients with former V-P shunt implantation. In case of acute or scheduled V-P shunt surgical revision, MRI is feasible, and if ventricular system obstruction is diagnosed, the hydrocephalus may be solved endoscopically.