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Background and Purpose: Percutaneous cement augmentation has been reported as an effective salvage procedure for frail patients with spinal instrumentation failure, such as screw loosening, hardware breakage, cage subsidence, and fractures within or adjacent to stabilized segments. Favorable results were reported during a median follow-up period of 16 months in a retrospective analysis of 31 consecutive procedures performed in 29 patients. In the present study, the long-term effectiveness of this treatment in avoiding or postponing revision surgery is reported., Materials and Methods: Clinical and radiologic data of our original cohort of patients were retrospectively collected and reviewed to provide an extended follow-up assessment. The need for revision spinal surgery was assessed as the primary outcome, and the radiologic stability of the augmented spinal implants was considered as the secondary outcome., Results: An extended radiologic follow-up was available in 27/29 patients with an average of 50.9 months. Overall, 18 of 27 (66.7%) patients, originally candidates for revision surgery, avoided a surgical intervention after a cement augmentation rescue procedure. In the remaining patients, the average interval between the rescue cement augmentation and the revision surgery was 22.5 months. Implant mobilization occurred in 2/27 (7.4%) patients; rod breakage, in 1/27 (3.7%); a new fracture within or adjacent to the instrumented segment occurred in 4/27 (14.8%) patients; and screw loosening at rescued levels occurred in 5/27 (18.5%) patients., Conclusions: In this cohort, cement augmentation rescue procedures were found to be effective in avoiding or postponing revision surgery during long-term follow-up., (© 2024 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Introduction: Thrombectomy complications remain poorly explored. This study aims to characterize periprocedural intracranial vessel perforation including the effect of thrombolysis on patient outcomes., Patients and Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients with vessel perforation during thrombectomy between January 2015 and April 2023 were included. Vessel perforation was defined as active extravasation on digital subtraction angiography. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Factors associated with the primary outcome were assessed using proportional odds models., Results: 459 patients with vessel perforation were included (mean age 72.5 ± 13.6 years, 59% female, 41% received thrombolysis). Mortality at 90 days was 51.9% and 16.3% of patients reached mRS 0-2 at 90 days. Thrombolysis was not associated with worse outcome at 90 days. Perforation of a large vessel (LV) as opposed to medium/distal vessel perforation was independently associated with worse outcome at 90 days (aOR 1.709, p  = 0.04) and LV perforation was associated with poorer survival probability (HR 1.389, p  = 0.021). Patients with active bleeding >20 min had worse survival probability, too (HR 1.797, p  = 0.009). Thrombolysis was not associated with longer bleeding duration. Bleeding cessation was achieved faster by permanent vessel occlusion compared to temporary measures (median difference: 4 min, p  < 0.001)., Discussion and Conclusion: Vessel perforation during thrombectomy is a severe and frequently fatal complication. This study does not suggest that thrombolysis significantly attributes to worse prognosis. Prompt cessation of active bleeding within 20 min is critical, emphasizing the need for interventionalists to be trained in complication management., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: V. S.-Z. discloses speaker fees from Medtronic Inc. (money paid to institution). M.R.L. discloses unrestricted educational grants from Medtronic and Stryker; consulting for Medtronic, Stereotaxis, Metis Innovative and Aeaean Advisers; equity interest in Proprio, Fluid Biomed, Stroke Diagnostics, Hyperion Surgical, Apertur; editorial board of Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery; data safety monitoring board of Arsenal Medical. M.-N.P. discloses unrestricted grants from Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Bangerter-Rhyner Stiftung, Stryker Neurovascular Inc., Phenox GmbH, Medtronic Inc., Rapid Medical Inc., and Penumbra Inc for the DISTAL trial, grant for SPINNERS trial from Siemens Healthineers AG (money paid to institution) and the following speaker fees: Stryker Neurovascular Inc., Medtronic Inc., Penumbra Inc., Acandis GmbH, Phenox GmbH, Rapid Medical Inc. and Siemens Healthineers AG (money paid to institution).

Background: Vessel perforation during thrombectomy is a severe complication and is hypothesized to be more frequent during medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) thrombectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and outcome of patients with perforation during MeVO and large vessel occlusion (LVO) thrombectomy and to report on the procedural steps that led to perforation., Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, data of consecutive patients with vessel perforation during thrombectomy between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2022 were collected. The primary outcomes were independent functional outcome (ie, modified Rankin Scale 0-2) and all-cause mortality at 90 days. Binomial test, chi-squared test and t -test for unpaired samples were used for statistical analysis., Results: During 25 769 thrombectomies (5124 MeVO, 20 645 LVO) in 25 stroke centers, perforation occurred in 335 patients (1.3%; mean age 72 years, 62% female). Perforation occurred more often in MeVO thrombectomy (2.4%) than in LVO thrombectomy (1.0%, p <0.001). More MeVO than LVO patients with perforation achieved functional independence at 3 months (25.7% vs 10.9%, p =0.001). All-cause mortality did not differ between groups (overall 51.6%). Navigation beyond the occlusion and retraction of stent retriever/aspiration catheter were the two most common procedural steps that led to perforation., Conclusions: In our cohort, perforation was approximately twice as frequent in MeVO than in LVO thrombectomy. Efforts to optimize the procedure may focus on navigation beyond the occlusion site and retraction of stent retriever/aspiration catheter. Further research is necessary in order to identify thrombectomy candidates at high risk of intraprocedural perforation and to provide data on the effectiveness of endovascular countermeasures., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Patients with minor stroke and M2 occlusion undergoing best medical management (BMM) may face early neurological deterioration (END) that can lead to poor long-term outcome. In case of END, rescue mechanical thrombectomy (rMT) seems beneficial. Our study aimed to define factors relevant to clinical outcome in patients undergoing BMM with the possibility of rMT on END, and find predictors of END., Methods: Patients with M2 occlusion and a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score≤5 that received either BMM only or rMT on END after BMM were extracted from the databases of 16 comprehensive stroke centers. Clinical outcome measures were a 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1 or 0-2, and occurrence of END., Results: Among 10 169 consecutive patients with large vessel occlusion admitted between 2016 and 2021, 208 patients were available for analysis. END was reported in 87 patients that were therefore all subjected to rMT. In a logistic regression model, END (OR 3.386, 95% CI 1.428 to 8.032), baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.362, 95% CI 1.004 to 1.848) and a pre-event mRS score=1 (OR 3.226, 95% CI 1.229 to 8.465) were associated with unfavorable outcome. In patients with END, successful rMT was associated with favorable outcome (OR 4.549, 95% CI 1.098 to 18.851). Among baseline clinical and neuroradiological features, presence of atrial fibrillation was a predictor of END (OR 3.547, 95% CI 1.014 to 12.406)., Conclusion: Patients with minor stroke due to M2 occlusion and atrial fibrillation should be closely monitored for possible worsening during BMM and, in this case, promptly considered for rMT., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with isolated M2 occlusion and minor symptoms and identify possible baseline predictors of clinical outcome., Methods: The databases of 16 high-volume stroke centers were retrospectively screened for consecutive patients with isolated M2 occlusion and a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5 who received either early MT (eMT) or best medical management (BMM) with the possibility of rescue MT (rMT) on early neurological worsening. Because our patients were not randomized, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate the treatment effect of eMT compared with the BMM/rMT. The primary clinical outcome measure was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1., Results: 388 patients were initially selected and, after PSM, 100 pairs of patients receiving eMT or BMM/rMT were available for analysis. We found no significant differences in clinical outcome and in safety measures between patients receiving eMT or BMM/rMT. Similar results were also observed after comparison between eMT and rMT. Concerning baseline predicting factors of outcome, the involvement of the M2 inferior branch was associated with a favorable outcome., Conclusion: Our multicenter retrospective analysis has shown no benefit of eMT in minor stroke patients with isolated M2 occlusion over a more conservative therapeutic approach. Although our results must be viewed with caution, in these patients it appears reasonable to consider BMM as the first option and rMT in the presence of early neurological deterioration., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: There is no consensus on the most effective endovascular technique to use in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of the aspiration technique (AT) and combined technique (CT) as first-line approach in terminal ICA occlusions., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected databases from seven Italian stroke centers. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the first-line approach: AT group or CT group. We followed the STROBE guidelines for cohort studies. We used Chi-square test, one-way and multivariate ANOVA analysis, together with contrast analysis and post hoc tests, logistic regression and Pearson's bivariate correlation for the statistical analyses., Results: Between January 2018 and August 2020, 353 patients were treated for a terminal ICA occlusion, with either AT or CT. CT was associated with a higher Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2B-3 after the first pass (51.0% vs 26.9%) and at the end of the procedure (84% vs 73.3%) and with an improved clinical outcome at discharge (modified Rankin Scale (mRs) 0-2 of 47.8% vs 34.0%) and at 3 months' follow-up (mRs 0-2 of 56.5% vs 38.9%) compared with AT., Conclusion: Thrombectomy of terminal ICA occlusions obtained using CT as first-line approach demonstrated better technical and functional outcomes in comparison with AT., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background and Purpose: The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) and baseline mild neurological symptoms remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MT in this subgroup of patients., Methods: The databases of 9 high-volume Italian stroke centers were retrospectively screened for patients with LVO in the anterior circulation and a baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤ 5 that received either immediate MT or best medical management (BMM) with the possibility of rescue MT upon neurological worsening. Primary outcome measure was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1 at 90 days. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to estimate the treatment effect of immediate MT compared to BMM/rescue MT., Results: Two hundred and seventy-two patients received immediate MT (MT group). The BMM/rescue MT group included 41 patients. The primary outcome was achieved in 78.6% (n = 246) of overall patients, with a higher proportion in the MT group (80.5% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.03) in unadjusted analysis. After PSM, patients in the MT group had a 19.5% higher chance of excellent outcome at 90 days compared to the BMM/Rescue MT group with a similar risk of death from any cause., Conclusions: Our experience is in favor of a potential benefit of MT also in patients with LVO and a NIHSS score ≤ 5 at the time of groin puncture. Nonetheless, this issue waits for a clear-cut recommendation in a dedicated clinical trial., (© 2021. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Background: There are limited data concerning procedure-related complications of endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes., Aims: We evaluated the cumulative incidence, the clinical relevance in terms of increased disability and mortality, and risk factors for complications., Methods: From January 2011 to December 2017, 4799 patients were enrolled by 36 centers in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment. Data on demographic and procedural characteristics, complications, and clinical outcome at three months were prospectively collected., Results: The complications cumulative incidence was 201 per 1000 patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Ongoing antiplatelet therapy (p < 0.01; OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.21-2.73) and large vessel occlusion site (carotid-T, p < 0.03; OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.13-8.19; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.01; OR 4.54, 95% CI: 1.66-12.44) were associated with a higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation. Thrombectomy alone (p < 0.01; OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.83) and younger age (p < 0.04; OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) revealed a lower risk of developing dissection. M2-segment-MCA occlusion (p < 0.01; OR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.64) and hypertension (p < 0.04; OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.6-0.98) were less related to clot embolization. Higher NIHSS at onset (p < 0.01; OR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06), longer groin-to-reperfusion time (p < 0.01; OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07), diabetes (p < 0.01; OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25-2.23), and LVO site (carotid-T, p < 0.01; OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.26-3.05; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.02; OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08-2.42) were associated with a higher risk of developing symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared to no/asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The subgroup of patients treated with thrombectomy alone presented a lower risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01; OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55-0.90). Subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy worsen both functional independence and mortality at three-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Distal embolization is associated with neurological deterioration (p < 0.01), while arterial dissection did not affect clinical outcome at follow-up., Conclusions: Complications globally considered are not uncommon and may result in poor clinical outcome. Early recognition of risk factors might help to prevent complications and manage them appropriately in order to maximize endovascular thrombectomy benefits.

Background: The artery of Wollschlaeger and Wollschlaeger is a tentorial branch of the superior cerebellar artery: due to its small diameter, it is not usually seen in normal angiograms except when enlarged in the setting of a dural AVF or tentorial meningioma. Its presence has been rarely described in the Literature., Case Report: herein we describe the first ever reported case of a vermian subtentorial arteriovenous malformation supplied by the artery of Wollschlaeger and Wollschlaeger in 70 year old female patient., Conclusion: vermian subtentorial AVMs supplied by the artery of Wollschlaeger and Wollschlaeger are extremely rare vascular malformations. The presence of the artery of Wollschlaeger and Wollschlaeger must be carefully evaluated during preoperative surgical planning due to its key role in the supply of vascular malformation and to decrease the risk of intra operative bleeding during surgery., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: Successful vessel recanalization in posterior circulation large-vessel occlusion is considered crucial, though the evidence of clinical usefulness, compared with the anterior circulation, is not still determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of favorable clinical outcome and to analyze the effect of first-pass thrombectomy., Materials and Methods: A retrospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in 10 high-volume stroke centers in Europe, including the period from January 2016 to July 2019. Only patients with an acute basilar artery occlusion or a single, dominant vertebral artery occlusion ("functional" basilar artery occlusion) who had a 3-month mRS were included. Clinical, procedural, and radiologic data were evaluated, and the association between these parameters and both the functional outcome and the first-pass effect was assessed., Results: A total of 191 patients were included. A lower baseline NIHSS score (adjusted OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.96; P = .025) and higher baseline MR imaging posterior circulation ASPECTS (adjusted OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.03-8.76; P = .043) were predictors of better outcomes. The use of large-bore catheters (adjusted OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.08-4.67; P = .030) was a positive predictor of successful reperfusion at first-pass, while the use of a combined technique was a negative predictor (adjusted OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.76; P = .014)., Conclusions: The analysis of our retrospective series demonstrates that a lower baseline NIHSS score and a higher MR imaging posterior circulation ASPECTS were predictors of good clinical outcome. The use of large-bore catheters was a positive predictor of first-pass modified TICI 2b/3; the use of a combined technique was a negative predictor., (© 2021 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Purpose: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion., Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed. Patients with intracranial carotid artery occlusion (infraclinoid and supraclinoid) with or without cervical artery occlusion but with patent intracranial arteries were included. The 3‑month functional independence, mortality, successful reperfusion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were evaluated., Results: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries was diagnosed in 387 out of 4940 (7.8%) patients. The median age was 74 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 18. Functional independence was achieved in 130 (34%) patients, successful reperfusion in 289 (75%) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 33 (9%), whereas mortality occurred in 111 (29%) patients. In univariate analysis functional independence was associated with lower age, lower NIHSS at presentation, higher rate of successful reperfusion and lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable regression analysis found age (odds ratio, OR:1.03; P = 0.006), NIHSS at presentation (OR: 1.07; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.60; P = 0.002), successful reperfusion (OR:0.20; P < 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 4.17; P < 0.001) as the best independent predictors of outcome., Conclusion: Our study showed a not negligible rate of intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries, presenting mostly as severe stroke, with an acceptable rate of 3‑month functional independence. Age, NIHSS at presentation and successful reperfusion were the best independent predictors of outcome.