Ignazio Maria Vallone

Superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan for intraocular retinoblastoma: preliminary results from 140 treatments

Purpose:  To report our experience in superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan (SOAIM) for intraocular retinoblastoma.

CT and MRI of Wernicke’s encephalopathy

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to present the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a rare, severe, acute neurological syndrome due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The classical clinical triad, which includes ocular signs, altered consciousness and ataxia, can be found in only one-third of patients. Although chronic alcoholic patients are the most commonly affected, Wernicke’s encephalopathy may complicate malnutrition conditions in nonalcoholic patients, in whom it is greatly underestimated. CT and above all MRI of the brain play a fundamental role in diagnosing the condition and ruling out other diseases. MRI is the most sensitive technique and is required in all patients with a clinical suspicion of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Medial thalami, mamillary bodies, tegmentum, periaqueductal region, and tectal plate are typical sites of abnormal MRI signal. The dorsal medulla, red nuclei, cranial nerve nuclei, cerebellum, corpus callosum, frontal and parietal cerebral cortex are less common sites of involvement although they are more frequently affected in nonalcoholic patients. Paramagnetic contrast material may help to identify lesions not otherwise visible.RiassuntoLo scopo di questa rassegna iconografica è presentare i possibili reperti alla tomografia computerizzata (TC) e alla risonanza magnetica (RM) dell’encefalopatia di Wernicke, una rara grave sindrome neurologica acuta da deficit di tiamina (vitamina B1), con elevate morbilità e mortalità. La triade sintomatologica classica comprende disturbi oculari, alterazioni della coscienza e atassia, ma si presenta soltanto in un terzo dei pazienti. L’encefalopatia di Wernicke colpisce più frequentemente soggetti etilisti cronici, ma può complicare molte condizioni di malnutrizione in soggetti non-etilisti cronici, nei quali è spesso sottostimata. Lo studio dell’encefalo mediante TC e, soprattutto, RM riveste un ruolo fondamentale nell’orientamento diagnostico e nell’esclusione di altra patologia. La RM presenta elevata sensibilità e deve quindi essere eseguita in tutti i pazienti con sospetto clinico di encefalopatia di Wernicke. Le sedi tipiche di alterazione del segnale RM sono nuclei mediali del talamo, corpi mammillari, tegmento, sostanza grigia periacqueduttale e lamina quadrigemina. Sedi meno tipiche di interessamento, e più frequentemente coinvolte nei pazienti non-etilisti, sono la porzione dorsale del bulbo, il nucleo rosso e i nuclei dei nervi cranici, il cervelletto, il corpo calloso e la corteccia fronto-parietale. Il mezzo di contrasto paramagnetico può mostrare la presenza di lesioni non altrimenti evidenti.

Manual thromboaspiration technique as a first approach for endovascular stroke treatment: A single-center experience

Background For intracranial large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), a high degree of revascularization in the minimal amount of time predicts good outcomes. Recently, different studies have shown that the direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT technique) for AIS obtains high recanalization rates, fast interventions and low costs when it works as first attempt. This study retrospectively describes revascularization efficacy, duration of procedure, intra and post-procedural complications, early and after 90-days clinical outcome in a group of patients who underwent ADAPT as the primary endovascular approach, eventually followed by stent retriever thrombectomy, for recanalization of large vessels in the anterior circulation. Materials and methods We analyzed clinical and procedural data of patients treated from April 2014 to August 2015. Recanalization was assessed according to the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score. Clinical outcome was evaluated at discharge and after 3 months (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Results Overall, 71 patients (mean age of 69.7 years) were treated. Sites of occlusion were anterior circulation (including seven tandem extracranial-intracranial occlusions). In 39 patients i.v. rtPA was attempted. Recanalization of the target vessel was obtained in 87.3% of cases whereas direct aspiration alone was successful in 46/71cases (64.8%) with an average puncture-to-revascularization time of 43.1 minutes. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 7.8% and embolization to new territories in 5.6%. In total, 38 patients (53.5%) had a good outcome at 90 days follow-up. Conclusions In our series, the manual thromboaspiration technique has been shown as fast and safe, with good rates of vessel revascularization in 87.3% of patients and neurological outcome <3 mRS in 53.5% of patients.

Identification of Intraorbital Arteries in Pediatric Age by High Resolution Superselective Angiography

ABSTRACT Purpose: Angiography is a powerful tool to identify intraorbital arteries. However, the incidence by which these vessels can be identified is unknown. Our purpose was to determine such incidence and which angiographic approach is best for the identification of each artery. Methods: A retrospective study of 353 angiographic procedures (via ophthalmic artery and/or external carotid artery) carried out on 79 children affected by intraocular retinoblastoma was made to investigate the arterial anatomy in 87 orbits. For each intraorbital artery two parameters were calculated: the angiographic incidence, as the percentage of times a given artery was identified, and the visibility index, as the ratio between the angiographic incidence and the true anatomic incidence. Results: All collaterals of the ophthalmic artery could be spotted. Most of them were identified with a high angiographic incidence; some of them were less easily identified because too thin or because frequently shielded. The visibility index paralleled the angiographic incidence of most arteries. However, the lacrimal and meningolacrimal arteries had a higher visibility index suggesting that their identification was more frequent than the angiographic incidence alone could suggest. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the lacrimal artery and some muscular branches had higher chances to be identified if the angiography of the ophthalmic artery was accompanied by the study of the external carotid system. Conclusion: This work provides an objective measure of how powerful angiography is to identify intraorbital arteries as well as useful references for professionals who need to operate in the orbit.

Regression of dilated perivascular spaces of the brain

PurposePerivascular, or Virchow–Robin, spaces of the brain represent interstitial fluid-filled spaces continuous with subpial spaces, and not invagination of cerebrospinal fluid-filled subarachnoid spaces. Regression of a dilated, or even giant, perivascular space occurs rarely. The purpose of this paper is to describe magnetic resonance imaging evidence of complete regression of dilated perivascular spaces (dPVSs).MethodsPatient 1 was a 76-year-old woman with right hemiparesis and aphasia from a left cranial vault meningioma infiltrating the superior sagittal sinus, and a left temporal lobe giant perivascular space. Patient 2 was a 70-year-old man with pituitary apoplexy, vasospasm, cerebral ischemia, and two dPVSs, one in the right temporal lobe, and one in the left anterior perforate substance. Patient 3 was a 78-year-old man with a generalized seizure, and a right temporal lobe dPVS.ResultsIn all the patients, temporal lobe giant or dPVSs underwent regression, following meningioma subtotal resection (patient 1) or pituitary lesion shrinkage (patient 2), or spontaneously (patient 3). In patient 2, the left anterior perforate substance dPVS was unchanged.ConclusionsTemporal lobe giant or dPVSs may regress, eventually together with resection or regression of intracranial tumors, also distant from the PVSs. Cerebral edema does not seem the only factor influencing dilatation of PVSs.

Hemodynamic and Anatomic Variations Require an Adaptable Approach during Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Intraocular Retinoblastoma: Alternative Routes, Strategies, and Follow-Up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma is not always a straightforward procedure, and it may require an adaptable approach. This study illustrates strategies used when the ophthalmic artery is difficult to catheterize or not visible, and it ascertains the effectiveness and safety of these strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on a series of 108 eyes affected by intraocular retinoblastoma and selected for intra-arterial chemotherapy (follow-up range, 6–82 months). We recognized 3 different patterns of drug delivery: a fixed pattern through the ophthalmic artery, a fixed pattern through branches of the external carotid artery, and a variable pattern through either the ophthalmic or the external carotid artery. RESULTS: We performed 448 sessions of intra-arterial chemotherapy, 83.70% of them through the ophthalmic artery and 16.29% via the external carotid artery. In 24.52% of eyes, the procedure was performed at least once through branches of the external carotid artery. In 73 eyes, the pattern of drug delivery was fixed through the ophthalmic artery; for 9 eyes, it was fixed through branches of the external carotid artery; and for 17 eyes, the pattern was variable. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference in the clinical outcome of the eyes (remission versus enucleation) treated with different patterns of drug delivery. Adverse events could not be correlated with any particular pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative routes of intra-arterial chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma appear in the short term as effective and safe as the traditional drug infusion through the ophthalmic artery.

Double ophthalmic arteries arising from the internal carotid artery: a case report of a hidden second ophthalmic artery

A case of double ophthalmic arteries arising from the internal carotid artery with unique features is reported. This case was discovered following in the course of time the progress of a thrombosis of the anterior cavernous sinus associated with a low-flow direct arteriovenous fistula of the superior ophthalmic vein. At different time points, the same patient underwent four angiographic studies and one computerized tomography with contrast medium. Angiographies showed that the double internal carotid artery origin of the ophthalmic artery was detectable only within a short range of time. To the best of our knowledge, this case is unique as it demonstrates that a second ophthalmic artery may lie hidden, showing itself only under particular hemodynamic requirements.

Neuroimaging of transient ischemic attack.

A HOSPITALIZED 81year-oldmanwithhypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lowerlimbobstructivearteriopathy,andantithrombin III deficiency who was being treated with low-molecularweight heparin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and acetylsalicylic acid presented with sudden aphasia and right hemiplegia. Brain computed tomography (CT) results were negative; CT angiography (CTA) of the cervicocranial arteries (Figure, A) showed an occluded left middle cerebral artery M1 segment. One hour later, the symptoms completely regressed. Shortly afterward, results from brain diffusion-weighted imaging (Figure, B) and apparent diffusion coefficient maps were negative. Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the intracranial arteries (Figure,C) showed complete recanalization of the left middlecerebralartery.Sixweeks later, resultsonMRimagingof thebrainand MRangiographyof the intracranialarteries were unchanged.

Intraorbital arteries studied in pediatric age by high resolution superselective angiography

Angiography is a powerful tool to identify intraorbital arteries. However, the incidence by which these vessels can be identified is unknown. Our purpose was to determine such incidence and which angiographic approach is best for the identifica - tion of each artery. A retrospective study of 353 angiographic procedures (via oph - thalmic artery and/or external carotid artery) carried out on 79 children affected by intraocular retinoblastoma was made to investigate the arterial anatomy in 87 orbits. For each intraorbital artery two parameters were calculated: the angiographic inci- dence, as the percentage of times a given artery was identified, and the visibility index, as the ratio between the angiographic incidence and the true anatomic inci- dence. All collaterals of the ophthalmic artery could be spotted. Most of them were identified with a high angiographic incidence; some of them were less easily identi - fied because too thin or because frequently shielded. The visibility index paralleled the angiographic incidence of most arteries. However, the lacrimal and meningolac- rimal arteries had a higher visibility index suggesting that their identification was more frequent than the angiographic incidence alone could suggest. Statistical anal- ysis demonstrated that the lacrimal artery and some muscular branches had higher chances to be identified if the angiography of the ophthalmic artery was accompa - nied by the study of the external carotid system. This work provides an objective measure of how powerful angiography is to identify intraorbital arteries as well as useful references for professionals who need to operate in the orbit.

Pseudo-intraventricular hemorrhage from a deep calcarine fissure.

Evidence of areas of increased attenuation density within lateral ventricles at computed tomography (CT) of the brain is a finding of acute or subacute intraventricular hemorrhage. The purpose of this case report is to describe a 14-year-old female who presented with an episode of complicated migraine. Brain CT showed an area of high attenuation density (35 Hounsfield Units) in the trigone and occipital horn of the right lateral ventricle, mimicking a blood-fluid level from subacute intraventricular hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed that this resulted from gray matter lining a deep calcarine fissure. A deep calcarine fissure may mimic intraventricular hemorrhage at CT. Correct CT and MRI interpretation allows to avoid invasive diagnostic tests including lumbar puncture or intra-arterial catheter angiography.