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Biomedical subjects

E Houdart

Publications and source records attributed to E Houdart.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Diagnosis and treatment of dural carotid-cavernous fistulas: a consecutive series of 27 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical characteristics, angiographical findings and results of endovascular treatment of patients presenting with dural carotid-cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive patients with DCCF referred to a specialised interventional neuroradiology department. RESULTS: Orbital and neuro-ophthalmological symptoms were the most common clinical presentation at diagnosis (n = 25). The venous drainage of the fistula involved the ipsilateral superior ophthalmic vein in 24 patients, the contralateral cavernous sinus in 6 and a leptomeningeal vein in 5 patients. Thrombosis of at least one petrosal sinus was found in 23 patients. 7 patients did not receive endovascular treatment: 3 had spontaneous DCCF obliteration, and 4 had only minor clinical symptoms and no leptomeningeal venous drainage on an angiogram. 20 patients received endovascular treatment via either a transvenous (n = 16) or a transarterial approach (n = 4). Complete occlusion of the fistula was obtained in 14 of 16 (87%) patients treated by the transvenous approach and in 1 of 4 (25%) patients treated by the transarterial approach. 16 patients had early clinical improvement after endovascular treatment. One patient had a cerebral haemorrhage after transvenous embolisation of a DCCF with leptomeningeal drainage. On follow-up, all patients treated by the transarterial route remained symptomatic, whereas 10 of 14 (71%) patients cured by the transvenous route were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Transvenous embolisation is a safe and efficient endovascular approach to treat patients with DCCF. However, this technique requires a long learning curve.

Adult↗

Prospective study of symptomatic atherothrombotic intracranial stenoses: the GESICA study.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic intracranial atherothrombotic stenoses (ICAS) are associated with high rates of cerebrovascular ischemic events. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective multicenter study to evaluate the natural history of ICAS and, in those patients refractory to medical treatment, the outcomes associated with intracranial angioplasty. METHODS: Patients aged 18 to 80 were enrolled with symptoms attributed to a single ICAS of > or =50%. Optimal medical therapy of vascular risk factors and preventive antithrombotic therapy were at the discretion of the local investigator. Patients were eligible for intracranial angioplasty after experiencing recurrent stroke despite medical therapy. Neurologic and ultrasonographic examinations were performed at study inclusion, 3 months after enrollment, and every 6 months of follow-up thereafter, for 36 months. RESULTS: One hundred two patients were included, with a mean age of 63.3 +/- 10.4 years. Intracranial artery stenoses involved the vertebral artery in 22.5%, the basilar artery in 25.5%, the middle cerebral artery in 26.5%, and the internal carotid artery in 25.5%. In 27.4% of the patients, the stenoses had clinical hemodynamic characteristics. During a mean follow-up of 23.4 months, 38.2% of the patients had a cerebrovascular event: ischemic stroke in 13.7% and TIA in 24.5%. Among patients with a hemodynamically significant stenosis, 60.7% had a recurrent stroke or TIA in the territory of the stenotic artery; this association was significant in univariate analysis. Twenty-eight patients underwent an endovascular procedure with a neurologic periprocedural complication rate of 14.2%. The overall vascular death rate was 8.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite medical treatment, the 2-year recurrence rate of ischemic events in the territory of the stenotic artery was 38.2%. Cardiovascular events occurred in 18.6% of patients. Clinically significant hemodynamic stenoses were associated with stroke recurrence and may help identify a high risk subset of patients.

Adolescent↗

[Payment by activity and financing of innovative hospital procedures: does the new payment system cover endovascular treatment for cerebral aneurysms?].

METHOD: We have calculated all hospital expenses related to treated intracerebral aneurysms for 2005. Catheters, microcatheters, and guidewires as well as coils were included. We have compared these expenses to the payment by activity and fee per service collected for providing these services. RESULTS: Payments received covered only a third of the expenses for the supplies used. Three types of expenses are not reimbursed: the guiding material, the coils used but not released, and the latest generation of coils not yet added to the national list of covered devices. These expenses are also not covered by the payment received for the hospital admission. DISCUSSION: Endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms has become the treatment of choice over the recent years. This treatment is virtually only available in university hospitals. With the current mode of reimbursement, such treatment generates losses to the hospital. CONCLUSION: This example raises the question of financial support for innovative treatments and procedures.

Angioplasty↗

Orgasmic headache and middle cerebral artery dissection.

A patient with a 20 year history of primary orgasmic headache is described who, after suffering an unusually severe episode of orgasmic headache was found to have a middle cerebral artery dissection. This unusual association of primary and secondary orgasmic headache emphasises the need for a thorough diagnostic examination when the orgasmic headache differs from that of previous episodes or is associated with neurological symptoms.

Adult↗

Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery due to synthetic fibers.

We report an unusual etiology for a thromboembolic complication. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occurred before embolization of an intracranial aneurysm. Attempts to recanalize the artery failed by using both fibrinolytics and IIb/IIIa inhibitors but succeeded with mechanical thrombectomy with a micro-snare. Pathologic analysis of the thrombus showed numerous synthetic fibers that were determined to have originated from unsealed gauze that was used during the procedure.

Adult↗

Use of mechanical extraction devices in basilar artery occlusion.

Three consecutive patients with embolic basilar artery occlusion were treated with endovascular mechanical thrombus extraction. Recanalisation was rapidly obtained in one patient, who had a good initial recovery, and in another patient who made a complete recovery. By contrast, recanalisation failed in the third patient, who made no recovery. No haemorrhagic complications were detected. This technique may have advantages over thrombolysis in both efficacy and safety.

Adult↗

[Treatments of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia of the nasal mucosa].

UNLABELLED: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia is a systemic autosomal dominant disorder involving blood vessels. The most common symptom is recurrent epistaxis. The treatments of these epistaxis are numerous but such treatments are often symptomatic and their effects are often not sustained. Some of these treatments may be complicated by visceral vascular malformations. The aim of this study is to propose a treatment plan for these patients with hierarchical organisation of therapeutic options taking into account of their previous therapy. METHOD: H. Plauchu organized in Paris, december 2002 a meeting with any medical specialists of this disease. They have analysed variety of therapies that have been proposed for epistaxis control in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Télangiectasia. RESULTS: Most common use packing of nasal fossa and then hyperselective embolization of the internal maxillary and facial arteries for severe epistaxis. For chronic epistaxis, best treatment use sclerotics products (Ethibloc) and laser. After discussion, primary embolization could be useful to reduce vascularization of nasal fossa. CONCLUSION: Treatment of epistaxis in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia could increase in few years. Use of an index card of for epistaxis in the disease of Rendu-Osler could help to find treatment of choice.

Acute Disease↗

[Dural arteriovenous fistula. A rare cause of treatable dementia].

Dural fistulas are acquired arteriovenous shunts, accounting for 10-15p.cent of cerebrovascular malformations. Symptoms are commonly tinnitus or intracranial hemorrhage. Rarely, patients with dural fistulas can present with rapid cognitive impairment. We report two women with rapidly evolving dementia. Cerebral angiography revealed dural arteriovenous fistula, with retrograde drainage into cortical veins, related to thrombosis of both transverse sinuses. Intra-arterial and intra-venous endovascular approaches failed to cure the fistula. Venous embolization via a transcranial approach was required to occlude the fistula, leading to resolution of the symptoms. Dural arteriovenous fistulas may lead to dementia with diffuse white matter changes related to venous ischemia, and must be considered as a reversible cause of vascular dementia. A transcranial approach for venous embolization is sometimes required.

Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations↗

Coagulation abnormalities associated with extensive venous malformations of the limbs: differentiation from Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

Confusion in the nomenclature of vascular malformations has been a major obstacle to the understanding of these conditions, so that misdiagnosis and treatment inconsistencies are common. Coagulation abnormalities occurring in combination with venous malformations (VM) have been misdiagnosed as Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS), despite marked differences in clinical features, pathology and treatment. A homogenous group of 24 patients with diffuse limb VM was entered into a retrospective chart review study. The VM affected an upper limb in 12 patients, a lower limb in 10 and both in two. Localized intravascular coagulation (LIC) was characterized by a decrease in fibrinogen (0.5-1 g/l), an increase in d-dimers (2-64 micro g/ml) and presence of soluble complex of fibrin (+ to +++). Platelet counts were normal or slightly decreased. Higher VM severity scores were associated with more severe LIC. A number of events such as sclerotherapy, surgery, bone fracture, prolonged immobilization and pregnancy or menstruation triggered conversion of the LIC to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), with bleeding related to factor consumption and multiorgan failure related to disseminated microvascular thrombosis. Clinical symptoms associated with worsening of LIC were pain, thrombosis and bleeding at wound sites or during surgery. None of the patients had the large ecchymotic and inflammatory tumours seen in KMS. Graded permanent elastic compression with heparin therapy was the only effective treatment. In conclusion, VM-associated LIC is a distinctive lifelong coagulopathy that must be differentiated from KMS, which is characterized by platelet trapping within a vascular tumour of infancy. The treatment of the two conditions is very different.

Adult↗

Thrombolysis of extracranial and intracranial arteries after IV abciximab.

Abciximab was administered intravenously to three patients to treat thrombus associated with atherosclerotic stenosis of a supra-aortic artery. In two cases, the thrombi had been identified on a previous angiography more than a week before treatment. Successful thrombolysis was achieved with abciximab in all three cases. In this small series, abciximab had a thrombolytic effect on established thrombi that were refractory to previous antithrombotic treatment attempts.

Abciximab↗

Mechanical detachable platinum coil: report of the European phase II clinical trial in 60 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and reliability of the mechanical detachment system of a platinum coil (Detach-18) when used for neurovascular embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (21 men, 39 women; age range, 26-75 years; mean age, 56.2 years) were treated in seven centers. Ease of introduction of the coil to the microcatheter, effect of coil passage on the microcatheter shape and stability during its delivery, retrievability of the coil before and after the transition zone passed beyond the microcatheter, detachment of the coil, and effect of coil rotation on the microcatheter stability were evaluated. The detachment system itself was evaluated for premature detachment, failure of the coil to detach, detachment time, number of turns, visibility of radiopaque markers, number of coils deployed per patient, and percentage of vessel occlusion obtained. A 0.015-inch-diameter regular coil and a 0.014-inch-diameter soft coil were used. RESULTS: A total of 1,061 coils were used; 1,009 were detached. The number of coils deployed ranged from four to 104 (mean, 17 coils). The coils passed easily through the microcatheter. The detachment maneuver occurred within 5-25 seconds, with five to 60 turns of the introducing wire. One premature coil detachment occurred without clinical sequela; 100% occlusion of the vessel lumen was achieved in 53 patients; 80%-90%, in four; and 70%-80%, in two. There were no device-related complications. CONCLUSION: The detachment system was safe and reliable. This is a useful system for coil embolization in neurovascular diseases.

Adult↗

Carotid stenting for radiation-induced stenoses: A report of 7 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiation-induced stenoses of the carotid artery are associated with fibrosis of the arterial layers and tissue planes that renders their surgical treatment difficult. We present our clinical experience in carotid angioplasty stenting (CAS) of patients harboring such stenoses. METHODS: Seven patients underwent transfemoral CAS of 10 radiation-induced stenoses located on either the common or the internal carotid artery. Six patients presented neurological symptoms. Four patients had undergone previous radical neck dissection, and 3 had permanent tracheostomies. Stenoses were primarily covered with a self-expandable stent before carotid dilation. RESULTS: All interventions were successful, with residual stenoses <20%. No permanent complication occurred. The mean follow-up was 8 months. Patients were symptom free at the last clinical examination, and Doppler control showed no evidence of restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid stenting appears very attractive for such "hostile neck" patients and seems a safe and efficient treatment for radiation-induced stenoses.

Aged↗

Catheter modification for easier cannulation of the carotid artery during angioplasty and stenting.

PURPOSE: To present a modification of both the guiding catheter and stent delivery system to facilitate access into sharply curved supra-aortic vessels during carotid angioplasty. TECHNIQUE: Access failures during carotid interventions typically occur because either the vessel origin is acutely angled or the stenosis is located proximal to the carotid bifurcation, limiting access to the external carotid artery. We directly catheterized the left common carotid artery or brachiocephalic trunk with a guiding catheter whose tip had been curved by steam-shaping. The tip of the stent delivery system also was molded into a curve by this process so it engaged the curved part of the guiding catheter without pulling it out of the vessel. CONCLUSIONS: This simple modification can improve the success rate of carotid cannulation via the femoral approach and does not seem to increase the risk of the intervention.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

A report of the clinical use of the detach-18 mechanical detachable platinum coil in 41 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and reliability of the mechanical detachment system of a new platinum coil, Detach-18, when used as a vascular occlusive device for neurovascular disease. METHODS: Forty-one patients (nine male and 32 female patients; age range, 26-75 years; mean age, 54.4 years) underwent treatment at seven centers. Twenty-two patients had dural arteriovenous fistulae of the transverse sinus treated by a transvenous route. Fourteen patients underwent internal carotid artery occlusion in the treatment of aneurysms, meningioma, facial tumor, or carotid injury. One patient underwent occlusion of the basilar artery and one patient underwent occlusion of the vertebral artery for treatment of aneurysms. In two patients, coils were used as part of the treatment of their arteriovenous malformations. In all cases, the Detach-18 coils were delivered through a microcatheter with two distal markers. Two types of coils, a 0.015-inch-diameter "regular" coil and a 0.014-inch-diameter "soft" coil, were used. RESULTS: A total of 569 coils were used, 541 of which were detached. The number of coils in ranged from four to 53 (average number of coils, 14). The coils passed easily through the microcatheter. The detachment maneuver occurred within 10 to 25 s with 20 turns of the introducing wire. No premature coil detachment occurred. Complete occlusion of the vessel lumen was achieved in 35 cases. In three cases, 80% to 90% occlusion was achieved. In two cases, 70% to 80% occlusion was achieved. There were no device-related complications. CONCLUSION: The detachment system was safe, reliable, consistent, and fast. This is a useful system for coil embolization in neurovascular applications.

Adult↗

Spontaneous closure of dural arteriovenous fistulas: report of three cases and review of the literature.

SUMMARY: Three cases of spontaneously closing dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are presented, and 11 previously published cases are reviewed. On the basis of clinical and angiographic data, two types of spontaneously regressing dural AVFs are distinguished: posttraumatic and spontaneous. In all cases, the explanation for spontaneous closure is unknown. Some authors have hypothesized that the thrombosis of the draining sinus could be involved. We report three cases of spontaneous dural AVF closure with conservation of sinus patency.

Adult↗