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Background: Venous sinus stenosis (VSS) stenting has emerged as an effective treatment for patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). However, stenting carries risk of in-stent stenosis/thrombosis and cumulative bleeding risk from long-term dual antiplatelet (DAPT) use. Thus, we investigated the potential safety and efficacy of primary balloon angioplasty as an alternative to stenting in IIH., Methods: A prospectively maintained single-center registry of IIH patients undergoing endovascular procedures was queried. Inclusion criteria included patients with confirmed IIH and angiographically demonstrable VSS who underwent interventions from 2012- 2021. Patients were dichotomized into primary balloon angioplasty (Group A) and primary stenting (Group S), comparing clinical outcomes using bivariate analyses., Results: 62 patients were included with median age of 33 [IQR 26-37], 74% females. Group A (9/62) and Group S (53/62) had similar baseline characteristics. Papilledema improvement was higher in Group S at 6 weeks and 6 months (44 vs. 93, p = 0.002 and 44 vs. 92%, p = 0.004), with similar improvements across all symptoms. Group S had higher mean post-procedure venous pressure gradient change (8 vs. 3 mmHg, p = 0.02) and a lower CSF opening pressure at 6 months (23 vs. 36 cmH2O, p < 0.001). VPS rescue rate was higher in Group A (44 vs. 2%, p = 0.001). There was only one procedural complications; a subdural hematoma in Group A., Conclusions: Primary VSS balloon angioplasty provides a marginal and short-lived improvement of IIH symptoms compared to stenting. These findings suggest a cautious and limited role for short-term rescue angioplasty in poor shunting and stenting candidates with refractory IIH.

Introduction: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a promising new treatment for patients with chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). Its efficacy, however, upon the subtype with a high rate of recurrence-septated cSDH-remains undetermined., Methods: From our prospective registry of patients with cSDH treated with MMAE, we classified patients based on the presence or absence of septations. The primary outcome was the rate of recurrence of cSDH. Secondary outcomes included a reduction in cSDH thickness, midline shift, and rate of reoperation., Results: Among 80 patients with 99 cSDHs, the median age was 68 years (IQR 59-77) with 20% females. Twenty-eight cSDHs (35%) had septations identified on imaging. Surgical evacuation with burr holes was performed in 45% and craniotomy in 18.8%. Baseline characteristics between no-septations (no-SEP) and septations (SEP) groups were similar except for median age (SEP vs no-SEP, 72.5 vs. 65.5, p   = 0.016). The recurrence rate was lower in the SEP group (SEP vs. no-SEP, 3 vs. 16.7%, p = 0.017) with higher odds of response from MMAE for septated lesions even when controlling for evacuation strategy and antithrombotic use (OR = 0.06, CI [0.006-0.536], p = 0.012). MMAE resulted in higher mean absolute thickness reduction (SEP vs. no-SEP, -8.2 vs. -4.8 mm, p = 0.016) with a similar midline shift change. The rate of reoperation did not differ (6.2 vs. 3.1%, p = 0.65)., Conclusion: MMAE appears to be equal to potentially more effective in preventing the recurrence of cSDH in septated lesions. These findings may aid in patient selection.

Introduction: The Sofia 6-French PLUS catheter is a recently approved aspiration catheter for use in neuro-endovascular procedures. The description of Sofia 6-French PLUS use in acute ischemic stroke is limited., Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe our initial experience with the new Sofia 6-French PLUS catheter for treatment of acute ischemic stroke and to report on its safety and efficacy., Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 54 thrombectomy cases treated with the Sofia 6-French PLUS catheter. Mean patient age and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were 65.30 (1.92) and 15.98 (0.89), respectively. The most common sites of vessel occlusion included the M1 segment (50%) and internal carotid artery (31%). Thrombectomy was performed using the direct aspiration first pass technique and/or aspiration in conjunction with a stent retriever., Results: Successful navigation of the Sofia 6-French PLUS catheter to the site of thromboembolus was achieved in 94% of cases. Revascularization was achieved in a total of 47 cases (87%). Mean time from groin access to revascularization was 42.79 (3.23) min. There were no catheter-related complications. Final outcome data was available for 44 patients (81%). Of these patients, 41% achieved a good outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0-2) at 60-90 day follow-up, 41% had a poor outcome (modified Rankin 3-5) and eight patients died (18%)., Conclusions: We demonstrate the safe and effective use of the Sofia 6-French PLUS catheter for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Future studies in the form of a randomized clinical trial or multicenter registry are warranted to further evaluate its comparative safety and efficacy.

Purpose The Apollo Onyx Delivery Microcatheter (Ev3, Irvine, CA) is a detachable-tip microcatheter that was developed to reduce the risk of microcatheter entrapment during ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) embolizations. We report our experience with the microcatheter in a variety of neurointerventional procedures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all Onyx embolizations performed in the head, neck, and spine using the Apollo Onyx Delivery Microcatheter from its introduction at our institution in July 2014 to August 2016. Information regarding patient diagnoses, procedural details, as well as clinical outcomes were obtained from the electronic medical record, procedure reports, and relevant angiographic imaging. Results A total of 58 arterial pedicle Onyx embolizations were performed in 37 patients. There were no cases of microcatheter entrapment, early/inadvertent tip detachment, or vessel injury upon removal of the device. There were two instances (3.5%) of leakage of Onyx from the microcatheter detachment site during embolization, which did not result in adverse sequelae. Clinical outcomes were excellent, with nearly all embolizations achieving the intended goal. In multivariate analysis, length of Onyx reflux along the microcatheter tip and utilization of a higher viscosity agent, Onyx 34, were significantly associated with tip detachment. Conclusion The use of the Apollo Microcatheter is both safe and effective during neurointerventional embolizations using Onyx. Leakage of liquid embolic agent from the detachment site is an infrequent technical complication that may be encountered with the device.