The Comaneci Device for Entering an Acute-Angled Small Feeder during Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Embolization: A Novel Technique to Support Microcatheterization / 신경중재치료의학

In this report, we describe the use of the Comaneci device to support microcatheterization in a small branch arising from a parent artery during embolization. In 2 cases, arteriovenous malformations presented with intracranial hemorrhage. A microcatheter was navigated into a small feeder while the Comaneci device was deployed just distal to the feeder with an acute angle from the parent artery. Our technical note represents an alternative option of catheterization in cases with difficult access to small feeders originating from higher flow arteries at a sharp angle while maintaining continuous flow in the parent artery.

External Validation of the ELAPSS Score for Prediction of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Growth Risk / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prediction of intracranial aneurysm growth risk can assist physicians in planning of follow-up imaging of conservatively managed unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We therefore aimed to externally validate the ELAPSS (Earlier subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm Location, Age, Population, aneurysm Size and Shape) score for prediction of the risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth. METHODS: From 11 international cohorts of patients ≥18 years with ≥1 unruptured intracranial aneurysm and ≥6 months of radiological follow-up, we collected data on the predictors of the ELAPSS score, and calculated 3- and 5-year absolute growth risks according to the score. Model performance was assessed in terms of calibration (predicted versus observed risk) and discrimination (c-statistic). RESULTS: We included 1,072 patients with a total of 1,452 aneurysms. During 4,268 aneurysm-years of follow-up, 199 (14%) aneurysms enlarged. Calibration was comparable to that of the development cohort with the overall observed risks within the range of the expected risks. The c-statistic was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.73) at 3 years, compared to 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.76) in the development cohort. At 5 years, the c-statistic was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.72), compared to 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.75) in the development cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The ELAPSS score showed accurate calibration for 3- and 5-year risks of aneurysm growth and modest discrimination in our external validation cohort. This indicates that the score is externally valid and could assist patients and physicians in predicting growth of unruptured intracranial aneurysms and plan follow-up imaging accordingly.