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Objective: Both atrial fibrillation (AF) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with occurrences of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with concomitant AF and PFO were at an increased risk of stroke, and whether PFO closure was necessary for the prevention of stroke in AF patients who underwent left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Method: We retrospectively analyzed 614 patients who underwent LAAC at Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from May 2014 to April 2021. We compared the baseline clinical characteristics and ischemic stroke rates before LAAC, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and other long-term outcomes between AF patients with and without PFO after LAAC. The predictor for ischemic stroke or TIA after LAAC was analyzed with univariate and multivariable Cox regression, and the long-term cumulative survival rates of AF patients with PFO compared to those without PFO after LAAC were analyzed with the Kaplan–Meier graph. Results: A total of 614 patients who underwent LAAC and had completed follow-up data were included in our study. Among them, 74 patients were diagnosed with AF with PFO, and 540 with AF without PFO. There was no significant difference between their baseline clinical data, including ischemic stroke rates (p = 0.961). Patients with and without PFO had similar device implantation success rates (98.6 % vs 99.4 %, P = 0.403) and procedure-related complications. During follow-up (medium follow-up period 36.9 months), no significant difference was observed in the incidence of MACEs (8.1 % in PFO group vs 5.7 % in non-PFO group, P = 0.432) or the cumulative ischemic stroke/TIA rates (5.4 % in PFO group vs 4.3 % in non-PFO group, P = 0.554). The Cox multivariable regression analysis indicated that the presence of PFO in patients with AF had no correlation with ischemic stroke or TIA after LAAC implantation (HR 1.685, 95 % CI 0.570–4.978, P = 0.345). The only predictor for ischemic stroke/TIA events after LAAC was major leakage (>5 mm) seen on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or left atrial CTA at the 45-day follow-up (HR 10.352, 95 % CI 1.221–87.736, P = 0.032). Conclusion: AF patients with PFO are not at increased risk for ischemic stroke or TIA before LAAC. The presence of PFO in AF patients did not affect the success rate and safety of LAAC. The presence of mild PFO is not a viable predictor of stroke events in AF patients who underwent LAAC during long-term follow-up. Major leakage (>5 mm) is associated with a higher ischemic stroke/TIA rate in AF patients who underwent LAAC.

The foramen ovale is a structure that allows for the extracranial passage of multiple significant intracranial structures, most notably the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). Here we report the case of a 12-year-old male who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a two-day history of nausea and emesis and a one-day history of altered mental status. Prior to presentation, he started speaking only Spanish, which was unusual because he primarily speaks English. He was also showing signs of absence seizures. Computed Tomography (CT) showed his orthodontic wire had migrated and was entering his skull through the foramen ovale, terminating within the inferior temporal lobe. Associated with the wire was an intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Imaging indicated the sparing of the internal carotid artery and its major branches, suggesting the hemorrhage was likely venous in nature. The wire was then safely removed with no complications. Same day and follow-up neurologic exams all demonstrated no deficit in CN V3 or any of the other surrounding structures. To our knowledge, this is the first case described in the literature in which a foreign object penetrated the skull floor through the foramen ovale.

Objective: Introducing a preoperative image simulation technique to streamline the visualization of the foramen ovale in percutaneous microcompression., Methods: Twenty-five trigeminal neuralgia patients were included in the study. Preoperative cranial computed tomography scans were processed with 3D Slicer software to create simulated fluoroscopic skulls. The angulations required for precise visualization of the foramen ovale were established via simulated anteroposterior imaging. These simulations informed the C-arm's angulations for foramen ovale targeting during surgery., Results: The preoperative simulations accurately forecasted skull rotation angulations, aligning closely with intraoperative observations with negligible discrepancies (0-2 degrees). In 17 patients, the foramen ovale was distinctly visible, while in 8 patients, it was partially obscured yet discernible using the simulated angles. Nonvisible of the foramen ovale did not occur. Postoperative pain relief and complications were recorded., Conclusions: Based on our initial findings, the application of preoperative image simulation shows significant referential value in achieving accurate visualization of the foramen ovale in percutaneous microcompression for trigeminal neuralgia., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Resumen: La endocarditis infecciosa es una enfermedad mortal, que a pesar de las mejoras en su manejo sigue estando asociada a gran mortalidad y complicaciones graves. Es una complicación excepcional del cierre percutáneo de foramen oval permeable. Se presenta un caso clínico de un hombre de 52 años intervenido de cierre percutáneo de foramen oval permeable detectado en el estudio etiológico de un ictus. Tres años después, el paciente presentó un cuadro clínico compatible con endocarditis, encontrándose una gran vegetación endocardítica anclada a la vertiente auricular izquierda del dispositivo de cierre de foramen oval permeable. Los hemocultivos fueron positivos para Staphylococcus aureus. Se realizó cirugía con resección del dispositivo. La evolución postoperatoria fue satisfactoria. Abstract: Infective endocarditis is a fatal disease that, despite improvements in its management, is still associated with a high rate of mortality and complications. It is an exceptional complication of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure. A case report is presented of a 52-year-old man who underwent percutaneous closure of a percutaneous patent foramen ovale diagnosed during the aetiological study of a stroke. Three years after the procedure, the patient presented with symptoms of endocarditis. A large endocarditic growth was found to be anchored to the left atrial surface of the percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure device. Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Surgery was performed and the device was removed. Postoperative recovery was satisfactory.

Objective: To describe and assess the significance of EEG characteristics recorded during presurgical video-EEG monitoring (VEM) utilizing foramen ovale (FO) and epidural peg electrodes., Methods: Seizure onset (SOP) and termination pattern morphology and regions, ipsilateral and contralateral latencies, seizure duration, and interictal spike counts were examined in 106 patients (412 seizures). An EEG feature-based logistic regression model predicting one-year post-surgical seizure freedom was assessed using a 5-fold nested cross-validation approach., Results: Four SOPs and five termination patterns were identified. Seventy-one percent of patients had a single unique SOP, the most common being sharp activity ≤ 13 Hz (28.9% of seizures). Seizures recorded by FO electrodes were associated with SOPs ≤ 13 Hz (OR 1.9, p = .008). Focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures were associated with SOPs > 13 Hz (p = .04) and bilateral spike and wave termination (p < .001). In patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, logistic regression based prediction of post-surgical outcome had a mean area under the curve of 0.69, with the most important features being SOP, right sided interictal epileptic activity, and contralateral latency., Conclusions: FO and peg recordings yield characteristic EEG patterns., Significance: EEG features of FO and peg recordings may have diagnostic and prognostic utility in presurgical VEM., (Copyright © 2022 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia may be treated via percutaneous access to the foramen ovale (FO). Vascular complications associated with the needle trajectory can result in serious morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to correlate the vascular relationships of the FO at the skull base via cadaveric dissections and computed tomography (CT)., Methods: Two fresh cadaver heads were injected with red and blue latex to delineate arteries and veins. Neck and infratemporal fossa dissections were carried out to delineate the vascular relationships of the FO. High-resolution head CT images of adult patients undergoing neurosurgical evaluations or procedures were analyzed for distances and sizes of skull base foramina in the infratemporal fossa., Results: Three infratemporal fossa dissections (2 cadaveric specimens) were performed. Mean distance of FO to internal carotid artery was 2.4 ± 0.12 cm, and mean distance of FO to middle meningeal artery was 0.8 ± 0.16 cm. Head CT images of 52 patients (104 sides) with 1-mm axial slice thickness were analyzed. Area of the FO was 31.1 ± 9.6 mm 2 . Distance of FO to internal carotid artery was 1.70 ± 0.31 cm, and distance of FO to middle meningeal artery was 0.73 ± 0.61 cm., Conclusions: Cadaveric delineation of vascular structures in the infratemporal fossa correlates with head CT imaging and may be used to accurately plan percutaneous access to the FO. Inadvertent puncture of the extracranial internal carotid artery is nearly impossible with good technique. The most likely source of percutaneous vascular injury is the middle meningeal artery and distal branches of the maxillary artery., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: To compare the advantages and disadvantages of V2 + V3 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia using peripheral nerve radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation (PRF) via the foramen rotundum (FR) and foramen ovale (FO) with those of semilunar ganglion RF thermocoagulation (GRF) under local anesthesia, for exploring a new and available surgical method for patients with V2 + V3 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia., Patients and Methods: 102 patients with V2 + V3 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial, and they were divided into the PRF and GRF group randomly (n = 51 in both groups). The outcome of pain relief was assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain score, and grouped as good (BNI Class I or II, no medication required) and bad (BNI Class III-V, medication required or failed). Recurrence was defined as a relapse to a previous lower level after attainment of any higher level of pain relief. The immediate effective rate, the 2-year postoperative effective rate, the 2-year postoperative recurrence rate, and the number of complications were observed and recorded., Results: Their basic conditions (age, gender ratio, side of pain, and disease duration) were similar. Furthermore, we found that the 2-year postoperative effective rate between them had no significant difference. By comparing the two groups, PRF group had the better immediate effective rate of the V2 branch and no severe complications such as corneal ulcer, however, GRF group had lower 2-year postoperative recurrence rate of the V3 branch and fewer facial swelling., Conclusion: The PRF surgery, like GRF, is another prospective treatment for V2 + V3 idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia by virtue of its excellent immediate effect, accurate positioning and high safety., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Neuromodulation for trigeminal pain syndromes such as trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) necessitates accurate localization of foramen ovale (FO). The Härtel-type approach is very well-established and safe, ideal for temporary cannulation of the FO for ablative procedures such as balloon microcompression. A key shortcoming of the Hartel approach for placement of neuromodulation leads is the limited opportunity for secure anchoring. The aim of this study is to introduce a novel surgical approach for the treatment of TNP by investigating key osseous landmarks and their spatial relationships to the FO., Materials and Methods: Sixteen sides of cadaver heads were dissected to investigate a surgical route of the FO via transoral gingival buccal approach. Alveolar arch of the maxilla and zygomaticomaxillary suture were selected to serve as an osseous landmark for the surgical guidance to the FO. Through the intraoral route, a needle simulating electrode was traversed to aim the FO from the inferior lateral to the superior medial direction to target specific fibers of the aimed division of the nerve., Results: Visual identification and access to the trigeminal nerve at the external opening of FO was successful in all 16 hemifacial cadavers. A needle successfully targeted different regions of the trigeminal nerve by changing the angle of the trajectory allowing the needle to reach a specific division of the trigeminal nerve., Conclusions: This study provides a novel means of approaching the FO via transoral gingival buccal access., (© 2020 International Neuromodulation Society.)

Background: We have been using computed tomography (CT) guidance for percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy (PGR) for the last 7 years. As a quality improvement exercise, we recently began using general anesthesia (GA) with the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) because of our perception that the procedure went faster and that there was less radiation exposure because of less patient movement. We aim to compare PGR radiation exposure and procedural time between patients receiving local anesthetic with sedation and those receiving GA/LMA., Methods: A single-center historical cohort study was performed using patients treated with PGR between 2017 and 2019. Ninety-two surgeries were conducted during the study period: 64 surgeries had local anesthetic with intravenous sedation, and 28 surgeries had deeper anesthetic with LMA. Data analyzed included the number of CT sequences obtained, needle placement time, and total radiation dose., Results: Use of GA/LMA resulted in a 23% decrease in mean radiation dose (565.5 vs. 436.1 μGy × cm, P = 0.014), number of CT sequences required (7.4 vs. 5.7, P = 0.003), and needle placement time (12.8 vs. 9.8 minutes, P = 0.006). Additionally, 10 patients underwent multiple glycerol rhizotomies during the collection period with both anesthetic types being used at least once. Seven of 10 patients (70.0%) had a reduction in total radiation dose, number of CT sequences obtained, and needle placement time when GA/LMA was used. There were no procedure- or anesthetic-related complications in this patient cohort., Conclusions: The use of GA/LMA during PGR is associated with decreased radiation exposure without increased anesthetic complications., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomic trajectory of the extracranial needle for percutaneous rhizotomy and correlate this with structures at risk during such a procedure., Methods: Six sides from 3 frozen fresh Caucasian heads were used in this study. Hartel anatomic landmarks for percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy procedures were used. A free hand technique was then used, and intraprocedural visualization of the needle was performed with fluoroscopy. When the procedure was completed, the face was dissected along with the needle pathway up to the foramen ovale in order to evaluate for any damaged structures., Results: On all sides, the needle passed lateral to the buccinator muscle and near the parotid duct to then pierce the superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle to enter the infratemporal fossa. This placed the needle near the buccal nerve on all sides, although no direct injury was noted. Although very near, no branches of the facial nerve or artery were damaged. On 1 side, the maxillary artery was pierced., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the detailed extracranial anatomic needle pathway using the Hartel approach. Such data might help surgeons better recognize potential complications from such procedures., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A wide variety of lesions may develop in the cavernous sinus region, including tumors or pseudotumors of inflammatory origin. Sometimes imaging is insufficient to ascertain a pathologic diagnosis. Percutaneous biopsy performed through the foramen ovale route may aid therapeutic decision making, avoiding unnecessary open surgery when lesions are confirmed to be nonsurgical or unresectable. We conducted a systematic review to determine the efficacy of percutaneous biopsy of cavernous sinus lesions., Method: A systematic search in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus yielded 4495 potentially eligible abstracts. Fourteen studies describing 75 biopsy procedures for lesions in the cavernous sinus region were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was diagnostic success. Data were analyzed according to standard systemic review techniques., Results: A diagnosis was obtained in 65 of the 75 cases described in the literature. Among all series, only 3 patients had permanent deficits. No individual studies reported mortality. The histopathologic evaluation revealed neoplastic diseases in 58 lesions. Meningiomas were found in 26 biopsy samples. Nonneoplastic diseases, originating from infectious, inflammatory, or deposition diseases, accounted for 6 biopsy samples., Conclusions: Percutaneous biopsy of cavernous sinus lesions is effective for diagnosis. Biopsy can be performed in patients with cavernous sinus masses, especially when neuroimaging fails to provide sufficient histopathologic data., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Identification and protection of the cochlea during anterior petrosectomy is key to prevent hearing loss. Currently, there is no optimal method to infer the position of the cochlea in relation to the Kawase quadrangle; therefore, damage to the cochlea during anterior petrosectomy remains a substantial risk., Objectives: To identify and define landmarks available during anterior petrosectomy to locate the cochlea and prevent its damage., Methods: The Kawase approach was simulated in 11 cadaveric specimens. After a subtemporal craniotomy, foramen spinosum and ovale were identified. Anterior petrosectomy was performed, and the upper dural transitional fold (UDTF) was identified. Two virtual lines, from foramen spinosum (line A), and the lateral rim of the foramen ovale (line B), were projected to intersect the UDTF perpendicularly. The cochlea was exposed, and the distances between lines A and B and the closest point of the outer rim and membranous part of the cochlea were measured., Results: The average distance between line A to the bony and membranous edges of the anteromedial cochlea was -0.62 ± 1.38 mm and 0.38 ± 1.63 mm, respectively. The average distance between line B to the bony and membranous edges of the cochlea was 1.82 ± 0.99 mm and 2.78 ± 1.29 mm, respectively. Line B (cochlear safety line) never intersected the cochlea., Conclusions: The cochlear safety line is a reliable landmark to avoid the cochlea during the Kawase approach. When expanding the anterior petrosectomy posteriorly, the cochlear safety line can be used as a reliable landmark to prevent exposure of the cochlea, thus preventing hearing loss., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Paradoxical embolism is rarely demonstrated, often suggested, and the diagnosis has been largely presumptive in most cases. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an important predisposing anatomic factor for such a complication. We describe a case where a voluminous thrombus straddling the PFO was diagnosed by echocardiography including the 3D modality, in the setting of acute massive pulmonary embolism. The treatment is not codified in this setting, and the thrombus was successfully removed by surgery, associated with PFO closure, and anticoagulation., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hypoxemia is a decrease in blood oxygen partial pressure. This work aims at presenting a practical conduct for patients with a lonely hypoxemia at rest or during exercise, defined by the absence of dyspnea at rest, obvious clinical or radiographic abnormality., State of the Art: Diagnostic tools available to the clinician are clinical examination, CT scan, echocardiography, hyperoxia test, trans cranial ultrasound and lung scintigraphy. This work proposes a practical diagnostic approach, with a main role of chest CT., Perspectives: Work is underway to determine more precisely the place of echocardiography for the diagnosis of intra or extra cardiac shunts., Conclusions: The finding of a lonely hypoxemia requires careful diagnostic approach to quickly rule out potentially serious causes and not to disregard the rare causes., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a rare clinical condition which must be examined as a differential diagnosis for any bout of faintness occurring during standing or dyspnea that is exacerbated by standing. This syndrome is often associated with a patent foramen ovale. Its physiopathology is not univocal and the association of many anatomical criteria seems to be mandatory. Contrast echocardiography confirms diagnosis and closure of the patent foramen ovale during interventional catheterization and is currently the therapeutic method of choice. After closure of the foramen ovale, clinical improvement is spectacular and durable., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: The occurrence of a floating thrombus in the right heart, although rare, is a life-threatening condition requiring a specific approach. In most cases, these thrombi are a result of embolization from deep venous thrombosis, and have lodged temporarily in the right heart. The management of this condition is variable, depending on whether or not there is a thrombus entrapped within a foramen ovale (FO)., Objectives: To present the management of 2 patients with a free-floating thrombus in the right heart, and a third patient with an entrapped thrombus in the FO., Case Reports: Two patients with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium who were treated with thrombolytic therapy had an immediate excellent outcome. The patient with a thrombus entrapped within the FO was scheduled for surgical removal of the thrombus due to an unacceptable risk of systemic embolization if treated with thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy. Unfortunately, he developed an ischemic stroke on the fifth day of presentation, just a few hours before the scheduled surgery, despite meticulous monitoring of continuous heparin infusion with activated partial thromboplastin time., Conclusion: Thrombolytic therapy is recommended in patients with a free-floating thrombus in the right heart. However, in patients with a thrombus entrapped within an FO, delaying surgical removal of the thrombus may be deleterious due to unpredictable systemic embolization., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Slaughter by puntilla followed by neck sticking was examined in 309 cattle, to assess the humaneness of this method. After the neck stab, brain and spinal function as well as presence of selected cognitive responses were measured. In addition breed, sex, live weight, body condition score, number of stabs given and level of experience of the slaughterman were recorded. Repeat stabbing was needed to penetrate the foramen ovale in 24% of the animals, and was significantly less frequent in slaughtermen who were experienced, and more frequent in heavy weight animals (>380 kg). Prevalence of brain and spinal function was 91%. When animals attempted to stand after the neck stab they were more likely to have rhythmic breathing, positive palpebral response and responsiveness to threat, noise and short air stimulus. These findings indicate that nerve pathways are often functional after neck stab and therefore it is highly likely that the animals are still conscious., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)