Effect of Intravenous Thrombolysis on Clot Survival during Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes.

Background: The benefit of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is uncertain. Conventional metrics of final modified thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) score and 90-d modified Rankin Scale may be insensitive to IVT effects on procedural complexity and duration.

Objective: To study the effect of IVT prior to MT on clot survival.

Blind exchange with mini-pinning technique for distal occlusion thrombectomy.

Introduction: Technical improvements to enhance distal occlusion thrombectomy are desirable. We describe the blind catheter exchange technique and report the pinning technique with small devices ('mini-pinning') for distal occlusions.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospective database from January 2015 to August 2018 was performed for cases of distal occlusion in which the 'blind exchange/mini-pinning' (BEMP) techniques were used.

A comparative analysis of 3MAX aspiration versus 3 mm Trevo Retriever for distal occlusion thrombectomy in acute stroke.

Background: Although aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy perform similarly in proximal occlusions, no comparative series are available in distal occlusions. We aimed to compare the 3 mm Trevo Retriever against the 3MAX thromboaspiration catheter in distal arterial occlusions.

Methods: A single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained databank for patients treated with the 3 mm Trevo stent retriever or 3MAX thromboaspiration as the upfront approach for distal occlusions (middle cerebral artery mid/distal M2/M3, anterior cerebral artery A1/A2/A3 or posterior cerebral artery P1/P2) from January 2014 to July 2018 was performed.

Reconstruction of scalp defects with the radial forearm free flap.

Background: Advanced and recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp and forehead require aggressive surgical excision often resulting in complex defects requiring reconstruction. This study evaluates various microvascular free flap reconstructions in this patient population, including the rarely utilized radial forearm free flap.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing free flap surgeries (n = 47) of the scalp between 1997 and 2011 were included.