Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery for Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

Background: Patients receiving standard treatment for chronic subdural hematoma have a high risk of treatment failure. The effect of adjunctive middle meningeal artery embolization on the risk of treatment failure in this population remains unknown.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma to undergo middle meningeal artery embolization as an adjunct to standard treatment (embolization group) or to receive standard treatment alone (control group).

Novel Technique of Head-Mounted Augmented Reality-Assisted Endovascular Neurosurgery: Proof of Concept on a Flow Model.

Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology in medicine that is underexplored in the endovascular neurosurgery arena. We describe a novel technique integrating the Hololens 2 head-mounted AR (HMAR) system for navigation of the intracranial circulation and simple coiling of an aneurysm silicone model. Computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) of the silicone models were obtained, simulating the preprocedural CTA obtained for patient treatments.

Vertebral-Venous fistulas: Single center experience and practical treatment approach.

Background: Vertebral-venous fistulas (VVFs) are rare. Scarce literature exists to guide our understanding and management. We report our experience and propose a classification based on flow, feeder number, and involvement of accessible veins.

Head-Mounted Augmented Reality in the Planning of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgical Procedures: A Single-Center Initial Experience.

Background: Augmented reality (AR) technology has played an increasing role in cerebrovascular neurosurgery over the last 2 decades. Hence, we aim to evaluate the technical and educational value of head-mounted AR in cerebrovascular procedures.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients who underwent open surgery for cranial and spinal cerebrovascular lesions between April and August 2022.

Impact of Balloon Guide Catheter Use on Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes in the STRATIS Stroke Thrombectomy Registry.

Background and Purpose- Mechanical thrombectomy has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the impact of balloon guide catheter (BGC) use is not well established. Methods- STRATIS (Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Neurothrombectomy Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke) was a prospective, multicenter study of patients with large vessel occlusion treated with the Solitaire stent retriever as first-line therapy.

Down syndrome associated moyamoya may worsen epilepsy control and can benefit from surgical revascularization.

Objectives: To examine outcome of bilateral extracranial to intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgeries for a Down syndrome patient with hard-to-treat epilepsy and moyamoya.

Materials And Methods: Superficial temporal arteries were anastamosed using an indirect bypass technique to middle cerebral arteries bilaterally to help limit perfusion deficits and seizure controls.

Results: Two superficial temporal to middle cerebral artery indirect bypass surgeries were performed within 3 months.

Interhospital Transfer Before Thrombectomy Is Associated With Delayed Treatment and Worse Outcome in the STRATIS Registry (Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Neurothrombectomy Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke).

Background: Endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is beneficial for patients with acute stroke suffering a large-vessel occlusion, although treatment efficacy is highly time-dependent. We hypothesized that interhospital transfer to endovascular-capable centers would result in treatment delays and worse clinical outcomes compared with direct presentation.

Methods: STRATIS (Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Neurothrombectomy Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke) was a prospective, multicenter, observational, single-arm study of real-world MT for acute stroke because of anterior-circulation large-vessel occlusion performed at 55 sites over 2 years, including 1000 patients with severe stroke and treated within 8 hours.

Arterial variations around the atlas: a comprehensive review for avoiding neurosurgical complications.

Introduction: Neurosurgical approaches often involve the atlas. Therefore, the arterial relationships and anatomical variations are of paramount importance to the neurosurgeon.

Methods: Using standard search engines, a literature review of arterial variants near the first cervical vertebra was performed.

The use of adenosine in the treatment of a high-flow vein of Galen malformation in an adult.

The treatment of high-flow vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAM) remains a therapeutic challenge for the neurosurgeon and the neurointerventionalist, as it is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates despite recent advances in open cranial surgery and interventional neuroradiology. A 37-year-old patient presented with a history of non-specific headaches. He had a history of heart failure since birth that was caused by an untreated VGAM.

Endovascular treatment of fusiform cerebral aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device.

Object: Despite advances in surgical and endovascular techniques, fusiform aneurysms remain a therapeutic challenge. Introduction of flow-diverting stents has revolutionized the treatment of aneurysms with wide necks and of complex morphology. The authors report their experience with the endovascular treatment of fusiform aneurysms using the Pipeline Embolization Device.

A pilot study of focused ultrasound thalamotomy for essential tremor.

Background: Recent advances have enabled delivery of high-intensity focused ultrasound through the intact human cranium with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. This preliminary study investigates the use of transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for the treatment of essential tremor.

Methods: From February 2011 through December 2011, in an open-label, uncontrolled study, we used transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound to target the unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus in 15 patients with severe, medication-refractory essential tremor.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of sodium nitrite in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a phase IIa study.

Object: Intravenous sodium nitrite has been shown to prevent and reverse cerebral vasospasm in a primate model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The present Phase IIA dose-escalation study of sodium nitrite was conducted to determine the compound's safety in humans with aneurysmal SAH and to establish its pharmacokinetics during a 14-day infusion. Methods In 18 patients (3 cohorts of 6 patients each) with SAH from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, nitrite (3 patients) or saline (3 patients) was infused.

Modern intraoperative imaging modalities for the vascular neurosurgeon treating intracerebral hemorrhage.

This paper reviews the current intraoperative imaging tools that are available to assist neurosurgeons in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This review shares the authors' experience with each modality and discusses the advantages, potential limitations, and disadvantages of each. Surgery for ICH is directed at blood clot removal, reduction of intracranial pressure, and minimization of secondary damage associated with hematoma breakdown products.

Transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound sonothrombolysis in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Current surgical therapies aim to use a minimally invasive approach to remove as much of the clot as possible without causing undue disruption to surrounding neural structures. Transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) surgery is an emerging technology that permits a highly concentrated focal point of ultrasound energy to be deposited to a target deep within the brain without an incision or craniotomy.

Minimally invasive treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage with magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound.

Object: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of death and disability throughout the world. Surgical techniques are limited by their invasive nature and the associated disability caused during clot removal. Preliminary data have shown promise for the feasibility of transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) sonothrombolysis in liquefying the clotted blood in ICH and thereby facilitating minimally invasive evacuation of the clot via a twist-drill craniostomy and aspiration tube.

Use of the histological pseudocapsule in surgery for Cushing disease: rapid postoperative cortisol decline predicting complete tumor resection.

Object: Subnormal postoperative serum cortisol levels indicate successful surgery and predict long-term remission of Cushing disease. Given the short serum half-lives of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, it is unclear why the decline in cortisol postoperatively is delayed for 18-36 hours. Furthermore, the relevance of the rate of cortisol drop immediately after surgery has not been investigated.