Objective:To explore the factors associated with vascular luminal dilatational remodeling (VLDR) following balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS).Methods:A case-control study was conducted to analyze the data of symptomatic severe ICAS patients who received either paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty (PCBA) or plain balloon angioplasty (POBA) at our center from January 2019 to January 2022 and completed the six-month follow-up. The patients were divided into VLDR group and non-VLDR group according to whether VLDR occurred on follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The baseline data, preoperative and postoperative lesion characteristics (DSA), and perioperative related information were collected. The definition of VLDR was a decrease in luminal stenosis rate by more than 10% at the time of follow-up compared to the immediate postoperative period. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze possible factors affecting VLDR such as balloon type, balloon length, and expansion time.Results:A total of 88 patients were included in this study, with 16 in the VLDR group and 72 in the non-VLDR group. The follow-up time for all included patients was 6.00 (5.00, 7.00) months. VLDR occurred in 18.2% (16/88) of cases, with a VLDR incidence of 30.4% (14/46) after PCBA and 4.8% (2/42) after POBA. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that treatment balloon type, balloon length, inflated time, immediate postoperative stenosis rate, follow-up time and Mori classification may affect the occurrence of VLDR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) ( OR=9.82, 95% CI 1.99-48.49, P=0.005) and postoperative immediate stenosis rate ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.14, P=0.042) were independently associated with VLDR. Conclusion:The occurrence of VLDR following balloon angioplasty in ICAS was associated with the use of PCB and immediate postoperative stenosis rates, which will provide guidance for the clinical application of PCB.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenesis, selection of endovascular treatment (EVT) strategies, and efficacies of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (AVBAO) of different lesion sites.Methods:One hundred and five patients with AVBAO, admitted to and accepted EVT in our hospital from February 2017 to September 2019, were chosen in our study. The data of disease onset, imaging findings, EVT status, perioperative complications, and prognoses of these patients were collected. According to DSA results, the involved lesions were divided into 4 sites: the upper segment of basilar artery (BA), the middle segment of BA, the lower segment of BA, and the intracranial segment of vertebral artery (V4 segment), and patients with tandem lesions would be recorded as distal lesions. The risk factors, EVT strategies, and prognoses 90 d after follow-up (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores≤3: good prognosis) were compared in patients with 4 different lesion sites.Results:There were significant differences in etiological classifications and percentage of patients combined with atrial fibrillation among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05). There was significant difference in proportion of patients accepted emergency stent implantation among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05): those with lesions at the V4 segment had the highest proportion of patients accepted emergency stent implantation (79.55%), followed by those with lesions at the lower segment of BA (50.00%). There was significant difference in EVT time (the time from arterial puncture to successful recanalization of occluded vessels) among patients with 4 different lesion sites ( P<0.05): the EVT time in patients with lesions at the middle segment of BA was the shortest (87.5 [58.5, 130.8] min), and the EVT time in patients with lesions at the lower segment of BA was the longest (115.0 [81.0, 163.0] min). There was no statistical difference among patients with different lesion sites in good prognosis rate 90 d after follow-up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The pathogenesis of patients with different AVBAO lesion sites is different, so different EVT strategies should be adopted.

Objective:To assess the role of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in detecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation subacute ischemic stroke (SIS), and to evaluate the value of ASL in predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of SIS patients after endovascular recanalization.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed. Patients with anterior circulation SIS who received endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital from January 2021 to September 2021 were enrolled. At 24 h before EVT and immediately after EVT, MRI scans of ASL sequences and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE) sequence were completed, and Xper CT was performed; accordingly, imaging typing was performed. Head CT scan was performed 24-48 h after EVT to observe HT; according to the presence or absence of HT, these patients were divided into HT group and non-HT group; the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values of ASL sequence parameters, volume transfer constant (K trans) of DCE sequence parameters and the differences of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kappa coefficient was used to test the consistency among ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types. Results:Among 22 eligible patients, 5 patients occurred HT (5/22, 22.72%). As compared with those in the non-HT group (1.14±0.04; 0.032[0.024, 0.039]/min), patients in the HT group had significantly higher rCBF value (1.57±0.18) and K trans (0.072[0.0455, 0.117]/min, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups ( P<0.05); among them, 4 out of 6 patients with ASL imaging type III, 4 out of 6 patients with DCE imaging type III, and 4 out of 5 patients with Xper CT imaging type III had HT. ASL sequence and DCE sequence had a high consistency in the imaging types (Kappa coefficient=0.941, 95%CI: 0.862-1.020, P<0.001). Conclusion:ASL can effectively evaluate the BBB permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation SIS; patients with ASL imaging type III have a relatively high risk of HT.

Objective:To assess the role of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in detecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation subacute ischemic stroke (SIS), and to evaluate the value of ASL in predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of SIS patients after endovascular recanalization.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed. Patients with anterior circulation SIS who received endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital from January 2021 to September 2021 were enrolled. At 24 h before EVT and immediately after EVT, MRI scans of ASL sequences and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE) sequence were completed, and Xper CT was performed; accordingly, imaging typing was performed. Head CT scan was performed 24-48 h after EVT to observe HT; according to the presence or absence of HT, these patients were divided into HT group and non-HT group; the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values of ASL sequence parameters, volume transfer constant (K trans) of DCE sequence parameters and the differences of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups were compared. The weighted Kappa coefficient was used to test the consistency among ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types. Results:Among 22 eligible patients, 5 patients occurred HT (5/22, 22.72%). As compared with those in the non-HT group (1.14±0.04; 0.032[0.024, 0.039]/min), patients in the HT group had significantly higher rCBF value (1.57±0.18) and K trans (0.072[0.0455, 0.117]/min, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of ASL, DCE and Xper CT imaging types between the two groups ( P<0.05); among them, 4 out of 6 patients with ASL imaging type III, 4 out of 6 patients with DCE imaging type III, and 4 out of 5 patients with Xper CT imaging type III had HT. ASL sequence and DCE sequence had a high consistency in the imaging types (Kappa coefficient=0.941, 95%CI: 0.862-1.020, P<0.001). Conclusion:ASL can effectively evaluate the BBB permeability of cerebral infarction lesions in patients with anterior circulation SIS; patients with ASL imaging type III have a relatively high risk of HT.

Objective:To investigate the effect of thrombus burden on the clinical outcome of endovascular recanalization in large vessel occlusive stroke.Methods:Patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment within 24 hours after onset in Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. According to the clot burden score (CBS) of DSA, total objectives were divided into CBS≥6 group (24 cases) and CBS<6 group (38 cases). Clinical data of the two groups were collected and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 90 days after surgery. Independent sample t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ 2 test were used to compare the clinical data between the two groups. Independent risk factors affecting the clinical outcome were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in basic demographic data, stroke risk factors and other factors between the CBS≥6 group and CBS<6 group ( P>0.05).The proportion of using tirofiban after surgery in the CBS≥6 group (63.2%, 24/38) was lower than that in the CBS<6 group (87.5%, 21/24) (χ2=4.380, P=0.044). The discharge NIHSS score of the CBS≥6 group was [5.0 (3.3, 7.8) points] lower than CBS<6 group [8.5 (1.8, 14.5) points] ( Z=5.221, P=0.022). The proportion of postoperative mRS 0-2 was (91.7%, 22/24) in the CBS≥6 group higher than CBS<6 group(39.5%, 15/38) (χ2=20.486, P=0.001), there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). The results of binary logistics regression analysis showed the CBS groups (OR=0.042, 95%CI 0.007-0.244 , P=0.001) was an independent risk factor affecting good outcome. Subgroup analysis of whether tirofiban was used or not showed there was no statistically significant difference in clinical prognosis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The clinical outcome of CBS≥6 group is significantly better than that of CBS<6 group, and patients with small thrombus burden are more likely to get a good clinical outcome of 90 days.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular recanalization treatment for acute vertebral basilar artery occlusion (AVBAO) underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) using a balloon-mounted stent.Methods:A total of 16 cases of consecutive AVBAO patients who underwent endovascular treatment with the balloon-mounted stent within 24 h after onset were retrospectively enrolled in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from February 2017 to August 2019. And the recanalization rate, operation-related complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, the improvement of 1 week National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and 3 months modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after treatment were recorded.Results:In all of the 16 patients, 4 patients underwent direct stenting angioplasty, 12 patients received salvage stenting. Stent placement was successful in all 16 patients. Balloon-mounted stent were implanted in basilar artery of 4 cases, in intracranial segment of vertebral artery of 8 cases, and in origination segment of vertebral artery of 4 cases. Recanalization was successful (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b and 3) in 15 patients. The time between arterial puncture and recanalization was 79.0 (72.3, 109.3) min. One patient experienced distal thrombosis during surgery. Two patients suffered symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h after surgery. The scores of the NIHSS were improved more than 4 points at 1 week after operation in 8 patients. At 3 months follow-up, 9 patients had a good outcome (mRS 0-3 points) and 4 patients died.Conclusion:Selective stenting angioplasty treatment with a balloon-mounted stent seems to be feasible and safe for AVBAO patients underlying ICAD.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often accompanied by digestive system dysfunction, such as intestinal dysfunction and dysbacteriosis. The activation of neuroendocrine system after TBI is one of the factors leading to gut microbiota changes. A variety of antimicrobial peptides secreted by Paneth cells are the key factors to maintain intestinal flora homeostasis. The dysfunction of Paneth cells after TBI may be responsible for gut microbiota changes. The authors review the mechanism of gut microbiota changes induced by TBI to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of gut microbiota changes caused by TBI.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment in acute anterior circulation massive cerebral infarction and its prognostic factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 34 patients with acute anterior circulatory massive cerebral infarction who received intravascular treatment in our hospital from February 2018 to December 2019. The perioperative hemorrhage rate and mortality rate were analyzed in these patients. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were taken as the evaluation standard in the prognoses of these patients during the 90 d of follow up, and the influencing factors affecting the prognoses of patients with massive cerebral infarction were analyzed.Results:The operation was successful in 30 patients (88.2%); the operation time was (97.41±54.58) min, and the number of thrombolysis was (1.91±0.75) times. Distal embolization occurred in 4 patients (11.8%); there were 3 patients with non-symptomatic hemorrhage (8.8%) and 3 patients with symptomatic hemorrhage (8.8%). Cerebral hernia occurred in 7 patients (20.6%); there were 5 deaths (14.4%). During the 90 d of follow up, 13 patients (38.2%) had good prognosis, and 21 (61.8%) had poor prognosis; there were statistically significant differences in NIHSS scores at admission, infarction locations in diffusion weighted imaging, vascular occlusion locations in DSA, pecentages of patients accepted preoperative intravenous thrombolysis and patients with cerebral hernia between the two groups ( P<0.05). NIHSS scores at admission ( OR=0.817, 95% CI: 0.682-0.980, P=0.029), thrombus load scale scores ( OR=5.981, 95%CI: 1.827-19.575, P=0.003), vascular occlusion locations in DSA ( OR=0.031, 95% CI: 0.003-0.311, P=0.003) and pecentage of patients accepted preoperative intravenous thrombolysis ( OR=0.092, 95% CI: 0.010-0.838, P=0.034) were independent factors influencing the prognoses of emergency intravascular treatment. Conclusions:Endovascular recanalization can achieve a relatively good prognosis in patients with massive cerebral infarction. Patients with low NIHSS scores, high thrombotic load scale scores, and middle cerebral artery occlusion, and patients accepted direct intravascular treatment have relatively good prognosis.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of high-density sign of flat-panel CT (FDCT) after endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the anterior circulation of large vessels and their relation with hemorrhagic transformation.Methods:Seventy-eight patients with AIS in the anterior circulation of large vessels accepted endovascular treatment in our hospital from March 2018 to June 2019 were chosen in our study. All patients underwent FDCT, and they were grouped according to the presence of local high-density sign and occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation. The baseline and clinical data of patients from high-density sign group and non-high-density sign group, and from hemorrhagic transformation group and non-hemorrhagic transformation group were compared and analyzed. The correlation between high-density sign and hemorrhagic transformation was analyzed. The morphological characteristics and distribution of FDCT high-density sign in patients from high-density sign group were analyzed, and univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to screen the influencing factors for post-operative hemorrhagic transformation in patients from the high-density sign group.Results:(1) The incidence of high-density sign in these patients after endovascular treatment was 41.0% (32/78); as compared with patients in the non-high-density sign group, patients in the high-density sign group had significantly higher rate of hemorrhagic transformation (6.5% vs. 53.1%, P<0.05) and significantly higher 3-month modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores (2.0 [1.0, 3.0] vs. 3.9 [3.0, 5.3], P<0.05). (2) The incidence of hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular treatment was 25.6% (20/78); as compared with those in the non-hemorrhagic transformation group, patients in the hemorrhage transformation group had statistically higher incidence of high-density sign in FDCT (31% vs. 70%, P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that FDCT high density sign was an independent risk factor for hemorrhage transformation after endovascular treatment ( OR=1.823, 95%CI: 1.125-2.358, P=0.000). (3) In the 32 patients with FDCT high-density sign, 4 (12.5%), 13 (40.6%) and 7 (21.9%) had high-density sign in the cortex and subcortex, basal ganglia, and subarachnoid space, whose hemorrhagic transformation incidences were 75% (3/4), 53.8% (7/13), and 57.1% (4/7), respectively, and mean 3-month mRS scores were 4.5, 3.0 and 4.0, respectively; another 8 patients (25%) had endovascular FDCT high-density sign, whose hemorrhagic transformation incidence was 87.5% (7/8), and 3-month mRS scores were ≥4. (4) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the vascular opening time ≤6 h was a protective factor for hemorrhage transformation in patients with FDCT high-density sign ( OR=0.687, 95%CI: 0.193-0.936, P=0.044). Conclusions:In patients with AIS in the anterior circulation of large vessels accepted endovascular treatment, FDCT high-density sign indicates high risk of hemorrhage transformation and poor prognosis, especially in patients having high-density sign in the cerebral cortex, subcortical area and intravascular area. Minimizing the vascular opening time may reduce the risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with FDCT high-density sign.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hybrid operation suite in the treatment of cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients with various cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors who were treated by hybrid surgery at Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital from October 2016 to December 2017.There were 70 male and 62 female patients with a mean age of 48.33 years (range: 14-78 years), including 64 cases of intracranial aneurysm (41 complicated aneurysm cases), 28 cases of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM), 12 cases of hypervascular tumor, 12 cases of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis, 5 cases of Moyamoya disease, 3 cases of intracranial aneurysm or BAVM combined with tumor, 1 case of scalp arteriovenous fistula and 1 case of critical brain trauma in which a foreign metal stick approached the basal vascular circuit.Abnormalities were found in 16 cases in intraoperative angiography. The clinical data of all patients was collected as a perspective cohort. The success rate of hybrid surgery, intra-operative and post-operative complications, morbidity, mortality, rate of infection, the length of hospital stay were all analyzed to illustrate the effect of hybrid operation mode to traditional surgical pattern. Results: For 64 cases with intracranial aneurysms, the immediate complete occlusion rate was 90.5%, with a mortality of 4.7% and a morbidity of 14.0%. For 28 cases of BAVM and 12 cases of DAVF, all patients achieved total obliteration and favorable social independent outcomes after hybrid surgery, with no complication.For 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis and 5 cases of Moyamoya, intra-operative confirmed good cerebral reperfusion without any new post-operative neurologic deficits. After tumor vessels embolization, 4 out of 12 cases of hypervascular tumor needed intra-operative blood transfusion, and all patients achieved total tumor resection in a single stage. Only one patient with medulla oblongata hemangioblastoma died 6 months after operation due to respiratory deficit related pneumonia. Compared to traditional surgeries, the hybrid operation pattern did not significantly increase the total infection rate, central nervous system infection rate, hospital stay days and post-operative hospital stay days (all P>0.05) while the in-patient cost increased mildly (119 332 yuan vs.98 215 yuan, t=2.38, P=0.02). Conclusions The operations of complex cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors can be performed in hybrid operation suite safely.This surgical mode can ensure the quality of operation and promote the development of innovative and complicated surgical procedures.