[Dolichoectasia of the basilar artery caused by cystic medial degeneration, as a cause of neurovascular conflict with damage to the trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear nerves]. / Dolikhoektaziya bazilyarnoi arterii, obuslovlennaya kistoznoi medial'noi degeneratsiei, kak prichina neirovaskulyarnogo konflikta s porazheniem troinichnogo, litsevogo i vestibulokokhlearnogo nervov.

Cystic medial degeneration (Gsell-Erdheim syndrome, cystic medial necrosis) is considered to be a nonspecific histological manifestation of a group of diseases characterized by degenerative changes in the media, affecting primarily the aorta and adjacent branches, which leads to destruction of the vessel wall, followed by its expansion and, possibly, rupture. The authors describe a case of a 65-year-old female patient with a neurovascular conflict of the three cranial nerves with dolichoectatic basilar artery due to cystic medial degeneration. As a result, the patient has clinical manifestations in the form of hemifacial spasm, trigeminal neuralgia and vestibular paroxysmia. Data from instrumental studies and treatment provided are presented. Neurovascular conflict can be identified in various diseases and is characterized by the complex etiology. The most common clinical manifestations of neurovascular conflict are trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and vestibular paroxysmia.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and other arterial abnormalities leading to abducens nerve palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Dolichoectatic vessels can cause cranial nerve dysfunction by either direct compression or ischemia. Abducens nerve palsy due to neurovascular compression by elongated, enlarged, tortuous or dilated arteries is an uncommon but important cause. AIM: To highlight neurovascular compression as a cause of abducens nerve palsy and discuss various diagnostic techniques. METHODS: Manuscripts were identified using the National Institutes of Health PubMed literature search system. Search terms included abducens nerve palsy, neurovascular compression, dolichoectasia and arterial compression. Inclusion criteria required that the articles were written in English. RESULTS: The literature search identified 21 case reports where abducens nerve palsy was due to vascular compression. Out of these 18 patients were male and the mean age was 54 years. Eight patients had unilateral right abducens nerve involvement; eleven patients had unilateral left nerve involvement and two patients had bilateral involvement. The arteries causing the compression were basilar, vertebral and anterior inferior cerebellar arteries. A compressed abducens nerve is not usually clearly detected on CT (Computed Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography), Heavy T2- WI (weighted imaging), CISS (constructive interference in steady state) and FIESTA (Fast Imaging Employing Steady-state Acquisition) are essential to demonstrate vascular compression of the abducens nerve. The various treatment options included controlling hypertension, glasses with prisms, muscle resection and microvascular decompression.

Effect of Mid-Basilar Artery Angle and Plaque Characteristics on Pontine Infarction in Patients with Basilar Artery Plaque.

AIMS: The basilar artery (BA) geometry and plaque characteristics may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to explore the relationship between the mid-BA angle and plaque characteristics and its effect on pontine infarction using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. METHODS: In total, 77 patients with BA plaques were included in this study. According to the presence of acute pontine infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging, the patients were divided into a pontine infarction group and pontine non-infarction group. The mid-BA angle, plaque burden, stenosis ratio, positive remodeling, and intraplaque hemorrhage were evaluated to investigate their effects on stroke. RESULTS: The pontine infarction group had a greater plaque burden, stenosis ratio, positive remodeling, and mid-BA angle than the pontine non-infarction group. The correlation between the plaque burden and mid-BA angle was the highest (r=0.441, P＜0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the plaque burden (odds ratio, 1.164; 95% confidence interval, 1.093-1.241; P＜0.001) was an independent risk factor for pontine infarction. CONCLUSION: The mid-BA angle may increase the incidence of pontine infarction by increasing the plaque burden.

Vertebrobasilar artery elongation in migraine-a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous but inconclusive findings have sparked an ongoing debate about whether the arteries of migraine patients undergo vascular alterations. The outlet angle of the superior cerebellar artery (SUCA) and the lateral displacement of basilar arteries are good surrogate parameters for determining elongation of the vertebrobasilar arteries. METHODS: We retrospectively determined the SUCA outlet angle and the lateral displacement of the basilar artery in 63 patients with migraine (30.6 ± 8.9 years, 84% women, 16% chronic migraine, 60% migraine with aura) and compared these with 126 age- and sex-matched control subjects. RESULTS: In patients with migraine, the SUCA outlet angle was lower (159 ± 26° vs. 169 ± 29°, p = 0.020) and the lateral displacement of the basilar artery was greater (3.7 ± 2.7 mm vs. 2.8 ± 2.4 mm, p = 0.020) than in the control subjects. Age, gender, migraine characteristics and presence of any cardiovascular risk factors did not affect the SUCA outlet angle or lateral displacement of the basilar artery. CONCLUSION: Migraine patients exhibited a lower SUCA outlet angle and greater lateral displacement of the basilar arteries. Both may be attributable to the elongation of the vertebrobasilar arteries, which is an indication of arterial wall pathology in migraine.

Effects of abnormal vertebral arteries and the circle of Willis on vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia: A multi-scale simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a rare cerebrovascular disease characterized by obvious extension, dilation and tortuosity of vertebrobasilar artery, and its pathophysiological mechanism is not clear. This study focused on local hemodynamic changes in basilar arteries with typical vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, together with unbalanced vertebral arteries and abnormal structures of the circle of Willis, through multi-scale modeling. METHODS: Three-dimensional models of 3 types of vertebrobasilar arteries were constructed from magnetic resonance images. The first type has no vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, the second type has vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and balanced vertebral arteries, and the third type has vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and unbalanced vertebral arteries. A lumped parameter model of the circle of Willis was established and coupled to these three-dimensional models. FINDINGS: The results showed that unbalanced bilateral vertebral arteries, especially single vertebral artery deletion mutation, might associate with higher wall shear stress on anterior wall of basilar artery in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. And unbalanced bilateral vertebral arteries would increase the blood pressure in basilar artery. Meanwhile, missing communicating arteries in the circle of Willis, especially bilateral posterior communicating arteries absences, would significantly increase blood pressure in basilar artery. The unilateral absence of posterior communicating arteries would increase differences in blood flow between the left and right posterior cerebral arteries. INTERPRETATION: This study provided a multi-scale modeling method and some preliminary results for helping understand the role of hemodynamics in occurrence and development of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia.

Endovascular treatment of pediatric basilar artery aneurysms: case series and literature review.

PURPOSE: Pediatric basilar artery aneurysms are rare and challenging to treat. Microsurgical options and standard endovascular coiling are often undesirable choices for treatment of this pathology. Additional endovascular strategies are needed. METHODS: Presentation, diagnosis, and management of pediatric basilar aneurysms were reviewed, with an emphasis on endovascular treatment strategies. Our case series of 2 patients was presented in detail, one treated with flow diversion and vessel sacrifice and one treated with stent-assisted coiling. An extensive review of the literation was performed to find other examples of pediatric basilar artery aneurysms treated with endovascular techniques. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Fifty-nine aneurysms in 58 patients were treated using endovascular techniques. Mortality rate was 10.3% (6/58) and a poor outcome (GOS 1-3) occurred in 15.5% (9/58). There were 4 reported recurrences requiring retreatment; however, only 46.5% of patients had reported follow-up of at least 1 year. 71.1% (42/59) were dissecting aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Basilar artery aneurysms in the pediatric population are rare, commonly giant and fusiform, and often not amenable to microsurgical or coiling techniques. The surrounding vasculature, location, size, and morphology of the aneurysm along with the durability of treatment must be considered in treatment decisions. With proper patient selection, stent-assisted coiling and flow diversion may increase the durability and safety of endovascular treatment in this population.

Natural history of acute unruptured vertebral basilar artery dissection: Temporal changes in imaging findings and contributory factors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate temporal changes in imaging findings of conservatively treated acute unruptured vertebral basilar artery dissection (VBAD) and its contributing factors. METHODS: Fifty-three patients who underwent conservative treatment for 64 cases of acute VBAD diagnosed between January 2006 and March 2019 with follow-up of at least 12 months after onset were retrospectively investigated. Statistical analyses of age, sex, medical history, pattern of onset, lesion site, imaging findings and changes over time, regular medication, and outcomes were performed. RESULTS: Changes in the vascular morphology of the lesion site during the follow-up period were observed in only 23 (43 %) patients (median time until change: 19 days). Univariate analysis of factors contributing to morphological changes at the dissection site showed that changes were significantly more likely in younger patients (p = 0.011). Patients taking antiplatelet drugs had a significantly greater rate of deterioration at the dissection site (p = 0.028) than others. On multivariate analysis, age was an independent factor contributing to changes at the dissection site, and taking antiplatelet drugs, particularly clopidogrel, was an independent factor contributing to deterioration. No patient developed intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or worsening of neurological symptoms during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological changes at the dissection site are more likely in younger patients with acute unruptured VBAD and those taking antiplatelet drugs. However, chances of intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or worsening of neurological symptoms during conservative therapy are low; therefore, acute unruptured VBAD may be considered a benign condition.

Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia caused by persistent trigeminal artery associated with craniosynostosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare arterial anastomosis between the basilar artery (BA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). It plays an indispensable role in a number of neurological disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a unique case of a 58-year-old Han female patient with TN caused by PTA associated with craniosynostosis. Preoperative three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) and 3D constructive inference in steady state (3D-CISS) imaging showed that the PTA run though Meckel's cave. Complete pain relief was immediately achieved after microvascular decompression (MVD), without facial numbness and other complications. No recurrence was recorded at the 1-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular decompression is a feasible option for the treatment of complex TN combined with other abnormalities. For patients deemed suitable for percutaneous balloon compression, PTA should be ruled out. Preoperative 3D-TOF and 3D-CISS MR imaging were essential to identify PTA neurovascular conflicts.

Anatomic and MRI Bases for Pontine Infarctions with Patients Presentation.

OBJECTIVES: There are scarce data regarding pontine arteries anatomy, which is the basis for ischemic lesions following their occlusion. The aim of this study was to examine pontine vasculature and its relationships with the radiologic and neurologic features of pontine infarctions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Branches of eight basilar arteries and their twigs, including the larger intrapontine branches, were microdissected following an injection of a 10% mixture of India ink and gelatin. Two additional brain stems were prepared for microscopic examination after being stained with luxol fast blue and cresyl violet. Finally, 30 patients with pontine infarctions underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to determine the position and size of the infarctions. RESULTS: The perforating arteries, which averaged 5.8 in number and 0.39 mm in diameter, gave rise to paramedian and anteromedial branches, and also to anterolateral twigs (62.5%). The longer leptomeningeal and cerebellar arteries occasionally gave off perforating and anterolateral twigs, and either the lateral or posterior branches. Occlusion of some of these vessels resulted in the paramedian (30%), anterolateral (26.7%), lateral (20%), and combined infarctions (23.3%), which were most often isolated and unilateral, and rarely bilateral (10%). They were located in the lower pons (23.3%), middle (10%) or rostral (26.7%), or in two or three portions (40%). Each type of infarction usually produced characteristic neurologic signs. The clinical significance of the anatomic findings was discussed. CONCLUSIONS: There was a good correlation between the intrapontine vascular territories, the position, size and shape of the infarctions, and the type of neurologic manifestations.

New imaging score for outcome prediction in basilar artery occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: In ischemic posterior circulation stroke, the utilization of standardized image scores is not established in daily clinical practice. We aimed to test a novel imaging score that combines the collateral status with the rating of the posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT score (pcASPECTS). We hypothesized that this score (pcASCO) predicts functional outcome and malignant cerebellar edema (MCE). METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients with acute BAO who received multimodal-CT and underwent thrombectomy on admission at two comprehensive stroke centers were analyzed. The posterior circulation collateral score by van der Hoeven et al was added to the pcASPECTS to define pcASCO as a 20-point score. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to predict functional independence at day 90, assessed using modified Rankin Scale scores, and occurrence of MCE in follow-up CT using the established Jauss scale score as endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included, of which 84 (71%) underwent successful thrombectomy. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, pcASCO ≥ 14 classified functional independence with higher discriminative power (AUC: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.91) than pcASPECTS (AUC: 0.74). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, pcASCO was significantly and independently associated with functional independence (aOR: 1.91, 95%CI: 1.25-2.92, p = 0.003), and MCE (aOR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.53-0.95, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The pcASCO could serve as a simple and feasible imaging tool to assess BAO stroke patients on admission and might be tested as a complementary tool to select patients for thrombectomy in uncertain situations, or to predict clinical outcome. KEY POINTS: • The neurological assessment of basilar artery occlusion stroke patients can be challenging and there are yet no validated imaging scores established in daily clinical practice. • The pcASCO combines the rating of early ischemic changes with the status of the intracranial posterior circulation collaterals. • The pcASCO showed high diagnostic accuracy to predict functional outcome and malignant cerebellar edema and could serve as a simple and feasible imaging tool to support treatment selection in uncertain situations, or to predict clinical outcome.

Basilar Artery Bands: Anatomic and Histologic Study with Application to Coiling and Stenting Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Internal bands of the basilar artery (BA) have been rarely studied. Because bands could have obvious consequences in patient diagnosis and care, the present multiinstitutional cadaveric study was performed. METHODS: The intraluminal bands of BAs were studied in 80 cadaveric specimens derived from India (Group 1) and the United States (Group 2). Their orientation within the vessel was recorded. Measurements included the length of the BA, diameter of the BA, intraluminal band length and thickness, and distance of the band to the vertebrobasilar junction. Selected bands were submitted for histologic analysis. RESULTS: In Group 1, an intraluminal band (all vertically oriented) was identified in 16.6%. The mean length and thickness of the bands were 2.04 mm and 1.33 mm, respectively. These bands were located at a mean distance of 1.74 mm superior to the vertebrobasilar junction. In Group 2, an intraluminal band was identified in 6%. One band was vertically positioned, and 2 were horizontally positioned. The mean length and thickness of the bands were 2.5 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively. These latter bands were located at a mean distance of 2.23 mm superior to the vertebrobasilar junction. Histologically, the bands were essentially extensions of the tunica media and interna of the artery. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the first multiethnic study of the prevalence and morphometry of the BA bands. A better understanding of these bands may help reveal their relationship to thrombus and aneurysmal formation and their impact on endovascular procedures.

Locked-in Syndrome Due to Meningovascular Syphilis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We herein report a 46-year-old man presenting with locked-in syndrome secondary to meningovascular syphilis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multiple acute infarctions in the left ventromedial pons, right basis pontis, and left basal ganglia. His locked-in syndrome was hypothesized to have been caused by thrombosis of the small paramedian branches of the basilar artery due to syphilitic arteritis. This is a unique case of bilateral ventromedial pontine infarction caused by meningovascular syphilis that presented as locked-in syndrome. Meningovascular syphilis should be included in the differential diagnosis of uncommon stroke, particularly in young men.

Double unilateral fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery in the pre-communicating segment: a report of a unique case.

A unique example of two fenestrations of the pre-communicating (A1) segment of the right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in a 78-year-old woman was a special case among 388 cadaveric specimens. It was found by a retrospective review of the personal data obtained during graduate and undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Medicine. Two unequal fenestrations of the right A1 segment were associated with the presence of a pseudo anterior communicating artery, hypoplasia of the right posterior communicating artery and the left superior cerebellar artery, absence of the right anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and ectasia of the basilar artery; however, the cerebral arteries were without aneurysm(s) or other pathology. The reason could be the almost equal ACA diameter on both sides.

Complete functional recovery in a child after endovascular treatment of basilar artery occlusion caused by spontaneous dissection: a case report.

Stroke caused by dissection of arteries of the vertebrobasilar system in children is still poorly investigated in terms of etiology, means of treatment, course of disease, and prognosis. The aim of this report was to describe the unusual course of a spontaneous dissection of the basilar artery (BA) in a child treated with endovascular techniques and to point out that the plasticity of the brain stem can fully compensate for structural damage caused by stroke. We report the case of a 15-year-old boy who suffered a wake-up stroke with BA occlusion caused by spontaneous dissection. A blood clot was aspirated from the false lumen and the true lumen re-opened, but the patient deteriorated a few hours later, and repeated angiography revealed that the intimal flap was detached, occluding the BA again. The lumen of BA was then reconstructed by a stent. Despite a large pons infarction, the patient was completely recovered 11 months after the onset. The case was analyzed with angiograms and magnetic resonance imaging, macroscopic and microscopic pathological analysis, computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance-based angiography, and diffusion tensor imaging. This case illustrates that applied endovascular techniques and intensive care measures can alter the course of potentially fatal brain stem infarction. Our multimodal analysis gives new insight into the anatomical basis for the plasticity mechanism of the brain stem.

Basilar artery trunk aneurysm: clinical and angiographic outcomes of endovascular treatment.

BACKGROUND: Basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms are rare, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to report clinical and angiographic outcomes of BA trunk aneurysm treated with EVT and to analyze risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. METHODS: From October 2004 to December 2020, a total of 40 patients with BA trunk aneurysms underwent EVT. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated retrospectively from a prospectively collected database. Of the 40 enrolled patients, nine were treated by coiling without stents, 17 were treated by stent-assisted coiling, six by stent only, five by flow diverters, and three by vertebral artery occlusion. RESULTS: In total, 27 (67.5%) patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage as an initial presentation, and 20 (50.0%) had large/giant aneurysms. Procedure-related complications occurred in five patients (12.5%); favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 27 patients (67.5%); and six patients (15.0%) died. Favorable angiographic outcome was achieved in 26 (83.9%) of 31 patients who underwent follow-up angiography. Poor initial Hunt-and-Hess grade (OR 7.67, 95% CI 1.55 to 37.80; p=0.018) was the only independent risk factor for unfavorable clinical outcome. Large/giant aneurysm (OR 8.14, 95% CI 1.88 to 27.46; p=0.047) and long lesion (OR 14.25, 95% CI 1.48 to 69.80; p=0.013) were independent risk factors for unfavorable angiographic outcomes during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: EVT might be a feasible option for this rare disease entity. Unfavorable angiographic outcome might be expected in a large/giant aneurysm or a long lesion. It can be difficult to treat BA trunk aneurysms by EVT, needing multiple procedures or various techniques due to diverse clinical and angiographic features.

Patterns of ischemic posterior circulation strokes: A clinical, anatomical, and radiological review.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation and anterior circulation strokes share many clinical, pathogenetic and radiological features, although some clinical signs are highly specific to posterior circulation strokes. Arterial stenosis and occlusions occur in significant numbers in both acute posterior circulation and anterior circulation strokes, making them good candidates for endovascular treatment. Among posterior circulation strokes, basilar artery occlusions stand out because of the diagnostic and acute treatment challenges. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on clinical stroke syndromes and neuroimaging findings and systematically describe for each anatomical site of stroke the detailed clinical and radiological information (anatomical representation, diffusion weighted imaging and angiographic sequences). The principles of neuroimaging of posterior circulation strokes and the prognosis for each stroke localization are also discussed. REVIEW SUMMARY: Stroke syndromes in the territories of the vertebral, basilar, cerebellar, and posterior cerebral arteries are presented. Features typical of posterior circulation strokes are highlighted, including patterns of basilar artery occlusions. Clinical severity and prognosis of posterior circulation strokes are highly variable, and given that they are more difficult to detect on CT-based neuroimaging, magnetic resonance imaging is the technique of choice in suspected posterior circulation strokes. Rapid identification of arterial occlusion patterns may provide prognostic information and support acute revascularization decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior circulation stroke syndromes tightly reflect lesion localization and arterial occlusion patterns. Although many clinical and pathogenetic features are similar to anterior circulation strokes, notable differences exist in terms of clinical presentation, stroke mechanism, prognosis, and response to acute recanalization.

RAPID Software to the Clinical Application Value of Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion with Endovascular Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application value of RAPID software based on computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTP) in the endovascular treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion who received endovascular treatment in Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province, between January 2020 and April 2021 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into a perfusion imaging and a no-perfusion imaging group based on whether the image analysis results were obtained by RAPID software. Age, preoperative National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, onset to puncture time (OPT), operation methods, good prognosis at 3 months after surgery (modified Rankin scale (mRS) score ≤3), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) and other clinical data were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent factors affecting the prognosis of BAO patients. RESULTS: In total, 61 patients with acute BAO were included: 31 patients in the perfusion imaging group and 30 patients in the no-perfusion imaging group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, NIHSS score or operation methods (all P >0.05). However, OPT and the good prognosis rate were significantly higher in the perfusion imaging group than in the no-perfusion imaging group (χ2=8.176, 5.003, P < 0.05). SICH was significantly lower in the perfusion imaging group than in the no-perfusion imaging group (χ2=5.628, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the image analysis results of RAPID software influenced the prognosis of EVT in patients with acute BAO (OR=4.048, 95%CI: 1.276-12.840). CONCLUSIONS: RAPID software based on CTP can be used for preoperative screening of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion to identify those suitable for endovascular treatment, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Depletion of microglia mitigates cerebrovascular dysfunction in diet-induced obesity mice.

Obesity is frequently associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanism remains less well understood. In this study, by using pharmacological approaches, we show that neuroinflammation involving microglia plays an important role in obesity-related cerebrovascular dysfunction. PLX3397 treatment, which leads to depletion of microglia, reduced the wall thickness and collagen deposition in the basilar artery of diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. Besides, the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at Ser1177 was enhanced, suggesting improved endothelial function of the basilar artery. The wire myography data show that acetylcholine-elicited relaxation of basilar artery isolated from DIO mice was improved after the treatment with PLX3397. Moreover, our data demonstrate that brain administration of IL-18 impaired cerebrovascular function in mice with normal body weight. Together, these data suggest that neuroinflammation involving microglia is important in obesity-related vascular dysfunction in the brain.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We reported that microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, contribute to obesity-related cerebrovascular dysfunction in mice. Moreover, we showed that excessive IL-18 can lead to vascular dysfunction in mouse brain.

Overlapping stent-assisted coil embolization for vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms: a single-center study.

Effective treatment strategies for vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs) remain controversial due to their high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of overlapping stent-assisted coil embolization (OSCE) in VBDA patients. A total of 42 patients with VBDA were retrospectively examined by OSCE from May 2015 to August 2019. Patients' clinical and radiological parameters were assessed at discharge and during interim follow-up. Safety, technical feasibility and follow-up clinical and imaging observations for therapy were also evaluated retrospectively. The average age of the 42 patients who underwent OSCE was 54 years (range 33 to 74 years). Overlapping stents were successfully implanted in all patients after coil embolism. Overall clinical results were effective (score on a modified Rankin scale from 0 to 2) in all patients. In the meantime, all patients had favorable outcomes when evaluating telephone calls or digital subtractive angiography (DSA) imaging. Among 42 patients, one patient died due to a perioperative rupture. All the remaining 41 patients had a good prognosis during the follow-up telephone call, with a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 2 to 55 months). The total number of DSA recurrences was 20. Subsequent DSA results showed that all aneurysms were completely occluded while in only one case the parent artery of the aneurysm was completely closed. OSCE in VBDAs patients is safe and effective. This technique showed favorable results in clinical and imaging follow-ups for non-ruptured and ruptured VBDAs.

Intracranial arteriosclerosis is related to cerebral small vessel disease: a prospective cohort study.

Intracranial arteriosclerosis has been increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and even dementia. A possible mechanism linking intracranial arteriosclerosis to cognitive impairment and dementia involves structural brain changes including cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). To assess whether intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) and vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC), as proxies for intracranial arteriosclerosis, are related to CSVD. Within the population-based Rotterdam Study, between 2003 and 2006 a computed tomography (CT)-based measurement of ICAC and VBAC and at least one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of structural brain changes were performed from 2005 onwards in 1,489 participants. To estimate the burden of calcification independent of age, we computed age-adjusted percentile curves for ICAC and VBAC separately, based on the calcification volumes. Using the longitudinal MRI data, we assessed whether a larger calcification burden accelerates structural brain changes using appropriate statistical models for repeated outcome measures. A larger burden of ICAC and VBAC was associated with an increase of CSVD markers accelerating over time. A larger burden of ICAC and VBAC was not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with accelerated brain atrophy. Arteriosclerosis is related to accelerating structural brain changes over time.