Jung Yong Ahn

Elective stenting for symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis presenting as transient ischaemic deficits or stroke attacks: short term arteriographical and clinical outcome

Background: Although stent assisted angioplasty is an effective treatment for coronary and peripheral arterial disease, its efficacy in intracranial arteriosclerotic disease has not been verified. Objectives: To assess the radiographic and clinical outcome of stent assisted angioplasty for symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. Methods: We attempted stent assisted angioplasty in 14 patients with symptomatic high grade stenosis (>60%) on the proximal portion of the MCA, who had experienced either recurrent transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) resistant to medical therapy or one or more stroke attacks. Patient records were analysed for angiographic characteristics, degree of stenosis, pre-procedural regimen of anti-platelet and/or anti-coagulation agents, use of devices, procedure related complications, pre-operative and post-operative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings, and clinical and radiographic outcomes. Results: Stent assisted angioplasty was successfully performed in 8 of 14 patients without any serious complications and unsuccessful in 2 of 14 patients due to the tortuous curve of the internal carotid artery siphon. Four patients had complications. Two patients had an arterial rupture; one patient was rescued by an additional stent and balloon tamponade, the other patient died. Complications in the other two patients included thrombotic occlusion and distal thrombosis. Residual stenosis was less than 50% in diameter in all the patients. All eight patients who underwent follow up cerebral angiography had no restenosis. Follow up SPECT showed improved perfusion in the affected MCA territory in all the tested patients with TIA and in one of three stroke patients. Using the modified Rankin Scale at follow up, four of five TIA patients and five of six stroke patients were assessed as functionally improved or having a stable clinical status. Conclusion: Although the re-stenosis rate in stent assisted angioplasty seems to be better than in primary balloon angioplasty as reported previously, the complication rate is still high. Elective stenting is an alternative therapeutic method for the prevention of secondary ischaemic stroke in stroke patients with MCA stenosis, and seems to be a potentially effective but also hazardous therapeutic technique in patients with recurrent TIAs. This study indicates the need for randomised control trial data of this intervention. Additionally, long term follow up data and additional clinical experience are required to assess the durability of this procedure.

Treatment of Intra- and Extracranial Arterial Dissections Using Stents and Embolization

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent placement for extracranial and intracranial arterial dissections.MethodsEighteen patients underwent endovascular treatment of carotid and vertebral dissections using intraluminal stent placement. Five patients with arterial dissection were treated, 2 using one insertion of a single stent and 3 using placement of two stents. Patients with a dissecting aneurysm were treated as follows: 7 patients with insertion of one stent, 4 with placement of two stents, and 2 by stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil embolization. In the 18 patients in whom stenting was attempted, the overall success in reaching the target lesion was 94.4%. Of the 17 patients treated with stents, stent release and positioning were considered optimal in 16 (94%) and suboptimal in one (6%). In patients who underwent a successful procedure, all parent arteries were preserved. There were no instances of postprocedural ischemic attacks, new neurologic deficits, or new minor or major strokes prior to patient discharge. In follow up, all patients were assessed, using the modified Rankin scale, as functionally improved or of stable clinical status. The reduction in dissection-induced stenosis or pseudoaneurysm, the patency rate obtained at follow-up, and the lack of strokes (ischemic or hemorrhagic) suggest that stent placement offers a viable alternative to complex surgical bypass or reconstructive procedures. The long-term efficacy and durability of stent placement for arterial dissection remain to be determined in a larger series.

Stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coils embolisation for the treatment of a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula

Embolisation of a carotid cavernous fistula by means of a detachable balloon is a well-established method for treating carotid cavernous fistulas while preserving a patent internal carotid artery. However, failure to embolise the carotid cavernous fistula may occur. Herein we describe a stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil embolisation that completely occludes the fistulous opening rather than fills the cavernous sinus. By applying this technique, we successfully treated a carotid cavernous fistula, without compromise of the parent internal carotid artery when the balloon technique failed.

Distal lenticulostriate artery aneurysm in deep intracerebral haemorrhage

Aneurysms of the distal lenticulostriate artery (LSA) are rare. Only 16 cases have been reported in the literature. Early detection and treatment of these aneurysms is also difficult because of their deep location, small size and angioarchitecture. We report two additional patients with aneurysms, arising from the distal LSA, who presented with deep intracerebral haemorrhage. The conclusions drawn from our experience and a comprehensive review of the literature include the following. (1) A distal LSA aneurysm should be considered in young (mean 38.5 years) and non-hypertensive (80%) patients with deep intracerebral haemorrhage. (2) These aneurysms are frequently very small (<5 mm). Therefore, they cannot be detected on initial angiograms in some cases. (3) These aneurysms have higher rates of associated vascular lesions. Deep intracerebral haemorrhage, even in those over the age of 50 years, can still be due to underlying, treatable structural abnormalities, and should not be dismissed as being a result of hypertension. In addition, a more comprehensive diagnostic approach seems to be warranted in younger patients and those without known hypertension.

Immunoglobulin G4–related hypertrophic pachymeningitis involving cerebral parenchyma

The authors report a case of IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis that involved cerebral parenchyma. The mass was removed surgically. Histopathological studies showed diffuse infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells without evidence of Langerhans histiocytes or meningothelial cells. Immunoglobulin G4 was strongly positive on immunohistochemical staining. The Gd-enhanced lesion deep inside brain parenchyma was completely resolved after 3 months of oral corticosteroid medication. A nodular type of hypertrophic pachymeningitis that mimics a meningioma is rare. Nevertheless, preoperative presumption is very important, and immunohistochemical studies for IgG4 may be helpful in the differential diagnosis.

Technique and outcome of endoscopy-assisted microscopic extended transsphenoidal surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas

OBJECT The transcranial approach has been the standard technique for removal of craniopharyngiomas for several decades. However, many reports of successful suprasellar craniopharyngioma removal accomplished using extended transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) have recently been published. In the present study, the authors describe their technique and the outcomes of removal of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas aided by the use of an operating microscope and an endoscope concurrently during extended TSS. METHODS Between 1999 and 2008, 18 patients with suprasellar craniopharyngiomas underwent TSS. Tumors that adhered to the optic nerve were safely dissected, and fine perforating vessels were precisely preserved with the aid of a magnified, detailed microscopic view. Portions of the tumor that could not be properly visualized with the microscope were visualized with the endoscope. RESULTS Total resection was achieved in all patients, and all visual symptoms improved. Preoperative hypopituitarism improved in 2 patients but persisted postoperatively in 15 patients (hormonal outcome was not available in 1 patient). Diabetes insipidus was present in 16 patients postoperatively. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage developed in 3 patients in the conventional fascia lata graft group, whereas no CSF leakage occurred after the dural suture technique with a fascia lata graft was introduced. This technique could be more precisely applied when using a microscopic view. Tumor recurrence was documented for 1 patient 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS The authors achieved good results by using extended TSS for the removal of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Endoscopy-assisted microscopic extended TSS harnesses the advantages of a microscope as well as those of an endoscope. Surgeons should consider using the advantages of both surgical modalities to achieve the best result possible.

ACE I/D polymorphism in Korean patients with ischemic stroke and silent brain infarction

Objectives –  Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism may play a role in stroke and silent brain infarction (SBI) susceptibility, but the results among the populations studied to date have not been consistent. Thus, we investigated the association between ACE genotypes and ischemic stroke and SBI in Korean patients.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sphenoid sinus presenting as isolated oculomotor nerve palsy

BackgroundSolitary involvement of the sphenoid sinus has rarely been reported in non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy is uncommon as an initial presentation of malignant tumors of the sphenoid sinus.Case presentationA 53-year-old woman presented with a three-month history of headache and diplopia. Neurological examination revealed complete left oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated a homogenous soft-tissue lesion occupying the left sphenoid sinus and invading the left cavernous sinus. The patient underwent transsphenoidal biopsy and the lesion was histologically diagnosed as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type. Tumor cells were positive for CD20 and negative for CD3. Following six cycles of chemotherapy, the left oculomotor nerve palsy that had been previously observed was completely resolved. There was no enhancing lesion noted on follow-up MRI.ConclusionIt is important to recognize that non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the sphenoid sinus can present with isolated oculomotor nerve palsy, although it is extremely rare. The cranial nerve deficits can resolve dramatically after chemotherapy.

Stent-graft placement in a traumatic internal carotid-internal jugular fistula and pseudoaneurysm

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas following carotid artery injuries are rare. Treatment of carotid artery-to-jugular vein fistula requires direct closure of the fistula or occlusion of the carotid artery above and below the level of the fistula, by a surgical or endovascular approach. A 32-year-old man presented with a right-sided pulsatile neck swelling 2 days following a stab wound. Neck computed tomography demonstrated a vascular mass protruding into the anterior neck. Digital subtraction arteriography demonstrated a bilobular large internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm just distal to its bifurcation. There was simultaneous opacification of a dilated left internal jugular vein indicating a high-flow internal carotid-internal jugular fistula. A balloon-expandable stent-graft was delivered and successfully positioned across the fistula. The arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm completely disappeared and the right internal carotid artery was well preserved. The stent-graft is a promising technology to obliterate fistulae and preserve the parent artery with relative safety.

Prevention of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea after transsphenoidal surgery by collagen fleece coated with fibrin sealant without autologous tissue graft or postoperative lumbar drainage.

BACKGROUND: Autologous tissue grafting and postoperative lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage (PLD) have been used to prevent CSF rhinorrhea after transsphenoidal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To describe the technical details and efficacy of our techniques of using collagen fleece coated with fibrin sealant (TachoComb, Nycomed, Linz, Austria) instead of an autologous tissue graft and refraining from the use of PLD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 307 consecutive patients who underwent a transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma from November 2005 to February 2008. Among them, 90 cases of intraoperative CSF leaks were repaired with TachoComb without an autologous tissue graft or PLD. The repair procedures were tailored according to CSF leakage type, and we used only Bioglue (Cryolife Inc, Atlanta, Georgia) for sellar floor reconstruction. RESULTS: The overall rate of CSF rhinorrhea was 2.2% (2 of 90 cases). The 2 cases of CSF rhinorrhea resulted from large arachnoid defects, and there were no adverse effects from TachoComb such as transmission of viral disease or infection. CONCLUSION: Our technique is an alternative method to the traditional autologous tissue graft technique. PLD is not an essential procedure for the prevention of CSF rhinorrhea if the intraoperative CSF leak is completely sealed off during the transsphenoidal surgery. However, in cases of large arachnoid defects, aggressive repair of the arachnoid defect and sellar floor reconstruction with bone or bony substitutes should be considered in conjunction with our methods.