Progressive microvascular failure in acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and time-course analysis.

This systematic review, meta-analysis, and novel time course analysis examines microvascular failure in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT) and/or thrombolytic administration for stroke management. A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRIMSA-2020 guidelines was conducted along with a novel curve-of-best fit analysis to elucidate the time-course of microvascular failure. Scopus and PubMed were searched using relevant keywords to identify studies that examine recanalization and reperfusion assessment of AIS patients following large vessel occlusion.

Mechanical thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke in patients with left ventricular assist devices: A nationwide analysis.

Introduction: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an established, durable, and life-saving treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure. However, large vessel occlusions (LVOs) remain one of its most devastating embolic complications. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is safe and effective in the management of LVOs in the general population, but LVO trials largely excluded patients on mechanical circulatory support, and large-scale analyses of outcomes following these interventions in the LVAD population are lacking.

Delayed-Onset Cranial Nerve Palsy After Transvenous Embolization of Indirect Carotid Cavernous Fistulas.

Background: Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) often present with diplopia secondary to cranial nerve palsy (CNP). Immediate development of postoperative CNP has been described in the literature. This study described delayed-onset of CNP after complete and reconfirmed obliteration of the CCF and resolution of initial CNP.

Stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19: technical observations and patient characteristics.

Background: COVID-19 infections have been shown to be associated with a range of thromboembolic disease.

Objective: To describe our endovascular experience in a consecutive series of patients with COVID-19 who presented with large vessel occlusions, and to describe unique findings in this population.

Methods: Mechanical thrombectomy was performed on five consecutive patients with COVID-19 with large vessel occlusions.

Curative treatment for low-grade arteriovenous malformations.

Background: Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade I-II (low-grade) arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are often considered safe for microsurgery or radiosurgery. The adjunctive use of preoperative embolization to reduce surgical risk in these AVMs remains controversial.

Objective: To assess the safety of combined treatment of grade I-II AVMs with preoperative embolization followed by surgical resection or radiosurgery, and determine the long-term functional outcomes.

Cerebral Vasospasm after Open Fenestration of an Arachnoid Cyst in a 4-Year-Old Boy: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cerebral vasospasm is associated with significant morbidity, and most commonly occurs following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Rarely, vasospasm can follow tumor resection and traumatic brain injury. We present the first reported case of a young child who developed diffuse vasospasm following open fenestration of an arachnoid cyst and was promptly treated, with full recovery of neurologic function.

Functional Outcomes and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Nonperimesencephalic Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Similar to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background: The angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) literature includes patients with perimesencephalic hemorrhage, which is recognized to have a much better outcome than aneurysmal SAH.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Nonperimesencephalic Angiogram-Negative SAH (NPAN-SAH).

Methods: A prospective, spontaneous SAH database of 1311 patients that accrued between April 2006 and December 2014 was screened.

Imaging of Subdural Hematomas.

The imaging of subdural hematoma has evolved significantly. Computed tomography and MRI have supplanted other procedures and rendered most obsolete for the evaluation of intracranial pathology because of ease of use, tremendous soft tissue resolution, safety, and availability. Noncontrast computed tomography has become the accepted standard of care for the initial evaluation of patients with suspected subdural hematoma because of widespread availability, rapid acquisition time, and noninvasive nature.

Analysis of Hemorrhage Volumes After Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background: Antiplatelet medication use is associated with worsened outcome after angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It has been hypothesized that these worsened outcomes may be the result of an association between antiplatelet medication use and increased hemorrhage volumes after angiogram-negative SAH. To test this hypothesis, we performed volumetric analysis of computed tomography (CT)-defined hemorrhage after angiogram-negative SAH.

Reassessing the Role of Intra-Arterial Drug Delivery for Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment.

Effective treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) will likely require targeted delivery of several specific pharmacological agents simultaneously. Intra-arterial (IA) delivery is one technique for targeting the tumor site with multiple agents. Although IA chemotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM) has been attempted since the 1950s, the predicted benefits remain unproven in clinical practice.

Arteriovenous malformations and headache.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are complex vascular lesions commonly associated with chronic headache. An occipital location appears to increase the risk of concurrent migraine-like headaches in AVM patients. We have experienced great success in treating these headaches through a multidisciplinary approach to eradicate cerebral AVM.

Role of embolization for cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex high-flow lesions that can result in devastating neurological injury when they hemorrhage. Embolization is a critical component in the management of many patients with cerebral AVMs. Embolization may be used as an independent curative therapy or more commonly in an adjuvant fashion prior to either micro- or radiosurgery.

Number and location of draining veins in pediatric arteriovenous malformations: association with hemorrhage.

Object: The significance of draining vein anatomy is poorly defined in pediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). In adult cohorts, the presence of fewer veins has been shown to lead to an increased rate of hemorrhage, but this phenomenon has not yet been studied in pediatric AVMs. This report analyzes the impact of draining vein anatomy on presentation and outcome in a large series of pediatric AVMs.

The role of antiplatelet medications in angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: The use of antiplatelet medications has greatly expanded and this has been associated with an increased rate of complications after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The influence of antiplatelet medications on outcomes after non-aneurysmal SAH is unknown.

Objective: To analyze the frequency and impact on outcome of antiplatelet medication use among patients with angiogram-negative SAH.

Late onset aneurysm development following radiosurgical obliteration of a cerebellopontine angle meningioma.

The development of de novo intracranial aneurysms following stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial pathology is a rare complication secondary to vascular injury. Typically, these aneurysms develop within the first few years after radiation surgery. We present the first case of an aneurysm developing 10 years after radiosurgery for a cerebellopontine angle meningioma.

Late onset aneurysm development following radiosurgical obliteration of a cerebellopontine angle meningioma.

The development of de novo intracranial aneurysms following stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial pathology is a rare complication secondary to vascular injury. Typically, these aneurysms develop within the first few years after radiation surgery. We present the first case of an aneurysm developing 10 years after radiosurgery for a cerebellopontine angle meningioma.

Spinal arteriovenous malformation associated with Schimmelpenning syndrome.

The authors report the presentation and management of a 13-year-old girl with Schimmelpenning syndrome, a rare neurocutaneous syndrome; this patient suffered hemorrhage of a spinal arteriovenous malformation. This is the first case of a spinal arteriovenous malformation reported in association with Schimmelpenning syndrome. Neurosurgeons should be aware of this rare phacomatosis as well as of the various neurological disorders associated with this diagnosis.

Post-subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm in patients with primary headache disorders.

Background: Altered cerebral vasomotor reactivity leading to vasospasm can be seen both in patients with primary headache disorders (PHD) and in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The pathogenesis of vasospasm in post-SAH patients and in headache disorder sufferers may be related. To address this hypothesis, we analyzed a large cohort of SAH patients to determine whether a diagnosis of PHD predisposes to vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, or worsened clinical outcome.

Arteriovenous malformation-associated aneurysms in the pediatric population.

Object: Conventional cerebral angiography and treatment for ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children are often performed in a delayed fashion. In adults, current literature suggests that AVM-associated aneurysms may be more likely to hemorrhage than isolated AVMs, which often leads to earlier angiography and endovascular treatment of associated aneurysms. The nature of AVM-associated aneurysms in the pediatric population is virtually unknown.

Reporting standards for angioplasty and stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis causes ischemic stroke in a significant number of patients. Technological advances over the past 10 years have enabled endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. The number of patients treated with angioplasty or stent-assisted angioplasty for this condition is increasing.

Reporting standards for endovascular repair of saccular intracranial cerebral aneurysms.

Background And Purpose: The goal of this article is to provide consensus recommendations for reporting standards, terminology, and written definitions when reporting on the radiological evaluation and endovascular treatment of intracranial, cerebral aneurysms. These criteria can be used to design clinical trials, to provide uniformity of definitions for appropriate selection and stratification of patients, and to allow analysis and meta-analysis of reported data.

Methods: This article was written under the auspices of the Joint Writing Group of the Technology Assessment Committee, Society of Neurolnterventional Surgery, Society of Interventional Radiology; Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Section of Stroke and Interventional Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology.