The FRED flow diverter is a safe device for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms of various types. Our data reveal high occlusion rates at 3 and 6 months, comparable with those in other flow diverters. Long-term occlusion rates are expected.

In community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) intracranial vascular alterations are devastating complications which are triggered by neuroinflammation and result in worse clinical outcome. The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) represents a reliable parameter of the inflammatory response. In this study we analyzed the association between NLR and elevated cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in CABM-patients. This study included all (CABM)-patients admitted to a German tertiary center between 2006 and 2016. Patients’ demographics, in-hospital measures, neuroradiological data and clinical outcome were retrieved from institutional databases. CBFv was assessed by transcranial doppler (TCD). Patients’, radiological and laboratory characteristics were compared between patients with/without elevated CBFv. Multivariate-analysis investigated parameters independently associated with elevated CBFv. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC-)curve analysis was undertaken to identify the best cut-off for NLR to discriminate between increased CBFv. 108 patients with CABM were identified. 27.8% (30/108) showed elevated CBFv. Patients with elevated CBFv and normal CBFv, respectively had a worse clinical status on admission (Glasgow Coma Scale: 12 [9–14] vs. 14 [11–15]; p = 0.005) and required more often intensive care (30/30 [100.0%] vs. 63/78 [80.8%]; p = 0.01).The causative pathogen was S. pneumoniae in 70%. Patients with elevated CBFv developed more often cerebrovascular complications with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) within hospital stay (p = 0.031). A significantly higher admission-NLR was observed in patients with elevated CBFv (median [IQR]: elevated CBFv:24.0 [20.4–30.2] vs. normal CBFv:13.5 [8.4–19.5]; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis, revealed NLR to be significantly associated with increased CBFv (Odds ratio [95%CI] 1.042 [1.003–1.084]; p = 0.036). ROC-analysis identified a NLR of 20.9 as best cut-off value to discriminate between elevated CBFv (AUC = 0.713, p < 0.0001, Youden's Index = 0.441;elevated CBFv: NLR ≥ 20.9 19/30[63.5%] vs. normal CBFv: NLR > 20.9 15/78[19.2%]; p < 0.001). Intracranial vascular complications are common among CABM-patients and are a risk factor for unfavorable outcome at discharge. Elevated NLR is independently associated with high CBFv and may be useful in predicting patients’ prognosis.

Background and purpose Flow-diverter stents are well-established for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device differs from other flow-diverter stents by its dual-layer design and has proved equality to other devices in numerous short-term surveys. However, follow-up data covering substantially more than one year are still limited for this device. We present our long-term experience with Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device. Materials and methods Seventy-eight patients harboring distal internal carotid artery (91%) or vertebrobasilar (9%) cerebral aneurysms treated with Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device with or without adjunctive coiling met the inclusion criteria. All cases were evaluated for aneurysm occlusion (according to Modified Raymond Roy Classification, MRRC), for flow-diverter stents patency and configuration and for procedure- and device-related morbidity and mortality. Results Mean follow-up interval was 36.9 ± 9.5 months (<30 months: n = 18; 31–42 months: n = 31; >42 months: n = 24). Total and subtotal aneurysm occlusion after six months was assessed in 92.0% (MRRC1 = 77.3%, MRRC2 = 14.7%, MRRC3a =2.7%, MRRC3b = 4.1%) and increased to 95.9% (MRRC1 = 90.5%, MRRC2 = 5.4%, MRRC3a = 2.7%). There was one case of aneurysm growth requiring early re-treatment. Procedure-related morbidity was observed in three cases (3.8%; one transient hemiparesis, one suspected foreign-body reaction, and one micro-wire perforation). There was no procedure- or device-related mortality. In-stent stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia was observed in two cases and fish-mouthing in three cases. Conclusions Our long-term data covering two to five years after flow diversion confirm that Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device is a safe and effective device for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms with progressive high aneurysm occlusion rates; recurrence rates were very low. Overall device-related morbidity was low and was not observed later than six months after intervention.

Purpose Using the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) for aneurysm treatment has emerged as endovascular approach aiming for flow disruption in aneurysm sac. Since quantifiable data confirming the hemodynamic effect are lacking, we investigated in vivo aneurysmal flow alterations using time-density curve (TDC) analysis. Additionally, we evaluated whether flow parameters could be identified as independent factor to predict aneurysm occlusion. Methods Forty cerebral aneurysm patients treated with WEB were enrolled. Pre-and postinterventional digital subtraction angiography series were postprocessed and TDCs generated. TDCs were quantified calculating the parameters aneurysmal inflow velocity, outflow velocity, mean flow velocity, and relative time-to-peak (rTTP) of aneurysm filling. Pre-and postinterventional values were compared and related to occlusion rate. Results WEB implanting induced highly significant rTTP prolongation by 52% (p = 0.001) and highly significant decrease of aneurysmal inflow, outflow, and mean flow velocity (p < 0.001). While outflow velocity was reduced by 49%, inflow velocity was reduced by 33% only. No statistically significant difference between the occluded and the non-occluded group was observed. No flow parameter reached significance level concerning predicting aneurysm occlusion. Conclusion Flow quantification confirms a significant flow-disrupting effect of WEB reducing more the outflow than the inflow velocity. In our small cohort, no flow parameter reached statistical significance to show predictive value regarding complete aneurysm occlusion. The hemodynamic effect of WEB is on comparable level to flow-diverting stents meaning that aneurysm closure can be delayed. In case of only slight inflow changes and high aneurysmal hemodynamic stress, some aneurysms might not be adequately protected in the short term.

Background Flat detector computed tomography angiography (FDCTA) can be reconstructed from volume perfusion flat detector computed tomography (VP-FDCT). Thus, CTA equivalent stroke imaging might be feasible within the angio suite. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FDCTA in detecting large vessel occlusion (LVO) and collateral supply in acute stroke patients. Material and Methods Sixteen patients with LVO of the anterior circulation were analyzed retrospectively. Each patient underwent a multimodal CT stroke protocol, subsequent VP-FDCT, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for endovascular stroke therapy. Angiographic images reconstructed secondarily from VP-FDCT were evaluated with regard to visualization of LVO, Collateral Score (CS), Clot Burden Score (CBS), and image quality. Results Image quality of FDCTA was sufficient for diagnosis with a strong correlation between CTA and FDCTA (median score: CTA = 4 ± 0.447; FDCTA = 4 ± 0.5). Detection of LVO could be achieved with high sensitivity and specificity for FDCTA and CTA (97.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 96.0–99.9; 92.6%, 95% CI = 84.3–100.0 vs. 96.8%, 95% CI = 93.2–100.0; 86.3%, 95% CI = 88.2–95.2). CBS and CS assessment showed no significant difference between FDCTA and CTA for both readers (reader1CBS: P = 0.751, reader1CS: P = 0.718; reader2CBS: P = 0.164; reader2CS: P = 0.582) and an excellent interrater agreement (CTACBSICC = 0.984, FDCTACBSICC = 0.951; CTACSICC = 0.754, FDCTACSICC = 0.789). Conclusion FDCTA, reconstructed from VP-FDCT data, allows reliable detection of ICA or MCA M1 segment occlusion comparable to CTA and may provide information concerning the clot extent with sufficient image quality.

Background Stent-assisted coiling is well-established for treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The technique enables treatment of wide-neck, bifurcation and recurrent aneurysms with high packing rates. While described in extenso for laser cut stents, the results of patients treated with the Leo+ Baby (Balt, Montmorency, France) braided microstent are presented. Material and Methods Patients were included if treated with a Leo+ Baby and with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up available of at least 6 months. Data were evaluated for successful deployment, aneurysm occlusion according to the modified Raymond-Roy classification (MRRC), stent patency and procedure-related morbidity and mortality. Results A total of 81 patients were included and Leo+ Baby deployment was successful in all cases. Coils were used in 80 cases. In 1 case 2 stents were used stent-in-stent without additional coiling. Initial aneurysm occlusion rates were MRRCi1 51.9%, MRRCi2 11.1%, MRRCi3a 24.7% and MRRCi3b 12.3%. Occlusion rates after 6 months were MRRC6m1 78.9%, MRRC6m2 3.9%, MRRC6m3a 6.6% and MRRC6m3b 10.5%. Procedure-related morbidity was 1 case of acute stent thrombosis successfully treated with tirofiban and 1 case with transient hemiparesis due to stent thrombosis after 4 months. There was 1 case of coil-associated subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) which caused prolonged hospitalization. No procedure-related mortality was observed. Conclusion The results confirm that stent-assisted coiling with the Leo+ Baby stent is safe and efficient for treatment of wide neck or recurrent cerebral aneurysms. Spontaneous progressive aneurysm occlusion over 6 months supports the theory of considerable flow-modulating effects of Leo+ Baby.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 4D-DSA allows time-resolved 3D imaging of the cerebral vasculature. The aim of our study was to evaluate this method in comparison with the current criterion standard 3D-DSA by qualitative and quantitative means using computational fluid dynamics. MATERIALS AND METHODS:3D-and 4D-DSA datasets were acquired in patients with cerebral aneurysms. Computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed for all datasets. Using computational fluid dynamics, we compared 4D-DSA with 3D-DSA in terms of both aneurysmal geometry (quantitative: maximum diameter, ostium size [OZ1/2], volume) and hemodynamic parameters (qualitative: flow stability, flow complexity, inflow concentration; quantitative: average/maximum wall shear stress, impingement zone, low-stress zone, intra-aneurysmal pressure, and flow velocity). Qualitative parameters were descriptively analyzed. Correlation coefficients (r, P value) were calculated for quantitative parameters.RESULTS: 3D-and 4D-DSA datasets of 10 cerebral aneurysms in 10 patients were postprocessed. Evaluation of aneurysmal geometry with 4D-DSA (r maximum diameter ϭ 0.98, P maximum diameter Ͻ.001; r OZ1/OZ2 ϭ 0.98/0.86, P OZ1/OZ2 Ͻ .001/.002; r volume ϭ 0.98, P volume Ͻ.001) correlated highly with 3D-DSA. Evaluation of qualitative hemodynamic parameters (flow stability, flow complexity, inflow concentration) did show complete accordance, and evaluation of quantitative hemodynamic parameters (r average/maximum wall shear stress diastole ϭ 0.92/0.88, P average/maximum wall shear stress diastole Ͻ .001/.001; r average/maximum wall shear stress systole ϭ 0.94/0.93, P average/maximum wall shear stress systole Ͻ .001/.001; r impingement zone ϭ 0.96, P impingement zone Ͻ .001; r low-stress zone ϭ 1.00, P low-stress zone ϭ .01; r pressure diastole ϭ 0.84, P pressure diastole ϭ .002; r pressure systole ϭ 0.9, P pressure systole Ͻ .001; r flow velocity diastole ϭ 0.95, P flow velocity diastole Ͻ .001; r flow velocity systole ϭ 0.93, P flow velocity systole Ͻ .001) did show nearly complete accordance between 4D-and 3D-DSA. CONCLUSIONS:Despite a different injection protocol, 4D-DSA is a reliable basis for computational fluid dynamics analysis of the intracranial vasculature and provides equivalent visualization of aneurysm geometry compared with 3D-DSA. ABBREVIATIONS:AWSS ϭ average wall shear stress; CFD ϭ computational fluid dynamics; d max ϭ maximum diameter; IZ ϭ impingement zone; LSZ ϭ low-stress zone; MWSS ϭ maximum wall shear stress; OZ ϭ ostium size; r ϭ correlation coefficient; V ϭ flow velocity; WSS ϭ wall shear stress

Background: In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) constitutes an important therapeutic target. Intraventricular fibrinolysis (IVF) reduces mortality, yet impact on functional disability remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the influence of IVF on functional outcomes. Methods: This individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis pooled 1,501 patients from two randomized trials and seven observational studies enrolled during 2004 to 2015. We compared IVF vs standard of care (SoC, including placebo) in patients treated with external ventricular drainage due to acute hydrocephalus caused by ICH and/or IVH. The primary outcome was functional disability evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS, range:0-6, lower scores indicating less disability) at 6 months, dichotomized into mRS:0-3 vs mRS:4-6. Secondary outcomes included ordinal-shift analysis, all-cause mortality, and intracranial adverse events. Confounding and bias were adjusted by random-effects- and doubly-robust-models to calculate odds-ratios (OR) and absolute treatment-effects (ATE). Results: Comparing treatment of 596 with IVF to 905 with SoC resulted in an ATE to achieve the primary outcome of 9.3%[95%CI4.4-14.1]. IVF treatment showed a significant shift towards improved outcome across the entire range of mRS estimates, common-OR:1.75[95%CI1.39-2.17], reduced mortality, OR:0.47[95%CI 0.35-0.64], without increased adverse events, absolute difference:1.0%[95%CI-2.7-4.8]. Exploratory analyses provided that early IVF-treatment (≤48 hours) after symptom onset was associated with an ATE:15.2%[95%CI8.6-21.8] to achieve the primary outcome. Conclusions: As compared to SoC, the administration of IVF in patients with acute hydrocephalus caused by intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage significantly improved functional outcome at 6 months. The treatment effect was linked to an early time-window<48h, specifying a target population for future trials.