Abstract The purpose of the study was to analyze the angiographic and clinical results of endovascularly treated intracranial aneurysms in Oulu University Hospital, Finland. The study population consisted of 416 consecutive patients (467 aneurysms, 332 ruptured), who were referred for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm(s) between December 1993 and July 2004. Technical failures were analyzed for an assesment of technical feasibility. Angiographic results were assessed using modified Raymond Classification. Clinical results were analyzed from patient files using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Patient, aneurysm, and procedure related variables were tested with an intention to find the predictors of the angiographic and clinical outcome. The clinical effects on presenting symptoms were analyzed for a subgroup of patients with a symptomatic unruptured aneurysm (n = 30). The mean results on technical feasibility, complications, and angiographic results were separately assessed for three time periods (1993–1997, 1998–2000 and 2001–2004) to demonstrate potential significant changes in outcome. Endovascular treatment of saccular aneurysms was technically feasible in 91.4% of the treatments. Initially, 25.7% of the aneurysms were completely occluded, 57.9% had a neck remnant, and 16.3% remained incompletely occluded. In follow-up, the rates for complete occlusions, neck remnants and incomplete occlusions were 37.6%, 49.7% and 12.7%, respectively. Small aneurysm size predicted complete aneurysm occlusion, while a wide aneurysm neck and location in the posterior circulation predicted incomplete occlusion. In follow-up (mean 38.2 months), 78.1% of the patients with a ruptured aneurysm and 92.3% of the patients with an unruptured aneurysm had resumed independent life (GOS 4-5). The predictors of good outcome were young age, good preprocedural clinical condition, small amount of blood in CT scan, and uncomplicated procedure. Ten of the treated aneurysms involved intracranial bleeding in follow-up, and the annual risk for bleeding after endovascular treatment was 0.95% among the patients with ruptured aneurysms and 0.33% among those with unruptured aneurysms. The risk of bleeding was associated with larger aneurysm size and lower occlusion grade. In the subgroup of symptomatic unruptured aneurysms, 53.4% of the patients showed either resolution or improvement of the symptoms after treatment. The rates of procedural complications, morbidity, and mortality were 16.5%, 6.7%, and 1.7%, respectively. The risk for procedural complications was higher when the balloon remodeling technique was used and lower in retreatments. Technical feasibility (85.6%, 90.6%, and 95.7%, respectively) and the percentage of complete occlusions (initially 16.5%, 23.0%, and 32.9%, respectively) were significantly improved by increased experience, while no statistical difference was detected in the total procedural complication rates (15.4%, 15.7%, and 18.3%, respectively) or the combined procedural morbidity and mortality rates (8.0%, 8.3%, and 9.1%, respectively). All six dissecting aneurysms treated with parent artery occlusion or the stent remodeling technique resulted in complete occlusions. The present results confirmed endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms as a feasible, safe, and effective method in preventing further bleeding of aneurysms. Increased experience in a single center improved the feasibility of the treatment as well as the angiographic results.

A embolização intra-arterial é rotineiramente utilizada na prática clinica como co-adjuvante pré-operatório ou controle de tumores, tratamento de malformações arteriovenosas e outras doenças vasculares. Em vários casos é realizada com uso de partículas de diferentes formas e composições. Um agente embolizante esférico e utilizado com bons resultados é o trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical). Um novo agente embólico - polivinil acetato esférico cobertas com polivinil álcool (PVAc) foi desenvolvido recentemente no Brasil. Este trabalho tem objetivo de avaliar, após embolização renal, o grau de oclusão vascular, recanalização da luz vascular e a necrose da parede vascular provocados por partículas de PVAc, utilizando como parâmetro partículas de trisacryl. Setenta e nove fêmeas de coelhos do tipo albino New Zealand foram submetidas a cateterização arterial do rim direito; trinta e três animais foram embolizados com trisacryl, trinta e um com PVAc e quinze animais compuseram o grupo de simulação, tendo sido excluídos quatro animais (três trisacryl e um PVAc) devido a óbito precoce. Foram criados cinco subgrupos de seis animais, que foram sacrificados após 48 horas, 5 dias, 10 dias, 30 dias e 90 dias após a embolização. O grupo de simulação seguiu a mesma ordem temporal com três animais em cada grupo. As técnicas de coloração utilizadas foram os métodos de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Masson com observação por microscopia óptica. Os resultados mostraram diferença significativa entre o grau de oclusão vascular nos grupos de 5 dias e 10 dias e necrose no grupo de 48 horas em favor do grupo embolizado com PVAc, que apresentou reação tecidual adequada (redução volumétrica e isquemia) e menor grau de recanalização que o trisacryl / Intra-arterial embolization is often utilized in medical practice preoperatively as adjuvant in controlling tumors, treatment of arteriovenous malformations and other vascular diseases. Often times, particles of different forms and compositions are employed. trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical), a spheric embolic agent, is nowadays used with very satisfactory results. However, a new embolic agent spheric polyvinyl alcohol-covered polivinyl acetate (PVAc)- has been developed in Brazil. This study evaluates the degree of vascular occlusion, vascular recanalization and the necrosis of vascular wall caused by PVAc particles, compared with trisacryl, after renal embolization. Seventy-nine female albine New Zealand rabbits underwent arterial catheterization of the right kidney; Thirty-three animals were embolized with trisacryl, thirty-one with PVAc and fifteen were kept as control group, four animals were excluded (three trisacryl and one PVAc) due to early death. Five subgroups of six animals were created. The animals in the different groups were sacrificed 48 hours, 5 days, 10 days, 30 days and 90 days after embolization. The control group was divided into subgroups of three animals, for the same period of time. Their kidneys were dyed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson tricromic and examined using optic microscopy. The results showed a significant difference between the five-day and ten-day groups with regard to the degree of vascular occlusion, and the amount of necrosis in the forty-eight-hour group. Both findings favor the PVAc group, with adequate tissue reaction (ischemia and volumetric reduction) and less recanalization than with trisacryl

A embolização intra-arterial é rotineiramente utilizada na prática clinica como co-adjuvante pré-operatório ou controle de tumores, tratamento de malformações arteriovenosas e outras doenças vasculares. Em vários casos é realizada com uso de partículas de diferentes formas e composições. Um agente embolizante esférico e utilizado com bons resultados é o trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical). Um novo agente embólico - polivinil acetato esférico cobertas com polivinil álcool (PVAc) foi desenvolvido recentemente no Brasil. Este trabalho tem objetivo de avaliar, após embolização renal, o grau de oclusão vascular, recanalização da luz vascular e a necrose da parede vascular provocados por partículas de PVAc, utilizando como parâmetro partículas de trisacryl. Setenta e nove fêmeas de coelhos do tipo albino New Zealand foram submetidas a cateterização arterial do rim direito; trinta e três animais foram embolizados com trisacryl, trinta e um com PVAc e quinze animais compuseram o grupo de simulação, tendo sido excluídos quatro animais (três trisacryl e um PVAc) devido a óbito precoce. Foram criados cinco subgrupos de seis animais, que foram sacrificados após 48 horas, 5 dias, 10 dias, 30 dias e 90 dias após a embolização. O grupo de simulação seguiu a mesma ordem temporal com três animais em cada grupo. As técnicas de coloração utilizadas foram os métodos de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Masson com observação por microscopia óptica. Os resultados mostraram diferença significativa entre o grau de oclusão vascular nos grupos de 5 dias e 10 dias e necrose no grupo de 48 horas em favor do grupo embolizado com PVAc, que apresentou reação tecidual adequada (redução volumétrica e isquemia) e menor grau de recanalização que o trisacryl / Intra-arterial embolization is often utilized in medical practice preoperatively as adjuvant in controlling tumors, treatment of arteriovenous malformations and other vascular diseases. Often times, particles of different forms and compositions are employed. trisacryl (Embosphere®; BioSphere® Medical), a spheric embolic agent, is nowadays used with very satisfactory results. However, a new embolic agent spheric polyvinyl alcohol-covered polivinyl acetate (PVAc)- has been developed in Brazil. This study evaluates the degree of vascular occlusion, vascular recanalization and the necrosis of vascular wall caused by PVAc particles, compared with trisacryl, after renal embolization. Seventy-nine female albine New Zealand rabbits underwent arterial catheterization of the right kidney; Thirty-three animals were embolized with trisacryl, thirty-one with PVAc and fifteen were kept as control group, four animals were excluded (three trisacryl and one PVAc) due to early death. Five subgroups of six animals were created. The animals in the different groups were sacrificed 48 hours, 5 days, 10 days, 30 days and 90 days after embolization. The control group was divided into subgroups of three animals, for the same period of time. Their kidneys were dyed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson tricromic and examined using optic microscopy. The results showed a significant difference between the five-day and ten-day groups with regard to the degree of vascular occlusion, and the amount of necrosis in the forty-eight-hour group. Both findings favor the PVAc group, with adequate tissue reaction (ischemia and volumetric reduction) and less recanalization than with trisacryl

Introdução: A alta incidência de oclusão incompleta e recanalização dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo tratados por via endovascular levaram ao desenvolvimento de novas técnicas, entre elas o uso do Onyx ®. Objetivos: avaliar a eficiência do agente embólico líquido Onyx® em produzir oclusão completa dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo e avaliar a estabilidade do tratamento aos 6 meses e aos 18 meses, por meio de controles angiográficos. Casuística e métodos: Esta tese foi realizada na Seção de Neuroradiologia Intervencionista da Med Imagem, do Hospital São Joaquim da Real e Benemérita Associação Portuguesa de Beneficência de São Paulo, através da revisão de dados clínicos e radiológicos de 69 pacientes tratados pelo autor, com 84 aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo no período de julho de 2002 a fevereiro de 2006. Dez pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 59 do sexo feminino, com idade variando de 24 anos a 86 anos (mediana de 52 anos). Todos os aneurismas tinham origem lateral à artéria e apresentavam pelo menos um dos critérios usados para definir colo largo - colo maior que 4 mm de diâmetro e relação saco/colo menor que 1,5. Cinqüenta aneurismas eram pequenos, 30 grandes e quatro gigantes (diâmetro máximo menor que 12mm, de 12mm a 25mm e maiores que 25mm, respectivamente). As apresentações clínicas mais comuns foram: achado incidental em 34 pacientes, pós-hemorragia sub aracnóide e recanalização após tratamento com espirais destacáveis em 10. A maioria dos aneurismas era da artéria carótida interna (76 aneurismas). Controles angiográficos foram feitos ao final, aos seis meses e aos 18 meses do tratamento (controles I, II e III respectivamente), sendo analisados principalmente o grau de oclusão (completa ou incompleta), incidência de recanalização e complicações clínicas. Avaliação estatística foi feita pelo método de Kaplan-Meier para o percentual cumulativo de oclusão completa e percentual de recanalização e análise univariada e multivariada dos fatores preditivos de oclusão total imediata e tardia através de regressão logística. Resultados: O índice de oclusão completa foi de 65,5%, 84,6% e de 90,3% para todos os aneurismas, nos controles I, II e III respectivamente. Estes índices foram de 74%, 95,1% e de 95,2% para os aneurismas pequenos e de 53,3%, 70% e de 80% para os aneurismas grandes nos controles I, II e III respectivamente. Oclusão completa ocorreu em 50% dos aneurismas gigantes nos controles I e II, sem haver controle III neste grupo. Recanalização ocorreu em 3 aneurismas (4,6%). O porcentual cumulativo de oclusão completa foi de 97,63% (IC de 95% variando de 95,27 a 100) para os aneurismas pequenos aos 9 meses e de 83,86% (IC de 95% variando de 67,73 a 100) para os aneurismas grandes aos 21 meses. Três pacientes faleceram (4,3%), havendo relação com o procedimento em dois (2,9%). Morbidade permanente ocorreu em cinco pacientes (7,2%), sendo incapacitante em um (1,4%). Conclusões: 1. O uso do Onyx® foi eficiente na oclusão completa dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo. 2. O tratamento foi estável nos controles angiográficos aos 6 meses e aos 18 meses. / Introduction: The high rate of incomplete occlusion and intracranial large neck aneurysms recanalization lead to the development of new techniques, including the use of Onyx®. Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of the liquid embolic system Onyx ® to produce completes occlusion of the intracranial large neck aneurysms and evaluates the stability of the treatment at 6 month and 18 month angiographic control. Materials and Methods: this thesis has been performed at Section of Interventional Neuroradiology of Med Imagem, at the Hospital São Joaquim da Real e Benemérita Associação Portuguesa de Beneficência de São Paulo, based on a review of clinical and radiological records of 69 patients treated by the author, harboring 84 large neck intracranial aneurysms between July 2002 and February 2006. Ten patients were male and 59 female, with age ranging from 24 to 86 years old. All aneurysms were lateral to the parent vessel and were wide neck (neck > 4 mm and/or domus to neck ratio < 1.5). Fifty aneurysms were small (<12 mm), 30 were large (12 to 25 mm) and 4 were giant (> 25 mm). Thirty four aneurysms were incidental, 10 were ruptured and 10 were recanalized after coil treatment and the majority was located in the internal carotid artery (76). Angiographic follow-up was done at the end of the procedure, at six month and at 18 month (controls I, II and III respectively), analyzing the rate of complete occlusion, recanalization and clinical complication. Statically analysis were done by Kaplan-Meier method for cumulative percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion and for recanalization, and univariate and multivariate analysis of predictive factors of immediate and late complete occlusion through logistic regression. Results: Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 65.5% on immediate control, in 84.6% at 6 month, and in 90.3% at 18 month follow-up periods for all aneurysms. This rate was 74%, 95.1% and 95.2% for small and 53.3%, 70% and 80% for large aneurysms at the same follow-up periods. In the giant aneurysm group, two had complete and stable occlusion at six month follow-up angiography. Recanalization was seen in three aneurysms (4,6%). Kaplan Meyer\'s cumulative percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion was 97.63% (CI 95% ranging from 95,27 to 100) for small aneurysms at 9 months and 83.86% (CI 95% ranging from 67,73 to 100) for large aneurysms at 21 months. There were three deaths (4,3%), two procedure-related (2.9%). Overall morbidity was 7.2%, being disabling in one (1,4%). Conclusions: 1. The use of Onyx was efficient in the complete occlusion of wide neck intracranial aneurysms. 2. The treatment was stable at 6 month and 18 month angiographic controls.

O trauma pélvico apresenta alta morbi-mortalidade, especialmente nos casos de dupla ruptura do anel pélvico (AP), devido à hemorragia. O objetivo deste trabalho é observar o tempo transcorrido até a realização do tratamento endovascular (TE), a sua eficácia e a estratégia de exames complementares empregado. 53 pacientes com fratura de bacia póstraumática foram submetidos a embolização arterial num estudo retro e prospectivo, realizado no período de janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2005. A idade dos pacientes variou entre 93 e 17 anos, com média de 37,5 anos. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino, com cerca de 62,2%. A causa do trauma mais freqüente foi o acidente de moto em 36% dos casos. Predominaram as fraturas com dupla ruptura do AP em 71,6 % dos casos. 49 pacientes apresentavam instabilidade hemodinâmica, e desses, todos receberam derivados sanguíneos previamente à realização do TE. Neste estudo 38,7% (n = 19) dos pacientes instáveis foram submetidos ao exame de tomografia computadorizada (TC) antes do TE, o tempo médio desse grupo para atingir a sala de radiologia vascular foi de 230,45 minutos. Nos pacientes enviados diretamente à arteriografia com intenção terapêutica, o tempo médio até início da realização do tratamento foi de 146,77 minutos. A diferença entre as taxas de mortalidade precoce nos grupos de pacientes submetidos ou não a TC previamente ao TE foi de 5,63%. O choque hemorrágico foi à causa de óbito em 63,33% dos pacientes que apresentaram mortalidade precoce. Na conduta inicial desses pacientes preconiza-se realizar o menor número de intervenções até o controle da hemorragia. O tempo transcorrido até a chegada na sala de radiologia vascular é fator importante no prognóstico dos pacientes com fraturas hemorrágicas da bacia. O TE precoce é uma importante ferramenta nos pacientes hemodinamicamente instáveis inicialmente / Pelvic trauma presents high morbi-mortality specially in cases of double rupture of pelvic ring due to hemorrhages. The objective of this work is to observe the time period since the rupture till the execution of endovascular treatment (ET) as well as the effectiveness and strategy for the used complementary exam. 53 patients with pos-traumatic pelvic fracture were submitted to arterial embolization during retro and prospective study. Such study was executed during the period of January 2000 to December 2005. The age of the patients varied between 17 and 93 years old, average 37.5 year old and predominantly men at about 62.2% of the cases. The most frequent cause of the traumas, 36%, was motorcycle accident. Predominantly fractures with double rupture of the pelvic ring, that is 71.6% of the cases. 49 patients presented hemodynamic instability, all of them received blood derivatives previously to the ET execution. In this study 38.7% (n=19) of the unstable patients were submitted to computerized tomography exam (CT) before the ET. The average period of time for this group to reach the room of vascular radiology was 230.45 min. For patients sent straight to arteriography with therapeutic intention, the average period time was 146.77 min. The difference, between the early mortality rate of the group undertaken or not to the CT previously to the ET, was 5.63%. The hemorrhagic shock was the cause of death in 63.33% patients, who presented early mortality. For the initial on going study of these patients, we recommend to accomplish the least number of interventions until hemorrhage is controlled. The elapsed time till the arrival at the vascular radiology room is an important factor to make prognosis about patients with hemorrhagic pelvic fractures. The early ET is an important tool for patients with hemodynamic instability

O trauma pélvico apresenta alta morbi-mortalidade, especialmente nos casos de dupla ruptura do anel pélvico (AP), devido à hemorragia. O objetivo deste trabalho é observar o tempo transcorrido até a realização do tratamento endovascular (TE), a sua eficácia e a estratégia de exames complementares empregado. 53 pacientes com fratura de bacia póstraumática foram submetidos a embolização arterial num estudo retro e prospectivo, realizado no período de janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2005. A idade dos pacientes variou entre 93 e 17 anos, com média de 37,5 anos. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino, com cerca de 62,2%. A causa do trauma mais freqüente foi o acidente de moto em 36% dos casos. Predominaram as fraturas com dupla ruptura do AP em 71,6 % dos casos. 49 pacientes apresentavam instabilidade hemodinâmica, e desses, todos receberam derivados sanguíneos previamente à realização do TE. Neste estudo 38,7% (n = 19) dos pacientes instáveis foram submetidos ao exame de tomografia computadorizada (TC) antes do TE, o tempo médio desse grupo para atingir a sala de radiologia vascular foi de 230,45 minutos. Nos pacientes enviados diretamente à arteriografia com intenção terapêutica, o tempo médio até início da realização do tratamento foi de 146,77 minutos. A diferença entre as taxas de mortalidade precoce nos grupos de pacientes submetidos ou não a TC previamente ao TE foi de 5,63%. O choque hemorrágico foi à causa de óbito em 63,33% dos pacientes que apresentaram mortalidade precoce. Na conduta inicial desses pacientes preconiza-se realizar o menor número de intervenções até o controle da hemorragia. O tempo transcorrido até a chegada na sala de radiologia vascular é fator importante no prognóstico dos pacientes com fraturas hemorrágicas da bacia. O TE precoce é uma importante ferramenta nos pacientes hemodinamicamente instáveis inicialmente / Pelvic trauma presents high morbi-mortality specially in cases of double rupture of pelvic ring due to hemorrhages. The objective of this work is to observe the time period since the rupture till the execution of endovascular treatment (ET) as well as the effectiveness and strategy for the used complementary exam. 53 patients with pos-traumatic pelvic fracture were submitted to arterial embolization during retro and prospective study. Such study was executed during the period of January 2000 to December 2005. The age of the patients varied between 17 and 93 years old, average 37.5 year old and predominantly men at about 62.2% of the cases. The most frequent cause of the traumas, 36%, was motorcycle accident. Predominantly fractures with double rupture of the pelvic ring, that is 71.6% of the cases. 49 patients presented hemodynamic instability, all of them received blood derivatives previously to the ET execution. In this study 38.7% (n=19) of the unstable patients were submitted to computerized tomography exam (CT) before the ET. The average period of time for this group to reach the room of vascular radiology was 230.45 min. For patients sent straight to arteriography with therapeutic intention, the average period time was 146.77 min. The difference, between the early mortality rate of the group undertaken or not to the CT previously to the ET, was 5.63%. The hemorrhagic shock was the cause of death in 63.33% patients, who presented early mortality. For the initial on going study of these patients, we recommend to accomplish the least number of interventions until hemorrhage is controlled. The elapsed time till the arrival at the vascular radiology room is an important factor to make prognosis about patients with hemorrhagic pelvic fractures. The early ET is an important tool for patients with hemodynamic instability

Introdução: A alta incidência de oclusão incompleta e recanalização dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo tratados por via endovascular levaram ao desenvolvimento de novas técnicas, entre elas o uso do Onyx ®. Objetivos: avaliar a eficiência do agente embólico líquido Onyx® em produzir oclusão completa dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo e avaliar a estabilidade do tratamento aos 6 meses e aos 18 meses, por meio de controles angiográficos. Casuística e métodos: Esta tese foi realizada na Seção de Neuroradiologia Intervencionista da Med Imagem, do Hospital São Joaquim da Real e Benemérita Associação Portuguesa de Beneficência de São Paulo, através da revisão de dados clínicos e radiológicos de 69 pacientes tratados pelo autor, com 84 aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo no período de julho de 2002 a fevereiro de 2006. Dez pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 59 do sexo feminino, com idade variando de 24 anos a 86 anos (mediana de 52 anos). Todos os aneurismas tinham origem lateral à artéria e apresentavam pelo menos um dos critérios usados para definir colo largo - colo maior que 4 mm de diâmetro e relação saco/colo menor que 1,5. Cinqüenta aneurismas eram pequenos, 30 grandes e quatro gigantes (diâmetro máximo menor que 12mm, de 12mm a 25mm e maiores que 25mm, respectivamente). As apresentações clínicas mais comuns foram: achado incidental em 34 pacientes, pós-hemorragia sub aracnóide e recanalização após tratamento com espirais destacáveis em 10. A maioria dos aneurismas era da artéria carótida interna (76 aneurismas). Controles angiográficos foram feitos ao final, aos seis meses e aos 18 meses do tratamento (controles I, II e III respectivamente), sendo analisados principalmente o grau de oclusão (completa ou incompleta), incidência de recanalização e complicações clínicas. Avaliação estatística foi feita pelo método de Kaplan-Meier para o percentual cumulativo de oclusão completa e percentual de recanalização e análise univariada e multivariada dos fatores preditivos de oclusão total imediata e tardia através de regressão logística. Resultados: O índice de oclusão completa foi de 65,5%, 84,6% e de 90,3% para todos os aneurismas, nos controles I, II e III respectivamente. Estes índices foram de 74%, 95,1% e de 95,2% para os aneurismas pequenos e de 53,3%, 70% e de 80% para os aneurismas grandes nos controles I, II e III respectivamente. Oclusão completa ocorreu em 50% dos aneurismas gigantes nos controles I e II, sem haver controle III neste grupo. Recanalização ocorreu em 3 aneurismas (4,6%). O porcentual cumulativo de oclusão completa foi de 97,63% (IC de 95% variando de 95,27 a 100) para os aneurismas pequenos aos 9 meses e de 83,86% (IC de 95% variando de 67,73 a 100) para os aneurismas grandes aos 21 meses. Três pacientes faleceram (4,3%), havendo relação com o procedimento em dois (2,9%). Morbidade permanente ocorreu em cinco pacientes (7,2%), sendo incapacitante em um (1,4%). Conclusões: 1. O uso do Onyx® foi eficiente na oclusão completa dos aneurismas intracranianos de colo largo. 2. O tratamento foi estável nos controles angiográficos aos 6 meses e aos 18 meses. / Introduction: The high rate of incomplete occlusion and intracranial large neck aneurysms recanalization lead to the development of new techniques, including the use of Onyx®. Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of the liquid embolic system Onyx ® to produce completes occlusion of the intracranial large neck aneurysms and evaluates the stability of the treatment at 6 month and 18 month angiographic control. Materials and Methods: this thesis has been performed at Section of Interventional Neuroradiology of Med Imagem, at the Hospital São Joaquim da Real e Benemérita Associação Portuguesa de Beneficência de São Paulo, based on a review of clinical and radiological records of 69 patients treated by the author, harboring 84 large neck intracranial aneurysms between July 2002 and February 2006. Ten patients were male and 59 female, with age ranging from 24 to 86 years old. All aneurysms were lateral to the parent vessel and were wide neck (neck > 4 mm and/or domus to neck ratio < 1.5). Fifty aneurysms were small (<12 mm), 30 were large (12 to 25 mm) and 4 were giant (> 25 mm). Thirty four aneurysms were incidental, 10 were ruptured and 10 were recanalized after coil treatment and the majority was located in the internal carotid artery (76). Angiographic follow-up was done at the end of the procedure, at six month and at 18 month (controls I, II and III respectively), analyzing the rate of complete occlusion, recanalization and clinical complication. Statically analysis were done by Kaplan-Meier method for cumulative percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion and for recanalization, and univariate and multivariate analysis of predictive factors of immediate and late complete occlusion through logistic regression. Results: Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 65.5% on immediate control, in 84.6% at 6 month, and in 90.3% at 18 month follow-up periods for all aneurysms. This rate was 74%, 95.1% and 95.2% for small and 53.3%, 70% and 80% for large aneurysms at the same follow-up periods. In the giant aneurysm group, two had complete and stable occlusion at six month follow-up angiography. Recanalization was seen in three aneurysms (4,6%). Kaplan Meyer\'s cumulative percentage of complete aneurysm occlusion was 97.63% (CI 95% ranging from 95,27 to 100) for small aneurysms at 9 months and 83.86% (CI 95% ranging from 67,73 to 100) for large aneurysms at 21 months. There were three deaths (4,3%), two procedure-related (2.9%). Overall morbidity was 7.2%, being disabling in one (1,4%). Conclusions: 1. The use of Onyx was efficient in the complete occlusion of wide neck intracranial aneurysms. 2. The treatment was stable at 6 month and 18 month angiographic controls.

Abstract Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery to exclude an abdominal aortic aneurysm from the circulation to avert a rupture. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the early and mid-term results of EVAR using the Zenith® stent-graft (Cook Inc, Bloomington, IN, USA) in asymptomatic and symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients in three Finnish university hospitals. Furthermore, the aim was to study whether preoperative embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) before EVAR decreases the incidence of a type II endoleak or has an effect on the aneurysm sac shrinkage. Finally, the results after secondary interventions for a type II endoleak were evaluated. Two hundred six patients underwent elective endovascular repair of an intact AAA. The use of the Zenith® stent-graft was associated with good early and mid-term results. The thirty-day mortality rate (2.9%) was in accordance with other EVAR studies. Only one late aneurysm-related death occurred in this series, whilst no patients died of a late aneurysm rupture. No stent-graft migrations or fractures were observed. Endoleak, defined as persistent blood flow outside the graft and within the aneurysm sac, remains a long-term problem with EVAR. The overall endoleak incidence was 34.6%. A type II endoleak (retrograde perfusion via aortic side branches) occurred in 52 patients (25.4%). EVAR was performed for 14 patients with a symptomatic, unruptured AAA. The median delay from admission to intervention was 4 days. EVAR of a symptomatic, unruptured AAA was associated with a favourable outcome even in patients with a very high operative risk. There were no perioperative deaths. Altogether forty patients treated at Kuopio University Hospital had a patent IMA on preoperative computed tomography (CT) and were treated successfully with coil embolization before EVAR. Thirty-nine patients who underwent EVAR at Oulu University Hospital without preoperative embolization of a patent IMA served as a control group. Preoperative coil embolization of the IMA significantly reduced the incidence of type II endoleaks after EVAR, but the present study failed to show any influence on late postoperative aneurysm sac shrinkage. Overall, 14 patients underwent a secondary intervention to repair the type II endoleak. Ten patients had transarterial embolization and four patients had translumbar embolization. The results were unsatisfactory; clinical success after the first secondary intervention was achieved in only two patients in the transarterial embolization group and three patients in the translumbar embolization group. These results seem to favour direct translumbar embolization rather than transarterial embolization. In conclusion, EVAR with the Zenith® stent-graft is effective in excluding AAAs from the circulation and is associated with good mid-term results.

As dissecções da artéria vertebral causam acidentes vasculares cerebrais isquêmicos e hemorrágicos. A dissecção arterial é a ruptura da sua parede com formação de hematoma intramural. Podem ser espontâneas, acometendo a artéria vertebral extra ou intracraniana. O tratamento em geral é clínico, porém em alguns casos está indicada intervenção. A via endovascular é uma importante alternativa, permitindo o tratamento específico da lesão em alguns casos, mas na maioria sacrificando a artéria vertebral, após teste de tolerância à oclusão. Com o objetivo de analisar os aspectos clínicos e técnicos do tratamento endovascular, estudamos de forma prospectiva 15 pacientes. Três apresentavam dissecções traumáticas (todas extracranianas) e 12 espontâneas, dos quais dois tiveram traumatismos menores como desencadeantes. Cinco pacientes apresentaram dissecções extracranianas, oito, intracranianas e dois, combinadas. No grupo das extracranianas, a principal indicação de tratamento foi a presença de fístula arteriovenosa, em três dos cinco pacientes. No grupo da intracranianas, foi a presença de hemorragia meníngea. Nos quatro pacientes com acidente vascular isquêmico, a indicação de tratamento deveu-se à presença de pseudoaneurismas que não involuíram com tratamento clínico. Nesse grupo, dois pacientes tinham dissecção extracraniana, um, intra e um, combinada. Um paciente apresentou intolerância à oclusão e foi encaminhado para tratamento conservador. Dos 14 pacientes tratados, um teve como estratégia a oclusão seletiva da lesão, 11 a oclusão da artéria vertebral proximal à lesão e dois oclusão acima e abaixo da lesão. Os materiais utilizados foram balões destacáveis em sete pacientes, molas de destaque livre em 6 e molas eletricamente destacáveis associadas a molas de destaque livre em 1 paciente. Dois pacientes apresentaram complicações do tratamento, e um paciente, recidiva de fístula arteriovenosa, todos resolvidos sem seqüelas. A angiografia controle revelou oclusão total do segmento dissecado ou do pseudoaneurisma em 9 pacientes, reversão do fluxo em quatro e preservação da artéria vertebral com oclusão da lesão em um. Num período de seguimento de 8,6 meses não se registraram recorrências. O tratamento foi eficiente na prevenção de ressangramentos e na trombose dos pseudoaneurismas e apresenta segurança em relação a complicações. / Vertebral artery dissections can cause brain ischemia and hemorrhage. Arterial dissection consist of mural tears with subsequent intramural hematoma formation. They may occur either spontaneously or as a consequence of traumatism, in the extracranial or intracranial vertebral artery. The treatment is usually clinical, but in some instances intervention is indicated. The endovascular approach is an important tool, allowing specific treatment of the lesion in some cases, but sacrificing the vertebral artery in most cases. With the aim of analyze the clinical and technical aspects of the endovascular treatment, we studied prospectively 15 patients treated by endovascular approach. Three presented traumatic dissections (all extracranial) and 12 spontaneous dissections, two of which after minor traumatic events. Five patients had extracranial dissections, eight, intracranial and two, combined. In the extracranial dissection group, the main indication for treatment was the presence of an arteriovenous fistula (three of five patients). In the intracranial group, it was subarachnoid hemorrhage. Four patients presenting with brain isquemia were treated because of pseudoaneurysms that did not resolve in clinical treatment. In this group 2 patients had extracranial dissections, one had intracranial and one had both. One patient did not tolerate occlusion and was treated clinically. Fourteen patients were treated by endovascular means, one with selective lesion occlusion, 12 with proximal vertebral artery occlusion and two with proximal and distal vertebral artery occlusion. The embolic material were detachable balloons in 7 patients, platinum microcoils in 6 patients and electrically detachable platinum microcoils and platinum microcoils in one patient. Two patients presented complications, and one presented recurrence of an arteriovenous fistula, all resolved without sequelae. Angiographic controls disclosed total occlusion of the segment with dissection or of the pseudoaneurysm in 9 patients, retrograde flow in 4 and vertebral artery preservation with selective lesion occlusion in 1. During a mean follow-up period of 8,6 months no recurrence was observed. The treatment was efficient in preventing recurrent hemorrhage and promoting pseudoaneurysms thrombosis, besides it was a safe treatment option.

Trinta e cinco pacientes com malformações arteriovenosas raquimedulares (MAVR) foram tratados por via endovascular. Foram analisados os tipos de MAVR, bem como os aspectos clínicos e angiográficos pré e pós-tratamento endovascular. As MAVR mais freqüentes foram as fístulas arteriovenosas durais (FAD), com 17 pacientes, seguidas das malformações arteriovenosas intramedulares (MAI), fístulas arteriovenosas perimedulares (FAVP) e malformações arteriovenosas metaméricas (MAVM). A avaliação do resultado do tratamento foi dividida em sucesso técnico e clínico, sendo que o primeiro foi subdividido em sucesso técnico do procedimento e do tratamento. O sucesso técnico do procedimento foi caracterizado como oclusão total da MAVR ao final de um procedimento endovascular. O sucesso técnico do tratamento foi caracterizado pela oclusão definitiva da MAVR, independentemente do número de procedimentos. A recidiva foi definida como o reaparecimento da MAVR, identificada na angiografia durante o seguimento dos pacientes, independentemente do quadro clínico apresentado. A recidiva implicava em insucesso do procedimento, mas não necessariamente do tratamento. O sucesso clínico do tratamento foi considerado como a melhora parcial ou total dos sintomas após um período mínimo de acompanhamento de 6 meses. Nas FAD, houve predomínio do sexo masculino e da faixa etária acima dos 36 anos. O tratamento endovascular das FAD mostrou sucesso do procedimento na maioria dos casos, porém com recidiva da lesão em 56,7% dos mesmos. Quando usadas partículas, observou-se recidiva em 73,3% dos procedimentos, porém com sucesso do tratamento em 66,7 dos pacientes. Quando utilizado o adesivo tissular (\"cola\"), houve recidiva em 11,1% dos procedimentos e sucesso do tratamento em 88,9% dos pacientes. A melhora clínica foi obtida em 64,7% dos pacientes. Dos 10 pacientes tratados com MAI, a faixa etária mais freqüente foi dos 19 aos 35 anos de idade e predomínio do sexo masculino. O tratamento endovascular das MAI mostrou sucesso do procedimento em 53,3% e recidiva da lesão em 6,7% dos pacientes. O sucesso do procedimento também foi superior quando usada cola, atingindo 63,6% dos procedimentos e apenas 25,0% com partículas. O sucesso do tratamento foi de 80,0% e a melhora clínica foi observada em 40,0% dos pacientes. Somente 1 paciente com MAVM foi tratado. O tratamento objetivou a embolização parcial da lesão para alívio dos sintomas, resultado que foi obtido com sucesso. Nas FAVP houve predomínio do sexo masculino e a faixa etária mais acometida foi dos 19 aos 35 anos. O tratamento endovascular das FAVP mostrou sucesso do procedimento em 75,0% dos pacientes e ausência de recidiva. O sucesso do tratamento foi de 85,7%, com melhora clínica em todos os pacientes. O nosso estudo mostrou que as MAVR podem ser tratadas de maneira eficiente e segura através da embolização. O seguimento dos pacientes tratados com cola mostrou menor índice de recidiva do que aqueles tratados com partículas. Após a embolização, houve melhora significativa no padrão da marcha nos pacientes com FAD e MAI / Endovascular treatment was used in 35 patients with spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (SCAVM). SCAVM types, along with clinical and angiographic features of pre-op and post-op endovascular treatments were analyzed. Seventeen patients had dural arteriovenous fístulas (DAVF), being this type the most frequent SCAVM, followed by intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (IAVM), perimedullary arteriovenous fístulas (PAVF) and metameric arteriovenous malformations (MAVM). Evaluation of treatment results was divided into technical and clinical success, being the first subdivided into technical success of the procedure and treatment. The procedural\'s technical success was characterized by total SCAVM occlusion at the end of an endovascular procedure. Technical success of the treatment was characterized by definitive occlusion of the SCAVM, independent of the number of procedures. Recurrence was defined as reappearance of SCAVM, identified on angiograms during patient follow up, independent of the observed clinical situation. Recurrence implied in an unsuccessful procedure but not necessarily in treatment failure. Treatment\'s clinical success was considered partial or total symptom improvement after a minimum 6 month period follow up. Male and age over 36 years was preponderate in DAVF. Endovascular treatment in DAVF had procedural success in most cases, but with lesion recurrence in 56,7% of these patients. When particulate embolic agents were used, recurrence occurred in 73,3% of the procedures but with treatment success in 66,7% of these patients. When liquid tissue adhesive was used, there was 11,1% of recurrence and 88,9% in treatment success in these patients. Clinical improvement occurred in 64,7% of these patients. Male predominance and age between 19 to 35 years was more frequent in the 10 treated patients with IAVM. IAVM endovascular treatment was a procedural success in 53,3% and lesion recurrence in 6,7% of these patients. Procedural success was also superior when liquid tissue adhesive was used, up to 63,6% of these procedures and, only 25,0% with particulate embolic agents. Treatment success occurred in 80,0% and clinical improvement seen in 40,0% of these patients. Only 1 patient with MAVM was treated. Aim in treatment was partial lesion embolization to mitigate symptoms, which was successfully achieved. Male predominance and age between 19 to 35 years occurred in PAVF. PAVF endovascular treatment had procedural success in 75,0% and no recurrences in these patients. Treatment success occurred in 85,7% and clinical improvement in all patients. This study demonstrates that SCAVM can be treated efficiently and safely with endovascular embolization. Patient follow up revealed fewer recurrences in those treated with liquid tissue adhesive than in those with particulate embolic agents. After DAVF and IAVM embolization, patients had significant improvement in their gait