Yoshinari Nakamura

Preoperative embolization of meningiomas fed by ophthalmic branch arteries

BACKGROUNDnThe efficacy of preoperative embolization for hypervascular meningiomas mainly fed by the branches of the ophthalmic arteries was examined.nnnCASES AND METHODSnFive hypervascular meningiomas mainly fed by the branches of the ophthalmic arteries, four posterior ethmoidal arteries, one anterior falx artery, and one recurrent middle meningeal artery were embolized with Gel-foam powder, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles, and/or microcoils as a preoperative treatment using a microcatheter.nnnRESULTSnCatheterization of the ophthalmic and tumor feeding artery was possible and feeding arteries and lesion embolization were effective to reduce the bleeding during surgery in all cases. In three cases, visual acuity and visual field were preserved. However, in one case, visual acuity and visual field defect appeared due to the migration of Gelfoam powder (Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) into the retinal artery. In another case, the retinal artery was embolized with the feeding arteries since the patient was already blind.nnnCONCLUSIONnEmbolization of hypervascular meningioma feeding vessels arising from the ophthalmic artery is possible and effective with preservation of vision, if embolic agents are injected gently enough not to reflux into the central retinal artery.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the M2 portion vasospasm following SAH : development of the new microballoon and report of cases

A new silicone microballoon was developed for the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of smaller intracranial vessels, such as A1, A2 and M2. This balloon was 0.5 x 2.0 mm in the deflated condition and became 2.2 x 6.5 mm inflated with 0.02 mL of fluid, and its bursting pressure was 2 atm. Two illustrative cases are presented. The first case was not treated in the M2 distribution. The second case of vasospasm of the left M2 portion was successfully treated with this new balloon, with prompt improvement of the neurological condition and cerebral circulation. The usefulness of our microballoon in treating a patient with vasospasm of small intracranial arteries is discussed.

Complex occipital arteriovenous fistula associated with neurofibromatosis treated by embolization and surgery. Case report

It is well known that neurofibromatosis is associated with various types of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), but association with an occipital AVF has not been reported. We are reporting this case which was successfully treated with a combination of embolization and surgery. Superselective angiography defines the anatomic details of the fistula and intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) facilitates the surgery to cure the fistula. It is important to identify the best therapeutic options using angiographic information to treat a complex arteriovenous fistula.

A case of vessel perforation during interventional neuroradiological procedure operative findings of the perforated vessel

A case of vessel perforation by a guide wire during an interventional neuroradiological procedure is reported. The patient was a 59-year-old woman with a left frontal basal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) fed by the left anterior cerebral artery. Transarterial embolization of the AVM was attempted. During the procedure, vessel perforation by the guide wire occurred at the left A1-A2 junction and resulted in subarachnoid hemorrhage, which stopped spontaneously. The patient developed progressive obstructive hydrocephalus, and surgical treatment was performed. The AVM was totally removed after ventricular drainage, and the arterial perforation site was explored. When clot around the left A1-A2 junction was removed, hemorrhage recurred. This hemorrhage was similar to what has been observed when a small perforating artery was avulsed. The hemorrhage site was coagulated under temporary occlusion of both A1 segments. Surgical intervention was probably not necessary for this type of bleeding if it had stopped spontaneously, because the rebleeding from the small pinhole would be unlikely, and the operation was more hazardous than the usual aneurysmal surgery.