Patient eligibility for thrombectomy after acute stroke: Northern French Alps database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since 2015, the emergence of mechanical thrombectomy as standard care in acute stroke has involved organizational changes not only for stroke centers, but also for entire emergency regional networks. The aim of our study was to assess the proportion of ischemic stroke patients, admitted to stroke units in the Northern French Alps within the first 6h of onset, eligible for thrombectomy. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of all acute stroke patients hospitalized at three stroke units of the Northern French Alps Emergency Network (RENAU) in 2014. Eligible patients had proximal arterial occlusions of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, as confirmed by brain imaging, which could be treated by thrombectomy within 6h of symptom onset. RESULTS: Of the 435 cases of acute ischemic stroke, 152 patients were treated by intravenous thrombolysis (IV rtPA). Of these patients, 83 (55%) had intracranial occlusions and were eligible for combined thrombectomy. Of the 283 patients not treatable by IV rtPA, 32 patients (11%) were eligible for primary thrombectomy. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy could be performed in 26% of our acute ischemic stroke patients (n=115/435), and a large increase in endovascular procedures is expected over the next few years that will require close collaboration among all partners in the emergency networks. Using our RENAU stroke database, it will be possible to compare various factors contributing to effective activity.

Ultrasonographic anatomic variations of the major veins in paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to describe the anatomic relationships in internal jugular (IJV), subclavian (SCV), and femoral (FV) vein sites. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two children had a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) evaluation of IJV, SCV, and FV sites. They were enrolled according to their age: 0-1 month old (n=9), 1 month old to 2 yr old (n=61), 2-6 yr old (n=22), 6-12 yr old (n=32), and 12-18 yr old (n=18). RESULTS: We found about 7.7% variation for the IJV. The most common anatomic variations were a lateral (nine children) or anterior (nine children) position of the IJV to the carotid artery. Regardless of the age category, about 9.8% of the anatomic variations were found for the FV. The most common anatomic variation in our study was that the FV ran anteromedially to the femoral artery (17 children). Anatomic variation of the SCV, regardless of age category, was about 7.4%. The most common anatomic variation was the SCV, which ran medially (10 children) to the subclavian artery. CONCLUSIONS: The relevant percentages of anatomic variations obtained for all these areas support at least a systematic US screening before attempting to obtain central venous access, ideally using a US-guided technique.

Retreatment of previously treated intracranial aneurysm: Procedural complications and risk factors for complications.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a frequent vascular malformation that can be managed by endovascular treatment (EVT) or microsurgery. A previously treated IA can recanalize, which may require further treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate procedural complications related to IA retreatment and their risk factors. METHODS: All patients retreated for IA between 2007 and 2017 in 4 hospitals were included. We retrospectively reviewed the frequency of procedural complications of IA retreatment, defined as death or≥1-point increase in modified Rankin score 24h after the procedure. We then screened for risk factors of procedural complications by comparing the characteristics of patients with and without complications. RESULTS: During the inclusion period, 4,997 IAs were treated in our 4 institutions. Of these, 237 (4.7%) were retreated. 29 (12.2%) had≥1 procedural complication. However, severe complications, defined as death or dependency at 1 month, occurred only in 3 patients (1.3%). The only risk factor for complications was microsurgical clipping as retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural complications during IA retreatment were frequent but, in most cases, retreatment did not lead to death or severe disability. The only risk factor for complications of IA retreatment was clipping as retreatment. However, the design of the study did not allow any conclusion to be drawn as to the optimal means of aneurysm retreatment, and further studies are needed.

Stenting of a cerebral venous thrombosis.

Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but potentially alarming condition, which remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Endovascular procedure may be a therapeutic option when evolution is unfavourable despite medical treatment, but the use of stenting is rarely reported in CVT treatment. We report the case of a man who presented a jugular vein thrombosis responsible for severe intracranial hypertension. Because of clinical worsening despite intravenous heparin and symptomatic treatment, endovascular procedure including the placement of five venous stents, thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty, was performed and led to venous recanalization with successful clinical outcome. The patient is still asymptomatic 3 years later. Our report shows that venous stenting could represent an efficient alternative in the management of decoagulation refractory CVT.

[Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula with peri-medullary venous drainage: analysis of a series from a single centre and review of the literature]. / Les fistules artério-veineuses durales rachidiennes à drainage veineux péri-médullaire: analyse d'une série monocentrique et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal diagnosis and therapeutic managements of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae, a rare disease, is discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report a series of 10 patients seen in a 7-year period, treated by embolization. RESULTS: There were 6 males and 4 females, with an average age of 58.4 years (range: 31 to 74 years). Diagnosis was made 2 days to 5 years (mean 15.3 months) after symptom onset with a high rate of incomplete or atypical clinical patterns (prolonged isolated sensory disorder, lumbo-sciatalgia, claudication, monoplegia), or sudden-onset deficit. In all cases, spinal MRI showed an intramedullary high-intensity signal on T2-weighted images but enlarged intradural vessels in only 70p.cent of cases. Angiography showed in all cases an arteriovenous fistula at the upper dorsal level (T1 to T7, 5 cases), lower dorsal (T8-T12, in 3 cases) and lumbar levels (2 cases). The fistula was successfully obliterated after initial embolization in 3 cases, but two (2 cases) or 3 procedures (2 cases) were sometimes required. The endovascular therapy failed in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: In this series, the fistula was successfully obliterated in 70p.cent of patients. In the literature, fistula of 96.8p.cent to 97.9p.cent of patients were obliterated by surgery, which is a more invasive treatment. Embolization could be used as the first-line therapy, but incomplete obliteration requires rapid surgery. While the success of embolization is demonstrated, MRI and angiography must still be performed 6 months later.

[Air embolism during lumbar discal hernia repair. Retroperioneal vessels lesions have to be suspected]. / Symptomatologie d'embolie gazeuse au cours d'une chirurgie de hernie discale lombaire: suspecter une plaie vasculaire rétropéritonéale.

Occurrence of deep PETCO(2) drop during surgical lumbar disk repair is rare but dramatic. This case report leads to the diagnosis of retroperitoneal vessels lesions. We review the different diagnosis related to the drop of the PETCO(2) during surgery in the genupectoral position. We recommend that the diagnosis of retroperitoneal vessels lesion have to be suspected early if air embolism occurs during lumbar disk surgery.

Fibromuscular dysplasia: what the radiologist should know: a pictorial review.

UNLABELLED: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic, segmentary, non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic disease that can affect all layers of both small- and medium-calibre arteries. The prevalence of FMD is estimated between 4 and 6 % in the renal arteries and between 0.3 and 3 % in the cervico-encephalic arteries. FMD most frequently affects the renal, carotid and vertebral arteries, but it can theoretically affect any artery. Radiologists play an important role in the diagnosis of FMD, and good knowledge of FMD's signs will certainly help reduce the delay between the first symptoms and diagnosis. The common string-of-beads aspect is well known, but less common presentations also have to be considered. These less common imaging findings include vascular loops, fusiform vascular ectasia, arterial dissection, aneurysm and subarachnoid haemorrhage. These radiologic presentations should be known by radiologists in order to diagnose possible FMD, particularly when present in young females or when associated with personal or familial hypertension, to reduce the delay between the onset of the first symptom and the final diagnosis. The patients have to be referred to specialised FMD centres for dedicated management. TEACHING POINTS: • Fibromuscular dysplasia is not a rare disease. • Radiologists should recognise less common presentations to orient specific management. • Vascular loops, fusiform vascular ectasia and a "string-of-beads" aspect are typical presentations. • Arterial dissection, aneurysm and subarachnoid haemorrhage are less typical radiologic presentations.

Perfusion imaging in brain disease.

Perfusion CT or MRI have been extensively developed over the last years and are accessible on most imaging machines. Perfusion CT has taken a major place in the assessment of a stroke. Its role has to be specified for the diagnosis and treatment of the vasospasm, complicating a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Perfusion MRI should be included in the assessment of any brain tumor, both at the time of the diagnosis as well as in the post-treatment monitoring. It is included in the multimodal approach required for the optimum treatment of this disease. The applications in epilepsy and the neurodegenerative diseases are in the evaluation process.

Brain stem diffusion-weighted imaging lesion score: a potential marker of outcome in acute basilar artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefit of recanalization in basilar artery occlusion (BAO) has been established. The baseline extent of brain stem damage may also influence the outcome. We investigated whether a baseline diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) score may provide additional prognostic value in BAO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed baseline clinical and DWI parameters in consecutive patients treated with endovascular procedures for acute BAO. Brain stem DWI lesions were assessed by using a semiquantitative score based on arterial territory segmentation. Outcome at 3 months was dichotomized according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) as favorable (mRS, 0-2) or unfavorable (mRS, 3-6). Spearman rank correlation tests assessed the correlation between DWI and clinical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify clinical and MR imaging predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included. The brain stem DWI score (median, 3; range, 0-14) was correlated with the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and the presence and length of coma (r = 0.67, 0.49, and 0.53, respectively; P < .01). Recanalization was achieved in 76%. A higher baseline NIHSS score (P = .02) and brain stem DWI score (P = .03), a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (P = .04), and the presence of coma (P = .05) were associated with poor outcome in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that the brain stem DWI score was the only independent baseline predictor for clinical outcome (P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline brain stem DWI lesion score is an independent marker of outcome in BAO.