BACKGROUND: Open surgery is widely regarded as the standard treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs). However, endovascular treatment (EVT) with liquid embolic agents has emerged as an alternative. While N-butyl cyanoacrylate is often preferred for its superior penetration into draining vein, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of an embolization-first strategy using Onyx, drawing on 20 years of clinical experience. METHODS: A retrospective analysis included 50 patients treated between 2004 and 2024. Only patients undergoing EVT as the first-line therapy for SDAVF were included. RESULTS: Overall, EVT achieved complete occlusion in 38 (76%) cases, with an additional 6 (12%) requiring adjuvant surgery resulting in definitive cure. In the remaining 6 (12%) patients, embolization of the feeding artery and fistula nidus led to permanent clinical improvement (n = 4, 66%) or stability (n = 2, 33%), supported by indirect fistula signs regression on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Onyx was solely used in 84% of EVTs, achieving a complete occlusion rate of 83%. Clinical improvement or stabilization was observed in 46 (92%) patients, with no recurrences in successfully treated patients. There was no EVT-related complication. Follow-up magnetic resonance imagings showed regression of perimedullary varices and regression or stability of myelopathy in all cases (n = 50, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The embolization-first strategy, with adjuvant surgery when necessary, can achieve outcomes nearing those of purely surgical approaches. Based on our long-term experience, EVT with Onyx can result in complete and permanent cure of SDAVF in more than 80% of cases.
- Klíčová slova
- Endovascular treatment, Onyx, Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Carotid plaque composition plays a key role in plaque stability and patient risk stratification. Of unstable plaque features, intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is considered the main risk factor for stroke development. AIMS: We aimed to assess an association between the presence of IPH and other plaque characteristics detectable by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of all consecutive patients from the ANTIQUE study, 132 (91 males; aged 70.0 [8.6] years) with 59 symptomatic and 157 asymptomatic stable carotid plaques were included in the retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Plaques in the vascular territory of ischemic stroke within 90 days were classified as symptomatic and were diagnosed by CT and MRI after symptoms occurred. Plaques without progression and clinical infarction were classified as asymptomatic stable. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors. RESULTS: The presence, age, location, and volume of IPH were not related to stroke risk (P >0.05). Patients with symptomatic plaque were more likely to consume alcohol (P = 0.005), had more severe stenosis (CT median: 80% vs. 72%; P = 0.005; MRI median: 79% vs. 72%; P = 0.01), lower American Heart Association grade (P = 0.03), and more frequent lipid plaque (89.8% vs. 76.4%; P = 0.04) compared to patients with asymptomatic stable plaques. Stenosis severity (odds ratio [OR], 1.037; 95% CI, 1.015-1.059) and additionally alcohol consumption (OR, 3.571; 95% CI, 1.694-7.527) were found to be the only significant predictors of a recent stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, no IPH or other plaque characteristics were associated with stroke risk. The degree of stenosis and alcohol consumption were the only factors associated with ipsilateral stroke. Larger prospective studies considering plaque characteristics are needed.
- Klíčová slova
- carotid atherosclerosis, computed tomography, intraplaque hemorrhage, magnetic resonance imaging, stroke,
- MeSH
- aterosklerotický plát * diagnostické zobrazování komplikace MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * etiologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
- počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- stenóza arteria carotis * diagnostické zobrazování komplikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To present the first study analyzing the clinical and radiological course of carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) following incomplete embolization. The study compares magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to plain angiography (digital subtraction angiography [DSA]) and investigates the long-term ophthalmological impact of residual fistula. METHODS: Fistulas classified as partially embolized after the last endovascular treatment were prospectively followed with DSA, MRA, and ophthalmological examination. Both direct and indirect CCFs were included. RESULTS: Twenty-one CCFs were included in the study. Nine (43%) fistulas were direct and 12 (57%) were indirect. A favorable clinical outcome of modified Rankin scale ≤2 was recorded in 19 (90%) patients at the last follow-up. Postinterventional ophthalmologic examinations in 16 patients revealed no negative effects of residual fistulas; five remaining patients refused to undergo further examination. Spontaneous thrombosis and complete occlusion of the CCF were demonstrated in 90% of patients, with a mean time to occlusion of 5.7 ± 4.7 months. Fourteen (66%) patients completed the full imaging follow-up (MRA and DSA). In 21% of these cases, discrepancy between the two imaging modalities was observed-MRA failed to detect persistent fistulas identified by DSA. CONCLUSIONS: The goal of CCF treatment is safe and complete embolization. However, if adequate flow reduction is achieved, both direct and indirect CCFs tend to spontaneously thrombose. Residual flow does not result in ophthalmological deterioration until the fistula is completely closed. MRA may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect residues of fistulas including cortical venous drainage. Therefore, complete CCF closure should be confirmed through DSA.
- Klíčová slova
- angiography, carotid‐cavernous fistula, magnetic resonance angiography,
- MeSH
- digitální subtrakční angiografie * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- karotido-kavernózní píštěl * diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční angiografie * MeSH
- mozková angiografie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- terapeutická embolizace * metody MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: While coiling is considered the standard treatment for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs), studies demonstrating excellent results using new materials, especially flow diverter (FD) stents and liquid embolisates, are becoming more frequent. The indications and effectiveness of these alternative endovascular techniques remain unclear. METHODS: A total of 22 direct and 20 indirect CCFs were included in the study. These were further subdivided based on the embolic material used: coils versus FD stents for direct and coils versus liquid embolisates for indirect CCFs. The subgroups were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: An angiographic cure was achieved in 88% of all CCFs, 93% of patients' experienced clinical improvement or remained stable. Direct CCFs were treated with coiling (41%) or with both coils and FD stents (55%). One (4%) patient with a direct CCF was treated with FD stent alone. Statistical analysis comparing these subgroups revealed a significantly higher complete occlusion rate immediately after treatment in the coiling subgroup (67% vs. 23%, p = 0.0409). The occlusion rates at the last follow-up were similar (89% vs. 85%). Indirect CCFs were treated with coiling (35%) or liquid embolisates (65%). All three periprocedural ischemic complications were recorded within the liquid subgroup, resulting in a significantly higher clinical deterioration rate (p = 0.0333). CONCLUSION: FD stents in direct and liquid embolisates in indirect fistulas did not demonstrate better angiographic or clinical outcomes compared to convetional coiling. Liquid agents carried a higher risk of ischemic complications. Alternative embolization materials should be reserved for CCFs that cannot be treated with simple coiling.
- Klíčová slova
- Carotid-cavernous fistula, embolization, flow-diverter devices, liquid embolisates,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of patients with chronic subdural hematoma using middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization could become an alternative to surgical hematoma evacuation. The aim of the study was to compare methods and identify parameters to help determine the correct treatment modality. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 142 cases conducted internally; 78 were treated surgically and 64 were treated using MMA embolization. We analyzed the treatment failure rate and complications, and using a binary logistic regression model, we identified treatment failure risk factors. RESULTS: We found a comparable treatment failure rate of 23.1% for the surgery group and 21.9% for the MMA embolization group. However, in the MMA embolization group, 11 cases showed treatment failure due to early neurological worsening with a need for concomitant surgery. We also found a recurrence of hematoma in 15.4% of cases in the surgery group and 6.3% of cases in the MMA embolization group. CONCLUSION: Both modalities have their advantages; however, correct identification is crucial for treatment success. According to our findings, hematomas with a maximal width of <18 mm, a midline shift of <5 mm, and no acute or subacute (hyperdense) hematoma could be treated with MMA embolization. Hematomas with a maximal width of >18 mm, a midline shift of >5 mm, and no membranous segmentation could have better outcomes after surgical treatment.
- Klíčová slova
- burr hole trepanation, craniotomy, embolization, endovascular treatment, middle meningeal artery, subdural hematoma, surgery, treatment failure,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Matricidal carotid cavernous aneurysm (CCA) is a rare and dangerous condition. The treatment failure of the endovascular approach like flow diversion, coiling, or stent-coiling is relatively high with considerable morbidity and mortality. The transcirculation approach is an alternative treatment option, but in case of matricidal CCAs, the results are not well documented in the literature. The authors present a complicated case of an unsuccessful transcirculation approach for matricidal CCA finally treated with sacrifice of the parent artery and high-flow bypass.
- Klíčová slova
- Aneurysm, Cerebral revascularization, Stents,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with cortical venous drainage (CVD) carry significant risks of cerebral ischemia and intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment (EVT) using Onyx, a copolymer-based liquid embolic material, has become the preferred approach. However, the optimal treatment strategy for anterior cranial fossa DAVFs remains debated. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed outcomes of EVT for DAVFs in a single center from 2002 to 2023. Patient data including demographics, clinical status, angiographic findings, embolization techniques, and outcomes were recorded. The results of the anterior fossa malformations were analyzed separately afterward. RESULTS: A total of 195 DAVFs were included in the study. The most common presenting symptom was hemorrhage (41%), most fistulas were located in the transverse and sigmoid sinus region (48%), and the majority of DAVFs had direct CVD (78%). Transarterial embolization with Onyx was the preferred treatment strategy in majority of cases (92%). Overall, 94% of patients showed improvement or stability on the modified Rankin Scale. Two patients died due to rebleeding after partial DAVF embolization. Onyx demonstrated higher immediate complete occlusion rate compared to other embolic materials (88% vs. 35%). Overall, 91% of fistulas were closed at the last follow-up. Ten anterior fossa DAVFs were treated, resulting in clinical improvement and complete occlusion in all cases. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study, we believe that a cure of DAVFs, including those in the anterior fossa, can be achieved in more than 90% of cases through transarterial Onyx embolization, given long-term clinical experience.
- Klíčová slova
- Onyx, dural arteriovenous fistulas, endovascular treatment, transarterial embolization,
- MeSH
- cévní malformace centrálního nervového systému * diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- píštěle * farmakoterapie MeSH
- polyvinyly terapeutické užití MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- terapeutická embolizace * metody MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- polyvinyly MeSH
This review evaluates the current evidence for the clinical management of congenital internal carotid artery hypoplasia (CICAH). We summarise clinical presentations diagnostic standards, imaging recommendations, treatment and follow-up. The review was prompted by a case of CICAH in a 50-year-old female who presented to our neurosurgery clinic with an acute episode of vertigo. The patient underwent CT angiogram, which showed an unusually low right carotid bifurcation. The right internal carotid artery (ICA) was hypoplastic, and the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was absent. Skull base CT showed an ipsilateral hypoplastic carotid canal. To summarise current evidence for clinical management of CICAH we followed PRISMA guidelines to identify papers meeting our predefined inclusion criteria. We searched three databases using the terms 'ICA' and 'Hypoplasia'. We reviewed 41 papers meeting our criteria. 34 were clinical reports. We performed a data extraction and quality appraisal on these reports. We found that CICAH may be less rare than previously described. Blood pressure control in CICAH is crucial due to the increased risk of stroke and aneurysm formation. Follow-up imaging is strongly recommended. Carotid doppler sonography is a powerful and underutilised diagnostic tool, and carotid canal hypoplasia is not a pathognomic sign. In conclusion, clinicians should be alert to anatomic variations such as CICAH because these produce haemodynamic changes that may have serious clinical consequences. We recommend a central registry of patients with CICAH in order to understand the longer-term natural history of the condition.
- Klíčová slova
- Anatomic variation, aneurysm, cerebral angiography, hypoplasia, internal carotid artery, stroke,
- MeSH
- arteria carotis interna * MeSH
- arteria cerebri anterior MeSH
- arteriae carotides MeSH
- cévní mozková příhoda * MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mozková angiografie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- systematický přehled MeSH
To review the most relevant treatment options for indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (iCCF), cohorts of 20 patients or more published after 2000 were analyzed. Clinical and radiological outcomes, as well as embolization techniques and material, had to be clarified in the study to be considered. Statistical analysis was based on calculating the relative percentage of therapeutic methods or embolic material, followed by calculating parametric and nonparametric correlations. Some 22 studies and 1550 patients were included. Transvenous embolization (TVE) was used in 53% of the patients and was strongly associated with coiling (rw = 0.66, p = 0.0.0012; rs = 0.53, p = 0.0138), transarterial embolization (TAE) was preferred in 11% of the patients and was strongly linked to liquid embolics (rw = 0.44, p = 0.0434;rs = 0.64, p = 0.0018). A combination of TAE and TVE treatment was used in 7% and a combination of embolic materials in 13% of the patients. None of the endovascular techniques or embolization materials showed significant superiority over the others in clinical outcome and obliteration rate. Radiosurgery in 22% and mechanical compression in 5% of patients showed a lower obliteration rate (rw = - 0.48, p = 0.0254; rs = - 0.45, p = 0.0371). The clinical outcomes were comparable to endovascular treatment (EVT). The remaining 2% of the patients were treated by open surgery or a combination of EVT and radiosurgery. Transvenous coiling is the preferred EVT method for iCCF. However, comparable results may be accomplished with TAE using liquid. Radiosurgery may achieve a lower percentage of fistula occlusion, but the clinical results are equal to EVT.
- Klíčová slova
- Carotid cavernous fistula, Embolization, Radiosurgery, Transarterial, Transvenous,
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- píštěle * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The natural course of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) is unfavorable. Transarterial embolization with Onyx is currently the therapeutic method of choice, although the long-term stability of Onyx has been questioned. The literature reports a significant difference in the recurrence rate after complete DAVF occlusion and lacks larger series with long-term follow-up. The authors present the largest series to date with a long-term follow-up to determine the stability of Onyx, prospectively comparing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as follow-up diagnostic methods. METHODS: Demographics, clinical symptomatology, length of follow-up, diagnostic methods, and angiographic findings of DAVFs were recorded and retrospectively evaluated in 112 patients. A prospective group of 15 patients with more than 5 years of follow-up after complete DAVF occlusion was established. All 15 patients in the prospective group underwent a clinical examination and MRA; 10 of these patients also underwent DSA. The recurrences and the correlation between the two diagnostic methods were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 112 patients, 71 were men and 41 were women, with an average age of 60 years. Intracranial hemorrhage (40%) was the most common clinical presentation of DAVF. At the last follow-up, 73% of the patients experienced clinical improvement, 21% remained unchanged, and 6% worsened. Overall, 87.5% of the DAVFs were occluded entirely with endovascular treatment, and 93% of the DAVFs were classified as cured at the last follow-up (i.e., completely embolized DAVFs and DAVFs that thrombosed spontaneously or after Gamma Knife surgery). Two recurrences of DAVFs were recorded in the entire series. Both were first diagnosed by MRA and confirmed with DSA. The mean follow-up was 27.7 months. In the prospective group, a small asymptomatic recurrence was diagnosed. The mean follow-up of the prospective group was 96 months. CONCLUSIONS: Onyx is a stable embolic material, although recurrence of seemingly completely occluded DAVFs may develop because of postembolization hemodynamic changes that accentuate primarily graphically absent residual fistula. These residuals can be diagnosed with MRA at follow-up. The authors' data suggest that MRA could be sufficient as the follow-up diagnostic method after complete DAVF occlusion with Onyx. However, larger prospective studies on this topic are needed.
- Klíčová slova
- Onyx, arteriovenous fistula, embolization, interventional neurosurgery, recurrence, vascular disorders,
- MeSH
- cévní malformace centrálního nervového systému diagnostické zobrazování terapie MeSH
- digitální subtrakční angiografie MeSH
- dimethylsulfoxid * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- endovaskulární výkony MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční angiografie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mozková angiografie metody MeSH
- následné studie MeSH
- polyvinyly * MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- recidiva MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- terapeutická embolizace metody MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- dimethylsulfoxid * MeSH
- Onyx copolymer MeSH Prohlížeč
- polyvinyly * MeSH
