- Neuroradiology Critical Findings Lists: Survey of Neuroradiology Training Programs
These authors questioned neuroradiology fellowship programs about the availability of “critical findings” lists and, if available, how these are distributed to trainees and whether they were vetted by corresponding clinical departments. Over one-half of programs responded and 41% had such lists. The lists were distributed during orientation, sent or made available electronically, and posted in work areas. Less than 25% of lists were developed with input from other departments. The most common entities found in the lists were: brain hemorrhage, acute stroke, cord compression, brain herniation, and spine fracture.
- Evaluation of an Intravenous-Endovascular Strategy in Patients with Acute Proximal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Here, the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy after intravenous therapy failure were assessed in 123 patients with acute MCA occlusions. All patients imaged were within 4.5 hours of onset, had DWI ASPECTS greater than 5, and variable NIHSS scores (8–25). The authors found that mechanical thrombectomy after failure of intravenous thrombolysis improves clinical outcomes at 3 months and could represent an alternative in the management of patients with acute MCA occlusion. Additionally, no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were detected in patients treated this way, suggesting this protocol is safe.