Subintimal recanalization for non-acute occlusion of intracranial vertebral artery in an emergency endovascular procedure:A case report

BACKGROUND Endovascular recanalization of non-acute intracranial artery occlusion is technically difficult,particularly when the microwire enters the subintima.Although the subintimal tracking and re-entry technique has been well established in the endovascular treatment of coronary artery occlusion,there is limited experience with its use in intracranial occlusion due to anatomical variations and a lack of dedicated devices.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old man was admitted to the hospital two days after experiencing acute weakness in both lower extremities,poor speech,and dizziness.After admission,imaging revealed acute ischemic stroke and non-acute occlusion of bilateral intracranial vertebral arteries(ICVAs).On the fourth day of admission,the patient's condition deteriorated and an emergency endovascular recanalization of the left ICVA was performed.During this procedure,a microwire was advanced in the subintima of the vessel wall and successfully reentered the distal true lumen.Two stents were implanted in the subintima.The patient's Modified Rankin Scale was 1 at three months postoperatively.CONCLUSION We present a technical case of subintimal recanalization for non-acute ICVA occlusion in an emergency endovascular procedure.However,we emphasize the necessity for caution when applying the subintimal tracking approach in intracranial occlusion due to the significant dangers involved.

The Diagnostic Value of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting CNS Diseases Among Advanced AIDS Patients

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance imaging in detecting central nervous system diseases among AIDS patients of different levels of T cells. Methods Total of 164 AIDS patients who did not receive antiviral treatment were divided into 2 groups according to their baseline CD4+ T cell counts. Group A had CD4+ T cell below or equal to 50 cells/μl(n = 81) and group B had CD4+ T cells over 50 cells/μl(n = 83). All patients underwent brain MRI scan. Imaging analysis and the prevalence of the central nervous system disorders were compared between two groups. Results Among them 48 cases were found of abnormal brain MRI, group A was higher than group B(35.8% vs. 22.9%) although without statistical significance(P = 0.065). Altogether 48 cases were diagnosed as AIDS related central nervous system disorders based on clinical symptoms, signs and laboratory findings. The prevalence of CNS disorders was higher in group A than in group B(41.9% vs. 16.8%) with statistical significance(P < 0.01). Conclusions The patients with CD4+ T cell count less than or equal to 50 cells/μl had high prevalence of CNS diseases. Brain MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis and differentiation of CNS diseases in advanced AIDS patients. This study suggests patients with low CD4+ T cell count(≤ 50/μl) should routinely undergo MRI examination.

Plaque characteristics after endovascular treatment in patients with intracranial Plaque characteristics after endovascular treatment in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease

Background:Endovascular treatment(EVT)is an alternative option for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease(ICAD).However,the effect of EVT treatment on ICAD plaques is still unclear.This study describes the ICAD plaque characteristics after EVT treatment and analyzes the effect of different EVT treatments on plaque characteristics.Method:From 2017 January to 2022 January,ICAD patients who underwent endovascular treatment and had follow-up high-resolution magnetic resonance image(HRMRI)were enrolled in the study.Multiple plaque characteristics,including plaque enhancement,plaque burden,were measured based on preoperative,and follow-up HRMRI.Plaque characteristics and postoperative plaque changes were analyzed between different treatment groups.Result:Finally,50 intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in 45 patients were included.Including 28 male patients and 17 female,media age 63.0 years old.Among 50 plaques,41 received percutaneous angioplasty(including 22 plain balloons and 19 drug-coated balloons(DCB))and the other 9 underwent stenting.Stenosis rate,plaque burden and eccentricity index at the lesion site were significantly decreased after EVT compared with preoperative periods(p<0.001).And only the DCB group showed a significant reduction in plaque enhancement at follow-up(p<0.001).No significant preoperative and postoperative changes in other plaque characteristics were found.Conclusion:EVT treatment could compromise the characteristics of intracranial periarterial atherosclerotic plaques,and DCB treatment may result in a reduction in plaque enhancement after treatment.

High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Moyamoya Disease

Objective： To introduce the imaging characteristics of moyamoya disease （MMD） using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging （HR-MRI） and to discuss the role of HR-MRI in differentiating MMD from other intracranial artery diseases, especially intracranial atherosclerotic disease （ICAD）. Data Sources： This review was based on the data in articles published between 2005 and 2015, which were obtained from PubMed. The keywords included HR-MRI, MMD, ICAD, and intracranial artery diseases. Study Selection： Articles related to HR-MRI for MMD or other intracranial artery diseases were selected for review. Results： There are differences between the characteristic patterns of HR-MRI in MMD and ICAD. MMD is associated with inward remodeling, smaller outer diameters, concentric occlusive lesions and homogeneous signal intensity, while ICAD is more likely to be associated with outward remodeling, normal outer diameters, eccentric occlusive lesions, and heterogeneous signal intensity. Other intracranial artery diseases, such as dissection and vasculitis, also have distinctive characteristics in HR-MRI. HR-MRI may become a useful tool for the differential diagnosis of MMD in the future. Conclusions： HR-MRI of MMD provides a more in-depth understanding of MMD, and it is helpful in evaluating pathological changes in the vessel wall and in differentiating MMD from other intracranial artery steno-occlusive diseases, particularly ICAD.以