Clinical and Imaging Features of Contrast-Induced Neurotoxicity After Neurointerventional Surgery

Contrast-induced neurotoxicity (CIN) is an infrequent complication of endovascular procedures, and its understanding remains poor. We aimed to study and characterize the clinical and imaging features of a case series of CIN after neurointerventional surgery.

We reviewed all neuroendovascular consecutive procedures from September 2014 to November 2018. CIN was defined as new onset of neurologic deficits that occurred postoperatively after excluding other conditions. All demographic, clinical, procedural, and radiologic data were retrospectively analyzed and collected.

Eleven cases of CIN in 1587 patients were identified out of 2510 procedures. The median age was 76 years (interquartile range [IQR], 65-81). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (82%). Median procedure time was 100 minutes (IQR, 80-130.5 minutes). All patients showed wide variability in intraprocedural blood pressure (BP) recordings with fluctuations from the baseline BP. Systolic BP ranged from 83 mm Hg below the patient baseline to 80 mm Hg above baseline. The median symptom onset was 4 hours (IQR, 0.8-9.5 hours). The CIN signs and symptoms presented gradually, initially with encephalopathy and later with focal signs. All patients had an initial computed tomography scan, which showed ipsilateral cerebral edema in 82% of patients. Two had contrast enhancement. Complete resolution of CIN symptoms was obtained in a median time of 3 days (IQR, 2.5-3 days).

CIN should be considered in the context of the progressive onset of neurologic deficits after neuroendovascular procedures. A distinct imaging pattern of ipsilateral hemisphere edema in the absence of ischemia is usually identified. Variability in procedural BP might be a predisposing factor.