Effect of early versus delayed middle meningeal artery embolization on clinical outcomes in chronic subdural hematoma: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition with a high recurrence rate following surgical evacuation. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as an adjunctive or standalone treatment, but the optimal timing of embolization remains unclear. We evaluated whether early MMAE (≤2 days) versus delayed MMAE (3-7 days) is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Composite arterial and venous collateral score on single-phase CTA predicts 90-day outcomes in anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke.

Background: Collateral circulation influences clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (LVO). While both arterial and venous collateral assessments on single-phase computed tomography angiography (CTA) have prognostic value, they have traditionally been evaluated independently.

Purpose: We developed the CTA Collateral Impairment Score (CCIS), a composite measure incorporating arterial (Tan) and venous (Cortical Venous Opacification Score (COVES)) scores, and investigated its association with 90-day functional outcomes.

Middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma: Does statin therapy improve outcomes? A propensity score-matched analysis.

BackgroundChronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common condition in older adults, often treated with surgical-evacuation, though recurrence rates can reach 30%. Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a treatment alternative. Statins have been explored as adjunct therapies, but literature regarding their combined use with MMAE is limited.

Preoperative middle meningeal artery embolization is associated with reduced reoperation rates in chronic subdural hematoma.

BackgroundMiddle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has recently emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy to surgical evacuation for patients with chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). However, the optimal timing of MMAE relative to surgery remains poorly defined. Therefore, this large retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the impact of MMAE timing (preoperative vs.

Are we Getting Better at Achieving Optimal Lumbar Segmental Sagittal Alignment in Complex Adult Spine Deformity Surgery?

Study Design: Retrospective Multi-Center Study.

Objective: To investigate how advances in spine realignment have impacted lumbar segmental alignment.

Summary Of Background Data: The understanding of spine alignment and Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) management continues to advance.

Interobserver and Intraobserver Variability in the Assessment of Prolonged Venous Transit in Anterior Circulation Large-Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Prolonged venous transit (PVT) on time-to-maximum (Tmax) perfusion maps has been associated with worse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). The qualitative nature of PVT assessment introduces potential variability, and its reproducibility has not been systematically evaluated.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective study of patients with confirmed AIS-LVO, 2 board-certified neuroradiologists independently reviewed pretreatment Tmax maps to assess PVT in the posterior superior sagittal sinus and torcula.

Hypoperfusion intensity ratio is associated with follow-up infarct volume in medium vessel occlusions: A multicenter multinational study.

Medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) contributes significantly to acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), reflecting collateral circulation via the ratio of Tmax >10s to Tmax >6s volumes, predicts infarct progression in large-vessel occlusions but is unstudied in MeVOs. In this multicenter, multinational retrospective study, we evaluated consecutive patients with MeVO who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with or without intravenous thrombolysis.

Shortened dual anti-platelet therapy duration after percutaneous patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect closure.

Objectives: Current guidelines recommend patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke, while atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is indicated for a shunt with right atrial/right ventricular (RV) enlargement. Major procedural complication rates from PFO/ASD closure are low. However, there is a theoretical risk of thrombus formation early after implantation, prior to endothelialization of the device, that may be prevented by dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Utilization of CTA in Strangulation Evaluation.

Background And Purpose: Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is a commonly utilized study in the setting of strangulation-related injuries due to the concern for blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs). However, patients can present with a variety of histories and symptoms, which can make screening for at-risk populations in this group difficult. Therefore, this study aimed to identify risk factors and rates of BCVIs in the setting of strangulation-related injuries to guide imaging strategies.

Concurrent Use of Tafamidis and Mavacamten for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis With Severe Outflow Tract Obstruction.

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often manifest with overlapping clinical features, making diagnosis and management challenging.

Case Summary: We describe a 79-year-old man presenting with exertional dyspnea and presyncope who was diagnosed with transthyretin CA with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and was treated with concurrent mavacamten and tafamidis.

Discussion: There is substantial overlap in the clinical phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and CA, and the presence of hemodynamically significant LVOT does not exclude the possibility of CA as an underlying diagnosis.

Tranexamic acid with surgery vs. surgery alone for chronic subdural hematoma: Propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is frequently managed with surgical evacuation, but recurrence often necessitates repeat surgery. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent, has been proposed as an adjunct to reduce rebleeding and recurrence. Data on its benefits and risks remain limited.

Dose-response and infusion duration of intra-arterial nimodipine in cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a single-center case series.

Background: This single-center case series evaluates the effects on arterial diameter, perfusion imaging, and safety of intra-arterial (IA) nimodipine administration for CV following aSAH.

Methods: In this prospective single-center observational study (SAVEBRAIN PWI; NCT05276934), 14 patients with CV refractory to medical treatment were treated with IA nimodipine. We assessed changes in vessel diameter and perfusion parameters pre- and post-treatment.

Baseline predictors of poor clinical outcome despite recanalization of distal middle cerebral artery occlusions.

ObjectiveMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is well-established for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from large vessel occlusion (LVO), with growing data supporting the expansion to distal and medium vessel occlusions (DMVO). Despite successful recanalization in DMVO, certain patients still experience poor long-term clinical outcomes, prompting our study to comprehensively explore pre-MT factors influencing outcome despite excellent recanalization (final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] score ≥2c).MethodsWe retrospectively examined data from patients who consecutively underwent MT for a primary middle cerebral artery (MCA) DMVO across 37 centers in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Integrating perfusion imaging derived venous outflow and tissue-level collateral parameters in a comprehensive clinical model enhances prognostication in large vessel occlusion stroke.

Arterial inflow restoration and collateral status have been significantly correlated with functional outcomes in AIS-LVO patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). CT perfusion imaging biomarkers, including prolonged venous transit (PVT), cerebral blood volume (CBV) index, and hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), have emerged as reliable pretreatment adjunct parameters of comprehensive flow assessment. However, their absolute and comparative effectiveness in improving prognostic prediction remains unclear when used in conjunction with clinical and arterial inflow parameters.

Petechial hemorrhage in mechanical thrombectomy for distal and medium-vessel occlusions: technical considerations and outcomes.

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is well established for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, but its safety in distal and medium-vessel occlusions (DMVOs) requires further investigation. This study analyzed the relationship between procedural approaches, petechial hemorrhage (PetH), and clinical outcomes in DMVO thrombectomy, with particular attention to technical considerations and the complex interplay between tissue injury and hemorrhagic complications.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on DMVO stroke patients treated with MT at 37 stroke centers worldwide from 2016 to 2024.

The Large Core Paradox.

Recently, 6 randomized controlled trials of endovascular treatment (EVT) versus medical management in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion with large-core documented significant benefit of EVT on functional outcome. Moreover, one trial reported the benefit of EVT in the very large-core category (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, 0-2). These results are considered paradoxical by some as they contradict the prevailing view that the presence of a large core precludes the possibility of good outcomes following reperfusion.

Perfusion imaging parameters predict long-term clinical outcome in isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke patients.

BackgroundIsolated posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusions, which account for 5% of ischemic strokes, significantly impact patient quality of life due to effects on the thalamus and visual cortex. Current guidelines for acute treatment and the prognostic utility of perfusion imaging in PCA strokes remain limited and underexplored.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 21 patients with isolated PCA occlusions from January 2017 to March 2023 at two comprehensive medical institutions.

American Epilepsy Society/International League Against Epilepsy-North America Joint Task Force for Epilepsy Health Care Disparities in the United States.

Numerous factors including social determinants of health, knowledge gaps, economic challenges, workforce limitations, and health system deficiencies are associated with significant disparities in access to health care services and health outcomes for people with epilepsy (PWE). The American Epilepsy Society (AES) and the International League Against Epilepsy-North America (ILAE-NA) established a joint task force to explore and develop recommendations to address health care disparities experienced by PWE. The task force gathered foundational knowledge through meetings, public and patient organization comments and discussions to develop consensus recommendations.

Conservative Management of Left Atrial Dissection and Associated Complete Heart Block Following Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Left atrial (LA) dissection is a rare, but potentially serious, complication that most commonly arises following mitral valve surgery.

Case Summary: In this report, the authors describe an unusual case of a patient presenting with chest pain and presyncopal symptoms after cardiac surgery who ultimately received a diagnosis of LA dissection and associated complete heart block. Although permanent pacemaker placement was required as a result of recurrent episodes of complete heart block, the patient was otherwise managed safely using a conservative approach without surgical reintervention.

Enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab in untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: 2.5-year median follow-up of the phase III EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 trial.

Background: At the primary analysis of the EV-302 trial, enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab (EV+P) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC).

Patients And Methods: We present an updated analysis of efficacy and safety in the overall population, with a median follow-up of 2.5 years, providing an additional year of follow-up since the primary analysis.

A multicenter, propensity score-matched analysis of functional outcomes and recanalization success with or without Trevo for Medium and distal vessel occlusion.

BackgroundEndovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke due to distal or medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) is safe. Due to the distinct anatomical characteristics of DMVOs, further evaluation of EVT is crucial to determine which devices may yield better outcomes.MethodsA retrospective analysis of adults with DMVO treated in 37 centers (11 countries) was queried.

Prolonged Venous Transit as a Superior Predictor of Functional Outcomes in Successfully Reperfused Large Vessel Occlusions: Comparative Analysis With Cerebral Blood Volume Index and Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio.

Background: Collateral status plays a crucial role in outcomes after acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Tissue-level collaterals and venous outflow are key components following mechanical thrombectomy. This study evaluates the predictive performance of prolonged venous transit (PVT), cerebral blood volume index, and hypoperfusion intensity ratio in determining 90-day functional outcomes.

Prolonged Venous Transit Independently Predicts Worse Functional Outcomes at Discharge in Successfully Reperfused Patients with Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Venous outflow (VO) impairment predicts unfavorable outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Prolonged venous transit (PVT), a visual qualitative VO marker on CT perfusion (CTP) time to maximum (Tmax) maps, has been associated with 90-day mortality despite successful reperfusion. This study investigates the association between PVT and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge among AIS-LVO patients who have undergone successful reperfusion.

Prediction of persistent incomplete occlusion of intracranial aneurysms treated with woven EndoBridge device.

While the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device has transformed the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, incomplete occlusion remains a significant challenge requiring better understanding of contributing factors. A retrospective analysis was conducted on multicenter data from patients who underwent WEB device treatment for intracranial aneurysms between January 2011 and December 2022. Using machine learning models, Cox regression, and time-stratified analyses, we evaluated factors associated with persistent incomplete occlusion, defined as non-improving Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification grade 2 or 3 at final follow-up.

Magnetically controlled rod fracture is related to rod diameter but lower than TGR.

Purpose: To quantify the risk of rod fracture after growth-friendly early-onset scoliosis (EOS) surgery, compare the risk of fracture between magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) and traditional growing rods (TGR), and compare the risk of fracture based on rod diameter.

Methods: EOS patients undergoing TGR or MCGR instrumentation were identified from a large, multi-national registry (Pediatric Spine Study Group). Subgroup analyses (chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests) were performed between rods with diameters ≤ 5 mm and > 5 mm and between MCGR and TGR.