Tratamiento combinado, mediante embolización y cirugía, de los aneurismas cerebrales rotos con hematoma cerebral e hipertensión intracraneal: Análisis retrospectivo y revisión de la bibliografía / Combined surgery and embolization to treat ruptured cerebral aneurysms with cerebral hematoma and intracranial hypertension: a retrospective analysis and review of the literature

Objetivo: Valorar si la técnica de embolización urgente del aneurisma cerebral y posterior cirugía del hematoma es segura y eficaz en pacientes con hematoma y signos de hipertensión intracraneal por rotura de aneurisma cerebral. Métodos: Se incluyeron 23 pacientes consecutivos con aneurisma cerebral roto y mal estado clínico debido a un hematoma intracraneal, ambos tratamientos completados en las primeras 4 horas del inicio de la clínica. Todos los pacientes presentaban signos clínicos de hipertensión intracraneal y/o alteración del nivel conciencia, incluido coma por deterioro rostrocaudal. Se valoró la eficacia de la técnica mediante el grado de cierre de los aneurismas y el pronóstico de los pacientes un mes después, y la seguridad, mediante el análisis de las complicaciones de los tratamientos. Resultados: El 91,3% de los pacientes tenía un aneurisma localizado en la arteria cerebral media (ACM). Todos los pacientes presentaban un valor de 4 en la escala de Fisher y de IV-V en la escala de Hunt y Hess. El tiempo medio desde la identificación del aneurisma en la tomografía computarizada hasta la embolización del aneurisma fue de 115 minutos. Se usó balón de remodeling en el 78% de los casos, con el que se logró un cierre adecuado en el 82,6% de los pacientes. Durante la cirugía se colocó un drenaje ventricular en 9 (39,1%) pacientes. Al mes, 13 (56,5%) pacientes eran independientes, con una mortalidad del 13%. No existieron resangrados. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia, el tratamiento combinado mediante embolización del aneurisma y descompresión quirúrgica con evacuación del hematoma es segura y efectiva, y es una alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico aislado

Objective: To determine whether the urgent embolization of a cerebral aneurysms and posterior surgery on cerebral hematomas is safe and efficacious in patients with hematomas and signs of intracranial hypertension due to the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. Methods: We included 23 consecutive patients in poor clinical condition due to an intracranial hematoma caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm who were treated with both embolization and surgery within 4 hours of the onset of symptoms. All patients had clinical signs of intracranial hypertension and / or altered levels of consciousness, including coma due to rostrocaudal deterioration. We evaluated the efficacy of the combined technique by determining the degree of closure of the aneurysms and the patients' prognosis one month after the procedures; we evaluated safety by analyzing the complications of the treatments. Results: All but two of the patients (21/23; 91.3%) had an aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. All patients scored 4 on the Fisher scale and were classified as Hunt and Hess IV or V. The mean time from the identification of the aneurysm on computed tomography to embolization was 115minutes. A balloon remodeling technique was used in 18 (78%) patients; embolization achieved adequate closure in 19 (82.6%) patients. During surgery, a ventricular drain was placed in 9 (39.1%) patients. One month after treatment, 13 (56.5%) patients were functionally independent and 3 (13%) had died. No episodes of rebleeding were observed. Conclusion: In our experience, combined treatment including embolization of the aneurysm and surgical decompression with evacuation of the hematoma is a safe and effective alternative to surgical treatment alone

Combined surgery and embolization to treat ruptured cerebral aneurysms with cerebral hematoma and intracranial hypertension: a retrospective analysis and review of the literature. / Tratamiento combinado, mediante embolización y cirugía, de los aneurismas cerebrales rotos con hematoma cerebral e hipertensión intracraneal: Análisis retrospectivo y revisión de la bibliografía.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the urgent embolization of a cerebral aneurysms and posterior surgery on cerebral hematomas is safe and efficacious in patients with hematomas and signs of intracranial hypertension due to the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: We included 23 consecutive patients in poor clinical condition due to an intracranial hematoma caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm who were treated with both embolization and surgery within 4hours of the onset of symptoms. All patients had clinical signs of intracranial hypertension and / or altered levels of consciousness, including coma due to rostrocaudal deterioration. We evaluated the efficacy of the combined technique by determining the degree of closure of the aneurysms and the patients' prognosis one month after the procedures; we evaluated safety by analyzing the complications of the treatments. RESULTS: All but two of the patients (21/23; 91.3%) had an aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. All patients scored 4 on the Fisher scale and were classified as Hunt and Hess IV or V. The mean time from the identification of the aneurysm on computed tomography to embolization was 115minutes. A balloon remodeling technique was used in 18 (78%) patients; embolization achieved adequate closure in 19 (82.6%) patients. During surgery, a ventricular drain was placed in 9 (39.1%) patients. One month after treatment, 13 (56.5%) patients were functionally independent and 3 (13%) had died. No episodes of rebleeding were observed. CONCLUSION: In our experience, combined treatment including embolization of the aneurysm and surgical decompression with evacuation of the hematoma is a safe and effective alternative to surgical treatment alone.

Embolization of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Using PHIL Liquid Embolic Agent in 26 Patients: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The introduction of liquid embolic agents has revolutionized endovascular approach to cranial vascular malformations. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the efficacy and safety of Precipitating Hydrophobic Injectable Liquid (PHIL), a new nonadhesive liquid embolic agent, in the treatment of patients with cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas. The primary end point was the rate of complete occlusion of dural arteriovenous fistulas. Secondary end points included the incidence of adverse events and clinical status at 3-month follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study. Twenty-six consecutive patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas (de novo or previously treated) treated by injection of PHIL only or with PHIL in combination with other embolization products (such as Onyx or detachable coils) were included in the study. Recruitment started in August 2014 and ended in September 2015. RESULTS: Twenty-two (85%) patients were treated with PHIL only, with 3 patients treated with both PHIL and Onyx, and 1, with both PHIL and coils. Immediate complete angiographic occlusion was achieved in 20 (77%) patients. Of the 6 patients with residual fistulas, 3 were retreated with PHIL and 1 achieved angiographic cure. An adverse event was seen in 1 patient who developed worsening of preexisting ataxia due to acute thrombosis of the draining vein. CONCLUSIONS: PHIL appears to be safe and effective for endovascular treatment of cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas. Short-term angiographic and clinical results are comparable with those of Onyx, with the added advantage of easier preparation and improved homogeneous cast visualization. The use of iodine as a radio-opacifier also produces considerably less artifacts on CT compared with tantalum-based embolic materials.

Técnicas asistidas para el tratamiento endovascular de aneurismas cerebrales complejos o atípicos / Assisted techniques for the endovascular treatment of complex or atypical cerebral aneurysms

A lo largo de los últimos 10 años, el abordaje endovascular de los aneurismas cerebrales ha pasado de ser una alternativa a la cirugía a convertirse en la terapia de elección en la inmensa mayoría de los casos. El constante desarrollo de técnicas asistidas y de nuevos materiales de embolización ha multiplicado sus posibilidades terapéuticas, de modo que en la actualidad es posible tratar con eficacia y seguridad aneurismas que hace tan solo unos años hubiesen sido considerados quirúrgicos. Este continuo avance tecnológico exige a los profesionales implicados en el tratamiento de pacientes con aneurismas cerebrales un alto grado de especialización y una actualización formativa permanente. En el presente trabajo repasamos algunas de las técnicas asistidas más empleadas en la actualidad para el tratamiento endovascular de los aneurismas cerebrales, mostramos sus principales indicaciones, las mejoras que suponen respecto a las técnicas de embolización convencional y sus posibles limitaciones(AU)

In the last ten years, the endovascular approach to the management of cerebral aneurysms has gone from being an alternative to surgery to being the first-choice technique in the vast majority of cases. The continuous development of new assisted techniques and of new materials for embolization have multiplied its therapeutic possibilities, so that safe and efficacious endovascular treatment is now possible for aneurysms that would have required surgery only a few years ago. These continuous technological advances require the professionals that treat patients with cerebral aneurysms to achieve a high degree of specialization and to keep up to date through continuous training. In this article, we review some of the most widely used assisted techniques in the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, discussing their main indications, their advantages over conventional embolization techniques, and their possible limitations(AU)

[Assisted techniques for the endovascular treatment of complex or atypical cerebral aneurysms]. / Técnicas asistidas para el tratamiento endovascular de aneurismas cerebrales complejos o atípicos.

In the last ten years, the endovascular approach to the management of cerebral aneurysms has gone from being an alternative to surgery to being the first-choice technique in the vast majority of cases. The continuous development of new assisted techniques and of new materials for embolization have multiplied its therapeutic possibilities, so that safe and efficacious endovascular treatment is now possible for aneurysms that would have required surgery only a few years ago. These continuous technological advances require the professionals that treat patients with cerebral aneurysms to achieve a high degree of specialization and to keep up to date through continuous training. In this article, we review some of the most widely used assisted techniques in the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, discussing their main indications, their advantages over conventional embolization techniques, and their possible limitations.

Nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los seudoaneurismas cerebrales / Our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms

Objetivo. Presentar nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento intravascular de los seudoaneurismas cerebrales. Material y métodos. Presentamos 11 casos de seudoaneurismas (2 traumáticos, 2 micóticos, 3 iatrogénicos y 4 asociados a otras causas) en otros tantos pacientes y analizamos los métodos y criterios diagnósticos, la evolución radiológica y clínica, los criterios tomados en cuenta para la decisión terapéutica, el método de tratamiento y las complicaciones. Resultados. El método de referencia para el diagnóstico es la angiografía por sustracción digital y los criterios diagnósticos en la literatura médica incluyen: aneurismas con cambios morfológicos precoces, aneurismas distales o aneurismas proximales asociados a otro distal, en el contexto clínico adecuado. En los 9 pacientes tratados mediante técnica intravascular se consiguió el objetivo del tratamiento, evitar el resangrado. Conclusiones. Ante la sospecha clínica de un seudoaneurisma todo paciente debe ser valorado mediante arteriografía, principalmente aquellos que presentan hemorragias cerebrales inexplicables y los pacientes con septicemia. La angiografía mediante TC o mediante RM puede sustituir a la arteriografía con una buena rentabilidad diagnóstica. El tratamiento de elección debe ser el intravascular de primera intención y no demorarse excepto que exista una razón que impida el acceso al seudoaneurisma, normalmente un vasoespasmo cerebral grave (AU)

Objective. To present our experience in the diagnosis and intravascular treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms. Material and methods. We present 11 pseudoaneurysms (2 traumatic, 2 mycotic, 3 iatrogenic, and 4 with other causes). We analyze the methods and diagnostic criteria, radiological and clinical outcome, the criteria used in making decisions about treatment, the method of treatment, and the complications. Results. Digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cerebral pseudoaneurysms; the diagnostic criteria in the literature include: aneurysms with early morphological changes and distal aneurysms or proximal aneurysms associated with another distal one, in the context of the right symptoms and signs. In the nine patients treated with endovascular techniques, the treatment objective was achieved and rebleeding did not occur. Conclusions. In cases with clinical suspicion of a pseudoaneurysm, the patient should undergo angiography. This is especially important in patients with inexplicable cerebral hemorrhage and in those with septicemia. CT angiography and MR angiography have good diagnostic accuracy and can replace conventional angiography. However, the treatment of choice is endovascular and treatment should not be delayed unless access to the pseudoaneurysm is impeded, usually due to severe cerebral vasospasm (AU)

Tratamiento endovascular de la estenosis carotídea: experiencia en el Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias / Endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis: an experience in the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias

Introducción. La estenosis carotídea es responsable de aproximadamente el 25% de los eventos cerebrovasculares isquémicos. La angioplastia-stent carotídeo (ASC) constituye un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo utilizado como alternativa a la endarterectomía carotídea, especialmente en pacientes de alto riesgo quirúrgico. Objetivo. Analizar la eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento endovascular de la estenosis carotídea en el Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de las estenosis carotídeas tratadas mediante ASC entre febrero de 2005 y abril de 2010, con registro de datos demográficos, diagnóstico clínico, indicación de tratamiento, tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas y la realización del tratamiento, resultados angiográficos, complicaciones y seguimiento a largo plazo (incluyendo la tasa de reestenosis). Resultados. Se trataron 121 pacientes (77,8% varones y 22,2% mujeres), con una edad media de 70,8 ± 10,7 años. Los principales factores de riesgo vascular fueron hipertensión arterial (65,3%), tabaquismo (61,2%) y dislipidemia (42,1%). En el 86% de los casos se trataba de estenosis sintomáticas y en el 14% de asintomáticas. En un 60,3% de los casos se trataba de estenosis > 70%; en un 30,6%, de estenosis preoclusivas, y en un 9,1%, de recanalizaciones de oclusiones carotídeas inestables. El tiempo medio de tratamiento fue de 17,0 ± 8,3 días tras el evento isquémico. La estenosis residual fue inferior al 30% en todos los casos. La tasa de morbimortalidad a 30 días fue del 4,1% y la tasa de reestenosis a lo largo de un seguimiento medio de 31,2 ± 10,8 meses fue del 2,4%. Conclusiones. La ASC en nuestro hospital se configura como una técnica eficaz y segura, con una tasa de complicaciones dentro de los parámetros que justifican su indicación (AU)

Introduction. Carotid stenosis accounts for about 25% of all ischaemic cerebrovascular events. Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is a minimally invasive procedure used as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, especially in high surgical risk patients. Aim. To analyse the effectiveness and safety of the endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis in the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Patients and methods. The study consisted in a retrospective analysis of the carotid stenoses treated by means of CAS between February 2005 and April 2010, and the following information was recorded: demographic data, clinical diagnosis, indication of treatment, time between the onset of symptoms and beginning of treatment, angiographic findings, complications and long-term follow-up (including the rate of restenosis). Results. Altogether 121 patients were treated (77.8% males and 22.2% females), with a mean age of 70.8 ± 10.7 years. The main vascular risk factors were arterial hypertension (65.3%), smoking (61.2%) and dyslipidaemia (42.1%). In 86% of cases the stenoses were symptomatic and in the remaining 14% they were asymptomatic. In 60.3% of cases they were stenoses > 70%, in 30.6% they were preocclusive stenoses and in 9.1% they were recanalisations of unstable carotid occlusions. The mean treatment time was 17.0 ± 8.3 days after the ischaemic event. The residual stenosis was less than 30% in all cases. The morbidity and mortality rate at 30 days was 4.1% and the rate of restenosis throughout a mean follow-up of 31.2 ± 10.8 months was 2.4%. Conclusions. In our hospital CAS is considered an effective and safe technique, with a rate of complications that is within the parameters that justify its indication (AU)

[Our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms]. / Nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los seudoaneurismas cerebrales.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the diagnosis and intravascular treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 11 pseudoaneurysms (2 traumatic, 2 mycotic, 3 iatrogenic, and 4 with other causes). We analyze the methods and diagnostic criteria, radiological and clinical outcome, the criteria used in making decisions about treatment, the method of treatment, and the complications. RESULTS: Digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cerebral pseudoaneurysms; the diagnostic criteria in the literature include: aneurysms with early morphological changes and distal aneurysms or proximal aneurysms associated with another distal one, in the context of the right symptoms and signs. In the nine patients treated with endovascular techniques, the treatment objective was achieved and rebleeding did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: In cases with clinical suspicion of a pseudoaneurysm, the patient should undergo angiography. This is especially important in patients with inexplicable cerebral hemorrhage and in those with septicemia. CT angiography and MR angiography have good diagnostic accuracy and can replace conventional angiography. However, the treatment of choice is endovascular and treatment should not be delayed unless access to the pseudoaneurysm is impeded, usually due to severe cerebral vasospasm.