Objective:To investigate the relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent cerebrovascular digital subtraction angiography at Department of Cerebrovascular Disease Surgery,Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2008 to February 2023 and were confirmed to have basilar tip aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 males and 56 females, aged (57.5±10.2) years (range: 36 to 76 years); the maximum diameter of the basilar tip aneurysm ( M(IQR)) was 6.85 (5.79) mm (range: 1.28 to 27.48 mm). Finally, 101 basilar tip aneurysms were included, and divided into two groups based on whether the basilar tip aneurysm ruptured or not. There were 37 cases (36.6%) in the ruptured group and 64 cases (63.4%) in the unruptured group. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher′s exact test, as appropriate, and predictive factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms were explored by Logistic regression analysis. Variance inflation factors was used for analysis of collinearity. Results:The univariate results showed statistically significant differences between the ruptured and unruptured groups in terms of aneurysm neck width, basilar artery diameter, mean diameter of the parental artery, the ratio of neck width to parent artery diameter, aneurysm width and maximum diameter of the aneurysm (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, basilar artery diameter ( OR=0.347, 95% CI:0.176 to 0.687, P=0.002), and NRP ( OR=0.366, 95% CI:0.192 to 0.696, P=0.002) were predictive factors for rupture of aneurysms occurring at the basilar tip. There was no multiple covariance between NRP and basilar artery diameter in the analysis of covariance (VIF=1). Conclusion:Smaller basilar artery diameter and smaller NRP are relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of off-label use of flow diverters (FDs) in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.Methods:Seventy-one patients with aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis treated with FDs from January 2016 to September 2023 at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center (Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University), Department of Neurosurgery (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital), Department of Neurosurgery (First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University), and Department of Neurosurgery (Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University) were selected. The clinical and imaging data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical characteristics, aneurysm characteristics, endovascular treatments, perioperative complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up results were summarized and analyzed.Results:Among the 71 patients, 22 (31.0%) had ischemic stroke history and 43 (60.6%) had hypertension history. A total of 76 aneurysms were found, including 5 aneurysms (6.6%) at the anterior communicating artery, 10 (13.2%) at the anterior cerebral artery, 53 (69.7%) at the middle cerebral artery, and 8 (10.5%) at the posterior cerebral artery. The median aneurysm size (Inter Quartile Range) was 5.65 (3.63, 10.12) mm, and mean diameter of the parent artery was (2.70±0.57) mm. A total of 80 FDs were used, including 38 (47.5%) Pipeline embolization devices and 42 (52.5%) Tubridge embolization devices; the implantation success rate was 98.8% (79/80). Seven patients (9.9%) had perioperative complications, of which 2 (2.8%) were permanent (1 patient with visual field defect and 1 patient with intracranial hemorrhage). Seventy-one patients had clinical follow-up for (19.73±11.90) months, of which 68 patients (95.8%) had good outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0-2), 10 patients (14.1%) had ischemic complications, and one patient (1.4%) had hemorrhage complications. Sixty-seven aneurysms (88.2%) underwent angiographic follow-up for 7 (6-12) months, of which 44 aneurysms (65.7%) were completely occluded and 10 (14.9%) had in-stent stenosis.Conclusion:The results of this study preliminarily confirm that off-label use of FDs is relatively safe and effective in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of embolization of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (ACF-DAVF) via different arterial approaches, and provide evidence for individualized treatment of ACF-DAVF. Methods:A retrospective study was performed; 25 patients with ACF-DAVF admitted to Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled. Vascular approaches, including the anterior cerebral artery ( n=7), facial artery ( n=3), middle meningeal artery ( n=8), ophthalmic artery ( n=6), and vein ( n=1), were selected based on angioarchitectural features and microcatheter accessibility. Fistula and proximal draining vein occlusions were confirmed by immediate post-embolization digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and perioperative complications were recorded. At a 6-month follow-up, prognoses were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and DSA or MRA was performed to detect the recurrence of ACF-DAVF. Results:Six patients had complete embolization and 2 patients had near-total embolization of the fistula and proximal draining vein immediately after embolization via middle meningeal artery approach; 4 patients achieved complete embolization and 2 patients achieved near-total embolization via ophthalmic artery approach; 6 patients achieved complete embolization and one patient achieved near-total embolization via anterior cerebral artery approach; 3 patients achieved complete embolization via facial artery approach; one patient achieved complete embolization via venous approach. No perioperative intracranial hemorrhage or central retinal artery occlusion was noted. Follow-up for 6 months was performed in 25 patients: mRS score was 0 in 19 patients, 1 in 2 patients, and 2 in 4 patients; DSA in 19 patients and MRA in 6 patients indicated no ACF-DAVF recurrence. Conclusion:Based on the angioarchitectural features and microcatheter accessibility, individualized selection of vascular approaches for ACF-DAVF embolization can achieve better efficacy and safety.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of Pipeline embolization device (PED) Shield in intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study; 124 patients with intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms treated with PED Shield at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from July 2023 to October 2024 were enrolled. Intraoperative device-related complications and occurrence of hemorrhagic and ischemic complications within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. The clinical results and imaging results (degrees of stent patency and aneurysm occlusion rate) 6 months after follow-up were statistically analyzed. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score>2 was defined as poor prognosis in clinical follow-up, and grade D according to O'Kelly Marotta (OKM) classification was considered as complete aneurysm occlusion in imaging follow-up.Results:Eighty-seven females and 37 males, aged (56.44±12.17) years (ranging from 27 to 80 years) were enrolled, with a maximum aneurysm diameter of 5.12 (3.73, 7.24) mm. Among the 124 patients, incidence of intraoperative instrument-related complications was 6.5% (8/124); and within 30 days of the procedure, incidence of ischemic complications was 4.8% (6/124) and that of hemorrhagic complications was 1.6% (2/124). Eighty-four patients had a 6-month clinical follow-up, with 1 patient (1.2%) having poor prognosis. Eighty-four patients (67.7%) completed a 6-month imaging follow-up: complete occlusion rate of aneurysms was 82.1% (69/84), incidence of in-stent stenosis (stenosis degree ≥25%) was 4.8% (4/84), and no symptomatic in-stent stenosis was found.Conclusion:Result of this study shows that PED Shield may be an effective and safe clinical option for intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of off-label use of flow diverters (FDs) in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.Methods:Seventy-one patients with aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis treated with FDs from January 2016 to September 2023 at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center (Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University), Department of Neurosurgery (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital), Department of Neurosurgery (First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University), and Department of Neurosurgery (Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University) were selected. The clinical and imaging data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical characteristics, aneurysm characteristics, endovascular treatments, perioperative complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up results were summarized and analyzed.Results:Among the 71 patients, 22 (31.0%) had ischemic stroke history and 43 (60.6%) had hypertension history. A total of 76 aneurysms were found, including 5 aneurysms (6.6%) at the anterior communicating artery, 10 (13.2%) at the anterior cerebral artery, 53 (69.7%) at the middle cerebral artery, and 8 (10.5%) at the posterior cerebral artery. The median aneurysm size (Inter Quartile Range) was 5.65 (3.63, 10.12) mm, and mean diameter of the parent artery was (2.70±0.57) mm. A total of 80 FDs were used, including 38 (47.5%) Pipeline embolization devices and 42 (52.5%) Tubridge embolization devices; the implantation success rate was 98.8% (79/80). Seven patients (9.9%) had perioperative complications, of which 2 (2.8%) were permanent (1 patient with visual field defect and 1 patient with intracranial hemorrhage). Seventy-one patients had clinical follow-up for (19.73±11.90) months, of which 68 patients (95.8%) had good outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0-2), 10 patients (14.1%) had ischemic complications, and one patient (1.4%) had hemorrhage complications. Sixty-seven aneurysms (88.2%) underwent angiographic follow-up for 7 (6-12) months, of which 44 aneurysms (65.7%) were completely occluded and 10 (14.9%) had in-stent stenosis.Conclusion:The results of this study preliminarily confirm that off-label use of FDs is relatively safe and effective in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of embolization of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (ACF-DAVF) via different arterial approaches, and provide evidence for individualized treatment of ACF-DAVF. Methods:A retrospective study was performed; 25 patients with ACF-DAVF admitted to Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled. Vascular approaches, including the anterior cerebral artery ( n=7), facial artery ( n=3), middle meningeal artery ( n=8), ophthalmic artery ( n=6), and vein ( n=1), were selected based on angioarchitectural features and microcatheter accessibility. Fistula and proximal draining vein occlusions were confirmed by immediate post-embolization digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and perioperative complications were recorded. At a 6-month follow-up, prognoses were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and DSA or MRA was performed to detect the recurrence of ACF-DAVF. Results:Six patients had complete embolization and 2 patients had near-total embolization of the fistula and proximal draining vein immediately after embolization via middle meningeal artery approach; 4 patients achieved complete embolization and 2 patients achieved near-total embolization via ophthalmic artery approach; 6 patients achieved complete embolization and one patient achieved near-total embolization via anterior cerebral artery approach; 3 patients achieved complete embolization via facial artery approach; one patient achieved complete embolization via venous approach. No perioperative intracranial hemorrhage or central retinal artery occlusion was noted. Follow-up for 6 months was performed in 25 patients: mRS score was 0 in 19 patients, 1 in 2 patients, and 2 in 4 patients; DSA in 19 patients and MRA in 6 patients indicated no ACF-DAVF recurrence. Conclusion:Based on the angioarchitectural features and microcatheter accessibility, individualized selection of vascular approaches for ACF-DAVF embolization can achieve better efficacy and safety.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of Pipeline embolization device (PED) Shield in intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study; 124 patients with intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms treated with PED Shield at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from July 2023 to October 2024 were enrolled. Intraoperative device-related complications and occurrence of hemorrhagic and ischemic complications within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. The clinical results and imaging results (degrees of stent patency and aneurysm occlusion rate) 6 months after follow-up were statistically analyzed. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score>2 was defined as poor prognosis in clinical follow-up, and grade D according to O'Kelly Marotta (OKM) classification was considered as complete aneurysm occlusion in imaging follow-up.Results:Eighty-seven females and 37 males, aged (56.44±12.17) years (ranging from 27 to 80 years) were enrolled, with a maximum aneurysm diameter of 5.12 (3.73, 7.24) mm. Among the 124 patients, incidence of intraoperative instrument-related complications was 6.5% (8/124); and within 30 days of the procedure, incidence of ischemic complications was 4.8% (6/124) and that of hemorrhagic complications was 1.6% (2/124). Eighty-four patients had a 6-month clinical follow-up, with 1 patient (1.2%) having poor prognosis. Eighty-four patients (67.7%) completed a 6-month imaging follow-up: complete occlusion rate of aneurysms was 82.1% (69/84), incidence of in-stent stenosis (stenosis degree ≥25%) was 4.8% (4/84), and no symptomatic in-stent stenosis was found.Conclusion:Result of this study shows that PED Shield may be an effective and safe clinical option for intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.

Objective:To investigate the relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent cerebrovascular digital subtraction angiography at Department of Cerebrovascular Disease Surgery,Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2008 to February 2023 and were confirmed to have basilar tip aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 males and 56 females, aged (57.5±10.2) years (range: 36 to 76 years); the maximum diameter of the basilar tip aneurysm ( M(IQR)) was 6.85 (5.79) mm (range: 1.28 to 27.48 mm). Finally, 101 basilar tip aneurysms were included, and divided into two groups based on whether the basilar tip aneurysm ruptured or not. There were 37 cases (36.6%) in the ruptured group and 64 cases (63.4%) in the unruptured group. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher′s exact test, as appropriate, and predictive factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms were explored by Logistic regression analysis. Variance inflation factors was used for analysis of collinearity. Results:The univariate results showed statistically significant differences between the ruptured and unruptured groups in terms of aneurysm neck width, basilar artery diameter, mean diameter of the parental artery, the ratio of neck width to parent artery diameter, aneurysm width and maximum diameter of the aneurysm (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, basilar artery diameter ( OR=0.347, 95% CI:0.176 to 0.687, P=0.002), and NRP ( OR=0.366, 95% CI:0.192 to 0.696, P=0.002) were predictive factors for rupture of aneurysms occurring at the basilar tip. There was no multiple covariance between NRP and basilar artery diameter in the analysis of covariance (VIF=1). Conclusion:Smaller basilar artery diameter and smaller NRP are relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a rare and challenging disorder. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is closely related to enzyme action and hemodynamic changes, and is characterized by ischemic stroke, neurological compression symptoms, hydrocephalus, and other clinical symptoms. With development of interventional techniques and materials in recent years, endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia has become the focus. This article summarizes the current endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, aiming to provide references for clinicians.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics and etiology changes of patients with bronchiolitis before the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)with those after the pandemic, and to provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bronchiolitis.Methods:Retrospective analysis were made on the clinical characteristics and etiological changes of patients who were hospitalized with bronchiolitis in the Department of Pulmonology, Children′s Hospital of Soochow University before COVID-19 pandemic(from February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, called as Group 2019-2020)and after COVID-19 pandemic(from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021, called as Group 2020-2021). Medical records were reviewed to compare general conditions, clinical manifestations, and laboratory tests.Nasopharyngeal secretion examination results were collected to compare the differences in pathogenic composition.Results:A total of 285 patients were enrolled in the Group 2019-2020, while 190 patients in the Group 2020-2021.There were no significant differences in gender, age, symptom duration prior to admission and length of stay between the two groups( P>0.05). The proportion of moderate/severe cases in the Group 2020-2021 was lower than that in the Group 2019-2020[10.53%(20/190)vs 21.75%(62/285)]and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=10.062, P<0.05). The proportion of stuffy nose rhinorrhea in the Group 2020-2021 was higher than that in the Group 2019-2020, while the proportion of gastrointestinal symptoms(vomiting and diarrhea)in the Group 2020-2021 was lower than that in the Group 2019-2020 [57.37%(109/190)vs 47.37%(135/285)and 15.79%(30/190)vs 24.56 %(70/285)]and the differences were statistically significant( χ2 were 4.563 and 5.278 respectively, all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportions of fever, dyspnea, shortness of breath and cyanosis between the two groups(all P>0.05). The creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)in the Group 2020-2021 was lower than that in the Group 2019-2020[4.15(2.90~5.60)vs 6.70(4.20~22.10)]and the difference was statistically significant( Z=-8.757, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in white blood cell count(WBC), percentage of neutrophil(N%), blood platelet count(PLT), percentage of eosinophil(EOS%), C-reactive protein(CRP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)between the two groups(all P>0.05). The total pathogen detection rate, positive rate of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), positive rate of mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)and mixed infection rate in the Group 2020-2021 were lower than those in the Group 2019-2020[65.26%(124/190)vs 75.09%(214/285), 14.21%(27/190)vs 30.18%(86/285), 6.32%(12/190)vs 15.09%(43/285), 16.84%(32/190)vs 25.61%(73/285)], with statistically significant differences( χ2 were 5.361, 16.026, 8.568 and 5.094 respectively, all P<0.05). The positive rate of rhinovirus in the Group 2020-2021 was higher than that in the Group 2019-2020[13.16%(25/190)vs 4.91%(14/285)]and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=10.285, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive rates of human metapneumovirus, Boca virus and parainfluenza virus 3 between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusion:The clinical characteristics and etiology of patients with bronchiolitis have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.The quarantine and protection measures reduce the transmission of associated pathogens and the severity of the disease.