Jang W. Yoon

Feasibility and Safety of Pipeline Embolization Device in Patients With Ruptured Carotid Blister Aneurysms

BACKGROUND Treatment of internal carotid ruptured blister aneurysms (IC-RBA) presents many challenges to neurosurgeons because of the high propensity for rebleeding during intervention. The role of a Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) in the treatment of this challenging aneurysm subtype remains undefined despite theoretical advantages. OBJECTIVE To present a series of 11 patients treated with a PED and to discuss the management and results of this novel application of flow diverters. METHODS Medical records of patients who presented with IC-RBA from May 2011 to March 2013 were retrospectively reviewed at 6 institutions in the United States. All relevant data were independently compiled. RESULTS A total of 12 IC-RBAs in 11 patients were treated during the study period. Nine (75%) were treated with a single PED; 1 was treated with 2 PEDs; 1 was treated with coils and 1 PED; and 1 was treated with coils and 2 PEDs. Three (27%) had major perioperative complications: middle cerebral artery territory infarction, vision loss, and death. Seven patients demonstrated complete obliteration of the aneurysm in postoperative imaging. Early clinical outcomes were favorable (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) in all 10 survivors. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of using the PED to treat IC-RBA with fair initial results. The proper introduction and management of antiplatelet regimen are key for successful results. Bleeding complications related to dual antiplatelet therapy were similar to those in previous studies of stent-assisted coiling for the same population. Larger cohort analysis is needed to define the precise role of flow diverters in the treatment of IC-RBA.

A Reappraisal of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Case for Stent-Assisted Embolization.

BACKGROUND Wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysms represent a subset of lesions with challenging endovascular treatment despite new endoluminal and intrasaccular devices. OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of stent-assisted embolization for wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysms. METHODS Between March 2008 and March 2014, 32 patients with unruptured wide-necked AComm aneurysms were treated using stent-assisted embolization. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was reviewed at the time of discharge and at latest follow-up. Ischemic and hemorrhagic events were also recorded and analyzed. Aneurysm occlusion was evaluated post-intervention and on subsequent follow-up evaluations. RESULTS Successful stent deployment was achieved in all cases, but in 1 patient the coils could not be contained inside the aneurysm, and the procedure was aborted without complications. The distal segment of the stent was positioned in the ipsilateral A2 in 16 patients, in the contralateral A2 in 15 patients, and in the contralateral A1 in 1 patient. There were no periprocedural thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. The rate of major complications was 6%. One patient developed intracranial hemorrhage related to antiplatelet therapy and another had ischemic events due to in-stent stenosis. Angiographic follow-up was available for 26 aneurysms and during a mean follow-up of 22 months, 81% of the lesions were completely occluded and 8% had a small residual neck. The retreatment rate for residual aneurysms was 3%. CONCLUSION Our long-term results suggest that stent-assisted embolization for anterior communicating artery aneurysms may be considered an excellent treatment option with an adequate combination of safety profile and effectiveness.

Augmented reality for the surgeon: Systematic review

Since the introduction of wearable head‐up displays, there has been much interest in the surgical community adapting this technology into routine surgical practice.

Cervical pseudomeningocele-induced hydrocephalus following traumatic brachial plexus injury-âÂÂa case report

Introduction: We report a case of a 49-year-old man who sustained a left brachial plexus injury and traumatic brain injury after a motor vehicle accident and subsequently developed a giant left cervical pseudomeningocele. The patient suffered multiple fractures in the cervical and thoracic ribs, transverse processes and the scapula. Physical examination revealed a giant left supraclavicular mass restricting his ability to turn his head ipsilaterally, with head tilted to the right, consistent with complete plexus avulsion. Neurological examination showed progressive muscular atrophy and a positive Tinel’s sign and paresthesias of the left hand. Methods: MRI and CT revealed a giant cervical pseudomeningocele. Left hemilaminectomy and partial medial facetectomy were performed for an extradural repair of the cyst. Three days later, the pseudomeningocele recurred; C6-T2 cervical laminectomy and a combined intra- and extradural repair of CSF leak with tensor fascia lata graft were performed. One day after the second surgery, the patient developed acute communicating hydrocephalus (CH) with progressive neurological decline. Results: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement successfully resolved neurological symptoms associated with CH. The patient continued receiving treatment for neuropathic pain and spams in the left upper arm at one-year follow up. Conclusion: We present one of the few documented cases of acute CH after a successful repair of a giant cervical pseudomeningocele. It is important for physicians to be aware of changes in CSF flow dynamics that occur in patients with traumatic brain injury. A repair of a large chronic pseudomeningocele can lead to acute CH in patients and cause rapid neurological decline. It is critical for clinicians to be mindful of the potential complication of acute hydrocephalus in patients who undergo repair of a large chronic pseudomeningocele secondary to trauma.

Challenges of Managing Patients with Symptomatic Large Traumatic Cervical Pseudomeningoceles

BACKGROUND Traumatic cervical pseudomeningoceles (TCPs) occur secondary to traction of the cervical nerve roots resulting in violation of the dura. Surgical repair is not necessary in most cases because pseudomeningoceles have a high propensity to spontaneously resolve with conservative management alone. Currently, there are a limited number of cases of large TCPs (large is defined as ≥6 cm in greatest diameter), and there is no established guideline for the management of such lesions. CASE DESCRIPTION We describe the cases of 2 young men in their 20s who were involved in a motor vehicle accident. Both patients suffered a brachial plexus injury and developed large TCPs. Patient 1 was treated surgically for TCP using a combined intra-/extradural approach using a fascia lata graft. Patient 2 was ultimately treated nonsurgically because a spontaneous resolution of the pseudomeningocele was achieved over the period of 7 months after the accident. Both patients underwent brachial plexus repair surgery consisting of spinal accessory nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve and intercostal nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve. CONCLUSIONS Disease progression of TCPs is a dynamic process, and even large lesions may spontaneously resolve without surgical intervention. When surgery is indicated, a definitive dural repair using a fascia lata graft to cover the dural tear intra- and extradurally is an effective method. Surgery must be planned carefully on a case-by-case basis, and close follow-up with thorough physical examination and serial imaging is critical to monitor disease progression.

Mastoid Epidermoid Tumor and Associated Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Venous Sinus Occlusion

BACKGROUND Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is an abnormal vascular connection between arterial and venous channels within dura mater. Although DAVFs have been linked to other types of intracranial tumors, this is the first case reporting the association between DAVF and an epidermoid tumor. CASE DESCRIPTION A middle-aged patient with chronic headache presented with Borden type II DAVF draining into the right transverse sigmoid junction and was also found to have an epidermoid tumor over the right mastoid. The patient underwent staged embolization of the fistula through both transvenous and transarterial routes. Continuous intraoperative venous pressure monitoring confirmed marked reduction in intracranial venous pressure, and the patients symptoms completely resolved. However, the fistula still remained. The residual DAVF was then surgically disconnected, and the epidermoid tumor was resected in the same procedure. CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates a DAVF can be associated with an epidermoid tumor. Tumor can compromise the venous outflow, which can then lead to intracranial venous hypertension and development of the DAVF. Venous pressure monitoring offers an objective method to verify resolution of venous hypertension, which might correlate with resolution of clinical symptoms.