Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Might Help Prevent Onset of Cerebral Hyperperfusion Syndrome.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a rare but fatal perioperative complication after surgical correction of carotid stenosis. Despite numerous treatment options for preventing CHS, it does occur in some patients. We developed the outlet gate technique (OGT), in which the embolic balloon was deflated gradually in accordance with the ratio of oxygen saturation measured by a brain oximeter of the ipsilateral brain region to that in the contralateral region. Between June 2017 and May 2018, 39 patients with carotid stenosis underwent endovascular carotid revascularization procedures; of these, 20 underwent the procedure with the OGT. CBO was measured five times in those 20 patients: before the procedure, with the embolic protection device (EPD) on, with the EPD off, during the procedure, and after the procedure. Preventive treatment options were used more frequently in these patients, and although their surgical status seemed more complicated, perioperative complications were not increased. There were almost significant differences between CBO values except between those during and after the procedure with the OGT. This showed that the OGT allowed for stabilization of the CBO and thus has the potential to prevent CHS.

[A Case of Giant Cerebral Aneurysm Treated with Multiple Sheaths Directly Punctured into the Carotid Artery].

When it is difficult to approach the brachial or femoral artery during endovascular surgery, an alternative approach is the direct puncture of the carotid artery. In this case of a giant cerebral aneurysm, we punctured the carotid artery directly and performed flow diverter stent placement and endosaccular coil embolization. Although the procedure required two thick access routes, it was performed after administering two antiplatelet drugs and an anticoagulant in order to achieve reliable hemostasis of the puncture sites after the operation. Direct common carotid artery puncture through a cervical skin incision is useful, because it ensures multiple access routes safely and provides secure hemostasis of the puncture sites.

Primary pontine hemorrhage in the acute stage: clinical features and a proposed new simple scoring system.

BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate the likelihood of fatality in patients with acute primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) in emergency departments. We aimed to evaluate the clinical symptoms and computed tomography findings of PPH to develop a simple grading scale for predicting the mortality of PPH. METHODS: Records of 101 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with acute PPH between June 1, 2006, and January 31, 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A simple and easy clinical score (PPH score) was developed from independent factors to predict mortality in acute PPH. The PPH score was compared with the established intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score, which served as the reference scoring system. RESULTS: Overall mortality rate 30 days after onset was 58.4% (59 of 101). Factors independently associated with 30-day mortality were Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6 or less (P = .0051), absence of pupillary light reflex (P = .0003), and blood glucose of 180 mg/dL or greater (P = .0312). The PPH score was the sum of independent factors, which were assigned 1 point each. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting 30-day mortality was .90 (95% confidence interval [CI], .84-.95) for PPH score and .86 (95% CI, .78-.93) for ICH score. CONCLUSIONS: GCS score of 6 or less, absence of pupillary light reflex, and plasma glucose of 10 mmol/L or greater are independent mortality predictors of PPH. The PPH score is a simple and reliable clinical grading scale for predicting 30-day mortality.

[Responding to Arterial Perforation during Endovascular Neurosurgery].

During endovascular neurosurgery, various devices, such as catheters, are passed through the intracranial arteries to access target vessels; the arteries can thereby be perforated. Even though such incidents are serious and should be dealt with appropriately, few case reports or standard procedures have been published. Herein, we report two cases of arterial perforation that occurred recently in our hospital. In the first case, the patient had been treated preoperatively using feeder occlusion of an arteriovenous malformation; the microcatheter perforated the feeder, which branched from the middle cerebral artery. The feeder and perforation site were occluded by injection of n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) through the same microcatheter, and complete hemostasis was thereby achieved. The second case occurred during an embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) to treat a refractory chronic subdural hematoma;the microcatheter perforated a branch of the MMA. Both the perforation and the artery were embolized using platinum coils and by injecting NBCA, and hemostasis was achieved. Considering the anatomical and pathological properties of the injured vessels, favorable results were achieved with appropriate intervention.

[Ischemic complications of anterior choroidal artery aneurysm treatment].

Ischemic stroke of the anterior choroidal artery(AChA)is the most common and serious complication after AChA aneurysm treatment. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate and compare the treatment-related ischemic complications after surgical clipping and endovascular coiling of AChA aneurysms.
Between June 2006 and March 2013, 32 patients with 34 AChA aneurysms were treated in our hospital by surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. There were 12 cases of ruptured aneurysms, seven cases of unruptured aneurysms, and 15 cases of incidentally identified unruptured aneurysms. Of the 34 aneurysms, 19 were managed with surgical clipping and 15 were managed with endovascular coiling. No rebleeding or retreatment occurred in any case during 4-84 months(median, 25 months)of follow-up, and no significant differences in clinical outcome were seen between clipping and coiling cases. Although there were four cases(11.8%;surgical clipping in three;endovascular coiling in one)of postoperative AChA infarction, we believe that we preserved the blood flow of the AChA during the procedure. The occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage and premature rupture during surgical clipping were significantly correlated with AChA infarction.

Secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus following pituitary apoplexy: A case report.

Background: Although secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH) can occur in various central nervous system diseases, there are no reports of sNPH caused by pituitary lesions. Herein, we present a unique case of sNPH caused by pituitary apoplexy. Case Description: A 70-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of a sudden onset of headache and loss of consciousness. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test showed slightly elevated cell counts and protein levels but a negative CSF culture test. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a dumbbell-like cystic lesion with hemorrhagic change at the sella turcica. From the above, the patient was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis caused by pituitary apoplexy. Pituitary hormone replacement therapy was undertaken, and his symptoms fully improved. However, two months later, he complained of a gait disturbance and incontinence that had gradually appeared. Brain imaging with computed tomography showed no ventricular enlargement compared with initial images, although the lateral ventricles were slightly enlarged. As a CSF drainage test improved his symptoms temporarily, sNPH with possible longstanding overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) background was suspected. We performed a lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) placement, which improved his symptoms. Conclusion: This case suggests that sNPH can develop even after a small subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a pituitary apoplexy in LOVA patients. If the aqueduct of Sylvius is open, sNPH with a LOVA background can be successfully treated with LPS placement.

Important Notes for Preventing Entrapment of Distal Filter-based Embolic Protection Device in Carotid Artery Stenting.

Failure to retrieve a distal filter-based embolic protection device (EPD) is a potential complication of carotid artery stenting. This may be caused by trapping of the proximal marker of the EPD within the stent tip marker. Maintaining an adequate distance between the two can prevent this. We examined the behavior of several stent-filter-based EPD combinations, focusing on their propensity to become trapped or disengage in vitro. Four physicians subjectively rated the force required to result in trapping using a 5-point scale. Moreover, the force required to disengage trapped devices was evaluated. The Casper stent-Spider FX EPD combination was difficult to disengage when entrapment occurred, which suggested that this phenomenon tended to occur with this combination. The stent tip marker of the closed-cell stents advanced as they shortened, which may be a unique feature of closed-cell stents. Although trapping is uncommon, it can cause serious complications. To prevent these complications, device characteristics should be well understood before they are used in patients.

[Embolization of the feeding artery of a meningioma with dangerous vascular anastomosis between the middle meningeal artery and the ophthalmic artery].

Preoperative embolization of intracranial meningioma has been applied to reduce intraoperative blood loss and to facilitate microsurgical removal of a tumor. It is well known that one of the reasons of the neurological risk of embolization is due to dangerous anastomosis between the extracranial and the intracranial arteries. One of the most known and dangerous case of anastomosis is between the middle meningeal artery to the ophthalmic artery. A 48-year-old woman underwent preoperative embolization of a large right middle cranial fossa meningioma. The right external carotid angiogram showed that the tumor was fed by the right middle meningeal artery and there was no branch to the right orbital region. The right internal carotid angiogram showed that the right ophthalmic artery originated from the right internal carotid artery and there was no branch to the tumor. The selective angiogram of the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery disclosed the anastomosis to the right ophthalmic artery. Following embolization of the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery, the patient underwent embolization of the main feeding branch of the meningioma. She successfully underwent surgical removal of the tumor without any blood transfusion and was discharged without neurological deficit. In addition, to avoid complication in embolization of the feeding artery of a skull base meningioma, clinicians must be aware of the dangerous anastomosis between the middle meningeal artery and the ophthalmic artery, even if conventional external and internal carotid angiograms do not show any anastomosis.

[Harvest of the superficial temporal artery using the Lone Star Retractor System TM: technical note].

Extracranial-intracranial(EC-IC)bypass is an important method of treating ischemic stroke and intracranial disease requiring sacrifice of the parent artery. The most commonly used donor artery for EC-IC bypass surgery is the superficial temporal artery(STA). But there are few reports of details of harvest methods of the STA. We describe our harvest methods of the STA using the Lone Star Retractor SystemTM. After draping, the Lone Star Retractor SystemTM is placed on the head. Skin incision is on the parietal branch of the STA. Under the surgical microscope, the dermis is cut by a scalpel from the distal side of the STA. The incised wound was tensioned by the blunt hooks(elastic stay)of the Lone Star Retractor SystemTM. Connective tissue around the STA was dissected and cut by a high voltage bipolar coagulator from the distal to the proximal side of the STA. The advantage of using of The Lone Star Retractor SystemTM for the STA harvest is that, using a surgical microscope, it is easy to set the elastic stay on the wound.

[Pyoktanin blue injection for resection of cystic brain tumor: a case report].

Pyoktanin blue is an agent that is often used during STA-MCA anastomosis. In this report, we inject it into a cystic tumor for complete resection, and we report its usefulness. The patient was a 57-year-old female. She suffered from progressive cerebellar ataxia. CT and MR showed a cystic metastatic tumor at the right cerebellar hemisphere, 40mm in diameter. Craniotomy was performed, 5cm in diameter, using the right suboccipital approach. After peeling off the tumor from the surface layer of the brain, we injected diluted pyoktanin blue into the tumor to dye the inside wall. After that, the tumor was peeled off completely without exposing the dyed inside wall. We sometimes find it difficult to distinguish tumor from brain if there is tearing of the tumor wall. Tearing of the tumor can be prevented by injecting pyoktanin blue into it, and making the inside wall visible. Using this procedure, we think a tumor can be resected without residual tumor or damage to the brain. Although we have used this method only a few times, we think it is an easy and useful technique to inject pyoktanin blue into a cystic tumor during its resection.

A Unique Case of Intracranial Amelanotic Melanoma with BRAF V600E Mutation Successfully Treated via Molecular-targeted Therapy.

Melanoma carries a high risk of brain metastasis. A small subset of metastatic melanomas, known as amelanotic melanomas, does not present black coloration, reflecting a lack of melanin pigmentation. Here, we report a case of B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) V600E mutation associated with a metastatic brain tumor caused by the amelanotic melanoma. A 60-year-old man was transferred to our department following acute onsets of left upper limb paralysis and convulsion. In the brain imaging, multiple lesions in the right frontal lobe and left basal ganglia were detected, and the presence of an enlarged left axillary lymph node was revealed. Consequently, we removed the right frontal lesion and performed a biopsy of the left axillary lymph node. Histological analysis of both specimens indicated an amelanotic melanoma, and genetic testing revealed a BRAF V600E mutation. The residual intracranial lesions were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy, with dabrafenib and trametinib as the systemic treatment. Based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, we determined that the patient achieved complete remission (CR) under uninterrupted molecular-targeted therapy over a period of 10 months. After the temporary withdrawal of dabrafenib and trametinib to avoid hepatic dysfunction, a new intracranial lesion appeared. CR of this lesion was achieved following reinstatement of the two drugs. These results suggest that, under limited conditions, molecular-targeted therapy can produce a sustained response against the intracranial metastasis of melanoma, and the therapy with reduced dose is still effective against a recurrent case after cessation of the therapy due to the toxicity.

Adult Infratentorial Pial Arteriovenous Fistula Treated with Detachable Coils: A Case Report and a Review of Literature.

An appropriate therapeutic option for pial arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) can vary according to the angioarchtecture of the lesion. We present a case of adult infratentorial PAVF treated by transarterial coil embolization. A 26-year-old man was referred to our institution for an asymptomatic intracranial vascular lesion. Cerebral angiograms revealed PAVF fed by three arteries in the right cerebellomedullary cistern. The feeding arteries were accurately identified by three-dimensional rotational angiography and were successfully embolized using coils while normal arterial flow was preserved. This case report suggests that stepwise transarterial coil embolization can cure PAVF under detailed evaluation of its angioarchitecture.

[Transarterial embolization for cranial vault dural arteriovenous fistula: a case report].

A 70-year-old man presented with a rare case of a dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) at the cranial vault manifesting as headache. Cerebral angiography disclosed that multiple feeding arteries were immediately draining into the right parietal cortical vein without communication to the superior sagittal sinus, and this dAVF was classified as Borden type III and Cognard type IV. Transarterial embolization was performed using particles of polyvinyl alcohol and glue of n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate. After embolization, the dAVF had completely disappeared and the patient was discharged without any symptom. Angiogram one year after embolization showed no recanalization of dAVF. Transarterial glue embolization is a safe and effective treatment of dAVF with cortical venous reflux.

[A case of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with intracranial hemorrhage].

Intracranial cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CS-dAVF) rarely causes intracranial hemorrhage. We report a case of CS-dAVF presenting with intracranial hemorrhage. A 62-year-old man presented tonic clonic convulsion with consciousness disturbance and was transferred to our hospital. CT scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage and right frontal subcortical hemorrhage. Angiography revealed right CS-dAVF which drained only into the vein of the right sylvian fissure. Transvenous embolization was performed using detachable coils. After embolization, CS-dAVF had completely disappeared and the patient was discharged without any symptom. We summarized the fourteen reported cases, including ours, of CS-dAVF with intracranial hemorrhage. All of them had retrograde drainage through cerebral veins.

A Child with Paradoxical Cerebral Embolism in Whom Mechanical Thrombectomy Led to a Favorable Outcome.

Objective: We report a case of paradoxical cerebral embolism caused by patent foramen ovale (PFO) that was treated by the direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT). Case Presentation: The case involved a 12-year-old boy who had symptoms of dizziness and vomiting the day prior to being admitted to the emergency department. The following morning, consciousness disorder, dysarthria, and right paresis were observed, and he was transferred to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lead to the diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction due to basilar artery (BA) occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed, and Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 3 was obtained. Postoperatively, his consciousness was improved, but echocardiography revealed PFO. Percutaneous PFO closure was performed at our department of pediatric cardiology. Conclusion: For our patient with paradoxical cerebral embolism of the BA caused by PFO more than 6 hours after onset, mechanical thrombectomy with ADAPT using a Penumbra 5MAX ACE68 resulted in a good outcome.

[Arterial stenosis after coil migration in embolization of an aneurysm].

A case of arterial stenosis after coil migration in intracranial aneurysm embolization is presented. A 51-year-old woman suffered sudden onset of headache and unconsciousness. Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral angiography disclosed a right internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation aneurysm and a right ICA-anterior choroidal artery aneurysm. The aneurysms were treated by endovascular embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils. During the embolization procedure of the ICA bifurcation aneurysm, a coil strand detached in the sac had migrated into the ICA. We did not retrieve the migrated coil, because the free coil strand was stable in the ICA and did not cause distal flow reduction. The patient suffered vasospasm of the right ICA and underwent intra-arterial infusion of fasudil hydrochloride and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the ICA on day 9. The patient experienced infarction in the territory of the right anterior cerebral artery area and needed a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus. The patient was discharged with mild right hemiparesis. Follow-up angiography after six months revealed right ICA and middle cerebral artery stenosis, but the free strand of the migrated coil had not moved in the right ICA. We suspect that the coil strand might have induced thrombosis or intimal hyperplasia of the proximal M1 segment and right ICA. Although late stenosis of the parent artery might be rare, it should be recognized as a long term complication of a migrated free coil strand in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

[Transient homonymous hemianopsia due to thrombosis of the confluence of sinuses after occipital transtentorial removal of pineal region tumor].

The authors report a case of 74-year-old woman suffering thrombosis of the confluence of sinuses after the left occipital transtentorial removal of a pineal region epidermoid cyst. Four days after the operation, the patient developed left homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a venous infarct in the right occipital lobe and magnetic resonance venography disclosed a signal defect of the posterior part of the confluence of sinuses. The patients' neurological symptom recovered soon after anticoagulation treatment, and magnetic resonance venography after the sixth week showed recanalization of the confluence of sinuses. Although it might be rare, thrombosis of the dural sinus should be recognized as a complication of craniotomy.

[Enlargement of cerebral infarction after CBF study with acetazolamide challenge: two case report].

Acetazolamide has been used for a long time for the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics. Severe side effects as a result of acetazolamide infusion are uncommon. Two patients with unilatral internal carotid artery occlusion presented with enlargement of cerebral infarction after SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) with acetazolamide challenge. A 60-year-old man and a 72-year-old man suffered from stroke caused by unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Both patients underwent SPECT under acetazolamide challenge nine days later and nineteen days later respectively. Neurological symptoms did not change immediately after acetazolamide infusion in either case, but were impaired the next day and two days later respectively. CT and MRI revealed enlargement of the infarction. Both patients had lassitude and loss of appetite after acetazolamide administration, and it was possible that dehydration induced enlargement of the cerebral infarction.

[Catheter-assisted technique for endovascular treatment of a wide-neck aneurysm: a case report].

A catheter-assisted technique is a technical option that has been developed to allow the endovascular treatment of wide-neck aneurysms. We report our experience of the catheter-assisted technique in treating a wide-neck aneurysm in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery.

Midterm Follow-Up of Patients with Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization in Intractable Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

OBJECTIVE: A subset of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) remains refractory to standard treatment with hematoma drainage by burr-hole craniotomy and irrigation. We recently reported the usefulness of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for intractable CSDH in patients with multiple intractable risk factors. We present the midterm outcomes of MMA embolization in patients with intractable CSDHs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen consecutive patients (average age, 76.4 years; 12 men [71%]) underwent MMA embolization of CSDH from January 2014 to July 2017. Earlier interventions included embolization using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (although trisacryl gelatin microspheres were used in recent cases), followed by burr-hole craniotomy and irrigation in all cases. None of the patients experienced perioperative complications or postoperative recurrence. The modified Rankin Scale scores, which were unfavorable at admission, improved significantly at discharge but were comparable to those at the time of hospitalization when measured during the follow-up period. Although the patients required rehospitalization at other departments for unrelated causes, none required rehospitalization in our department. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the known unfavorable outcomes of patients with intractable CSDHs, MMA embolization was not associated with recurrent CSDH or rehospitalization in our department in the current case series. MMA embolization should be considered a preferred therapeutic option for intractable CSDHs.