OBJECTIVETo enhance the clinical doctors' cognizance of atypical spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVFs) associated with perimedullary anteriovenous fistulae (PMAVFs).

METHODSThe clinical imaging and surgical therapy of 3 patients with PMAVFs were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe clinical presentations of the 3 patients were not significantly different from those of typical SDAVFs. They were verified by repeated spinal angiography that the anterior spinal artery (ASA) is supplied to the drainage-vein. The 3 patients were treated surgically. First two operations were performed to eliminate the supply of ASA and dural branch, then the supply of the dural branch was amputated, and finally both the ASA and dural branch supplies were excised successfully. Clinical symptoms of the 3 patients were improved after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSIt is necessary to perform thorough spinal angiography in patients with SDAVFs to exclude another fistula. The key point in the treatment of such patients is successfully to terminate both the spinal feeder and dural branch feeder.

Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; surgery ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of stent-assistant angioplasty for intracranial vascular diseases.

METHODSThirteen patients with intracranial vascular diseases were treated consecutively by stent-assistant angioplasty for different purposes. Of these patients 7 had symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis, 3 intracranial wide-neck aneurysms, 2 intracranial pseudoaneurysms, and 1 bilateral transverse sinus stenosis. Clinical procedures and technical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSIn the 7 patients, the degree of intracranial artery stenosis reduced from 83% to 5%. Three months after the operation they exhibited good patency of stented lesions. Intracranial wide neck aneurysms (with 2 pseudoaneurysms) were successfully embolized with GDC in 5 patients. The patients with bilateral transverse sinus stenosis were implanted a self-expanded stent in the right transverse sinus. One patient failed because of the tortuous configuration of the left jugular bulb, but the patient's symptoms were improved quickly after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONStent-assistant angioplasty is a useful technique for selected intracranial vascular diseases, and it needs further investigation.

Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo calculate the volume embolization ratio of densely packing experimental aneurysms by three dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA).

METHODSSix experimental crotch aneurysms were created microsurgically in the common carotid artery of white rabbits. Two weeks later, each aneurysm's volume was measured with 3D-DSA surface shaded display(SSD) and the correction of lacteprene balloon calibration method. In the same time, the aneurysms were densely packed with electric detachable coils. The volume of coils that were used in each aneurysm was calculated separately. The ratio of coils volume and aneurysm volume was the volume embolization ratio (VER).

RESULTSThe aneurysms volumes measured by 3D DSA SSD ranged from 0.037 to 0.087 ml. The VER ranged from 23.5% to 32.5% (average 27.4%).

CONCLUSIONThe minimum VER of densely packing experimental crotch aneurysms with electronic detachable coils was 23.5%.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Animals ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Rabbits