Exploring the anatomical configurations of the cerebral arteries in a cohort of South African patients.

The cerebral arteries, specifically the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA), work together with the smaller calibre arteries to provide effective communication between the anterior and posterior circuits of the brain via the circle of Willis (CoW). Morphologic variations of the cerebral arteries and the CoW may alter blood flow to the brain, resulting in intracranial vascular disorders associated with stroke, and aneurysms. This study aimed to document the morphology of the cerebral arteries and the CoW in the South African population.

Prevalence of anatomical variations at the suboccipital (V3) segment of the vertebral artery: a systematic review.

Background And Objective: A recent meta-analysis on the incidence of iatrogenic injury to the VA has revealed that patients with variant anatomy are more prone to iatrogenic injury. Therefore, this review is designed to investigate the incidence of variations in the suboccipital component of the vertebral artery in different population groups according to the available literature.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).

World federation of interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology (WFITN) federation assembly neurointerventional surgery safety checklist.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a rise in neurointerventional case complexity, device variety and physician distractions. Even among experienced physicians, this trend challenges our memory and concentration, making it more difficult to remember safety principles and their implications. Checklists are regarded by some as a redundant exercise that wastes time, or as an attack on physician autonomy.

Why SWI? The sensitivity of susceptibility weighted imaging in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the chronic phase.

Background: Incidentally detected unruptured intracranial aneurysms have a prevalence of 3% with some predisposed to rupture and others remaining static. Diagnostic knowledge of previous aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH) in the chronic phase could identify patients requiring treatment.

Objectives: To assess the sensitivity of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in the detection of ASAH at 3 months post ictus and determine any influencing effects.

Anterior Synostotic Plagiocephaly: A Quantitative Analysis of Craniofacial Features Using Computed Tomography.

The premature fusion of one coronal suture causes anterior synostotic plagiocephaly (ASP), which results in overt craniofacial dysmorphology that could be challenging to correct. This study aimed to document and compare the morphometry of the anterior cranial fossa (ACF), orbit, and ear on the ipsilateral (synostotic) and contralateral (nonsynostotic) sides in a select cohort of South African patients with ASP, using computed tomography (CT) scans. The dimensions of the ACF, orbit and the position of the ear on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides were measured using a set of anatomical landmarks on 2-dimensional CT scans of 18 consecutive patients diagnosed with nonsyndromic ASP.

Morphometric Analysis of the Cranial Fossae in Scaphocephalic Patients: An Anatomical Basis.

Scaphocephaly is the morphological consequence of premature sagittal suture fusion. Morphologic and morphometric studies on the cranial vault in scaphocephaly flourish in the literature. However, few studies are available on the cranial base in a scaphocephalic population, let alone the morphometry of its fossae.

T cell derived HIV-1 is present in the CSF in the face of suppressive antiretroviral therapy.

HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) escape, where HIV is suppressed in blood but detectable in CSF, occurs when HIV persists in the CNS despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). To determine the virus producing cell type and whether lowered CSF ART levels are responsible for CSF escape, we collected blood and CSF from 156 neurosymptomatic participants from Durban, South Africa. We observed that 28% of participants with an undetectable HIV blood viral load showed CSF escape.

Recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy after endovascular management of posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

Background: Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is a common clinical presentation of posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms. It remains unclear if patients have a better rate of recovery after surgical clipping or endovascular coiling.

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to assess the overall rate of ONP recovery after endovascular coiling of PcomA aneurysms, as well as to determine the associated predictive factors of oculomotor nerve recovery.

Outcome of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients on Combination Antiretroviral Therapy with Tuberculosis Meningitis and Hydrocephalus.

Background: In 2000, we advised against insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) complicated by hydrocephalus. However, this was in the era when combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) was not freely available in South Africa. In this subsequent preliminary report, we describe the outcome of ventriculoperitoneal shunting in patients with TBM and hydrocephalus who are HIV positive and receiving ART.

Imaging findings and outcomes in patients with carotid cavernous fistula at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

Background: Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are relatively uncommon and are difficult to diagnose clinically. Radiological imaging plays a significant role in making the diagnosis with recent advances improving the ability of radiologists to diagnose the condition. Despite these developments, digital subtracted angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard in diagnosing CCFs and simultaneously provides the opportunity for intervention.