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Background The rationale for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) without cortical venous reflux is symptomatic resolution. Most studies of dAVF treatment, including those for stereotactic radiosurgery, have focused on angiographic obliteration instead of clinical symptomatic outcome. Methods The authors evaluated their institutional experience with stereotactic radiosurgery for cerebral dAVFs without cortical venous reflux from 1991 to 2016, evaluating angiographic and clinical outcomes, focusing on the course of pulsatile tinnitus and/or ocular symptoms after treatment. They subsequently pooled their results with those from a systematic literature review. Results Pooled outcomes data from 349 low-risk dAVF (120 patients with pulsatile tinnitus and 229 patients with ocular symptoms) were analyzed. Over a mean follow-up of 2.6 years, 77% of patients presenting with pulsatile tinnitus experienced resolution and an additional 21% had improvement, with an angiographic obliteration rate of 70.9%. Among 229 patients with ocular symptoms from carotid-cavernous dAVFs, improvement or resolution of symptoms occurred in 95% of those with chemosis, 90% of those with ophthalmoparesis, and 96% of those with proptosis. The angiographic obliteration rate was 76.2%. There were six permanent complications in 349 total treated low-risk dAVF (1.7%). Conclusions Rates of clinically significant symptomatic improvement/resolution of symptoms referable to “low-risk” dAVFs are even greater than their angiographic obliteration rate, an important factor in patient counseling and when considering the optimal treatment approach for these dAVFs.

Pregnancy and puerperium are risk factors for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST); however studies describing diagnosis and management in this population are limited. The objective of this study was to amalgamate published case reports and series regarding diagnosis and management of CVST in pregnancy and puerperium. Searches of PubMed and the Cochrane library were performed using search terms "pregnancy"/"puerperium" and "sinus occlusion"/"sinus thrombosis". Studies were included in our pooled analysis if they included individual patient symptoms, management approach and follow-up condition. Multivariate regression was utilized to assess the effect of non-modifiable factors on excellent outcome (mRS 0). Sixty-six patients were included. Mean duration of symptom onset to diagnosis was 5.9days (95% CI 4.2-7.6). Clot involvement of the superior sagittal sinus was seen in 67% of cases, the transverse/sigmoid in 64% and of the deep venous system in 15% of cases. Management approaches included anticoagulation (91% of patients), IA (intra-arterial) thrombolysis alone (26%), and IA thrombectomy with IA thrombolysis (8%). Fifty-nine percent of patients were mRS 0 at follow-up; 94% were mRS 0-2. Presentation with headache alone was associated with excellent outcome on multivariate analysis (p=0.04); coma/obtundation predicted against excellent outcome (p=0.03). As compared to IA thrombolysis alone, patients undergoing IA thrombolysis with IA thrombectomy demonstrated a trend toward better outcome (p=0.10).

Background Metal allergies affect a significant portion of the population; intracranial flow diverters contain many of the most commonly allergenic metals. Prior literature has suggested patch testing for all patients with documented or suspected metal allergies before intracranial flow diverter placement; however, there remains a paucity of reports of patients with documented metal allergies undergoing intracranial flow diversion. Case Description We report 2 patients with documented nickel allergies, confirmed via patch testing by a board-certified allergist, and unruptured intracranial aneurysms that underwent treatment with the PED. Both patients developed contact dermatitis when a PED was affixed to their skin during their preoperative workup. Follow-up arteriography at 12 and 36 months post PED placement showed no evidence of in-stent stenosis or intimal hyperplasia, and both patients never developed systemic allergic reactions. Conclusions In 2 patients with known nickel allergies and intracranial aneurysms treated with the PED, there were no clinically or radiographically apparent allergic reactions at greater than 2 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis remain at high risk of early recurrent stroke without revascularization. This risk must be balanced against a higher rate of periprocedural complications associated with early revascularization. OBJECTIVE To analyze prospectively recorded data from an institutional protocol that standardized the urgent (

IntroductionFor patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, numerous (>3) thrombectomy passes may be harmful. However, non-recanalization leads to poor outcomes. For patients requiring multiple thrombectomy passes to achieve reperfusion, it remains unclear if the risk/benefit ratio favors recanalization.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the benefits afforded by successful reperfusion outweigh the risk conveyed by the numerous passes required.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data for patients presenting to a comprehensive stroke center with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) and undergoing thrombectomy requiring more than one pass over 24 months. We stratified patients into three groups: group 1 (successful reperfusion in 2–3 passes), group 2 (successful reperfusion in ≥4 passes), and group 3 (unsuccessful reperfusion).Results250 patients with ACLVO constituted the study cohort. Despite similar demographics, group 2 patients had better clinical outcomes than those in group 3 at 24 hours (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 13.5 vs 19.1, pConclusionPatients who achieve successful reperfusion after many passes have better clinical outcomes than those who do not, despite the number of passes and procedural time required. The number of passes required to achieve successful reperfusion beyond the first pass is not a predictor of functional independence.

Objective Thrombectomy with aspiration catheters has shown to be effective for treatment of intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). We present preclinical evaluation of the safety and efficacy of React68 and React71 (Medtronic PLC, Irvine, CA) catheters in animal models of LVO. Methods In vivo evaluation of catheter safety was performed in superficial cervical, internal maxillary, and renal arteries in a porcine model with or without clot (LVO). Animals were survived for 3 days and 30 days. Angiographic outcomes, usability, and histological parameters were compared for treatment with React68, React71, and ACE68 (Penumbra, Alameda, CA) catheters. Results The in vivo angiographic analysis in a porcine thrombectomy LVO model demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale 2b/3 recanalization between React68, React71, and ACE68 catheters. There were no physical or neurologic deficits in any of the treated animals throughout the survival period. Histologic analysis showed statistically non-inferior safety profile of React68 and React71 catheters relative to ACE68 catheters, with minimal but similar mild internal elastic lamina disruption and smooth muscle loss, but a lack of inflammation, fibrin deposits, and changes in the adventitia at both time points examined. Conclusions React68 and React71 aspiration catheters have an excellent safety, efficacy, and usability profile in animal models of LVO.

Traditional outcome measures after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have focused predominantly on angiographic obliteration and general neurologic complications. Several grading scales attempting to predict the outcome for specific patients have previously been proposed and validated, and are outlined here. These have largely been based on both AVM and patient characteristics and attempt to predict obliteration. However, the most practical and clinically oriented goal in the management of AVMs is the prospective avoidance of neurological sequelae manifesting in the form of stroke or death, regardless of AVM obliteration. Long-term outcomes following SRS have demonstrated stroke or death rates of 1.5-2.0% per year for the first 5 years after SRS, followed by 0.2-0.4% annual risk thereafter. This focus on the avoidance of stroke or death is additionally crucial for direct comparisons to non-interventional natural history data. Here, we discuss the history of outcomes data on radiosurgery for AVMs and propose a re-evaluation of clinical outcome that is of most utility to the patient.

BackgroundDespite growing interest in the transradial approach for neurovascular procedures, prospective data about the learning curve for neurointerventionalists adopting this approach are limited.MethodsA subsequent prospective series of 50 consecutive right transradial diagnostic cerebral arteriograms was compared with our initial institutional experience using a procedural staging system. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve the predefined procedural goals using the radial approach. Secondary outcomes included the technical ability to access and inject each supraaortic artery of interest and the incidence of complications.ResultsThe primary outcome was achieved in 49 patients (98%) compared with 88% in the initial series (p=0.05). One stage 2 failure (2%) occurred. Crossover to the transfemoral approach occurred in one patient (2%) compared with 8% in the initial series (p=0.16). All supraaortic arteries of interest were accessed and injected with success rates between 93% and 100%. There were no major complications and two minor complications.ConclusionNeurointerventionalists can overcome the right transradial learning curve and achieve high success rates and low crossover rates after performing 30–50 cases.

IntroductionTreatment of acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke secondary to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is more nuanced with disparate and infrequently reported outcomes. The deployment of balloon-mounted stents presents an expedient approach with renewed feasibility in the modern era of supple intermediate catheters.MethodsA prospectively maintained endovascular stroke database was searched for patients undergoing intracranial stenting with balloon-mounted stents for acute LVO. Demographic, angiographic, and clinical data were extracted to determine procedural technique and success, measured both angiographically and clinically.ResultsSixty patients underwent stenting for acute LVO secondary to ICAD. Mean presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 18 and 62% of treated sites were in the posterior circulation. Cases were performed under IV conscious sedation unless the patient was already intubated. Successful recanalization was achieved in 93% of cases (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) grade 2b in 48% and TICI grade 3 in 45%). Mean improvement in NIHSS score on post-procedure day 1 was 3.4. Good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) at 3 months was 34% and the mortality rate was 34%. The rate of peri-procedural symptomatic hemorrhage was 8% and the rate of acute/subacute stent thrombosis was 7%. In this small cohort, patient age, sex, presenting NIHSS, comorbidities, smoking, tissue plasminogen activator administration, and stent location were not significant predictors of recanalization or good outcome.ConclusionTreatment of acute LVO stroke with balloon-mounted stents for ICAD has reperfusion rates and clinical outcomes comparable to thrombectomy, with higher rates of hemorrhage and mortality. Because stent placement was performed after attempted thrombectomy, a trial of primary stenting versus thrombectomy should be considered in patients suspected of underlying ICAD.

Intracranial hemorrhage can be a devastating complication of endovascular thrombectomy (ET) after acute ischemic stroke increasing disability and mortality. Patients with low platelet count were excluded from major ET trials. This study explores the association between platelet count and intracranial hemorrhage after ET.A retrospective review of patients undergoing ET for anterior circulation large vessel occlusions at a single comprehensive stroke center between January 2015 and February 2018 was performed. Demographic and clinical information including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration, ASPECTS, platelet count, international normalized ratio, time from symptom onset to recanalization, and modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score were analyzed. Radiological imaging and clinical course in the hospital was evaluated to identify parenchymal hemorrhage and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted.A total of 555 patients underwent ET and 43% were male. The mean age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were 71 ± 14 years and 17 ± 6, respectively. Parenchymal hemorrhage-2 and sICH (European-Australian Cooperative Acute Stroke Study-III criteria) were noted in 9.7% and 5.8% patients, respectively. Rates of sICH in patients with platelet count100,000 (n = 15), 100,000 to150,000 (n = 59), and ≥150,000 (n = 481) were 6.7% (n = 1), 10.1% (n = 6), and 5.2% (n = 25), respectively (P = 0.25), and rates of modified Rankin Scale 0-2 at 90 days were 26.7%, 23.7%, and 36.4%, respectively (P = 0.12). Low ASPECTS was a significant predictor of sICH per European-Australian Cooperative Acute Stroke Study-III definition (P value = 0.046). Platelet count was not a predictor (P = 0.386) of sICH.Risk of sICH after ET is low and comparable in patients with low and normal platelet counts. Low platelets should not exclude patients from undergoing intra-arterial therapy.

IntroductionManual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) and stent retriever mediated aspiration thrombectomy (SMAT) are well described reperfusion strategies for large vessel occlusions. This study aims to identify predictors of successful crossover to SMAT after failed first pass MAT.MethodsProspectively collected data for patients with acute large vessel occlusions undergoing thrombectomy over a 23 month period at a comprehensive stroke center were reviewed. The primary outcome was successful removal of the index clot with resultant Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b or greater reperfusion at any point after a failed initial MAT attempt, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of successful crossover to SMAT.ResultsOf 433 large vessel thrombectomies, 319 underwent first pass MAT, and 113 patients required a repeated pass for the index thrombus. Second pass MAT was performed in 77% of cases and was successful in 54%; second pass SMAT was performed in 23% of cases and was successful in 73% (P=0.11). Third pass MAT was employed in 45% of cases and was successful in 43% while SMAT was performed in 55% of cases and was successful in 77% (P=0.03). Overall, 12% of patients undergoing MAT on the first pass crossed over to successful SMAT. Predictors of successful crossover were internal carotid artery (ICA) location and higher presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score.ConclusionAfter failed first pass MAT, subsequent passes with SMAT had higher rates of successful index clot removal; patients with a higher initial NIHSS score and ICA clot location should be considered for early crossover or even initial SMAT for their clots.

Introduction: The optimal treatment strategy for symptomatic extra-cranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion remains unknown. A radiographic classification of ICA occlusions has been proposed to help predict technical feasibility and the risk of complications with revascularization. The classification includes 4 main types (A-D) based on the morphology of the ICA stump (A having a tapered stump, B having a non-tapered stump, C and D having no stump) as well as the presence of reconstitution of flow in the intracranial ICA (C having reconstitution of the ICA within the cavernous and/or petrous segment and D having no reconstitution). In this study, we assess the predictive value of this classification scheme in understanding clinical phenotype and post-stenting complications. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted of clinical and radiological data from patients undergoing attempted angioplasty and stenting of complete symptomatic cervical ICA occlusion without tandem intracranial occlusion. Results: Seventy-two patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 63 years and 36% female gender. Classification type was as follows: 36% (type A), 25% (type B), 32% (type C) and 7% (type D). Revascularization was successful in 66/72 (92%) of patients. Clinical fluctuation prior to revascularization was most frequent in type A occlusions (p=0.02) and least frequent in type B occlusion (p=0.02). Only 8% of patients had peri-procedural intracerebral hemorrhage and the highest frequency occurred in group D (p=0.05). In a multivariate analysis, lower age, lower pre-treatment NIH Stroke Scale and favorable Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score were predictors of higher modified Rankin Scale at 3 months (p=0.025, 0.004, 0.049, respectively). Conclusions: Radiographic classification of ICA occlusions can help classify patient phenotypes and potentially predict the technical safety of angioplasty and stenting. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) occurs rarely, with severe patients recalcitrant to pharmacologic management often requiring cerebrospinal fluid diversion. We report two patients with variant IIH successfully treated with venous sinus stenting: 1) A 65-year-old man with severe vision loss, papilledema, and cognitive decline treated with four telescoped stents across a long, severely stenotic transverse-sigmoid system, and 2) a 58-year-old woman with headaches, vision loss, and papilledema secondary to a jugular paraganglioma causing severe jugular bulb stenosis that required contralateral venous sinus stenting. At 3-month and 1-month follow-up, respectively, ophthalmologic examinations showed vision improvement. The first patient also had improved cognition, and the second patient also had improved headaches.

Hyponatremia occurs commonly in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Our objective was to determine the time course of, and factors associated with, hyponatremia after aSAH. We performed a retrospective review of 259 patients with ruptured aneurysms at a single institution. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with hyponatremia. Increasing age was significantly associated with lower initial sodium (p=0.04) and incidence of delayed hyponatremia (p=0.01) while smoking was associated with longer duration of hyponatremia (p=0.02). Older patients should therefore be monitored closely for hyponatremia and patients who smoke should be treated more aggressively for hyponatremia given the greater frequency and longer duration of hyponatremia in these two groups, respectively.

Background Ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) have a malignant natural history and an anatomy that make endovascular therapy challenging. Their uniqueness begs for stratified analyses, but this has largely been precluded by their rarity. We sought to summarize the anatomic, presentation, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of patients with these lesions. Methods We reviewed our prospectively maintained institutional database to identify patients diagnosed with ethmoidal dAVFs from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015. We evaluated demographic, presentation, angiographic, treatment, and follow-up data. Results In total, 27 patients with ethmoidal dAVFs underwent endovascular and/or surgical treatment. Mean patient age was 62 years old and there was a male sex predilection (67% men; 2:1 male-female ratio). All dAVFs exhibited direct cortical venous drainage; venous ectasia was present in 59% of cases. Of the dAVFs, 30% drained posteriorly into the basal vein of Rosenthal or the sylvian veins. Embolization with casting of the draining vein was successful in 2 of 9 cases (22%), including 1 successful transvenous case. There were no clinical or permanent complications from embolization; specifically, no patients experienced visual loss after treatment. Surgical treatment with successful dAVF obliteration was carried out in 24 of 24 patients (100%). One patient declined surgical treatment after attempted endovascular embolization. There were no permanent complications after surgical treatment and no cases of wound infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Conclusions Surgical disconnection remains the gold standard in the treatment of ethmoidal dAVFs. Embolization is a consideration for well-selected cases with favorable arterial or venous access anatomy.

OBJECTIVEMany small series and technical reports chronicle the evolution of endovascular techniques for cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) over the past 3 decades, but reports of large patient series are lacking. The authors provide a thorough analysis of clinical and angiographic outcomes across a large patient cohort.METHODSThe authors reviewed their endovascular database from January 1996 to September 2015 to identify patients harboring cranial dAVFs who were treated initially with endovascular approaches. They extracted demographic, presentation, angiographic, detailed treatment, and long-term follow-up data, and they evaluated natural history, initial angiographic occlusion, complications, recurrence, and symptomatic resolution rates.RESULTSAcross a cohort of 251 patients with 260 distinct dAVFs, the overall initial angiographic occlusion rate was 70%; recurrence or occult residual lesions were seen on subsequent angiography in 3% of cases. The overall complication rate was 8%, with permanent neurological complications occurring in 3% of cases. Among 102 patients with dAVFs without cortical venous reflux, rates of resolution/improvement of pulsatile tinnitus and ocular symptoms were 79% and 78%, respectively. Following the introduction of Onyx during the latter half of the study period, the number of treated dAVFs doubled; the initial angiographic occlusion rate increased significantly from 60% before the use of Onyx to 76% after (p = 0.01). In addition, during the latter period compared with the pre-Onyx period, the rate of dAVFs obliterated via a transarterial-only approach was significantly greater (43% vs 23%, p = 0.002), as was the number of dAVFs obliterated via a single arterial pedicle (29% vs 11%, p = 0.002).CONCLUSIONSOverall, in the Onyx era, the rate of initial angiographic occlusion was approximately 80%, as was the rate of meaningful clinical improvement in tinnitus and/or ocular symptoms after initial endovascular treatment of cranial dAVFs.

Background/objectiveThe optimal management of residual or recurrent clipped aneurysms is infrequently addressed in the literature.MethodsWe reviewed our endovascular database from January 1998 to May 2016 to identify patients with clipped aneurysms undergoing subsequent endovascular treatment, evaluating treatment approach, and clinical and angiographic outcomes.Results60 patients underwent endovascular treatment of residual/recurrent clipped aneurysms; 7 rebled prior to endovascular therapy. Treatment was via coiling alone (n=25, 42%), stent assisted coiling (n=15, 25%), balloon assisted coiling (n=8, 13%), flow diversion (n=8, 13%), stenting alone (n=3, 5%), or flow diversion with coiling (n=1, 2%). The procedural permanent neurological morbidity and mortality rates were 3% and 2%, respectively. Over a clinical follow-up of 253.4 patient years (median 3.9 years), there was one rebleed in a patient who had declined further treatment. For 43 patients with at least 1 month of digital subtraction angiographic follow-up (median 3.4 years), complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 79% of cases. Neck remnants were observed in 14%, and stable small dome remnants were observed in 7% of cases. In a subgroup of 18 patients with ‘clip induced’ narrow neck aneurysms, all domes were initially coil occluded (Raymond 1 or 2); there was no permanent procedural morbidity and no aneurysms required retreatment or recanalized over a median follow-up of 3.9 years.ConclusionsEndovascular treatment of residual or recurrent clipped aneurysms is an excellent treatment approach in well selected patients; ‘clip induced’ narrow neck aneurysms fare particularly well after treatment both angiographically and clinically.

BackgroundVenous sinus stenting is an effective treatment for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and venous sinus stenosis.ObjectiveTo determine the usefulness of venous sinus stenting in the treatment of patients with symptomatic venous sinus stenosis without a diagnosis of IIH.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database of patients undergoing venous sinus stenting between January 2008 and February 2016. Patients with acute dural venous sinus thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous malformation, or IIH were excluded. Clinical, radiological, and ophthalmological information was recorded.ResultsNine patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent venous sinus stenting for symptomatic dural venous sinus stenosis. Reasons for treatment included isolated unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (n=1), congenital hydrocephalus (n=2), unilateral pulsatile tinnitus following prior venous sinus thrombosis (n=1), acquired hydrocephalus following dural sinus thrombosis (n=2), meningitis (n=2) and tumor invasion into the dural venous sinus (n=1). Six patients underwent lumbar puncture or shunt tap, and all of these patients had elevated intracranial pressure. All stenoses were located in the transverse sinus, transverse–sigmoid junction and/or jugular bulb, and all were treated with self-expanding bare-metal stents. At follow-up, clinical symptoms had resolved in all but two patients, both of whom had congenital hydrocephalus and pre-existing shunts. There was no significant in-stent stenosis, and patients with ophthalmological follow-up demonstrated improvement of papilledema.ConclusionsDural venous sinus stenting may be an effective treatment for patients with symptomatic venous sinus stenosis without IIH in carefully selected cases, but may not be effective in resolving the symptoms of congenital hydrocephalus.

Background/objectiveSpinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) require pretreatment angiography; embolization can be performed in the same session. To validate this approach, obliteration and morbidity rates of ‘endovascular-first’ (embolization and microsurgery in the case of embolization failures) must be compared with rates for ‘microsurgery-first’ (microsurgical ligation without attempted embolization) approaches.MethodsWe reviewed our institutional database (January 1998–October 2015) for SDAVFs, performing an intention-to-treat analysis comparing endovascular-first and microsurgery-first approaches.ResultsA total of 71 patients underwent surgical and/or endovascular treatment for SDAVFs. All SDAVFs were ultimately occluded. Of 35 patients under consideration for an endovascular-first approach, radicular artery anatomy or anterior spinal artery embolization risk precluded attempting embolization in seven cases (20%). Among 28 patients undergoing embolization, angiographic non-opacification of the fistula was noted in 18 (64%). Fourteen patients had obliteration with excellent casting of the draining vein (50%) and did not undergo surgery. There were no significant differences in total complications (9% vs 11%; p=1.0) or permanent complications (3% vs 4%; p=1.0) after attempted endovascular and surgical treatment. Based on an intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant differences in total complications (11% vs 14%; p=1.0), permanent complications (6% vs 3%; p=0.61), or the symptomatic resolution/improvement rate (80% vs 78%; p=1.0) between endovascular-first and microsurgery-first groups.ConclusionsOur results support attempted embolization of SDAVFs prior to consideration of microsurgery, allowing for a less invasive treatment option in the same session as diagnostic angiography.

Background The prevalence of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has not been precisely determined, and conflicting results have been reported in the literature. Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the prevalence of pituitary insufficiency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and to focus on basal serum and dynamic test differences. Methods The prevalence of pituitary dysfunction was quantified at 3 to 6 months and >6 months after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Proportions were transformed with the logit transformation. A subgroup analysis was performed focusing on the differences in outcome between basal serum and dynamic tests for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Results Overall prevalence of hypopituitarism differed considerably between studies, ranging from 0.05 to 0.45 in studies performed between 3 and 6 months after the event and from 0 to 0.55 in long-term studies (>6 months), with pooled frequencies of 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.43) and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.16-0.36), respectively. Pooled frequency of GHD at 3 to 6 months was 0.14 (95% CI: 0.08-0.24). At >6 months, GHD prevalence was 0.19 (95% CI: 0.13-0.26) overall, but ranged from 0.15 (95% CI: 0.06-0.33) with the insulin tolerance test to 0.25 (95% CI: 0.15-0.36) using the growth hormone releasing hormone + arginine test. Conclusion Hypopituitarism is a common complication in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with GHD being the most prevalent diagnosis. We showed that variations in prevalence rates in the literature are partly due to methodological differences among pituitary function tests. Abbreviations ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormoneaSAH, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhageGHD, growth hormone deficiencyGHRH, growth hormone-releasing hormoneGST, glucagon stimulation testIGF, insulin-like growth factor 1ITT, insulin tolerance testSAH, subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BackgroundThe Pipeline Flex embolization device has several advantages over the first-generation Pipeline embolization device (Covidien, Dublin, Republic of Ireland). Despite these advantages, we have observed frequent difficulty in recapturing the device's delivery wire.ObjectiveTo prospectively document the incidence of failure to recapture the delivery wire.MethodsWe tracked our experience in patients undergoing endovascular treatment with a flow-diverting stent for cerebral aneurysms between 1 May and 30 September 2016. Patient and lesion characteristics, device dimensions, and technical outcomes of delivery wire recapture were prospectively recorded for each device.ResultsEighteen devices were deployed in 15 patients by the senior author (FCA) during this period. Failure to recapture the delivery wire occurred in 10 of 18 (56%) cases. No adverse outcomes of delivery wire recapture failure were encountered in this series.ConclusionsThe incidence of delivery wire recapture failure with the Pipeline Flex device is high. Failure to recapture the delivery wire carries a theoretical risk of stent displacement when re-navigating across the device, and endovascular surgeons should be aware of this limitation. Authors are encouraged to report delivery wire recapture failure rates in future clinical series in which the Pipeline Flex device is used.

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of already common chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) and other nonacute subdural hematomas (NASHs) in the elderly is expected to rise as the population ages over the coming decades. Surgical management is associated with recurrence and exposes elderly patients to perioperative and operative risks. Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization offers the potential for a minimally invasive, less morbid treatment in this age group. The clinical and radiographic outcomes after MMA embolization treatment for NASHs have not been adequately described in elderly patients. In this paper, the authors describe the clinical and radiographic outcomes after 151 cases of MMA embolization for NASHs among 121 elderly patients.METHODSIn a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database across 15 US academic centers, the authors identified patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent MMA embolization for the treatment of NASHs between November 2017 and February 2020. Patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical and radiographic factors, treatment factors, and clinical outcomes were abstracted. Subgroup analysis was performed comparing elderly (age 65–79 years) and advanced elderly (age > 80 years) patients.RESULTSMMA embolization was successfully performed in 98% of NASHs (in 148 of 151 cases) in 121 patients. Seventy elderly patients underwent 87 embolization procedures, and 51 advanced elderly patients underwent 64 embolization procedures. Elderly and advanced elderly patients had similar rates of embolization for upfront (46% vs 61%), recurrent (39% vs 33%), and prophylactic (i.e., with concomitant surgical intervention; 15% vs 6%) NASH treatment. Transfemoral access was used in most patients, and the procedure time was approximately 1 hour in both groups. Particle embolization with supplemental coils was most common, used in 51% (44/87) and 44% (28/64) of attempts for the elderly and advanced elderly groups, respectively. NASH thickness decreased significantly from initial thickness to 6 weeks, with additional decrease in thickness observed in both groups at 90 days. At longest follow-up, the treated NASHs had stabilized or improved in 91% and 98% of the elderly and advanced elderly groups, respectively, with > 50% improvement seen in > 60% of patients for each group. Surgical rescue was necessary in 4.6% and 7.8% of cases, and the overall mortality was 8.6% and 3.9% for elderly and advanced elderly patients, respectively.CONCLUSIONSMMA embolization can be used safely and effectively as an alternative or adjunctive minimally invasive treatment for NASHs in elderly and advanced elderly patients.

Background Patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) who initially present to a non-thrombectomy-capable center (“spoke”) have worse outcomes than those presenting directly to a thrombectomy-capable center (“hub”). Furthermore, patients who suffer in-hospital strokes (IHS) suffer worse outcomes than those suffering strokes in the community. Data on patients who suffer IHS at a spoke hospital is lacking. We aim to characterize this particularly vulnerable population, define their outcomes, and compare them to patients who develop IHS at a hub institution. Methods We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from patients suffering an IHS at a spoke hospital who were then transferred to the hub hospital for endovascular therapy (EVT). We then compared outcomes of these patients under EVT after developing IHS at the hub institution. Results A total of 108 IHS patients met inclusion criteria: 91 (84%) at a spoke facility and 17 (16%) at the hub facility. Baseline characteristics and reason for hospital admission were comparable between the two groups. Time from imaging to IV-tPA administration (17 vs. 70 min, p = 0.01) and time to EVT (120 vs. 247 min, p = 0.001) were significantly shorter in the hub group. More patients had a 90 day-mRS of 0-3 in the hub group than the spoke group (57% vs 22%, p Conclusion Patients undergoing EVT after suffering IHS at a spoke hospital have significantly higher rates of poor outcomes compared to patients who suffer IHS at a hub hospital. Prolonged time delays in the initiation of IV-tPA and EVT represent areas of improvement.

IntroductionModern coil-adjunctive intracranial stent designs have increased metal surface coverage to construct putative ‘flow diverter lights.’ This is rooted in the assumption that flow diversion is linearly correlated with metal surface coverage rather than being a threshold to be reached by device porosity and design.ObjectiveTo evaluate this assumption, by performing computational flow analysis on three aneurysm models treated with low metal surface coverage stents (ATLAS and Enterprise), a Pipeline flow diverter, and the LVIS Blue stent.MethodsComputational flow analysis was performed on virtual deployment models entailing deployment of an ATLAS, Enterprise, LVIS Blue, or Pipeline. The impact of device deployment on velocity vectors at the neck, maximum wall shear stress, inflow rate into the aneurysm, and turnover time was determined.ResultsVelocity vector plots demonstrated low magnitude, localized inflow jets for Pipeline only; asymmetric, selectively high inflow jets were seen for LVIS Blue, and broader velocity vector clusters were seen for Atlas and Enterprise. Reduction in wall shear stress as compared with baseline was significant for all devices and greatest for the Pipeline. Mean peak wall shear stress was significantly lower for LVIS Blue in comparison with ATLAS or Enterprise but significantly lower for Pipeline than for LVIS Blue. Reduction of inflow rate into the aneurysm was significant for LVIS Blue and Pipeline but significantly lower for Pipeline than for LVIS Blue. Turnover time was statistically similar for ATLAS, Enterprise, and LVIS Blue, but significantly increased for Pipeline.ConclusionConsiderable differences in peak wall shear stress, inflow rates, and turnover time between flow diverters, moderate- and low-porosity stents reinforce the assumption that effective flow diversion represents a threshold in device design, encompassing metal surface coverage only in part.

OBJECTIVEThe primary goal of the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is angiographic occlusion to eliminate future hemorrhage risk. Although multimodal treatment is increasingly used for AVMs, periprocedural hemorrhage after transarterial embolization is a potential endovascular complication that is only partially understood and merits quantification.METHODSSearching the period between 1990 and 2019, the authors of this meta-analysis queried the PubMed and Embase databases for studies reporting periprocedural hemorrhage (within 30 days) after liquid embolization (using cyanoacrylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) of AVMs. Random effects meta-analysis was used to evaluate the pooled rate of flow-related hemorrhage (those attributed to alterations in AVM dynamics), technical hemorrhage (those related to procedural complications), and total hemorrhage. Meta-regression was used to analyze the study-level predictors of hemorrhage, including patient age, Spetzler-Martin grade, hemorrhagic presentation, embolysate used, intent of treatment (adjuvant vs curative), associated aneurysms, endovascular angiographic obliteration, year of study publication, and years the procedures were performed.RESULTSA total of 98 studies with 8009 patients were included in this analysis, and the mean number of embolization sessions per patient was 1.9. The pooled flow-related and total periprocedural hemorrhage rates were 2.0% (95% CI 1.5%–2.4%) and 2.6% (95% CI 2.1%–3.0%) per procedure and 3.4% (95% CI 2.6%–4.2%) and 4.8% (95% CI 4.0%–5.6%) per patient, respectively. The mortality and morbidity rates associated with hemorrhage were 14.6% and 45.1%, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed a pooled total hemorrhage rate per procedure of 1.8% (95% CI 1.0%–2.5%) for adjuvant (surgery or radiosurgery) and 4.6% (95% CI 2.8%–6.4%) for curative intent. The treatment of aneurysms (p = 0.04) and larger patient populations (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of a lower hemorrhage rate, whereas curative intent (p = 0.04), angiographic obliteration achieved endovascularly (p = 0.003), and a greater number of embolization sessions (p = 0.03) were significant predictors of a higher hemorrhage rate. There were no significant differences in periprocedural hemorrhage rates according to the years evaluated or the embolysate utilized.CONCLUSIONSIn this study-level meta-analysis, periprocedural hemorrhage was seen after 2.6% of transarterial embolization procedures for cerebral AVMs. The adjuvant use of endovascular embolization, including in the treatment of associated aneurysms and in the presurgical or preradiosurgical setting, was a study-level predictor of significantly lower hemorrhage rates, whereas more aggressive embolization involving curative intent and endovascular angiographic obliteration was a predictor of a significantly higher total hemorrhage rate.

Background and purposeAccess-site complications constitute a substantial portion of the morbidity associated with transfemoral cerebral angiography, yet no standardized protocol exists for femoral closure and practice patterns vary widely. The objective of this single-arm prospective cohort study was to validate the efficacy and safety of a standardized femoral closure strategy for all diagnostic angiography, regardless of antiplatelet regimen.MethodsA single-arm, prospective study was designed enrolling consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic transfemoral cerebral angiography by a single neurointerventional surgeon from March 2013 – March 2018. The closure protocol consisted of 20 minutes of manual compression to the site of arterial access and 2 hours of bedrest. The primary outcome was hematoma or oozing after manual compression. Demographic, clinic, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed, and patients were stratified by antiplatelet use.ResultsOf 525 angiograms, 263 (50.1%) were on patients taking antiplatelet medication, with 66 (12.6%) on dual antiplatelet regimens. Five patients (0.95% of all patients) met the primary outcome: in all five cases, there was no further oozing or enlarging hematoma after the additional compression period. There were not significant differences in primary outcome in groups stratified by antiplatelet use, and there were no instances of delayed hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, or arteriovenous fistula.ConclusionIn this single-arm cohort study of 525 consecutive transfemoral angiograms with a standardized extrinsic compression protocol, hemostasis was achieved without complication in >99% regardless of antiplatelet strategy. This protocol is effective and safe for diagnostic transfemoral angiography regardless of a patient’s antiplatelet use.

Although elderly patients have generally worse outcomes after acute ischemic stroke, they may derive significant incremental benefit from thrombectomy as compared with medical management. Although several case series for octogenarians have been reported, data for nonagenarians are scarce.A prospectively maintained institutional mechanical thrombectomy database was reviewed for nonagenarians who underwent thrombectomy between January 2013 and July 2017. Patient demographic data and clinical history data were extracted, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed. Univariate analysis was used to determine correlation between treatment and radiographic data and outcome.During the study period, 30 patients ≥90 years old underwent mechanical thrombectomy. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on presentation was 20. Successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction 2b/3) was achieved in 27 patients (90%). One patient (3%) was discharged to home, and 9 patients (30%) were discharged to a rehabilitation facility. The 90-day mortality was 70%. Six patients (21%) returned to living at home. All 6 patients had successful reperfusion after the procedure; average infarct burden on postthrombectomy neuroimaging was 1.5 cmLarge vessel thrombectomy in nonagenarians is safe and offers patients a chance at returning to functional baseline. All patients returning home in our cohort had successful recanalization and minimal stroke burden after thrombectomy.

Introduction: Tandem vertebral ostial disease with acute intracranial vertebrobasilar occlusion with contralateral vertebral occlusion or hypoplasia presents a unique challenge to the interventionalist. Methods: The authors queried a prospectively maintained institutional endovascular database from August 2013 to June 2018 for cases of endovascularly treated acute tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions in the presence of contralateral vertebral occlusive disease or hypoplasia. Demographic and presentation data, the technique, results, and clinical outcome were extracted. Results: Tandem recanalization was attempted and achieved in 5 patients with a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 3 result in 4 patients and a TICI 2c result in 1 patient. To facilitate effective manual aspiration thrombectomy for the tandem basilar occlusion, performed in all cases in 1 or 2 passes, the NeuronTM MAX sheath was advanced into the V2 after Dotter or balloon angioplasty of the diseased origin. In cases where the origin cannot be crossed/visualized, the Synchro Helper to Evaluate via Retrograde Passage an Arterial origin (SHERPA) technique, entailing the passage of a microwire retrograde via the hypoplastic contralateral vertebral artery was utilized to delineate the vertebral ostium (n = 2 cases). All but 1 patient had substantial improvement in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score after the procedure. Conclusion: Recanalization of tandem vertebrobasilar occlusions with contralateral occlusion or hypoplasia is feasible. Intracranial recanalization is facilitated by the passage of a long 6F sheath into V2, and retrograde delineation of an occluded vertebral origin with a microwire may serve as a crucial adjunct.

Introduction Infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are a rare but potentially devastating complication of infective endocarditis. The clinical and radiographic findings that predispose patients to IIA remain poorly understood. Methods We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive endocarditis patients undergoing catheter-based angiography at a single tertiary-level academic center during the period of July 2013–December 2017. Patient records were reviewed for clinical and radiographic characteristics that may be associated with IIA. Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between clinical and radiographic characteristics and presence of IIA on invasive imaging. Results Of 92 patients included in this analysis, 12 of them with 19 IIAs were discovered. Univariate analysis identified age, male sex, presence of hemorrhage, and history of IV drug use (IVDU) as predictors of IIA presence. After multivariate analysis, only intracranial hemorrhage and IVDU remained as independent predictors of IIA. Conclusions Presence of hemorrhage on noninvasive imaging and history of IVDU are independently predictive of IIA presence in patients with infectious endocarditis. Risk stratification using these 2 factors may help identify the most vulnerable populations for IIA formation.

Cerebral aneurysms in patients with extreme proximal tortuosity may contraindicate endovascular therapy as a result of both the approach and an inability to navigate a coil-compatible microcatheter into the aneurysm due to microcatheter length. We present a 72 year-old male with multiple medical comorbidities admitted with a grade 3, ruptured pericallosal aneurysm. Aortoiliac disease contraindicated a transfemoral approach and thus a 6 French 105 cm guide catheter was advanced through a 6 French short radial sheath into a bovine left common carotid artery. After straightening proximal access anatomy with an Amplatz wire to allow advancement of the guide catheter into the internal carotid artery, a 167 cm 0.013 in. headway duo was advanced through a 5 French Sofia through the guide catheter and “hubbed” to enter the aneurysm. The aneurysm was then successfully coil embolized with 4 Target Ultrasoft coils. This case illustrates the utility of a 167 cm microcatheter for coil embolization of a pericallosal aneurysm with significant proximal tortuosity via a transradial approach. Despite its 0.013 in. inner diameter and length, common Target coils were compatible and deployed without incident.

Endovascular thrombectomy (ET) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) is offered to select patients meeting strict criteria. One of the criteria is stroke severity as indicated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Inherently, NIHSS is biased towards left hemisphere strokes (LHS) with median NIHSS score 4 points higher than right hemisphere strokes (RHS). This may potentially affect clinical decision making and thrombectomy eligibility. We sought to test this hypothesis.Data were analyzed from consecutive AIS patients with LVO admitted to our comprehensive stroke center (June 2015-December 2016). Following variables were studied: NIHSS score, occlusion location, time to presentation, and treatment received.Three hundred and fifty-one proximal-anterior circulation LVOs (ACLVO) were identified. 211 patients harboring a proximal ACLVO, were treated24-hour from symptom onset, had a baseline mRS 0-1, ASPECTS ≥6, and NIHSS score ≥6. One hundred and twelve (53%) were LHS and 99 (47%) were RHS. ET was performed in 87% of LHS and 78% of RHS (P = .09). In the NIHSS score12 range, 88% of LHS and RHS received ET (P = .93). In the NIHSS score 6-12 range, 81% of LHS and 52% of RHS received ET (P = .03).We find comparable rates of ET between right and LHS in patients with high NIHSS but lower rates of ET of RHS than LHS in patients at lower NIHSS. A hemisphere-laterality based adjustment to the NIHSS may better identify the full extent of patients that may benefit from ET.

Introduction: Symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) can lead to subsequent neurologic decline, recurrent stroke, and mortality. We sought to evaluate safety and feasibility of endovascular revascularization for ICAO without tandem intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of all patients presenting to a single academic center with ischemic stroke and ipsilateral, cervical ICAO from November 2003 through April 2016. Patients were excluded if pre-procedural angiography demonstrated tandem LVO or if patients were known to have chronic ICAO. Study endpoints included discharge neurologic exam, post-procedural infarct burden, 3-month functional outcomes, and treatment durability. Results: A total of 107 patients with symptomatic, angiographically confirmed cervical ICAO without tandem LVO were identified. Median admission NIHSS was 8 (IQR 11). Baseline radiographic stroke severity was assessed by ASPECT score (median 9; IQR 2), perfusion mismatch (present in 93%), and clinical-diffusion mismatch (42%). Median time from symptom onset to treatment was 25 hours (IQR 61). Successful revascularization was achieved in 92% of patients. At discharge, 83% had stable or improved NIHSS, while at 3-months 65% achieved functional independence (mRS ≤2). The most common complication was distal embolization (22%) of which 16% required intra-arterial treatment. Rate of significant restenosis (≥70%) was 15% at 1-year. Conclusions: Stenting in selected patients at risk of neurological deterioration due to symptomatic ICAO can be performed with high rates of technical success and good clinical outcomes. Because of significant peri-procedural risks and high rates of restenosis, randomized studies are necessary to understand the benefit of this approach.

Dural arteriovenous shunts (dAVF) in children can be classified as dural sinus malformations, infantile dural arteriovenous shunts, and adult-type dural arteriovenous shunts. All subtypes can result in neurologic morbidity as a result of venous or intracranial hypertension and its sequelae. Prognostication and appropriate management is incumbent depends upon understanding both the subtype of dural arteriovenous shunt and its relevant anatomy. When treatment is indicated, endovascular embolization is the mainstay. Surgical treatment may be used adjunctively, though its primary indication is for adult-type dAVF with direct leptomeningeal venous drainage, which cannot be easily accessed by endovascular means. Although radiosurgery has been used successfully in adults with dAVF, its utility for pediatric patients remains largely unexplored.

The assessment and interventional management of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the acute setting is a chal- lenge, given the lack of safety and efficacy data on available treatment options and the absence of detailed guidelines specific for children. Endovascular therapy in pediatric AIS must be considered experimental and approached cautiously in order to minimize adverse outcomes, as there are no published studies or prospective clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy in the management of pediatric AIS. Additional complicating factors include typically increased delays and increased challenge to appropriate diagnosis in children relative to adults, and underlying differences in the pathophysiology of AIS, the thrombotic cascade, and the natural history of AIS in children. Judicious extrapolation of adult data might be used for treatment of these cases with a highly individualized approach at high-volume centers, by a neurointerventional team in close collaboration with pediatric stroke neurologists. Mechanical approaches may be a safe and potentially effective therapeutic option.

Cavernous malformations (CMs) are angiographically-occult clusters of dilated sinusoidal channels that may present clinically with seizures, focal neurological deficits and/or hemorrhage. Across natural history studies, the annual hemorrhage rate ranged from 1.6-3.1% per patient-year, decreasing to 0.08-0.2% per patient-year for incidental CMs and to 0.3-0.6% for the collective group of unruptured CMs. Prior hemorrhage is a significant risk factor for subsequent CM hemorrhage. Hemorrhage clustering, particularly within the first 2 years, is an established phenomenon that may confound results of natural history studies evaluating the rate of rehemorrhage. Indeed, rehemorrhage rates for hemorrhagic CMs range from 4.5-22.9% in the literature. Surgical resection is the gold standard treatment for surgically-accessible, symptomatic CMs. Incidental CMs or minimally symptomatic, surgically inaccessible eloquent lesions may be considered for observation. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a controversial treatment approach of consideration only for cases of highly aggressive, surgically inaccessible CMs.

Background: Characteristics and treatment challenges of aneurysms in young children differ from those in older pediatric patients. Methods: Records of children undergoing cerebral or spinal angiography by the senior neurointerventionalist (D.B.O.) from October 2006 to January 2014 were reviewed to identify patients with digital subtraction angiography-confirmed intracranial aneurysms. Demographics, presentation, subtype of aneurysm, treatment strategy, and outcome were evaluated. Results: Of 763 pediatric cases, 33 were of children harboring cerebral aneurysms. Overall, 48% were male, 24% presented with hemorrhage and 67% harbored fusiform/dissecting aneurysms. Patients aged 0-10 years were significantly more likely to harbor nonsaccular, dissecting/fusiform aneurysms (84 vs. 43%, p = 0.02). A total of 13/22 pediatric patients harboring dissecting/fusiform aneurysms were male (59%) compared to 3/11 with saccular aneurysms (27%, p = 0.14). Overall, 15 patients underwent endovascular treatment (45%) and 8 underwent microsurgical treatment (24%). There was no significant difference in treatment approach based on patient age or aneurysm morphology. Overall, 19/23 aneurysms were occluded after initial treatment (83%); there were 2 procedure-related complications with neurological sequelae (9%). Conclusion: We demonstrate that the youngest patients (10 years and under) have aneurysms even more distinct and less similar to adult aneurysms than those in the larger pediatric cohort.

Among the major complications of transsphenoidal surgery, less attention has been given to severe postoperative epistaxis, which can lead to devastating consequences. In this study, we reviewed 551 consecutive patients treated over a 4 year period by the senior author to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, etiology and management of immediate and delayed post-transsphenoidal epistaxis. Eighteen patients (3.3%) developed significant postoperative epistaxis - six immediately and 12 delayed (mean postoperative day 10.8). Fourteen patients harbored macroadenomas (78%) and 11 of 18 (61.1%) had complex nasal/sphenoid anatomy. In the immediate epistaxis group, 33% had acute postoperative hypertension. In the delayed group, one had an anterior ethmoidal pseudoaneurysm, and one had restarted anticoagulation on postoperative day 3. We treated the immediate epistaxis group with bedside nasal packing followed by operative re-exploration if conservative measures were unsuccessful. The delayed group underwent bedside nasal hemostasis; if unsuccessful, angiographic embolization was performed. After definitive treatment, no patients had recurrent epistaxis.

OBJECT Outcomes of microsurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children are infrequently reported across large cohorts. METHODS The authors undertook a retrospective review of departmental and hospital databases to obtain the medical data of all patients up to 18 years of age who were diagnosed with cerebral AVMs. Demographic and AVM angioarchitectural characteristics were analyzed, and for the patients who underwent surgery, the authors also analyzed the estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative angiographically confirmed obliteration rates, and neurological complications and outcomes classified according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS Of 117 children with cerebral AVMs, 94 underwent microsurgical resection (80%). Twenty (21%) of these 94 patients underwent adjunctive preoperative embolization. The overall postoperative angiographically confirmed obliteration rate was 94%. As part of a new protocol, the last 50 patients in this series underwent immediate perioperative angiography, improving the subsequent obliteration rate from 86% to 100% (p = 0.01). No other factors, such as a hemorrhagic AVM, size of the AVM, location, drainage, or Spetzler-Martin grade, had a statistically significant impact on the obliteration rate. Perioperative neurological deficits occurred in 17% of the patients, but the vast majority of these (77%) were predictable visual field cuts. Arteriovenous malformations that were hemorrhagic or located in noneloquent regions were each associated with lower rates of postoperative neurological complications (p = 0.05 and 0.002, respectively). In total, 94% of the children had good functional outcomes (mRS Scores 0–2), and these outcomes were significantly influenced by the mRS score on presentation before surgery (p = 0.01). A review of 1- and 5-year follow-up data indicated an overall annual hemorrhage rate of 0.3% and a recurrence rate of 0.9%. CONCLUSIONS Microsurgical resection of AVMs in children is associated with high rates of angiographically confirmed obliteration and low rates of significant neurological complications. Implementation of a protocol using perioperative angiography in this series led to complete radiographically confirmed obliteration of all AVMs, with low annual repeat hemorrhage and recurrence rates.

Background and Purpose— The results of the DAWN trial (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging or Computerized Tomography Perfusion Assessment With Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention With Trevo) support the benefit of endovascular therapy in patients presenting beyond the 6-hour time window with anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. The impact of these results with respect to additional number of eligible patients in clinical practice remains unknown. Methods— A retrospective review of ischemic stroke admissions to a single DAWN trial-participating comprehensive stroke center was performed during the DAWN enrollment period (November 2014 to February 2017) to identify patients meeting criteria for DAWN and DEFUSE-3 (Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke-3) eligibility. Patients presenting beyond 6 hours were further investigated to clarify reasons for trial exclusion. Results— Of the 2667 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted within the study period, 30% (n=792) presented within the 6- to 24-hour time window, and 47% (n=1242) had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥6. Further clinical trial-specific selection criteria were applied based on the presence of large vessel occlusion, baseline modified Rankin Scale score, core infarct, and perfusion imaging (when available). There were 45 patients who met all DAWN trial criteria and 47 to 58 patients who would meet DEFUSE-3 trial criteria. Thirty-three percent of DAWN-eligible patients are DEFUSE-3 ineligible. Conclusions— Of all patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting to a single comprehensive stroke center, 1.7% of patients qualified for DAWN clinical trial enrollment with an additional 0.6% to 1% qualifying for the DEFUSE-3 trial. These data predict an increase in thrombectomy utilization with important implications for comprehensive stroke center resource optimization and stroke systems of care.

We read with interest, the article by Boulouis et al,1 “Immediate vascular imaging needed for efficient triage of patients with acute ischemic stroke initially admitted to nonthrombectomy centers.” We are concerned with the policies advocated by the authors because they reinforce an intuitive finding that patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores >8 and pretransfer vascular imaging are more likely to undergo endovascular thrombectomy. Given the trajectory of modern research in endovascular thrombectomy to include, rather than exclude, more patients, we are unsure how these results are to influence current practice. A policy requiring pretransfer vascular imaging only provides a means for inefficient triage and unnecessary delay in an era where time is brain. The majority of patients referred from nonthrombectomy centers undergo …

IntroductionSyringe aspiration for manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) is a cost- and time-efficient alternative to an aspiration pump with likely similar efficacy. It is counterintuitive to expect the pump to perform better than direct vacuum with a syringe, as the pump must deliver vacuum additionally through a canister and meters of tubing.ObjectiveTo present in vitro and clinical results of MAT with a syringe.MethodsAn in vitro analysis was performed comparing vacuum pressures generated by syringe aspiration and with pump aspiration. This was then complemented with prospective clinical data providing details of angiographic and clinical outcomes for syringe MAT.ResultsThe in vitro analysis demonstrated that equal to slightly greater vacuum pressures were generated by a 60 cc syringe as compared with the pump in both static and partial flow conditions. In our clinical series, 106/113 acute stroke thrombectomies over a 6-month period were performed with syringe MAT on the first pass. Syringe usage instead of pump tubing and a canister led to a total savings of $58 300. The rate of Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3 recanalization was 93%. Adjunctive stentriever usage was performed in 23% of cases. Median puncture to reperfusion time was 25 min; mean change in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours was an improvement of 5.1 (median 6). The in-hospital mortality rate was 10%. Seventy percent of patients were discharged to home (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2) or a rehabilitation facility (mRS score 2–4).ConclusionMAT using a syringe is a safe, fast, and more cost-effective approach than using an aspiration pump.

Over the past two decades, endovascular embolization has become a fundamental part of a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Several embolic agents are now an intrinsic part of the neurointerventional armamentarium. However, none has represented as remarkable an improvement as the introduction of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). In conjunction with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), EVOH has revolutionized the endovascular management of intracranial AVMs because of its ability to systematically deliver a sufficient volume of the embolic agent to the nidus and pedicles without extension into the venous drainage. The clinical decision to treat an AVM is facilitated by preoperative risk stratification; the first question to be addressed is whether to treat the AVM; and, if so, the second question is how to treat it. Endovascular EVOH embolization is primarily applied as an adjunct treatment to microsurgical resection or radiosurgery. Few cases are amenable to angiographic cure by embolization alone. The goal of this chapter is to describe the pertinent properties, endovascular techniques, and pitfalls for the endovascular management of intracranial AVMs using EVOH.

Objective Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (ioDSA) is touted as the gold standard imaging evaluation for aneurysm clip constructs. Candid evaluations of its limitations are sparse. Methods A prospectively collected hospital billing database was queried to identify craniotomies for aneurysm clipping from January 2010 to December 2013. We evaluated the rate of occult residual and parent vessel stenosis determined on follow-up angiography for patients undergoing ioDSA and those not undergoing ioDSA. Comparisons were performed via Fisher exact test, with P Results From our database search, we found 187 patients who underwent ioDSA after aneurysm clipping and an additional 91 patients who did not. Results from ioDSA influenced operative management in 17% of cases. Sixty-four patients with 70 treated aneurysms undergoing ioDSA had postoperative angiography; 7 occult residuals were discovered, yielding a 10% false-negative rate, with 10% of aneurysms showing residual. Occult residuals at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation represented most discovered residuals (6/7). Thirty-two patients with 37 treated aneurysms did not undergo ioDSA and had angiographic follow-up; 24% of patients were found to have residual aneurysms ( P = 0.08 compared with patients undergoing ioDSA). Residuals at the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) represented 56% of all residuals, whereas the ACoA represented only 18% of aneurysms clipped. The rate of residuals was significantly higher than that for patients with clipped ACoA aneurysms undergoing ioDSA ( P = 0.008). Conclusions ioDSA influenced management in nearly one fifth of cases. It can be particularly beneficial in detecting residuals for ACoA aneurysms; its benefit was less apparent for middle cerebral artery aneurysms.

Background The origin point of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) is variable, typically arising from the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) distal to the posterior communicating artery (PComA) on either the posterolateral or posterior aspect of the ICA. Variations of AChA origin have important clinical implications, and rare origins reported previously include the ICA bifurcation and middle cerebral artery. We provide illustrations of a case of a shared-origin PComA and AChA. Case Description A young girl presented with intracranial hemorrhage and underwent angiography to evaluate for an underlying cause. Ultimately, 3-dimensional rotational angiography incidentally demonstrated a common origin of the AChA with the PComA. Conclusions A rare case of a shared-origin AChA and PComA is reported for angiographic illustration. The radiologic findings, embryology behind the development of the AChA, and neurosurgical and neurovascular relevance of this variant are discussed. The importance of recognizing the origin of the AChA is emphasized.