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Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with atherosclerosis, suggesting that KRG extract may be effective in preventing subsequent ischemic stroke in patients with severe atherosclerosis.

Background and purpose The prognosis of patients with acute basilar arterial occlusion after endovascular reperfusion therapy with diffusion-weighted imaging – posterior circulation–Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (DWI-pc-ASPECTS) of 6 or less remains unclear. We aimed to assess the characteristics and prognosis of endovascular reperfusion therapy in patients with acute basilar arterial occlusion and DWI-pc-ASPECTS of 6 or less.Methods We analysed data collected from 1 January 2012 to 31 January 2018 in a prospective neuro-interventional registry of consecutive patients treated with endovascular reperfusion therapy. Clinical and imaging data on patients with DWI-pc-ASPECTS of 6 or less who underwent endovascular reperfusion therapy for acute basilar arterial occlusion were collected for this study. A good clinical outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale of 2 or less at 90 days.Results Forty-five acute basilar arterial occlusion patients with DWI-pc-ASPECTS of 6 or less were included. Among them, 11 (24.4%) patients had a good clinical outcome at 90 days. Patients with a good clinical outcome had less severe neurological symptoms at presentation (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 19.0 (12.0–25.0) vs. 8.0 (6.0–11.5); P= 0.003) and were younger (72.5 years (57.0–80.0 years) vs. 63.0 years (55.5–69.0 years), P= 0.096) than those with a poor clinical outcome. The symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage rate was significantly higher in the poor clinical outcome group (13 (38.2%)) than in the good clinical outcome group (0 (0.0%)) (P= 0.045). In particular, in patients aged over 70 years, a favourable outcome was low (18 (52.9%) vs. 1 (9.1%); P= 0.027) even after successful recanalisation. In a multivariate model, a low initial NIHSS score (odds ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.44; P= 0.0093) and age over 70 years (odds ratio 15.27; 95% confidence interval 1.85–379.79; P= 0.0321) were independent predictors of poor clinical outcome.Conclusions Even with DWI-pc-ASPECTS of 6 or less, good clinical outcome can be achieved after endovascular reperfusion therapy. Relatively mild initial symptoms and younger age can predict a better outcome in acute basilar arterial occlusion patients with DWI-pc-ASPECTS of 6 or less.

During endovascular coiling, unexpected procedure-related complications such as coil misplacement have been reported, and these complications may induce emboli or thrombotic vessel occlusion. A malpositioned detached coil contained and immobilized within an intracranial aneurysm is difficult to remove using current methods. We report an effective retrieval technique for detached coils. The ‘thread and catch technique’ can be used when the malpositioned detached coil is immobilized within the aneurysm.

BackgroundSpinal aneurysms are rare among spinal arteriovenous malformations (SAVMs). There are few reports of endovascular management of spinal aneurysms associated with SAVM.ObjectiveTo present endovascular management of aneurysms associated with SAVM.MethodsOf 91 patients with SAVMs,eight (9%) presented with aneurysms. Of these, three were male and five were female with a median age of 18 years (range 11–38). We evaluated the presenting pattern, lesion level, type of the target aneurysm related to the presenting pattern and AVM nidus, and the result obtained after embolization or open surgery. Clinical status was evaluated by Aminoff–Logue (ALS) gait and micturition scale scores.ResultsThe presenting patterns were subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH, n=3) or mass effect caused by extrinsic (n=4) or intrinsic (n=1) cord compression. Aneurysms were located in four cervical, two thoracic, and two lumbar enlargement areas. There were two prenidal (arterial), three nidal, and three postnidal (venous) aneurysms. The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 9 mm (range 3–27). Glue embolization (n=6), open surgery (n=1), and combined surgery and embolization (n=1) was performed to obliterate the aneurysms. Obliteration of the target aneurysms resulted in improvement of symptoms and clinical stabilization of SAVMs in all patients during a mean of 55 months (range 7–228) of follow-up.ConclusionsIdentification of a symptomatic aneurysm should be associated with clinical presentation pattern. Targeted obliteration of the aneurysm by embolization and/or surgery resulted in improvement of symptoms and stabilization of SAVM.

Background and purposeGEL THE NEC (GTN) was a multicenter prospective registry developed to assess the safety and efficacy of HydroSoft coils in treating intracranial aneurysms. We compared the angiographic and clinical outcomes of aneurysms treated with balloon assisted coil embolization (BACE) versus unassisted coil embolization (CE) in the ruptured aneurysm cohort.Materials and methodsGTN was performed at 27 centers in five countries. Patients aged 21–90 years with a ruptured aneurysm 3–15 mm in size were eligible for enrollment. We analyzed demographics/comorbidities, aneurysm location, and geometry, including maximum diameter, neck size, and dome to neck ratio, immediate and long term angiographic outcomes (graded by an independent core laboratory using the modified Raymond Scale), and procedure related adverse events. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were studied using χ2and t tests.ResultsOf the 599 patients in the GTN, 194 met the inclusion criteria. 84 were treated with BACE and 110 with CE. There were more prior smokers in the BACE group (p=0.01). The BACE group also had more vertebrobasilar aneurysms (p=0.006) and a larger mean neck size (p=0.02). More aneurysms were immediately completely occluded in the BACE group (p=0.02) Procedure- related major morbidity and mortality were no different between the techniques (p=0.4 and p=1, respectively).ConclusionsIn this prospective ruptured aneurysm cohort from the GTN, BACE resulted in greater occlusion rates compared with unassisted CE with similar morbi-mortality.

BackgroundThe interval between the onset of cerebral vessel occlusion and recanalization has been shown to be an independent predictor of poor outcomes. However, endovascular recanalization of symptomatic cerebral vessel occlusion in the subacute period has not been well documented. We investigated the safety and efficacy of subacute recanalization of occluded cerebral vessels in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).MethodsBetween 2014 and 2015, 98 patients were admitted to the emergency room for ischemic stroke or TIA with a small infarct core, which was defined as modest early ischemic change on non-contrast CT or overt diffusion–perfusion mismatch. All patients underwent pre-transfemoral cerebral angiography and post-endovascular treatment. The patients were classified according to acute (onset-to-groin puncture time ≤6 hours) or subacute (onset-to-groin puncture time >6 hours) recanalization. Using propensity score analysis, recipients of acute and subacute recanalization underwent 1:1 matching.ResultsFollowing 1:1 propensity score matching, 32 patients who underwent acute and 32 who underwent subacute intra-arterial thrombolysis were matched. There were no significant differences in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge, modified Rankin scale (mRS), the proportion of patients with an mRS value of 0–2, mortality at discharge, intracerebral bleeding, postprocedural infarct extension, newly detected infarction, and hyperintense acute reperfusion marker on follow-up images between the acute and subacute recanalization groups.ConclusionsIn selected patients with clinically unstable cerebral artery occlusions, a diffusion–perfusion mismatch and small CT lesions, subacute and acute recanalization has comparable safety and efficacy rates.

Background/objectiveThe concomitant origin of the anterior spinal artery (ASA) or the posterior spinal artery (PSA) from the feeder of a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is rare and the exact incidence is not known. We present our experience with the management of SDAVFs in such cases.MethodsIn 63 patients with SDAVF between 1993 and 2015, the feeder origin of the SDAVF was evaluated to determine whether it was concomitant with the origin of the ASA or PSA. Embolization was attempted when the patient did not want open surgery and an endovascular approach was regarded as safe and possible. The outcome of the procedure was evaluated as complete, partial, or no obliteration. The clinical outcome was evaluated by Aminoff–Logue (ALS) gait and micturition scale scores.ResultsNine patients (14%) had a concomitant origin of the ASA or PSA with the feeder. There were two cervical, five thoracic, and two lumbar level SDAVFs. A concomitant origin of the feeder was identified with the ASA (n=7) and PSA (n=2). Embolization was performed in four patients and open surgery was performed in five. Embolization resulted in complete obliteration in three patients and partial obliteration in one. Using the ALS gait and micturition scale, the final outcome improved in six while three cases remained in an unchanged condition over 2–148 months.ConclusionsThe concomitant origin of the ASA or PSA with the feeder occurs occasionally. Complete obliteration of the fistula can be achieved either by embolization or open surgery. Embolization can be carefully performed in selected patients who are in a poor condition and do not want to undergo open surgery.

We investigated whether pial venous reflux (PVR) is associated with hemorrhage or edema in dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF).

Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) is not bound by the classical limits of a speciality, and is not restricted by standard formats of teaching and education. Open and naturally linked towards neurosciences, INR has become a unique source of novel ideas for research, development and progress allowing new and improved approaches to challenging pathologies resulting in better anatomo-clinical results. Opening INR to Neurosciences is the best way to keep it alive and growing. Anchored in Neuroradiology, at the crossroad of neurosciences, INR will further participate to progress and innovation as it has often been in the past.

The Solitaire system has recently been increasingly used for acute stroke treatment in which the endothelial safety immediately after its use has not been evaluated. This study was performed to evaluate the endothelial status when using a Solitaire system in a canine arterial occlusion model.Thromboembolic occlusion of both internal maxillary arteries was achieved in five mongrel dogs. In each animal, the Solitaire system (ev3, Irvine, CA, USA) was used for primary thrombectomy on the right side and for temporary stenting on the left side. Efficacy was assessed by comparing the recanalization rates, and safety was assessed using angiographic and microscopic assessments. Endothelial injuries were evaluated with light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Successful revascularizations were observed following primary thrombectomy in all five animals (100%) and after temporary stenting in two (40%). There was no incidence of vasospasm or vessel perforation in either group. Distal migration of the clot occurred in two animals that underwent primary thrombectomy. Endothelial injury was seen after primary thrombectomy in two animals (40%) and after temporary stenting in one (20%). The lesions presented as defects of the internal elastic lamina on LM and denudation of the wavy endothelial surface on SEM.During mechanical thrombectomy, the Solitaire system can cause endothelial injury both in primary thrombectomy and temporary stenting. Primary thrombectomy is likely to have a higher recanalization rate with increased endothelial injury.

Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) is not bound by the classical limits of a speciality, and is not restricted by standard formats of teaching and education. Open and naturally linked towards neurosciences, INR has become a unique source of novel ideas for research, development and progress allowing new and improved approaches to challenging pathologies resulting in better anatomo-clinical results. Opening INR to Neurosciences is the best way to keep it alive and growing. Anchored in Neuroradiology, at the crossroad of neurosciences, INR will further participate to progress and innovation as it has often been in the past.

Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) is not bound by the classical limits of a speciality, and is not restricted by standard formats of teaching and education. Open and naturally linked towards neurosciences, INR has become a unique source of novel ideas for research, development and progress allowing new and improved approaches to challenging pathologies resulting in better anatomo-clinical results. Opening INR to Neurosciences is the best way to keep it alive and growing. Anchored in Neuroradiology, at the crossroad of neurosciences, INR will further participate to progress and innovation as it has often been in the past.

Intracranial atherosclerosis against optimal medical treatment requires reperfusion therapy to improve the clinical outcome. We compared outcomes between self-expandable stent (SES) and/ or balloon-expandable stent (BES) and present the potential advantages of using each stent.During the same time frame before and after Wingspan introduction to our institute, 115 consecutive patients underwent intracranial stenting for symptomatic severe intracranial stenosis against optimal medical treatment using BES alone (n = 71) vs. BES or SES (n = 44). We analyzed 15 factors including outcome related to an adverse event (AE), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and restenosis at six months and retrospectively compared the potential advantages of using each stent.BES or SES groups had a significantly lower AE rate (2.3%) than the BES only group (14%) (P = 0.049) revealing mRS of ≤ 2 in all patients at six months compared to 93% of the patients in the BES group. Analysis of BES or SES subgroups revealed that BES was associated with less residual stenosis after stenting than SES (18 vs. 32%; P < 0.001).Both SES and BES can improve the clinical outcome of intracranial stenting especially with a selective choice of SES or BES. Further study is needed to analyse the difference in long-term outcome and the restenosis rate between SES and BES.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of performing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using the moving tip technique to treat venous malformations (VMs) in the head and neck.

Limited data are available concerning the outcome of angioplastystenting for subacute atherosclerotic intracranial artery occlusion, which is often associated with progressive symptom development in the salvageable brain under ischemic threat due to poor collateral blood supply.

In this study, we reviewed the magnetic resonance (MR, n=5), computed tomography (CT, n=3), and angiography (n=3) of six patients with pathologically confirmed choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) in the posterior cranial fossa. CPPs in the posterior cranial fossa have several features, including a propensity to arise at the foramen of Luschka with extraventricular extension, occasional peritumoral signal voids/cysts or calcification, weaker enhancement on MR or CT, and less strong tumor staining by the anterior or posterior inferior cerebellar artery or angiography.

Prediction of nidal penetration of the glue is difficult in the embolisation of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM). We evaluated penetration differences of glue-lipiodol mixtures with and without tungsten powder for embolisation of brain AVM.Fifty eight injections during embolisation of brain AVM in 15 patients were evaluated. Glue contained lipiodol only (N=25), or lipiodol and tungsten powder (N=33). Glue concentration ranged from 20 to 80%. Injection was done at the pedicle (N=41) or nidus (N=17). Degree of penetration was rated as good, fair, or poor according to penetrated glue amount in the nidus. Penetration difference was compared in each injection at the pedicle or nidus.When the glue mixtures were injected at the pedicle, the glue-lipiodol mixture (GLM) penetrated into the nidus in eight of 16 injections (50%) and the glue-lipiodol-tungsten mixtures (GLTM) in 23 of 25 (92%). When glue was injected at the nidus, GLM was confined to the nidus in nine of nine injections (100%) and GLTM in seven of eight (88%). Penetration into the vein was noted in two of 25 injections (8%) in GLM and six of 33 (18%) in GLTM. Penetration difference into the nidus between GLM and GLTM was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when the glue mixtures were injected at the pedicle.GLM and GLTM can be used effectively at the nidus. In contrast to GLM, GLTM can be used effectively at the pedicle. However, the risk of venous penetration seemed to be higher with GLTM than in GLM.

Reperfusion injury can be revealed as delayed gadolinium enhancement in the subarachnoid space on a fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image, which is designated as a hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM). We sought to investigate the occurrence and predictors of HARM and its association with new ischemic infarcts after carotid revascularization.

We investigated whether focal hyperintensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image within acute infarcts is associated with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) after thrombolysis.

The sonographic findings of Möbius syndrome with brain stem calcification are presented. Prenatal and neonatal sonography disclosed characteristic hyperechoic dots or linear bands in the brain stem representing calcification, which suggests prenatal ischemic insult to the brain stem.