Shu Sogabe, HABOSHI Tatsuya, Izumi Yamaguchi, Masaaki Korai, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Experience of using coronary perfusion balloon catheter for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion, Surgical Neurology International, Vol.14, No.365, 365, 2023.
(Summary)
We present the case of an individual with acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery caused by atherosclerosis. The patient underwent angioplasty using a coronary perfusion balloon, which resulted in a favorable clinical outcome. A 66-year-old male patient presented with an acute onset of right hemiplegia and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery, and alteplase was administered, followed by a mechanical thrombectomy and intracranial balloon catheter angioplasty. Due to restenosis, a coronary perfusion balloon catheter was used for a 15-minute angioplasty procedure while maintaining the perfusion. This treatment approach led to the recanalization of the artery and favorable clinical outcomes. The coronary perfusion balloon may represent a viable therapeutic alternative for the management of refractory intracranial atherosclerotic large vessel occlusion.
Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Tomohiro Matsuda, Kazutaka Kuroda, Izumi Yamaguchi, Shu Sogabe, Masaaki Korai, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Yasushi Takagi and Yuishin Izumi : Stent retrieval for free-floating thrombus attached to carotid artery stenosis: A report of two cases., Surgical Neurology International, Vol.14, 274, 2023.
(Summary)
In cases of carotid artery stenosis with FFT, it is technically possible to retrieve a thrombus with a stent retriever. Although thrombus removal may help reduce the risk of ischemic complications in a series of urgent CAS procedures, there are concerns such as mechanical irritation to the carotid artery plaque, and its indications and alternative treatments should be carefully considered.
Nobuaki Yamamoto, Kazutaka Kuroda, Yuki Yamamoto, Izumi Yamaguchi, Shu Sogabe, Kenji Shimada, Ryoma Morigaki, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Yuishin Izumi and Yasushi Takagi : Long-sheath Introducer-assisted Revascularization (L-SHARE) Technique for Treating Large-vessel Occlusion by a Giant Clot, Internal Medicine, Vol.62, No.6, 909-913, 2023.
(Summary)
Revascularization for common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion might be difficult. We reported our strategy for revascularizing CCA occlusion by giant clots. A 94-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital because of right hemiparesis and aphasia. CCA occlusion and giant clots were detected on ultrasonography. We performed mechanical thrombectomy using a 9-Fr balloon-guiding catheter, stent retriever, and aspiration catheter through a 9-Fr long-sheath introducer [long-sheath introducer-assisted revascularization (L-SHARE) technique]. We successfully recanalized CCA occlusion using this method. The L-SHARE technique might be useful for recanalization of CCA occlusion.
Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease are the main causes of death in Japan. The leading causes of the need for long-term care in Japan are also cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease, which together account for more than one-fourth of the total. The Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Control Act, of Japanese national law, was promulgated by a legislative act in 2018. On the basis of the Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Control Act, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, published the Japanese National Plan for Promotion of Measures Against Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease (Japanese National Plan) in 2020. By the example of the Japanese National Plan, Tokushima prefecture established a cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease countermeasure promotion plan to progress cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease measures according to their own circumstances. One of the important measures of the plan is improving emergency transportation systems. Patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion strokes should be served by direct transfer to endovascular capable centers avoiding delays by misguided transfer to primary stroke centers. Considering the limited availability of endovascular capable centers, accurate identification of patients with high probability of having large vessel occlusion strokes in the prehospital setting is importance. To address this problem, we introduced prehospital scale called Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) on emergency transportation systems in Tokushima city.
(Keyword)
Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease / emergency transportation systems / prehospital scale
Kenji Shimada, Kazuhisa Miyake, Izumi Yamaguchi, Shu Sogabe, Masaaki Korai, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Efficacy of Utilizing Both 3-Dimensional Multimodal Fusion Image and Intra-Arterial Indocyanine Green Videoangiography in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Surgery, World Neurosurgery, Vol.169, e260-e269, 2022.
(Summary)
An understanding of the complex morphology of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is important for successful resection. We have previously reported the utility of intra-arterial indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography for this purpose, but that method cannot detect the angioarchitecture covered by brain tissue. 3-dimensional (3D) multimodal fusion imaging is reportedly useful for this same purpose, but cannot always visualize the exact angioarchitecture due to poor source images and processing techniques. This study examined the results of utilizing both techniques in patients with AVMs. Both techniques were applied in 12 patients with AVMs. Both images were compared with surgical views and evaluated by surgeons. Although evaluations for identifying superficial feeders by ICG videoangiography were high in all cases, the more complicated the AVM, the lower the evaluation by 3D multimodal fusion imaging. Conversely, evaluation of the estimated range of the nidus was high in all cases by 3D multimodal fusion imaging, but low in all but one case by ICG videoangiography. Nidus flow reduction was recognized by Flow 800 analysis obtained after ICG videoangiography. These results showed that utilizing both techniques together was more useful than each modality alone in AVM surgery. This was particularly effective in identifying superficial feeders and estimating the range of the nidus. This technique is expected to offer an optimal tool for AVM surgery.
Eiji Shikata, Takeshi Miyamoto, Tadashi Yamaguchi, Izumi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kagusa, Daiki Gotoh, Kenji Shimada, Yoshiteru Tada, Kenji Yagi, 北里 慶子, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : An imbalance between RAGE/MR/HMGB1 and ATP1α3 is associated with infammatory changes in rat brain harboring cerebral aneurysms prone to rupture, Journal of Neuroinflammation, Vol.19, No.161, 161, 2022.
(Summary)
An aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating event. To establish an effective therapeutic strategy, its pathogenesis must be clarified, particularly the pathophysiology of brain harboring intracranial aneurysms (IAs). To elucidate the pathology in brain harboring IAs, we examined the significance of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)/mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) pathway and Na/K-ATPase (ATP1α3). Ten-week-old female rats were subjected to oophorectomy as well as hypertension and hemodynamic changes to induce IAs, and were fed a high-salt diet. Brain damage in these rats was assessed by inflammatory changes in comparison to sham-operated rats fed a standard diet. Six weeks after IA induction (n = 30), irregular morphological changes, i.e., an enlarged vessel diameter and vascular wall, were observed in all of the left posterior cerebral arteries (Lt PCAs) prone to rupture. Approximately 20% of rats had ruptured IAs within 6 weeks. In brain harboring unruptured IAs at the PCA, the mRNA levels of RAGE and MR were higher, and that of ATP1α3 was lower than those in the sham-operated rats (p < 0.05, each). Immunohistochemically, elevated expression of RAGE and MR, and decreased expression of ATP1α3 were observed in the brain parenchyma adjacent to the Lt PCA, resulting in increased Iba-1 and S100B expression that reflected the inflammatory changes. There was no difference between the unruptured and ruptured aneurysm rat groups. Treatment with the MR antagonist esaxerenone abrogated these changes, and led to cerebral and vascular normalization and prolonged subarachnoid hemorrhage-free survival (p < 0.05). Regulation of the imbalance between the RAGE/MR pathway and ATP1α3 may help attenuate the damage in brain harboring IAs, and further studies are warranted to clarify the significance of the down-regulation of the MR/RAGE pathway and the up-regulation of ATP1α3 for attenuating the pathological changes in brain harboring IAs.
Kenji Shimada, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Kazuhisa Miyake, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Efficacy of intraarterial indocyanine green videoangiography in surgery for arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction in a hybrid operating room: illustrative cases, Journal of Neurosurgery. Case Lessons, Vol.3, No.23, 1-6, 2022.
(Summary)
Sufficient understanding of the angioarchitecture of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is crucial to surgical treatment but is often difficult because of the complex vascular anatomy. Intraarterial indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography has emerged as a more useful option for understanding the vascular anatomy than intravenous ICG videoangiography. This report describes two cases of CCJ AVFs successfully treated by surgery using intraarterial ICG videoangiography and describes the efficacy of this technique. Case 1 involved a 71-year-old man presenting with tetraparesis after sudden onset of severe headache due to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) demonstrated CCJ epidural AVF. Intraarterial ICG videoangiography revealed the drainer, which had been difficult to identify. The AVF disappeared after disconnection of the drainer. Case 2 involved a 68-year-old man presenting with severe headache due to SAH. DSA showed multiple AVFs at the CCJ and cerebellar tentorium. Intraarterial ICG videoangiography demonstrated concomitant perimedullary AVF and dural AVF at the CCJ. All AVFs disappeared postoperatively. Intraarterial ICG videoangiography was useful for definitive diagnosis of CCJ AVF, facilitating identification of feeders and drainers with bright and high phase contrast and allowing repeated testing to confirm flow direction.
Izumi Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Kazuhisa Miyake, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Eiji Shikata, Manabu Ishihara, 山本 陽子, Kazutaka Kuroda and Yasushi Takagi : Single-session hematoma removal and transcortical venous approach for coil embolization of an isolated transverse-sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistula in a hybrid operating room: illustrative case, Journal of Neurosurgery. Case Lessons, Vol.3, No.21, CASE2267, 2022.
(Summary)
Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) can present with massive hematoma, which sometimes requires emergent removal. Therefore, a surgical strategy for single-session hematoma removal and shunt occlusion in the same surgical field is important. A 73-year-old man was transferred to the authors' hospital with a headache. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed an intracerebral hematoma in the right temporoparietal lobe (hematoma volume 12 ml). A cerebral angiogram revealed a right isolated transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS)-DAVF fed by the occipital artery and middle meningeal artery. There was cortical venous reflux into the Labbé vein and posterior parietal vein. Percutaneous transarterial and transvenous embolization were unsuccessful. The following day, his consciousness level acutely declined with a headache, and brain CT showed hematoma expansion (hematoma volume 41 ml) with a midline shift. Therefore, the authors performed single-session hematoma removal and a transcortical venous approach for coil embolization of an isolated TSS-DAVF in a hybrid operating room. His postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence was observed 3 months postoperatively on cerebral angiography. Single-session hematoma removal and a transcortical venous approach for coil embolization of an isolated TSS-DAVF is considered in cases with massive hematoma. This strategy is useful, considering recent developments in hybrid operating rooms.
Tadashi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Eiji Shikata, Izumi Yamaguchi, Kenji Shimada, Kenji Yagi, Yoshiteru Tada, Masaaki Korai, Keiko T. Kitazato, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Activation of the NLRP3/IL-1β/MMP-9 pathway and intracranial aneurysm rupture associated with the depletion of ERα and Sirt1 in oophorectomized rats, Journal of Neurosurgery, 1-8, 2022.
(Summary)
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture is often a devastating event. Since the incidence of SAH increases especially in menopause, it is crucial to clarify the detailed pathogenesis of these events. The activation of vascular nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes has been studied in ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease. However, the role of NLRP3 in IA rupture still needs to be explained. The authors sought to test their hypothesis that, under estrogen-deficient conditions, activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes via downregulation of the estrogen receptor (ER) facilitates IA rupture. Ten-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats with and without oophorectomy were subjected to hemodynamic changes and hypertension (OVX+/HT and OVX-/HT, respectively) and fed a high-salt diet. Separately, using human brain endothelial cells (HBECs) and human brain smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs), the authors tested the effect of NLRP3 under estrogen-free conditions and in the presence of estradiol or of ER agonists. In OVX+/HT rats, the frequency of IA rupture was significantly higher than in OVX-/HT rats (p = 0.03). In the left posterior cerebral artery prone to rupture in OVX+/HT rats, the levels of the mRNAs encoding ERα and Sirt1, but not of that encoding ERβ, were decreased, and the levels of the mRNAs encoding NLRP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were elevated. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the expression profiles of these proteins correlated with their mRNA levels. Treatment with an ER modulator, bazedoxifene, normalized the expression profiles of these proteins and improved SAH-free survival. In HBECs and HBSMCs under estrogen-free conditions, the depletion of ERα and Sirt1 and the accumulation of NLRP3 were counteracted by exposure to estradiol or to an ERα agonist but not to an ERβ agonist. To the authors' knowledge, this work represents the first demonstration that, in an aneurysm model under estrogen-deficient conditions, the depletion of ERα and Sirt1 may contribute to activation of the NLRP3/IL-1β/MMP-9 pathway, facilitating the rupture of IAs in the estrogen-deficient rat IA rupture model.
Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Izumi Yamaguchi, Manabu Ishihara, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Kenji Shimada, Yasushi Takagi and Yuishin Izumi : The claw sign predicts first-pass effect in mechanical thrombectomy for cerebral large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, Surgical Neurology International, Vol.13, No.72, 1-7, 2022.
(Summary)
Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an effective treatment for acute cerebral large vessel occlusion (LVO). Complete recanalization of vessels in a single procedure is defined as the first-pass effect (FPE) and is associated with good prognosis. In this study, angiographic clot protruding sign termed the "claw sign," was examined as candidate preoperative imaging factor for predicting the FPE. We retrospectively analyzed data from 91 consecutive patients treated for acute LVO in the anterior circulation by MT between January 2014 and December 2019. The claw sign was defined as a thrombus that protruded proximally by more than half of the diameter of the parent artery. Radiological findings such as claw sign, clinical and etiological features, and outcomes were compared between groups with and without successful FPE. Multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate perioperative factors associated with FPE. FPE was achieved in 26 of 91 (28.6%) patients and the claw sign was observed in 34 of 91 (37.4%) patients. The claw sign was significantly more frequent in the successful FPE group than in the failed FPE group (53.8% vs. 30.8%; = 0.040). After the multivariate analysis, the claw sign was the only pretreatment parameter that could predict FPE (odds ratio, 2.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-7.06; = 0.047). The claw sign is an angiographic imaging factor that might predict FPE after MT for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke.
Kenji Shimada, Izumi Yamaguchi, Manabu Ishihara, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Kazuhisa Miyake, Yoshiteru Tada, 北里 慶子, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Involvement of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations, World Neurosurgery, E1-E7, 2021.
(Summary)
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) represent tangles of abnormal vasculature without intervening capillaries. High-pressure vascular channels due to abnormal arterial and venous shunts can lead to rupture. Multiple pathways are involved in the pathobiology of cAVMs including inflammation and genetic factors such as KRAS mutations. Neutrophil release of nuclear chromatin, known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), plays a multifunctional role in infection, inflammation, thrombosis, intracranial aneurysms, and tumor progression. However, the relationship between NETs and the pathobiology of cAVMs remains unknown. We tested whether NETs play a role in the pathobiology of cAVMs. We analyzed samples from patients who had undergone surgery for cAVM and immunohistochemically investigated expression of citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) as a marker of NETs. CitH3 expression was compared among samples from cAVM patients, epilepsy patients, and normal human brain tissue. Expressions of thrombotic and inflammatory markers were also examined immunohistochemically in samples from cAVM patients. Expression of CitH3 derived from neutrophils was observed intravascularly in all cAVM samples but not other samples. Nidi of AVMs showed migration of many Iba-I-positive cells adjacent to the endothelium and endothelial COX2 expression, accompanied by expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in the endothelium and intravascular neutrophils. Unexpectedly, expression of CitH3 was not necessarily localized to the vascular wall and thrombus. Our results offer the first evidence of intravascular expression of NETs, which might be associated with vascular inflammation in cAVMs.
Masaaki Korai, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Izumi Yamaguchi, Tadashi Yamaguchi, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Junichiro Satomi, Mami Hanaoka, Kazuhito Matsuzaki, Koichi Satoh and Yasushi Takagi : Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Due to Rupture of Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysms: Treatments, Outcomes, and Prognostic Factors, World Neurosurgery, Vol.152, e86-e93, 2021.
(Summary)
Mortality rate after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) is high; endovascular coil trapping is the first-line therapy to prevent rerupture. To select optimal treatments, the positional relationship between the VADA and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and the morphology of the contralateral vertebral artery must be considered, and outcome predictors of different treatment methods and their possible complications must be identified. We retrospectively studied 44 patients with ruptured VADAs who had undergone endovascular or surgical treatment. VADA morphology was assessed on conventional preoperative angiograms, and VADAs were categorized based on their site in relation to the PICA. VADA site, treatment method, and complications were used to identify prognostic factors. The sites of the 44 VADAs were PICA-proximal (n = 3), PICA-distal (n = 22), PICA-absent (n = 7), and PICA-involved (n = 12). Treatments included internal coil trapping (n = 30), proximal coil occlusion (n = 5), and stent placement (n = 3); surgical flow alteration via an occipital artery-PICA bypass and ligation at the proximal vertebral artery and the PICA origin was performed in 6 patients. Periprocedural rebleeding was associated with a poor outcome. Internal coil trapping prevented the rerupture of PICA-proximal and PICA-absent VADAs, and flow alteration prevented rerupture of PICA-involved VADAs; there were no complications directly attributable to these procedures. Periprocedural rebleeding was a poor prognostic factor. Internal trapping of PICA-proximal and PICA-absent VADAs and flow alteration in PICA-involved VADAs prevented rerupture.
Kenji Shono, Yoshifumi Mizobuchi, Izumi Yamaguchi, Kohhei Nakajima, Yuri Fujiwara, Toshitaka Fujihara, Keiko Kitazato, Kazuhito Matsuzaki, Yoshihiro Uto, Oltea Sampetrean, Hideyuki Saya and Yasushi Takagi : Elevated cellular PpIX potentiates sonodynamic therapy in a mouse glioma stem cell-bearing glioma model by downregulating the Akt/NF-κB/MDR1 pathway., Scientific Reports, Vol.11, No.1, 2021.
(Summary)
Glioblastoma (GBM) has high mortality rates because of extreme therapeutic resistance. During surgical resection for GBM, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence is conventionally applied to distinguish GBM. However, surgical intervention is insufficient for high invasive GBM. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) combined with low-intensity ultrasonication (US) and PpIX, as a sonosensitizer, is an emerging and promising approach, although its efficacy is limited. Based on our previous study that down-regulation of multidrug resistant protein (MDR1) in GBM augmented the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy, we hypothesized that elevation of cellular PpIX levels by down-regulation of MDR1 enhances anti-tumor effects by SDT. In high invasive progeny cells from mouse glioma stem cells (GSCs) and a GSC-bearing mouse glioma model, we assessed the anti-tumor effects of SDT with a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. Down-regulation of MDR1 by celecoxib increased cellular PpIX levels, as well as valspodar, an MDR1 inhibitor, and augmented anti-tumor effects of SDT. MDR1 down-regulation via the Akt/NF-κB pathway by celecoxib was confirmed, using an NF-κB inhibitor, CAPÉ. Thus, elevation of cellar PpIX by down-regulation of MDR1 via the Akt/NF-κB pathway may be crucial to potentiate the efficacy of SDT in a site-directed manner and provide a promising new therapeutic strategy for GBM.
Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Yoshiteru Tada, Masaaki Korai, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Izumi Yamaguchi, Yoko Ymamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Koichi Satoh and Yasushi Takagi : Coil embolization with overlapping horizontal low-profile stents to treat a giant thrombosed fetal posterior cerebral aneurysm using contralateral approach through anterior communicating artery: Case report., Surgical Neurology International, Vol.12, No.347, 2021.
(Summary)
The treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) - posterior communicating artery aneurysms (ICPC aneurysms) is challenging when a fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) arises from the saccular neck. This complex angioarchitecture renders endovascular approaches difficult. Giant thrombosed IC-PC aneurysms are also hard to treat by endovascular coiling because its flow-diversion effect is insufficient. We report the first case of a ruptured giant thrombosed IC-PC aneurysm associated with a fetal PCA that was successfully treated by coil embolization with retrograde overlap horizontal stenting using low-profile stents introduced through the contralateral ICA. The aneurysm was completely occluded and follow-up MRI scans demonstrated the reduction of the aneurysmal size. Our technique is advantageous because low-profile stents can be used to treat lesions not accessible with flow-diverter stents due their presence in complex angioarchitectures, and overlap stenting may have flow-diversion effects that can result in the complete occlusion of giant thrombosed aneurysms.
Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Izumi Yamaguchi, Shu Sogabe, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Ryoma Morigaki, Yuishin Izumi and Yasushi Takagi : Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stenting Using an Aspiration Catheter, Journal of Neuroendovascular Therapy, Vol.16, No.5, 277-282, 2021.
(Summary)
<p><b>Objective</b>: During percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the vertebral artery, occlusion of the subclavian artery using a balloon guiding catheter may be useful to prevent embolism of clots and/or debris distal to an atherosclerotic lesion. However, when placing a balloon guiding catheter at the intended vessels is difficult, it may be useful to use an aspiration catheter (AC) for mechanical thrombectomy as an intermediate catheter to suction way clots and/or debris. We report two cases in which PTA was performed for an atherosclerotic lesion at the intracranial vertebral artery using an AC, which ended without complications.</p><p><b>Case Presentations</b>: Case 1: A 74-year-old man presented with dysarthria and was admitted to our hospital. MRI revealed severe left vertebral artery stenosis and diffuse cerebral infarct areas at the territory of the posterior circulation. The patient had an abdominal aortic aneurysm and abnormally shaped left tortuous subclavian artery. Therefore, we performed PTA and stenting via the left brachial artery. We guided a 6-Fr long sheath to the left subclavian artery, and a 6-Fr AC for thrombectomy was guided through the long sheath to the V4 portion of the left vertebral artery. Thereafter, PTA was carried out under manual aspiration from the AC. As restenosis at the atherosclerotic lesion occurred after PTA, we performed stenting using a coronary stent system for this lesion under manual aspiration from the AC. No new infarct areas were observed on post-procedural MRI. Case 2: A 74-year-old woman presented with dysarthria and was admitted to our hospital. MRI demonstrated basilar artery occlusion and diffuse cerebral infarct areas at the territory of the posterior circulation. As her symptom worsened after admission, we performed urgent mechanical thrombectomy. We first performed thrombectomy using a stent retriever and then performed PTA and stenting (PTAS) for residual basilar artery stenosis via the AC under manual aspiration.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>: When it is difficult to place a guiding catheter at the intended vessels during PTA, an AC may be useful to prevent distal embolization.</p>
Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuishin Izumi, Yuki Yamamoto, K Kuroda, Izumi Yamaguchi, Shu Sogabe, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Ryoma Morigaki and Yasushi Takagi : Factors associated with DWI-ASPECTS score in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to cerebral large vessel occlusion, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, Vol.199, 106316, 2020.
(Summary)
The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) of patients with acute ischemic stroke at the time of admission varies. It is crucial to select appropriate methods of treatment, such as recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator, and/or endovascular thrombectomy. According to the recent guidelines, endovascular thrombectomy for patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and lesion of ischemic tissue that was not yet infarcted is effective. This result demonstrates the importance of patient selection based on neuroradiological imaging. However, there are many patients who are judged as ineligibility for recanalization therapy because of presence of large ischemic core, indicating unfavorable ASPECTS, at the time of admission. We investigated the factors associated with favorable diffusion-weighted image (DWI)-ASPECTS score at the time of admission. We studies patients with LVO within 24 h from onset who were admitted into our hospital. We divided them into two groups, with favorable DWI-ASPECTS (≥6), and unfavorable DWI-ASPECTS (<6) at the time of admission. We investigated factors associated with favorable DWI-ASPECTS by evaluation of our patients' severity of clinical symptom, etiology, and radiological findings. This study showed that mild white matter lesion (Fazekas scale ≤1), absence of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and cardioembolic stroke were independent factor of favorable DWI-ASPECTS at the time of admission. (odds ratio 12.92, p < 0.001, odds ratio 0.31, p = 0.001, odds ratio 0.16, p = 0.001, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: Absence of severe white matter lesion, cardioembolic stroke, and ICA occlusion might be associated with favorable DWI-ASPECTS at the time of admission.
(Keyword)
Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Brain Ischemia / Cerebrovascular Disorders / Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Female / Humans / Ischemic Stroke / Male / Middle Aged / Patient Admission / Prospective Studies / Retrospective Studies / Severity of Illness Index
Kenji Shono, Izumi Yamaguchi, Yoshifumi Mizobuchi, Hiroshi Kagusa, Akiko Sumi, Toshitaka Fujihara, Kohhei Nakajima, T Keiko Kitazato, Kazuhito Matsuzaki, Hideyuki Saya and Yasushi Takagi : Downregulation of the CCL2/CCR2 and CXCL10/CXCR3 axes contributes to antitumor effects in a mouse model of malignant glioma., Scientific Reports, Vol.10, No.1, 2020.
(Summary)
microglia. In GSCs, celecoxib inhibited Ccl2 and Cxcr3 expression in a nuclear factor-kappa B-dependent manner but not Ccr2 and CxcL10. Moreover, Ccl2 silencing resulted in decreased GSC viability. These results suggest that celecoxib-mediated regulation of the CCL2/CCR2 and CXCL10/ CXCR3 axes may partially contribute to glioma-specific antitumor effects.
Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Izumi Yamaguchi, Manabu Ishihara, Takeshi Miyamoto, Masaaki Korai, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Yuishin Izumi and Yasushi Takagi : Cone beam-computed tomography angiography by intravenous contrast injection is reliable to evaluate patients with large vessel occlusion, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Vol.70, 67-71, 2019.
(Summary)
Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients due to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) is standard treatment, the benefits, however, are highly time-sensitive. After patient eligibility for reperfusion therapy is determined by conventional radiological examinations, the time to be transferred from the department of radiological examination to angiography-suites is critical. We speculated that the time required for the diagnosis of AIS might be reduced if we could determine MT eligibility in patients with ELVO at angiography-suites. Modern angiography-suites with flat panel detectors can perform cone beam (CB)-CT. We performed CB-CTA using intravenous injection of contrast agent to evaluate occlusion sites, collateral score, and construction of vessels distal to occlusion sites and determined if CB-CTA could be useful to evaluate patients with ELVO. We included 15 patients with ELVO diagnosed by conventional MRI or CT/CTA, and investigated whether CB-CTA was reliable to diagnose occlusion sites. We also studied if collateral score on CB-CTA was associated with prognosis after successful reperfusion by MT by comparison between favorable (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-2), and unfavorable outcome group (mRS 3-6). There was strong agreement of occlusion sites between CB-CTA and conventional radiological examination (κ = 0.80). Collateral score determined by CB-CTA was significantly different between favorable outcome and unfavorable outcome group (median collateral score 2.3 v.s. 1.3, p = 0.040). Although prospective study of AIS patients at a radiography department is indispensable, CB-CTA performed in an angiography-suite might be useful to evaluate patients with ELVO.
Izumi Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Masaaki Korai, Takeshi Miyamoto, Eiji Shikata, Tadashi Yamaguchi, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Keiko Kitazato, Yoshihiro Okayama and Yasushi Takagi : Active Cancer and Elevated D-Dimer Are Risk Factors for In-Hospital Ischemic Stroke, Cerebrovascular Diseases Extra, Vol.9, No.3, 129-138, 2019.
(Summary)
Little attention has been paid to the pathogenesis of in-hospital stroke, despite poor outcomes and a longer time from stroke onset to treatment. We studied the pathophysiology and biomarkers for detecting patients who progress to in-hospital ischemic stroke (IHS). Seventy-nine patients with IHS were sequentially recruited in the period 2011-2017. Their characteristics, care, and outcomes were compared with 933 patients who had an out-of-hospital ischemic stroke (OHS) using a prospectively collected database of the Tokushima University Stroke Registry. Active cancer and coronary artery disease were more prevalent in patients with IHS than in those with OHS (53.2 and 27.8% vs. 2.0 and 10.9%, respectively; p < 0.001), the median onset-to-evaluation time was longer (300 vs. 240 min; p = 0.015), and the undetermined etiology was significantly higher (36.7 vs. 2.4%; p < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in stroke severity at onset between the groups, patients with IHS had higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores (3-6) at discharge (67.1 vs. 50.3%; p = 0.004) and rates of death during hospitalization (16.5 vs. 2.9%; p < 0.001). D-dimer (5.8 vs. 0.8 µg/mL; p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (532 vs. 430 mg/dL; p = 0.014) plasma levels at the time of onset were significantly higher in patients with IHS after propensity score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that active cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-4.20), prestroke mRS scores 3-5 (OR 6.78; 95% CI 3.96-11.61), female sex (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.19-2.08), and age ≥75 years (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.80-3.08) were associated with poor outcomes. Patients with IHS had poorer outcomes than those with OHS because of a higher prevalence of active cancer and functional dependence before stroke onset. Elevated plasma levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen, especially with active cancer, can help identify patients who are at a higher risk of progression to IHS.
Izumi Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Masaaki Korai, Kazuhisa Miyake, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Eiji Shikata, Manabu Ishihara, Yuki Yamamoto, Kazutaka KURODA and Yasushi Takagi : Evaluation of Serial Intra-Arterial Indocyanine Green Videoangiography in the Surgical Treatment of Cranial and Craniocervical Junction Arteriovenous Fistulae: A Case Series, Operative Neurosurgery, Vol.25, No.3, 292-300, 2023.
(Summary)
Intravenous indocyanine green (IV-ICG) videoangiography is commonly performed to detect blood flow in the microscopic view. However, intra-arterial ICG (IA-ICG) videoangiography provides high-contrast imaging, repeatability within a short period of time, and clear-cut separation of the arterial and venous phases compared with IV-ICG. These features are useful for detecting retrograde venous drainage (RVD) and shunt occlusion in arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether IA-ICG videoangiography can be repeatable within a short period of time and be useful for detecting RVD and shunt occlusion in cranial- and craniocervical junction (CCJ)-AVF surgery. Between January 2012 and December 2022, 50 patients were treated with endovascular or surgical intervention for cranial- and CCJ-AVF at Tokushima University Hospital. Of these, 5 patients (6 lesions) underwent open surgery with IA-ICG videoangiography in a hybrid operating room. We analyzed the data of these 5 patients (6 lesions). There were 4/patient (median, range 2-12) and 3.5/lesion (median, range 2-10) intraoperative IA-ICG runs. IA-ICG videoangiography detected RVD in all patients. Clearance of IA-ICG-induced fluorescence was achieved within 30 seconds in all patients at each region of interest. After the disconnection of the fistulae, IA-ICG videoangiography and intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed the disappearance of RVD in all patients. There were no complications associated with IA-ICG videoangiography. This study showed that IA-ICG videoangiography is repeatable within a short period of time before and after obliteration and can be useful for detecting RVD and shunt occlusion in cranial- and CCJ-AVF surgery. IA-ICG videoangiography also allows intraoperative DSA studies in a hybrid operating room. Considering the recent advancements in hybrid operating rooms, combining IA-ICG videoangiography with intraoperative DSA is a useful strategy for cranial- and CCJ-AVF surgery.
Kenji Shimada, Kazuhisa Miyake, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : Efficacy of combination use of 3D multimodal fusion image and intra-arterial ICG videoangiography in cerebral AVM surgery, 第51回日本脳卒中の外科学会学術集会, Mar. 2022.
29.
Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Izumi Yamaguchi, Eiji Shikata, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : Results of CAS with overlapped open-cell and closed-cell stent, STROKE2022, Mar. 2022.
Izumi Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Shu Sogabe, Takeshi Miyamoto, Manabu Ishihara, Yuki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : Trans-vein of Labbe approach for direct embolization of TSS d-AVF, 第92回日本脳神経外科学会中国四国支部会, Dec. 2021.
32.
Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Izumi Yamaguchi, Eiji Shikata, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : Initial results of CAS with overlapped open-cell and closed-cell stent at one time, 日本脳神経血管内治療学会, Nov. 2021.
33.
Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Eiji Shikata, Izumi Yamaguchi, Manabu Ishihara, Kenji Shimada, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuishin Izumi and Yasushi Takagi : Characteristics of ribbon sign in MRI after revascularization in acute ischemic stroke, 日本脳神経血管内治療学会, Nov. 2021.
34.
Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Yuki Kanazawa, Kenji Shimada, Shu Sogabe, Takeshi Miyamoto, Manabu Ishihara, Eiji Shikata, Izumi Yamaguchi, Yoshiteru Tada, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Masafumi Harada and Yasushi Takagi : CEST MRIを用いた頚動脈プラーク診断 Chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI for carotid plaque imaging, NMC Case Report Journal, Oct. 2021.
35.
Kenji Shimada, Kazuhisa Miyake, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : AVM摘出術における3D multimodal fusion imageとICG動注による術中videoangiography併用の有用性, NMC Case Report Journal, Oct. 2021.
36.
Takeshi Miyamoto, Izumi Yamaguchi, Eiji Shikata, Manabu Ishihara, Shu Sogabe, Kenji Shimada, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : 閉塞性血管障害に対する血行再建術後におけるArterial spin-labelingの変化, NMC Case Report Journal, Oct. 2021.
37.
Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Kenji Shimada, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : Results of CAS with overlapped open-cell and closed-cell stent in our hospital, NMC Case Report Journal, Oct. 2021.
38.
Izumi Yamaguchi, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Manabu Ishihara, Yuki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : 硬膜動静脈瘻の診断におけるArterial spin-labelingの有用性の検討 Usefulness of Arterial Spin-Labeling for diagnosis of dural arteriovenous fistulae, 日本脳神経外科学会第80回学術総会, Oct. 2021.
Kenji Shimada, 山本 陽子, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu and Yasushi Takagi : AVM摘出術におけるHybrid手術室でのインドシアニン・グリーン動注による術中videoangiographyの有用性, 第44回日本脳神経Cl学会総会, Apr. 2021.
42.
Kenji Shimada, Izumi Yamaguchi, Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, 花岡 真実, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kazuhito Matsuzaki, Koichi Satoh and Yasushi Takagi : 海綿静脈洞部硬膜動静脈瘻におけるshunted pouchと頭蓋底骨の関係, 第46回日本脳卒中学会学術集会, Mar. 2021.
43.
Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Shu Sogabe, Takeshi Miyamoto, Manabu Ishihara, Izumi Yamaguchi, Yuki Yamamoto, Nobuaki Yamamoto and Yasushi Takagi : Treatment outcome of giant thrombosed cerebral aneurysm - Single center study -, 第46回日本脳卒中学会学術集会, Mar. 2021.
44.
Takeshi Miyamoto, Shu Sogabe, Yasuhisa Kanematsu, Kenji Shimada, Izumi Yamaguchi, Nobuaki Yamamoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Yuishin Izumi and Yasushi Takagi : Characteristics of early ribbon sign in MRI after revascularization in acute ischemic stroke, 第46回日本脳卒中学会学術集会, Mar. 2021.