Clinical response to surgical decompression in atypical pediatric Bow Hunter's syndrome suggesting alternative pathophysiology: Case report.

Bow Hunter's syndrome is a rare cause of posterior circulation ischemia, produced by the mechanical and reversible occlusion of the vertebral artery during cephalic rotation. Diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and careful inspection of images with three-dimensional reconstruction. The study of choice is dynamic digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Treatment alternatives are: medical, surgical or endovascular. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with recurrent infarctions of the posterior circulation secondary to the dissection of the vertebral artery, in association with an occipital bone spur. Dynamic DSA was negative. Conservative initial management was elected with cervical immobilization and anticoagulation, but due to persistence of symptoms, surgical decompression was decided. The patient did not repeat symptoms postoperatively and returned to his usual life. This is the first case reported to our knowledge of a surgical pediatric patient with asymptomatic atypical compression of VA secondary to BHS, whose dynamic angiography was negative, suggesting an alternative mechanism of the syndrome.

Pipeline Embolization Devices for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms, Single-Center Registry: Long-Term Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes from 1000 Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies have established the safety and efficacy of the PipelineTM Embolization Device (PED; Medtronic) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IA). OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term outcomes from the Pipeline Embolization Devices for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms (PEDESTRIAN) Registry. METHODS: The PEDESTRIAN Registry data were retrospectively reviewed, which included patients (March 2006 to July 2019) with complex IAs treated with PED. Patients with unfavorable anatomy and/or recurrence following previous treatment were included and excluded those with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. The primary angiographic endpoint was complete occlusion and long-term stability. Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 3 to 6 mo, 12 mo, and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 835 patients (mean age 55.9 ± 14.7 yr; 80.0% female) with 1000 aneurysms were included. Aneurysms varied in size: 64.6% were small (≤10 mm), 25.6% were large (11-24 mm), and 9.8% were giant (≥25 mm). A total of 1214 PEDs were deployed. Follow-up angiography was available for 85.1% of patients with 776 aneurysms at 24.6 ± 25.0 mo (mean). Complete occlusion was demonstrated in 75.8% of aneurysms at 12 mo, 92.9% at 2 to 4 yr, and 96.4% at >5 yr. During the postprocedural period, modified Rankin Scale scores remained stable or improved in 96.2% of patients, with stability or improvement in 99.1% of patients >5 yr. The overall major morbidity and neurological mortality rate was 5.8%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated high rates of long-term complete aneurysm occlusion, stable or improved functional outcomes, and low rates of complications and mortality. Clinical and angiographic outcomes improved over long-term follow-up, demonstrating that endovascular treatment of IA with PED is safe and effective.

Curative endovascular reconstruction of cerebral aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device: the Buenos Aires experience.

OBJECTIVES: The Pipeline embolization device (PED) (Chestnut Medical Technologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) is a new microcatheter-delivered endovascular construct designed to achieve the curative reconstruction of the parent arteries giving rise to wide-necked and fusiform intracranial aneurysms. We present our initial periprocedural experience with the PED and midterm follow-up results for a series of 53 patients. METHODS: Patients harboring large and giant wide-necked, nonsaccular, and recurrent intracranial aneurysms were selected for treatment. All patients were pretreated with dual antiplatelet medications for at least 72 hours before surgery and continued taking both agents for at least 6 months after treatment. A control digital subtraction angiogram was typically performed at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (age range, 11-77 years; average age, 55.2 years; 48 female) with 63 intracranial aneurysms were treated with the PED. Small (n = 33), large (n = 22), and giant (n = 8) wide-necked aneurysms were included. A total of 72 PEDs were used. Treatment was achieved with a single PED in 44 aneurysms, with 2 overlapping PEDs in 17 aneurysms, and with 3 overlapping PEDs in 2 aneurysms. The mean time between the treatment and last follow-up digital subtraction angiogram was 5.9 months (range, 1-22 months). Complete angiographic occlusion was achieved in 56%, 93%, and 95% of aneurysms at 3 (n = 42), 6 (n = 28), and 12 (n = 18) months, respectively. The only aneurysm that remained patent at the time of the 12-month follow-up examination had been treated previously with stent-supported coiling. The presence of a preexisting endoluminal stent may have limited the efficacy of the PED reconstruction in this aneurysm. No aneurysms demonstrated a deterioration of angiographic occlusion during the follow-up period (i.e., no recanalizations). No major complications (stroke or death) were encountered during the study period. Three patients (5%), all with giant aneurysms, experienced transient exacerbations of preexisting cranial neuropathies and headache after the PED treatment. All 3 were treated with corticosteroids, and these symptoms resolved within 1 month. CONCLUSION: Endovascular reconstruction with the PED represents a safe, durable, and curative treatment of selected wide-necked, large and giant cerebral aneurysms. The rate of complete occlusion at the time of the 12-month follow-up examination approached 100% in the present study. To date, no angiographic recurrences have been observed during serial angiographic follow-up.

Single-staged sequential endovascular stenting in patients with in tandem carotid stenoses.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Simultaneous stenoses at the origin of the internal carotid artery and the carotid siphon, also known as 'in tandem stenoses', are not uncommon. However, the clinical importance of this condition is still a subject of controversy. Surgical and endovascular approaches have been proposed to manage symptomatic patients who fail antithrombotic therapy. METHODS: We present a series of eight patients with symptomatic in tandem carotid artery stenoses treated by sequential endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty. In all the cases, the intracranial stenosis was equal to, or greater, than the extracranial stenosis. RESULTS: Procedural success, defined as residual stenosis of less than 30% in extracranial and intracranial lesions, was obtained in all the cases. No patient sustained myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) during the procedure or hospital stay. During a mean clinical follow-up of 12 +/- 3.4 months (range: 7-20 months), there were no neurological events and on angiographic follow-up after 6 months, no patient presented in-stent de novo stenosis. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty appears to be a valid alternative for selected patients with symptomatic in tandem carotid stenoses that are refractory to medical treatment. In most of the cases, the characteristics of intracranial stenoses determine the feasibility of the procedure.

Evolución de la angiografía digital cerebral / Evolution of th digital cerebral angiography

Premio Nobel que fue reconocido por sus trabajos en tratamientos radicales en enfermedades mentales, pero no por la intervención de la angiografía, Antonio Caetano de Abreu Freire Egaz Moniz, se le acredita la inción de la angiografía. Sin embargo el impacto importante que tuvo en el desarrollo de este campo de la Medicina, que sobresali+o en sus trabajos, se le negó el Premio Nobel por circunstancias de la época. Por muchos años fue olvidada por parecer una técnica misteriosa. Hoy en día continúa cumpliendo un importante rol en el campo de la medicina vascular. La radiología se inicia como disciplina en los años treinta del siglo veinte, cuando se crea la Sociedad Norteamericana de Radiología, la cuál impulsa la relación entre enfermedad e imagen. La neurorradiología, inexistente como disciplina independiente, pertenecía a los clínicos, unos pocos la adoptaron como una discilplina comenzando con el estudio sistematizado de la anatomía y procesos patológicos del sistema nervioso a través de la imagen. Ésta se desarrolla vertiginosamente en Suecia, particularmente en en Instituto Karolinska de Estocolmo, y en Nueva York. La neurorradiología atribuible a Word en los albores de los años cincuenta, se concreta por el Dr. Juan M. Taveras en 1955, en la Universidad de Nueva York. Este artículo, refleja el comienzo de la angiografía, con Egas Moniz, y su evolución en el tiempo.

Evolución de la angiografía digital cerebral / Evolution of th digital cerebral angiography

Premio Nobel que fue reconocido por sus trabajos en tratamientos radicales en enfermedades mentales, pero no por la intervención de la angiografía, Antonio Caetano de Abreu Freire Egaz Moniz, se le acredita la inción de la angiografía. Sin embargo el impacto importante que tuvo en el desarrollo de este campo de la Medicina, que sobresali+o en sus trabajos, se le negó el Premio Nobel por circunstancias de la época. Por muchos años fue olvidada por parecer una técnica misteriosa. Hoy en día continúa cumpliendo un importante rol en el campo de la medicina vascular. La radiología se inicia como disciplina en los años treinta del siglo veinte, cuando se crea la Sociedad Norteamericana de Radiología, la cuál impulsa la relación entre enfermedad e imagen. La neurorradiología, inexistente como disciplina independiente, pertenecía a los clínicos, unos pocos la adoptaron como una discilplina comenzando con el estudio sistematizado de la anatomía y procesos patológicos del sistema nervioso a través de la imagen. Esta se desarrolla vertiginosamente en Suecia, particularmente en en Instituto Karolinska de Estocolmo, y en Nueva York. La neurorradiología atribuible a Word en los albores de los años cincuenta, se concreta por el Dr. Juan M. Taveras en 1955, en la Universidad de Nueva York. Este artículo, refleja el comienzo de la angiografía, con Egas Moniz, y su evolución en el tiempo.(AU)

Cementoplastia de malformaciones arteriovenosas maxilofaciales con compromiso óseo / Cementoplastia of maxilofaciales arteriovenosas malformations with bony commitment

Propósito: El objetivo del trabajo es describir este tipo de abordaje terapéutico en pacientes con malformaciones arterio-venosas de la región maxilofacial con compromiso óseo. Material y Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de 3 pacientes portadores de malformaciones arteriovenosas de alto flujo con compromiso maxilofacial, tratados en nuestro servicio mediante embolización superselectiva vía arterial, percutánea y punción ósea con inyección de Metilmetacrilato. Resultados: La edad de los pacientes fue 8, 12 y 19 años, 2 eran de sexo masculino y uno femenino. Todos presentaron historia de homorragias a repetición que requirieron transfudiones y reiteradas sesiones de embolización intraarterial previas. El estudio angiográfico mostró complejas malformaciones de alto flujo de la región maxilofacial con compromiso óseo evidente en exámenes radiológicos (radiografía simple, tomografía computada y resonancia magnética). Se realizó punción percutánea de la lesión bajo radioscopia e inyección de Metilmetacrilato como tratamiento complementario a la embolización superselectiva vía arterial. En los casos de hemorragia aguda severa el tratamiento produjo rápida hemostasia. En el seguimiento a seis meses no se registraron nuevos episodios de sangrado. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia, la reconstrucción ósea mediante cementoplastia con inyección de Metilmetacrilato en malformaciones arterio-venosas maxilofaciales es un procedimiento seguro y eficaz como complemento del abordaje terapéutico de estas complejas lesiones.

Variación de la técnica de compresión manual guiada por ultrasonido (CMGU) en el tratamiento del pseudoaneurisma femoral gigante / Variation of the technique of compression manual guided by ultrasound (CMGU) in the treatment of the giant femoral pseudoaneurism

Propósito: Presentación de un caso de pseudoaneurisma femoral iatrogénico,tratado mediante punción evacuadora y compresión guiada por ecografía. Material y métodos: Paciente femenina de 50 años de edad, con diagnóstico de pseudoaneurisma femoral gigante poscateterismo cardiológico, a quién se le realizó tratamiento del dolor mediante infiltración del nervio femorocutáneo lateral y, posteriormente, bajo guía ecográfica, punción evacuadora y compresión manual durante 30 minutos. Resultados: El dolor se logró controlar satisfactoriamente con la infiltración del nervio femorocutáneo ipsilateral; el efecto de masa del pseudoaneurisma fue disminuido mediante la punción evacuadora bajo guía ecográfica y la oclusión del cuello aneurismático se realizó con compresión manual bajo guía ecográfica, controlándose el llenado aneurismático mediante eco-Doppler. Conclusión: El tratmiento del pseudoaneurisma femoral grande o gigante mediante compresión asociada a punción evacuadora bajo guía ecográfica constituye una alternativa novedosa en el tratamiento de pseudoaneurismas de cuello pequeño, resultando ser un procedimiento seguro y eficaz en el manejo del dolor. Un mayor número de casos son necesarios para definir su utilidad real en este tipo de lesiones.

Reconstrucción endovascular con stents en el tratamiento de aneurismas cerebrales / Reconstruction endovascular stents in the treatment of brain aneurysms

Obejtivo: Presentamos nuestra experiencia clínica y los resultados del seguimiento a mediano plazo de las lesiones aneurismáticas complejas tratadas mediante stenting intracraneal. Material y Métodos: Entre junio de 1996 y junio del 2004, 259 pacientes con aneurisma complejos de la circulación cerebral fueron tratados mediante técnica de stenting intracraneal. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos: 1.- Pacientes tratados con stents balón expandibles (SBE), 2.- Pacientes con stents auto-expandibles (SAE). Resultados: Grupo 1: fueron implantados 172 stents. El 50.5% de los casos fueron aneurismas pequeños; 32.5% grandes y 18.6% gigantes. El 33% se trató solo con stent, el 66% con stent y coils y el 1% con stent y Onyx. La morbilidad del procedimiento fue de 4.3% y la mortalidad del 2.1%. Grupo2: el 102 stents implantados: 55.8% pequeños, 31.3% grandes y 12.7% gigantes. En el 29.4% fueron tratados exclusivamente con stent y en el 70.5% con stent y coils. La morbilidad del procedimiento fue de 2.8% con una mortalidad del 2.7%. Conclusión: los resultados de nuestra serie indican que el tratamiento con stents es una técnica segura, factible y efectiva para la reconstrucción endovascular de lesiones aneurismáticas complejas, y defectos arteriales segmentarios, pudiéndose utilizar como único tratamiento o combinado con coils. La disponibilidad de stent diseñados para uso neurológico permite realizar satisfactoriamente el tratamiento endovascular sin importar la tortuosidad vascular.

Evaluación morfológica y funcional no invasiva de la carga aterosclerótica en pacientes en riesgo vascular / Morphological and functional evaluation noninvasive atherosclerotic burden in patients with vascular risk

Objetivos: Estudiar la relación entre grosor íntima-media (GIM), presencia de placas bulbares (Bul) y reactividad humeral endotelio dependiente (RED) en pacientes (pt) con riesgo vascular. Material y Métodos: Estudiamos 241 pt con factores de riesgo (FR) o eventos vasculares (EV). Se empleó un ecógrafo ATL 3500 con transductor lineal 12Mhz. Se determinaron: a)GIM en la carótida común próxima al bulbo (método semiautomático M`AthStd); presencia de Bul; c) y RED pre y post isquemia antebraquial del 4,5 min. Resultados (±DE) Población: 241 pt:64% hombres; 64±11 años; BMI 28±9kg/cm2; 85% hipertensos; 77% sedentarios; 69% dislipidémicos; 32% con síndrome metábolico;15% diabéticos; 12 % tabaquistas; 30.7% con EV (51% coronarios; 62% cerebral; 17% otros). Hallazgos: GIM (mm) promedio y máximo derechos, 0.85±0.24 y 1.05±0.25; izquierdos, 0.90±0.27 y 1.11±0.28 (GIM promedio y mázimos derechos vs izquierdos p<0.0002). Bul: presente en 51%; RED (mm) basal 4,7±0.3 y pos-isquemia 5.0±0.4. Los pt fueron agrupados en GIM máximos >1mm (G1) y GIM máximo <1mm (G2). G1 presentó Bul en 59,4% y RED <5% en 61% vs G2, que presentó Bul en 27,2% (p<0.001) y RED <5% en 34,8% (p<0.001). G1 presentó Bul y RED <5% en 40.6% vs G2, 16.7% (p<0.001). Conclusiones: En pt con riesgo de EV, el mayor GIM se asoció a presencia de Bul e inadecuada RED. La presencia conjunta de los hallazgos discriminó los grupos en pt con alta (G1) y baja (G2) carga aterosclerótica, estratificando el riesgo vascular y facilitando la indicación terapeutica y el seguimiento.

Endovascular reconstruction by means of stent placement in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with intracranial atherosclerosis who fail antithrombotic therapy have a poor prognosis. The high rate of recurrent stroke warrants testing alternative treatments such as intracranial angioplasty. METHODS: We present our experience in the treatment of 104 patients (age range, 54-82 years; mean age, 67 years) with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses despite medical therapy who underwent stent-assisted angioplasty. Patient records were retrospectively analysed for location and degree of stenosis, regimen of antiplatelet agents, devices used, procedure-related complications and adverse events. Clinical (Modified Rankin Scale) and radiographic outcomes were obtained 24 hours, 1 month and 3-6 months after treatment. Sixty-five lesions (62.5%) were located in the posterior circulation. Mean stenosis was 75.4%. RESULTS: In all patients, the angiographic degree of stenosis was reduced to less than 30%. One stent was implanted in 66 patients (63%), and two or more in 38 patients (37%). Modified Rankin Scale (mR) was 1-2 in 67.5% of the cases, 3-4 in 25.9%, 5 in 2.8%, 6 in 3.8%. Procedural morbidity was 5.7% and procedural mortality was 3.8%. Angiographic follow-up was available in 58 patients (55.7%) and the restenosis rate was 12.5%. DISCUSSION: In selected patients, endovascular revascularization of intracranial arteries by means of stent-assisted angioplasty is technically feasible, effective and safe.

Partial aortic obstruction improves cerebral perfusion and clinical symptoms in patients with symptomatic vasospasm.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke studies in animals showed that aortic obstruction increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduces infarct size. In this study we evaluate the safety and efficacy of a device providing partial and transitory aortic obstruction. METHODS: We report the results in 24 selected patients with symptomatic vasospasm by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by partial and transitory aortic obstruction with a novel device (NeuroFlo, CoAxia, MN). Aneurysms were secured by coils prior to the procedure. We studied the adverse effects related to the aorta-obstructing device, and changes in CBF and neurological outcome. RESULTS: Mean flow velocity increased in both middle cerebral arteries over 15%, and the score in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale decreased >or=2 point in 20 patients (83%). During the procedure, three patients developed symptoms that were controlled. At 30 days follow-up, three patients had 6 points (unrelated death), three had 3 points, six had 1 point, and 12 had 0 points, in the modified Rankin scale. DISCUSSION: Partial aortic obstruction was safe, the cerebral blood flow increased without inducing significant hypertension and the neurological defects improved in most of the patients. Efficacy with a better level of evidence will be determined by a randomized study.

Buenos Aires experience with the Neuroform self-expanding stent for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECT: The authors report their experience with the use of the Neuroform Microdelivery System for intravascular reconstruction. They assess the technical feasibility of the system, the efficacy of the combined application of stent and detachable coils, and the follow-up findings. METHODS: Fifty patients found to harbor a complex wide-necked intracranial aneurysm were selected for the study. Different strategies were chosen and the performance and technical success of the device were evaluated. Stent placement was recorded as optimal or suboptimal with respect to the stent position. Clinical and angiographic follow-up examinations were obtained. Forty-six patients with 48 intracranial aneurysms were treated, leading to a technical success rate of 92%. Forty-two lesions were located in the anterior circulation. In every case the dome/neck ratio was less than 2 and the mean aneurysm size in these patients was 8.8 mm. The most frequent clinical presentation was subarachnoid hemorrhage in 48% of cases. Stent placement was optimal in 81.2% of cases and suboptimal in 18.8%. In 31% of cases, the investigators encountered difficulties in placing the Neuroform stent. Clinical follow up was recorded in all patients and angiographic follow up was obtained in 63%. There were no cases of repeated hemorrhage. In a single case in which only the stent was implanted progressive thrombosis was identified during the follow-up period. The procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were 8.6 and 2.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results, the authors conclude that the Neuroform self-expanding stent is a flexible and useful device that can be readily and safely maneuvered through tortuous intracranial vessels, enabling the endovascular treatment of complex wide-necked aneurysms. Early in the authors' experience, stent delivery presented difficulties; however, a second generation of devices has resolved this limitation. Although the early results are promising, the long-term benefit of this technique has to be proved by angiographic and clinical follow-up examinations.

Evaluación mediante ecografía con Doppler color pre y postembolización uterina en pacientes con miomatosis sintomática / Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of leiomyomas: color Doppler sonography before and after treatment

Propósito. Obtener volumetría uterina y de los miomas dominantes determinando con Power Doppler su grado de vascularización, y establecer la correlación entre el grado de irrigación y la reducción volumétrica post-embolización. Material y métodos. Desde agosto del 2000 a marzo del 2003 se estudiaron 45 pacientes con miomatosis uterina sintomática. Los síntomas predominantes fueron hemorragia genital, distención y dolor abdominal pelviano, y transtornos urinarios. Se evaluó ecográficamente y con Power Doppler el volumen uterino y el de los miomas dominantes clasificándolos en altamente, medianamente y pobremente vascularizados. Se midieron velocidades de flujo en las arterias uterinas. Se realizaron estudios preembolización y al mes, 3 y 6 meses postembolización. Resultados. 25 pacientes tuvieron miomas altamente, 15 moderadamente y 5 pobremente vascularizados. El volumen uterino osciló entre 500 y 2000 cm3, y el de los miomas dominantes entre 200 y 500 cm3. La disminución volumétrica más significativa la tuvieron los miomas hipervasculares, con una reducción del 56 por ciento al mes postembolización y 69 por ciento a los 90 días. Conclusión. En nuestra serie, los resultados terapéuticos dependieron del grado de vascularización del mioma (AU)

Evaluación mediante ecografía con Doppler color pre y postembolización uterina en pacientes con miomatosis sintomática / Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of leiomyomas: color Doppler sonography before and after treatment

Propósito. Obtener volumetría uterina y de los miomas dominantes determinando con Power Doppler su grado de vascularización, y establecer la correlación entre el grado de irrigación y la reducción volumétrica post-embolización. Material y métodos. Desde agosto del 2000 a marzo del 2003 se estudiaron 45 pacientes con miomatosis uterina sintomática. Los síntomas predominantes fueron hemorragia genital, distención y dolor abdominal pelviano, y transtornos urinarios. Se evaluó ecográficamente y con Power Doppler el volumen uterino y el de los miomas dominantes clasificándolos en altamente, medianamente y pobremente vascularizados. Se midieron velocidades de flujo en las arterias uterinas. Se realizaron estudios preembolización y al mes, 3 y 6 meses postembolización. Resultados. 25 pacientes tuvieron miomas altamente, 15 moderadamente y 5 pobremente vascularizados. El volumen uterino osciló entre 500 y 2000 cm3, y el de los miomas dominantes entre 200 y 500 cm3. La disminución volumétrica más significativa la tuvieron los miomas hipervasculares, con una reducción del 56 por ciento al mes postembolización y 69 por ciento a los 90 días. Conclusión. En nuestra serie, los resultados terapéuticos dependieron del grado de vascularización del mioma

Reconstructive endovascular approach for a cavernous aneurysm in infancy.

We report a unique case of endovascular arterial reconstruction using stent and coils in a symptomatic cavernous aneurysm presented in infancy. A 3-year-old infant presented with a partial cavernous sinus syndrome secondary to a bilobulate cavernous aneurysm with subarachnoid extension. Direct clipping represented a considerable challenge and trapping after bypass grafting was considered to risky. A combined endovascular approach using stent and coils was performed. A 4 x 18 mm balloon-expandable stent was then placed across the aneurysm orifice allowing the complete obliteration of the remnant with coils implanted through the stent mesh. Digital substraction angiography documented patency of the ICA lumen and complete obliteration of the aneurysm. A 24-months angiographic follow-up was performed confirming persistent aneurysm exclusion and patency of the parent vessel with no signs of in-stent de novo stenosis. Reconstructive endovascular technique using stent and coils allowed the treatment of a complex vascular condition. The cavernous lesion was excluded from the circulation while preserving normal flow through the parent vessel and its branches. Long-tern follow up is a major concern, specially in pediatric patients but the 24 months angiographic follow-up is encouraging.

Carotid stent angioplasty: the role of cerebral protection devices.

Carotid endarterectomy has been validated with results of several randomized controlled trials in which its effectiveness has been demonstrated over that of the best nonsurgical therapy. However, in the past several years, carotid angioplasty with stent placement has emerged as a potential safe and effective alternative to carotid endarterectomy. In this article we examine the current status of carotid angioplasty with the recent introduction of innovative cerebral protection devices and improved endovascular devices. We present a brief description of the current randomized trials evaluating carotid endarterectomy compared to carotid angioplasty as well as our combined experience in 262 patients.

Covered stent as an innovative tool for tumor devascularization and endovascular arterial reconstruction.

A temporal paraganglioma was pre-operatively embolised with particles and due to the fact that the internal carotid artery was encased by the tumor and that multiple petrous feeders precluded safe embolization, we decided to implant a balloon-expandable covered stent. On immediate post-procedural angiography, the arterial diameter was restored and a complete devascularization of the tumor was achieved. The tumor was operated with minimal blood loss and the carotid artery was released from surrounding tumor using the frame of the stent as a surgical limit. Covered stents may become a valuable tool for pre-operative tumor devascularization and arterial reconstruction especially when dealing with hypervascular tumors of the cranial base that encase the carotid artery.

Partially clipped intracranial aneurysm obliterated with combined stent and coil implantation.

PURPOSE: To report a case of endovascular stent placement to assist stable coil deployment in a symptomatic, wide-necked, partially clipped aneurysm. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old woman presented for endovascular treatment of a symptomatic posterior communicating artery aneurysm remnant that was surgically clipped 10 years ago. A 3.5-mm x 12-mm balloon-expandable stent was placed across the aneurysm orifice followed by complete obliteration of the remnant with coils implanted through the stent mesh. Digital subtraction angiography documented continued patency of the arterial lumen and complete obliteration of the aneurysm at 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: Partial aneurysm clipping may assist or complicate secondary interventional procedures and interfere with correct visualization of the neck. Stent placement obviates the need for the balloon-assist method of coil embolization for wide-necked aneurysm remnants, acting as a mechanical barrier to hold the coils in a very unfavorable anatomy.

Angioplasty and stent placement in intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses and dissections.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent placement has been shown to increase the safety and effectiveness of balloon angioplasty in cervical carotid disease. Here, the authors investigated the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcome of stent-assisted angioplasty for the treatment of intracranial stenoses. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (age range, 12-77 years; mean age, 54 years) with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and dissections that produced stenosis of more than 50% were selected and treated with stents. Eighteen lesions (53%) were located in the anterior circulation, and 16 (47%) were in the vertebrobasilar complex. The mean stenosis was 75%. RESULTS: At follow up, 21 patients (62%) improved clinically, 11 (32%) remained stable, and the condition of two patients (6%) deteriorated. In all patients, the angiographic degree of stenosis was reduced to less than 30%. In 10 patients (29%), two or more stents were implanted: Two stents were implanted in six patients, and three, in four patients. The transient procedural morbidity rate was 12%, and the transient neurologic morbidity rate was 6%. One patient had hemorrhagic transformation due to reperfusion and died, and another patient had a massive myocardial infarction after 5 months. Twenty patients were followed up with angiography for at least 6 months, and none required repeat angioplasty. CONCLUSION: Endovascular revascularization of intracranial arteries by means of stent-assisted angioplasty is technically feasible, effective, and safe in selected patients.