Mericle, Robert A.

Abstract Cerebral venous sinus stenting has gained popularity in recent years as a safe and efficacious treatment of selected patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and focal venous sinus stenosis.1–3 - 3 The main goal of treatment is to prevent visual loss, and often patients report resolution of headache and visual symptoms within 21 mo of mean follow-up.4–8 - 8 We present the case of a 57-yr-old woman with medically refractory IIH, bilateral sinus stenosis, and a mass lesion causing stenosis on the left. Venous angiogram with pressure monitoring was completed with the patient awake, which showed a significant pressure gradient on the right (19 mm Hg) and borderline gradient on the left (8 mm Hg). Options were reviewed and decision was made to proceed with the treatment of the right-sided stenosis with stenting and continue with the observation of the lesion on the left to prevent further visual deterioration. The patient consented for the procedure, and she tolerated the procedure well. Neurological exam remained at baseline, and she was discharged home on post-operative day #1. At 2 mo’s follow-up, the patient reported improvement in headaches and remained intact neurologically.

Abstract Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms pose technical and anatomical challenges to endovascular treatment, which make the simpler assisted (balloon or single stent) coiling techniques less effective. 1 Consequently, unique endovascular solutions to treat such aneurysms have been devised. 2,3 One such device is PulseRider (Cerenovus, New Brunswick, New Jersey), which is designed to provide neck support for a coil mass while protecting the bifurcation. 3 The device comprises a body or stem that is deployed in the parent artery and a saddle component that sits at the aneurysm neck to keep the coil mass away from the bifurcation. There are several technical nuances involved in successful use of the device during positioning, deployment, and detachment. 3 We present a surgical video detailing the steps of PulseRider-assisted coiling of unruptured basilar bifurcation (or basilar apex) aneurysms. The first case highlights index treatment at diagnosis and the second showcases treatment of a recurrent basilar apex aneurysm. Both patients provided informed consent to the procedure. We also briefly discuss the rationale for treating basilar apex aneurysms. 4,5

Abstract Mechanical thrombectomy as a treatment for large vessel occlusion to achieve rapid revascularization is supported in the literature. 1-3 The presenting symptoms will localize to functions of the ischemic area. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) supplies areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, as well as the basal ganglia. Occlusion of the MCA will present with contralateral hemiplegia, sensory loss, and, if the dominant hemisphere is involved, language deficits. We present a right-hand-dominant 79-yr-old female with right MCA syndrome—her last known well time was 1.5 h prior to presentation. Her NIH (National Institutes of Health) Stroke Scale was 16, most notable for left hemiplegia. Although the patient presented early in the clinical time course, as part of our institution protocol, a computed tomography (CT) head, CT perfusion, and CT angiogram (CTA) were performed. CT head did not demonstrate acute hemorrhage, so she received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. CTA demonstrated a right MCA occlusion and CT perfusion suggested a large area of salvageable tissue, so she was taken to the angiography suite for mechanical thrombectomy. Angiography of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) showed MCA occlusion (insular segment). A thrombectomy device was deployed over the area of occlusion and allowed to engage for 5 min. An aspiration catheter was advanced over the stentriever up against the clot. The stentriever device was withdrawn under continuous aspiration and follow-up angiography showed complete reperfusion. The patient demonstrated improvement and was eventually discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation center. Patient provided consent for photography per university protocol. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was not needed for the single-patient data included in this report.

Abstract As capabilities for endovascular treatment of intracranial vascular pathologies continue to expand, the need for access to the distal internal carotid artery with rigid support catheter systems continues to increase. One of the dominant factors limiting this access is patient anatomy, specifically vessel tortuosity. Increased tortuosity of the carotid siphon is a frequently encountered anatomic variant and may complicate endovascular procedures in adults and children. 1,2 Failed attempts to navigate the carotid siphon with a distal access catheter carry a risk of vessel injury and treatment failure. For this reason, techniques that aid in supporting safe advancement of a distal access catheter across a tortuous carotid siphon are essential. 3,4 In this video, we demonstrate 2 ways in which this may be accomplished. The first technique uses a larger diameter microcatheter, such as the AXS Offset catheter (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan), to increase support for the distal access catheter, while the second uses a buddy wire technique to accomplish this increased support. Both of these techniques can help increase the safety of navigating a tortuous carotid siphon and increase the likelihood of successful treatment. The procedures shown were performed with the informed consent of the patients.

Abstract Acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. There have been significant improvements to the treatment of acute ischemic stroke over the past 5 yr, specifically related to strokes caused by large vessel occlusions. Stent retrievers with and without local aspiration and direct aspiration alone have all been demonstrated as viable treatment options for this patient population. This case represents the surgical technique for direct aspiration for the treatment of large vessel occlusion. A 76-yr-old man presented with right-sided weakness and aphasia. His last known normal was 5 h ago. His NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) was 18. The noncontrast computed tomography (CT) did not show a significant infarct burden and ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) of 9. CT angiogram demonstrated a left M1 occlusion. The patient was not a candidate for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) because of time to presentation; however, the patient was deemed to be a candidate for emergent thrombectomy. Consent was obtained per institutional guidelines for the emergent procedure and the video recording. The video demonstrates a direct aspiration thrombectomy technique for the treatment of stroke. The patient successfully underwent direct aspiration thrombectomy with a TICI 3 (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction) recanalization.

Abstract Thromboembolic complications during aneurysm coiling are rare, with higher rates noted in ruptured aneurysms as patients are not usually premedicated with dual antiplatelet therapy. 1,2 Management includes a series of escalating strategies, including medical therapy and intra-arterial thrombolysis. 3-6 Additional strategies include mechanical thrombectomy with suction aspiration and stent retrievers. 3 Intracranial stenting can be used as a last resource, especially in ruptured cases given the need for dual antiplatelets to prevent stent thrombosis. 2 We present the case of a 42-yr-old man with a ruptured left internal carotid artery aneurysm with associated intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage. The patient was initially presented to an outside facility after he was found in bed unable to speak and with right hemiparesis. The patient consented for surgery and underwent external ventricular drain (EVD) placement for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus, followed by diagnostic cerebral angiogram and aneurysm coiling. After the deployment of the last coil, control angiogram showed a small filling defect at the interface between the aneurysm neck and the distal vessel. The patient received intravenous heparin for therapeutic ACT and aspirin load. After progressive enlargement of the thrombus, the patient received intra-arterial glycoprotein (GP) IIB/IIIA inhibitors with a microcatheter positioned proximal to the thrombus. As the thrombus mass continued to enlarge, mechanical thrombectomy with an aspiration catheter was performed twice. Follow-up angiogram 20 min after the second aspiration demonstrated near-complete resolution of the thrombus. The patient recovered from his right hemiparesis, and he was discharged to rehabilitation on POD #21.

Abstract Intracranial atherosclerosis disease (IAD) is the cause of stroke in up to 10% of cases. Symptomatic IAD results mainly from hypoperfusion, embolic phenomenon, and occlusion. Treatment consists of conservative management with aggressive medical treatment, surgery, and endovascular therapy. 1,2 This video is about a 62-yr-old male who presented with left-sided hemiparesis and right gaze preference secondary to an acute ischemic stroke in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory treated initially with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Head computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA) revealed occlusion of the extracranial and cavernous segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA). CT perfusion (CTP) showed hypoperfusion in the MCA territory and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multifocal, wedge-shaped areas of restricted diffusion in the right hemisphere. During his hospitalization, he experienced worsening of his symptoms in the setting of hypoperfusion (hypotension). The patient underwent a cerebral angiogram with thrombectomy and submaximal angioplasty (SA). Successful revascularization of the right ICA was obtained. No procedure-related complications occurred, and the patient's neurological exam improved. SA can be as efficient and a safer option than conventional angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic IAD. The patient consented for the procedure and for the video production.

Abstract Initially developed for large and giant wide-necked aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, flow diverter devices are now used in almost every location safely and with effectiveness. 1-5 This video demonstrates a unique case of a giant aneurysm of the right petrous internal carotid artery in a 20-yr-old patient. This is an extremely rare location, and most of patients are asymptomatic. 3-6 Signs of compression of the seventh and eight cranial nerves can be present and even Horner syndrome and lower cranial nerves neuropathies. Nevertheless, rupture can lead to epistaxis and otorrhagia, and ultimately to hemorrhagic shock. The patient in the current report was otherwise healthy but presented with lightheadedness and dizziness for 10 d. The patient consented to the procedure. There was no history of major trauma or head and neck infection. A transradial endovascular flow diversion embolization of a giant aneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery is herein demonstrated in a stepwise manner. A triaxial system was used to deploy 3 overlapping devices. Concepts of J-wire technique, multiple coverage, 1 and the so-called weld technique are emphasized. The role of adjunctive coiling and main reasons for failure are also discussed. 7,8 Brief cases of flow diversion embolization of aneurysms of different morphologies at different locations are used to highlight the importance of assessing vessel wall apposition and follow-up imaging.

Abstract A 40-yr-old male with no significant past medical history presented with sudden onset right-sided retro-orbital headache associated with vision loss after a session of strenuous exercise. Initial assessment with noncontrast head computed tomography at the local emergency department revealed a right sided occipital intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). On arrival the patient ad a left quadrantopsia with Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 and an ICH score of 0. A computed tomographic angiography showed a high density 6 × 9 mm vascular lesion associated with 2 tortuous vessels. Cerebral angiography revealed a right sided dural arteriovenous fistula, Cognard Type IV, with arterial feeders arising from dural branches of the right vertebral artery, the posterior division of the right middle meningeal artery and meningeal branches distal to the neuromeningeal trunk of the left ascending pharyngeal artery. 1 Four days after the ICH event the patient was treated with endovascular Onyx embolization of the fistula, through a transradial approach. Immediate angiographic assessment showed complete obliteration of the dAVF. The patient was discharged home and recovered his visual field deficit over 3 mo. The following operative video includes a discussion of the endovascular technique and treatment nuances associated with the transarterial management of a dural arteriovenous fistula. Patient consent was given prior to the procedure and consent and approval for this operative video was waived due to the retrospective nature of this manuscript and the anonymized video material.

Abstract Wide-necked aneurysms often pose challenges for distal access to the distal vasculature. This 64-yr-old woman without neurological deficits presented with atypical headaches of gradual onset. MRI revealed a large, symptomatic, unruptured carotid terminus aneurysm incorporating the origin of both the middle (MCA) and anterior cerebral arteries (ACA). Its wide neck created significant risks to coil prolapse and parent vessel compromise, risking stroke. With other options of higher risks, we recommended an around-the-world technique. Standard transfemoral access was used to the right internal carotid artery (ICA) with a 6F-Shuttle sheath and intracranial carotid with a 6F-Sofia distal access catheter. With dual-microcatheter access, 1 catheter was placed in the aneurysm dome, a second in the MCA for stent placement. Advancing the wire around the aneurysm first formed a loop from the lateral to medial wall for access to the MCA. The microcatheter was then advanced around the wire into the MCA, keeping the loop within the dome. With the loop's distal tip anchored, the distal end of the stent was deployed and anchored into the MCA. Both pitfalls (ie, lack of sufficient distal access, collapse of stent device during deployment) were resolved using a balloon catheter. With the balloon positioned and inflated as the anchor, the wire and catheter were pulled together. The loop in the aneurysm's dome straightened out across the neck, the stent was advanced into the MCA, and coiling proceeded. A large neck remnant had partially closed on 6-mo follow-up angiogram. Patient consented to undergo the procedure. Illustrations in video published/printed with permission from Mayfield Clinic.