Chuan Chen

320-Detector row CT angiography for detection and evaluation of intracranial aneurysms: Comparison with conventional digital subtraction angiography

AIM To compare the diagnostic performance of 320-detector row computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two consecutive patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and suspected intracranial aneurysms were evaluated from January 2009 to October 2011. All underwent both 320-detector row volume CTA examination and DSA. CTA volume data were transmitted to a VITREA workstation and two physicians with experience in diagnostic imaging of the nervous system independently carried out image post-processing and assessed the results. The three-dimensional (3D) CTA and DSA images were assessed using intraoperative findings as the reference standard. RESULTS In 52 patients, 54 aneurysms were detected; 48 patients underwent surgery for 50 aneurysms. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D CTA were 96.3, 100, and 94.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DSA were 98.1, 98.1, and 95.1%, respectively. For aneurysms less than 3 mm, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D CTA were 81.8, 100, and 93.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DSA for small aneurysms were 90.9, 100, and 96.2%, respectively. 3D CTA was superior to DSA in demonstrating aneurysmal calcification, parent artery, and surrounding vascular anatomy. CONCLUSIONS 3D CTA is a highly sensitive, specific, and non-invasive imaging method for diagnosis and evaluation of intracranial aneurysms. It also allows for precise depiction of aneurysm morphology. Therefore, 320-detector row CTA may be used as an alternative to DSA as a first-line imaging technique in patients with SAH.

Clipping of anterior communicating artery aneurysms in the early post-rupture stage via transorbital keyhole approach--Chinese neurosurgical experience.

The anterior communicating artery (AComA) complex is the site at which intracranial aneurysms occur most frequently. At present, effective treatments for AComA aneurysms are yet to be developed. Here, we present our experience in successfully managing AComA aneurysms via the transorbital keyhole approach. A total of 52 patients having a history of aneurysm rupture received surgery. All patients were assigned a Hunt–Hess grade prior to surgery. The cistern was opened to expose the AComA complex using a keyhole approach, and aneurysms were then surgically clipped with the assistance of neuroendoscopy or indocyanine green angiography. Surgery outcomes were confirmed using computed tomography angiography (CTA). Each of the 52 AComA aneurysms was successfully clipped with a single operation. Three of these patients experienced intraoperative aneurysm rupture. Five had postoperative hydrocephalus which was successfully treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. All patients survived the surgical procedure. Using the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores for evaluation, 39 patients (75.0%) had good recovery, 9 (17.3%) had moderate disability, 2 (3.8%) had severe disability, and 2 patients who had been in preoperative comas (3.8%) remained in a vegetative state. During the follow-up period, CTA showed no recurrence of rupture or bleeding in all cases. Results of logistic analysis indicated that the transorbital keyhole approach was feasible based on the patients’ preoperative Hunt–Hess grades, which should be considered a priority in using this approach in the treatment of ruptured AComA aneurysms.

Hemilaminectomy approach combined with in situ restoration of vertebral laminae for thoracic intraspinal tumors.

AIM This study aims to evaluate the hemilaminectomy approach and in situ restoration of vertebral laminae in microsurgery for thoracic intraspinal tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen patients with thoracic intraspinal tumors, consisting of 6 males and 10 females with a mean age of 47.5±16.4 years ranging from 21 to 71 years, underwent surgical treatment with hemilaminectomy approach and in situ restoration of vertebral laminae. All patients were followed up after surgery for 12 to 30 months, involving Frankel grade, spinal instability, and deformity. RESULTS Mean operation time was 119.5±23.0 minutes. Laminotomy was performed with one vertebral plate in 2 cases, two vertebral plates in 12 cases, and three vertebral plates in 2 cases. Postoperative three-dimensional CT scanning revealed a stable bony reconstruction, and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage or subcutaneous hydrops. Surgical pathology was consistent with preoperative MRI diagnosis. With respect to neurological status, the percentage of good Frankel scale was markedly improved from 37.5% on admission to 81.3% at follow-up (p < 0.05). None of the subjects showed spinal deformity or instability. CONCLUSION In situ restoration of vertebral laminae maximally preserves the spinal integrity and stability, and reduces postoperative complications including cerebrospinal fluid leakage, pseudomeningocele, spinal deformity, and instability.

Surgical Treatment of Metallic Foreign Body Embolization in the Middle Cerebral Artery: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Intracranial artery embolization cases caused by foreign bodies are extremely rare clinically. Twenty-four cases in total have been reported in the literature; among them, 20 cases were caused by firearms, and only 4 cases originated from nonfirearm injuries in daily life. CASE DESCRIPTION We report a fifth case of foreign body embolization in the cerebral artery caused by nonfirearm injuries. We used microsurgery and successfully removed the metal piece that embolized the middle cerebral artery of a 30-year-old male patient in our center. CONCLUSIONS Based on our experience, as well as on the premise that the surgical technique is mature and the medical facilities are well equipped, such patients should undergo embolectomy as soon as possible to avoid severe cerebral hemorrhage due to mechanical injury and vascular wall corrosion.

Combining Internal Carotid Ligation with Low-Flow Bypass for Treating Large-Giant Cavernous Sinus Segment Aneurysms: A Report of Four Cases

OBJECTIVE We summarize the treatment effectiveness and experience of 4 patients who underwent internal carotid ligation combined with low-flow bypass as a treatment for large-giant cavernous sinus segment (CS ICA) aneurysms. METHODS Surgery-suitable patients with large-giant CS ICA aneurysms received internal carotid ligation combined with low-flow superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery. All the patients were followed up for aneurysm prognosis, anastomosis patency, and occurrences of low-flow-related ischemic complications. RESULTS Four suitable cases between 2012 and 2015 were studied. They consisted of 1 man and 3 women, with the mean age of 56.3 ± 11.9 years. Maximum and minimum aneurysm diameter were 26 mm and 20 mm, respectively, with an average of 22.3 ± 2.6 mm. During surgery, the mean blockage time of the middle cerebral artery was 19.3 ± 1.3 minutes. Postoperative computed tomography angiography examination indicated that thrombosis could be found in the aneurysm lumen. No patient was found with low-flow-related ischemic complications after surgery. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 25.0 ± 10.4 months. During the follow-up period, no patient showed low-flow-related ischemic complications or aneurysm recurrence. CONCLUSIONS For patients with large-giant CS ICA aneurysms, treatment of internal carotid ligation combined with low-flow superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery was an effective and safe surgical strategy. To improve surgery safety and for appropriate selection of surgery cases, the details, risks, and benefits associated with the surgery should be considered by the surgeon.

Intraoperative Ultrasonography Combined with Indocyanine Green Video-Angiography in Patients with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

During the operation, accurately identifying the boundary of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and discriminating between feeding arteries and draining veins is the key to successful surgical treatment of cerebral AVM. We evaluated the application of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOU) combined with intraoperative indocyanine green video‐angiography (IOICGA) in the patients with cerebral AVM.