Endoluminal reconstruction with a flow diverter device has emerged as a viable and often preferable alternative to traditional techniques for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Precise measurement and device selection are mandatory steps when considering flow diverters usage in order to avoid potential complications. In this sense, incomplete wall-apposition has been described as a predictive factor for immediate in-stent and delayed thrombosis after stent use. One significant usage limitation of flow diverter devices is the parent artery diameter, since the maximum opening of the sizes available are recommended for vessel diameters between 5.2–5.75 mm. Here we present the first clinical use of the largest flow diverter available, the 6×50 mm DERIVO embolization device (Acandis GmbH & Co. KG, Pforzheim, Germany), into the arterial circulation for a cervical internal carotid artery endovascular reconstruction. This is a new device for large or fusiform aneurysms requiring flow diversion, especially located in the vertebrobasilar system or extracranial segments.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Parents ; Stents ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Retinal artery occlusion can lead to sudden visual loss without pain. The acute management of retinal artery occlusion remains unresolved. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old male was hospitalized to an emergency room for visual loss on the left side within 6 hours of onset. Combined occlusion at retinal artery and ciliary artery was confirmed by an ophthalmologist and we assessed ophthalmic artery occlusion. However, MRA revealed no significant steno-occlusion of internal carotid artery. Transfemoral cerebral angiography was carried out immediately and showed a movable thrombus at the orifice of the ophthalmic artery. We decided on endovascular thrombectomy to prevent permanent visual loss. Finally, his visual acuity was improved after successful thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although MRA is intact, small thrombus right at the orifice of the ophthalmic artery can cause a sudden monocular visual loss due to occlusion of the retinal artery. In this setting, urgent endovascular thrombectomy can offer visual improvement.
Aged ; Blindness ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Angiography ; Ciliary Arteries ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Male ; Ophthalmic Artery ; Retinal Artery ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis ; Visual Acuity

We present 2 cases of complicated mechanical thrombectomy involving tandem cervical internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery occlusion using the Solitaire FR stent and simultaneous carotid stent angioplasty. During the procedures, the Solitaire stents containing the thrombus were wedged into the open-cell carotid stents, which were already deployed for proximal flow restoration. We describe the methods used to avoid and overcome such complications.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Stents* ; Thrombectomy* ; Thrombosis ; United Nations*

Craniocervical artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute ischemic stroke in children, although it is an important cause of stroke in young and middle-aged patients. Among craniocervical artery dissection, internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection usually presents with focal neurologic deficits, such as acute hemiparesis. However, if it presents with only non-localizing signs, such as headache and seizure, ICA dissection may be overlooked in a differential diagnosis. Here we describe an 8-year-old boy who had spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection presenting as a seizure without focal neurologic signs. The patient was admitted to the emergency department because of seizure. On arrival at the emergency department, focal neurologic signs, such as motor weakness, were not observed. The patient had no recent trauma history. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffusion-restriction in the left basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography, and cerebral angiography demonstrated occlusion of the left distal ICA with tapered stenosis (so-called “string sign”). The patient was treated with aspirin and oxcarbazepine to prevent thrombosis and further seizures. Three-month follow-up MRA revealed apparent improvement of the occlusion of the left distal internal carotid artery. The patient had no neurologic deficits or further seizures in the outpatient clinic 13 months after discharge. This case demonstrated that acute ischemic stroke resulting from ICA dissection can occur with seizures without focal neurologic signs. In addition, ICA dissection should be considered as a possible cause of acute ischemic stroke even in children with no history of trauma.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Basal Ganglia ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection* ; Cerebral Angiography ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Paresis ; Seizures* ; Stroke ; Thrombosis

Craniocervical artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute ischemic stroke in children, although it is an important cause of stroke in young and middle-aged patients. Among craniocervical artery dissection, internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection usually presents with focal neurologic deficits, such as acute hemiparesis. However, if it presents with only non-localizing signs, such as headache and seizure, ICA dissection may be overlooked in a differential diagnosis. Here we describe an 8-year-old boy who had spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection presenting as a seizure without focal neurologic signs. The patient was admitted to the emergency department because of seizure. On arrival at the emergency department, focal neurologic signs, such as motor weakness, were not observed. The patient had no recent trauma history. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffusion-restriction in the left basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography, and cerebral angiography demonstrated occlusion of the left distal ICA with tapered stenosis (so-called “string sign”). The patient was treated with aspirin and oxcarbazepine to prevent thrombosis and further seizures. Three-month follow-up MRA revealed apparent improvement of the occlusion of the left distal internal carotid artery. The patient had no neurologic deficits or further seizures in the outpatient clinic 13 months after discharge. This case demonstrated that acute ischemic stroke resulting from ICA dissection can occur with seizures without focal neurologic signs. In addition, ICA dissection should be considered as a possible cause of acute ischemic stroke even in children with no history of trauma.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Basal Ganglia ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection* ; Cerebral Angiography ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Paresis ; Seizures* ; Stroke ; Thrombosis

In essential thrombocythemia (ET), cerebral infarction with large cerebral artery occlusion has rarely been reported. A 53-year-old male was admitted with left sided weakness. Brain magnetic resonance images revealed right internal carotid artery (ICA) territory infarction and proximal ICA occlusion. The blood laboratory examination demonstrated continuously increased platelet count (above 617,000/µL). Increased megakaroycytes and JAK2 V617F mutation were confirmed in the bone marrow biopsy. We should consider the possibility of ET in patient with large artery thrombosis and thrombocythemia.
Arteries ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Cerebral Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction ; Humans ; Infarction ; Janus Kinase 2 ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Stroke* ; Thrombocythemia, Essential* ; Thrombocytosis ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The outcomes of acute internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus occlusions are poor. We classified ICA terminus occlusions into 2 groups according to the occlusion pattern of the circle of Willis and hypothesized that clinical outcomes would significantly differ between them. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute ICA terminus occlusions evaluated by baseline computed tomographic angiography were enrolled. We investigated the occlusion patterns in the circle of Willis, retrospectively classified patients into simple ICA terminus occlusion (STO; with good Willisian collaterals from neighboring cerebral circulation) and complex ICA terminus occlusion (CTO; with one or more of A2 anterior cerebral artery, fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion, or hypoplastic/absent contralateral A1; or with poor collaterals from anterior communicating artery) groups, and compared their baseline characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: The STO group (n=58) showed smaller infarct volumes at 72 hours than the CTO group (n=34) (median, 81 mL [interquartile range, 38-192] vs. 414 mL [193-540], P<0.001) and more favorable outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale 0-3, 44.8% vs. 8.8%, P<0.001; 3-month mortality, 24.1% vs. 67.6%, P<0.001). In multivariable analyses, STO remained an independent predictor for favorable outcomes (odds ratio 6.1, P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Favorable outcomes in STO group suggested that the outcomes of acute ICA terminus occlusions depend on Willisian collateral status. Documenting the subtypes on computed tomographic angiography would help predict patient outcome.
Angiography ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Carotid Artery Thrombosis ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Infarction ; Circle of Willis ; Collateral Circulation ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Mortality ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies

The dynamic, hemodynamic impact of a cervical dissection on an ipsilateral, intracranial saccular aneurysm has not been well illustrated. This 45-year-old female was found to have a small, supraclinoid aneurysm ipsilateral to a spontaneous cervical internal carotid artery dissection. With healing of the dissection, the aneurysm appeared to have significantly enlarged. Retrospective review of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of the initial dissection demonstrated thrombus, similar in overall morphology to the angiographic appearance of the "enlarged" aneurysm. As the dissection healed far proximal to the intradural portion of the internal carotid artery, this suggested that the aneurysm was likely a typical, saccular posterior communicating artery aneurysm that had thrombosed and then recanalized secondary to flow changes from the dissection. The aneurysm was coiled uneventfully, in distinction from more complex treatment approaches such as flow diversion or proximal occlusion to treat an enlarging, dissecting pseudoaneurysm. This case illustrates that flow changes from cervical dissections may result in thrombosis of downstream saccular aneurysms. With healing, these aneurysms may recanalize and be misidentified as enlarging dissecting pseudoaneurysms. Review of an MRI from the time of the dissection facilitated the conclusion that the aneurysm was a saccular posterior communicating artery aneurysm, influencing treatment approach.
Aneurysm* ; Aneurysm, False ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection ; Female ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis

The dynamic, hemodynamic impact of a cervical dissection on an ipsilateral, intracranial saccular aneurysm has not been well illustrated. This 45-year-old female was found to have a small, supraclinoid aneurysm ipsilateral to a spontaneous cervical internal carotid artery dissection. With healing of the dissection, the aneurysm appeared to have significantly enlarged. Retrospective review of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of the initial dissection demonstrated thrombus, similar in overall morphology to the angiographic appearance of the "enlarged" aneurysm. As the dissection healed far proximal to the intradural portion of the internal carotid artery, this suggested that the aneurysm was likely a typical, saccular posterior communicating artery aneurysm that had thrombosed and then recanalized secondary to flow changes from the dissection. The aneurysm was coiled uneventfully, in distinction from more complex treatment approaches such as flow diversion or proximal occlusion to treat an enlarging, dissecting pseudoaneurysm. This case illustrates that flow changes from cervical dissections may result in thrombosis of downstream saccular aneurysms. With healing, these aneurysms may recanalize and be misidentified as enlarging dissecting pseudoaneurysms. Review of an MRI from the time of the dissection facilitated the conclusion that the aneurysm was a saccular posterior communicating artery aneurysm, influencing treatment approach.
Aneurysm* ; Aneurysm, False ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection ; Female ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and early outcomes of the Pipeline device for large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pipeline was implanted in a total of 45 patients (mean age, 58 years; M:F=10:35) with 47 large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. We retrospectively evaluated the characteristics of the treated aneurysms, the periprocedural events, morbidity and mortality, and the early outcomes after Pipeline implantation. RESULTS: The aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery (ICA) cavernous segment (n=25), ICA intradural segment (n=11), vertebrobasilar trunk (n=8), and middle cerebral artery (n=3). Procedure-related events occurred in 18 cases, consisting of incomplete expansion (n=8), shortening-migration (n=5), transient occlusion of a jailed branch (n=3), and in-stent thrombosis (n=2). Treatment-related morbidity occurred in two patients, but without mortality. Both patients had modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 2, but had an improved mRS score of 0 at 1-month follow-up. Of the 19 patients presenting with mass effect, 16 improved but three showed no changes in their presenting symptoms. All patients had excellent outcomes (mRS, 0 or 1) during the follow-up period (median, 6 months; range, 2-30 months). Vascular imaging follow-up (n=31, 65.9%; median, 3 months, range, 1-25 months) showed complete or near occlusion of the aneurysm in 24 patients (77.4%) and decreased sac size in seven patients (22.6%). CONCLUSION: In this initial multicenter study in Korea, the Pipeline seemed to be safe and effective for large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. However, a learning period may be required to alleviate device-related events.
Aneurysm* ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Learning ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis