Ischemic strokes result from thrombotic or embolic occlusion of one of the vessels that supply blood to the brain. The primary constituents of the initial thrombus are platelets and fibrin, with erythrocytes and other blood cells becoming trapped as thrombosis continues. Therefore, the recent improvements in therapy have focused on inhibiting platelets and dissolving fibrin. A new generation of thrombolytic agents (plasminogen activators) has been developed over the last decade. However, the clinical improvement has at best been marginal and the frequency of serious intracranial hemorrhage remains unchanged. Therefore, we have extensively reviewed the medical literature to determine the reason for the unsatisfactory clinical outcomes with current pharmacological therapies.
Blood Cells ; Brain ; Erythrocytes ; Fibrin ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Stroke* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: To compare the usefulness of three-dimensional multislice CT angiography(CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the evaluation of intracranial aneurysmal neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with intracranial aneurysm (23 cases) underwent DSA and subsequent CTA. Using a multislice CT scanner and the SSD(shaded surface display) technique, clipping, cutting and the MPR technique, three-dimensional images were obtained. These were (a) external, (b) internal, from the direction of the parent artery, (c) internal, from the direction of the aneurysmal dome, and (d) an aneurysmal cutting image. The CTA findings were retrospectively compared with the DSA images. RESULTS: Twenty aneurysms were small and three were large. In eleven cases aneurysm neck was small, in nine it was wide, and in three it was relatively wide. For aneurysnal neck evaluation, CTA was superior to DSA in six of nine wide-neck aneurysms and all three large-sized wide-neck aneurysms. In small neck aneurysms 8 of 11 cases and in relatively wide neck all 3 cases showed similarly good images by both modalities. Of the 23 cases demonstrated by four different images, 14 cases showed the best image in internal image from parent artery direction and 6 cases showed similarly good image in both aneurysmal cutting image and internal image from parent artery direction. In the evaluation of wide neck aneurysms, 7 of 9 cases showed the best image at internal image from parent artery direction, compared with other three different images. In two cases of aneurysms, calcification was visible in the aneurysmal wall, so it was difficult to evaluate the aneurysmal neck. CONCLUSION: CTA was superior to DSA in the evaluating the intracranial aneurysmal neck. CTA maybe an additional available modality to evaluate the aneurysmal neck which is difficult to detect by the DSA. And the information of intracranial aneurysmal neck through CTA will be of value in surgical and endovascular treatment.
Aneurysm ; Angiography* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction* ; Arteries ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck* ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the incidence of thromboembolic events and their clinical presentations, the present study prospectively examined routine brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) taken within 48 hours after a coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: From January 2006 to January 2008, 163 cases of coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm were performed along with routine brain MRI, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) imaging, within 48 hours after the embolization of the aneurysm to detect the silent thromboembolic events regardless of any neurological changes. If any neurological changes were observed, an immediate brain MRI follow-up was performed. High-signal-intensity lesions in the DW-MR images were considered as acute thromboembolic events and the number and locations of the lesions were also recorded. RESULTS: Among the 163 coil embolization cases, 98 (60.1%) showed high-signal intensities in the DW-MR imaging follow-up, 66 cases (67.0%) involved the eloquent area and only 6 cases (6.0%) showed focal neurological symptoms correlated to the DW-MR findings. The incidence of DW-MR lesions was higher in older patients (> or =60 yrs) when compared to younger patients (<60 yrs) (p=0.002, odd s ratio=1.043). The older patients also showed a higher incidence of abnormal DW-MR signals in aneurysm-unrelated lesions (p=0.0003, odd's ratio=5.078). CONCLUSION: The incidence of symptomatic thromboembolic attacks after coil embolization of the cerebral aneurysm was found to be lower than that reported in previous studies. While DW-MR imaging revealed a higher number of thromboembolic events, most of these were clinically silent and transient and showed favorable clinical outcomes. However, the incidence of DW-MR abnormalities was higher in older patients, along with unpredictable thromboembolic events on DW-MR images. Thus, in order to provide adequate and timely treatment and to minimize neurological sequelae, a routine DW-MR follow-up after coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms might be helpful, especially in older patients.
Aneurysm ; Brain ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Prospective Studies ; Thromboembolism

In the management of carotid cavernous fistula, detachable balloon has become the treatment of choice.However, technical difficulties are not uncommon, and transarterial balloon embolization fail in 5% to 10% ofcases. Failure occurs because in some patients, the fistula orifice may be too small to allow entry. Using atracker catheter system with Guglielmi detachable coils, we achieved successful transarterial occlusion of acarotid cavernous fistula with a small fistula.
Balloon Occlusion ; Catheters ; Fistula* ; Humans

PURPOSE: MR is the most useful imaging method in evaluating the anatomic changes of the optic chiasm (OC). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the OC displacement and visual manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients who showed displacement of OC on brain MR. The pattern of OC displacement was classified into 3 groups according to following criteria: group A included the patients with OC displacement only due to empty sella;group B represented the patients with OC displacement by a lesion and the border between the lesion and OC was distinct;and group C was the patients with OC displacement by a lesion and had a indistinct border or thinning of the OC. RESULTS: Visual symptoms and signs were noted in 12 patients and the most common sign was bitemporal hemianopsia. In group A(7 patients), the visual symptoms and signs were seen in only one patient(14%), in whom contracted visual fields persisted since previous pituitary apoplexy had developed. In group B(30 patients), the visual symptoms and signs were seen in 4 patients(13%) who had tumorous conditions except one case of cysticercosis. In group C(7 patients), the visual symptoms and signs were seen in all patients (100%). CONCLUSION: The more OC is compressed, the more the prevalence of visual symptoms and signs increases. However, there was no correlation between the occurrence of visual symptoms and the presence of OC displacement only without compression.
Brain ; Cysticercosis ; Hemianopsia ; Humans ; Optic Chiasm* ; Pituitary Apoplexy ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Fields

Fishbones are the most common upper aerodigestive and esophageal foreign body found in adults. Usually these bones pass, but when complications arise, they can be catastrophic and may include neck abscesses, mediastinitis, and esophago-aortic or esophagocarotid fistulas. We report the radiologic findings of fishbone injury occurring in a 48-year-old man in whom a globefish bone had penentrated the hypopharynx and migrated to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Abscess ; Adult ; Fistula ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Mediastinitis ; Middle Aged ; Neck

A ruptured brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) presenting with a hematoma may have unseen parts of the shunts in diagnostic angiography in the acute phase, which may lead to innate incomplete evaluation for the whole angioarchitecture of the bAVM. Even though it is generally accepted that the nidus of a ruptured bAVM may be underestimated in angiography during the acute phase due to hematoma compression, documentation of the underestimated parts has not been described in the literature. The authors report 2 cases of ruptured bAVMs in which the obscured segments were cast with liquid embolic material, which suggests a potential presence of obscured segments in bAVMs.

PURPOSE: The main factor limiting endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is the shape of the a-neurysmal sac, especially the width of the neck. We describe an early experience and technical aspects of treating wide-necked cerebral aneurysm using a Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) and simultaneous application of a temporary balloon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four cases of unruptured wide-necked cerebral aneurysm were treated with GDC, with simultaneous application of a temporary balloon. Patients were aged between 29 and 49 years. On admission, clinical presentation was subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in all cases. Hunt and Hess grade was II in two cases, III in one case, and traumatic SAH in one case. In all patients angiography revealed an asymptomatic a-neurysm after rupture of another aneurysm or traumatic SAH. The aneurysms were occluded with GDC-10, and a Cirrus balloon occlusion system was used simultaneously. All procedures were performed under endo-tracheal general anesthesia and systemic heparinization. RESULTS: All cases were treated successfully, without parent artery compromise. The occlusion rate at the end of the procedure was total in three cases and subtotal in one. In one case a heparin-related hematoma occurred during post-procedural treatment and the patient eventually expired. One patient underwent follow-up angiography after 6 months, and the coil was not changed. CONCLUSION: An aneurysm may not be completely occluded, but with regard to coil compaction and parent artery preservation, the technique is an attractive alternative.
Anesthesia, General ; Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Balloon Occlusion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Heparin ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck ; Parents ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate collateral circulations between external carotid and vertebral arteries in the individuals with no occlusive cerebro vascular diseases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Vertebral angiography was performed in 20 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, with temporal occlusion of the ipsilateral common carotid artery by finger pressure compression. In each case, the following were analyzed in each case :presence or absence of collateral channels ; pattern of collateral channels ; level of anastomosis. RESULTS: The anastomotic channels were as follows : occipital artery by posterior radicular artery : 15 cases ; ascending pharyngeal artery by musculospinal artery : 16 cases ; odontoid arterial arch : ten cases ; proximal external carotid artery by anterior radicular artery three cases. CONCLUSION: Awareness of external carotid - vertebral arteries anastomosis as described above can be helpful for effective and safe embolization.
Arteries* ; Carotid Arteries ; Collateral Circulation ; Fingers ; Humans ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluate the usefulness, results, and technical problem of endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coil(GDC). METHODS: Forty patients with 31 ruptured and 11 unruptured aneurysms were treated with GDC embolization. Twenty-four aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation and 18 in the posterior circulation. Aneurysms size was categorized small(n=31) or large(n=11) and neck size was categorized narrow(n=30) or wide(n=12). We statistically analyzed occlusion rate according to the location, rupture, size, and neck size of aneurysms, and investigated the procedure-related complications and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: GDC treatment of aneursyms was successful in 40 aneurysms of 39 patients(95.2%). Total occlusion was achieved in 24(60.0%) cases, subtotal occlusion in 12(30%), and incomplete occlusion in 4(10.0%). Each total occlusion rate was 69.0% in small-sized, 36.4% in large-sized, 69.0% in narrow-necked, and 36.4% in wide-necked aneurysms. Location and rupture of aneurysms did not influence occlusion rate. The technical complications included 4 thromboembolisms, 3 parent artery occlusions, and 1 perforation of aneurysm. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 10.3% and 2.6%. 3 subtotally or incompletely embolized aneurysms in posterior circulation rebled during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that endovascular GDC treatment is an appropriate therapeutic alternative in cerebral aneurysms. However, the rebleeding by aneurysmal recanalization or regrowth is a major limitation of GDC treatment. Follow-up angiography and further technical improvement are mandatory to overcome rebleeding.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Mortality ; Neck ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies* ; Rupture ; Thromboembolism