Neoplastic Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm Caused by Intimal Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Intimal sarcomas (ISAs) are extremely rare malignant tumors that histologically occur in the tunica intima of large blood vessels of the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Herein, we describe a case of an ISA-based neoplastic aneurysm in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) that resulted in a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient presented to our hospital with severe consciousness disturbance (Glasgow Coma Scale E1V1M2) and anisocoria. On admission, computed tomography (CT) showed a diffuse SAH. At 8 months prior, he presented to a previous hospital with hoarseness. Thoracic CT revealed a threatened rupture of the aorta of the arch. After total arch replacement, he had been diagnosed with ISA from the pathological findings of the resected aorta. Thereafter, he had been treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy without any cerebral vascular imaging studies, before admission at our hospital. Angiogram revealed a multilobar fusiform aneurysm on the right MCA. We performed a superficial temporal artery-MCA anastomosis, trapping, and resection of the affected MCA (including the aneurysm), followed by external decompression. Microscopic hematoxylin-eosin staining showed proliferation of atypical spindle-shaped cells with enlarged nuclei in the lumen of the affected MCA. Immunostaining showed CD31 (±), ERG (+), MDM2 (+), CDK4 (+, slightly), SMA (±), MIB-1 index 13.9%, factor VIII (±), and desmin (-). These pathological findings indicated metastasis of the ISA, which formed the neoplastic aneurysm. An ISA can cause a neoplastic cerebral aneurysm. Therefore, once a patient is diagnosed with an ISA, it is necessary to check periodically the cerebral arteries.

Crossbow Bolt Penetrating the Neck Removed with the Assistance of an Endovascular Approach: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Penetrating neck injury by a crossbow bolt is extremely rare and can be life-threatening. When removing a crossbow bolt from the neck, it is necessary to protect against fatal bleeding from the carotid vessels. We report removing a crossbow bolt penetrating the neck, with an endovascular approach. A 49-year-old woman was shot in the neck by a crossbow and was transferred to our hospital. On presentation, the crossbow bolt totally penetrated the neck from right to left. Her level of consciousness was clear, with no significant neurological deficits except for right peripheral facial palsy. Neck contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed the crossbow bolt in contact with bilateral external and internal carotid arteries and that the bolt caused dissection of the left main trunk of the external carotid artery. Under general anesthesia, the crossbow bolt was removed under fluoroscopy with the assistance of an endovascular approach. First, we performed coil embolization for the dissected external carotid artery. Second, we prepared for fatal bleeding from the carotid arteries during crossbow bolt removal under protection using guiding catheters placed in bilateral common carotid arteries. The bolt was removed successfully without significant bleeding, and no complications occurred during the procedure. We report the successful removal of a crossbow bolt penetrating the neck. When removing a crossbow bolt penetrating the neck, endovascular assistance may be feasible to protect against fatal bleeding from the carotid arteries.

Midline suboccipital approach to a vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm from the rostral end of the patient using ORBEYE.

Background: The midline suboccipital approach with the patient in the prone position is safe and effective for clipping vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA-PICA) aneurysms. Using a conventional surgical microscope from the rostral end of the patient for this approach without an extreme head-down position requires the surgeon to overhang the visual axis of the microscope and perform surgical manipulations in an uncomfortable posture. We report performing the midline suboccipital approach from the rostral end with slight head-down position using ORBEYE, a new high-definition (4K) three-dimensional exoscope. Case Description: A 65-year-old woman was admitted for clipping of a right unruptured VA-PICA aneurysm (maximum diameter, 5mm) located medially and ventral to the hypoglossal canal. After induction of general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the prone position with the head titled slightly downward. A midline suboccipital approach was performed from the rostral end of the patient using ORBEYE. Clipping was safely accomplished in a comfortable posture. No operative complications occurred. Postoperative computed tomography angiography showed complete aneurysmal obstruction. Conclusion: Exoscopic surgery using ORBEYE is feasible for a midline suboccipital approach to VA-PICA aneurysms from the rostral end of the patient with the patient in the prone with slight head-down position.

Carotid-carotid crossover bypass after mechanical thrombectomy for internal carotid artery occlusion due to plaque from stenosed innominate artery.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) due to innominate artery stenosis is not well established. We herein describe a case of carotid-carotid crossover bypass and common carotid artery (CCA) ligation after mechanical thrombectomy for ICAO due to a plaque from the stenosed innominate artery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 70-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of left-sided hemiparalysis. Head magnetic resonance imaging/angiography showed a cerebral infarction in the right middle cerebral artery area and the right ICAO due to a plaque from the stenosed innominate artery. Immediately, we performed mechanical thrombectomy and successfully attained partial revascularization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Grade 2B). After a conference with cardiovascular group, we performed carotid-carotid crossover bypass and the right CCA ligation. The treatment was successful, and no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Carotid-carotid crossover bypass and CCA ligation may be a better option for innominate artery stenosis in selected patients.

Four Hands Surgery for Intracerebral Hemorrhage using Orbeye: Educational Values and Ergonomic Advantages - A Technical Note.

We have developed a new educational approach to microsurgery in which a trainee and supervisor can cooperate with "4 hands" using the exoscope. We evaluated 4-hands surgery for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) using the exoscope to validate the educational value and ergonomic advantages of this method. Thirty consecutive patients who underwent surgery for ICH using the exoscope between December 2018 and May 2020 were studied retrospectively. All operations were performed by a team comprising a supervisor (assistant) and a trainee (main operator). The assistant set the visual axis of the exoscope, and adjusted focus and magnification as a scopist. After setting the ORBEYE, the supervisor helped retract the brain and withdraw and irrigate the hematoma using suction tubes or brain retractors. Moreover, the trainee evacuated the hematoma with a suction tube and coagulated using bipolar forceps. Patient background and results of treatment were evaluated. Intraoperative postures of the operators were observed, and schemas compared with the use of a conventional microscope were developed. All microsurgical procedures were accomplished by a trainee with a supervisor using only the exoscope. During the surgery, the surgeons could work in a comfortable posture, and the supervisor and trainee could cooperate in microsurgical procedures using their four hands. The results of the present case series concerning evacuation of ICH were not inferior to those described in previous reports. To increase opportunities for education in microsurgery, 4-hands surgery for ICH using the exoscope appears feasible and safe and offered excellent educational value and ergonomic advantages.

Balloon anchoring to traverse the sigmoid sinus for delivery of large-caliber venous stents: A technical note.

BACKGROUND: In the reconstruction of the superior sagittal sinus or transverse sinus, it is desirable to place a large-diameter guiding catheter into the transverse sinus to introduce the stent delivery system smoothly. The utility of an anchoring technique with a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon for navigating an 8 F guiding catheter into the transverse sinus is demonstrated.Case Descriptions: Two dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) cases (Cognard type II a +b, Borden type II) that underwent sinus stenting are presented. In both cases, when the 8 F guiding catheter was placed in the jugular vein, the stent delivery system could not enter the transverse sinus because it could not pass through the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. Introduction of an 8 F guiding catheter into the transverse sinus was attempted but failed. An 8-mm or 9-mm PTA balloon was used as a distal anchor, and this technique allowed easier guiding of catheter advancement into the transverse sinus. In both cases, Carotid WALLSTENTS were placed in the sinus easily, with no complications. CONCLUSION: Balloon anchoring in the venous system is useful for achieving large-caliber catheter access across difficult anatomy and is technically feasible.

Reducing Surgeon's Physical Stress in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Various minimally invasive approaches are used in neurosurgery. Surgeons must perform nondynamic fine movements in a narrow corridor, so specially designed surgical devices are essential. Unsophisticated instruments may pose potential hazards. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with muscle fatigue during minimally invasive neurosurgery and to investigate whether physical stress can be reduced by refining the devices used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four physical aspects of a handpiece were investigated: torque of conduits (0.20, 0.28, and 0.37 kgf*cm), shape of hand grip (five types), angle of the nozzle (0, 20, and 40 degrees), and weight balance (neutral, proximal, and distal). To evaluate muscle fatigue, surface electromyography was recorded from the extensor carpi radialis muscle and flexor carpi radialis muscle during a geometric tracing task. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of each muscle and %MVC (muscle contraction during a task/MVC × 100) were used as the indexes of muscle fatigue. RESULTS: The shape of the hand grip significantly reduced %MVC, which is associated with muscle fatigue. The torque of conduits and angle of the nozzle tended to reduce muscle fatigue but not significantly. Weight balance did not affect muscle fatigue. Based on these results, we made two refined models: model α (torque of conduits 0.2 kgf*cm, angle of nozzle 20 degrees, neutral balance, hand grip with a 2.9 × 2.0-cm oval section with angled finger rest), and model ß (torque of conduits 0.2 kgf*cm, angle of nozzle 20 degrees, neutral balance, hand grip with a 2.9-cm round section with a curved finger rest). The %MVC was significantly decreased with both types (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), indicating reduction of muscle fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The geometrically refined surgical device can improve muscle load during surgery and reduce the surgeon's physical stress, thus minimizing the risk of complications.

Requisite role of vasohibin-2 in spontaneous gastric cancer formation and accumulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

The vasohibin (VASH) family consists of two genes, VASH1 and VASH2. VASH1 is mainly expressed in vascular endothelial cells and suppresses angiogenesis in an autocrine manner, whereas VASH2 is mainly expressed in cancer cells and exhibits pro-angiogenic activity. Employing adenomatous polyposis coli gene mutant mice, we recently reported on the role of Vash2 in the spontaneous formation of intestinal tumors. In this study, we used K19-Wnt1/C2mE (Gan) mice and examined the role of Vash2 in spontaneous gastric cancer formation. Gan mice spontaneously develop gastric tumors by activation of Wnt and prostaglandin E2 signaling pathways in gastric mucosa after 30 weeks of age. Expression of Vash2 mRNA was significantly increased in gastric tumor tissues compared with normal stomach tissues. When Gan mice were crossed with the Vash2-deficient (Vash2LacZ/LacZ ) strain, gastric cancer formation was significantly suppressed in Vash2LacZ/LacZ Gan mice. Normal composition of gastric mucosa was partially maintained in Vash2LacZ/LacZ Gan mice. Knockout of Vash2 caused minimal reduction of tumor angiogenesis but a significant decrease in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in tumor stroma. DNA microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR showed that mRNA levels of epiregulin (Ereg) and interleukin-11 (Il11) were significantly downregulated in gastric tumors of Vash2LacZ/LacZ Gan mice. Furthermore, conditioned medium of gastric cancer cells stimulated migration of and α-smooth muscle actin expression in fibroblasts, whereas conditioned medium of VASH2 knockdown cells attenuated these effects in vitro. These results suggest that VASH2 plays an important role in gastric tumor progression via the accumulation of CAF accompanying upregulation of EREG and IL-11 expression.