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.

Long-term outcome of percutaneous alcohol embolization combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty in aggressive vertebral hemangiomas with epidural extension.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, on a long-term basis, the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous alcohol embolization (PAE) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) as a sole treatment for aggressive vertebral haemangiomas (AVHs) with epidural extension. METHODS: From 1996 to 2015, 26 consecutive patients (15 women [58%] and 11 men; mean age 51.8 years [range: 19-75 years]) underwent PAE combined with PVP (performed at day 15) for the treatment of 27 AVHs with epidural extension. Clinical outcome was evaluated with a mean delay of 88.3 ± 53.3 months (range: 22-217 months). The primary endpoint was pain relief evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Pre-procedure mean VAS score was 7.23 ± 1.3 and significantly improved at last follow-up (m = 3.11 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Ten patients (38.5%) remained asymptomatic. Eighty-eight percent of the patients with neurosensory disorders had complete regression of these symptoms. Two of the three patients with motor deficit did not show any improvement. No major complication was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: PAE combined with PVP is a minimally invasive safe and effective therapeutic approach for AVH with epidural involvement, even on long-term clinical outcome. This technique appears mainly effective for pain and neurosensory symptoms, but seems less effective for motor deficit relief. KEY POINTS: • Combination of PAE with PVP is a safe technique. • PAE combined with PVP is an effective treatment for sensory symptoms. • This strategy seems less effective in patients with motor deficits.

Percutaneous alcohol embolization and vertebroplasty of a T2 aggressive vertebral hemangioma with prior embolization of dangerous arterial anastomoses.

Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas usually exhibit extraosseous expansion that can result in spinal cord or radicular compression.1 In symptomatic cases, treatment by alcohol embolization and percutaneous vertebroplasty has been reported as feasible, safe, and effective with long-term benefits on neurological symptoms.2 Safety rules before vertebral alcohol embolization include preoperative spinal cord vascularization mapping and opacification through bone needles to assess the absence of dangerous intratumoral anastomoses.In video 1 we present a case of a symptomatic T2 aggressive vertebral hemangioma with dangerous anastomoses between the lesion and both supreme intercostal arteries (SIAs). Embolization by the arterial route of both SIAs was performed, which required good anatomic knowledge of the spinal cord vascularization at the cervicothoracic junction3 4 as a cervical radiculomedullary artery arose from the left costocervical trunk which also fed the left SIA. After occlusion of all dangerous arterial anastomoses, we were able to successfully perform T2 alcohol embolization and percutaneous vertebroplasty. neurintsurg;15/7/728/V1F1V1Video 1Case presentation.

Rescue technique for trapped bone needle in cement cast.

Avascular necrosis, or Kummel disease, is a potential complication of vertebral compression fractures. It is believed to arise as a result of a failed fracture healing process,1 2 leading to the formation of an air or fluid filled cavity within the vertebral body.3 Percutaneous vertebroplasty seems to provide both pain relief and increased spinal stability in avascular necrosis.4 In this technical video, we present the case of an osteoporotic patient with a complicated vertebroplasty, caused by trapping of the bone needle inside the intravertebral cement cast. Two methods were used sequentially, leading to retrieval of the bone needle. We identified several technical aspects, such as injection speed, quasi-filling of the vertebral cavity, and frequent rotation of the bone needle as essential for the success of the procedural. We suggest that improving these parameters may prevent intravertebral bone needle trapping in patients with avascular necrosis. neurintsurg;14/11/1158/V1F1V1Video 1.

Cangrelor and Stenting in Acute Ischemic Stroke : Monocentric Case Series.

PURPOSE: Cangrelor is an intravenous P2Y12 receptor inhibitor with a rapid onset/offset of action and a short half-life (3-6 min). The objective was to present a preliminary experience regarding the safety and effectiveness using cangrelor, in combination with aspirin, in acute ischemic stroke patients requiring acute stenting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis for patients who underwent stenting (intracranial and/or extracranial) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke with cangrelor and aspirin as antiplatelet therapy. RESULTS: Cangrelor was used in 12 patients, 4 (33%) with extracranial stenting, 6 (50%) with intracranial stenting and 2 (17%) with combined extracranial and intracranial stenting. The mean age was 67 years (44-88) and 9 patients (75%) were female. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Score at admission was 15 (IQR: 8-22). Of the patients, six (50%) received intravenous thrombolysis. All patients (100%) obtained modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b. Good clinical outcome, defined as modified Rankin scale score ≤2 at 3­months follow-up, was observed in 7 patients (58%). None of the patients experienced intraprocedural thromboembolic complications. Postprocedural stent thrombosis after cessation of cangrelor infusion due to emergency craniotomy surgery to manage malignant cerebral infarction occurred in one patient (8%). Of the patients, two (17%) experienced asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), one patient (8%) experienced symptomatic ICH and one (8%) retroperitoneal hematoma was observed, which was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Cangrelor might be a safe and effective antiplatelet medication owing to its on/off activity for acute stenting in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Further investigations through randomized studies with larger samples are necessary.

Delayed Treatment (≥5 Days) by Flow Diversion of Ruptured Blister-Like Cerebral Aneurysms : Case Series of 8 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ruptured blister-like aneurysms (BLAs) are challenging lesions to treat, without any consensus on their management. Few studies have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of flow diverter stents (FDS) for this indication, with promising results. The goal was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a delayed (≥5 days) flow diversion strategy for the treatment of ruptured intracranial BLAs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A monocentric retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of intracranial aneurysms was performed. Eight consecutive patients with 9 ruptured intracranial BLAs from November 2010 to June 2018 were included in the study. The BLA treatment with FDS was delayed from the rupture (minimum rupture to treatment delay = 5 days, mean = 16.9 ± 9.2 days). Procedure-related complications were systematically recorded. Rebleeding occurrences were systematically assessed. Long-term clinical and angiographic follow-ups were recorded. RESULTS: No procedure-related death was recorded. Neither early nor late rebleeding was observed and one (12.5%) major procedure-related complication occurred (ischemic stroke). Most of the patients (5/8; 62.5%) had an mRS <2 at discharge. The immediate periprocedural control angiogram showed a complete exclusion of the aneurysm in one patient (12.5%) but at follow-up (mean delay = 19.8 months) all patients had a complete aneurysm occlusion. All patients had a long-term mRS <2. CONCLUSION: This case series suggests that a delayed treatment (≥5 days after the hemorrhagic event) of ruptured BLAs with FDS is feasible, and may be safe and effective in terms of rebleeding prevention and long-term angiographic outcome.