Imaging Biomarkers and Prevalence of Complex Aortic Plaque in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Background: Complex aortic plaque (CAP) is a potential embolic source in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). We review CAP imaging criteria for transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and magnetic resonance imaging and calculate CAP prevalence in patients with acute CS.

Methods And Results: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched up to December 2022 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline.

Assessment of thrombectomy procedure difficulty by neurointerventionalists based on vessel geometry parameters from carotid artery 3D reconstructions.

Background: Diagnosing and treating acute ischemic stroke patients within a narrow timeframe is challenging. Time needed to access the occluded vessel and initiate thrombectomy is dictated by the availability of information regarding vascular anatomy and trajectory. Absence of such information potentially impacts device selection, procedure success, and stroke outcomes.

Balloon protection of the vein of Labbé during embolisation of a dural arteriovenous fistula.

We describe a novel technique of vein of Labbé preservation using balloon protection during embolisation of a transverse-sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistula. A patient with refractory Cognard type IV fistula of the left transverse-sigmoid sinus and persistent pulsatile tinnitus underwent successful embolisation of the lesion via transarterial route. During embolisation, a dual lumen balloon was simultaneously inflated within the vein of Labbé, at its orifice in the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction, to prevent embolic reflux.

Rate of periprocedural stroke in diagnostic cerebral angiograms comparing transradial versus transfemoral access.

Purpose: Transradial access for neurointerventional procedures has increased in popularity over the past few years due to data from extrapolated interventional cardiology studies, patient preference, and early reports of feasibility using this approach. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of periprocedural stroke in patients undergoing transradial versus transfemoral access for diagnostic cerebral angiograms.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our neurointerventional database and identified all patients who underwent a diagnostic angiogram between May 2019 and July 2021.

Middle meningeal artery: An effective pathway for achieving complete obliteration following transarterial Ethylene Vinyl Copolymer (Onyx) embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Objective: Transarterial Onyx embolization is the mainstay of intracranial non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) treatment. Although the dural arterial supply varies depending on the location, the impact of arterial access on treatment outcomes has remained unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize factors as sociated with complete obliteration following transarterial Onyx embolization, with a special focus on arterial access routes and dAVF location.

Flow Diverter Reconstruction of Internal Carotid Artery (Loop) Dissections with or without Associated Pseudoaneurysms.

Objective: Endovascular treatment of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) loop dissections in acute stroke interventions can be challenging. Flow diverters can effectively reconstruct vessel loops and treat the injured vessel and provide a safe conduit for intracranial catheterization.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our neurointerventional database and identified all patients with ICA loop dissections treated with flow diverters in the acute setting between August 2016 and September 2020.

Role of Surgical Intervention for Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas With Cortical Venous Drainage in an Endovascular Era: A Case Series.

Background: Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVFs) with cortical venous drainage (CVD) require treatment because of their aggressive clinical presentation and natural history. Although endovascular treatment is effective for the majority of these lesions in the current endovascular era, surgical management has been required if the lesions are not amenable to or fail endovascular treatments.

Objective: To demonstrate the angioarchitecture that may necessitate surgical intervention.

Distal radial artery (Snuffbox) access for intracranial aneurysm treatment using the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device.

Preliminary experience with distal radial artery (dRA) access for diagnostic cerebral angiography and some neurointerventional procedures has proved to be promising with good technical results and a reliable safety profile. Vascular access via the dRA may further improve minimally invasive treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Between July 2019 and June 2020 we identified 11 patients (9 females) with a mean age of 63.

Distal radial artery (snuffbox) access for carotid artery stenting - Technical pearls and procedural set-up.

Purpose: To report use of distal radial artery (dRA) access for carotid artery stenting (CAS) and to discuss procedural setup and technical considerations for a successful intervention.

Methods: A retrospective review of our prospective neurointerventional database of CAS was conducted between May 2019 and March 2020. All CAS cases via dRA in the anatomical snuffbox were identified.

Trapped Embolic Protection Device: A Salvage Technique.

After carotid artery stenting, retrieval of the embolic protection device can sometimes be difficult due to incomplete stent expansion, stent fracture, vasospasm, and vessel tortuosity. In this technical report, we describe a novel rescue technique used in a patient with diffuse calcific atherosclerosis of the left common and proximal left internal carotid arteries who underwent left internal carotid artery stenting with cerebral protection and in whom, due to an under-expanded proximal carotid stent strut in relation to a densely calcified plaque, we were initially unable to advance the retrieval device.

Distal radial access in the anatomical snuffbox for neurointerventions: a feasibility, safety, and proof-of-concept study.

Purpose: To report the first use of distal radial artery (dRA) access for a variety of neurointerventions and to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Methods: A retrospective review of our prospective neurointerventional database of endovascular interventions was conducted and, between May and October 2019, all patients in whom the intervention was performed via dRA in the anatomical snuffbox were identified. Patient demographics, clinical information, procedural and radiographic data were collected.

Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture during Resection for Presumed Metastasis.

A 54-year-old male with metastatic melanoma, including a presumed brain metastasis underwent elective surgery when there was sudden onset of extensive bleeding upon resection. An emergent cerebral angiogram revealed a fusiform left posterior cerebral artery aneurysm. Malignant melanoma commonly metastasizes to the brain and has shown to assume a wide variety of appearances with involvement of almost any intracranial structures.

Impact of age on cerebral aneurysm occlusion after flow diversion.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of the pipeline embolization device (PED) in different patient age groups with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). All patients with UIA treated with the PED between 2011 and 2017 were included. Based on their age, patients were trichotomized to: young (≤45 years), middle-aged (46 to <65 years) and older (≥65 years) groups.

Endovascular techniques for achievement of better flow diverter wall apposition.

Flow diverter malapposition has been described as a technical complication during endovascular procedures and can be associated with, potentially delayed, life-threatening aneurysm rupture or ischemic events. We performed a retrospective review of our flow diverter database to identify all patients in whom device malapposition was detected on follow-up angiogram immediately after device deployment. Feasibility and technical success of different endovascular approaches aiming to correct the inadequate vessel wall apposition were evaluated.

Flow diverter for endovascular treatment of intracranial mirror segment internal carotid artery aneurysms.

Background: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the pipeline embolization device in the treatment of unruptured intracranial mirror segment aneurysms.

Methods: Out of a total of 338 subjects, 14 were identified harboring a total of 32 internal carotid artery mirror segment aneurysms that were treated with the pipeline embolization device and were consecutively enrolled into our study. We collected data on patient demographics, modified Rankin scale (mRS) at admission, aneurysm characteristics, clinical outcome at discharge, 3-9 and at 12-18 months as well as angiography results at follow-up.

Can cerebellar and brainstem apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values predict neuromotor outcome in term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) treated with hypothermia?

Background And Purpose: To determine the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in specific infratentorial brain structures during the first week of life and its relation with neuromotor outcome for Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term neonates with and without whole-body hypothermia (TH).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 45 MRI studies performed in the first week of life of term neonates born between 2010 and 2013 at Boston Children's Hospital. Selected cases were classified into three groups: 1) HIE neonates who underwent TH, 2) HIE normothermics (TN), and 3) controls.

Pipeline Embolization Device for Pericallosal Artery Aneurysms: A Retrospective Single Center Safety and Efficacy Study.

Background: Pericallosal artery aneurysm treatment may be challenging using traditional endovascular techniques.

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of endovascular treatment of pericallosal artery aneurysm using flow diverters.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database from July 2013 through July 2016 and identified 7 subjects with a pericallosal artery aneurysm treated with the Pipeline embolization device (ev3 Neurovascular, Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) and at least 1 follow-up angiogram.

Use of self-expanding stents for better intracranial flow diverter wall apposition.

Background Flow diverter (FD) malapposition is associated with stroke-related complications. We document the use of self-expanding nitinol stents to remove/reduce the ledge of a FD deployed for aneurysm treatment. Methods We identified five patients who were treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) in conjunction with a Neuroform EZ stent for inadequate wall apposition of the ends of the FD at our institution between May 2014 and July 2015.

Use of the Pipeline embolization device for recurrent and residual cerebral aneurysms: a safety and efficacy analysis with short-term follow-up.

Objective: Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) when used as second-line treatment for recurrent or residual, pretreated ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

Methods: Retrospective review of our database to include all patients who were treated with a PED for recurrent or residual IAs following surgical clipping or coiling. We evaluated neurological outcome and angiograms at discharge, 6- and 12-months' follow-up and assessed intimal hyperplasia at follow-up.

Utilization of a New Intracranial Support Catheter as an Intermediate Aspiration Catheter in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Technical Report on Initial Experience.

The endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to emergency large vessel occlusion (ELVO) has become the standard of care after the recent publication of landmark randomized, controlled trials. Mechanical thrombectomy, in addition to intravenous thrombolysis (within 4.5 hours when eligible), is now part of the algorithm of the standard of care when treating AIS in patients with ELVO in the anterior circulation up to six hours after symptom onset.

Two-year single-center experience with the 'Baby Trevo' stent retriever for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the 'Baby Trevo' (Trevo XP ProVue 3×20 mm Retriever) stent retriever for large vessel occlusions (LVOs) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our stroke database and included all patients treated with the Baby Trevo for distal LVOs in AIS. Patient gender, mean age, vascular risk factors, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at presentation, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at baseline and 90-day follow-up were documented.

A FreeSurfer-compliant consistent manual segmentation of infant brains spanning the 0-2 year age range.

We present a detailed description of a set of FreeSurfer compatible segmentation guidelines tailored to infant MRI scans, and a unique data set of manually segmented acquisitions, with subjects nearly evenly distributed between 0 and 2 years of age. We believe that these segmentation guidelines and this dataset will have a wide range of potential uses in medicine and neuroscience.