Distribution of rupture sites and blebs on intracranial aneurysm walls suggests distinct rupture patterns in ACom and MCA aneurysms.

The mechanisms behind intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture are not fully understood, with factors such as location, patient demographics, and hemodynamics playing a role. Additionally, the significance of anatomical features like blebs in ruptures is debated. This highlights the necessity for comprehensive research that combines patient-specific risk factors with a detailed analysis of local hemodynamic characteristics at bleb and rupture sites. Our study analyzed 359 intracranial aneurysms from 268 patients, reconstructing patient-specific models for hemodynamic simulations based on 3D rotational angiographic images and intraoperative videos. We identified aneurysm subregions and delineated rupture sites, characterizing blebs and their regional overlap, employing statistical comparisons across demographics, and other risk factors. This work identifies patterns in aneurysm rupture sites, predominantly at the dome, with variations across patient demographics. Hypertensive and anterior communicating artery (ACom) aneurysms showed specific rupture patterns and bleb associations, indicating two pathways: high-flow in ACom with thin blebs at impingement sites and low-flow, oscillatory conditions in middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms fostering thick blebs. Bleb characteristics varied with gender, age, and smoking, linking rupture risks to hemodynamic factors and patient profiles. These insights enhance understanding of the hemodynamic mechanisms leading to rupture events. This analysis elucidates the role of localized hemodynamics in intracranial aneurysm rupture, challenging the emphasis on location by revealing how flow variations influence stability and risk. We identify two pathways to wall failure-high-flow and low-flow conditions-highlighting the complexity of aneurysm behavior. Additionally, this research advances our knowledge of how inherent patient-specific characteristics impact these processes, which need further investigation.

The role of surgical disconnection for posterior fossa pial arteriovenous fistulas and dural fistulas with pial supply: an illustrative case series.

BACKGROUND: Pial arteriovenous fistulas (pAVFs) are rare vascular malformations characterized by high-flow arteriovenous shunting involving a cortical arterial supply directly connecting to venous drainage without an intermediate nidus. Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) can infrequently involve additional pial feeders which can introduce higher flow shunting and increase the associated treatment risk. In the posterior fossa, arteriovenous fistula (AVF) angioarchitecture tends to be particularly complex, involving either multiple arterial feeders-sometimes from both dural and pial origins-or small caliber vessels that are difficult to catheterize and tend to be intimately involved with functionally critical brainstem or upper cervical cord structures. Given their rarity, published experience on microsurgical or endovascular treatment strategies for posterior fossa pAVFs and dAVFs with pial supply remains limited. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from 2019-2023 at a high-volume center identified six adult patients with posterior fossa pAVFs that were unable to be fully treated endovascularly and required microsurgical disconnection. These cases are individually presented with a technical emphasis and supported by comprehensive angiographic and intraoperative images. RESULTS: One vermian (Case 1), three cerebellopontine angle (Cases 2-4) and two craniovertebral junction (Cases 5-6) posterior fossa pAVFs or dAVFs with pial supply are presented. Three cases involved mixed dural and pial arterial supply (Cases 1, 4, and 6), and one case involved a concomitant microAVM (Case 2). Endovascular embolization was attempted in four cases (Cases 1-4): The small caliber and tortuosity of the main arterial feeder prevented catheterization in two cases (Cases 1 and 3). Partial embolization was achieved in Cases 2 and 4. In Cases 5 and 6, involvement of the lateral spinal artery or anterior spinal artery created a prohibitive risk for endovascular embolization, and surgical clip ligation was pursued as primary management. In all cases, microsurgical disconnection resulted in complete fistula obliteration without evidence of recurrence on follow-up imaging (mean follow-up 27.1 months). Two patients experienced persistent post-treatment sensory deficits without significant functional limitation. CONCLUSIONS: This illustrative case series highlights the technical difficulties and anatomical limitations of endovascular management for posterior fossa pAVFs and dAVFs with pial supply and emphasizes the relative safety and utility of microsurgical disconnection in this context. A combined approach involving partial preoperative embolization-when the angioarchitecture is permissive-can potentially decrease surgical morbidity. Larger studies are warranted to better define the role for multimodal intervention and to assess associated long-term AVF obliteration rates in the setting of pial arterial involvement.

A practical guide for the use of apalutamide for non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in Australia.

Studies of patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer at high risk of developing overt metastases but with no current evidence of evaluable disease on computed tomography or bone scan non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostrate cancer have demonstrated increased metastasis-free survival and overall survival following treatment with the next-generation oral anti-androgen apalutamide (in addition to therapies that aim to lower testosterone to castrate levels) or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist or surgical castration. Patients receiving apalutamide can be managed by medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, or urologists, preferably as part of a multidisciplinary team. However, the importance of additional safety monitoring for significant adverse effects and drug interactions should not be underestimated. The toxicities of apalutamide are manageable with experience and should be managed proactively to minimize their impact on patients. Monitoring of patients for apalutamide-specific toxicities, including skin rash, hypothyroidism, and QT prolongation should be carried out regularly, particularly in the first few months following initiation. Monitoring should continue alongside monitoring for toxicities of androgen deprivation, including cardiovascular risk, hot flashes, weight gain, bone health, muscle wasting, and diabetic risk. This review is a practical guide to the use of apalutamide describing the management of patients including dosing and administration, toxicities, potential drug interactions, and safety monitoring requirements.

Cardiovascular disease risk assessment and multidisciplinary care in prostate cancer treatment with ADT: recommendations from the APMA PCCV expert network.

PURPOSE: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay approach for prostate cancer (PCa) management. However, the most commonly used ADT modality, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: The PCa Cardiovascular (PCCV) Expert Network, consisting of multinational urologists, cardiologists and oncologists with expertise in managing PCa, convened to discuss challenges to routine cardiovascular risk assessment in PCa management, as well as how to mitigate such risks in the current treatment landscape. RESULTS: The experts identified several barriers, including lack of awareness, time constraints, challenges in implementing risk assessment tools and difficulties in establishing multidisciplinary teams that include cardiologists. The experts subsequently provided practical recommendations to improve cardio-oncology care for patients with PCa receiving ADT, such as simplifying cardiovascular risk assessment, individualising treatment based on CVD risk categories, establishing multidisciplinary teams and referral networks and fostering active patient engagement. A streamlined cardiovascular risk-stratification tool and a referral/management guide were developed for seamless integration into urologists' practices and presented herein. The PCCV Expert Network agreed that currently available evidence indicates that GnRH antagonists are associated with a lower risk of CVD than that of GnRH agonists and that GnRH antagonists are preferred for patients with PCa and a high CVD risk. CONCLUSION: In summary, this article provides insights and guidance to improve management for patients with PCa undergoing ADT.

Comapping Cellular Content and Extracellular Matrix with Hemodynamics in Intact Arterial Tissues Using Scanning Immunofluorescent Multiphoton Microscopy.

Deviation of blood flow from an optimal range is known to be associated with the initiation and progression of vascular pathologies. Important open questions remain about how the abnormal flow drives specific wall changes in pathologies such as cerebral aneurysms where the flow is highly heterogeneous and complex. This knowledge gap precludes the clinical use of readily available flow data to predict outcomes and improve treatment of these diseases. As both flow and the pathological wall changes are spatially heterogeneous, a crucial requirement for progress in this area is a methodology for acquiring and comapping local vascular wall biology data with local hemodynamic data. Here, we developed an imaging pipeline to address this pressing need. A protocol that employs scanning multiphoton microscopy was developed to obtain three-dimensional (3D) datasets for smooth muscle actin, collagen, and elastin in intact vascular specimens. A cluster analysis was introduced to objectively categorize the smooth muscle cells (SMC) across the vascular specimen based on SMC actin density. Finally, direct quantitative comparison of local flow and wall biology in 3D intact specimens was achieved by comapping both heterogeneous SMC data and wall thickness to patient-specific hemodynamic results.

Future of Endovascular and Surgical Treatments of Atherosclerotic Intracranial Stenosis.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease and resultant intracranial stenosis is a global leading cause of stroke, and poses an ongoing treatment challenge. Among patients with intracranial stenosis, those with hemodynamic compromise are at high risk for recurrent stroke despite medical therapy and risk factor modification. Revascularization of the hypoperfused territory is the most plausible treatment strategy for these high-risk patients, yet surgical and endovascular therapies have not yet shown to be sufficiently safe and effective in randomized controlled trials. Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies have led to a resurgence of interest in surgical and endovascular treatment strategies, with a growing body of evidence to support their further evaluation in the treatment of select patient populations. This review outlines the current and emerging endovascular and surgical treatments and highlights promising future management strategies.

Single-center outcomes of Onyx Frontier™ and Resolute Onyx™ drug-eluting balloon-mounted stents for rescue stenting for acute large vessel occlusion.

BACKGROUND: In cases where mechanical thrombectomy (MT) fails, rescue stenting may be necessary to achieve reperfusion; however, the lack of standardized techniques or devices poses a challenge. This series aims to present our early experience with the Onyx Frontier™ and Resolute Onyx™ balloon-mounted drug-eluting stents for rescue stenting. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent rescue stenting, in the setting of failed MT, using Onyx Frontier™ or Resolute Onyx™ stents at a single institution. Technical details, procedural complications, and patient outcomes were recorded for each case. RESULTS: Twenty-two Onyx Frontier™ and Resolute Onyx™ stents were deployed in 18 patients undergoing rescue stenting. Stent locations included the middle cerebral artery (36.4%), internal carotid artery (18.2%), vertebral artery (22.7%), and basilar artery (22.7%). The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score before MT was 13.8 (range 0-31). The median initial modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was zero, while the median mRS score at follow-up was three. Successful reperfusion, as assessed by TICI scores, was achieved in 43.8% of patients for TICI 3, 43.8% for TICI 2C, and 12.5% for TICI 2B. Post-revascularization, 16.7% of patients experienced hemorrhage, of which one patient (5.6%) had symptomatic hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Onyx Frontier™ and Resolute Onyx™ stents are well suited for rescue stenting in cases of failed MT. These balloon-mounted drug-eluting stents exhibit excellent navigability, rendering them appropriate for rescue revascularization procedures. Our findings demonstrate that these stents confer a high degree of technical success.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Using Penumbra Artemis™ Neuro Evacuation Device: Technical Case Report and Operative Video.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure but can be complicated by the presence of a high-riding basilar artery (BA). A 70-year-old female presented with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by melanoma metastatic to the brainstem in the setting of a high-riding BA. ETV was successfully performed using the Penumbra Artemis™ Neuro evacuation device (Artemis; Penumbra Inc, Alameda, CA, USA) to minimize the risk of injury to the BA. This is to our knowledge the first known Artemis-assisted ETV reported in the English literature, which may reduce the risk of BA injury in selected patients. Further characterization of the benefits and limitations of this procedure is needed.

Flow diverter surface modifications for aneurysm treatment: A review of the mechanisms and data behind existing technologies.

Flow diversion (FD) has become a mainstay treatment for large wide-necked aneurysms. Despite excellent safety and efficacy, the risk of thromboembolic complications necessitates the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The use of DAPT makes hemorrhagic complications of stenting carry high morbidity and mortality. Additionally, DAPT usage carries a risk of "nuisance" complications that do not directly impact intracranial circulation but need to be managed nonetheless. To circumvent this issue, the most recent generation of flow diverters have undergone surface modification with various compounds to confer blood compatibility to limit clotting and thrombosis. While these newer generation flow diverters are marketed to enhance ease of deployment, the goal is to eventually facilitate single antiplatelet use with flow diverter treatment. This generation of FDs have potential to expand indications beyond unruptured wide-necked aneurysms to include ruptured intracranial aneurysms without the necessity of DAPT. Currently, no comprehensive review details the molecular mechanisms and pre-clinical and clinical data on these modifications. We seek to fill this gap in the literature by consolidating information on the coating technology for four major FDs currently in clinical use-PipelineTM Flex and Vantage Shield TechnologyTM, FREDTMX, p48/64 hydrophilic coating, and Acandis Dervio® 2heal-to serve as a reference guide in neurointerventional aneurysm treatment. Although the Balt silkTM was one of the first FDs, it is uncoated, thus we will not cover this device in our review. A literature review was performed to obtain information on each coating technology for the major flow diverters currently on the market using international databases (PUBMED, Embase, Medline, Google Scholar). The search criteria used the keywords for each coating technology of interest "phosphorylcholine," "poly 2-methoxyethyl acrylate," "hydrophilic polymer coating," and "fibrin-heparin" Keywords related to the device names "Pipeline Shield," "Pipeline Shield with Flex Technology," "FRED," "FREDX," "p64," "p64-HPC," "Derivo 2heal" were also used. Studies that detailed the mechanism of action of the coating, any pre-clinical studies with surface-modified intravascular devices, and any clinical retrospective series, prospective series, or randomized clinical trials with surface-modified devices for aneurysm treatment were included.

Improved Outcomes with Enzalutamide in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prostate cancer who have high-risk biochemical recurrence have an increased risk of progression. The efficacy and safety of enzalutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy and enzalutamide monotherapy, as compared with androgen-deprivation therapy alone, are unknown. METHODS: In this phase 3 trial, we enrolled patients with prostate cancer who had high-risk biochemical recurrence with a prostate-specific antigen doubling time of 9 months or less. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, to receive enzalutamide (160 mg) daily plus leuprolide every 12 weeks (combination group), placebo plus leuprolide (leuprolide-alone group), or enzalutamide monotherapy (monotherapy group). The primary end point was metastasis-free survival, as assessed by blinded independent central review, in the combination group as compared with the leuprolide-alone group. A key secondary end point was metastasis-free survival in the monotherapy group as compared with the leuprolide-alone group. Other secondary end points were patient-reported outcomes and safety. RESULTS: A total of 1068 patients underwent randomization: 355 were assigned to the combination group, 358 to the leuprolide-alone group, and 355 to the monotherapy group. The patients were followed for a median of 60.7 months. At 5 years, metastasis-free survival was 87.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83.0 to 90.6) in the combination group, 71.4% (95% CI, 65.7 to 76.3) in the leuprolide-alone group, and 80.0% (95% CI, 75.0 to 84.1) in the monotherapy group. With respect to metastasis-free survival, enzalutamide plus leuprolide was superior to leuprolide alone (hazard ratio for metastasis or death, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.61; P<0.001); enzalutamide monotherapy was also superior to leuprolide alone (hazard ratio for metastasis or death, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.87; P = 0.005). No new safety signals were observed, with no substantial between-group differences in quality-of-life measures. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence, enzalutamide plus leuprolide was superior to leuprolide alone with respect to metastasis-free survival; enzalutamide monotherapy was also superior to leuprolide alone. The safety profile of enzalutamide was consistent with that shown in previous clinical studies, with no apparent detrimental effect on quality of life. (Funded by Pfizer and Astellas Pharma; EMBARK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02319837.).

Hemodynamic outcomes of stenting for vertebrobasilar insufficiency in patients with a low flow state.

INTRODUCTION: The Vertebrobasilar Flow Evaluation and Risk of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke (VERiTAS) study determined patients with low flow in their vertebrobasilar (VB) system are at increased risk of recurrent stroke. Endovascular interventions such as angioplasty and stenting are reserved for patients with refractory symptoms; however, few series to date have demonstrated either hemodynamic or clinical outcomes in this high-risk patient group. We present our combined institutional series of patients with symptomatic VB atherosclerotic disease and low-flow state who underwent angioplasty and stenting. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic VB atherosclerotic disease at two institutions was performed. Clinical and radiographical outcomes were collected including flow rates using quantitative MRA (QMRA) pre- and post-stenting. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic VB atherosclerotic disease and met VERiTAS low-flow state criteria. There were four cases (23.5%) of periprocedural stroke, two of which were minor and transient. The stent was placed intracranially in 82.4% of patients. Basilar and bilateral posterior cerebral artery (PCA) flows significantly improved post-stenting (p < 0.05) and normalized based upon VERiTAS criteria in all patients. Fourteen patients had delayed QMRA at mean follow-up 20 months demonstrating appropriate patency and flow post-stenting. Two patients (10%) had recurrent stroke, one from medication nonadherence and in-stent thrombosis, and the other from a procedural dissection that subsequently became symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Our series demonstrates angioplasty and stenting significantly improve intracranial flow over long-term. Angioplasty and stenting may improve the natural history of low-flow VB atherosclerotic disease.

A comparison of endovascular coil systems for the treatment of small intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular coiling of small, intracranial aneurysms remains controversial and difficult, despite advances in technology. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data for 62 small aneurysms (<3.99 mm) in 59 patients. Occlusion rates, complications rates, and coil packing densities were compared between subgroups based upon coil type and rupture status. RESULTS: Ruptured aneurysms predominated (67.7%). Aneurysms measured 2.99 ± 0.63 mm by 2.51 ± 0.61 mm with an aspect ratio of 1.21 ± 0.34 mm. Brands included Optima (Balt) (29%), MicroVention Hydrogel (24.2%), and Penumbra SMART (19.4%) coil systems. Average packing density was 34.3 ± 13.5 mm3. Occlusion rate was 100% in unruptured aneurysms; 84% utilized adjuvant devices. For ruptured aneurysms, complete occlusion or stable neck remnant was achieved in 88.6% while recanalization occurred in 11.4%. No rebleeding occurred. Average packing density (p = 0.919) and coil type (p = 0.056) did not impact occlusion. Aspect ratio was smaller in aneurysms with technical complications (p = 0.281), and aneurysm volume was significantly smaller in those with coil protrusion (p = 0.018). Complication rates did not differ between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms (22.6 vs. 15.8%, p = 0.308) or coil types (p = 0.830). CONCLUSION: Despite advances in embolization devices, coiling of small intracranial aneurysms is still scrutinized. High occlusion rates are achievable, especially in unruptured aneurysms, with coil type and packing density suggesting association with complete occlusion. Technical complications may be influenced by aneurysm geometry. Advances in endovascular technologies have revolutionized small aneurysm treatment, with this series demonstrating excellent aneurysm occlusion especially in unruptured aneurysms.

Woven EndoBridge Device Migration and Microsnare Retrieval Strategy: Single Institutional Case Reports with Technical Video Demonstration.

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) (MicroVention/Terumo) device is a treatment option for wideneck bifurcation aneurysms. An uncommon adverse effect is WEB device migration. While certain bailout strategies for WEB recovery have been described, there is still a paucity of information on optimal strategies to maximize both short and long-term post-operative outcomes. We add 2 cases at our institution to the existing literature of WEBectomy in the setting of complicated intracranial aneurysm treatment. We discuss the long-term imaging outcomes with additional fluoroscopy video demonstrating our technique. Our findings reflect a clear benefit for the use of the Amplatz GooseneckTM microsnare (Medtronic) device as a means of WEB recovery, coupled with potential stent-assisted WEB embolization to remove the aneurysm from the parent circulation, while minimizing recurrence and thromboembolic complications.

Functional and oncological outcomes after radical prostatectomy in patients with history of surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic enlargement: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with history of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic enlargement (LUTS/BPE) surgery represents a controversial issue. We performed an updated systematic review and meta- analysis evaluating oncological and functional outcomes of RP in this subset of patients. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified from MEDLINE, Web of Science and the Scopus databases. The following outcomes were evaluated: incidence of positive surgical margins (PSM), incidence of biochemical recurrence (BCR), 3-mo and 1-year urinary continence (UC) rates, incidence of nerve-sparing (NS) procedures, 1-year erectile function (EF) recovery rates. We estimated pooled Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random effects models. Sub-analyses were performed according to the type of RP and LUTS/BPE surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-five retrospective studies including 11,101 patients undergoing RP were included in the analysis (2113 with history of LUTS/BPE surgery, and 8898 controls). PSM rate was significantly higher in patients with history of LUTS/BPE surgery (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.18-1.63, p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference in terms of BCR emerged between patients with or without history of LUTS/BPE surgery (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.97-2.18, p = 0.066). Three-months and 1-year UC rates were significantly lower in patients with previous LUTS/BPE surgery (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34-0.68, p < 0.001 and OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.31-0.62, p < 0.001; respectively). Although not statistically significant differences between the two groups emerged in terms of adoption of NS procedures (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.32-1.12, p = 0.107), 1-year EF recovery was significantly lower in patients with history of LUTS/BPE procedures (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.89, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusions, RP in patients with history of previous LUTS/BPE surgery is associated with increased incidence of PSM, lower UC rates at both 3-months and 1-year follow-up as well as lower rates of EF recovery at 1-year follow-up.

Comparative outcomes of the treatment of unruptured paraophthalmic aneurysms in the era of flow diversion.

BACKGROUND: Paraophthalmic aneurysms present a challenge to surgeons and their ideal management remains up for debate. We studied recent outcomes of these lesions in a single center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing treatment for paraophthalmic aneurysms from 2017-2019 was performed. Factors including patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, treatment modality, radiographic treatment outcome, clinical outcome, and length of stay were collected, and bivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: In total 84.5% (82/97) of aneurysms were treated endovascularly and 15.5% (15/97) surgically. In the surgery cohort, there were three transient perioperative complications (20%) and one minor postoperative complication (6.7%). Complete aneurysm occlusion or near complete (<2mm residual) was achieved in 100% (15/15). All but one patient had mRS ≤1 at the last follow-up. In the endovascular group, 78.1% (64/82) underwent flow diversion alone. Endovascular treatment was associated with a 4.9% (4/82) rate of periprocedural complications: 3 transient events, and 1 death, and a 3.7% (3/82) rate of delayed complications: 2 transient vision changes, and one death. Rate of total occlusion was 87.8% (72/82). 76 patients (92.7%) had mRS ≤1 at the last follow-up. Length of stay was significantly shorter in the endovascular group (3.4 days vs. 7.0 days) [p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: This series demonstrates similar safety to previously reported series as well as the efficacy of both surgical clipping and endovascular embolization of paraophthalmic aneurysms. Rate of complications and treatment efficacy were similar in both groups although this represents a single institution series not generalizable to all centers.

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate and Prostate-specific Membrane Positron Emission Tomography Prior to Prostate Biopsy (MP4 Study).

Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computerised tomography (PET/CT) is increasingly being utilised in the diagnostic pathway for prostate cancer (PCa). Recent publications have suggested that this might help identify those who can avoid biopsy. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether PET magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion could negate the need to biopsy prior to prostatectomy in a selected population of men. Design setting and participant: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for PCa is our standard of care prior to prostate biopsy. Biopsy-naïve men with one or more Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 4 or 5 lesions ≥10 mm on mpMRI were invited to undergo PSMA PET/CT prior to biopsy. Following ethics approval, 60 men were recruited between September 2020 and March 2021. The key exclusion criteria included a previous history of PCa and previous prostate surgery or biopsy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: A positive PET MRI fusion scan was defined as "consistent with" as per the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center lexicon of certainty, and concordance with biopsy results was analysed. Clinically significant PCa (csPCa) was defined as grade group (GG) ≥2 on pathology. A chi-square analysis was performed with statistical significance defined at p < 0.05. Results and limitations: A total of 71 mpMRI lesions were positive on 61 (86%) PET MRI fusion scans. Fifty-nine of 61 lesions biopsied confirmed csPCa in 54 (92%). Of five of 59 lesions for which either biopsy was negative or low-grade cancer was found, three had rebiopsy of which two were confirmed to have csPCa corroborating with PET MRI fusion and one was reconfirmed to have GG1 only. For the remaining two, both had another lesion elsewhere in the gland confirming csPCa, and hence rebiopsy was not performed. Ultimately, 56 of 59 (95%) lesions with a positive PET MRI fusion scan were confirmed to have csPCa. All GG ≥3 cancers had a positive PET MRI fusion scan. Conclusions: This prospective study of PET MRI fusion assessment of men with PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesion ≥10 mm on mpMRI confirms that the majority of men (95%) with a positive PET MRI fusion scan will have csPCa. This supports recently published retrospective data suggesting that selected men might avoid prostate biopsy prior to radical prostatectomy. Patient summary: In this research, we have confirmed that prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computerised tomography in combination with magnetic resonance imaging could have an important role in enabling a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Using the combination of these scans, we could confidently predict the presence of aggressive prostate cancer in some men for which treatment is warranted. This means that there are some men who could possibility proceed directly to having prostate cancer surgery without the need for a confirmatory prostate biopsy.

Enzalutamide and Quality of Life in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: EMBARK, a controlled trial reported elsewhere, showed enzalutamide plus leuprolide (combination) and enzalutamide monotherapy prolonged metastasis-free survival versus placebo plus leuprolide (alone) in patients with high-risk biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Health-related quality of life was also analyzed but not reported. METHODS: In EMBARK, patients with biochemical recurrence (prostate-specific antigen doubling time of ≤9 months) were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to combination (n=355), leuprolide-alone (n=358), or enzalutamide monotherapy (n=355). In this article we provide the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from EMBARK at baseline and every 12 weeks until metastasis or death. The key end point was time to first and confirmed clinically meaningful deterioration (TTFD/TTCD) in pain and health-related quality of life using four PRO measures and predefined thresholds. RESULTS: At baseline, all groups had high health-related quality of life. For worst pain, the median TTFD was 19.35 months with leuprolide alone, 13.93 months with combination (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89 to 1.30) and 16.59 months with monotherapy (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.31). The median TTCD was 66.27 months with leuprolide alone, 80.00 months with combination (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.04), and 60.91 months with monotherapy (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.28). For Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy­Prostate total score, the median TTFD was 11.10 months with leuprolide alone, 8.31 months with combination (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.36), and 8.38 months with monotherapy (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.39). The median TTCD was 36.53 months with leuprolide alone, 38.77 months with combination (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.28), and 30.55 months with monotherapy (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.41). CONCLUSIONS: The PROs from EMBARK show that both enzalutamide combination and monotherapy versus leuprolide alone, with oncologic benefits noted above, preserved high health-related quality of life in patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. (Funded by Pfizer and Astellas Pharma; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02319837.)

FLAIR hyperintense vessels on MRI post brain arteriovenous malformation embolization: A novel finding associated with post-procedure intraparenchymal hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are frequently managed by endovascular embolization with a growing number of centers embolizing with intent to cure. Hemorrhage post-embolization is a severe and poorly understood complication. We present a novel imaging finding associated with post-embolization hemorrhage that has significantly impacted the management of patients at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing embolization of BAVM at a single center was performed. Post-embolization magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was reviewed for the presence of T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintense vessels (FHVs). Bivariate analysis was performed to determine associations between patient characteristics and risk of hemorrhage. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients underwent 75 embolization procedures. Forty-six post-embolization MRIs were available for review. There were four hemorrhages and 100% of those presented with FHV. In contrast, only 11.9% of embolization procedures without post-procedural hemorrhage had FHVs on MRI. In total, 18.7% of embolizations led to some morbidity or mortality, with only 6.7% leading to permanent morbidity or mortality. In bivariate analysis, only the presence of FHVs was correlated with the risk of hemorrhage (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first series to describe the finding of hyperintense blood vessels on FLAIR imaging after embolization of BAVMs and correlate it with hemorrhage post embolization. This finding can help guide practitioners and potentially identify patients at risk of delayed hemorrhage post embolization.

Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography as an alternative imaging technique in the assessment of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: The major mechanism of morbidity of delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is considered to be severe vasospasm. Quantitative MRA (QMRA) provides direct measurements of vessel-specific volumetric blood flow and may permit a clinically relevant assessment of the risk of ischemia secondary to cerebral vasospasm. PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of QMRA as an alternative imaging technique for the assessment of cerebral vasospasm after SAH. METHODS: QMRA volumetric flow rates of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were compared with vessel diameters on catheter-based angiography. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of QMRA for detecting cerebral vasospasm was determined by receiver-operating characteristic curves. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for QMRA flow versus angiographic vessel diameter. RESULTS: Sixty-six vessels (10 patients) were evaluated with QMRA and catheter-based angiography. The median percent QMRA flow of all vessels with angiographic vasospasm (55.0%, IQR 34.3-71.6%) was significantly lower than the median percent QMRA flow of vessels without vasospasm (91.4%, IQR 81.4-100.4%) (p < 0.001). Angiographic vasospasm reduced QMRA-assessed flow by 23 ± 5 (p = 0.018), 95 ± 12 (p = 0.042), and 16 ± 4 mL/min (p = 0.153) in the ACA, MCA, and PCA, respectively, compared to vessels without angiographic vasospasm. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of QMRA for the discrimination of cerebral vasospasm was 84%, 72%, 84%, and 72%, respectively, for angiographic vasospasm >25% and 91%, 60%, 87%, and 69%, respectively, for angiographic vasospasm >50%. The Spearman correlation indicated a significant association between QMRA flows and vessel diameters (rs = 0.71, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Reduction in QMRA flow correlates with angiographic vessel narrowing and may be useful as a non-invasive imaging modality for the detection of cerebral vasospasm after SAH.