Interv Neuroradiol
-
Like other fields of medicine, robotics and mechanization might be introduced into endovascular coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms for effective treatment. We have already reported that coil insertion force could be smaller and more stable when the coil delivery wire is driven mechanically at a constant speed. Another background is the difficulty in synchronizing operators' minds and hands when two operators control the microcatheter and the coil respectively. ⋯ In experimental coil embolization, delivery wire control using the foot switches as well as microcatheter manipulation helped to achieve successful insertion of coils. This system could offer the possibility of developing safer and more efficient coil embolization. Although we aim at total mechanization and automation of procedures in the future, microcatheter manipulation and synchronized delivery wire control are still indispensable using this system.
-
Haemorrhagic complications can occur following aneurysm treatment with flow diverters (FD), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We describe a case where deformation of the device may have contributed to the complication. A patient with a giant, previously unruptured cavernous aneurysm that extended intracranially to cause oedema of the internal capsule was treated with flow diversion. ⋯ Radiographs of the extracted specimen confirmed deformation of the FD construct, located at the transition zone of the stent, leading to increased pore size and porosity. The site of the deformation correlated with the angiographic presence of a continued blood inflow jet into the aneurysm. Stent deformation at the transition zone may promote persistent blood entry into the aneurysm, and in turn potentially contribute to haemorrhagic complications.
-
Clinical Trial
Endovascular treatment of unruptured A1 segment aneurysms.
Aneurysms of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (A1A) are rare and challenging to treat. Less information is available regarding their management by endovascular approach. We evaluated our experience of endovascular treatment in 15 patients with unruptured A1As. ⋯ Because of their location and close relationship with perforators, endovascular treatment of A1As sometimes requires the use of BAC or SAC. The microcatheter tip shaping technique is very important for coiling. Our results suggest that endovascular treatment is a suitable therapeutic option for unruptured A1As when the aneurysm size is optimal for embolization.
-
Comparative Study
CT angiography in an acute stroke protocol: correlation between occlusion site and outcome of intravenous thrombolysis.
Thrombolysis with intravenous rt-PA is the current therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Unlike other outcome factors, relatively little is known about the prognostic value of the occlusion site on treatment outcome. We compared the effectiveness and safety of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with different levels of occlusion identified by CT angiography (CTA) in anterior circulation stroke, and analyzed the influence of the occlusion site on treatment outcome in relation to other outcome factors. ⋯ After adjustment for sex, age, ASPECT score on admission and baseline NIHSS value, occlusion site was the only variable significantly influencing treatment safety and, together with baseline NIHSS value, the only valid predictor of treatment effectiveness. We demonstrated a correlation between the site of arterial occlusion and outcome of intravenous thrombolysis. By helping the choice of the best therapeutic strategy depending on the identified occlusion site, CTA could be usefully added to the examinations included in the Stroke Protocol for the baseline evaluation of patients with suspected acute stroke.
-
We compared the outcomes of endovascular coiling with microsurgical clipping of aneurysms in a Taiwanese population. In an ambi-directional cohort design, patient baseline characteristics and clinical course after treatment for ruptured subarachnoid aneurysm were abstracted from medical records from three hospitals to examine and compare differences in post-operative outcomes between those treated with endovascular coiling and those treated with microsurgical clipping. Outcomes were measured, using the modified Rankin scale, two months, one year and two years postoperatively. ⋯ When the severity of symptom data was pooled into two groups (Rankin values 0-2 and 3-6) a statistically significant relationship was found between the severity of symptoms and age, Hunt and Hess grade, number of target aneurysms detected, and log of maximum target aneurysm lumen size (all p≤0.01). After controlling for potential confounding factors and using the lumped Rankin outcome data, no significant difference in outcome was found between the two procedures at either time point. Our study indicated that endovascular coiling achieves results comparable to surgical clipping for patients with ruptured subarachnoid aneurysms in a Taiwanese population.