侧窦区硬脑膜动静脉瘘的血管内介入治疗

目的本文报道我科对连续收治的10例侧窦区(横窦和乙状窦)硬脑膜动静脉瘘(DAVF)行超选择性动脉内栓塞的初步经验。方法所有病人先进行脑血管造影,确诊为侧窦区DAVF后立即对供血动脉行超选择性造影术并用NBCA胶或PVA颗粒进行栓塞。结果10位病人进行16次栓塞治疗(有6例行2次),共对23根供血动脉进行了栓塞。其中8例采用NBCA胶,另2例采用PVA颗粒进行栓塞。8例栓塞后获得解剖学和临床治愈,另2例虽获临床治愈,但造影中仍可见少量病灶残留。4例伴有搏动性耳鸣和杂音者在首次栓塞后其症状和体征消失,其中1例搏动性耳鸣在第一次部分栓塞后2个月复发,但在第二次栓塞后消失。无一例病人在栓塞后出现并发症。结论超选择性动脉内栓塞治疗对于某些类型的侧窦区DAVF是一个安全、有效和微侵袭的治疗方法。     

Direct transcranial coil and Onyx embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula: Technical note and brief literature review

Intracranial high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) have higher bleeding rates compared to other intracranial vascular malformations. Endovascular treatment is usually recommended for high-grade lesions, aiming at a complete fistula obliteration. However, some patients have vascular abnormalities that limit endovascular access to the precise location of the shunt. Alternative techniques may be considered in this scenario. A middle-aged man presented with intracranial hypertension secondary to a high-grade DAVF. Because of vascular abnormalities precluding transvenous access to the intracranial venous circulation, the patient required treatment by a direct transcranial coil and Onyx embolization of the shunt. Direct transcranial cannulation of a dural sinus is an alternative and effective route for transvenous embolization of DAVFs, especially if abnormal venous anatomy precluding venous access to the required cranial venous system is identified.     

Treatment outcomes of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses from a single institute in Asia

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses (TSS) are rare in Asian populations. This study sought to evaluate the treatment outcomes of intracranial TSS DAVFs at a single Asian institute. Between 1989 and 2007, 122 patients presented to the Seoul National University Hospital with intracranial DAVFs; we performed a retrospective analysis of the 38 patients (31.1%) with TSS DAVFs. The common clinical presentations were headache (44.7%), tinnitus (39.5%), and intracranial hemorrhage (26.3%), and 71.1% had Borden type II or III lesions. Two patients were conservatively managed, two underwent surgery, and 34 were treated endovascularly with transarterial embolization (TAE), transvenous embolization (TVE), or both. The complete occlusion rate immediately after treatment was 50%. Of the 31 patients (81.6%) who underwent follow-up angiography, initial complete occlusion was achieved in 51.6%, and, at the last follow-up, the complete occlusion rate was 64.5%, with the surgery and TVE groups achieving 100% occlusion. The clinical cure rate was 34.2%, and 86.8% of patients had a favorable clinical outcome. However, all patients in both the surgery and TVE groups achieved a favorable clinical outcome. Four (26.7%) of 15 lesions with initially partial embolization showed delayed occlusion. Five patients (13.2%) exhibited clinical or angiographic signs of recurrence, and five patients had permanent complications. TSS DAVFs were less common than cavernous sinus DAVFs, unlike in Western countries, but the angiographic and clinical characteristics of TSS DAVFs were similar to those in Western countries. TSS DAVFs were successfully managed with different modalities, but both surgery and TVE were superior to conservative management or TAE.     

经动脉入路Onyx-18栓塞治疗小脑幕硬脑膜动静脉瘘

目的探讨一组经动脉入路应用Onyx-18栓塞小脑幕硬脑膜动静脉瘘的临床治疗经验。方法于2005年9月～2007年2月期间,连续经动脉入路应用Onyx-18治疗8例小脑幕硬脑膜动静脉瘘患者,就临床表现、影像学、治疗策略及结果进行研究。结果8例均有软膜静脉逆流,Cog-nard分型均为Ⅳ型,其中6例患脑出血,2例有进行性神经功能障碍。术后6例血管造影示病变消失,1例术后神经功能下降。随访2～12个月,术后神经功能下降患者神经功能有所改善,均未出现再次颅内出血,6例GOS=5,2例GOS=4。结论经动脉入路应用非黏附性液体栓塞剂栓塞可以完全栓塞小脑幕硬脑膜动静脉瘘。     

Transarterial Embolization of Intracranial Arteriovenous Fistulas with Large Venous Pouches in the Form of Venous Outlet Ectasia and Large Venous Varix or Aneurysm : Two Centers Experience

ObjectiveThere are different types of cerebral vascular malformations. Pial arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are two entities; they consist of one or more arterial connections to a single venous outlet without a true intervening nidus. The high turbulent flow of PAVFs and aggressive DAVFs with cortical venous reflux can result in venous outflow varix and aneurysmal dilatation. They pose a significant challenge to transvenous embolization (TVE), stereotactic radiosurgery, and surgical treatment. We aim to share our centers’ experience with the transarterial embolization (TAE) for arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with large venous pouches and to report the outcome. MethodsThe authors’ two institutions’ databases were retrospectively reviewed from February 2017 to February 2021. All patients with intracranial high flow PAVFs and aggressive DAVFs with venous outlet ectasia and large venous varix and were treated by TAE were included. ResultsFifteen patients harboring 11 DAVFs and four PAVFs met our inclusion criteria. All patients underwent TAE in 17 sessions. Complete angiographic obliteration was achieved after 14 sessions in 12 patients (80%). Four patients (25%) had residual after one TAE session. Technical failure was documented in one patient (6.7%). Fourteen patients (93.3%) had favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin score 0–2). ConclusionsTAE for high flow or aggressive intracranial AVFs is a safe and considerable treatment option, especially for those associated with large venous pouches that are challenging and relatively high-risk for TVE.     

前颅窝底硬脑膜动静脉瘘的经动脉入路治疗

目的评价经动脉入路栓塞前颅窝底硬脑膜动静脉瘘(DAVF)的临床疗效。方法分析6例有症状前颅窝底硬脑膜动静脉瘘(DAVFs)经动脉血管内治疗技术和结果。结果 6例经动脉入路插入导管用Onyx-18胶栓塞。本组病例在治疗过程中都能接近瘘口处并栓塞动静脉分流区域。最后血管造影显示DAVF完全闭塞。治疗后没有观察到相关后遗症,6例均进行临床随访,GOS评分均为5。6例获脑血管造影随访,均未见瘘口显影。结论经动脉入路栓塞前颅窝底DAVFs是可行的。     

血管内栓塞治疗海绵窦区硬脑膜动静脉瘘(附18例报告)

目的探讨海绵安区硬脑膜动静脉瘘(DAVF)的血管内栓塞治疗策略。方法对18例海绵窦区DAVF病人根据供血动脉和引流静脉的情况，分别采用经动脉或静脉入路进行血管内栓塞治疗。结果共行19次栓塞。完全闭塞11例，部分闭塞7例。随访3个月～5年，治愈病例无复发，好转病例无恶化、结论血管内栓塞是海绵窦区DAVF较为理想的治疗方法。     

经动脉途径应用Onyx胶栓塞治疗硬脑膜动静脉瘘(附16例报告)

目的探讨经动脉途径应用Onyx胶栓塞治疗颅内硬脑膜动静脉瘘(DAVF)的可行性及疗效。方法回顾性分析2007年3月至2010年10月收治的16例DAVF患者的临床资料及随访结果。经动脉途径采用Onyx胶栓塞治疗15例,动静脉联合途径1例。结果 16例患者共栓塞17次,栓塞结束即时解剖治愈14例(87.5%),另2例栓塞不全者术后辅以手术治疗。栓塞后出现动眼神经麻痹3例,面部感觉麻木3例,随访1月后症状消失;口咽部疼痛2例,应用糖皮质激素治疗后症状消失。本组无死亡病例。10例患者术后2～24个月复查DSA,1例DAVF复发,9例完全闭塞;6例门诊随访2～24个月均未见复发。结论经动脉途径应用Onyx胶栓塞治疗颅内DAVF是可行、有效的方法,效果良好。     

Large pure intracranial vagal schwannoma

We report a patient with a large, pure intracranial vagal schwannoma, compressing the medulla who presented with essential hypertension. Based on this and on previous cases, we suggest that a differentiation of pure intracranial schwannomas (subtype A1) from intracranial schwannomas with some extension in the jugular foramen (type A) should be used.     

Dural arteriovenous fistula at the foramen magnum presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage: case reports and literature review

Background and purpose: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) may arise at any level from the foramen magnum to the sacrum. Only a few case series of DAVFs at the foramen magnum have been reported, especially with patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We performed a retrospective study of four such cases and summarize experiences in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a DAVF at the foramen magnum. Methods: Four male patients, aged from 35 to 51 years, were admitted with severe headache. The cranial computerized tomography scans of all four patients showed SAH, with hemorrhage in the fourth ventricle with or without hemorrhage in the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles. Pre‐operative digital subtraction cerebral angiography showed a DAVF at the foramen magnum draining to medullary veins and/or the straight sinus and the confluence of sinuses. Two DAVFs were fed by the vertebral artery, whilst the others were fed by dural branches of the occipital artery and/or the ascending pharyngeal artery. Results: Three patients underwent direct microsurgical electrocoagulation and disconnection of the arteriovenous shunt via an enlargement of the foramen magnum and a hemilaminectomy at C1 by the far lateral suboccipital approach. Post‐operative angiography confirmed complete obliteration of the fistula. Conclusions: Cerebral digital subtraction angiography is an effective and accurate method for examination of a DAVF at the foramen magnum. It can be treated effectively and with minimal surgical trauma by microsurgical electrocoagulation and disconnection of the shunt.     

Combined transarterial,transvenous, and direct puncture of the cavernous sinus to cure a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula

Direct carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) are generally well managed by simple endovascular treatment. We report an 8-year-old boy who required subsequent direct puncture of the cavernous sinus to completely obliterate the residual fistula after both transarterial and transvenous embolization had been performed. He presented with a mild right frontal headache, congestion of the right conjunctiva, blurred vision, and photophobia. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right direct CCF. The patient underwent transarterial and transvenous embolization of the cavernous sinus (CS) with Gugliemi detached coils (GDCs), but a residual shunt persisted. Two days later, another session of embolization by direct puncture of the CS with GDCs was performed after failure to navigate through the superior ophthalmic vein which was partially occupied by previously deployed coils. Immediate control angiography showed complete obliteration of the fistula and the patient’s symptoms rapidly resolved. This is the first report of a patient with a CCF who required three combined approaches – transarterial, transvenous, and direct puncture of the CS – to achieve complete closure of the complexed shunt.     

Relative signal intensity on time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography as a novel indicator of aggressive presentation of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas

Asymptomatic dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with cortical venous reflux (CVR) are now more commonly encountered. However, patients with an incidental onset may have a less aggressive clinical course. It is desirable to explore methods and indicators to predict the clinical outcomes. This study investigates whether the relative signal intensity (rSI) of the draining vessels on the time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography is related to clinical behavior in patients with intracranial DAVFs. We retrospectively reviewed 36 intracranial DAVFs. The patients were categorized as those with either aggressive-presentation or non-aggressive-presentation (n = 16 and 20, respectively). The rSIs of the shunt points, affected sinuses, and veins with CVR were compared between the two groups. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of rSIs of the shunt points and affected sinuses (p = 0.37 and 0.41, respectively). However, a significant positive correlation was observed in the rSI of the veins with CVR between the aggressive and non-aggressive behavior groups (p < 0.0001). The rSI of the veins with CVR could serve as a reliable indicator of aggressive behavior in intracranial DAVFs, and its optimal cutoff value was 1.63 with high sensitivity and specificity for predicting aggressive behavior (area under the curve, 0.909).     

Endovascular Treatment of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Single Center Experience

Objective

Treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) remains a challenge. However, after introduction of Onyx, transarterial approach is the preferred treatment option in many centers. We report our experience of dAVFs embolization with special emphasis on transarterial approach.

Methods

Seventeen embolization procedures were performed in 13 patients with dAVFs between Jan 2009 and Oct 2014. Clinical symptoms, location and type of fistulas, embolization methods, complications, radiological and clinical outcomes were evaluated using charts and PACS images.

Results

All 13 patients had symptomatic lesions. The locations of fistulas were transverse-sigmoid sinus in 6, middle fossa dura in 4, cavernous sinus in 2, and superior sagittal sinus in 1 patient. Cognard types were as follows : I in 4, IIa in 2, IIa+IIb in 5, and IV in 2. Embolization procedures were performed ≥2 times in 3 patients. Nine patients were treated with transarterial Onyx embolization alone. One of these required direct surgical puncture of middle meningeal artery. Complete obliteration of fistulas was achieved in 11/13 (85%) patients. There were no complications except for 1 case of Onyx migration in cavernous dAVF. Modified Rankin scale score at post-operative 3 months were 0 in 11, and 3 in 2 patients.

Conclusion

Transarterial Onyx embolization can be a first line therapeutic option in patients with dAVFs. However, transvenous approach should be tried first in cavernous sinus dAVF because of the risk of intracranial migration of liquid embolic materials. Furthermore, combined surgical endovascular approach can be considered as a useful option in inaccessible route.     

Clinical characteristics of dural arteriovenous fistula.

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is an uncommon neurosurgical condition; in particular, it has been infrequently reported in Korea. To understand the general clinical characteristics of DAVFs, the authors reviewed 53 cases and analyzed factors affecting DAVF hemorrhage of and treatment outcome. Since 1980 we have encountered 480 pial and 53 DAVFs, a ratio of 9.1 to 1. The age of these patients ranged from 1 month to 71 years, the most common being in the 6th decade, and females exceeded males by 1.65 to 1. All lesions except three were single, and symptoms were related to location and the venous drainage pattern. The most common location was the cavernous sinus, accounting for about 64% of cases, with the result that the most common clinical symptoms of DAVFs were ocular, namely proptosis and chemosis. The next was tinnitus also found in transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVFs. Intracranial hemorrhage was seen in eight cases,(15%) the primary cause of hemorrhage was retrograde intracranial venous drainage (P=0.017), and one hemorrhage was observed in cases with no intracranial venous drainage. Intracranial hemorrhage was more frequently in transverse-sigmoid than cavernous sinus DAVFs (P=0.049), and this proved to be so even where there was intracranial venous drainage. However, two of 34 patients with cavernous DAVFs became blind in one eye, demonstrating that in such patients, the clinical course could be aggressive. Thirteen patients were treated conservatively. The conservative treatment group was comprised of 13 patients, two of three patients with transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVF expired, and 7 of 10 with cavernous sinus DAVF experienced a clinical improvement or cure. Surgical excision was performed in only two patients. A total of 39 patients underwent embolization; clinical cure was achieved in 13, improvement of symptoms in 12, an unchanged or aggravated result occurred in 9, one died, and four were lost to follow up. During intervention, there was one hemorrhagic complication, owing to obstruction of the venous outflow with embolic materials.In this study, the most common location of DAVFs was the cavernous sinus. The cortical venous drainage remains the primary determinant of intracranial hemorrhage. Common indications for treatment include hemorrhage and neurological deficit. Endovascular treatment is preferred in the majority of cases except tentorial DAVF. The goal of embolization in cavernous DAVF is the alleviation of symptoms, not angiographic cure. But transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVF with venous restriction and leptomeningeal drainage should be treated aggressively.     

硬脑膜动静脉瘘单次血管内栓塞治疗的安全性和有效性分析

目的 探讨单次血管内栓塞治疗硬脑膜动静脉瘘（DAVF）的安全性和有效性。方法 回顾性分析2005年4月至2018年12月采用血管内栓塞治疗的46例DAVF的临床资料。所有病例均尝试进行单次瘘口栓塞术,对部分残余分流或软脑膜静脉逆行引流（RLVD）的病例则择期二次手术。结果 42例（91.3%）单次手术治疗后实现完全闭塞或仅轻微残余分流。34例Borden分型Ⅱ、Ⅲ型病例中,33例（97.1%）首次治疗后RLVD明显改善,仅4例需要二次治疗。所有病例最终均完全闭塞,术后未发生与DAVF相关的卒中和死亡事件。术后随访7~96个月,平均23个月;4例（8.7%）复发。结论 单次血管内手术治疗DAVF是安全、有效的,能有效预防卒中事件。     

Jugular foramen schwannoma in a child treated with complete surgical excision

INTRODUCTION: A rare case of a large jugular foramen tumour presenting as a posterior fossa mass is described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient, a 13-year-old boy presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and on MRI imaging demonstrated the tumour origin within the jugular foramen, with appearances suggestive of schwannoma. He underwent a complete excision as a single-stage procedure thorough a lateral suboccipital craniotomy with minimal morbidity. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma (WHO I). Jugular foramen schwannoma is virtually unheard of in the paediatric population. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of a jugular foramen tumour includes tumours of the glomus jugulare, meningiomas, schwannomas, myxomas and chondrosarcomas. The imaging characteristics are important when considering this differential diagnosis.     

The Role of Lumbar Drainage to Prevent Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus after Coil Embolization for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Good-Grade Patients

Objective

To evaluate the role of lumbar drainage in the prevention of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms by coil embolization in good-grade patients.

Methods

One-hundred-thirty consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in good-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades I-III), who were treated by coil embolization between August 2004 and April 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Poor-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades IV and V), a history of head trauma preceding the development of headache, negative angiograms, primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and loss to follow-up were excluded from the study. We assessed the effects on lumbar drainage on the risk of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus related to coil embolization in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Results

One-hundred-twenty-six patients (96.9%) did not develop shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. The 2 patients (1.5%) who developed acute hydrocephalus treated with temporary external ventricular drainage did not require permanent shunt diversion. Overall, 4 patients (3.1%) required permanent shunt diversion; acute hydrocephalus developed in 2 patients (50%). There was no morbidity or mortality amongst the patients who underwent a permanent shunt procedure.

Conclusion

Coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms may be associated with a lower risk for developing shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, possibly by active management of lumbar drainage, which may reflect less damage for cisternal anatomy than surgical clipping. Coil embolization might have an effect the long-term outcome and decision-making for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.     

ONYX 18栓塞天幕区硬脑膜动静脉瘘的临床研究(附四例报道)

目的 探讨经动脉途径使用ONYX 18栓塞治疗天幕区硬脑膜动静脉瘘的临床方法 及疗效. 方法 回顾性分析宣武医院神经外科自2008年3月至7月收治的4例天幕区硬脑膜动静脉瘘患者的临床资料(包括病史、查体、影像学检查、手术记录、随访情况等),其中急性蛛网膜下腔出血1例,进行性神经功能障碍3例;瘘口位于天幕顶2例,天幕左侧1例,天幕后份1例;硬脑膜动静脉瘘分型为Ⅱb型2例,Ⅲ型1例.Ⅳ型1例.4例患者均行经动脉途径使用ONYX 18栓塞治疗(ONYx注入量分别为1.5 mL、3.5 mL、9 mL、12 mL),1例合并阻塞性脑积水者在栓塞后行脑室腹腔分流术. 结果 本组患者术后完全栓塞3例,1例残余枕动脉少许供血瘘口,血流明显减慢.4例患者门诊或电话随访3个月,原有症状均无出现. 结论 在微导管到达合适的位置时,通过正确的注射ONYX 18,通过单一供血动脉,可以将整个天幕区硬脑膜动静脉瘘的瘘口、静脉端及所有供血动脉填塞.达到完全治愈.该方法 治疗高危硬脑膜动静脉瘘安全有效.     

Spontaneous Carotid Cavernous Fistula in a Case with Protein S Deficiency that Newly Developed Ophthalmoplegia after Embolization

Background

Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal communication between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. The pathogenesis of spontaneous CCF remains unclear, although sinus thrombosis is known to be a predisposing factor for dural arteriovenous fistula. Because spontaneous CCFs are mainly of the dural type, we considered that thrombogenic conditions, such as, protein S deficiency might be associated with CCF.

Case Report

A 42-year-old woman complained of conjunctival injection and retro-orbital pain that first appeared 1-month before visiting our hospital. She had no history of head trauma or intracranial surgery. Exophthalmos and chemosis were observed in her left eye, which also had lower visual acuity and higher intraocular pressure than the right eye. Magnetic resonance images and cerebral angiography revealed a left dural CCF. Her protein S was low, at 41% (normal range: 70-140%), but other hematologic values related to coagulation were normal. Her symptoms were relieved after initial transvenous coil embolization. However, a newly developed sixth-nerve palsy was detected 4 days after initial embolization. Follow-up angiography revealed a minimal shunt, and thus transvenous coil embolization was repeated. Two days later, the ophthalmoplegia started reducing, and 1-month later it had almost disappeared.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous dural CCF in a Korean patient with concurrent protein S deficiency. Interestingly, transient sixth-nerve palsy developed after transvenous coil embolization in this patient. This additional symptom caused by the residual fistula was relieved after additional transarterial embolization.     

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Clinical Experience with Endovascular Treatment as a Primary Therapeutic Modality

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular therapy as a primary treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF).

Methods

The authors reviewed 18 patients with spinal DAVFs for whom endovascular therapy was considered as an initial treatment at a single institute between 1993 and 2006. NBCA embolization was considered the primary treatment of choice, with surgery reserved for patients in whom endovascular treatment failed.

Results

Surgery was performed as the primary treatment in one patient because the anterior spinal artery originated from the same arterial pedicle as the artery feeding the fistula. Embolization was used as the primary treatment modality in 17 patients, with an initial success rate of 82.4%. Two patients with incomplete embolization had to undergo surgery. One patient underwent multiple embolizations, which failed to completely occlude the fistula but relieved the patient''s symptoms. Spinal DAVF recurred in two patients (one collateral development and one recanalization) during the follow-up period. The collateral development was obliterated by repeated embolization, but the patient with recanalization refused further treatment. The overall clinical status improved in 15 patients (83.3%) during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Endovascular therapy can be successfully used as a primary treatment for the majority of patients with spinal DAVFs. Although it is difficult to perform in some patients, endovascular embolization should be the primary treatment of choice for spinal DAVF.