Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting of petrous and cavernous internal carotid artery stenosis - a systematic review

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting have been used for the treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis over the past two decades. A systematic review was performed to understand the efficacy of PTA and/or stenting for petrous and cavernous ICA stenosis. In total, 151 patients (mean age 64.9) met criteria for analysis, 117 (77.5%%) were male and 34 (22.5%) were female. Of the 151 patients, 35 of them (23.2%) had PTA, and 116 (76.8%) had endovascular stenting. Twenty-two patients had periprocedural complications. There was no significant difference in the complication rates between the PTA (14.3%) and stent (14.7%) groups. Distal embolism was the most common periprocedural complication. Average clinical follow up for 146 patients was 27.3 months. Eleven patients (7.5%) out of 146 had retreatment. The treatment of petrous and cavernous ICA with PTA and stenting has relatively significant procedure related complication rates and adequate long-term patency.

Redundant nerve roots indicate higher degree of stenosis in lumbar spine stenotic patients

OBJECTIVES

Redundant Nerve Root (RNR) is a tortuous and elongated radiological appearance of cauda equina on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis (LSCS) patients. This study evaluated preoperative spinal morphometry associated with the development of RNR.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, and included patients undergoing decompressive spinal surgery secondary to degenerative LSCS in 2015. The patients were divided into two groups with respect to the presence of preoperative RNR. Spinal morphometry was defined by several radiological parameters, including areas of dural sac (DSA), spinal canal, spinal foramen, facets, and spinal joints, and bilateral angles based on vertebral anatomy.

RESULTS

A total of 55 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 57.1 years, in which 22 (40%) expressed RNR in their MRI. The RNR group had significantly lower mean DSA (59.64 vs 84.01 mm2; p = 0.028), bilateral posterior facet angle (Right: 33.84 vs 46.21, p = 0.004; Left: 36.43 vs 43.80, p = 0.039) and higher bilateral anterior facet angles (Right: 54.85 vs 44.57, p = 0.026; Left: 55.27 vs 46.36, p = 0.050) compared to the non-RNR group. The other bidimensional and angular parameters did not observe any statistical difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

RNR was associated with a higher degree of stenosis in patients with LSCS. Bilateral anterior and posterior facets angles contribute to its development, indicating particular spinal morphology to be vulnerable to the stenotic disease.

Role of redundant nerve roots in clinical manifestations of lumbar spine stenosis

Background

Redundant nerve roots (RNRs) are defined as elongated, thickened, and tortious appearing roots of the cauda equina secondary to lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). The study compared the clinical and radiological features of patients with LSCS with versus without RNR.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed on 55 patients who underwent decompressive surgery for degenerative LSCS. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of RNR in their preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, as evaluated by a radiologist blinded to the study design. Medical records were reviewed for basic demographic, clinical MR presentation, and outcomes utilizing Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores.

Results

The mean age of enrolled patients was 57.1, with mean follow-up of 4.0 months. RNR was found in 22 (40%) of patients with LSCS. These patients were older than those patients without RNR (62.2 vs. 53.7). Interestingly, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical presentations, duration of symptoms, and outcomes using JOA scores between the two groups.

Conclusion

RNR is a relatively common radiological finding (i.e., 40%) in patients with LSCS. It is more likely to be observed in older patients. However, no significant differences were noted in clinical presentation and functional outcomes with respect to the presence or absence of RNR.

Modifications in lumbar facet joint are associated with spondylolisthesis in the degenerative spine diseases: a comparative analysis

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important in the assessment of degenerative spine disease. However, its role is limited in the identification of spinal instability; therefore, weight-bearing and dynamic studies like X-rays are required. The supine position eliminates the gravitational pull, corrects the vertebral slippage, and opens the facet joints leading to the collection of the synovial fluid into the joint space, which is detected on the MRI and can serve as a marker for instability. We aim to compare the facet fluid, facet hypertrophy, facet angle, and disc degenerative changes among the patients presenting with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and those without.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review for all the patients treated at our institution from January 2015 to December 2016. Facet Fluid Index (FFI) (ratio of facet fluid width and facet joint width) was calculated to assess the joint fluid. The percentage of spondylolisthesis was measured on X-rays. Each radiological parameter was compared between the two groups, i.e., patients with DS and patients without DS. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

In total, 61 patients, 28 with DS and 33 without DS, were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The average values of FFI, facet fluid width, and the difference between the superior and inferior facet were significantly higher in the group with instability (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a 4.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03-5.365) times increase in the odds of instability with a unit increase in FFI, p < 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a positive linear correlation between the facet joint effusion and facet hypertrophy on MRI and the percentage of vertebral translation on X-ray. Prospective studies will determine if these markers can play a role in predicting spinal instability.

Use of expandable stent retriever for mechanical thrombectomy of the right internal carotid artery terminus occlusion

Background:

Tigertriever (Rapid Medical, Sunrise, FL) is an adjustable-diameter stent retriever that is being tested in an investigational device exemption clinical trial, Treatment with Intent to Generate Reperfusion (TIGER). The retriever is available in three lengths with corresponding adjustable diameters; however, a single device cannot be used for multiple thrombectomy attempts. A clicker-based expansion mechanism allows incremental expansion of the retriever and step-wise increase in radial force to the parent vessel diameter. The clicker mechanism is used to expand the stent retriever until it is apposed with the vessel walls. Rest of the procedure is similar to a mechanical thrombectomy performed with a conventional stent retriever and is demonstrated in the video.

Case Description:

We present a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with left-upper extremity weakness, facial droop, and hemineglect. Perfusion imaging demonstrated increased time-to-peak. Angiography showed right internal carotid artery terminus occlusion. The patient underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b reperfusion) using the Tigertriever and was discharged home without any perioperative complications.

Conclusion:

An adjustable, expandable stent retriever allows operator to size the stent retriever to match the target artery diameter. The expandable design of stent retriever has potential implications for distal vessel occlusion mechanical thrombectomy.

Hemorrhagic complications after decompressive craniectomy

Background:

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is the preferred surgical management option for lowering refractory intracranial pressure in cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A number of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated decreased mortality but increased morbidity following DC for TBI patients. Here, we reviewed the frequency of postoperative hemorrhagic complications following DC correlating with poor outcomes.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who presented with TBI and underwent DC during the years 2015–2017. The frequency and characteristics of hemorrhagic complications were correlated with the patients’ outcomes.

Results:

There were 74 patients with TBI included in the study who underwent DC. Of these, 31 patients developed expansion of existing hemorrhagic lesions, 13 had new contusions, three developed new extradural hemorrhages, two developed new subdural hematomas, and one patient developed an intraventricular hemorrhage. Those who developed expansion of existing hemorrhagic lesions following DC had longer ICU stays and poorer outcomes (Glasgow outcome scale).

Conclusion:

After 74 DC performed in TBI patients, 67% developed new hemorrhagic lesions or expansion of previously existing hemorrhages. This finding negatively impacted clinical outcomes, including mortality.

Cigarette smoking and risk of intracranial aneurysms in middle-aged women

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We previously reported a single-centre study demonstrating that smoking confers a six-fold increased risk for having an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) in women aged between 30 and 60 years and this risk was higher if the patient had chronic hypertension. There are no data with greater generalisability evaluating this association. We aimed to validate our previous findings in women from a multicentre study.

METHODS

A multicentre case-control study on women aged between 30 and 60 years, that had magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) during the period 2016-2018. Cases were those with an incidental UIA, and these were matched to controls based on age and ethnicity. A multivariable conditional logistic regression was conducted to evaluate smoking status and hypertension differences between cases and controls.

RESULTS

From 545 eligible patients, 113 aneurysm patients were matched to 113 controls. The most common reason for imaging was due to chronic headaches in 62.5% of cases and 44.3% of controls. A positive smoking history was encountered in 57.5% of cases and in 37.2% of controls. A multivariable analysis demonstrated a significant association between positive smoking history (OR 3.7, 95%CI 1.61 to 8.50), hypertension (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.17 to 8.52) and both factors combined with a diagnosis of an incidental UIA (OR 6.9, 95% CI 2.49 to 19.24).

CONCLUSIONS

Women aged between 30 and 60 years with a positive smoking history have a four-fold increased risk for having an UIA, and a seven-fold increased risk if they have underlying chronic hypertension. These findings indicate that women aged between 30 and 60 years with a positive smoking history might benefit from a screening recommendation.

Does surgeon experience influence the amount of radiation exposure during orthopedic procedures? A systematic review

With an increasing use of intraoperative fluoroscopy in operating rooms worldwide, the topic of radiation exposure has become a major concern among hospital staff, doctors and patients alike. Since fluoroscopy has become an integral part in orthopedic intraoperative management, we sought to identify whether surgeon grade or experience plays a role in the amount of radiation used and consequently exposed. We performed a systematic review examining the association between surgeon experience and radiation exposure using primary outcome measures (radiation dose and total screening time/fluoroscopy time). To be included in the review, the study population had to compare varying surgeon experience levels and their effect on the primary outcomes. A total of eighteen studies were included in the review. The studies were a mix of prospective and retrospective studies with low to moderate quality as evaluated by the MINORs criteria. Studies were variable in defining surgeon experience levels and in the type of operations being performed. Majority of the studies showed that inexperienced surgeons/trainees had a higher total fluoroscopy time and a higher mean radiation exposure as compared to experienced surgeons. We conclude that higher surgeon experience significantly reduces usage of fluoroscopy and the consequent radiation exposure in orthopedic procedures. Introduction of strict radiation guidelines involving limited usage of fluoroscopy and supervision of trainees may be beneficial in controlling radiation exposure in the future.

Prognostic Implications of Histological Clear Cells in High-Grade Intracranial Ependymal Tumors: A Retrospective Analysis from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Background:

Clear cell variant in ependymal tumors is rare. We aimed to compare the features and outcome of the World Health Organization (WHO) Grade 3 ependymal tumors with clear cells to the WHO Grade 3 classic anaplastic ependymoma (AE).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective cohort study conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University, Pakistan, from 2003 to 2013. The medical records and radiology of patients with proven histopathology were reviewed. The analysis was done on SPSS 20.

Results:

Nine cases of clear cell variant and 23 cases of classic AE were found, both of which combined equated to 4% of the total tumor burden in 11 years. The median age of clear cell ependymoma (CCE) and AE were 49 and 37 years, respectively. Presenting symptoms included headache in 66% of CCE and 63% in AE, raised intracranial pressure accounting for 33% of CCE and 54% of AE, dizziness in 22% CCE and 39% AE, while seizures presented equally in both. Supratentorial location was observed in 77% CCE and 48% AE. Both showed hypointense signals on T1-weighted images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while T2-weighted images showed hyperintensity in all cases of CCE but only 80% of AE. MRI characteristics such as the presence of cystic component were found in 89% of CCE and 68% of AE, necrosis in 33% CCE, and 22% AE, hemorrhagic in 22% CCE and 9% AE, and equivalent contrast enhancement. Gross total resection was achieved in 5 (55%) patients of CCE, compared to 6 (26%) patients in AE. Subtotal resection was done in 4 (44%) patients of CCE and 15 (65%) patients of AE. Radiotherapy was given to 5 (55%) patients of CCE and 12 (52%) patients of AE. Recurrence was observed in 77% cases of CCE and 70% of AE, with metastasis in 29% of AE and in only one patient of CCE. Repeat surgery was done in 3 (33%) cases of CCE and 8 (35%) cases of AE. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9 and 13 months, respectively, in CCE while 14 and 18 months, respectively, for AE.

Conclusion:

Clear cells in the WHO Grade 3 ependymal tumors are found mainly in a comparatively older adult population with a predilection for supratentorial location and are more aggressive in behavior with poorer outcome than AE.