Transarterial detachable coil embolization of direct carotid-cavernous fistula: Immediate and long-term outcomes

AbstractBackgroundTransarterial embolization is a standard method for management of direct carotid-cavernous fistula (DCCF). The purpose of this study was to report our experiences, and immediate and long-term outcomes of endovascular embolization of DCCFs by using detachable coils (DCs).MethodsOver 8 years, 24 patients with 25 DCCFs underwent endovascular DC embolization. There were 15 men and nine women; age ranged from 8 to 82 years (mean, 39 years). Immediate and long-term angiographic as well as clinical outcomes after endovascular DC embolization were retrospectively analyzed. The number and the length of DCs used to occlude the fistula were also evaluated.ResultsEighteen DCCFs were successfully occluded by single-session endovascular embolization with preservation of the parent artery. Retreatments by transvenous (n = 5) and/ or transorbital routes (n = 3) had to be performed in seven patients because of residual fistula (n = 4) or recurrent fistula (n = 4) occurring within 3 weeks after embolization. The average numbers and length of coils to occlude the fistulas were 14 (range, 2–31) and 189 cm (range, 16–756 cm), respectively. Four patients had small residual fistulas with spontaneous thrombosis on follow-up angiography. Three patients had transient cranial nerve impairment of the third (n = 1) or sixth (n = 2) nerve. There was no significant procedure-related neurological complication. The follow-up period was 3–48 months (mean, 19 months)ConclusionEndovascular DC embolization of DCCFs was proved both efficacious and safe in managing high-flow fistulas with sustained angiographic and clinical effects, particularly in those DCCFs with small fistula track and/or cavernous sinus. However, retreatment via various routes may be necessary in some patients because of residual or recurrent fistulas

The choice of region of interest after spinal procedures alters bone mineral density measurements.

PurposeVertebrae affected by artifacts, such as metallic implants or bone cement, should be excluded when measuring the spine bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Exclusion may be performed using two methods: first, the affected vertebrae are included in the region of interest (ROI) and subsequently excluded from the analysis; second, the affected vertebrae are completely excluded from the ROI. This study aimed to investigate the influence of metallic implants and bone cement on BMD with and without the inclusion of artifact-affected vertebrae in the ROI.MethodsDXA images of 285 patients, including 144 with spinal metallic implants and 141 who had undergone spinal vertebroplasty from 2018 to 2021, were retrospectively reviewed. Spine BMD measurements were performed when the images were evaluated using two different ROIs for each patient during the same examination. In the first measurement, the affected vertebrae were included in the ROI; however, the affected vertebrae were excluded from the BMD analysis. In the second measurement, the affected vertebrae were excluded from the ROI. Differences between the two measurements were evaluated using a paired t-test.ResultsAmong 285 patients (average age, 73 years; 218 women), spinal metallic implants led to an overestimation of bone mass in 40 of 144 patients, whereas bone cement resulted in an underestimation of bone mass in 30 of 141 patients when the first measurement was compared with the second measurement. The opposite effect occurred in 5 and 7 patients, respectively. Differences in results between the inclusion and exclusion of the affected vertebrae in the ROI were statistically significant (pConclusionThe inclusion of affected vertebrae in the ROI may notably alter BMD measurements, even when they are excluded from the analysis. This study suggests that the vertebrae affected by spinal metallic implants or bone cement should be excluded from the ROI

The Impact of the “Osteo” Component of Osteosarcopenia on Fragility Fractures in Post-Menopausal Women

Osteosarcopenia, the coexistence of bone and muscle loss, is common in older adults, but its definition lacks international consensus. This cross-sectional study (n = 1199 post-menopausal women) aimed to determine the association between osteosarcopenia and fragility fractures and to investigate the impact of the definition of the “osteo” component. Bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the trabecular bone score (TBS), respectively. The “osteo” component of osteosarcopenia was classified as osteoporosis (T-score ≤ −2.5 SD), osteopenia/osteoporosis (T-score < −1 SD), and high-fracture-risk osteopenia (−2.5 SD < T-score < −1 SD)/osteoporosis (T-score ≤ −2.5 SD). The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool was used to identify high-fracture-risk osteopenia. Altogether, 30.3%, 32.2%, 14.4%, and 23.1% of participants had osteosarcopenia, osteoporosis alone, sarcopenia alone, and neither condition, respectively. The odds ratios between osteosarcopenia and fragility fractures were 3.70 (95% CI: 1.94–7.04) for osteosarcopenia, 2.48 (95% CI: 1.30–4.71) for osteoporosis alone, and 1.87 (95% CI: 0.84–4.14) for sarcopenia alone. Women with osteosarcopenia also had lower TBS, indicating worse bone microarchitecture. In conclusion, women with osteosarcopenia were more likely to have previously sustained a fracture compared to those without osteosarcopenia, with sarcopenia alone, and with osteoporosis alone. The relationship between osteosarcopenia and fracture risk may be best identified when considering high-fracture-risk osteopenia and osteoporosis

Update of embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are abnormal arteriovenous communications within the dura locating near a major venous sinus and are supplied by pachymeningeal arteries. DAVFs represent 10–15% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The natural history and clinical manifestations are determined by location of the DAVFs and their angioarchitecture. Aggressive DAVF is usually associated with leptomeningeal venous drains or reflux. It may present with hemorrhagic or nonhemorrhagic stroke. The goal of embolization of DAVFs is total fistula occlusion without interfering with the normal dura–venous drains. Embolization can be performed by transarterial and/or transvenous routes or direct puncture of affected dural sinus. Selection of embolic materials depends on access route and angioarchitecture of the fistula. With the involution of endovascular devices, embolic materials, and high-quality angiography, endovascular embolization of DAVFs has been proved a safe and effective method of treating these complex cerebrovascular lesions

Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial High-flow Arteriovenous Fistulas by Guglielmi Detachable Coils

This study reports our experience in performing transarterial Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization for intracranial high-flow arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and evaluates its efficacy and safety. Methods: Over 3 years, 13 patients with 14 intracranial high-flow AVFs had been managed by transarterial GDC embolization in our institution. There were 6 men and 7 women, with a mean age of 27 years. Of these 14 AVFs, 8 were traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas (TCCFs); 5 were AVFs at the frontal, temporal, parieto-occipital lobes, or associated with arteriovenous malformation (n = 3); 1 was a tentorium AVF. Results: All of these high-flow AVFs were successfully occluded by a single session of transarterial GDC embolization. In 8 patients with TCCFs, the nearby parent arteries were preserved. The average number of coils was 8 and the average length was 126 cm. All AVF-related symptoms resolved immediately or gradually on clinical follow-up. No significant procedure-related neurologic complication or recurrent AVF was seen. All 13 patients were followed up clinically for an average of 16 months (range, 6–25 months). Conclusion: Transarterial GDC embolization is a useful method in the treatment of intracranial high-flow AVFs. GDC affords more control in the placement of coils and proved both efficient and safe in the management of intracranial high-flow AVFs

Spontaneous Thrombosis and Complete Disappearance of Traumatic Carotid-cavernous Fistulas After Angiography

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF) is a direct shunting fistula due to a tear in the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Spontaneous thrombosis of the high-flow shunts in TCCFs is extremely rare. Most cases are treated using endovascular embolization to relieve the clinical presentations. We report 2 unusual cases of TCCF with spontaneous closure of fistulas at intervals of 2 and 10 days, respectively, after diagnostic angiograms. The possible mechanisms of spontaneous healing of the fistulas in these patients with minor head injury and small fistulas were presumed to be a transient decrease in fistula blood flow because of irritation of and/or subtle injury to the ICA by contrast media and/or catheter during diagnostic angiogram, with thrombosis formation at the fistula

Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Vertebral Dissecting Aneurysms with Electrodetachable Coils

Ruptured intradural vertebral dissecting aneurysm (VDA) is associated with a high risk of rebleeding and a high incidence of mortality if left untreated because of its natural history. We report our experience of endovascular treatment of ruptured VDAs using electrodetachable coils. Methods: Over 7 years, 10 patients with spontaneously ruptured intradural VDAs were managed by endovascular embolization in our institute. All patients received endovascular trapping of the dissecting aneurysm and proximal occlusion by electrodetachable coils. Results: There were 5 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 48 years. Of the 10 VDAs, 8 were located in the supra-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) area, and 2 were in the infra-PICA area. Six affected vertebral arteries were dominant (n = 3) or co-dominant (n = 3) in the vertebrobasilar system. Nine ruptured VDAs and their parent arteries were successfully occluded by a single session of endovascular embolization by electrodetachable coils. In the tenth patient, the dissecting aneurysm showed subtotal occlusion because of involvement of the vertebrobasilar junction. The mean number and coil length were 7 and 58 cm, respectively. There were no significant periprocedural complications or recurrent bleeding. All patients demonstrated good clinical recovery (n = 9) or improvement (n = 1) after embolization over a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 6–24 months). Conclusion: Endovascular embolization is a useful and safe method in the treatment of ruptured VDAs even when the affected vertebral arteries are dominant or co-dominant in vertebrobasilar flow. Trapping procedures and direct occlusion of the dissecting segment with preservation of the PICA by detachable coils should be performed as early as possible in the management of VDAs

Impact of carotid stenting in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis

Background: Little is known about the impact of severe carotid stenosis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carotid stenting (CAS) on HRQoL in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis. Methods: Patients with symptomatic (≥60%) or asymptomatic (≥80%) severe carotid stenosis and who complained of dizziness and received CAS were recruited. Two HRQoL questionnaires—a generic survey, the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and a disease-specific instrument, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory—served as outcome measures. Patients were followed 1 week prior to CAS and 6 months postprocedurally. Results: CAS was performed in 178 consecutive patients, 61 of whom complained of dizziness. Forty-one patients (67.2%, 34 male; mean age, 73.3 ± 10.5 years; range, 47–87 years) completed the study. Twenty asymptomatic volunteers (17 male; mean age, 70.3 ± 9.3 years; range, 54–84 years) served as normal controls. Compared to controls, patients tallied lower scores in the overall total and three subscales (physical, functional, and emotional) of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (p < 0.01). Similar findings were noted in seven out of eight domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey score. After 6 months, CAS resulted in significantly improved HRQoL (role physical, bodily pain, general health, social function, and role emotional) in these patients. Conclusion: CAS resulted in improved HRQoL in patients with severe carotid stenosis who experienced dizziness