Background: and Purpose The natural course of adult-onset moyamoya disease (MMD) is unknown, and there is no medical treatment that halts its progression. We hypothesized that progressive shrinkage of large intracranial arteries occurs in adult-onset MMD, and that cilostazol inhibits this process. Methods: Serial high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) was performed on 66 patients with MMD: 30 patients received cilostazol, 21 received other antiplatelets, and 15 received no antiplatelets or had poor compliance to them. Serial HR-MRI was performed (interval between MRI scans: 29.67±18.02 months, mean±SD), and changes in outer diameter, luminal stenosis, and vascular enhancement were measured. Factors affecting HR-MRI changes were evaluated, including vascular risk factors and the ring finger protein 213 gene variant. Results: The progression of stenosis to occlusion, recurrent ischemic stroke, and the development of new stenotic segments were observed in seven, seven, and three patients, respectively. Serial HR-MRI indicated that the degree of stenosis increased with negative remodeling (outer diameter shrinkage). Patients who received cilostazol presented significantly larger outer diameters and lower degrees of stenosis compared with other groups (p=0.005 and p=0.031, respectively). After adjusting for clinical and genetic factors, only cilostazol use was independently associated with negative remodeling (odds ratio=0.29, 95% confidence interval=0.10–0.84, p=0.023). While vascular enhancement was observed in most patients (61 patients), the progression of enhancement or the occurrence of new vascular enhancement was rarely observed on follow-up HR-MRI (6 and 1 patients, respectively). Conclusions Adult-onset MMD induces progressive shrinkage of large intracranial arteries, which cilostazol treatment may prevent. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted.

Purpose: Exposure to ionizing radiation over the head and neck accelerates atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries. Owing to the characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS), the results regarding the optimal revascularization method for RICS vary. This study compared treatment outcomes between carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in RICS. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent CEA or CAS for carotid stenosis. RICS was defined as carotid stenosis (>50%) with the prior neck irradiation for cancer treatment on either side.For the analyses, demographics, comorbid conditions, carotid lesion characteristics based on imaging studies, surgical complications, neurologic outcomes, and mortality during the follow-up period were reviewed. To compare CEA and CAS results in RICS, a 1:1 propensity score matching was applied. Results: Between November 1994 and June 2021, 43 patients with RICS and 2,407 patients with non-RICS underwent carotid revascularization with CEA or CAS. RICS had fewer atherosclerotic risk factors and more frequent severe carotid stenosis and contralateral carotid occlusions than non-RICS. CAS was more commonly performed than CEA (22.9% vs.77.1%) for RICS due to more frequent unfavorable carotid anatomy (0 vs. 16.2%). Procedure-related complications were more common in the CEA than in the CAS. However, there was no significant difference in neurologic outcomes and restenosis rates between CEA and CAS in RICS. Conclusion Considering its lesion characteristics and cumulative incidence, RICS requires more attention than non-RICS.Although CAS has broader indications for RICS, CEA has shown acceptable results if selectively performed.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the immediate and long-term efficacy and safety of coil embolization for large or giant aneurysms.METHODS: One hundred and fifty large or giant aneurysm cases treated with endovascular coil embolization between January 2005 and February 2014 at a single institute were included in this study. Medical records and imaging findings were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic factors associated with major recurrence (major recanalization or rupture) and delayed thromboembolism after selective coil embolization.RESULTS: Procedure-related symptomatic complications occurred in five (3.3%) patients. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up periods were 38 months (range, 2–110) and 26 months (range, 6–108), respectively. During the follow-up period, the estimated recurrence rate was 4.6% per year. Multivariate analysis using Cox regression showed the degree of occlusion to be the only factor associated with recurrence (p=0.008, hazard ratio 3.15, 95% confidence interval 1.34–7.41). The patient’s history of rupture in addition to the size and location of the aneurysm were not associated with recurrence in this study. Delayed infarction occurred in eight cases, and all were incompletely occluded.CONCLUSION: Although immediate postprocedural safety profiles were reasonable, longterm results showed recanalization and thromboembolic events to occur continuously, especially in patients with incomplete occlusion. In addition, incomplete occlusion was associated with delayed thromboembolic complications. Patients with incomplete occlusions should be followed carefully for delayed recurrence or delayed thromboembolic events.
Aneurysm ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endovascular Procedures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Thromboembolism ; Treatment Failure

PURPOSE: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with poor outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention. However, CI-AKI has rarely been evaluated within the neurovascular field. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical implication of CI-AKI after coil embolization in patients with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and March 2016, 192 patients who underwent coil embolization were enrolled in this study. CI-AKI was defined as an increase from baseline serum creatinine concentration of >25% or >0.5 mg/dL within 72 hours after coil embolization. A poor clinical outcome was defined as a score of ≥3 on the modified Rankin Scale at one-year post-treatment. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients (8.3%) died as a result of medical problems within one year. CI-AKI was identified in 14 patients (7.3%). Prominent risk factors for one-year mortality included CI-AKI [odds ratio (OR): 16.856; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.437–82.664] and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 (OR: 5.565; 95% CI: 1.703–18.184). A poor clinical outcome was associated with old age (≥65 years) (OR: 7.921; 95% CI: 2.977–21.076), CI-AKI (OR: 11.281; 95% CI: 2.138–59.525), an initial GCS score ≤8 (OR 31.02; 95% CI, 10.669–90.187), and a ruptured aneurysm (p=0.016, OR: 4.278) in posterior circulation. CONCLUSION: CI-AKI seems to be an independent predictor of the overall outcomes of aSAH after endovascular treatment.
Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced ; Acute Kidney Injury/diagnostic imaging ; Acute Kidney Injury/etiology ; Acute Kidney Injury/mortality ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm/complications ; Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging ; Aneurysm/therapy ; Angiography ; Contrast Media/adverse effects ; Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Internal globus pallidus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been widely accepted as an effective treatment modality of medically refractory dystonia. However, there have been few studies regarding the safety issue of pregnancy and childbirth related with DBS. This report describes a female patient who was pregnant and delivered a baby after GPi DBS surgery. A 33-year-old female patient with acquired generalized dystonia underwent bilateral GPi DBS implantation. She obtained considerable improvement in both movement and disability after DBS implantation. Four years later, she was pregnant and the obstetricians consulted us about the safety of the delivery. At 38-weeks into pregnancy, a scheduled caesarian section was carried out under general anesthesia. After induction using thiopental and succinylcholine, intubation was done quickly, followed by DBS turn off. For hemostasis, only bipolar electrocautery was used. Before awakening from the anesthesia, DBS was turned on as the same parameters previously adjusted. After delivery, she could feed her baby by herself, because the dystonia of left upper extremity and hand was improved. Until now, she has been showing continual improvement and being good at housework, carrying for children, with no trouble in daily life. This observation indicates that the patients who underwent DBS could safely be pregnant and deliver a baby.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Child ; Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Dystonia* ; Electrocoagulation ; Female ; Globus Pallidus ; Hand ; Hemostasis ; Housekeeping ; Humans ; Intubation ; Parturition ; Pregnancy* ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Upper Extremity

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially lethal outcome caused by sudden discontinuation or dose reduction of dopaminergic agents. We report an extremely rare case of NMS after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in a cerebral palsy (CP) patient without the withdrawal of dopaminergic agents. A 19-year-old girl with CP was admitted for DBS due to medically refractory dystonia and rigidity. Dopaminergic agents were not stopped preoperatively. DBS was performed uneventfully under monitored anesthesia. Dopaminergic medication was continued during the postoperative period. She manifested spasticity and muscle rigidity, and was high fever resistant to anti-pyretic drugs at 2 h postoperative. At postoperative 20 h, she suffered cardiac arrest and expired, despite vigorous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. NMS should be considered for hyperthermia and severe spasticity in CP patients after DBS surgery, irrespective of continued dopaminergic medication.
Anesthesia ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Dopamine Agents ; Dystonia ; Female ; Fever ; Globus Pallidus* ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Muscle Rigidity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome ; Postoperative Period ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study was to determine the incidence and outcomes of procedural rupture (PR) during coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) and to explore potential risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 1038 patients treated with coil embolization between January 2001 and May 2013 in a single tertiary medical institute. PR was defined as evidence of rupture during coil embolization or post procedural imaging. The patient's medical records were reviewed including procedure description, image findings and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Twelve of 1038 (1.1%) patients showed PR. Points and time of rupture were parent artery rupture during stent delivery (n=2), aneurysm rupture during filling stage (n=9) and unknown (n=1). Two parent artery rupture and one aneurysm neck rupture showed poor clinical outcomes [modified Rankin Scale (mRs) >2] Nine aneurysm dome rupture cases showed favorable outcomes (mRS < or =2). Location (anterior cerebral artery) of aneurysm was associated with high procedural rupture rate (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical course of a patientwith procedural aneurysm rupture during filling stage seemed benign. Parent artery and aneurysm neck rupture seemed relatively urgent, serious and life threatening. Although the permanent morbidity rate was low, clinicians should pay attention to prevent PR, especially when confronting the anterior cerebral artery aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Parents ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture* ; Stents

A 37-year-old woman who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for left main and right coronary ostial lesions 2 years prior presented with angina and transient visual dimness. Computed tomography angiography showed a patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass graft and concentric narrowing with perivascular thickening around the arch vessels. The patient was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis with coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS). Thoracic angiography revealed severe stenosis of the left proximal subclavian artery (SCA) and reverse flow from the coronary artery to the distal left SCA via the LIMA graft. Successful percutaneous stenting of the left SCA was performed together with stenting of the right common carotid artery (CCA). The patient's symptoms were completely resolved. This case is informative since it shows that Takayasu arteritis can manifest as angina due to coronary ostial lesions and then can involve arch vessels, which can lead to CSSS in patients with CABG.
Adult ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Vessels ; Coronary-Subclavian Steal Syndrome* ; Female ; Humans ; Mammary Arteries ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis* ; Transplants

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