"A case of ocular ischemic syndrome in spontaneous acute internal carotid dissection: The importance of multidisciplinary management".

AIMS: To emphasize that ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) is a rare but threatening condition. It is a consequence of occlusion or dissection of internal carotid artery (ICA). METHODS: A 66-year-old caucasian male presented in the emergency room with painful vision loss in his right eye and mild neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) in ICA and ophthalmic artery occlusion due to right ICA dissection. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to know and be able to recognise OIS as it may often be misdiagnosed or treated as a different entity. Patients with ICA occlusion and OIS must be treated as soon as possible by a stroke unit team to resolve ICA occlusion/dissection and by the ophthalmologist to prevent further ocular related complications.

Nonenhanced MRI Planning for Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Comparison With Contrast-Enhanced CT Angiography.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether noncontrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (NC-MRI) is an alternative to contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) for aortoiliac measurements before endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: This study encompasses 30 patients admitted for elective EVAR (27 men and 3 women). Two expert readers (vascular radiologist and vascular surgeon) reviewed CTA images in consensus and chose the proper endograft for each patient. Subsequently, a vascular radiologist and a resident radiologist (observer 1 and 2) reviewed CTA and NC-MRI examinations in a double-blind way and completed standard measurements. The interobserver and intermodality agreement was calculated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Furthermore, the correlation between the endograft size chosen by the first pair and the second pair of observers was evaluated. RESULTS: Concerning all measurements, no significant difference was found. Both CTA and NC-MRI angiographic measurements showed strong correlation. Interobserver ICCs for CTA and NC-MRI showed ranges of 0.62 to 0.99 (mean: 0.92) and 0.56 to 0.99 (mean: 0.91); intermodality ICCs for observer 1 and 2 showed ranges of 0.64 to 0.99 (mean: 0.92) and 0.56 to 0.99 (mean: 0.92). The CTA and NC-MRI vascular measurements correlated strongly, except for both external iliac artery diameters. The choice of stent size was always the same between the 2 observers; furthermore, graft size was always in agreement with that selected prospectively. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography angiography remains the standard of reference for EVAR planning; NC-MRI can be an option for patients with contraindications for CTA, in particular those with renal impairment.

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as embolic agent for treatment of type II endoleak: our experience.

AIM: To evaluate safety, technical and clinical success of embolization of type II endoleak (T2 EL) using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as embolic agent alone or in combination with others materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to March 2015, 104 patients presented T2 EL during follow-up. A total of 21 patients met the criteria for treatment. T2 EL was treated with TAE (n = 18), DPSI (n = 10) or laparoscopic ligature of the inferior mesenteric artery (n = 1). DPSI was considered in case TAE was unsuccessful (8/18 patients). Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer was used as embolic agent in 12 patients: alone in 5 cases, in association with glue and with glue and thrombin in 3 and 2 cases, respectively, during TAE. Onyx was injected in two cases of embolization performed with DPSI: in one case alone and in the other in combination with thrombin and glue. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 100%. Immediate clinical success was 91.7%; in one patient CEUS revealed persistent T2 EL, decreased if compared with that before the procedure. Secondary clinical success was 91.7%; until today, in one patient T2EL is persistent, nevertheless, the sac diameter remained stable. No major or minor complications were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Onyx could be an ideal embolic agent for endovascular and percutaneous embolization of T2 EL.

New advances in lower gastrointestinal bleeding management with embolotherapy.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Embolization is currently proposed as the first step in the treatment of acute, life-threatening LGIB, when endoscopic approach is not possible or is unsuccessful. Like most procedures performed in emergency setting, time represents a significant factor influencing outcome. Modern tools permit identifying and reaching the bleeding site faster than two-dimensional angiography. Non-selective cone-beam CT arteriography can identify a damaged vessel. Moreover, sophisticated software able to detect the vessel may facilitate direct placement of a microcatheter into the culprit vessel without the need for sequential angiography. A further important aspect is the use of an appropriate technique of embolization and a safe and effective embolic agent. Current evidence shows the use of detachable coils (with or without a triaxial system) and liquid embolics has proven advantages compared with other embolic agents. The present article analyses these modern tools, making embolization of acute LGIB safer and more effective.

Endovascular Treatment of Extracranial Internal Carotid Pseudoaneurysm: Description of Three Cases.

The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA). These lesions are difficult to treat with a surgical approach, especially if they are located extracranially and close to the skull base. Endovascular stent placement in symptomatic and unstable extracranial internal carotid PSA was found to be safe and effective. Depending on hemodynamic aspects, complete local exclusion of aneurysmal formation is achieved in few months. We present three patients with carotid dissection and PSA formation that have been successfully treated by stent placement.

De-novo headache with transient vertebro-basilar symptoms: role of embryonic hypoglossal artery.

We report the case of a 56-year-old man with acute onset of de-novo stabbing, pulsating and diffuse headache with subsequent appearance (within few minutes) of posterior fossa symptoms (vomiting, postural instability, anisocoria, incoordination, dysarthria, retropulsion) lasting 9-12 h. Recurrent hypertensive crises were detected during the acute observation in the Emergency Room, even in the absence of previous history of hypertension. Once subarachnoid hemorrhage and focal lesions (vascular and non-vascular) were excluded, brain computerized tomography-angiography and digital subtraction angiography disclosed the presence of left persistent primitive hypoglossal artery with bilateral vertebral artery hypoplasia and a slight aneurysmal dilation of the anterior communicating artery. Brain magnetic resonance study performed 24 h after onset of symptoms was negative for recent ischemic lesions. The clinical features of this rare vascular condition are discussed as a possible cause of magnetic resonance (diffusion weighted imaging) negative vertebro-basilar transient ischemic attack.