Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion With Mild to Moderate Symptoms.

Background And Objectives: The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and a baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score <10 is unclear because this subpopulation has been substantially excluded from large clinical trials. The aim of our study was to determine whether MT ± IV thrombolysis (IVT) improves functional outcomes compared with IVT alone in patients with BAO and a NIHSS score <10.

Methods: We emulated a hypothetical trial including adult patients with BAO, a baseline NIHSS score <10, and prestroke modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores 0-2, comparing MT (±IVT) with IVT alone.

Stroke with large vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation: IV thrombolysis plus thrombectomy versus IV thrombolysis alone.

Efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for stroke with posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) is still under debate. We aimed to compare the outcomes of stroke patients with posterior circulation LVO treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (< 4.5 h after symptom onset) plus MT < 6 h after symptom onset with those treated with IVT alone (< 4.

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with heart failure: the Italian registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is the second most important cardiac risk factor for stroke after atrial fibrillation (AF). Few data are available on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with HF.

Methods: The source of data is the multicentre Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS).

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Intracranial Carotid Occlusion with Patent Intracranial Arteries : The Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

Purpose: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed.

General Anesthesia Versus Conscious Sedation and Local Anesthesia During Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: As numerous questions remain about the best anesthetic strategy during thrombectomy, we assessed functional and radiological outcomes in stroke patients treated with thrombectomy in presence of general anesthesia (GA) versus conscious sedation (CS) and local anesthesia (LA).

Methods: We conducted a cohort study on prospectively collected data from 4429 patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

Results: GA was used in 2013 patients, CS in 1285 patients, and LA in 1131 patients.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Clinical Results and Quality of Life Assessment with Surgical Treatment as a Crucial Therapy. The Joint Experience of Two Centers.

Objective: Dorsal intradural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) consist of a direct connection between a radicular feeding artery and the coronal venous plexus; this direct connection leads to arterialization of the venous plexus, venous congestion, and myelopathy. Controversy still exists regarding the best treatment modality of spinal dural AVFs. Surgical disconnection of spinal dural AVFs is a straightforward procedure with a high success rate and virtually no risk of recurrence or incomplete treatment.

Intra-operative vertebroplasty combined with posterior cord decompression. A report of twelve cases.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of vertebral pathology providing early vertebral stabilization and pain relief. In cases of vertebral pathology complicated by spinal cord compression with associated neurological deficits, VP alone cannot be performed free of risks. We describe a combined approach in which decompressive laminectomy and intra-operative vertebroplasty (IVP) are performed during a single session.

Pituitary image: pituicytoma.

Introduction: Pituicytoma is a rare tumor arising from the neurohypophysis or pars intermedia of the adenohypophysis.

Case Report: A 36 year old male came to our observation presenting polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, decreased libido and altered sleep-wake rhythm. The biochemical tests showed hypotonic urine, mild hyperprolactinemia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism.