ObjectiveTo explore the application value of thin CT angiography (CTA) of pedicle sagittal plane of axis for preoperative evaluation planning pedicle screw placement.MethodsBetween February 2016 and August 2017, 34 patients (68 pedicles) who underwent thin CTA scan before posterior axial surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The vertebral artery development was statistically analyzed. The continuous layers of transverse process hole pedicle height more than or equal to 4 mm (f) were measured and read. The axial fixation methods, clinical manifestations of vertebral artery and spinal cord injury and the bone union of fractures or implants were recorded. Postoperative results of pedicle screws were evaluated by CT scan.ResultsThe right sides of 8 cases and the left sides of 18 cases were dominant vertebral arteries, and equilibrium was reached in 8 cases; f>9 layers were found in 16 pedicles,f=9 layers in 27 pedicles, f=8 layers in 17 pedicles, and f<8 layers in 8 pedicles. The 43 pedicles off≥9 layers used pedicle screw fixation; in the 17 pedicles of f=8 layers, 16 used pedicle screw fixation, and the other one used laminar screw fixation; in the 8 pedicles of f<8 layers, 4 used pedicle screw fixation, and the other 4 used laminar screw fixation. A self-defined pedicle screw grading system was used to evaluate the excellence, and the result showed that,f>9 layers: 14 pedicles were class A, 2 were class B, none was class C;f=9 layers: 16 pedicles were class A, 7 were class B, 4 were class C; f=8 layers: 3 pedicles were class A, 5 were class B, 8 were class C; f<8 layers: none was pedicles class A or class B, 4 were class C. The other 4 lamina screws fixation didn’'t invade the spinal canal. One case of pedicle class C showed clinical manifestations of mild dizziness and drowsiness. The patients were followed up for 6-11 months with an average of (8±3) months, and the fracture or bone graft fusion were observed after 6 months of following-up.ConclusionBased on preoperative CTA thin layer scanning, through measuring and reading continuous layers of transverse process hole pedicle height more than or equal to 4 mm, can effectively judge the security of axial pedicle screws in order to subsequently choose the reasonable operation methods so as to improve success rate and decrease surgical risk.
Objective To approach the effect of neck hyperextension position on hemodynamics of vertebral artery following thyroidectomy， and analyze the correlation between the change of hemodynamics and nausea and vomiting. Methods One hundred and fifty-eight patients with preparing for thyroidectomy （thyroidectomy group） and 89 patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy （LC， LC group） were selected. The anesthesia method and the anesthesia drugs were the same in two groups. The indexes of hemodynamics of the bilateral vertebral artery at 6 h before and after thyroidectomy were measured. The difference of nausea and vomiting was observed and compared in two groups. Results The average blood flow velocity of the bilateral vertebral artery reduced and the blood flow decreased at 6 h after thyroidectomy as compared with at 6 h before thyroidectomy （P＜0.05）. The rates of nausea and vomiting of 0，2， 3， 4 times in the thyroidectomy group were significantly higher than those in the LC group （P＜0.05， P＜0.01）. The durations of nausea and vomiting of 1， 2， 3， 4 times in the thyroidectomy group were also significantly longer than those in the LC group （P＜0.01）. There was a positive correlation between the nausea and vomiting and the changes of blood flow velocity or blood flow （change of blood flow velocity：rs=0.697， P=0.03；change of blood flow：rs=0.897， P=0.01）. Conclusions There is a certain effect of the neck hyperextension position on hemodynamics of the bilatreal vertebral artery， and which might affect the nausea and vomiting following thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomical basis for reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries. METHODS: Twenty preserved adult cadavers were used in this study to observe the morphology of superior thyroid artery, inferior thyroid artery, transverse cervical artery, thyrocervical trunk and extracerebral portion of vertebral artery, and reconstruction of vertebral artery with these arteries was simulated in two preserved cadavers. RESULTS: The calibers of superior or inferior thyroid artery, or transverse cervical artery were more than 2 mm in diameter, and the arteries had suitable free length for end-to-side anastomosis with vertebral artery. Thyrocervical artery had similar caliber to vertebral artery so that end-to-end anastomosis could be carried out between them, but only 38.5% of this artery had adequate artery trunk (more than 10 mm). It was proved from the simulated procedures that the reconstruction of vertebral artery with these neighboring non-trunk arteries was possible. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries has anatomical basis and can be used clinically for treatment of the lesion affecting the first or second portion of vertebral artery.
ObjectiveTo summarize the feasibility and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for vertebral artery stenosis ectopic originating from the aortic arch. MethodThe clinical data of 5 patients with vertebral artery stenosis ectopic originating from aortic arch admitted to Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsAll 5 patients underwent magnetic resonance angiography and CT angiography before treatment. The vertebral arteries of all patients originated from the aortic arch and were severe stenosis, with a median diameter of 1.3 mm (range, 1.1–1.5 mm) by CT angiography. All 5 patients were successfully treated with endovascular intervention. The operation time was 37–45 min, with a median of 39 min. There were no complications of vertebral artery rupture, embolism or occlusion, cerebral infarction, plaque abscission, hematoma at puncture site, pseudoaneurysm, postoperative hemorrhage, or perioperative pulmonary infection. The patients were followed-up for 13–30 months, with a median follow-up time of 20 months. The blood vessels of 5 patients remained unobstructed and no clinically significant vascular restenosis occurred. ConclusionsBased on the experiences of 5 cases of vertebral artery stenosis ectopic originating from the aortic arch, it is safe and effective to choose endovascular treatment for severe symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis. Especially, it is necessary to evaluate the stenosis degree of vertebral artery using CT angiography before treatment.
Objective To investigate the surgical approach and efficacy of reconstruction of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) in single upper hemisternotomy for total aortic arch replacement. Methods From March 2017 to October 2023, patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement under single upper hemisternotomy in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were selected. According to the presence of ILVA, they were divided into a conventional group and an ILVA group. All the ILVA group underwent intraoperative ILVA reconstruction. The perioperative clinical data between two groups were compared. Results A total of 504 patients were collected, including 471 males and 31 females, with an average age of 50.4±11.4 years. There was no increase in the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass or postoperative hospitalization in the ILVA group (n=31) compared to the conventional group (n=473), and the rates of perioperative complications and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. There were 2 (6.45%) patients of acute cerebral infarction and 2 (6.45%) patients of perioperative death in the ILVA group, with no spinal cord injuries. Conclusion ILVA reconstruction during total aortic arch replacement in single upper hemisternotomy is feasible, safe, and effective, and prioritizing off pump ILVA-left common carotid artery transposition.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of anatomical variations of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) on clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. MethodsThe clinical data of patients with TBAD in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2016 to December 2023 were collected, and the differences of clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes between patients with and without ILVA were compared. ResultsBased on the inclusion criteria and the result of propensity score-based matching, 82 patients with TBAD were included, including 17 patients with ILVA (ILVA group) and 65 patients without ILVA (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the radiological and surgical information (P>0.05). The median time of the follow-up for these 82 patients were 37 months, during which there were no significant differences in aortic-related death, aortic event, stroke, adverse aortic remodeling, type Ⅰ A endoleak, and retrograde progression between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the re-intervention rate [HR=2.56, 95%CI (1.55, 8.11), P=0.03] and the incidence of type Ⅱ internal leakage [OR=1.36, 95%CI (1.08, 2.11), P=0.04] in the ILVA group were higher. ConclusionsNo significant differences were observed for ILVA patients in terms of serious adverse events such as aortic-related death and retrograde progression, comparing with the patients with normal aortic arch. However, the patients with ILVA were more susceptible to complications such as reintervention and type Ⅱ endoleak, which warranted the necessity of intensive postoperative follow-up for these patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the treatment outcome of carotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition in patients with severe stenosis to occlusion of the vertebral artery V1 segment and the ipsilateral carotid artery.MethodsFrom June 2017 to September 2020, patients with severe stenosis to occlusion of the vertebral artery V1 segment and the ipsilateral carotid artery treated with carotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition in Fuwai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsFinally 12 patients were enrolled, including 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 67.8±6.0 years. Twelve patients were successfully operated and the follow-up time was 1-3 years. The stenosis degree of the V1 segment of the vertebral artery decreased from 83.5%±11.8% to 24.9%±14.3% (P＜0.001). The stenosis degree of carotid artery decreased from 85.6%±11.0% to 0% (P＜0.001). Postoperative follow-up showed that the symptoms of symptomatic patients before surgery improved. The 1-year and 3-year patency rates were 100.0%, and there were no peripheral nerve injury complications, perioperative deaths or strokes.ConclusionCarotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition can treat ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis and vertebral artery stenosis at the same time, improve blood supply to the brain, improve patients' symptoms and has high promotion value.
ObjectiveTo investigate the treatment of modified vertebral-carotid transposition (VCT) in patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery.MethodsA retrospective study of 13 patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery treated by modified VCT in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2018 was done. There were 10 males and 3 females with an average age of 70.5±7.1 years.ResultsThe operation was successful in this series of patients. The follow-up duration was 1-3 years. The stenosis degree of the V1 segment of the vertebral artery decreased from 86.8%±7.5% to 17.4%±14.5%. All patients achieved remission of symptoms after the surgery. Temporary peripheral nerve injury occurred in 6 patients. Four patients with neurological complications relieved during follow-up. The patency rate was 100.0% at postoperative 1 and 3 years. There was no perioperative death, stroke or re-intervention.ConclusionModified VCT can precisely restore the distal blood flow of patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery, and relieve their symptoms.
Objective To investigate the influence of axis pedicle and intra-axial vertebral artery (IAVA) alignment on C2 pedicle screw placement by measuring the data of head and neck CT angiography. MethodsThe axis pedicle diameter (D), isthmus height (H), isthmus thickness (T), and IAVA alignment types were measured in 116 patients (232 sides) who underwent head and neck CT angiography examinations between January 2020 and June 2020. Defined the IAVA offset direction by referencing the vertical line through the center of C3 transverse foramen on the coronal scan, it was divided into lateral (L), neutral (N), and medial (M). Defined the IAVA high-riding degree by referencing the horizontal line through the outlet of the C2 transverse foramen, it was divided into below (B), within (W), and above (A). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and different IAVA types were calculated, and their relationships were analysed. Simulative C2 pedicle screws were implanted by Mimics 19.0 software, and the interrelation among the rates of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, IAVA types, and vertebral artery injury were analyzed. ResultsThe rate of C2 pedicle stenosis was 33.6% (78/232), and the rate of high-riding vertebral artery was 35.3% (82/232). According to the offset direction and the degree of riding, IAVA was divided into 9 types, among which the N-W type (29.3%) was the most, followed by the L-W type (19.0%) and the L-B type (12.9%), accounting for 60.9%. The vertebral artery injury rate of simulative implanted C2 pedicle screws was 35.3% (82/232). The vertebral artery injury rate in patients with pedicle stenosis and high-riding vertebral artery was significantly higher than that who were not (P<0.001). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and vertebral artery injury were significantly different among IAVA types (P<0.001), and M-A type was the most common. ConclusionVertebral artery injury is more common in pedicle stenosis and/or high-riding vertebral artery and/or IAVA M-A type. Preoperative head and neck CT angiography examination has clinical guiding significance.