Background/Objectives: Endovascular embolization is an effective treatment option for cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of Menox^TM in patients with cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas. Methods: From January 2021 to January 2023, 19 patients with intracranial DAVFs underwent embolization procedures. All patients were treated by embolization with Menox^TM or/and in combination with other embolization products such as Onyx (Covidien, Irvine, California), PHIL (MicroVention, Tustin, California), and Squid (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France). Treatment approaches were selected depending on the anatomical location of the fistula. Patients were monitored and followed-up for 12 months. Results: The patients’ mean age was 56.26 ± 16.49 years. Of these 19 patients, 58% (n = 11) were treated with the Menox^TM liquid embolizing agent (LEA) alone or in combination with different LEAs, while n = 7 were treated with other LEAs and 1 patient was treated solely with coils. Complete occlusion of DAVFs with Menox^TM and other agents was evident in 68.4% (n = 13/19) of patients. Complete occlusion (100%) was observed in the sinus rectus, transverse sinus, and diploic veins of the orbital roof, while complete occlusion was observed in 50% of falcotentorial patients and 60% of superior sagittal sinus patients. The lowest rate of complete fistula obliteration was observed in the dural carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) group (25%). An intra-procedural adverse event occurred in one patient. No other post-procedural adverse events were noted. Furthermore, in patients treated with Menox^TM, total occlusion was achieved in 72.7% (n = 8) of patients, whereas the non-Menox^TM group had 62.5% (n = 5) of patients with 100% occlusion and 37.5% (n = 3) of patients with subtotal occlusion. Conclusions: Outcomes using Menox^TM alone and in combination with other agents were effective, and it is safe for the treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) are vascular malformations characterized by an aberrant shunt between one or more sources of arterial inflow and the cavernous sinus (CS). They are subdivided into direct and indirect fistulas. This last one, called dural CCF involve dural fistulous connections between branches of the internal carotid artery or the external carotid artery. When conventional routes are not eligible, surgical exposure of the vein is the only access to the fistula. We present the case of a patient successfully treated for right sided dural CCF, by a hybrid approach. Furthermore, through a literature review, we analyze the possible risks and benefits associated with this approach.

Stents have become very important devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Flow diverters as high metal coverage stents are developed for hemodynamic treatment of challenging intracranial aneurysms. High level of metal coverage can also be achieved by implementing regular stents telescopically one in another. We present the case of a patient successfully treated for giant aneurysm of basilar artery bifurcation by a “Stent-within-a-Stent” technique. After stent implantation, coil embolization was performed using multiple-sized platinum helical coils. Control angiography performed at the end of the procedure revealed aneurysm occlusion. After 3 years, the patient is fully neurologically recovered, without pyramidal deficit, independently active and able to work.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular cerebral aneurysm surgery, also known as endovascular neurosurgery, represents a minimally invasive approach aimed at diagnosing and treating intracerebral aneurysms through the use of catheters, wires, and various specialized instruments. This innovative approach has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional open surgical methods for addressing cerebral aneurysms. However, it is essential to acknowledge that while endovascular procedures offer numerous advantages, such as reduced morbidity and mortality rates, they are not devoid of associated risks, some of which can have life-threatening consequences. This paper seeks to delve into the realm of intraoperative complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment for aneurysms, shedding light on the challenges and complexities within this field. METHODS: For this retrospective investigation, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of medical records spanning a five-year period, from 2019 to 2023. These records were obtained from the Neurosurgical Clinic of Belgrade, located within the University Clinical Center of Serbia. The study cohort comprised 44 patients who encountered intraoperative complications during endovascular aneurysm treatment. Patient information, including age, gender, aneurysm size, location, specific segment, and details regarding the nature of the intraoperative complications, was meticulously collected. Subsequently, the gathered data underwent rigorous statistical analysis. RESULTS: Out of a total of 429 patients who underwent endovascular treatment for aneurysms, 44 experienced intraoperative complications. The average age of these individuals was 55.4 years, ranging from 13 to 83 years, with the majority being women (37 out of 44, or 84.1%). Thirteen patients (29.5%) presented with significant preoperative co-morbidities and had previously experienced subarachnoid hemorrhaging before undergoing treatment. The most prevalent location for aneurysms was the internal carotid artery (ICA), accounting for 40.9% of cases, with the C6 segment being the most frequently affected at 27.3%. Other notable locations included the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) at 34.1% and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) at 13.6%. Regarding intraoperative complications, technical issues were the most frequent, affecting 84.1% of patients, while biological mishaps impacted 7 out of 44 patients (15.9%). Coil failure occurred in 16 out of 44 patients (36.4%), and stent failure was observed in 14 out of 44 patients (31.8%). Catheter-related problems were noted in 5 patients (11.4%), as were thromboembolic events, also in 5 patients (11.4%). Contrast extravasation was observed in 3 patients (6.8%), and hematoma formation occurred in 1 patient (2.3%). Additionally, 12 out of 44 aneurysms were found to be ruptured (27.3%). In this retrospective study spanning five years, our investigation focused on intraoperative complications in 44 out of 429 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysmal surgery. Our findings underscored that the primary source of these complications was related to technical issues, aligning with observations from previously referenced studies. Notably, coil and stent failures emerged as prominent concerns, along with catheter-related problems and thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the endovascular approach to treating aneurysms, while offering a minimally invasive option, is not exempt from inherent risks and complications. Despite these challenges, endovascular neurosurgery continues to hold significant value as a crucial alternative for the treatment of intracerebral aneurysms.

Background/Objectives: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (sDAVFs) are the most common spinal vascular malformation and a treatable cause of progressive myelopathy, yet diagnosis and optimal management remain challenging. This study presents a nine-year institutional experience using a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm that prioritizes endovascular embolization, with surgery reserved for unsuccessful or contraindicated cases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients treated between 2015 and 2023, all diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Endovascular embolization was attempted as the initial treatment modality in all patients using contemporary liquid embolic agents. Results: Three patients (20%) subsequently required surgical disconnection following unsuccessful or incomplete embolization. Lesions ranged from Th5 to L5, and most patients presented with varying degrees of motor deficits, gait disturbance, paresthesias, or sphincter dysfunction. Neurological improvement occurred in all but one patient, and no treatment-related complications were observed. Prior embolization attempts aided intraoperative localization in surgically treated cases, facilitating precise fistula identification. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the feasibility and favorable outcomes of a multidisciplinary, stepwise treatment strategy in this single-center experience. Endovascular embolization served as the initial treatment modality, while surgical disconnection provided an effective complementary option in selected cases where embolization was unsuccessful or incomplete.