BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a critical role in severe cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) pathogenesis, but the benefits of anti-inflammatory therapies remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between steroid therapy combined with anticoagulation and the prognosis of acute/subacute severe CVT patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled patients with acute/subacute severe CVT at Xuanwu Hospital (July 2020-January 2024). Patients were allocated into steroid and non-steroid groups based on the treatment they received. Functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS]) were evaluated at admission, discharge, and 6 months after discharge. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6, and intracranial pressure were measured at admission and discharge in the steroid group. Fundoscopic Frisén grades were assessed at admission and 6 months after discharge. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluat associations between steroid use and favorable outcomes (mRS ≤2) at the 6-month follow-up. Paired tests assessed changes in hs-CRP and other variables before and after treatment, and Spearman's correlations were used to analyze relationships between these changes and functional improvements. RESULTS: A total of 107 and 58 patients in the steroid and non-steroid groups, respectively, were included in the analysis. Compared with the non-steroid group, the steroid group had a higher likelihood of achieving an mRS score of 0-2 (93.5% vs . 82.5%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.98, P  = 0.037) at the 6-month follow-up. After adjusting for confounding factors, the result remained consistent. Pulsed steroid therapy did not increase mortality during hospitalization or follow-up, nor did it lead to severe steroid-related complications (all P  >0.05). Patients in the steroid group showed a significant reduction in serum hs-CRP, IL-6, CSF IL-6, and intracranial pressure at discharge compared to at admission, as well as a significant reduction in the fundoscopic Frisén grade at the 6-month follow-up compare to at admission (all P  <0.001). A reduction in serum inflammatory marker levels during hospitalization positively correlated with improvements in functional outcomes ( P  <0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-term steroid use may be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for acute/subacute severe CVT when used alongside standard anticoagulant treatments, which are likely due to suppression of the inflammatory response. However, these findings require further validation in randomized controlled trials. TRAIL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05990894.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Intracranial Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Steroids/therapeutic use* ; Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of Sentinel cerebral embolic protection device (CEPD) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study is a subgroup analysis of the China Moderate to Severe Valvular Heart Disease Registry, which has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300075006). METHODS: Patients undergoing TAVR with the Sentinel CEPD from October 2023 to September 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 80 patients were included, with a median age of 72 (68, 76) years, including 52 males (65.0%) and 28 females (35.0%); 62 patients (77.5%) with tricuspid valves, and 18 patients (22.5%) with bicuspid valves; 34 patients (42.5%) with type Ⅰ aortic arch, 24 patients (30.0%) with type Ⅱ aortic arch, 12 patients (15.0%) with type Ⅲ aortic arch, and 10 patients (12.5%) with bovine-type aortic arch. Clinical data of the patients were summarized and analyzed. The primary endpoints were success rate of Sentinel CEPD implantation, as well as all-cause death, symptomatic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and Sentinel CEPD access vessel complications during hospitalization and within 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: In the 80 patients, self-expanding valves were used in 68 cases (85.0%) and balloon-expandable valves in 12 cases (15.0%). Seventy-nine patients (98.8%) successfully underwent TAVR with Sentinel CEPD deployment. Macroscopically visible debris was captured in 92.5% (74/80) by filters of Sentinel CEPD. Although the procedure time for Sentinel CEPD placement was slightly longer in patients with bovine-type aortic arch, there was no statistically significant difference in deployment time among different aortic arch types (P>0.05). During hospitalization and within 30 days postoperatively, only one case of transient ischemic attack occurred, and there was no all-cause mortality, symptomatic stroke, or access-site vascular complications related to the Sentinel CEPD observed. CONCLUSIONS The Sentinel CEPD demonstrates high feasibility across aortic arch types, potential efficacy in embolic capture, and excellent safety in TAVR.
Humans ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Embolic Protection Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Intracranial Embolism/prevention & control* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Aortic Valve/surgery*

Objective:To analyze the clinical diagnosis, treatment ，and surgical timing of otogenic intracranial complications. Methods:The clinical data of 11 patients with intracranial complications with ear symptoms as the first manifestation in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University（Qingdao） from December 2014 to June 2022 were collected, including 8 males and 3 females, aged from 4 to 69 years. All patients had complete otoendoscopy, audiology, imaging and etiology examination, and the diagnosis and treatment plan was jointly developed through multidisciplinary consultation according to the critical degree of clinical symptoms and imaging changes. Among the 11 patients, 5 cases were treated with intracranial lesions first in neurosurgery department and middle ear lesions later in otolaryngology, 3 cases of meningitis, were treated with middle ear surgery after intracranial infection control, 1 case was treated with middle ear lesions and intracranial infection simultaneously, and 2 cases were treated with sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus thrombosis conservatively. They were followed up for 1-6 years. Descriptive statistical methods were used for analysis. Results:All the 11 patients had ear varying symptoms, including ear pain, pus discharge and hearing loss, etc, and then fever appeared, headache, disturbance of consciousness, facial paralysis and other intracranial complication. Otoendoscopy showed perforation of the relaxation of the tympanic membrane in 5 cases, major perforation of the tension in 3 cases, neoplasia in the ear canal in 1 case, bulging of the tympanic membrane in 1 case, and turbidity of the tympanic membrane in 1 case. There were 4 cases of conductive hearing loss, 4 cases of mixed hearing loss and 3 cases of total deafness. Imaging examination showed cholesteatoma of the middle ear complicated with temporal lobe brain abscess in 4 cases, cerebellar abscess in 2 cases, cholesteatoma of the middle ear complicated with intracranial infection in 3 cases, and sigmoid sinus thrombophlebitis in 2 cases. In the etiological examination, 2 cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae were cultured in the pus of brain abscess and cerebrospinal fluid, and 1 case was cultured in streptococcus vestibularis, Bacteroides uniformis and Proteus mirabilis respectively. During the follow-up, 1 patient died of cardiovascular disease 3 years after discharge, and the remaining 10 patients survived. There was no recurrence of intracranial and middle ear lesions. Sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus thrombosis were significantly improved. Conclusion:Brain abscess, intracranial infection and thrombophlebitis are the most common otogenic intracranial complications, and cholesteatoma of middle ear is the most common primary disease. Timely diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, accurate grasp of the timing in the treatment of primary focal and complications have improved the cure rate of the disease.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Brain Abscess/therapy* ; Cholesteatoma ; Deafness/etiology* ; Hearing Loss/etiology* ; Lateral Sinus Thrombosis/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombophlebitis/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/therapy* ; Central Nervous System Infections/therapy* ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial/therapy* ; Ear Diseases/therapy*

Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Catheter Ablation ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism/surgery* ; Radiofrequency Ablation ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To report a case of chronic suppurative otitis media with complications of lateral sinus thrombosis and otitic hydrocephalus and to discuss its clinical manifestations, clinical course, ancillary procedures and management. Methods: Study Design: Case Report. Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital. Patient: One. Results: A 35-year-old man was admitted due to intermittent right otorrhea for 20 years and headache for a month. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 12, and mastoidectomy performed on the second hospital day showed cholesteatoma with erosion of the bony covering of the sigmoid sinus with scanty purulent discharge. The GCS improved to 15 few hours post- operatively, however, 24 hours post-operatively, GCS decreased from 15 to 10 and a CT scan showed dilatation of cerebral ventricles and lateral sinus thrombosis which persisted on subsequent imaging studies. His condition deteriorated irreversibly despite a ventriculostomy, and he eventually expired after 3 weeks in the ward. Conclusion Otitic hydrocephalus due to lateral sinus thrombosis is a serious complication of chronic suppurative otitis media seldom encountered nowadays. In this case, otitic hydrocephalus developed and progressed despite broad spectrum antibiotics, mastoidectomy and a ventricular shunt. This case report underscores the importance of early recognition of warning signs of intracranial complications to institute prompt management.
Lateral Sinus Thrombosis ; Mastoidectomy ; Ventriculostomy

Adult ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Intracranial Thrombosis/virology* ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index ; Venous Thrombosis/virology*

Cranial Sinuses ; Dilatation ; Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial/therapy* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a cerebrovascular disease with a seriously underestimated incidence rate. Due to a lack of specific clinical manifestations and the low sensitivity of conventional imaging examinations, it has long been considered a rare disease in neonates. In recent years, the development of magnetic resonance technology has improved the diagnostic rate of CSVT. This article reviews the research advances in intracranial venous anatomy of neonates and clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment, and prognosis of CSVT and deep venous thrombosis, in order to improve the understanding and to make correct diagnosis and treatment of neonatal CSVT.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; Prognosis ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial/therapy* ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: Stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial wide-necked aneurysm requires long-term postoperative antiplatelet therapy to prevent in-stent thrombosis. This study aimed to demonstrate results of temporary stent placement for coiling wide necked small intracranial aneurysms, which eliminated need for antiplatelet agents, and to discuss its feasibility and safety.METHODS: Data of 156 patients who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen cases of temporary stent-assisted coil embolization were included, and their clinical and radiological results were evaluated.RESULTS: The aneurysms treated were all unruptured except one case. All of them had wide neck with mean dome-to-neck ratio of 0.96 and were small-sized aneurysms with mean maximal diameter of 4.2 mm. There was no technical failure in retrieval of stent after completion of embolization of the target aneurysm. Immediate angiography revealed 11 complete and two partial embolization (one residual neck and one residual aneurysm). Two cases encountered thrombosis complication, and they were managed without neurological sequelae. The mean follow-up period was 43 months, angiographic follow-up revealed two cases with minor recurrence, and clinical outcome was good with modified Rankin scale score of 0.CONCLUSION: Temporary stent-assisted coil embolization of small wide-necked intracranial aneurysm using fully retrievable stent appears safe and effective. Further application and evaluation of this technique in more cases with larger size aneurysm is warranted.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neck ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular treatment (EVT) outcomes for acute M2 segment of middle cerebral artery occlusion remains unclear because most results are obtained from patients with large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation. The objective of this study was to assess procedural outcomes for acute M2 occlusion and compare outcomes according to thrombus location (M1 vs. M2).METHODS: A systematic review was performed for online literature published from January 2004 to December 2016. Primary outcome was successful recanalization rate and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (S-ICH) after the procedure. A fixed effect model was used if heterogeneity was less than 50%.RESULTS: Eight articles were included. EVT showed successful recanalization rate of 69.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.9–80.4%) and S-ICH rate of 6.1% (95% CI, 4.5–8.3%). The rates of good clinical outcome at 3 months and mortality were 59.4% (95% CI, 49.9–68.2%) and 14.9% (95% CI, 11.4–19.3%), respectively. According to thrombus location (M1 vs. M2), successful recanalization (odds ratio [OR], 1.539; 95% CI, 0.293–8.092; p=0.610) and S-ICH (OR, 1.313; 95% CI, 0.603–2.861; p=0.493) did not differ significantly. Good clinical outcome was more evident in M2 occlusion after EVT than that in M1 occlusion (OR, 1.639; 95% CI, 1.135–2.368; p=0.008). However, mortality did not differ significantly according to thrombus location (OR, 0.788; 95% CI, 0.486–1.276; p=0.332).CONCLUSION: EVT seems to be technically feasible for acute M2 occlusion. Direct comparative studies between EVT and medical treatment are needed further to find specific beneficiary group after EVT in patient with M2 occlusion.
Arteries ; Humans ; Infarction ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Mortality ; Population Characteristics ; Stroke ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis