Patterns and Predictors of Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation Related Cerebral Microbleeds.

OBJECTIVES: Recent case-reports have described an atypical cerebral microbleed (CMB) topography after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence, radiographic patterns, and clinical correlates of possibly-ECMO-related (PER) CMB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 307 consecutive patients receiving ECMO support at our tertiary-care University Hospital (2013-2018). PER CMB were defined as CMB present in corpus-callosum and/or middle cerebellar peduncle with/without involvement of other lobar/deep structures. Leukoaraiosis was quantified using the Wahlund age-related white matter changes scale. Patient characteristics were compared between cohorts with and without PER CMB. RESULTS: Forty patients (median age 60 years; 33% vv-ECMO and 67% va-ECMO) received at-least one MRI-brain within 3 months of ECMO support. CMB were present in 77.5% (n = 31) patients with 39% (n = 12), 17% (n = 5), and 44% (n = 14) having low (< 10 CMB), moderate (10-30 CMB), and high (> 30 CMB) burden respectively. Among CMB-positive patients, 71% (n = 22) had PER CMB, with 91% of such cases demonstrating involvement of splenium. Leukoaraiosis did not corelate to PER CMB presence (p = 0.267) or burden (ρ = 0.09). Patients with PER CMB had higher rates of ischemic stroke (50 vs. 33%), intracranial hemorrhage (41 vs. 17%), and all-cause mortality (27 vs. 17%); with survivors demonstrating no differences in their discharge disposition or modified Rankin Score. CONCLUSIONS: Post-ECMO cerebral microbleeds have a distinct distribution pattern that commonly involves the splenium of corpus-callosum. Their etiopathogenesis may be independent of microvascular lipohyalinosis. This requires further study in a larger sample-size.

CT-Based Evaluation of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in Adult Population; Prevalence, Associations and Interobserver Agreement.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), being an asymptomatic condition, is generally discovered incidentally on imaging and it has not received much attention for research on clinical grounds. We assessed the prevalence of DISH, its associated factors, and interobserver agreement for computed tomography (CT)-based diagnosis of DISH. CT scans of chest, abdomen, and pelvis performed for various clinical indications were retrospectively reviewed. Resnick criteria were used for the diagnosis of DISH. Moreover, enthesopathy along with comorbidities was assessed. CT scans were observed by 3 observers having different experience levels. Out of total 416 patients, the prevalence of DISH was 30.8%. Strong positive agreement was observed between observer 1 and 2 (k = 0.89), observer 1 and 3 (k = 0.91), and observer 2 and 3 (k = 0.94). Reporting rate of DISH was 59.3%. Regression analyses showed that enthesopathy was 2.45 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.45, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.48-4.05), diabetic patients were 4.74 times (AOR: 4.74, 95% CI: 2.89-7.78) while hypertensive patients were 2.17 times (AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.30-3.62) more likely to have DISH in comparison to those who do not have DISH. A high prevalence of DISH was observed in our cohort. Enthesopathy and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension were significant factors associated with DISH. Moreover, excellent agreement was observed in defining DISH on CT according to Resnick criteria.

Clinical, lifestyle, socioeconomic determinants and rate of asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis in stroke free Pakistanis.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) is the most frequent etiology of stroke with high prevalence among Asians. Despite this, early determinants of ICAD have not been described from this region. METHODS: The study is an analytical prospective cross-sectional study of 200 adults from Radiology Departments of two diagnostic centers in Karachi. Eligible participants confirmed the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS) and underwent an interview covering medical, socio demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric evaluation using locally validated and standardized definitions. Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) were centrally reviewed to detect ICAD using the criterion used in the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease study. The risk factors associated with asymptomatic ICAD are reported along with prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Of the 200 participants, ICAD was found in 34.5% (n = 69) of the participants. Mean age was 37.1 (S.D 15.1) years with 62% younger than 45 years. Self-reported hypertension was found in 26.5% subjects, diabetes in 9%, dyslipidemia in 5% and depression in 60%. Smokeless tobacco (Adjusted PR 3.27 (1.07-6.05)), Western diet, high socioeconomic status (Adjusted PR 2.26 (1.99-5.62)) and dyslipidemia (Adjusted PR 1.88 (1.25-2.21)) had significant associations with ICAD after multivariable analysis. Age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, depression and physical activity did not have a significant association. CONCLUSION: ICAD was found on MRI in one in three asymptomatic Pakistanis and was associated with modifiable risks. Initiatives targeting primary prevention may be able to decrease the burden of disease caused by stroke due to ICAD. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02072876 2/25/2014.

BOBBY balloon guide catheter thrombectomy in large-vessel occlusion stroke: Initial experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nonrandomized studies have found Balloon Guide Catheter (BGC) use to improve technical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data of consecutive ischemic stroke patients undergoing MT at our institution (December 2020-October 2021). Interventions where BOBBY BGC (BBGC, MicroVentionTM, Aliso Viejo, CA) was used were identified. Baseline demographics and clinico-radiographic characteristics were retrospectively collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients received BBGC-MT (male: female = 26:17, median age 72 years [IQR 62-82]). The most common occlusion site was the middle cerebral artery (MCA) (60.4%). Over half (51.2%) received intravenous thrombolytics. The BBGC tracked well over tortuous aortic arches (type II 34.8%, type III 16.3%), with median arteriotomy-to-perfusion time of 29 min (IQR 20-46). Thromboaspiration was used as first-line MT technique in 69.7% cases, with 1 (IQR 1-2) median MT pass achieving modified TICI (thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia) scores of 3 and 2b/3 in 74.4% and 95.3% respectively. Our overall first pass effect (FPE, defined as mTICI 3 after firs-pass) and modified FPE (defined as, mTICI 2b/3 after first-pass) rates were 51.1% and 79.1% respectively, with rates of 92.3% and 100% respectively when stentretriever and thromboaspiration were combined. The median reduction in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 9 (IQR 4-15, p < 0.0001), with a median 90-day modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 1.5 (IQR 0-2). CONCLUSIONS: BOBBY BGC use resulted in a high first-pass effect rate and may contribute towards improved functional outcomes.

Trans-radial spinal angiography: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal angiography (SpAn) is the gold standard for diagnosis of spinal dural fistulas and arteriovenous malformations. A complete spinal angiogram necessitates the interrogation of the segmental arteries arising from the aorta at every level as well, the internal iliac; and median sacral arteries at the caudal end; and the cervical vasculature at the cranial end. SpAn has traditionally been performed with transfemoral arterial access and could be challenging. Of late, transradial arterial access has emerged as a popular alternative for endovascular surgical Neuroradiology (ESN) procedures including SpAn. However, there is paucity of the literature regarding transradial access for spinal angiography. METHODS: After IRB approval, records and imaging were reviewed in a series of patients who underwent SpAn at our institution. RESULTS: A total of nine spinal angiograms were performed via transradial access in a consecutive series of eight patients between July 2019 and December 2020 at our institution. Eight of these were diagnostic SpAn's, and one patient underwent SpAn with transradial approach for the treatment of a type I spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. No complications occurred during or subsequent to the procedures. CONCLUSION: SpAn can be successfully and safely accomplished via transradial access. This approach appears to provide a stable method for interventions, as well.

Scepter-Mini Balloon Assisted Coil Embolization of an Intracranial Arterial Aneurysm in a Child with PHACE Syndrome via a Persistent Trigeminal Artery.

Cerebral vascular malformations constitute one of the key abnormalities in children with PHACE syndrome, which is characterized by Plaque like cutaneous hemangiomas, Posterior fossa abnormalities, arterial Cerebrovascular and Eye abnormalities, with or without Sternal clefts (PHACES when sternal clefts are present), and associated midline anomalies. Both moyamoya arteriopathy and intracranial aneurysms have been reported in children with this syndrome. Herein, we report the successful treatment of a growing left posterior-communicating artery aneurysm arising from an aberrant left internal carotid artery (LICA) with balloon assisted coiling (BAC) in a child with PHACE syndrome. We circumvented the limitations posed by the narrow caliber of the proximal LICA, by successfully navigating a coiling microcatheter from the basilar artery into the LICA via a persistent trigeminal artery. BAC was then achieved using a Scepter Mini balloon microcatheter for aneurysm neck remodelling.

The next step in balloon assisted endovascular neurosurgical procedures: A case series of initial experience with the Scepter Mini balloon microcatheter.

BACKGROUND: The use of compliant dual lumen balloon microcatheters (CDLB) for the endovascular treatment of vascular malformations, wide neck aneurysms, and intracranial angioplasty (for vasospasm) is well documented. Navigation of 4 mm or larger CDLB within tortuous and small distal intracranial vessels can be challenging. Recently, the lower profile Scepter Mini balloon microcatheter (SMB) has been approved for use, with potential for improved intracranial navigation. OBJECTIVE: Discuss operative experience of Scepter Mini (Microvention, Aliso Viejo, CA). METHODS: We describe our initial experience with the SMB in a series of nine patients. RESULTS: The balloon microcatheter was used for delivery of liquid embolic in six patients (Case 1, 2, 6-9), adjunct support for delivery or positioning of the Woven Endobridge (WEB) device in two (Case 3,4), and gentle post-deployment repositioning of a WEB device in the last one (Case 5). We were able to successfully navigate the SMB over a 0.008 "micro wire to the target lesion in all the patients. We experienced initial difficulty with injecting liquid embolic in Case 2. We postulate that the SMB was in a tortuous segment of a dural vessel in this patient, and that it kinked on inflation with occlusion of the liquid embolic delivery lumen; this was overcome with slightly proximal repositioning and reinflation of the SMB. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience shows that the SMB has potential to be useful in endovascular neurosurgical procedures requiring balloon assistance within smaller diameter blood vessels.

Evaluation of the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Penile Doppler Ultrasonography in Pakistan.

PURPOSE: In patients with erectile dysfunction, it is important to differentiate psychogenic from organic causes. Penile Doppler ultrasonography is a relatively inexpensive and minimally invasive tool for this purpose. This study was conducted to evaluate the causes of erectile dysfunction in an adult male population, using penile Doppler ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a single center. All patients who presented with complaints of erectile dysfunction and underwent penile Doppler ultrasonography between July 2014 and June 2016 were included in this study. All examinations were performed using GE Voluson S6 and GE Logiq P5 devices. Following baseline scans, an intracavernosal injection of 20 µg of prostaglandin E1 was given. Peak systolic and end diastolic velocities were measured in each cavernosal artery. Patients with a peak systolic velocity of <25 cm/s were considered to have arterial insufficiency, while an end diastolic velocity of >5 cm/s was considered to indicate venous incompetence. RESULTS: Out of 97 patients (mean age, 37.09±11.59 years; range, 19~69 years), 50 patients (51.5%) had normal findings, 24 patients (24.7%) had arterial insufficiency, 15 patients (15.5%) had a venous leak, and 8 patients (8.2%) patients had arterial insufficiency with a venous leak. Psychogenic erectile dysfunction was significantly higher among patients aged ≤40 years, while arterial insufficiency with or without a venous leak was significantly higher among patients aged >40 years (p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of the studied individuals demonstrated no organic cause of erectile dysfunction, thus confirming a high prevalence of the psychogenic etiology, particularly in relatively young individuals.

Study protocol: asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease in pakistanis.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is the most frequent subtype of ischemic stroke globally. It is important to describe the determinants of early ICAD as a strategy to prevent strokes from clinically evident and progressive ICAD. Our objective is to report the determinants of asymptomatic ICAD by linking the presence or absence of ICAD on magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) with detailed risk assessment in asymptomatic adults. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional analytical study. We plan to recruit 200 adult participants from the radiology departments of two tertiary care centers of Karachi, Pakistan. The participants will first be screened for the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS). QVSFS negative will be participants will be eligible. After written informed consent, participants will undergo detailed medical, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric evaluation by a detailed interview. They will, in addition, undergo MRA to study the presence, degree, and distribution of asymptomatic ICAD. All MRA scans will be reviewed centrally by vascular neurologists blinded to clinical information. These images would be reviewed on DICOM Viewer 3.0 used for calculating the degree of stenosis using Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) study defined criteria employing electronic calipers. A sample size of 200 will achieve 80% power for detecting a minimum difference of 20% in the prevalence of exposure factors (medical and lifestyle) between asymptomatic ICAD positive and ICAD negative persons. This study will generate regional data on risks for ICAD development and prevention in a high-risk susceptible population. Study ID: NCT02072876.

Strategies to cope claustrophobia during magnetic resonance imaging examination

Background: Claustrophobia associated with MRI scan is a well-recognized problem all over the world. The unpleasant psychological experience during MRI can lead to premature cancellation of the study resulting in non-interpretable data. In addition, performing future studies on the claustrophobic patient may not be possible leading to non-utilization of an important diagnostic modality. This study was conducted with the aim to determine a cheap and short intervention which can be applicable to small radiology set up as well.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from October 2016 to December 2016. Accompanying someone was the first strategy used to coped MR imaging claustrophobia followed by placebo (multivitamin), listening Quran and closed eye (blindfold). All those patients who failed to respond in these strategies were finally labeled as an unsuccessful candidate. Listening of Quran was selected as one of the tools as all the patients were Muslims in present study.Results: Among 84 claustrophobic patients, a closed eye was the most successful strategy found effective in (13) 81.2%, followed by placebo 66.7% patients, listening Quran (7) 30.4%, accompanying someone (15) 17.85% while 4% patients remained claustrophobic after application of all strategies. Significant association of accompanying someone and placebo was observed with education (p-value 0.037) and age of the patients (0.016) respectively.Conclusions: In general, placebo, being accompanied by someone and blindfold were found to be the most effective strategies to cope with MRI related claustrophobia. However, the success of these strategies is also dependent on certain factors like age, education status and socioeconomic status of the patients.

Distribution, Severity and Radiologic Features of Intracranial Stenosis in Asymptomatic Pakistanis.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is the most common ischemic stroke subtype globally. It accounts for 30-50% of all ischemic strokes in Asians. AIMS: The aim of the study is to report the frequency of asymptomatic ICAD and its associated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings. METHODS: 200 adult participants were recruited from the Radiology Departments of two major diagnostic centers in Karachi. Eligible participants were confirmed for the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS). QVSFS negative subjects underwent MRI on a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Images were centrally reviewed on Di com Viewer 3.0 with electronic calipers to calculate the degree of ICAD. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 37.1 years (S.D 15.1) with 50.5% men (n=101) and 49.5% women (n=99). Asymptomatic ICAD was found in 34.5% (n=69) subjects. Of the 3800 intracranial arteries studied, 2.2% (n=88) had biological disease. 20.5% (n=18) of these vessels had atherosclerotic irregularities, 43.2% (n=38) had mild stenos is, 11.4% (n=10) had moderate stenos is, 5.7% (n=5) had severe stenos is while 19.3% (n=17) were completely occluded. The posterior cerebral artery (42% of stenosed arteries, n=37) was most affected. 23.5% (n=47) of subjects had peri-ventricular lucencies, 10.5% (n=21) had brain atrophy while 3.5% (n=7) had silent brain infarcts. There was a significant association between asymptomatic ICAD and peri ventricular lucencies (PR 1.59; 95% CI 1.35-1.99). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic ICAD is common in young Pakistanis, with no gender predilection; it preferentially affects the posterior circulation. Silent infarcts are rare compared to peri ventricular lucencies and atrophy.