Faculty Bibliography

The aim of this review is to describe the acquisition and reformatting of state of the art high resolution cone beam CT (HR-CBCT) and demonstrate its role in multiple neurovascular conditions as a tool to improve the understanding of disease and guide therapeutic decisions. First, we will review the basic principle of CBCT acquisition, followed by the injection protocols and the reformatting paradigms. Next, multiple applications in different pathological conditions such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and stroke will be described. HR-CBCT angiography, widely available, is uniquely useful in certain clinical scenarios to improve the understanding of disease and guide therapeutic decisions. It rapidly is becoming an essential tool for the contemporary neurointerventionalist.AChoAho.

BACKGROUND:The superficial temporal artery (STA)-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass requires precise preoperative planning, and 3-dimensional virtual reality (VR) models have recently been used to optimize planning of STA-MCA bypass. In the present report, we have described our experience with VR-based preoperative planning of STA-MCA bypass. METHODS:Patients from August 2020 to February 2022 were analyzed. For the VR group, using 3-dimensional models from the patients' preoperative computed tomography angiograms, VR was used to locate the donor vessels, potential recipient, and anastomosis sites and plan the craniotomy, which were referenced throughout surgery. Computed tomography angiograms or digital subtraction angiograms were used to plan the craniotomy for the control group. The procedure time, bypass patency, craniotomy size, and postoperative complication rates were assessed. RESULTS:The VR group included 17 patients (13 women; age, 49 ± 14 years) with Moyamoya disease (76.5%) and/or ischemic stroke (29.4%). The control group included 13 patients (8 women; age, 49 ± 12 years) with Moyamoya disease (92.3%) and/or ischemic stroke (7.3%). For all 30 patients, the preoperatively planned donor and recipient branches were effectively translated intraoperatively. No significant difference were found in the procedure time or craniotomy size between the 2 groups. Bypass patency was 94.1% for the VR group (16 of 17) and 84.6% for the control group (11 of 13). No permanent neurological deficits occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS:Our early experience has shown that VR can serve as a useful, interactive preoperative planning tool by enhancing visualization of the spatial relationship between the STA and MCA without compromising the surgical results.

Meaningful contributions to neurointerventional practice may be possible by considering the dynamic aspects of angiography in addition to fixed morphologic information. The functional approach to venous anatomy requires integration of the traditional static anatomic features of the system-deep, superficial, posterior fossa, medullary veins, venous sinuses, and outflow routes into an overall appreciation of how a classic model of drainage is altered, embryologically, or pathologically, depending on patterns of flow-visualization made possible by angiography. In this review, emphasis is placed on balance between alternative venous networks and their redundancy, and the problems which arise when these systems are lacking. The role of veins in major neurovascular diseases, such as dural arteriovenous fistulae, arteriovenous malformations, pulsatile tinnitus, and intracranial hypertension, is highlighted, and deficiencies in knowledge emphasized.

The persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses are arterial communications between the anterior and posterior circulations due to the persistence of embryological connections. We here present an extremely rare instance of a transclival persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis in a 10-month-old infant, which does not fit into any of the traditionally described categories, such as the trigeminal artery, hypoglossal artery, or proatlantal artery.

There are multiple treatment alternatives for cavernous dAVFs, with transvenous routes being most common. Among these routes, occluded inferior petrosal sinus is well-described, and, apart from being imaginative and elegant, it is also safe and effective. Herein we describe the application of this method to reach the fistulous pouch of a cavernous dAVF via an occluded superior petrosal sinus.

BACKGROUND:Intracranial stenosis (ICAS) is a common cause of stroke worldwide and patients with symptomatic ICAS exhibit a high rate of recurrence, particularly in the early period after the initial event. In this study, we aimed to study the association between borderzone infarct and recurrent ischemic stroke in patients hospitalized with symptomatic ICAS. METHODS:This is a retrospective single center study that included patients hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke in the setting of intracranial stenosis (50% or more and an acute ischemic stroke in the territory supplied by the stenosed artery) over a 32-month period. We excluded patients who did not receive a brain MRI or did not have an infarct on brain imaging. The primary predictor is infarct pattern (any borderzone vs. no borderzone infarct) and the primary outcome was recurrent cerebrovascular events (RCVE) within 90 days. We used unadjusted, and age and sex adjusted logistic regression models to determine associations between infarct pattern and RCVE at 90-days. RESULTS:Among 99 patients who met the inclusion criteria (4 tandem), the mean age was 70.1 ± 11.2 years and 41.4% were women; 43 had borderzone infarcts and 19 had RCVE. In adjusted binary logistic regression analysis, borderzone infarct was associated with increased risk of RCVE (adjusted OR 4.00 95% CI 1.33-11.99, p=0.013). The association between borderzone infarction and RCVE was not different among anterior circulation ICAD (adjusted HR 2.85 95% CI 0.64-12.76, p=0.172) vs. posterior circulation ICAD (adjusted HR 6.69 95% CI 1.06-42.11, p=0.043), p-value for interaction = 0.592. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In real world post-SAMMPRIS medically treated patients with ICAD, the borderzone infarct pattern was associated with 90-day RCVE. Borderzone infarcts are likely a surrogate marker of impaired distal blood flow, highlighting the importance of targeting stroke mechanisms and developing alternative treatment strategies for high-risk cohorts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Skull base tumors are commonly supplied by dural branches of the meningohypophyseal and inferolateral trunks. Embolization through these arteries is often avoided due to technical challenges and inherent risks; however, successful embolization can be a valuable surgical adjunct. We aimed to review the success and complications in our series of tumor embolizations through the meningohypophyseal and inferolateral trunks. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:We performed a retrospective review of patients with tumor treated with preoperative embolization at our institution between 2010 and 2020. We reviewed the following data: patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, endovascular embolization variables, and surgical results including estimated blood loss, the need for transfusion, and operative time. RESULTS:= 4) trunk. In this group of patients, on average, 79% of tumors were embolized. No mortality or morbidity from the embolization procedure was observed in this subgroup of patients. The average estimated blood loss in the operation was 395 mL (range, 200-750 mL). None of the patients required a transfusion, and the average operative time was 7.3 hours. CONCLUSIONS:Some skull base tumors necessitate embolization through ICA branches such as the meningohypophyseal and inferolateral trunks. Our series demonstrates that an effective and safe embolization may be performed through these routes.

BACKGROUND:Lesions of the internal auditory canal presenting with partial hearing loss are almost always vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Intracanalicular anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are extremely rare but can mimic VS based on symptoms and imaging. The authors report the case of a flow-related intracanalicular AICA aneurysm from a pial brainstem arteriovenous malformation (AVM) masquerading as VS. OBSERVATIONS/METHODS:A 57-year-old male with partial left-sided hearing loss and an intracanalicular enhancing lesion was initially diagnosed with VS and managed conservatively at an outside institution with surveillance imaging over 3 years. When he was referred for VS follow-up, new imaging raised radiological suspicion for vascular pathology. Cerebral angiography revealed a small pial AVM located at the trigeminal root entry zone with an associated flow-related intracanalicular AICA aneurysm. The AVM was obliterated with open surgery, during which intraoperative angiography confirmed no AVM filling, preservation of the AICA, and no further aneurysm filling. LESSONS/CONCLUSIONS:Intracanalicular AICA aneurysms and other lesions, including cavernous malformations, can mimic radiographic features of VS and present with hearing loss or facial weakness. Modern vascular neurosurgical techniques such as endovascular intervention and open surgery in a hybrid operating room allowed definitive management of both lesions without untoward morbidity.

BACKGROUND:Moyamoya disease may present with either hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes. Surgical bypass has previously demonstrated superiority when compared to natural history and medical treatment alone. The best bypass option (direct vs. indirect), however, remains controversial in regard to adult ischemic symptomatic moyamoya disease. Multiple studies have demonstrated clinical as well as angiographic effectiveness of direct bypass in adult hemorrhagic moyamoya disease. In particular, there are limited data regarding strategies in the setting of failed indirect bypass with recurrent hemorrhagic strokes. Here, we describe a salvage procedure. METHODS:We describe a case of a 52-year-old man who presented with hemorrhagic moyamoya disease and failed previous bilateral encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) procedures at an outside institution. On a 3-year follow-up diagnostic cerebral angiogram, no synangiosis was noted on the right side and only minimal synangiosis was present on the left. The left hemisphere was significant for a left parietal hypoperfusion state. We performed a salvage left proximal superficial temporal artery to distal parietal M4 middle cerebral artery bypass using the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery as an interposition graft with preservation of the existing EDAS sites. RESULTS:The patient underwent the procedure successfully and recovered well with resolution of headaches and no further strokes or hemorrhages on the 1-year follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. CONCLUSIONS:This case presents the use of a salvage direct bypass technique for recurrent symptomatic hemorrhagic moyamoya disease after failed EDAS. The strategy, approach, and technical nuances of this unique case have implications for revascularization options.