Pipeline Embolization Device for the treatment of cervical carotid and vertebral dissecting aneurysms.

We present three patients with dissecting and saccular aneurysms affecting the cervical carotid and vertebral arteries treated with flow diversion using the Pipeline Embolization Device (ev3 Endovascular Inc/Covidien, Plymouth, Minn). The device was successfully deployed in all three patients without complication. Follow-up imaging studies at 8 to 18 months revealed complete occlusion of all three aneurysms.

Uneven Distribution of Microgranules in Divided Lansoprazole Tablets.

Objectives: Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor commonly used in children <12 months of age despite a lack of efficacy and safety data in this age group. To achieve lower doses in this population, many divide standard oral disintegrating tablets. This study seeks to determine if the medication is equally distributed within the tablet to allow for accurate dosing.

Two-component energy spectrum of cuprates in the pseudogap phase and its evolution with temperature and at charge ordering.

In the search for mechanisms of high-temperature superconductivity it is critical to know the electronic spectrum in the pseudogap phase from which superconductivity evolves. The lack of angle-resolved photoemission data for every cuprate family precludes an agreement as to its structure, doping and temperature dependence and the role of charge ordering. Here we show that, in the entire Fermi-liquid-like regime that is ubiquitous in underdoped cuprates, the spectrum consists of holes on the Fermi arcs and an electronic pocket.

Two regimes in conductivity and the Hall coefficient of underdoped cuprates in strong magnetic fields.

We address recent experiments shedding light on the energy spectrum of under and optimally doped cuprates at temperatures above the superconducting transition. Angle resolved photoemission reveals coherent excitation only near nodal points on parts of the 'bare' Fermi surface known as the Fermi arcs. The question debated in the literature is whether the small normal pocket, seen via quantum oscillations, exists at higher temperatures or forms below a charge order transition in strong magnetic fields.

ESR of coupled spin-1/2 chains in copper pyrazine dinitrate: unveiling geometrical frustration.

The spin dynamics of copper pyrazine dinitrate (Cu(C4H4N2)(NO3)2), a model spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic (AF) chain system, was investigated by means of electron spin resonance (ESR). Using the high-field ESR we evidenced the inequivalence of Cu sites belonging to adjacent spin chains in the ac planes of this compound. It was revealed that the dominating interchain interaction is of zig-zag-type.

Endovascular management of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. A review.

Object: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are the most common spinal vascular malformations and can be a significant cause of myelopathy, yet remain inefficiently diagnosed lesions. Over the last several decades, the treatment of spinal DAVFs has improved tremendously due to improvements in neuroimaging, microsurgical, and endovascular techniques. The aim of this paper was to review the existing literature regarding the clinical characteristics, classification, and endovascular management of spinal DAVFs.

Internal carotid artery aneurysms occurring at the origin of fetal variant posterior cerebral arteries: surgical and endovascular experience.

Objective: A fetal variant posterior cerebral artery (fetal PCA) is an embryological remnant in which the PCA is primarily supplied via the anterior cerebral circulation. Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms originating from the takeoff of fetal PCA vessels deserve special attention before surgical or endovascular obliteration because of a greater potential for ischemic injury. We present the first series of ICA-posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms originating at the takeoff of fetal PCA vessels that were treated by surgical or endovascular intervention.

Interplay of externally doped and thermally activated holes in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 and their impact on the pseudogap crossover.

We presented the recent Hall effect data for a number of carriers in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 as the sum of two components: the temperature independent term n0(x), which is due to external doping, and the thermally activated contribution. Their balance determines the crossover temperature T*(x) from the marginal Fermi liquid to pseudogap regime. The activation energy Delta(x) for thermally excited carriers equals the energy between the Fermi surface "arc" and the band bottom, as seen in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments.

Carotid endarterectomy compared with angioplasty and stenting: the status of the debate.

Endarterectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Recently, debate has arisen over the potential benefits of endovascular techniques. Although retrospective analyses of angioplasty and stenting procedures suggest comparable clinical efficacy to endarterectomy, prospective evaluation is pending.

A novel technique and new grading scale for the embolization of cerebral vascular malformations.

Objective: Effective transarterial embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula or pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) requires penetration of a durable occlusive agent into the fistula or AVM nidus. Cyanoacrylate glue often cannot traverse the tortuous vessels that typically supply such malformations, leading to proximal occlusion and recruitment of collateral flow. Other embolic agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol particles, achieve better penetration, but their effects are short lived, often leading to recanalization.

Percutaneous spinal interventions.

Interventional neuroradiology procedures of the spine are being performed with increasing frequency. These therapies complement and, in some cases, replace more conventional operations of the vertebral column and its contents. This article surveys the background, present application, and future horizons of several minimally invasive spinal interventions, including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, microcatheterization of the cervical epidural space via lumbar puncture for drug delivery, percutaneous intraspinal navigation, and percutaneous spinal fixation.

New percutaneously inserted spinal fixation system.

Study Design: We describe a new percutaneous minimally invasive spinal fixation system based on pedicle screws and inflatable rods. The rods are inserted in a flexible state and harden following deployment. We test this system in terms of biocompatibility, ferromagnetism, magnetic resonance artifact production, bench top mechanical testing, ease of insertion within cadavers, potential thermal damage to paraspinous muscles in pigs, and long-term device tolerability in sheep.

Use of a screw-syringe injector for cement delivery during kyphoplasty: technical report.

Objective: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is postulated to have several advantages over percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures and is gaining increased popularity. However, cement delivery with the KyphX kit (Kyphon, Inc., Santa Clara, CA), the only commercially available device for percutaneous kyphoplasty, is relatively problematic.

Covered stent-graft repair of the brachiocephalic arteries: technical note.

Objective: The use of a covered stent-graft to repair disruptions of the cervical carotid and vertebral arteries is described. This device maintains vessel patency while effectively excluding pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulae, and other breaches in the integrity of the arterial wall.

Methods: Patient 1 bled from a large rent in the proximal common carotid artery as a result of tumor invasion.

Percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting with the use of gadolinium in lieu of iodinated contrast medium: technical case report and review of the literature.

Objective And Importance: We describe a patient who underwent percutaneous transluminal carotid angioplasty and stent placement with the use of intra-arterial gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) instead of iodinated contrast medium. This represents one of the first published reports of the use of Gd-DTPA as an angiographic contrast agent for an interventional neuroradiological procedure.

Clinical Presentation: A 75-year-old man with renal insufficiency and multiple comorbidities developed amaurosis fugax.

Percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty for the treatment of spinal compression fractures.

Objective: To assess the safety, feasibility, and clinical outcome of percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty (PTPV) for the treatment of spinal compression fractures causing refractory pain.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive group of patients undergoing PTPV at our institution between April 1998 and January 2001. Outcome measures included analgesic requirements, ambulatory status, sleep comfort, and overall quality of life 2 weeks after the procedure.

Microcatheterization of the cervical epidural space via lumbar puncture: technical note.

Objective: Deposition of opiates, corticosteroids, or local anesthetics into the epidural space is useful for the management of painful maladies of the cervical and thoracic spine. We describe a novel technique for epidural medication delivery via an angiographic microcatheter inserted at or below the conus and advanced cephalad under fluoroscopic guidance. Unlike commercial kits used by anesthesiologists, this method uses a radiopaque catheter that can be precisely targeted to the levels of interest.

Cu NQR study of the stripe phase local structure in the lanthanum cuprates.

Using Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) in Eu-doped La2-xSrxCuO4 we find the evidence of the pinned stripe phase at 1.3 K for 0. 08 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Global experience in cervical carotid artery stent placement.

The purpose of this article is to review and update the current status of carotid artery stent placement in the world. Surveys to major interventional centers in Europe, North and South America, and Asia were initially completed in June 1997. Subsequent information from these 24 centers in addition to 12 new centers has been obtained to update the information.

Parent vessel Guglielmi detachable coil herniation during wide-necked aneurysm embolization: treatment with intracranial stent placement: two technical case reports.

Objective And Importance: Despite recent advances in technology, parent vessel coil herniation occasionally complicates successful Guglielmi detachable coil embolization, particularly in wide-necked aneurysms. We report endovascular stent deployment performed in two patients specifically to treat this complication.

Clinical Presentation: Two patients underwent Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of cavernous segment aneurysms.

Brachial plexus catheter reservoir for the treatment of upper-extremity cancer pain: technical case report.

Objective And Importance: Infiltration of the brachial plexus with anesthetics can provide relief of upper-extremity pain from invasive cancer. Because the analgesia is short-lived, however, repeated invasive treatments are necessary. We describe the implantation of a catheter reservoir system, in which anesthetic injections through a subcutaneous port resulted in anesthetic infiltration of the brachial plexus.

Balloon-protected carotid angioplasty.

Objective: We describe a method of protecting the distal cerebral circulation during carotid angioplasty and report results using the technique in 17 procedures.

Methods: Eleven men and five women with carotid stenoses ranging in severity from 70 to 95% underwent the procedure. The technique was used bilaterally in one patient.

A tribute to Dr. Fedor A. Serbinenko, founder of endovascular neurosurgery.

From humble beginnings in the former Soviet Union, Fedor A. Serbinenko, M.D.