Symptomatic Cerebral Vasospasm after Surgical Ligation of Unruptured Aneurysms

Background Cerebral artery vasospasm accounts for the majority of delayed neurological deficits in ruptured aneurysm patients. We report two cases and review the literature of patients who developed symptomatic vasospasm after treatment for unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms with clip ligation. Pre- and post-operative imaging and studies revealed absence of subarachnoid or focal hemorrhage. Case Description In a series of 104 consecutive cerebral artery aneurysm patients that underwent uncomplicated ligation without intra-operative rupture, two patients developed delayed neurologic deficits due to severe cerebral vasospasm. Both patients had no stigmata of rupture and were treated electively. Post-operative transcranial dopplers and angiography facilitated the early recognition of vasospasm. Permanent neurologic injury was prevented with the use of hypertensive, hemodilution and hyperdynamic (HHH) therapy along with endovascular treatment, intra-arterial papaverine and angioplasty. Conclusion After uncomplicated treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, the cerebral vasculature may proceed to severe vasospasm by an unrecognized mechanism. This can be reversed with institution of HHH and endovascular therapy

Ventral Intramedullary Cervical Spinal Cord AVM

Background Cerebral artery vasospasm accounts for the majority of delayed neurological deficits in ruptured aneurysm patients. We report two cases and review the literature of patients who developed symptomatic vasospasm after treatment for unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms with clip ligation. Pre- and post-operative imaging and studies revealed absence of subarachnoid or focal hemorrhage. Case Description In a series of 104 consecutive cerebral artery aneurysm patients that underwent uncomplicated ligation without intra-operative rupture, two patients developed delayed neurologic deficits due to severe cerebral vasospasm. Both patients had no stigmata of rupture and were treated electively. Post-operative transcranial dopplers and angiography facilitated the early recognition of vasospasm. Permanent neurologic injury was prevented with the use of hypertensive, hemodilution and hyperdynamic (HHH) therapy along with endovascular treatment, intra-arterial papaverine and angioplasty. Conclusion After uncomplicated treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, the cerebral vasculature may proceed to severe vasospasm by an unrecognized mechanism. This can be reversed with institution of HHH and endovascular therapy

Behind the Technology: CT Perfusion in the Setting of Acute Stroke Management

Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP) is an imaging modality that generates parametric maps of cerebral hemodynamics which are useful in the assessment of suspected acute ischemic stoke. However, the technology underlying CTP is complex and serious controversy surrounds the safety of CTP tests and the reproducibility and validity of CTP results. This report briefly outlines the history of CTP, its current clinical applications for stroke management, the main controversies surrounding CTP, and future directions for this technology

Case Report: Signal Drop on MRA Imaging of the Internal Carotid Artery after Neuroform Stent Placement

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an important tool in evaluating the patency of vessels which have previously been stented. Neuroform stents (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, U.S.A.) are utilized to provide a scaffold across the neck of an aneurysm. These stents are synthesized from Nitinol (nickel and titanium) and thus cause minimal distortion upon imaging with MRA. Patients who have undergone Neuroform stent assisted coiling of aneurysms are routinely followed with MRA to delineate stenosis of the stented segment of vessel as well as recurrence of the aneurysms. While numerous reports show that Neuroform stents do not lead to MRA imaging artifact, we report of a case where the utilization of the Neuroform stent led to a signal drop out at the site of the stent upon evaluation with MRA and thus led to further invasive radiological procedures

A Systems Thinking Approach to Redesigning the Patient Experience to Reduce 30 Day Hospital Readmission

INTRODUCTION The cost of medical care is spiraling out of control, and one of the many reasons is lack of preventative care, poor communication to the patient and primary caregiver(s) both in an inpatient and outpatient setting. There are potentially many reasons for this cost escalation, one of the drivers of this cost is 30 day readmission after a hospitalization and this is what was examined in this analysis. The purpose of this paper in particular is to share what has been learned using a systems thinking approach to hospital readmissions and the patient experience. It is critical to understand the problems that occurred in the past. In addition, we will explain the methodology utilized and bring awareness to the iterative process. We will also demonstrate a suggested redesigned model

Assessing a 600-mg Loading Dose of Clopidogrel 24 Hours Prior to Pipeline Embolization Device Treatment

Background: Clopidogrel/aspirin antiplatelet therapy routinely is administered 7-10 days before pipeline aneurysm treatment. Our study assessed the safety and efficacy of a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel 24 hours before Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) treatment. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients treated with PED from October 2010 to May 2016. A total of 39.7% (n = 158) of patients were dispensed a loading dose of 650 mg of aspirin plus at least 600 mg of clopidogrel 24 hours preceding PED deployment, compared to 60.3% (n = 240) of patients who received 81-325 mg of aspirin daily for 10 days with 75 mg of clopidogrel daily preprocedurally. The mean follow-up was 15.8 months (standard deviation [SD] 12.4 months). modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was registered before the discharge and at each follow-up visit. To control confounding, we used multivariable logistic regression and propensity score conditioning. Results: Of 398 patients, the proportion of female patients was ~16.5% (41/240) in both groups and shared the same mean of age ~56.46 years. ~12.2% (mean = 0.09; SD = 0.30) had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. 92% (mean = 0.29; SD = 0.70) from the pretreatment group and 85.7% (mean = 0.44; SD = 0.91) of the bolus group had a mRS ≤2. In multivariate analysis, bolus did not affect the mRS score, P = 0.24. Seven patients had a long-term recurrence, 2 (0.83%; mean = 0.01; SD = 0.10) of which from the pretreatment group. In a multivariable logistic regression, bolus was not associated with a long-term recurrence rate (odds ratio [OR] 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-13.50; P = 0.52) or with thromboembolic accidents (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.96-1.03; P = 0.83) nor with hemorrhagic events (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.97-1.03; P = 0.99). Three patients died: one who received a bolus had an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. The mean mortality rate was parallel in both groups ~0.25 (SD = 0.16). Bolus was not associated with mortality (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.26-4.65; P = 0.89). The same associations were present in propensity score-adjusted models. Conclusions: In a cohort receiving PED, a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel should be safe and efficacious in those off the standard protocol or showing \u3c30% platelet inhibition before treatment

The Use of Prasugrel and Ticagrelor in Pipeline Flow Diversion

Background: Despite the routine clopidogrel/aspirin anti-platelet therapy, complications like thromboembolism, continue to be encountered with PED. We studied the safety and the efficacy of prasugrel in the management of clopidogrel non-responders treated for intracranial aneurysms. Methods: 437 consecutive neurosurgery patients were identified between January 2011 and May 2016. Patients allergic or having \u3c30% platelet-inhibition with a daily 75mg of clopidogrel were dispensed 10mg of prasugrel daily (n=20) or 90mg of ticagrelor twice daily (n=2). The average follow-up was 15.8 months (SD=12.4 months). Patient clinical well being was evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) registered before the discharge and at each follow-up visit. To control confounding we used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression and propensity score conditioning. Results: 26 of 437(5.9%) patients (mean of age 56.3 years; 62 women [14,2%]) presented with a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. 1 patient was allergic to clopidogrel and prasugrel simultaneously. All the patients receiving prasugrel (n=22) had a mRS\u3c2 on their latest follow-up visit (mean=0.67; SD=1.15). In a multivariate analysis, clopidogrel did not affect the mRS on last follow-up, p=0.14. Multivariable logistic regression showed that clopidogrel was not associated with an increased long-term recurrence rate (odds ratio[OR], 0.17; 95%Confidence Interval [CI95%], 0.01-2.70; p=0.21) neither with an increased thromboembolic accident rate (OR, 0.46; CI95%, 0.12-1.67; p=0.36) nor with an increased hemorrhagic event rate (OR, 0.39; CI95%,0.91-1.64; p=0.20). None of the patients receiving prasugrel deceased or had a long-term recurrence nor a hemorrhagic event, only 1 patient suffered from mild aphasia subsequent to a thromboembolic event. 3 patients on clopidogrel passed during the study: (2) from acute SAH and (1) from intra-parenchymal hemorrhage. Clopidogrel was not associated with an increased mortality rate (OR, 2.18; CI95%,0.11-43.27; p=0.61). The same associations were present in propensity score adjusted models. Conclusion: In a cohort of patients treated with PED for their intracranial aneurysms, prasugrel (10mg/day) is a safe alternative to clopidogrel resistant, allergic or non-responders

A Metastatic Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Caused by an Intraluminal Bronchogenic Tumor Embolus

Objective and Importance: To describe the clinical presentation and neuropathological findings of metastatic cerebral aneurysms of bronchogenic origin. Metastatic bronchogenic cerebral aneurysms are exceptionally rare and have only been reported in association with high grade hemorrhage. Clinical Presentation: One patient presenting with a history of headache, speech difficulty, left-sided “numbness”, left seventh nerve palsy and left hemiparesis was found to have intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage with an aneurysm of the right distal Sylvian middle cerebral artery. Intervention: Pterional craniotomy with excision of mycotic segment. Surgical specimen sent to pathology for routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Patients with metastatic cerebral aneuryms of bronchogenic origin usually present with subarachnoid hemorrhage, contrary to prior observations that “hemorrhage from neoplasia-induced aneurysms is paradoxically rare.” A tumor embolus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mycotic aneurysm

Dural Arteriovenous Malformations: A Review of the Literature and a Presentation of the JHN Series

Dural arteriovenous malformations (DAVMs), also known as dural arteriovenous fistulas, are arteriovenous shunts from a dural arterial supply to a dural venous channel, typically supplied by pachymeningeal arteries and located near a major venous sinus.1 The etiology of these lesions is not fully understood. DAVMs in the pediatric population are associated with structural venous abnormalities ,2 but the majority of DAVMs are thought to be acquired. Different etiologies have been implicated in this phenomenon, namely: sinus thrombosis, trauma or surgery.2–