Natural history and management of spinal cord arteriovenous shunts in pregnancy: A monocentric series of 10 consecutive cases with emphasis on endovascular treatment

PurposeIntradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts (IDSCAVS) are rare and constitute a challenging situation if symptoms occur during pregnancy. We present a series of ten such cases referred to our center: five cervical, four thoracic and one lumbar.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our global series of 215 IDSCAVSs between 2002 and March 2020 and found ten patients who had presented during pregnancy. Clinical, radiological and therapeutic data were studied.ResultsSeven shunts were AVM type niduses and three were micro AV-fistulae. All were associated with pial venous reflux and six hemorrhagic cases had pseudo aneurysms. Symptoms occurred mainly during the third trimester, 80% of patients presented with hemorrhage and spinal cord dysfunction. We embolized seven patients and proposed surgery in one, always after delivery: all recovered well. One woman declined treatment; one other was operated in emergency but did not improve. Mean follow-up was 3.9 years (0.5...19 years).ConclusionsDespite this small group of patients, our initial experience of IDSCAVSs diagnosed during pregnancy indicates that embolization is an effective management strategy if performed after delivery and a recovery period. Results indicate that IDSCAVSs seem to have a low risk of early rebleedings after the ictal event and may be closely followed up until delivery. The results obtained show good clinical outcome without long-term rebleeds. Women with known IDSCAVSs should not be discouraged from becoming pregnant, however it seems wise to embolize them before pregnancy in order to offer protection against risks during pregnancy.     

7 Tesla imaging of cerebral radiation necrosis after arteriovenous malformations treatment using amide proton transfer (APT) imaging

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) can be treated with stereotactic radiosurgery. An infrequent, but important complication of this treatment is radionecrosis, which can be detected by MRI. However, the imaging characteristics of necrosis are unspecific in conventional MRI. Here, we report a case of necrosis after radiotherapy of an AVM to illustrate the potential of 7 Tesla MRI including amide proton transfer (APT) for necrosis imaging.     

Embolization of Congenital Renal Arteriovenous Malformations Using Ethanol and Coil Depending on Angiographic Types

Purpose

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of embolization of congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using ethanol and/or coil according to angiographic type.

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. Although the treatment-related morbidity and mortality for AVMs—including that due to microsurgery, embolization, and radiosurgery—can be substantial, its natural history offers little solace. Fortunately, care by a multidisciplinary team experienced in the comprehensive management of AVMs can offer excellent results in most cases.     

大型脑动静脉畸形直接显微手术治疗的效果分析

目的通过总结大型脑动静脉畸形的显微手术经验,探讨脑动静脉畸形显微手术的效果以及正常灌注压突破对显微手术的影响。方法回顾性分析93例采用显微外科手术治疗的大型脑动静脉畸形病例,按照Spetzler—Martin分级,3级者37例,4级者35例,5级者21例。结果术后出现再出血及急性脑肿胀者3例（3．2％）,死亡2例。术后对91例患者进行随访,根据GOS分级,恢复良好82例（90．1％）,中残7例（7．7％）,重残2例（2．2％）。结论显微外科手术是治疗大型脑动静脉畸形的有效手段,术前精确的判断及术中精细的操作是手术成功的关键。正常灌注压突破对大型脑动静脉畸形直接显微手术无显著影响。     

128层螺旋CT血管成像在头颈部血管病变中的临床应用价值

目的探讨128层螺旋CT血管成像(MSCTA)在头颈部血管病变中的临床应用价值。方法对113例临床怀疑或确诊头颈部血管病变患者行128层螺旋CT血管造影,同时采用容积重建(VR)、多平面重建(MPR)、最大密度投影(MIP)显示血管,评价MSCTA对头颈部血管性病变的诊断价值。结果 113例患者中,动脉狭窄或粥样硬化89例、动脉瘤8例、动静脉畸形2例、烟雾病3例、动静脉畸形并发烟雾病1例、血管先天性变异42例、正常者9例。MSCTA可清楚显示病变的位置、大小、形态以及与周围血管和颅骨的关系,与数字减影血管造影(DSA)检测结果及手术结果基本一致。结论 MSCTA对头颈部血管性疾病的诊断,具有无创、快速、安全、准确性高等特点,可作为头颈部血管性病变的首选影像学筛选。