Zhongxue Wu

Complications Related to Percutaneous Transarterial Embolization of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas in 40 Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An increasing number of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are amenable to endovascular treatment with Onyx. However, reports on complications caused by this technique have been limited. We present the initial Beijing Tiantan Hospital experience with adverse events related to transarterial Onyx embolization for DAVFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2005 and February 2008, a total of 40 patients with DAVFs were treated at our institute with Onyx-18. There were 11 women and 29 men with a mean age of 43.15 years (age range, 23–60 years). We reviewed the clinical presentation, angiographic features, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: In 40 patients, total obliteration was achieved in 25 DAVFs (62.5%), with the remaining 15 patients not cured with residual shunts. Complications occurred in 9 patients, 5 DAVFs were located at tentorium, 2 were located at the transverse-sigmoid sinus, 1 was found at the inferior petrosal sinus, and 1 was found at the cavernous sinus, leading to permanent disability in 3 patients (morbidity, 7.5%). Complications included reflexive bradyarrhythmia in 3 (7.5%) patients, hemifacial hypoesthesia in 3 (7.5%) patients, hemifacial palsy in 2 (5%) patients, posterior fossa infarction in 2 (5%) patients, jaw pain in 1 (2.5%) patient, microcatheter gluing in 1 (2.5%) patient, hallucinations in 1 (2.5%) patient, and Onyx migration in 1 (2.5%) patient. CONCLUSION: Although complete cure can be achieved by transarterial embolization with Onyx, the potential for serious complications exists with this procedure.

Results and complications of transarterial embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas using Onyx-18.

OBJECT Use of the Onyx liquid embolic system has become an option for treating dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) because of its advantageous nonadhesive and cohesive properties. However, the complication rates associated with the use of this system have not been reported. The authors present their initial experience of the risks related to transarterial embolization using this system. METHODS Between February 2005 and February 2007, 31 patients with DAVFs were treated at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Transarterial embolization using Onyx-18 was performed as a preoperative adjunct or as definitive therapy. The demographic characteristics, angiographic features, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of the patients were reviewed. Clinical follow-up status was supplemented by telephone interviews to determine Glasgow Outcome Scale scores. RESULTS In 19 patients (61.3%) there was complete angiographic evidence of elimination of the shunts and resolution of the symptoms. The remaining 12 patients were treated successfully but did not attain complete embolization and had residual shunting. Adverse events occurred in 5 of 31 patients, with 3 DAVFs located at the tentorium, 1 at the inferior petrosal sinus, and 1 at the cavernous sinus. Complications included trigeminocardiac reflex in 2 patients (6.5%), hemifacial hypesthesia in 3 patients (9.7%), hemifacial palsy in 2 patients (6.5%), jaw pain in 1 patient (3.2%), posterior fossa infarction in 1 patient (3.2%), and microcatheter gluing in 1 patient (3.2%). At the last follow-up examination, all patients had returned to an independent clinical status. CONCLUSIONS Although a complete resolution of symptoms can be achieved with transarterial embolization using the Onyx liquid embolic system, the potential for serious complications exists with this procedure, necessitating the participation of a skilled neurointerventionalist.

The Incidence of Trigeminocardiac Reflex in Endovascular Treatment of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Onyx

This paper reports the incidence of trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) in endovascular treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with Onyx. The consecutive case histories of 45 patients with DAVFs, treated with Onyx transarterially and transvenously, from February 2005 to February 2008 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China, were retrospectively reviewed. The time period was limited as the anesthetic and intravascular procedure was performed under the same standardized anesthetic protocol and by the same team. The TCR rate was subsequently calculated. Of the 45 patients, five showed evidence of TCR during transarterial Onyx injection and transvenous DMSO injection. Their HR fell 50% during intravascular procedures compared with levels immediately before the stimulus. However, blood pressure values were stable in all cases. The TCR rate for all patients was 11.1% (95% CI, 4 to 24%), 7.7% (95% CI, 2 to 21%) in patients treated intraarterially and 33.3% (4 to 78%) in patients treated intravenously. Once HR has fallen, intravenous atropine is indicated to block the depressor response and prevention further TCR episodes. TCR may occur due to chemical stimulus of DMSO and Onyx cast formation under a standardized anesthetic protocol and should be blunted by atropine.

Clinical outcomes of ruptured and unruptured vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery complex dissecting aneurysms after endovascular embolization.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of VA-PICA dissecting aneurysms is difficult and complication of LCNP is common. These lesions can be approached easily with endovascular technique, but complete obliteration can only be achieved in a small number of cases. Our aim was to report the clinical outcomes of VA-PICA dissecting aneurysms treated by endovascular embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2007, the authors treated 22 consecutive patients (15 men and 7 women; ranging in age from 12 to 59 years; mean age, 43 years) with VA-PICA dissecting aneurysms. Diagnosis of VA-PICA dissecting aneurysm was based on clinical, MR imaging, and cerebral angiography studies. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 6 had unruptured aneurysms. One patient presented with headaches, whereas the remaining 5 patients showed brain stem ischemia. Four were treated with stent-only or stent-coil embolization, and 2 were treated with unilateral VA occlusion. Among 16 patients presenting with SAH, 10 were treated with stent-only or stent-coil embolization. The other 6 patients with SAH were treated by using unilateral endovascular VA occlusion. One patient could not return to his previous daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: VA-PICA aneurysms are rare lesions associated with significant morbidity, and endovascular treatment strategies for these lesions were stent deployment with or without coil embolization and VA occlusion. Favorable clinical outcomes can be achieved with endovascular techniques.

Angioarchitectural Characteristics of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations with and without Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE To explore angioarchitectural features of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) manifesting with hemorrhage and without hemorrhage. METHODS During the period 1999-2008, 302 consecutive patients with AVMs were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was used to assess AVM characteristics in patients who presented with hemorrhage and patients who presented without hemorrhage. Annual and cumulative incidence rates of AVM rupture were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier life-table analyses. RESULTS The annual risk of hemorrhage from AVMs in this study was 1.9%. In the comparison of 159 patients with AVM with hemorrhage at initial presentation with 143 patients who did not experience hemorrhage initially (total 302 patients), deep and infratentorial AVM location, AVM size<3 cm, single arterial feeder, single draining vein, combined deep and superficial drainage, presence of varices in the venous drainage, and coexisting aneurysms were statistically associated with hemorrhage presentation (P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.007, P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.000, and P=0.003) in univariate analysis. Deep and infratentorial AVM location, single draining vein, presence of varices in the venous drainage, and coexisting aneurysms were statistically associated with hemorrhage occurrence (P=0.007, P=0.008, P=0.018, and P=0.002) in multivariate logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS The angioarchitectural characteristics of AVM associated with hemorrhage include deep and infratentorial AVM location, AVM size<3 cm, single arterial feeder, single draining vein, combined deep and superficial drainage, presence of varices in the venous drainage, and coexisting aneurysms.

Trigeminocardiac reflex in embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula.

SUMMARY: We report a case of immediate reproducible and reflexive response of asystole upon stimulation of Onyx injection during embolization of a tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula in a 53-year-old man. Upon recognition of the reflexive relationship between Onyx injection and increased vagal tone, the patient was given anticholinergic in an effort to block cholinergic hyperactivity. After atropine was given, no further dysrhythmias occurred.

Endovascular treatment of high-risk tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas: clinical outcomes

IntroductionAn increasing number of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are amenable to endovascular treatment with Onyx-18. We reviewed our experience with the endovascular management of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas (TDAVFs) treated transarterially and transvenously.Materials and methodsClinical records for 19 consecutive patients (three women, 16 men) with TDAVFs treated endovascularly between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed to determine their presenting symptoms, angiographic features, endovascular treatments, and clinical outcomes. Most patients (78.9%) presented with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). All patients had high-risk angiographic features such as leptomeningeal venous varix.ResultsTransarterial embolization was performed in 19 patients. Transvenous embolization was additionally performed in two patients and caused one death. At the time of the last follow-up evaluation, 16 (84.2%) patients had good or excellent outcomes (modified Rankin score, 0 or 1) and one (5.3%) was deceased. Six patients had a residual fistula and were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. The overall morbidity and mortality rate was 10.5%.ConclusionHigh-risk TDAVFs can be successfully managed with good outcomes. When anatomic features can be accessed endovascularly, endovascular treatment is indicated. Patients with residual filling of the DAVF should be considered for adjuvant therapy, including further radiosurgery.

Endovascular treatment of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula

We describe the technique and results of the endovascular treatment of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) in four symptomatic patients. Catheterization was via the superior sagittal sinus in two patients and via the ophthalmic artery in two patients. Embolization was performed using detachable platinum coils in the former two patients and a liquid embolic system (Onyx-18, MTI) in the latter. We were able to reach the fistula site and to embolize the arteriovenous shunting zone in all of the patients. The final angiogram showed complete occlusion of the DAVFs, and all patients recovered completely. No complications related to either approach were observed. Endovascular treatment of anterior cranial fossa DAVFs is feasible by either transvenous or transarterial access.

Transcriptome-Wide Characterization of Gene Expression Associated with Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Background: The biological mechanisms by which cerebral aneurysms emerge, enlarge and rupture are not totally understood. In the present study, we analyzed the genome-wide gene expression profile in human intracranial aneurysms using cDNA microarrays. Methods: Affymetrix HU133 Plus 2.0 microarrays were used to compare gene expression levels between human cerebral aneurismal samples and normal blood vessels. Raw data were evaluated by GeneSpring software version 9.05. Differentially expressed genes were further classified according to the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotations. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the microarray results. Results: Clustering analysis demonstrated that the aneurysm tissues and control tissues were clearly separated into two distinct groups according the differential expression patterns. The levels of 1,160 genes were significantly changed. Of these genes, 164 were upregulated and 996 were downregulated. A cluster of extracellular matrix related genes, including collagens (type I, III, V, and XI) and metalloproteinases were significantly upregulated. In contrast to previous reports, we found that a number of immune/inflammation-related genes were downregulated in intracranial aneurysms. Conclusion: Human cerebral aneurysms appeared to show a similarity in the global gene expression profile. Our results support the notion that disrupted homeostasis of the extracellular matrix components may be involved in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms. Our data of the differentially regulated genes may benefit future studies on the cellular mechanisms of cerebral aneurysms.

A complex cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula secondary to covered stent placement for a traumatic carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula: case report.

Authors present the case of a patient with a direct carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula caused by head trauma in whom a self-expanding covered stent was successfully used to obliterate the fistula. However, at the 9-month follow-up an angiogram revealed a complex caroticocavernous fistula that was completely obliterated with Onyx 18 transarterially.