Transradial versus transfemoral access for diagnostic cerebral angiography: frequency of acute MRI findings in 500 consecutive patients at a single center.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintense lesions and their correlation with the transradial artery (TRA) approach is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of abnormal diffusion restriction foci on DWI following cerebral angiography (digital subtraction angiography (DSA)) with the TRA or transfemoral artery (TFA) approach and identify predictors of DWI restriction foci. METHODS: We analysed data from consecutive diagnostic cerebral angiograms obtained between January 2021 and October 2023 at a single tertiary center. MRI DWI was performed 2 hours after DSA. Patients underwent neurological assessment periprocedurally, as well as prior to discharge. RESULTS: 500 patients were analysed; 277 (55%) procedures were performed via TRA and 223 (45%) via TFA. Overall, 74 (14.8%) patients had abnormal findings in the postprocedure MRI DWI. A higher incidence of positive DWI findings was noted in the TRA group, with 46 (16.6%) patients, compared with 28 (12.6%) in the TFA group (P=0.21). Symptomatic events occurred in seven (2.5%) of the TRA group and in two (0.9%) of the TFA cohort (P=0.31). At 60 days, the neurological deficit rate was one (0.4%) for the TRA group and one (0.4%) for the TFA group. Procedure time was the only significant predictor of DWI restriction (OR=1.04 per minute; P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although there were more symptomatic or asymptomatic embolic events with TRA than with the TFA approach following elective cerebral angiography, this was not significantly different. We recommend the choice of vascular access based on patient anatomy and characteristics, aimed at improving care through enhanced safety.

Vanguard Study: Initial experience with the new fourth generation Pipeline Vantage Flow Diverter (PVFD): 6-month results, technical and clinical considerations.

BACKGROUND: The Pipeline Embolization Device has proven to be a safe and effective device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The Pipeline Vantage Flow Diverter (PVFD) with Shield Technology is the new fourth generation of this implant, with modifications made compared to previous iterations. We aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties and clinical safety and efficacy of this device. METHODS: Vanguard is a single arm, single center, prospective study. Between April 2021 and April 2023, all consecutive patients with an unruptured aneurysm treated with Pipeline Vantage flow-diverting stents were included. There were no aneurysm size or location exclusion criteria. Safety (neurological serious adverse events) and efficacy (device deployment and aneurysm occlusion) were independently reviewed. Imaging follow-up data, and immediate, early (<30 days), and delayed (>30 days) neurological serious adverse events were independently assessed. RESULTS: 101 consecutive patients with a total of 115 aneurysms were included. The aneurysms were situated in the anterior (90.4%) or posterior (9.6%) circulations. A total of 124 devices were implanted. The deployment success rate was 100%. In four (4.0%) cases post-deployment angioplasty was required to optimize device wall apposition. Occlusion rates at 1 month were 54.7%, at 3 months 72.1%, and at 6 months 81.7%. Morbidity and mortality were 4.9% and 0%, respectively, at 6 months. Eight cases (6.9%) demonstrated in-stent stenosis, four of which had 'fish mouth' deformity. CONCLUSION: Initial results of the new generation PVFD for unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment demonstrate overall satisfactory device performance, safety profile, and effectiveness.

Safety and efficacy of adjunctive intra-arterial antithrombotic therapy during endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Half of patients who achieve successful recanalization following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke experience poor functional outcome. We aim to investigate whether the use of adjunctive intra-arterial antithrombotic therapy (AAT) during EVT is safe and efficacious compared with standard therapy (ST) of EVT with or without prior intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library) from 2010 until October 2023. Data were pooled using a random-effects model and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and ROB-2. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b-3), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: 41 randomized and non-randomized studies met the eligibility criteria. Overall, 15 316 patients were included; 3296 patients were treated with AAT during EVT and 12 020 were treated with ST alone. Compared with ST, patients treated with AAT demonstrated higher odds of functional independence (46.5% AAT vs 42.6% ST; OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.40, P=0.004, I2=48%) and a lower likelihood of 90-day mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.83, P<0.0001, I2=20%). The rates of sICH (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.22,P=0.97, I2=13%) and successful recanalization (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.42, P=0.52, I2=76%) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The use of AAT during EVT may improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality rates compared with ST alone, without an increased risk of sICH. These findings should be interpreted with caution pending the results from ongoing phase III trials to establish the efficacy and safety of AAT during EVT.

The Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires in neuroIntervention: Early experience at a single centre.

BACKGROUND: Current neurointerventional procedures are expanding the use of large bore microcatheters, of up to 0.033" inner diameters, to accommodate intrasaccular flow disruptors or neck-bridging devices, including flow diverters. The use of large bore microwires may mitigate the ledge gap between wire and catheter, facilitate navigation and offer support in distal tortuous anatomy. We aim to report our early experience using the novel Aristotle (Scientia Vascular, West Valley City, UT) 18 and 24 microwires in neurovascular interventions. METHODS: We analysed neurointerventional procedures in which the Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires were used at a single centre. Prospectively collected data, from March 2022 to February 2023, including patient's clinical outcome (successful target vessel, aneurysm catheterisation, peri-procedural complications (thromboembolic, haemorrhagic, vessel dissection or perforation) were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, the use of Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires was recorded in 84 neurointerventional procedures during the study period, including endovascular aneurysm treatment (n = 30), endovascular thrombectomy (n = 46), dural venous sinus manometry/stent placement (n = 7), and extracranial carotid artery stent placement (n = 1). The Aristotle 18 microwire was used in conjunction with 0.021" microcatheters and the Aristotle 24 microwire with the 0.027 or 0.033" microcatheters. In all cases (100%), the target vessel or aneurysm was reached with the microwire, allowing seamless advancement of the selected microcatheters. No procedure related complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires in neurointerventional procedures is feasible and safe. The microwires provide reduced ledge gap, improved torquability, support and safety over standard 0.014" microwires.

Distal radial approach for neurointerventional diagnosis and therapy.

BACKGROUND: The transradial approach results in fewer complications at the puncture site, lower hospital costs, and greater comfort for patients. The distal transradial approach (dTRA) adds some benefits over the conventional radial approach. The objective is to describe initial experience with distal radial approach technique and the results obtained for neuroendovascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. METHODS: Description of distal radial approach technique and obtained data from the first 3 months experience using this approach as the first choice for neuroendovascular procedures in two neuroendovascular centers. RESULTS: Of the total of 94 procedures performed during 3 months, 67 were diagnostic and 27 were therapeutic. Eleven (16%) of the diagnostic procedures were performed through the dTRA. Of the 27 embolizations, eight (30%) were done using this approach. Every distal radial approach that was performed for diagnosis and therapeutics was successful. CONCLUSION: Puncture of the radial artery within the anatomical snuffbox is a radial approach variation option for diagnostic and therapeutic neuroendovascular procedures.

Manejo de una fístula carotidocavernosa bilateral traumática: representación esquemática de los diferentes tipos de comunicación carotidocavernosa / Management of a traumatic bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula: a schematic representation of the different types of carotid-cavernous communication

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Déficit neurológico transitorio secundario a síndrome estilocarotídeo izquierdo / Transient neurological deficit secondary to left-side stylocarotid syndrome

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Chiari I: edema medular y aumento de la siringomielia luego de la descompresión cráneo espinal con plástica meníngea. reporte de un caso / Chiari I: medullary edema and increased syringomyelia after decompression spinal skull with meningeal plastic. report a case

Objetivo: Describir y analizar un caso de Chiari I con edema medular y aumento de la siringomielia (SM), luego de una descompresión cráneo espinal (DCE). Descripción: una mujer de 57 años consultó por cefaleas agravadas por maniobras de Valsalva, hipo, disfagia e hipoestesia distal del miembro superior izquierdo. La Resonancia Magnética (RM) mostró una malformación de Chiari tipo I con SM. Intervención: en abril del 2009 se efectuó una DCE (occipital + atlas) con plástica meníngea (dura artificial). En el postoperatorio inmediato notó aumento de su cefalea, y además se produjo una fístula de LCR que se trató con un drenaje lumbar externo. Como sus síntomas pre y postoperatorios mejoraron fue externada. En la RM realizada a los 15 días se observó un pseudomeningocele (PM) con edema medular. Los controles posteriores mostraron la desaparición del edema y el PM, con un aumento en el tamaño de la SM. En marzo del 2011 se hizo una laminectomía del axis sin reducción de la SM. Luego de un acceso de tos apareció un dolor neuropático en el brazo izquierdo. La nueva RM mostró que la SM no se había reducido y que la plástica meníngea se había retraído obstruyendo la cisterna magna. En diciembre del 2011 se realizó una nueva plástica meníngea con periostio y la RM de marzo del 2012 mostró una desaparición de la SM. Conclusión: en este caso, el edema medular y el PM se redujeron espontáneamente pero la SM no mejoró hasta eliminar todas las causas de obstrucción en la circulación del LCR a nivel del foramen magno.

Objective: To describe and analyze a Chiari I malformation with spinal cord edema and syrinx increase after craneospinal decompression (CED).Description: a 57 years-old female referred a history of headaches after Valsalva maneuvers, hiccup, dysphagia and left distal upper limb hypoesthesia. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a Chiari I malformation with syringomyelia.Intervention: during April 2009 a CED (occipital + atlas) with a non autologous duraplasty were performed. In the immediate postoperative period headaches increased and also appeared an external CSF fistula that was treated successfully with an external lumbar drainage. As the pre and postoperative symptoms improved she was discharged. After 15 days MRI revealed a pseudomeningocele (PMC) with spinal cord edema. Further controls showed the disappearance of the PMC and the edema with syrinx increase. In March 2011 a laminectomy of the axis was performed without reduction of the syrinx. A few months later and after a cough attack a neuropathic pain developed in the left upper limb. MRI showed a larger syrinx with retraction of the duraplasty. In December 2011 a new duraplasty with autologous pericranium was performed. Three months latter a postoperative MRI showed syrinx resolution. Conclusion: in this case the spinal cord edema and PMC resolved spontaneously but syringomyelia improved only after removing all the causes that obstructed the normal CSF circulation at the foramen magnum.

Abordaje extremolateral transcondilar: práctica de laboratorio, técnica quirúrgica y reporte de casos / Far lateral transcondilar approach: laboratory practice, surgical technique and case reports

Objetivo: describir el abordaje extremo lateral y su uso en la resección tumoral de una lesión de clivus y en el clipado de un aneurisma vertebro-PICA derecho. Material y método: se estudió la región occipito-cervical de dos cabezas de cadáveres adultos (cuatro arterias vertebrales), fijadas en formol e inyectadas con silicona coloreada. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y el archivo de imágenes de dos pacientes, con patología tumoral y vascular respectivamente, evaluados y tratados en el Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín” y en el “Centro Médico” de la Universidad de Nueva York, durante el año 2009. Descripción: se valoró el estudio anatómico de piezas cadavéricas del área occipitocervical en conjunto con las distintas estrategias de abordaje quirúrgico, describiendo tanto las estructuras anatómicas de interés, como las ventajas y desventajas de cada técnica. Conclusión: el abordaje extremo lateral es una herramienta efectiva para acceder a lesiones vasculares y neoplásicas del área anterolateral de la unión craneovertebral. Requiere una completa preparación prequirúrgica del paciente, un minucioso conocimiento anatómico de la región, el estricto monitoreo neurofisiológico y anestésico durante el acto quirúrgico y un oportuno examen y control postoperatorio que incluya la evaluación precoz del impacto sobre los pares bajos

Abordaje extremolateral transcondilar: práctica de laboratorio, técnica quirúrgica y reporte de casos / Far lateral transcondilar approach: laboratory practice, surgical technique and case reports

Objetivo: describir el abordaje extremo lateral y su uso en la resección tumoral de una lesión de clivus y en el clipado de un aneurisma vertebro-PICA derecho. Material y método: se estudió la región occipito-cervical de dos cabezas de cadáveres adultos (cuatro arterias vertebrales), fijadas en formol e inyectadas con silicona coloreada. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y el archivo de imágenes de dos pacientes, con patología tumoral y vascular respectivamente, evaluados y tratados en el Hospital de Clínicas ôJosé de San Martínö y en el ôCentro Médicoö de la Universidad de Nueva York, durante el año 2009. Descripción: se valoró el estudio anatómico de piezas cadavéricas del área occipitocervical en conjunto con las distintas estrategias de abordaje quirúrgico, describiendo tanto las estructuras anatómicas de interés, como las ventajas y desventajas de cada técnica. Conclusión: el abordaje extremo lateral es una herramienta efectiva para acceder a lesiones vasculares y neoplásicas del área anterolateral de la unión craneovertebral. Requiere una completa preparación prequirúrgica del paciente, un minucioso conocimiento anatómico de la región, el estricto monitoreo neurofisiológico y anestésico durante el acto quirúrgico y un oportuno examen y control postoperatorio que incluya la evaluación precoz del impacto sobre los pares bajos

Schwannoma vestibular: abordaje y fresado del polo acústico / Vestibular schwanoma: surgical approaches & internal acoustic canal drilling

Objetivo: describir los abordajes al ángulo pontocerebeloso y los reparos anatómicos para el fresado del poro acústico. Descripción: el acceso a la región se puede llevar a cabo a través de un abordaje translaberíntico, retrosigmoideo o subtemporal. La decisión depende del examen clínico del paciente y sus estudios por imágenes. El fresado del poro acústico es utilizado para la remoción del componente intracanalicular del tumor y para la identificación y preservación del nervio facial. El bulbo yugular y el canalículo coclear por debajo, el seno petroso superior y la arteria subarcuata por arriba y los conductos semicirculares posterior, superior, la crus que los intersecta, el conducto endolinfático y el saco endolinfático hacia lateral son estructuras en estrecha relación anatómica con la región. El conocimiento de su localización es esencial para la preservación funcional del nervio facial y la audición. Conclusión: el conocimiento anatómico del área a fresar es elemental para alcanzar el resultado más cercano al standard contemporáneo de remoción total del tumor con preservación funcional del nervio facial y la audición, con la ayuda de una experimentada técnica microquirúrgica y monitoreo neurofisiológico intraoperatorio.

Clipado parcial de vaso receptor asociado a sutura microvascular: modelo experimental en ratas / Partial clipping of receptor Wessel associated to microvascular suture: experimental model in rats

Objetive: to determine the possibility of partial clamping and maintaining small arteries flow within a modified clip. To perform an end to side anastomosis in an artery partially clamped and demonstrate its permeability. Method: partial carotid clamping in rats and intraluminal flow measurement. End to side anastomosis suture of the vessels clamped. Histopathologic study of the brains. Results: the persistence of flow during partial clamping of the vessel. Anastomosis remained permeable after the procedures. Eas confirmed no signs of ischemia in brains fixed were reported. Conclusion: this modification in the clip allows an end to side anastomosis with partial clamping of the recipient vessel, keeping the flow within in, in small vessels.

Schwannoma de nervio facial intratemporal e intraparotídeo: reporte de un caso / Intratemporal and intraparotid schwannoma of facial nerve: case report

Objective: to describe and analyse a case of intrapetrous facial schwannoma, with intraparotid extension. Description: a 37-year-old female came to examination presenting a facial palsy consequent to a previous surgery of a tumor in the left parotid region. Pathology revealed a schwannoma. CT-scanning and MRI showed an intratemporal left region mass.Intervention: through a retro-auricular, transmastoid approach, it was observed that the tumor affected the labyrinthine and tympanic segments of the facial nerve. The intrapetrous mass lesion was removed but it was impossible to isolate a healthy portion of the nerve; intraparotid involvement was also observed. It was decided to perform a hypoglossal facial anastomosis using anautologous sural nerve grafting. Pathology of the intrapetrous lesion revealed a facial nerve schwannoma. Conclusion: the choice of a retro-auricular, transmastoid approach allowed us to remove the facial nerve schwannoma, at the intrapetrous level. Due to the simultaneous intratemporal and intraparotid nerve involvement, a hypoglossal facial anastomosis was performed to treat the patient’s facial palsy.

Effects of eliminating tension by means of epineural stitches: a comparative electrophysiological and histomorphometrical study using different suture techniques in an animal model.

UNLABELLED: Epineural stitches are a means to avoid tension in a nerve suture. We evaluate this technique, relative to interposed grafts and simple neurorraphy, in a rat model. METHOD: Twenty rats were allocated to four groups. For Group 1, sectioning of the sciatic nerve was performed, a segment 4 mm long discarded, and epineural suture with distal anchoring stitches were placed resulting in slight tension neurorraphy. For Group 2, a simple neurorraphy was performed. For Group 3, a 4 mm long graft was employed and Group 4 served as control. Ninety days after, reoperation, latency of motor action potentials recording and axonal counts were performed. Inter-group comparison was done by means of ANOVA and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The mean motor latency for the simple suture (2.27±0.77 ms) was lower than for the other two surgical groups, but lower than among controls (1.69±0.56 ms). Similar values were founding in both group 1 (2.66±0.71 ms) and group 3 (2.64±0.6 ms). When fibers diameters were compared a significant difference was identified between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Good results can be obtained when suturing a nerve employ with epineural anchoring stitches. However, more studies are needed before extrapolating results to human nerve sutures.

Signos útiles para identificar el surco central en resonancia magnética / Useful signs to identification of the Central Sulcus in MRI

Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de observación de los signos descriptivos en neuroimágenes para la localización del surco central. Material y método: se emplearon imágenes por resonancia magnética (IRM) de 60 pacientes adultos (18 a 83 años), de ambos sexos (34 mujeres y 26 varones) con cerebros normales, en cortes axiales rostralesponderadas en secuencias T1 y T2, realzadas en resonador Phillips 1.5 Tesla. En las IRM se buscaron los siguientes signos: la unión surco frontal superior con el surco precentral, el signo del omega invertido, la impronta de la rama marginal del surco del cíngulo en la convexidad (“pars Bracket”), el surco post central que se bifurca en su porción superior, el giro post central más fino que el giro precentral, la unión surco intraparietal con el surco post central y el surco central que alcanza la línea media. Se determino su frecuencia. Resultados: el surco frontal superior se une con el surco precentral en 95%. El signo del omega invertido se evidencia en 96.66% de los casos. El signo de “pars Bracket” esta presente en 95% de las observaciones. El surco post central es bífido en 65%. El giro post central es más estrecho que el giro precentral en 98.33%. El surco intraparietal intercepta con el post central en 83.33%. El surco central alcanza la línea media en 86.66% de las observaciones. Conclusión: los signos descriptos tienen una alta frecuencia de presentación, encontrándose en promedio en 89.28% de las URM observadas...

Derivación siringopleural: resultados postoperatorios en el control de la siringomielia / Siringo pleural shunt post operative results in the control of syringo myelia

Objetivo. Describir y analizar los resultados obtenidos con la derivación siringopleural (DSP). Material y método. Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de 6 mujeres (edad media: 40 años) con siringomielia yuna DSP realizada entre los años 2000-2009. La causa de la siringomielia fue: Chiari I en 4 casos, Chiari II en 1 caso e idiopática en 1 caso. La DSP se indicó por persistencia clínica y de la cavidad luego de una descompresión cráneo espinal. Luego de una hemilaminectomía la DSP se realizó entre la cavidad medular y el espacio pleural a nivel de la línea axilar posterior. Los resultadosclínicos fueron evaluados con la escala de Odom y las variaciones en el tamaño de la cavidad siringomiélica con el índice de Vaquero (IV) en imágenes.Resultados. Luego de un seguimiento medio de casi 16 meses la evolución clínica de la DSP fue buena en 3 casos, regular en 2 casos y mala en 1 caso. Las diferencias entre el IV pre y el postoperatorio mostraron una disminución promedio de la cavidad del 57,5%. Las complicaciones fueron: cefalea ortostática 1 caso (cedió en 3 semanas) e hipoestesia paraumbilical 1 caso. Conclusión. La DSP es una técnica sencilla con una respuesta clínica parcial en 83% de los casos y con una reducción media de la cavidad siringomielica de casi un 58%.

Derivación siringopleural: resultados postoperatorios en el control de la siringomielia / Siringo pleural shunt post operative results in the control of syringo myelia

Objetivo. Describir y analizar los resultados obtenidos con la derivación siringopleural (DSP). Material y método. Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de 6 mujeres (edad media: 40 años) con siringomielia yuna DSP realizada entre los años 2000-2009. La causa de la siringomielia fue: Chiari I en 4 casos, Chiari II en 1 caso e idiopática en 1 caso. La DSP se indicó por persistencia clínica y de la cavidad luego de una descompresión cráneo espinal. Luego de una hemilaminectomía la DSP se realizó entre la cavidad medular y el espacio pleural a nivel de la línea axilar posterior. Los resultadosclínicos fueron evaluados con la escala de Odom y las variaciones en el tamaño de la cavidad siringomiélica con el índice de Vaquero (IV) en imágenes.Resultados. Luego de un seguimiento medio de casi 16 meses la evolución clínica de la DSP fue buena en 3 casos, regular en 2 casos y mala en 1 caso. Las diferencias entre el IV pre y el postoperatorio mostraron una disminución promedio de la cavidad del 57,5%. Las complicaciones fueron: cefalea ortostática 1 caso (cedió en 3 semanas) e hipoestesia paraumbilical 1 caso. Conclusión. La DSP es una técnica sencilla con una respuesta clínica parcial en 83% de los casos y con una reducción media de la cavidad siringomielica de casi un 58%.(AU)