Mechanical thrombectomy with a self-expanding retrievable intracranial stent (Solitaire AB): experience in 26 patients with acute cerebral artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with stroke unsuitable for IV thrombolysis may be considered for endovascular revascularization, particularly when baseline imaging suggests proximal cerebral vessel occlusion associated with minimal established infarction. This retrospective review describes the use of a self-expanding retrievable intracranial stent (Solitaire AB) for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with stroke treated endovascularly by using the Solitaire stent were identified, followed by detailed review of data extracted from their imaging and clinical records. RESULTS: Recanalization (TIMI grade ≥2) was achieved with Solitaire thrombectomy as the single treatment technique in 16 patients and in combination with urokinase or the Penumbra device in 9 of the remaining 10 patients. Two patients had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. A favorable clinical outcome (mRS score of ≤2) was seen in 3 of 5 patients with MCA occlusion, 6 of 11 (55%) patients with ICA occlusion, and 2 of 10 patients with BA occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical thrombectomy by using the Solitaire stent appears to be safe and is capable of achieving a high rate of recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes in patients presenting with proximal cerebral vessel occlusion.

Fenestrated anterior cerebral artery with associated arterial anomalies. Case reports and literature review.

SUMMARY: Fenestration of the A2 segment is extremely rare. Cerebrovascular fenestration may be associated with an increased incidence of cerebral aneurysm and other vascular anomalies. Two case reports are presented which identify a fenestration of the A2 segment and other normal variations of the intra-cerebral circulation. A review of the literature has been undertaken to determine the prevalence and embryology of anterior cerebral artery fenestrations, their clinical significance and the association with aneurysm formation and other intracranial vascular anomalies.

Ultrasonography in an early hydatidiform mole.

An early hydatidiform mole containing a fetal sac is shown in grey scale echograms. It is suggested that all hydatidiform moles can be shown to contain a gestation sac if examined early enough.

"Prune Belly" syndrome.

A large sonolucent mass was first revealed by the ultrasonic echography examination of a fetus at 18 1/2 weeks' gestation, but was no longer present at 28 1/2 weeks' gestation. The fetus was subsequently born with the "prune belly" syndrome. The case is described, and the possible causes, and possibilities of prevention, of "prune belly" are discussed.