Clinical Outcomes of Coil Embolization for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Categorized by Region and Hospital Size : A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea

Objective@#: To analyze the outcomes of coil embolization (CE) for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) according to region and hospital size based on National Health Insurance Service data in South Korea. @*Methods@#: The incidence of complications, including intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH) and cerebral infarction (CI), occurring within 3 months and the 1-year mortality rates in UIA patients who underwent CE in 2018 were analyzed. Hospitals were classified as tertiary referral general hospitals (TRGHs), general hospitals (GHs) or semigeneral hospitals (sGHs) according to their size, and the administrative districts of South Korea were divided into 15 regions. @*Results@#: In 2018, 8425 (TRGHs, 4438; GHs, 3617; sGHs, 370) CEs were performed for UIAs. Complications occurred in 5.69% of patients seen at TRGHs, 13.48% at GHs, and 20.45% at sGHs. The complication rate in TRGHs was significantly lower than that in GHs (p=0.039) or sGHs (p=0.005), and that in GHs was significantly lower than that in sGHs (p=0.030). The mortality rates in TRGHs, GHs, and sGHs were 0.81%, 2.16%, and 3.92%, respectively, with no significant difference. Despite no significant difference in the mortality rates, the complication rate significantly increased as the number of CE procedures per hospital decreased (p=0.001; rho=-0.635). Among the hospitals where more than 30 CEs were performed for UIAs, the incidence of CIs (p=0.096, rho=-0.205) and the mortality rates (3 months, p=0.048, rho=-0.243; 1 year, p=0.009, rho=-0.315) significantly decreased as the number of CEs that were performed increased and no significant difference in the incidence of post-CE ICRH was observed. @*Conclusion@#: The complication rate in patients who underwent CE for UIA increased as the hospital size and physicians’ experience in conducting CEs decreased. We recommend nationwide quality control policies CEs for UIAs.

Long-Term Outcomes of Placement of a Single Transverse Stent through the Anterior Communicating Artery via the Nondominant A1 in Coil Embolization of Wide-Necked Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms

Objective@#: Placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 across the anterior communicating artery (AComA) into the contralateral A2 can provide sufficient neck coverage for wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms. The authors described the feasibility, safety and long-term outcomes of this technique. @*Methods@#: Between January 2015 and February 2018, placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 was attempted in 17 wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms. The authors reviewed the medical records and radiological studies. @*Results@#: The technical success rate was 94.1% (16/17). Periprocedural thromboembolic complications occurred in one patient (6.3%) without permanent neurological deficits. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 39.9±9.8 months. No deaths or delayed thromboembolic complications occurred. The mean angiographic follow-up duration was 38.9±9.8 months. The immediate and final follow-up complete occlusion rates were 87.4 and 93.7%, respectively. There was no recanalization during the follow-up period. @*Conclusion@#: Placement of a single transverse stent via the nondominant A1 across the AComA into the contralateral A2 is a feasible and relatively safe endovascular technique for the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation AComA aneurysms, with good long-term occlusion rates and a reasonable complication rate, if only the nondominant A1 is applicable.

Initial severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): Trend over time

Objective@#The trend in the initial severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether there was an improvement in the initial severity of SAH over time. @*Methods@#From January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020, we identified patients who visited the emergency department of our institution with SAH due to intracranial aneurysm rupture. We identified the Hunt Hess (HH) grade and modified Fisher grade of each patient from the medical records, and the Mann-Kendal method was used to estimate the trend of each grade system. @*Results@#A total of 547 patients with SAH were identified. The mean age of the patients was 59.3 years (standard deviation (SD), 14.6). The mean aneurysm size was 6.9 mm (SD, 4.6 mm). The most frequent aneurysm location was the anterior communicating artery (28.7%). In the Mann-Kendal estimates for the analysis of the trend, there was no statistically significant grade throughout the HH and modified Fisher grades. Similarly, there was no improvement throughout all grades in the modified Fisher grade over time. @*Conclusions@#The initial severity of SAH due to cerebral aneurysm rupture did not improve over time.

Consensus Document on Perioperative Antithrombotic Management: Part 1. A Review / 대한내과학회지

The prevalence of ischemic heart disease is steadily growing as populations age. Antithrombotic treatment is a key therapeutic modality for the prevention of secondary cerebro-cardiovascular disease. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention must be treated with dual antiplatelet therapy for a mandatory period. The optimal perioperative antithrombotic regimen remains debatable; antithrombotics can cause bleeding. Inadequate antithrombotic regimens are associated with perioperative ischemic events, but continuation of therapy may increase the risks of perioperative hemorrhagic complications (including mortality). Many guidelines on the perioperative management of antithrombotic agents have been established by academic societies. However, the existing guidelines do not cover all specialties, nor do they describe the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks associated with various surgical interventions. Moreover, few practical recommendations on the modification of antithrombotic regimens in patients who require non-deferrable interventions/surgeries or procedures associated with a high risk of hemorrhage have appeared. Therefore, cardiologists, specialists performing invasive procedures, surgeons, dentists, and anesthesiologists have not come to a consensus on optimal perioperative antithrombotic regimens. The Korean Platelet-Thrombosis Research Group presented a positioning paper on perioperative antithrombotic management. We here discuss commonly encountered clinical scenarios and engage in evidence-based discussion to assist individualized, perioperative antithrombotic management in clinical practice.

Consensus Document on Perioperative Antithrombotic Management: Part 2. Case Study / 대한내과학회지

Given the progressive improvements in antithrombotic strategies, management of cardiovascular disease has become sophisticated/refined. However, the optimal perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome or who are scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention remains unclear. Assessments of the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks are essential to reduce the rates of mortality and major cardiac events. However, the existing guidelines do not mention these topics. This case-based consensus document deals with common clinical scenarios and offers evidence-based guidelines for individualized perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in the real world.

Clinical Outcomes of Clipping and Coiling in Elderly Patients with Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms: a National Cohort Study in Korea

Background@#We aimed to analyze outcomes of clipping and coiling in treating unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in elderly patients and to identify the age at which perioperative risk increases based on national cohort data in South Korea. @*Methods@#The incidence of perioperative intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH), perioperative cerebral infarction (CI), mortality, and moderate to severe disability data of the patients who underwent coiling or clipping for UIAs were retrieved. Estimated breakpoint (EBP) was calculated to identify the age at which the risk of treatment increases. @*Results@#A total of 38,207 patients were treated for UIAs. Among these, 22,093 (57.8%) patients underwent coiling and 16,114 (42.2%) patients underwent clipping. The incidence of ICRH, requiring a secondary operation, within 3 months in patients ≥ 65 years that underwent coiling and clipping was 1.13% and 4.81%, respectively, and that of both groups assessed were significantly higher in patients ≥ 75 years (coiling, P = 0.013, relative risk (RR) 1.81; clipping, P = 0.015) than younger patients. The incidence of CI within 3 months in patients aged ≥ 65 was 13.90% and 9.19% in the coiling and clipping groups, respectively. The incidence of CI after coiling in patients aged ≥ 75 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.96) and after clipping in patients aged ≥ 70 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.76) was significantly higher than that in younger patients. The mortality rates within 1 year in patients with perioperative ICRH or CI were 2.41% and 3.39% for coiling and clipping groups, respectively, in patients ≥ 65. These rates increased significantly at age 70 in the coiling group and at age 75 for the clipping group (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The risk of treatment increases with age, and this risk increases dramatically in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Therefore, the treatment decisions in patients aged ≥ 70 years should be made with utmost care.

Clinical Outcomes of Clipping and Coiling in Elderly Patients with Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms: a National Cohort Study in Korea

Background@#We aimed to analyze outcomes of clipping and coiling in treating unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in elderly patients and to identify the age at which perioperative risk increases based on national cohort data in South Korea. @*Methods@#The incidence of perioperative intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH), perioperative cerebral infarction (CI), mortality, and moderate to severe disability data of the patients who underwent coiling or clipping for UIAs were retrieved. Estimated breakpoint (EBP) was calculated to identify the age at which the risk of treatment increases. @*Results@#A total of 38,207 patients were treated for UIAs. Among these, 22,093 (57.8%) patients underwent coiling and 16,114 (42.2%) patients underwent clipping. The incidence of ICRH, requiring a secondary operation, within 3 months in patients ≥ 65 years that underwent coiling and clipping was 1.13% and 4.81%, respectively, and that of both groups assessed were significantly higher in patients ≥ 75 years (coiling, P = 0.013, relative risk (RR) 1.81; clipping, P = 0.015) than younger patients. The incidence of CI within 3 months in patients aged ≥ 65 was 13.90% and 9.19% in the coiling and clipping groups, respectively. The incidence of CI after coiling in patients aged ≥ 75 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.96) and after clipping in patients aged ≥ 70 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.76) was significantly higher than that in younger patients. The mortality rates within 1 year in patients with perioperative ICRH or CI were 2.41% and 3.39% for coiling and clipping groups, respectively, in patients ≥ 65. These rates increased significantly at age 70 in the coiling group and at age 75 for the clipping group (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The risk of treatment increases with age, and this risk increases dramatically in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Therefore, the treatment decisions in patients aged ≥ 70 years should be made with utmost care.

Trends in the Incidence and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases in Korea : Part I. Intracranial Aneurysm, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, and Arteriovenous Malformation

Objective@#: To analyze the incidence and treatment trends of hemorrhagic stroke (HS), according to HS subtypes, using nationwide data in Korea from January 2008 to December 2016. @*Methods@#: We used data from the national health-claim database provided by the National Health Insurance Service for 2008–2016 using the International Classification of Diseases. The crude incidence and age-standardized incidence of each disease associated with HS, which included intracranial aneurysm (IA), hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and arteriovenous malformation (AVM), were calculated and additional analysis was conducted according to age and sex. Changes in trends in treatment methods and number of treatments were analyzed for each cerebrovascular disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. @*Results@#: In 2016, the total number of newly diagnosed adult patients with HS was 24169, showing a decrease by 7.0% since 2008; the age-standardized incidence of HS was 46.2 per 100000 person-years. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured IA (UIA) in adults was 71.4 per 100000 person-years—increased by 2.6-fold since 2008—while that of ruptured IA (RIA) was 12.6 per 100000 person-years, which had decreased at a rate of 20.3% since 2008. The number of coil embolization (CE) for UIA increased by 3.4-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping since 2008. With respect to RIA, CE increased by 2.0-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping from 2014. As for spontaneous ICH in adults, the age-standardized incidence was 31.3 per 100000 personyears in 2016—decreased by 34.7% since 2008—and 14.6% of patients diagnosed with ICH were treated in 2016, which was not significantly different from the proportion of patients treated since 2008. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured AVM (UAVM) was 2.0 per 100000 person-year in 2016, while that of ruptured AVM (RAVM) was 2.4 per 100000 person-years in 2016, showing a decreasing rate of 17.2% from 2008. The total number of treated patients with AVM declined since 2014. @*Conclusion@#: In Korea, age-related cerebral vascular diseases, such as RIA, ICH, and RAVM, demonstrated a declining trend in agestandardized incidence; meanwhile, UIA and UAVM demonstrated an increased trend in both crude incidence and age-standardized incidence for 9 years. The increase in the elderly population, management of hypertension, and development of diagnostic and endovascular techniques appear to have influenced this trend.

Trends in the Incidence and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases in Korea : Part II. Cerebral Infarction, Cerebral Arterial Stenosis, and Moyamoya Disease

Objective@#: To analyze trends in the incidence and treatment of diseases associated with ischemic stroke, namely, cerebral infarction (CI), cerebral arterial stenosis (CASTN), and moyamoya disease (MMD), based on Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data from 2008 to 2016. @*Methods@#: Data was extracted from the national health-claim database provided by the NHIS for 2008–2016 using International Classification of Diseases codes. The crude and age-standardized incidences of each disease (CI, CASTN without a history of CI, and MMD) were calculated; additional analyses were conducted according to age and sex. Trends in the number of patients undergoing treatment according to treatment method were analyzed for each disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. @*Results@#: In 2016, the total number of adults with newly diagnosed CI was 83939, reflecting a 9.4% decrease from that in 2008. The agestandardized incidence of CI in adults was 153.2 per 100000 person-years in 2016, reflecting a 37.2% decrease from that in 2008, while that of CASTN was 167.3 per 100000 person-years in 2016, reflecting a 73.3% increase from that in 2008. Among treated cases, the number of patients who underwent intra-arterial (IA) treatment, including IA fibrinolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, showed the most prominent increase, increasing at an annual rate of 25.8%. For CASTN, the number of cases treated with carotid artery stenting or balloon angioplasty (CAS) showed the most prominent increase, increasing at a rate of 69.8% over the 9-year period. For MMD, the total number of patients with newly diagnosed MMD and that with adult MMD demonstrated significantly increasing trends, while the number of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed MMD declined by 18.0% over the 9-year period. The age-standardized incidences of pediatric and adult MMD in 2016 were 2.4 and 3.4 per 100000 person-years, respectively. @*Conclusion@#: Although the incidence of CI showed a declining trend over a 9-year period, the number and proportion of patients treated for CI increased. Meanwhile, the incidence of CASTN and the number of patients treated for CASTN have demonstrated increasing trends since 2008. On the other hand, the number of patients diagnosed with pediatric MMD decreased, despite no significant change in the incidence. In contrast, the number of patients and the incidence of adult MMD increased. These trends reflect changes in the population structure, gains in the accessibility of imaging examinations, and the development of endovascular techniques.

Long-term outcomes of drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with symptomatic extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses

Objective@#Implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) for extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses is an emerging topic. It has the potential benefit of preventing recurrent stroke with a reduced rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR). @*Methods@#Patients who underwent extra- or intracranial stenting using DES in a single institution were retrospectively reviewed with long-term angiographic and clinical follow-up data. @*Results@#Twenty-one patients, 9 (42.9%) with extracranial lesions and 12 (57.1%) with intracranial lesions, were included. The most common symptom was cerebral infarction (71.4%), followed by vertebrobasilar insufficiency (19.1%) and transient ischemic attack (9.5%). All patients achieved technical success, with the mean degree of stenosis of 85.9±6.3% before the procedure and 19.5±5.9% after the procedure. All patients showed clinical improvement and no symptomatic recurrence was reported during the mean clinical follow-up period of 45.5±8.9 months. The significant ISR was observed in one patient (4.8%) during the mean radiological follow-up period of 42.8±10.0 months. @*Conclusions@#Implantation of drug-eluting stents for symptomatic extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses is feasible and has the potential benefit of reducing the rate of ISR.

Long-term outcomes of drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with symptomatic extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses

Objective@#Implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) for extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses is an emerging topic. It has the potential benefit of preventing recurrent stroke with a reduced rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR). @*Methods@#Patients who underwent extra- or intracranial stenting using DES in a single institution were retrospectively reviewed with long-term angiographic and clinical follow-up data. @*Results@#Twenty-one patients, 9 (42.9%) with extracranial lesions and 12 (57.1%) with intracranial lesions, were included. The most common symptom was cerebral infarction (71.4%), followed by vertebrobasilar insufficiency (19.1%) and transient ischemic attack (9.5%). All patients achieved technical success, with the mean degree of stenosis of 85.9±6.3% before the procedure and 19.5±5.9% after the procedure. All patients showed clinical improvement and no symptomatic recurrence was reported during the mean clinical follow-up period of 45.5±8.9 months. The significant ISR was observed in one patient (4.8%) during the mean radiological follow-up period of 42.8±10.0 months. @*Conclusions@#Implantation of drug-eluting stents for symptomatic extra- and intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses is feasible and has the potential benefit of reducing the rate of ISR.

Characteristics and Clinical Course of Fusiform Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms According to Location, Size, and Configuration

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the angiographic features and clinical course, including treatment outcomes and the natural course, of fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysms (FMCAAs) according to their location, size, and configuration. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on adult cases of FMCAAs published from 1980 to 2018; from 25 papers, 112 FMCAA cases, for which the location, size, and configuration could be identified, were included in this study. Additionally, 33 FMCAA cases in our hospital were included, from which 16 were assigned to the observation group. Thus, a total of 145 adult FMCAA cases were included. We classified the FMCAAs according to their location (l-type 1, beginning from prebifurcation; l-type 2, beginning from bifurcation; l-type 3, beginning from postbifurcation), size (small, <10 mm; large, ≥10 mm; giant, ≥25 mm), and configuration (c-type 1, classic dissecting aneurysm; c-type 2, segmental ectasia; c-type 3, dolichoectatic dissecting aneurysm). RESULTS: The c-type 3 was more commonly diagnosed with ischemic symptoms (31.8%) than hemorrhage (13.6%), while 40.9% were found accidentally. In contrast, c-type 2 was more commonly diagnosed with hemorrhagic symptoms (14.9%) than ischemic symptoms (10.6%), and 72.3% were accidentally discovered. According to location, ischemic symptoms and hemorrhage were the most frequent symptoms in l-type 1 (28.6%) and l-type 3 (34.6%), respectively. Most of l-type 2 FMCAAs were found incidentally (68.4%). Based on the size of FMCAAs, only 11.1% of small aneurysms were found to be hemorrhagic, while 18.9% and 26.0% of large and giant aneurysms were hemorrhagic, respectively. Although four aneurysms of the 16 FMCAAs in the observation group increased in size and one aneurysm decreased in size during the observation period, no rupture was seen in any case and there were no significant predictors of aneurysm enlargement. Of 104 FMCAAs treated, 14 cases (13.5%) were aggravated than before surgery and all the aggravated cases were l-type 1. CONCLUSION: While ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 1 and c-type 3, hemorrhagic rather than ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 3 and c-type 2. In case of l-type 1 FMCAAs, more caution is required in determining the treatment due to the relatively high complication rate.

Characteristics and Clinical Course of Fusiform Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms According to Location, Size, and Configuration

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the angiographic features and clinical course, including treatment outcomes and the natural course, of fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysms (FMCAAs) according to their location, size, and configuration.METHODS: We reviewed the literature on adult cases of FMCAAs published from 1980 to 2018; from 25 papers, 112 FMCAA cases, for which the location, size, and configuration could be identified, were included in this study. Additionally, 33 FMCAA cases in our hospital were included, from which 16 were assigned to the observation group. Thus, a total of 145 adult FMCAA cases were included. We classified the FMCAAs according to their location (l-type 1, beginning from prebifurcation; l-type 2, beginning from bifurcation; l-type 3, beginning from postbifurcation), size (small, <10 mm; large, ≥10 mm; giant, ≥25 mm), and configuration (c-type 1, classic dissecting aneurysm; c-type 2, segmental ectasia; c-type 3, dolichoectatic dissecting aneurysm).RESULTS: The c-type 3 was more commonly diagnosed with ischemic symptoms (31.8%) than hemorrhage (13.6%), while 40.9% were found accidentally. In contrast, c-type 2 was more commonly diagnosed with hemorrhagic symptoms (14.9%) than ischemic symptoms (10.6%), and 72.3% were accidentally discovered. According to location, ischemic symptoms and hemorrhage were the most frequent symptoms in l-type 1 (28.6%) and l-type 3 (34.6%), respectively. Most of l-type 2 FMCAAs were found incidentally (68.4%). Based on the size of FMCAAs, only 11.1% of small aneurysms were found to be hemorrhagic, while 18.9% and 26.0% of large and giant aneurysms were hemorrhagic, respectively. Although four aneurysms of the 16 FMCAAs in the observation group increased in size and one aneurysm decreased in size during the observation period, no rupture was seen in any case and there were no significant predictors of aneurysm enlargement. Of 104 FMCAAs treated, 14 cases (13.5%) were aggravated than before surgery and all the aggravated cases were l-type 1.CONCLUSION: While ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 1 and c-type 3, hemorrhagic rather than ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 3 and c-type 2. In case of l-type 1 FMCAAs, more caution is required in determining the treatment due to the relatively high complication rate.

Nationwide Mortality Data after Flow-Diverting Stent Implantation in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nationwide statistics on flow-diverting stent usage for cerebral aneurysm treatment and related mortality data.METHODS: We requested data extraction from the National Health Insurance Service claims database using electronic data interchange codes (J3207064, J3207073). Patient and hospital information as well as death statistics were collected from the database.RESULTS: A total of 169 procedures were performed using flow-diverting stents for cerebral aneurysm treatment from November 2014 to December 2016 in Korea. The majority of primary diagnosis was unruptured intracranial aneurysm. During the study period, nine subjects died, including one patient initially diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The crude mortality rate was 5.3%. Five patients died within one month after the procedure; therefore, the estimated periprocedural mortality rate was 3.0±1.3%. The mortality rate as of the last day of 2016 was 6.3±2.1%.CONCLUSION: In a 171 person-year follow-up in a Korean series, nine deaths occurred after flow-diverting stent treatment. The crude mortality rate in Korea (5.3%) was higher than that reported in a previous meta-analysis (3.8%).

Nationwide Mortality Data after Flow-Diverting Stent Implantation in Korea

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nationwide statistics on flow-diverting stent usage for cerebral aneurysm treatment and related mortality data. METHODS: We requested data extraction from the National Health Insurance Service claims database using electronic data interchange codes (J3207064, J3207073). Patient and hospital information as well as death statistics were collected from the database. RESULTS: A total of 169 procedures were performed using flow-diverting stents for cerebral aneurysm treatment from November 2014 to December 2016 in Korea. The majority of primary diagnosis was unruptured intracranial aneurysm. During the study period, nine subjects died, including one patient initially diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The crude mortality rate was 5.3%. Five patients died within one month after the procedure; therefore, the estimated periprocedural mortality rate was 3.0±1.3%. The mortality rate as of the last day of 2016 was 6.3±2.1%. CONCLUSION: In a 171 person-year follow-up in a Korean series, nine deaths occurred after flow-diverting stent treatment. The crude mortality rate in Korea (5.3%) was higher than that reported in a previous meta-analysis (3.8%).

Surgical Removal of a Ruptured Radiculomedullary Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare, and diagnosis and treatment are challenging. We report a rare case of a ruptured radiculomedullary artery aneurysm in a patient with Behçet disease. A 49-year-old man presented with severe lower abdominal and leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and an enhanced intradural-extramedullary lesion at the T12 spinal level with subarachnoid hemorrhage was identified. Diagnostic spinal angiography was performed to evaluate the vascular lesion, and a radiculomedullary artery aneurysm at the T12 level was identified. We performed surgical resection of the aneurysm and a good neurological outcome was obtained.

Isolated Cortical Vein Thrombosis with Long Cord Sign

Isolated cortical vein thrombosis (ICVT) is a rare disease, accounting for less than 1% of strokes. A 46-year-old woman presented with progressive left side weakness. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with T2*-gradient echo (T2*-GE) sequence showed long cord sign at the right frontal cortex. The patient was treated with low molecular weight heparin, followed by oral warfarin for 6 months. The 3-month follow-up MR imaging showed recanalization of the previously thrombosed cortical vein. She was completely recovered without neurological deficits after 6 months. This provides that MR imaging with T2*-GE sequence can help to diagnosis the ICVT and outcomes of the ICVT are generally favorable.

Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients over 80 Years of Age

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke in patients over 80 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 156 acute stroke patients aged over 80 years who were considered as candidates for EVT were analyzed. Fifty-six patients (35.9%, EVT group) underwent EVT and 100 patients (64.1%, non-EVT group) did not. Outcomes, in terms of functional outcomes and rates of symptomatic hemorrhage, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, were compared between groups. Each comparison was adjusted for age, time from onset, initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: More patients in the EVT group achieved good outcomes (mRS score of 0-2) at 3 months (35.7% vs. 11.0%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.779 [95% confidence interval 1.972-11.579], p = 0.001) and 12 months (35.7% vs. 14.0%, adjusted OR 3.705 [1.574-8.722], p = 0.003) after stroke. During admission, rates of hospital-acquired infection including pneumonia (12.5% vs. 29.0%, adjusted OR 0.262 [0.098-0.703], p = 0.008) and urinary tract infection (16.0% vs. 34.0%, adjusted OR 0.256 [0.099-0.657], p = 0.005) were significantly lower in the EVT group. More symptomatic hemorrhages (10.7% vs. 2.0%, adjusted OR 6.859 [1.139-41.317], p = 0.036) occurred in the EVT group, but no significant difference was observed in in-hospital mortality rate (12.5% vs. 8.0%, adjusted OR 1.380 [0.408-4.664], p = 0.604). CONCLUSION: EVT improved functional outcome and reduced the risk of hospital-acquired infections in acute stroke patients over 80 years of age without increasing the risk of in-hospital mortality, although symptomatic hemorrhage occurred more frequently after EVT.

Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients over 80 Years of Age

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke in patients over 80 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 156 acute stroke patients aged over 80 years who were considered as candidates for EVT were analyzed. Fifty-six patients (35.9%, EVT group) underwent EVT and 100 patients (64.1%, non-EVT group) did not. Outcomes, in terms of functional outcomes and rates of symptomatic hemorrhage, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, were compared between groups. Each comparison was adjusted for age, time from onset, initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: More patients in the EVT group achieved good outcomes (mRS score of 0-2) at 3 months (35.7% vs. 11.0%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.779 [95% confidence interval 1.972-11.579], p = 0.001) and 12 months (35.7% vs. 14.0%, adjusted OR 3.705 [1.574-8.722], p = 0.003) after stroke. During admission, rates of hospital-acquired infection including pneumonia (12.5% vs. 29.0%, adjusted OR 0.262 [0.098-0.703], p = 0.008) and urinary tract infection (16.0% vs. 34.0%, adjusted OR 0.256 [0.099-0.657], p = 0.005) were significantly lower in the EVT group. More symptomatic hemorrhages (10.7% vs. 2.0%, adjusted OR 6.859 [1.139-41.317], p = 0.036) occurred in the EVT group, but no significant difference was observed in in-hospital mortality rate (12.5% vs. 8.0%, adjusted OR 1.380 [0.408-4.664], p = 0.604). CONCLUSION: EVT improved functional outcome and reduced the risk of hospital-acquired infections in acute stroke patients over 80 years of age without increasing the risk of in-hospital mortality, although symptomatic hemorrhage occurred more frequently after EVT.

Analysis of Complications Following Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: Adequate management of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is critical in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and decompressive craniectomy is widely used to treat refractory increased ICP. The authors reviewed and analyzed complications following decompressive craniectomy for the management of TBI. METHODS: A total of 89 consecutive patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for TBI between February 2004 and February 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Incidence rates of complications secondary to decompressive craniectomy were determined, and analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with the development of complications and the poor outcome. RESULTS: Complications secondary to decompressive craniectomy occurred in 48 of the 89 (53.9%) patients. Furthermore, these complications occurred in a sequential fashion at specific times after surgical intervention; cerebral contusion expansion (2.2 +/- 1.2 days), newly appearing subdural or epidural hematoma contralateral to the craniectomy defect (1.5 +/- 0.9 days), epilepsy (2.7 +/- 1.5 days), cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the scalp incision (7.0 +/- 4.2 days), and external cerebral herniation (5.5 +/- 3.3 days). Subdural effusion (10.8 +/- 5.2 days) and postoperative infection (9.8 +/- 3.1 days) developed between one and four weeks postoperatively. Trephined and post-traumatic hydrocephalus syndromes developed after one month postoperatively (at 79.5 +/- 23.6 and 49.2 +/- 14.1 days, respectively). CONCLUSION: A poor GCS score ( or = 65 were found to be related to the occurrence of one of the above-mentioned complications. These results should help neurosurgeons anticipate these complications, to adopt management strategies that reduce the risks of complications, and to improve clinical outcomes.