Introdução: a dor pélvica crônica é um problema que afeta uma significativa parcela de pacientes que buscam atendimento ginecológico. Dentre suas etiologias, destaca-se a síndrome de congestão pélvica, causada por insuficiência venosa pélvica. A justificativa deste estudo foi verificar se a técnica endovascular pode ser considerada estratégia terapêutica efetiva e válida para a população brasileira. Objetivo: avaliar a resposta clínica e a taxa de sucesso após embolização de varizes periuterinas em pacientes com dor pélvica crônica secundária à síndrome de congestão pélvica, e relatar a segurança do tratamento endovascular e o índice de complicações. Materiais e métodos: coorte retrospectiva de pacientes submetidas a tratamento endovascular da síndrome de congestão pélvica em nosso serviço, no período de janeiro de 2012 até novembro de 2015. Foram analisados dados relativos aos antecedentes das pacientes, achados de exames de imagem, veias embolizadas, taxa de complicações e resposta clínica baseada na escala visual analógica de dor. Resultados: Foi realizada embolização de varizes periuterinas em 22 pacientes no período estudado, sendo que quatro delas realizaram uma segunda embolização. Foi observada redução da dor em 17 pacientes considerando-se a primeira embolização (77.3%) e em 3 pacientes na segunda embolização (75%). Foram observadas complicações menores em 5 pacientes, como hipotensão postural, dor no pós-operatório e perfuração venosa sem repercussão clínica durante o procedimento. Conclusão: O presente estudo apresentou resultados satisfatórios da embolização de varizes periuterinas na redução dos sintomas de pacientes com dor pélvica crônica secundária à síndrome de congestão pélvica, mostrando-se como método seguro. / Introduction: Chronic pelvic pain accounts a significant number of gynecologic referrals. Among its etiologies, there is the pelvic congestion syndrome, caused by pelvic venous insufficiency. The rationale of this study was to determine whether endovascular technique can be considered effective and valid therapeutic strategy for the Brazilian population. Objective: To evaluate the clinical response and the success rate after periuterine varices embolization in patients with chronic pelvic pain secondary to pelvic congestion syndrome, and report the safety of endovascular treatment and the rate of complications. Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome in our department from January 2012 to November 2015. Data were analyzed on the background of patients, imaging findings, embolized veins, rate complications and clinical response based on visual analog pain scale. Results: We performed peiruterine varices embolization in 22 patients during the study period, four of which held a second embolization. 17 patients reported a reduction in pelvic pain considering the first embolization (77.3%) and 3 patients in the second embolization (75%). Minor complications were observed in 5 patients, such as postural hypotension, postoperative pain and venous perforation during the procedure, without clinical repercussion. Conclusion: The present study showed satisfactory improvement of clinical symptons after periuterine varices embolization in patients with chronic pelvic pain secondary to pelvic congestion syndrome, showing up as a safe method.

Introdução: Os traumas arteriais e venosos são responsáveis por expressiva morbimortalidade, e, em determinados territórios, a técnica de restauração aberta acrescenta riscos elevados ao paciente, que podem ser minimizados com o uso de técnicas endovasculares. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi criar um modelo experimental de trauma vascular periférico penetrante em que se avalia a viabilidade do reparo endovascular em lesões da parede arterial com diferentes extensões cincunferenciais. Método: Vinte porcos brancos machos foram divididos em quatro grupos, de acordo com a extensão circunferencial do trauma arterial: sem lesão arterial (Grupo 1); lesão arterial com extensão circunferencial <50% (Grupo 2); lesão arterial com extensão circunferencial >50%, variando entre 50-80% (Grupo 3); e secção completa (Grupo 4). A artéria carótida comum esquerda foi dissecada com controle arterial proximal e distal, procedimento que se seguiu de secção controlada da parede arterial, fechamento dos planos e compressão manual por dez minutos, seguida de tratamento endovascular com introdução de stent revestido ViabahnTM (5mm x 50 mm) por via de acesso femoral. Resultados: A viabilidade e a reprodutibilidade do modelo experimental proposto foram confirmadas pelo sucesso no tratamento de todos os animais sem trauma e nos animais com lesões <50%. Sucesso da técnica endovascular também foi observado em quatro dos cinco animais com lesões >50% e, em um animal com secção completa. Variáveis como a duração do procedimento, parâmetros ultrassonográficos e arteriográficos, e flutuação dos sinais vitais foram devidamente monitoradas. Conclusões: O reparo endovascular do trauma arterial periférico em animais de experimentação mostrou-se factível com limitação dependendo da extensão circunferencial da lesão. Este modelo experimental, envolvendo técnicas endovasculares, indicou etapas importantes a serem consideradas em outros estudos nestes animais e com a utilização destes materiais. / Background: Additional surgical trauma often increases the risk of major morbidity and mortality associated with vascular injury, and endovascular repair could have many advantages in such situations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to create an experimental animal model of penetrating peripheral artery injury and to evaluate the feasibility of endovascular repair in different degrees of circumferential injury. Methods: Twenty white male domestic pigs were divided into four groups according to the circumferential extent of arterial injury: no injury; circumferential injury extent < 50% or > 50%, ranging between 50- 80%, and complete sectioning. Left common carotid artery was dissected with proximal and distal artery control followed by controlled section of the arterial wall. Local manual compression was applied for 10 minutes followed by endovascular treatment with a 5 x 50 mm ViabahnTM covered stent using the femoral approach. Results: The feasibility and reproducibility of the proposed experimental model was confirmed by the successful treatment of all animals with no injury and with injuries with a circumferential extent < 50%. Success was also achieved in four of the 5 animals in the group with injuries of circumferential extent > 50%, and in one pig in the complete section group. Additional variables were monitored, such as duration of procedure, ultrasound and arteriography parameters and fluctuation of vital signs. Conclusions: Endovascular repair of arterial injury is possible depending on circumferential extension of arterial lesion. This experimental model, involving endovascular techniques, shows important steps to consider in further studies in these animals and use of these materials.

La physiopathologie de l’anévrysme de l’aorte abdominale (AAA) est multifactorielle. De la plaque athéro-thrombotique jusqu’à l’anévrisme menaçant, les phénomènes hémodynamiques, protéolytiques, oxydatifs et inflammatoires jouent un rôle aussi complexe qu’interdépendant. Aucun traitement pharmacologique n’a fait la preuve de son efficacité. Dans ce travail, nous étudions 2 voies pharmacologiques potentielles, et développons un modèle murin d’exclusion endovasculaire. La rapamycine est utilisée en oncologie. Ses propriétés anti-inflammatoires, antiprolifératives et anti-angiogéniques stabilisaient la progression anévrismale dans un modèle établi d’AAA. L’AZD9668 est un inhibiteur sélectif de l’élastase. Sécrétée par les neutrophiles, cette protéase joue un rôle clé dans la physiopathologie anévrismale. Les propriétés thérapeutiques ont été étudiées sur un modèle murin potentialisé par l’injection systémique de Porphyromonas Gingivalis, entretenant la réaction inflammatoire et protéolytique pariétale. Dans un second temps, nous avons développé un modèle murin d’exclusion endovasculaire. La spécificité de ce traitement a soulevé de nouvelles problématiques, soulignant le rôle crucial de l’activité biologique du thrombus. L’exclusion endovasculaire d’un AAA sur les modèles de grands animaux est complexe et coûteuse. Nous avons ainsi décrit la technique sur un modèle reconnu d’AAA chez le rat. Le traitement pharmacologique des AAAs a démontré son efficacité sur modèles murins, mais est difficilement transposable à l’homme en raison des effets secondaires. Un traitement endoluminal véhiculant un principe actif délivré in-situ permettrait de stabiliser durablement les AAA. / Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathophysiology is multifactorial. From the athero-thrombotic plaque to a threatening aneurysm, hemodynamic, proteolysis, oxidation and inflammation play a complex but interdependent role. No pharmacological treatment has yet proved to be efficient. In this work, we study 2 potential pharmacological targets, and develop a murine model of endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR). Rapamycine is used in oncology. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antiangiogenic properties stabilized aneurysm progression on an established AAA. AZD9668 is an elastase selective inhibitor. Secreted by neutrophils, this protease plays a key role in aneurysmal pathophysiology. Its therapeutic benefits have been study on a murine AAA model potentiated by Porphyromonas Gingivalis systemic injection, maintaining inflammatory reaction and wall proteolysis. Then, we developed a murine endovascular aneurysm exclusion model. EVAR raised new concern, underlining the crucial role of the thrombus biological activity. Endovascular AAA exclusion on big animals is complex and expensive. We hence described the technic on a rat AAA well known model. Pharmacological AAAs treatment has proved to be efficient on murine models, but is hard to transpose to humans because of systemic side effects. An endoluminal treatment carrying active drugs, and delivered in-situ, could durably stabilize AAAs.

1 Abstract Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of FDG PET/CT in the detection of stent graft infection (SGI) with the use of visual and semiquantitative interpretation, to compare it with standalone CT analysis, to verify the transferability of the experience with FDG PET/CT in surgical prosthesis infection and to define the role of the method in the diagnostic algorithm of SGI. Subjects and Methods: In this retrospective study, two nuclear medicine physicians have independently analyzed 21 FDG PET/CT examinations performed in 20 subjects (16 men, 66 ± 8 years) between 2010 and 2019 for clinical suspicion of SGI. Six subjects examined from other reasons without signs of infection constituted a control group. The images were evaluated for the uptake pattern and intensity, and by the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), the target-to-background ratio with blood pool (TBRBP) and liver uptake (TBRhep) as a reference. The SGI was defined as the presence of focal hyperactivity with an intensity exceeding hepatic uptake. CT images were independently assessed for signs of SGI. Clinical review of all further patients' data served as the standard of reference. Results: Twelve cases were established as SGI by the clinical review. PET/CT correctly diagnosed SGI in eight and yielded a sensitivity of 92 % and...

BACKGROUND: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are an uncommon, heterogeneous group of aneurysms with poorer neurological outcomes compared to other intracranial aneurysms. At first, as part A, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms. Subsequently, as part B, we performed a multicenter retrospective study to analyze the outcome in a large series of patients treated with contemporary microsurgical and endovascular techniques. METHODS: For the meta-analysis, a systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science was done for studies published through November 2015. We included studies that described treatment of PICA-aneurysms with ≥10 patients. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: complete occlusion, technical success, periprocedural morbidity/mortality, stroke rates, aneurysm recurrence/rebleed, CN-palsies rates, and long-term neurological morbidity/mortality. As the second part, aiming to report the current trends and results in treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms, records of 94 patients treated for PICA-aneurysms between 2000 and 2015 at 3 large referral neurovascular centers were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, we...

Introduction: Cyanoacrylate gluing technique is the least strenuous treatment of varicose trunks which does not necessitate tumescent anaesthesia and post procedural stocking compression. In response to the long-term unavailability of commercial kits with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) in the Czech Republic, we used a modified technique, which is based on the technique of endovascular treatment of AV malformations in the brain and uses a mixture of cyanoacrylate and Lipiodol to clog. We evaluated the success of the method, complications and clinical improvement of chronic venous insufficiency. Parts of the work are histological findings of collected samples of veins at various time intervals. In an in vitro experiment, we compared the bond strength of a bonded shear to a tear device. The adhesive mix values used were compared with those of commercially available adhesives for this purpose. Patients and methods: Fifty-six limbs in 49 patients suffering from great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein insufficiency in combination with symptomatic chronic venous insufficiency and complicating comorbidities were treated with a modified endovascular cyanoacrylate glue application technique. A histopathological examination was conducted on vein samples from six. In each patient a sample of the...

Background: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been extensively investigated, but the impact of collateralization remains unclear. We investigated the predictive value of collateral activation for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI)-related infarctions and functional outcome. Methods: Data from 43 patients with CVS (January 2014 to August 2021) were evaluated for the angiographic presence of leptomeningeal and ophthalmic collaterals (anterior falcine artery (AFA), supratrochlear artery (STA), dorsal nasal artery (DNA)) on internal carotid artery angiograms. Vasospasm-related infarction and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score after six months were chosen as the endpoints. Results: 77% of the patients suffered from DCI-related infarctions. In 233 angiograms (at hospitalization, before spasmolysis, after six months), positive vessel signs were observed in 31 patients for STA, 35 for DNA, and 31 for AFA. The STA sign had the highest positive (84.6%) and negative (85.7%) predictive value for unfavorable outcome (mRS 4–6) in patients aged 50 years. DNA and AFA signs were not meaningful predictors for either endpoint. Leptomeningeal collaterals showed a positive Pearson’s correlation with the STA sign in 87.5% (p = 0.038) without providing any prediction for either endpoint. Conclusions: The STA sign is associated with clinical outcome in patients with CVS after SAH aged 50 years, and was correlated with the occurrence of leptomeningeal collaterals.

Background: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) continues to account for high morbidity and mortality in patients surviving the initial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Nimodipine is the only drug known to reduce delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), but it is believed not to affect large vessel CVS. Milrinone has emerged as a promising option. Our retrospective study focused on the effectiveness of the intra-arterial application of both drugs in monotherapy and combined therapy. Methods: We searched for patients with aneurysmal SAH, angiographically confirmed CVS, and at least one intra-arterial pharmacological angioplasty. Ten defined vessel sections on angiograms were assessed before and after vasodilator infusion. The improvement in vessel diameters was compared to the frequency of DCI-related cerebral infarction before hospital discharge and functional outcome reported as the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score after 6 months. Results: Between 2014 and 2021, 132 intra-arterial interventions (144 vascular territories, 12 bilaterally) in 30 patients were analyzed for this study. The vasodilating effect of nimodipine was superior to milrinone in all intradural segments. There was no significant intergroup difference concerning outcome in mRS (p = 0.217). Only nimodipine or the combined approach could prevent DCI-related infarction (both 57.1%), not milrinone alone (87.5%). Both drugs induced a doubled vasopressor demand due to blood pressure decrease, but milrinone alone induced tachycardia. Conclusions: The monotherapy with intra-arterial nimodipine was superior to milrinone. Nimodipine and milrinone may be used complementary in an escalation scheme with the administration of nimodipine first, complemented by milrinone in cases of severe CVS. Milrinone monotherapy is not recommended.

Objective: Dissecting aneurysms (DAs) of the vertebrobasilar territory manifesting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are associated with significant morbi-mortality, especially in the case of re-hemorrhage. Sufficient reconstruction of the affected vessel is paramount, in particular, if a dominant vertebral artery (VA) is impacted. Reconstructive options include stent-assisted coiling and flow diversion (FD). The latter is technically less challenging and does not require catheterization of the fragile aneurysm. Our study aims to report a multicentric experience with FD for reconstruction of DA in acute SAH. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated 31 patients (age: 30–78 years, mean 55.5 years) who had suffered from SAH due to a DA of the dominant VA. The patients were treated between 2010 and 2020 in one of the following German neurovascular centers: University Hospital Leipzig, Katharinenhospital Stuttgart, BG Hospital Bergmannstrost Halle/Saale, and Heinrich-Braun-Klinikum Zwickau. Clinical history, imaging, implanted devices, and outcomes were reviewed for the study. Results: Reconstruction with flow-diverting stents was performed in all cases. The p64 was implanted in 14 patients; one of them required an additional balloon expandable stent to reconstruct severe stenosis in the target segment. One case demanded additional liquid embolization after procedural rupture, and in one case, p64 was combined with a PED. Further 13 patients were treated exclusively with the PED. The p48MW-HPC was used in two patients, one in combination with two additional Silk Vista Baby (SVB). Moreover, one patient was treated with a single SVB, one with a SILK+. Six patients died [Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 1]. Causes of death were periprocedural re-hemorrhage, thrombotic occlusion of the main pulmonary artery, and delayed parenchymal hemorrhage. The remaining three patients died in the acute–subacute phase related to the severity of the initial hemorrhage and associated comorbidities. One patient became apallic (GOS 2), whereas two patients had severe disability (GOS 3) and four had moderate disability (GOS 4). Eighteen patients showed a complete recovery (GOS 5). Conclusion: Reconstruction of VA-DA in acute SAH with flow-diverting stents is a promising approach. However, the severity of the condition is reflected by high overall morbi-mortality, even despite technically successful endovascular treatment.

Die durale Fistel des Sinus cavernosus (DSCF) ist eine seltene Erkrankung, die durch kleine abnorme arteriovenöse Verbindungen zwischen A. carotis interna bzw. externa und dem Sinus cavernosus gekennzeichnet ist. Bei nicht entsprechender Diagnostik kann es zu Verschleppung der Diagnose und erheblicher Beeinträchtigung der Patienten bis zum vollständigen Visusverlust kommen. Aus diesem Grund ist die rechzeitige Erkennung der Erkrankung wichtig und für eine effektive therapeutische Maßnahme von Bedeutung. MRT und CT können Anhaltspunkte für eine Verdachtsdiagnose liefern und spielen eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Suche nach intrakraniellen Blutungen oder Infarzierungen. Zum sicheren Ausschluß von insbesondere kleineren Fisteln und mehr noch zur genaueren Therapieplanung ist jedoch die intraarterielle DSA nach wie vor unerlässlich, vor allem um Verwechslungen mit anderen Erkrankungen, wie z. B. endokrine Orbitopathie oder Myositis, zu vermeiden. Die Behandlung der DSCF besteht heute vor allem in der Anwendung endovaskulärer Techniken. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden 26 von insgesamt 29 Patienten durch diese Technik behandelt und bei allen ein vollständiger Verschluß erzielt (100%; angiographische Verlaufskontrolle bei 22 Patienten). Die Rate der klinischen Heilung insgesamt betrug 96%, bei einer Komplikationsrate von 3% für ein transientes neurologisches Defizit (Abduzensparese bei einer Patientin). Die endovaskuläre Behandlung von DSCF durch transvenöse Embolisation durch einen erfahrenen Spezialisten stellt heute aufgrund ihrer hohen Effektivität und niedrigen Komplikationsrate die Methode der Wahl dar. Hierbei sind gesteuert ablösbare Platincoils das zu bevorzugende Embolisat. Der Einsatz aggressiver Behandlungsmethoden, insbesondere mikrochirurgischer Techniken bei sogenannten "nicht embolisierbaren Fisteln", hat damit seine Berechtigung weitgehend verloren. / The dural fistula of the cavernous sinus (DCSF) is a rare disease, characterized by abnormal arteriovenous communication between the internal or external carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Inadequate diagnostic procedures may delay the correct diagnosis as well as the appropriate therapeutic management with deterioration of the patient's symptoms and possible visual loss. Therefore, early recognition of the disease is important for effective therapeutic management. MRI and CT may be helpful in leading to the diagnosis and play an important role in excluding intracranial hemorrhage or infarction. For definite diagnosis, in particular of small low-flow fistulas and to avoid misdiagnosis such as endocrine orbitopathy or myositis as well as for therapeutic planning, intraarterial DSA is still mandatory. Therapeutic management of DCSFs today consists mainly in performing endovascular techniques. In the here presented study, 26 of 29 patients were treated using transvenous embolization. Complete occlusion was achieved in 100% (angiographic follow-up available in 22 patients). Clinical cure was achieved in 96%. The complication rate was 3% for transient neurological deficit (6th nerve palsy in one patient). Because of its high success rate and the low complication rate, endovascular treatment of DCSF using transvenous embolization by an experienced operator represents today the method of choice. Detachable platinum coils is the preferable embolic agent. More aggressive methods, in particular microsurgical techniques in cases of so-called "intractable fistulas" should no longer be used.