[Unilateral thalamotomy with high intensity focal ultrasound in patients with refractory essential tremor: a comparative study between patients under and over 70 years of age]. / Talamotomía unilateral con ultrasonidos focales de alta intensidad en pacientes con temblor esencial refractario: un estudio comparativo entre pacientes menores y mayores de 70 años.

INTRODUCTION: High intensity focal ultrasound (HIFU) thalamotomy is a novel treatment for refractory tremor. This study aims to compare the reduction in tremor intensity and adverse effects of treatment between patients younger and older than 70 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the patients with refractory essential tremor treated with HIFU between March 2021 and March 2023 were included consecutively. Various demographic and clinical variables were analysed, including age and the items on the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST). Cerebral vascular pathology was quantified using the Fazekas scale. Outcomes and adverse effects were compared between the patients aged 70 years or younger, and those older than 70 years. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included, and 50 of them were over 70 years old. Prior to treatment, the CRST A + B score was 20.4 ± 5.7 among those under 70 years of age, and 23.3 ± 5.1 in those older (p = 0.013). At six months after treatment, the mean was 3.8 ± 5.1 and 4.8 ± 4.5, respectively (p = 0.314). We found no significant differences in the CRST C score (2.8 ± 4.1 and 3.5 ± 4.8, p = 0.442). There were also no significant differences between the patients with vascular pathology (Fazekas = 1) and those without (4.6 ± 7.3 and 4.3 ± 4, p = 0.832). There were no differences in the presence of adverse effects between the groups based on age and vascular pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to traditional opinion, older patients do not have a poorer response or a higher rate of adverse effects after HIFU treatment.

TITLE: Talamotomía unilateral con ultrasonidos focales de alta intensidad en pacientes con temblor esencial refractario: un estudio comparativo entre pacientes menores y mayores de 70 años.Introducción. La talamotomía con ultrasonidos focales de alta intensidad (HIFU) es un tratamiento novedoso para el temblor refractario. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la reducción en la intensidad del temblor y los efectos adversos del tratamiento entre pacientes menores y mayores de 70 años. Pacientes y métodos. Se incluyó consecutivamente a todos los pacientes con temblor esencial refractario tratados con HIFU entre marzo de 2021 y marzo de 2023. Se analizaron diferentes variables demográficas y clínicas, incluyendo la edad y los apartados de la Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST). Se cuantificó la patología vascular cerebral mediante la escala de Fazekas. Se compararon los resultados y los efectos adversos entre los grupos de edad de 70 años o menos y de más de 70 años. Resultados. Se incluyó a 90 pacientes, 50 de ellos de más de 70 años. Previamente al tratamiento, la CRST A + B era de 20,4 ± 5,7 en los menores de 70 años y de 23,3 ± 5,1 en los mayores (p = 0,013). A los seis meses tras el tratamiento, la media fue de 3,8 ± 5,1 y 4,8 ± 4,5, respectivamente (p = 0,314). No hallamos diferencias significativas en la CRST C (2,8 ± 4,1 y 3,5 ± 4,8, p = 0,442). Tampoco hubo diferencias significativas entre pacientes con patología vascular (Fazekas = 1) y sin ella (4,6 ± 7,3 y 4,3 ± 4, p = 0,832). No hubo diferencias en la presencia de efectos adversos entre los grupos de edad y de patología vascular. Conclusiones. En contra de lo tradicionalmente concebido, los pacientes de mayor edad no tienen una peor respuesta ni una mayor tasa de efectos adversos tras el tratamiento con HIFU.

Falsas penumbras isquémicas en la TC de perfusión en pacientes con estenosis carotídea y cambios después de la angioplastia y stenting / False ischaemic penumbras in CT perfusion in patients with carotid artery stenosis and changes following angioplasty and stenting

INTRODUCCIÓN: La estenosis carotídea tiene una influencia en la TC de perfusión (TCP), que en ocasiones se manifiesta como una falsa penumbra isquémica (FPI). El objetivo de nuestro estudio es estimar la incidencia de FPI en pacientes con estenosis carotídea, establecer su relación con el grado de estenosis y medir los cambios cuantitativos y cualitativos de la TCP después de la angioplastia carotídea y stenting (ACS). MÉTODOS: Entre octubre del 2013 y junio del 2015 se seleccionó prospectivamente a 26 pacientes con estenosis carotídea que fueron sometidos a una ACS, realizándose un TCP 2-10 días antes y después de la ACS. RESULTADOS: Dieciséis pacientes tenían una estenosis unilateral (11 en el subgrupo de < 90% de estenosis y 5 en el de ≥ 90%) y 10 pacientes una estenosis bilateral. La incidencia de FPI en pacientes con estenosis carotídea es del 38,5%. El riesgo de FPI aumenta en relación directa con el grado de estenosis, con un riesgo relativo de 11 en el grupo de ≥ 90% respecto al grupo de < 90% (IC del 95%: 1,7-71,3; p = 0,0005). Existen cambios estadísticamente significativos en los parámetros CBF, TTP, MTT y Tmáx de la TCP que revierten tras la ACS. No hay cambios significativos en CBV. CONCLUSIONES: La estenosis carotídea implica cambios en los parámetros de la TCP, condicionando un alto riesgo de FPI en estenosis ≥ 90% y, por tanto, una posible interpretación equivocada de estos estudios. Estos cambios se revierten tras la ACS

INTRODUCTION: Carotid artery stenosis influences CT perfusion (CTP) studies, sometimes manifesting as a false ischaemic penumbra (FIP). This study aims to estimate the incidence of FIP in patients with carotid artery stenosis, establish their relationship with the degree of stenosis, and measure quantitative and qualitative changes in CTP after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). METHODS: Between October 2013 and June 2015, we prospectively selected 26 patients with carotid stenosis who underwent CAS, with CTP being performed 2-10 days before and after CAS. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had unilateral stenosis (11 in the subgroup displaying < 90% stenosis and 5 in the subgroup with ≥ 90% stenosis) and 10 patients had bilateral stenosis. The incidence of FIP in patients with carotid artery stenosis was 38.5%. Risk of FIP increased in direct relation to degree of stenosis, with a relative risk of 11 in the subgroup with ≥ 90% stenosis with respect to the subgroup displaying < 90% stenosis (95% CI, 1.7-71.3; P=.0005). There were statistically significant changes in the parameters CBF, TTP, MTT, and Tmax CTP, which reverted after angioplasty. No significant changes were found in CBV. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid artery stenosis involves changes in CTP parameters. Patients with ≥ 90% stenosis carry a high risk of FIP; CTP studies may therefore be misinterpreted in these cases. Changes in CTP parameters are reverted after CAS

False ischaemic penumbras in CT perfusion in patients with carotid artery stenosis and changes following angioplasty and stenting. / Falsas penumbras isquémicas en la TC de perfusión en pacientes con estenosis carotídea y cambios después de la angioplastia y stenting.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid artery stenosis influences CT perfusion (CTP) studies, sometimes manifesting as a false ischaemic penumbra (FIP). This study aims to estimate the incidence of FIP in patients with carotid artery stenosis, establish their relationship with the degree of stenosis, and measure quantitative and qualitative changes in CTP after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). METHODS: Between October 2013 and June 2015, we prospectively selected 26 patients with carotid stenosis who underwent CAS, with CTP being performed 2-10 days before and after CAS. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had unilateral stenosis (11 in the subgroup displaying < 90% stenosis and 5 in the subgroup with ≥ 90% stenosis) and 10 patients had bilateral stenosis. The incidence of FIP in patients with carotid artery stenosis was 38.5%. Risk of FIP increased in direct relation to degree of stenosis, with a relative risk of 11 in the subgroup with ≥ 90% stenosis with respect to the subgroup displaying < 90% stenosis (95% CI, 1.7-71.3; P=.0005). There were statistically significant changes in the parameters CBF, TTP, MTT, and Tmax CTP, which reverted after angioplasty. No significant changes were found in CBV. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid artery stenosis involves changes in CTP parameters. Patients with ≥ 90% stenosis carry a high risk of FIP; CTP studies may therefore be misinterpreted in these cases. Changes in CTP parameters are reverted after CAS.

Expanding the use of flow diverters beyond their initial indication: treatment of small unruptured aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Experience with the endovascular treatment of unruptured small intracranial aneurysms by flow diverter devices is still limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of the SILK flow diverter (SFD) in the treatment of small unruptured cerebral aneurysms (<10 mm). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients treated with a SFD between July 2008 and December 2013 at 4 institutions in Spain to identify all patients with small unruptured aneurysms (<10 mm). Data for patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and technical procedures were analyzed. Angiographic and clinical findings were recorded during the procedure and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 109 small aneurysms were treated with a SFD in 104 patients (78 women; 26 men; mean, median, and range of age: 55.2, 57.1, and 19-80 years, respectively). A total of 60 patients were asymptomatic (57.7%). All except 7 aneurysms (6.4%) arose from the anterior circulation. The mean size of the aneurysms was 4.7±1.9 mm. At 6 months, the neuromorbidity and neuromortality rates were 2.9% and 0.9%, respectively. Imaging at the 12-month follow-up showed complete occlusion, neck remnants, and residual aneurysm in 88.5% (69/78), 7.7% (6/78), and 3.3% (3/78) of cases, respectively. No delayed hemorrhage occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the indications for SFD can be safely extended to small intracranial aneurysms.

Imagen por resonancia magnética en la degeneración olivar hipertrófica / Magnetic resonance imaging of hypertrophic olivary degeneration

Objetivo. Repasar los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de la degeneración olivar hipertrófica, prestando atención a los aspectos epidemiológicos y clínicos, y sobre todo a los hallazgos de imagen. Material y métodos. Se revisaron 5 pacientes diagnosticados de degeneración olivar hipertrófica en nuestro centro entre los años 2010 y 2013, analizando los aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos y radiológicos relevantes. Resultados. En todos los casos se vio una hiperintensidad en los núcleos olivares inferiores en las secuencias FLAIR y T2. Las secuencias potenciadas en T1 no mostraron alteraciones de señal ni tampoco se observó realce tras inyectar contraste intravenoso. En los casos en los que se realizó una secuencia de difusión, no hubo alteraciones significativas. Salvo en un paciente, en el que presumiblemente no había pasado el tiempo necesario, en todos los restantes se vio una hipertrofia olivar. Las alteraciones fueron bilaterales en dos de los cinco individuos. En solo un caso las manifestaciones clínicas fueron típicas. Conclusión. Dado que los pacientes pueden no presentar manifestaciones clínicas atribuibles a la degeneración olivar hipertrófica, resulta importante reconocer los signos radiológicos característicos (AU)

Objective. To review the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in hypertrophic olivary degeneration, with attention to epidemiologic and clinical aspects and especially to imaging findings. Material and methods. We reviewed 5 patients diagnosed with hypertrophic olivary degeneration at our center from 2010 through 2013, analyzing relevant clinical, epidemiologic, and radiologic findings. Results. In all cases, a hyperintensity was seen in the inferior olivary nuclei in FLAIR and T2-weighted sequences. No signal alterations were seen on T1-weighted sequences, and no enhancement was seen after intravenous injection of contrast material. In the cases studied by diffusion-weighted imaging, no significant alterations were seen in these sequences. Olivary hypertrophy was seen in all patients except in one, in whom presumably not enough time had elapsed for hypertrophy to occur. The alterations were bilateral in two of the five cases. Only one case exhibited the typical clinical manifestations. Conclusion. Given that patients may not present clinical manifestations that can be attributed to hypertrophic olivary degeneration, it is important to recognize the characteristic radiologic signs of this entity (AU)

Magnetic resonance imaging of hypertrophic olivary degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To review the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in hypertrophic olivary degeneration, with attention to epidemiologic and clinical aspects and especially to imaging findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 5 patients diagnosed with hypertrophic olivary degeneration at our center from 2010 through 2013, analyzing relevant clinical, epidemiologic, and radiologic findings. RESULTS: In all cases, a hyperintensity was seen in the inferior olivary nuclei in FLAIR and T2-weighted sequences. No signal alterations were seen on T1-weighted sequences, and no enhancement was seen after intravenous injection of contrast material. In the cases studied by diffusion-weighted imaging, no significant alterations were seen in these sequences. Olivary hypertrophy was seen in all patients except in one, in whom presumably not enough time had elapsed for hypertrophy to occur. The alterations were bilateral in two of the five cases. Only one case exhibited the typical clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION: Given that patients may not present clinical manifestations that can be attributed to hypertrophic olivary degeneration, it is important to recognize the characteristic radiologic signs of this entity.

Vascular reconstruction of a fusiform basilar aneurysm with the Silk embolization system.

We present the case of a 47-year-old man with a fusiform aneurysm of the basilar cerebral artery, who was successfully treated with the placement of a novel flow diverter system (Silk stent).