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Cerebral air embolism is a dreaded complication of invasive medical procedures. The mainstay of therapy for patients with cerebral air embolism has been hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high flow oxygen therapy, and anticonvulsants. We present a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of cerebral air embolism causing large vessel occlusion, using endovascular aspiration. Our patient developed a cerebral air embolism following sclerotherapy for varicose veins. This caused near total occlusion of the superior division of the M2 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. Symptoms included unilateral paralysis, unintelligible speech, and hemianopia; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on presentation was 16. The air embolism was treated using a distal aspiration technique. Angiography following aspiration showed Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B reperfusion. Following aspiration, the patient was re-examined; NIHSS at that time was 4. At 1 month follow-up, the modified Rankin Scale score was 1 and NIHSS was 1. Treatment of cerebral air embolism is discussed.

A patient with a giant symptomatic vertebrobasilar aneurysm was treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus followed by treatment of the aneurysm by flow diversion using a Pipeline Embolization Device. After an uneventful procedure and initial periprocedural period, the patient experienced an unexpected fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage 1 week later. Autopsy demonstrated extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture (linear whole wall rupture). The patent Pipeline Embolization Device was in its intended location, as was the persistent coil occlusion of the distal left vertebral artery. The aneurysm appeared to rupture in a linear manner and contained a thick large expansile clot that seemed to disrupt or rupture the thin aneurysm wall directly opposite the basilar artery/Pipeline Embolization Device. We feel the pattern of aneurysm rupture in our patient supports the idea that the combination of flow diversion and the resulting growing intra-aneurysmal thrombus can create a mechanical force with the potential to cause aneurysm rupture.

Introduction Following complex endovascular or microsurgical treatment of aneurysms, volumetric assessment of the surgical outcome in the angiography suite can be challenging due to device resolution and metallic artefact. We investigated a collimated volumetric imaging protocol followed by metal artefact suppression post processing to evaluate the correct positioning of stents, flow diverting devices, coils, and clips. Methods Under an IRB approved study protocol, ten patients who underwent endovascular or surgical treatment of a cerebral aneurysm involving stents, flow-diverting devices, coils, and/or clips, underwent angiography. This consisted of conventional 2D diagnostic imaging, followed by the acquisition of a volume of interest (VOI) collimated DynaCT. Such an acquisition yielded high-spatial resolution of implanted devices, by reducing the radiation burden depending on illuminated detector fraction. Volumetric images were reconstructed, accounting for the truncated images and artefact from dense metallic objects. Blinded readers were presented with VOI 3D images, processed with and without correction for metal artefact, and asked to score overall image quality, visibility of surrounding vasculature and aneurysm inflow, and diagnostic value. Scores were evaluated for statistical significance using a student’s T-test, testing the hypothesis that VOI + MAR is better than VOI alone. Results VOI images processed with metal artefact correction were judged better with 95% (p = 0.05) significance for overall image quality and 99% (p = 0.01) for the other three categories. Particular advantage was seen with the identification of residual aneurysm inflow as well as the ability to identify surrounding vasculature. Analysis of VOI scan dose area product (DAP) showed an average reduction of 85% compared to conventional DynaCT. Conclusion Combining VOI imaging with metal artefact suppression allows for clear imaging of complex aneurysm repair in the presence of dense metallic objects, while significantly reducing patient radiation exposure. Disclosures E. Duckworth: None. D. Hoit: 1; C; Seimens. L. Elijovich: 1; C; Seimens. 2; C; Microvention, Stryker, Codman. V. Doss: None. W. Humphries: None. S. Schafer: 5; C; Seimens Medical Solutions USA. S. Bauer: 5; C; Seimens Medical Solutions USA. A. Arthur: 1; C; Seimens, Terumo. 2; C; Seimens, Johnson and Johnson, Sequent Medical, Covidian, Stryker, Terumo.