Estimation of occupational radiation doses in neuroendovascular procedures.

To estimate the mean effective dose per procedure with multiple dosimetry, to calculate the annual effective dose to personnel working in neuroendovascular procedures and compared with methods reported in the literature and with national and international limits. The radiation dose to personnel was monitored in 20 procedures classified as diagnostic or therapeutic. During each procedure, the equivalent dose to eyes, thyroid, under and over the lead apron at chest level, hands, gonads and knees was measured with lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeter chips (TLD-100). Estimations of the annual effective dose from different methods found in literature that use one or two dosimeters and from this work were compared. Also, a comparison was made with the safety limits recommended in national and international regulations. Radiation exposure to eyes, thyroid, gonads and knees is relevant to the effective dose, and therefore to the annual effective dose estimations. Personnel position is important, as the performing physician, who is closer to the patient, received the highest dose measured. In particular, this was observed in the equivalent dose received over the apron. However, the equivalent dose to the right eye was higher for neuroanaesthesiologists than for performing physicians due to their position relative to the patient. In general, effective doses estimated using one- and two-dosimeter methods found in the literature were, respectively, lower and higher than those obtained with the ten-dosimeter method in this work. The annual effective doses to personnel estimated with the multiple dosimetry algorithm ranged from 1.3 to 1.5 mSv y-1and are within the national and international limits.

Carotid-cavernous fistula treatment with ethylene vinyl alcohol (onyx) exclusively through anterior venous approach.

The type of venous drainage of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula is an important issue to consider for the endovascular therapeutic decision. In case of an inadequate posterior drainage associated with a good anterior drainage, the facial vein is a useful alternative. The exclusive embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH Onyx), arterial and/or venous via the internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion has been used successfully, in a few cases until now. Nevertheless, the use of this method through anterior transvenous approach has not been previously described. Presented here is the case of a 13-year-old female patient with left posttraumatic carotid-cavernous fistula, with predominant anterior drainage, as well as carrier of traumatic occlusion of the contralateral ICA. The treatment was by means of a transvenous approach with transient occlusion of the left ICA.

Hybrid carotid stent for the management of a venous aneurysm of the sigmoid sinus treated by sole stenting.

We describe the case of a 59-year-old female presenting with a disabling pulsatile tinnitus caused by a venous aneurysm of the sigmoid sinus. This is the first successful case of sole stenting, using a closed-cell design in the central part of the stent, leading to the occlusion of the aneurysm and the cure of the tinnitus. Venous aneurysms of the dural sinuses are rare causes of pulsatile tinnitus and the sole stenting technique provides a simpler, safe, and effective approach.