Management of Radiation Induced Carotid Stenosis in Head and Neck Cancer

Risk, prevention, screening and management of carotid artery stenosis in head & neck cancer patients-An evidence based review

Our review aims to clarify the incidence of carotid artery stenosis, risks of development, screening, management, and primary prevention strategies documented in the literature after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The high prevalence of carotid stenosis after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers has made surveillance and risk stratification critical. In addition to general cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, risk factors for carotid artery stenosis after head and neck radiation included total plaque score, radiotherapy use and dosage, length of time after radiotherapy, and age greater than 50. Cancer subtype, namely nasopharyngeal cancer, may be correlated with increased risk as well, though contrasting results have been found. Interestingly, however, no significant relationship has been found between radiotherapy dose and stroke risk. Surgical management of post-radiation carotid stenosis is similar to that of stenosis unrelated to radiation, with carotid endarterectomy considered to be the gold standard treatment and carotid artery stenting being an acceptable, less-invasive alternative. Medical management of these patients has not been well-studied, but antiplatelet therapy, statins, and blood pressure control may be beneficial. The mainstay of screening for radiation-induced stenosis has been Doppler ultrasound, with measurement of changes in the intima-media thickness being a primary marker of disease development. A literature review was carried out using the MeSH terms "Carotid Artery Stenosis," "Head and Neck Neoplasms," and "Radiotherapy."

Management of intervenable factors to reduce vascular complications in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion treated by non-emergency endovascular treatment

Objective

This study aims to identify risk factors for vascular complications during non-emergency endovascular treatment in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) and to propose potential interventions.

Method

A retrospective analysis of 92 patients with ICAO who received non-emergency endovascular treatment in our center from 1 January 2018 to 31 June 2023, was conducted. The correlation between intraoperative vascular complications and potential risk factors was studied, and interaction analysis was performed.

Results

Our findings revealed that the use of non-neurology guide wires to open vessels (adjusted OR: 4.1, 95%CI: 1.3-12.8; p = 0.014) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5 mmol/L (adjusted OR: 3.2, 95%CI: 1.2-8.9; p = 0.023) was significantly associated with vascular complications in non-emergency endovascular treatment of ICAO patients. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) showed that the higher the HbA1c level, the higher the risk of vascular complications.

Conclusion

The use of non-neurology guide wires for vessel opening during non-emergency endovascular treatment in patients with ICAO increases the risk of vascular complications. Preoperative assessment and management of HbA1c levels can reduce the incidence of intraoperative vascular complications.

Neck radiation is not associated with increased risk of perioperative adverse events after transcarotid artery revascularization or transfemoral carotid artery stenting

OBJECTIVE

It is unclear whether patients with prior neck radiation therapy (RT) are at high risk for carotid artery stenting (CAS). We aimed to delineate 30-day perioperative and 3-year long-term outcomes in patients treated for radiation-induced stenotic lesions by the transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) or transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) approach to determine comparative risk and to ascertain the optimal intervention in this cohort.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Vascular Quality Initiative CAS registry for patients with prior neck radiation who had undergone either TCAR or TFCAS. The Student t-test and the χ2 test were used to compare baseline patient characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox Hazard Proportional analysis were used to compare perioperative and long-term differences between patients with and without prior neck radiation following TCAR and TFCAS. Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to determine the incidence of 3-year adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 72,656 patients (TCAR, 40,879; TFCAS, 31,777) were included in the analysis. Of these, 4151 patients had a history of neck radiation. Patients with a history of neck radiation were more likely to be younger, white, and have fewer comorbidities than patients with no neck radiation history. After adjustment for confounding factors, there was no difference in relative risk of 30-day perioperative stroke (P = .11), death (P = .36), or myocardial infarction (MI) (P = .61) between TCAR patients with or without a history of neck radiation. The odds of stroke/death (P = .10) and stroke/death/MI (P = .07) were also not statistically significant. In patients with prior neck radiation, TCAR had lower odds for in-hospital stroke/death/MI (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.99; P = .05) and access site complications than TFCAS. At year 3, patients with prior neck radiation had an increased hazard for mortality after TCAR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.51; P = .04) and TFCAS (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12-1.58; P = .001). Patients with prior neck radiation also experienced an increased hazard for reintervention after TCAR (HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.45-3.20; P < .001) and TFCAS (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.02-2.73; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with prior neck radiation had a similar relative risk of 30-day perioperative adverse events as patients with no neck radiation after adjustment for baseline demographics and disease characteristics. In these patients, TCAR was associated with reduced odds of perioperative stroke/death/MI as compared with TFCAS. However, patients with prior neck radiation were at increased risk for 3-year mortality and reintervention.

Prevention of in-stent restenosis with drug-eluting balloons in patients with postirradiated carotid stenosis accepting percutaneous angioplasty and stenting

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the technical safety and outcome of in-stent restenosis (ISR) prevention with drug-eluting balloon (DEB) in patients with postirradiated carotid stenosis (PIRCS) undergoing percutaneous angioplasty and stenting (PTAS).

METHODS

Between 2017 and 2021, we prospectively recruited patients with severe PIRCS for PTAS. They were randomly separated into two groups based on endovascular techniques performed with and without DEB. Preprocedural and early postprocedural (within 24 hours) MRI, short-term ultrasonography (6 months after PTAS), and long-term CT angiography (CTA)/MR angiography (MRA), 12 months after PTAS, were performed. Technical safety was evaluated based on periprocedural neurological complications and the number of recent embolic ischemic lesions (REIL) in the treated brain territory on diffusion-weighted imaging of early postprocedural MRI.

RESULTS

Sixty-six (30 with and 36 without DEB) subjects were enrolled, with one failure in techniques. For 65 patients in the DEB versus conventional groups, technical neurological symptoms within 1 month (1/29 (3.4%) vs 0/36; P=0.197) and REIL numbers within 24 hours (1.0±2.1 vs 1.3±1.5; P=0.592) after PTAS showed no differences. Peak systolic velocity (PSVs) on short-term ultrasonography was significantly higher in the conventional group (104.13±42.76 vs .81.95±31.35; P=0.023). The degree of in-stent stenosis (45.93±20.86 vs 26.58±8.75; P<0.001) was higher, and there were more subjects (n=8, 38.9% vs 1, 3.4%; P=0.029) with significant ISR (≥ 50%) in the conventional group than in the DEB group on long-term CTA/MRA.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed similar technical safety of carotid PTAS with and without DEBs. The number of cases of significant ISR were fewer and the degree of stenosis of ISR was less in primary DEB-PTAS of PIRCS than for conventional PTAS in the 12-month follow-up.

Ischemic stroke secondary to radiation-induced carotid artery stenosis

INTRODUCTION

Large vessel vasculopathy, such as carotid stenosis, has been shown to be a side effect of radiotherapy (RT) and has received increasing attention especially in recent decades with the improvement of RT technology. These injuries can lead to a higher risk of cerebrovascular events such as ischemic stroke. The management of these lesions may be performed with surgical repair but also with endovascular technique.

OBSERVATION

A 61-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department for an acute ischemic stroke. He was treated 16years prior for laryngeal tumor for which he had received 23 sessions of radiation therapy at the dose of 60Gy per session. The CT scan showed a radiation-induced stenosis of the right internal carotid artery with thrombosis of the right anterior cerebral artery and the right middle cerebral artery. The patient was treated with angioplasty of the right internal carotid artery with good outcome.

CONCLUSION

Radiation-induced vasculopathy of the carotid artery has gained relevance in patients with head and neck neoplasms. These vascular lesions are associated with the risk of late cerebrovascular events.

Long-Term Adverse Effects of Neck Radiotherapy in Childhood on the Carotid Arteries in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are recognized to have an increased risk of stroke and carotid artery disease owing to neck irradiation (RT). However, it remains unclear whether the vascular modifications induced by the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma during childhood persist over the long term.

METHODS

Our matched study involved 79 survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood who received neck RT and 57 healthy controls. Parameters of arterial stiffness (AS), intima-media thickness (IMT), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of carotid arteries were assessed using ultrasound.

RESULTS

Our patient cohort demonstrated a significant increase in AS compared to controls (p < 0.05), though no such disparity was observed for FMD (p = 0.111). Neck RT intensified AS (B = 0.037, p = 0.000), while anthracyclines attenuated it (B = -0.803, p = 0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between neck RT (p < 0.001) and AS. However, we found no significant association between neck RT and FMD (p = 0.277). We identified a substantial positive correlation between the dose of neck RT and AS.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular changes in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma after neck RT seem to be long-term. Therefore, these patients may have an increased risk of stroke. We suggest refinement of international guidelines according to our results.

Identifying the Cause of Acute Left-Sided Visual Loss: A Clinical Dilemma

Given the global increase in the incidence of head and neck cancers over the last decade, the use of chemoradiation has also increased. It is well known that chemotherapy/radiation are established standard therapies in head and neck cancers, especially in patients who are not candidates for surgery. Despite this increase in chemoradiation therapies in head and neck cancers, there is a lack of established guidelines on the surveillance and screening of these patients for long-term complications. We present an interesting case of acute left eye blindness in a veteran patient with a history of laryngeal cancer status post chemoradiation and in the setting of a left ventricular (LV) thrombus on anticoagulation resulting in a diagnostic challenge determining the etiology. This case emphasizes the need for thorough patient-centered annual evaluation, thus providing an opportunity for early noninvasive or minimally invasive intervention.

Case report of intracranial large vessel occlusion in glioblastoma multiforme patient after radiation therapy

INTRODUCTION

Vasculopathy of the large arteries is a prominent complication of radiotherapy. Radiation-induced cerebral vasculopathy can cause arterial stenosis/occlusion, cerebral hemorrhage, and aneurysm formation. We report a cases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with occlusive radiation vasculopathy (ORV).

CASE PRESENTATION

This 28-year-old patient who suffered from GBM had surgery for cytoreduction and received postoperative CCRT. We adopted the radiotherapy and oncology group radiation guideline. This patient had cerebrovascular accident episodes without any known risk. Therefore, ORV was highly suspected and vascular stenosis was confirmed using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or digital subtraction angiography. Extracranial-intracranial bypass was performed and patency was confirmed. The patient had not suffered from recurrent symptoms of transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke for 1.5 years.

DISCUSSION

This is the first article to report bypass surgery for GBM patients. Although the median survival rate of GBM is approximately 15 months, the short survival time may be sufficient for occlusive vasculopathy to occur. Regular follow-up magnetic resonance imaging assessments are recommended, as is MRA as a screening tool for the early diagnosis of ORV.The Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial focused on atherosclerotic intracranial arterial stenosis, revealing that aggressive medical management was superior to stenting for secondary stroke prevention; however, it did not mention radiation-induced vasculopathy. Bypass surgery has yielded some positive outcomes. In the absence of contraindications, antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents could be added, and bypass surgery could be performed because there was no stent in the distal intracranial arteries.

CONCLUSION

MRA is a potential screening tool for ORV in GBM patients and bypass surgery could be performed to improve brain perfusion. Bypass surgery could help patient with occlusive radiation vasculopathy.

Late Radiation-Induced Carotid Artery Stenosis and Stroke in Pediatric Patient Treated With Proton Radiation Therapy for Skull-Base Chordoma

Radiation vasculopathy is a well-recognized late complication of radiation therapy. We present a case of a stroke 29 years after high-dose proton radiation therapy for skull-base chordoma due to occlusion of bilateral internal carotid arteries.

Revisiting the Role of Surgical Resection for Brain Metastasis

Brain metastasis (BM) is the most common type of brain tumor in adults. The contemporary management of BM remains challenging. Advancements in systemic cancer treatment have increased the survival of patients with cancer. Although the treatment of BM is still complicated, advances in radiotherapy, including stereotactic radiosurgery and chemotherapy, have improved treatment outcomes. Surgical resection is the traditional treatment for BM and its role in the surgical resection of BM has been well established. However, refinement of the surgical resection technique and strategy for BM is needed. Herein, we discuss the evolving role of surgery in patients with BM and the future of BM treatment.

Mechanical thrombectomy combined with stenting for radiation-induced carotid stenosis-related stroke with high-load embolization: A case report

Radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma can cause chronic progressive carotid artery injury, but acute ischemic stroke caused by carotid artery high-load thrombosis rarely occurs in patients with tandem lesions. We performed carotid mechanical thrombectomy combined with angioplasty in a 57-year-old man who received radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma more than 10 years before presentation. He presented with acute-onset left hemiplegia, confusion, and mixed aphasia. Head CT revealed a hyper-dense sign in the right middle cerebral artery M1 region, and angiography disclosed occlusion in the right internal carotid artery C5 region with extremely severe stenosis in the middle C1 region. Intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy with carotid stenting was performed, and re-canalization was achieved. Re-examination angiography after 3 months revealed worsening of ulcerative plaques and pseudoaneurysms in the left common carotid artery. Consequently, we performed carotid stenting over the left common carotid artery, and the patient recovered well postoperatively. Our experience suggests that early detection of large blood vessel damage and intervention are necessary to prevent large-vessel ischemic stroke in patients who received radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Reduction of Elective Radiotherapy Treatment Volume in Definitive Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer-Comparison of a Prospective Trial with a Revised Simulated Contouring Approach

Definitive radiochemotherapy of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) achieves high locoregional tumor control rates; but is frequently associated with long-term toxicity. A future direction could be a de-escalation strategy focusing on treated volume rather than radiotherapy dose. This analysis evaluates radiotherapy dose and volume parameters of patients treated with a standard contouring approach in a clinical trial context compared with a revised volume-reduced contouring approach. In this case, 30 consecutive patients from the CheckRad-CD8 trial treated at a single study center were included in this analysis. Treatment toxicity and quality of life were assessed at the end of radiotherapy. Standard treatment plans (ST) following state of the art contouring guidelines that were used for patient treatment and volume reduced treatment plans (VRT) according to a revised simulated approach were calculated for each patient. Planning target volumes (PTV) and mean doses to 38 organs-at-risk structures were compared. At the end of radiotherapy patients reported high rates of mucositis; dysphagia and xerostomia. In addition; patient reported quality of life as assessed by the EORTC QLQ-HN35 questionnaire deteriorated. Comparing the two contouring approaches; the elective PTV_56 Gy and the high risk PTV_63 Gy (shrinking field) were significantly smaller in the VRT group. Significant reduction of mean dose to structures of the oral cavity; the larynx as well as part of the swallowing muscles and the submandibular glands was achieved in the simulated VRT-plan. Treatment de-intensification by reduction of the irradiated volume could potentially reduce treatment volume and mean doses to organs at risk. The proposed contouring approach should be studied further in the context of a clinical trial.

Perioperative outcomes of carotid endarterectomy and transfemoral and transcervical carotid artery stenting in radiation-induced carotid lesions

OBJECTIVE

Limited data are available to guide the choice of intervention for patients with radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS), either transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS), or carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate patients who had undergone these carotid artery interventions for RICS and the associated outcomes.

METHODS

Patients in the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) carotid artery stenting surveillance project registry and the SVS VQI CEA modules who had undergone carotid artery intervention (TCAR, TFCAS, or CEA) for RICS were included. Those aged >90 years and those with concomitant interventions (eg, coronary bypass) were excluded. A composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included death, MI, stroke, cranial nerve injury (CNI), and other local and systemic complications. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for presenting symptomatic status and comorbid medical conditions was conducted for the outcome variables, except for death, which was analyzed using Cox regression modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 1927 patients with RICS had undergone CEA (n = 1172), TCAR (n = 253), or TFCAS (n = 502). The CEA group had a higher rate of diabetes (31% vs 25% for TCAR and 25% for TFCAS; P = .01), hypertension (85% vs 82% for TCAR and 79% for TFCAS; P < .01), and peripheral vascular disease (8% vs 4% for TCAR and 4% for TFCAS; P < .01). The TCAR and TFCAS groups had higher rates of coronary artery disease (21% for CEA vs 30% for TCAR and 29% for TFCAS; P < .01). The patients who had undergone TFCAS were more likely to have had symptomatic lesions (57% for TFCAS vs 47% for CEA and 41% for TCAR; P < .01) and prior stroke (55% for TFCAS vs 47% for CEA and 40% for TCAR; P < .001). The composite outcome occurred in 3.2% of TCAR patients, 11.2% of TFCAS patients, and 11.1% of CEA patients (P < .01) with an odds ratio of 0.27 for TCAR, 0.91 for TFCAS, and 1.00 for CEA. However, no differences in the individual outcomes were noted for any procedure. TCAR exhibited the lowest odds ratio for CNI (0.15) compared with TFCAS at 0.9, both relative to CEA (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

RICS patients treated by TCAR in the SVS VQI had the lowest risk of the composite of stroke, death, and MI and CNI. Therefore, TCAR might be the preferred treatment modality. Further comparative studies are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes in this population and to elucidate the relationship of these procedures to the individual outcomes of stroke, MI, and death.

A cross-sectional assessment of long-term effects in adolescent and young adult head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy

PURPOSE

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) head and neck (H&N) cancer survivors are at risk of long-term complications. A cross-sectional study of survivors recalled for clinical evaluation was performed to evaluate late effects in this population.

METHODS

Surviving patients who had been diagnosed with H&N cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 years and treated with radiation therapy (RT) in British Columbia between 1970 and 2010 were invited to participate in this study. Survivors were assessed in consultation by a radiation oncologist for a complete history and physical exam. Comprehensive data collection of subjective and objective late effects of RT and screening investigations were completed.

RESULTS

Of 36 AYA H&N participants, the majority were female (61%), and the most common tumour sites were thyroid (28%), oropharynx (17%), salivary gland (14%) and larynx (14%). Dental extractions post treatment was performed for 33% and dental implants for 17%. The majority (72%) reported xerostomia, 50% had dysphagia to solids and 25% hearing loss. Of the non-thyroid cancer patients who underwent RT to their neck, 45% developed hypothyroidism. There were 28% of participants with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and 27% with thyroid nodules; all were diagnosed after recall screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of AYA H&N cancer treated with RT reported numerous long-term complications. Comprehensive follow-up and screening guidelines should be established for this at-risk population.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

AYA H&N cancer survivors and their primary care practitioners should be educated on screening recommendations and the risk of late effects.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting of post-irradiated stenosis of subclavian artery

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) of post-irradiated stenosis of subclavian artery (PISSA) was not well clarified. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the technical safety and outcome of the patients of severe symptomatic PISSA accepted PTAS.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2019, 16 cases with 17 lesions of symptomatic and medically refractory PISSA accepted PTAS were included. We evaluated their technical success, peri-procedural complications and diffusion-weight imaging (DWI) of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), results of symptom relief, and long-term stent patency.

RESULTS

The stenosis of the 17 stenotic lesions were 81.2 ± 11.1%. The most common symptom of the 16 patients was dizziness (14/16, 87.5%). All successfully accepted PTAS without neurological complication and had symptom relief after PTAS (17/17, 100%). Of the 12 patients accepted pre-procedural and early post-procedural MRI follow-up, 2 patients had an asymptomatic tiny acute embolic infarct in the territory of vertebrobasilar system. In a 51.9 ± 54.9 months follow-up, all patients had no severe restenosis and no recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic symptoms.

CONCLUSION

For patients with PISSA and medically refractory ischemic symptoms, PTAS can be an effective alternative management.

Prognostic factors after transoral resection of early hypopharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate risk factors predictive of local recurrence and/or lymph node metastasis after transoral resection of early hypopharyngeal cancer.

METHODS

Forty-nine consecutive patients who underwent transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS) as an initial treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. On univariate and multivariate analysis, local recurrence rates were assessed respectively using log-rank test and cox regression analysis according to the following parameters: subsite, pT, mucosal margin, lymphatic invasion, vessel invasion, tumor thickness (> 4 mm vs ≤4 mm), history of esophageal cancer, and multiple Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) in the esophagus. Categorical variables were evaluated for their associations with lymph node metastasis using chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULT

The subsites of primary lesions were piriform sinus in 24 patients, posterior wall in 15 patients, and postcricoid in 10 patients. Thirty patients had esophageal cancer. Local recurrence occurred in 14 patients. Three patients had lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis and four patients developed lymph node metastasis after the initial treatment, resulting a total of seven patients having lymph node metastasis. While mucosal margin and LVLs showed significant associations with local recurrence on univariate analysis, only LVLs remained as a significant risk factor on multivariate analysis (P = .0395; hazard ratio = 8.897; 95% confidence interval, 1.113-71.15). Most cases of local recurrence were satisfactorily controlled by repeated TOVS. While multivariate analysis could not be performed due to the small number of the patients with lymph node metastases, venous invasion (P = .0166) and tumor thickness (P = .0092) were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Local recurrence was more frequent in patients with LVLs, but most of them were salvaged by repeated TOVS. Patients with venous invasion and/or tumor thickness greater than 4 mm should be followed up with special attention to lymph node metastasis.Level of Evidence: 3.

Arterial stiffness as an ultrasound biomarker of radiation-induced carotid artery disease

Background: Radiation-induced carotid artery disease (RICAD) is an important issue in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors after radiotherapy (RT). The risk of cerebrovascular disease in these patients is doubled. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of RT on carotid artery stiffness in HNC patients. Patients and methods: Conventional arterial stiffness parameters were measured in a total of 50 HNC survivors treated with RT for at least 5 years and compared to 50 unirradiated HNC patients. Elastic modulus (Ep) and Beta stiffness index (β) were measured in proximal, mid and distal common carotid artery (CCA). Results: The mean age of the subjects was 68±9 years (range: 44-84) in the irradiated group and 67±10 years (range: 45-85) in the control group. The RT group was treated with a mean radiation exposure of 60.3±6.7 Gy (range: 44-72) in the neck. Carotid stiffness parameters showed significant group differences: Ep in the RT group was 2.329±1.222 vs 1.742±828 in the non-RT group (p=0.006) and β index in the RT group was 23±11 vs 15±8 in the non-RT group (p<0.001). Radiation-induced carotid stiffness was quantified and cervical exposure to RT increased Ep in 575 kPa (p=0.014) and β in 7 units (p<0.003). Conclusions: Ep and β index could be suitable ultrasound biomarkers of radiation-induced atherosclerosis in HNC survivors. Further prospective studies are needed to feature RICD in this setting.

STA-MCA Bypass in Carotid Stenosis after Radiosurgery for Cavernous Sinus Meningioma

BACKGROUND

Cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSM) are mostly non-surgical tumors. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or radiotherapy (SRT) allow tumor control and improvement of pre-existing cranial nerve (CN) deficits. We report the case of a patient with radiation-induced internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. We complete the picture with a review of the literature of vascular and non-vascular complications following the treatment of CSMs with SRS or SRT.

METHODS

After a case description, a systematic literature review is presented, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2015 guidelines.

RESULTS

115 abstracts were screened and 70 titles were retained for full-paper screening. A total of 58 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria. There were 12 articles included in our review, with a follow-up ranging from 33 to 120 months. Two cases of post-SRT ischemic stroke and one case of asymptomatic ICA stenosis were described. Non-vascular complications were reported in all articles.

CONCLUSION

SRS and SRT carry fewer complications than open surgery, with similar rates of tumor control. Our case shows the importance of a follow-up of irradiated CSMs not only by a radio-oncologist, but also by a neurosurgeon, illustrating the importance of multidisciplinary management of CSMs.

Total plaque score helps to determine follow-up strategy for carotid artery stenosis progression in head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

To identify predictors of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) progression in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

We included 217 stroke-naïve HNC patients with mild carotid artery stenosis after RT in our hospital. These patients underwent annual carotid duplex ultrasound (CDU) studies to monitor CAS progression. CAS progression was defined as the presence of ≥50% stenosis of the internal/common carotid artery on follow-up CDU. We recorded total plaque score (TPS) and determined the cut-off TPS to predict CAS progression. We categorized patients into high (HP) and low plaque (LP) score groups based on their TPS at enrolment. We analyzed the cumulative events of CAS progression in the two groups.

RESULTS

The TPS of the CDU study at enrolment was a significant predictor for CAS progression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.69, p = 0.002). The cut-off TPS was 7 (area under the curve: 0.800), and a TPS ≥ 7 strongly predicted upcoming CAS progression (aOR = 41.106, p = 0.002). The HP group had a higher risk of CAS progression during follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio = 6.15; 95% confident interval: 2.29-16.53) in multivariable Cox analysis, and also a higher trend of upcoming ischemic stroke (HP vs. LP: 8.3% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

HNC patients with a TPS ≥ 7 in any CDU study after RT are susceptible to CAS progression and should receive close monitoring within the following 2 years.

Novel triple coaxial system to navigate 9 French balloon guiding catheter into common carotid artery

Background

It is often hard to navigate a 9 French (F) balloon guiding catheter in patients with type III or bovine aortic arch. Also, a common carotid artery stenosis is challenging, because a guidewire cannot be advanced distally. We developed the combination of a 4F Simmons-type catheter and a 6F distal access catheter as a coaxial inner catheter to navigate a 9F balloon guiding catheter to overcome these difficulties.

Materials and methods

Medical record at our institution was retrospectively reviewed and carotid artery stenting cases in which the 4F Simmons-6F distal access catheter system was employed as a coaxial catheter to navigate a 9F balloon guiding catheter were identified. To construct this system, a 4F 145 cm SY3 (Hanako Medical, Saitama, Japan) and a 6F 118 cm Cerulean DD6 (Medikit Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were usually employed. A rotating hemostatic valve should be as short as possible and was attached to only a 9F balloon guiding catheter. The length of a 0.035-in. guidewire needed to be 180 cm or longer.

Results

During the study period, 106 carotid artery stenting cases were identified. Of these, this system was employed in 29 cases that included 5 cases with a steno-occlusive lesion at common carotid artery/external carotid artery, 10 with type III or bovine arch, and 11 harboring both. In all the cases, a 9F balloon guiding catheter was successfully navigated.

Conclusion

The 4F Simmons-6F distal access catheter system was useful in navigating a 9F balloon guiding catheter in patients with a common carotid artery stenosis, an external carotid artery occlusion, and an in-stent restenosis, especially when they also harbored type III or bovine aortic arch.

Screening for irradiation vasculopathy by intima-media thickness sonography in head and neck cancer patients

Purpose

Post-irradiation vasculopathy is a severe form of atherosclerosis and affects the prognosis of head and neck cancer survivors. Sonographic intima-media thickness (IMT) precedes stenosis, plaque formation, and cerebrovascular events. Therefore, IMT may be a valuable screening marker for post-irradiation toxicity. However, the critical irradiation dose and the onset of IMT increase remain unclear.

Methods

The cross-sectional study analysed the carotid artery IMT in 96 irradiated patients and 41 controls regarding irradiation dose, post-irradiation-interval, and cardiovascular risk factors. Distinct irradiation doses to the tumour side and the contralateral hemineck enabled detection of dose depended effects within one patient and control of risk factors.

Results

Radiotherapy caused a dose-dependent increase in IMT. The toxicity did not have saturation effects for > 60 Gy. The IMT increase occurred in short-term following radiotherapy and the risk for a pathological value (> 0.9 mm) rose significantly. The correlation between IMT and radiotherapy was comparable to established cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion

Radiotherapists should consider the additional toxicity of high doses for non-metastatic head and neck cancer. If neck metastases require radiotherapy with boost, IMT measurement is suitable for early detection of carotid artery damage.

Clinical outcomes of radiation-induced carotid stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Clinical outcomes of radiation-induced carotid stenosis are still unclear. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes after interventions to treat radiation-induced carotid stenosis.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from 1 January 2000 for relevant RCTs and observational studies which reported outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for carotid stenosis induced by radiation. Risk of bias were assessed through different scales according to study design. I² statistic were used to evaluate the heterogeneity, and meta-regression were performed to investigate the source of heterogeneity. Visual inspection of funnel plots was used to judge publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies with 1002 patients were included. CEA was performed in 364 patients and CAS in 638 patients. The overall estimated rate of short-term stroke was 0.19% (95% CI: 0-0.90%), and the rate of long-term stroke was 2.68 % (95% CI: 1.19-4.57%). The rate of cranial nerve injury in CEA group was significantly higher than that in CAS group [risk ratio (RR): 6.03, 95% CI: 1.63-22.22, P = .007]. The univariate regression analysis showed that the risk of stroke in CAS group were significantly higher than CEA group in both short- and long-term [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 3.62, 95% CI: 1.21-10.85, P = 0.22; IRR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.02-8.59, P = .046, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provided the worldwide profile of outcome of treatment for radiation-induced carotid stenosis, and also found that CEA can yield better results for these patients than CAS. Nonetheless, as large-scale studies have not yet been conducted, and there is a definite need for further studies in the future.