Interventional Radiology in the Management of Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysms: A Review of Techniques and Embolic Materials

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms occur mostly as a result of inflammation and trauma. Owing to high risk of rupture, they require early treatment to prevent lethal complications. Knowledge of the various approaches of embolization of pseudoaneurysms and different embolic materials used in the management of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms is essential for successful and safe embolization. We review and illustrate the endovascular, percutaneous and endoscopic ultrasound techniques used in the treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysm and briefly discuss the embolic materials and their benefits and risks.

Arteriovenous Malformations in the Pediatric Population: Review of the Existing Literature

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the pediatric population are relatively rare but reportedly carry a higher rate of rupture than in adults. This could be due to the fact that most pediatric AVMs are only detected after rupture. We aimed to review the current literature regarding the natural history and the clinical outcome after multimodality AVM treatment in the pediatric population, as optimal management for pediatric AVMs remains controversial. A multidisciplinary approach using multimodality therapy if needed has been proved to be beneficial in approaching these lesions in all age groups. Microsurgical resection remains the gold standard for the treatment of all accessible pediatric AVMs. Embolization and radiosurgery should be considered as an adjunctive therapy. Embolization provides a useful adjunct therapy to microsurgery by preventing significant blood loss and to radiosurgery by decreasing the volume of the AVM. Radiosurgery has been described to provide an alternative treatment approach in certain circumstances either as a primary or adjuvant therapy.

The evolution of intracranial aneurysm treatment techniques and future directions

Treatment techniques and management guidelines for intracranial aneurysms (IAs) have been continually developing and this rapid development has altered treatment decision-making for clinicians. IAs are treated in one of two ways: surgical treatments such as microsurgical clipping with or without bypass techniques, and endovascular methods such as coiling, balloon- or stent-assisted coiling, or intravascular flow diversion and intrasaccular flow disruption. In certain cases, a single approach may be inadequate in completely resolving the IA and successful treatment requires a combination of microsurgical and endovascular techniques, such as in complex aneurysms. The treatment option should be considered based on factors such as age; past medical history; comorbidities; patient preference; aneurysm characteristics such as location, morphology, and size; and finally the operator’s experience. The purpose of this review is to provide practicing neurosurgeons with a summary of the techniques available, and to aid decision-making by highlighting ideal or less ideal cases for a given technique. Next, we illustrate the evolution of techniques to overcome the shortfalls of preceding techniques. At the outset, we emphasize that this decision-making process is dynamic and will be directed by current best scientific evidence, and future technological advances.

LVIS Stent Versus Enterprise Stent for the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study compared clinical and angiographic outcomes between LVIS and Enterprise stents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 2014 to December 2015, total 190 patients with 208 unruptured intracranial aneurysms were coiled assisted by LVIS and Enterprise stents. Procedure-related complications, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 92 patients with 96 aneurysms received LVIS stents and 98 patients with 112 aneurysms were treated with Enterprise stents. Procedure-related complications occurred in 10.9% of patients (2 hemorrhagic events and 8 thromboembolic events) in the LVIS stents group whereas 16.3% (1 hemorrhage, 1 mass effect, and 14 thromboembolic events) in the Enterprise stents group. No statistical significant differences in thromboembolic (P = 0.263), hemorrhagic complications (P = 0.611), and favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scores of 0-2) (P = 0.379) were found between 2 groups. A greater initial complete or near-complete obliteration was found in the LVIS stents group compared with the Enterprise stents group (96.9% vs. 88.4%, P = 0.034). Larger aneurysm size (P = 0.048) was an independent predictor of procedure-related complications in univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with Enterprise stents, LVIS stents may achieve greater complete or near-complete occlusion rate. There was no significant difference in procedural-related complications and clinical outcomes between LVIS and Enterprise stents.

Outcomes and Complications After Endovascular Treatment of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: A Prognostication Attempt Using Artificial Intelligence

PURPOSE

To identify factors influencing outcome in brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) treated with endovascular embolization. We also assessed the feasibility of using machine learning techniques to prognosticate and predict outcome and compared this to conventional statistical analyses.

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of BAVM during a 22-year period in a national neuroscience center was performed. Clinical presentation, imaging, procedural details, complications, and outcome were recorded. The data was analyzed with artificial intelligence techniques to identify predictors of outcome and assess accuracy in predicting clinical outcome at final follow-up.

RESULTS

One-hundred ninety-nine patients underwent treatment for BAVM with a mean follow-up duration of 63 months. The commonest clinical presentation was intracranial hemorrhage (56%). During the follow-up period, there were 51 further hemorrhagic events, comprising spontaneous hemorrhage (n = 27) and procedural related hemorrhage (n = 24). All spontaneous events occurred in previously embolized BAVMs remote from the procedure. Complications included ischemic stroke in 10%, symptomatic hemorrhage in 9.8%, and mortality rate of 4.7%. Standard regression analysis model had an accuracy of 43% in predicting final outcome (mortality), with the type of treatment complication identified as the most important predictor. The machine learning model showed superior accuracy of 97.5% in predicting outcome and identified the presence or absence of nidal fistulae as the most important factor.

CONCLUSIONS

BAVMs can be treated successfully by endovascular techniques or combined with surgery and radiosurgery with an acceptable risk profile. Machine learning techniques can predict final outcome with greater accuracy and may help individualize treatment based on key predicting factors.

Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae: Imaging and Management

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) are pathologic arteriovenous shunts between meningeal arteries and dural venous sinuses or veins. They account for approximately 10% to 15% of all intracranial vascular malformations and are most common in middle-aged patients. DAVF are the most common vascular cause of pulsatile tinnitus. Digital subtraction angiography remains the gold standard for diagnosing these lesions. The pattern of venous drainage determines the type of DAVF and their risk for hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment has become a first-line option for their management. This article describes the natural history, clinical presentation, classification, imaging features, and management options of intracranial DAVF.

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery: A case report of facial trauma and recurrent bleeding

INTRODUCTION

Pseudoaneurysms occur when there is a partial disruption in the wall of a blood vessel, causing a hematoma that is either contained by the vessel adventitia or the perivascular soft tissue.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 32-year-old male presented to the emergency department presented with comminuted fractures in the left zygoma, ethmoids, and the right ramus of the mandible following a gunshot wound. The patient underwent open reduction of his fractures and the patient was discharged on the eighth day after the trauma. Thirteen days after the discharge and 21 days after the gunshot wound, the patient returned to the ER due to heavy nasopharyngeal bleeding that compromised the patency of the patient's airways and caused hemodynamic instability. Arteriography of the facial blood vessels revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the maxillary artery. Endovascular embolization with a synthetic embolic agent resulted in adequate hemostasis, and nine days after embolization the patient was discharged.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm is suggested by history and physical examination, and confirmed by one of several imaging methods, such as CT scan with contrast. Progressive enlargement of the lesion may lead to several complications, including rupture of the aneurysm and hemorrhage, compression of adjacent nerves, or release of embolic thrombi.

CONCLUSION

This case reports the long-term follow up and natural history of a patient with a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery and the successful use of endovascular embolization to treat the lesion.

Safety and outcome of combined endovascular and surgical management of low grade cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children compared to surgery alone

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of combined preoperative embolization and microsurgical resection in comparison with microsurgical resection alone as the current standard of care for low-grade cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the pediatric population.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective study of pediatric patients presenting with Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade I and II cerebral AVMs at a high-volume tertiary pediatric hospital between January 2005 and September 2016. Low grade AVM patients were divided into two groups: pre-operative embolization with subsequent microsurgical resection or microsurgical resection alone. Patient demographics, clinical and imaging presentations, AVM morphological characteristics, post-operative complications, and mid to long-term clinical outcomes were studied. Post-embolization and post-surgical outcomes were assessed prior to and after treatment, at 3 months and at final follow-up using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) to compare both final independent (mRS 0-2) and favorable (no change or improved mRS) clinical outcomes for comparison between study groups. Statistical associations of patient demographics, AVM characteristics/SM grading, and treatment modality group with post-operative complications were performed using univariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients with low grade cerebral AVMs met the study inclusion criteria (mean age 10.6 ± 3.4 years; range 3-16 years, 22M:12 F). Twenty patients (59%) presented with ruptured AVMs. Twenty-five patients (73.5%) underwent combined treatment with embolization and microsurgical resection, while 9/34 (26.5%) underwent microsurgical resection alone. A total of 35 embolization procedures performed in 25 patients (Mode, 1; Range, 1-7) were associated with two minor post-embolization and 7 subsequent post-surgical (28%) complications, resulting in clinical deterioration in a single patient. Microsurgical resection alone was associated with 3 post-surgical complications (33%), resulting in permanent neurological disability in a single patient. There was no significance association of post-operative complications with either treatment modality group, combined treatment versus surgical resection alone [OR:1.13; 95% CI:0.23-5.62; p-value 0.88]. SM Grade II and eloquent locations were found to be significantly associated with post-surgical complications of low grade pediatric cerebral AVMs [OR 13.2 and OR 8 respectively, p-value 0.004 and 0.005). On mean follow-up time of 35.7 months, final clinical outcome was favorable in the majority of both treatment arms with no dependent (mRS>2) patients in the combined endovascular and surgical cohort. Two patients in the surgical cohort failed to achieve independent functional status, primarily due to a pre-operative morbid status (p-value 0.015). However, there was no significant difference in favorable outcomes between the treatment groups [p-value 0.14].

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests equivalent safety and favorable clinical outcomes related to combined endovascular embolization and microsurgical resection of low grade pediatric cerebral AVMs in comparison to microsurgical resection alone. On long term clinical follow-up, the vast majority of patients achieved an independent and favorable functional status irrespective of pre-operative embolization.

Bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by staged coil trapping and covered stents graft

The treatment of bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still challenging. The authors report a rare case of bilateral VADA treated with coil trapping of ruptured VADA and covered stents implantation after multiple unsuccessful stent assisted coiling of the contralateral unruptured VADA. A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe headache and sudden stuporous consciousness. Brain CT showed thick SAH and intraventricular hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography demonstrated bilateral VADA. Based on the SAH pattern and aneurysm configurations, the right VADA was considered ruptured. This was trapped with endovascular coils without difficulty. One month later, the contralateral unruptured VADA was protected using a stent-within-a-stent technique, but marked enlargement of the left VADA was detected by 8-months follow-up angiography. Subsequently two times coil packing for pseudosacs resulted in near complete occlusion of left VADA. However, it continued to grow. Covered stents graft below the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) origin and a coronary stent implantation across the origin of the PICA resulted in near complete obliteration of the VADA. Covered stent graft can be used as a last therapeutic option for the management of VADA, which requires absolute preservation of VA flow.

Delayed Hemorrhage from an Iatrogenic Vertebral Artery Injury During Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Successful Endovascular Treatment-Report of a Rare Case and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is one of the most common spinal surgeries. Although rare, iatrogenic vertebral artery injuries (VAIs) are potentially life-threatening. Risk factors are anatomic, operative, and pathologic. We report a rare case of iatrogenic VAI during ACD and successful endovascular treatment with no long-term complications. We also review the literature on all VAIs associated with ACD and fusions. Risk factors and the safety and effectiveness of various management modalities are discussed.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 64-year-old patient sustained iatrogenic right VAI during ACD, followed by the delayed formation of a vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm and subsequent rehemorrhage. The patient recovered well with no long-term neurologic sequelae. This case is unusual because the pseudoaneurysm was not apparent on early computed tomography angiography. There is currently no consensus regarding the appropriate intraoperative management for iatrogenic VAIs. Described treatment modalities include direct repair, tamponade, and endovascular procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed pseudoaneurysm formation after iatrogenic VAI can occur. Endovascular embolization can be a safe treatment alternative to surgical repair.

Superselective transvenous embolization with Onyx and n-BCA for vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations with restricted transarterial access: safety, efficacy, and technical aspects

PURPOSE AND METHODS

Superselective transvenous embolization (TVE) with liquid embolic agents is a new concept in treatment of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAM). We performed ten sessions of TVE in VGAM patients with restricted transarterial access. In this paper, we assessed clinical and angiographic outcomes of the proposed treatment and discussed three different TVE techniques with regard to morphology of the shunt and outflow tract. Safety and avoidance-of-complication tips were also discussed.

RESULTS

Patient age ranged from 4 to 51 months. There were eight patients with choroidal VGAMs, seven of them were successfully treated with Onyx, and in one case, transvenous catheterization failed. In three cases, adjunctive coiling of draining vein was performed. In three cases, normal deep cerebral veins were connected to the outflow part of malformation; they were preserved during embolization in all cases. Six-month follow-up angiography demonstrated angiographic cure in six cases, and partial occlusion in one. There were two patients with mural VGAMs: both were treated with n-BCA. Partial occlusion was achieved in both cases. There was no procedure-related permanent morbidity or mortality. Oculomotor deficit due to quadrigeminal ischemia occurred in one case, and resolved completely after 3 weeks.

CONCLUSION

TVE with liquid embolic agents is a safe and effective salvage method for VGAMs with restricted transarterial access, previously considered as poor candidates for endovascular treatment.

Endovascular embolization prior to surgical resection of symptomatic intralobar pulmonary sequestration in an adult

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation, conventionally managed by surgical resection. Recently, the endovascular embolization has been proposed for the definite treatment of this disease. Additionally, preoperative embolization of aberrant arteries to minimize the risk of serious intraoperative haemorrhage has also been described. We report the case of 43-year old female patient who presented with cough and haemoptysis, and was successfully treated with endovascular embolization followed by a Video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection.

Prenatal Diagnosis and Multimodal Neonatal Treatment of a Rare Pial Arteriovenous Fistula: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Intracranial pial arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) are direct communications between the arterial and venous system of the brain, with the characteristic absence of a plexiform nidus, as seen in the classic cerebral arteriovenous malformations. These vascular malformations, usually occurring in the pediatric population, very rarely are diagnosed in utero, because of a lack of understanding of the condition and because they may be hard to visualize.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a rare case of a mass-effect PAVF diagnosed with fetal magnetic resonance imaging, involving the right cerebral hemisphere, fed by a pericallosal artery and associated with a giant venous dilatation. The PAVF initially was managed by the endovascular embolization. The recruitment of a middle cerebral artery feeder and the rapidly enlarging size of the venous pouch with mass effect required subsequent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2-stage multimodal treatment resulted in complete disappearance of the PAVF without complications.

Spontaneous anterior cerebral artery dissection presenting with simultaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral infarction in a patient with multiple extracranial arterial dissections

Simultaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and infarction is a quite rare presentation in a patient with a spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery. Identifying relevant radiographic features and serial angiographic surveillance as well as mode of clinical manifestation, either hemorrhage or infarction, could sufficiently determine appropriate treatment. Enlargement of ruptured aneurysm and progressing arterial stenosis around the aneurysm indicates impending risk of subsequent stroke. In this setting, prompt treatment with stent-assisted endovascular embolization can be a reliable alternative to direct surgery. When multiple arterial dissections are coexistent, management strategy often became complicated. However, satisfactory clinical results can be obtained by acknowledging responsible arterial site with careful radiographic inspection and antiplatelet medication.

Cauda equina syndrome caused by spinal dural arteriovenous fistula

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is rare but still the most commonly encountered vascular malformation of the spinal cord. A 31-year-old male developed gait disturbance due to weakness of his lower extremities, voiding difficulty and sexual dysfunction with a progressive course since 3 months. He showed areflexia in both knees and ankles. Electromyographic findings were suggestive of multiple root lesions involving bilateral L2 to S4 roots of moderate degree. Magnetic resonance images showed high signal intensity with an ill-defined margin in T2-weighted images and intensely enhanced by a contrast agent through the lumbosacral spinal cord. Selective spinal angiography confirmed a dural arteriovenous fistula with a nidus at the L2 vertebral level. After selective endovascular embolization, his symptoms drastically improved except sexual dysfunction. We report a rare case of cauda equina syndrome due to spinal arteriovenous fistula with drastic improvement after endovascular embolization.

A Machine Learning Model Predicts the Outcome of SRS for Residual Arteriovenous malformations after partial embolization- A Real-World Clinical Obstacle

PURPOSE

To propose a machine learning (ML) model predicting the favorable outcome of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for residual brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) after partial embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty bAVM patients who underwent partial embolization followed by SRS were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were randomly split into training datasets (n=100) and testing datasets (n=30). Radiomics and dosimetric features were extracted from pre-SRS treatment images. Feature selection was performed to select appropriate radiomics and dosimetric features. Three ML algorithms were applied to construct models using selected features respectively. A total of 9 models were trained to predict favorable outcomes (obliteration without complication) of bAVMs. The efficacy of these models was evaluated on the testing dataset using mean accuracy (ACC) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

The obliteration rate of this cohort was 70.77% (92/130) with a mean follow-up period of 43.8 (Range 12-108 months) months. Favorable outcomes were achieved in 89 (68.46%) patients. Four radiomics features and 7 dosimetric features were selected for ML model construction. The dosimetric SVM showed the best performance on the training dataset, with an ACC and AUC of 0.74 and 0.78 respectively. The dosimetric SVM model also showed the best performance on the testing dataset where the ACC and AUC were 0.83 and 0.77 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Dosimetric features are good predictors of prognosis for patients with partially embolized bAVM followed by SRS therapy. The use of ML models is an innovative method for predicting favorable outcomes of partially embolized bAVM followed by SRS therapy.

Extravasation during Aneurysm Embolization without Neurologic Consequences. Lessons learned from Complications of Pseudoaneurysm Coiling. Report of 2 Cases

Although endovascular intervention is the first-line treatment of intracranial aneurysm, intraprocedural rupture or extravasation is still an endangering event. We describe two interesting cases of extravasation during embolotherapy for ruptured peripheral cerebral pseudoaneurysms. Two male patients were admitted after development of sudden headache with presentation of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively. Initial angiographic assessment failed to uncover any aneurysmal dilatation in both patients. Two weeks afterwards, catheter angiography revealed aneurysms each in the peripheral middle cerebral artery and anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Under a general anesthesia, endovascular embolization was attempted without systemic heparinization. In each case, sudden extravasation was noted around the aneurysm during manual injection of contrast after microcatheter navigation. Immediate computed tomographic scan showed a large amount of contrast collection within the brain, but they tolerated and made an unremarkable recovery thereafter. Intraprocedural extravasation is an endangering event and needs prompt management, however proximal plugging with coil deployment can be sufficient alternative, if one confronts with peripheral pseudoaneurysm. Peculiar angiographic features are deemed attributable to extremely fragile, porous vascular wall of the pseudoaneurysm. Accordingly, it should be noted that extreme caution being needed to handle such a friable vascular lesion.

Recovery of posterior communicating artery aneurysm induced oculomotor nerve palsy: a comparison between surgical clipping and endovascular embolization

BACKGROUND

Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is a common symptom of posterior communicating artery aneurysm (PcomAA) that can lead to impaired eye movement and pupil dilation. Currently, surgical clipping and endovascular embolization are the two most popular treatment methods for PcomAA-induced ONP; however, the recovery outcome between the two methods remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

In the present study, we thoroughly compared the pretreatment factors and recovery outcome of the two treatments on 70 patients with PcomAA-induced ONP. The patients were separated into two groups based on the treatment that was received. Pretreatment factors, including age, sex, time period between ONP onset and treatment, ONP type, aneurysm diameter, status of subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture were recorded for each individual patient. Recovery outcome of the patients was assessed over a 12-month period.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in any of the analyzed factors. Importantly, we revealed a significantly higher full recovery rate for the patients receiving the surgical clipping treatment than the ones that received the endovascular embolization treatment. In addition, we showed that patients' age was negatively correlated with the recovery extent in both treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of our study suggests that surgical clipping might be a better option to treat PcomAA-induced ONP.

Risk and Prognostic Factors for Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms During Endovascular Embolization

OBJECTIVE

Intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IPR) always results in a poor prognosis for the patient. However, the risk factors of IPR are unclear. In this article, the risk factors are explored, a nomogram model for predicting IPR is established, and the prognostic factors for patients with IPR are analyzed.

METHODS

A total of 549 patients with aneurysm, which were embolized from September 2011 to September 2015, were enrolled for analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to explore the risk factors for IPR, and a nomogram was established. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was performed to analyze prognostic factors for patients with IPR.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (4.4%) experienced IPR. In univariate analysis, Hunt-Hess grade (P = 0.002), time from hospitalization to treatment (P = 0.08) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) to treatment (P = 0.08), aneurysm neck (P = 0.08), assistive technique (P = 0.03), and intraoperative cerebral vasospasm (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with IPR. In multivariate analysis, Hunt-Hess grade (odds ratio [OR], 8.177; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.714-39.012; P = 0.008), aneurysm neck (OR, 5.629; 95% CI, 1.149-27.575; P = 0.033), assistive technique (OR, 1.393; 95% CI, 0.961-2.018; P = 0.080), and intraoperative cerebral vasospasm (OR, 4.280; 95% CI, 1.081-16.947; P = 0.038) were independent risk factors for IPR. Hydrocephalus (P = 0.069), history of SAH (P = 0.10), ≥2 SAH (P = 0.051), location of aneurysm (P = 0.09), and number of aneurysms (P = 0.025) were associated with the bad outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Hunt-Hess grading, aneurysm neck, intraoperative assistive technology, and vasospasm were independent risk factors for IPR. Hydrocephalus requiring surgical intervention, times of rupture, location of aneurysm, and the number of aneurysms were relevant to the prognosis of patients.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding related to pancreatic adenocarcinoma: clinical efficacy and predictors of clinical outcome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for managing pancreatic adenocarcinoma-related gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and to determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes.

METHOD

From 2001-2017, this retrospective study included 58 patients who underwent TAE for pancreatic adenocarcinoma-related GI bleeding. The technical and clinical success of TAE, clinical factors including patient characteristics and embolization details, complications, and the 30-day mortality were evaluated. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

On angiography, bleeding foci were detected in 47 patients (81%), while the other 11 patients showed tumor staining. Technical success rate was 98%, and first session and overall clinical success rates were 79% and 88%, respectively. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) was the most commonly used embolic agent (53%). Stent-related bleeding was shown in 22 patients with characteristic angiogram such as arterial cut-off (13/22) and arteriobiliary fistula (5/22), with comparable clinical success rate (82%). Bleeding from the superior mesenteric artery (n = 3) at the first session of angiography and complications (n = 2), such as ischemic hepatitis and small bowel infarction, were all associated with a 30-day mortality. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 22%. Univariate analysis showed that massive transfusion and TNM stage 4 were related to clinical failure (P = 0.035 and 0.038, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

TAE was effective and safe for pancreatic adenocarcinoma-related GI bleeding. Stent-related bleeding was not uncommon, and associated with vascular abnormality amenable to TAE. Massive transfusion and TNM stage 4 were related to clinical failure.

Facial necrosis after endovascular Onyx-18 embolization for epistaxis

Background:

Evolution in techniques and equipment has expanded the role, effectiveness, and safety of endovascular transarterial embolization for the treatment of severe epistaxis. Risks from this treatment approach include major ischemic complications. To date, there have been only a few reports of soft tissue necrosis following endovascular embolization for severe epistaxis; none involve the use of Onyx-18.

Case Description:

We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with epistaxis that was refractory to medical and surgical management, which lead to endovascular intervention and embolization with Onyx-18. The patient subsequently developed nasal ala and facial necrosis as a result of the procedure.

Conclusion:

We report the use of Onyx-18 for the endovascular embolization of a patient with severe epistaxis and subsequent complications. In cases of severe epistaxis that warrant intervention in the form of embolization, ischemic complications are rare; however, ischemic complications may be unavoidable and should factor into the discussion regarding procedural risks.

Chemotherapy and surgical approach with repeated endovascular embolizations: safe interdisciplinary treatment for kasabach-merritt syndrome in a small baby

Introduction

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) is a life-threatening disease. We describe a combined medical and multistep, endovascular embolization that was successfully performed with surgery.

Case Report

A 40-day-old female baby was referred because of an infiltrating pelvic mass. Blood tests showed severe anemia and thrombocytopenia with consumptive coagulopathy. The clinical aspect was pathognomonic for KMS. Administration of steroids and chemotherapy were started and coagulation parameters were normalized with tumor volume regression. Three months later, elective surgical treatment became possible, and dissection and ligature of the left internal iliac artery and sacral artery were performed. The main arterial supply of the mass was embolized with Spongostan®. Two months later, a second hybrid approach was adopted for embolization of the main vascular supply of the tumor occupying the left thigh. Via a third contralateral hybrid femoral approach and under fluoroscopy, selective catheterization of the left profunda femoris artery was performed. The arterial feeder of the tumor, localized at the left gluteus, was seen on a CT scan 2 months later and was embolized with Onyx-18.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy and a tailored hybrid approach comprising repeated endovascular embolizations seem to be a safe treatment in cases of unresectable and life-threatening tumors in small babies.

Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: The Role of Imaging in Treatment Planning and Monitoring Response

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are characterized by shunting between pial arteries and cortical or deep veins, with the presence of an intervening nidus of tortuous blood vessels. These lesions present a therapeutic challenge, because their natural history entails a risk of intracranial hemorrhage, but treatment may cause significant morbidity. In this article, imaging features of AVMs on MR imaging and catheter angiography are reviewed to stratify the risk of hemorrhage and guide appropriate management. The angioarchitecture of AVMs may evolve over time, spontaneously or in response to treatment, necessitating ongoing imaging surveillance.

Use of a Polytetrafluoroethylene-Coated Vascular Plug for Focal Intracranial Parent Vessel Sacrifice for Fusiform Aneurysm Treatment

BACKGROUND

Fusiform intracranial aneurysms are challenging due to the circumferential nature of the disease. Endovascular parent vessel sacrifice with coils may be a treatment option, but typically requires a long vessel segment to induce complete cessation of flow.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate early clinical experience with the intracranial use of the microvascular plug (MVP; Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) device and to compare to previous coil-only techniques for vertebral artery sacrifice for fusiform vertebral aneurysm.

METHODS

We reviewed patients treated with the MVP for intracranial aneurysms at our institution. As a case-control study, we located 6 control patients who underwent coiling alone for vertebral artery sacrifice. The number of implants, fluoroscopy time, and procedural charges were compared using unpaired t -tests.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent vessel sacrifices with MVP. Eight were for vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms. Comparing only vertebral aneurysms, the mean implants was 7 in the MVP group (n = 8) and 19.5 in the coiling group (n = 6; P = .0015). Mean fluoroscopy time was 17.62 min in the MVP group compared to 24.2 min in the coiling group ( P = .07). Procedural costs were less in the MVP group ($19 667.38) compared to coiling ($44 909.50, P = .05). There were no technical failures and no cases with persistent flow in the parent vessel at the end of the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The MVP is a cost-effective device for focal intracranial vessel occlusion in select patients. This is an important tool for cerebrovascular surgeons, particularly in cases of ruptured dissecting vertebral aneurysms.

Large renal arteriovenous fistula treated by embolization: a case report

Renal arteriovenous fistula (RAVF) is an uncommon vascular malformation of the kidney, which can be congenital, acquired or idiopathic. Although most patients are asymptomatic, RAVF can lead to hypertension, heart failure, renal insufficiency, hematuria, and progressive increase in size of renal vessels. Diagnosis is aided by radiological studies, with digital subtraction angiography as a gold standard. Besides, ultrasound with color Doppler and computed tomography angiography are noninvasive imaging techniques and can be useful for planning the treatment. A large fistula are generally treated by nephrectomy. Intervention can ameliorate the hemodynamic effects of high flow and to preserve the renal parenchymal function. Although endovascular therapy may be challenging due to the large size and high flow of fistula, this report describes a case of huge RAVF was successfully treated by embolization instead of surgery.