Intracranial aneurysms: midterm outcome of pipeline embolization device--a prospective study in 143 patients with 178 aneurysms.

Purpose: To evaluate the midterm clinical and angiographic outcomes after pipeline embolization device (PED) placement for treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Materials And Methods: This prospective nonrandomized multicenter study was approved by the review boards of all involved centers; informed consent was obtained. Patients (143 patients, 178 aneurysms) with unruptured saccular or fusiform aneurysms or recurrent aneurysms after previous treatment were included and observed angiographically for up to 18 months and clinically for up to 3 years.

Use of direct thrombin inhibitor for treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an uncommon condition with difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. There is limited study on the best treatment option for this disease. The mainstay of treatment remains systemic anticoagulation with a lengthy duration of warfarin, which has a troublesome unpredictable drug effect, various drug and food interactions, and an increased risk of bleeding.

Correlating MRI and histologic tumor thickness in the assessment of oral tongue cancer.

Objective: Tumor thickness in oral tongue cancer is an important independent prognostic factor for local recurrence, nodal metastasis, and patient survival. An accurate preoperative assessment of tumor thickness is therefore essential for optimal treatment planning. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MRI findings for the preoperative measurement of tumor thickness.

Carotid stenting for radiation-induced extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease: efficacy and midterm outcomes.

Purpose: To investigate the immediate and midterm results of carotid stenting for severe radiation-induced extracranial carotid artery disease.

Methods: Between April 1998 and May 2002, 16 patients (15 men; mean age 64 +/- 8 years, range 48-72) presented with 18 severe radiation-induced carotid stenoses in the internal carotid artery (n=3), common carotid artery (n=7), and both vessels (n=8). Thirteen (76%) patients were symptomatic; the mean degree of carotid stenosis was 85% +/- 10% (range 70%-95%).

Hypodensity of >1/3 middle cerebral artery territory versus Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS): comparison of two methods of quantitative evaluation of early CT changes in hyperacute ischemic stroke in the community setting.

Background: The one third middle cerebral artery territory ((1/3) MCA) method and the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) were used to detect significant early ischemic changes (EIC) on CT brain of acute stroke patients. We sought to compare the reliability of the 2 methods in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Eighty consecutive patients admitted to a community hospital in Hong Kong with suspected acute ischemic stroke and a CT brain scan performed within 6 hours of symptom onset were included.

Childhood acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: the role of brain and spinal cord MRI.

Background: It is recognised that the clinical and radiological spectrum of childhood acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is wide.

Objective: To determine whether initial MRI features are predictive of clinical outcome and to determine the role of MRI in the management of ADEM.

Materials And Methods: The MRI scans of ten consecutive children (eight boys, two girls), clinically and radiologically diagnosed to have ADEM, were retrospectively reviewed.