The Artisse intrasaccular device for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms: initial experience from three Austrian neurovascular centers.

Background And Purpose: This study evaluates the early clinical performance of the new Artisse Intrasaccular Device (Artisse ISD), a self-expandable intrasaccular flow diverter, for treating wide-necked aneurysms (WNAs). We report initial safety and efficacy outcomes in the first cohort of patients treated with this novel device.

Methods: Prospective clinical and radiological data were collected for all patients treated with the Artisse ISD at three Austrian neurovascular centers from July 2023 to August 2024.

Evaluation of the ETV success score and its predictive value in pediatric occlusive hydrocephalus: implications for patient counseling.

Introduction: Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is a well-established treatment for pediatric hydrocephalus, particularly in cases of aqueductal stenosis. The ETV Success Score (ETVSS) is a predictive tool widely used to estimate the likelihood of ETV success based on factors like age. Its accuracy, especially in infants under 3 months, is still debated.

Natural history of dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a multinational study.

Objective: Dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms (DVBAs) are expansions of arterial tissue leading to aneurysmal formations without an obvious neck. Their natural history is poorly understood; usually patients are admitted with thromboembolic complications and/or neurological symptoms from the mass effect. There have not been international collective data, and correct timing for highly risky treatments has been under discussion.

Single-step 3D printing aided cranio-orbital reconstruction with patient specific polyetheretherketone implants after resection of benign spheno-orbital tumors.

Purpose: Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques have paved the way for single-step resections and cranio-orbital reconstructions with patient specific implants in spheno-orbital tumors. Here, we present our interdisciplinary maxillofacial and neurosurgical workflow and a case series of patients treated with this integrated approach.

Methods: Patients, who underwent single-step resection of benign spheno-orbital tumors and cranio-orbital reconstruction with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) patient specific implants (PSI) from 2019 to 2024 in our institution were included.

A comparative analysis of microsurgical resection versus stereotactic radiosurgery for Spetzler-Martin grade III arteriovenous malformations: A multicenter propensity score matched study.

Background: Spetzler-Martin (SM) Grade III brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) represent a transitional risk zone between low- and high-grade BAVMs, characterized by diverse angioarchitecture. The primary treatment options are endovascular embolization, microsurgical resection (MS), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This study compares the efficacy and outcomes of MS and SRS.

Endovascular therapy versus medical management in isolated anterior cerebral artery acute ischemic stroke: a multinational multicenter propensity score-weighted study.

Background: Isolated anterior cerebral artery occlusions (ACAo) in patients with acute ischemic stroke present significant challenges due to their rarity. The efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) in comparison with best medical therapy (BMT) for ACAo remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of these treatments.

Serial VerifyNow P2Y12 platelet reactivity units in cerebral aneurysm patients treated with ticagrelor surrounding stent-coiling or flow diversion.

Introduction: Platelet function testing using serial VerifyNow P2Y12 platelet reactivity units (PRUs) is established for guiding clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy in cerebral aneurysm stenting procedures. However, for ticagrelor, the impact of serial PRU testing and the identification of safe PRU ranges remains unexplored.

Methods: Flow diversion stenting ( = 232) and stent-assisted coiling procedures ( = 83) performed 05/2017-12/2021 were reviewed.

Intracranial hypertension and papilledema secondary to an unruptured arteriovenous malformation: Review of the literature.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections of arteries and veins without intermediate capillary components. As such, AVMs can remain asymptomatic or have a variety of clinical presentations ranging from mild headaches to severe symptoms like seizures, hemorrhage, and subsequent coma. Papilledema and increased intracranial pressure without hydrocephalus or hemorrhage are rare forms of presentations of cerebral AVM.

Endovascular therapy versus medical management in isolated posterior cerebral artery acute ischemic stroke: A multinational multicenter propensity score-weighted study.

Background: Despite the proven effectiveness of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic strokes (AIS) involving anterior circulation large vessel occlusions, isolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions (iPCAo) remain underexplored in clinical trials. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness and safety of EVT against medical management (MM) in patients with iPCAo.

Methods: This multinational, multicenter propensity score-weighted study analyzed data from the Multicenter Analysis of primary Distal medium vessel occlusions: effect of Mechanical Thrombectomy (MAD-MT) registry, involving 37 centers across North America, Asia, and Europe.

Comparing stand-alone endovascular embolization versus stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations with Spetzler-Martin grades I-III: a propensity score matched study.

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are uncommon cerebral lesions that can cause significant neurological complications. Surgical resection is the gold standard for treatment, but endovascular embolization and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are viable alternatives.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of endovascular embolization versus SRS in the treatment of AVMs with Spetzler-Martin grades I-III.

Point-of-Care 3-Dimensional-Printed Polyetheretherketone Customized Implants for Cranioplastic Surgery of Large Skull Defects.

Background And Objectives: 3-Dimensional (3D) printing has become a common tool to aid implant molding for cranioplastic surgery of large skull defects. Until now, 3D printing of cranial implants itself has not been used, mainly because of medicolegal concerns. With a 3D printer developed for printing medical applications and with implant-grade polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filament available, we established a workflow (in compliance with medical device regulations) to 3D print cranial implants for cranioplastic surgery directly at the point of care (POC).

Frailty indices predict mortality, complications and functional improvements in supratentorial meningioma patients over 80 years of age.

Purpose: To assess whether the Modified 5 (mFI-5) and 11 (mFI-11) Factor Frailty Indices associate with postoperative mortality, complications, and functional benefit in supratentorial meningioma patients aged over 80 years.

Methods: Baseline characteristics were collected from eight centers. Based on the patients' preoperative status and comorbidities, frailty was assessed by the mFI-5 and mFI-11.

Intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography for catheter placement verification in pediatric hydrocephalus: technical note.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement, essential for managing hydrocephalus, often risks catheter malpositioning, especially in patients with small ventricles. We present a novel technique combining neuronavigation with intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography using the BrainLab system and Loop-X mobile imaging unit. This approach enables real-time verification of catheter placement by integrating preoperative MRI data with intraoperative CT imaging.

Wound healing after intracutaneous vs. staple-assisted skin closure in lumbar, non-instrumented spine surgery: a multicenter prospective randomized trial.

Purpose: Superficial surgical site infection (SSSI) is a prominent problem in spine surgery. Intracutaneous sutures and staple-assisted closure are two widely used surgical techniques for skin closure. Yet, their comparative impact on wound healing and infection rates is underexplored.

Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality after Thrombectomy in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion: A Retrospective, Machine Learning Study.

Background: Despite the increased use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in recent years, there remains a lack of research on in-hospital mortality rates following the procedure, the primary factors influencing these rates, and the potential for predicting them. This study aimed to utilize interpretable machine learning (ML) to help clarify these uncertainties.

Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO)-related ischemic stroke who underwent MT.

Comparative Analysis of Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes of Middle Cerebral Artery M1, M2 Superior, and M2 Inferior Occlusion Strokes.

Background: The M1 middle cerebral artery (MCA) commonly bifurcates into M2 superior and M2 inferior segments. However, MCA anatomy is highly variable rendering classification for mechanical thrombectomy trials difficult. This study explored safety and effectiveness of M2 MCA stroke thrombectomy stratified by M2 MCA anatomy.