Peter Vanlangenhove

Transarterial embolization with ONYX for treatment of intracranial non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula with or without cortical venous reflux

Background and purpose To report our experience with transarterial ONYX embolization of intracranial non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with or without cortical venous reflux. Materials and methods Retrospective analysis of transarterial ONYX embolization in 20 patients with 21 DAVFs, presenting with intracranial hemorrhage (n=7), pulsatile bruit (n=7), vertigo (n=3), non-pulsatile bruit (n=1), headache (n=1) and epilepsy (n=1). Risk grading of DAVFs was Borden type I (n=6), type II (n=4) and type III (n=11). Results 18 of 21 (85.7%) DAVFs were angiographically occluded immediately after embolization, with ONYX embolization only, in either one (n=12) or two sessions (n=2); with a combination of ONYX and glue or transvenous coiling in a single session (n=2) or in two sessions (n=1); or after previous transvenous coiling/glue embolization (n=1). At the 6 (4–14) month control digital subtraction angiography (DSA), available in 14 of 18 occluded DAVFs, one patient showed a small residual fistula (17/21 or 81% occluded). Mid-term DSA was not available because of early death (n=2) or patients were awaiting the examination (n=2). In three cases, treatment was incomplete. Of six Borden type I DAVFs, four were cured and two partially occluded with resolution of symptoms. In two DAVFs, neurosurgical access to the feeding artery allowed distal microcatheterization and successful embolization. Conclusion Transarterial ONYX embolization offers an effective and safe treatment for all non-cavernous DAVFs, whether with or without cortical venous reflux.

Lyme disease in a child presenting with bilateral facial nerve palsy : MRI findings and review of the literature

Abstract We report a 7-year-old boy with neuroborreliosis presenting with headache and bilateral facial nerve palsy. MRI demonstrated tentorial and bilateral facial and trigeminal nerve enhancement.

Cirsoid renal arteriovenous malformation treated by endovascular embolization with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate.

Abstract. The authors report a rare case of renal arteriovenous malformation (rAVM) which was diagnosed by arteriography years after onset of intermittent haematuria. The rAVM of the cirsoid type was superselectively catheterized and embolized in toto with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate. Diagnostic imaging modalities and the technique of embolization are discussed.

Spontaneous thrombosis of a pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis

Patients with a visceral aneurysm are at high risk for acute transpapillary, intra-, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage, necessitating either surgical or endovascular therapy. We report an instance of spontaneous thrombosis of a pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis before endovascular treatment could be performed. Causality and the literature of spontaneous thrombosis in pseudoaneurysms are discussed.

The anti-tumoral activity of neoadjuvant intra-arterial 131I-lipiodol treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND The high recurrence rate after curative resection has stimulated the development of adjuvant treatment modalities, such as local embolization. This study was set up to investigate the anti-tumoral potential of neo-adjuvant 131I-lipiodol administration before liver transplantation. METHODS In this preliminary, prospective study we treated 10 consecutive HCC patients by intra-arterial injection of 131I-lipiodol into the hepatic artery followed by liver transplantation within 1-9 months (mean 3.4). After hepatic catheterization, 1332-2146 MBq (mean 1887 MBq) or 36-58 mCi (mean 51 mCi) was instilled as selective as possible, depending on the distribution of the tumors: non-selectively in the hepatic artery propria (n = 4), selectively in the right and/or left hepatic artery (n = 3) or super-selectively in segmental arteries (n = 3). RESULTS Anti-tumoral activity was regarded as obvious with 1) a strong decrease of alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), comparing the highest recorded value before and after 131I-lipiodol and/or 2) a downstaging in TNM classification on the posttherapy MRI as compared to the pre-therapy MRI and/or 3) tumors with > 50% necrosis on histo-pathology of the explanted liver, without previous chemoembolization. Either of these criteria were met by 5/10 (50%) of patients. A 4) downstaging in pTNM classification on histopathology compared to the TNM classification of the MRI and/or a 5) tumor necrosis of only 10-50% were regarded as possibly tumor-related but were not accepted as a single criteria of anti-tumoral activity. This was seen in 3/10 (30%) of patients. Clinical side-effects of the 131I-lipiodol therapy were generally mild with a temperature rise in two cases, nausea without vomiting in another two and upper back pain in one patient. In one patient progressive liver failure developed one week after 131I-lipiodol therapy necessitating premature liver transplantation after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION With the use of stringent anti-tumoral criteria, this study shows evidence of an anti-tumoral effect in 50% of patients. Our data support the evaluation on larger patient numbers to confirm the promising anti-tumoral activity of 131I-lipiodol in HCC patients candidated for liver transplantation.

Evaluation of a Neck-Bridge Device to Assist Endovascular Treatment of Wide-Neck Aneurysms of the Anterior Circulation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms with a wide-neck or an unfavorable dome-to-neck ratio may be difficult to treat properly and safely. Our aim was to evaluate the TriSpan neck-bridge device to assist coiling of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms in the anterior circulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 14 patients, we performed 16 TriSpan-assisted coil embolizations with wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms of the anterior circulation. Eleven procedures were indicated for acutely ruptured aneurysms. Five were performed electively for the following: recurrent aneurysm after coil only (n = 1) or after TriSpan-assisted embolization (n = 2), aneurysm remnant after clipping (n = 1), and aneurysm incidentally found (n = 1). Procedural and clinical complications were recorded. Follow-up angiography was performed, and clinical outcomes were assessed by using the modified Rankin Scale score. RESULTS: TriSpan-assisted embolization was successful in 15/16 (93.8%) procedures, with complete occlusion in 2/16 (12.5%), near-complete occlusion in 10/16 (62.5%), and incomplete occlusion in 3/16 (18.75%). There were 6 (37.5%) intraprocedural complications: thrombus formation (n = 3), protrusion of a TriSpan loop in the parent artery (n = 1), TriSpan displacement in the aneurysm (n = 1), and tangling of a coil loop in the device (n = 1). Three patients died in the hospital (21.4%). Follow-up angiography or MR angiography was available in 8 (57.1%) patients and showed complete (n = 2), near-complete (n = 2), and incomplete occlusion (n = 4). Long-term clinical outcome was no (n = 4) or minor symptoms (n = 1) and moderate (n = 2), moderately severe (n = 2), or severe handicap (n = 2). CONCLUSION: The use of the TriSpan device is feasible in the anterior circulation and can assist treatment of difficult wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms.

Tolerance of glue embolization under local anesthesia in varicoceles: A comparative study of two different cyanoacrylates

PURPOSE To find out whether in varicocele embolization the copolymer cyanoacrylate glue (NBCA-MS) has a better patient tolerance compared to the monomer n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS N=112 insufficient spermatic veins (left sided N=84, right sided N=28) diagnosed in N=83 adult males were prospectively randomized for blinded embolization with either NBCA N=54 (Histoacryl) or with NBCA-MS N=58 (Glubran2). Before, during and up to one week after embolization, patient discomfort was assessed by a standardized pain scale. Type, location and side of discomfort were noted. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U-test, the McNemar test and the Fishers exact test. RESULTS Embolization caused discomfort in N=48/112 (43%) spermatic veins, comprising N=26/54 (48%) in the NBCA group and N=22/58 (38%) in the NBCA-MS group. During the week after embolization, the overall number of discomfort reports rose to N=62/106 (59%), with an increase to N=30/53 (57%) in the NBCA group and to N=32/53 (60%) in the NBCA-MS group. The number of immediate grade 2 to 4 pain reactions was N=22/112 (20%), and rose to N=37/106 (35%) after one week. No difference in discomfort during embolization and at 1 week after treatment was noted. Characteristics, severity grading, and location of discomfort were similar in both NBCA groups, regardless the time point of observation. CONCLUSION Discomfort after glue embolization of varicocele is a common side effect, which might evolve to pain. The assumed lower inflammatory reaction on NBCA-MS was not translated in an improved tolerance.

Asymptomatic Congenital Extradural Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula: Treatment with Electrolytically Detachable Coils

Extradural vertebro-venous fistula (VVF) is a rare form of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), consisting of a simple direct or complex communication between the extradural vertebral artery or its tributaries and the surrounding venous system. VVFs are either congenital, develop spontaneously, or are acquired after neck injury. In any of these cases, external carotid branches as well as ascending cervical arteries may feed the fistula directly or by collateral steal, posing specific therapeutic challenges [1–6]. We describe a case of a congenital incidental VVF with supply of the ascending pharyngeal and occipital artery, successfully treated in one session transarterially with the use of Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs).

Detachable balloon embolization of an aneurysmal gastroduodenal arterioportal fistula.

Extrahepatic arteriovenous fistulas involving the gastroduodenal artery and the portal venous system are rare and almost always a late complication of gastric surgery. Secondary portal hypertension and mesenteric ischemia may provoke abdominal pain, upper and lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea, and weight loss. Until recently, surgical excision has been the therapy of choice with excellent results. The authors report a case of gastroduodenal arterioportal fistula with a rare large interpositioned aneurysm in a cardiopulmonary-compromised patient who was considered a non-surgical candidate. The gastroduodenal arterioportal fistula was occluded endovascularly by means of a detachable balloon. A survey of the literature of this rare type of arterioportal fistula is included.

Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: Primary ONYX Embolization in ARUBA (A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations)-Eligible Patients

Background and Purpose— In light of evidence from ARUBA (A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations), neurovascular specialists had to reconsider deliberate treatment of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (uBAVMs). Our objective was to determine the outcomes of uBAVM treated with primary embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol (ONYX). Methods— Patients with uBAVM who met the inclusion criteria of ARUBA and were treated with primary Onyx embolization were assigned to this retrospective study. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale score. Secondary outcomes were stroke or death because of uBAVM or intervention and uBAVM obliteration. Results— Sixty-one patients (mean age, 38 years) were included. The median observation period was 60 months. Patients were treated by embolization alone (41.0%), embolization and radiosurgery (57.4%), or embolization and excision (1.6%). Occlusion was achieved in 44 of 57 patients with completed treatment (77.2%). Forty-seven patients (77.1%) had no clinical impairment at the end of observation (modified Rankin Scale score of <2). Twelve patients (19.7%) reached the outcome of stroke or death because of uBAVM or intervention. Treatment-related mortality was 6.6% (4 patients). Conclusions— In uBAVM, Onyx embolization alone or combined with stereotactic radiosurgery achieves a high occlusion rate. Morbidity remains a challenge, even if it seems lower than in the ARUBA trial.