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Dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of management strategies and outcomes

Othman Bin-Alamer, Jumanah Qedair, Paolo Palmisciano, Arka N. Mallela, Gautam M. Nayar, Victor M. Lu, Mohamed A. Labib, Michael J. Lang, Bradley A. Gross, David J. Langer, William T. Couldwell, Robert M. Friedlander, and Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy, clinical outcomes, and complications of open cerebrovascular surgery, endovascular surgery, and conservative management of dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms (DVBAs).

METHODS

Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases according to PRISMA guidelines. A meta-analysis was conducted for clinical presentation, treatment protocols, and clinical outcomes—good (improved or stable clinical status) or poor (deteriorated clinical status or death)—and mortality rates.

RESULTS

The 9 identified articles described 41 cases (27.5%) of open cerebrovascular surgery, 61 endovascular procedures (40.9%), and 47 cases (31.5%) of conservative management for DVBAs. The total cohort had a good outcome rate of 51.9% (95% CI 28.3%–74.6%), a poor outcome rate of 45.5% (95% CI 23.0%–70.1%), and a mortality rate of 22.3% (95% CI 11.8%–38.0%). The treatment groups had comparable good clinical outcome rates (open cerebrovascular surgery group: 24.7% [95% CI 2.9%–78.2%]; endovascular surgery group: 69.0% [95% CI 28.7%–92.5%]; conservative management group: 57.7% [95% CI 13.0%–92.5%]; p = 0.19) and poor outcome rates (open vascular surgery group: 75.3% [95% CI 21.8%–97.1%]; endovascular surgery group: 27.2% [95% CI 5.6%–0.70.2%]; conservative management group: 39.9% [95% CI 9.1%–81.6%]; p = 0.15). The treatment groups also had comparable mortality rates (open vascular surgery group: 39.5% [95% CI 11.4%–76.8%]; endovascular surgery group: 15.8% [95% CI 4.4%–43.0%]; conservative management group: 19.2% [95% CI 6.8%–43.5%]; p = 0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study of DVBAs illustrated poor outcomes and high mortality rates regardless of the treatment modality. The subgroup analysis showed heterogeneity among the subgroups and advice for personalized management.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Efficacy and safety of flow diverter combined with coil embolization and evidence-based antithrombotic regimen in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms

Zhen Chen, Wentao Gong, Wei You, Haowen Xu, Dongdong Li, Chao Liu, Youxiang Li, and Sheng Guan

OBJECTIVE

The use of a flow diverter (FD) in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms is limited due to the increased risk of perioperative ischemia and hemorrhagic complications. Adjunctive coil embolization and an evidence-based antithrombotic regimen may improve therapeutic safety, although evidence from relevant clinical research is limited. The authors’ aim was to further assess the perioperative safety and long-term efficacy of this strategy.

METHODS

Data on patients with FD insertion and coil embolization were collected retrospectively at two centers. The perioperative antithrombotic regimen consists of intraoperative tirofiban and continues for 24 hours postoperatively, with the initiation of an orally administered dual-antiplatelet regimen 4 hours prior to tirofiban cessation, rather than purposeful preoperative antiplatelet therapy. Perioperative cerebral ischemia and hemorrhagic complications and long-term aneurysm occlusion rates were recorded to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the procedure, respectively.

RESULTS

In total, 67 cases were screened and 41 cases were ultimately included in this study. A total of 2 cases (4.9%) of perioperative cerebral hemorrhagic events occurred, 1 of which (2.4%) was attributable to rerupture of the aneurysm. Cerebral ischemic events were reported in 3 patients, including 1 with cortical thromboembolism and 2 with perforator occlusion of the basilar artery. A median 8-month follow-up was attained in 25 patients (61.0%), with a 92% complete or near-complete occlusion rate.

CONCLUSIONS

FD insertion combined with coil embolization is a potentially safe and effective therapeutic strategy for ruptured aneurysms when accompanied with perioperative evidence-based antithrombotic therapy.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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The first decade of flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device

Andre Monteiro, Jaims Lim, Manhal Siddiqi, Brianna M. Donnelly, Wasiq Khawar, Ammad Baig, Ryan C. Turner, Mehdi Bouslama, Kunal P. Raygor, Pui Man Rosalind Lai, Steven B. Housley, Jason M. Davies, Kenneth V. Snyder, Adnan H. Siddiqui, and Elad I. Levy

OBJECTIVE

Flow diverter devices have revolutionized the treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) since their approval in 2011 and have continued to evolve. The devices have been widely adopted across institutions and centers over the past decade; however, long-term follow-up after treatment with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) is not well described in the literature. The authors’ institution was among the first to begin using PEDs, allowing them to report their series of patients treated with flow diverters ≥ 10 years ago. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes of these patients and review lessons learned along the way.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of their institution’s IA database from January 2007 to July 2012. All patients with IAs treated with a PED prior to July 2012 were included. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were extracted. Available angiographic follow-up at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was reported.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients with 92 aneurysms treated with a PED ≥ 10 years ago were identified and included in the study. The mean aneurysm dome diameter was 9.2 (SD 5.7) mm, the mean aneurysm height was 10.4 (SD 6.8) mm, and the mean neck width was 4.1 (SD 2.4) mm. Only 1 (1.1%) aneurysm was ruptured at presentation. Eight (8.7%) aneurysms were recurrences of previous treatment modalities. The morphology was saccular in 77 (83.7%) aneurysms, fusiform in 14 (15.2%), and blister-like in 1 (1.1%). Among saccular aneurysms, 60 (77.9%) were wide-necked. Seventy-five (81.5%) aneurysms were in the internal carotid artery, 12 (13.0%) were vertebrobasilar, 3 (3.3%) were in the middle cerebral artery, and 2 (2.2%) were in the posterior cerebral artery. Angiographic follow-up at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was available for 75, 59, 50, and 15 patients, respectively. The complete occlusion rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 94.7%, 96.6%, 96.0%, and 100%, respectively. The retreatment rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 8.0%, 6.8%, 8.0%, and 6.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors provide their single-institution series of IA patients treated with a PED ≥ 10 years ago, with the first report of 10-year follow-up for the available patients.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Flow diversion using the Pipeline embolization device for intracranial and extracranial pseudoaneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

Elena Greco, Jorge Rios-Zermeno, Abdul Karim Ghaith, Umme Habiba Faisal, Anshit Goyal, Oluwaseun O. Akinduro, Samir Kashyap, David A. Miller, Stephen P. Graepel, Mohamad Bydon, Erik H. Middlebrooks, Sukhwinder S. Sandhu, and Rabih G. Tawk

OBJECTIVE

Pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) are complex vascular lesions. Flow diversion has been proposed as an alternative treatment to parent artery occlusion that preserves laminar flow. The authors of the present study investigated the safety and short-term (< 1 year) and long-term (≥ 1 year) aneurysm occlusion rates following the treatment of intracranial and extracranial PSAs using the Pipeline embolization device (PED).

METHODS

An electronic database search for full-text English-language articles in Ovid MEDLINE and Epub Ahead of Print, Ovid Embase, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies of any design including at least 4 patients with intracranial or extracranial PSAs treated using a PED were included in this analysis. The primary outcome of interest was the rate of peri- and postprocedural complications. Secondarily, the authors analyzed the incidence of complete aneurysm occlusion.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients with 96 PSAs across 9 studies were included. The mean age was 38.2 (SD 15.14) years, and 37.8% of the patients were women. The mean PSA size was 4.9 mm. Most PSAs were unruptured, and the most common etiology was trauma (n = 32, 35.5%), followed by spontaneous formation (n = 21, 23.3%) and iatrogenic injury (n = 19, 21.1%). Among the 51 (53.1%) intracranial and 45 (46.9%) extracranial PSAs were 19 (19.8%) dissecting PSAs. Sixty-six (77.6%) PSAs were in the internal carotid artery and 10 (11.8%) in the vertebral artery. Thirty-three (34.4%) PSAs were treated with ≥ 2 devices, and 8 (8.3%) underwent adjunctive coiling. The mean clinical and angiographic follow-up durations were 10.7 and 12.9 months, respectively. The short-term (< 1 year) and long-term (≥ 1 year) complete occlusion rates were 79% (95% CI 66%–88%, p = 0.82) and 84% (95% CI 70%–92%, p = 0.95), respectively. Complication rates were 8% for iatrogenic dissection (95% CI 3%–16%, p = 0.94), 10% for silent thromboembolism (95% CI 5%–21%, p = 0.77), and 12% for symptomatic thromboembolism (95% CI 6%–23%, p = 0.48). No treatment-related hemorrhage was observed. The overall mortality rate at the last follow-up was 14%.

CONCLUSIONS

The complete occlusion rate for PSAs treated with the PED was high and increased over time. Although postprocedural complications and mortality were not insignificant, flow diversion represents a reasonably safe option for managing these complex lesions.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Flow diverter stent treatment for unruptured supraclinoid segment internal carotid artery aneurysms: a Turkish multicenter study

Fatih Yakar, Çağrı Elbir, Serkan Civlan, Göktuğ Ülkü, Emrah Keskin, Mehmet Selim Gel, Ramazan Fesli, İskender Samet Daltaban, Batuhan Bakirarar, Hasan Emre Aydın, İlker Kiraz, Nazar Çiltemek, Mustafa Arici, Feridun Acar, Mehmet Erdal Coşkun, and Mehmet Erhan Türkoğlu

OBJECTIVE

Despite the relatively high success of surgical clipping of supraclinoid segment aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA), flow diverter (FD) stent therapy is becoming increasingly used for these aneurysms. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of FD placement for unruptured ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms at 6 different centers with different experience levels in Türkiye.

METHODS

In this retrospective, multicenter study, the authors reviewed the demographic information, aneurysm shape/dimensions (neck, aspect ratio, dome/neck ratio, and maximum diameter), preoperative antiplatelet regimen, FD stent brand, perioperative complications, intervention time, clinical (modified Rankin Scale) and radiological (O’Kelly-Marotta [OKM] grading scale) outcomes, and follow-up time of 54 patients.

RESULTS

A total of 55 interventions for 61 aneurysms (58 supraclinoid ICA aneurysms) were performed in the 54 patients included in the study. The female/male ratio in this population was 44/10, and the mean age was 53.5 ± 13.6 (range 21–82) years. The most common form and location of the aneurysms were saccular 91.4% (53/58) and ophthalmic segment 69% (40/58), respectively. The preferred antiplatelet regimen was acetylsalicylic acid plus ticagrelor 50% (27/54). The overall complication rate was 25.5% (14/55), and the mean follow-up time was 25.76 ± 17.88 months. The successful radiological outcome (OKM grade C or D) rate at the 6-month follow-up was 92.6%. No perioperative complications led to any permanent or transient neurological deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this first multicenter study evaluating FD stent use for unruptured ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms showed that FD stent treatment is a feasible method for replacing clipping and coil embolization with manageable complications and a high success rate.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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FRED Jr stent for acute flow diversion in ruptured cerebral aneurysms arising from small-caliber vessels: a clinical case series

Omer Doron, Rachel McLellan, Justin E. Vranic, Robert W. Regenhardt, Christopher J. Stapleton, and Aman B. Patel

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of ruptured aneurysms arising from small-caliber (< 2.5 mm) or distal vessels beyond the circle of Willis is considered challenging with all treatment modalities. Recently, the Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device Junior (FRED Jr) stent, designed for flow diversion in small arteries, was approved in the United States for the treatment of nonruptured aneurysms. Here, the authors report their experience using this device in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Clinical and radiological records of patients sustaining SAH treated with a FRED Jr stent between June 2020 and October 2022 were reviewed. Treatment course, including antiplatelet therapy, external ventricular drain (EVD) management, and vasospasm, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Angiographic results were assessed according to the O’Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading scale.

RESULTS

Nine patients at a median age of 62 (range 27–75) years were included. The median Hunt and Hess grade was II (IQR I) and the median modified Fisher grade was 4 (IQR 1). Aneurysm morphology types included saccular (6 patients), blister (1 patient), and dissecting (2 patients), and the aneurysms were located at the anterior communicating artery complex (n = 3) at the A2/A3 (n = 3), M2/M3 (n = 1), V4 (n = 1), and P2 (n = 1) arterial segments. All stents were deployed successfully with no intraprocedural complications. Postoperatively, no rebleeding events were encountered. Vasospasm therapy was initiated in 6 patients, and no symptomatic EVD-related hematomas were observed. Postoperative ischemic events were encountered in 2 patients. The median 3-month modified Rankin Scale score was 2 (IQR 1) for the 7 surviving patients, and 3-month radiographic follow-up revealed OKM grade D in 4 of 7 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Flow diversion using the FRED Jr stent is feasible as a potential treatment strategy for acutely ruptured aneurysms arising from small-caliber vessels. The complication profile reported in this series is comparable to those of historical microsurgical cohorts, and effective protection was conferred by this treatment modality. Therefore, our small cohort provides a glimpse into a new tool for successfully achieving acute flow diversion for this subset of difficult-to-treat aneurysms.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Introduction. Contemporary indications for flow diversion

Adam S. Arthur, Ramesh Grandhi, Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris, and Peter K. Nelson

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Letter to the Editor. Does the prone transpsoas approach affect LLIF outcomes?

Xingxiao Pu and Bailian Liu

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Safety and efficacy of the p48 MW and p64 flow modulation devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Juan Vivanco-Suarez, Mohamed M. Salem, Georgios S. Sioutas, Michael M. Covell, Brian T. Jankowitz, Visish M. Srinivasan, and Jan-Karl Burkhardt

OBJECTIVE

Flow diverters (FDs) have demonstrated increasing safety and efficacy in treating various types of intracranial aneurysms. Although the underlying mechanism of action of all FDs is similar, differences are noted in their intrinsic characteristics, materials, and deployment techniques. The p64 flow modulation device (p64) and the newer p48 movable wire flow modulation device (p48 MW) are not yet available in the US but have been increasingly used mainly in Europe, demonstrating optimistic results. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the p64 and p48 MW FDs.

METHODS

A literature review (between January 1960 and November 2022) of the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was conducted. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of complete angiographic occlusion at last follow-up. Complete occlusion was defined as Raymond-Roy class 1 and O’Kelly-Marotta grade D. The primary safety outcomes were the composite safety rate of ischemic and hemorrhagic events (intra- and postprocedure) and the all-cause mortality rate. Data were analyzed using a random-effects proportions meta-analysis, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty studies with 1781 patients harboring 1957 aneurysms were included in the analysis. Seventeen studies were conducted in Europe. Sixteen studies evaluated the performance of the p64 (MW). Patient ages ranged between 20 and 89 years, and most were female (78.7%). Aneurysm size ranged between 1 and 50 mm. Most aneurysms were unruptured (92.8%) and in the anterior circulation (93.1%). Single antiplatelet therapy pre- and postprocedure was used in 2 studies. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 14.5 months. For the p64 and p48 MW, complete angiographic occlusion rates were 77% (95% CI 68%–85%) and 67% (95% CI 49%–81%), adjunctive coil usage rates were 7% (95% CI 4%–12%) and 4% (95% CI 0%–24%), primary safety composite rates were 2% (95% CI 1%–4%) and 3% (95% CI 1%–11%), and mortality rates were 0.49% (95% CI 0%–1%) and 2% (95% CI 1%–6%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The p64 and p48 MW have primarily been used in Europe thus far. This analysis found that both devices have an acceptable efficacy and favorable safety profile. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prescribing a single antiplatelet regimen after implantation of the newer-generation FDs with antithrombotic coating surface modification.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion

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Safety and efficacy of the Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology for the acute treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms: a multi-institution case series

Michael T. Bounajem, Evan Joyce, Jonathan P. Scoville, Joshua Seinfeld, Jessa Hoffman, Jonathan A. Grossberg, Vanesha Waiters, Andrew C. White, John Nerva, Jan-Karl Burkhardt, Daniel A. Tonetti, Kareem El Naamani, M. Reid Gooch, Pascal Jabbour, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Santiago Ortega Gutierrez, Michael R. Levitt, Michael Lang, William J. Ares, Sohum Desai, Justin R. Mascitelli, Craig J. Kilburg, Karol P. Budohoski, William T. Couldwell, Bradley A. Gross, and Ramesh Grandhi

OBJECTIVE

Ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms are rare pathologies that pose significant challenges from a treatment standpoint. Endovascular treatment via flow diversion represents an increasingly popular option; however, drawbacks include the requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy and the potential for thromboembolic complications, particularly acute complications in the ruptured setting. The Pipeline Flex embolization device with Shield Technology (PED-Shield) offers reduced material thrombogenicity, which may aid in the treatment of ruptured internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms.

METHODS

The authors conducted a multi-institution, retrospective case series to determine the safety and efficacy of PED-Shield for the treatment of ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery. Clinical, radiographic, treatment, and outcomes data were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were included in the final analysis. Seventeen underwent placement of a single device, and 16 underwent placement of two devices. No thromboembolic complications occurred. Four patients were maintained on aspirin alone, and all others were treated with long-term dual antiplatelet therapy. Among patients with 3-month follow-up, 93.8% had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2. Complete occlusion at follow-up was observed in 82.6% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

PED-Shield represents a new option for the treatment of ruptured blister, dissecting, and iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery. The reduced material thrombogenicity appeared to improve the safety of the PED-Shield device, as this series demonstrated no thromboembolic complications even among patients treated with only single antiplatelet therapy. The efficacy of PED-Shield reported in this series, particularly with placement of two devices, demonstrates its potential as a first-line treatment option for these pathologies.

In Neurosurgical Focus Volume 54 (2023): Issue 5 (May 2023): Contemporary Indications for Flow Diversion