Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Research Articles

Combined endoscopic endonasal and transcranial approach for internal carotid artery aneurysms: usefulness and safety of endonasal proximal control.

It is necessary to secure both the proximal and distal sides of the parent artery to prevent premature rupture when clipping cerebral aneurysms. Herein, we describe four cases in which the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA), affected by a paraclinoid aneurysm, was secured using an endoscopic endonasal approach. We used various tools, including a surgical video, cadaver dissection picture, artist's illustration, and intraoperative photographs, to elucidate the process. No patient experienced postoperative complications at our institution. Compared to the cervical or cavernous ICA, the ICA adjacent to the clivus (paraclival ICA) can be anatomically safely and easily exposed using an endoscopic endonasal approach because there is no need to consider cerebrospinal fluid leakage or hemorrhage from the cavernous sinus. Securing the proximal side of the parent artery using an endoscopic endonasal approach may be a viable method for clipping selected ICA aneurysms, such as paraclinoid aneurysms especially for upward or outward aneurysms of the C2 portion.

Factors Limiting Complete Resection in the Subarachnoid Space in Endoscopic Surgery for Giant Pituitary Adenoma

Giant pituitary adenomas (>4cm, GPAs) have presented great challenges to surgeons because the residual tumor in the subarachnoid space can cause hemorrhage or vessel injury following apoplexy. This study aimed to investigate the factors limiting surgical success in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESS) for GPAs. ESS was performed on 67 consecutive patients with GPAs from 2010 to 2020. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiologic features and surgical outcomes. Correlations between the tumor characteristics and extent of resection were statistically presented with odds ratios (ORs). Preoperative visual and hormonal impairments were present in 59 (88.1%) and 55 patients (82.1%), respectively. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 58.2% of patients, and the tumor remained on the lateral side of the subarachnoid space or the cavernous sinus when complete resection failed. The tumor volume, maximal diameter, multilobulated shape, cavernous sinus invasion, posterior fossa extension, and extent of suprasellar lateral extension of tumors were significantly correlated with incomplete resection. In tumors with subarachnoid lateral extension, greater distances from the medial wall of the proximal cavernous internal carotid artery to the most lateral tumor significantly increased the risk of incomplete resection for the suprasellar lateral portion of the tumor, with an OR of 1.21. Considerable surgical planning in ESS for GPAs is crucial for complete resection and patient safety. We elucidated that lateral extension of tumors in the subarachnoid space hindered the surgical success of the suprasellar portion of the tumor.

Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion and Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass for Treatment of Fusiform and Giant Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms

To discuss the treatment of intracranial fusiform and giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms via revascularization based on our institutional experience. An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis was performed of patients with unruptured fusiform and giant intracranial ICA aneurysms treated from November 1991 to May 2020. All patients were evaluated for extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass and ICA occlusion. Thirty-eight patients were identified. Initially, patients failing preoperative balloon test occlusion were treated with superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass and concurrent proximal ICA ligation. We then treated them with STA-MCA bypass, followed by staged balloon test occlusion, and, if they passed, endovascular ICA coil occlusion. We treat all surgical medically uncomplicated patients with double-barrel STA-MCA bypass and concurrent proximal ICA ligation. The mean length of follow-up was 99 months. Symptom stability or improvement was noted in 85% of patients. Bypass graft patency was 92.1%, and all surviving patients had patent bypasses at their last angiogram. Aneurysm occlusion was complete in 90.9% of patients completing proximal ICA ligation. Three patients experienced ischemic complications and 4 patients experienced hemorrhagic complications. Not all fusiform intracranial ICA aneurysms require intervention, except when life-threatening rupture risk is high or symptomatic management is necessary to preserve function and quality of life. EC-IC bypass can augment the safety of proximal ICA occlusion. The rate of complete aneurysm occlusion with this treatment is 90.9%, and long-term bypass graft-related complications are rare. Perioperative stroke is a major risk, and continued evolution of treatment is required.

Distal Endovascular Occlusion for Incomplete Occlusion of Cavernous Carotid Aneurysms after High-flow Bypass and Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Ligation.

Internal carotid artery (ICA) ligation for placing a high-flow extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass is used in patients with aneurysms on the cavernous portion of the ICA. Recanalization and rupture after proximal ICA ligation can occur. We present four patients who underwent endovascular distal ICA occlusion and report our surgical technique and treatment results. We ligated the ICA to place an EC-IC bypass using a radial artery (RA) graft. Failure to obtain spontaneous occlusion in the distal region required endovascular treatment an average of 219 days later. A guide catheter was placed in the common carotid artery, a guide or distal access catheter was introduced in the RA graft from the external carotid artery, and a microcatheter was navigated into the cavernous aneurysm through the RA graft. Using detachable coils, endovascular ICA occlusion was from just distal to the aneurysmal neck to a site proximal to the origin of the ophthalmic artery. Aneurysmal occlusion was completed by endovascular occlusion of the distal ICA. Complications were RA graft stenosis and transient consciousness disturbance due to local subarachnoid hemorrhage. Outpatient follow-up for a mean of 109.5 months revealed no recurrences. Distal occlusion of the ICA through the implanted RA graft is simple and presents a low risk for cerebral infarction due to thrombus formation during the procedure. To treat cavernous carotid aneurysms that do not disappear after placing the EC-IC bypass after ICA ligation at the aneurysmal neck, we offer our procedure as a treatment option.

Safety and efficacy of transgraft internal trapping after proximal internal carotid artery ligation with high-flow bypass.

Proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) ligation with high-flow bypass is an important vascular reconstructive technique for giant ICA aneurysms or skull base tumors involving the ICA to control intraoperative bleeding. Retrograde or collateral blood flow occasionally remains postoperatively and requires complete internal trapping. Although transgraft internal trapping is one of the options, there are few reports on transgraft treatment. The purpose of this study was to report our experience of transgraft internal trapping and evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure. We retrospectively selected patients who underwent transgraft internal trapping after proximal ICA ligation with high-flow bypass between January 2012 and June 2020. We encountered five cases of this procedure (one aneurysm case and four tumor cases). The median duration between the bypass and transgraft internal trapping was 12 days. In four out of five cases, a guiding catheter could be placed in the graft. No disruption of the anastomosis was observed. Transgraft internal trapping was achieved in all five cases with detachable coils. All treatments could be completed safely without any adverse events, including ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. Transgraft internal trapping after proximal ICA ligation with high-flow bypass may be an option for preventing residual retrograde blood flow.

Pipeline embolization device versus Atlas stent assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysm treatment: a retrospective, propensity score matched study with a focus on midterm outcomes and hospital costs

BackgroundStent assisted coiling (SAC) and flow diverters (FDs) are common endovascular treatments for wide necked cerebral aneurysms, but studies comparing the new generation Atlas SAC and FDs are scarce. We...

Severe blood pressure elevation following ephedrine administration during carotid endarterectomy under general anesthesia: A CARE-compliant case report.

During carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery, blood pressure management is particularly important to prevent cerebrovascular and cardiac complications. Ephedrine is a commonly used vasopressor, however, we report the case of a patient with unusually severe blood pressure elevation following intravenous ephedrine administration during CEA. A 72-year-old man diagnosed with right proximal internal carotid artery stenosis underwent CEA under general anesthesia. After declamping the common carotid artery, blood pressure rapidly increased by 125 mm Hg (from 90 to 215 mm Hg) after ephedrine (4 mg) was administered, but the heart rate was stable. There was an ordinal increase in blood pressure after the same small dose of ephedrine was administered at the early stage of the surgery. And the surgical approach was difficult because he had a high location of carotid bifurcation and a prominent mandibular angle. Because of the anatomical proximity of the cervical sympathetic trunk to the carotid bifurcation and the particularly complicated surgical process in the present case, we postulate the reason for this adverse reaction as transient sympathetic denervation supersensitivity. Perdipine (0.5 mg) was administered repeatedly to reduce blood pressure. After surgery, he was diagnosed with right hypoglossal nerve palsy, and no other abnormal signs were found. This case highlights the need for caution in the use of ephedrine, which is commonly used in CEA surgery, wherein blood pressure management is particularly important. Although it is a rare and unpredictable case, α-agonists are considered safer in situations where sympathetic supersensitivity is possible.

Abstract Number: LBA2 Early versus Late Window in the Endovascular Management of Acute Tandem Lesions

Introduction Despite the irrefutable benefit of mechanical thrombectomy for patients with isolated intracranial large vessel occlusions (LVO), the effect of endovascular treatment in patients with tandem lesions remains unclear. In this study from the multi‐center PICASSO registry, we compare efficacy and safety outcomes in TLs patients treated in the early versus late window. Methods In this study, we used the data from the multi‐center PICASSO (Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Acute Stroke Secondary to Tandem Occlusion Thrombectomy) registry. PICASSO collaboration is a retrospective observational registry from 17 stroke centers. We compared efficacy and safety outcomes in TLs patients treated in the early versus late window. Patients were divided into two groups depending on last known well (LKW) to puncture time: Early time‐window group (<6 hours), and late time‐window group (6‐24 hours).We performed multivariable logistic and multinomial regressions to evaluate the association between each group and efficacy and safety outcomes, Results 628 patients were included in the study. There were 336 (53.5%) treated in the early time‐window and 292 (46.5%) in the late time‐window. We did not observe a statistically significant difference between groups mRS 0–2 at 90 days (46.5% vs. 49%, aOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 0.92‐2.57, p = 0.101), shift analysis of mRS (aOR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.63‐1.38, p = 0.734), and increased time from LKW to puncture was not significantly associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99‐1.11, p = 0.09 for each hour delay). Similarly, we did not find differences in hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke types: symptomatic ICH (5.1% vs. 4.1%, aOR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.34‐1.88, p = 0.604), parenchymal hematoma type 2 (8.1% vs. 6.9%. aOR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.44‐1.66, p = 0.641), and in ordinal analysis of petechial hemorrhage (19.8% vs 24.7%, aOR = 1.15, 95%CI: 0.79‐1.66), p = 0.466). Additionally, there were no differences in rates of successful reperfusion (mTICI 2b‐3) (88.7% vs. 85.2%, aOR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.67‐2.11, p = 0.546), first pass effect (61.1% vs. 56.9%, aOR = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.65‐1.56, p = 0.963), early neurological improvement (44.1% vs. 36.7%, aOR = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.64‐1.44, p = 0.833), mortality at 90‐days (15.2% vs. 19.2%, aOR = 1.62, 95%CI: 0.94‐2.8, p = 0.81) and in‐hospital mortality (9.8% vs. 10.5%, aOR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.68‐2.39, p = 0.441). Conclusions The therapeutic effect of endovascular therapy in patients with AIS due to tandem lesions who present in the late time‐window is similar to those presenting in the early time‐window. Furthermore, efficacy and safety outcomes rates are consistent with those found in clinical trials that included patients with isolated intracranial lesions treated in the late time‐window.

Pipeline Flex with Shield Technology Placement for Small- and Medium-sized Aneurysms Achieves Early Complete Occlusion.

The flow diverter has been shown to be a safe and effective device for large cerebral aneurysms in the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). Recently, its indication has been expanded to small- and medium-sized cerebral aneurysms in the distal segment of the ICA. In this study, we report a single-center, retrospective investigation of the safety and efficacy of the Pipeline Flex device to treat these aneurysms. Of the patients who underwent Pipeline implantation for small- and medium-sized ICA aneurysms (≤12 mm) at our hospital between July 2013 and October 2021, 102 patients with 104 aneurysms were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 57.7 ± 12.1 years, and 94 (90.4%) were female. The mean aneurysmal dome diameter was 9.2 ± 2.3 mm, the mean neck diameter was 5.3 ± 1.6 mm, and the mean dome-to-neck ratio was 1.8 ± 0.5. Twenty-five patients (24.0%) had incorporated vessels from the aneurysm. Complete occlusion of the aneurysms was obtained in 96 patients (92.3%). There were no cases of parent artery stenosis or major stroke after the procedure. Absence of incorporated vessel from the aneurysm dome and adjunctive coil embolization are statistically significant factors indicating complete occlusion in multivariate analysis. The time to complete occlusion was determined earlier with the use of the Pipeline Shield (p = 0.0386) and with adjunctive coils (p = 0.0025). We showed that Pipeline implantation for small- and medium-sized aneurysms was safe and highly effective.

Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Accurate Interpretation Matters.

Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Accurate Interpretation Matters.

Association of Carotid Atherosclerosis With Hearing Loss

To describe the association between midlife carotid atherosclerosis and late-life hearing loss among participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. For this cross-sectional study and temporal analysis of a cohort within the ongoing ARIC prospective cohort study, participants were recruited from 4 communities in the US. The analysis evaluated information on mean carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), from visit 1 (1987-1989) to visit 4 (1994-1996), carotid plaque presence at visit 4, and audiometric data from visit 6 (2016-2017). The cIMT measures were calculated from ultrasonography recordings by trained readers at the ARIC Ultrasound Reading Center. At each visit, cIMT was computed as the average of 3 segments: the distal common carotid, the carotid artery bifurcation, and the proximal internal carotid arteries. Presence of carotid plaque was determined based on an abnormal wall thickness, shape, or wall texture. Audiometric 4-frequency pure tone average (PTA) was measured and calculated for the better-hearing ear and modeled as a continuous variable. Linear regression estimated the association between cIMT and carotid plaque with hearing, adjusting for age, sex, race and study center, education level, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), smoking status, hypertension, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and exposure to occupational noise. Missing data (exposure and covariates) were imputed with multiple imputation by chained equations. Data analyses were performed from April 6 to July 13, 2022. Hearing loss assessed using 4-frequency (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kilohertz) PTA for both ears and carotid plaque at visit 4 and mean cIMT from visit 1 to visit 4. Among a total of 3594 participants (mean [SD] age at visit 4, 59.4 [4.6] years; 2146 [59.7%] female; 819 [22.8%] Black and 2775 [77.2%] White individuals), fully adjusted models indicated that an additional 0.1 mm higher mean cIMT was associated with 0.59 dB (95% CI, 0.17 to 1.02 dB) higher PTA. Compared with participants without carotid plaque, plaque presence was associated with 0.63 dB (95% CI, -0.57 to 1.84 dB) higher PTA. The findings of this cross-sectional study with temporal analyses of a cohort with the ongoing ARIC study found that subclinical atherosclerosis in midlife was associated with worse hearing in older adulthood. Prevention and control of carotid atherosclerosis during middle age may positively affect the hearing health of older adults.

Application of the Intracranial Arterial Pulsatility Index for Determination of Prognosis after Lacunar Infarct.

We aimed to investigate the usefulness of intracranial arterial pulsatility index to assess the prognosis of lacunar infarcts. Forty-nine patients with confirmed acute lacunar infarct were enrolled in the study. A transcranial color-coded sonography was performed to assess the pulsatility index of bilateral middle cerebral, posterior cerebral, vertebral, and proximal internal carotid arteries. Patients' clinical status was assessed using a modified Rankin scale. Spearman correlation was used for reporting the relation between quantitative data. Statistical significance was defined as a two-tail p-value of less than 0.05. The mean age ± standard deviation was 64.1 ± 9.07 years old, and 57.1% of the patients were male. Upon discharge, only 8.2% of the patients were ranked as 0 on the modified Rankin scale; however, after a 6-month follow-up period, this number increased to 49%. There were no significant differences between the left and right pulsatility index measurements in any of the assessed arteries. Patients with vertebral artery pulsatility indexes >1 on their primary assessment had significantly worse outcomes during the first, third, and sixth months follow-up (all r > 0.3, p-values < 0.01). Pulsatility indexes from other arteries did not predict the prognosis. Sonography-assisted assessment of the vertebral artery blood flow during the early stage of lacunar infarct provides a reliable reference for prognosis estimation.

Early Stent Patency After Endovascular Therapy for Tandem or Isolated Carotid Steno-Occlusive Disease

Early Stent Patency After Endovascular Therapy for Tandem or Isolated Carotid Steno-Occlusive Disease

Vulnerable plaque of the petrous internal carotid artery in embolic stroke of undetermined source.

The association between nonstenotic plaque at the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) remains unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of a larger build-up of petrous plaque is more prevalent in the ipsilateral versus the contralateral side among ESUS patients without plaque in the intracranial and proximal ICA. From a total of 243 patients with ESUS and 160 patients with small-vessel disease (SVD) without proximal ICA plaque, we enrolled 88 ESUS and 103 SVD patients without ipsilateral nonstenotic intracranial and proximal ICA plaque in the present study. Targeting the petrous segment of the ICA on two sides, plaque burden including plaque thickness, lumen area, vessel area, wall area, and percentage of luminal stenosis, and composition features (presence/absence of the ruptured fibrous cap, ulcer plaque, thrombus, discontinuity of plaque surface [DPS], intraplaque hemorrhage and complicated plaque) were assessed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. We found a higher prevalence of petrous plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm ipsilateral versus contralateral to the stroke (25/88 [28.4%] vs. 12/88 [13.6%], odds ratio [OR] 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-9.70), but this imbalance was not seen in SVD. In patients with plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm, the presence of DPS (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.11-14.78) and complicated plaque (OR 5.00, 95% CI 1.10-22.82) was more closely related to an index ESUS, a finding that was not evident in the subgroup with petrous plaque <3.5 mm (p for interaction=0.027). The present study provided the first evidence supporting a potential etiological role of vulnerable petrous plaque in ESUS.

Abstract 14484: Shockwave Lithotripsy as a Non Surgical Modality for Calcified Carotid Stenosis

An 80-year-old gentleman with significant bilateral carotid artery stenosis and previous right carotid endarterectomy underwent a CT Angiogram of the Head and Neck due to multiple episodes of syncope. The study revealed heavily calcified atherosclerotic disease at the left carotid bulb and bifurcation, causing high-grade luminal stenosis of 80 to 82% at the origin of the internal carotid artery. Hence, a decision was made to obtain a cerebral angiogram. Aortic arch angiogram revealed a type III arch, following which a cerebral catheter wire was engaged in the left carotid artery. A selective angiogram showed 80% calcified stenosis at the level of bifurcation, with the left external carotid artery being 100% occluded. Given the heavily calcified lesion, supra core guidewire was crossed across the lesion, followed by advancement of protection device into the distal segment of the left internal carotid artery. Balloon angioplasty was performed twice from the ostial to the proximal segment of the left internal carotid artery. An attempt was made to place a stent without any success. Subsequently, a decision was made to proceed with shockwave lithoplasty. We inserted a transvenous pacemaker with a backup rate of 40 bpm. A Shockwave catheter was inserted and shockwaves were delivered with multiple inflation techniques at 4 atmospheric pressure for 15 seconds each. Periodic neuro assessments were normal. This was followed by the placement of stents in the distal left common carotid and ostial to proximal left internal carotid artery reducing the calcified 80% stenosed lesion to 10% with excellent angiographic results. Subsequently, the filter and the catheter were removed and the femoral artery access site was secured. The patient tolerated the procedure very well without any immediate or delayed complications. The intracerebral vasculature remained intact as confirmed by a cerebral angiogram. TVP was removed and the patient was discharged in a stable condition after 2 days. Hence, Shockwave lithotripsy can be successfully used for critical carotid artery stenosis in patients that pose a high surgical risk. It helps soften the lesion for better dilatation of the vessel and achieve improved luminal gain for appropriate stent expansion.

Influence of neurovascular anatomy on perforation site in different mouse strains using the filament perforation model for induction of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BackgroundFilament perforation is a widely-used method to induce subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in mice. Whereas the perforation site has been assumed to be in the branching of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA), we recently observed more proximal perforations.MethodsFilament perforation was performed in CD1- (n = 10) and C57Bl/6N-mice (n = 9) ex vivo. The filament was left in place and the perforation site was microscopically assessed. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in CD1- (n = 9) and C57Bl/6J-mice (n = 29) and anatomical differences of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were determined.ResultsWhereas in C57Bl/6N-mice perforation occurred in the proximal intracranial ICA in 89% (n = 8), in CD1-mice the perforation site was in the proximal ICA in 50% (n = 5), in the branching between MCA and ACA in 40% (n = 4), and in the proximal ACA in 10% (n = 1). DSA revealed a stronger angulation (p<0.001) of the ICA in CD1-mice (163.5±2.81°) compared to C57Bl/6J-mice (124.5±5.49°). Body weight and ICA-angle showed no significant correlation in C57Bl/6J- (r = -0.06, pweight/angle = 0.757) and CD1-mice (r = -0.468, pweight/angle = 0.242).ConclusionFilament perforation in mice occurs not only at the hitherto presumed branching between MCA and ACA, but seems to depend on mouse strain and anatomy as the proximal intracranial ICA may also be perforated frequently.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approach to Repair Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea After an Anterior Clinoidectomy for Aneurysm Clipping: Series of 4 Cases.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea through a pneumatized optic strut is a known potential complication after an anterior clinoidectomy that is used to microsurgically clip a proximal internal carotid artery aneurysm. The original craniotomy site can be reopened to repair the skull base defect, but this technique has disadvantages. To avoid a repeat craniotomy and address the limitations of a transcranial approach, a straightforward alternative was used for skull base repair-the binostril endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. This retrospective case series describes the use of endoscopic transsphenoidal repair and outcomes for patients with CSF leaks after anterior clinoidectomy for aneurysm repair between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Four adult patients (3 women and 1 man) with a mean age of 59.5 years were reviewed. Skull base repair occurred on average 24 days (range, 4-75 days) after the index operation. After demucosalization of the parasellar sphenoid sinus, the fistula in the pneumatized optic strut was reconstructed with a free nasal mucosal graft with or without an autologous muscle graft. None of the patients developed a recurrent CSF leak at a mean follow-up of 12.5 months (range, 8-22 months), and none experienced complications. The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach was safe and effective for skull base repair in 4 patients with CSF rhinorrhea after an anterior clinoidectomy for aneurysm clipping.

Association of contrast enhancement of proximal internal carotid artery wall and champagne bottle neck sign with ipsilateral stroke in moyamoya disease patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) and their relationships with ipsilateral intracranial stroke in sufferers of moyamoya disease (MMD) with champagne bottle neck sign (CBNS). Patients and methodsForty-four patients with MMD（mean age 43.98 ± 10.54 years, 21 males）confirmed by digital subtraction angiography were enrolled and carotid magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging was introduced in this study. CBNS was defined as the ratio of the diameters of proximal ICA to the common carotid artery (CCA) (DpICA/CCA) < 0.5. The wall thickness and enhancement of the proximal ICA was measured on postcontrast T1-VISTA images. The correlations between these characteristics of the proximal ICA and ipsilateral intracranial stroke were analysed. ResultsAmong the 44 patients with MMD, twelve patients (27.3 %) had bilateral CBNS and fourteen patients (31.8 %) without CBNS. Compared with normal extracranial arteries, in arteries with CBNS, the proximal ICA had a smaller diameter (3.03 ± 1.05 mm vs 3.95 ± 1.10 mm, p < 0.001), the maximum wall thickness of the proximal ICA was thicker (1.34 ± 0.31 mm vs 1.06 ± 0.26 mm, p < 0.001), and arterial wall contrast enhancement was more frequently observed (66.7 % vs 2 %, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the wall enhancement of the proximal ICA with CBNS (OR = 15.16, 95 % CI, 2.32–99.02; P = 0.005) was independently associated with intracranial multiple lesions. The AUC of the wall enhancement of the proximal ICA with CBNS was 0.79(P = 0.003). ConclusionsVessel wall enhancement of the proximal ICA with CBNS is independently associated with intracranial stroke in the ipsilateral hemispheres of patients with MMD, particularly those with multiple lesions.

Interventional compared with medical management of symptomatic carotid web: A systematic review

BackgroundCarotid web (CaW) is non-atheromatous, shelf-like intraluminal projection, generally affecting the posterolateral wall of the proximal internal carotid artery, and associated with embolic stroke, particularly in younger patients without traditional stroke risk factors. Treatment options for symptomatic CaWs include interventional therapy with carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting versus medical therapy with antiplatelet or anticoagulants. As safety and efficacy of these approaches have been incompletely delineated in small-to-moderate case series, we performed a systematic review of outcomes with interventional and medical management. MethodsSystematic literature search was conducted and data analyzed per PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) from January 2000 to October 2021 using the search strategy: "Carotid web" OR "Carotid shelf" OR “Web vessels” OR "Intraluminal web". Patient-level demographics, stroke risk factors, technical procedure details, medical and interventional management strategies were abstracted across 15 series. All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. ResultsAmong a total of symptomatic 282 CaW patients across 14 series, age was 49.5 (44–55.7) years, 61.7% were women, and 76.6% were black. Traditional stroke risk factors were less frequent than the other stroke causes, including hypertension in 28.6%, hyperlipidemia 14.6%, DM 7.0%, and smoking 19.8%. Thrombus adherent to CaW was detected on initial imaging in 16.2%. Among 289 symptomatic CaWs across 15 series, interventional management was pursued in 151 (52.2%), carotid artery stenting in 87, and carotid endarterectomy in 64; medical management was pursued in 138 (47.8%), including antiplatelet therapy in 80.4% and anticoagulants in 11.6%. Interventional and medical patients were similar in baseline characteristics. The reported time from index stroke to carotid revascularization was median 14 days (IQR 9.5–44). In the interventional group, no periprocedural mortality was noted, major periprocedural complications occurred in 1/151 (0.5%), and no recurrent ischemic events were observed over follow-up range of 3–60 months. In the medical group, over a follow-up of 2–55 months, the recurrence cerebral ischemia rate was 26.8%. ConclusionCumulative evidence from multiple series suggests that carotid revascularization is a safe and effective option for preventing recurrent ischemic events in patients with symptomatic carotid webs.

Assessing radiation-induced carotid vasculopathy using ultrasound after unilateral irradiation: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIncreased head and neck cancer (HNC) survival requires attention to long-term treatment sequelae. Irradiated HNC survivors have a higher ischemic stroke risk. However, the pathophysiology of radiation-induced vasculopathy is unclear. Arterial stiffness could be a biomarker. This study examined alterations in intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness-related parameters, shear wave (SWV) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), in irradiated compared to control carotids in unilateral irradiated patients.MethodsTwenty-six patients, median 40.5 years, 5–15 years after unilateral irradiation for head and neck neoplasms underwent a bilateral carotid ultrasound using an Aixplorer system with SL18-5 and SL10-2 probes. IMT, SWV, and PWV were assessed in the proximal, mid, and distal common (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). Plaques were characterized with magnetic resonance imaging. Measurements were compared between irradiated and control sides, and radiation dose effects were explored.ResultsCCA-IMT was higher in irradiated than control carotids (0.54 [0.50–0.61] vs. 0.50 [0.44–0.54] mm, p = 0.001). For stiffness, only anterior mid-CCA and posterior ICA SWV were significantly higher in the irradiated side. A radiation dose–effect was only (weakly) apparent for PWV (R2: end-systolic = 0.067, begin-systolic = 0.155). Ultrasound measurements had good–excellent intra- and interobserver reproducibility. Plaques had similar characteristics but were more diffuse in the irradiated side.ConclusionsIncreased CCA-IMT and SWV in some segments were seen in irradiated carotids. These alterations, even in young patients, mark the need for surveillance of radiation-induced vasculopathy.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04257968).