Citations

Abstract Background Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for meningioma, the most common primary intracranial tumor, but improvements in meningioma risk stratification are needed and current indications for postoperative radiotherapy are controversial. Recent studies have proposed prognostic meningioma classification systems using DNA methylation profiling, copy number variants, DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, histology, or integrated models based on multiple combined features. Targeted gene expression profiling has generated robust biomarkers integrating multiple molecular features for other cancers, but is understudied for meningiomas. Methods Targeted gene expression profiling was performed on 173 meningiomas and an optimized gene expression biomarker (34 genes) and risk score (0 to 1) was developed to predict clinical outcomes. Clinical and analytical validation was performed on independent meningiomas from 12 institutions across 3 continents (N = 1856), including 103 meningiomas from a prospective clinical trial. Gene expression biomarker performance was compared to 9 other classification systems. Results The gene expression biomarker improved discrimination of postoperative meningioma outcomes compared to all other classification systems tested in the independent clinical validation cohort for local recurrence (5-year area under the curve [AUC] 0.81) and overall survival (5-year AUC 0.80). The increase in area under the curve compared to the current standard of care, World Health Organization 2021 grade, was 0.11 for local recurrence (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07–0.17, P < 0.001). The gene expression biomarker identified meningiomas benefiting from postoperative radiotherapy (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.37–0.78, P = 0.0001) and re-classified up to 52.0% meningiomas compared to conventional clinical criteria, suggesting postoperative management could be refined for 29.8% of patients. Conclusions A targeted gene expression biomarker improves discrimination of meningioma outcomes compared to recent classification systems and predicts postoperative radiotherapy responses.

Importance Physical abuse is a common but preventable cause of long-term childhood morbidity and mortality. Despite the strong association between abuse in an index child and abuse in contact children, there is no guidance outlining how to screen the latter, significantly more vulnerable group, for abusive injuries. Consequently, the radiological assessment of contact children is often omitted, or variably performed, allowing occult injuries to go undetected and increasing the risk of further abuse. Objective To report an evidence-based and consensus-derived set of best practices for the radiological screening of contact children in the context of suspected child physical abuse. Evidence Review This consensus statement is supported by a systematic review of the literature and the clinical opinion of an internationally recognized group of 26 experts. The modified Delphi consensus process comprised 3 meetings of the International Consensus Group on Contact Screening in Suspected Child Physical Abuse held between February and June 2021. Findings Contacts are defined as the asymptomatic siblings, cohabiting children, or children under the same care as an index child with suspected child physical abuse. All contact children should undergo a thorough physical examination and a history elicited prior to imaging. Contact children younger than 12 months should have neuroimaging, the preferred modality for which is magnetic resonance imaging, and skeletal survey. Contact children aged 12 to 24 months should undergo skeletal survey. No routine imaging is indicated in asymptomatic children older than 24 months. Follow-up skeletal survey with limited views should be performed if abnormal or equivocal at presentation. Contacts with positive findings should be investigated as an index child. Conclusions and Relevance This Special Communication reports consensus recommendations for the radiological screening of contact children in the context of suspected child physical abuse, establishing a recognized baseline for the stringent evaluation of these at-risk children and providing clinicians with a more resilient platform from which to advocate for them.

BACKGROUND: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) located at craniocervical junction are extremely rare (1%-2% of intracranial/spinal dAVFs). Their angio-architectural complexity renders endovascular embolization to be challenging given multiple small feeders with risk of embolysate reflux into vertebral artery and limited transvenous access. The available literature discussing microsurgery for these lesions is limited to few case reports. OBJECTIVE: To report a multicenter experience assessing microsurgery safety/efficacy. METHODS: Prospectively maintained registries at 13 North American centers were queried to identify craniocervical junction dAVFs treated with microsurgery (2006-2021). RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (median age 59.5 years, 44.7% female patients) were included. The most common presentation was subarachnoid/intracranial hemorrhage (47.4%) and myelopathy (36.8%) (92.1% of lesions Cognard type III-V). Direct meningeal branches from V3/4 vertebral artery segments supplied 84.2% of lesions. All lesions failed (n = 5, 13.2%) or were deemed inaccessible/unsafe to endovascular treatment. Far lateral craniotomy was the most used approach (94.7%). Intraoperative angiogram was performed in 39.5% of the cases, with angiographic cure in 94.7% of cases (median imaging follow-up of 9.2 months) and retreatment rate of 5.3%. Favorable last follow-up modified Rankin Scale of 0 to 2 was recorded in 81.6% of the patients with procedural complications of 2.6%. CONCLUSION: Craniocervical dAVFs represent rare entity of lesions presenting most commonly with hemorrhage or myelopathy because of venous congestion. Microsurgery using a far lateral approach provides robust exposure and visualization for these lesions and allows obliteration of the arterialized draining vein intradurally as close as possible to the fistula point. This approach was associated with a high rate of angiographic cure and favorable clinical outcomes.

Background The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is a novel intrasaccular flow disruptor tailored for bifurcation aneurysms. We aim to describe the degree of aneurysm occlusion at the latest follow-up, and the rate of complications of aneurysms treated with the WEB device stratified according to rupture status. Methods Our data were taken from the WorldWideWeb Consortium, an international multicenter cohort including patients treated with the WEB device. Aneurysms were classified into two groups: ruptured and unruptured. We compared clinical and radiologic outcomes of both groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was done to match according to age, gender, bifurcation, location, prior treatment, neck, height, dome width, daughter sac, incorporated branch, pretreatment antiplatelets, and last imaging follow-up. Results The study included 676 patients with 691 intracranial aneurysms (529 unruptured and 162 ruptured) treated with the WEB device. The PSM analysis had 55 pairs. In both the unmatched (85.8% vs 84.3%, p=0.692) and matched (94.4% vs 83.3%, p=0.066) cohorts there was no significant difference in the adequate occlusion rate at the last follow-up. Likewise, there were no significant differences in both ischemic and hemorrhagic complications between the two groups. There was no documented aneurysm rebleeding after WEB device implantation. Conclusion There was no significant difference in both the radiologic outcomes and complications between unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Our findings support the feasibility of treatment of ruptured aneurysms with the WEB device.

Abstract BACKGROUND Open surgery has traditionally been preferred for the management of bifurcation middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Flow diverting stents present a novel endovascular strategy for aneurysm treatment. OBJECTIVE To add to the limited literature describing the outcomes and complications in the use of flow diverters for the treatment of these complex aneurysms. METHODS This is a multicenter retrospective review of MCA bifurcation aneurysms undergoing flow diversion. We assessed post-treatment radiological outcomes and both thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS We reviewed the outcomes of 54 aneurysms treated with flow diversion. Four (7.4%) of the aneurysms had a history of rupture (3 remote and 1 acute). Fourteen (25.9%) of the aneurysms already underwent either open surgery or coiling prior to flow diversion. A total of 36 out of the 45 aneurysms (80%) with available follow-up data had adequate aneurysm occlusion with a median follow-up time of 12 mo. There were no hemorrhagic complications but 16.7% (9/54) had thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSION Flow diverting stents may be a viable option for the endovascular treatment of complex bifurcation MCA aneurysms. However, compared to published series on the open surgical treatment of this subset of aneurysms, flow diversion has inferior outcomes and are associated with a higher rate of complications.

Abstract Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) has been shown to be equally effective as carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for carotid stenosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic disease. 1 In patients who are considered high risk for endarterectomy, CAS is safe and effective. 2 While this is a common procedure, proper technique is crucial to ensure that the procedure is safe with minimal risk of stroke. This patient consented to treatment. The following is a video detailing the CAS procedure in a 77-yr-old male with a symptomatic 65% carotid stenosis (by NASCET criteria 3 ) in a patient with prior CEA.

Abstract Since the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial, 1 endovascular treatment has been the favored treatment for appropriate ruptured intracranial aneurysms. While our endovascular technology has advanced to allow us to treat the majority of intracranial aneurysms, simple coil embolization is still the most common modality. This video demonstrates the fundamentals of aneurysm catheterization and coiling for safe treatment. In addition, the set-up and devices are detailed. This video is to add to the library of basic techniques that will aid a large number of practitioners. This patient consented to endovascular treatment. The video demonstrates endovascular coil embolization of a posterior communicating artery aneurysm in a 76-yr-old female who presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Image of biplane suite in video used courtesy of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. Illustration at 5:12 reprinted from Yasargil MG, et al, Microneurosurgery IV B , p. 9, Thieme, New York, 1995.

Abstract Acute carotid terminus occlusion (CTO) is responsible for up to 5% of acute ischemic strokes secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) and up to 20% of acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions. 1 The term “CTO” has also been used to describe occlusions in the supra-clinoid segment or at the bifurcation of the ICA. Compared to other ELVOs, patients with CTO present with higher stroke severity and larger infarct volume, likely to be a result of disruption of direct Circle of Willis collaterals across the anterior communicating artery (AComA) and posterior communicating artery (PComA). 2,3 Similary, CTO is usually associated with worse prognosis compared to other ELVOs in general. With regard to response to treatment, previous studies have reported significantly lower recanalization rates with intravenous alteplase with CTO compared to M1 segment occlusion. With regard to the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy, prior reports provide conflicting results with some reporting lower successful recanalization rates with CTO compared to M1 occlusion, and others reporting similar results. In our experience, we have found that successful recanalization of CTO can be achieved with a similar approach to M1 occlusions utilizing a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT). 3,4 Herein, we present a case of CTO for which we performed mechanical thrombectomy using ADAPT. This procedure was an emergent standard of care procedure for which a consent was not required and so not obtained.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for mortality. The prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic impact of AF in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) have not yet been investigated in a large patient cohort. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic impact of AF in patients with TTS. Methods and Results Patients with TTS were enrolled from the International Takotsubo Registry, which is a multinational network with 26 participating centers in Europe and the United States. Patients were dichotomized according to the presence or absence of AF at the time of admission. Of 1584 patients with TTS, 112 (7.1%) had AF. The mean age was higher ( P <0.001), and there were fewer women ( P =0.046) in the AF than in the non‐AF group. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower ( P =0.001), and cardiogenic shock was more often observed ( P <0.001) in the AF group. Both in‐hospital ( P <0.001) and long‐term mortality ( P <0.001) were higher in the AF group. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that AF was independently associated with higher long‐term mortality (hazard ratio, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.50–3.55; P <0.001). Among patients with AF on admission, 42% had no known history of AF before the acute TTS event, and such patients had comparable in‐hospital and long‐term outcomes compared with those with a history of AF. Conclusions In patients presenting with TTS, AF on admission is significantly associated with increased in‐hospital and long‐term mortality rates. Whether antiarrhythmics and/or cardioversion are beneficial in TTS with AF should thus be tested in a future trial. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01947621.