The role of intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical Thrombectomy: A subgroup analysis of the RESILIENT trial.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have recently evaluated the non-inferiority of direct thrombectomy versus intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) followed by endovascular therapy in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in patients eligible for IVT within 4.5 h from stroke onset with controversial results. We aimed to assess the effect of IVT on the clinical outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the RESILIENT trial. METHODS: RESILIENT was a randomized, prospective, multicenter, controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy versus medical treatment alone. A total of 221 patients were enrolled. The trial showed a substantial benefit of MT when added to medical management. All eligible patients received intravenous tPA within the 4.5-h-window. Ordinal logistic and binary regression analyses using intravenous tPA as an interaction term were performed with adjustments for potential confounders, including age, baseline NIHSS score, occlusion site, and ASPECTS. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 221 randomized patients (median NIHSS, 18 IQR [14-21]), 155 (70%) were treated with IVT. There was no difference in the mRS ordinal shift and frequency of functional independence between patients who received or not IV tPA; the odds ratio for the ordinal mRS shift was 2.63 [1.48-4.69] for the IVT group and 1.54 [0.63-3.74] for the no IVT group, with a p-value of 0.42. IVT also did not affect the frequency of good recanalization (TICI 2b or higher) and hemorrhagic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: The large effect size of MT on LVO outcomes was not significantly affected by IVT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RESILIENT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02216643.

Interhemispheric transcallosal transforaminal approach for decompression of a giant superior cerebellar artery thrombosed aneurysm: Three-dimensional operative video.

BACKGROUND: Giant brain aneurysms account for approximately 5% of all intracranial aneurysms, often presenting with intraluminal thrombosis that causes a mass effect in surrounding neural structures. Although its exact growing mechanism remains unknown, they have to be treated. Despite the most recent advances in neurosurgical fields, the best treatment modality remains unknown and surgery of giant superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysms still is a challenge even for the most experienced neurosurgeons, due to their deep location, surrounding perforating vessels, and intraluminal thrombosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: In this video, we present the case of a 65-year-old woman with progressive hemiparesis and paresis of low cranial nerves. The symptoms were caused by a giant aneurysm located in the origin of the SCA. Despite endovascular embolization of the aneurysm and placement of a flow diverter stent, the aneurysm increased in size causing symptoms progression. In that scenario, we decided to perform a microsurgical decompression of the aneurysm thrombus and coagulation of the vasa vasorum, to reduce the mass effect and prevent the aneurysm from keep growing. CONCLUSION: Through an extensive description of the surgical anatomy, we illustrate an interhemispheric transcallosal transforaminal approach, with the removal of anterior thalamic tubercle to widely expose the aneurysm dome. The surgery was successfully performed, and the patient symptoms improved. The patient signed the Institutional Consent Form, which allows the use of her images and videos for any type of medical publications in conferences and/or scientific articles.

Republished: Spinal arteriovenous malformation without endovascular arterial access: is a combined neurosurgical approach and direct venous puncture an option?

This case report describes a combined neurosurgical and endovascular approach for the treatment of a conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation resulting in considerable improvement in the patient's neurological condition (modified Rankin Scale score 2).

Spinal arteriovenous malformation without endovascular arterial access: is a combined neurosurgical approach and direct venous puncture an option?

This case report describes a combined neurosurgical and endovascular approach for the treatment of a conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation resulting in considerable improvement in the patient's neurological condition (modified Rankin Scale score 2).

The PHASES score: To treat or not to treat? Retrospective evaluation of the risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The PHASES score was formulated to predict the 5-year risk of rupture for intracranial aneurysms. We retrospectively analyzed all patients treated in our institution for aneurysmal SAH and applied the PHASES score to estimate the probable predicted risk of bleeding in this group of patients. METHODS: Between February 2015 and August 2018, all patients with aneurysmal SAH were retrospectively analyzed and the PHASES score was applied. A total of 155 patients were included with a mean age of 53.8years, including 60 males and 95 females. RESULTS: Of our patients 110 (70.9%) had a PHASES score of below or equal to 5, with a hemorrhagic risk of up to 1.3% over 5years. If we analyze the patients with a risk of below 2% this figure increases to 122 patients (78.7%). Of these 99.3% were European and 0.6% were Japanese (1 patient). In 86 patients (55.4%), the aneurysm was smaller than 5mm and in 10 patients (6.4%) the aneurysm was located in the posterior circulation. CONCLUSION: Of our patients 78.7% had less than a 2% 5-year rupture risk based on their PHASES score, highlighting the discrepancy of the rupture risk calculated with the PHASES score when hypothetically applied to this group of patients. In the hypothetical scenario that our patients had unruptured aneurysms, our retrospective analysis shows that the PHASES score may only provide a weak tool for clinicians to use in the decision-making process as to whether or not to treat these aneurysms.

Flow diversion treatment of aneurysms of the complex region of the anterior communicating artery: which stent placement strategy should 'I' use? A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) are difficult to treat with coiling or clipping because of the anatomical variation in this region. Flow diversion represents a feasible treatment, but no consensus exists as to which stent deployment technique is more suitable. METHODS: All patients with ACoA aneurysms treated with flow diverters between April 2014 and November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Aneurysm characteristics, follow-up results, and clinical outcome data were recorded, and a new classification comparing the diameters of both A1 segments is proposed: H1=same diameters; H2=<50% difference in diameters; H3= ≥50% difference; and Y=no A1 segment. RESULTS: We analyzed 30 procedures in 30 patients with ACoA aneurysms, including 16 ruptured aneurysms treated with coiling embolization and 4 previously unruptured aneurysms (two Medina and two Woven EndoBridge devices). Adequate aneurysm occlusion occurred in 86.9%; one patient (3.3%) experienced symptomatic ischemic stroke. The global thromboembolic complications for each group were 17.6% (H1), 25% (H2), and 60% (H3). CONCLUSION: Flow diversion treatment in this region is safe, feasible, and effective. The most suitable anatomical configuration for flow diverter treatment seems to be the H1 configuration where the 'I technique' is suitable (from an A1 segment to the ipsilateral A2). There is a tendency that the H3 configuration is not a good indication for flow diverter treatment. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility of this anatomical classification and the reproducibility of our findings.

Tratamento endovascular de fístula vertebrovertebral atípica / Endovascular treatment of atypical vertebro-vertebral fistulae: case report

Os autores apresentam um caso de fístula vertebrovertebral(FVV) atípica, em uma paciente de 17 anos que, seis mesesantes, iniciou com sopro no ouvido esquerdo. A angiografiademonstrou oclusão da artéria vertebral (AV) esquerda eopacificação da FVV retrogradamente pela AV direita ecervical ascendente. O tratamento realizou-se com balões pelaAV direita. O controle demonstrou oclusão da FVV, não sendonecessário intervir na artéria cervical ascendente, confirmandoo acerto na estratégia adotada com oclusão do ponto fistular.

Tratamento endovascular das malformaçöes arteriovenosas cerebrais menores que 25 mm / Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations less than 25 mm in diameter

Foram encaminhados para tratamento endovascular 70 pacientes portadores de 71 malformaçoes arteriovenosas cerebrais (MAV) medindo menos que 25 mm no período de setembro de 1996 a junho de 2000. Trinta e seis pacientes foram tratados no Serviço de Neurorradiologia Diagnóstica e Terapêutica do Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière (Paris - França) no período de setembro de 1996 a setembro de 1998 e 34 pacientes foram tratados na Disciplina de Neurocirurgia da UNIFESP/EPM no período de setembro de 1996 a junho de 2000. A idade dos pacientes variou entre 4 e 73 anos (média de 30,3 anos), com discreta predominância do sexo masculino (54 por cento). O sintoma mais freqüente foi hemorragia cerebral, acometendo 63,4 por cento dos pacientes, seguido de cefaléia em 15,5 por cento e epilepsia em 9,8 por cento dos pacientes. O diagnóstico foi realizado através de tomografia e/ou ressonância magnética do crânio e confirmado pela angiografia por subtraçao digital. Aplicando-se a classificaçao de SPETZLER & MARTIN (1986), 35,2 por cento das MAV eram de grau 1; 31,0 por cento de grau 2 e 33,8 por cento de grau 3. As MAV de grau 3 apresentaram hemorragias em número significantemente maior que as de graus 1 e 2. Todos os pacientes foram tratados por cateterismo femoral sob anestesia geral utilizando-se, na maioria das vezes, microcateteres guiados pelo fluxo e histoacrylr como material embólico em todos os casos. O resultado do tratamento demonstrou oclusao total das MAV em 78,9 por cento dos casos e em 91,1 por cento daqueles que haviam sofrido hemorragia cerebral. O número de pedículos arteriais envolvidos na irrigaçao das MAV foi determinante no sucesso do tratamento. Nas MAV irrigadas por 1 ou 2 pedículos arteriais, a oclusao total foi atingida em número significantemente mais elevado do que nas MAV com maior número de pedículos nutrientes. A escala de SPETZLER & MARTIN (1986) nao foi preditiva do sucesso da embolizaçao, pois nao observamos diferenças quanto à oclusao alcançada entre os graus das MAV e as complicaçoes ocorridas também nao se correlacionaram com o grau das MAV nessa escala...(au)

Uma nova técnica de utilização de balões destacáveis para oclusão carotídea / A new technique for detachable balloons utilization for carotid occlusion

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma modificação técnica do uso de balões destacáveis para oclusão carotídea, visando aumentar a segurança do procedimento. Pela via femoral, e pelo mesmo cateter-guia, são introduzidos, simultaneamente, dois balões destacáveis até a artéria carótida interna, permitindo obter-se controle do fluxo proximal da artéria carótida interna em caso de esvaziamento prematuro do primeiro balão.

Acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo embólico tratado com rt-PA durante cinecoronariografia eletiva / Acute Embolic Ischaemic Stroke Treated with rt-PA during Elective Coronary Angiography

A 56-year-old female with unstable angina, presented an acute embolic ischaemic stroke of right medium cerebral artery during elective coronary angiography. Complete patency was achieved after an intraarterial infusion of rt-PA (60mg/60min) with important functional improvement.

Mulher de 56 anos, portadora de angina instável, apresentou episódio tromboembólico agudo da artéria cerebral média direita, durante cinecoronariografia eletiva. A infusão intra-arterial do rt-PA, na dose de 60mg, durante 60min, promoveu recanalização da artéria com recuperação do déficit neurológico

Lipomas intracranianos / Intracranial lipomas

Os lipomas sao lesoes constituídas por um tecido gorduroso maduro. Apesar de sua grande freqüência no homem, em especial no tecido celular subcutâneo, sao raramente encontrados em localizaçao intracraniana. O corpo caloso é o local mais freqüente, porém já foram descritos casos em quase todos os locais do encéfalo. Freqüentemente sao assintomáticos, porém podem cursar com um quadro de cefaléia, crises convulsivas, alteraçoes mentais ou déficits focais. O tratamento é conservador na maioria dos casos. Os autores apresentam 5 casos de lipomas intracranianos. Em quatro casos a lesao localizava-se no corpo caloso e em um caso ocupava a regiao supra-selar. A queixa mais comum foi a cefaléia constante, presente em dois casos. Um caso apresentava buftalmo unilateral. O tratamento foi sintomático em todos os casos.

Hérnia de disco torácico: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Thoracic disc herniation: case report and review of the literature

A hérnia de disco torácico é uma patologia bastante rara correspondendo a menos de l por cento das patologias discais. Relatamos um caso de uma hérnia discal T7/T8 calcificada, abordada por via transpedicular. Revisamos as diversas técnicas operatórias utilizadas para esta patologia.