Faculty Bibliography

Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CS-DAVF) can have an indolent course, with insidious onset, but still showing a high likelihood of spontaneous resolution.1 Nevertheless, symptoms in a subset of patients evolve more rapidly, with malignant signs on imaging, warranting intervention.2 We report on a patient in his 40s presenting with redness and proptosis of the right eye, intermittent blurred vision and diplopia. Once ophthalmological examination revealed increased intraocular pressure and imaging showed cortical venous congestion, the decision was made to obliterate a CS-DAVF involving the posteromedial right cavernous sinus.Multiple arteries including branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery, occipital artery and bilateral meningohypophyseal trunks supplied the fistula. Once transarterial embolization was deemed unsafe and both inferior petrosal sinuses did not grant access to the right cavernous sinus, a direct puncture to the cavernous sinus was performed to successfully coil the involved compartments.3-5 The aid of DynaCT imaging and needle guidance software is emphasized (video 1).neurintsurg;neurintsurg-2020-017118v1/V1F1V1Video 1.

Adoption of middle meningeal artery embolization in the management of chronic subdural hematomas has led to a renewed interest in dural vascular anatomy. The readily identifiable major dural arteries and potential hazards associated with their embolization are well described. Less emphasized are several levels of intrinsic dural angioarchitecture, despite their more direct relationship to dural based diseases, such as subdural hematoma and dural fistula. Fortunately, microvascular aspects of dural anatomy, previously limited to ex vivo investigations, are becoming increasingly accessible to in vivo visualization, setting the stage for synthesis of the old and the new, and providing a rationale for the endovascular approach to subdural collections in particular. In contrast with traditional anatomical didactics, where descriptions advance from larger trunks to smaller pedicles, we present a strategic approach that proceeds from a fundamental understanding of the dural microvasculature and its relationship to larger vessels.

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.

BACKGROUND:In the post-Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS) era, multiple reviews suggested subset groups of patients as potential candidates for superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass. Among them are patients with recurrent strokes despite optimal medical therapy. There is a paucity of data on the outcome of bypass in these specific patients. OBJECTIVE:To examine the safety and efficacy of direct STA-MCA bypass in patients with nonmoyamoya, symptomatic steno-occlusive disease with impaired distal perfusion, who failed optimal medical management or endovascular treatment. METHODS:A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with cerebrovascular steno-occlusive disease who underwent bypass after symptomatic recurrent or rapidly progressive strokes, despite optimal conservative or endovascular treatment. RESULTS:A total of 8 patients (mean age 60 ± 6 yr) underwent direct or combined direct/indirect STA-MCA bypass between 2016 and 2019. All anastomoses were patent. One bypass carried slow flow. There were no procedure-related permanent deficits. One patient developed seizures which were controlled by medications. A total of 7 out of 8 patients were stable or improved clinically at last follow-up (mean 27.3 ± 13.8 mo) without recurrent strokes. One patient did not recover from their presenting stroke, experienced severe bilateral strokes 4 mo postoperatively, and subsequently expired. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) improved in 6 patients (75%), remained stable in 1 patient (12.5%), and deteriorated in 1 (12.5%). Good long-term functional outcome was achieved in 5 patients (63%, mRS ≤ 2). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Patients with symptomatic, hypoperfused steno-occlusive disease who fail optimal medical or endovascular treatment may benefit from cerebral revascularization. Direct or combined STA-MCA bypass was safe and provided favorable outcomes in this small series.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:While the thrombotic complications of COVID-19 have been well described, there are limited data on clinically significant bleeding complications including hemorrhagic stroke. The clinical characteristics, underlying stroke mechanism, and outcomes in this particular subset of patients are especially salient as therapeutic anticoagulation becomes increasingly common in the treatment and prevention of thrombotic complications of COVID-19. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with hemorrhagic stroke (both non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage and spontaneous non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage) who were hospitalized between March 1, 2020, and May 15, 2020, within a major healthcare system in New York, during the coronavirus pandemic. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke on admission and who developed hemorrhage during hospitalization were both included. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients with hemorrhagic stroke and COVID-19 to those without COVID-19 admitted to our hospital system between March 1, 2020, and May 15, 2020 (contemporary controls), and March 1, 2019, and May 15, 2019 (historical controls). Demographic variables and clinical characteristics between the individual groups were compared using Fischer's exact test for categorical variables and nonparametric test for continuous variables. We adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS:During the study period in 2020, out of 4071 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19, we identified 19 (0.5%) with hemorrhagic stroke. Of all COVID-19 with hemorrhagic stroke, only three had isolated non-aneurysmal SAH with no associated intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Among hemorrhagic stroke in patients with COVID-19, coagulopathy was the most common etiology (73.7%); empiric anticoagulation was started in 89.5% of these patients versus 4.2% in contemporary controls (p ≤ .001) and 10.0% in historical controls (p ≤ .001). Compared to contemporary and historical controls, patients with COVID-19 had higher initial NIHSS scores, INR, PTT, and fibrinogen levels. Patients with COVID-19 also had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (84.6% vs. 4.6%, p ≤ 0.001). Sensitivity analyses excluding patients with strictly subarachnoid hemorrhage yielded similar results. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We observed an overall low rate of imaging-confirmed hemorrhagic stroke among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Most hemorrhages in patients with COVID-19 infection occurred in the setting of therapeutic anticoagulation and were associated with increased mortality. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused unprecedented demand and burden on emergency health care services in New York City. We aim to describe our experience providing acute stroke care at a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and the impact of the pandemic on the quality of care for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed data from a quality improvement registry of consecutive AIS patients at New York University Langone Health's CSC between 06/01/2019-05/15/2020. During the early stages of the pandemic, the acute stroke process was modified to incorporate COVID-19 screening, testing, and other precautionary measures. We compared stroke quality metrics including treatment times and discharge outcomes of AIS patients during the pandemic (03/012020-05/152020) compared with a historical pre-pandemic group (6/1/2019-2/29/2020). RESULTS:A total of 754 patients (pandemic-120; pre-pandemic-634) were admitted with a principal diagnosis of AIS; 198 (26.3%) received alteplase and/or mechanical thrombectomy. Despite longer median door to head CT times (16 vs 12 minutes; p = 0.05) and a trend towards longer door to groin puncture times (79.5 vs. 71 min, p = 0.06), the time to alteplase administration (36 vs 35 min; p = 0.83), door to reperfusion times (103 vs 97 min, p = 0.18) and defect-free care (95.2% vs 94.7%; p = 0.84) were similar in the pandemic and pre-pandemic groups. Successful recanalization rates (TICI≥2b) were also similar (82.6% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.48). After adjusting for stroke severity, age and a prior history of transient ischemic attack/stroke, pandemic patients had increased discharge mortality (adjusted OR 2.90 95% CI 1.77 - 7.17, p = 0.021) CONCLUSION: Despite unprecedented demands on emergency healthcare services, early multidisciplinary efforts to adapt the acute stroke treatment process resulted in keeping the stroke quality time metrics close to pre-pandemic levels. Future studies will be needed with a larger cohort comparing discharge and long-term outcomes between pre-pandemic and pandemic AIS patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Tentorial sinus venous channels within the tentorium cerebelli connecting various cerebellar and supratentorial veins, as well as the basal vein, to adjacent venous sinuses are a well-recognized entity. Also well-known are "dural lakes" at the vertex. However, the presence of similar channels in the supratentorial dura, serving as recipients of the Labbe, superficial temporal, and lateral and medial parieto-occipital veins, among others, appears to be underappreciated. Also under-recognized is the possible role of these channels in the angioarchitecture of certain high-grade dural fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A retrospective review of 100 consecutive angiographic studies was performed following identification of index cases to gather data on the angiographic and cross-sectional appearance, location, length, and other features. A review of 100 consecutive dural fistulas was also performed to identify those not directly involving a venous sinus. RESULTS:Supratentorial dural venous channels were found in 26% of angiograms. They have the same appearance as those in the tentorium cerebelli, a flattened, ovalized morphology owing to their course between 2 layers of the dura, in contradistinction to a rounded cross-section of cortical and bridging veins. They are best appreciated on angiography and volumetric postcontrast T1-weighted images. Ten dural fistulas not directly involving a venous sinus were identified, 6 tentorium cerebelli and 4 supratentorial. CONCLUSIONS:Supratentorial dural venous channels are an under-recognized entity. They may play a role in the angioarchitecture of dural arteriovenous fistulas that appear to drain directly into a cortical vein. We propose "dural venous channel" as a unifying name for these structures.

Despite the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) being more frequently related to acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute cardiac and renal injuries, thromboembolic events have been increasingly reported. We report a unique series of young patients with COVID-19 presenting with cerebral venous system thrombosis. Three patients younger than 41 years of age with confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection had neurologic findings related to cerebral venous thrombosis. They were admitted during the short period of 10 days between March and April 2020 and were managed in an academic institution in a large city. One patient had thrombosis in both the superficial and deep systems; another had involvement of the straight sinus, vein of Galen, and internal cerebral veins; and a third patient had thrombosis of the deep medullary veins. Two patients presented with hemorrhagic venous infarcts. The median time from COVID-19 symptoms to a thrombotic event was 7 days (range, 2-7 days). One patient was diagnosed with new-onset diabetic ketoacidosis, and another one used oral contraceptive pills. Two patients were managed with both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin; one was treated with lopinavir-ritonavir. All patients had a fatal outcome. Severe and potentially fatal deep cerebral thrombosis may complicate the initial clinical presentation of COVID-19. We urge awareness of this atypical manifestation.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Pediatric intracranial aneurysms tend to differ in etiology, size, and location from their adult counterparts, and they are often less amenable to microsurgical clip reconstruction techniques. Endovascular treatment with detachable coils is an accepted treatment technique for pediatric patients, though high recurrence rates have been reported with coil embolization of large and giant aneurysms in this population. While the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is FDA-approved for adult intracranial aneurysms, the use of PEDs in pediatric patients is considered off-label. Case Descriptions/UNASSIGNED:We present 3 cases of pediatric intracranial aneurysms in a 5-year-old male, a 12-year-old male, and a 12-year-old female who presented with symptoms including seizure, headache, and blurred vision. The 2 male patients were found to have intradural vertebral artery saccular aneurysms, while the female patient had a paraophthalmic right internal carotid complex aneurysm. After endovascular reconstruction of the aneurysms with PEDs, follow-up angiography showed complete occlusion of the previous aneurysms with no residual aneurysm filling in all 3 cases. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:While further investigation is needed, the evidence presented here supports the conclusion that the PED can be an effective and viable treatment strategy in the pediatric population.