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Intracranial aneurysms remain important clinical concern. There is relatively low risk of rupture of symptomless aneurysms incidentally found in MRA or CTA performed due to other indications. Not all of the intracranial aneurysms should or can be treated with neurosurgery intervention or endovascular embolization. Clinical strategy for small, symptomless, unruptured aneurysms is still questionable. Mechanisms underlying aneurysms formation, progression and rupture are poorly understood. Inflammation is one of the factors suspected to participate in these processes. Therefore the aim of this manuscript is to present current state of knowledge about the role of inflammation in the formation and progression of intracranial aneurysms and in their rupture process. Current knowledge about possible pharmacological treatment of intracranial aneurysms will also be presented. Macrophages infiltration seems to participate in the formation of intracranial aneurysms. Inhibition of signals sent by macrophages may prevent the aneurysms formation. Inflammation present in the wall of the aneurysm seems to be also related to the aneurysm's rupture risk. However it does not seem to be the only cause of the degeneration, but it can be a possible target of drug therapy. Some preliminary studies in humans indicate the potential role of aspirin as a factor that decrease the level of inflammation and lower the risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms. However further research including a greater number of subjects and a prospective randomized design are necessary to assess the role of aspirin in preventing strategy for small, symptomless, unruptured intracranial aneurysms., (Copyright © 2018 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland., Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures., Results: Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% - emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b-TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization - in 30.7%, mRS of 0-2 - in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases., Conclusion: Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines., (Copyright © 2017 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Progressive regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare phenomenon that may occur spontaneously or after previous surgical or endovascular incomplete obliteration. We present two cases of AVMs occluded partially with Onyx followed by the unexpected cure of the lesions with the angiographic evidences as well as multiannual follow-up., (Copyright © 2017 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We report our experience with stent-assisted coiling of anterior communicating artery aneurysms with special consideration of angiographic and clinical outcomes, retreatment rate and periprocedural complications., Materials and Methods: The analysis included 34 consecutive ruptured and unruptured wide-neck aneurysms. The aneurysm size ranged from 2 to 18mm (mean 5.47). Clinical examinations with the use of modified Rankin Score and angiographic outcomes were evaluated initially post-embolization and at a minimum follow-up of 6 months., Results: Initial post-treatment complete and near-complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 32 (94%) and 2 (6%) cases, respectively. Imaging follow-up, performed in 28 (82%) patients, showed no change in the degree of occlusion in 25 (89%) cases and coil compaction in 3 (11%) patients. Of these, one (3.6%) patient underwent a second coil embolization. The periprocedural severe complication rate was 2.9% (1/35) and was associated with prolonged attempt of retrieval of migrated coil resulting in anterior cerebral artery infarct with serious clinical consequences. In another 3 patients periprocedural adverse events without delayed clinical consequences were noticed. The clinical follow-up evaluation achieved in 33 (97%) patients showed no change in 30 (91%) cases, one patient (3%) with clinical improvement and two (6%) cases of neurological deterioration., Conclusions: The use of stent is feasible and effective for coil embolization of wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysms. Although periprocedural complications resulting in severe morbidity are rare, they should be noted, since in terms of thromboembolic events some of them presumably have a potential to be avoidable., (Copyright © 2016 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Presentation of the own experience in the treatment of ischemic stroke using endovascular methods of simultaneous evaluation of their effectiveness and safety., Materials and Methods: The retrospective study involved a group of 18 patients hospitalized in 2005-2012 who were treated with intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Overall there were 24 procedures performed. The investigated group consisted of seven (38.89%) women and 11 (61.11%) men. The average age of the patients was 60 years (SD ± 17, median - 60 years)., Results: In 62.50% of cases (n=15) the effect of revascularization has been achieved and another 12.50% of cases (n=3) recanalization was achieved only partially. Only in 25% of procedures (n=6) failed to achieve recanalization of the artery (TICI ≤ 1). The highest percentage of recanalized arteries were obtained by following the procedure of thrombolysis targeted - 69.24% (TICI ≥ 2b). In the case of mechanical thrombectomy total patency (TICI ≥ 2b) was 54.55%. The average duration of treatment (operation) is 157 min. After 30 days successful result of the neurological status was achieved in 57.14% of patients (n=8). Full return to independent functioning as defined within 3 months after the surgery (mRS ≤ 2) reached 57.14% of patients (n=8)., Conclusion: Studies suggest that endovascular techniques are effective and safe in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Greater efficiency is characterized by intraarterial thrombolysis. Patients who were treated endovascular improved significantly., (Copyright © 2015 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Occlusion of the basilar artery (BAO) is a rare cause of stroke, making up approximately 1% of all cases. Ischemic stroke within the basilar artery is associated with serious complications and high mortality (75-91%). BAO may occur initially in the form of mild prodromal symptoms with neurological disorders, the consequences of which can lead to death. For these reasons, BAO requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a 26-year-old man who suffered basilar artery occlusion and was treated with endovascular therapy. The patient was disqualified from intra-venous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment due to exceeding the therapeutic time window. Despite this, due to the location of ischemia and age of the patient, it was decided to proceed with a mechanical thrombectomy (TM). Vessel patency was restored using the Solitaire FR stent. Treatment continued with antiplatelet therapy. Despite a significant overshoot of the time window the procedure was successful and complete recanalization was achieved. During hospitalization, significant neurological symptom reductions were observed. There is no accurate data on which method of treatment of ischemic stroke is best for BAO. Expectations about the effectiveness of endovascular techniques are high., (Copyright © 2015 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: In contrast to neurosurgery, which is more efficient, endovascular treatment (EVT) is less invasive. The main purpose of EVT is complete occlusion of the aneurysm and protection from subarachnoid haemorrhage. Accurate measurements of the aneurysm (size, volume) obtained using a 3D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) workstation can assist in the proper assessment of coil packing density (CPD), which affects possible distant recanalization. The main disadvantage of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms compared to neurosurgery is the high recurrence rate. We evaluated the results of endovascular treatment of aneurysms depending on their size, volume and coil packing density., Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with intracranial aneurysms underwent endovascular embolization with bare platinum coils. Three-dimensional DSA was used to evaluate aneurysms' morphology. Eighteen patients underwent 3D DSA follow-up 6-45 months after treatment. Initial and follow-up results of embolization were assessed with the Raymond-Montreal scale. The impact of aneurysms' morphology, volume and initial CPD on endovascular treatment was evaluated., Results: Among 35 patients, complete initial embolization was achieved in 74%. Mean initial aneurysm volume in 3D DSA was 0.517 mL and decreased significantly after embolization. Initial CPD varied from 74% to 2% depending on aneurysm diameter (12.1% for aneurysms ≥ 10 mm, 22.5% for aneurysms < 10 mm). Results of embolization on the Raymond-Montreal scale significantly depended on aneurysms' CPD. Aneurysms' recanalization rate on 3D DSA follow-up was 36%, with complete recanalization in 3.3%., Conclusions: We can achieve a better outcome if size and volume of the aneurysm sac is smaller and if CPD is higher.

Application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiology allows to estimate and analyse pineal gland and pineal region pathology more precisely. We report 47 MRI brain studies of patients in whom pineal cyst was recognized as the only pathologic finding. MRI of the brain was performed because of clinical symptoms as headaches (32%), vertigo (26%) and altered behaviour (13%). Because of the common occurrence of pineal cyst in MRI brain imaging it seems to be important to decide whether these patients need neurosurgical intervention, especially if together with morphologic abnormality definite clinical symptoms exist.

The authors report two rare cases of intracranial lipomas recognized in CT of the head. The tumours were situated in the corpus callosum in one case, and in the posterior fossa in the other case. Both cases were thought unsuitable for surgical intervention, and one of the patients was given only anticonvulsant treatment.

Aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery are much more frequently encountered in subjects with developmental anomalies of the anterior part of the Willis circle than in the general population. The most frequent anomaly is hypoplasia of the A1 ACa segment, duplication of the anterior communicating artery or accessory artery of the corpus callosum. In the material of the authors of 130 surgically treated cases of the aneurysm situated in the anterior communicating artery complex developmental anomalies were found in 37.7%.

The authors present two cases of a rare coexistence of cerebral meningioma and glioma. In one case meningioma was situated closely to malignant glioma. In the second case in a patient operated on for cerebral glioma a meningioma was removed 20 years later. The meningioma was situated far from the first tumour.