An extremely rare complication during carotid artery stenting using a Wallstent: Migration of a stent holder of a Carotid Wallstent.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an established treatment for internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS). The Carotid Wallstent is commonly used as a stent device in CAS procedures. Rare complications associated with the use of the Carotid Wallstent in CAS procedures include delayed shortening and incomplete stent expansion due to displacement of a marker ring. However, there have been no previous reports of a stent holder becoming unpredictably detached from a Carotid Wallstent during a procedure, requiring the additional deployment of another Carotid Wallstent. CASE PRESENTATION: The case of a 72-year-old man with progressive ICS is described. Since the ICS was resistant to medical treatment, CAS was planned to prevent ischemic events. During the procedure, a Mo.Ma Ultra and a carotid guardwire were used for proximal and distal protection, respectively. Following the introduction of those protective devices, a Carotid Wallstent was deployed at the stenotic lesion of the ICS. After the deployment of the Carotid Wallstent, a stent holder unpredictably detached was identified in the lumen of the Carotid Wallstent. Since it was impossible to mechanically retrieve the detached stent holder, another Carotid Wallstent was deployed to trap the substance. Postoperatively, the substance was identified as a stent holder of the first Carotid Wallstent. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of an extremely rare complication concerning a Carotid Wallstent in CAS.

Unexpected coil mass migration during transvenous embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula resolved with guidewire-assisted snaring technique.

Endovascular embolization is a standard treatment for dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). Although it is considered relatively safe, intraoperative and postoperative complications can occur. Herein, a rare case of unexpected coil mass migration requiring a retrieval procedure during sinus occlusion for a transverse-sigmoid sinus dAVF (TSdAVF) is described. An 83-year-old man presented with worsening decline in cognitive function. Magnetic resonance angiography showed a TSdAVF. Since his symptoms seemed to be a result of the TSdAVF, transvenous embolization preserving the normal cranial venous circulation was planned. During sinus occlusion, including embolization of the shunted pouch of the TSdAVF, unexpected migration of the coil mass to the confluence of the superior sagittal sinus and the transverse sinus occurred. The migrated coil mass impeded venous circulation in the superior sagittal sinus. Since the presence of the coil mass at the confluence could have had catastrophic sequelae, the coil mass was retrieved using a guidewire-assisted snaring technique. Sinus occlusion was subsequently completed with repositioning of the coil mass at the target site. The TSdAVF resolved, with no recurrence confirmed for 1 year. Clinicians should be aware that coil mass migration can unexpectedly occur during sinus occlusion performed for treatment of a TSdAVF. The guidewire-assisted snaring technique might be effective in resolving this intraoperative complication.

Favorable prognosis in posterior circulation ischemic stroke: Insights from a nationwide stroke databank.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical trials have historically underrepresented patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS). This study aimed to comprehensively assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PCIS patients compared to those with anterior circulation ischemic stroke (ACIS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Japan Stroke Data Bank, encompassing 20 years across 130 stroke centers. The study focused on patients diagnosed with PCIS or ACIS. RESULTS: Among 37,069 patients reviewed, 7425 had PCIS, whereas 29,644 had ACIS. PCIS patients were younger and had a lower female representation than ACIS patients. Notably, PCIS patients had more favorable outcomes: 71% achieved a modified Rankin Scale of 0-2 or showed no deterioration at discharge (17 days at the median after admission), compared to 60% for ACIS patients (p < 0.001). Factors associated with an unfavorable outcome in the PCIS subgroup were older age, female sex (assigned at birth), history of hypertension, and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission. In both sexes, older age and higher NIHSS scores were negatively associated with favorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PCIS patients demonstrated a more favorable prognosis than ACIS patients. Factors like older age, female sex, and higher NIHSS scores at admission were identified as independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in PCIS patients. Older age and higher NIHSS scores at admission were common independent negative factors for a favorable outcome regardless of sex.

Lumbar Subarachnoid-Peritoneal Shunting Deteriorates Superficial Siderosis Associated with a Dural Defect.

Superficial siderosis is a disease in which hemosiderin is deposited under the leptomeninges and subpial layers of hindbrain structures, e.g., the cerebellum, brainstem, and eighth cranial nerve. The main symptoms of superficial siderosis are cerebellar ataxia, hearing loss, cognitive decline, and myelopathy. The activities of daily living of patients with superficial siderosis are severely impaired due to the progressive symptoms. Here, we report a patient with superficial siderosis whose symptoms deteriorated after lumbar subarachnoid-peritoneal (L-P) shunt surgery. She received L-P shunt surgery based on the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus at another hospital. The patient had a history of cervical surgery, and a dural defect was identified at the C4-5 level by a detailed magnetic resonance imaging study. We hypothesized that the L-P shunt reduced cerebrospinal pressure and increased bleeding from the fragile vessels in the dural defect, which might have increased hemosiderin deposition.

Short- versus long-term Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy for Stent-Assisted treatment of CErebral aneurysm (DAPTS ACE): a multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) for cerebral aneurysm remains uncertain. This randomized trial of short- versus long-term Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy for Stent-Assisted treatment of CErebral aneurysm (DAPTS ACE) aimed to clarify whether long-term DAPT can reduce the occurrence of ischemic stroke in patients with cerebral aneurysms treated by SACE compared with short-term DAPT. METHODS: Patients treated for cerebral aneurysm with SACE were enrolled from 17 hospitals in Japan. Patients were enrolled within 30 days after SACE and assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive long-term (12 months) or short-term (3 months) DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel. Randomization was performed centrally through a web-based system. The primary outcome was the time to ischemic stroke event during 3 to 12 months after SACE. This trial was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs051180141). RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were recruited from November 4, 2016 to January 7, 2019. Among them, 65 and 68 patients assigned to the long- and short-term DAPT groups, respectively, were included in the full analysis set. Ischemic stroke occurred in no patients in the long-term DAPT group and in one patient in the short-term DAPT group. The incidence rate did not differ between the groups (0.0 vs 2.1/100 person-years; log rank test, P=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, there was not a statistically significant difference in the rate of ischemic strokes between long- and short-term DAPT.

Ruptured aneurysms at the distal superior cerebellar artery successfully treated by combining occipital artery-superior cerebellar artery anastomosis and endovascular therapy: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Distal superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysms are rare and are treated using various treatment strategies. Treatment often requires parent artery occlusion, which raises concerns regarding the potential risk of ischemia in the distal territory. OBSERVATIONS: An 81-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Diagnostic cerebral angiography revealed two tiny distal SCA aneurysms. Because significant ischemic damage following parent artery occlusion was concerned, two bypasses between the occipital artery and SCA branches were first performed with the patient in the prone position in a hybrid operating room. Each aneurysm was successively treated in the same position with endovascular internal trapping and intra-aneurysmal embolization. After adequate hemostasis was confirmed, the wound was closed. Both aneurysms were successfully occluded without symptomatic ischemic complications. LESSONS: This combined surgical and endovascular approach would be helpful in cases with notable concerns regarding ischemia after sacrificing the parent artery.

Relation between duration of dual antiplatelet therapy and risk of ischemic stroke after stent-assisted treatment of cerebral aneurysm (DAPTS ACE-registry).

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with cerebral aneurysm who undergo stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) has not been established. We aimed to clarify the association between duration of DAPT and incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with cerebral aneurysm. METHODS: We registered patients with cerebral aneurysm who underwent SACE in 27 hospitals in Japan. Those treated with DAPT (aspirin and clopidogrel) were eligible for inclusion in a previously reported randomized control trial (RCT). Patients who were ineligible or refused to participate to the RCT were followed-up for 15 months after SACE as the non-RCT cohort. Our study examined both the RCT and non-RCT cohorts. The primary and secondary outcomes were ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic events. RESULTS: Among the 313 patients registered, 296 were included for analysis (of these, 136 were RCT patients and 160 were non-RCT patients). Patients who were treated with DAPT for more than 6 months (n=191) were classified as the long-term DAPT group. Those treated less than 6 months (n=105) were classified as the short-term group. The incidence of ischemic stroke did not significantly differ between the long-term group (2.5 per 100 person-years) and the short-term group (3.2 per 100 person-years); nor did incidence of hemorrhagic events (0.8 and 3.2 per 100 person-years, respectively). The period of DAPT was not significantly associated with incidence rates of ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic events. CONCLUSIONS: Duration of DAPT was not associated with the incidence of ischemic stroke in the first 15 months after SACE.

A rare adult case of asymptomatic double aortic arch accompanied by the right vertebral artery directly originating from the aortic arch.

INTRODUCTION: A double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly. No case of DAA with a direct aortic origin of the right vertebral artery (VA) has been reported in adults. Here, we report a rare case of an asymptomatic DAA accompanied by the right VA directly originating from the right aortic arch in an adult. CASE PRESENTATION: A DAA and right VA directly originating from the right aortic arch were identified in a 63-year-old man using digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography. The patient underwent digital subtraction angiography for evaluation of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Intraprocedural selection of vessels branching from the aorta with the catheter was difficult. To confirm the bifurcation of the aorta, aortography was performed, which revealed a DAA. Following digital subtraction angiography, computed tomography angiography was performed, which showed that the right VA originated directly from the right aortic arch. The trachea and esophagus were located in the vascular ring of the DAA; however, they were not compressed by the aorta. This was consistent with the lack of symptoms related to the DAA. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first adult case of an asymptomatic DAA with an unusual origin of the VA. A rare asymptomatic vascular anomaly, such as a DAA, can be incidentally identified using angiography.

A human T-lymphotropic virus-1 carrier who developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy following immunotherapy for sarcoidosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a devastating demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system caused by opportunistic infection of the JC virus (JCV). CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for aphasia. She had a 5-year history of untreated sarcoidosis and was a human T cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) carrier. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, lysozyme, and calcium levels were elevated. JCV-DNA was not detected in cerebrospinal fluid by PCR testing. Skin biopsy revealed noncaseating granuloma formation. Bilateral multiple nodular lesions were present on chest X-ray. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed left frontal and temporal lesions without gadolinium enhancement. As we suspected that systemic sarcoidosis had developed into neurosarcoidosis, we started steroid and infliximab administration. After treatment, the chest X-ray and serum abnormalities ameliorated, but the neurological deficits remained. At 1 month after immunotherapy, she developed right hemiparesis. Cerebrospinal fluid was positive for prototype (PML-type) JCV on repeated PCR testing. Brain biopsy revealed demyelinating lesions with macrophage infiltration, atypical astrocytes, and JCV antigen-positive cells. We diagnosed her with PML and started mefloquine, leading to partial remission. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis and HTLV-1 infection both affect T cell function, especially CD4+ T cells, and may developped the patient's PML. The comorbidity of sarcoidosis, PML, and HTLV-1 infection has not been reported, and this is the world's first report of PML associated with HTLV-1 infection and sarcoidosis.

Ruptured saccular aneurysm of the lenticulostriate artery embolized without parent artery occlusion in a case of moyamoya disease.

In cases of moyamoya disease, an aneurysm of the lenticulostriate artery (LSA) is a rare finding. Preventive management of rebleeding from a ruptured aneurysm of the LSA is important to avoid poor outcomes. Endovascular embolization of a ruptured LSA aneurysm with parent artery occlusion has been reported in previous cases of moyamoya disease; however, to the best of our knowledge, a ruptured aneurysm treated only with coil embolization has not been described. A 42-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of dysarthria and right hemiparesis. Putaminal hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm in the left LSA was detected. Angiographically, moyamoya vessels were revealed. The aneurysm in the left LSA was saccular type and seemed to be related to moyamoya disease. As the aneurysm was successfully approached with a microcatheter, coil embolization without parent artery occlusion was performed. Rebleeding from the embolized aneurysm in the LSA did not occur. This is the first report of a ruptured LSA aneurysm embolized using coils through a flow-guiding microcatheter without parent artery occlusion in a case of moyamoya disease.

Onset-to-treatment time and aneurysmal regression predict improvement of cranial neuropathy after flow diversion treatment in patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Although flow diversion plays a pivotal role in treating internal carotid artery aneurysms presenting with cranial neuropathy, predictors of symptom improvement have not been established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate improvement of symptoms after flow diversion treatment in patients with internal carotid artery aneurysms causing cranial neuropathy, with sufficient follow-up period. Additionally, to examine factors associated with improvement of symptoms. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study examined patients with unruptured internal carotid artery aneurysms presenting with cranial neuropathy who were treated using flow diversion and followed up for at least 12 months. Study outcomes were transient worsening of symptoms and symptom status 12 months after treatment. Patient and aneurysm characteristics were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included. Data needed for outcome analysis were available for 66 patients. At the 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-month, and last follow-ups, the proportion of patients with resolved or improved symptoms was 26% (20/77), 51% (39/77), 74% (57/77), 83% (64/77), and 79%(62/77), respectively. Symptom onset-to-treatment time <6 months (OR=24.2; 95% CI 3.09 to 188.84; p=0.002) and aneurysmal regression (OR=23.1; 95% CI 1.97 to 271.75; p=0.012) were significantly associated with symptom improvement. Transient symptom worsening and worse symptoms at 12 months occurred in 19/77 (25%) and 2/77 (3%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of cranial neuropathy symptom improvement after flow diversion increased over the first 12 months after treatment, but not thereafter. Treatment within 6 months of symptom onset and aneurysmal regression were predictors of symptom improvement.

Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Angiography as an Alternative Tool to Digital Subtraction Angiography in the Follow-up of Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up of aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coil embolization has been performed using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) because in time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, metal artifacts from the stent often affect visualization. OBJECTIVE: To confirm whether ultrashort echo time (TE) MRA may be an alternative for DSA during follow-up. METHODS: Patients with unruptured aneurysms initially treated with stent-assisted coil embolization between April 2019 and March 2021 were enrolled. After 3 months of treatment, follow-up DSA and ultrashort TE MRA were performed. All images were independently reviewed by neurosurgeons to evaluate in-stent flow and rated from 1 (not visible) to 4 (excellent). Aneurysmal embolization status was assessed as complete obliteration, residual neck, or residual aneurysm. Ultrashort TE MRA findings were classified as evaluative or nonevaluative state based on the presence of metal artifacts. We investigated the types of aneurysms that were evaluative and the agreement between ultrashort TE and DSA. RESULTS: Overall, 89 aneurysms were examined, of which 74% (n = 66) were classified as evaluative on ultrashort TE. Significant differences were observed in size and stent type. Evaluative cases had an aneurysm size of <7 mm ( P = .0007) and a higher rate of Neuroform Atlas ( P = .0006). The rate of agreement between ultrashort TE with evaluative state and DSA was 95%. CONCLUSION: Ultrashort TE MRA could evaluate an embolization status treated with stenting, and the findings are in excellent agreement with those of DSA. Aneurysms measuring <7 mm and treated with Neuroform Atlas are evaluative on ultrashort TE, and DSA might not be necessary.

[A case of multiple sclerosis with a tumefactive lesion during long-term treatment with fingolimod, leading to decompressive craniotomy].

We report a 57-year-old man with multiple sclerosis since his 30s who was treated with fingolimod for 9 years. He developed left hemiparesis and consciousness disturbance. Brain MRI revealed a mass lesion in the right frontal lobe with gadolinium enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed no pleocytosis. The lesion continued to expand after admission, and on the 9th day after admission, decompressive craniectomy and brain biopsy were performed. Brain pathology revealed demyelination in the lesion, leading to the diagnosis of a tumefactive demyelinating lesion. Corticosteroid therapy ameliorated the brain lesion, and we inducted natalizumab. Tumefactive demyelinating lesions requiring decompressive craniotomy are rare, and we report this case for the further accumulation of similar cases.

Predicting the growth of middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms using differences in the bifurcation angle and inflow coefficient.

OBJECTIVE: Growing intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are prone to rupture. Previous cross-sectional studies using postrupture morphology have shown the morphological or hemodynamic features related to IA rupture. Yet, which morphological or hemodynamic differences of the prerupture status can predict the growth and rupture of smaller IAs remains unknown. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the effects of morphological features and the hemodynamic environment on the growth of IAs at middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcations during the follow-up period. METHODS: One hundred two patients with MCA M1-2 bifurcation saccular IAs who underwent follow-up for more than 2 years at the authors' institutions between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively identified. During the follow-up period, cases involving growth of MCA IAs were assigned to the event group, and those with MCA IAs unchanged in size were assigned to the control group. The morphological parameters examined were aneurysmal neck length, dome height, aspect ratio and volume, M1 and M2 diameters and their ratio, and angle configurations among M1, M2, and the aneurysm. Hemodynamic parameters were flow rate and wall shear stress in M1, M2, and the aneurysm, including the aneurysmal inflow rate coefficient (AIRC), defined as the ratio of the aneurysmal inflow rate to the M1 flow rate. Those parameters were compared statistically between the two groups. Correlations between morphological and hemodynamic parameters were also examined. RESULTS: Eighty-three of 102 patients were included: 25 with growing MCA IAs (event group) and 58 with stable MCA IAs (control group). The median patient age at initial diagnosis was 66.9 (IQR 59.8-72.3) years. The median follow-up period was 48.5 (IQR 36.5-65.6) months. Both patient age and the AIRC were significant independent predictors of the growth of MCA IAs. Moreover, the AIRC was strongly correlated with sharper bifurcation and inflow angles, as well as wider inclination angles between the M1 and M2 arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The AIRC was a significant independent predictor of the growth of MCA IAs. Sharper bifurcation and inflow angles and wider inclination angles between the M1 and M2 arteries were correlated with the AIRC. MCA IAs with such a bifurcation configuration are more prone to grow and rupture.

Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula embolized via a rare anastomosis between the facial vein and the superficial temporal vein.

A cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSdAVF) is an abnormal communication between the dural branches of the internal and external carotid arteries and the cavernous sinus. Transvenous embolization is the first choice to resolve CSdAVFs, and various venous access routes have been reported. However, transvenous embolization of a CSdAVF through a rare venous anastomosis between the facial and superficial temporal veins using a quadruple coaxial catheter system is scarce in the literature. A 30-year-old woman presented with a typical triad of CSdAVF that was supplied by the inferolateral and meningohypophyseal trunks and several dural branches of the external carotid artery. CSdAVF was solely draining through the right superior ophthalmic vein to the bilateral facial veins. The right facial vein had a rare anastomosis, with the superficial temporal vein terminating in the external jugular vein. Transvenous targeted embolization of CSdAVF was performed through the right superior ophthalmic vein. The rare anastomosis between the right superficial temporal vein and the right facial vein was used as the access route for CSdAVF. The quadruple coaxial catheter system was effective in overcoming the long and tortuous access route and stabilizing the movement of the microcatheter for target embolization. CSdAVF was successfully embolized with microcoils. This is the first report of a CSdAVF embolized via a rare anastomosis between the facial vein and the superficial temporal vein. A quadruple coaxial catheter system can overcome this unusual access route.

Safety of Apixaban Monotherapy for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation-Related Acute Stroke with Intra-/Extracranial Artery Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether apixaban is safe for the prevention of further adverse events in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with intra-/extracranial artery stenosis (Stenosis group) compared with acute large vessel occlusion without intra-/extracranial artery stenosis (No stenosis group). We also examined whether combination therapy using apixaban and antiplatelet is safe. METHODS: ALVO (Apixaban on clinical outcome of patients with Large Vessel Occlusion [LVO] or stenosis) was a historical and prospective multicenter registry at 38 centers in Japan. Patients with NVAF and acute LVO or stenosis who received apixaban within 14 days after onset were included. We conducted the post hoc analysis using the ALVO dataset. We compared patients with stenosis versus those without stenosis in terms of the primary outcome, which was defined as a composite of all-cause death, major bleeding events, and ischemic events 365 days after onset. RESULTS: Of the 662 patients, 54 (8.2%) patients were classified into the Stenosis group, and 104 patients of the total (16%) reached the primary outcome. The cumulative incidence of primary outcome was not significantly different between the No stenosis and the Stenosis groups (hazard ratio [HR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-2.4; p = 0.52). Even after adjustment for predictive clinical variates, no significant difference in the primary endpoint between the No stenosis and the Stenosis groups was shown (adjusted HR 1.2, 95% CI: 0.59-2.5; p = 0.60). Fifty patients (7.6%) used an antiplatelet with apixaban. Among the Stenosis group patients, the cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was significantly higher among patients treated with an antiplatelet and apixaban (HR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.0-12; p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Apixaban monotherapy appears safe for the prevention of further adverse events in the Stenosis group patients similar to the No stenosis group patients. Concomitant use of an antiplatelet might not be favorable in patients with stenosis.

The impact of the approval of prothrombin complex concentrates for vitamin K antagonist-related intracerebral hemorrhage: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the impact of the approval of prothrombin complex concentrates on the treatment of vitamin K antagonist-related intracerebral hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients with vitamin K antagonist-related intracerebral hemorrhage treated with prothrombin complex concentrate at our institutes between January 2010 and June 2021. Before approval, prothrombin complex concentrate was administered as either 500 or 1000 IU at the physician's discretion (previous dose group). After approval, we adopted the manufacturer's recommended regimen (recommended dose group). The primary outcome was post-administration international normalized ratio. Secondary outcomes were the amount of prothrombin complex concentrate administered and proportion of post-administration international normalized ratio <1.5, hematoma expansion, thrombotic events within 30 days, modified Rankin scale 0-3 at discharge, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-two and 19 patients in the previous and recommended dose groups, respectively, were included. The post-administration international normalized ratio significantly differed between groups. The prothrombin complex concentrate dose and proportion of patients achieving post-administration international normalized ratio <1.5 were significantly higher in the recommended dose group than in the previous dose group (1500 IU vs. 500 IU, p<0.001 and 100% vs. 68%, p = 0.008). The proportions of hematoma expansion, thromboembolic events, modified Rankin scale 0-3, and mortality did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: After prothrombin complex concentrate approval, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio correction was more effective with a significant increase in the prothrombin complex concentrates dose for vitamin K antagonist-associated intracerebral hemorrhage; however, there was no apparent difference in clinical outcomes.

Gadolinium-enhanced MR improved motion sensitized driven equilibrium (iMSDE) for intracranial vessel imaging in giant cell arteritis.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) generally affects extracranial large and medium-sized vessels. It rarely causes intracranial vessel stenosis, presenting as cerebral infarction (CI). Consequently, accurate diagnosis of CI induced by GCA is often challenging. Improved motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMSDE) is one of the advanced high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging techniques that enables direct visualization of the vessel wall because of a strong reduction in blood flow artifacts, leading to higher quality images. Herein, we effectively used gadolinium-enhanced MR iMSDE imaging to diagnose a patient presenting with recurrent CI due to right intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis as GCA. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 64-year-old man with polymyalgia rheumatica for several years and who had experienced CI due to moderate intracranial ICA stenosis one year ago, presented to the emergency room with dysarthria and left hemiparesis. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging showed high signals in the right centrum ovale, and MR angiography revealed severe stenosis of the right intracranial ICA. Gadolinium-enhanced MR iMSDE imaging showed marked concentric enhancement in the vessel wall of the right stenosed ICA, which led to a definitive diagnosis of GCA via biopsy from the right superficial temporal artery. The patient's symptoms gradually improved after initiation of steroid treatment. Three months later, gadolinium-enhanced MR iMSDE imaging revealed improvement in the contrast enhancement in the vessel wall and vascular stenosis. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MR iMSDE imaging is useful to diagnose and evaluate GCA with intracranial vessel involvement.

The bifurcation angle is associated with the progression of saccular aneurysms.

The role of the bifurcation angle in progression of saccular intracranial aneurysms (sIAs) has been undetermined. We, therefore, assessed the association of bifurcation angles with aneurysm progression using a bifurcation-type aneurysm model in rats and anterior communicating artery aneurysms in a multicenter case-control study. Aneurysm progression was defined as growth by ≥ 1 mm or rupture during observation, and controls as progression-free for 30 days in rats and ≥ 36 months in humans. In the rat model, baseline bifurcation angles were significantly wider in progressive aneurysms than in stable ones. In the case-control study, 27 and 65 patients were enrolled in the progression and control groups. Inter-observer agreement for the presence or absence of the growth was excellent (κ coefficient, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.61-1.0). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that wider baseline bifurcation angles were significantly associated with subsequent progressions. The odds ratio for the progression of the second (145°-179°) or third (180°-274°) tertiles compared to the first tertile (46°-143°) were 5.5 (95% CI, 1.3-35). Besides, the bifurcation angle was positively correlated with the size of aneurysms (Spearman's rho, 0.39; P = 0.00014). The present study suggests the usefulness of the bifurcation angle for predicting the progression of sIAs.

Impact of the position of the aspiration catheter to the first pass effect during the combined technique.

The first pass effect, defined as achieving a complete recanalization with a single thrombectomy procedure, was recently established as a critical procedural performance metric for mechanical thrombectomy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the rate of the first pass effect improved when capturing the proximal end of the thrombus by aspiration catheter (CAPTAC) was achieved in mechanical thrombectomy using combined techniques. A prospectively-maintained acute stroke database was used to perform a retrospective review of patients who matched our eligibility criteria of (1) acute cardioembolic stroke, (2) middle cerebral artery (M1, M2) occlusions, and (3) treated with combined techniques as the first-pass procedure. The primary endpoint was the first pass effect. Eighty-one cases were included in the final analysis. CAPTAC was achieved in 42 cases (52%). The first pass effect was achieved more frequently in the CAPTAC group compared with the non-CAPTAC group (52% vs 18%, respectively; P = 0.001). CAPTAC was significantly higher during the period when new generation aspiration catheters were used (67% vs 43%, respectively; P = 0.04). CAPTAC was an independent predictor of achieving the first pass effect (odds ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-14; P = 0.001). Achievement of CAPTAC in combined techniques was associated with a significant improvement in the rate of the first pass effect. The use of the newer generation aspiration catheters may contribute to more effect treatment in combined techniques.