Search

Introduction Distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (DACAA) are a rare and difficult entity to manage. Endovascular treatment has evolved for safe and durable treatment of these lesions. The objective of this study is to report the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of endovascular treatment of DACAA. Methods A retrospective review of DACAA endovascularly treated at 5 different institutions was performed. Data included demographics, rupture status, radiographic features, endovascular technique, complication rates, and long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes. A primary endpoint was a good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2). Secondary endpoints included complications and radiographic occlusion at follow-up. Results A total of 84 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 56, and 64 (71.4%) were female. Fifty-two (61.9%) aneurysms were ruptured. A good functional outcome was achieved in 59 patients (85.5%). Sixty (71.4%) aneurysms were treated with primary coiling, and the remaining 24 were treated with flow diversion. Adequate occlusion was achieved in 41 (95.3%) aneurysms treated with coiling, and 17 (89.5%) with flow diversion. There were total 11 (13%) complications. In the flow diversion category, there were 2, both related to femoral access. In the coiling category, there were 9: 5 thromboembolic, 3 ruptures, and 1 related to femoral access. Conclusion Endovascular treatment, and in particular, flow diversion for DACAA, is safe, feasible, and associated with good long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes.

Background Endovascular therapy is a viable alternative to surgical clipping for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms; however, aneurysms arising at bifurcations remain a challenge. The purpose of this technical report is to share the nuances of treating aneurysms with the PulseRider (PR), including device selection and positioning strategy, from authors who are highly experienced in its use. Methods We offer a comprehensive guide for neuroendovascular surgeons less experienced with PR applications to include design, general coil embolization technique, principles of deployment and detachment, positioning options, and geometric challenges and their solutions. Results In our experience, the PR is well suited for addressing the challenges of treating bifurcation aneurysms. Conclusions PR use is intuitive and straightforward for use in bifurcation aneurysms with ideal favorable. PR can also be safely and effectively used to address a much broader and more challenging range of geometries.

Background The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is an important conduit for the endovascular treatment of skull base and intracranial pathologies including, recently, subdural hematomas. A key aspect of such procedures is to perform a thorough diagnostic angiogram to detect anomalous arterial origins and “dangerous” anastomoses with branches of the internal carotid arteries. Although the most common anomaly related to the MMA is an abnormal origin from the ophthalmic artery, anomalous origin from the posterior circulation is rare. Moreover, its recognition requires a concerted effort at performing a vertebral artery angiogram irrespective of the location of the pathology (e.g., in subdural hematoma). Case Description We describe a case of anomalous origin of MMA from the basilar artery as a lateral pontine artery branch that was detected in a patient with recurrent subdural hematoma who presented for endovascular MMA embolization. Conclusions The embryologic origin of the entity is briefly discussed, along with suggestions for managing such an anomaly during endovascular embolization.

Background The adoption of endovascular techniques for treatment of pericallosal artery aneurysms (PAAs) has been comparatively gradual due to anatomic and technological factors. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the outcomes of PAA treatment with coiling and flow diversion at our institution. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients treated endovascularly for PAAs from December 2007 to January 2019. Results In total, 33 patients with 34 aneurysms were included (25 aneurysms ruptured, 9 unruptured or recurrent). Of the ruptured group, 22 were coiled (88%) and rest treated with flow diversion. Initial angiographic follow up rate was 72%, at median of 159 days. Overall recurrence rate was 40% (10/25) at median of 376 days, all among coiled aneurysms. 6 recurrent aneurysms were retreated with further coiling (2) and flow diversion (4). Of the unruptured/recurrent group, 5 were coiled (55%) and remainder treated with flow diversion. Angiographic follow-up rate was 100% at median of 267 days. Recurrence rate was 22% (2/9), both in coiled aneurysms. Overall, 27 aneurysms were coiled, 9 treated with flow diversion and 3 with “partial” flow diversion. All aneurysms treated with pipeline flow diversion achieved 100% occlusion. No re-rupture or new rupture was observed. Good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) was seen in 79% of patients. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that endovascular coiling for PAAs is associated with a definite rate of recurrence, which has to be monitored with timely angiography. We also demonstrate the excellent effectiveness of flow diversion for PAAs with either presentation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a simulation-based educational curriculum of 4 modules on neurosurgical trainees at the Neurological Societies of India annual meeting,whichwasheldinMumbai,India,inDecember2013. -METHODS: We developed a microanastomosis, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical fusion (PCF), and durotomy repair and their corresponding objective assessment scales. Each module was divided into 3 components: 1) a before didactic cognitive knowledge and technical skills testing, 2) a didactic lecture, and 3) an after didactic cognitive knowledgeand technicalskills testing. We compared the trainees’ cognitive and technical scores from the before and after testing phases. Wilcoxon sum rank test was used to test statistical significance. The incorporation of a simulation-based educational program into neurosurgical education curriculum has faced a number of barriers. It is essential to develop and assess the success and feasibility of simulation-based modules on neurosurgical residents. -RESULTS: The knowledge test median scores increased from 60%, 69% to 72%, and 60% to 80%, 85%, 90%, and 75% on the microanastomosis, ACDF, PCF, and durotomy modules, respectively (P < 0.05). The practical hands-on scores increased from 45%, 45% to 60%, and 65% to 62%, 68%, 81%, and 70% on the microanastomosis, ACDF, PCF, and durotomy modules, respectively (P < 0.05).

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of permanent disability in people younger than 40 years of age. An increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) during hospitalization for a TBI has been associated with poor long-term neurologic outcomes. On the basis of encouraging research, hypothermia has been embraced by some centers as an innovative way to treat high ICP. More recent trials, however, have hinted that therapeutic hypothermia might contribute to poor neurologic outcomes. In an attempt to define the role of hypothermia in TBI, the Eurotherm 3235 Trial collaborators conducted a randomized controlled trial, which was published October 7, 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The inclusion criteria included patients with closed head injury who sustained an ICP >20 mm Hg for >5 minutes. For the purpose of creating a framework for study analysis, treatments for TBI were divided into stage 1, 2, and 3 therapies (Table 1). Eligible patients were randomized to an experimental arm, hypothermia (32 C 35 C) in addition to best management practice, and a control arm that consisted of best management practices alone. Statistical analysis was performed using ordinal logistic regression to compare the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale scores between the hypothermia and control groups at 6 months. Only 25.7% of patients from the hypothermia group (49/191) had favorable outcomes at

he formation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) has been intensively investigated due to its potential for devasT tating consequences. Numerous studies have documented the strong association between aneurysm pathophysiology and “traditional” atherosclerotic risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and vessel wall inflammation. The presence of multiple aneurysms and familial occurrence, however, raises the valid question of the extent to which genetically determined factors contribute to the phenotype of an innate arteriopathy. Such an association between IAs and several monogenic or polygenic syndromes is well known.

Objective Although a significant amount of experience has accumulated for awake procedures for brain tumor, epilepsy, and carotid surgery, its utility for intracranial neurovascular indications remains largely undefined. Awake surgery for select neurovascular cases offers the advantage of precise brain mapping and robust neurologic monitoring during surgery for lesions in eloquent areas, avoidance of potential hemodynamic instability, and possible faster recovery. It also opens the window for perilesional epileptogenic tissue resection with potentially less risk for iatrogenic injury. Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for a retrospective review of awake surgeries for intracranial neurovascular indications over the past 36 months from a prospectively maintained quality database. We reviewed patients' clinical indications, clinical and imaging parameters, and postoperative outcomes. Results Eight consecutive patients underwent 9 intracranial neurovascular awake procedures conducted by the senior author. A standardized “sedated–awake–sedated” protocol was used in all 8 patients. For the 2 patients with arteriovenous malformations and the 3 patients with cavernoma, awake brain surface and white matter mapping was performed before and during microsurgical resection. A neurological examination was obtained periodically throughout all 5 procedures. There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. Hypotension was avoided during the 2 Moyamoya revascularization procedures in the patient with a history of labile blood pressure. Postoperative imaging confirmed complete arteriovenous malformation and cavernoma resections. No new neurologic deficits or new-onset seizures were noted on 3-month follow-up. Conclusions Awake surgery appears to be safe for select patients with intracranial neurovascular pathologies. Potential advantages include greater safety, shorter length of stay, and reduced cost.

Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is the most dreaded complication in ischemic stroke patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with significant morbidity and a mortality rate of approximately 50%. Yet management of this cohort has been based mostly on anecdotal experience. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1996, rtPA has become the standard of care for select patients with acute ischemic stroke. In the October JAMA Neurology issue, Yaghi et al. reported on a retrospective study examining current treatment paradigms for sICH after rtPA administration at 10 U.S. stroke centers. Patients included in the study had to meet the criteria for the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was defined as the presence of a parenchymal hematoma accounting for more than one third of the infarct volume (parenchymal hematoma type 2) identified on head computed tomography (CT) with at least a 4point increase from the baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was hematoma expansion identified on follow-up CT. Other variables were included in the study to examine if there was any association between in-hospital mortality and hematoma expansion. First data on pretreatment factors were reported. These factors included patient demographics, stroke risk factors, antiplatelet or anticoagulant use before thrombolysis, admission NIHSS, and code status change to comfort care measures. Second were laboratory measures, comprising pretreatment blood glucose level, coagulation laboratory values, and fibrinogen level. Third were imaging features including hematoma volume and the time from initiation of rtPA therapy to sICH diagnosis. Fourth was the treatment modality, ranging from fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, vitamin K, platelet transfusion, recombinant factor VIIa, aminocaproic acid, and surgical decompressive craniotomy or hematoma evacuation.