Endovascular treatment for dural arteriovenous fistula at the foramen magnum: report of five consecutive patients and experience with balloon-augmented transarterial Onyx injection.

BACKGROUND: Foramen magnum dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) with perimedullary venous drainage represent a small minority of intracranial DAVF, and only a number of small series with limited cases have been reported. The purpose of this retrospective study is to summarize experience of transarterial Onyx embolisation in the treatment of these lesions, with emphasis on the balloon-augmented technique. METHODS: Five consecutive patients with DAVF at the foramen magnum were treated by transarterial embolisation using the Onyx system. Their symptoms included myelopathy (n=4) and SAH (n=1). Suppliers were from the vertebral artery (VA) (n=4), occipital artery (OA) (n=4), and ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) (n=2), with drainage to the perimedullary veins. After catheterization of the dilated supplier, the fistulous connections, proximal draining veins and appropriate distal segment of the feeders of these DAVF were transarterial embolized using Onyx-18. In three patients, balloon-augmented technique was used to assist embolisation. The technical feasibility of the procedure, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: In every case, complete obliteration was achieved. Neither intraprocedural vessel rupture nor other procedure-related complications occurred. The results remained stable in all patients on follow-up angiograms (mean, 7.2 months). At the last clinical follow-up (mean, 17.6 months), two patients showed complete resolution of the initial symptoms, and three patients showed significant improvement. CONCLUSION: We found that Onyx embolisation is a feasible and safe alternative to open surgery in the treatment of selective DAVF at the foramen magnum. The balloon-augmented technique widens indications for transarterial Onyx packing of these lesions, and improved safety of the procedure.

Long-term follow-up of transarterial balloon-assisted Onyx embolization for endovascular treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas: A single-institution case series and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs)-specifically, symptomatic DAVFs with cortical venous reflux-are aggressive lesions with a poor prognosis. Intra-arterial endovascular closure is considered the optional treatment for DAVFs and is currently performed at several international centers. However, long-term outcomes remain unknown. This study investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of transarterial balloon-assisted Onyx embolization in the treatment of DAVFs. METHODS: A total of 14 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for DAVFs were treated by balloon-assisted Onyx embolization. Additionally, we retrospectively reviewed all cases reported in the literature and compared the outcomes of patients treated with single- vs dual-lumen microcatheters. RESULTS: The patients at our institution were followed-up for 114.57 ± 33.52 months. Embolization was performed by balloon-assisted Onyx injection via a single feeding artery. Complete occlusion was achieved in 13 cases and partial occlusion in 1 case. At the final follow-up, all patients were functionally independent (Modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2), with no recurrence. In our review of 70 published cases of DAVFs that underwent endovascular treatment by balloon-assisted Onyx embolization, single- and dual-lumen balloon catheters were used in 33 and 37 patients, respectively. In the former group, there was complete or near-complete occlusion in 32 cases and partial occlusion in 1 case; and in the latter, there was complete or near-complete occlusion in 35 cases and partial occlusion in 2 cases. There were no deaths following endovascular treatment. CONCLUSION: Measurable and durable outcomes can be achieved by endovascular treatment of DAVFs with the transarterial balloon-assisted Onyx embolization technique, especially in cases with small, distal, and circuitous feeding arteries.

[Analysis on accuracy and influencing factors of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men].

OBJECTIVE: To understood the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) and related factors. METHODS: Survey was conducted among MSM selected through non-probability sampling to evaluate the quality of their rapid HIV self-testing, and related information was analyzed. RESULTS: The most MSM were aged 21-30 years (57.0%). Among them, 45.7% had educational level of college or above, 78.5% were unmarried, 59.3% were casual laborers. The overall accuracy rate of oral fluid based self-testing was 95.0%, the handling of"inserting test paper into tube as indicated by arrow on it"had the highest accuracy rate (98.0%), and the handling of"gently upsetting tube for 3 times"had lowest accuracy rate (65.0%); Chi-square analysis showed that educational level, no touch with middle part of test paper, whether reading the instruction carefully, whether understanding the instruction and inserting test paper into tube as indicated by the arrow on it were associated with the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing, (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that educational level, no touch with middle part of test paper and understanding instructions were associated with the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing was high among MSM, the accuracy varied with the educational level of the MSM. Touch with the middle part of test paper or not and understanding the instructions or not might influence the accuracy of the self-testing.

Transarterial coil-augmented Onyx embolization for brain arteriovenous malformation. Technique and experience in 22 consecutive patients.

Onyx has been widely adopted for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, its control demands operators accumulate a considerable learning curve. We describe our initial experience using a novel injection method for the embolization of AVMs. We retrospectively reviewed the data of all 22 patients with brain AVMs (12 men, 10 women; age range, 12-68 years; mean age, 43.2 years) treated by the transarterial coil-augmented Onyx injection technique. The size of the AVMs ranged from 25 mm to 70 mm (average 35.6 mm). The technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated. In every case, endovascular treatment (EVT) was completed. A total of 31 sessions were performed, with a mean injection volume of 6.1 mL (range, 1.5-16.0 mL). An average of 96.7% (range 85%-100%) estimated size reduction was achieved, and 18 AVMs could be completely excluded by EVT alone. The results remained stable on follow-up angiograms. A procedural complication occurred in one patient, with permanent mild neurologic deficit. Our preliminary series demonstrated that the coil-augmented Onyx injection technique is a valuable adjunct achieving excellent nidal penetration and improving the safety of the procedure.

Using Onyx in endovascular embolization of internal carotid artery large or giant aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Internal carotid artery (ICA) large or giant saccular aneurysms is challenging for endovascular coil embolization and surgical clipping with a high recanalization and rebleeding rate. We report our results using Onyx in the endovascular treatment of ICA large or giant saccular aneurysms. METHODS: During 2008-2010, 5 patients with 5 large or giant saccular aneurysms in ICA were treated with a liquid embolic agent (Onyx; Micro Therapeutics, Irvine, CA). One aneurysm was small (<10mm), 2 were large (≥10mm, <25mm) and 2 were giant saccular aneurysms (≥25mm). Of 3 female and 2 male patients, 3 were incidental and 2 had bleeding. Selective embolization was performed with Onyx alone or a combination with coils. Clinical and anatomic outcomes were assessed with the Modified Glasgow Outcome Scale and follow-up angiography was performed at 4-21 months (mean 12.2 months). RESULTS: Complete aneurysm occlusion was obtained in all of the aneurysms on immediate control angiogram. There was not any procedure-related complication. No recanalization was observed at the follow- up periods. There were 2 ICA occlusions in giant ICA aneurysms. The 5 patients were all clinically asymptomatic at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization with Onyx is a useful treatment for ICA large or giant aneurysms, which is unsuitable for coiling or surgical treatment.

Intra-aneurysmal Onyx embolization for distal aneurysms of the cerebellar arteries.

BACKGROUND: Distal cerebellar artery aneurysms are difficult to treat both surgically and endovascularly. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of intra-aneurysmal Onyx embolization of these lesions with parent artery preservation. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients harboring 10 distal cerebellar aneurysms were treated with intra-aneurysmal Onyx embolization. Locations of the aneurysms were as follows: superior cerebellar artery in three patients, anterior inferior cerebellar artery in two, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery in five. The technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: In every case, endovascular treatment was achieved. Immediate angiography demonstrated that all of 10 aneurysms were completely occluded, with parent artery preservation in nine of them. Procedure-related complication occurred in one patient with transient neurological sequelae. None of the treated aneurysms experienced rebleeding or recanalization during the follow-up time (mean, 12·7 months). CONCLUSION: We found that the intra-aneurysmal Onyx embolization was helpful in the treatment of distal cerebellar aneurysms in which selective occlusion of the aneurysmal sac with coils or open clipping cannot be achieved.