- Flow-Diverter Stents for the Treatment of Saccular Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms
Fourteen patients with 15 saccular, nondissecting MCA bifurcation aneurysms were treated with flow-diverter stents and were retrospectively analyzed. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality at last follow-up were 21% and 0%, respectively. Complete occlusion was achieved in 62%. The authors conclude that compared with other therapeutic options, flow-diverter stents do not appear to be suitable for the treatment of saccular MCA bifurcation aneurysms.
- Spine Cryoablation: Pain Palliation and Local Tumor Control for Vertebral Metastases
This is a retrospective study of imaging-guided spine cryoablation that was performed on 31 vertebral metastases in 14 patients. The lesions were refractory to conventional chemoradiation therapy or analgesics and were ablated to achieve pain palliation and local tumor control. The procedures were performed with the patient under conscious sedation (13 patients) or general anesthesia in 1 case. Postcryoablation MR imaging and PET/CT imaging were available for all patients. Spinal nerve and soft-tissue thermal protection techniques were implemented in all ablations (epidural or neuroforaminal carbon dioxide or warmed 5% dextrose). There were statistically significant decreases in the median numeric pain rating scale score and analgesic usage at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month time points. Local tumor control was achieved in 96.7% (30/31) of tumors.
- Carotid Near-Occlusion: A Comprehensive Review, Part 1—Definition, Terminology, and Diagnosis
Carotid near-occlusion is distal luminal collapse of the internal carotid artery beyond a tight stenosis. Calculating percentage stenosis for carotid near-occlusion is fallacious, and near-occlusion assessment is advised before measuring for percentage stenosis. This systematic review presents what is known about carotid near-occlusion and focuses on definition, terminology, and diagnosis.