Endovascular reconstructive treatment of vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms by multiple overlapping stents with or without coils / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of endovascular reconstructive treatment by multiple overlapping stents with or without coils.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 17 patients of vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms treated by multiple overlapping stents with or without coils between September 2011 and September 2015 in Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 15 male and 2 female patients with mean age of (47±13) years. Clinical manifestations included subarachnoid hemorrhage in 5 patients, cerebral ischemia or infarction in the posterior circulation in 5 patients, mass effect accompanied with brainstem infarction in 1 patients, headache or dizziness in 4, and incidental findings in 2 patients. Aneurysm located in intracranial vertebral artery in 11 patients, vertebrobasilar junction in 2 patients, and basilar trunk in 4 patients. Mean aneurysmal size was 18.5 mm×8.0 mm(length×width).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sole stenting with overlapping stents was performed in 8 patients, and overlapping stents with coils was applied in 9 patients. Post-procedural hemorrhage occurred in a patient with a giant basilar trunk fusiform aneurysm and led to death. The 16 surviving patients were clinically followed up for a mean of 21.1 months. One patient had a modified Rankin score of 4, and the other patients had a good recovery. Among 15 patients with a mean angiographic follow-up of 8.6 months, 9 patients had their aneurysms further thrombosed, 3 patients were stable, and 3 patients with a recurred aneurysm. Final complete occlusion was achieved in 7 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Reconstructive treatment by overlapping stents with or without coils is feasible and relative safe in vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms.</p>

Efficacy analysis of vertebral artery origin and adjacent subclavian artery stenosis treated with a single self-expandable stent implantation / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective Toinvestigatethetechnicalfeasibilityandefficacyofvertebralarteryorigin and adjacent subclavian artery stenosis treated with a single self-expandable stent implantation simultaneously. Methods Twenty-onepatientswithposteriorcirculationischemicsymptomsweretreatedwithasingle stent implantation for vertebral artery origin (stenosis rate≥70%)and adjacent subclavian artery stenosis (stenosis rate ≥50%)simultaneously. The head end of a single self-expandable open-cell stent was implanted into the middle or distal V1 segment of vertebral artery,and the caudal end was implanted at the proximal subclavian artery during procedure. At 6 -12 months after procedure they received followed-up with CTA and/or DSA. The clinical and image data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results Allstentswereimplantedsuccessfully.Thevertebralarterystenosisratewasdecreasedfrom 87. 1 ± 5. 7% before procedure to 7. 4 ± 6. 4% and the subclavian artery stenosis rate was decreased from 61.9±8.4% to4.5±5.7% aftertheprocedure.Therewassignificantdifference(allP<0.05).No perioperative complications occurred. The in-stent restenosis (about 50%) was found in one patient (4.8%)during the follow-up and he did not have any relevant clinical symptoms. One patient (4. 8%) had recurrent vertigo at 6 months after procedure. CTA and DSA examinations revealed stent compression and vertebralarteryocclusion.Conclusion Asingleself-expandablestentimplantationforthetreatmentof vertebral artery origin and adjacent subclavian artery stenosis simultaneously is feasible and safe. The incidences of in-stent stenosis and stent compression are low.

Short-term outcome of single stenting technique for unruptured wide-necked tiny aneurysms of the anterior circulation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term outcome of single stenting technique for unruptured, wide-necked, tiny aneurysms of the anterior circulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eleven unruptured, wide-necked, tiny aneurysms of the anterior circulation were treated by a single stent deployed in the parent artery between January 2008 and July 2013 in Department of Neurosurgery in Beijing Hospital. The maximum diameter of the aneurysms ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 mm, mean (2.4 ± 0.4) mm, and the dome-to-neck ratios were all ≤ 1.2. The locations were clinoid segment of internal carotid artery (n=2), posterior communicating artery origin (n=4), anterior choroidal artery origin (n=2) and middle cerebral artery bifurcation (n=3). All internal carotid aneurysms were located in the medial and/or ventral wall of the internal carotid artery. The rate of aneurysm obliteration and rupture during follow-up was obtained by repeat angiography and clinic or telephone interview respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sole stent placement in the parent artery was intentionally performed for nine aneurysms, while attempt of coiling after stent deployment for the other two aneurysms failed due to unsuccessful microcatherization. Ten stents were successfully deployed, of which one was used to treat two tandem lesions simultaneously. Only one aneurysm became smaller immediately postprocedure. No perioperative complications occurred. Angiographic follow-up after a mean period of (13 ± 6) months (range 8-24 months) revealed that 8 aneurysms did no change in size, 2 became smaller and only one was totally occluded. Asymptomatic in-stent stenosis of the parent artery was found in all 3 shrinking or occluded aneurysms. No aneurysm rupture was observed in the clinical follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For those unruptured, wide-necked, tiny aneurysms arising at branching sites in the anterior circulation, single stenting technique seems to be a safe alternative treatment, while the short-term rate of aneurysm occlusion is low.</p>

Comparison of MRI and DSA in assessment of carotid artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of MRI and DSA in assessment of carotid artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque.Methods Forty-six patients with carotid plaque detected by ultrasound were enrolled in this study,and 89 carotid arteries were evaluated by MRI and DSA.MRI examination was acquired with 3.0 T MR scanner and 8 channel phase-array surface coil.The MRI sequences consisted of pre-and post-contrast T1WI,T2WI,PDWI,TOF.Anterior-posterior and lateral views of carotid artery were performed on DSA.The degree of carotid artery stenosis was evaluated by the NASCET standard.Fibrous cap rupture,intraplaque hemorrhage,and calcification were also evaluated on MRI and DSA.Statistical comparison was performed with the Kappa value and paired Chi-square test.Results The degree of carotid artery stenosis was 50％ (16％-78％) on MRI and 47％ (7％-73％) on DSA.Two imaging modalities were in good consistency in evaluation of the degree of stenosis ( Kappa =0.882,P ＜ 0.01 ).There was statistical difference in detecting fibrous cap rupture by MRI and DSA (34 vessels vs 10 vessels,respectively,x2 =20.346,P ＜ 0.01 ).Furthermore,thirty-seven vessels with intraplaque hemorrhage and 71 vessels with calcification in the plaque were found on MRI but none on DSA.Conclusion MRI is a reliable tool in assessment of the degree of the carotid stenosis and it is superior to DSA in detecting fibrous cap rupture,intraplaque hemorrhage,and calcification.

Clinical analysis of diagnosis and treatment for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the diagnosis, treatment strategies and clinical outcomes of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients. Methods A total of 68 patients aged over 60 years presenting with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage underwent cerebral angiography. And 72 intracranial aneurysms were detected in 60 patients, among whom 47 patients with 59 aneurysms underwent endovascular coil embolization, 6 aneurysms in 6 patients were clipped in microneurosurgery operation, and 7 patients chose conservative treatment. Results A total of 57 aneurysms (96.6%) were embolized successfully, among which 40 aneurysms (70.2%) reached dense occlusion and 17 aneurysms (29.8%) reached incomplete occlusion. Among 47 patients undergoing endovascular treatment, 39 patients (83.0%) were evaluated as good, 7 patients (14.9%) were moderately to seriously disabled according to Glasgow Outcome Scale when they were discharged, and one patient died. Conclusions Active treatment such as endovascular coil embolization can acquire good outcome in elderly patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially in elderly patients detected with aneurysms.

Clinical analysis of cerebral angiography in patients 75 years or older with cerebrovascular diseases / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To analyze the angiography procedure,distribution of cerebral vascular lesions and complications of cerebral angiography in patients 75 years or older with cerebrovascular diseases.Methods A total of 83 consecutive patients 75 years or older (range 75-89 years) diagnosed as cerebral vascular diseases underwent cerebral angiography with a coverage of all arteries supplying blood to the whole brain including bilateral subclavian arteries between June 2003 and June 2009.The angiogram showed 61 patients (73.5%) with ischemic cerebralvascular diseases,22patients (26.5%) with hemorrhagic cerebralvascular diseases.Results The 78 (94.0%)angiographies were performed using transfemoral access.Composite curve catheters such as Simmons curve were selected in 11 (13.3%) angiographies.In patients with ischemic cerebralvascular diseases,159 stenotic lesions were detected,among which 107 (67.3%) lesions located at the anterior circulation and 52 (32.7%) lesions located at the posterior circulation;97 (61.0%) lesions were extracranial and 62 (39.0%) lesions were intracranial.The 9 unruptured aneurysms were incidentally detected in 8 patients.In patients with hemorrhagic cerebralvascular diseases,19 aneurysms were detected in 16 (72.6 % ) patients.Complications occurred in 5 (6.0 % ) patients:transient neurological complications occurred in 2 (2.4%) patients,hematoma at the puncture site occurred in 2 (2.4%)patients and uroschesis occurred in 1 (1.2%) patients.Conclusions As a kind of diagnostic technology,cerebral angiography is safe in patients 75 years or older with cerebral vascular diseases.The incidence of complications especially permanent neurological complications is low.

Interventional treatment of cervical artery stenosis in the elderly patients aged 75 years and over / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and feasibility of interventional treatment of cervical artery stenosis in the elderly patients aged 75 years and over. Methods The data of 60cases aged 75 years or over who underwent interventional treatment of the cervical arteriostenosis involving carotid artery (CA), vertebral artery (VA) or proximal segment of the subclavian artery (SCA) were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics,interventional managements and follow-up results were recorded. Results In this cohort, the mean age was (78. 9±3.7) years (range from 75 to 89). The 50 patients (93.3%) complained of cerebral ischemic symptoms, and all the patients had concurrent diseases or risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke history, and so on. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) data showed 55 cases (91.7%) had 2 or more cerebral arteries with a stenosis exceeding 30%. Among all cases, 84 lesions were treated with 84 stents, with a technical success rate of 98.8%. After stenting, the percent diameter stenosis of lesions decreased from a mean of (80.8 ± 12.9) % to (7.1 ± 9.5 ) %. The periprocedural and 30-day postoperative neurological complication rate was 8. 3 %, resulting in a permanent complication rate of 5 %. Clinical improvement rate was 87.5%. During a follow-up period of (36.7±26. 3) months (range from 5 to 99), there were 4 deaths: 2 died from myocardial infarction, 1 died from brain metastases of lung cancer and 1 died from cerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral infarction recurred in 3 cases. Imaging follow-up in 78. 3% of patients for 66 stents, including ultrasound, CTA, MRA or DSA, showed that the general in-stent restenosis rate was 9. 1%, and the restenosis rate of VA, CA and SCA was 21.7% (5/23), 2.6%and 0, respectively. Conclusions The results of this series suggest that interventional treatment ofcervical artery stenosis in the elderly patients aged 75 years and over is effective and feasible. In our experience, clinical comprehensive management and skillful technique of the operator are equally important for the elderly patients aged 75 years and over with high incidence of concurrent diseases or risk factors.

Intravascular ultrasound study on carotid stent and balloon angioplasty of swines / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the mechanism of restenosis after carotid stent and balloon angioplasty for the Guangxi swines by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS). Methods Twelve Guangxi swines fed by a high cholesterol diet were randomly divided into two groups. Seven stents were implanted in the left carotid artery of six swines in the first group, and balloon angioplasty was performed in the left carotid artery of swines in the other group. Digital subtraction angiography(DSA) and IVUS were conducted respectively before and after the intervention and in the 13th week. Results IVUS found that the percentage of area stenosis in stent group was (18.31±7.79) % and in balloon group (37.28±7.89) % in the 13th week. The percentage of area restenosis in stent was obviously related to neointimal hyperplasia (r = 0.897, P<0.05), the percentage of area restenosis due to balloon angioplasty was markedly related to area decrease of external elastic lamina (r = 0.856, P<0.05). Conclusions The restenosis in stent was related to intimal hyperplasia of blood vessel,and restenosis after balloon angioplasty had some connection with area decrease of external elastic lamina.

Prevention and treatment of complications of carotid angioplasty and stenting in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ObjectiveTo summarize the prevention and treatment of complications of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) in the elderly. Methods88 cases (≥60 years) who underwent carotid angioplasty and stenting were collected from our hospital. The prevention and treatment of complications were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsNinety-two self-expanding stents were placed in the 88 cases and the technical success rate was 100%. The degree of stenosis was significantly improved from 82.6% to 13.2%. All patients were followed up for 3-12 months. Carotid sinus reaction was observed in 23 cases (26.1%) and it was more often in ≥70 years group than in 60～69 years group (P＜0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the distance ＞10 mm, Carotid sinus reaition was more often in the distance ≤ 10 mm between carotid bifurcation and maximum stenotic lesion (P＜ 0.05). Hypertension occurred in 6 cases, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome in 4 cases including 1 case of cerebral hemorrhage. There were cases with cerebral ischemia in 1 case, cerebralvaseular spasm in 4 cases, acute renal insufficiency in 3 cases and ecchymosis and hematoma at the puncture site in 7 cases. There were 3 cases of transient ischemic attack, 1 case of myocardial infarction, 1 case of cerebral hemorrhage, 2 cases of mild neurological deficits and no death occurred during the period of follow-up. ConclusionsThere is higher risk for elderly patients undergoing CAS, but careful preoperative preparation and properly treatment may avoid the occurrence of complications.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae associated with perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae: imaging characteristics and surgical treatment / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To enhance the clinical doctors' cognizance of atypical spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVFs) associated with perimedullary anteriovenous fistulae (PMAVFs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical imaging and surgical therapy of 3 patients with PMAVFs were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical presentations of the 3 patients were not significantly different from those of typical SDAVFs. They were verified by repeated spinal angiography that the anterior spinal artery (ASA) is supplied to the drainage-vein. The 3 patients were treated surgically. First two operations were performed to eliminate the supply of ASA and dural branch, then the supply of the dural branch was amputated, and finally both the ASA and dural branch supplies were excised successfully. Clinical symptoms of the 3 patients were improved after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is necessary to perform thorough spinal angiography in patients with SDAVFs to exclude another fistula. The key point in the treatment of such patients is successfully to terminate both the spinal feeder and dural branch feeder.</p>