Rescue Stenting for Inadvertent Branch Vessel Occlusion Following Cerebral Aneurysm Embolization With the Woven EndoBridge Device.

Intrasaccular flow modification with devices like the Woven EndoBridge (WEB, MicroVention, Inc., Aliso Viejo, California, US) is an increasingly utilized endovascular treatment for bifurcation aneurysms. Among the potential complications of the procedure is branch vessel occlusion. There are no previous publications of rescue stenting for inadvertent branch vessel occlusion with the WEB device. We report two cases of rescue stenting following branch vessel occlusion after cerebral aneurysm embolization with the WEB device. In both cases, rescue stenting with a Neuroform Atlas stent Stryker, Fremont, CA, US) successfully revascularized the occluded vessel and led to good patient outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and spontaneous spinal hemorrhage: a systematic review.

The neurological manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, including spontaneous spinal hemorrhage (SSH), are diverse. SSH is a detrimental neurosurgical event requiring immediate medical attention. We aimed to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 and SSH and delineate a rational clinical approach. The authors searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published up to January 25, 2023, on SSH and SARS-CoV-2 infection. For each dataset, the authors performed pooled estimates examining three outcomes of interest: (1) early post-intervention neurological status, (2) mortality, and (3) post-intervention neurological rehabilitation outcomes. After reviewing 1341 results, seven datasets were identified for the final analysis. Fifty-seven percent of patients were females. Twenty-eight percent of the patients experienced severe systemic infection. The mean interval between the SARS-CoV-2 infection and neurological presentation was 18 days. Pain and sensorimotor deficits were the most common (57%). Spinal epidural hematoma (EDH) was the most common presentation (71.4%). Three patients were treated conservatively, while 4 received neurosurgical intervention. Pain and sensorimotor deficits had the best treatment response (100%), while the sphincter had the worst response (0%). Long-term follow-up showed that 71% of patients had good recovery. SARS-CoV-2-associated SSH is a rare complication of infection, with an often insidious presentation that requires high clinical suspicion. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and new neurological symptoms or disproportionate neck or back pain require a neuroaxis evaluation. Neurosurgical intervention and conservative management are both viable options to treat SSH following COVID-19. Still, a homogenous approach to the treatment paradigm of SSH cannot be obtained, but lesions with space-occupying effects are suitable for neurosurgical evacuation-decompression while more indolent lesions could be treated conservatively. These options should be tailored individually until larger studies provide a consensus.

Treatment of cerebral aneurysms with flow diversion or stent assisted coiling in patients on concurrent oral anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion and stent assisted coiling are increasingly utilized strategies in the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Ischemic and hemorrhagic complications play an important role in the outcome following such embolizations. Little is published regarding patients on concurrent oral anticoagulation and undergoing such embolizations and the rates of complications and patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data for consecutive patients on concurrent oral anticoagulation undergoing flow diversion or stent assisted coiling for cerebral aneurysms was accessed from databases at the participating sites. Patient demographics, comorbidities, antiplatelet regimens, aneurysm characteristics, complications, and radiographic results were recorded and descriptive statistics reported. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified undergoing embolization in the setting of preoperative anticoagulant use and included seven patients undergoing flow diversion and four patients undergoing stent assisted coiling. There was a wide range of antiplatelet and anticoagulant management strategies. There were four major complications in three patients (27.2%) to include two serious bleeding events in addition to ischemic strokes. Both serious bleeding events occurred in patients continued on oral anticoagulation with the addition of antiplatelets. At a mean follow-up of 9.6 months, three aneurysms had continued filling for a good radiographic outcome of 72.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulant and antiplatelet use in the setting of flow diversion or stent assisted coiling may carry increased risks as compared to historical norms and, for flow diversion, offer decreased efficacy.

Delayed cerebral pseudoaneurysm following surgical and combined-modality therapy for glioblastoma multiforme: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Post-radiation therapy and chemotherapy cerebral pseudoaneurysms are rare entities. Within previous tumor treatment areas on nonvascular imaging, they are potentially confused as recurrent tumor. OBSERVATIONS: A 61-year-old man was a long-term survivor of glioblastoma multiforme whose treatment consisted of open biopsy followed by radiotherapy to 60 Gy and systemic carmustine. On surveillance imaging, enlargement of a posttreatment cyst and new enhancing lateral "mural nodule" was first noticed approximately 16 years after initial treatment. Over 12 months, both continued to enlarge. Initially referred to as recurrence, subsequent angiography showed the mural nodule to be an unruptured distal middle cerebral artery pseudoaneurysm within the previous tumor bed. The patient underwent repeat craniotomy for clipping of the aneurysm and biopsy of the cyst wall, which was negative for malignancy. LESSONS: Delayed pseudoaneurysms following radiation therapy and chemotherapy for malignant brain tumors are rare but have been previously reported. Their appearance on cross-sectional imaging can mimic recurrence, and they should be kept in the differential of new, circumscribed enhancement within such treatment areas.

Short-Term Outcomes of Ethnic and Racial Minority Pediatric Patients Following Traumatic Brain Injury in the State of Texas.

Background Pediatric traumatic brain injury represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Broadly healthcare disparities exist for ethnic and racial minorities in the United States but it has not previously be evaluated how these disparities might influence outcomes in pediatric traumatic brain injury. Methods We sought all hospital admissions between the years 2006 and 2011 for patients aged 0-17 years admitted with traumatic brain injuries as identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) code, from a statewide database of all civilian hospital admissions. Demographic information including race, ethnicity, insurance status and illness severity as calculated by All Patient Refined-Diagnosis Related Group (APR-DRG) were analysed versus the disposition at discharge. Results 14,087 pediatric traumatic brain injury patients were admitted between 2006 and 2011. Pediatric traumatic brain injury patients of ethnic or racial minority had higher rates of in-hospital mortality as compared to whites (4.2% versus 3.3%, p = 0.009) and were less likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation (2.9% versus 4%, p < 0.001). These disparities persisted even when controlling for insurance status and illness severity. Conclusion Ethnic and racial minority children from the U.S. state of Texas suffer worse short-term outcomes following traumatic brain injury than their white counterparts. Strategies are needed for addressing this disparity.

Systematic Review of Transradial Access for Flow Diversion of Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Transradial access is an increasingly popular route for cerebral angiography and neurointerventions. However, obstacles to wider adoption remain, especially for complex interventions typically performed with larger, multiaxial systems such as flow diversion. We sought to analyze the published evidence for transradial flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature review was performed to identify all published reports and studies of transradial flow diversion for intracranial aneurysm. The search was limited from April 2011 to February 2021. Primary outcome was successful completion of the procedure via a transradial approach. Heterogeneity was analyzed with Q and I2 statistics. Secondary outcomes were transradial access-site complications and other complications. RESULTS: In total, 11 studies involving 290 treated aneurysms were identified; 90.7% of the procedures were completed via the transradial approach. The heterogeneity between studies was high, with an I2 of 56.9%. There were no transradial access-site complications. The procedural complication rate was 2.41%. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial access has a high success rate for both anterior and posterior circulation flow-diversion embolizations. The success rate may be particularly high for posterior circulation and right anterior circulation aneurysms. It has a negligible access-site complication rate. Transradial access is a viable alternative to transfemoral access for flow diversion and should be considered as a first-line approach.

Transradial access for embolization of cerebral aneurysms with the woven EndoBridge device: Case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Transradial access is an increasingly utilized route for neurointerventions with benefits of lower rates of access site complications, earlier patient mobilization and increased patient satisfaction over transfemoral interventions. There is limited data on deployment of the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) via transradial access. We report a case series of consecutive patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization with the WEB device via transradial biaxial access. METHODS: A database of neuroendovascular procedures was queried for consecutive aneurysm embolization procedures involving the WEB device and intended via the transradial approach between August 2019 and July 2020. Patient demographics, radiological aneurysm characteristics and procedure details were recorded and statistically evaluated. Google Scholar and Pubmed were searched for previous reports of transradial WEB embolization. RESULTS: Ten aneurysms were treated in ten patients. All aneurysms were treated with successful WEB deployment. Nine of the ten aneurysms were successfully treated via transradial biaxial access. One aneurysm required conversion to transfemoral access. There were no clinical complications and no morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial embolization of cerebral aneurysms with the WEB device is safe and feasible with low rates of access failure or complications.

Cerebral aneurysms treated with low-profile visualized intraluminal support device (LVIS Jr) Y-stent constructs: Technical experience with a single microcatheter technique.

BACKGROUND: The LVIS Jr device holds a number of advantages but poses unique technical challenges compared to such, especially, complex multistent constructs. We report our experience with the technical feasibility and early to mid-term outcomes of Y-stent-assisted coiling with the LVIS Jr using a simple, single microcatheter technique. METHODS: Using a departmental database, we retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon's experience with Y-stent-assisted coiling with LVIS Jr over a three-year period. Eighteen aneurysms in 17 patients were treated over this period. We assessed the technical success of the procedures, the initial and follow-up radiographic success with the modified Raymond-Roy occlusion score and follow-up clinical outcome with the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS: All stents were successfully deployed, and 17 of 18 aneurysms were successfully coiled at the initial treatment for a technical success rate of 94.4%. Of the 17 aneurysms with follow-up imaging, all were modified Raymond-Roy grade 1 or 2. One aneurysm required retreatment for coil compaction and a growing neck. There were two immediate postprocedure symptomatic strokes and one delayed stroke related to antiplatelet non-compliance. The two immediate symptomatic strokes recovered to neurological baseline with no residual deficits by the time of discharge. The long-term morbidity rate was 5.5%. The mortality rate was 0%. All patients had a modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2 at most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: Treatment with LVIS Jr Y-stent constructs via a single microcatheter technique is technically feasible with good radiographic and clinical outcomes.

Retained distal protection device during carotid artery stenting necessitating carotid endarterectomy: A complication and management considerations.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendovascular techniques have significantly altered the treatment paradigm of cerebrovascular diseases. Since the introduction of distal cerebral protection devices (DCPD), the incidence of embolic strokes during carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been significantly reduced. Treatment guidelines for retained foreign bodies in the cerebral vasculature do not exist. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we present the case of an 88-year-old male who, during carotid artery angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, suffered from a retained distal protection device ultimately requiring open surgical carotid endarterectomy including removal of the retained device and stent. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting utilizing distal protection devices is a commonly employed technique that may rarely result in retained devices. Knowledge of how to retrieve foreign bodies and the salvage techniques are essential to prevent complications from CAS.

Association Between Relative Anemia and Early Functional Recovery After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

BACKGROUND: Severe traumatic brain injury is associated with a multi-systemic response and changes in metabolic demand. Patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring or cerebrospinal fluid diversion, often signifies a greater severity of injury. For this group, the association between RBC transfusion, transfusion thresholds, and clinical recovery is unknown. In this study, we studied the association between transfusion and clinical recovery for severe traumatic brain injury patients requiring external ventricular drain or intracranial pressure monitor placement. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with a primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury requiring implantation of either an intracranial pressure monitor or external ventricular drainage device were identified. All patients were managed in a Level 1 Trauma facility by board-certified neuro-intensive care practitioners for the course of their intensive care unit duration. The correlation between transfusion and clinical recovery, defined by change in Glasgow Coma Scale was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients required surgical decompression, and 56.18 % of the cumulative cohort were transfused during admission. Overall, transfusion was not associated with significant clinical recovery (change in GCS > 3) for Hgb threshold of 7 mg/dL (<3, 29.03 vs. ≥3, 37.93 %; p = 0.49), nor for higher stratifications (8 mg/dL, p = 0.63; 9 mg/dL, p = 0.79, 10 mg/dL, p = 1). For patients who required transfusions at thresholds ≥8 mg/dL, there was a positive association with decreased length of hospitalization, [p = 0.01; <8 mg/dL: 22 (12-33), ≥8 mg/dL: 14 (7.75-20)] [median (IQR)]. Similarly, length of ICU stay was shorter for patients transfused at thresholds ≥9 mg/dL, (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: From our studies, we demonstrate no significant clinical benefit associated with stratified transfusion goals; however, there was a decrease in length of hospitalization for patients with transfusion thresholds of Hgb ≥ 8 mg/dL. Larger, randomized controlled trials may be required to more accurately assess outcomes in this patient population. In patients admitted for primary severe traumatic brain injury, we demonstrate no significant clinical benefit associated with stratified transfusion goals; however, there was a noticeable decrease in length of hospitalization for patients with transfusion thresholds of Hgb ≥ 8 mg/dL. Larger, randomized controlled trials may be required to more accurately assess outcomes in this patient population.

No publication bias in industry funded clinical trials of degenerative diseases of the spine.

Industry sponsorship of clinical research of degenerative diseases of the spine has been associated with excessive positive published results as compared to research carried out without industry funding. We sought the rates of publication of clinical trials of degenerative diseases of the spine based on funding source as a possible explanation for this phenomenon. We reviewed all clinical trials registered at clinicaltrials.gov relating to degenerative diseases of the spine as categorized under six medical subject heading terms (spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, spondylosis, failed back surgery syndrome, intervertebral disc degeneration) and with statuses of completed or terminated. These collected studies were categorized as having, or not having, industry funding. Published results for these studies were then sought within the clinicaltrials.gov database itself, PubMed and Google Scholar. One hundred sixty-one clinical trials met these criteria. One hundred nineteen of these trials had industry funding and 42 did not. Of those with industry funding, 45 (37.8%) had identifiable results. Of those without industry funding, 17 (40.5%) had identifiable results. There was no difference in the rates of publication of results from clinical trials of degenerative diseases of the spine no matter the funding source.

Clair Engle and the brain tumor that almost derailed the Civil Rights Act.

Senator Clare Engle was a United States senator from California who cast an important vote to end the filibuster of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, even as a brain tumor had left him with an expressive aphasia and would claim his life just a month later. This paper reviews the history of Senator Engle's illness in parallel with that of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Osteolytic calvarial lesions as initial presentation of latent neurosyphilis.

We report a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection whose initial presentation of neurosyphilis was painful calvarial lesions. A literature search reveals seven previous cases of calvarial involvement in early acquired syphilis but none in patients diagnosed with neurosyphilis. This patient emphasizes the need to consider atypical infections when encountering skull lesions, especially in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus co-infection.

Liver dysfunction by model for end-stage liver disease score improves mortality prediction in injured patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes in the trauma setting. We aimed to evaluate the utility of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) in assessing additional mortality risk in trauma patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Injured patients with liver dysfunction were identified by hospital and trauma registry query. Presence of cirrhosis was confirmed by laparotomy, biopsy, or imaging. MELD classification, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Trauma ISS (TRISS) were recorded, and the primary outcome variable was hospital mortality. We assessed the validity of the four scoring systems in prediction of mortality, individually and in combinations, by comparing the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), which is the probability, for scores that increase with the risk of death that a randomly chosen deceased subject will score higher than a randomly chosen living subject. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients with confirmed cirrhosis were included. ISS (AUC = 0.849, p < 0.001) and TRISS (AUC = 0.826, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of mortality. MELD (AUC = 0.725) was not a significantly stronger predictor of mortality than CTP (AUC = 0.639; p = 0.38). ISS + MELD (AUC = 0.891) and ISS + CTP (AUC = 0.897) were stronger predictors than ISS alone (AUC = 0.849; p < 0.001) for both. The MELD score was more available from the records than the CTP score (91.4% vs. 75.5%). CONCLUSION: In trauma patients with cirrhosis, a score that evaluates the degree of liver dysfunction enhances the ability of ISS alone to predict mortality. The MELD score is more readily available than the CTP score for the prediction of mortality in trauma patients.