Preoperative embolization of jugular paraganglioma tumors using particles is safe and effective

Background Jugular paragangliomas represent a surgical challenge due to their vascularity and proximity to vital neurovascular structures. Preoperative embolization aids in reducing intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, and improves surgical visualization. Several embolization agents have been used. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PVA in pre-operative embolization of jugular paragangliomas. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent jugular paraganglioma resection with pre-operative embolization between 2000 and 2020 was performed. Pre-operative data including baseline patient and tumor characteristics were documented. Outcomes of preoperative embolization including extent of devascularization and post-embolization complications were recorded. Early and long-term postoperative outcomes were reported. Results Twenty-nine patients met study criteria with a median age of 38 years. Average tumor size was 3.4±1.8 cm. The most commonly encountered arterial feeder was the ascending pharyngeal artery followed by the posterior auricular artery. More than 50% reduction in tumor blush was achieved in 25 patients (86.2%). None of the patients experienced new or worsening cranial neuropathy following embolization. Gross total or Near total resection was achieved in 13 patients (44.8%). A STR or NTR was chosen in these patients to preserve cranial nerve function or large vessel integrity. Average intraoperative estimated blood loss was 888 ml, 9 patients (31%) required intra-operative transfusion of blood products. Extent of resection and post-operative complications did not correlate with extent of devascularization. Conclusion Pre-operative embolization of jugular paraganglioma tumors with PVA particles is an effective strategy with a high safety profile.

Pseudoaneurysm of uterine artery complicating caesarean section: a rare cause of intractable secondary postpartum haemorrhage managed with uterine artery embolisation

A 27-year-old woman presented 6 weeks after an uncomplicated lower segment caesarean section with excessive bleeding per vagina. On examination, she had mild pallor with a pulse rate of 86 beats per minute and blood pressure of 116/80 mm Hg, uterus well involuted with closed cervical os and bleeding demonstrated through the cervix. A transvaginal ultrasonography with colour Doppler revealed a normal size uterus with an empty cavity and a hypoechoic area with blood flow within it in the left side of the uterus with a prominent arterial feeder vessel. A CT angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of a 1.3×0.7 cm pseudoaneurysm of the uterine artery near the left cornua of the uterus. After failed attempts to control the bleeding with antifibrinolytics, bilateral uterine arteries were embolised using gel foam. Post procedure, bleeding resolved immediately. A follow-up transvaginal ultrasound after a year revealed no evidence of the pseudoaneurysm and her fertility was preserved.

Preoperative trans-arterial embolization of a giant scalp congenital hemangioma associated with cardiac failure in a premature newborn

Scalp congenital hemangiomas are a rare, but well-known, vascular malformation in infants. These hemangiomas are usually benign, but occasionally these are associated with cardiac complications and disfigurement. Giant hemangiomas that are associated with high-output heart failure require intervention because they have a high mortality rate and do not respond to medical therapy. We report here a case of a premature newborn who was diagnosed with a giant scalp hemangioma associated with cardiac failure. The newborn underwent successful arterial feeder embolization of the superficial temporal artery. He then underwent surgical excision 14 days after embolization. We believe that preoperative embolization of a giant scalp hemangioma in newborns is a safe measure for alleviating underlying cardiac failure and minimizing the risk of intraoperative bleeding.

Lumbar 4-5 Laminoplasty for Ligation of Dural Fistula: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

The goal of treatment for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas is disconnection of the fistulous point to eliminate venous congestion-associated hypoperfusion and mass effect. The nidus can be surgically excised or disconnected from the arterial feeder just proximal to the dilated venous plexus. This patient had a filus terminale dural arteriovenous fistula. The patient had multiple findings of myelopathy, which prompted the imaging evaluation that revealed prominent flow voids and significant caudal thoracic spinal cord edema. Preoperative digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a fistulous point at the lumbar 4 level. A lumbar 4 and lumbar 5 laminoplasty was performed for spinal canal access. Following achievement of intradural access, exploration was performed, augmented by indocyanine green fluoroscopy. The filum terminale was then transected, and the fistula was then completely excised to achieve surgical cure. Following the procedure, the patient's myelopathy improved, and she regained ambulatory status. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

Detection of Predictors of Hemorrhage in Patients with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation by Digital Subtraction Angiography

Background: Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a complex tangled of dilated blood vessels in which arteries flow directly into veins without capillaries. The main cause of death in patients with cerebral AVM is intraparenchymal hemorrhage. There are multiple imaging tools that can detect the predictors of hemorrhage in cerebralarteriovenous malformation. But nowadays digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is playing a wonderful role to detect these predictors. Objectives: To detect the common predicting factors of hemorrhage from in brain by DSA. Methodology:This observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the department of Neurosurgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and study period was from October, 2014 to March, 2016. 76 patients of hemorrhagic stroke with clinical and radiological (CT scan) suspicion of ruptured cerebral AVM were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. After that enrolled patients were scrutinized according to selection criteria. Finally selected 50 patients who underwent DSA and were positive for AVM were included in this study. All the included patients’ demographic, clinical and DSA profile were recorded in pre-structured data collection sheet. All the data were compiled, edited and plotted in tabular and figure forms. Data analysis was done by chi-square test. P value was determined significant when it was <0.05. Results: In angiographic presentation, maximum cases were found deep seated (72%), small sized (<3 cm) (70%), having compact type of nidus (58%), having superficial arterial feeder (62%), having high flow draining vein (70%), having deep venous drainage (56%) and single draining vein (78%). Associated aneurysm and venous ectasia were 12% and 4% respectively. The statistically significant predictors were deep location (P=0.036) and superficial arterial feeder (P=0.03) between male and female subjects. Conclusion: Our results showed that small sized, deep-seated Cerebral arteriovenous malformation, having high flow draining vein, having deep venous drainage and single number of draining vein are the possible causes of hemorrhage. Lesions that have associated aneurysms have a risk of bleeding. Bang. J Neurosurgery 2019; 8(2): 87-92

Proximal Arterial Occlusion During Treatment of Pelvic High-Flow Arteriovenous Malformations

Pelvic arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a cause of significant morbidity. Surgical management of AVMs poses a risk of massive intraoperative hemorrhage, surrounding organ injury, and incomplete removal of the nidus. Unfortunately, treatment is associated with high recurrence rates. Endovascular treatment is the preferred method of treatment; however, the high-flow nature of these lesions poses a challenge, risking nontarget treatment. It is important to provide adequate proximal arterial occlusion before injecting the sclerosant. This chapter outlines the steps involved in creating temporary stasis proximally within an arterial feeder to extend the contact time between the sclerosant and the recipient vessel wall while simultaneously accessing the arterial feeder more distally to deliver the sclerosant.

Role of time-resolved-CTA in intracranial arteriovenous malformation evaluation at 128-slice CT in comparison with digital subtraction angiography

Introduction The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of time-resolved-computed tomographic angiography (TR-CTA) on a 128-slice CT scanner vis-à-vis cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in defining the morphological and haemodynamic characteristics of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Methods Twenty-one patients (age range 10–46, mean 24.8 years) with clinical suspicion of AVM and three patients (age range 23–35, mean 24.3 years) with diagnosed AVM who were on follow-up underwent DSA and TR-CTA, on average 1.5 days apart. Three independent neuroradiologists analysed both studies in a blinded fashion based on the following parameters: AVM location, arterial feeder territories, venous drainage pattern, nidus flow characteristics, venous outflow obstruction, arterial feeder enlargement, external carotid artery feeder, location of aneurysm if any, leptomeningeal and transdural recruitment, neoangiogenesis, and pseudophlebitic pattern. Results The TR-CTA correctly demonstrated AVM in all 21 positive cases. It concordantly detected location (21/21), venous drainage pattern (21/21), nidus flow characteristics (21/21), and the venous outflow obstruction (9/9). However, discordance was seen in the demonstration of the arterial feeder (2/45) ( p = 0.49), arterial enlargement (13/17) ( p = 0.103), external carotid artery feeder (0/1), aneurysmal location (3/5) ( p = 0.40), leptomeningeal recruitment (1/3) ( p = 0.40), neoangiogenesis (0/4) ( p = 0.028) and in the pseudophlebitic pattern (2/5) ( p = 0.167) demonstration. Conclusions The results suggest that TR-CTA can provide the important features of cerebral AVM which are required in patient management.