Bioactive versus bare platinum coils in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: the MAPS (Matrix and Platinum Science) trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The ability of polymer-modified coils to promote stable aneurysm occlusion after endovascular treatment is not well-documented. Angiographic aneurysm recurrence is widely used as a surrogate for treatment failure, but studies documenting the correlation of angiographic recurrence with clinical failure are limited. This trial compares the effectiveness of Matrix(2) polyglycolic/polylactic acid biopolymer-modified coils with bare metal coils and correlates the angiographic findings with clinical failure (ie, target aneurysm recurrence), a composite end point that includes any incident of posttreatment aneurysm rupture, retreatment, or unexplained death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter randomized noninferiority trial with blinded end point adjudication. We enrolled 626 patients, divided between Matrix(2) and bare metal coil groups. The primary outcome was target aneurysm recurrence at 12 ± 3 months. RESULTS: At 455 days, at least 1 target aneurysm recurrence event had occurred in 14.6% of patients treated with bare metal coils and 13.3% of Matrix(2) (P = .76, log-rank test) patients; 92.8% of target aneurysm recurrence events were re-interventions for aneurysms that had not bled after treatment, and 5.8% of target aneurysm recurrence events resulted from hemorrhage or rehemorrhage, with or without retreatment. Symptomatic re-intervention occurred in only 4 (0.6%) patients. At 455 days, 95.8% of patients with unruptured aneurysms and 90.4% of those with ruptured aneurysms were independent (mRS ≤ 2). Target aneurysm recurrence was associated with incomplete initial angiographic aneurysm obliteration, presentation with rupture, and a larger aneurysmal dome and neck size. CONCLUSIONS: Tested Matrix(2) coils were not inferior to bare metal coils. Endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms was safe, and the rate of technical success was high. Target aneurysm recurrence is a promising clinical outcome measure that correlates well with established angiographic measurements.

Acutely ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms treated with stent assisted coiling: complications and outcomes in 42 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet agents are required to prevent thromboembolic complications from recently deployed intracranial stents, yet they carry a risk of bleeding complications that may be serious in patients with recent subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHOD: Consecutive patients at a single institution who had ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms treated with stent assisted coiling were retrospectively reviewed. Our primary outcomes were ischemic stroke related to the stent and bleeding complications possibly related to antithrombotic therapy. Secondary outcomes included 3 month follow-up National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. RESULTS: 44 aneurysms in 42 patients were treated. Seven patients experienced ischemic strokes during their hospitalization. Five ischemic strokes were secondary to vasospasm; one was definitely related to thrombus formation within the stent and one was possibly related to the stent. Two patients had asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages and one patient had a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Patients with Hunt and Hess grades I-II (n=25) experienced no stent associated ischemic strokes or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. The two stent associated ischemic strokes and one symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in patients with Hunt and Hess grades III-V (n=17) and patients with external ventricular drains (EVDs) (n=17). Only one patient had disability at the 3 month follow-up that was possibly related to the stent (mRS score of 3 and NIHSS score of 2). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that higher grade hemorrhage patients, especially those with EVDs, are at greater risk for ischemic stroke and/or bleeding complications than lower grade patients. However, the complications had a small impact on mid-term disability outcomes in this cohort.

Safety and feasibility of intra-arterial nicardipine for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage-associated vasospasm: initial clinical experience with high-dose infusions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed cerebral ischemia from vasospasm is a major complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but complications and/or low efficacy are associated with current therapy. We report our initial experience with intra-arterial use of a calcium channel blocker, nicardipine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with clinical and angiographic vasospasm treated with intra-arterial nicardipine was performed. Standard criteria for definition of significant, intractable vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH were used. After catheter angiographic confirmation of vasospasm, arteries showing severe narrowing were targeted for superselective catheterization. Nicardipine was infused at a high dose rate (0.415-0.81 mg/min). Contrast injections were performed at 2-5-mg intervals to assess effective response (a 60% increase in arterial diameter of the most severely decreased in caliber vessel compared with the very first angiographic run). RESULTS: Eleven consecutive patients underwent a total of 20 procedures; most had SAH with high Hunt and Hess grades (III or IV). All had depressed level of consciousness; others had paresis (7/20, 35%), aphasia (1/20, 5%), and facial nerve palsy (1/20, 5%). Between 10 and 40 mg of nicardipine was used. A 60% increase in diameter of the main affected artery compared with the initial diameter measured in the initial angiographic run was achieved in all procedures. Clinical improvement (resolved focal symptoms or increased Glasgow Coma Score) occurred in 10 of 11 patients (91%). One patient died from complications of the initial hemorrhage. No complications occurred after 16 of 20 procedures (80%); minor complications without sequelae occurred after the remaining procedures. Follow-up of at least 2 months in 10 survivors revealed minor or no deficits in most patients with a Glasgow Outcome Score of 1 or 2 in 9 of 10 patients (90%). CONCLUSION: In this small series, high-dose intra-arterial nicardipine infusion to treat SAH-associated vasospasm seems to be safe and effective.

In vitro studies of the neuroform microstent using transparent human intracranial arteries.

For better understanding of relevant morphology and mechanics, direct visualization of a Neuroform microstent (NFM) within an actual human intracranial artery is essential. Twelve NFM were deployed into 8 various segments of formaldehyde-fixed cadaver intracranial arteries. The arteries were then dehydrated and cleared in methyl salicylate to create transparency. The morphology of NFM was studied by digital macro-photography with a back illumination system. The possible limitations and important findings of the NFM were discussed.

Rapidly progressive fatal bihemispheric infarction secondary to Moyamoya syndrome in association with Graves thyrotoxicosis.

Moyamoya syndrome is the secondary form of intracranial arterial occlusive diseases that produces collateral vessels from the base of brain. We report a case of Moyamoya syndrome developing in association with Graves thyrotoxicosis; as a result of its rapid progression and severe global ischemia, it was ultimately fatal. Because of the rarity of this association, we reviewed the literature in an attempt to establish possible demographic and clinical characteristics that may suggest putative mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Improvement in papilledema and visual loss after endovascular stent placement in dural sinus thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with papilledema and visual loss that improved after endovascular stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case series from a tertiary ophthalmic center. RESULTS: Two cases of venous sinus occlusion treated with angioplasty and stenting are described. Both cases experienced improvement in optic disc edema and visual function following the procedures. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent placement may relieve increased intracranial pressure and papilledema caused by cerebral sinus thrombosis and may prevent further visual loss.

Cerebrovascular angioplasty and stenting for the prevention of stroke.

Until recently, stroke preventive strategies have focused on either medical regimens aimed at antagonizing or reversing atherosclerosis, or surgical intervention for revascularization of the cerebrovascular system. However, with the advent of rapidly emerging microcatheterization techniques and technology, endovascular surgical revascularization of the brain is rapidly emerging as a powerful therapeutic modality. In particular, significant advances already have been made in revascularization of the extracranial carotid artery and many common anatomic sites of intracranial athero-occlusive disease, using special adaptations of conventional percutaneous angioplasty and stenting techniques. This paper reviews the cumulative experience with these emerging techniques, with a particular emphasis on clinical outcomes and future directions. It also reports the substantial cumulative institutional experience of the authors over the past 18 months with both extracranial carotid and intracranial artery stent-assisted carotid angioplasty.

Impact of Guglielmi detachable coils on outcomes of patients with intracranial aneurysms treated by a multidisciplinary team at a single institution.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the introduction of the Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) therapeutic option on the overall management outcome of intracranial aneurysms. The authors accomplished this by assessing patient morbidity and mortality, inflation-adjusted hospital charges, lengths of stay in the hospital and the intensive care unit (ICU), and treatment efficacy. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of intracranial intradural aneurysms managed by a single multidisciplinary neurovascular team at a tertiary care, academic referral center during the 24 months preceding the introduction of the GDC procedure (Group I or pre-GDC era, 77 patients) and during the first 24 months after its introduction (Group II or GDC era, 99 patients). Treatment with GDCs was considered for cases of higher clinical grade or poor surgical risk, or in response to patient preference (27 [27%] of 99 patients in Group II). Host and lesion parameters in our cohort were validated against outcome parameters by using univariate and multivariate analyses. The pre-GDC and GDC subgroups of patients were comparable for major disease severity parameters (patient age, lesion location, clinical grade, and hemorrhage severity). There was no significant difference in clinical outcome at 6 months, infarcts on computerized tomography scanning, or aneurysm obliteration rates before and after introduction of GDC treatment. Decreasing trends in duration of hospital and ICU stay and in inflation-adjusted hospital charges occurred well before and thus were unrelated to the introduction of the GDC therapeutic option. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not demonstrate any significant impact of integration of the GDC modality on clinical outcome, mortality, morbidity, or effectiveness of treatment. Ongoing improvements in hospital charges and length of hospital stay appeared unrelated to the introduction of the GDC option.

Pseudohemangioma of the vertebra: an unusual radiographic manifestation of primary Ewing's sarcoma.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma (ES) of the spine is uncommon, exhibiting a variety of appearances on plain-film radiographs and cross-sectional images. We report the unusual CT imaging manifestations of a primary ES with a coarse trabecular pattern that mimicked an aggressive hemangioma of the cervical spine.

Evolving experience with direct puncture therapeutic embolization for adjunctive and palliative management of head and neck hypervascular neoplasms.

OBJECTIVES: The use of percutaneous, direct puncture therapeutic embolization (DPTE) of hypervascular head and neck neoplasms is a relatively new modality that may be used to supplement or supplant conventional endovascular transarterial embolization. Although the preliminary clinical experience reported by a single group has been favorable, extensive case series experience is lacking. This prompted us to review our recent clinical experience with these techniques to determine safety, efficacy, and emerging role in the overall neurointerventional therapeutic armamentarium. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the previous 34 consecutive cases of hypervascular tumors undergoing DPTE referred to our service for therapeutic devascularization was performed. METHODS: Complete case record review was undertaken. Twenty-six of 34 cases involved DPTE of head and neck neoplasms. Conventional diagnostic angiography was performed for therapeutic planning and to assist in precise localization. When performed, standard microcatheter transarterial embolization techniques were used either before or after attempted DPTE. Cyanoacrylate embolic mixtures (n-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA], lipiodol, powdered tungsten) were used in 21 of 24 cases, and absolute ethanol in 3 of 24. Direct puncture angiography of the targeted tumor neovasculature was always performed before DPTE. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 26 cases had technically successful DPTE. Combined transarterial embolization with DPTE was used in 16 of 24 cases, although for the last 12 cases, 9 were treated predominantly or exclusively by DPTE. There were no major or minor clinical complications, and there was one asymptomatic technical complication. Total or near-total devascularization was achieved in all cases. All preoperative cases had excellent hemostasis within the resected tumor bed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results lend further support to the safety and efficacy of DPTE in the management of hypervascular neoplasms of the head and neck. With our increasing experience, this technique is evolving into a primary therapeutic modality for optimal tumor devascularization.

Clinically aggressive diffuse capillary telangiectasia of the brain stem: a clinical radiologic-pathologic case study.

Capillary malformations or telangiectasias of the brain usually exhibit a benign clinical course, although occassionally they may be associated with mild to moderate symptomatology of uncertain origin. We report a case of an exceptionally aggressive capillary telangiectasia in a child, which was associated with progressive neurologic deterioration resulting in death.

Use of mechanical thrombolysis via microballoon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of acute dural sinus thrombosis: case presentation and technical report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Although conventional superselective chemical thrombolysis is frequently successful for the treatment of severe acute dural sinus thrombosis, the technique has limitations and risks. This prompted us to develop a supplemental technique for achieving more rapid recanalization, using coronary microballoon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheters. We describe a successful application of this technique and technology that has not been previously reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: After several days of severe headaches, photophobia, and vomiting, a 29-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive neurological deficits secondary to complete occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and right transverse/sigmoid sinus complex. Owing to her rapid neurological decline, she was referred for emergency endovascular intervention. TECHNIQUE: Initially, superselective chemical thrombolysis of the SSS was performed using urokinase. However, because of the extensive nature of the thrombus and lack of initial therapeutic response, we elected to attempt mechanical thrombolysis with various coronary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty microballoon catheters. This was accomplished by initial coaxial positioning of the device into an occluded segment, followed by gentle inflation and retraction of the device along the course of the right transverse sinus and/or SSS. These maneuvers were repeated with balloons of increasingly large diameter. Near-complete restoration of venous outflow was obtained within the SSS with preferential runoff into the left transverse sinus. The right transverse sinus was only partially recanalized. Despite the patient's rapid neurological decline on presentation, she experienced a dramatic clinical recovery with near-complete reversal of neurological deficits within 24 hours of intervention. CONCLUSION: This report shows the feasibility of performing safe and effective mechanical thrombolysis with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty coronary balloon microcatheters within the major dural sinuses. This technique can probably accelerate clot disruption and thrombolysis, possibly resulting in a more rapid restoration of venous flow.

Recurrent carotid blowout syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in a newly recognized subgroup of patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To our knowledge, recurrent carotid blowout syndrome (rCBS) has not been well described. Our purpose was to review our institution's recent experience with patients who presented with multiple episodes of carotid blowout syndrome (CBS), and who were referred for emergent diagnostic angiography and endovascular therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the last 46 consecutive patients who had a clinical diagnosis of CBS. All patients were examined and treated prospectively according to a standardized protocol. Most patients (43 of 46) had undergone extensive primary and salvage radical surgery with intraoperative brachytherapy or external beam radiation or both. The remaining three patients had either traumatic or iatrogenic CBS. RESULTS: Twelve patients (26%) in our series had more than one episode of CBS in which a total of 32 (20 recurrent) events were observed (average 2.7, range 2-4). Intervals of rCBS ranged from 1 day to 6 years. Thirteen (65%) of 20 recurrent events were attributed to progressive disease (PD), and seven (35%) of 20 to treatment failures (TFs). In the PD group, seven (54%) of 13 had recurrent ipsilateral disease, and six (46%) of 13 had recurrent contralateral disease. Etiologies of rCBS were as follows: seven exposed carotids; seven carotid pseudoaneurysms; eight small-branch pseudoaneurysms; five tumor hemorrhages; three hyperemic/ulcerated wounds; and one aortic arch rupture. Twenty-seven of 32 events were treated with endovascular therapy, which included the following: nine carotid occlusions; 11 small-branch embolizations; three transarterial tumor embolizations; one carotid stent; and two direct-puncture embolizations. Four of six TFs were retreated successfully with endovascular therapy; the remaining two TFs were managed successfully by surgery. In the PD group, hemorrhagic complications of rCBS were managed successfully in all but one patient, who died. No permanent neurologic or ophthalmologic complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Recurrent CBS is a frequently encountered problem in which most cases are caused by PD resulting from both multifocal iatrogenic arteriopathy and occasional wound complications that are characteristic of aggressively managed head and neck surgical patients. Initial TFs are encountered often as well. Despite the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of rCBS, most cases can be retreated effectively.

A reexamination of the angiotoxicity of superselective injection of DMSO in the swine rete embolization model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are a variety of embolization applications for non-adhesive, liquid agents. We reevaluated the potential microvascular angiotoxicity of superselective infusions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using very long infusion rates in a previously described animal model. METHODS: Twenty-six swine underwent percutaneous femoral puncture for superselective catheterization of the artery of the rete while being continuously monitored for ECG and intraarterial pressure. Two volumes (0.5 or 0.8 mL) and three durations (30, 60, and 90 seconds) of superselective infusion of DMSO were used to evaluate the effect of a single-dose rate within an ipsilateral rete. Contralateral control infusions of normal saline were also administered. Acute hemodynamic and angiographic outcomes were assessed. After recovery, follow-up angiography and sacrifice were performed at either 10 or 28 days. Brains and retia were harvested for gross and microscopic histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: No significant hemodynamic alterations occurred acutely. Twenty-three of the 24 infused retia showed variable acute vasospasm that typically was mild to moderate in severity and transient (10 to 20 minutes). Follow-up angiography at sacrifice always showed normal retial arterial anatomy. No adverse clinical sequelae were noted. Gross inspection of brains showed no evidence of infarction or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Microscopic histopathologic examination of retia showed mostly nonspecific changes in both exposed and control samples. Possible causal histotoxicity was seen in four retia (three of four exposed to higher dose rates), in which involvement was limited to one to three retial arteries. CONCLUSION: Lower total dose and dose rates of superselective infusion of DMSO into the retial microarterial network resulted in substantially less angiotoxicity than that found in a previous study, as defined by clinical, angiographic, gross, and histopathologic criteria.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint: diagnostic imaging and endovascular therapeutic embolization of a rare head and neck tumor.

We report a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis involving the temporomandibular joint that presented as a rapidly growing tumor with extension through the skull base into the middle cranial fossa. The case is of interest not only because of the unusual extensive infiltration of this tumor but also because of the role modern diagnostic imaging and endovascular therapeutic techniques played in its diagnosis and management.

Effect of internal maxillary arterial occlusion on nasal blood flow in swine.

OBJECTIVES: The precise effects of therapeutic occlusion of the internal maxillary artery (IMA) on distal nasal mucosal perfusion are unknown. A better understanding of these effects has important implications regarding the rationale and expected efficacy of certain therapeutic interventions for epistaxis management. The authors developed an animal model to assess these issues. STUDY DESIGN: The effects of "proximal" and progressively more "distal" occlusions of the IMA on nasal mucosal blood flow (NBF) were assessed in anesthetized swine using continuous laser Doppler flowmetry. The levels of arterial occlusion were selected to simulate clinical therapeutic occlusions used for the management of epistaxis. METHODS: Nineteen swine were entered into one of four experimental groupings: proximal IMA occlusion using platinum micro-coils (n = 6), mid-grade distal IMA occlusion with polyvinyl alcohol particulate (PVA) suspensions (300 to 500 microns, n = 5), high-grade distal IMA occlusion with polyvinyl alcohol particulate suspensions (50 to 150 microns, n = 5), and sham control (n = 2). RESULTS: All embolizations resulted in acute decreases in average NBF from 120 mL/min per 100 g to 40 mL/min per 100 g (P < .05 for all groups). NBF returned to baseline in all three treated groups within 2 to 8 days after therapeutic embolization, depending on the level of occlusion (coils, 2 d; mid-grade PVA, 2-3 d; high-grade PVA, 8 d). Follow-up angiography showed recanalization and collateralization as possible methods of reestablishing NBF. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the rationale for performing distal IMA occlusion with transarterial particulate embolization, in order to provide a longer period of time of diminished NBF. This theoretically should promote hemostasis within an injured portion of the nasal mucosa by decreasing perfusion pressure within the capillary bed. However, the benefits of distal IMA embolization must be balanced against potential ischemic complications, as may be more commonly seen with high-grade particulate embolization.

Intracarotid pressure measurements in the evaluation of a computer model of the cerebral circulation.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to predict which patients will tolerate occlusion of the internal carotid artery. This difficulty arises primarily because of uncertainties in the prediction of the adequacy of collateral circulation. Because of these uncertainties, balloon test occlusion and other methods have been developed to determine a priori the safety of carotid occlusion. However, all the methods are associated with significant false-positive and false-negative rates, as well as other neurologic complications. Because of these problems, more accurate and less invasive methods for predicting tolerance of carotid occlusion are needed. METHODS: In this report, we present the initial clinical evaluation of a new method for assessing the collateral circulation aided by a mathematical model of the cerebral vasculature. Data from the angiograms of 14 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were used to create individualized simulations of their cerebral circulations. As a test of the accuracy of the simulations, we compared values of the intracarotid stump pressures predicted by the model to those measured at surgery during the period of carotid occlusion. RESULTS: The pressure predictions of the model correlated well with those measured at surgery. Linear regression analysis of measured versus predicted values yielded a line with slope 1.05. The line with slope 1.00, which denotes perfect agreement between predictions and measurements, is within the 95% confidence interval of the slope determined from the regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Mathematical models of the cerebrovascular circulation can provide good predictions of intravascular pressure in the collateral circulation, and may provide accurate predictions of the flow as well. The present study reveals several areas that need further development, such as the models of the microvasculature, measurement of the arterial dimensions from angiograms, and consideration of other collateral sources such as the leptomeningeal and retrograde ophthalmic sources of flow. Incorporation of these improvements may lead to a clinically useful, noninvasive assessment of the state of the cerebrovascular collateral circulation in the individual patient.

Failure of the hypotensive provocative test during temporary balloon test occlusion of the internal carotid artery to predict delayed hemodynamic ischemia after therapeutic carotid occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Extensive experience and critical evaluation of the efficacy of a pharmacologic hypotensive challenge during conventional balloon test occlusion (BTO) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is lacking. This prompted us to review our institution's most recent experience with this adjunctive provocative test before planned therapeutic balloon occlusion of the ICA. METHODS: Twenty consecutive cases of endovascular therapeutic balloon occlusion of the ICA were retrospectively reviewed. Conventional BTO under normotension and with hypotensive challenge were performed within a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent provocative testing, of which 13 had BTO with hypotensive challenge. All patients in this group tolerated these maneuvers without acute neurologic deficit. Two (15%) of these patients developed delayed permanent neurologic deficits, which seemed to be attributable to hemodynamic ischemia. One of seven patients not undergoing hypotensive challenge also developed transient neurologic deficits after carotid occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the conceptually attractive and early positive experience of the hypotensive challenge in attempting to increase sensitivity and specificity of risk for developing delayed hemodynamic ischemia, we have found two significant false-negative results. This experience is reviewed in the context of risks of permanent balloon occlusion of the carotid artery after balloon test occlusion.