Flow volume measurement of arterial venous and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis / Medição do volume de fluxo do líquido cefalorraquidiano e venoso arterial em pacientes com esclerose múltipla

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually described as an autoimmune disease, although the exact mechanism of the disease remains unknown. There have been studies reporting that venous flow abnormalities may be involved in the pathogenesis of MS or many of the associated clinical manifestations. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate flow volumes of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), transverse sinus (TS), and cerebral aqueduct using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) in relapsing-remitting MS patients and a control group. Methods We included 34 patients diagnosed by the McDonald criteria, revised in 2017, as well as 15 healthy controls matched by age and sex. The MRI scans were performed using a 1.5-T superconducting scanner. Axial T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and PC-MRI sequences were performed for the quantitative investigation of flow volume measurements. Quantitative analyses of flows were performed using flow analyses program PC-MRI angiography software. A circular region of interest was placed manually into the cerebral aqueduct, bilateral MCA, and TS. Results Flow volumes of the cerebral aqueduct and MCA were not statistically significant between the MS and control groups. The flow volumes of the TS for the patient group were lower than those of the control group, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusions A reduced TS flow volume in MS patients was noted in the present study when compared with the control group, suggesting a relation between venous pathologies and MS. Further studies are needed to understand whether this relation is causal or epiphenomenal.

Resumo Antecedentes A esclerose múltipla (EM) é comumente descrita como uma doença autoimune, embora seu mecanismo exato permaneça desconhecido. Há estudos que afirmam que anormalidades no fluxo venoso podem estar relacionadas à patogênese da EM ou a muitas das manifestações clínicas associadas. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os volumes de fluxo da artéria cerebral média (ACM), do seio transverso (ST) e do aqueduto cerebral usando ressonância magnética com contraste de fase (PC-MRI) em com EM recorrente-remitente. Métodos Incluímos 34 pacientes diagnosticados pelos critérios de McDonald, revisados em 2017, além de 15 controles saudáveis pareados por idade e gênero. A ressonância magnética foi realizada usando um scanner supercondutor de 1,5 T. As sequências de PC-RM axiais, ponderadas em T1 e ponderadas em T2 foram realizadas para investigação quantitativa das medidas de volume de fluxo. As análises quantitativas de fluxo foram realizadas usando o software de angiografia PC-MRI do programa de análise de fluxo. Uma região circular de interesse foi localizada manualmente no aqueduto cerebral, ACM bilateral e ST. Resultados Os volumes de fluxo do aqueduto cerebral e da ACM não foram estatisticamente significantes entre o grupo de pacientes e os controles. Os volumes ST do grupo de pacientes foram menores que os do grupo controle, e essa diferença foi estatisticamente significante. Conclusões No presente estudo, um menor volume de fluxo ST foi registrado em pacientes com EM em comparação ao grupo controle, sugerindo uma relação entre patologias venosas e EM; Mais estudos são necessários para entender se essa relação é causal ou um fenômeno secundário.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Involving the Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus: A Single Center Experience and Review of the Literatures

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively assessed the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) involving the transverse-sigmoid sinus and analyzed the angiographic and clinical results with our 8-year experience.METHODS: Nine patients with intracranial DAVFs involving the transverse-sigmoid sinus underwent SRS using a Gamma Knife® (Elekta Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA) between 2009 and 2016. Five patients underwent SRS for residual DAVFs after embolization and four patients were treated with SRS alone. The median target volume was 1.9 cm3 (range, 0.8–14.2) and the median radiation dose of the target was 17 Gy (range, 16–20). The median follow-up period was 37 months (range, 7–81).RESULTS: Pulsating tinnitus (33%) was the most common symptom. DAVFs were completely obliterated in four patients (44%) and subtotally obliterated in five (56%). Six patients (67%) showed complete recovery of symptoms or signs, and three (33%) showed incomplete recovery. One patient experienced a recurrent seizure. Adverse radiation effects after SRS occurred in one patient (11%). The total obliteration rates after SRS were 16.7%, 37.5%, and 68.7% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The median interval from SRS to total obliteration of the fistula was 31 months (range, 12–38). The rates at which the symptoms started to improve were 40% at 1 month and 80% at 2 months after SRS. Symptoms started to improve at a median of 5 weeks after SRS (range, 3–21).CONCLUSION: SRS with or without embolization is a safe and effective treatment to relieve symptoms and obliterate DAVFs on the transverse-sigmoid sinus.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Involving the Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus: A Single Center Experience and Review of the Literatures

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively assessed the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) involving the transverse-sigmoid sinus and analyzed the angiographic and clinical results with our 8-year experience. METHODS: Nine patients with intracranial DAVFs involving the transverse-sigmoid sinus underwent SRS using a Gamma Knife® (Elekta Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA) between 2009 and 2016. Five patients underwent SRS for residual DAVFs after embolization and four patients were treated with SRS alone. The median target volume was 1.9 cm3 (range, 0.8–14.2) and the median radiation dose of the target was 17 Gy (range, 16–20). The median follow-up period was 37 months (range, 7–81). RESULTS: Pulsating tinnitus (33%) was the most common symptom. DAVFs were completely obliterated in four patients (44%) and subtotally obliterated in five (56%). Six patients (67%) showed complete recovery of symptoms or signs, and three (33%) showed incomplete recovery. One patient experienced a recurrent seizure. Adverse radiation effects after SRS occurred in one patient (11%). The total obliteration rates after SRS were 16.7%, 37.5%, and 68.7% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The median interval from SRS to total obliteration of the fistula was 31 months (range, 12–38). The rates at which the symptoms started to improve were 40% at 1 month and 80% at 2 months after SRS. Symptoms started to improve at a median of 5 weeks after SRS (range, 3–21). CONCLUSION: SRS with or without embolization is a safe and effective treatment to relieve symptoms and obliterate DAVFs on the transverse-sigmoid sinus.

Stenting treatment for lateral sinus stenosis with isolated intracranial hypertension / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical,therapeutic and prognostic features of patients with lateral sinus stenosis and isolated intracranial hypertension,and further explore the possible mechanisms of their coexistence.Methods We retrospectively enrolled 16 patients with neurosurgery in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2016,who were clinically diagnosed as simple intracranial hypertension with bilateral or predominant lateral sinus stenosis and lateral stenting.These 16 patients were recorded surgical procedures and postoperative outcomes,and followed-up to understand the long-term prognosis of them.Results There were 14 females in the 16 patients,with an average age of (32.4 ± 10.1) years,a mean duration of (10.9 ± 7.3) months,and an average body mass index of (28.9 ± 3.6) kg/m2.In terms of clinical manifestions,majority of the patients presented with headache (n =15) and visual symptoms (n =14),and all with papilledema by fundus examination.The elevated opening cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was noticed:five cases between 25-33 cmH2O (1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa),11 cases more than 33 cmH2O.The mean pressure difference in the proximal and distal sinus of the anterior chamber was (36.3 ± 9.4) cmH2O in the range of 15-91 cmH2O.The pressure difference between the two ends of the stenosis disappeared immediately after the operation in 12 cases and the pressure difference less than 15 (2-12) cmH2O in four cases.Thirteen patients underwent lumbar puncture at one week after operation.The CSF pressure of them decreased significantly,of which eight were in the normal range.Six months after the operation,11 patients underwent DSA/MRV,none of which had serious surgical complications.With the average follow-up of (35.4 ± 9.8) months,the overall prognosis of these patients was good.Headaches in 14 of 15 patients were improved,out of which 12 were free of headache,two with only mild headache and a slight intracranial hypertension (19 and 23 cmH2O,respectively);visual complaints were reversed in nine out of 14 cases;10 patients underwent fundus examination,and nine of them were observed the improvement of papilledema.During the follow-up period,the symptoms of other patients were improved (headache relief and visual improvement) except one,the overall effective ratio being 15/16.Conclusions The interventional treatment of lateral sinus stenting is effective in patients with sinus stenosis associated with simple intracranial hypertension.The stenosis of the lateral sinus may be the main mechanism of increased intracranial pressure.

Fluoroscopy-guided Combined (Surgical/Endovascular) Treatment of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula

For dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), when the usual endovascular or neurosurgical approaches are difficult to treat, multi-modal treatment can be helpful. We present a case of a 71-year-old woman with DAVF, who presented with an intracerebral haemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a DAVF of the transverse sinus, with cortical venous reflux. Transvenous and transarterial approaches for coil embolization failed. In the operating room, a small craniotomy was performed, and coil embolization was done under fluoroscopy. Transcranial venous embolization might be a useful method to occlude DAVF in a case that is difficult to access by usual surgical or endovascular approaches.

A Case of Surgically Treated Pulsatile Tinnitus by Sigmoid Sinus Diverticulum and/or Dehiscence (SSDD) / 대한이비인후과학회지

Tinnitus is a bothersome symptom, and definite treatment of tinnitus is unclear. However, somatostatic tinnitus caused by vascular bruit is sometimes treatable. Sigmoid sinus diverticulum and/or dehiscence (SSDD) is common vascular abnormality, which is also known to cause pulsatile tinnitus. An endovascular embolization that can treat SSDD has been reported already, however, an external approach has not been reported yet in Korea. We experienced a 34-year-old woman who had complained of pulsatile tinnitus by SSDD and she was successfully treated with an external apporoach. So we report this case with a review of literatures.

Effectiveness of epicardial atrial pacing using a bipolar steroid-eluting endocardial lead with active fixation in an experimental model

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of bipolar epicardial atrial pacing using an active fixation bipolar endocardial lead implanted on the atrial surface in an experimental model. METHODS: A total of ten Large White adult pigs underwent pacemaker implantation under general anesthesia. Atrial pacing and sensing parameters were obtained at the procedure, immediate postoperative period and on the 7th and the 30th postoperative in unipolar and bipolar configurations. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed. There were no perioperative complications and no early deaths. Atrial pacing and sensing parameters for both unipolar and bipolar modes remained stable throughout the study. We observed a progressive increase in atrial thresholds, ranging from 0.49 ± 0.35 (at implantation) to 1.86 ± 1.31 volts (30th postoperative day), in unipolar mode. Atrial impedance measurements decreased slightly over time, ranging from 486.80 ± 126.35 Ohms (at implantation) to 385.0 ± 80.52 Ohms (30th postoperative day). Atrial sensing measures remained stable from the immediate postoperative period until the end of the study. CONCLUSION: The bipolar active fixation endocardial lead implanted epicardially can provide stable conditions of pacing and sensing parameters throughout the postoperative follow-up.