New Class of Radially Adjustable Stentrievers for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Primary Results of the Multicenter TIGER Trial.

[Figure: see text].

Ferumoxytol-Enhanced MRI Is Not Inferior to Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI in Detecting Intracranial Metastatic Disease and Metastasis Size.

OBJECTIVE. The goal of this intraindividual comparison study was to investigate whether ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI is as effective as standard-of-care gadolinium-enhanced MRI in detecting intracranial metastatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent imaging as part of two ongoing ferumoxytol-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced MRI protocol studies to compare the number and size of enhancing metastatic lesions. Two neuroradiologists independently measured enhancing metastases on ferumoxytol-enhanced MR images and on control gadolinium-enhanced MR images. The number and size of metastases were compared on an intraindividual basis. Primary diagnoses were recorded. A linear mixed-effects model was used to compare differences in cubic root of volume between gadolinium-enhanced and ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI. A signed rank test was used to evaluate differences between reviewers. RESULTS. MR images from 19 patients with brain metastases were analyzed (seven with lung cancer, three with breast cancer, three with melanoma, two with ovarian cancer, one with colon cancer, one with renal cell carcinoma, one with carcinoid tumor, and one with uterine cancer). Reviewer 1 identified 77 masses on ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI and 72 masses on gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Reviewer 2 identified 83 masses on ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI and 78 masses on gadolinium-enhanced MRI. For reviewer 1, ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI showed a mean tumor size measuring 1.1 mm larger in each plane compared with gadolinium-enhanced MRI (p = 0.1887). For reviewer 2, ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI showed a mean tumor size measuring 1.0 mm larger in each plane (p = 0.2892). No significant differences in number of metastases or tumor sizes were observed between contrast agents or reviewers. CONCLUSION. Intracranial metastatic disease detection with ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI was not inferior to detection with gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI could improve workup and monitoring of patients with brain metastases if gadolinium-enhanced MRI is contraindicated.

Current and potential imaging applications of ferumoxytol for magnetic resonance imaging.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly used diagnostic tool. Compared with standard gadolinium-based contrast agents, ferumoxytol (Feraheme, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA), used as an alternative contrast medium, is feasible in patients with impaired renal function. Other attractive imaging features of i.v. ferumoxytol include a prolonged blood pool phase and delayed intracellular uptake. With its unique pharmacologic, metabolic, and imaging properties, ferumoxytol may play a crucial role in future magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system, various organs outside the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the overall safety and effectiveness of this novel contrast agent, with rarely occurring anaphylactoid reactions. The purpose of this review is to describe the general and organ-specific properties of ferumoxytol, as well as the advantages and potential pitfalls associated with its use in magnetic resonance imaging. To more fully demonstrate the applications of ferumoxytol throughout the body, an imaging atlas was created and is available online as supplementary material.

Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI differentiation of meningioma from dural metastases: a pilot study with immunohistochemical observations.

Malignant dural neoplasms are not reliably distinguished from benign dural neoplasms with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI enhancement in central nervous system (CNS) diseases imaged with ferumoxytol has been attributed to intracellular uptake in macrophages rather than vascular leakage. We compared imaging to histopathology and immunohistochemistry in meningiomas and dural metastases having ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI (FeMRI) and gadolinium-enhanced MRI (GdMRI) in order to correlate enhancement patterns to macrophage presence and vascular state. All patients having extraaxial CNS tumors were retrospectively selected from one of two ongoing FeMRI studies. Enhancement was compared between GdMRI and FeMRI. Diagnoses were confirmed histologically and/or by characteristic imaging. Tumor and vascular histology was reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for CD68 (a macrophage marker), Connexin-43 (Cx43) (a marker of normal gap junctions), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) as a marker of vascularity, was performed in seven study cases with available tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed on archival material from 33 subjects outside of the current study as controls: 20 WHO grade I cases of meningioma and 13 metastatic tumors. Metastases displayed marked delayed enhancement on FeMRI, similar to GdMRI. Four patients with dural metastases and one patient with meningioma showed similar enhancement on FeMRI and GdMRI. Five meningiomas with typical enhancement on GdMRI lacked enhancement on FeMRI. Enhancement on FeMRI was better associated with decreased Cx43 expression than intralesional macrophages. These pilot data suggest that FeMRI may better differentiate metastatic disease from meningiomas than GdMRI, and that differences in tumor vasculature rather than macrophage presence could underlie differences in contrast enhancement.

Venous Sinus Stenting: Safety and Health Care Resource Evaluation for Optimal Recovery in an Evolving Health Care Environment.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence supports the effectiveness of venous sinus stenting (VSS) with favorable outcomes, safety, and expenses compared with shunting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Yet, no evidence is available regarding optimal postoperative recovery, which has increasing importance with the burdens on health care imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We examined adverse events and costs after VSS and propose an optimal recovery pathway to maximize patient safety and reduce stress on health care resources. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of elective VSS operations performed from May 2008 to August 2021 at a single institution. Primary data included hospital length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, adverse events, need for ICU interventions, and hospital costs. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (98.1% female) met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 51 (96.2%) were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 2 patients were discharged on POD 2. Both patients discharged on POD 2 remained because of groin hematomas from femoral artery access. There were no major complications or care that required an ICU. Eight patients (15.1%) were lateralized to other ICUs or remained in a postanesthesia care unit because the neurosciences ICU was above capacity. Total estimated cost for initial recovery day in a neurosciences ICU room was $2361 versus $882 for a neurosurgery/neurology ward room. In our cohort, ward convalescence would save an estimated $79,866 for bed placement alone and increase ICU bed availability. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reaffirm the safety of VSS. These patients should recover on a neurosurgery/neurology ward, which would save health care costs and increase ICU bed availability.

Creation of fibrinogen-enhanced experimental blood clots to evaluate mechanical thrombectomy devices for treatment of acute stroke: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To explore if addition of fibrinogen to the most commonly used experimental blood clot (EBC) model would improve its mechanical properties and histologic structure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh blood from three swine was used to create four EBC types. The Gralla model of thrombin-induced barium-opaque EBC served as the control. In three other EBC types, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg of bovine fibrinogen were added. Evaluation of EBCs was done with three tests: manual elongation, injection through an 8-F catheter, and an opacity test. Thirty EBCs of each type were evaluated with each test. Histologic evaluation followed. RESULTS: The control EBCs had low tensile strength and broke at 165% elongation. However, they were elastic and returned to their original length after catheter injection. The EBCs with fibrinogen exhibited increased tensile strength with increasing fibrinogen doses and withstood elongation to 213% (P < .01). Their elasticity decreased with increased tensile strength, and they remained elongated after catheter injection (P < .01 for EBC with 100 mg and 200 mg fibrinogen). Histologic examination showed more thorough mixing of blood with barium and a significantly increased amount of fibrin after addition of fibrinogen. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of fibrinogen to a Gralla EBC model changes its mechanical properties proportionately to the fibrinogen dose. Fibrinogen increases EBC tensile strength but decreases its elasticity. Fibrinogen also significantly increases the binding of blood cells with fibrin on histologic slides.

Characteristic imaging findings in lymphoceles of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphoceles are benign neck cysts that are important to differentiate from congenital, infectious, and malignant cystic neck masses because they require unique surgical treatment and follow-up. We reviewed a series of surgically proven lymphoceles to delineate the radiologic characteristics of lymphoceles that differentiate them from other cystic neck masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of radiology report impressions for the terms "lymphocele" and "lymphatic cyst" was performed on all neck CT, MRI, and sclerotherapy studies from January 2003 to December 2009 at our institution. Clinical and pathology records were searched for the same terms to identify additional cases. Medical records confirmed diagnosis. Study images were reviewed on PACS to assess cyst location and imaging characteristics. RESULTS: There were nine patients (six women and three men; age range, 22-85 years; mean age, 50.1 years) with 12 pathologically proven lymphoceles on six contrast-enhanced CT and three contrast-enhanced MRI examinations. Lymphoceles were located in the posterior cervical space in 12 of 12 and supraclavicular in 10 of 12 cases. Lymphoceles were unilocular nonseptated cysts in 12 of 12, fluid density or signal in 11 of 12, nonenhancing in 12 of 12, and lacked a cyst wall in eight of 12. CONCLUSION: Lymphoceles are rare unilocular cystic neck masses that may mimic other congenital, infectious, and malignant neck cysts. When enhanced CT or MRI shows a unilocular, nonseptated, fluid density or intensity, and nonenhancing supraclavicular cyst in the posterior cervical space, lymphocele is an important part of the differential diagnosis. Atypical features warrant fine-needle aspiration or follow-up for confirmation.

Comparative analysis of ferumoxytol and gadoteridol enhancement using T1- and T2-weighted MRI in neuroimaging.

OBJECTIVE: Ferumoxytol, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particle, has been suggested as a potential alternative MRI contrast agent in patients with renal failure. We compared ferumoxytol to gadoteridol enhancement on T1- and T2-weighted MRI in CNS disorders to explore its diagnostic utility. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from three protocols in 70 adults who underwent alternate-day gadoteridol- and ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI using identical parameters. Two neuroradiologists measured lesion-enhancing size and intensity on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in consensus. T2-weighted images were evaluated for the presence of contrast-enhanced hypointensity. Mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance determined differences between T1-weighted enhancement size and intensity for individual protocols and group. RESULTS: After exclusions, 49 MRI studies in 29 men and 20 women (mean age, 51 years) were assessed. T1-weighted estimated enhancing sizes were different between agents (p = 0.0456) as a group; however, no differences were observed with untreated gliomas (n = 17) in two protocols (p = 1.0 and p = 0.99, respectively). Differences in T1-weighted enhancement intensity between agents were significant for the group overall (p = 0.0006); however, three-way interactions were not significant (p = 0.1233). T2-weighted images were assessed for contrast-enhanced hypointensity, observed in 26 of 49 (53%) ferumoxytol and zero of 49 (0%) gadoteridol scans. CONCLUSION: Ferumoxytol may be a useful MRI contrast agent in patients who are unable to receive gadolinium-based contrast agents. Greater experience with a wider variety of disorders is necessary to understand differences in enhancement with ferumoxytol compared with gadolinium-based contrast agents, given their different mechanisms of action.

Neurovascular disease and syndromes: Diagnosis and therapy in children.

The pediatric neurovascular disease runs the chronologic spectrum with dramatic changes in the presentation, evaluation, and treatment from the prenatal, perinatal, and infant periods through childhood and adolescence. These diseases are often dynamic throughout this period and the dynamic continues throughout life. There are four major categories: high-flow arteriovenous shunting lesions, arterial aneurysms, low-flow vascular lesions, and vascular occlusive disease. The high-flow lesions can be subdivided into a vein of Galen malformation, non-Galenic arteriovenous fistula, dural sinus malformations and fistula, and arteriovenous malformation. Low-flow vascular lesions include cerebral cavernous malformation, developmental venous anomaly, and capillary telangiectasia. The cerebrovascular occlusive disease can be divided between arterial occlusive disease and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The presentation of each of these entities can be very similar, especially in younger children; however, imaging and laboratory analysis can establish the diagnosis leading to the most appropriate therapy. A multidisciplinary team, dedicated to treating pediatric cerebrovascular disease, is important in delivering the best outcomes in these complex diseases. Given the relative rarity of pediatric presentation of cerebrovascular disease, many apply adult concepts to children. A better understanding of the diseases and their difference from adults makes a critical difference in selecting the correct approach.

Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis mimicking sarcoid myelitis with nodular dural enhancement: A case report.

Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis (SAA) is a rare, but often devastating, cause of compressive myelopathy. We report a patient with SAA resulting in a longitudinally extensive T2-hyperintense spinal cord lesion with initial nodular pial and dural enhancement mimicking neurosarcoidosis. Neurologists should be aware of this entity, especially in patients who have pertinent risk factors, such as prior meningitis, spinal cord trauma, or surgery.

Reporting standards for angioplasty and stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis causes ischemic stroke in a significant number of patients. Technological advances over the past 10 years have enabled endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. The number of patients treated with angioplasty or stent-assisted angioplasty for this condition is increasing. Given the lack of universally accepted definitions, the goal of this document is to provide consensus recommendations for reporting standards, terminology, and written definitions when reporting clinical and radiological evaluation, technique, and outcome of endovascular treatment using angioplasty or stent-assisted angioplasty for stenotic and occlusive intracranial atherosclerosis. SUMMARY OF REPORT: This article was written under the auspices of Joint Writing Group of the Technology Assessment Committee, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, Society of Interventional Radiology; Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and the Section of Stroke and Interventional Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology. A computerized search of the National Library of Medicine database of literature (PubMed) from January 1997 to December 2007 was conducted with the goal to identify published endovascular cerebrovascular interventional data in stenotic intracranial atherosclerosis that could be used as benchmarks for quality assessment. We sought to identify those risk adjustment variables that affect the likelihood of success and complications. This document offers the rationale for different clinical and technical considerations that may be important during the design of clinical trials for endovascular treatment of intracranial stenotic and occlusive atherosclerosis. Included in this guidance document are suggestions for uniform reporting standards for such trials. These definitions and standards are primarily intended for research purposes; however, they should also be helpful in clinical practice and applicable to all publications. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the definitions proposed represent recommendations for constructing useful research data sets. The intent is to facilitate production of scientifically rigorous results capable of reliable comparisons between and among similar studies. In some cases, the definitions contained here are recommended by consensus of a panel of experts in this writing group for consistency in reporting and publication. These definitions should allow different groups to publish results that are directly comparable.

Reporting standards for endovascular repair of saccular intracranial cerebral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this article is to provide consensus recommendations for reporting standards, terminology, and written definitions when reporting on the radiological evaluation and endovascular treatment of intracranial, cerebral aneurysms. These criteria can be used to design clinical trials, to provide uniformity of definitions for appropriate selection and stratification of patients, and to allow analysis and meta-analysis of reported data. METHODS: This article was written under the auspices of the Joint Writing Group of the Technology Assessment Committee, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, Society of Interventional Radiology; Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Section of Stroke and Interventional Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology. A computerized search of the National Library of Medicine database of literature (PubMed) from January 1991 to December 2007 was conducted with the goal to identify published endovascular cerebrovascular interventional data about the assessment and endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms useful as benchmarks for quality assessment. We sought to identify those risk adjustment variables that affect the likelihood of success and complications. This article offers the rationale for different clinical and technical considerations that may be important during the design of clinical trials for endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Included in this guidance article are suggestions for uniform reporting standards for such trials. These definitions and standards are primarily intended for research purposes; however, they should also be helpful in clinical practice and applicable to all publications. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation and treatment of brain aneurysms often involve multiple medical specialties. Recent reviews by the American Heart Association have surveyed the medical literature to develop guidelines for the clinical management of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Despite efforts to synthesize existing knowledge on cerebral aneurysm evaluation and treatment, significant inconsistencies remain in nomenclature and definition for research and reporting purposes. These operational definitions were selected by consensus of a multidisciplinary writing group to provide consistency for reporting on imaging in clinical trials and observational studies involving cerebral aneurysms. These definitions should help different groups to publish results that are directly comparable.

Reporting standards for endovascular repair of saccular intracranial cerebral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this article is to provide consensus recommendations for reporting standards, terminology, and written definitions when reporting on the radiological evaluation and endovascular treatment of intracranial, cerebral aneurysms. These criteria can be used to design clinical trials, to provide uniformity of definitions for appropriate selection and stratification of patients, and to allow analysis and meta-analysis of reported data. METHODS: This article was written under the auspices of the Joint Writing Group of the Technology Assessment Committee, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, Society of Interventional Radiology; Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Section of Stroke and Interventional Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology. A computerized search of the National Library of Medicine database of literature (PubMed) from January 1991 to December 2007 was conducted with the goal to identify published endovascular cerebrovascular interventional data about the assessment and endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms useful as benchmarks for quality assessment. We sought to identify those risk adjustment variables that affect the likelihood of success and complications. This article offers the rationale for different clinical and technical considerations that may be important during the design of clinical trials for endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Included in this guidance article are suggestions for uniform reporting standards for such trials. These definitions and standards are primarily intended for research purposes; however, they should also be helpful in clinical practice and applicable to all publications. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation and treatment of brain aneurysms often involve multiple medical specialties. Recent reviews by the American Heart Association have surveyed the medical literature to develop guidelines for the clinical management of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Despite efforts to synthesize existing knowledge on cerebral aneurysm evaluation and treatment, significant inconsistencies remain in nomenclature and definition for research and reporting purposes. These operational definitions were selected by consensus of a multidisciplinary writing group to provide consistency for reporting on imaging in clinical trials and observational studies involving cerebral aneurysms. These definitions should help different groups to publish results that are directly comparable.

Reporting standards for angioplasty and stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis causes ischemic stroke in a significant number of patients. Technological advances over the past 10 years have enabled endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. The number of patients treated with angioplasty or stent-assisted angioplasty for this condition is increasing. Given the lack of universally accepted definitions, the goal of this document is to provide consensus recommendations for reporting standards, terminology, and written definitions when reporting clinical and radiological evaluation, technique, and outcome of endovascular treatment using angioplasty or stent-assisted angioplasty for stenotic and occlusive intracranial atherosclerosis. SUMMARY OF REPORT: This article was written under the auspices of Joint Writing Group of the Technology Assessment Committee, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery, Society of Interventional Radiology; Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and the Section of Stroke and Interventional Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology. A computerized search of the National Library of Medicine database of literature (PubMed) from January 1997 to December 2007 was conducted with the goal to identify published endovascular cerebrovascular interventional data in stenotic intracranial atherosclerosis that could be used as benchmarks for quality assessment. We sought to identify those risk adjustment variables that affect the likelihood of success and complications. This document offers the rationale for different clinical and technical considerations that may be important during the design of clinical trials for endovascular treatment of intracranial stenotic and occlusive atherosclerosis. Included in this guidance document are suggestions for uniform reporting standards for such trials. These definitions and standards are primarily intended for research purposes; however, they should also be helpful in clinical practice and applicable to all publications. CONCLUSION: In summary, the definitions proposed represent recommendations for constructing useful research data sets. The intent is to facilitate production of scientifically rigorous results capable of reliable comparisons between and among similar studies. In some cases, the definitions contained here are recommended by consensus of a panel of experts in this writing group for consistency in reporting and publication. These definitions should allow different groups to publish results that are directly comparable.

The role of surgery for high-grade intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: importance of obliteration of venous outflow.

OBJECT: Surgical intervention may be required if endovascular embolization is insufficient to completely obliterate intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). The authors report their 14-year experience with 23 patients harboring diverse intracranial DAVFs that required surgical intervention. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2007, 23 patients underwent surgery for intracranial DAVFs. The following types of DAVFs were treated: superior petrosal sinus (in 10 patients); parietooccipital (in 3); confluence of sinuses and ethmoidal (in 2 each); and tentorial, falcine, occipital, transverse-sigmoid, superior sagittal, and cavernous sinuses (in 1 patient each). In all cases, the authors' goal was to obliterate the DAVF venous outflow by direct surgical interruption of the leptomeningeal venous drainage. Transarterial embolization was used primarily as an adjunct to decrease flow to the DAVF prior to definitive treatment. RESULTS: Complete angiographic obliteration of the DAVF was achieved in all cases. There were no complications of venous hypertension, venous infarction, or perioperative death. There were no recurrences and no further clinical events (new hemorrhages or focal neurological deficits) after a mean follow-up of 45 months. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' experience emphasizes the importance of occluding venous outflow to obliterate intracranial DAVFs. Those that drain purely through leptomeningeal veins can be safely obliterated by surgically clipping the arterialized draining vein as it exits the dura. Radical excision of the fistula is not necessary.

Performance and training standards for endovascular ischemic stroke treatment.

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. According to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, 750,000 new strokes occur each year, resulting in 200,000 deaths (or 1 of every 16 deaths) per year in the United States alone. Endovascular therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke is an area of intense investigation. The American Stroke Association has given a qualified endorsement of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis in selected patients. IA thrombolysis has been studied in 2 randomized trials and numerous case series. Although 2 devices have been granted FDA 3 approval with an indication for mechanical stroke thrombectomy, none of these devices has demonstrated efficacy in improving patient outcomes. This report defines what constitutes adequate training to perform neuroendovascular procedures in patients with acute ischemic stroke and identifies the performance standards that should be adopted to assess outcomes. These guidelines have been written and approved by multiple neuroscience societies that historically have been directly involved in the medical, surgical, and endovascular care of patients with acute stroke, including the Neurovascular Coalition and its participating societies: the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery; American Academy of Neurology; American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Cerebrovascular Section; and Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology.

Simultaneous intra-operative sclerotherapy and surgical resection of cervicofacial venous malformations.

OBJECTIVES: To review simultaneous intra-operative sclerotherapy (IOS) with immediate surgical resection for the treatment of cervicofacial venous malformations (VMs) at a single institution. While pre-operative sclerotherapy (POS) has been reported in the literature, simultaneous intra-operative sclerotherapy and surgery in the operating room has not. METHODS: The database from the Hemangioma and Vascular Birthmarks Clinic was reviewed. All patients in both groups had biopsy-proven VMs. RESULTS: IOS was used in 11 surgical patients with average age 17 years. Sclerotherapy was performed with sodium tetradecyl sulfate 3%, absolute alcohol or bleomycin. Immediately after IOS, and under the same anesthetic, all patients had either complete resection or debulking of the VMs. Eight patients had complete resolution of their VM and 3 had improvement. Average duration of the combined procedures done under a single anesthetic was 121 min. The POS approach was used for 6 surgical patients with average age 7 years. Sclerotherapy agents used were absolute alcohol or sodium tetradecyl sulfate 3%. All patients underwent complete resection of the VM 24-72 h after sclerotherapy under a separate surgical session. Five patients experienced complete resolution of their VM and one has had further sclerotherapy for recurrent disease. Interventional Radiology suite sclerotherapy times were on average 70 min. Surgical times were on average 142 min. Total combined anesthesia times for the two procedures added together were 212 min. Treatment time was significantly shorter in the IOS group (p = 0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous IOS at the time of surgical resection has been successful in our hands. IOS has the advantage of a single procedure and decreased cost to the patient. In the era of reducing pediatric exposure to anesthesia, this approach is especially attractive in the pediatric population. As well, at approximately $100/minute cost to the patient to be in either the Interventional Radiology Suite or in the operating room, the reduced length of the procedures seen in the IOS approach results in lower overall cost to the patient.

Thyroid cartilage compression causing stroke.

We describe the diagnostic workup and surgical treatment of a patient presenting with the unique case of vertebral artery (VA) occlusion subsequent to head flexion leading to compression of an aberrant VA by the ipsilateral superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Imaging revealed ischemic infarcts as well as the presence of an aberrant right VA, which was compressed by the ipsilateral superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage upon neck flexion. The patient was managed with laryngoplasty involving removal of the right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Laryngoscope, 129:E445-E448, 2019.

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: final results of the Multi MERCI trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy may be used during acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel intracranial occlusion. First-generation MERCI devices achieved recanalization rates of 48% and, when coupled with intraarterial thrombolytic drugs, recanalization rates of 60% have been reported. Enhancements in embolectomy device design may improve recanalization rates. METHODS: Multi MERCI was an international, multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial of thrombectomy in patients with large vessel stroke treated within 8 hours of symptom onset. Patients with persistent large vessel occlusion after IV tissue plasminogen activator treatment were included. Once the newer generation (L5 Retriever) device became available, investigators were instructed to use the L5 Retriever to open vessels and could subsequently use older generation devices and/or intraarterial tissue plasminogen activator. Primary outcome was recanalization of the target vessel. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four patients received thrombectomy and 131 were initially treated with the L5 Retriever. Mean age+/-SD was 68+/-16 years, and baseline median (interquartile range) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 19 (15 to 23). Treatment with the L5 Retriever resulted in successful recanalization in 75 of 131 (57.3%) treatable vessels and in 91 of 131 (69.5%) after adjunctive therapy (intraarterial tissue plasminogen activator, mechanical). Overall, favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2) occurred in 36% and mortality was 34%; both outcomes were significantly related to vascular recanalization. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 16 patients (9.8%); 4 (2.4%) of these were parenchymal hematoma type II. Clinically significant procedural complications occurred in 9 (5.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of recanalization were associated with a newer generation thrombectomy device compared with first-generation devices, but these differences did not achieve statistical significance. Mortality trended lower and the proportion of good clinical outcomes trended higher, consistent with better recanalization.