Background: Transarterial embolization (TAE) of genicular artery branches is a relatively new technique that has emerged as a promising method for delaying invasive knee surgery in patients suffering from degenerative knee osteoarthritis (OA). In mild to moderate OA, invasive major surgery can be safely postponed, and patients with major risk factors now have an alternative. Our aim was to examine the impact of TAE on clinical outcomes in individuals with degenerative knee OA over a 12-month period. Methods: A case series of 17 patients diagnosed with knee OA and treated with TAE was included in the study. Every patient was clinically evaluated at different timeframes according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities’ arthritis index, knee injury, and osteoarthritis outcome scores, and the 36-item short-form survey (WOMAC, KOOS, and SF-36). Results: At the first follow-up (1 month), KOOS and WOMAC improved from 46.6 ± 13.2 (range 27.3–78.2) to 56.5 ± 13.9 (range 32.3–78.4; p = 0.023) and 49.5 ± 13.2 (range 29.3–82.3) to 59.8 ± 12.6 (range 39.3–83.5, p = 0.018), respectively. Physical SF-36 improved significantly from 42.1 ± 7.75 (range 30.3–57.3) to 50.5 ± 9.9 (range 35.6–67.9; p = 0.032). No significant changes in scores were observed at three, six, or twelve months after TAE. Conclusions: TAE provided early pain reduction and considerable improvement in quality of life without complications for a consecutive sample of Romanian patients with mild to severe knee OA.

Background/Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly affects quality of life and poses substantial treatment challenges in patients with severe comorbidities that contraindicate total knee arthroplasty. Transarterial periarticular embolization (TAE) has developed as a minimally invasive alternative targeting pathological periarticular hypervascularity. Bilateral embolization in a single session has not yet been clearly documented. This case report describes the application of bilateral genicular artery embolization using bioresorbable gelatin microspheres. Case report: A 68-year-old male patient with severe bilateral knee OA and multiple cardiovascular comorbidities underwent simultaneous bilateral TAE using Nexsphere-F microspheres (100–300 µm). Embolization targeted hypervascular genicular branches identified through digital subtraction angiography preserving normal capsular and osseous perfusion. Results: At one-month follow-up, the patient’s pain score decreased dramatically (VAS from 8/10 to 2/10), accompanied by marked functional improvement (WOMAC score: from 64 to 84; KOOS score: from 49 to 72). No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred and the patient required no analgesics post-procedure. Conclusions: Bilateral, same-session genicular artery embolization using bioresorbable gelatin microspheres provided short-term clinical benefits in a patient with advanced knee OA contraindicated for surgery.

Recent randomized controlled trials have transformed the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Mechanical or aspiration thrombectomy is the main treatment option for occlusions of large intracranial vessels. Despite its high technical success rate, endovascular thrombectomy can sometimes be complicated by anatomical peculiarities or device failures. The most frequent complications are related to vessel dissection or vessel perforation by devices while navigating intricate anatomy. Rarer still are technical device failures, like spontaneous stent-retriever detachment, which occurred with older generation retrievers. This case reports a rare device failure, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature so far, namely a microwire fracture in the middle cerebral artery. This was successfully removed with an Eric stent-retriever. The potential causes and possible management strategies are discussed.

Background/Objective: Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is a major source of pain and disability worldwide. Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) provides substantial symptomatic improvement, a subgroup of patients remains ineligible because of severe comorbidities, frailty or elevated perioperative risk. Conservative treatments provide only temporary symptom control and transarterial periarticular embolization (TAPE) has emerged as a minimally invasive intervention targeting abnormal periarticular hypervascularity and inflammation. The aim was to compare clinical outcomes of TAPE and conservative care (CC) in patients with symptomatic HOA considered unsuitable for THA. Methods: A prospective non-randomized two-centre cohort study included consecutive adults aged ≥60 years with symptomatic HOA and baseline visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores over 40. Patients were managed with either TAPE or structured CC. The primary endpoint was change in VAS pain score from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes included Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) and analgesic use. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: A total of 81 patients were screened, 69 were enrolled and 62 were included in the complete case longitudinal analysis. Baseline symptom severity was greater in the TAPE group, with higher VAS scores (73.6 ± 12.5 vs. 63.7 ± 14.1; p = 0.003) and lower-joint space width (1.37 ± 0.79 vs. 2.07 ± 0.89 mm; p < 0.001). The reduction in pain occurred during the first three months following embolization, after which symptom trajectories stabilized. Mean VAS pain in the TAPE group decreased from 73.6 ± 12.5 at baseline to 55.4 ± 13.0 at three months and 56.8 ± 13.6 at six months. LEFS improved in both groups throughout follow-up. Conclusions: TAPE was associated with symptom improvement and short-term safety in a small cohort of surgery-ineligible patients with HOA. The observed benefits appeared greatest within the first three months.