Publications by authors named "Tom L Yao"

Background: Frameless image-guided radiosurgery (IGRS) is an effective and non-invasive method of treating patients who are unresponsive to medical management for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). This study evaluated the use of frameless IGRS to treat patients with medically refractory TN.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of records of 116 patients diagnosed with TN who underwent frameless IGRS using a linear accelerator (LINAC) over 10 years (March 2012-February 2023).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the safety and effectiveness of a single low-dose infusion of bevacizumab after disrupting the blood-brain barrier in adults with treatment-resistant brain radiation necrosis (RN).
  • Ten patients were monitored over 12 months, with primary outcomes centered on safety and reductions in lesion volume, while secondary outcomes included changes in headaches, steroid dependency, and cognitive function.
  • Results showed significant decreases in RN volume (74%) and edema (50%) at 12 months, with most patients experiencing reduced headaches and improvements in cognitive scores, indicating a positive response to the treatment.
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Background And Purpose: This study investigates clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy in adult patients with baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) of 0 to 5.

Methods: We included data from the STRATIS Registry (Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Neurothrombectomy Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke) from patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy within 8 hours of symptom onset and had available ASPECTS data adjudicated by an independent core laboratory. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were collected, including successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b), functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), 90-day mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at 24 hours.

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Background: Catheter retention and difficulty in retrieval have been observed during embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) with the Onyx liquid embolic system (Onyx). The Apollo Onyx delivery microcatheter (Apollo) is a single lumen catheter designed for controlled delivery of Onyx into the neurovasculature, with a detachable distal tip to aid catheter retrieval. This study evaluates the safety of the Apollo for delivery of Onyx during embolization of bAVMs.

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Background: Dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the craniocervical circulation are uncommon, accounting for only 3% of all cerebral aneurysms. These aneurysms pose a challenge due to their location and anatomic configuration. The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is a flow diversion technique that successfully treats aneurysms by diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm and reconstructing the diseased parent artery by altering its hemodynamics.

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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.

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Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. IIH causes significant morbidity marked by incapacitating headaches and visual disturbances. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of venous sinus stenting in a large group of patients with IIH.

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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.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers is now standard for treating acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion, as shown by the STRATIS registry which aimed to evaluate real-world treatment outcomes compared to randomized trials.
  • The study involved 984 patients treated within 8 hours of symptom onset at 55 sites in the U.S., finding key metrics such as a median arrival-to-puncture time of 138 minutes and an 87.9% success rate in achieving sufficient blood flow restoration.
  • At 90 days post-treatment, 56.5% of patients had a favorable recovery, but delays in treatment increased the risk of worse outcomes, highlighting the need for improved care systems to enhance patient results.
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Treatment of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains a major therapeutic challenge. Systemic drug administration is the current treatment of choice, but patients often do not respond beneficially to this approach. Intrathecal (IT) drug administration has several anatomic and pharmacodynamic advantages over conventional systemic treatment of cerebral vasospasm.

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Introduction: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) account for a significant percentage of brain hemorrhages in pregnant patients. There is general consensus that ruptured AVMs in pregnant women should be managed based on neurosurgical rather than obstetric considerations. Since the risk of re-hemorrhage is significantly higher in the pregnant patient with a ruptured AVM, aggressive treatment during pregnancy must be considered if this can be accomplished with acceptable risk.

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Objective: Interpretation of angioarchitecture during embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is critical to optimizing results. We describe an adjunctive technique to aid in the interpretation of AVM embolization and improve safety.

Methods: In the past 100 consecutive patients who underwent AVM embolization by a single surgeon (RAM), each AVM nidus was selectively catheterized and microangiography was performed.

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Choroid plexus papilloma is a benign central nervous system tumor that occasionally spreads along the subarachnoid space. The authors report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with back pain 19 years after resection of a posterior fossa choroid plexus papilloma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple spinal lesions without any residual or recurrent intracranial tumor.

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