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background Despite constant improvements in recent years, sufficient reperfusion after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reached in up to 15% of patients with large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS). The outcome of patients with unsuccessful reperfusion after MT especially after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) use is not known. We investigated the influence of initial IVT in this particular group of patients with failed intracranial recanalization. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients presenting with LVOS of the anterior circulation and final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI) of 0, 1 or 2a were included. Posterior circulation, isolated cervical carotid occlusions and successful reperfusions (mTICI 2b, 2c or 3) were excluded. The primary endpoint was favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) after 3 months. Secondary endpoints were safety outcomes including mortality, any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), parenchymal hematoma (PH) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rates. results Among 5076 patients with LVOS treated with MT, 524 patients with insufficient recanalization met inclusion criteria, of which 242 received IVT and 282 did not. Functional outcome was improved in the MT +IVT group compared with the MT alone group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (23.0% vs 12.9%; adjusted OR=1.82; 95% CI 0.98 to 3.38; p=0.058). However, 3 month mRS shift analysis showed a significant benefit of IVT (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI 1.56 to 6.54). ICH and sICH rates were similar in both groups, although PH rate was higher in the MT +IVT group (adjusted OR=3.20; 95% CI 1.56 to 6.54). Conclusions Among patients with LVOS in the anterior circulation and unsuccessful MT, IVT was associated with improved functional outcome even after unsuccessful MT. Despite recent trials questioning the place of IVT in the LVOS reperfusion strategy, these findings emphasize a subgroup of patients still benefiting from IVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recurrence following obliteration of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is common in children surgically treated, but recurrences following endovascular (EVT) and radiosurgical approaches are scantily reported. Objective To analyze the rates and risk factors for AVM recurrence after obliteration in a single-center cohort of children with ruptured AVMs treated with multimodal approaches, and to carry out a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of current data. Methods Children with ruptured AVMs between 2000 and 2019 enrolled in a prospective registry were retrospectively screened and included after angiographically determined obliteration to differentiate children with/without recurrence. A complementary systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating AVM recurrence in children between 2000 and 2020 was aggregated to explore the overall recurrence rates across treatment modalities by analyzing surgery versus other treatments. Results Seventy children with obliterated AVMs were included. AVM recurrences (n=10) were more commonly treated with EVT as final treatment (60% in the recurrence vs 13.3% in the no- recurrence group, p=0.018). Infratentorial locations were associated with earlier and more frequent recurrences (adjusted relative risk=4.62, 95% CI 1.08 to 19.04; p=0.04). In the aggregate analysis, the pooled rate of AVM recurrence was 10.9% (95% CI 8.7% to 13.5%). Younger age at presentation was associated with more frequent recurrences (RR per year increase, 0.97, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99; p=0.046). Conclusion Location of infratentorial AVMs and younger age at presentation may be associated with earlier and more frequent recurrences. The higher rates of recurrence in patients with AVMs obliterated with EVT questions its role in an intent-to-cure approach and reinforces its position as an adjunct to surgery and/or radiosurgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a percutaneous doughnut vertebroplasty of circumferential aggressive vertebral hemangiomas (VHs). Methods We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database of patients with VHs treated with vertebroplasty between January 2009 and January 2018. Patient demographics, clinical presentations and procedural details were recorded. All patients underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All vertebroplasties were performed under conscious sedation in the prone position, predominantly using biplane fluoroscopic guidance. A clinical and imaging evaluation (early CT scan and MRI) as well as a final follow-up clinical assessment was performed. Results Twenty-two patients with aggressive VHs who underwent circumferential vertebroplasty with cementation of the entire vertebral body and at least one posterior hemi-arch were included (six males, mean age 53 years). At 3 months follow-up, nine patients (41%) had complete, 11 (50%) had partial and two (9%) had no resolution of pain. Nine of 14 patients had a decrease in venous swelling on MRI. No complications were observed. Five patients (23%) underwent adjunctive surgery within 1 year for persistence or worsening of neurological symptoms. Clinical and radiographic improvements were maintained to final follow-up. Conclusions Doughnut vertebroplasty offers a miniinvasive, safe and effective treatment of aggressive circumferential VHs. This technique improves pain in over 90% of patients as well as a reduction in radicular and neurological symptoms associated with a tendency to regression of the compressive epidural venous component of these lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Selection of the appropriate device size mandatory during aneurysm treatment with a Woven EndoBridge (WEB). We aimed to investigate if virtual simulation with Sim&Size software may have an impact on technical, angiographic, and clinical outcomes after WEB treatment. Methods Data from two large- volume centers were collected and compared (January 2017--January 2020). Virtual simulation was systematically adopted in one center, while conventional sizing was used in the other one. Outcomes were the duration of intervention, the radiation dose (in milligrays, the number of corrective interventions for inappropriate WEB size, the number of WEBs not deployed, angiographic occlusion, and complications. Univariate and multivariate linear models were adopted. Results A total of 186 aneurysms were treated with WEB (109 with and 77 without virtual simulation). Patient characteristics and aneurysm features were comparable among virtual and conventional sizing, except for mean age (62.2±11.8 years and 56.2±10.1 years, P=0.0004) and median aspect ratio (1.6, IQR=1.2--2 and 1.2, IQR=1--1.6, P=0.0001). Years of operator experience were comparable. Virtual simulation was independently associated with shorter intervention time (45 min, IQR=33--63.5 min vs 63.5 min, IQR=41--84.7 min, P=0.0001), lower radiation dose (1051 mGy, IQR=815--1399 mGy vs 1207 mGy, IQR=898--2084 mGy, P=0.0001), and lower number of WEBs not deployed (26/77=33.7% vs 8/109=7.3%, P=0.0001). The need for additional maneuvers was significantly lower in the virtual simulation group (5/109=4.6% vs 12/77=15.6%, P=0.021). Angiographic outcomes and complications were comparable. Conclusions In this multicenter experience, virtual simulation with Sim&Size software seems to facilitate the selection of the appropriate WEB device for aneurysm treatment, reducing the time of intervention, the radiation dose, the number of devices not deployed, and the need for corrective interventions. Trial registration number clinicaltrials. gov Identifier: NCT04621552. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]