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Background and Objectives: We describe a novel technique for percutaneous tumor debulking and cavity creation in patients with extensive lytic lesions of the vertebral body including posterior wall dehiscence prior to vertebral augmentation (VA) procedures. The mechanical cavity is created with a combination of curettage and vacuum suction (Q-VAC). Balloon kyphoplasty and vertebral body stenting are used to treat neoplastic vertebral lesions and might reduce the rate of cement leakage, especially in presence of posterior wall dehiscence. However, these techniques could theoretically lead to increased intravertebral pressure during balloon inflation with possible mobilization of soft tissue tumor through the posterior wall, aggravation of spinal stenosis, and resultant complications. Creation of a void or cavity prior to balloon expansion and/or cement injection would potentially reduce these risks. Materials and Methods: A curette is coaxially inserted in the vertebral body via transpedicular access trocars. The intravertebral neoplastic soft tissue is fragmented by multiple rotational and translational movements. Subsequently, vacuum aspiration is applied via one of two 10 G cannulas that had been introduced directly into the fragmented lesion, while saline is passively flushed via the contralateral cannula, with lavage of the fragmented solid and fluid-necrotic tumor parts. Results: We applied the Q-VAC technique to 35 cases of thoracic and lumbar extreme osteolysis with epidural mass before vertebral body stenting (VBS) cement augmentation. We observed extravertebral cement leakage on postoperative CT in 34% of cases, but with no clinical consequences. No patients experienced periprocedural respiratory problems or new or worsening neurological deficit. Conclusion: The Q-VAC technique, combining mechanical curettage and vacuum suction, is a safe, inexpensive, and reliable method for percutaneous intravertebral tumor debulking and cavitation prior to VA. We propose the Q-VAC technique for cases with extensive neoplastic osteolysis, especially if cortical boundaries of the posterior wall are dehiscent and an epidural soft tissue mass is present.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is caused by loss of CSF at the level of the spine. The most frequent symptom of this disorder is orthostatic headache, with the headache worsening in the upright position and subsiding after lying down. Neuroimaging has a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring spontaneous intracranial hypotension, because it provides objective (albeit often subtle) data despite the variable clinical syndromes and often normal lumbar puncture opening pressure associated with this disorder. Spine imaging aims to classify and localise the site of CSF leakage as either (1) a ventral dural leak, (2) a leaking spinal nerve root diverticulum, or (3) a direct CSF-venous fistula. Searching for a CSF leak can be very difficult; the entire spine must be scrutinised for a dural breach often the size of a pin. Precisely locating the site of CSF leakage is fundamental to successful treatment, which includes a targeted epidural patch and surgical closure when conservative measures do not provide long-term relief. Increased awareness of spontaneous intracranial hypotension among clinicians highlights the need for dedicated diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.

BackgroundFlat detector computed tomography (FDCT) is widely used for periprocedural imaging in the angiography suite. Sine Spin FDCT (SFDCT) is the latest generation of cone beam CT using a double oblique trajectory for image acquisition to reduce artefacts and improve soft tissue brain imaging. This study compared the effective dose, image quality and diagnostic performance of the latest generation of SFDCT with multidetector CT (MDCT).MethodsAn anthropomorphic phantom equipped with MOSFET detectors was used to measure the effective dose of the new 7sDCT Sine Spin protocol on a latest generation biplane angiographic C-arm system. Diagnostic performance was evaluated on periprocedurally acquired SFDCT for depiction of anatomical details, detection of hemorrhage, and ischemia and was compared with preprocedurally acquired MDCT. Inter- and intra-rater correlation as well as sensitivity and specificity were calculated.ResultsBoth modalities showed equal diagnostic performance in the supratentorial ventricular system. SFDCT provided inferior image quality in grey-white matter differentiation and infratentorial structures. Intraventricular, subarachnoid and parenchymal hemorrhages were diagnosed with a sensitivity of 83.3%, 84.2% and 75% and a specificity of 97.3%, 80.0% and 100%, respectively; early ischemic lesions with a sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity 94.7%. The effective dose measured for the 7sDCT Sine Spin protocol was 2 mSv.ConclusionsOur findings confirm the high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of SFDCT in detecting intracranial hemorrhage and early ischemic lesions. The delineation of grey-white matter differentiation and infratentorial structures remains a limiting factor. In comparison to previous studies, the new 7sDCT Sine Spin protocol showed a lower effective dose.

Introduction Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an important cause of headache that might require invasive treatment. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate (1) clinical presentation, (2) factors associated with incomplete headache resolution, and (3) the long‐term outcomes in patients with persistent headache after invasive treatment for SIH. Methods This is an observational longitudinal study. We used a structured questionnaire to assess details on primary headache, SIH‐headache, and headache after treatment. Persistent headache was defined as headache on more than 15 days per month lasting longer than 3 months. Results Fifty‐six patients invasively treated for SIH were included in the study. The mean age was 49 ± 12 years, and 60% were women. After sealing of the leak, 11/56 (20%) had persistent headache. Compared to subjects without persistent headache, patients with persistent headache had been treated after a longer delay from SIH symptom onset (362 days [IQR 138–714] vs. 111 [68–365]). In 2/11 (18%) patients, a second leak at another level and rebound intracranial hypertension were found, respectively. Medication overuse was reported by 3/11 (27%) patients. After a median follow‐up of 5 years, headache subsided completely in 4/11 (36%) patients and improved in 4/11 (36%). Conclusion In our cohort, one fifth of patients suffered from persistent headache despite successful sealing of the CSF leak. Although the majority of patients showed improvement in the long run, important secondary headaches should be considered, namely medication overuse, rebound hypertension, and a persistent, reopened, de novo or second leak at another level.

BackgroundThe absence of the susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is associated with poor radiological and clinical outcomes after 3 months. Underlying conditions, such as cancer, are assumed to influence SVS status and could potentially impact the long-term outcome. We aimed to assess SVS status as an independent predictor of long-term outcomes in MT-treated patients.MethodsSVS status was retrospectively determined in consecutive MT-treated patients at a comprehensive stroke center between 2010 and 2018. Predictors of long-term mortality and poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3) up to 8 years were identified using multivariable Cox and logistic regression, respectively.ResultsOf the 558 patients included, SVS was absent in 13% (n=71) and present in 87% (n=487) on baseline imaging. Patients without SVS were more likely to have active cancer (P=0.003) and diabetes mellitus (P<0.001) at the time of stroke. The median long-term follow-up time was 1058 days (IQR 533–1671 days). After adjustment for active cancer and diabetes mellitus, among others, the absence of SVS was associated with long-term mortality (adjusted HR (aHR) 2.11, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.29) and poor functional outcome in the long term (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.90, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.55).ConclusionMT-treated patients without SVS have higher long-term mortality rates and poorer long-term functional outcome. It appears that this association cannot be explained by comorbidities alone, and further studies are warranted.

Purpose Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) remain major causes of poor outcome in survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of intracisternal administration of nimodipine in patients suffering from symptomatic CVS refractory to treatment with induced hypertension and endovascular vasodilator therapy. Methods We performed a single-centre, retrospective, observational study including all patients diagnosed with refractory CVS after aSAH treated at our tertiary centre between January 2018 and December 2021 who received continuous intracisternal nimodipine. For nimodipine administration, a catheter was inserted in the optico-carotid cistern via supraorbital craniotomy. Our primary outcome was functional independence measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included treatment related complications and neurological outcome. Results We included 15 patients in total. Clinical outcome measured by the mRS at 6 months was good with 93.3% of patients showing mRS ≤ 1 (median mRS 1; range 1–4) Eight patients (53%) developed a new CVS-related neurological deficit during intrathecal nimodipine treatment and additionally received bolus intra-arterial nimodipine. Two patients (13%) developed acute subdural/epidural hematoma postoperatively, which was treated surgically in one patient. In two patients (13%), accidental dislocation of the intrathecal catheter occurred, which warranted re-operation. Conclusion Continuous intracisternal administration of nimodipine may be a viable rescue therapy option for patients with refractory CVS but is associated with an increased risk of treatment related complications.

BackgroundAchieving the best possible reperfusion is a key determinant of clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). However, data on the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial (IA) fibrinolytics as an adjunct to MT with the intention to improve reperfusion are sparse.MethodsWe performed a PROSPERO-registered (CRD42020149124) systematic review and meta-analysis accessing MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2020. A random-effect estimate (Mantel-Haenszel) was computed and summary OR with 95% CI were used as a measure of added IA fibrinolytics versus control on the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and secondary endpoints (modified Rankin Scale ≤2, mortality at 90 days).ResultsThe search identified six observational cohort studies and three observational datasets of MT randomized-controlled trial data reporting on IA fibrinolytics with MT as compared with MT alone, including 2797 patients (405 with additional IA fibrinolytics (100 urokinase (uPA), 305 tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)) and 2392 patients without IA fibrinolytics). Of 405 MT patients treated with additional IA fibrinolytics, 209 (51.6%) received prior intravenous tPA. We did not observe an increased risk of sICH after administration of IA fibrinolytics as adjunct to MT (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.76), nor excess mortality (0.81, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.08). Although the mode of reporting was heterogeneous, some studies observed improved reperfusion after IA fibrinolytics.ConclusionThe quality of evidence regarding peri-interventional administration of IA fibrinolytics in MT is low and limited to observational data. In highly selected patients, no increase in sICH was observed, but there is large uncertainty.