Percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia using Dyna-CT.

Percutaneous microballoon compression (PMC) is a well-established technique for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, direct puncture of the foramen ovale (FO) is sometimes difficult and there have been well-reported complications from cannulating the FO. We describe our experiences in using Dyna-CT for cannulating the FO and determining balloon position and volume. Dyna-CT was used to perform image reconstruction in 21 cases. The optimal working projection was generated and further fluoroscopic data were used to determine the needle's relationship to the foramen during puncture. Furthermore, the balloon position and three-dimensional shape were verified by Dyna-CT during balloon compression. The balloon volume and puncture angle were further calculated. Patients' prognosis was further discussed. Dyna-CT allowed quick, safe, and easy cannulation of the FO. It provided three-dimensional images which were more elaborate than the classic 'pear-shaped' images for determining correct positioning in 21 cases. The volume of the flattened balloon ranged from 568.2 mm(3) to 891.4 mm(3) with an average of 775.9 mm(3). The angle of introducing the cannula ranged from 15.17°-35.48° rotation to the midline with an average of 26.24° and 38.47°-51.89° angulation to the Reid line with an average of 46.09°. All the patients were pain free after PMC. Four patients had resolvable masseter weakness and fine touch loss. There was no recurrence of TN during follow-up. Dyna-CT demonstrated three advantages in assisting PMC. Firstly, the FO can be better visualized irrespective of the patient's position. Secondly, needle correction or insertion can be performed much more easily because of the direct fluoroscopic control. Thirdly, the needle position, balloon position, balloon configuration and the volume of the inflated balloon are more reliably determined. The use of dyna-CT provided an assisted method to PMC with a low incidence of complications and good prognosis.

Endovascular treatment of unruptured A1 segment aneurysms.

Aneurysms of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (A1A) are rare and challenging to treat. Less information is available regarding their management by endovascular approach. We evaluated our experience of endovascular treatment in 15 patients with unruptured A1As. We retrospectively reviewed unruptured A1As treated by embolization at our hospital. The clinical data and angiographic results were reviewed. A special technique involving shaping microcatheter tips was used for catheterization. From September 2009 to December 2012, 15 patients presenting with unruptured A1As were identified. All the patients were treated by selective embolization including five patients with balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) or stent-assisted coiling (SAC). These adjunctive techniques were used to catheterize the sac safely or to protect a branch at the neck. According to the location and direction of the aneurysm, "Z-shaped", "S-Shaped" or "U-Shaped" microcatheter tip shaping was used for microcatheter positioning and stabilization. All patients showed an excellent clinical outcome. A complete aneurysm occlusion was obtained in all the patients. Endovascular treatment of A1As is feasible and associated with good results. Because of their location and close relationship with perforators, endovascular treatment of A1As sometimes requires the use of BAC or SAC. The microcatheter tip shaping technique is very important for coiling. Our results suggest that endovascular treatment is a suitable therapeutic option for unruptured A1As when the aneurysm size is optimal for embolization.