Changes in treatment of intracranial aneurysms during the last decade in a large European neurovascular center.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment modality for ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms has shifted during the last two decades from microsurgical treatment towards endovascular treatment. We present how this transition happened in a large European neurovascular center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study consecutive patients treated for an unruptured or ruptured intracranial aneurysm at Helsinki University Hospital during 2012-2022. We used Poisson regression analysis to report age-adjusted treatment trends by aneurysm location and rupture status. RESULTS: A total of 2491 patients with intracranial aneurysms were treated (44% ruptured, 56% unruptured): 1421 (57%) surgically and 1070 (43%) endovascularly. A general trend towards fewer treated aneurysms was noted. The proportion of patients treated surgically decreased from 90% in 2012 to 20% in 2022. The age-adjusted decrease of surgical versus endovascular treatment was 6.9%/year for all aneurysms, 6.8% for ruptured aneurysms, and 6.8% for unruptured aneurysms. The decrease of surgical treatment was most evident in unruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysms (10.8%/year), unruptured communicating artery aneurysms (10.1%/year), ruptured communicating artery aneurysms (10.0%/year), and ruptured internal carotid aneurysms (9.0%/year). There was no change in treatment modality for middle cerebral artery aneurysms, of which 85% were still surgically treated in 2022. A trend towards an increasing size for treated ruptured aneurysms was found (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: A significant shift of the treatment modality from surgical to endovascular treatment occurred for all aneurysm locations except for middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Whether this shift has affected long-term safety and patient outcomes should be assessed in the future.

Initial Experiences with the Trenza Embolization Device for the Treatment of Wide-Neck Intracranial Aneurysms: A 12-Patient Case Series.

The Trenza embolization device is a frame coil implant with flow-disruption properties and is a new alternative to treat challenging mid-to-large-sized broad-neck bifurcation or sidewall aneurysms. We conducted an observational single-center retrospective study of 12 consecutive patients treated for 10 unruptured and 2 ruptured 6- to 12-mm broad-neck bifurcation or sidewall aneurysms with the Trenza device during 2022-2023. The median patient age was 64 years (interquartile range, 59-70 years), 58% were women, the median largest aneurysm diameter was 9.6 mm (interquartile range, 7.5-11.9 mm), the median dome-to-neck ratio was 1.8 (interquartile range, 1.6-1.9), the most common aneurysm locations were the anterior communicating artery (33%) and basilar artery tip (33%). After a median follow-up of 6.5 months, adequate aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 83%. There were 3 major ischemic complications (25%), leading to 2 permanent neurologic deficits (17%) and 1 transient neurologic deficit (8%). There was 1 fatal rupture of a treated aneurysm 1.6 months after the index treatment. Two patients were retreated (17%). Ischemic complications occurred in patients after a too-dense coil packing at the base of the aneurysm. No technical issues related to the device were encountered. In summary, an adequate aneurysm occlusion rate was achieved using the Trenza-assisted coiling technique for otherwise challenging mid-to-large-sized broad-neck aneurysms. Ischemic complications seemed to occur following overdense coiling at the base of the aneurysm.

Flow diversion of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a single-center study with a standardized antithrombotic treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: The use of antithrombotic medication following acute flow diversion for a ruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA) is challenging with no current guidelines. We investigated the incidence of treatment-related complications and patient outcomes after flow diversion for a ruptured IA before and after the implementation of a standardized antithrombotic medication protocol. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including consecutive patients treated for acutely ruptured IAs with flow diversion during 2015-2023. We divided the patients into two groups: those treated before the implementation of the protocol (pre-protocol) and those treated after the implementation of the protocol (post-protocol). The primary outcomes were hemorrhagic and ischemic complications. A secondary outcome was clinical outcome using the modified Ranking Scale (mRS). RESULTS: Totally 39 patients with 40 ruptured IAs were treated with flow diversion (69% pre-protocol, 31% post-protocol). The patient mean age was 55 years, 62% were female, 63% of aneurysms were in the posterior circulation, 92% of aneurysms were non-saccular, and 44% were in poor grade on admission. Treatment differences included the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (pre-group 48% vs. post-group 100%), and the use of early dual antiplatelets (pre-group 44% vs. 92% post-group). The incidence of ischemic complications was 37% and 42% and the incidence of hemorrhagic complications was 30% and 33% in the pre- and post-groups, respectively, with no between-group differences. There were three (11%) aneurysm re-ruptures in the pre-group and none in the post-group. There were no differences in mortality or mRS 0-2 between the groups at 6 months. CONCLUSION: We found no major differences in the incidence of ischemic or hemorrhagic complications after the implementation of a standardized antithrombotic protocol for acute flow diversion for ruptured IAs. There is an urgent need for more evidence-based guidelines to optimize antithrombotic treatment after flow diversion in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Long-term treatment outcomes and natural course of low-grade intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: In contrast to high-grade dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), low-grade dAVF is mainly associated with tinnitus and carries a low risk of morbidity and mortality. It remains unclear whether the benefits of active interventions outweigh the associated risk of complications in low-grade dAVF. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective single-center study that included all consecutive patients diagnosed with an intracranial low-grade dAVF (Cognard type I and IIa) during 2012-2022 with DSA. The authors analyzed symptom relief, symptomatic angiographic cure, treatment-related complications, risk for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and mortality. All patients were followed up until the end of 2022. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were diagnosed with a low-grade dAVF. Of these, 48 patients (59%) underwent treatment (all primary endovascular treatments), and 33 patients (41%) did not undergo treatment. Nine patients (19%) underwent retreatments. Angiographic follow-up was performed after median (IQR) 7.7 (6.1-24.1) months by means of DSA (mean 15.0, median 6.4 months, range 4.5-83.4 months) or MRA (mean 29.3, median 24.7 months, range 5.9-62.1 months). Symptom control was achieved in 98% of treated patients after final treatment. On final angiographic follow-up, 73% of patients had a completely occluded dAVF. There were 2 treatment-related complications resulting in 1 transient (2%) and 1 permanent (2%) neurological complication. One patient showed recurrence and progression of a completely occluded low-grade dAVF to an asymptomatic high-grade dAVF. No cases of ICH- or dAVF-related mortality were found in either treated patients (median [IQR] follow-up 5.1 [2.0-6.8] years) or untreated patients (median [IQR] follow-up 5.7 [3.2-9.0] years). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of low-grade dAVF provides a high rate of symptom relief with small risks for complications with neurological sequela. The risks of ICH and mortality in patients with untreated low-grade dAVF are minimal. Symptoms may not reveal high-grade recurrence, and radiological follow-up may be warranted in selected patients with treated low-grade dAVF. An optimal radiographic follow-up regimen should be developed by a future prospective multicenter registry.

CLinical EValuation of WEB 17 device in intracranial aneuRysms (CLEVER): procedural, 30-day and 1-year safety results for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Intrasaccular flow disruption is an endovascular approach for the treatment of wide-neck aneurysms and, more specifically, wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, which are challenging to treat with previously developed technologies. The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device has demonstrated its efficacy and safety, for both unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: The CLEVER study was an observational, multicenter, prospective study conducted in 17 European investigational sites using the WEB 17 device, for the treatment of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. The study objective was to provide safety and efficacy data on the WEB 17 device in the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. Imaging results were assessed independently by a Corelab and adverse events adjudicated by a Clinical Event Adjudicator. This analysis reports procedural results and safety at 30 days and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients (mean age 58.1 years; 68.1% women) with 103 unruptured aneurysms and 60 ruptured aneurysms were enrolled. Most aneurysms were located on the anterior communicating artery (ACom) (37.4%) or the middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation (30.1%). Aneurysm widths ranged from 2.0-9.2 mm, and the mean sac width was 5.0 mm. The WEB procedure was successfully completed in 163 patients (100%). At the 12-month follow-up, major stroke events occurred in 3 of 163 patients (1.8%), and no device-related mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms using WEB 17 is safe, with a low complication rate and no device-related mortality. In particular, none of the ruptured aneurysms bled again up to 1 year of follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03844334.

Natural history of intracavernous aneurysms: a consecutive single-center study of 250 patients with 276 aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The natural history of cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) is not fully understood. For robust clinical decision-making, the behavior of CCAs needs to be fully understood. The objective of this paper was to calculate the mortality and morbidity rates of patients with diagnosed but untreated CCAs from a relatively large single-center cohort. METHODS: The authors identified 250 patients with 276 CCAs from August 1946 to August 2017 from an aneurysm database including 12,000 intracranial aneurysm patients. Patient and aneurysm characteristics were extracted for further analysis. RESULTS: The cumulative patient follow-up was 1560 years, with a mean of 6.3 years. For patients presenting with a cranial nerve deficit caused by a CCA, those with a ruptured CCA, and patients who received treatment for a CCA, the cumulative patient follow-up was 121 years, with a mean of 1.3 years. For patients with symptom-free or conservatively treated CCAs, the cumulative patient follow-up was 1093 years, with a mean of 7.2 years. Of the 276 aneurysms, 57 (21%) caused cranial nerve deficits and 18 (6.5%) other symptoms, while 201 (73%) remained symptom free. A total of 264 (96%) of the CCAs remained unruptured, and 2 were considered possibly ruptured. Ten (3.6%) ruptures of the CCAs were found. However, none of the ruptured aneurysms caused subarachnoid hemorrhage or death of the patient. Of the CCAs, 51 were multiple, and 131 patients had ≥ 1 intradural aneurysm. The CCAs were analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the CCAs were asymptomatic during follow-up, and none caused the death of the patient. The incidence of symptoms increased with aneurysm size. Because CCAs have a benign natural course, treatment should be considered mainly if the CCA is symptomatic or grows during follow-up.

Comparable long-term outcomes in patients undergoing total disc replacement or anterior cervical discectomy and noninstrumented fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the leading surgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy. However, ACDF surgery has been suggested for to accelerate the degeneration of the adjacent cervical discs, which causes so-called adjacent segment disease (ASD). Over the past 2 decades, total disc replacement (TDR)/cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has become an increasingly common method for treating degenerative cervical diseases. The rationale is that a synthetic disc prosthesis may preserve motion at the operated level, which is expected to lead to reduced stress on the other cervical levels and thus decrease the risk of developing ASD. However, since the method was first introduced in the early 2000s, the long-term outcome after it is still not completely understood. PURPOSE: Our goal was to compare the long-term outcomes of TDR and ACDF procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients who underwent TDR due to degenerative cervical disease at Helsinki University Hospital between 2006 and 2012 (38 patients) and matched control patients who underwent ACDF during this period (76 patients) for degenerative disc disease. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the rate of reoperations and further cervical surgeries. Secondary outcome measures included neck symptoms (Neck Disability Index, or NDI), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), satisfaction with the surgery, radiological outcomes, and employment status. METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent TDR due to degenerative cervical disease at Helsinki University Hospital between 2006 and 2012 and those of the matched control patients were analyzed retrospectively. Questionnaires were sent to all available patients at the end of the follow-up (median 14 years) to evaluate their employment status, levels of satisfaction with the surgery, current neck symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Radiological outcomes were evaluated from the cervical plain radiographs, which were taken either at the end of the follow-up as a part of the present study or earlier on for other clinical reasons, but at least 2 years after index surgery. RESULTS: The total rate of reoperations and further cervical surgeries during the follow-up of a median of 14 years was 7/38 (18%) in the TDR group and 6/76 (8%) in the ACDF group (p=.096, ns.). Total disc replacement patients were reoperated earlier, and the 5-year reoperation rate was significantly higher in the TDR group (11% vs 1.3%, p=.026). None of the TDR patients underwent further cervical surgery more than 6 years after index surgery, whereas 5/6 (83%) of the reoperated ACDF patients were reoperated after that time. There were no significant differences in the NDIs between the patient groups. The employment rate and health-related quality of life were slightly higher in the TDR group, but the differences were statistically nonsignificant. TDR was significantly better at maintaining the angular range of motion at the operated level, and the fusion rate was significantly lower among this group. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the long-term outcomes of ACDF and TDR when measured by reoperation rates, employment status, NDI, EuroQoL, and satisfaction with surgery. Reoperation rate and, on the other hand, employment rate and health-related quality of life, were higher in the TDR group, but the differences were statistically nonsignificant. However, TDR patients were reoperated earlier, and the 5-year reoperation rate was significantly higher in the TDR group. Randomized long-term studies in which these methods are compared are needed to further clarify the differences between them.

Recurrence of brain arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Previously thought to be congenital, AVMs have shown evidence of de-novo formation and continued growth, thus shifting thoughts on their pathophysiology. Pediatric AVM patients have been reported to be more prone to develop AVM recurrence after a seemingly complete cure. Therefore, we assessed the risk of AVM treated in childhood to recur in adulthood after a long-term follow-up in our own cohort. METHODS: Control DS-angiography was arranged during 2021-2022 as part of a new protocol for all AVM patients who were under 21 years of age at the time of their treatment and in whom the treatment had occurred at least five years earlier. Angiography was offered only to patients under 50 years of age at the time of the new protocol. The complete eradication of AVM after the primary treatment had been originally confirmed with DSA in every patient. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients participated in the late DSA control, and 41 of them were included in this analysis after excluding the patient diagnosed with HHT. The median age at the time of admission for AVM treatment was 14.6 (IQR 12-19, range 7-21 years) years. The median age at the time of the late follow-up DSA was 33.8 years (IQR 29.8-38.6, range 19.4-47.9 years). Two recurrent sporadic AVMs and one recurrent AVM in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) were detected. The recurrence rate was 4.9% for sporadic AVMs and 7.1% if HHT-AVM was included. All the recurrent AVMs had originally bled and been treated microsurgically. The patients with sporadic AVM recurrence had been smoking their whole adult lives. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric and adolescent patients are prone to develop recurrent AVMs, even after complete AVM obliteration verified by angiography. Therefore, imaging follow-up is recommended.

Long term WEB results - still going strong at 5 years?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our multi-center study is to examine 5-year radiological outcomes of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) treated with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB). METHODS: All patients treated with WEB between January 2013 and December 2016 were included. Patient and aneurysm characteristic data was collected from the electronic patient record. Aneurysm occlusion was assessed using a 3-grade scale: complete occlusion, neck remnant, and aneurysm remnant. Complete occlusion and neck remnant were considered as adequate occlusion, whereas aneurysm remnant was assessed as an inadequate occlusion. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients (72.7% female) with 66 IAs (n = 25 acutely ruptured) were treated with WEB. The mean age of patients was 55.6 years (range: 36-71 years). The mean width of the aneurysm neck was 4.5 mm (range: 2-9 mm). 5-year imaging follow-up data was not available for 16.6% patients (n = 11). During the follow up period, 14.5% of IAs (n = 8/55) required retreatment within 24 months of initial treatment with the WEB. A total of 55 IAs were analyzed for 5-year radiological outcome. Of these, including IAs required retreatment, 47.3% of IAs (n = 26/55) were occluded completely, 36.4% (n = 20/55) had neck remnant and 16.3% (n = 9/55) had recanalized. 83.7% of IAs were occluded adequately. None of the IAs rebled after initial treatment with WEB. CONCLUSION: WEB can provide acceptable adequate occlusion rates at 5 years. Furthermore, recanalization appears to be unlikely after the first two years post-treatment. The results of large studies are needed to confirm these promising long term radiological outcomes.

Slow-Closing Clip for the Treatment of Nonsaccular Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms: A Retrospective Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Vertebrobasilar artery nonsaccular aneurysms (VBANSAs) are associated with a 13% annual mortality. Revascularization and flow diversion are life-saving options in select cases; technical failures and rapid hemodynamic changes may contribute to unwanted outcomes. We describe a technique and report clinical outcomes of patients treated with an experimental slow-closing clip (SCC). METHODS: An experimental SCC was created to gradually close the parent artery of aneurysms. Clinical, radiographic, and outcome data from patients with VBANSAs who underwent experimental treatment with the SCC were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among 10 patients (7 men; mean age, 49.5 years; range, 18-73 years), 6 presented with mass effect symptoms, 1 with ischemic stroke, 2 with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 1 with hydrocephalus. Five patients underwent revascularization plus SCC application, and 5 were treated with SCC alone. The mean follow-up was 6.7 years. The expected mortality among patients with unruptured VBANSAs with previous treatment options in this period was 52.7%, whereas the observed rate was 20%. Four patients died within 12 months after treatment. Causes of death were brainstem ischemic stroke, poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage, poor clinical presentation, and unknown. Six patients were alive at last follow-up, with unchanged or improved modified Rankin Scale scores. Mortality was associated with posterior-projecting aneurysms and late-stage treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this small case series, use of SCC overcame the natural history of VBANSAs when treatment timing and aneurysm anatomy were suitable. The SCC potentially favors aneurysm thrombosis and collateral reactivation. More studies are necessary to better develop the SCC.

Long-Term Follow-Up After Cervical Laminectomy without Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to study the effect of cervical laminectomy without fusion on the incidence of further cervical surgeries, the risk for cervical misalignment, and current functional status. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 340 patients who had undergone simple laminectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) at Helsinki University Hospital between 2000 and 2011. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (12.1%) had later undergone another cervical surgery during the follow-up of a mean of 8.5 years (maximum, 17.5 years). The most common indication for further surgery was residual stenosis at adjacent or other cervical levels (34%). Five patients (1%) required further surgery for correction of a sagittal balance problem. The mean Neck Disability Index was 28% at a median of 9.0 years after laminectomy. The mean EQ-5D (EuroQol 5 Dimension 3 Level) index score was 58.8 for patients and 77.2 for age-matched and gender-matched general population controls (P = 0.000), indicating patients' reduced health-related quality of life. Worse preoperative condition in the Nurick score was related to a lower (i.e., worse) EQ-5D score. In an additional arm of the study with radiographic imaging (40 patients), the mean change in sagittal alignment was 4.0° toward lordotic, and a newly developed kyphosis was found in 7.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because CSM is a serious degenerative progressive condition resulting in decreased health-related quality of life even after surgical treatment, the low rate of corrective surgery needed for alignment issues per se indicates that simple laminectomy can be a viable treatment option in treating multilevel CSM.

Treatment of intracranial aneurysms using the new Surpass Evolve flow diverter: Safety outcomes and six-month imaging follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several studies have reported good long-term results in the occlusion of intracranial aneurysms with flow diverter treatment. The aim of this study was to report the safety and six-month follow-up outcomes using the new Surpass Evolve flow diverter in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm treated with Surpass Evolve flow diverter in two high-volume neurovascular centers between May 2019 and January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Procedure-related complications, aneurysm occlusion (O'Kelly-Marotta grading scale), and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with 30 aneurysms were included in the study. Favorable aneurysm occlusion (O'Kelly Marotta grading scale C-D) at six-month follow-up was achieved in 21/27 (78%) aneurysms. No clinical procedure related thromboembolic complications were encountered. Twenty-three out of 24 patients with unruptured aneurysms treated with Surpass Evolve remained clinically intact at clinical follow-up. There was one fatal hemorrhagic procedure-related complication (3%). In five patients with ruptured aneurysms, no early or late rebleeds occurred from the aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: Surpass Evolve FD worked technically well with no intraprocedural thromboembolic complications and occlusion rates comparable to other FDs.

Finnish flow diverter study: 8 years of experience in the treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) is controversial due to high treatment-related complication rates and a lack of supporting evidence. We present clinical and radiological results of the largest series to date. METHODS: This is a nationwide retrospective study of acutely ruptured IAs treated with flow diverters (FDs). The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at the last available follow-up time. Secondary outcomes were treatment-related complications and the aneurysm occlusion rate. RESULTS: 110 patients (64 females; mean age 55.7 years; range 12-82 years) with acutely ruptured IAs were treated with FDs between 2012 and 2020 in five centers. 70 acutely ruptured IAs (64%) were located in anterior circulation, and 47 acutely ruptured IAs (43%) were blister-like. A favorable functional outcome (mRS 0-2) was seen in 73% of patients (74/102). Treatment-related complications were seen in 45% of patients (n=49). Rebleeding was observed in 3 patients (3%). The data from radiological follow-ups were available for 80% of patients (n=88), and complete occlusion was seen in 90% of aneurysms (79/88). The data from clinical follow-ups were available for 93% of patients (n=102). The overall mortality rate was 18% (18/102). CONCLUSIONS: FD treatment yields high occlusion for acutely ruptured IAs but is associated with a high risk of complications. Considering the high mortality rate of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, the prevention of rebleeding is crucial. Thus, FD treatment may be justified as a last resort option.

Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study.

The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is around 2-3% in the general population. We hypothesized that the prevalence of small UIAs is higher among 50 to 60-year-old female smokers, since the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is exceptionally high in 60 to 70-year-old female smokers. Ethics approval for this pilot study of 50 women was obtained from the hospital ethics committee. In order to minimize recruitment bias, preliminary invitation letters were sent to 50 to 60-year-old women who were known to be active smokers. Those interested in participating were further informed about the study rationale and protocol. Following written consent, participants filled a detailed questionnaire and underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) analysis. All abnormalities were recorded. Of the 158 preliminary invitation letters, 70 potential participants initially replied. Of these, 50 returned questionnaires and written consents, 43 of which underwent CTA analysis. Most (39; 91%) were postmenopausal, and 9 (21%) were hypertensive. Two reported a family history (≥ 1 first-degree members) of intracranial aneurysms. UIAs (maximum sizes of 2, 2, 3, 3 and 7 mm) were found in five (12%) female smokers. One woman was operated on, and the remaining four were treated with non-invasive preventive actions (smoking cessation and follow-ups). Small UIAs, which may be best suited for non-invasive preventive actions, may be relatively common in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers. Whether this kind of targeted screening leads to improved health in female smokers requires further investigation.

Voxel and surface based whole brain analysis shows reading skill associated grey matter abnormalities in dyslexia.

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with a substantial negative influence on the individual's academic achievement and career. Research on its neuroanatomical origins has continued for half a century, yielding, however, inconsistent results, lowered total brain volume being the most consistent finding. We set out to evaluate the grey matter (GM) volume and cortical abnormalities in adult dyslexic individuals, employing a combination of whole-brain voxel- and surface-based morphometry following current recommendations on analysis approaches, coupled with rigorous neuropsychological testing. Whilst controlling for age, sex, total intracranial volume, and performance IQ, we found both decreased GM volume and cortical thickness in the left insula in participants with DD. Moreover, they had decreased GM volume in left superior temporal gyrus, putamen, globus pallidus, and parahippocampal gyrus. Higher GM volumes and cortical thickness in these areas correlated with better reading and phonological skills, deficits of which are pivotal to DD. Crucially, total brain volume did not influence our results, since it did not differ between the groups. Our findings demonstrating abnormalities in brain areas in individuals with DD, which previously were associated with phonological processing, are compatible with the leading hypotheses on the neurocognitive origins of DD.

Flow diversion for internal carotid artery aneurysms: Impact of complex aneurysm features and overview of outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Flow diversion is a popular technique used to treat ordinary small, as well as complex internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. We describe aneurysm occlusion rates, complications and patient outcomes in patients with ICA aneurysms treated with flow diverter stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all consecutive patients with ICA aneurysms that were treated with flow diverter stents between 2014 and 2019 at our institution. We divided the aneurysms into two anatomic subgroups (cavernous and supraclinoid segments). All the imaging studies and medical records were reviewed for relevant features in relation to aneurysms, complications and patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients with 76 ICA aneurysms (72 unruptured; 4 ruptured) were treated with 70 flow diversion procedures, including six re-treatments. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 61 % of patients at 6-month follow-up (cavernous 69 %, supraclinoid 58 %), and in 69 % at the latest follow-up (mean of 18 months). Postprocedural intracranial ischemia or hemorrhage was seen in 24 % of patients, including two aneurysm ruptures after flow diversion, and related major long-term functional decline or mortality was seen in 6% of patients. Preprocedural dysfunction of extraocular muscles or vision disturbance improved moderately at best (40-60 %). At the latest follow-up, 54 patients (87 %) were functionally independent (mRS ≤2). CONCLUSION: Flow diversion for cavernous and supraclinoid ICA aneurysms demonstrated acceptable results, but complex aneurysm features cause uncertainty in predicting aneurysm occlusion probability. Patients should be informed of the non-negligible rate of complications, and of only moderate improvement rate of cranial nerve dysfunctions.

Occurrence and prognostic effect of cervical spine injuries and cervical artery injuries with concomitant severe head injury.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) and cervical spinal injuries (CSIs) are not uncommon injuries in patients with severe head injury and may affect patient recovery. We aimed to assess the independent relationship between BCVI, CSI, and outcome in patients with severe head injury. METHODS: We identified patients with severe head injury from the Helsinki Trauma Registry treated during 2015-2017 in a large level 1 trauma hospital. We assessed the association between BCVI and SCI using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for injury severity. Our primary outcome was functional outcome at 6 months, and our secondary outcome was 6-month mortality. RESULTS: Of 255 patients with a cervical spine CT, 26 patients (10%) had a CSI, and of 194 patients with cervical CT angiography, 16 patients (8%) had a BCVI. Four of the 16 BCVI patients had a BCVI-related brain infarction, and four of the CSI patients had some form of spinal cord injury. After adjusting for injury severity in multivariable logistic regression analysis, BCVI associated with poor functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 6.0, 95% CI [confidence intervals] = 1.4-26.5) and mortality (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 2.0-31.4). We did not find any association between CSI and outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We found that BCVI with concomitant head injury was an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with severe head injury, but we found no association between CSI and outcome after severe head injury. Whether the association between BCVI and poor outcome is an indirect marker of a more severe injury or a result of treatment needs further investigations.

Flow diversion treatment for acutely ruptured aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow diverters are sometimes used in the setting of acutely ruptured aneurysms. However, thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications are feared and evidence regarding safety is limited. Therefore, in this multicenter study we evaluated complications, clinical, and angiographic outcomes of patients treated with a flow diverter for acutely ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 44 consecutive patients who underwent flow diverter treatment within 15 days after rupture of an intracranial aneurysm at six centers. The primary end point was good clinical outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) 0-2. Secondary endpoints were procedure-related complications and complete aneurysm occlusion at follow-up. RESULTS: At follow-up (median 3.4 months) 20 patients (45%) had a good clinical outcome. In 20 patients (45%), 25 procedure-related complications occurred. These resulted in permanent neurologic deficits in 12 patients (27%). In 5 patients (11%) aneurysm re-rupture occurred. Eight patients died resulting in an all-cause mortality rate of 18%. Procedure-related complications were associated with a poor clinical outcome (mRS 3-6; OR 5.1(95% CI 1.0 to 24.9), p=0.04). Large aneurysms were prone to re-rupture with rebleed rates of 60% (3/5) vs 5% (2/39) (p=0.01) for aneurysms with a size ≥20 mm and <20 mm, respectively. Follow-up angiography in 29 patients (median 9.7 months) showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 27 (93%). CONCLUSION: Flow diverter treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms was associated with high rates of procedure-related complications including aneurysm re-ruptures. Complications were associated with poor clinical outcome. In patients with available angiographic follow-up, a high occlusion rate was observed.

Successful endovascular coil embolisation of a ruptured V1-segment vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm making a fistula with the adjacent vein.

Sudden supraclavicular pain is often associated with myocardial infarction but seldom due to a rupture of V1-segment vertebral artery aneurysm. A ruptured V1 segment of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm making a fistula with the adjacent vein has rarely been described in literature. Here we present a case of a 29-year-old healthy woman with sudden supraclavicular pain and palpable mass that developed after pain. Initial ultrasound showed suspicion of large haematoma. CT angiogram showed a left-sided dissecting V1-segment vertebral artery ruptured aneurysm. Angiography showed an additional fistula between the aneurysm and the adjacent vein. The patient was treated successfully with coil embolisation. The vertebral artery occlusion was well tolerated without any complications. Endovascular coiling is a fast and effective treatment modality. However, a parent vessel occlusion can be sometimes dangerous if the contralateral vertebral artery supply is not sufficient. Surgical possibilities to reconstruct the parent vessel should also be considered in complex cases.