Intrasaccular neck-bridging: A technical note on Nautilus-assisted coiling of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms. Feasibility study, immediate and early angiographic results.

PURPOSE: Various adjunctive devices have been reported to be helpful during the endovascular coiling of complex, wide-necked cerebral aneurysms. This study aimed to describe the utilization of a recently introduced intrasaccular neck-bridging implant specifically designed to facilitate coil embolization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed eight consecutive patients who underwent treatment for intracranial aneurysms with the Nautilus intrasaccular bridging system between February 2022 to May 2022. We evaluated the angiographic appearances of treated aneurysms at the end of the procedure and early follow-up, the clinical status and complications. RESULTS: Eight patients with eight cerebral aneurysms (3 men and 5 women, mean age 52.8 years (range 39-66) were analyzed. Five of the treated aneurysms were managed in an acute case scenario. There were no technical difficulties while executing the technique. No other procedural adverse events were documented. Immediate complete occlusion of the aneurysm was seen in 6 patients, neck remnant in 1 and stable aneurysm reperfusion in one case. Early radiological follow-up was available in five patients, and the observed occlusion rates were - RR class I in all radiologically screened aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Nautilus-assisted coil embolization represents a rapid and safe solution for complex cerebral aneurysms. In our opinion this device symbolizes a significant step forward in treating intracranial aneurysms. We believe that the technique's actual value consists of the fact that the device is fully compatible with the modern low-profile microcatheter technology and does not involve the need for antiplatelet medications.

Comaneci plus Balloon-assisted Embolization of Ruptured Wide-necked Cerebral Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, avant-garde combinations of ancillary devices as an adjunct to coil embolization for acutely ruptured and wide-necked cerebral aneurysms have emerged. This study sought to investigate the feasibility, safety and durability of the simultaneous combination of temporary neck-bridging devices plus balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) to treat acutely ruptured and wide-necked cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with ruptured and wide-necked intracranial bifurcation aneurysms treated with temporary stent plus balloon-assisted coiling. Anatomical features, technical details, intraprocedural complications, clinical and angiographic results were reviewed. Preprocedural and follow-up clinical statuses were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (mean age 54.5 years, range 37-72 years) were identified. The immediate postprocedural angiography revealed complete aneurysm occlusion in 85.7% (18/21) of the cases. A periprocedural complication developed in 9.5% of the cases. There was no mortality in this study. The permanent morbidity rate was 4.7%. Long-term follow-up angiography was performed in 18 of 21 patients (85.7%) (the mean follow-up period was 21 months). The rate of complete aneurysm occlusion at final follow-up was 89.4%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed that temporary stent plus balloon-assisted coiling is a durable and relatively safe endovascular technique for the treatment of ruptured wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms located in both the posterior and anterior cerebral circulation.

Intermixed Dimethyl-Sulfoxide-Based Nonadhesive Liquid Embolic Agents Delivered Serially via the Same Microcatheter for Cerebral AVM Treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conventional nonadhesive liquid embolic agents currently are the criterion standard for endovascular embolization of cerebral AVMs. However, inadequate distal penetration into the nidus and unstable proximal plug formation are the major limitations of this approach and of the currently available embolic materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothetic efficacy of combining liquid embolic agents with different properties and viscosities for use in endovascular embolization of cerebral AVMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2018 to March 2019, sixteen patients with cerebral AVMs (12 women, 4 men; age range, 33-61 years) underwent endovascular embolization with combined liquid embolic agents delivered serially via a single microcatheter. The procedure consists of initial embolization with PHIL 30%, followed by Menox 18 through the same microcatheter. According to the Spetzler-Martin scale, 11 (68.75%) AVMs were grades I-II, 4 (25%) were grade III, and 1 (6.25%) was grade IV. Angiographic, technical, and clinical outcomes were analyzed independently. RESULTS: Combined PHIL and Menox embolization through the same microcatheter via 21 pedicles was performed in these 16 patients. Once the length of the reflux reached approximately 2 cm, PHIL 30% was switched to Menox 18. Antegrade flow and distal penetration of the serially applied liquid embolic agents were observed in all 16 cases. The ability to completely control the flow of the materials and avoid any dangerous proximal reflux was noted in all performed embolizations. The estimated average size reduction of the treated AVMs was 85%, ranging from 50% to 100%. Complete embolization was achieved in 10/16 or 62.5% of the cases. There was no procedure-related complication during or after the embolization. No mortality or postprocedural clinical worsening was seen. Clinical success and complete obliteration were confirmed with at least 1 follow-up angiography in 10/16 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serial delivery of nonadhesive liquid embolic agents via the same microcatheter was safe and effective in our study and may be a potential technique for routine AVM treatment. However, further investigations are required to validate the safety and the efficacy of the method.

The p64 Flow Diverter-Mid-term and Long-term Results from a Single Center.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The p64 is a flow modulation device designed to be used in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. There is limited data on the long-term effectiveness of the device. This study sought to determine the safety and long-term efficacy of this device. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed to identify all patients treated with a p64 between March 2015 and November 2018 at University Hospital St. Ivan Rilski. Anatomical features, intraprocedural complications, clinical, and angiographic outcomes were also taken into account and reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients with 72 aneurysms who met the inclusion criteria were identified. Device placement was successful in all patients. Follow-up angiographic imaging at 6 months showed complete occlusion (O'Kelly-Marotta scale [OKM] D) in 55 (76.3%) patients, subtotal aneurysmal filling (OKM B) in 10 (13.8%) patients, and neck remnant (OKM C) in 7 (9.7%) patients. Catheter angiography at 12 months was available for 70 patients (97.2%) and of these patients 91.4% of the aneurysms were completely occluded (OKM D) (64/72). Delayed angiography at 24 months was available for 68 patients (94.4%) and of these 98.5% (67/68) had completely occluded aneurysms. A 36-month angiography was available for 61 patients (84.4%) by which point all aneurysms had been completely occluded (100%). Permanent morbidity due to delayed aneurysmal rupture occurred in one patient (1.38%). The mortality rate was 0%. Self-limiting mild intimal hyperplasia was seen in 2 patients (2.72%). CONCLUSION: Treatment of intracranial aneurysms with a p64 flow modulation device is safe and effective with a high success rate and only infrequent complications.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus as an unusual presentation of supratentorial extraventricular space-occupying processes: report on two cases.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a clinical and radiographic syndrome characterized by ventriculomegaly, abnormal gait, urinary incontinence, and dementia. The condition may occur due to a variety of secondary causes but may be idiopathic in approximately 50% of patients. Secondary causes may include head injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, and central nervous system tumor. Here, we describe two extremely rare cases of supratentorial extraventricular space-occupying processes: meningioma and glioblastoma multiforme, which initially presented with NPH.

Long-term survival with primary glioblastoma multiforme: a clinical study in bulgarian patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor with an extremely poor prognosis in spite of multimodal treatment approaches. The estimated median survival in cases with GBM is about 12-16 months. Those patients who survive =3 years after the initial diagnosis are defined as long-term survivors. In this study, we retrospectively analyze 50 consecutive cases of Bulgarian patients with newly diagnosed GBM surgically treated at our institution for a period of 1 year. Four of them survived for more than 36 months after the initial intervention. The histological re-examination revealed features typical of primary GBM in 3 of these cases, which are described in detail in the present paper. A brief review of the relevant literature is also given.

[Characteristics and prognosis of visual deficit caused by parasellar meningiomas].

UNLABELLED: Meningiomas are the most common slow growing tumors of the central nervous system which arise from the arachnoid cells. One certain group of them--tuberculum sellae (TS), cavernous sinus (CS), anterior clinoid (AC), and planum sphenoidale (PS) meningiomas, a group often called "parasellar", present with monocular or binocular visual deterioration, which is often unrecognized by patients until visual loss is severe and the tumor has reached a significant size. AIM: To describes the type of visual deficit, severity of the symptoms and surgical treatment of tumors with the above mentioned localization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period 2003-2007 year, 93 patients (31 man, 62 women) diagnosed with meningiomas of the TS (31 cases), CS (16 cases), AC (21 cases), PS (17 cases), (see text) - 8, were diagnosed and operated on in the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilsky", Sofia, Bulgaria. Retrospective analysis was done. RESULTS: Age at diagnosis ranged from 12 to 74 years, but the majority of cases were in the 5th and 6th decade of life. Localization of was: TS 33%, CS 17%, AC 24%, PS 18% and with more than one area affected in 8 %. The most common symptom was slowly progressing loss of monocular visual acuity (81% of cases). 68% of patients presented with already severely deteriorated vision (0.1-0). Neuro-ophthalmological examination (see text) the patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were the main diagnostic methods. "Gross" total resection was achieved in 62%, subtotal in 12%, partial in 26% of the cases. There was early improvement in 57% of the patients. Death due to cardio-respiratory insufficiency occurred in one case. CONCLUSION: the progressive monocular visual deficit is often the first clinical symptom of the parasellar menigiomas. The early diagnosis is important for the success of surgery. Close collaboration between different specialists (ophthalmologists, neurologist and neurosurgeons) is essential for treatment of these tumors and prevention of the visual deterioration.

[Clinical, histopathological and cytogenetical findings in six cases with primary glioblastoma multiforme].

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. There is an increasing amount of data demonstrating that the routine histological examination has limited value to predict the tumor biological behaviour. AIM: To compare the clinical, histological and cytogenetical findings in a group of six patients with primary GBM surgically treated in the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski"- Sofia, Bulgaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied group consisted of three women and three men with average age of 51 years and 6 months. In all patients the diagnosis was histologically confirmed. A microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of fresh-frozen tumor tissue samples was also made. RESULTS: In two of the patients the tumor was localized in frontotemporal region, in another two- in frontoparietal, and in the other two- in parietal and occipital respectively. The onset was with headache in three of the cases. The median time between the onset and admission in the clinic was 70 days. Gross-total tumor removal was performed in one patient. In the other five subtotal excision was made. Three of the patients improved after the intervention. One patient deteriorated after the surgery. All patients demonstrated typical histological findings except one who had giant cell subtype of GBM. The microarray CGH analysis determined chromosome 10 monosomy in five patients, trisomy 7 - in four, trisomy 20 - in three, 3q23 deletion - in three, and Yp11.2 deletion - in three. CONCLUSION: GBMs are genetically heterogeneous tumors with different clinical response to standard multimodal treatment regimens. The microarray CGH analysis is a powerful method which can demonstrate the presence of a number of molecular markers with possible predictive value.

[Malignant progression of an anaplastic ganglioglioma into a glioblastoma multiforme--report on two cases and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: Ganglioglioma is an uncommon type of primary brain tumors. In most of the cases the tumor demonstrates benign clinical behaviour with long-term patients' survival. We present two cases ofhistologically confirmed anaplastic ganglioglioma in which malignant progression into a glioblastoma multiforme was seen. CASE 1: A 36 year-old female with known Turner syndrome and recent history of single generalized seizure. The contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an infiltrating lesion of the left frontal lobe. The tumor was excised partially and the histological result was anaplastic ganglioglioma (World Health Organization - WHO. gr. III). No additional neurological deterioration occurred after the procedure. A postoperative radiotherapy was performed with total dose of 60 Gy. The patient was symptom-free for one year taking her anticonvulsant medications. Control neuroimaging studies (computer tomography - CT, and MRI) were made because of progressive headache, right limbs weakness and speech disturbances. A local tumor recurrence was found and the patient underwent second operative intervention with gross total tumor resection. The histological result was glioblastoma multiforme (WHO gr. IV glioma). The patient improved after the procedure. An involvement of the contralateral cerebral hemisphere was found on control CT-scan ten months later. The patient died after one month, 23 months after her initial diagnosis. CASE 2: A 17 year-old female with recent history of progressive headache and three generalized seizures preceded by involuntary movements of the right limbs. MRI data for large, heterointense tumor lesion in the left frontal lobe was found. A subtotal tumor removal was made. The histological result was anaplastic ganglioglioma (WHO gr. ILL). The patients' headache and right side hemiparesis improved after the intervention. She was seizure-free taking her anticonvulsant medications. Thirty-day-long fractionated radiotherapy was performed with total dose of 60 Gy. The patient remained symptom-free for thirteen months after initial surgical procedure. During the next month the patients, partial motor seizures relapsed. Progressive headache, diplopia, and visual acuity impairment also developed. The ventriculoperitoneal shunt was implanted with neuroimaging data for internal hydrocephalus development. The patients' headache and visual disturbances improved after the procedure. Data for additional local tumor growth was found on control CT-scan one month later. The patient underwent subtotal excision of the lesion and the actual histological result was glioblastoma multiforme. The patient deteriorated after the intervention according to her right limbs paresis and died one month and half later. 20 months after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The gangliogliomas are uncommon in clinical practice. The tumor behaviour may vary between the patients in spite of the similar histological characteristics which indicates the possible presence of different tumor subtypes.

[Orbital lymphoma].

INTRODUCTION: Orbital lymphomas are neoplasms with increasing incidence in recent years in immunocompromised, as well as immunocompetent patients, which defines their social importance. AIM: To describe and analyze the experience of the University hospital "'Sv. Ivan Rilski" with the treatment of this pathology for the period 1997-2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen patients (8 females, 6 males - 13 primary orbital lymphomas, 1 systemic lymphoma). Mean age at diagnosis was 65.6 years (from 50 to 80 years). In 2/3 of the patients the lesion was localized in left eye, without a case with bilateral orbital involvement. Seven cases the diagnosis was made 6 months from the onset of symptoms, 5 cases - 1 year and 2 cases - more than one year. The most common clinical symptoms were exophthalmus (12 case), tumor or bulging mass of the eyelid - 8, diplopy - 6, decreased visual acuity - 5. Intraconal localization of the tumor was in 6 cases, extraconal - 2. intra-extraconal - 6. The diagnosis was made by neuro-ophthalmologist and precised with the aid of CT and MRI. All the patients were operated on with the following approaches - fronto-orbital - 9 cases, lateral - 3, anterior orbitotomy (without bone resection) - 2 cases. In six cases "'gross total" resection was achieved, in the rest of the cases the resection was partial. On histological examination, a high grade lymphoma was established in 2 cases with primary orbital lymphoma and one case with systemic lymphoma. All other cases were diagnosed as low-grade B-call small lymphocytic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Long-term survival (over 5 years) was observed in 4 cases with primary lymphoma, whereas the patient with systemic form of the disease died 10 months after the operation.

Cerebellar gangliocytoma presenting with hemifacial spasms: clinical report, literature review and possible mechanisms.

Cerebellar lesions have classically been considered not to cause epilepsy. However, previous reports have attributed seizures, beginning as hemifacial spasms to lesions of the cerebellar peduncles. We report an example of paroxysmal facial contractions associated with a cerebellar gangliocytoma. The seizures began on the first day of life and consisted of paroxysmal contractions involving the left orbicularis oculi, often the left forehead and lower facial muscles, sometimes accompanied by nystagmoid eye movements to the right and by head deviation to the left. Video-EEG monitoring showed only artifacts from muscle contractions. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass arising from the left superior cerebellar peduncle and partially occupying the fourth ventricle. The lesion was removed subtotally and partial seizure control was achieved. The neuropathological findings were consistent with a gangliocytoma. The literature in the association of cerebellar lesions with hemifacial spasms is reviewed and its possible mechanisms discussed.