Comparison of radiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 positive and negative ischemic stroke patients undergoing revascularization: A single-centre Turkish study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the radiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19-positive and -negative acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who underwent revascularization and to evaluate whether COVID-19 has an effect on revascularization and outcome in AIS patients with COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Consecutive COVID-19 positive and negative AIS patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis and/or endovascular therapy in our hospital between March 2020 and February 2022 were included in this study. Our study is retrospective and 23 COVID-19 positive patients and 108 COVID-19 negative patients were compared in terms of radiological and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Hypertension was lower in the COVID-19 positive ischemic stroke group (p=0.029). Admission NIHSS score was higher in COVID-19 positive patients (p=0.041). ASPECTS was found to be lower in COVID-19 positive ischemic stroke patients (p=0.019). The rate of hyperdense artery sign differed between groups (p=0.014) and was higher in the COVID-19 positive ischemic stroke group. The incidence of multi-vessel occlusion was found to be significantly higher in the COVID-19-positive ischemic stroke group (p=0.002). In terms of prognostic features, only the 3-month good outcome rate was statistically significantly lower in the COVID-19-positive ischemic stroke group (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: This study found that radiologically, COVID-19 may be associated with lower ASPECTS in ischemic stroke patients receiving revascularization treatment and may predispose to multivessel occlusion and hyperdense artery sign. Clinically, COVID-19 may be associated with a more severe initial presentation and worse prognosis at 3 months in ischemic stroke patients undergoing revascularization, but may not affect long-term mortality.

Multi-parameter-based radiological diagnosis of Chiari Malformation using Machine Learning Technology.

BACKGROUND: The known primary radiological diagnosis of Chiari Malformation-I (CM-I) is based on the degree of tonsillar herniation (TH) below the Foramen Magnum (FM). However, recent data also shows the association of such malformation with smaller posterior cranial fossa (PCF) volume and the anatomical issues regarding the Odontoid. This study presents the achieved result regarding some detected potential radiological findings that may aid CM-I diagnosis using several machine learning (ML) algorithms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Midsagittal T1-weighted MR images were collected in 241 adult patients diagnosed with CM, eleven morphometric measures of the posterior cerebral fossa were performed. Patients whose imaging was performed in the same centre and on the same device were included in the study. By matching age and gender, radiological exams of 100 clinically/radiologically proven symptomatic CM-I cases and 100 healthy controls were assessed. Eleven morphometric measures of the posterior cerebral fossa were examined using 5 designed ML algorithms. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.92 ± 15.03 years. The primary presenting symptoms were headaches (62%). Syringomyelia and retrocurved-odontoid were detected in 34% and 8% of patients, respectively. All of the morphometric measures were significantly different between the groups, except for the distance from the dens axis to the posterior margin of FM. The Radom Forest model is found to have the best 1.0 (14 of 14) ratio of accuracy in regard to 14 different combinations of morphometric features. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates the potential usefulness of ML-guided PCF measurements, other than TH, that may be used to predict and diagnose CM-I accurately. Combining two or three preferable osseous structure-based measurements may increase the accuracy of radiological diagnosis of CM-I.

Y-stent assisted coiling of ruptured wide neck intracranial aneurysm in the acute phase.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the acute phase after treatment with Y-stent-assisted coiling (YSAC) embolization. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed of 30 patients with acutely ruptured wide-neck aneurysms following YSAC treatment between April 2013 and October 2019. The demographic data, aneurysm occlusion grade, procedural and periprocedural complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 30 cases (90.1%) and technical failure occurred in 3 cases (9.1%). Immediate control angiography revealed that total occlusion Raymond-Ray Class 1 (RR1) was achieved in 21 (70%), neck filling (RR2) in eight (26.6%) and sac filling (RR1) in one (3.3%) aneurysm. Upon angiographic follow-up, RR1 occlusion was observed in 15 (71.4%) patients, RR2 in three (14.3%) patients and RR3 in three (14.3%) patients. In-stent thrombus developed in five (16.6%) patients; procedural ischemic events were observed in four (13.3%) patients; and two (6.6%) patients were symptomatic. A periprocedural asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was detected in two patients. At discharge, 17 (56.6%) patients were in good clinical condition, six (20%) were in a severe disability condition, and seven (23.3%) patients had died. At the final follow-up visit (mean: 18.9 months), 16 (76,2%) of 21 patients were in a good clinical condition and five (23.8%) had severe disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Y-stent assisted coiling in might be a feasible and promising option for treatment in acute phase in selected wide-necked ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Angiographic Morphology of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms and Their Association with Rupture Risk.

AIM: To estimate the rupture risk of anterior communicating artery (AComA) and AComA-related aneurysms according to their localization, angiographic architecture, and morphological features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 124 patients with AComA and AComA-related anterior system aneurysms were retrospectively evaluated. The aneurysms were classified according to their morphological appearance and angiographic architecture. The size, size ratio, angiographic architecture, and aneurysmal dome orientation of ruptured and non-ruptured aneurysms were compared using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) 3D images. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between rupture risk and the size ratio (p=0.043), morphological properties of the aneurysm (p < 0.001), aneurysm dome orientation (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.32-6.818), and aneurysm type according to the angiographical architecture (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: In determining the rupture risk of AComA and AComA-related aneurysms, size alone is not a sufficient parameter with aneurysm morphology proving to be more efficacious. Grouping of aneurysms according to angioarchitecture, and its significant correlation with aneurysm rupture, may help to understand the underlying mechanisms in the formation and rupture of aneurysms. From this, more specific treatment protocols can be created, helping to improve the clinical evaluation of AComA aneurysms.

Advantages of early intervention with arterial embolization for intra-abdominal solid organ injuries in children.

PURPOSE: Active bleeding due to abdominal trauma is an important cause of mortality in childhood. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the advantages of early percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization (PTAE) procedures in children with intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to blunt trauma. METHODS: Children with blunt abdominal trauma were retrospectively included. Two groups were identified for inclusion: patients with early embolization (EE group, n=10) and patients with late embolization (LE group, n=11). Both groups were investigated retrospectively and statistically analyzed with regard to lengths of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital, first enteral feeding after trauma, blood transfusion requirements, and cost. RESULTS: The duration of stay in the intensive care unit was greater in the LE group than in the EE group (4 days vs. 2 days, respectively). The duration of hospital stay was greater in the LE group than in the EE group (14 days vs. 6 days, respectively). Blood transfusion requirements (15 cc/kg of RBC packs) were greater in the LE group than in the EE group (3 vs. 1, respectively). The total hospital cost was higher in the LE group than in the EE group (4502 USD vs. 1371.5 USD, respectively). The time before starting enteral feeding after first admission was higher in the LE group than in the EE group (4 days vs. 1 day, respectively). CONCLUSION: Early embolization with PTAE results in shorter intensive care and hospitalization stays, earlier enteral feeding, and lower hospital costs for pediatric patients with intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to blunt trauma.

Use of angiographic embolization in trauma-induced pediatric abdominal solid organ injuries.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the utility of angiographic embolization (AE) in pediatric cases of blunt abdominal solid organ trauma injuries is limited. The current study is an examination of AE as an effective and reliable method to control bleeding in patients with persistent bleeding due to blunt trauma-induced abdominal solid organ injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective examination of patients <17 years of age who had experienced blunt abdominal solid organ injury and who presented at a single institution within 4 years. A statistical analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: The mean length of intensive care unit stay was 4 days for those who underwent embolization (n=11), and the mean length of hospital stay was 12 days. The average pre-AE blood loss, as measured by the decrease in hematocrit (%) from admission to embolization, was -7.33+-5.3% (p<0.001). The average post-AE blood loss, as measured by the change in hematocrit 72 hours post AE, was 2+-0.97% (p>0.05). All of the patients were discharged with a full recovery. CONCLUSION: AE was a safe and effective method to control solid organ hemorrhage in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal injuries.

A Novel Technique in the Treatment of Lymphoceles After Renal Transplantation: C-Arm Cone Beam CT-Guided Percutaneous Embolization of Lymphatic Leakage After Lymphangiography.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous embolization after lymphangiography using C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed at the site of lymphatic leakage in patients with postrenal transplant lymphocele. METHODS: Between July 2014 and August 2017, 13 patients not responding to percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy and conservative treatment for recurrent lymphocele after renal transplant were included. The mean age of the patients was 56.38 ± 9.91 (range, 36-70) years, and it comprised 9 men and 4 women. All patients underwent intranodal lymphangiography. C-arm CBCT-guided percutaneous embolization was performed in patients with confirmed lymphatic leakage. Patients who had no lymphatic leakage underwent drainage with fibrin glue injection. RESULTS: Lymphatic leakage was observed in 9 patients after lymphangiography, and they underwent CBCT-guided percutaneous N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization. The volume of lymphatic drainage reduced to less than 10 mL in 8 patients. One patient who was not responding to embolization was treated surgically, after percutaneous drainage and fibrin glue injection. Lymphatic leakage was not observed in 4 patients after lymphangiography. Of these, 3 patients showed a reduction in the amount of lymphatic drainage after lymphangiography. All 4 patients underwent percutaneous drainage and fibrin glue injection. One patient did not respond to the treatment and was treated surgically. Prelymphangiography and postlymphangiography and embolization, the volume of lymphatic drainage was 113.07 ± 21.75 mL, and 53.84 ± 30.96 mL, respectively, and statistically significant decrease was detected (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphangiography and CBCT-guided percutaneous embolization procedures might be an effective treatment method for patients with lymphocele refractory to treatment.

Management of non-vascular complications following renal transplantation using percutaneous approach.

OBJECTIVE: Non-vascular complications following renal transplantation can cause graft failure. In this study, we present our two-year experience with percutaneous treatment for non-vascular complications following renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients who underwent percutaneous radiological treatment between March 2014 and July 2016 were included in the study. RESULTS: Following renal transplantation, a total of 36 percutaneous radiological procedures which includes hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral stricture (n. 15), clinical symptom-producing lymphocele due to pressure (14) and creatinine elevated nondilated grafts (n. 7) after excluding other reasons of creatinine elevation, were performed. Six patients received percutaneous treatment for both ureteral stricture and lymphocele. The patients underwent balloon dilatation and double- J ureteral stent due to ureteral stricture. The mean pre- and post-procedural creatinine levels were 4.36 ± 2.84mg/dL and 2.17 ± 1.24 mg/dL respectively (p=0.004), indicating a significant difference. For lymphocele treatment, sclerosing agents were injected and lymphatic leakage areas were injected with percutaneous glue. The mean pre- and post-procedural creatinine values were 2.97 ± 1.78 mg/dL and 1.75 ± 1.18 respectively (p=0.002), indicating a significant difference. Nephrostomy catheters were placed for patients with elevated creatinine levels and non-dilated collecting system. The mean pre- and post- nephrostomy creatinine levels were 3.55 ± 2.36 mg/dL and 2.57 ± 1.82 mg/dL respectively (p>0.05), indicating no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that percutaneous treatment is an effective method for the treatment of non-vascular complications following renal transplantation, and, therefore, should be the first option for the preservation of graft functions. KEY WORDS: Percutaneous treatment, Renal transplantation.

Sudden-onset paraplegia during pregnancy caused by haemorrhage in a spinal cord haemangioblastoma: A case report.

Spinal cord haemangioblastomas are rare central nervous systems tumours, and haemorrhage.It is an uncommon occurance. We report a 28-year-old pregnant patient who presented with paraplegia due to acute haemorrhage of a spinal haemangioblastoma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive syrinx cavities, an intramedullary lesion at the T4-T5 spinal cord level e, and a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography showed the feeding artery and dilated tortuous draining vein within the dural sac. The lesion was deemed a haemangioblastoma. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, the paraplegia improved and the patient was able to walk within 2 weeks. Imaging is important for early diagnosis to prevent patients persistent neurological deficits.

Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis developed after orbital cellulitis.

A 65-year-old female patient presented with eye pain, swelling and blurred vision in the left eye. Routine biochemistry and microbiological analyzes were conducted. Orbital tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and cerebral angiography were performed. Orbital cellulitis due to a complication of ethmoidal sinusitis was diagnosed with thrombosis of the SOV in the patient. Systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic and anticoagulant therapy was started on the patient. The patient's symptoms were recorded at the end of two weeks of the treatment.

Acute subdural hematomas caused by ruptured aneurysms: experience from a single Turkish center.

AIM: Although an aneurysmal rupture typically presents on computed tomography (CT) imaging as only a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), it may be associated with spontaneous (nontraumatic) subdural hemorrhage (sSDH). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the clinical and radiological characteristics, as well as a potentially dangerous situation in the diagnosis and the management of this life-threatening condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Department of Neurosurgery at Inonu University (Turgut Ozal Medical Center) (TOMC) maintains a prospective database of all patients treated for intracranial aneurysms since 1999. Using this database, we obtained patients with ruptured aneurysms who presented with sSDH on CT imaging. RESULTS: 687 patients with radiographically documented ruptured aneurysms were admitted from January 2000 through January 2009. Of these, eleven patients presented with sSDH. The incidence of aneurysmal rupture with sSDH is 1.6 % in our series. CONCLUSION: Acute sSDH on cranial CT should be considered for an urgent workup of a ruptured aneurysm, even in the absence or presence of SAH finding. CT angiography has advantages over cerebral digital substraction angiography (DSA) and may be a reasonable alternative to latter modality in the diagnosis, triage, and treatment planning in patients with sSDH.

Single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain tissue adjacent to arachnoid cysts of epileptic patients.

Intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) are usually asymptomatic, benign developmental anomalies. The most frequent clinical manifestations are cranial expansion, hydrocephaly, headache, epileptic seizures, psychomotor retardation, and aphasia. It is unknown whether there is a correlation between intracranial AC and epileptic seizures without obvious intracranial pressure signs. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a technique used for the noninvasive investigation of the various metabolites of cerebral biochemical reactions. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is also being used increasingly commonly in epileptogenic situations as a noninvasive technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic pattern of the contents of tissue adjacent to AC and to determine whether there are any characteristic spectral patterns that may be helpful in evaluating whether these lesions are epileptogenic foci. In conclusion, although the number of cases was limited, this finding may be seen as indicating that there is no association between AC and epilepsy.

Isolated internal auditory artery aneurysm.

Anticoagulant therapy is effective and prevents death in more than 95% of patients with pulmonary embolism following deep vein thrombosis. We report a patient who developed deep vein thrombosis following rupture of a dissecting aneurysm of the internal auditory artery. The parent artery was occluded before anticoagulant therapy as a prophylactic measure to prevent intracranial haemorrhage. We discuss some of the clinical features, therapeutic difficulties, and pitfalls in the management of internal auditory artery aneurysm complicated by deep vein thrombosis.

Bare stent implantation in iatrogenic dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.

Iatrogenic arterial dissection leading to the development of dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare complication of angiography. Surgical and endovascular treatment options exist for this important condition. We report a case of bare stent implantation in dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the SMA that developed after angiography in a patient with acute mesenteric ischemia. Although it is rarely published, iatrogenic arterial dissection causing pseudoaneurysm can occur after diagnostic and interventional angiography. Bare stent implantation in dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the SMA could be an advantageous endovascular treatment option in selected cases due its to potential preservation of important side branches of the SMA.

Percutaneous right portal vein embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles in gastric cancer metastasis: report of a case.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles are used for the embolization of various vascular tumors. They are also used before hepatic resection to embolize the ipsilateral portal vein, causing hypertrophy of the remaining liver. We report our first experience with portal vein embolization (PVE) with PVA particles to treat gastric cancer metastasis to the liver. PVE with PVA is a safe interventional radiologic procedure, which does not cause problems during surgery and can improve the outcome of hepatic resection.

Metabolic changes in pelvic lesions: findings at proton MR spectroscopic imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) features of pelvic lesions using long echo time and to characterize the spectral patterns of various pathological entities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients with surgically and histopathologically confirmed pelvic lesions underwent long echo-time MRS, and the results obtained were analyzed. Before laparotomy, choline (Cho), lactate, lipid and creatine (Cr) levels of all lesions were measured by single voxel MRS (point-resolved spectroscopy technique, TE 136 ms). Voxels were placed in the center of the lesions. The MRS results of lesions were compared with the final histopathological diagnoses. RESULTS: Spectroscopy analysis of serous, mucinous and undifferentiated carcinoma of the ovary revealed Cho, lactate and lipid signals, but granulosa-theca cell tumor showed only a lipid signal. The Cho signal was obtained from only 3 patients with mature cystic teratoma but none of the other benign ovarian tumors and pelvic abscesses. A lipid signal was detected in 3 patients diagnosed with pelvic abscess and all benign ovarian tumors. In addition to the lipid signal, a lactate signal was detected in the spectra of two pelvic abscesses. One case of endometrioma and 1 case of teratoma did not show any signal. CONCLUSION: MRS demonstrates significant differences in metabolite concentration between benign and malignant ovarian tumors and pelvic abscesses. MRS may therefore be helpful in the differential diagnosis of adnexal lesions.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of proton metabolite level changes in sensorimotor cortex after upper limb replantation-revascularization.

We aimed to investigate the changes in proton metabolite levels at the motor and somatosensory cortex by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) after upper extremity replantation or revascularization. Nine patients who referred to our clinic suffering from major total (two) and subtotal (seven) amputation of the upper extremity were enrolled in this study. Mean time value between the injury and operation was 5.1 h. Mean follow-up period or mean time between the injury and MRS analysis was 26.2 months (ranging from 7 to 41 months). Voxels (TR: 2000; TE: 136 ms) were placed onto locations in the bilateral precentral and postcentral cortex area of the cerebral hemispheres that represent the upper extremity. Contralateral sides of the brain hemisphere that represent the injured extremity were accounted as control groups. Metabolite ratios [NAA (N-acetyl aspartate)/Cr (creatine) and Cho (choline)/Cr] of the motor and somatosensory cortex were calculated. The NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr metabolite ratios between the two groups were found to be insignificant, and these results may indicate that there is no remarkable somatosensorial cortex disruption or demyelination in these patients. Fifty-six percent of patients were found as functional according to Chen's scale.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of premalignant and malignant endometrial disorders: a feasibility of in vivo study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential clinical utility of in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with various endometrial lesions. METHODS: Twelve patients with untreated uterine bleeding were included in this study. In-vivo proton MRS was performed using a 1.5 T MR scanner. The metabolite levels were classified into three classes in comparison with the noise level by visual examination. All the patients have endometrial biopsy. For each type of lesions, chemical compound were described. RESULTS: Pathological examination resulted in three endometrial cancer, two simple hyperplasias, one complex hyperplasia, two partial hydatiform mole, two proliferative endometrium and two secretory endometrium. In women with endometrial carcinoma, high choline and lipid signals were detected, whereas no creatine and no lactate signals were found. In women with endometrial hyperplasia, choline signal was detectable in all cases but one case showed lactate signal in addition to choline. In women with partial hydatidiform mole, the only detectable signal was choline. Lipid signals were detected in none of the cases with endometrial hyperplasia and partial hidatidiform mole. In women with either secretory or proliferative endometrium, choline and lactate signals were detectable in all cases but one case showed solely choline. Lipid signals were not detected in any of subjects with secretory or proliferative endometrium. CONCLUSION: The observed difference is the presence of lipid signal only in endometrial carcinoma.