Percutaneous ethanol embolization and cement augmentation of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas at two adjacent vertebral levels.

This report describes a case of successful percutaneous direct-puncture ethanol embolization, followed by vertebroplasty, of an aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) involving two adjacent thoracic vertebral levels. In this case, the 78-year-old male patient presented with a 6-month history of progressive paraparesis due to spinal cord compression by a T8-T9 VH with an extensive epidural component. Follow-up demonstrated epidural component shrinkage with complete regression of symptoms at 3 months. This case suggests that exclusive percutaneous treatment may be considered for symptomatic VH even when two adjacent vertebral levels are affected.

Giant Pediatric Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Management Using a Combined Operative Approach in a Hybrid Neuroendovascular Surgery Suite: Technical Nuances and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare, complex entities usually presenting with macrocephaly from increased intracranial pressures at a young age. In the setting of a symptomatic intracranial dAVF that has undergone multiple endovascular treatments with subsequent recurrence or failed embolization attempts, the intracranial venous system can become inaccessible by traditional transvenous and transarterial routes. Direct puncture of the venous sinus for endovascular access after surgical exposure is a viable option. OBJECTIVE: To describe the technical nuances and available literature for direct puncture of the venous sinus for endovascular access in a pediatric patient with dAVF. METHODS: The clinical characteristics were reviewed and reported for a patient who underwent direct puncture of the venous sinus for endovascular access. In addition, a literature review was conducted for relevant literature pertaining to this technique and its associated indications, outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Only 2 other reports of direct puncture of venous sinus for endovascular access after surgical exposure were found in the literature. Our patient achieved a favorable outcome with complete dAVF obliteration. CONCLUSION: Direct puncture of the venous sinus for endovascular access after surgical exposure for complex dAVFs that are inaccessible by transvenous or transarterial routes is a practical and safe approach to intracranial venous access that should be part of the vascular neurosurgeon's arsenal.

Contrast conservation measures during the global iohexol contrast shortage crisis did not affect stroke thrombectomy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The current global shortage in iohexol contrast material (Omnipaque) used in performing CT-based triage images and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) represents a challenge to the healthcare system. A study was undertaken to assess the safety and feasibility of implementing protocol-based changes in pre-MT and MT workflow at a comprehensive stroke center. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of all patients with stroke who underwent MT during a 3-week period before implementing the contrast shortage protocol and for 3 weeks while implementing the protocol. The contrast shortage protocol included not performing perfusion images for MT selection and using diluted iohexol (50% contrast mixed with 50% heparinized saline) during the MT procedure. Procedural variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients underwent MT during the study period, 12 pre-contrast shortage and 15 post-contrast shortage. The average contrast volume used during the MT procedure was reduced from 83 mL to 68 mL after implementing the contrast shortage protocol (p=0.04). No difference was noted in the rate of successful reperfusion (11/15 vs 10/12), average time to recanalization (21 vs 23 min), average radiation dose (1143 vs 1117mGy) and time under fluoroscopy (20.7 vs 20.5 min) in the pre- and post-contrast shortage groups. A favorable discharge outcome was observed in 3/12 patients and 4/15 patients in the pre- and post-shortage periods, respectively (p=0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Modifying stroke workflow to adapt to the current global shortage in iohexol is feasible. Using diluted iohexol (50% contrast mixed with 50% heparinized saline) did not affect MT outcomes.

Impact of Increasing Aspiration Catheter Size and Refinement of Technique: Experience of Over 1000 Strokes Treated With ADAPT.

BACKGROUND: We present longitudinal data regarding the outcomes and evolution of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) using a direct aspiration first pass technique. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of increasing aspiration catheter size. METHODS: This is a planned analysis of a prospective cohort study that enrolled all patients who underwent a direct aspiration first pass technique MT in a comprehensive stroke center from January 2013 to December 2020. We did exploratory analysis of the characteristics and outcomes of patients who had intracranial internal carotid artery or M1 segment of middle cerebral artery occlusion based on the aspiration catheter bore size (small [041, 054, 058, and 060 inch] vs medium [0.064 and 0.068 inch] and medium vs large [0.071, 0.072, and 0.074 inch]). RESULTS: During the 8-year study period, a total of 1004 patients were included. Median age was 69 years, 49% were female patients, and 60.6% were White. Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation was observed in 47 patients (4.7%), and 366 patients (36.5%) achieved the modified Rankin scale of 0 to 2 at 90 days after the stroke. For patients with intracranial internal carotid artery or M1 occlusion, medium-bore aspiration catheters were more likely to achieve successful recanalization after first aspiration attempt (63.9% vs 51.4%, P = .015) and had a faster groin-to-reperfusion time (16 vs 20 minutes, P = .001) when compared with small-bore catheters. However, these differences were not significant when comparing medium-bore with large-bore catheters. CONCLUSION: Medium-bore catheters had better performance measures compared with small-bore catheters. However, large-bore catheters did not show significantly better performance results that suggest a plateau effect.

Basilar Artery Perforator Aneurysms and their Contemporary Management.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms arising in relation to perforators of the basilar artery (basilar perforator aneurysms or BPA) are very rare. Prior literature indicates the need for typically more than one angiogram for diagnosis, and argues for the utility of delayed angiograms in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with initial negative studies. Different treatment modalities for BPA including endovascular, microsurgical, and conservative management have been described. Contemporary management appears to favor endovascular therapy. We discuss the topic by presenting a case which represents the first instance of BPA diagnosis after a fourth angiogram and subsequent successful endovascular occlusion. A literature review is provided. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the unique presentation and management dilemmas in the rare entity of basilar artery perforator aneurysms by presentation of a case that was managed successfully by endovascular means. We also indirectly highlight the need for multiple follow-up angiograms in initial angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We describe a 62-year-old male presenting with good clinical grade SAH and three negative angiograms, whose hospital course was complicated by repeat intraventricular hemorrhage. A fourth angiogram revealed a BPA. Multiple overlapping stents placed in the basilar artery achieved successful aneurysm exclusion. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed on PubMed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Only 57 cases of BPAs have been described in literature. Multiple angiograms may be necessary for diagnosis. These aneurysms present with SAH. Endovascular flow modification is the current treatment of choice by means of overlapping stents or flow diversion.

Illustrated Guide to the Transradial Approach for Neuroendovascular Surgery: A Step-by-Step Description Gleaned From Over 500 Cases at an Early Adopter Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, neuroangiography for diagnosis and therapy has been achieved via the transfemoral route. Femoral access, however, has been associated with catastrophic complications. Although transradial access (TRA) has been adopted late by the field of neuroendovascular surgery, several groups have recently demonstrated a dramatically safe and rapid learning curve with a radial-first approach. However, there is a need for a detailed illustrative approach on the transradial technique. OBJECTIVE: To provide a detailed description of the operative technique with step-by-step illustrations derived from our single center series of 506 cases, as an early adopter. METHODS: A step-by-step illustrated approach to our technique of transradial angiography is provided, based on our clinical experience of an early radial-first approach. Prospective review of patients undergoing transradial angiography and interventions from April 1 to November 30, 2019, at our institution was performed. We included all cases that received radial-first arterial access for diagnostic and interventional neuroangiography. Efficacy, complications, catheter use, and radiation metrics of TRA for the entire cohort were noted. The radial approach was described in 4 stages beginning from the wrist (Stage I) and ending with distal access to target vessel of interest (Stage IV). RESULTS: A total of 506 patients underwent TRA over the 7-mo period. Procedural success was achieved in 92.3% of patients (93.7% for diagnostic and 88.5% for interventional). Crossover to the femoral route occurred in 33 (6.5%) cases (25 diagnostic and 8 interventional). The majority occurred in Stage I. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Our preferred technique for the transradial approach provides excellent safety and efficacy in performing diagnostic and interventional neuroangiography. The illustrated technical steps are expected to provide guidance for early adopters of TRA.

Fast-track incorporation of the transradial approach in endovascular neurointervention.

BACKGROUND: The transradial approach as a frontline approach is a novel technique in neuroendovascular procedures. In this study we aim to present our early experience with full transition to transradial access as the first-line approach for neuroendovascular procedures. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on the first 100 consecutive patients who underwent a diagnostic or interventional neuroendovascular procedure using the transradial approach at our institution between March 22 and April 30, 2019. Baseline characteristics were collected in addition to the type of procedure, access site, catheters and wires used, complications, and whether there was crossover to transfemoral access. RESULTS: Transradial access was attempted in 121 cases and 91 cases were completed successfully (72 diagnostic procedures and 19 interventional procedures). Mean (SD) age was 56.8 (14.7) years, 54.9% (50/91) underwent the procedure in the outpatient setting, and 60.4% (55/91) were women. Seven patients had minor immediate complications related to the radial access. Interventional procedures successfully performed included aneurysm embolization (ruptured (n=3) and unruptured (n=8)), tumor embolization (n=2), cervical internal carotid artery stenting (n=2), balloon occlusion test (n=1), vertebral artery sacrifice (n=1), and arteriovenous malformation embolization (n=2). CONCLUSION: In this early experience, full transition to the transradial approach as the frontline approach is feasible with a low complication rate for both diagnostic and interventional neuroendovascular procedures.

Initial Experience in Direct Aspiration Thrombectomy Using a Novel 0.071-Inch Aspiration Catheter.

INTRODUCTION: A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique is one of the most widely used techniques in mechanical thrombectomy. Aspiration catheter size plays a major role in the success of this technique. The AXS Vecta (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, California, USA) aspiration catheter is the first approved 0.071-inch catheter for mechanical thrombectomy. Here, we report our initial experience with direct aspiration thrombectomy using the AXS Vecta aspiration catheter. METHODS: We reviewed the prospectively collected database of all consecutive patients with stroke who underwent thrombectomy using A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique with the AXS Vecta aspiration catheter at our institution between September 26 and October 12, 2018. RESULTS: A total of 10 thrombectomy procedures were performed. Of those, 3 patients had M1 occlusion, 6 patients had M2 occlusion, and 1 patient had cervical carotid + M1 tandem occlusion. Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia grade 2b or greater revascularization was obtained in 9 of 10 patients. Median groin-to-reperfusion time was 29.5 (interquartile range 14.25-53.25) minutes. An intermediate catheter (3 Max) was used in all cases. No procedural complications or vascular injury were identified. The AXS Vecta catheter demonstrated excellent tractability and navigability in all cases except 1 case with severe narrowing of M1 segment secondary to atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this early experience with the new AXS Vecta aspiration catheter, the catheter was safely navigated to the target vessel even at the level of M2 segment.