Endovascular Embolization of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Results of the Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2

This retrospective study constitutes a part of the Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2. Its purpose is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcome of endovascular embolization for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in Japan. Nine hundred and eighty-seven embolization procedures were registered with JR-NET 1 and 2 (424 procedures in 122 institutions with JRNET 1 and 563 procedures in 150 institutions with JRNET 2). In total, 790 patients (80.1%) had favourable clinical outcomes defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0–2 at 30 days after embolization. Complete AVM obliteration by embolization alone was achieved in 90 procedures (9.1%). The procedural morbidity and mortality rate was 2.5% and 0.3% per procedure, respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression models, deep venous drainage and embolization of four or more feeding pedicles per session were significantly associated with any treatment-related complications (P = 0.02 and P = 0.003, respectively). About 6 cm or more in maximum nidus diameter had a negative correlation with complications (P = 0.003). Our study shows that embolization of cerebral AVMs was performed with a high degree of safety and a low rate of symptomatic complications in Japan.     

颅内动脉瘤破裂出血介入栓塞治疗患者行围手术期压疮 针对性护理的效果

目的 观察对介入栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤破裂出血患者行围手术期压疮针对性护理的效果。方法 选取安徽医科大学第一附属医院2020年3月-2021年4月收治的60例行介入栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤破裂出血患 者为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将其分为对照组和观察组,每组30例。对照组行常规护理,观察组在 对照组基础上行围手术期压疮针对性护理,比较两组压疮发生情况、生活质量及护理满意度。结果 观察 组压疮发生率为3.33%,高于对照组的23.33%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;观察组社会功能、生理职 能、精神健康和活力评分均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;观察组护理满意度为96.67%,高 于对照组的70.00%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 对介入栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤破裂出血患者行围 手术期压疮针对性护理效果确切,可降低压疮发生几率,提高患者生活质量,同时患者护理满意度较高, 值得临床应用。     

Syringomyelia Associated with Type I Chiari Malformation A 21-Year Retrospective Study on 75 Cases Treated by Foramen Magnum Decompression with a Special Emphasis on the Value of Tonsils Resection

Summary  The purpose of the present study is to evaluate retrospectively the effects of several intra-operative manipulations on the results of foramen magnum decompression (FMD) in patients having syringomyelia associated with type I Chiari malformation. Seventy-five patients having syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation were operated on between 1975 and 1996. This population was grouped into 4 subgroups according to the surgical protocol: group I=42 patients with FMD alone; group II=16 patients with FMD and third ventricle shunting; group III=9 patients with FMD and syringosubarachnoid shunting (SSS); group IV=8 patients with FMD and cerebellar tonsils resection. Pre- and postsurgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were analyzed (and compared). Nine patients were lost to follow-up. The results were evaluated in the 66 remaining patients (mean follow-up: 52 months), using the Bidzinski's outcome scale (ref). Two patients (3%) died postoperatively, 31 (47%) had very good results (after additional surgery in 7), 16 (24,2%) had good results (after additional surgery in 7) and 17 (25,7%) had poor results despite further surgery in 9. A total of 27 reoperations were undertaken after primary FMD in 23 patients (35%). Thirty-nine patients (59%) had both pre- and postsurgical MRI evaluation. In 28 (72%) the syrinx had markedly decreased whereas it had remained stable in 11 (28%). Clinical results were not significantly different between the patients of groups I, II and III. Very good or good results were obtained in 24 patients (64,8%) of group I (after additional surgery in 10), in 8 (61,5%) of group II (after additional surgery in 1) and in 7 (87,5%) of group III (after additional surgery in 3). Results in group IV were as follows: 7 patients (87%) had very good results and one had a good result. With a mean follow-up of 28 months, no patient required additional surgery. Postsurgical MRI syrinx reduction was observed in all 8 patients either in the early postoperative course or on delayed follow-up. It is suggested that tonsils resection might enhance the results of FMD in individuals having Chiari I-related syringomyelia.     

Successful Coil Embolization of a Ruptured Basilar Artery Aneurysm in a Child with Leukemia: A Case Report

Ruptured intracranial aneurysms are rare in the pediatric population compared to adults. This has incited considerable discussion on how to treat children with this condition. Here, we report a child with a ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysm that was successfully treated with coil embolization. A 12-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and accompanying abdominal candidiasis after chemotherapy suddenly complained of a severe headache and suffered consciousness disturbance moments later. Computed tomography scans and cerebral angiography demonstrated acute hydrocephalus and subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by saccular basilar artery aneurysm rupture. External ventricular drainage was performed immediately. Because the patient was in severe condition and did not show remarkable signs of central nervous system infection in cerebrospinal fluid studies, we applied endovascular treatment for the ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysm, which was successfully occluded with coils. The patient recovered without new neurological deficits after ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Recent reports indicate that both endovascular and microsurgical techniques can be used to effectively treat ruptured cerebral aneurysms in pediatric patients. A minimally invasive endovascular treatment was effective in the present case, but long-term follow-up will be necessary to confirm the efficiency of endovascular treatment for children with ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysms.     

Potential of Reduction in Total Tumor Volume Measured with 3D‐MRI as a Prognostic Factor for Locally‐Advanced Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Primary Chemotherapy

Abstract: For accurate assessment of the response to primary chemotherapy (PCT) for locally advanced breast cancer, we measured reduction in total tumor volume (TTV) by using three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI), and examined the relationship between this reduction and patient prognosis. Fifty‐one patients with locally advanced breast cancer were treated with four cycles of docetaxel (60 mg/m²) before surgery. Tumor size was measured with calipers, ultrasonography (US) and conventional two‐dimensional (2D) MRI before and after chemotherapy. TTV was measured with 3D MRI. These and other clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed to determine the prognosis for the patients. Median follow‐up time was 46 months (1–64 months). Of the 51 patients, 25 developed distant recurrences. Patients whose TTV decreased by 75% or more after PCT showed significantly better prognosis than others, while tumor size measured with calipers, US and 2D MRI showed no significant relationship with patient prognosis. Of the clinicopathological parameters, only reduction in TTV and histological grade showed a significant association with distant recurrence‐free survival (p = 0.03 and 0.02, log‐rank test), while stepwise multivariate Cox’s proportional hazards analysis identified TTV as the strongest independent prognostic factor. Reduction in TTV measured with 3D MRI can be a useful prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with PCT.     

MRI and 1H MRS of The Breast: Presence of a Choline Peak as Malignancy Marker is Related to k21 Value of the Tumor in Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Abstract: To assess which specific morphologic features, enhancement patterns, or pharmacokinetic parameters on breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could predict a false‐negative outcome of Proton MR Spectroscopy (¹H MRS) exam in patients with invasive breast cancer. Sixteen patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were prospectively included and underwent both, contrast‐enhanced breast MRI and ¹H MRS examination of the breast. The MR images were reviewed and the lesions morphologic features, enhancement patterns and pharmacokinetic parameters (k21‐value) were scored according to the ACR BI‐RADS‐MRI lexicon criteria. For the in vivo MRS studies, each spectrum was evaluated for the presence of choline based on consensus reading. Breast MRI and ¹H MRS data were compared to histopathologic findings. In vivo ¹H MRS detected a choline peak in 14/16 (88%) cancers. A false‐negative ¹H MRS study occurred in 2/16 (14%) cancer patients. K21 values differed between both groups: the 14 choline positive cancers had k21 values ranging from 0.01 to 0.20/second (mean 0.083/second), whereas the two choline‐negative cancers showed k21 values of 0.03 and 0.05/second, respectively (mean 0.040/second). Also enhancement kinetics did differ between both groups; typically both cancers that were choline‐negative showed a late phase plateau (100%), whereas this was only shown in 5/14 (36%) of the choline positive cases. There was no difference between both groups with regard to morphologic features on MRI. This study showed that false‐negative ¹H MRS examinations do occur in breast cancer patients, and that the presence of a choline peak on ¹H MRS as malignancy marker is related to the k21 value of the invasive tumor being imaged.     

A Ruptured Aneurysm Located at a Collateral Artery That Extended from the Proximal A2 Segment to the M1 Segment,Associated with an Anomalous Branch of the Anterior Choroidal Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery Hypoplasia: Case Report

We here describe the first case of a ruptured aneurysm located at a collateral artery that extended from the proximal A2 segment to the M1 segment, which was associated with an anomalous branch of the anterior choroidal artery and middle cerebral artery (MCA) hypoplasia. The aneurysm was revealed by angiograms and intraoperative findings. No previous accounts have been published of such an extremely rare vessel anomaly. In practice, this case highlights the urgent need to preoperatively recognize such vascular anomalies, as well as to better understand the collateral blood supply in cerebral ischemia associated with these MCA anomalies. Such knowledge will be helpful for planning optimal surgical procedures.     

Screening for VACTERL Anomalies in Children with Anorectal Malformations: Outcomes of a Standardized Approach

PurposeThe majority of patients with an anorectal malformation (ARM) have associated congenital anomalies. It is well established that all patients diagnosed with an ARM should undergo systematic screening, including renal, spinal, and cardiac imaging. This study aimed to evaluate the findings and completeness of screening, following local implementation of standardized protocols.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed assessing all patients with an ARM managed at our tertiary pediatric surgical center, following a standardized protocol implementation for VACTERL screening (January 2016–December 2021). Cohort demographics, medical characteristics, and screening investigations were analyzed. Findings were compared with our previously published data (2000–2015), conducted prior to protocol implementation.ResultsOne hundred twenty-seven (64 male, 50.4%) children were eligible for inclusion. Complete screening was performed in 107/127 (84.3%) children. Of these, one or more associated anomalies were diagnosed in 85/107 (79.4%), whilst the VACTERL association was demonstrated in 57/107 (53.3%). The proportion of children that underwent complete screening increased significantly in comparison with those assessed prior to protocol implementation (RR 0.43 [CI 0.27–0.66]; p < 0.001). Children with less complex ARM types were significantly less likely to receive complete screening (p = 0.028). Neither presence of an associated anomaly, nor prevalence of the VACTERL association, differed significantly by ARM type complexity.ConclusionScreening for associated VACTERL anomalies in children with ARM was significantly improved following standardized protocol implementation. The prevalence of associated anomalies in our cohort supports the value of routine VACTERL screening in all children with ARM, regardless of malformation type.Level of EvidenceII.     

Delayed recurrence of spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome mimicking a Chiari I malformation: Case report with a review of the literature

IntroductionCerebellar tonsils descent seen on brain MRI is, along with other findings, a recognized radiological sign of possible spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). The short-term outcome of SIH is usually favorable with symptoms improvement and reversibility of the low-lying tonsils. Nevertheless, data on the long-term outcome are lacking or inconsistent.Case ReportA 32-year-old woman presented to her general practitioner with a six months history of non-specific headaches. An MRI brain with gadolinium showed a 12mm tonsillar descent with no other remarkable findings. Headaches were initially managed conservatively as migraines. Following the onset of progressive upper back and shoulder pain at rest, nausea, photophobia and fogging in her vision, the patient was referred to our Department with a suspicion of symptomatic Chiari I malformation. After an in-depth anamnesis, it emerged a previous history of SIH, 14 years earlier, successfully treated conservatively in another center. A whole spine MRI confirmed the suspicion of recurrent SIH showing an anterior cervico-thoracic epidural fluid collection. The patient underwent an epidural blood patch with complete resolution of the symptoms and radiological signs.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this case is the first report of delayed recurrence of a SIH successfully treated conservatively over 10 years earlier. The etiopathogenesis and management of this rarity with literature review is discussed.ConclusionAn isolated cerebellar tonsil descent with no other remarkable findings on brain MRI and a previous history of SIH should always alert the clinician of a possible late recurrence of a CSF leak and avoid unnecessary Chiari I malformation surgical procedures.