Search

The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of a decision-tree for head-CT indication in elderly patients presenting minor traumatic injuries MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre retrospective study was performed and analyses were based on emergency CT scans of all patients aged 65 and over who experienced minor head trauma due to falls. The primary judgement criteria was the diagnosis of a traumatic intracranial haemorrhagic lesion (tICH) depicted on the CT scan. Focal neurological deficit and history of tICH on a previous CT scan were used to create the decision-tree.A total of 1001 patients were included. Ninety-five (9.5%) had tICH on the CT scan. Of these patients, 42 (46.1%) had an abnormal Glasgow Coma Scale, 30 (31.6%) a focal neurological deficit and 13 (13.7%) a history of tICH on a previous CT scan. The presence of at least one of these 3 risk factors was associated with the occurrence of tICH (p0.001). The decision-tree developed from these risk factors allowed the appropriate classification of 63 of 95 patients (66.3%) with tICH. Undetected haemorrhagic lesions in patients with no clinical severity criteria evolved favourably. The decision-tree correctly identified 97% of patients without any tICH on the CT.Systematic head CT for elderly patients presenting minor head trauma could be irrelevant. A decision-tree based on objective clinical severity criteria for the indication of head CT could detect the majority of tICH requiring surgical intervention. Prospective randomized studies are mandatory to confirm these hypotheses.

Patients with pre-stroke disability, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3, were excluded from most trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute stroke. We sought to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with favorable outcome in stroke patients with known disability undergoing EVT, and the impact of successful reperfusion.Consecutive acute stroke patients with pre-stroke disability, undergoing EVT, were retrospectively collected between 2016 to 2019 from a Canadian cohort and a multicenter French cohort (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry-ETIS). Favorable outcome was defined as an mRS equal to pre-stroke mRS. Patients achieving successful reperfusion (defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b/3) were compared with patients without successful reperfusion to determine if successful EVT was associated with better functional outcomes.Among 6220 patients treated with EVT, 280 (4.5%) patients with a pre-stroke mRS ≥3 were included. Sixty-one patients (21.8%) had a favorable outcome and 146 (52.1%) died at 3 months. Patients with successful reperfusion had a higher proportion of favorable 90-day mRS (27.6% versus 19.6%, p = 0.025) and a lower mortality (48.3% versus 69.6%, p = 0.008) than patients without successful reperfusion. After adjusting for baseline prognostic factors, successful reperfusion defined by TICI ≥2b was associated with favorable functional outcome (OR 3.16 CI95% [1.11-11.5]; p 0.048).In patients with pre-stroke disability, successful reperfusion is associated with a greater proportion of favorable outcome and lower mortality.

The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the general population is high and aneurysms are usually asymptomatic. Their diagnosis is often fortuitous on MRI and might be difficult and time consuming for the radiologist. The purpose of this study was to develop a deep learning neural network tool for automated segmentation of intracranial arteries and automated detection of intracranial aneurysms from 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA).3D TOF-MRA with aneurysms were retrospectively extracted. All were confirmed with angiography. The data were divided into two sets: a training set of 24 examinations and a test set of 25 examinations. Manual annotations of intracranial blood vessels and aneurysms were performed by neuroradiologists. A double convolutional neuronal network based on the U-Net architecture with regularization was used to increase performance despite a small amount of training data. The performance was evaluated for the test set. Subgroup analyses according to size and location of aneurysms were performed.The average processing time was 15 min. Overall, the sensitivity and the positive predictive value of the proposed algorithm were 78% (21 of 27; 95% CI: 62-94) and 62% (21 of 34; 95%CI: 46-78) respectively, with 0.5 FP/case. Despite gradual improvement in sensitivity regarding aneurysm size, there was no significant difference of sensitivity detection between subgroups of size and location.This developed tool based on a double CNN with regularization trained with small dataset, enables accurate intracranial arteries segmentation as well as effective aneurysm detection on 3D TOF MRA.

OBJECTIVE The role of endovascular treatment in the management of patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains uncertain. AVM embolization can be offered as stand-alone curative therapy or prior to surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) (pre-embolization). The Treatment of Brain AVMs Study (TOBAS) is an all-inclusive pragmatic study that comprises two randomized trials and multiple registries. METHODS Results from the TOBAS curative and pre-embolization registries are reported. The primary outcome for this report is death or dependency (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score > 2) at last follow-up. Secondary outcomes include angiographic results, perioperative serious adverse events (SAEs), and permanent treatment-related complications leading to an mRS score > 2. RESULTS From June 2014 to May 2021, 1010 patients were recruited in TOBAS. Embolization was chosen as the primary curative treatment for 116 patients and pre-embolization prior to surgery or SRS for 92 patients. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were available in 106 (91%) of 116 and 77 (84%) of 92 patients, respectively. In the curative embolization registry, 70% of AVMs were ruptured, and 62% were low-grade AVMs (Spetzler-Martin grade I or II), while the pre-embolization registry had 70% ruptured AVMs and 58% low-grade AVMs. The primary outcome of death or disability (mRS score > 2) occurred in 15 (14%, 95% CI 8%–22%) of the 106 patients in the curative embolization registry (4 [12%, 95% CI 5%–28%] of 32 unruptured AVMs and 11 [15%, 95% CI 8%–25%] of 74 ruptured AVMs) and 9 (12%, 95% CI 6%–21%) of the 77 patients in the pre-embolization registry (4 [17%, 95% CI 7%–37%] of 23 unruptured AVMs and 5 [9%, 95% CI 4%–20%] of 54 ruptured AVMs) at 2 years. Embolization alone was confirmed to occlude the AVM in 32 (30%, 95% CI 21%–40%) of the 106 curative attempts and in 9 (12%, 95% CI 6%–21%) of 77 patients in the pre-embolization registry. SAEs occurred in 28 of the 106 attempted curative patients (26%, 95% CI 18%–35%, including 21 new symptomatic hemorrhages [20%, 95% CI 13%–29%]). Five of the new hemorrhages were in previously unruptured AVMs (n = 32; 16%, 95% CI 5%–33%). Of the 77 pre-embolization patients, 18 had SAEs (23%, 95% CI 15%–34%), including 12 new symptomatic hemorrhages [16%, 95% CI 9%–26%]). Three of the hemorrhages were in previously unruptured AVMs (3/23; 13%, 95% CI 3%–34%). CONCLUSIONS Embolization as a curative treatment for brain AVMs was often incomplete. Hemorrhagic complications were frequent, even when the specified intent was pre-embolization before surgery or SRS. Because the role of endovascular treatment remains uncertain, it should preferably, when possible, be offered in the context of a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE The Treatment of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Study (TOBAS) is a pragmatic study that includes 2 randomized trials and registries of treated or conservatively managed patients. The authors report the results of the surgical registry. METHODS TOBAS patients are managed according to an algorithm that combines clinical judgment and randomized allocation. For patients considered for curative treatment, clinicians selected from surgery, endovascular therapy, or radiation therapy as the primary curative method, and whether observation was a reasonable alternative. When surgery was selected and observation was deemed unreasonable, the patient was not included in the randomized controlled trial but placed in the surgical registry. The primary outcome of the trial was mRS score > 2 at 10 years (at last follow-up for the current report). Secondary outcomes include angiographic results, perioperative serious adverse events, and permanent treatment-related complications leading to mRS score > 2. RESULTS From June 2014 to May 2021, 1010 patients were recruited at 30 TOBAS centers. Surgery was selected for 229/512 patients (44%) considered for curative treatment; 77 (34%) were included in the surgery versus observation randomized trial and 152 (66%) were placed in the surgical registry. Surgical registry patients had 124/152 (82%) ruptured and 28/152 (18%) unruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), with the majority categorized as low-grade Spetzler-Martin grade I–II AVM (118/152 [78%]). Thirteen patients were excluded, leaving 139 patients for analysis. Embolization was performed prior to surgery in 78/139 (56%) patients. Surgical angiographic cure was obtained in 123/139 all-grade (89%, 95% CI 82%–93%) and 105/110 low-grade (95%, 95% CI 90%–98%) AVM patients. At the mean follow-up of 18.1 months, 16 patients (12%, 95% CI 7%–18%) had reached the primary safety outcome of mRS score > 2, including 11/16 who had a baseline mRS score ≥ 3 due to previous AVM rupture. Serious adverse events occurred in 29 patients (21%, 95% CI 15%–28%). Permanent treatment-related complications leading to mRS score > 2 occurred in 6/139 patients (4%, 95% CI 2%–9%), 5 (83%) of whom had complications due to preoperative embolization. CONCLUSIONS The surgical treatment of brain AVMs in the TOBAS registry was curative in 88% of patients. The participation of more patients, surgeons, and centers in randomized trials is needed to definitively establish the role of surgery in the treatment of unruptured brain AVMs. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02098252 (ClinicalTrials.gov)

Background Treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (b-AVM) carries a risk of iatrogenic injury to eloquent brain regions. Intraoperative neuro-monitoring (IONM) has increasingly been used to monitor spontaneous or evoked neural activity during neurosurgery, but its use is not as well characterized in the endovascular treatment (EVT) of b-AVMs. We aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting any neurological deficit after b-AVM embolization with IONM, with or without provocative test (PT), and no-IONM. Methods This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from conception until March 1, 2022 for studies evaluating EVT with IONM and PT. Primary outcome was the rate of postoperative neurological deficits in EVT with IONM versus no-IONM, while secondary outcome was the subanalysis of IONM with or without PT. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel–Haenszel method and random effects modeling. Results Six studies reached synthesis. Out of a total of 192 EVT, 14 events occurred. Results demonstrated a nonsignificant trend favoring IONM compared to no-IONM to prevent neurological deficits (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0–4.68). Among the EVT with IONM, PT was done in 411 branches with 10 events (0.2%) despite a negative PT. There was a nonsignificant trend favoring IONM plus PT compared to IONM without PT (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.02–1.07). Conclusions Our study suggests that b-AVM EVT with IONM plus PT might reduce rates of postprocedural neurological deficits compared with EVT without IONM. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

BackgroundThe number of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) passes is strongly associated with angiographic reperfusion as well as clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke. However, these associations have not been analyzed in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO). We investigated the influence of the number of MT passes on the degree of reperfusion and clinical outcomes, and compared outcome after ≤3 passes versus >3 passes.MethodsWe used data from the prospective multicentric Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry at 18 sites in France. Patients with BAO treated with MT were included. The primary outcome was a favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–3 at 90 days. We fit mixed multiple regression models, with center as a random effect.ResultsWe included 275 patients. Successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3) was achieved in 88.4%, and 41.8% had a favorable outcome. The odds ratio for favorable outcome with each pass above 1 was 0.41 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.73) and for recanalization (mTICI 2b-3) it was 0.70 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.87). In patients with ≤3 passes, the rate of favorable outcome in recanalized versus non-recanalized patients was 50.5% versus 10.0% (p=0.001), while in those with >3 passes it was 16.7% versus 15.2% (p=0.901).ConclusionsWe found that BAO patients had a significant relationship between the number of MT passes and both recanalization and favorable functional outcome. We further found that the benefit of recanalization in BAO patients was significant only when recanalization was achieved within three passes, encouraging at least three passes before stopping the procedure.

BackgroundEndovascular treatment (EVT) for basilar artery occlusions (BAO) is associated with a higher rate of futile recanalization compared with anterior circulation procedures. We aimed to identify the incidence and predictors of poor clinical outcome despite successful reperfusion in current clinical practice.MethodsWe used data from the ETIS (Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke) registry, a prospective multicenter observational registry of stroke treated with EVT in France. Patients undergoing EVT for acute BAO from January 2014 to May 2019 successfully treated within 8 hours from onset were included. Predictors of 90-day poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 4–6) were researched within patients with successful (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI 2b-3)) and excellent (mTICI 2c-3) reperfusion.ResultsAmong 242 patients treated within 8 hours, successful reperfusion was achieved in 195 (80.5%) and excellent reperfusion in 120 (49.5%). Poor outcome was observed in 107 (54.8%) and 60 (50%) patients, respectively. In patients with successful early reperfusion, age, higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, lower posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS), and absence of prior intravenous thrombolysis were independent predictors of poor outcome. The only treatment factor with an independent predictive value was first-pass mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion (adjusted OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.37, pConclusionsEarly successful reperfusion with EVT occurred in 80.5% of patients, and the only treatment-related factor predictive of clinical outcome was first pass mTICI 2b-3 reperfusion. Further research is warranted to identify the optimal techniques and devices associated with first pass reperfusion in the posterior circulation.

BackgroundPercutaneous treatments for spinal injury are underused by neuroradiologists and spine surgeons, mainly owing to a lack of data on indications.ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of vertebral body stenting (VBS) for post-traumatic A3.2 and A2 fractures (Magerl classification) and determine the factors that influence the improvements.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent VBS to treat a single traumatic thoracolumbar fracture from 2010 to 2019. Kyphosis, loss of vertebral body height (VBH), and clinical and functional outcomes (including the Visual Analog Scale pain score and Oswestry Disability Index) were assessed. We examined the overall effects of VBH in all patients by constructing a linear statistical model and evaluated whether the efficacy was dependent on the characteristics of the patients or fractures.ResultsWe included 63 patients comprising 44 A3.2 and 19 A2 fractures. No patient had worsening neurological symptoms or wound infection. The average rates of change were 67.1% (95% CI 59.1% to 75%) for kyphosis and 88.5% (95% CI 85.6% to 91.3%) for VBH (both pConclusionsThis large reported series on VBS validates this surgical treatment. All patients had improved kyphosis and restored VBH. We recommend using VBS rather than open surgery for A3.2 and A2 fractures at the thoracolumbar junction and in young patients.

Background The methodology of measuring chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) extent and its effect on intracranial structures is relevant for patient classification and outcome measurements and affects the external validity of cSDH studies. With embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) as a possible treatment of cSDHs, the topic has gained substantial interest. We sought to summarize the heterogeneity of radiologic measurements, specifically in the evaluation of cSDHs based on literature review. Methods In this review, we identified and described the most common radiological methodologies for measurements of cSDH thickness, cSDH volume and of midline shift. Conclusion There are numerous published methods on how to evaluate cSDH thickness, cSDH volume and midline shift but no common standard. The definition of measurement methods and reporting standards for MMA embolization in cSDH patients and their validation needs to be addressed.

Background and purpose Flow diverters are considered as an essential tool in the stent-based treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. We report here a subgroup analysis of the nationwide prospective DIVERSION study to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Silk flow diverter at 12 months follow-up. Methods We performed a subgroup analysis of patients included in the DIVERSION, a national prospective cohort study including all flow diverters placement between 2012 and 2014 in France, and treated with the Silk. The primary outcome was the morbi-mortality at 12 months, including death, morbidity event and aneurysm retreatment within 12 months post-treatment. All reported serious events were adjudicated by an independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board. Satisfactory occlusion was defined as 3 or 4 on Kamran's scale by an independent imaging core laboratory during follow-up. Results A total of 102 procedures involving 101 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 54.3 ± 13.5 years) harbouring 118 aneurysms (113/118 located in the anterior circulation; mean size 8.2 ± 7.1 mm) were included. During the 12-month follow-up, 34 (33.3%) procedures experienced at least one morbi-mortality event: 3 deaths, 27 morbidity events and 4 retreatments. Overall, 1/3 deaths and 10/27 morbidity events were related to the device and/or the procedure, leading to a specific survival rate and a specific free-morbidity survival rate at 12 months of 98.98% [95% confidence interval, 92.98%–99.86%] and 89.73% [95%CI, 81.71%–94.36%], respectively. The rate of permanent-related neurological deficit was 5.9% within 12 months. One year follow-up imaging showed satisfactory occlusion in 82.2% of cases. Conclusion Flow diversion with the Silk device has a reasonable safety and effectiveness profile for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-ine-10.1177_15910199231157926 for A novel histological occlusion classification for coiled aneurysms based on multiphoton microscopy by Szatmary Zoltan, Cortese Jonathan, Mounier Jeremy and Perrin Marie-Laure, Janot Kevin, Couquet Claude, Aurélien Le Flahec, Leger-Bretou Claire, Mounayer Charbel, Rouchaud Aymeric, Sylvia M Bardet in Interventional Neuroradiology

International audience; Background and purpose: Cerebral hypoperfusion has been reported in patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations in small cohorts. We aimed to systematically assess changes in cerebral perfusion in a cohort of 59 of these patients, with or without abnormalities on morphological MRI sequences.Methods: Patients with biologically-confirmed COVID-19 and neurological manifestations undergoing a brain MRI with technically adequate arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion were included in this retrospective multicenter study. ASL maps were jointly reviewed by two readers blinded to clinical data. They assessed abnormal perfusion in four regions of interest in each brain hemisphere: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, posterior temporal lobe, and temporal pole extended to the amygdalo-hippocampal complex.Results: Fifty-nine patients (44 men (75%), mean age 61.2 years) were included. Most patients had a severe COVID-19, 57 (97%) needed oxygen therapy and 43 (73%) were hospitalized in intensive care unit at the time of MRI. Morphological brain MRI was abnormal in 44 (75%) patients. ASL perfusion was abnormal in 53 (90%) patients, and particularly in all patients with normal morphological MRI. Hypoperfusion occurred in 48 (81%) patients, mostly in temporal poles (52 (44%)) and frontal lobes (40 (34%)). Hyperperfusion occurred in 9 (15%) patients and was closely associated with post-contrast FLAIR leptomeningeal enhancement (100% [66.4%-100%] of hyperperfusion with enhancement versus 28.6% [16.6%-43.2%] without, p=0.002). Studied clinical parameters (especially sedation) and other morphological MRI anomalies had no significant impact on perfusion anomalies.Conclusion: Brain ASL perfusion showed hypoperfusion in more than 80% of patients with severe COVID-19, with or without visible lesion on conventional MRI abnormalities.

Background: Management of extracranial internal carotid artery steno-occlusive lesion during endovascular therapy remains debated. Stent occlusion within 24 hours of endovascular therapy is a frequent event after acute carotid artery stenting, and we currently lack large population results. We investigated the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of stent occlusion after acute carotid artery stenting in current clinical practice. Methods: Patients treated by endovascular therapy with acute carotid artery stenting between 2015 and 2019 in 5 large-volume endovascular-capable centers were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were separated in 2 groups according to the stent patency at 24 hours after carotid artery stenting. We compared baseline characteristics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcome depending on 24-hour stent patency. Primary end point was favorable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 at 3 months. Results: A stent occlusion was observed in 47/225 patients (20.9%). Patients with stent patency had a lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (median [interquartile range]: 13 [7–17] versus 18 [12–21]) and had more often stroke of atherothrombotic origin (77.0% versus 53.2%). A higher stent patency rate was found for patients treated with P2Y 12 antagonists at the acute phase (odds ratio [OR]‚ 2.95 [95% CI‚ 1.10–7.91]; P =0.026) and treated with angioplasty (OR‚ 2.42 [95% CI‚ 1.24–4.67]; P =0.008). A better intracranial angiographic reperfusion was observed in patients with 24-hour stent patency compared with patients without stent patency (OR‚ 8.38 [95% CI‚ 3.07–22.78]; P P P =0.009). Conclusions: One out of 5 patients treated with carotid artery stenting during endovascular therapy presented a stent occlusion within 24 hours. This event was associated with worse functional outcome. Stroke etiology, P2Y 12 antagonist administration, quality of intracranial reperfusion, and angioplasty were associated with 24-hour stent patency.

BackgroundIntravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for proximal occlusions has recently been questioned through randomized trials. However, few patients with M2 occlusions were included. We investigated the influence of prior IVT for patients presenting M2 occlusions treated with MT in comparison with MT alone.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry, a multicenter observational study. Data from consecutive patients treated with MT for M2 occlusions between January 2015 and January 2022 at 26 comprehensive stroke centers were analyzed. The primary endpoint was 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2. Outcomes were compared using propensity score approaches. We also performed sensitivity analysis in relevant subgroups of patients.ResultsAmong 1132 patients with M2 occlusions treated with MT, 570 received prior IVT. The two groups were comparable after propensity analysis. The rate of favorable functional outcome was significantly higher in the IVT+MT group compared with the MT alone group (59.8% vs 44.7%; adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.75, P=0.008). Hemorrhagic and procedural complications were similar in both groups. In sensitivity analysis excluding patients with anticoagulation treatment, favorable recanalization was more frequent in the IVT+MT group (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.70, P=0.004).ConclusionsIn cases of M2 occlusions, prior IVT combined with MT resulted in better functional outcome than MT alone, without increasing the rate of hemorrhagic or procedural complications. These results suggest the benefit of IVT in patients undergoing MT for M2 occlusions.

Background Whether thrombectomy alone is equally as effective as intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy remains controversial. We aimed to determine whether thrombectomy alone would be non-inferior to intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy in patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, open-label, blinded-outcome trial in Europe and Canada, we recruited patients with stroke due to large vessel occlusion confirmed with CT or magnetic resonance angiography admitted to endovascular centres. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a centralised web server using a deterministic minimisation method to receive stent-retriever thrombectomy alone or intravenous alteplase plus stent-retriever thrombectomy. In both groups, thrombectomy was initiated as fast as possible with any commercially available Solitaire stent-retriever revascularisation device (Medtronic, Irvine, CA, USA). In the combined treatment group, intravenous alteplase (0.9 mg/kg bodyweight, maximum dose 90 mg per patient) was administered as early as possible after randomisation for 60 min with 10% of the calculated dose given as an initial bolus. Personnel assessing the primary outcome were masked to group allocation; patients and treating physicians were not. The primary binary outcome was a score of 2 or less on the modified Rankin scale at 90 days. We assessed the non-inferiority of thrombectomy alone versus intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy in all randomly assigned and consenting patients using the one-sided lower 95% confidence limit of the Mantel-Haenszel risk difference, with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 12%. The main safety endpoint was symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage assessed in all randomly assigned and consenting participants. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03192332, and is closed to new participants. Findings Between Nov 29, 2017, and May 7, 2021, 5215 patients were screened and 423 were randomly assigned, of whom 408 (201 thrombectomy alone, 207 intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy) were included in the primary efficacy analysis. A modified Rankin scale score of 0-2 at 90 days was reached by 114 (57%) of 201 patients assigned to thrombectomy alone and 135 (65%) of 207 patients assigned to intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy (adjusted risk difference -7 .3%, 95% CI -16.6 to 2.1, lower limit of one-sided 95% CI -15.1%, crossing the non-inferiority margin of - 12%). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in five (2%) of 201 patients undergoing thrombectomy alone and seven (3%) of 202 patients receiving intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy ( risk difference -1.0%, 95% CI -4.8 to 2 .7). Successful reperfusion was less common in patients assigned to thrombectomy alone (182 [ 91%] of 201 vs 199 [96%] of 207, risk difference -5.1%, 95% CI -10.2 to 0. 0, p=0.047). Interpretation Thrombectomy alone was not shown to be non-inferior to intravenous alteplase plus thrombectomy and resulted in decreased reperfusion rates. These results do not support omitting intravenous alteplase before thrombectomy in eligible patients. Copyright (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This magnetic resonance imaging study examined the most frequent anatomical variants of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) complex of the cerebral arterial circle, and aimed to determine whether they were associated with ACoA complex aneurysm. The study enrolled 669 patients. Using three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, 617 patients were classified into the following groups based on the anatomical variation in the ACoA complex: no ACoA complex anomaly; ACoA complex aneurysm; and vascular anomaly distant from the cerebral arterial circle. Of the 617 classified subjects, the classical anatomical description applied to 48.73% in the no ACoA complex anomaly group and 37.5% in the ACoA complex aneurysm group. One variant (left anterior cerebral artery segment A1 hypoplasia) was significantly more frequent in the ACoA complex aneurysm group. There was no sex difference in the prevalence of any variant. Anatomical variants of the ACoA complex of the cerebral arterial circle were found in almost half of the subjects. One variant seemed to be associated with a higher likelihood of an aneurysm, but causality could not be inferred.

BackgroundWEB Shape Modification (WSM) over time is frequent after aneurysm treatment. In this study, we explored the relationship between histopathological changes and angiographic evolution over time in experimental aneurysms in rabbits treated with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) procedure.MethodsQuantitative WSM was assessed using flat-panel computed tomography (FPCT) during follow-up by calculating height and width ratio (HR, WR), defined as the ratio between either measurement at an index time point and the measurement immediately after WEB implantation. The index time point varied from 1 day to 6 months. HR and WR were evaluated with angiographic and histopathological assessments of aneurysm healing.ResultsFinal HR of devices varied from 0.30 to 1.02 and final WR varied from 0.62 to 1.59. Altogether, at least 5% of HR and WR variations were observed in 37/40 (92.5%) and 28/40 (70%) WEB devices, respectively, at the time of final assessment. There was no significant correlation between complete or incomplete occlusion groups and HR or WR (p=0.15 and p=0.43). Histopathological analysis revealed a significant association between WR and aneurysm healing and fibrosis 1 month following aneurysm treatment (both pConclusionUsing longitudinal FPCT assessment, we observed that WSM affects both the height and width of the WEB device. No significant association was found between WSM and aneurysm occlusion status. Although presumably a multifactorial phenomenon, the histopathological analysis highlighted a significant association between width variations, aneurysm healing and fibrosis in the first month following aneurysm treatment.

BackgroundThere is no consensus on the treatment for spinal injuries resulting in thoracolumbar fractures without neurological impairment. Many trauma centers are opting for open surgery rather than a neurointerventional approach combining posterior percutaneous short fixation (PPSF) plus balloon kyphoplasty (BK).ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of PPSF+BK and to estimate the expected improvement by clarifying the factors that influence improvement.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PPSF+BK for the treatment of single traumatic thoracolumbar fractures from 2007 to 2019. Kyphosis, loss of vertebral body height (VBH), clinical and functional outcomes including visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index were assessed. We examined the overall effects in all patients by constructing a linear statistical model, and then examined whether efficacy was dependent on the characteristics of the patients or the fractures.ResultsA total of 102 patients were included. No patient experienced neurological worsening or wound infections. The average rates of change were 74.4% (95% CI 72.6% to 76.1%) for kyphosis and 85.5% (95% CI 84.4% to 86.6%) for VBH (both pConclusionsThis is the largest series reported to date and confirms and validates this surgical treatment. All patients exhibited improved kyphosis and restoration of VBH. We advise opting for this technique rather than open surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial hemorrhage represents a severe complication of brain arteriovenous malformation treatment. The aim of this cohort was to report the rate of hemorrhagic complications after transvenous endovascular embolization and analyze the potential angioarchitectural risk factors as well as clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During an 11-year period, 57 patients underwent transvenous endovascular embolization. All cases of hemorrhagic complications were identified. We analyzed the following variables: sex, age, hemorrhagic presentation, Spetzler-Martin grade, size of the AVM before the transvenous treatment, number of venous collectors, pattern of drainage, presence of dilated veins, and technical aspects. Univariate and multivariate multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate the potential risk factors for procedure-related hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic complications (either intraprocedural or periprocedural) unrelated to a perforation due to micronavigation occurred in 8 (14.0%) procedures. Significant (mRS > 2) and persistent neurologic deficits were present in 2 (3.5%) patients at 6-month control. Larger nidi, especially >3 cm (P = .03), and a larger number of venous collectors have shown a statistically significant correlation with hemorrhagic complications. Only the number of venous collectors was identified as an independent predictor of hemorrhagic complications in the multivariate analysis (OR, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–58.2) (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Larger nidus sizes and an increased number of venous collectors may increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications when implementing transvenous endovascular treatment of AVMs. The technique is effective and promising, especially with small nidi and single venous collectors.

Background and purpose Pre-surgical embolization of large intracranial meningioma has been demonstrated to decrease blood loss and to improve the resectability of the tumor. Few reports have evaluated the risk and benefits of using Onyx in this indication. The objective of our study was to assess the efficiency and safety of pre-surgical embolization in a consecutive series of intracranial meningioma using Onyx. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients treated from 2010 to 2018 with pre-surgical embolization with Onyx for intracranial histologically-proven meningioma. Safety was evaluated by a report of the complications related to the procedure while efficacy was assessed on angiographic and histopathologic criteria. Results Forty-four meningioma in 44 patients treated with pre-surgical embolization were included in this study. Proximal artery occlusion was obtained in 97.6% (41/42) of the cases and good intra-tumoral penetration was achieved in 75.6% (31/41). Embolic agent inside blood vessels was identified in 63.5% (28/44) of cases. Embolization-induced necrosis was present in 79.6% (35/44) of cases. Six complications have been encountered (13.6%); 3 were stated as minor complications (6.8%) and 3 as major occurring in case of trans-ophthalmic route (6.8%). Conclusions The present work is to date the largest study to evaluate intracranial meningioma embolization using Onyx. Onyx's allowed good intra-tumoral penetration and proximal artery occlusion in most cases but carries a higher risk of complication in case of ophthalmic supply.

Background and Purpose Patients with acute ischemic stroke, proximal vessel occlusion and a large ischemic core at presentation are commonly not considered for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We tested the hypothesis that in patients with baseline large infarct cores, identification of remaining penumbral tissue using perfusion imaging would translate to better outcomes after MT.Methods This was a multicenter, retrospective, core lab adjudicated, cohort study of adult patients with proximal vessel occlusion, a large ischemic core volume (diffusion weighted imaging volume ≥70 mL), with pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging perfusion, treated with MT (2015 to 2018) or medical care alone (controls; before 2015). Primary outcome measure was 3-month favorable outcome (defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 0–3). Core perfusion mismatch ratio (CPMR) was defined as the volume of critically hypo-perfused tissue (Tmax >6 seconds) divided by the core volume. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors that were independently associated with clinical outcomes. Outputs are displayed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).Results A total of 172 patients were included (MT n=130; Control n=42; mean age 69.0±15.4 years; 36% females). Mean core-volume and CPMR were 102.3±36.7 and 1.8±0.7 mL, respectively. As hypothesized, receiving MT was associated with increased probability of favorable outcome and functional independence, as CPMR increased, a difference becoming statistically significant above a mismatch-ratio of 1.72. Similarly, receiving MT was also associated with favorable outcome in the subgroup of 74 patients with CPMR >1.7 (aOR, 8.12; 95% CI, 1.24 to 53.11; P=0.028). Overall (prior to stratification by CPMR) 73 (42.4%) patients had a favorable outcome at 3 months, with no difference amongst groups.Conclusions In patients currently deemed ineligible for MT due to large infarct ischemic cores at baseline, CPMR identifies a subgroup strongly benefiting from MT. Prospective studies are warranted.

Fall of the elderly person is a public health problem. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the relevance of systematically performing in emergency a computed tomography (CT) scan for fall in the elderly person, to identify specific criteria predicting the appearance of lesions.We performed a retrospective analysis of 500 consecutive patients aged 65 and over, who underwent an emergency head CT scan for fall from their height. Outcome at the end of the acute care, clinico-biological data and delays between trauma an d CT were collected, and crossed with a detection of head lesion on the CT scan.Of 500 patients, 38 (7.6%) had traumatic lesions depicted on the CT scan and 267 (53.4%) were hospitalized after the CT scan. Three (0.6%) had been operated for urgent head surgery. Nine of the 38 (23.6%) patients with traumatic lesion returned home. Presence of a lesion depicted on the CT scan was not correlated with the orientation of the patient (P 0.0001). Post-traumatic injury was significantly associated with male sex (RR = 2.19, P = 0.0217), consciousness impairment (RR = 1.56, P 0.0001), focal neurological deficit (RR = 6.36, P = 0.0362) and past history of post-traumatic brain injury (RR = 7.17, P = 0.0027). Anticoagulant therapy was not associated with increased risk of traumatic lesions (P = 0.3315). ROC analysis determined that a 5-hours time-interval between head trauma and CT allowed optimal detection of lesions.The systematic indication of an emergency head CT scan for fall in elderly patients presents a low diagnostic and therapeutic yield and is not relevant. Male sex, consciousness impairment, focal neurological deficit, past history of post-traumatic brain injury and time-interval between head trauma and CT are statistically related to the presence of lesions and should therefore be taken into account.

Evaluation of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) treatment success relies on radiologic measures, in particular hematoma volume, width and midline shift (MLS). Nevertheless, there are no validated standards for MLS measurement in cSDH. Aim of this study was to identify the most reliable measurement location and technique for MLS.Admission CT scans of 57 patients with unilateral cSDH were retrospectively analyzed. Axial slices were evaluated by 4 raters with MLS measurement in 4 locations, foramen of Monro (FM), thalamus (Th), mid-septum pellucidum (SP), maximum overall MLS (max) with 2 different techniques: displacement perpendicular to anatomical (ideal) midline (MLS-M), and displacement relative to the tabula interna in relation to the width of the intracranial space (MLS-T). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess interrater reliability and agreement of MLS‑M and MLS‑T measurement techniques. Measurements of cSDH volume and width were conducted for further data alignment.The ICCs between readers were excellent ( 0.9) for all MLS‑M locations and for MLS-T_Th and ML-T_FM. The ICC was higher for MLS‑M than for MLS‑T in all locations. MLS-M_max showed the highest correlation coefficient of 0.78 with cSDH volume. Variance of MLS-M_max was explained in 64% of cases (adj. R squared) by cSDH volume based on a simple linear regression model. An increase of 10 ml cSDH volume resulted in an average increase of 0.8 mm MLS-M_max.The MLS measurement in cSDH patients should be standardized, and due to its high interrater reliability, the MLS‑M technique should be preferred.

BackgroundEmergent carotid artery stenting (eCAS) is performed during mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion. However, the optimal management strategy in this setting is still unclear.ObjectiveTo carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of eCAS in patients with tandem occlusion.MethodsSystematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from January 1, 2004 to March 7, 2022 for studies evaluating eCAS and no-stenting approach in patients with stroke with tandem occlusion. Primary endpoint was the 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0–2; secondary outcomes were (1) symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), (2) recurrent stroke, (3) successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b–3), (4) embolization in new territories, and (5) restenosis rate. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects modeling.ResultsForty-six studies reached synthesis. eCAS was associated with higher good functional outcome compared with the no-stenting approach (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.95), despite a significantly increased risk of sICH (OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.15), and higher successful recanalization rate (OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.85). Restenosis rate was lower in the eCAS group than in the no-stenting group (2% vs 9%, p=0.001). Recanalization rate was higher in retrograde than antegrade eCAS (OR=0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.93). Intraprocedural antiplatelets during eCAS were associated with higher rate of good functional outcome (60% vs 46%, p=0.016) and lower rate of sICH (7% vs 11%; p=0.08) compared with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.ConclusionsIn observational studies, eCAS seems to be associated with higher good functional outcome than no-stenting in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion, despite the higher risk of sICH. Dedicated trials are needed to confirm these results.

BackgroundGeometrical parameters, including arterial bifurcation angle, tortuosity, and arterial diameters, have been associated with the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these parameters were present before or if they resulted from IA formation and growth.MethodsPatients from nine academic centers were retrospectively identified if they presented with a de novo IA or a significant IA growth on subsequent imaging. For each patient, geometrical parameters were extracted using a semi-automated algorithm and compared between bifurcations with IA formation or growth (aneurysmal group), and their contralateral side without IA (control group). These parameters were compared at two different times using univariable models, multivariable models, and a sensitivity analysis with paired comparison.Results46 patients were included with 21 de novo IAs (46%) and 25 significant IA growths (54%). The initial angle was not different between the aneurysmal and control groups (129.7±42.1 vs 119.8±34.3; p=0.264) but was significantly wider at the final stage (140.4±40.9 vs 121.5±34.1; p=0.032), with a more important widening of the aneurysmal angle (10.8±15.8 vs 1.78±7.38; p=0.001). Variations in other parameters were not significant. These results were confirmed by paired comparisons.ConclusionOur study suggests that wider bifurcation angles that have long been deemed causal factors for IA formation or growth may be secondary to IA formation at pathologic bifurcation sites. This finding has implications for our understanding of IA formation pathophysiology.

To report the occurrence of non-ischemic cerebral enhancing (NICE) lesions following mechanical thrombectomy (MT) through the retrospective French nationwide registry of NICE lesions. All thrombectomy capable stroke centers (TSC) in France were invited to fill out a questionnaire disseminated through a trainee-led research network (JENI-RC: Jeunes en Neuroradiologie Interventionnelle-Research Collaborative). NICE lesions were defined according to previous literature as delayed onset punctate, nodular, or annular foci enhancements with peri-lesion edema and vascular distribution in the territory of the MT with no other confounding disease. All 43 TSC French centers responded. Three patients were reported by 3 different centers over a total of 34,824 MT (2015-2020). Patient no. 1 developed symptomatic NICE lesions 8 weeks after MT with combination of aspiration and stentriever for a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Patient no. 2 developed asymptomatic NICE lesions 5 weeks after MT with direct thromboaspiration for a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Patient no. 3 developed symptomatic NICE lesions 6 weeks after MT with direct thromboaspiration, and combination of aspiration and stentriever for a basilar artery occlusion. This study provides evidence that NICE lesions following MT are a possible rare complication with a similar presentation as previously described following endovascular aneurysm treatment. Both radiologists and neurologists should be aware of this adverse event and make use of MRI contrast agents in case of unexplained symptoms/images during follow-up after MT.

Background and Purpose: Approximately half of the patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion do not achieve functional independence despite successful reperfusion. We aimed to determine influence of reperfusion strategy (bridging therapy, intravenous thrombolysis alone, or mechanical thrombectomy alone) on clinical outcomes in this population. Methods: From ongoing, prospective, multicenter, observational Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke registry in France, all patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who achieved successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3) following reperfusion therapy were included. Primary end point was favorable outcome, defined as 90-day modified Rankin Scale score ≤2. Patient groups were compared using those treated with bridging therapy as reference. Differences in baseline characteristics were reduced after propensity score-matching, with a maximum absolute standardized difference of 14% for occlusion site. Results: Among 1872 patients included, 970 (51.8%) received bridging therapy, 128 (6.8%) received intravenous thrombolysis alone, and the remaining 774 (41.4%) received MT alone. The rate of favorable outcome was comparable between groups. Excellent outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0–1) was achieved more frequently in the bridging therapy group compared with the MT alone (odds ratio after propensity score-matching, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.50–0.96]). Regarding safety outcomes, hemorrhagic complications were similar between the groups, but 90-day mortality was significantly higher in the MT alone group compared with the bridging therapy group (odds ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.09–2.37]). Conclusions: This real-world observational study of patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion demonstrated a similar rate of favorable outcome following successful reperfusion with different therapeutic strategies. However, our results suggest that bridging therapy compared with MT alone is significantly associated with excellent clinical outcome and lower mortality. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03776877.