Characteristics of collateral circulation in adult moyamoya disease based on modified Suzuki staging / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics of collateral circulation in adult moyamoya disease (MMD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data were collected from all adult patients with MMD undergoing digital subtractive angiography (DSA) in our department from 2006 to 2016. Based on the imaging findings, the patients were divided into ischemia group and bleeding group. A double-blind analysis was conducted of the CT or magnetic resonance imaging findings and the severity of the disease was graded using the modified Suzuki score (mSS). We classified the anastomotic networks in MMD into the superficial meningeal type and deep parenchymal type. The superficial meningeal type was further classified into the leptomeningeal and the durocortical networks, and the deep parenchymal networks into subependymal networks and the inner striatal and inner thalamic networks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in the distribution of mSS scores between the hemorrhage group and the ischemic group (Χ=5.812, v=5, P=0.325), but the posterior communicating artery and internal carotid artery diameter ratio (Pcom/ICA ratio) was significantly greater in the hemorrhage group (t=2.119, v=108, P=0.036). The Pcom/ICA ratio differed significantly among the groups with different mSS scores (f=8.924, P=0.00), higher in groups with mSS scores of 3, 4 and 5. The incidence of anterior choroidal artery dilation differed significantly between hemorrhage and ischemic groups (Χ=11.79, P=0.001). The incidences of durocortical networks (Χ=0.327, P=0.567) and subependymal networks (Χ=0.011, P=0.917) were comparable between hemorrhage group and ischemic groups, but the incidence of leptomeningeal networks (P=0.018) and inner striatal and inner thalamic networks (Χ=7.551, P=0.006) differed significantly between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The collateral circulation vascular system is an important component of cerebral blood flow in MMD patients and varies from patient to patient. Patients with MMD exhibit increased Pcom/ICA ratio with abnormal expansion of the anterior choroidal artery, and the leptomeningeal networks and the inner striatal and inner thalamic networks are independent risk factors for cerebral hemorrhage.</p>

Efficacy and safety of Willis covered stent for treatment of blood blister-like aneurysm / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of Willis covered stent for treatment of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight patients with BBA were treated with Willis covered stent system during the period from December 2014 to February 2016. The guiding catheter was placed as high as possible to facilitate the delivery of the covered stent system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s Nine covered stents were implanted in the aneurysms of 8 patients (8 aneurysms), and 8 stents were released successfully in the parent arteries. In 6 patients, angiography immediately after stent release showed complete disappearance of the aneurysm and the parent arteries remained patent. One patient experienced a minor endoleak after stent implantation, and another stent was implanted to eliminate the endoleak. Iatrogeniccarotid-cavernous fistula occurred in 1 patient due to tortuosity of the parent artery, for which superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass combined with parent artery occlusion was performed instead; the patient recovered smoothly and the bypass remained patent at 6 months after the operation. No other periprocedural complications occurred in these patients. Follow-up study showed no new-onset neurological deficits in these 8 patients, who had mRS score of 0 in 6 patients and of 1 in 2 patients. Digital subtractive angiography at 6 months after the operation demonstrated no aneurysm in these patients, and only one patient showed mild stenosis in the parent artery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Willis covered stents are effective for treatment of BBA with good safety and short-term outcomes.</p>

Onyx embolization for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula: comparison of long- distance versus routine injection method / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy, clinical characteristics, safety, injection time and radiation exposure of Onyx embolization using a long-distance injection method and routine injection method for management of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 59 patients with DAVF treated with Onyx embolization using long-distance injection method (28 patients) and routine injection method (31 patients). The efficacy, safety, injection time and radiation exposure during Onyx embolization were compared between the two injections methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average radiation dose exposure to the surgeon per procedure was significantly lower in the long-distance injection group than in the routine group. The injection time (P=0.53), injection volume (P=0.78), number of supply arteries (P=0.80), Cognard types (P=0.67), and effect of embolization (P=0.88) were all similar between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endovaseular treatment of intracranial DAVF with Onyx embolization using the long-distance injection method is feasible, safe and effective and can reduce the radiation exposure to the surgeon.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategy of multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with MIA (234 aneurysms). The rupture site was determined on the basis of computed tomographic and angiographic findings, and the supposed ruptured aneurysm was treated with coiling OR clipping. All the patients' records were reviewed including all computed tomographic scans and angiograms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve patients received conservative treatment, 56 patients were treated by endovascular embolization, and 28 patients received clipping; 44 patients received one-stage treatment, and 4 patients needed a second therapy. In 36 patients, only the ruptured aneurysm was eliminated. The clinical outcomes of these 84 patients evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale grades were: absence of deficits in 62 patients, minor deficits in 12 patients, major deficit in 8 patients; death occurred in 2 cases. Thirty patients were available for a 6-month follow-up with DSA, which revealed stable occlusion of the aneurysms in 29 patients and the need of a retreatment due to recanalization in only one patient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Correct localization of the rupture aneurysm based on a comprehensive diagnosis is key to MIA treatment. All the aneurysms should be treated in one session whenever possible to protect the patient from rebleeding.</p>

Surgical management of a complex intracranial dural ateriovenous fistula with deep hypothermia circulatory arrest: a case report and literature review / 南方医科大学学报

Hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass has been used for difficult lesions of the brain such as giant aneurysms. We reported a case of complex intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) undergoing surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). The advantages and disadvantages of this operation were discussed. This is the first report describing the use of DHCA in the surgical management of complex intracranial DAVF. We also reviewed the literature documenting the treatment of DAVF and the history of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest in cerebrovascular surgery.