Severe intracranial bleedings during endovascular procedures: outcome of surgically treated patients

OBJECTIVE: Severe intracranial bleedings (SIBs) during endovascular procedures (EPs) are accompanied by acute intracranial hypertension and brain herniation signs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of urgent surgical management and its related patient outcome in cases with such a fatal complication. METHOD: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for the last 750 patients treated in our department in the past 12 years with acute non-traumatic intracranial bleeding, who underwent a diagnostic or therapeutic EP. Patients with a severe intra-procedural bleeding episode undergoing urgent surgical management (within 30 minutes after bleeding) were analysed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 750 patients with ruptured vascular malformations presented a new SIB during EP. In nine patients, this occurred during initial angiography, two during aneurysm coiling, two during balloon angioplasty and one during arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolization. The neurological condition 6 months later was good (independents patients) in seven cases with only a mild disability in two of them. Two patients showed a severe disability. Four patients died without recovering their consciousness. One patient presented a satisfactorily course but died weeks later owing to a pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: Despite the fatal spontaneous prognosis of severe intracranial bleeding occurring during endovascular diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a favorable outcome can be expected if an appropriated treatment was set within 30 minutes of the bleeding.     

Comparison of ventricular drainage in poor grade patients after intracranial hemorrhage

Abstract

Objectives: The selection of patients and treatment criteria for acute hydrocephalus and intracranial pressure (ICP) after intracranial hemorrhage remains unclear. In general neurosurgical practice, there is a tendency to use external ventricular drainage (EVD) for the patients. This study was undertaken to analyse the complications and efficiency of the different treatment modalities.

Methods: The effects, complications and outcome of ventricular drainage on high ICP and hydrocephalus were analysed retrospectively in 109 patients with intracranial hemorrhage. All the patients were assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale, computed tomography and ICP monitoring. We excluded patients over the GCS of 8. All patients underwent a procedure for ICP monitoring plus ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. Sixty-one patients were managed with one (single) EVD system; 12 patients needed two EVD systems consecutively, while 23 patients underwent an EVD procedure followed by permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion. Thirteen patients were treated only by VP shunt for ventricular drainage. The infection rate and outcome 9 months after hemorrhage were analysed.

Results: The infection rates were 8.1% in the one-EVD group, 33.3% in the two-EVD group (one EVD versus two EVD, p<0.05), 8.6% in the EVD-VP group and 7.7% in the VP shunt group. The mortality rates were 73.7% in the one-EVD group, 83.8% in the two-EVD group, 47.8% (p<0.05) in the EVD-VP group and 53.8% (p<0.01) in the VP shunt group.

Discussion: This study indicates that single and short-term use of EVD and/or early VP shunting are associated with a low risk of infection. Furthermore, early VP shunting may protect the brain from the irregular control of intracranial hypertension and may allow more time for resolution of CSF circulation and significantly lowers the mortality rates.     

Improvement of quality of life in patients surgically treated for asymptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Objective

To compare the preoperative and postoperative health‐related quality of life (QOL) and psychological state of patients with asymptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms (ICAs) who underwent elective surgery.

Methods

Out of 67 patients who underwent neck clipping of ICAs, we assessed the QOL of 61 patients using Short Form‐36 (SF‐36); their psychological state was rated on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before, 3 months, and 1 and 3 years after treatment.

Results

The preoperative mean scores for each of the eight SF‐36 domains except bodily pain were significantly lower in the study population than in the reference population. 14 (20.9%) patients experienced surgical complications defined as neurological deterioration and/or abnormal CT findings within 30 days of the operation. Despite some complications, the QOL of all operated patients returned to the mean level of the reference population 3 years after treatment. At 3 months after surgery, the scores for psychosocial activities and general health perception were transiently below the preoperative levels. According to the HADS, the patients experienced mild anxiety before the operation; it disappeared by the third postoperative month.

Conclusions

Preoperatively, patients with unruptured ICAs reported a significantly decreased QOL. It further declined transiently after elective surgery, but it returned to the mean level recorded for the reference population within 3 years. Our findings suggest that these patients derived significant QOL benefits from their surgery. Hence subjective QOL issues should be considered in deciding whether treatment‐related risks and their natural history, such as their potential rupture, warrant surgery of asymptomatic unruptured ICAs.Some patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (ICAs) undergo elective microsurgical clipping to prevent subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) that may result in a poor prognosis. Bederson et al¹ suggested that a history of SAH and the presence of aneurysms with diameter >10 mm render patients with unruptured aneurysms, especially those with symptomatic lesions, eligible for surgical intervention. A systematic review of unruptured ICAs in Japan showed that the risk of rupture is significantly higher than that reported by international large‐scale studies.² Therefore, patients with asymptomatic and/or small (<10 mm) aneurysms tend to be treated surgically in Japan.The international guidelines for the management of unruptured ICAs are based on their natural history and surgical results,^3,4,5 and rates of surgical morbidity and mortality are considered objective epidemiological outcome measures. However, subjective assessments and patient‐based outcomes have gained attention in the evaluation of functional outcomes after treatment. Judgement parameters include anxiety, satisfaction with treatment and health‐related quality of life (QOL) issues. In neurosurgical outcome evaluations, the QOL after surgery for SAH,^6,7,8 vertebral artery dissection⁹ and acoustic neuroma¹⁰ has been assessed using universal health‐related QOL measures. Many patients with unruptured ICAs undergo elective surgery because they experience serious anxiety regarding their possible rupture and a consequent QOL decline. Although from a patient''s standpoint improved QOL is the goal of treatment, this issue has not been addressed adequately in the literature.Our previous retrospective study of long‐term health‐related QOL, anxiety and depression in patients who had undergone elective aneurysm clipping at our institute during the past 10 years¹¹ showed that most of the patients experienced a QOL similar to that of the general population. In the current prospective investigation, we assessed the preoperative and postoperative QOL of patients with unruptured ICAs who underwent elective surgery.     

Slight elevation of baseline intracranial pressure after fluid infusion into CSF space in patients with hydrocephalus

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the elevation of resting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure recorded after a CSF infusion test in patients with hydrocephalus.

Material and methods: Fifty patients (30 men and 20 women, mean age 68 ± 13 years) with ventriculomegaly and clinical symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus have been studied. Lumbar (56%) or intraventricular (44%) computerized infusion studies were performed to investigate the hydrodynamics of CSF. After infusion, the fall in ICP was recorded until a steady-state level was achieved and the difference between pre- and post-infusion resting ICP was calculated (ΔICP).

Results: A positive difference (>2 mm Hg) between post- and pre-infusion resting ICP was identified in 31 infusion tests (62%). The mean value of the difference was 6.7 with an SD of 3.5 mm Hg. The patients who demonstrated this phenomenon had a greater elastance coefficient (p>0.05); ΔICP was positively correlated with age (R=0.27; p=0.03), with the size of the brain's ventricles (R=0.63, p=0.03) and inversely with the severity of clinical impairment (Stein-Langfitt score R=–0.61, p=0.02; normal pressure hydrocephalus score: R=0.54; p<0.05). ΔICP was independent of the site of infusion (lumbar or ventricular).

Conclusion: In patients with a 'stiffer' brain, ICP returns to the resting level after the infusion test at a slightly higher level than before the test. The magnitude of this increase is greater when ventricles are more dilated and clinical symptoms are less severe.     

综合护理干预对颅内动脉瘤介入术后患者的影响

目的探讨综合护理干预对颅内动脉瘤介入术后患者的影响。方法选择2014-04—2015-08我院收治住院择期行介入术治疗的颅内动脉瘤患者94例,随机分为干预组及对照组,对照组采取常规护理措施,干预组在对照组基础上运用综合护理干预措施,比较2组干预前后心理状态、生活质量评分、术后并发症发生率及对护理工作的满意程度。结果干预前2组患者SAS、SDS评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),干预后各评分均较干预前显著降低,且干预组显著低于对照组(P0.05);2组患者干预前SF-36各维度评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),干预后2组患者各维度评分均显著升高,且干预组显著高于对照组(P0.05);干预组术后并发症发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05);干预组对护理工作总满意率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论综合护理干预有助于颅内动脉瘤介入术患者心理状态的改善,可提高患者生活质量,有效降低术后并发症发生率,促进患者康复,提高患者对护理工作的满意度,值得运用。     

Periprocedural outcome for patients with carotid stenosis treated with endovascular therapy: a single center evaluation

Endovascular procedures are a less invasive revascularization strategies than endoarterectomy for carotid stenosis, but to date Guidelines recommend surgery for a major periprocedural safety. Evidences come from randomized studies where operator’s experience in endovascular group was not considered. We retrospectively evaluated 524 endovascular procedures (carotid angioplasty ± stenting, CAS) performed between 1996 and 2010 on 486 patients (mean age 71.3 ± 7.8 years) with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis from a single center. We evaluated efficacy (residual stenosis ≤30 % after postprocedural angiography) and safety [minor (TIAs or myocardial infarcts) and major (stroke or death) complications in the first 30 days] of procedures and correlated them with the increasing experience of the operator. CAS was successful in 504/524 cases (96.2 %); unsuccessful procedures occurred more frequently in case of angioplasty alone rather than angioplasty and stenting (13/61, 21.3 % vs. 7/463, 1.5 %, OR 17.64, 95 % CI 6.69–46.06). 17/524 (3.2 %) CAS met the combined safety endpoint: stroke in 2.4 % and death in 0.8 %; the rate of disabling stroke/death was 1.6 %. Center experience was inversely related to the rate of stroke/death (R ² = 0.9375), passing from 5.0 % after 100 CAS to 2.8 % after 500 CAS; for disabling stroke/death (R ² = 0.9386), the rate was 4 % after 100 CAS and 1.6 % after 500 CAS. CAS is an effective and safe revascularization procedure in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, if effected in experienced centers. The use of carotid artery stenting than angioplasty alone and emboli protection devices can much more improve the previous considerations.     

Basilar artery to bilateral posterior cerebral artery 'Y stenting' for endovascular reconstruction of wide-necked basilar apex aneurysms: report of three cases

Abstract

Endovascular reconstruction of basilar artery (BA) apex aneurysms has been augmented by adjunctive techniques such as balloon and stent assistance. We present three cases of a wide-necked BA apex aneurysm involving the bilateral P1 segments of both posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) treated by placement of BA to PCA stents bilaterally in a 'Y' configuration to reconstruct the BA apex for effective coil embolization. Three patients (aged 70, 65 and 37 years) with wide-necked basilar artery aneurysms presented for endovascular treatment. All aneurysms had necks that involved the bilateral P1 segments. Each patient was deemed an appropriate candidate for endovascular reconstruction. Patients were pretreated with clopidogrel (75 mg) and aspirin (325 mg) each day for 3 days prior to the procedure. Following induction of general anesthesia, access to the right femoral artery was obtained by placement of a 6F sheath. Intravenous heparin was administered to achieve an activated coagulation time (ACT) of approximately 300 seconds. A 6F guide catheter was placed within the left vertebral artery (VA) in two patients, the right VA in a third. Utilizing over-the-wire (OTW) technique, a microcatheter was advanced into the left P2-P3 junction of the PCA. A 300-cm 0.014-inch microwire was passed through the microcatheter into the distal PCA and the microcatheter was removed. In each case, two neuroform stents were prepared (SMART Therapeutics Inc., San Leandro, CA) and advanced OTW into the PCA with the most acute angle relative to the BA. The initial stent placed was 20 mm in length and was deployed from the P1 segment into the BA. The microwire was pulled retrograde into the BA apex, then advanced though the stent struts and into the right PCA. A second stent, 15mm in length, was advanced OTW through the struts of the previously placed stent. It was then deployed from the P1 into the BA where it overlapped the first stent, resulting in a stent-in-stent 'Y' configuration at the BA apex. A microcatheter was advanced OTW into the BA apex aneurysm and coil embolization proceeded in the usual fashion. Following the procedure, each patient was maintained in the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU). All remained neurologically intact. The two elderly patients were discharged to home the morning following the procedure. The third patient suffered an upper GI bleed and was treated an additional 3 days in hospital. Oral clopidogrel (75 mg by mouth) and aspirin (325 mg by mouth) were continued daily for 4 weeks. The 'Y' stent configuration for reconstruction of the BA apex is a safe effective technique in patients with wide-necked BA aneurysms.     

Long-term seizure outcome and antiepileptic drug treatment in surgically treated temporal lobe epilepsy patients: a controlled study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term impact of surgical treatment on seizure outcome and antiepileptic drug (AED) use in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: Comparison of seizure outcome and AED us in operated-on TLE patients (n=148) and nonsurgically treated TLE patients (n=94) at a baseline visit and a follow-up visit after a mean period of 4.8 years. RESULTS: At follow-up, 44.6% of the surgical patients and 4.3% of the nonsurgical patients had been continuously seizure- free since the baseline visit (including the immediate postoperative period). A further 17.6% of the operated-on and 3.2% of the not operated-on patients had been seizure-free for at least the previous year; 37.8% of the surgical and 92.5% of the nonsurgical patients had had seizures during the previous 12 months (p < 0.001). Of the surgical patients, 8.8% versus none of the nonsurgical patients were AED free at follow-up; 55.4% versus 20.2% were receiving monotherapy, and 35.8% versus 79.8% were receiving polytherapy (p < 0.001). Mean number of AEDs and mean change in number of AEDs were significantly more favorable in operated-on than in non-operated-on patients. Further subgroup analysis revealed that not only the continuously seizure-free surgical patients, but also the operated-on patients with ongoing seizures took fewer AEDs than their respective non-operated-on counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: This controlled study for the first time provides comprehensive information on long-term seizure outcome and AED use in surgical TLE patients. It shows a more favorable seizure outcome and AED use in the surgically treated patients. The latter holds true even for the not seizure-free patient subgroup.     

Late neuropsychological and behavioural outcome of children surgically treated for craniopharyngioma

Late outcome in 12 children treated by radical surgery for craniopharyngioma is presented. None of the patients presented underwent fractionated traditional or stereotactic radiotherapy. The results show no neurological (except visual dysfunction in 6 subjects), cognitive or short-term memory deficits. Three children were found to have a minor attention deficit. In 5 cases “frontal lobe” malfunctioning was disclosed, and in 5 there were bursts of unpredictable anger. Three children showed worsening of functioning at school: a combination of various causes is suggested to explain the worsening of academic performances. The size of the sample calls for a careful evaluation of results, with due consideration for the influence of various factors on outcome. Multicentre studies are required to increase the sample size and achieve more general conclusions. Received: 25 November 1997     

弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤107例临床分析

目的探讨颅内动脉瘤的临床特点,以及影响动脉瘤致密栓塞的相关临床因素。方法对107例破裂动脉瘤采取弹簧圈栓塞治疗,DSA随访78例。分析破裂动脉瘤临床特点,对影响动脉瘤致密栓塞临床因素进行单因素χ2检验及Logistic回归分析。结果完全栓塞89例(83.2%),>90%栓塞12例(11.2%),<90%栓塞6例(5.6%)。随访78例动脉瘤,致密填塞的61例弹簧圈均稳定,部分填塞的17例:7例稳定,4例缩小;6例扩大,再次栓塞。无再出血。死亡1例(0.93%),重残2例(1.9%),轻度神经功能缺失症状3例(2.8%)。动脉瘤部位与性别关系经过线性相关性分析,P=0.103,>0.05。影响动脉瘤致密栓塞因素的Logistic回归分析显示:动脉瘤部位、形态、Fisher分级、血管痉挛情况对决定能否致密栓塞的OR值分别为0.392(P=0.005)、0.310(P=0.030)、0.501(P=0.039)、0.566(P=0.095)。结论弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉瘤的关键是致密栓塞;动脉瘤部位、形态、Fisher分级、脑血管痉挛评分与动脉瘤致密栓塞与否相关,评分越低,致密栓塞的概率越大。     

血管内治疗中颅内动脉瘤破裂的诊断与处理

目的 探讨颅内动脉瘤栓塞过程中发生破裂之原因,以及诊断、处理与预后评估。方法回顾分析了1994年5月～2002年6月420例接受血管内栓塞治疗的颅内动脉瘤患者的临床资料,其中15例于手术过程中动脉瘤发生破裂(因导管穿破瘤壁者3例,弹簧圈穿破瘤壁者8例,高压注射致破裂者1例,不明原因者3例),经脑血管造影确诊后即刻加深麻醉、迅速致密栓塞动脉瘤井给予鱼精蛋白逆转肝素化,或行脑室外引流及颅内血肿清除术。结果 15例手术中动脉瘤破裂的患者,经治疗后完全康复11例,轻度致残1例、死亡3例。结论 颅内动脉瘤栓塞过程中破裂是血管内介入治疗的严重并发症,破裂主要与动脉瘤的形态及结构有关,缺乏临床经验也是导致术中破裂原因之一。其预后取决于出血量的多少、患者手术前状态以及迅速而正确的救治。     

Clinical outcome of surgically treated low-grade gliomas: A retrospective analysis of a single institute

Objective

Low grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing primary brain tumors with heterogeneous clinical behaviors. The aim of our study is to review the treatment outcome of 63 patients with LGGs focusing on surgical outcome and the current therapeutic strategy.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 63 patients surgically treated for LGGs. The gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 35 patients (60.3%), subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 19 patients (31.7%) and partial resection (PR) or biopsy was performed in 9 patients (14.3%). We analyzed their progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and malignant transformation with regard to age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), clinical presentation, tumor location, radiologic pattern, contrast enhancement, extent of removal, pathologic subtype, chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy (RT) treatment.

Results

Among all LGGs, the 3-year OS rate was 80% and the 5-year OS was 76%. The 3-year PFS rate was 83.6% and the 5-year PFS was 25%. The non-eloquent area location showed a longer PFS than the eloquent area location (p = 0.05). Oligodendroglial pathology showed a longer PFS compared to oligoastrocytomas and astrocytomas (p = 0.02). Patients older than 60 years had poorer OS than younger patients (p < 0.05). Female gender had a shorter OS than male gender (p < 0.05), and a KPS of 90 or 100 had a longer OS than a KPS of 80 (p < 0.05). Oligodendroglial pathology statistically correlated with a longer OS (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings from our study, which were confirmed by uni- and multivariate analyses, demonstrated that radical tumor resection was associated with better long-term outcomes and tumor progression for patients with LGG.     

Patient outcome after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with reference to microsurgical clipping

OBJECTIVES: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) has found growing acceptance worldwide, and partially replaced conventional microsurgery. In this study clinical and angiographical results of embolization are reviewed. In addition, long-term neuropsychological patient outcome with reference to surgery is assessed. Indications for screening and follow-up of the patients as limitations and recent achievements of aneurysm embolization are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Angiographical and clinical follow-up of the first 44 patients with 48 GDC-coiled aneurysms are reviewed. Postprocedural clinical, emotional and social (CES) outcome on disability scale as scored from postal questionnaire data is presented and compared to 106 currently operated patients. RESULTS: In 75% of the embolized aneurysms successful occlusion was achieved, procedural mortality was 2.3% and morbidity 18.2%. Clinical status of all 15 patients with unruptured aneurysms preserved. Of the surviving 29 patients with ruptured aneurysms 12 improved and the rest preserved their clinical status. In 91% of the embolized patients and in 85% of the operated patients CES outcome was categorized as good or excellent. The difference was statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Embolization with GDC is a feasible, effective and safe mini-invasive method in small aneurysms with a small neck. However, intentional parent artery occlusion, novel endovascular techniques and embolic agents or supplementary surgery may be necessary in selected cases. Neuropsychological long-term outcome of the patients treated for an intracranial aneurysm does not differ much between GDC embolization and microsurgical clipping.     

支架成形术治疗特发性颅高压综合征合并静脉窦狭窄的疗效

目的 探讨支架成形术治疗特发性颅高压(IIH)综合征合并静脉窦狭窄(CVSS)的疗效和安全性.方法 25例诊断难治型IIH合并局限性CVSS患者行静脉窦造影及压力测定,对其中狭窄两端压力差超过150mm H2O(1 mm H2O=0.0098 kPa)的14例患者行支架成形术治疗.术后检测静脉窦的形态、压力差、临床改善情况.随访6个月以上,观察并发症和静脉窦是否通畅.结果 所有患者支架成形术成功.术后未出现相关并发症,高颅压症状迅速缓解.随访期间临床症状无复发,DSA或磁共振静脉成像(MRV)检查显示静脉窦血流通畅,无再狭窄.结论 对于存在CVSS的IIH患者,血管内支架成形术治疗可能是一种相对安全、有效的治疗手段.     

支架成形术治疗特发性颅高压综合征合并静脉窦狭窄的疗效

Objective To explore the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus stenosis (CVSS) in idiopathic intraeranial hypertension(IIH),and to evaluate the efficacy and risk of venous sinus stenting treatment for CVSS.Methods Twenty-five patients with refractory IIH complicated with CVSS underwent examination with magnetic resonance venography(MRV),digital subtraction angiography(DSA)and direct retrograde cerebral venography and inanometry to confirm morphologic features of IIH and measure venous pressures.14 patients who showed severe stenosis of venous sinuses with the pressure gradient across the stenosis＞150 mm H2O(1mm H2O=0.0098 kPa)were treated with venous sinus stenting and were followed-up for more than 6 months.Intrasinus pressures and clinical progression were evaluated after the procedure.The IIH related clinical presentation,complications and the venous sinus condition were accessed during the follow-up period. Results Sinus stenting angioplasty was succeeded in all 14 patients.In all patients,venous sinus stenosis was improved after stenting procedure(the residual stenosis rate＜5%)and intrasinus pressure was reduced (the pressure gradient vanished or ＜20 mm H2O).The clinical symptoms in all the patients were impmved or disappeared at discharge and intracranial pressures were normalized within 3 monks after the procedure.During the follow-up period of (22.3±19.0) months (range 6 to 72 months),no patient had recurrence of IIH.In all cases,DSA or MRV was performed at 6-month follow-up and demonstrated absence of sinus thrombosis and stenosis.Conclusions Patients with IIH should be assessed for CVSS.MRV or DSA was recommended for these patients as a routine work-up.Cerebral venography and mauometry are helpful to evaluate the relation between venous ontflow obstruction and intracranial hypertension.If severe CVSS is presented in patient,endovascular treatment of venous sinus stenting shows promise as an alternative treatment. Additional randomized and controlled clinical research on treatment of CVSS is needed.     

Management of complex, surgically intractable intracranial aneurysms: the option for intentional reconstruction of aneurysm neck followed by endovascular coiling

BACKGROUND: A limited series of patients with aneurysm were reviewed retrospectively to analyze strategies for integrating microsurgical and endovascular techniques in the management of complex, surgically intractable aneurysms. METHODS: Four patients were managed in Fujita Health University with a multimodality approach: intentional reconstruction of the aneurysm neck followed by endovascular coiling. RESULTS: A total of 5 aneurysms were treated, of which 3 were large or giant in size, and 3 were fusiform or multilobulated. Complete angiographic obliteration was confirmed in 4 aneurysms (80%). All patients had a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 5; mean follow-up, 64 months). CONCLUSION: As for complex, surgically intractable aneurysms, the intentional reconstruction of the aneurysm neck followed by endovascular coiling should be considered more often.     

Methods and time schedule for follow-up of intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular embolization: a systematic review

Background and purposeTo review the diagnostic value of angiographic methods and the optimal timetable for follow-up imaging of patients after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.Material and methodsA comprehensive computer-aided search for relevant primary papers was performed using the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Collaboration database from January 1991 to March 2011. Original papers were included that reported either diagnostic value of angiographic modalities for follow-up vs. digital subtracted angiography (DSA) or comparison of aneurysm occlusion rate in delayed vs. early follow-up.ResultsThe systematic review identified 35 relevant studies: 3 on the diagnostic value of three-dimensional (3D) DSA, 30 on the performance of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and 3 on time schedules for follow-up. 3D DSA had sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 58.3-94.7%. Magnetic resonance angiography had sensitivity of 28.4-100%, and specificity of 50.0-100%. The proportion of aneurysms that recanalized between the early follow-up examination at 6 months and the delayed imaging at 1.5-6.0 years was 0-2.5%.ConclusionsMagnetic resonance angiography seems to be the best imaging method for the follow-up. In selected cases, when invasive angiography is necessary, 3D DSA should be considered to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Most patients who present with stable and adequate aneurysm occlusion at 6 months after coiling may not require further follow-up.     

Prediction of favorable outcome by percent improvement in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular stent thrombectomy

Our objective was to investigate a method for assessing early improvement and its predictive value for 3-month functional outcome in patients treated with EST. A total of 97 consecutive AIS patients undergoing EST were prospectively collected and retrospective reviewed. Data on demographics, vascular risk factors, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, 24-h NIHSS score, reperfusion and collateral formation were collected. Percent improvement was defined as ([baseline NIHSS score − 24-h NIHSS score]/baseline NIHSS score × 100%), while absolute improvement was calculated by the difference between scores (baseline NIHSS score − 24-h NIHSS score). A 3-month functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Favorable outcome was defined as a mRS score of 0–2. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for percent improvement and absolute improvement in predicting favorable outcome was compared. Finally, we investigated the independent predictors of improvement at 24 h after EST and its relationship with favorable outcome. Pairwise comparison of ROC curves revealed that percent improvement had larger AUC than absolute improvement (p = 0.004). Rapid neurological improvement (RNI), defined as percent improvement ⩾30%, was a powerful predictor of favorable outcome (odds ratio [OR] 7.63, confidence interval [CI]: 2.65–21.96; p < 0.001). Good collaterals (OR 2.86; 95% CI: 1.11–7.38; p = 0.030) and short onset-to-reperfusion time (ORT) (OR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.17–7.80; p = 0.022) were independent predictors of RNI. RNI predicted 3-month favorable outcome in AIS patients treated with EST. Good collaterals and short ORT are independent predictors of RNI.