Aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy as first-line approach for large vessel occlusion (COMPASS): a multicentre, randomised, open label, blinded outcome, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Stent retriever thrombectomy of large-vessel occlusion results in better outcomes than medical therapy alone. Alternative thrombectomy strategies, particularly a direct aspiration as first pass technique, while promising, have not been rigorously assessed for clinical efficacy in randomised trials. We designed COMPASS to assess whether patients treated with aspiration as first pass have non-inferior functional outcomes to those treated with a stent retriever as first line.

Life-Threatening Mannitol-Induced Hyperkalemia in Neurosurgical Patients.

Background: Mannitol is the most commonly used intraoperative hypertonic solution in patients undergoing craniotomy. However, its use has been reported to be associated with hyperkalemia, which can occasionally be life threatening.

Case Description And Literature Review: In this report, we discuss the case of a patient who had intraoperative cardiac arrest secondary to mannitol-induced hyperkalemia during a craniotomy for tumor resection.

Feasibility, Safety, and Periprocedural Complications of Pipeline Embolization for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment Under Conscious Sedation: University at Buffalo Neurosurgery Experience.

Background: Endovascular Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) placement for intracranial aneurysms is performed under general anesthesia at most centers because of perceived improved image quality and patient safety.

Objective: To report the feasibility, safety, and outcomes associated with the use of the PED for intracranial aneurysms performed in awake patients after the administration of conscious sedation (CS) and a local anesthetic.

Methods: Between March 2012 and September 2014, 130 patients with 139 intracranial aneurysms (8 ruptured) were treated with the PED under CS at our institution.

Development of contrast-induced nephropathy in subarachnoid hemorrhage: a single center perspective.

Background And Purpose: The use of iodinated contrast-enhanced imaging studies is increasing in acute cerebrovascular diseases, especially in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In SAH, such studies are essential for both diagnosis and treatment of the cause and sequela of hemorrhage. These patients are often subjected to multiple contrast studies such as computed tomographic angiography, computed tomographic perfusion, and cerebral angiography.

Molecular imaging of stem cells: tracking survival, biodistribution, tumorigenicity, and immunogenicity.

Being able to self-renew and differentiate into virtually all cell types, both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have exciting therapeutic implications for myocardial infarction, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, and other disorders involving irreversible cell loss. However, stem cell biology remains incompletely understood despite significant advances in the field. Inefficient stem cell differentiation, difficulty in verifying successful delivery to the target organ, and problems with engraftment all hamper the transition from laboratory animal studies to human clinical trials.

Developmental trajectories of brain structure in adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a longitudinal study.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is associated with very high rates of schizophrenia-like psychosis and cognitive deficits.

Risk factors for the emergence of psychotic disorders in adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Objective: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is the most common known genetic risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. The authors conducted a longitudinal evaluation of adolescents with 22q11.