Statins, which improve the bioavailability of endogenous nitric oxide and upregulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase, have been used to prevent cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to determine whether statin therapy diminished vasospasm-induced ischemia as assessed using daily measurements of serum S100B, a biomarker for cerebral ischemia, and computed tomography measurement of ischemic lesion volume.Single-center study of cases and historical controls.Neurointensive care unit in a university hospital.Consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated with clipping or coiling within 96 hrs of symptom onset (n = 278) were included from April 2004 to October 2007.Oral atorvastatin, 40 mg/day for 21 days, was used routinely starting on December 1, 2005, in 142 patients, who were compared with the 136 patients managed earlier.Ischemic lesion size was measured using computed tomography on the last available scan and serum S100B was assayed daily for 15 days after admission. Angiographic narrowing was semiquantitatively assessed in patients with vasospasm. In the overall population, cerebral vasospasm was significantly less common in the statin-treated group. Severity of vasospasm, as assessed on the most severe angiogram, was lowered with statin. Statins significantly reduced volume of ischemia in patients with vasospasm and an uncomplicated coiling procedure. S100B levels were significantly lower in statin-treated patients, and the decrease was greatest among high-grade patients (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons 3-5). No differences were found between statin-treated and untreated groups regarding rescue therapy intensity or 1-yr clinical outcomes.Atorvastatin reduces the incidence, the severity and the ischemic consequences of vasospasm as assessed on computed tomography. In high-grade World Federation of Neurological Surgeons patients, atorvastatin decreases serum levels of S100B, a biomarker of brain ischemia. Despite these positive effects on biomarkers, no improvement of outcome was seen in the overall population, although there was a tendency for a better clinical outcome in high-grade patients.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Giant/large peripheral cerebral aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis and middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation are rare lesions, their etiopathogenesis is not completely elucidated, and their treatment is often difficult. We reviewed the etiopathologic findings available in the literature and report the results and long-term follow-up in 10 patients with a giant/large peripheral aneurysm treated by parent artery occlusion. METHODS: Four aneurysms were on the MCA, 2 on the anterior cerebral artery, and 4 on the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Two patients presented with bleeding. An occlusion test was performed in 7 patients. Occlusion of the parent artery was performed by using coils in 8 patients; and liquid coils and glue, in 2. Imaging follow-up was available from 1.5 to 4.5 years; and clinical outcome, from 1.5 to 7 years. RESULTS: All aneurysms were excluded. One patient developed a partial homonymous hemianopsia after PCA occlusion. A transient deficit was observed in 2 other patients. In the partially thrombosed aneurysms, follow-up imaging showed shrinkage of the thrombosed compartment of the aneurysm and disappearance of the mass effect. No patient experienced progression of symptoms and/or bleeding during the follow-up period. At long-term follow-up, 6 patients presented with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0; 3, with score of 1; and 1, with score of 2. CONCLUSION: The endovascular occlusion of the parent artery appears a relatively safe and efficacious technique in the treatment of these lesions. Long-term follow-up studies confirm persistent exclusion of the aneurysm and good clinical tolerance to the vessel occlusion.
Interventional radiology takes a large in the treatment of bone metastases by various techniques, percutaneous or endovascular. Vertebroplasty appears actually as the most important technique for stabilisation of spine metastases as it induces satisfactory stabilisation of the vertebra and offer clear improvement of the quality of life. Due to the success of this technique cementoplasty of other bones, mainly pelvic girdle, largely develop. The heath due to the polymerisation of the cement induce carcinolytic effect but this effect is not as important as that can be created with radiofrequency destruction. This last technique appears actually as the most important development to destroy definitively some bone metastases and replace progressively alcoholic destruction of such lesions. Angiographic techniques appear more confidential but endovascular embolization is very useful to diminish the risk of surgical treatment of hyper vascular metastases. Chemoembolization is actually developped to associate the relief of pain induced by endovascular embolization and the carcinolytic effect obtained by local endovascular chemotherapy. All these techniques should develop largely during the next years. Mots cles Vertebroplastie Metastase osseuse Chimio-embolisation Cimentoplastie Radiofrequence
