Asymptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage following carotid endarterectomy: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting are common surgical interventions for internal carotid artery stenosis. Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a well-known complication of both procedures that can lead to intracranial hemorrhage and worsen clinical outcomes. Here, the authors report a rare case of non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) following CEA and review the relevant literature. OBSERVATIONS: A 70-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes presented with progressive visual loss in the right eye and was diagnosed with ocular ischemic syndrome. Imaging revealed severe right cervical carotid artery stenosis. CEA was performed with no complications. Postoperatively, the patient's blood pressure was tightly controlled, with no evidence of CHS. However, an asymptomatic SAH was detected on postoperative day 7. Careful observation and blood pressure control were maintained. Since follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no enlarging of the SAH and the patient was asymptomatic, she was discharged on postoperative day 15 with a modified Rankin scale score of 0. LESSONS: This case highlights the potential occurrence of non-aneurysmal SAH as a rare complication of CEA, even in asymptomatic patients. Repeated postoperative MRI is necessary to detect such complications. It is crucial to carefully control blood pressure after CEA regardless of symptoms.

Retrieval of N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate Glue Migrated to the Vertebral Artery via Dangerous Anastomosis, Using the Stent-Retriever Aspiration Technique, during Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Embolization: A Case Report.

Objective: We report a case of accidental N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue migration into the vertebral artery (VA) via dangerous anastomosis during transarterial embolization (TAE) for transverse sinus (TS)-dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), which was rescued by mechanical retrieval using a stent retriever and aspiration devices. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old right-handed female patient was admitted to our hospital with motor aphasia. MRI revealed congestion in the left temporal and occipital lobes, involving a small hemorrhage. DSA revealed a DAVF complicated by a sinus thrombus in the left TS. The DAVF was mostly fed by the left occipital artery (OA) and drained into the cortical veins of the temporal and occipital lobes through the patent part of the sinus. TAE was performed via the left OA with low-concentration NBCA. However, NBCA glue migrated into the left VA through a dangerous anastomosis, and a left VA angiogram revealed severe VA stenosis and floating NBCA glue. There was a fragile attachment of the NBCA glue to the arterial inner wall; therefore, we successfully retrieved the NBCA glue with a stent retriever and aspiration devices without complications. Finally, TAE was performed using another feeder, and the DAVF was completely obliterated. Conclusion: TAE using NBCA is useful for the treatment of DAVF; however, it should be noted that there is a risk of migration via potential anastomotic routes. Low-concentration NBCA glue can be retrieved using these devices in limited cases.

Emergency embolectomy for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion with chronic common carotid artery occlusion.

Occurrence of acute middle cerebral artery occlusion with common carotid artery occlusion is rare, and its treatment may be complicated. If the approach route cannot be secured because of carotid artery occlusion, endovascular embolectomy may not be indicated. The best treatment approach for such cases remains controversial. A woman in her 70s was transferred to our hospital in ambulance following a sudden onset of dysarthria and left hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ischemic lesion in the right basal ganglia and occlusion of the right common carotid and intracranial middle cerebral arteries. Emergency embolectomy was performed for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed complete recovery of the right middle cerebral artery blood flow. Emergency embolectomy can effectively treat acute middle cerebral artery occlusion with common carotid artery occlusion.

Preoperative risk assessment for predicting the opening of mastoid air cells in lateral suboccipital craniotomy for microvascular decompression.

OBJECTIVE: Opening of mastoid air cells (MACs), a complication of lateral suboccipital craniotomy for microvascular decompression (MVD), might cause cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and meningitis. Only a few studies have investigated the association of degree of MAC development and actual opening of MACs. The present study focused on preoperative risk assessment for predicting the opening of MACs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 204 consecutive patients who underwent MVD at our hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. We retrospectively collected clinical and neuroimaging data from electronic medical charts and discharge summaries. MACs were classified into four types according to neuroimaging data. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) was used to assess patients with and without CSF leakage into MACs. RESULTS: No CSF leakage was observed into types 1 and 2 MACs, but it was noted in 14 of 46 patients (30 %) with type 3 and 44 of 58 patients (76 %) with type 4 MACs. Opening of MACs during surgery could not be recognized in 33 (57 %). CSF rhinorrhea was noted in 1 of the 58 patients with CSF leakage into MACs and meningitis was not noted. CONCLUSION: Patients with types 3 and 4 MACs have a high risk of CSF leakage. Complete prevention of mild symptoms, such as ear obstruction, is challenging even if opened MACs are sealed, but serious complications, such as CSF rhinorrhea and meningitis, can be avoided. For cases in which preoperative CT reveals a high risk of opening of MACs, preventive closure should be performed.