Endovascular treatment of a ruptured blister-like aneurysm at an azygos anterior cerebral artery: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Endovascular treatment for a ruptured blister-like aneurysm (BLA) has recently become a hopeful approach. BLAs are usually located on the dorsal wall of the internal carotid artery, whereas one located on the azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is so rare, it has never been reported. We report a case of a ruptured BLA arising at the distal bifurcation of an azygos ACA treated by stent-assisted coil embolization. Case Description: A 73-year-old woman presented with a disturbance of consciousness. Computed tomography showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was observed to be particularly dense in the interhemispheric fissure. Three-dimensional rotation angiography showed a tiny and conical bulge on the distal bifurcation of the azygos trunk. Follow-up digital subtraction angiography performed on day 4 showed enlargement of the aneurysm, and a BLA arising at the azygos bifurcation was diagnosed. Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) was performed using a low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) Jr. stent, which was implanted from the left pericallosal artery to the azygos trunk. Follow-up angiography showed that the aneurysm thrombosed gradually and reached complete occlusion 90 days after onset. Conclusion: SAC for a BLA at the distal bifurcation of an azygos ACA might be an effective treatment option leading to early complete occlusion, but thrombus formation as an intraoperative complication should be noted in the BLA at the bifurcation or the peripheral artery, as in the present case.

Bilateral ballism as limb-shaking transient ischemic attacks treated with unilateral carotid artery stent placement.

Bilateral limb-shaking transient ischemic attack (LS-TIA) is a rare disease involving carotid artery stenosis, characterized by ballism-like involuntary movements of the arms and legs. We describe the case report of a male patient in his 80s presented with continuous bilateral ballism in the arms and legs and tongue dyskinesia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no ischemic lesions, while cerebral angiography revealed right internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and 80% stenosis of the left ICA. 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography demonstrated hypoperfusion in the right cerebral cortex but hyperperfusion in both basal ganglia. Left ICA stenting was performed, and involuntary limb shaking disappeared. This case report highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment of bilateral ballism as LS-TIA.

Utility of O-arm navigation for atlantoaxial fusion with Bow Hunter's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In spinal instrumentation surgery, safe and accurate placement of implants such as lateral mass screws and pedicle screws should be a top priority. In particular, C2 stabilization can be challenging due to the complex anatomy of the upper cervical spine. Here, we present a case of Bow Hunter's syndrome (BHS) successfully treated by an O-arm-navigated atlantoaxial fusion. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 53-year-old male presented with a 10-year history of repeated episodes of transient loss of consciousness following neck rotation to the right. Although the unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed no pathological findings, the MR angiogram with dynamic digital subtraction angiography revealed a dominant left vertebral artery (VA) and hypoplasia of the right VA. The latter study further demonstrated significant flow reduction in the left VA at the C1-C2 level when the head was rotated toward the right. With these findings of BHS, a C1-C2 decompression/posterior fusion using the Goel-Harms technique with O-arm navigation was performed. The postoperative cervical X-rays showed adequate decompression/fixation, and symptoms resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSION: C1-C2 posterior decompression/fusion effectively treats BHS, and is more safely/effectively performed utilizing O-arm navigation for C1-C2 screw placement.

Utility of targeted balloon protection of the venous sinus for endovascular treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula by transarterial embolization with Onyx: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Onyx has already been reported as an effective and safe agent in transarterial embolization of cranial dural arteriovenous fistula (d-AVF). However, successful treatment is related to not only complete shunt obliteration but also preservation of a normal route of venous drainage. Here, we present a case of transverse sigmoid d-AVF in which successful treatment was achieved by transarterial Onyx embolization with targeted balloon protection of the venous drainage. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 70-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of tinnitus in the left ear and mild headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a cluster of abnormal blood vessels in the area of the left transverse sinus (TS)-sigmoid sinus (SS) junction. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a Cognard type IIa d-AVF at the left TS-SS junction, supplied mainly by vessels such as the left middle meningeal artery, left occipital artery, and left meningohypophyseal trunk. In the venous phase, the ipsilateral TS-SS was recognized as a functional sinus and the left vein of Labbe drained into the TS near the drainage channel. Based on these findings, we decided to perform endovascular treatment under a transarterial approach with Onyx using targeted balloon protection of the venous sinus to protect against Onyx migration and preserve antegrade sinus flow. The patient recovered well without sequelae, and follow-up MRI 12 months later showed complete disappearance of the d-AVF. CONCLUSION: This treatment strategy using targeted balloon protection may be very useful to preserve antegrade sinus flow in patients with Cognard type IIa d-AVF.

Relationship between Deep White Matter Hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Postoperative Cognitive Function Following Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm.

To evaluate the effects on cognitive function of deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients treated surgically for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). The subjects were 106 patients in whom a Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised (WAIS-R) examination was performed 1 week before and 1 month after clipping surgery for asymptomatic UIAs. DWMH severity was evaluated on preoperative MR images by Fazekas scale, as follows: none (absence), mild (punctate foci), moderate (beginning confluence of foci), or severe (large confluent areas). A decrease of 7 or more points in intelligence quotient (IQ) postoperatively was considered deterioration. Fazekas score was none in 41 (none group), mild in 42 (mild group), moderate in 21, and severe in 2 patients (moderate/severe group). Patient characteristics, surgical factors, IQ change, and abnormal findings on postoperative MRI were compared among the groups. Although there was no statistically significant deterioration in IQ postoperatively in any group, the percentage of deteriorated patients was significantly higher in the moderate/severe group (34.8%) than in the other groups (4.9% in the none group, 7.1% in the mild group; p <0.01, p <0.05, respectively). Brain injury was observed more frequently on postoperative MR images in the moderate/severe group (17.4%) compared with the none group (2.4%; p = 0.052). The presence of moderate/severe DWMHs was an independent prognostic factor for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, the presence of moderate/severe DWMHs was a prognostic factor for postoperative cognitive dysfunction after surgery for UIAs.

Interventional Distal Embolization before Corrective Cervical Spinal Surgery for Posttraumatic Vertebral Artery Occlusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objective: A traumatic vertebral artery (VA) injury may result in serious cerebral infarction in the vertebrobasilar area. However, the approach to its diagnosis and the optimal treatment have not yet been established. We present a patient with traumatic occlusion of a unilateral VA due to the multiple cervical spine fractures who required decompression and fixation, in whom the injured VA was coil embolized distal to the occlusion prior to the cervical spine surgery. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old woman was injured in a car accident and, presented with C6-C7 superior articular process fractures and C2-C3 ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with sensory hypoesthesia and motor palsy of the left upper limb. MRA showed left VA occlusion and patent contralateral VA. DSA showed left VA occlusion from the origin to C5/6 and its antegrade flow by collateral orthodromic circulation from the muscular branches. To prevent vertebrobasilar infarction due to migration of the thrombus from the occluded VA which was recanalized by surgical fixation, distal coil embolization of the injured VA by navigating a microcatheter through the contralateral VA across the vertebrobasilar junction was performed. Neither ischemic events nor new neurologic symptoms occurred during follow-up. Conclusion: Preoperative coil embolization to a traumatic VA occlusion can be one of the therapeutic choices to prevent thromboembolic stroke after cervical spine surgery. When the proximal segment of the VA was injured and VA occluded from origin, this treatment strategy is feasible, safe, and effective.

A rare case of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula mimicking malignant glioma of the medulla oblongata: Significance of cerebral angiography for accurate diagnosis of brain stem region.

BACKGROUND: The findings of a hyperintense sign on T2-weighted imaging (T2-WI) and gadolinium (Gd) contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain stem suggest malignant glioma. However, this pathological condition is probably uncommon, and it may be unknown that a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) can imitate this radiological pattern. In addition, it is extremely rare to be caused by a spinal DAVF. Here, a rare case of spinal DAVF that mimicked malignant glioma of the medulla oblongata is presented. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 56-year-old woman was admitted with a progressive gait disturbance, vertigo, and dysphasia. MRI showed a hyperintense signal in the medulla oblongata on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and moderate contrast enhancement on Gd-enhanced MRI. Interestingly, Gd-enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal dilated veins around the brain stem and cervical spinal cord. Cerebral angiography showed spinal DAVF at the left C4/C5 vertebral foramen fed by the C5 radicular artery. The fistula drained into spinal perimedullary veins and flowed out retrograde at the cortical vein of the posterior cranial fossa. Therefore, surgical disconnection of the spinal DAVF was performed by a posterior approach. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Cerebral angiography showed complete disappearance of the DAVF, with marked reductions of the hyperintense sign of the medulla oblongata on FLAIR. CONCLUSION: This important case illustrates MRI findings mimicking brain stem glioma. In cases with the hyperintense sign-on T2-WI associated with contrast enhancement suspicious of brainstem glioma, careful checking for perimedullary abnormal vessels and additional cerebral angiography should be performed.

Utility of bulging technique for endovascular treatment of small and wide-necked aneurysms with a Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS Jr.) device: A case report and review of the literature.

Small and broad-necked aneurysms are generally very difficult to treat using endovascular therapy. The arrival of the low-profile stent (e.g., Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support; LVIS) has enabled reconstructive treatment for these aneurysms. In addition, the bulging technique using LVIS is an effective and attractive technique for performing stent-assisted coiling to preserve parent arteries and achieve neck coverage. We report here a patient with a small and wide-necked ruptured basilar artery (BA) top aneurysm, in whom successful treatment was achieved by stent-assisted coiling with LVIS Jr. using the bulging technique. A 74-year-old woman with moderate hypertension consulted for treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage with a ruptured BA top aneurysm measuring 2.7 mm in height with a 4.3 mm neck. We initially tried emergency balloon-assisted coiling, but coiling proved difficult. We therefore performed stent-assisted coiling with LVIS Jr. using the bulging technique. The postoperative course was uneventful, with no aggravation of neurological symptoms, and the patient was discharged 14 days postoperatively. This treatment strategy with LVIS Jr. using the bulging technique may be very useful for patients with a ruptured aneurysm with a small and broad neck that would otherwise require treatment with intravascular devices or open surgery.

Plasma thrombin-cleaved osteopontin as a potential biomarker of acute atherothrombotic ischemic stroke.

We investigated whether thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal is useful as a blood biomarker of acute atherothrombotic ischemic stroke. Acute ischemic stroke patients were prospectively evaluated with brain magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac evaluations for etiological diagnosis according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification. They were divided into the atherothrombotic and non-atherothrombotic groups. Thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal, osteopontin, matrix metalloproteinase-9, S100B, C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were measured from blood samples collected at admission. After excluding patients who met the exclusion criteria or had stroke of other/undetermined etiology, 60 of the 100 patients initially enrolled were included in the final analysis. The ischemic stroke subtypes were atherothrombotic (n=28, 46.7%), cardioembolic (n=19, 31.7%) and lacunar (n=13, 21.7%). Thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal and matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were significantly higher in the atherothrombotic than in the non-atherothrombotic group (median (interquartile range): 5.83 (0.0-8.6 ) vs. 0.0 (0.0-3.3) pmol l-1, P=0.03 and 544 (322-749 ) vs. 343 (254-485) ng ml-1, P=0.01, respectively). After adjustment for the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal levels of >5.47 pmol l-1 (odds ratio, 16.81; 95% confidence interval, 3.53-80.10) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels of >605.5 ng ml-1 (6.59; 1.77-24.60) were identified as independent predictors of atherothrombosis. Within 3 h from stroke onset, only thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal independently predicted atherothrombosis and thus may add valuable, time-sensitive diagnostic information in the early evaluation of ischemic stroke, especially the atherothrombotic subtype.

[A Case of Peripheral Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Showing Repeated Morphological Changes].

We describe a case of a peripheral ruptured middle cerebral artery(MCA)aneurysm showing repeated morphological changes within a short period of 3 months. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to her primary care hospital with headache. Cranial computed tomography (CT) showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but ruptured aneurysm was not confirmed on 4-vessel cerebral angiography. Conservative treatment was provided in the form of pain relief and blood pressure control. However, left internal carotid artery angiography (ICAG) conducted 12 days post-onset showed a peripheral MCA aneurysm, which was enlarged 1 week later. The patient did not tolerate balloon test occlusion, showing neurological deficit. Direct surgery was planned, but angiography on day 30 revealed a reduction in aneurysm size. Medical therapy was therefore continued for 1 month; however, the aneurysm showed repeated enlargements over 3 months. The patient therefore consulted our hospital for surgery, which was performed using a transsylvian approach. As we were unable to rule out pseudoaneurysm, we performed superficial temporal artery-MCA anastomosis as a form of trapping surgery. However, the lesion appeared to likely represent a congenital aneurysm when viewed macroscopically, so we performed neck clipping as a definitive treatment. Navigation and motor-evoked potential monitoring were useful to approach the aneurysm and predict the preservation of motor function. Histological examination revealed a congenital aneurysm with organized thrombus. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 2 weeks after surgery without any neurological deficit.

Usefulness of the fusion imaging of 3D-CT and MRA for carotid artery stenting with minimum use of contrast medium in patient with renal dysfunction.

Patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis with multiple medical problems generally undergo carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, it is difficult to perform CAS in some patients because iodinated contrast medium is hard to use. We report a patient with asymptomatic ICA stenosis and chronic renal failure, in whom successful treatment was achieved using CAS with minimal use of iodinated contrast medium. A 68-year-old man with severely chronic renal failure was consulted for treatment of left ICA stenosis. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and carotid echography revealed left ICA severe stenosis, and systemic non-contrast MRA showed left femoral artery constriction, but right femoral artery to be intact. CAS was therefore performed through the right femoral artery, using non-contrast three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) with MRA fusion imaging, intravascular ultrasonography, and a small amount of iodinated low-osmolar contrast medium. Postoperative course was uneventful with no aggravation of renal dysfunction, and he was discharged 7 days postoperatively. These techniques are very useful for patients with chronic renal failure, and this present case represents the first report of CAS treated by using non-contrast 3D-CT with MRA fusion image technique.

Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula with unusual drainage route treated by transarterial embolization.

Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare intracranial lesions associated with a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In particular, this entity with reflux drainage directly into the ophthalmic vein is extremely rare. We report a case of ethmoidal dural AVF with direct drainage of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and inferior ophthalmic vein (IOV), successfully treated by endovascular surgery. A 58-year-old man presented with progressive diplopia. Angiography and contrast-enhanced CT showed an ethmoidal dural AVF supplied via the bilateral anterior ethmoidal arteries and venous drainage through the left SOV and IOV. A transarterial approach through the bilateral anterior ethmoidal arteries was used to place the microcatheter close to the fistula site. After intra-arterial embolization with 20% N-butyl cyanoacrylate, the dural AVF was completely occluded. In patients with good vascular access, endovascular transarterial embolization may be an effective and less invasive treatment strategy for ethmoidal dural AVF.

[Pathogenesis of in-stent thrombosis after carotid artery stenting].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In-stent thrombosis (IST) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a rare complication that can lead to severe thromboembolic events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of IST after CAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 101 patients underwent CAS from January 2006 to September 2013 at our hospital. Five of these patients experienced IST. We reviewed their clinical course and treatment. In addition, we compared various parameters, including basal disease, preceding anti-platelet therapy, rate of stenosis, length of stenosis, preoperative examination, type of stent, length of stent, post dilatation, and postoperative examination, between the IST and the non-IST groups. OUTCOME: All cases in the IST group had low echoic plaque and open cell stent, and all thrombi were located at the dorsal side of the internal carotid artery and the distal side of the stent flexion. Four cases without neurological symptoms were found to have resolution of IST at 3-6 weeks after CAS with anticoagulant therapy. One case had symptomatic thromboembolism at 1 month after CAS, and the thrombus was removed along with the stent due to growth of the thrombus despite anticoagulant therapy. No significant differences were observed between the IST and non-IST groups with regard to the factors described in the methods section. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not identify factors related to IST. We hypothesize that soft plaque can easily protuberate in the context of a stent with a large cell and that protrusion plaque may increase the risk of thrombus formation in combination with turbulent flow at the site of stent flexion. Further investigation in a larger number of patients is needed to clarify the risk factors related to IST.

[Successful recanalization of intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion by rapidly changing from the Penumbra System® to the Merci® Retrieval System to retrieve a predicted white thrombus: a case report].

This report describes a case of successful recanalization of intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion by rapidly changing from the Penumbra System® to the Merci® Retrieval System for the retrieval of a predicted white thrombus. A 72-year-old man was consulted to our department with a consciousness disturbance. The patient had undergone graft placement for the management of a thoracic aortic aneurysm 14 days prior. Neurological examination revealed left-sided severe motor weakness and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance(MR)imaging showed a cerebral infarction in the territory of the right internal carotid artery(ICA), while MR angiography revealed occlusion of the right ICA. The systemic intravenous injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was contraindicated, so a mechanical thrombectomy was performed. The use of the Penumbra System® failed to achieve recanalization of the right ICA;therefore, revascularization using the Merci® Retrieval System was performed. As a result, complete recanalization was achieved approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes after symptom onset. The retrieved specimen was elastic and hard, and histological examination revealed a white thrombus without endovascular organization. Postoperatively, the patient was restless for 1 day but did not show any neurological abnormalities. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 7 days later without any neurological deficits.

Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula with unusual drainage route treated by transarterial embolization.

Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare intracranial lesions associated with a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In particular, this entity with reflux drainage directly into the ophthalmic vein is extremely rare. We report a case of ethmoidal dural AVF with direct drainage of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and inferior ophthalmic vein (IOV), successfully treated by endovascular surgery. A 58-year-old man presented with progressive diplopia. Angiography and contrast-enhanced CT showed an ethmoidal dural AVF supplied via the bilateral anterior ethmoidal arteries and venous drainage through the left SOV and IOV. A transarterial approach through the bilateral anterior ethmoidal arteries was used to place the microcatheter close to the fistula site. After intra-arterial embolization with 20% N-butyl cyanoacrylate, the dural AVF was completely occluded. In patients with good vascular access, endovascular transarterial embolization may be an effective and less invasive treatment strategy for ethmoidal dural AVF.

[Emergency carotid artery stenting within 24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: a case report].

We report a case treated successfully by emergency carotid artery stenting(CAS)within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with disturbance of consciousness. Neurological examination on admission revealed severe right-sided motor weakness and motor aphasia. Magnetic resonance(MR)imaging showed cerebral infarction in the territory of the perforating artery and cortical branch of the left middle cerebral artery(MCA). MR angiography(MRA)revealed occlusion of the bilateral cervical internal carotid arteries(ICAs). Systemic intravenous injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(iv rt-PA)was therefore performed 2.5h after onset. Following iv rt-PA therapy, neurological symptoms improved for 1h, but MRA and cerebral angiography revealed severe stenosis of the left cervical ICA, complete occlusion of the right cervical ICA and left MCA occlusion. Revascularization of the left cervical ICA was then performed using endovascular surgery(percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and CAS)3.5h after iv rt-PA therapy. Postoperative course was uneventful except for mild restlessness, and hyperperfusion syndrome(HPS)did not develop. Strict control of blood pressure under dexmedetomidine anesthesia allowed effective prevention of HPS. After 1 week, recanalization of the left MCA was recognized on MRA and 123I-IMP-single photon emission computed tomography. The patient was discharged with no neurological deficit after 2 weeks.

[Vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm presenting with isolated pain and showing repeated morphological changes over the short term: a case report].

Vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysm (VADA), which presents with headache and neck pain as the only manifestations, is an uncommon pathology, but is increasingly recognized as a cause of posterior circulation stroke in young adults. We report a case of VADA with isolated occipital headache at the time of onset and treatment using an endovascular approach. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with left occipital headache. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed neither subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)nor cerebral infarction, but magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)revealed left VADA. Conservative treatment including pain relief and blood pressure control was provided. After 2 weeks, the dissecting lesion showed spontaneous improvement and occipital headache was gradually improving. However, 4 months after onset, the VADA showed growing aneurysmal dilatation. We therefore performed endovascular surgery (coil embolization with parent artery occlusion). Symptoms improved, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Although the natural history of VADA with isolated headache remains unclear, endovascular treatment should be considered for patients with growing aneurysmal dilatation, since the prognosis for patients with subsequent SAH is very poor.

Plasma thrombin-cleaved osteopontin elevation after carotid artery stenting in symptomatic ischemic stroke patients.

Atherothrombosis is the primary pathophysiology that underlies ischemic cerebral infarction. Osteopontin (OPN) is produced in atherosclerotic lesions and is cleaved by activated thrombin. We hypothesized that the rupture or damage of an unstable atherosclerotic plaque increases plasma levels of thrombin-cleaved OPN (trOPN). This study included 90 patients who received carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS), 23 patients with essential hypertension (EHT) and 10 patients who were treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The CAS patient group included 36 patients that had pre- and post-operative blood tests, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using cerebral MRIs and estimated thrombus debris within the protection device. Immunohistochemistry of CEA specimens revealed that trOPN was detected around intra-plaque vessels. The highest tertile of plasma trOPN levels in CAS patients was higher than trOPN levels in EHT patients. Post-operative trOPN levels were significantly higher in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (P=0.003). New ipsilateral DWI-positive patients revealed higher post-operative trOPN levels (P=0.003) and a higher grade of thrombi (P<0.001) than DWI-negative patients. TrOPN may be a novel biomarker that reflects the atherothrombotic status in ischemic stroke.

Iba1(+)/NG2(+) macrophage-like cells expressing a variety of neuroprotective factors ameliorate ischemic damage of the brain.

In a transient 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of rats, a large ischemic lesion is formed where macrophage-like cells massively accumulate, many of which express a macrophage marker, Iba1, and an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell marker, NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (NG2); therefore, the cells were termed BINCs (Brain Iba1(+)/NG2(+) Cells). A bone marrow transplantation experiment using green-fluorescent protein-transgenic rats showed that BINCs were derived from bone marrow. 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) injection at 2 days post reperfusion (2 dpr) markedly reduced the number of BINCs at 7 dpr, causing enlargement of necrotic volumes and frequent death of the rats. When isolated BINCs were transplanted into 5FU-aggravated ischemic lesion, the volume of the lesion was much reduced. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that BINCs expressed mRNAs encoding bFGF, BMP2, BMP4, BMP7, GDNF, HGF, IGF-1, PDGF-A, and VEGF. In particular, BINCs expressed IGF-1 mRNA at a very high level. Immunohistochemical staining showed that IGF-1-expressing BINCs were found not only in rat but also human ischemic brain lesions. These results suggest that bone marrow-derived BINCs play a beneficial role in ischemic brain lesions, at least in part, through secretion of neuroprotective factors.

[Local intraarterial fibrinolysis in central retinal artery occlusion: case report].

The authors report a case of local intraarterial fibrinolysis (LIF) in central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). A 79-year-old man with stenosis of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) suffered sudden loss of vision in his left eye. LIF was carried out using a microcatheter in the origin of the ophthalmic artery on the side of the CRAO. Treatment was performed with 120,000 IU of urokinase. After LIF, marked improvement of vision was established. No complication occurred during LIF. One month later, carotid artery stenting was performed for the left ICA stenosis. We consider LIF in CRAO is effective treatment.