Antiplatelet Medications and Biomarkers of Hemostasis May Explain the Association of Hematoma Appearance and Subsequent Hematoma Expansion After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis that appearances of intracranial hematomas on diagnostic computed tomography (CT) are not idiosyncratic and reflect a biologically plausible mechanism, we evaluated the association between hematoma appearance on CT, biomarkers of platelet activity, and antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication use prior to admission. METHODS: We studied 330 consecutively identified patients from 2006 to 2019. Biomarkers of platelet activity (platelet aspirin assay) and medication history (aspirin, clopidogrel) were prospectively recorded on admission. A blinded interpreter recorded the presence of hematoma appearances from the diagnostic scan. Associations were tested with parametric or nonparametric statistics, as appropriate. RESULTS: The black hole sign (101, 30%) was most prevalent, followed by the island sign (57, 17%) and blend sign (32, 10%). There was reduced platelet activity in patients with a black hole sign (511 [430-610] vs. 562 [472-628] aspirin reaction units, P = 0.01) or island sign (505 [434-574] vs. 559 [462-629] aspirin reaction units, P = 0.004). Clopidogrel use prior to admission was associated with the black hole sign (odds ratio 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.02-4.98, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, hematoma appearances on CT are associated with biomarkers of platelet activity and clopidogrel use prior to admission. Appearances of intracranial hematomas on CT may reflect reduced hemostasis from antiplatelet medication use.

Safety of Postembolization Antithrombotic Therapy After Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for the management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) has been suggested as a preferred treatment in patients where reinitiating antithrombotic (AT) therapy is necessary. In this study, we evaluate whether reinitiating AT therapy before cSDH resolution after MMAE affects radiographic and clinical resolution. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent MMAE at our institution between 2018 and 2024. Clinical and radiographic findings were analyzed with standard statistical approaches. Kaplan-Meier curves for nonresolution compared AT and no-AT groups and compared AT resumption before and after 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: In 111 MMAE procedures, the median age was 73 years, 27.9% were female, and 80.6% were White. The median follow-up was 5.1 months. Forty-six patients (41.4%) demonstrated complete resolution of their cSDH. Eleven patients (9.9%) had reoperation after MMAE. The median cSDH depth was 14.0 mm, and the median midline shift was 3.0 mm. Thirty-two patients (28.8%) resumed AT before resolution. The median time to resumption was 35.5 days. Patients in the AT group were less likely to have radiographic resolution (21.9% vs 49.4%, odds ratios = 0.2872, 95% CI = 0.1113-0.7404, P = .0103) but comparable rates of reoperation and residual symptomatic presentations. Resumption of AT therapy before or after 30 days from surgery had no effects on outcome measures on univariate analysis. Major outcomes were similar between patients receiving antiplatelet-only or anticoagulant-only medications. CONCLUSION: Reinitiating AT therapy before cSDH resolution was associated with decreased rates of resolution, but comparable rates of reoperation and residual symptoms. Our results support the cautious reinitiation of AT therapy in patients requiring it after MMAE.

Transarterial and transvenous pial arteriovenous Fistula embolization: A video case report.

Cerebral pial arteriovenous fistulas (pAVFs) are rare and complex high-flow vascular malformations found in pediatric and adolescent populations.1 They are often divided into two groups based on the pattern of venous drainage, galenic or nongalenic. Nongalenic pAVFs are typically supratentorial and carry a high risk of rupture. Their angioarchitecture is very complex with various patterns of feeding arteries and draining veins not originating from dural vessels or the vein of Galen.2 The natural history has not been well established; however, mortality estimates range as high 63%.1 Presentations include hemorrhage, seizure, congestive heart failure, and elevated intracranial pressure.3 We describe the case of an adolescent girl with acute onset of headaches that led to the discovery of an occipital, nongalenic pAVF. Transarterial and transvenous embolizations performed during a single procedure resulted in complete obliteration of the fistula. No complications arose, and the patient remained at her neurological baseline.

Technical nuances of flow-diverting stent-assisted coiling of a ruptured carotid wall aneurysm.

The management of ruptured, large and giant wide-necked aneurysms of the anterior circulation is challenging. Treatment options include balloon-assisted coiling versus flow-diverter-assisted coiling. In this technical video, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EtyrJv3e5Z0XM2pYBNNBHVUdYwavlTFh/view?usp = sharing we demonstrate a case of a right-sided paraclinoid aneurysm in a young man who presented with post-coital sudden-onset headache. The computed tomography scan showed a Fisher grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage. An external ventricular drain was placed, and the patient was intubated for prompt treatment. Balloon-assisted coiling of the aneurysm was attempted but abandoned because the balloon failed to provide adequate coverage of the aneurysm neck. A loading dose of aspirin and ticagrelor (Brilinta, Astra Zeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom) was administered, and Pipeline embolization device (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland)-assisted coiling was then performed for adequate occlusion of the aneurysm sac. The 6-month follow-up angiogram showed complete obliteration of the aneurysm. The technical video succinctly demonstrates the technical nuances of the procedure.

First reported single-surgeon transpalpebral hybrid approach for indirect cavernous carotid fistula: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Failure to reach the cavernous sinus after multiple transvenous attempts, although rare, can be challenging for neurointerventionists. The authors sought to demonstrate technical considerations and nuances of the independent performance of a novel hybrid surgical and endovascular transpalpebral approach through the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) for direct coil embolization of an indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF), and they review salient literature regarding the transpalpebral approach. OBSERVATIONS: An illustrative case, including patient history and presentation, was reviewed. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases were searched for articles published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2021, that reported ≥1 patient with a CCF treated endovascularly via the SOV approach. Data extracted included sample size, treatment modality, surgical technique, performing surgeon specialty, and procedure outcome. The authors' case illustration demonstrates the technique for the hybrid transpalpebral approach. For the review, 273 unique articles were identified; 14 containing 74 treated patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Oculoplastic surgery was the most commonly involved specialty (5 of 14 studies), followed by ophthalmology (3 of 14). Coiling alone was the treatment of choice in 12 studies, with adjunctive use of Onyx (Medtronic) in 2. LESSONS: The authors' technical case description, video, illustrations, and review provide endovascular neurosurgeons with a systematic guide to conduct the procedure independently.

Delayed Cervical Carotid Revascularization After Missile Injury: A Technical Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Penetrating missile injury to the carotid arteries may lead to catastrophic hemorrhagic and/or ischemic complications. The incidence of carotid injury in patients with penetrating cervical trauma (PCT) is 11% to 13%, with most cases involving the common carotid artery (73%), followed by the internal carotid artery (ICA) (22%) and external carotid artery (5%). Approximately 50% of PCT cases result in mortality, with specific injury to the carotid arteries carrying nearly a 100% mortality rate. Although historically limited because most patients do not survive these serious injuries, treatment has become more feasible with advancements in endovascular techniques and technologies. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A young man presented to our trauma center after sustaining a gunshot wound to the right neck, leading to significant hemorrhage and ultimately a Biffl grade IV ICA injury. He was taken emergently to the operating room for cervical exploration and hemostasis. A computed tomography stroke study performed after initial stabilization revealed complete right ICA occlusion with increased time-to-peak in the right hemisphere. The patient was resuscitated to maintain sufficient cerebral perfusion pressure. Later, once hemodynamic stability was achieved, the patient underwent confirmatory angiography, followed by complete ICA revascularization using a balloon guide catheter to achieve flow arrest and placement of multiple carotid stents. He made a good neurological recovery. CONCLUSION: Endovascular carotid artery revascularization may be performed successfully in the subacute phase after PCT. The use of flow arrest obtained with a balloon guide catheter assists in preventing catastrophic hemorrhage in the event of rupture.

Clinicopathological variables of sporadic schwannomas of peripheral nerve in 291 patients and expression of biologically relevant markers.

OBJECTIVE While sporadic peripheral schwannomas (SPSs) are generally well treated with surgery, their biology is not well understood. Consequently, treatment options are limited. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of SPS. The authors describe clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of patients harboring these tumors, and they assess expression of biomarkers using a clinically annotated tissue microarray. Together, these data give new insight into the biology and management of SPS. METHODS Patients presenting with a primary SPS between 1993 and 2011 (n = 291) were selected from an institutional registry to construct a clinical database. All patients underwent follow-up, and short- and long-term outcomes were assessed. Expression of relevant biomarkers was assessed using a new tissue microarray (n = 121). RESULTS SPSs were generally large (mean 5.5 cm) and frequently painful at presentation (55%). Most patients were treated with surgery (80%), the majority of whom experienced complete resolution (52%) or improvement (18%) of their symptoms. Tumors that were completely resected (85%) did not recur. Some patients experienced short-term (16%) and long-term (4%) complications postoperatively. Schwannomas expressed higher levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß (2.1) than malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) (1.5, p = 0.004) and neurofibromas (1.33, p = 0.007). Expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 was greater in SPSs (0.91) than in MPNSTs (0.33, p = 0.002) and neurofibromas (0.33, p = 0.026). Epidermal growth factor receptor was expressed in far fewer SPS cells (10%) than in MPNSTs (58%, p < 0.0001) or neurofibromas (37%, p = 0.007). SPSs more frequently expressed cytoplasmic survivin (66% of tumor cells) than normal nerve (46% of cells), but SPS expressed nuclear survivin in fewer tumor cells than in MPNSTs (24% and 50%, respectively; p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS Complete resection is curative for SPS. Left untreated, however, these tumors can cause significant morbidity, and not all patients are candidates for resection. SPSs express a pattern of biomarkers consistent with the dysregulation of the tumor suppressor merlin observed in neurofibromatosis Type 2-associated schwannomas, suggesting a shared etiology. This SPS pattern is distinct from that of other tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath.