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S Bracard

Publications and source records attributed to S Bracard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An evaluation of immediate sheath removal and use of the Angio-Seal vascular closure device in neuroradiological interventions.

We set out to assess the effect of using an arteriotomy closure device in patients at high risk of access site complications. One-hundred nineteen patients with femoral artery access were prospectively included in five centers in France (56 males, 63 females, age range 20-84 years). The neurointerventional procedures were embolization of intracranial aneurysm (71.4%), carotid angioplasty (11.8%), cerebral angioplasty (1.7%), thrombolysis (0.8%), and other procedures (14.3%). Sheaths were removed and the closure device deployed immediately postprocedure. One patient developed a false aneurysm, and one developed a small hematoma. Neither required treatment. Postdevice deployment bleeding was experienced in three patients (2.5%), requiring minimal management. There were no major complications. Three patients died of causes unrelated to the vessel closure. Patient comfort was 2.2 on a scale of 1 (none) to 10 (severe). The results showed that immediate sheath removal followed by use of the closure device is safe in patients undergoing neurointerventional procedures and offers a low level of patient discomfort. In selected patients, early hospital discharge was possible.

Adult↗

Comparison of intravenous and intra-arterial urokinase thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.

Intravenous fibrinolysis (IVF) with rt-PA (alteplase) provides significant benefits in acute ischaemic stroke when it is given within the first three hours following stroke onset. Intra-arterial fibrinolysis (IAF) with pro-urokinase in PROACT II study provides quite the same benefit in the first 6 hours. IVF and IAF have never been compared. To compare the efficacy and safety of IVF and IAF with urokinase given within the first 6 hours of acute ischaemic stroke. Patients fulfilling the selection criteria were randomly assigned to receive urokinase 900,000 units via intravenous or intra-arterial routes. This randomised monocentre study was done between December 1995 and August 1997. The primary outcome was defined as the number of patients with a modified Rankin score of 2 or less. Secondary outcomes included mortality, frequency of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SIH), neurological and functional scores. Fourteen patients were given IVF and 13 IAF. The study was terminated by the National Health Authorities when 27 patients had been included because of the mortality rate. Seven patients (26%) died, 4 in the IV group (oedematous infarct in 3 and recurrence in 1), 3 in the IA group (SIH in 2, and oedematous infarct in 1). Patients given IVF were treated significantly earlier (4:16 h vs 5:24 h; p=.007). Although IA patients showed greater and earlier improvement there was no significant difference in primary and secondary outcomes. Because of premature termination, the trial was too small to provide any reliable and conclusive results. Intra-arterial fibrinolysis began significantly later than IV fibrinolysis but it gave non-significantly better results in this prematurely terminated study.

Acute Disease↗

[Neuroimaging of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia].

Hereditary Hemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder with high penetrance and variable expressivity. Most cases are caused by mutations in the endoglin gene on chromosome 9 (HHT type 1) or the activin receptor-like kinase 1 gene on chromosome 12 (HHT type 2). HHT is characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectases and visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Neurological complications occur in 8 to 10% of the patients. Brain ischemia or abscess are often associated with pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Cerebral or spinal arteriovenous malformations are frequent but have a lower risk of haemorrhage than sporadic AVMs and routine screening should not be practiced in adult patients. Routine screening should be discussed for children with a familial history of cerebral haemorrhage and/or HHT type 1.

Brain Diseases↗

[Diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections--results of the SFNV-SFNR study].

INTRODUCTION: the objective of this study was to determine the role of radiological techniques in the diagnosis, assessment of severity and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: from 1995 to 2001 a multicentre retrospective study was conducted in 24 hospital centers. A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to each center in order to collect clinical information and imaging details regarding the diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections. RESULTS: information was gathered on 459 patients, comprising a total of 384 carotid artery dissections and 170 vertebral artery dissections. A mean of 4.85 diagnostic examinations per patient were conducted. Morphological imaging of the brain by CT or by MRI was performed on all except 3 patients. Cervical Doppler ultrasound examination was the most frequently performed test throughout the entire study period (performed in 87% of patients). Conventional arteriography was a routinely employed test in 1995 whereas by 2001 it comprised only 31.2% of requested examinations, having been progressively replaced by MRI and MRA scanning, which comprised 60% of all examinations performed by 2001. A combination of cervical Doppler ultrasonography, axial MRI and MRA of the neck vessels were performed in 39.6% of patients in 2001. Examination of the intracranial vessels was performed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 40% of cases and by MRA in 30% of cases. For the follow-up of arterial dissections, an average of 1.4 examinations was performed per patient. The majority of such follow-up examinations comprised Doppler ultrasound and/or MRA of the neck arteries. CONCLUSION: The imaging diagnosis and follow-up of cervical arterial dissections will increasingly rely on non-invasive imaging techniques.

Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection↗

[Risks and responsibilities in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Ethical and medicolegal considerations].

Medical risk management has one main purpose: to ensure the safety of care. The law of March 2002 has generated a true cultural revolution. The radiologist is involved with new and difficult areas of medical liability due to technical advances, the increasing number of imaging techniques, the increasing complexity of imaging techniques, their efficiency and the need for multidisciplinary approach. Imaging recommendations requiring increasing levels of technical and clinical skills. The radiologist is liable with regards to the indications of imaging studies, and also with regards to informed consent. The prevention of medicolegal problems is achieved by competency, which must be combined to good liability insurance and ongoing vigilance supported by appropriate continuous medical education.

France↗

Contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler sonography in the follow-up of intracranial aneurysms after endovascular treatment.

Two pilot studies on a small number of patients demonstrated the feasibility of transcranial Doppler ultrasound evaluation in the follow-up of intracranial aneurysms treated with detachable coils. This prospective study aimed to assess the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced transcranial echo-Doppler in detecting partial aneurysmal occlusion following endovascular treatment. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) with contrast administration and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or angiography were carried out after endovascular treatment in 92 patients for 98 aneurysms of the anterior circulation. In 18% of cases, the quality of ultrasound exploration was deemed unsatisfactory for evaluation of the aneurysmal site. Results were concordant in 63% of patients (49/78). When occlusion appeared satisfactory at angiography or MRA, the result was concordant with TCD in 68% of cases (44/77). When a residual aneurysm was detected, TCD sensitivity was 38% (8/18). An analysis of subgroups failed to disclose anatomic or morphological aneurysm features in which transcranial echo-Doppler is sufficiently sensitive and specific to detect possible residual aneurysm or recanalisation. In our experience, even after contrast administration TCD is not sufficiently sensitive or specific in the detection of residual aneurysm to replace angiography or MRA.

Adult↗

Contribution of dynamic contrast MR imaging to the differentiation between dural metastasis and meningioma.

PURPOSE: To determine the perfusion-sensitive characteristics of cerebral dural metastases and compare them with the data on meningiomas. METHODS: Twenty-two patients presenting with dural tumor underwent conventional and dynamic susceptibility-contrast MR imaging: breast carcinoma metastases, two patients; colorectal carcinoma metastasis, one patient; lung carcinoma metastasis, one patient; Merkel carcinoma metastasis, one patient; lymphoma, one patient; meningiomas, 16 patients. The imaging characteristics were analyzed using conventional MR imaging. The cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps were obtained for each patient and the relative CBV (rCBV) in different areas was calculated using the ratio between the CBV in the pathological area (CBVp) and in the contralateral white matter (CBVn). RESULTS: The differentiation between a meningioma and a dural metastasis can be difficult using conventional MR imaging. The rCBVs of lung carcinoma metastasis (1 case: 1.26), lymphoma (1 case: 1.29), breast carcinoma metastasis (2 cases: 1.50,1.56) and rectal carcinoma metastasis (1 case: 3.34) were significantly lower than that of meningiomas (16 cases: mean rCBV = 8.97+/-4.34, range 4-18). Merkel carcinoma metastasis (1 case: 7.56) showed an elevated rCBV, not different from that of meningiomas. CONCLUSION: Dural metastases are sometimes indistinguishable from meningiomas using conventional MR imaging. rCBV mapping can provide additional information by demonstrating a low rCBV which may suggest the diagnosis of metastasis.

Blood Volume↗

Persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses: how and why differentiating them?

The persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses (PCVBA) can be explained by an interruption of the vertebrobasilar system (VBS) embryogenesis. We present two very rare cases of persistent anastomoses: a hypoglossal artery and a type I proatlantal artery, insisting on the angiographic criteria allowing differentiation. After a brief review of the embryogenesis of the VBS, we describe the different types of persistent anastomoses (hypoglossal, type I and II proatlantal, trigeminal and otic arteries). We will insist on the potential risks, not well-known, but typical of each anastomosis. PCVBA usually are incidental findings but imaging follow-up may be required since aneurysms may develop.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

[Primary spinal melanoma: a case report].

Intra spinal primary melanoma is a rare entity. We report a new case, atypical in relation to its primary radicular location, and to its early metastatic intradural and extra-medullary location, six months later. MRI is the more valuable examination, showing a spontaneously hyper-intense lesion on T1-weighted MR images, intense enhancement after gadolinium administration, and decreased signal on T2-weighted MR images, thus suggesting a diagnosis of melanocytic or hemorrhagic lesion. Signal abnormalities are not specific and definitive diagnosis is established after histological analysis.

Adult↗

Risk of stroke and recurrent dissection after a cervical artery dissection: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of stroke, TIA, or dissection recurrence after a first event of cervical artery dissection (CAD). METHODS: The authors undertook a historical cohort study of consecutive patients with a first event of CAD who were admitted in 24 departments of neurology within a period of at least 1 year. Patients were retrospectively selected from a stroke data bank or from the local administrative data bank using the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases. A neurologist and a radiologist reviewed all charts to validate diagnosis and collect data. In 2002, patients were interviewed by phone or during a visit by the local investigators. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-nine patients (mean age 44.0 +/- 9.7 years) were included in the study. Among the 457 survivors, 25 (5.5%) could not be contacted in 2002 because they had moved. After a mean follow-up of 31 months, four (0.9%) patients presented a recurrent ischemic stroke attributable to either not yet completely recovered initial CAD (n = 2) or a recurrent CAD (n = 2). Eight (1.8%) patients had a TIA without CAD recurrence. Two TIA occurred at the acute stage of CAD. Of the six remaining TIA, only one was associated with chronic arterial stenosis. In addition, two patients had recurrent CAD without stroke, giving a total of four (0.9%) CAD recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a first event of CAD have a very low risk of ischemic events or dissection recurrences. Ischemic events seem rarely to be in relation with chronic arterial lesions.

Adult↗

[Thrombus of the left lateral sinus spreading to the internal jugular vein].

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an uncommon event which presents a wide spectrum of sometimes extraneurological signs different from the classical clinical presentation. We report the cases of two middle-aged women who developed thrombosis of the left lateral sinus spread-ing to the internal jugular vein from the sigmoid sinus. The time course of the symptoms suggested that intracranial thrombosis occurred first. No infectious or neoplastic local disease could be found but both women were taking oral contraceptives. Medical treatment led to good reperfusion of the intracranial sinuses but occlusion of the jugular vein persisted despite prolonged oral anticoagulants. Long-term outcome was favorable with residual benign epilepsy in one patient, and occurrence of an arteriovenous fistula in the other.

Anticoagulants↗

[Imaging of non-traumatic intracerebral hematoma].

Intracerebral hematoma is mainly due to the spontaneous rupture of small vessels damaged by chronic hypertension or amyloid angiopathy. In some cases, intracerebral hemorrhage may be associated with a vascular malformation, a tumor, venous thrombosis or hemorrhagic transformation of a cerebral infarct. The objective of brain imaging is to identify the hematoma according to its different stages and to find a potential underlying cause because of the risk of recurrence and the possibilities of treatment. In emergency, a diagnosis of hematoma may be obtained by CT scan or MRI but the etiologic work-up requires early MRI. According to the patient's age, the medical history and the location of the hematoma, it may be necessary to perform conventional angiography in order to exclude an intracranial vascular malformation. The aim of this review is to detail the different aspects of intracerebral hemorrhages and to discuss the main causes that can be found at brain imaging.

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy↗

Selective endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using micrus microcoils: preliminary results in a series of 78 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and reliability of a new platinum microcoil (Micrus), in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients (28 male and 50 female patients; age range, 28-83 years; mean age, 44 years) with 80 intracranial aneurysms were treated in 10 centers in Belgium and France. All aneurysms were smaller than 15 mm. Nine aneurysms (11%) were located in the posterior circulation and 71 (89%) in the anterior. Fifty aneurysms (63%) were ruptured and 30 (37%) unruptured. Micrus microcoil is a new platinum coil. It is electrically detached with a time of detachment close to 5 seconds. RESULTS: The degree of occlusion of the aneurysm was classified as total in 49 aneurysms (61%), subtotal in 28 cases (35%) and incomplete in 3 cases (4%). Technical complications were encountered in 10 patients (13%) including parent artery occlusion and thromboembolism (4 cases), coil migration (2 cases) and non-detachment of the coil (2 cases). The immediate morbidity rate was 1.3% and mortality rate 1.3%. CONCLUSION: Micrus microcoils are effective and safe in the selective treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Spherical microcoils are helpful to create a good basket in the aneurysmal sac at the beginning of treatment.

Adult↗

Efficacy of external fractionated radiation therapy in the treatment of meningiomas: a 20-year experience.

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective analysis of a series of meningiomas treated by radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1978 to 1997, 45 patients with intracranial meningiomas were referred for external fractionated radiotherapy at Centre Alexis Vautrin. All patients were given 50-70Gy to the tumor bed (median: 56Gy), 1.8-2Gy per fraction. RESULTS: Evaluation was performed in June 1999 using the Kaplan-Meyer actuarial method with a median follow-up of 30 months (range: 1-166), relapse-free survivals (RFSs) were 75% at 5 years and 67% at 8 years; overall survival (OS) was 74% at 5 and 8 years. For the 26 benign histologically documented lesions, RFSs were 95% at 5 years and 81% at 8 years; OS was 85% at 5 and 8 years. One major radiation-induced complication occurred in this series (decline of cognitive function). According to the indication of radiotherapy, we divided the series into four groups: postoperative irradiation after a first subtotal resection (11 patients), 5-year RFS was 90%; after first recurrence (+/-salvage surgery, 14 patients), 73%; after further recurrence (+/-salvage surgery, 11 patients), 67%; as exclusive treatment (nine patients), 80%. Atypical and malignant lesions (n=7) all relapsed before 24 months of follow-up, all patients but one died before 42 months. Age at the time of irradiation (> or =60 vs. <60 years) and radiotherapy dose (> or =60 vs. <60Gy) did not influence local control or OS. Atypical and malignant lesions (WHO grades II and III) meningiomas had a worse outcome than benign lesions (WHO grade I, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results compare favorably with previously published data. External fractionated radiotherapy is well tolerated and effective. There is still a debate about the place of radiotherapy in the treatment of meningiomas: after subtotal resection, should radiotherapy be given postoperatively or at the time of progression? Should radiotherapy replace surgery when the risk of postoperative sequellae is high? Prospective randomized trials would be required to address these issues.

Adult↗