Two Cases of Idiopathic Middle Meningeal Arteriovenous Fistula Initially Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Angiography.

Reports of middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula (MMAVF) are relatively rare, and reports of idiopathic MMAVF are extremely rare. In the past, diagnoses of MMAVF have been confirmed by cerebral angiography, but magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) resolution is improving. Here, we report two cases of idiopathic MMAVF that were diagnosed by unreconstructed time-of-flight MRA (MRA-TOF) and successfully treated by trans-arterial embolisation with endovascular treatment. Both patients suffered from pulsatile tinnitus, and MRI was performed. Two dilated vessels were revealed in the middle temporal fossa by unreconstructed MRA-TOF imaging. These dilated vessels were thought to be the middle meningeal artery and middle meningeal vein; therefore, we diagnosed both patients with MMAVF. Following angiography, both patients had coil embolisation with endovascular treatment, and their conditions improved. In cases of idiopathic MMAVF without a history of trauma, brain surgery, or endovascular surgery, unreconstructed MRA-TOF may be useful as a primary diagnostic tool, and endovascular treatment before bleeding may produce better outcomes.

A Case of Metastatic Choriocarcinoma With Intracerebral Hemorrhage Caused by a Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm.

A rare cause of cerebral hemorrhage is the metastasis of choriocarcinoma from gynecology. Herein, we report a case of a patient with brain metastasis of choriocarcinoma with cerebral hemorrhage. A 14-year-old female who had undergone surgery for a hydatidiform molar pregnancy presented with a disturbance of consciousness due to cerebral hemorrhage. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a cerebral aneurysm and several mass lesions in the lung field, and high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was confirmed. Thus, we suspected cerebral hemorrhage caused by brain metastasis of choriocarcinoma. She went into a coma, and an emergency craniotomy was performed to remove the hematoma and aneurysm. The pathology of the aneurysm was pseudoaneurysm due to the rupture of the vascular wall caused by increasing metastatic cells from choriocarcinoma in the cerebrovascular wall. Therefore, multidrug chemotherapy was immediately initiated. The choriocarcinoma, including the metastatic lesions, is in remission. To improve the outcome of choriocarcinoma, it must be diagnosed early, and treatment should be immediately started. Moreover, neurosurgeons should be aware of such diseases and consider them as one of the differential diagnoses, particularly in females of reproductive age with cerebral hemorrhage.

A Patient Who Underwent Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Occlusion of the Vertebral and Radial Arteries.

Objective: We report a case of acute occlusion of the vertebral artery and radial artery. We performed mechanical thrombectomy for the radial artery following mechanical thrombectomy for the vertebral artery. Case Presentation: A 73-year-old woman developed sudden-onset dizziness and dysesthesia of the left finger, and was taken to our hospital. Atrial fibrillation was observed. Image inspection revealed acute cerebral infarction of the left lateral medulla and left cerebellar hemisphere, and occlusion of the vertebral and radial arteries. Mechanical thrombectomy for the left vertebral artery occlusion was performed after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), and then mechanical thrombectomy was performed for the left radial artery occlusion. Conclusion: This case suggests that it is possible to guide the system to the radial artery and to perform thrombectomy using existing intracranial endovascular treatment devices.

A Patient with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Related to a Ruptured Aneurysm in Week 8 of Pregnancy: Usefulness of Coil Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms as a Treatment Option before Delivery.

Object: We report a case of endovascular surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that developed in early pregnancy. Case Presentations: An 8-week pregnant 35-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with severe headache and loss of consciousness. Cephalic computed tomography (CT) revealed SAH (Hunt and Hess grade II). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) demonstrated a 2.7 mm aneurysm at the right internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery (IC-PC) bifurcation. We prioritized maternal treatment. Cerebral aneurysm coil embolization was performed on the 1st day under general anesthesia. During the operation, we tried to avoid irradiating the fetus by limiting the irradiation range and time. She was discharged on the 36th day of illness and gave birth to a 2532-g baby at 36 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: If SAH develops in early pregnancy, it is necessary to prioritize maternal treatment. Endovascular surgery should be considered as a treatment option.

[Congenital Dermal Sinus with Dermoid Cyst Complicated by Brain Abscess: A Case Report].

Congenital dermal sinus(CDS)is a rare entity of spinal dysraphism, caused by the focal failure of disjunction leading to adhesion between the cutaneous and neural ectoderm. Some reports found that tumors, such as dermoid and epidermoid cysts, meningitis and subdural abscess are often complicated by CDS. A 1-year-old girl was referred to our department for CDS with a dermoid cyst complicated by brain and subdural abscesses. Diffusion weighted imaging and gadolinium-diethylenetriamine penta-aceticacid administration revealed ring-enhancing lesions, suggesting brain abscess, in the left temporal lobe, and subdural abscesses on the bilateral middle cranial bases. T1-and T2-weighted lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed CDS. With a preoperative diagnosis of CDS with brain and subdural abscesses, resection of CDS was performed after draining the brain abscess twice. The CDS extended into the spinal canal and it was completely exercised. We then performed sub-total resection of the dermoid cyst in the subdural space. Recent reports showed that dermoid cysts are related to CDS infection and deterioration of the infection, as seen in this case. Complication of dermoid cysts is an important consideration during CDS treatment. While the mechanism of the development of brain abscess in CDS patients has been unclear, this rare but important case revealed the mechanism to be the direct spread of inflammation via CDS.

Effect of Endovascular Therapy on Subsequent Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Cardioembolic Ischemic Stroke with Proximal Intracranial Occlusion in the Anterior Circulation: Sub-Analysis of the RESCUE-Japan Registry 2.

BACKGROUND: Cardioembolic stroke is associated with a higher rate of functional limitation, which may be related to the larger ischemic lesion size. Endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute stroke caused by large vessel occlusion reduces severe disabilities. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship between EVT and decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) in patients with cardioembolic proximal intracranial occlusion in the anterior circulation (CPIOAC) using the data from the Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra-acute Embolism (RESCUE)-Japan Registry 2. METHODS: Among 2,420 patients in the RESCUE-Japan Registry 2, 555 patients aged 20-80 years with acute cardioembolic occlusion of the internal carotid artery and/or the first segment of the middle cerebral artery were included. The primary outcome was DH. Secondary outcomes were any type of intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage indicating neurological worsening of >4 points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale within 72 h after the onset of stroke, and recurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 90 days. RESULTS: The median age was 73 years (66-77 years), and 360 patients (65%) were male. DH was performed in 1 of 374 patients in the EVT group and 5 of 181 patients in the no-EVT group (p = 0.032). The incidence of any type of intracranial hemorrhage and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 72 h and recurrence of stroke or TIA within 90 days were similar between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: EVT may reduce DH in patients with CPIOAC without increasing intracranial hemorrhage.

Angioscopic Findings in 3 Patients Who Required Retreatment After Carotid Artery Stenting.

BACKGROUND: Use of angioscopy to directly observe the stent lumen in the chronic phase after carotid artery stenting (CAS) has not been reported to date. Here we report 3 patients in whom angioscopy helped confirm the stent lumen during retreatment after CAS. CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1 required retreatment for stent shortening that occurred 1 month after the first CAS. Preprocedure angioscopy showed the presence of neointima, which could not be revealed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In case 2, which required repeat CAS for distal progressive stenosis of the internal carotid artery, the neointima was observed on the stent surface and was more pronounced on the distal side. In case 3, retreatment was necessary for recurrent ischemic stroke caused by stent restenosis; preprocedure angioscopy showed an unstable plaque, which was not detected as vulnerable by IVUS, protruding into the stent lumen, with partial ulceration and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with IVUS, angioscopy enables a more detailed observation of the stent lumen. Although angioscopy is relatively invasive, its use in evaluating changes in the stent lumen after CAS should be clarified by accumulation of reported cases.

Comparative Evaluation of Angioscopy and Intravascular Ultrasound for Assessing Plaque Protrusion During Carotid Artery Stenting Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of plaque protrusion after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is important for predicting periprocedural ischemic complications. In contrast to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), angioscopy allows direct visualization of the plaque. The aim of this study was to evaluate utility and safety of angioscopy during CAS and compare it with IVUS. METHODS: The study included 13 carotid artery stenosis lesions in 11 consecutive patients (mean age 70.5 years; 10 men) at a single center. During CAS procedure, poststenting plaque protrusion was evaluated with angioscopy and IVUS. RESULTS: Mean level of internal carotid artery stenosis was 79.2%. Eight lesions were symptomatic, and 5 lesions were predicted to have vulnerable plaque by preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging. A carotid WALLSTENT was placed in all cases. After stenting, angioscopy provided good visualization in all cases. Plaque protrusions were observed in 1 case by IVUS and in 8 cases by angioscopy. Diffusion-weighted imaging showed positive lesions in 3 cases (23%). For 2 of these lesions, plaque protrusions were observed by angioscopy but not by IVUS. All lesions associated with positive diffusion-weighted imaging findings were observed to have yellow plaque on angioscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Angioscopy provided direct visualization of stent lumens after CAS. Angioscopy detected more plaque protrusion than IVUS and allowed clearer observation of plaque characteristics. Angioscopy may be more useful than IVUS for examination of plaque protrusion and plaque evaluation after CAS, especially for plaque identified as potentially vulnerable by preprocedural examination.

Predicting ischemic stroke after carotid artery stenting based on proximal calcification and the jellyfish sign.

OBJECTIVE Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been considered to prevent ischemic strokes caused by stenosis of the cervical carotid artery. The most common complication of CAS is new cerebral infarction. The authors have previously reported that the jellyfish sign-the rise and fall of the mobile component of the carotid plaque surface detected by carotid ultrasonography-suggests thinning and rupture of the fibrous cap over the unstable plaque content, such as the lipid-rich necrotic core or internal plaque hemorrhage. The authors' aim in the present study was to evaluate the risk of a new ischemic lesion after CAS by using many risk factors including calcification (size and location) and the jellyfish sign. METHODS Eighty-six lesions (77 patients) were treated with CAS. The presence of ischemic stroke was determined using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Risk factors included calcification of the plaque (classified into 5 groups for size and 3 groups for location) and the jellyfish sign, among others. Multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise analysis and partial least squares [PLS] analysis) was conducted, followed by a machine learning analysis using an artificial neural network (ANN) based on the log-linearized gaussian mixture network (LLGMN). The additive effects of the jellyfish sign and calcification on ischemic stroke after CAS were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Steel-Dwass test. RESULTS The stepwise analysis selected the jellyfish sign, proximal calcification (proximal Ca), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and patient age for the prediction model to predict new DWI lesions. The PLS analysis revealed the same top 3 variables (jellyfish sign, proximal Ca, and LDL cholesterol) according to the variable importance in projection scores. The ANN was then used, showing that these 3 variables remained. The accuracy of the ANN improved; areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the stepwise analysis, the PLS analysis, and the ANN were 0.719, 0.727, and 0.768, respectively. The combination of the jellyfish sign and proximal Ca indicates a significantly increased risk for ischemic stroke after CAS. CONCLUSIONS The jellyfish sign, proximal Ca, and LDL cholesterol were considered to be important predictors for new DWI lesions after CAS. These 3 factors can be easily determined during a standard clinical visit. Thus, these 3 variables-especially the jellyfish sign and proximal Ca-may be useful for reducing the ischemic stroke risk in patients with stenosis of the cervical carotid artery.

Somatosensory evoked potentials in carotid artery stenting: Effectiveness in ascertaining cerebral ischemic events.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been used in various endovascular procedures and carotid endarterectomy, but to our knowledge no literature deals exclusively with the utility of SSEP in carotid artery stenting (CAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SSEP in detecting cerebral ischemic events during CAS. We conducted a prospective study in 35 CAS procedures in 31 patients during an 18month period. Thirty-three patients without near occlusion underwent stenting using dual protection (simultaneous flow reversal and distal filter) combined with blood aspiration, while two patients with near occlusion underwent stenting without dual protection. All 35 patients underwent SSEP monitoring. SSEP were generated by stimulating median and/or tibial nerves and recorded by scalp electrodes. During the aspiration phase post-dilation, seven patients (20%) exhibited SSEP changes with a mean duration of 11.3±8.5minutes (range: 3-25minutes), three of whom later developed minor stroke/transient ischemic attack. Diffusion-weighted imaging showed new lesions in 10 patients (28.6%). Change in SSEP exhibited mean sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 0.29-1.0) and specificity of 88% (95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.96) in predicting clinical stroke post-CAS. Intra-procedural SSEP change was predictive of post-procedural complications (p=0.005, Fisher's exact test). Longer span of SSEP change was positively correlated with complications (p=0.032, Mann-Whitney test). Intra-procedural SSEP changes are highly sensitive in predicting neurological outcome following CAS. Chances of complications are increased with prolongation of such changes. SSEP allows for prompt intra-procedural ischemia prevention measures and stratification to pursue an aggressive peri-procedural protocol for high risk patients to mitigate neurological deficits.

Carotid artery stenting for vulnerable plaques on MR angiography and ultrasonography: utility of dual protection and blood aspiration method.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis with vulnerable plaques is controversial. We analyzed the effect of a dual protection and blood aspiration method during CAS in patients with vulnerable plaques. METHODS: A total of 111 patients with ICA stenosis underwent CAS using the dual protection (simultaneous flow reversal and distal filter) and blood aspiration method. In 103 of 111 patients, preoperative carotid plaque was estimated by both 3 T MRI and ultrasonography (US). ICA plaques with a high intensity signal on time-of-flight-MR angiography (TOF-MRA) and/or mobile component on US were defined as vulnerable plaques. We assessed major adverse events (MAE) (ie, major stroke, myocardial infarction, and death) and hyperintense spots on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) after CAS. We then evaluated the visible debris captured by dual protection and blood aspiration during CAS. RESULTS: The preoperative ICA plaque on TOF-MRA and US was judged to be vulnerable in 48.5% (50/103 patients). The success rate of the CAS procedure was 100% with no MAE within 30 days. DWI showed small hyperintense spots in 18% (9/50 patients) and 18.9% (10/53 patients) in the vulnerable and non-vulnerable plaque groups, respectively. Visible debris was captured in 68% (34/50 patients) and 45.3% (24/53 patients) in the vulnerable and non-vulnerable plaque groups, respectively (p=0.0286). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of dual protection and blood aspiration could provide effective distal embolic protection although vulnerable plaques on TOF-MRA and US had a high incidence of debris during CAS. Thus, CAS using dual protection and blood aspiration is safe in patients with vulnerable plaques.

Comparison of dual protection and distal filter protection as a distal embolic protection method during carotid artery stenting: a single-center carotid artery stenting experience.

There are several protection methods used to prevent distal embolism during carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to compare the dual protection method (proximal balloon and distal filter protection) with the distal filter protection during CAS performed at a single center. Between April 2008 and November 2013, 78 consecutive patients with internal carotid artery stenosis were treated with CAS at Istukaichi Memorial Hospital. Twenty-four consecutive patients were treated with CAS using distal filter protection (distal filter protection group), and 54 consecutive patients were treated with CAS using dual protection with a proximal balloon and distal filter protection (dual protection group). We examined the hyperintensity lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perioperative complications after CAS. All stenotic lesions were successfully dilated. DWI showed hyperintensity lesions among 54.2 % (13/24 patients) in the distal filter protection group and in 27.8 % (15/54 patients) in the dual protection group (p = 0.024). The average number of hyperintensity lesions on DWI was 1.75 (range, 0 to 6) in the distal filter protection group and 0.59 (range, 0 to 5) in the dual protection group (p = 0.0087). Postprocedural persistent ischemic complications occurred in 4.2 % (1/24 patients) in the distal filter protection group and 3.7 % (2/54 patients) in the dual protection group (p = 0.67). In this study, the dual protection method reduced the number of hyperintensity lesions seen on DWI when compared with the distal filter protection method when used for distal embolic protection during CAS.

Endovascular Stenting under Cardiac and Cerebral Protection for Subclavian Steal after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Due to Right Subclavian Artery Origin Stenosis.

Coronary-subclavian steal (CSS) can occur after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the internal thoracic artery (ITA). Subclavian artery (SA) stenosis proximal to the ITA graft causes CSS. We describe a technique for cardiac and cerebral protection during endovascular stenting for CSS due to right SA origin stenosis after CABG. A 64-year-old man with a history of CABG using the right ITA presented with exertional right arm claudication. Angiogram showed a CSS and retrograde blood flow in the right vertebral artery (VA) due to severe stenosis of the right SA origin. Endovascular treatment of the right SA stenosis was planned. For cardiac and cerebral protection, distal balloon protection by inflating a 5.2-F occlusion balloon catheter in the SA proximal to the origin of the right VA and ITA through the right brachial artery approach and distal filter protection of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) through the left femoral artery (FA) approach were performed. Endovascular stenting for SA stenosis from the right FA approach was performed under cardiac and cerebral protection by filter-protection of the ICA and balloon-protection of the VA and ITA. Successful treatment of SA severe stenosis was achieved with no complications.

Usefulness of dual protection combined with blood aspiration for distal embolic protection during carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: We describe dual protection (simultaneous flow reversal and distal filter) combined with blood aspiration as a novel technique to provide distal embolic protection during carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: Between July 2011 and August 2014, 190 patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis underwent 190 CAS procedures as follows. After post-dilation of the stent using dual protection, the aspiration catheter was placed between the distal filter and the proximal end of the stent, and the blood was aspirated several times from the ICA. We assessed hyper-intensity spots in diffusion-weighted images (DWI), and major adverse events (MAE) defined as major stroke, myocardial infarction and death after CAS. We then assessed visible debris captured in aspirated blood, the distal filter and a blood filter during flow reversal. RESULTS: The overall technical success rate was 100 %, and all stenoses were dilated. Hyper-intense spots were found in 33 (17.3 %) of 190 DWI. The rate of MAE within 30 days was 1.05 % (2/190). Visible debris in 175 of 190 CAS procedures was captured in 92 (52.5 %) of these 175. In 25 (27.2 %) of these 92, visible debris was captured in all of aspirated blood, the distal filter and the blood filter during flow reversal, only the blood filter during flow reversal (n = 19; 20.7 %), only the distal filter (n = 14; 15.2 %), only aspirated blood (n = 11; 12 %), aspirated blood and the blood filter during flow reversal (n = 10; 10.8 %), aspirated blood and the distal filter (n = 7; 7.6 %) and the distal filter and blood filter during flow reversal (n = 6; 6.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: Adding a distal filter and blood aspiration to flow reversal during CAS could provide effective distal embolic protection.

[Selective coil embolization of a distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease: a case report].

Intracranial hemorrhage in patients with moyamoya disease is often caused by rupture of the associated aneurysms. Of these aneurysms, distal anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) aneurysms are rare. In patients with moyamoya disease, the AChoA constitutes collateral vessels and the aneurysm requires careful treatment strategy. However, reported cases of distal AChoA aneurysms include various procedures including conservative therapy, direct surgery, and endovascular therapy. Herein, we report a case of coil embolization of a distal AChoA aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease and discuss the treatment strategy. A 39-year-old female presented with severe headache and subsequent deep coma. Computed tomography (CT) revealed thick intraventricular hemorrhage, and three-dimensional CT angiography revealed a right distal AChoA aneurysm. Bilateral ventricular drainage was performed and subsequent ventriculoperitoneal (VP)shunt was performed. The persisting distal AChoA aneurysm was coil embolized without any complication. Rebleeding did not occur during the 1-year follow-up period. Endovascular treatment is effective for distal AChoA aneurysms associated with moyamoya disease to preserve collateral circulation.

Electrocorticographic-histopathologic correlations implying epileptogenicity of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor.

Based on intracranial-video electroencephalography (EEG), histopathological features, and postoperative seizure outcome, we elucidated the epileptogenicity in patients with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT). Five patients (P1-P5) pathologically diagnosed with DNT underwent intracranial-video EEG to identify the ictal onset zone and irritative zone. We evaluated the correlations of ictal onset zone and irritative zone with the magnetic resonance imaging-visible lesion (MRI-lesion) and their histopathological features. Intracranial-video EEG located the ictal onset zone adjacent to the MRI-lesion margin in four patients with complex/simple forms of DNT subcategory, and on the MRI-lesion in P3 with a nonspecific DNT form. The irritative zone extended to surrounding regions of the ictal onset zone in all patients. Histopathologically, MRI-lesions were characterized by specific glioneuronal elements, whereas the ictal onset zone and irritative zone were represented with dysplastic cortex accompanying oligodendroglia-like cells in four (P1, P2, P4, and P5) of five patients. Cortical dysplasia was identified with typical histopathologic features in the irritative zone remote from the MRI-lesion in P5. P3, with a nonspecific form, indicated prominent component of dysplastic cortex with oligodendroglia-like cells scattered in the MRI-lesion. Lesionectomy of MRI-lesion with additional cortical resections (including the ictal onset zone and irritative zone) yielded postoperative seizure freedom (Engel Class I) in P3, P4, and P5, while P1 and P2 (with only lesionectomy) experienced postoperative residual seizure (Class II and III in each patient). Our results suggest the intrinsic epileptogenicity of DNT. The topographical correlation indicated that the dysplastic cortex accompanying oligodendroglia-like cells was more epileptogenic than the specific glioneuronal elements itself. Meticulous intracranial-video EEG analysis delineating the MRI nonvisible ictal onset zone and the irritative zone may yield better seizure outcome.

[A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with coil embolization of a basilar apex aneurysm].

About three weeks after successful coil embolization of a basilar apex aneurysm, a 66-year-old woman developed occipital headaches. T2 and FLAIR MRI brain images demonstrated multiple new hyperintense lesions in the posterior circulation territory including cerebellum, right superior cerebellar peduncle, left thalamus and bilateral temporo-occipital lobes and she was subsequently hospitalized. Findings suggestive of other underlying disease were not observed, although an increased protein level was noted in cerebrospinal fluid (69 mg/dl). Headache and clinical findings improved approximately 12 weeks after coil embolization. MRI findings also showed improvement. These clinical and radiological findings made this patient a distinctive case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) associated with coil embolization suggesting that clinicians should be aware that PRES can present as comparatively mild symptoms several weeks after coil embolization.

Carotid artery stenting using the proximal or dual protection method for near occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery.

The treatment for patients with near occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) is controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the results of carotid artery stenting (CAS) as a surgical treatment for ICA near occlusion. Between April 2008 and September 2012, 14 patients (all men; mean age, 75.4 years) with ICA near occlusion were treated with CAS. This represents 5.2% of a total of 267 patients treated with CAS during the study period. All patients were treated with CAS using an embolic protection device. The proximal balloon protection method was performed in five patients, and the dual protection method using a proximal balloon and distal filter protection was used in nine patients. We examined the change of stenotic lesion, hyperintensity spot in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and perioperative complications after CAS. All near occlusions were successfully dilated. Among 2 of 14 patients, DWI showed 1 and 4 hyperintensity spots. Transient and persistent complications, including neurological deficits, did not occur in any patients. In this small number of cases, CAS using the proximal or dual embolic protection method seems to be a safe and beneficial treatment for ICA near occlusion.

Multiple antiplatelet therapy contributes to the reversible high signal spots on diffusion-weighted imaging in elective coiling of unruptured cerebral aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to systematically investigate radiographic characteristics and outcome of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) changes in the elective coiling of unruptured cerebral aneurysm with analyzing the correlation of antiplatelet therapy (APT). METHODS: In a total of 34 consecutive patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms initially treated by coiling without stent assist, 26 (76.5%) had DWI changes with 91 high signal spots within 24-48 h after the procedure. We recorded DWI parameters (location, volume, mean, and minimum values of the apparent diffusion coefficient: expressed as ADCAVE and ADCMIN) for each lesion, and evaluated its radiographic outcome on conventional MRI at follow-up (interval, 58.4 ± 37.2 days) in the modes of APT. RESULTS: All patients with DWI high spots had no clinical symptoms. There was a strong correlation between ADCAVE and ADCMIN (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001). The mean ADCAVE and rADCAVE were 0.74 ± 0.14 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s and 87 ± 10 %. DWI high spots were small with a mean volume of 0.13 ± 0.12 cm(3), ranging from 0.04 to 0.86 cm(3). A negative correlation was observed between the volume and values of ADCAVE (r = -0.48, p < 0.0001). The DWI volume was significantly larger in single APT than in multiple (0.15 ± 0.14 versus 0.10 ± 0.07 cm(3), p = 0.0091). The permanent signal change was more observed in single APT than in multiple (24.5% versus 5.2%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: DWI high spots after elective coiling were small without significant decrease of ADC, and do not correspond to brain infarction. Periprocedural use of multiple antiplatelet agents is expected to reduce the volume of thromboembolism and permanent tissue damages.

Endovascular stenting of symptomatic innominate artery stenosis under distal balloon protection of the internal carotid and vertebral artery for cerebral protection: a technical case report.

The use of cerebral protection devices in endovascular treatment for innominate artery (IA) stenosis is not well established. We describe a novel technique for cerebral protection during endovascular stenting of symptomatic IA stenosis. An 82-year-old man presented with acutely scattered brain infarction by artery-to-artery embolism due to IA stenosis. Endovascular treatment for symptomatic IA stenosis was planned to prevent recurrent attacks. Endovascular stenting for IA stenosis via the right femoral artery approach was performed under simultaneous distal balloon protection of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) via the right brachial artery approach. Successful treatment of symptomatic IA stenosis was achieved with no complications. The technique with simultaneous distal balloon protection of the ICA and VA provided excellent cerebral protection in stenting of IA stenosis.