Preoperative Embolization in Tandem with Surgical Resection for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations.

A number of treatment options are available for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) including surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery, and endovascular embolization. Endovascular embolization may be used pre-operatively to reduce the size of large AVMs and thus reduce surgical complications. Here we present two patients who successfully underwent preoperative embolization of their AVMs and subsequent surgery. Preoperative embolization is a viable option for AVMs to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.

A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique for Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Setting of a Suspected Cerebral Aneurysm.

There is little guidance in the literature on which thrombectomy technique is preferred in patients with acute ischemic stroke and concomitant aneurysms. Here, we present the case of a 58-year-old female with an acute ischemic stroke requiring emergent thrombectomy that was complicated by the presence of multiple, nonruptured intracranial aneurysms. Imaging confirmed an occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery and multiple nonruptured intracranial aneurysms. The patient was administered intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and the thrombus was aspirated via a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT). Her symptoms improved significantly postoperatively with a consequent National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 0. The purpose of this case report is to give an overview and compare various techniques that can help guide the physician for safe, early revascularization while reducing recanalization time in patients having an ischemic stroke who also harbor intracranial aneurysms.

Percutaneous Vertebral Artery Access for Embolization of Cerebrovascular Disease: Illustrative Case and Operative Technique.

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations can be further complicated by the development of aneurysms, which themselves carry the risk of rupture and hemorrhage. New endovascular techniques allow for more treatment options for these lesions in the setting of arteriovenous malformations. Here we present the case of a patient who developed an aneurysm in the setting of an arteriovenous malformation and subsequently underwent successful endovascular treatment via percutaneous access of the vertebral artery along with reviewing the literature on further treatment options and developments.

Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Skull Base Osteomyelitis Treated with Endovascular Embolization.

Pseudoaneurysms occur due to malformations in arterial wall uniformity, leading to blood collection between the outer arterial layers and resultant outpouching of the vessel. Unlike true aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms do not involve all layers of the blood vessel. Mycotic pseudoaneurysms can occur after associated vessel adventitia infection, leading to transmural dissection. Here we present a case of a 78-year-old man with a history of chronic otitis externa and osteomyelitis who presented with increasing right ear pain with bloody discharge and associated headache. Catheter angiography demonstrated a large pseudoaneurysm in the right middle meningeal artery (MMA) at the base of the skull. Based on the clinical findings and the patient's history, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the MMA. The patient was subsequently treated with antibiotics as well as endovascular embolization and recovered without any complications.

Intracranial Ischemic Infarct Due to Blunt Force Trauma in a High School Football Player.

Ischemic stroke is an uncommon cause of death among teenagers and young adults; however, the etiologies differ when compared to ischemic strokes in older individuals. Large-vessel atherosclerosis and small-vessel disease causing ischemic stroke are rare for the teenage population, while cervicocerebral arterial dissections account for up to 20% of ischemic strokes. Here, we present the case of a 16-year-old male who developed internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) after a head injury and subsequently developed ischemic stroke and seizures.

Superior Ophthalmic Vein Access for Embolization of an Indirect Carotid Cavernous Fistula.

Carotid cavernous fistulae (CCF) are defined as abnormal connections between the carotid circulation and cavernous sinus. CCFs can be categorized as being direct or indirect. Direct CCFs are usually associated with trauma, whereas indirect CCFs are associated with revascularization following cavernous sinus thrombosis. We present a case of a 53-year-old male who presented with tinnitus, proptosis, conjunctivitis, and blurry vision. The patient had a recent endovascular transvenous embolization that was only partially successful, with a residual carotid cavernous fistula draining to the left superior ophthalmic vein and multiple cortical veins. A physical examination of the patient showed elevated intraocular pressures bilaterally. The patient had a high-flow indirect carotid cavernous fistula with bilateral superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and retrograde cortical vein drainage. The SOV was punctured with a micropuncture needle and was used to successfully gain access to the cavernous sinus. Multiple coils were placed in the posterior aspect of the sinus until there was complete occlusion of venous flow. Coils were packed up to the posterior aspect of the orbit near the junction of the cavernous sinus with the SOV, and the embolization was successful. Indirect CCFs have gradual onset and are usually low-flow. Low-flow CCFs might improve with medical management.Some CCFs may cause ocular manifestations and can be symptomatically managed with prism therapy or ocular patching for diplopia, lubrication for keratopathy, or topical agents for elevated intraocular pressures. However, patients presenting with persistent ocular morbidity may require surgical or endovascular intervention.

Coil Now, Pipe Later: Two-stage Treatment for Acute Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture.

The two main treatment modalities of acute intracranial aneurysm rupture are endovascular embolization and surgical clipping, each with its own benefits and risks. Endovascular treatment is associated with better outcomes compared to surgical clipping, but is also associated with high recurrence rates. We present the case of a patient with an acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysm, who subsequently underwent partial endovascular coiling acutely, and later underwent flow diversion therapy with the Pipeline Embolization Device. We also review the literature on this topic for further recommendations on treatment options of acute intracranial aneurysm rupture.

The Importance of Catheter Angiography in Computed Tomography Angiography-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has become an effective tool in the evaluation of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but it still has limitations. Up to 15% of non-traumatic SAH cases are negative on CTA. The benefits of catheter angiography in the evaluation of certain cases of CTA-negative SAH have been previously demonstrated. Here, we present the case of a 48-year-old female who presented with headache and right-sided hemiparesis, who later became apneic and required intubation. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head demonstrated a diffuse SAH. A CTA of the head and neck showed no vascular abnormality. Catheter angiography diagnosed a conical-shaped aneurysm at the left A1-A2 junction of the anterior communicating artery complex measuring 3.5 mm by 1 mm. The aneurysm was successfully treated with a craniotomy and microvascular clipping using a 4.7 mm curved Yasargil miniclip (Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany). This case illustrates the importance and benefit of catheter angiography in CTA-negative cases of SAH.

To Stent or Not to Stent: A Tale of Two Occlusions.

Stenting and balloon angioplasty, along with mechanical thrombectomy, have gained notability as adjunctive treatment options to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) for tandem internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions (TIM occlusions). Acute ischemic strokes (AISs) secondary to TIM occlusions are associated with poor patient outcomes primarily due to low recanalization rates following intravenous thrombolysis, consequently prompting the need for more invasive recanalization efforts. Often, the treatment algorithm is based on the success of the initial angioplasty, suspected volume of completed infarction, and whether or not thrombolytics are utilized. Here, we present two patients with AIS due to TIM occlusions where two different treatment modalities were implemented for recanalization efforts. Patient 1 did not receive IV-tPA and was successfully managed with balloon angioplasty and subsequent carotid stenting followed by direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) administration. Patient 2 received IV-tPA and balloon angioplasty without carotid stenting followed by intracranial mechanical thrombectomy. Complete recanalization was attained in both cases. Administration of IV-tPA can make subsequent carotid stenting a potentially higher-risk treatment option for patients with TIM due to potential hemorrhagic complications in the setting of requisite antiplatelet agents. Each case of AIS resulting from a TIM must be considered unique, and the use of IV thrombolytics, balloon angioplasty, carotid stenting, and mechanical thrombectomy alone or in combination must be tailored to the individual clinical parameters.

Delayed Endovascular Stenting for Severe Vertebral Artery Stenosis with Precarious Thrombosis.

A significant but less recognized cause of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) is atherosclerosis of the vertebrobasilar system, which accounts for 20% of ischemic strokes. Pathology of the vertebrobasilar system can present significant challenges in determining the course of treatment. Due to the complexity of the vertebrobasilar system, there is slight disagreement about how to approach patients with atherosclerotic pathology of the posterior circulation. Two such approaches are either stenting of the vertebral or basilar artery or aggressive medical management. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old male who presented with lightheadedness, diaphoresis, two episodes of loss of consciousness, and the abrupt onset of unilateral right-sided paresis. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of the head and neck demonstrated complex posterior circulation vertebrobasilar vascular stenosis and occlusions. There was an unstable clot located at the junction of the vertebral and basilar arteries requiring a carefully nuanced approach. The patient was started on dual antiplatelet therapy and heparin in an effort to resolve the clot. Repeat CTA after five days revealed resolution of the unstable clot; however, the distal intradural right vertebral artery remained occluded and the left vertebral artery remained stenosed. The patient was then treated with a balloon-mounted coronary stent to eliminate the stenosis, which ultimately restored normal posterior fossa flow dynamics. This case serves as a testament to the variability and complexity of vertebrobasilar arteriopathies as well as the benefit of experienced neurointerventionalists in the successful management of these cases.