Gekko Coil System for Intracranial Aneurysms Treatment in China (GREAT-China): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Open-Label Noninferiority Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Gekko coil system in treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in clinical practice. METHODS: A prospective multicenter randomized open-label parallel positive control noninferiority trial was conducted by 11 centers in China. Patients with a target IA were randomized 1:1 to coiling with either Gekko or Axium coils. The primary outcome was successful aneurysm occlusion at 6 months postoperative follow-up, whereas the secondary outcomes included the successful occlusion aneurysm rate in the immediate postoperative period, recanalization rate at the 6 months follow-up, and technical success and security. RESULTS: Between May 2018 and September 2020, 256 patients were enrolled and randomized. Per-protocol analysis showed that the successful aneurysm occlusion rate at 6 months was 96.08% for the Gekko coil group compared with 96.12% in the Axium coil group, with a difference of -0.04% (P = 0.877). The successful immediate aneurysm occlusion rates were 86.00% and 77.45% in the Gekko coil group and the Axium coil group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.116), whereas the recanalization rates during the 6 months follow-up were 2.02% and 1.96% in the Gekko and Axium coil groups, respectively, which was not statistically significant (P = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that the Gekko coil system was noninferior to the Axium coil system in terms of efficacy and safety for IA embolization. In clinical practice, the Gekko coil system can be considered safe and effective for treating patients with IA.

Endoscope-Assisted Surgery vs. Burr-Hole Craniostomy for the Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscope-assisted surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) in comparison with the burr-hole craniostomy. Methods: An electronic literature research was performed in MEDLINE, the Cochrane library, and EMBASE from the inception to February 18, 2020. A systematic review with meta-analyses was conducted to compare the efficacy of endoscope-assisted surgery with Burr-hole Craniostomy (BHC) surgery. Results: This meta-analysis included four studies comprising 441 patients. Endoscope-assisted surgery significantly decreased the risk of recurrence in patients with cSDH [odds ratio, 0.368; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.178-0.759; P = 0.007; I 2 = 0%]. The complication rate was also significantly lower in the endoscope-assisted group (OR, 0.249; 95% CI, 0.07-0.882; P = 0.031; I 2 = 71.87%). Conclusion: We conducted the first meta-analysis of endoscope-assisted surgery for cSDH. The meta-analysis of four studies comprising 441 patients with cSDH suggests a significantly decreased risk of recurrence and postoperative complications after endoscope-assisted surgery. Therefore, endoscope-assisted surgery is effective and safe in treating cSDH.

Eya2 overexpression promotes the invasion of human astrocytoma through the regulation of ERK/MMP9 signaling.

The overexpression of eyes absent (Eya) 2 has been found in several human cancers. However, its biological roles and clinical significance in human astrocytoma have not yet been explored. This study investigated the clinical significance and biological roles of Eya2 in human astrocytoma tissues and cell lines. Using immunohistochemistry, we found Eya2 overexpression in 33 out of 90 (36.7%) astrocytoma specimens. The rate of Eya2 overexpression was higher in grade III-IV (48.1%) than in grade â… +Ⅱ astrocytomas (21.1%). Transfection with an Eya2 expression plasmid was performed in A172 cells with a low endogenous expression of Eya2 and the knockdown of Eya2 was carried out in U251 cells with a high endogenous expression using siRNA. Eya2 overexpression induced A172 cell proliferation and invasion, while the knockdown of Eya2 using siRNA decreased the proliferation and invasion of U251 cells. In addition, we found that transfection with the Eya2 expression plasmid facilitated cell cycle progression, and that the knockdown of Eya2 inhibited cell cycle progression, accompanied by a change in the expression of cell cycle-related proteins, including cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Eya2 also positively regulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9 expression. The blockade of ERK signaling using an inhibitor abolished the effects of Eya2 on A172 cell invasion and MMP9 production. In addition, we found that there was a positive correlation between Eya2 and Six1 in the astrocytoma cell lines. Immunoprecipitation revealed that Eya2 interacted with Six1 protein in the U251 cell line, which exhibited a high expression of both proteins. Eya2 failed to upregulate MMP expression in the A172 cells in which Six1 was silenced. On the whole, our data indicate that Eya2 may serve as a potential oncoprotein in human astrocytoma. Eya2 regulates astrocytoma cell proliferation and invasion, possibly through the regulation of ERK signaling.

[The application of rhinoscope in microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms intraoperative clinical research].

This paper analysed the rhinoscope's clinical value in microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Application of the rhinoscope in 87 patients, only 2 patients had ruptured during operation. However, 11 cases had ruptured in 94 cases without using rhinoscope, P < 0.05, they had a significant difference. By DSA follow-up review, 82 cases of used rhinoscope only 2 cases had remained the aneurysm neck, but 9 cases had the aneurysm neck in 77 cases which had not used the rhinoscope in the microsurgical treatment, P < 0.05, they also had significant difference. The application of rhinoscope in microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms intraoperative, can reduce the risk of the intraoperative aneurysm rupture. It can achieve better clinical effect.

Whole brain CT perfusion combined with CT angiography in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and monitor cerebral microcirculatory changes in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) via CT angiography (CTA) combined with whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) techniques. METHODS: Sixty patients with SAH (SAH group) and 10 patients without SAH (control group) were selected for a prospective study. CTP combined with CTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) studies were performed on patients with initial onset of SAH less than three days. CTA and DSA as well as the CTP parameters such as cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT), and time-to-peak (TTP) were acquired and analyzed. The relationship of CTA and CTP measurements was assessed in these acute SAH patients. RESULTS: CTP techniques were used to achieve the perfusion maps of the whole brain in patients with acute SAH. Compared to the control group, mean CBF value was significantly lower while both MTT and TTP values were significantly higher in SAH group (all p<0.05). Further analysis revealed that mean CBF in patients with CVS, sCVS, Fisher III-IV and Hunt-Hess III-V significantly decreased when compared to patients with nCVS, asCVS, Fisher I-II and Hunt-Hess I-II (p<0.05). Furthermore both MTT and TTP values were also significantly reduced in patient with CVS, sCVS, Fisher III-IV and Hunt-Hess III-V (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that changes of microcirculation in patients with SAH could be assessed by whole-brain CTP. CTP combined with CTA could detect both macroscopic evident vasospasm on CTA and alterations of microcirculation on CTP. Mean CBF was significantly lower in patients with SAH.

Microneurosurgery in combination with endovascular embolisation in the treatment of solid haemangioblastoma in the dorsal medulla oblongata.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment of solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata using microneurosurgery in combination with endovascular embolisation. METHODS: Clinical data from 11 patients with solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata who were treated with endovascular embolisation followed by microneurosurgery were analysed retrospectively. Clinical results were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale. The patients were preoperatively evaluated by neuroimaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). General anaesthesia was induced, the patients were tracheally intubated, and the abnormal vessels were embolised. Surgery to resect the haemangioblastoma was conducted after the blood-clotting index returned to normal levels (generally one month after the interventional treatment). RESULTS: Embolisation was accomplished in all 11 patients. DSA analysis revealed that most of the tumour vessels and tumour stains disappeared without any complications. The haemangioblastomas were completely resected. None of the patients received blood transfusion or died during surgery. The neurological deficit was reduced or eliminated in 10 patients, but 1 patient died after experiencing an acute myocardial infarction on the tenth postoperative day. No recurrence occurred during follow-up in patients who underwent total tumour resection. Postoperative grades using the modified Rankin scale were improved in all 10 patients. However, several complications occurred, including communicating hydrocephalus, incision infection, pneumonia and cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the incision. Notably, normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) did not develop during or after endovascular embolisation or surgery. CONCLUSION: Preoperative endovascular embolisation is a safe and effective adjunct treatment. Employing this treatment, solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata can be safely and completely resected.

Intraprocedural cerebral aneurysm rupture during endovascular coiling.

BACKGROUND: Intraprocedural aneurysm rupture is considered to be one of the most formidable complications of the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms and is associated with high mortality. OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical outcomes of cerebral aneurysms that ruptured during endovascular coiling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of six years, 559 endovascular embolizations were performed in 467 patients, with 507 cerebral aneurysms. Intraprocedural aneurysm rupture occurred in 14 cases (mean aneurysm size, 3.8 mm). Follow-up angiograms, at a minimum of three months post embolization, were available in 11 living patients. Acute and follow-up results were reviewed. RESULTS: The difference in the rates of aneurysm perforation during endovascular coiling between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms was significant (P < 0.05). There were three (21.4%) deaths related to this complication and three (21.4%) patients developed new deficits (modified Rankin Scale scores 1 to 2). Acute results of embolization were: complete occlusion in eight (57.1%), neck remnant in two (14.3%), and incomplete occlusion in four (28.6%) patients. Long-term follow-up results in 11 living patients were: major recanalization in one (9.1%), minor recanalization in one (9.1%), and stable occlusion in nine (81.8%). CONCLUSION: Intraprocedural aneurysm rupture frequently occurs in small aneurysms and appears to be associated with relatively high rates of mortality.

Endovascular embolization of very small cerebral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Very small cerebral aneurysms are considered to be one of the challenges for endovascular treatment, with difficulty for catheterization and high risk for intraoperative rupture. We report the treatment of very small (< 3-mm) cerebral aneurysms by coil embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients with very small aneurysms treated by coil embolization in our institute between February 2007 and February 2009. RESULTS: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) was most accurate in the detection of these aneurysms; 3DRA revealed the aneurysms in two patients in whom conventional angiography failed to demonstrate the aneurysms. The Hunt-Hess (HH) grade was grade 0 (unruptured aneurysm) in one patient and grade I in ten patients. Coil embolization was successfully performed in 11 patients. Complete (n = 8) or near complete (n = 3) immediate occlusion was obtained. One or three soft coils were used in all the patients with the shortest available length. Balloon assistance was used in one patient and stent assistance was used in seven patients. Although coil migration into the MCA was seen in one patient and intraoperative aneurismal rupture occurred in one patient, no untoward clinical complication was seen. Follow-up DSA in 11 patients demonstrated persistent occlusion (n = 9) or progressive thrombosis (n = 2) of the aneurysms. All the patients with available follow-up had a modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0. CONCLUSION: HH grade 0 and I very small cerebral aneurysms can be treated by endovascular coil embolization. Use of short, soft coils and balloon/stent assistance is useful.