Emergency reconstructive endovascular management of intraoperative complications involving the internal carotid artery from trans-sphenoidal surgery

Proximal basilar artery hemorrhage after submaximal angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic disease presenting as a large vessel occlusion treated with pipeline embolization device

Iatrogenic vessel perforation from endovascular intervention is a devastating complication that commonly is treated with vessel sacrifice. We present a unique case of an iatrogenic proximal basilar artery perforation after submaximal angioplasty in a 67-year-old male presenting with an acute basilar artery occlusion with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Telescoping flow-diverting stents were then deployed to reconstruct the vessel wall with resulting active hemorrhage resolution. Our case documents a successful deployment of flow-diverting stents with resolution of active hemorrhage after an iatrogenic basilar artery perforation.

Endovascular reconstruction of iatrogenic internal carotid artery injury following endonasal surgery: a systematic review

The objective of this study is to provide an update on endovascular treatments for iatrogenic internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries following endonasal surgery. A systematic review of the literature was performed by using Medline, Cochrane library, and Scopus from 1999 to 2019. We used a combination of the MeSH terms "internal carotid artery," "iatrogenic disease," and "endovascular procedure." Twenty-six articles including 46 patients were identified for in this systematic review. The mean age of the patients was 49 years (CI: ± 4.2). The most common site of ICA injury was in cavernous segment (18 patients; 39%). The most common type of iatrogenic ICA injury was a traumatic pseudoaneurysm documented in 28 patients (60%). Endoluminal reconstruction was performed using covered stents in 28 patients, the Pipeline embolization device (PED) in 13 patients, the Surpass flow diverter device in three, the SILK flow diverter in one, and one case was treated using a combined approach of a covered stent and a PED. Flow diversion and covered stents resulted in a good clinical outcome in 94% and 89% of patients, respectively. This difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 1.0). Even though this systematic review was limited due to articles of small sample sizes and considerable heterogeneity, the results indicate that flow diverting devices and covered stents are good therapeutic options for endoluminal reconstruction of iatrogenic ICA injuries following endonasal surgery.

A modified endovascular treatment protocol for iatrogenic internal carotid artery injuries following endoscopic endonasal surgery

OBJECTIVE

Internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) are catastrophic complications. Alongside the advancements in medical instrumentation and material, there is a need to modify previous treatment modalities and principles.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 3658 patients who underwent EES performed at the authors' institution between January 2012 and December 2017 was conducted. Ultimately, 20 patients (0.55%) with ICA injury following EES were enrolled for analysis. Data collection included demographic data, preoperative diagnosis, injury setting, repair method, and immediate and follow-up angiographic and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 20 patients, 11 received immediate endovascular therapy and 9 were treated only with packing. Of the 11 patients who received endovascular treatment, 6 were treated by covered stent and 5 by parent artery occlusion (PAO). The preservation rate of injured ICA increased from 20.0% (1 of 5) to 83.3% (5 of 6) after the Willis covered stent graft became available in January 2016. Of the 20 patients in the study, 19 recovered well and 1 patient-who had a pseudoaneurysm and was treated by PAO with a detachable balloon-suffered epistaxis after the hemostat in her nasal cavity was removed in ward, and she died later that day. The authors speculated that the detachable balloon had shifted to the distal part of ICA, although the patient could not undergo a repeat angiogram because she quickly suffered shock and could not be transferred to the catheter room. After the introduction of a hybrid operating room (OR), one patient whose first angiogram showed no ICA injury was found to have a pseudoaneurysm. He received endovascular treatment when he was brought for a repeat angiogram 5 days later in the hybrid OR after removing the hemostat in his nasal cavity. Of the 4 surviving patients treated with PAO, no external carotid artery-ICA bypass was required. The authors propose a modified endovascular treatment protocol for ICA injuries suffered during EES that exploits the advantage of the covered stent graft and the hybrid OR.

CONCLUSIONS

The endovascular treatment protocol used in this study for ICA injuries during EES was helpful in the management of this rare complication. Willis stent placement improved the preservation rate of injured ICA during EES. It would be highly advantageous to manage this complication in a hybrid OR or by a mobile C-arm to get a clear intraoperative angiogram.

Pipeline embolization for an iatrogenic intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor surgery: Case report and review of the literature

Intracranial pseudoaneurysms are uncommon and among the most difficult lesions to treat with surgery or endovascular means without parent artery sacrifice. Here, we report on a patient who underwent successful treatment using a flow-diverting stent for an iatrogenic intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm following a vessel injury after endoscopic pituitary tumor resection via the transsphenoidal approach. A 62-year-old man with a Rathke's cleft cyst presenting with bitemporal hemianopia and progressive decline of left visual acuity underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. During dura incision, brisk arterial bleeding was encountered from the right internal carotid artery. Immediate packing was performed, and hemostasis was achieved. Three days after the vessel injury, an angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm (2.9 × 2.1 mm) at the cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery, which showed enlargement on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at six days postoperatively. Pipeline embolization was performed nine days after the vessel injury. Angiography performed one month after Pipeline embolization revealed significant stagnation but not complete occlusion of blood flow inside the pseudoaneurysm cavity. Dual antiplatelet therapy was replaced with single antiplatelet therapy. Follow-up angiograms three months after Pipeline embolization confirmed complete obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm and successful endoluminal reconstruction of the damaged vessel. Despite the possibility of short-term bleeding and the need for dual antiplatelet therapy administration for a certain period, the use of flow-diverting stents is a feasible vessel-sparing option in the management of intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms resulting from transsphenoidal surgery injuries if intraoperative hemodynamic stability can be achieved with effective packing.

Anterior Cerebral Artery Rupture During Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approach for Severely Calcified Craniopharyngioma

BACKGROUND

This report discusses the risks and complications of using the extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EEETA) in a special craniopharyngioma case to caution neurosurgeons.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 38-year-old woman with craniopharyngioma underwent EEETA surgery. Her anterior cerebral artery was punctured intraoperatively and clipped using an aneurysm clip through the nose in an emergency procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The coexistence of severe calcified craniopharyngiomas, especially with sharp calcified spurs, a narrow distance between the anterior communicating artery and the planum sphenoidale, and a narrow distance between the bilateral internal carotid arteries is a significant warning signal during EEETA for craniopharyngiomas. In this circumstance, it may be preferable to use open microsurgical approaches. If the anterior communicating artery or anterior cerebral artery is punctured during EEETA, another method is available to fix the problem using an aneurysm clip through the nose, and not only endovascular embolization.

Surpass Streamline Flow-Diverter Embolization Device for Treatment of Iatrogenic and Traumatic Internal Carotid Artery Injuries

Iatrogenic and traumatic cerebral internal carotid artery injuries are uncommon but potentially lethal complications. Direct surgical repair of ICA injuries may be difficult in an acute setting. However, endovascular treatment with a flow-diverter embolization device is a feasible alternative technique that we experienced. In this clinical report, we describe demographic data, radiographic images, lesion characteristics, endovascular procedure notes, postprocedural hospital course, and follow-up digital subtraction angiography of 5 patients. At least 6-month follow-up was available in all patients without occurrence of rebleeding and other complications.

Use of the Pipeline embolization device in the treatment of iatrogenic intracranial vascular injuries: a bi-institutional experience

OBJECTIVE Flow-diverting devices have been used for the treatment of complex intracranial vascular pathology with success, but the role of these devices in treating iatrogenic intracranial vascular injuries has yet to be clearly defined. Here, the authors report their bi-institutional experience with the use of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) for the treatment of iatrogenic intracranial vascular injuries. METHODS The authors reviewed a retrospective cohort of patients with iatrogenic injuries to the intracranial vasculature that were treated with the PED between 2012 and 2016. Data collection included demographic data, indications for treatment, number and sizes of PEDs used, and immediate and follow-up angiographic and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Four patients with a mean age of 47.5 years (range 18-63 years) underwent PED placement for iatrogenic vessel injuries. In 3 patients, the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) was injured during transnasal tumor resection. In 1 patient, a basilar apex injury occurred during endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Three patients had a pseudoaneurysm as a result of vessel injury, and 1 patient had frank ICA laceration and extravasation. All 3 pseudoaneurysms were successfully treated with PED deployment. The ICA laceration was refractory to PED placement, and the vessel was subsequently occluded endovascularly. All 4 patients had a good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1). CONCLUSIONS The use of the PED is feasible in the management of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the intracranial vasculature. In cases of frank vessel perforation, an alternative strategy such as covered stent placement should be considered. Endovascular or surgical vessel occlusion remains the definitive treatment in cases of refractory hemorrhage.

Endovascular plug for internal carotid artery occlusion in the management of a cavernous pseudoaneurysm with bifrontal subdural empyema: technical note

The authors demonstrate the use of an endovascular plug in securing a carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in an emergent setting requiring craniotomy for a concurrent subdural empyema. They describe the case of a 14-year-old boy with sinusitis and bifrontal subdural empyema who underwent transsphenoidal exploration at an outside hospital. An injury to the right cavernous segment of the ICA caused torrential epistaxis. Bleeding was successfully controlled by inflating a Foley balloon catheter within the sphenoid sinus, and the patient was transferred to the authors' institution. Emergent angiography showed a dissection of the right cavernous carotid artery, with a large pseudoaneurysm projecting into the sphenoid sinus at the site of arterial injury. The right internal carotid artery was obliterated using pushable coils distally and an endovascular plug proximally. The endovascular plug enabled the authors to successfully exclude the pseudoaneurysm from the circulation. The patient subsequently underwent an emergent bifrontal craniotomy for evacuation of a left frontotemporal subdural empyema and exenteration of both frontal sinuses. He made a complete neurological recovery. Endovascular large-vessel sacrifice, obviating the need for numerous coils and antiplatelet therapy, has a role in the setting of selected acute neurosurgical emergencies necessitating craniotomy. The endovascular plug is a useful adjunct in such circumstances as the device can be deployed rapidly, safely, and effectively.

Nano-hemostats and a Pilot Study of Their Use in a Large Animal Model of Major Vessel Hemorrhage in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Nano-hemostats are synthetic amino acid chains that self-assemble into a scaffold under certain conditions. These have been shown to be effective in stopping bleeding in small animal models of hemorrhage. Proposed mechanisms for their effect are that they form a mesh analogous to the fibrin plug in native hemostasis and that they may potentiate both platelet activation and the coagulation cascade. These may potentially become valuable adjuncts to endoscopic skull base surgery where there is the potential for both major vessel injury and smaller perforator injury to eloquent areas where bipolar cautery may not be suitable. We present a summary of the clinical studies to date and a small pilot study of nano-hemostat in an endoscopic sheep model of major vessel hemorrhage to determine its efficacy in stopping bleeding in this potentially catastrophic complication.

Delayed Carotid Pseudoaneurysms from Iatrogenic Clival Meningeal Branches Avulsion: Recognition and Proposed Management

BACKGROUND

Carotid injury during anterior skull base approaches is promptly recognizable and mandates immediate treatment; likewise, development of pseudoaneurysms after such injuries is anticipated and managed.

METHODS

We report here on the delayed development of a pseudoaneurysm as the result of avulsion of clival meningeal arteries that manifests as unalarming intraoperative bleeding.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The bleeding is brisk and arterial but easily controlled. Immediate postoperative angiography is negative, necessitating repeated angiography to depict the delayed formation. It is best treated by endovascular means that maintains patency of the carotid artery, calling for the development of a suitable device that obliterates the opening of the pseudoaneurysm while maintaining carotid flow that is deployable in the tortuous carotid artery.

Carotid artery protrusion and dehiscence in patients with acromegaly

PURPOSE

Acromegaly is a systemic disease which causes multiple bony alterations. Some authors reported that acromegalic patients have risk factors for an intraoperative vascular injury due to the specific anatomical features of their sphenoid sinus. The objective of our study was to analyze the anatomic characteristics of sphenoid sinus in acromegalic patients compared with controls, by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) findings.

METHODS

We examined 45 acromegalic (acromegaly group) and 45 non-acromegalic patients (control group) with pituitary adenomas who were matched for sex, age, height, tumor size, and cavernous sinus invasion (Knosp grade). Preoperative CT of the pituitary region including the sphenoid sinus was used to evaluate the following anatomic characteristics: type of sphenoid sinus (sellar or pre-sellar/conchal); intrasphenoid septa (non/single or multiple); carotid artery protrusion; carotid artery dehiscence; intercarotid distance.

RESULTS

Sixteen acromegalic patients (35.5 %) and 6 controls (13.3 %) had carotid artery protrusion. Additionally, 10 acromegalic patients (22.2 %) and 3 controls (6.6 %) had carotid artery dehiscence. Carotid artery protrusion and dehiscence were more frequent in the acromegaly group than in control group (p = 0.013 and 0.035, respectively). Other anatomic characteristics (type of sphenoid sinus, intrasphenoid septa, and intracarotid distance) showed no significant differences between acromegaly and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that carotid artery protrusion and dehiscence occur more frequently among acromegalic patients, compared with non-acromegalic patients. It is important for surgeons to be aware of these anatomic variations to avoid vital complications, such as carotid injuries, during surgery.

Endovascular management of internal carotid artery injuries secondary to endonasal surgery: case series and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE Internal carotid artery (ICA) injury is a rare but severe complication of endonasal surgery. The authors describe their endovascular experience managing ICA injuries after transsphenoidal surgery; they review and summarize the current literature regarding endovascular techniques; and they propose a treatment algorithm based on the available evidence. METHODS A retrospective review of 576 transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resections was performed. Cases of ICA injury occurring at our institution and transfers from other hospitals were evaluated. Endovascular treatments for ICA injury reported in the literature were also reviewed and summarized. RESULTS Seven cases were identified from the institutional cohort (mean age 46.3 years, mean follow-up 43.4 months [1-107 months]) that received endovascular treatment for ICA injury. Five injuries occurred at our institution (5 [0.9%] of 576), and 2 injuries occurred at outside hospitals. Three patients underwent ICA sacrifice by coil placement, 2 underwent lesion embolization (coil or stent-assisted coil placement), and 2 underwent endoluminal reconstruction (both with flow diversion devices). Review of the literature identified 98 cases of ICA injury treated with endovascular methods. Of the 105 total cases, 46 patients underwent ICA sacrifice, 28 underwent lesion embolization, and 31 underwent endoluminal reconstruction. Sacrifice of the ICA proved a durable solution in all cases; however, the rate of persistent neurological complications was relatively high (10 [21.7%] of 46). Lesion embolization was primarily performed by coil embolization without stenting (16 cases) and stent-assisted coiling (9 cases). Both techniques had a relatively high rate of at least some technical complication (6 [37.5%] of 16 and 5 [55.6%] of 9, respectively) and major technical complications (i.e., injury, new neurological deficit, or ICA sacrifice) (5 [31.3%] of 16 and 2 [22.2%] of 9, respectively). Endoluminal reconstruction was performed by covered stent (24 cases) and flow diverter (5 cases) placement. Covered stents showed a reasonably high rate of technical complications (10 [41.7%] of 24); however, 8 of these problems were resolved, leaving a small percentage with major technical complications (2 [8.3%] of 24). Flow diverter placement was also well tolerated, with only 1 minor technical complication. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatments including vessel sacrifice, coil embolization (with or without stent assistance), and endoluminal reconstruction offer a tailored approach to ICA injury management after endonasal surgery. Vessel sacrifice remains the definitive treatment for acute, uncontrolled bleeding; however, vessel preservation techniques should be considered carefully in select patients. Multiple factors including vascular anatomy, injury characteristics, and risk of dual antiplatelet therapy should guide best treatment, but more study is needed (particularly with flow diverters) to refine this decision-making process. Ideally, all endovascular treatment options should be available at institutions performing endonasal surgery.

Endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery pseudo-aneurysm presenting with epistaxis. A case report

Recurrent epistaxis is a rare presentation of internal carotid artery C4/C5 segment pseudo-aneurysm rupture. We describe a case of a traumatic internal carotid artery pseudo-aneurysm with recurrent epistaxis as a leading symptom that was finally managed with endovascular treatment with stent-assisted coil placement. Clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid orally were introduced in the therapy for further stent thrombosis prevention and epistaxis did not recur on six-month follow-up. Endovascular treatment with stent-assisted coil placement seems to be a good method for pseudo-aneurysm treatment while keeping the lumen of the parent artery patent.