Bilateral carotid stenting for radiation-induced arterial stenosis]

We report a case of bilateral radiation-induced internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis treated with stenting. A 67-year-old man experienced transient left hemiparesis several times, and it was diagnosed as a bilateral ICA stenosis by magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and cervical ultrasound sonogram (US). Ten years before, the patient had received radiation therapy (66 Gy) and radical resection for a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the right infrapharyngeal space. A cerebral angiogram showed bilateral severe ICA stenosis (right; 90%, left; 99%). We diagnosed this as radiation-induced ICA stenosis, and performed carotid angioplasty with a self-expanding stent. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged without neurological deficits. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is difficult in the case of carotid artery stenosis due to radiation-induced arterial injury. Carotid stenting may be an alternative treatment for such a patient.     

血管腔内支架植入术的临床应用

目的 评价应用血管内支架治疗血管性疾病的临床价值。方法 对36例患有血管性疾病的患者施行了血管内支架植入术，包括胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤24例，腹主动脉真性动脉瘤3例，腹主动脉夹层动脉瘤1例，颈动脉动静脉瘘1例，左锁骨下动脉狭窄1例，左锁骨下动静脉瘘1例，髂动脉假性动脉瘤4例及股动脉狭窄1例。除1例左锁骨下动脉狭窄患者、1例股动脉狭窄患者使用了裸支架外，其余34例患者均采用带膜支架进行血管内治疗。结果 术中所有患者均未出现特殊不适，术后随访期间未见明显合并症发生。所有患者均完全消除了临床症状。结论 应用血管内支架治疗血管性疾病是一种实用且效果较好的治疗方法。     

Endovascular treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of a recipient external carotid artery following radiation and free tissue transfer

Radical resection and reconstruction after preoperative radiation has become routine treatment for patients with certain types and stages of head and neck cancers. When microvascular flap reconstruction is required, the recipient vessels have been subjected to radiation, making them more thrombogenic and friable, thus increasing the risks of postoperative complications. The authors report a patient who received preoperative radiation therapy for rhabdomyosarcoma of the infratemporal fossa and who underwent a radical resection and free rectus musculocutaneous flap reconstruction. The free flap covered the base of the brain from the nasopharynx and closed an intraoral defect. The donor artery was anastomosed end to side to the external carotid artery stump. The patient developed a pseudoaneurysm of the external carotid artery stump 1 month postoperatively, which was treated with endovascular coil embolization without loss of the flap. Percutaneous transcatheter endovascular treatment of pseudoaneurysms that develop after free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction has not been reported previously. One month after surgery, endovascular occlusion of the main arterial supply to the flap did not compromise its viability because of collateral revascularization from the peripheral tissue bed, despite the patient's history of radiation.     

Carotid blowout with infection: management with endovascular and open vascular approaches--a case report

The management of patients with head and neck cancer can be complicated by massive carotid artery hemorrhage, often requiring ligation owing to the emergent conditions and scarring from previous surgery and radiation. A case of emergent endovascular management of carotid artery hemorrhage in a patient treated for pharyngeal carcinoma is described. Hemorrhage was controlled, but on follow-up the patient developed a carotid-cutaneous fistula with exposure of the coils. Further management required the use of autogenous vein to replace the involved vessels. This case demonstrates that endovascular control of carotid hemorrhage can be successful, but close follow-up is necessary to identify potential subsequent complications.     

Stent-supported coil embolization for carotid artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of endovascular surgery--case report

A 57-year-old male presented with right amaurosis fugax and left transient ischemic attack caused by stenosis of the intracranial segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was successfully performed to dilate the stenosis. However, serial angiography revealed the development of a large pseudoaneurysm in the cervical ICA, probably as a result of carotid wall injury caused by the guiding catheter during the procedures. The patient underwent a second endovascular angioplasty. A Palmaz stent was placed across the aneurysm neck to stabilize the carotid wall. Guglielmi detachable coils were then inserted into the aneurysm cavity through the stent struts to successfully obliterate the aneurysm. Both the angiographical results and the patient's outcome were favorable. Stent-supported coil embolization is an effective and safe technique for medically refractory pseudoaneurysms, and may be a useful alternative to direct surgery.     

Petrous carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in bilateral carotid fibromuscular dysplasia: treatment by means of self-expanding covered stent

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysms of the petrous carotid artery may occur in the setting of trauma, dissection, invasive tumors, or as a complication of surgery. These aneurysms may grow and constitute a potential source of thromboembolic complications or rupture. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a patient with bilateral carotid FMD presenting with a large petrous pseudoaneurysm. Because carotid occlusion was not appropriate, a self-expandable covered stent was implanted. This treatment allowed complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and preservation of the parent artery. CONCLUSION: The accepted treatment of psuedoaneurysms located at petrous ICA is either sacrifice of the carotid artery or exclusion of the aneurysm from the preserved carotid artery. These procedures have specific limitations, and they are technically demanding and associated with a substantial morbidity rate. The endovascular treatment of these lesions is the preferred alternative. Among the various endovascular techniques that have been tested so far, we propose self-expandable covered stents as ideal for treating arterial aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the petrous and cavernous carotid segments.     

Focused high-risk population screening for carotid arterial stenosis after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: Cervical radiation for head and neck cancer has been associated with an increased incidence of carotid arterial stenosis. Modern radiation therapy delivers higher doses with increasing long-term survival. Accordingly, the prevalence of radiation-associated carotid stenosis may be higher than previously reported. Phase I of this prospective study was to establish the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis after high-dose cervical radiation. METHODS: From a prospectively maintained database, we identified patients who had received cervical high-dose radiotherapy (minimum 5,500 cGy). All patients were screened with bilateral carotid arterial duplex ultrasonography. We defined disease as "normal or mild" if the carotid stenosis was <50%, and "significant" if >50%. The relationship between standard demographic risk factors and screening outcomes was then analyzed. RESULTS: Screening was performed in 40 patients (mean age 68.2 years, range 26 to 87). Patients received a mean cumulative radiation dose of 6,420 cGy (range 5,500 to 7,680), with a mean duration of 10.2 years since their last radiation treatment. Sixteen patients (40%) had significant carotid artery stenosis. Patients with and without significant stenosis were comparable in terms of age, radiation dose, tobacco use, comorbidities, and postradiation interval (P = not significant). Six patients (15%) had unilateral complete carotid occlusion and 6 patients (15%) had significant bilateral carotid stenosis. Three patients (7.5%) had sustained a previous stroke after radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of carotid arterial disease in patients with prior cervical radiation therapy is clinically significant and warrants aggressive screening as part of routine preradiation and postradiation care. Focused screening of this high-risk population may be cost effective and medically beneficial in terms of risk factor modification and stroke prevention, and will be examined in phase II of this study.     

Treatment of a cervical carotid pseudoaneurysm that occurred years after laryngectomy and irradiation of a neck tumor

A 62-year-old man presented with rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the left common carotid artery (CCA) that was induced after radiation therapy and neck surgery. The initial treatment was an endovascular procedure to obliterate the aneurysm with coils, and a covered stent was placed in the parent artery. However, the patient presented with subsequent coil migration, wound infection, and left CCA stenosis. Direct surgical procedures were then performed, including resection of the pseudoaneurysm with coils and stent; replacement of the carotid artery with a saphenous vein graft; and operative wound reinforcement with a pedicle flap. Endovascular treatments may be chosen for vascular diseases after irradiation, because of the low risk of wound infection and fragility of the vessels, but the long-term outcomes of intravascular treatments are still unclear. In direct surgery, dissection of the adhesive tissue and adequate wound healing are difficult. Musculocutaneous flaps with vascular pedicles can achieve good results.     

Evidenzbasierte Therapie radiogener Läsionen der extrakraniellen A. carotis und A. subclavia

Background

Radiation induces intimal damage and can lead to lesions in the peripheral vessels. The plaque morphology after radiation seems to be more stable compared with atherosclerotic plaques. In the case of neurological symptoms from carotid artery stenosis after neck radiation, invasive therapy is clearly indicated.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was performed with regard to the evidence for treatment and treatment options for radiation-induced stenosis of the internal carotid artery and the subclavian artery.

Results

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is recommended as the treatment of choice in radiogenic stenosis in current national and international guidelines. In recent literature, however, it was argued that carotid endarterectomy is also safely applicable in those patients, achieving good short- and long-term results. In comparison, CAS carries a relatively high risk of neurological symptoms during follow up. In addition, restenosis occurs significantly more often after CAS compared with surgery. Radiation following breast cancer can induce lesions in the subclavian artery. This can cause stenotic plaques and also aneurysm formation. Endovascular treatment with angioplasty and stent or stent graft implantation serves as treatment of first choice in these patients.

Conclusion

Radiation-induced stenosis of the internal carotid artery can safely be treated by endovascular and operative means. In case of stenosis in the subclavian artery, angioplasty remains the treatment of choice. Best medical therapy is recommended to avoid disease progression by atherosclerosis.     

Adjunctive endovascular techniques in the management of postoperative carotid artery pseudoaneurysms--useful armamentarium for vascular surgeons--three case reports

Postoperative carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are rare. The traditional treatment of choice has been operative repair, which can present a significant technical challenge owing to the reoperative neck inflammation and potential cranial nerve injuries. The authors report 3 cases of postoperative carotid pseudoaneurysms that were successfully managed by use of various adjunctive endovascular techniques. The adjunctive endovascular maneuvers included the following: 1) endoluminal balloon placement for preoperative test occlusion and intraoperative proximal control to facilitate operative dissection in the first patient with a carotid pseudoaneurysm; 2) endoluminal stent-graft placement to exclude a large expanding carotid pseudoaneurysm in the second patient; and 3) endoluminal coil placement along with balloon occlusion to achieve complete hemostasis in the third patient, who presented with a hemorrhaging carotid pseudoaneurysm. Successful outcomes were achieved in all 3 patients by use of adjunctive endovascular techniques. These cases underscore the role of adjunctive endovascular treatment as an armamentarium for vascular surgeons in the treatment of complex carotid pseudoaneurysms.     

Treatment of an iatrogenic petrous carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with a Symbiot covered stent: technical case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Surgery involving the middle ear or the temporal bone may cause an injury to the petrous carotid artery resulting in a pseudoaneurysm. Conventional treatment of such pseudoaneurysms has ranged from carotid occlusion to conservative management. The use of a balloon-expandable stent and/or Guglielmi detachable coils may be effective in a partially healed pseudoaneurysm. This report details the case of an acute petrous carotid pseudoaneurysm after a myringotomy procedure that was effectively treated with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: During a right myringotomy procedure, pulsatile blood was encountered in a 42-year-old woman with a history of repeated ear infections and bilateral middle ear ventilation tube placement. The blood was adequately tamponaded with gauze packing. Computed tomography of the temporal bone demonstrated a dehiscent carotid artery, and cerebral angiography revealed a 6-mm right petrous carotid pseudoaneurysm. INTERVENTION/TECHNIQUE: An 8-French guide catheter was positioned via a transfemoral approach into the cervical right internal carotid artery, and the patient was systemically heparinized. A 4- x 31-mm Symbiot covered stent (Boston Scientific/Scimed, Maple Grove, MN) was passed over a Choice PT exchange wire (Boston Scientific/Scimed) to cover the neck of the pseudoaneurysm, obliterating the pseudoaneurysm. The patient was given aspirin and clopidogrel after stenting, and ear exploration was possible later the same day. Follow-up computed tomographic angiography performed 6 weeks later verified patency of the stent. CONCLUSION: The use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent may effectively treat intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms in an acute setting. This treatment allows preservation of the parent artery and immediate treatment by reconstruction of the incompetent arterial wall to prevent potentially life-threatening hemorrhagic complications.     

Treatment of traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas of the skull base by using endovascular stents

OBJECT: The authors describe their preliminary clinical experience with the use of endovascular stents in the treatment of traumatic vascular lesions of the skull base region. Because adequate distal exposure and direct surgical repair of these lesions are not often possible, conventional treatment has been deliberate arterial occlusion. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy as well as limitations of endovascular stent placement in the management of craniocervical arterial injuries. METHODS: Six patients with vascular injuries were treated using endovascular stents. There were two arteriovenous fistulas and two pseudoaneurysms of the distal extracranial internal carotid or vertebral arteries resulting from penetrating trauma, and two petrous carotid pseudoaneurysms associated with basal skull fractures. In one patient a porous stent placement procedure was undertaken as well as coil occlusion of an aneurysm, whereas in the remaining five patients covered stent grafts were used as definitive treatment. There were no procedural complications. One patient in whom there was extensive traumatic arterial dissection was found to have asymptomatic stent thrombosis when angiography was repeated 1 week postoperatively. This was the only patient whose associated injuries precluded routine antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapy. Follow-up examinations in the remaining five patients included standard angiography (four patients) or computerized tomography angiography (one patient), which were performed 3 to 6 months postoperatively, and clinical assessments ranging from 3 months to 1 year in duration (mean 9 months). In all five cases the vascular injury was successfully treated and the parent artery remained widely patent. No patient experienced aneurysm recurrence or hemorrhage, and there were no thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' experience demonstrates that endovascular treatment of traumatic vascular lesions of the skull base region is both feasible and safe. The advantages of minimally invasive stent placement and parent artery preservation make this procedure for repair of neurovascular injuries a potentially important addition to existing methods.     

Infected carotid pseudoaneurysm and carotid-cutaneous fistula as a late complication of carotid artery stenting

Carotid stenosis after neck irradiation is a well-described entity. A 78-year-old man presented with left eye amaurosis fugax 11 years after radical neck dissection and neck irradiation for mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient underwent carotid artery stenting for a high-grade stenosis of the left internal carotid artery. Twenty months after the procedure, a pulsatile neck mass developed with intermittent arterial bleeding. After control of the bleeding, he underwent resection of the left carotid bifurcation, including the indwelling stent and reconstruction with a saphenous vein interposition graft. A pectoralis myocutaneous flap was used for wound closure. In this case, localized infection of the stented carotid artery led to mycotic degeneration, pseudoaneurysm formation, and erosion to the skin surface. As carotid artery stenting becomes more widely used, previously unreported late complications associated with this procedure are likely to become apparent, and continued close follow-up is warranted.     

A case of aneurysmal neck clipping following incomplete neck clipping and coil embolization

We report a case with radical neck clipping following incomplete embolization with coils and imperfect neck clipping. A 43-year-old woman suffered from a subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt & Hess Grade IV) due to the rupture of a left paraclinoid internal carotid aneurysm on 28 October, 1996. Neck clipping of the aneurysm was performed at day 1. Follow-up angiogram at 2 weeks after surgery showed however a small residual aneurysm. The second angiogram 1.5 months later showed the growth of the residual aneurysm. The residual part of the aneurysm was then treated with endovascular embolization using interlocking detachable coils (IDC), resulting in incomplete occlusion of the aneurysm. The direct surgical clipping of the residual aneurysm was performed via Dolenc approach. A fenestrated clip was applied to the partial embolized aneurysm, when the aneurysmal wall was ruptured between the occluded part of the aneurysm and the residual dome. The fenestrated clip was then reapplied successfully under temporary occlusion of the parent artery. Because of the stenosis of the parent artery, STA-MCA anastomosis was then performed. Postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful and postoperative angiogram showed stenosis of the parent artery with patent bypass flow. The patient was discharged without complications. Technical problems in neck clipping following incomplete embolization with coils are discussed.     

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of external carotid artery branch: Case series and treatment considerations

PurposeTo explore the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic external carotid branch pseudoaneurysms.MethodsEleven cases of traumatic external carotid artery branch pseudoaneurysms were admitted in our hospital. Digital subtraction angiography was performed in all patients. It revealed that the pseudoaneurysms originated from the internal maxillary artery in 5 cases, superficial temporal artery in 5 cases and occipital artery in 1 case. Five cases of internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysms and 2 cases of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms were treated by embolization; the other 3 cases were surgically resected.ResultsComplete cessation of nasal bleeding was achieved in all the 5 pseudoaneurysms of internal maxillary artery after the endovascular therapies. Scalp bleeding stopped and scalp defect healed up in 2 patients with superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms treated by interventional therapy. All patients were followed up for 0.5–2.0 years without recurrence of nosebleed and scalp lump.ConclusionFor patients with repeated severe epistaxis after craniocerebral injury, digital subtraction angiography should be performed as soon as possible to confirm traumatic pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular therapy is an effective method for traumatic internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysms. For patients with scalp injuries and pulsatile lumps, further examinations including digital subtraction angiography should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical treatment or endovascular therapy for scalp traumatic pseudoaneurysm is effective.     

颈动脉硬化狭窄支架成形常见并发症的防治

目的回顾性分析颈动脉支架成形治疗缺血性脑血管疾病围手术期常见并发症的原因及其处理。方法58例62处颈动脉狭窄行CAS治疗,成功植入41枚Wallstent支架,20枚“Z”型支架,技术成功率达98%。结果所有患者术后随访1个月,明确诊断过度灌注综合症1例,6例患者出现程度不等的头晕、头痛;12例出现颈动脉窦反应;1例术后脑MRI新发梗死,1例双侧重度狭窄的患者术中出现短暂性脑缺血发作;术中脑血管痉挛12例;发现穿刺局部血肿6例(假性动脉瘤2例),动静脉瘘1例。结论术前充分准备、术中规范化操作、术后积极正规治疗可明显降低CAS围手术期并发症、改善预后。     

Antithrombotic therapy and endovascular stents are effective treatment for blunt carotid injuries: results from longterm followup

BACKGROUND: Significant confusion exists about management of blunt carotid injuries (BCI). Currently, three common treatments are being used without significant longterm followup data to demonstrate efficacy. Although heparin has been shown to reduce in-hospital stroke rates, antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) has emerged as an alternate therapy without proved efficacy; carotid stenting has also been implemented for pseudoaneurysms (13% BCI), but its utility has recently been challenged. This is the first study to assess longterm efficacy of various therapeutic approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive patients treated and followed at a single regional trauma center over 10 years (1996 to 2005) were reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included cerebral infarction, functional status, and angiographic evolution. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients (11/year) were diagnosed with 133 injuries (23 bilateral). Overall mortality was 26%, with 6% directly attributable to BCI. Angiographic followup was available on 67 injuries (in 50 patients) at a mean of 6 months (range 0.25 to 67 months); 75% remained the same or improved. Clinical followup was available in 55 of 81 patients (68%) who survived to discharge (mean, 34.4 months [range 1 to 109 months]). Of surviving patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, 44% were treated with antiplatelet therapy, 49% with anticoagulation, and 7% with both. No patients experienced cerebral infarction after discharge, and there was no difference in functional outcomes based on the therapy received. Twenty-two endovascular stents were placed (18 for pseudoaneurysms, 4 for extensive dissection). Mean followup on these patients was 29.7 months (range 3 to 94 months). No patients receiving stents experienced periprocedural complications, and one patient with an associated brain injury had a cerebral infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Longterm followup of BCI demonstrates that antithrombotic therapy prevents cerebral infarction; antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation are equally effective; and carotid stents appear to be safe and effective for lesions that develop pseudoaneurysms or extensive dissections.     

Multiple giant anastomotic pseudoaneurysms of the carotid and femoral arteries: combined endovascular and open surgical approach

Anastomotic pseudoaneurysm is a known complication following carotid artery endarterectomy and aortobifemoral bypass surgeries. However, giant concurrent carotid and femoral artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysms are rare. We herein report a case of successful treatment of multiple giant anastomotic pseudoaneurysms using a combined endovascular and surgical approach. Our case highlights the fact that endovascular techniques can facilitate open surgical repair of complex anastomotic pseudoaneurysms.     

27例多发性大动脉炎血管介入治疗

目的探讨血管介入治疗多发性大动脉炎(Takayasu arteritis,TA)所致血管狭窄或闭塞性病变的临床疗效。方法 2003年6月～2011年6月对27例TA经股动脉穿刺选择性血管造影,确定病变部位,明确诊断,并对因大动脉炎引起的锁骨下动脉、颈动脉、肾动脉、腹主动脉病变进行了选择性球囊扩张或支架植入手术。结果 27例施行血管腔内扩张成形术或支架植入术,其中颈总动脉扩张10例,支架2例;锁骨下动脉扩张6例;腹主动脉扩张4例;肾动脉扩张10例,支架4例;无名动脉扩张1例,支架1例;共置入支架7枚。2例颈动脉扩张时因并发症而终止治疗,其余病例病变血管均获得满意的治疗。27例随访5个月～7年,平均4年,其中<12个月6例,1～3年12例,3～5年6例,>5年3例:11例头晕、视觉异常等脑缺血症状改善;12例肾动脉狭窄所致高血压经球囊扩张及支架植入后血压控制正常;2例肾动脉狭窄在球囊扩张后14、18个月再次发生血压增高,造影显示扩张后肾动脉再次狭窄,再次行肾动脉球囊扩张成形术,扩张后高血压恢复正常。结论介入性血管内成形术治疗TA所致血管狭窄或闭塞性病变疗效满意。     

血管腔内支架治疗动脉狭窄性病变的临床分析

目的 初步评价金属内支架治疗动脉狭窄性病变的疗效及安全性。方法 利用血管腔内支架置入共治疗34例动脉狭窄性病变,其中降主动脉1例,髂动脉27例,股动脉2例,颈动脉1例,锁骨下动脉2例,肾动脉1例。动脉硬化性病变33例,多发性大动脉炎1例。动脉经皮穿刺26例,动脉直视下穿刺8例。结果 34例血管腔内支架均置放成功,1例降主动脉段病例于术后当日死亡,系降主动脉破裂。球囊扩张后动脉形成夹层分离有13例,穿刺点血肿形成11例。颈动脉段1例术中及术后未发生TIA及脑梗塞。下肢动脉各段术中及术后未发生远端肢体动脉急性栓塞。踝肱指数从术前平均0．45升至0．72。2例锁骨下动脉病变患者术后患肢血压恢复正常。1例肾动脉狭窄患者血压从术前180／120mm Hg下降至140／90mm Hg。所有存活病例均得到随访,随访1－26个月,2例髂动脉病变分别于术后4个月及6个月血栓形成,余扩张段动脉均通畅。结论 血管腔内支架对动脉狭窄性病变疗效满意,尤其适用于髂动脉、锁骨下动脉短段狭窄的患者。对颈动脉狭窄性病变使用需慎重。