Fungal internal carotid artery aneurysms: successful embolization of an Aspergillus-associated case and review.

Background: Fungal aneurysms of the carotid artery are rare. We report here a case of Aspergillus fumigatus invasive sphenoidal sinusitis complicated by carotid artery aneurysms in a severely neutropenic patient who was successfully treated with a combination of antifungal therapy and embolization of all aneurysms.

Methods And Results: Carotid aneurysms were suspected when severe epistaxis occurred during follow-up for sinusitis.

[CT and MRI features of arachnoid cyst of the petrous apex: report of 3 cases].

Purpose: To describe the CT and MRI features of 3 cases of arachnoid cyst of the petrous apex.

Patients And Methods: Three patients with isolated trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal hypoesthesia, and sinusitis. Axial and coronal CT images were obtained.

Cardiovascular effects of selected water-miscible solvents for pharmaceutical injections and embolization materials: a comparative hemodynamic study using a sheep model.

Generally, organic water-miscible solvents are used intravascularly (both intravenously and intra-arterially) for preparing two types of formulations, namely, pharmaceutical injections of poorly soluble drugs and precipitating liquid embolic polymeric materials for the minimally invasive treatment of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or tumors, by arterial route. Although several of such solvents have been used in both drug delivery and interventional radiology, their safety profile is a concern. In particular, there is a lack of comparative investigations of their cardiovascular effects when injected intra-arterially.

Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery due to synthetic fibers.

We report an unusual etiology for a thromboembolic complication. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occurred before embolization of an intracranial aneurysm. Attempts to recanalize the artery failed by using both fibrinolytics and IIb/IIIa inhibitors but succeeded with mechanical thrombectomy with a micro-snare.

Arterial distribution of calibrated tris-acryl gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol microspheres in a sheep kidney model.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the repartition in the renal arterial vasculature of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TGMS) and polyvinyl alcohol microspheres (PVAMS) of 3 calibers (500-700, 700-900, and 900-1200 microm).

Materials And Methods: Twelve kidneys from 6 adult sheep were embolized and histologically analyzed. The number and size of microspheres and vessels were measured, as well as the deformation of TGMS and PVAMS, and the histologic location according to a classification in 5 zones of the kidney.

Intra-arterial thrombus visualized on T2* gradient echo imaging in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: MR signal loss related to arterial thrombosis leading to vascular susceptibility artifacts (VSA) has recently been reported on gradient echo images. The time course and sensitivity of VSA in acute stroke patients has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and course of VSA in acute stroke patients, to compare its sensitivity to distinct features of arterial occlusion as detected on FLAIR images or on CT scan.

Partition of calibrated tris-acryl gelatin microspheres in the arterial vasculature of embolized nasopharyngeal angiofibromas and paragangliomas.

Purpose: To determine the location of calibrated tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TGMs) in the arterial vasculature of nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (NAFs) and paragangliomas (PGs).

Materials And Methods: Forty-nine specimens (25 PGs and 24 NAFs) treated operatively after embolization with TGMs of various sizes (100-300 microm to 900-1200 microm) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin saffron and analyzed at an objective magnification of 10 or 20 with a micrometric eyepiece (magnification, x12.5).

[Treatment by embolization of small uterine myomata].

We examined the effectiveness of uterine artery embolization (UAE) as a primary treatment for small symptomatic myomatas (<50 mm diameter). One hundred patients aged from 29 to 68 years underwent UAE between 01/01/99 and 12/31/2002. Efficacy was judged by physical examination and imaging studies at 6 to 12 months.

Vascular anomalies and the growth of limbs: a review.

Growth of the limb in a child can be impaired, with the coexistence of a vascular malformation. In these vascular bone syndromes, altered growth is manifest as overgrowth or hypotrophy. The vascular malformation is usually complex and gets progressively worse with time.

Location of vessel occlusion of calibrated tris-acryl gelatin microspheres for tumor and arteriovenous malformation embolization.

Purpose: To evaluate (i). the presence and number of calibrated tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TGMS) in targeted organs after embolization of tumors or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and (ii). the possible correlations among the size of TGMS used for embolization, the size of TGMS found in specimens, and the size of the occluded vessels.

[Rhinocerebral mucormycosis].

We report a case of a rhinocerebral mucormycosis with extensive cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and internal carotid artery thrombosis. This case illustrates the usual clinical and imaging features of the disease, which is a potentially devastating infection in immunocompromised patients.

[Uterine fibroids embolization: results about 454 cases].

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of uterine arterial embolization (UAE) as primary treatment in the management of symptomatic leiomyomas.

Patients And Method: UAE was performed on 454 patients (age range: 21-68) with menorrhagia, bulk-related symptoms or both, due to leiomyomas. The effectiveness of this therapy in the control of symptoms and reduction of uterine and leiomyoma volume was measured by clinical and imaging controls at 3, 6 and 9 months after the procedure.

Endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils: predictors of immediate and long-term results with multivariate analysis 6-year experience.

Purpose: To analyze anatomic and clinical results and factors predictive of outcome in treatment of basilar tip aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs).

Materials And Methods: During 6 years, 55 unselected consecutive saccular aneurysms in 53 patients (mean age, 47 years) were treated with GDC occlusion. Forty-one (75%) aneurysms were ruptured (Hunt-Hess and Fisher grades were assigned in patients); 14 (25%), unruptured.

Coil embolization of an aortic arch false aneurysm.

Purpose: To report the endovascular occlusion of an anastomotic false aneurysm of the ascending aorta.

Case Report: A 51-year-old patient developed an anastomotic false aneurysm at the level of the aortic arch after surgical replacement of the aortic root and arch for aortic dissection. The aneurysm expanded after 6 months and because of its saccular shape was treated by selective occlusion with detachable microcoils.

Transcranial approach for venous embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Object: Transvenous embolization is effective in the treatment of an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Access to the fistula via the internal jugular vein (IJV) may be limited by associated dural sinus thrombosis; a transcranial approach has been developed for venous embolization in such a situation. The authors report their experiences with the use of a transcranial approach for venous embolization of DAVFs.

Uterine artery embolization in sheep: comparison of acute effects with polyvinyl alcohol particles and calibrated microspheres.

Purpose: To compare the effects on the myometrium of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and calibrated microspheres (MS) in embolization of the uterine arteries in sheep.

Materials And Methods: Superselective and bilateral embolization of the uterine arteries was performed with PVA particles and calibrated MS within 24 hours after artificial ovulation in 26 adult nonpregnant sheep. PVA particles of four diameters, 150-250, 250-400, 400-600, and 600-1,000 microm, were compared with calibrated MS of similar diameters, 100-300, 300-500, 500-700, and 700-900 microm, in eight groups of sheep.

Combined central retinal arterial and venous obstruction: emergency ophthalmic arterial fibrinolysis.

Purpose: To investigate the role of urokinase selectively perfused into the ophthalmic artery as an emergency treatment for combined central retinal arterial obstruction (CRAO) and central retinal venous obstruction (CRVO).

Materials And Methods: Over a 6-year period, 11 consecutive patients presented with recent combined CRAO and CRVO (< or =72 hours). Urokinase (300,000 IU) was selectively perfused via the femoral artery into the ophthalmic artery for 40 minutes.

[Study of the middle ear. Value of multiplanar reconstructions in spiral tomodensitometry].

We point out the interest of computed tomographic reconstructions from spiral acquisition--particularly sagittal reconstructions--in the study of middle ear anatomy and adjacent structures: the facial canal and the chorda tympani. The reference reconstructions are axial and coronal reconstructions. So, we demonstrate the superiority of sagittal reconstructions for the visualization of the lateral process of the malleus, the body and long process of the incus, the third portion of the facial canal, and the chorda tympani.

Thromboaspiration in the basilar artery: report of two cases.

Recanalization of the basilar artery is not always achieved with intraarterial fibrinolysis. We report two cases of thromboaspiration in the basilar artery in which recanalization with fibrinolysis was successful. Thromboaspiration requires favorable anatomy and a fresh nonadhesive clot.

Endovascular treatment of cerebral mycotic aneurysms.

Purpose: To evaluate the endovascular treatment (EVT) of mycotic aneurysms (MAs).

Materials And Methods: Clinical and radiologic data of 18 MAs treated with EVT were retrospectively reviewed. There were 14 patients (11 men, three women), ranging in age from 28 to 64 (mean age, 44 years).

Catheter modification for easier cannulation of the carotid artery during angioplasty and stenting.

Purpose: To present a modification of both the guiding catheter and stent delivery system to facilitate access into sharply curved supra-aortic vessels during carotid angioplasty.

Technique: Access failures during carotid interventions typically occur because either the vessel origin is acutely angled or the stenosis is located proximal to the carotid bifurcation, limiting access to the external carotid artery. We directly catheterized the left common carotid artery or brachiocephalic trunk with a guiding catheter whose tip had been curved by steam-shaping.

Arterial blood supply to the uterus in nonpregnant sheep: a pertinent model for clinical practice?

Rationale And Objectives: Our goal was to study the arterial supply to the sheep uterus to compare its similarity with that of women and to evaluate the interest of this animal model for training in uterine artery embolization.

Methods: Ten nonpregnant sheep underwent aortography and selective study of the ovarian, internal iliac, uterine, and vaginal arteries.

Results: The uterus was supplied mainly by the uterine arteries in all sheep.

Spinal subdural haematoma: a study of three cases.

Aims: To define the clinical, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the role of MRI in the follow-up of spinal subdural haematoma (SSH), and to compare these findings with those of spinal epidural haematomas (SEH).

Methods: We report three cases of SSH (two women, one male, age: 50-74 years). Two patients were on anticoagulant therapy; in the other case the SSH was spontaneous.