Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is among the most common arterial shunt diseases typically found in middle aged or older men. Herein, we aimed to clarify the reasons for misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses of SDAVF, determine how these affect prognoses, and establish how they can be prevented. We conducted a PubMed/MEDLINE literature search using “spinal dural arteriovenous fistula”, “delayed diagnosis”, “late diagnosis”, and “misdiagnosis” terms. We identified 18 articles, including 965 SDAVF cases. Patients were predominantly males (71.8–100.0%) (mean age: 53.5–71.0 years). Misdiagnoses rates varied (17.5–100.0%) and encompassed many conditions. The mean time between early manifestations and confirmed diagnosis was approximately 10–15 months and from the first radiologic image revealing dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) features to diagnosis was 9.2–20.7 months. Posttreatment outcomes showed a significant improvement in motor functions, gait, and micturition, particularly in patients exhibiting preoperative symptoms over a short period. SDAVF is frequently misdiagnosed or subject to delayed diagnosis, causing poor clinical outcomes. SDAVF symptoms including progressive lower-limb weakness, paresthesia, and vesicorectal dysfunction are indications for spinal magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent spinal angiography, wherein DAVF is evidenced by extensive T2 hyperintensity and flow-void abnormalities. We reported a representative case with delayed diagnosis.

Background: Despite the proven benefit of stent retriever thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke caused by large-vessel embolic occlusion, acute revascularization in the setting of underlying intracranial, atherosclerosis-related, and emergent large-vessel occlusion remains to be a challenge. In this case report, we present a novel revascularization technique that can be used to treat acute ischemic stroke caused by suspected intracranial, atherosclerosis-related, and emergent large-vessel occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Case Description: This case report presents two patients with intracranial, atherosclerosis-related, and emergent large-vessel occlusion of the ICA: a 73-year-old man with a right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia and a 60-year-old man with altered level of consciousness. These patients were treated using the prolonged deployment and partial resheath method with a stent retriever, using the following devices: Solitaire Platinum, Trevo Trak 21, and AXS catalyst 6 for suction. On prolonged deployment of the Solitaire Platinum device, underlying focal atherosclerotic disease was noted. The device remained in place for more than 10 min, until the blood vessel was occluded. Next, the device was partially resheathed into the Trevo Trak 21 to reduce the radial force and minimize vessel injury during the pull. The partially constrained device was then retrieved under continuous aspiration at the lesion site and blood flow was successfully restored. Both patients recovered without any new deficits. Conclusion: The prolonged deployment and partial resheath method using a stent retriever may be safe and effective in the treatment of intracranial, atherosclerosis-related, and emergent large-vessel occlusion of the ICA.

Background: Spinal catheter insertion in lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can result in radiculopathy due to mechanical irritation of the nerve roots of the cauda equina. Here, we analyzed the position of LPS shunts placed without portable fluoroscopy in 72 patients, a subset of whom developed postoperative radiculopathy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed how frequently 72 consecutive NPH patients experienced radiculopathy following LPS catheter placement performed without intraoperative fluoroscopy. Results: The rate of incorrect catheter placement was 15.3% (11/72 cases). We observed that is, downward placement in 6.9% (5/72 cases), hyperflexion in 6.9% (5/72 cases), and subcutaneous migration in 1.4% (1/72 cases) patients. One patient with initial correct LPS placement developed radicular pain 5-day postoperatively attributed to 1-cm of catheter movement; they recovered simply by utilizing oral analgesics for 1-month duration. Conclusion: LPS insertion without fluoroscopic guidance resulted in a 15.3% risk of spinal catheter displacement. We suggest, therefore, that intraoperative imaging guidance be utilized for the placement of LPS in patients with NPH and/or for other pathology to avoid the 15.3% risk of postoperative radiculopathy.

Background: Spinal catheter migration into the subcutaneous tissue is common after lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) placement. This study proposed a new method (i.e., wrapping fascia around the catheter like a sheath) to prevent LPS spinal catheter migration. Methods: After a LPS spinal catheter was inserted under routine fluoroscopic guidance, and the paravertebral muscle fascia was closed, the fascia was sutured to wrap the catheter like a sheath using intermittent sutures. Results: Before the introduction of this technique, the rate of LPS spinal catheter subcutaneous migration was 4.6%. In this study, following LPS shunt placement in 18 consecutive patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, no further spinal catheter migrations were observed. Conclusion: This novel method of “wrapping the LPS catheter with intermittent suture like a sheath” was found to be safe and effective for preventing further spinal catheter subcutaneous migration.

(1) Background: Pericytes are involved in intraplaque neovascularization of advanced and complicated atherosclerotic lesions. However, the role of pericytes in human carotid plaques is unclear. An unstable carotid plaque that shows high-intensity signals on time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is often a cause of ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between the pericytes in intraplaque neovessels and MRA findings. (2) Methods: A total of 46 patients with 49 carotid artery stenoses who underwent carotid endarterectomy at our hospitals were enrolled. The patients with carotid plaques that were histopathologically evaluated were retrospectively analyzed. Intraplaque hemorrhage was evaluated using glycophorin A staining, and intraplaque neovessels were evaluated using CD34 (Cluster of differentiation) stain as an endothelial cell marker or NG2 (Neuron-glial antigen 2) and CD146 stains as pericyte markers. Additionally, the relationships between the TOF-MRA findings and the carotid plaque pathologies were evaluated. (3) Results: Of the 49 stenoses, 28 had high-intensity signals (TOF-HIS group) and 21 had iso-intensity signals (TOF-IIS group) on TOF-MRA. The density of the CD34-positive neovessels was equivalent in both groups. However, the NG2- and CD146-positive neovessels had significantly higher densities in the TOF-HIS group than in the TOF-IIS group. (4) Conclusion: The presence of a high-intensity signal on TOF-MRA in carotid plaques was associated with intraplaque hemorrhage and few pericytes in intraplaque neovessels. These findings may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies focusing on pericytes.