Risk Factor Analysis for Poor Outcomes in Supraorbital Keyhole Aneurysm Clipping for Ruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The transciliary keyhole approach has been actively employed for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in many institutions, although applying this technique to ruptured aneurysms remains controversial. We investigated risk factors related to poor surgical outcomes in ruptured aneurysms and attempted to clarify the differences between conventional craniotomy and keyhole surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a single institution of medical records and images from surgeries of 188 patients who underwent keyhole surgery for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms between July 2007 and February 2015. RESULTS: The study included 116 (62%) female and 72 (38%) male patients; age range was 23-86 years. Preoperative clinical grades were good in almost all patients except for a few patients with poor clinical grades. Mean aneurysm size was 5.5 mm, and the most common aneurysm location was the anterior communicating artery (n = 82). Most patients (n = 158; 91.5%) showed good clinical outcomes. Univariate analysis of risk factors associated with poor-grade outcomes after 3 months was performed. Hunt and Hess grade (odds ratio [OR] 13.50, P < 0.0001), World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale (OR 7.69, P < 0.0001), aneurysm size (OR 1.21, P = 0.019), and vasospasm (OR 6.43, P = 0.0003) were statistically significant, whereas Fisher grade, skin-to-skin time (operation time), rebleeding, and ventricle puncture were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Because incidence of poor surgical outcome of keyhole surgery is not different from known conventional craniotomy, this approach is an acceptable treatment option in a good-grade ruptured anterior circulation aneurysm.

Pipeline Embolization Device for Large/Giant or Fusiform Aneurysms: An Initial Multi-Center Experience in Korea.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and early outcomes of the Pipeline device for large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pipeline was implanted in a total of 45 patients (mean age, 58 years; M:F=10:35) with 47 large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. We retrospectively evaluated the characteristics of the treated aneurysms, the periprocedural events, morbidity and mortality, and the early outcomes after Pipeline implantation. RESULTS: The aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery (ICA) cavernous segment (n=25), ICA intradural segment (n=11), vertebrobasilar trunk (n=8), and middle cerebral artery (n=3). Procedure-related events occurred in 18 cases, consisting of incomplete expansion (n=8), shortening-migration (n=5), transient occlusion of a jailed branch (n=3), and in-stent thrombosis (n=2). Treatment-related morbidity occurred in two patients, but without mortality. Both patients had modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 2, but had an improved mRS score of 0 at 1-month follow-up. Of the 19 patients presenting with mass effect, 16 improved but three showed no changes in their presenting symptoms. All patients had excellent outcomes (mRS, 0 or 1) during the follow-up period (median, 6 months; range, 2-30 months). Vascular imaging follow-up (n=31, 65.9%; median, 3 months, range, 1-25 months) showed complete or near occlusion of the aneurysm in 24 patients (77.4%) and decreased sac size in seven patients (22.6%). CONCLUSION: In this initial multicenter study in Korea, the Pipeline seemed to be safe and effective for large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. However, a learning period may be required to alleviate device-related events.

Standards for endovascular neurosurgical training and certification of the society of korean endovascular neurosurgeons 2013.

The need for standard endovascular neurosurgical (ENS) training programs and certification in Korea cannot be overlooked due to the increasing number of ENS specialists and the expanding ENS field. The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) Certification Committee has prepared training programs and certification since 2010, and the first certificates were issued in 2013. A task force team (TFT) was organized in August 2010 to develop training programs and certification. TFT members researched programs and systems in other countries to develop a program that best suited Korea. After 2 years, a rough draft of the ENS training and certification regulations were prepared, and the standard training program title was decided. The SKEN Certification Committee made an official announcement about the certification program in March 2013. The final certification regulations comprised three major parts: certified endovascular neurosurgeons (EN), certified ENS institutions, and certified ENS training institutions. Applications have been evaluated and the results were announced in June 2013 as follows: 126 members received EN certification and 55 hospitals became ENS-certified institutions. The SKEN has established standard ENS training programs together with a certification system, and it is expected that they will advance the field of ENS to enhance public health and safety in Korea.

The difference of each angiographic finding after multiple stent according to stent type in bilateral vertebral artery dissection.

We report a case of spontaneous bilateral intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with subarachnoid hemorrhage. One dissecting lesion was treated with a coronary balloon-mounted stent (BMS) technique; however, due to differences in access route tortuosity, the other lesion was treated with a self-expandable stent (SES) technique. After 2 months, the angiographic outcome showed complete healing of the dissected segment on the side that was treated with BMS; in contrast, the dissection lesion appeared to be re-growing on the side that was treated with SES. Complete treatment of the aggravated lesion was achieved by additional deployment of BMSs. Therefore, we have provided a discussion of the possible reasons for this difference in outcome according to the stent type.

Endovascular treatment of blood blister-like aneurysms using multiple self-expanding stents.

The surgical as well as endovascular treatment of blood-blister-like aneursysms (BBAs) is extremely difficult because of these pathological natures, such as small and the fragile necks. The optimal treatment of BBAs has remained uncertain. Stents are known to divert blood flow and induce thrombosis of intracranial aneurysms. We report 3 cases of successful obliteration of BBAs after multiple stents placement.

Changes in Bypass Flow during Temporary Occlusion of Unused Branch of Superficial Temporal Artery.

OBJECTIVE: Some neurosurgeons intentionally ligate the branches of the superficial temporal artery (STA) that are not used in standard STA-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis for the purpose of improving the flow rate in the bypass graft. We investigated changes in bypass flow during temporary occlusion of such unused branches of the STA. METHODS: Bypass blood flow was measured by a quantitative microvascular ultrasonic flow probe before and after temporary occlusion of branches of the STA that were not used for anastomosis. We performed measurements on twelve subjects and statistically assessed changes in flow. We also examined all the patients with digital subtraction angiography in order to observe any post-operative changes in STA diameter. RESULTS: Initial STA flow ranged from 15 mL/min to 85 mL/min, and the flow did not change significantly during occlusion as compared with pre-occlusion flow. The occlusion time was extended by 30 minutes in all cases, but this did not contribute to any significant flow change. CONCLUSION: The amount of bypass flow in the STA seems to be influenced not by donor vessel status but by recipient vessel demand. Ligation of the unused STA branch after completion of anastomosis does not contribute to improvement in bypass flow immediately after surgery, and furthermore, carries some risk of skin necrosis. It is better to leave the unused branch of the STA intact for use in secondary operation and to prevent donor vessel occlusion.

Is Transradial Cerebral Angiography Feasible and Safe? A Single Center's Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Although a transradial angiography is accepted as the gold standard for cardiovascular procedures, cerebral angiography has been performed via transfemoral approach in most institutions. The purpose of this study is to present our experience concerning the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a transradial approach to cerebral angiography as an alternative to a transfemoral approach. METHODS: Between February 2007 and October 2009, a total of 1,240 cerebral angiographies were performed via a transradial approach in a single center. The right radial approach was used as an initial access route. The procedure continued only after the ulnar artery was proven to provide satisfactory collateral perfusion according to two tests (a modified Allen's test and forearm angiography). RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 94.8% with a mean duration of 28 minutes. All supra-aortic vessels were successfully catheterized with a success rate of 100%. The success rates of selective catheterization to the right vertebral artery, right internal carotid artery, left internal carotid artery, and left vertebral artery were 96.1%, 98.6%, 82.6% and 52.2%, respectively. The procedure was performed more than twice in 73 patients (5.9%), including up to 4 times in 2 patients. The radial artery occlusion was found in 4 patients (5.4%) on follow-up cerebral angiography, but no ischemic symptoms were observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cerebral angiography using a transradial approach can be performed with minimal risk of morbidity. In particular, this procedure might be useful for follow-up angiographies and place less stress on patients.

Angiographic and clinical outcomes of stent-alone treatment for spontaneous vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysm.

PURPOSE: Spontaneous vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysm (VBD) is a very challenging disease with an unpredictable clinical course and controversies on treatment strategy. The present study reports radiological and clinical outcomes of stent-alone treatment (SAT) for VBD. METHODS: Twenty-four VBDs treated with SAT are included in the present study. Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 24 lesions in 22 patients with a mean follow-up period of 16.21 months were included. Of the 24 individual lesions, 23 were intracranial vertebral artery lesions and 1 lesion was located in the basilar artery. There were six cases of ruptured dissections with the other cases having various symptoms. The immediate post-SAT angiographic outcomes included 5 lesions with good remodeling over 90% recovery and 19 poorly remodeled lesions. The latest angiographic outcomes included 17 cases of good remodeling (remodeling rate over 90%), 6 cases of poor remodeling (remodeling rate below 70%), and 1 case with morphological aggravation. The overlapping stent technique was used in seven cases and it was significantly associated with good angiographic results. None of the rupture cases underwent re-rupture post SAT. There was one case of a symptomatic complication of a femoral arteriovenous fistula. CONCLUSIONS: The SAT could be a feasible alternative for the treatment of VBD. The overlapping technique was significantly associated with good angiographic outcome. We expect that technological development of the intracranial stent will allow better procedural outcomes of SAT.

Computed tomography angiography, perfusion computed tomography, and a drug-eluting stent for the treatment of in-stent restenosis of the middle cerebral artery.

The authors report a case of in-stent restenosis (ISR) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) following bare-metal stent (BMS) deployment and subsequent treatment using a drug-eluting stent (DES). This 65-year-old woman presented with frequent transient ischemic attacks. Initial studies revealed occlusion of the left internal carotid artery and severe stenosis of the right MCA with decreased cerebral perfusion in the bilateral MCA territories. Stent-assisted angioplasty of the right MCA was performed using a BMS, and satisfactory results were obtained with no complications. Six months after the procedure the patient presented with recurrent symptoms, and workups revealed ISR with decreased cerebral perfusion. A DES was successfully placed without complications. Follow-up studies at 3 and 8 months after retreatment showed sustained luminal integrity and cerebral perfusion. A combination of CT angiography and perfusion CT exhibited the anatomical results and hemodynamic status of the stenotic lesion, and these findings coincided with the patient's clinical symptoms and the results of conventional cerebral angiography. In-stent restenosis of the MCA after placement of a BMS can be treated using a DES. A combination of CT angiography and perfusion CT can be an alternative to conventional angiography. Low-profile devices with an amelioration of trackability are essential for the further incorporation of the DES into the field of endovascular neurosurgery. More clinical experiences and long-term follow-ups are mandatory to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and durability of the DES.

Delayed carotid wallstent shortening resulting in restenosis following successful carotid artery angioplasty and stenting.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for carotid stenosis has been increasingly used as an alternative treatment in patients not eligible for surgery. Even though CAS can be performed relatively simply in many cases, various complications can occur. We report four cases of CAS using the Carotid Wallstent, which were complicated by delayed shortening of the stent, resulting in restenosis after successful CAS.

Transarterial coil embolization of a carotid-cavernous fistula which occurred during stent angioplasty.

Intracranial endovascular procedures are less invasive and relatively safe; however, these procedures do carry a risk of complications, such as thromboembolization, arterial injury, and vessel occlusion. We present a case of carotid-cavernous fistula development secondary to injury of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) during stent angioplasty and its treatment by transarterial coil embolization. Probable causes of this complication and its treatment method are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case.

Intravascular ultrasonography-guided stent angioplasty of an extracranial vertebral artery dissection.

The authors report on a case of intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS)-guided stent angioplasty for iatrogenic extracranial vertebral artery (VA) dissection in a 49-year-old man after coil embolization for an unruptured aneurysm of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Insignificant dissections occurred during the procedure. Postoperatively, the patient experienced gradually worsening posterior neck pain and headache, and follow-up angiography 8 months after the coil embolization revealed expansion of the dissection. The patient underwent stent angioplasty with IVUS guidance and his symptoms improved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of IVUS-guided stent angioplasty of an extracranial VA dissection. It was safe and feasible to treat extracranial VA dissections with stent placement under IVUS guidance. Intravascular environments are in real time with IVUS, and this technique is useful in the confirmation of a true lumen and evaluation of appropriate stent apposition. More clinical experience with this technique is necessary and mandatory, and devices with smaller diameters with improved trackability are essential for further introduction of IVUS into the field of endovascular neurosurgery.

Stent fracture and restenosis after placement of a drug-eluting device in the vertebral artery origin and treatment with the stent-in-stent technique. Report of two cases.

The authors report two cases of stent fracture and restenosis after placement of a drug-eluting device in the vertebral artery (VA) origin, and describe management of restenosis with the stent-in-stent technique. Two women, one 62 and the other 67 years of age, underwent stent placement in the VA origin to treat symptomatic and angiographically significant stenosis in this vessel. Sirolimus-eluting coronary stents (Cypher) were used in both cases. Four months after placement of the devices, the symptoms recurred. Follow-up angiography performed 5 months after insertion of the devices revealed a transverse stent fracture with separation of the fragments and severe in-stent restenosis in both cases. The restenoses were treated with reinsertion of coronary stents (Cypher and Jostent FlexMaster) by using the stent-in-stent technique. After stent reinsertion, the patients exhibited relief of symptoms. This paper is the first report of fracture in a drug-eluting stent and restenosis after stent placement in the VA origin. Restenosis caused by such a fracture can be managed successfully by performing the stent-in-stent maneuver. The physical properties of metallic devices, stent strut geometry, and anatomical peculiarities of the subclavian artery may be associated with stent fractures. Earlier follow-up angiography studies (within 6 months) are warranted.