scholarly journals Characteristics of Unruptured Compared to Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Multicenter Case–Control Study

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel C Hostettler ◽  
Varinder S Alg ◽  
Nichole Shahi ◽  
Fatima Jichi ◽  
Stephen Bonner ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Only a minority of intracranial aneurysms rupture to cause subarachnoid hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that unruptured aneurysms have different characteristics and risk factor profiles compared to ruptured aneurysms. METHODS We recruited patients with unruptured aneurysms or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages at 22 UK hospitals between 2011 and 2014. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected using standardized case report forms. We compared risk factors using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 2334 patients (1729 with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, 605 with unruptured aneurysms) were included (mean age 54.22 yr). In multivariable analyses, the following variables were independently associated with rupture status: black ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-4.56, compared to white) and aneurysm location (anterior cerebral artery/anterior communicating artery [OR 3.21; 95% CI 2.34-4.40], posterior communicating artery [OR 3.92; 95% CI 2.67-5.74], or posterior circulation [OR 3.12; 95% CI 2.08-4.70], compared to middle cerebral artery). The following variables were inversely associated with rupture status: antihypertensive medication (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.49-0.84), hypercholesterolemia (0.64 OR; 95% CI 0.48-0.85), aspirin use (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.20-0.40), internal carotid artery location (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.38-0.75), and aneurysm size (per mm increase; OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.69-0.84). CONCLUSION We show substantial differences in patient and aneurysm characteristics between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. These findings support the hypothesis that different pathological mechanisms are involved in the formation of ruptured aneurysms and incidentally detected unruptured aneurysms. The potential protective effect of aspirin might justify randomized prevention trials in patients with unruptured aneurysms.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1322-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Forget ◽  
Ronald Benitez ◽  
Erol Veznedaroglu ◽  
Ashwini Sharan ◽  
William Mitchell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To review our experience and examine the size at which aneurysms ruptured in our patient population. METHODS Patient charts and angiograms for all patients admitted with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage to the Thomas Jefferson/Wills Eye Hospital between April 1996 and March 2000 were reviewed. RESULTS Of the 362 cases reviewed, definite measurements of the ruptured aneurysm were obtained in 245. The data clearly showed that most ruptured aneurysms presenting to our institution were less than 10 mm in diameter. We found that, regardless of location on the circle of Willis, 85.6% of all aneurysms presenting with rupture were less than 10 mm. Review by location shows that aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery most often presented with rupture at sizes less than 10 mm (94.4%). A large number of ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms also presented at sizes less than 10 mm (87.5%). This trend continued for all aneurysm sites in our review. The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage in Western countries is estimated at 10 per 100,000 people per year. Recent reports have indicated that aneurysms less than 10 mm in size are unlikely to rupture. CONCLUSION We argue that the risk of small aneurysms rupturing is not insignificant, especially those of the anterior communicating artery. Our findings indicate that surgery on unruptured aneurysms should not be predicated on aneurysm size alone.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruka Miyata ◽  
Hirokazu Koseki ◽  
Kampei Shimizu ◽  
Yu Abekura ◽  
Mieko Oka ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Subarachnoid hemorrhage has a poor outcome despite a modern advancement in medical care. The development of a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) or a novel diagnostic marker to predict rupture-prone lesions is thus mandatory. Therefore, in the present study, we established a rat model in which IAs spontaneously rupture and examined this model to clarify histopathological features associated with rupture of lesions. METHODS In detail, female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the bilateral ovariectomy, the ligation of the left common carotid, the right external carotid, and the right pterygopalatine arteries, the induced systemic hypertension, and the administration of a lysyl oxidase inhibitor. RESULTS Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred one-thirds of manipulated animals and locations of ruptured IAs were exclusively at a posterior or an anterior communicating artery. Histopathological examination using ruptured IAs, rupture-prone ones induced at a posterior or an anterior communicating artery, ones induced at an anterior cerebral artery-olfactory artery bifurcation that never rupture revealed the formation of vasa vasorum as an event associated with rupture of IAs. CONCLUSION We thus proposed the contribution of a structural change in an adventitia, vasa vasorum formation, to rupture of IAs. Findings from this study provide important insights about the pathogenesis of IAs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Varun Naragum ◽  
Mohamad AbdalKader ◽  
Thanh N. Nguyen ◽  
Alexander Norbash

The anterior communicating artery is a common location for intracranial aneurysms. Compared to surgical clipping, endovascular coiling has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with ruptured aneurysms and we have seen a paradigm shift favoring this technique for treating aneurysms. Access to the anterior cerebral artery can be challenging, especially in patients with tortuous anatomy or subarachnoid hemorrhage or in patients presenting with vasospasm. We present a technique for cannulating the anterior cerebral artery using a balloon inflated in the proximal middle cerebral artery as a rebound surface.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1096-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
YiLing Cai ◽  
Laurent Spelle ◽  
Huan Wang ◽  
Michel Piotin ◽  
Charbel Mounayer ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: With a globally aging population, it is imperative to develop specific treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms in the elderly. However, the optimal management of intracranial aneurysms in the elderly remains controversial, particularly for the unruptured aneurysms. Although endovascular treatment is increasingly being used for the management of aneurysms, large endovascular series in the elderly population are relatively lacking, especially with regard to the unruptured aneurysms. We present our single-center endovascular experience in treating intracranial aneurysms in 63 consecutive patients 70 years of age and older. METHODS: Between November 1998 and December 2003, among a total of 990 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated endovascularly at our center, 63 patients (6%) were 70 years of age or older. Forty-one patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 22 presented with symptomatic unruptured aneurysms. A total of 84 aneurysms were detected in these 63 patients. Only those responsible for either the subarachnoid hemorrhage or clinical symptoms (68 aneurysms) were treated. The aneurysm characteristics, endovascular procedures and techniques, angiographic and clinical outcomes, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Selective embolization failed in three aneurysms (4%). In the remaining 65 aneurysms, complete occlusion was achieved in 33 aneurysms (51%), neck remnant was observed in 17 aneurysms (27%), and residual aneurysmal filling was observed in six aneurysms (9%). Parent vessel occlusion was used in the treatment of nine aneurysms (13%). Thirteen procedure-related complications occurred (19%), six of which resulted in clinical complications (9%). Nine deaths (14%) occurred; three (5%) were directly related to the endovascular procedures, and six (9%) were related to the medical complications of SAH. The remaining 54 patients had a mean clinical follow-up time of 13 months (range, 1–47 mo). Ninety-one percent (20 out of 22) of the patients with unruptured aneurysms and 89% (25/28) of the patients with low-grade (Hunt and Hess Grade I and II) ruptured aneurysms achieved excellent outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–1), whereas 77% (10 out of 13) of the patients with high-grade (Hunt and Hess Grade ≥ III) ruptured aneurysms either died or had very poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 4–5). Angiographic follow-up (mean, 11 mo; range, 3–38 mo) was obtained in 34 of the 54 living patients (63%). Two aneurysms demonstrated minor changes that required no further treatment (5%). Five aneurysms showed major recurrences (17%), all of which were successfully retreated endovascularly. CONCLUSION: The elderly patients should merit strong consideration for endovascular treatment of both ruptured and symptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, in elderly patients with high-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage, morbidity and mortality rates remain high.


2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 862-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Reynolds ◽  
Robert T. Buckley ◽  
Santoshi S. Indrakanti ◽  
Ali H. Turkmani ◽  
Gerald Oh ◽  
...  

OBJECT Vasopressor-induced hypertension (VIH) is an established treatment for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who develop vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). However, the safety of VIH in patients with coincident, unruptured, unprotected intracranial aneurysms is uncertain. METHODS This retrospective multiinstitutional study identified 1) patients with aneurysmal SAH and 1 or more unruptured, unprotected aneurysms who required VIH therapy (VIH group), and 2) patients with aneurysmal SAH and 1 or more unruptured, unprotected aneurysms who did not require VIH therapy (non-VIH group). All patients had previously undergone surgical or endovascular treatment for the presumed ruptured aneurysm. Comparisons between the VIH and non-VIH patients were made in terms of the patient characteristics, clinical and radiographic severity of SAH, total number of aneurysms, number of ruptured/unruptured aneurysms, aneurysm location/size, number of unruptured and unprotected aneurysms during VIH, severity of vasospasm, degree of hypervolemia, and degree and duration of VIH therapy. RESULTS For the VIH group (n = 176), 484 aneurysms were diagnosed, 231 aneurysms were treated, and 253 unruptured aneurysms were left unprotected during 1293 total days of VIH therapy (5.12 total years of VIH therapy for unruptured, unprotected aneurysms). For the non-VIH group (n = 73), 207 aneurysms were diagnosed, 93 aneurysms were treated, and 114 unruptured aneurysms were left unprotected. For the VIH and non-VIH groups, the mean sizes of the ruptured (7.2 ± 0.3 vs 7.8 ± 0.6 mm, respectively; p = 0.27) and unruptured (3.4 ± 0.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.2 mm, respectively; p = 0.40) aneurysms did not differ. The authors observed 1 new SAH from a previously unruptured, unprotected aneurysm in each group (1 of 176 vs 1 of 73 patients; p = 0.50). Baseline patient characteristics and comorbidities were similar between groups. While the degree of hypervolemia was similar between the VIH and non-VIH patients (fluid balance over the first 10 days of therapy: 3146.2 ± 296.4 vs 2910.5 ± 450.7 ml, respectively; p = 0.67), VIH resulted in a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (mean increase over the first 10 days of therapy relative to baseline: 125.1% ± 1.0% vs 98.2% ± 1.2%, respectively; p < 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (125.6% ± 1.1% vs. 104.1% ± 5.2%, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS For small, unruptured, unprotected intracranial aneurysms in SAH patients, the frequency of aneurysm rupture during VIH therapy is rare. The authors do not recommend withholding VIH therapy from these patients.


Author(s):  
Xin-Yu Li ◽  
Cong-Hui Li ◽  
Ji-Wei Wang ◽  
Jian-Feng Liu ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms within 72 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Materials and methods Patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with embolization were divided into group A (n = 277), patients with ruptured aneurysms treated within 72 hours of SAH; group B (n = 138), patients with ruptured aneurysms treated beyond 72 hours; and group C (n = 93), patients with unruptured aneurysms. Results Embolization was successful in all but four patients (99.2%). The periprocedural complication rate was 36.2% in group B, significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that in group A (24.5%) or group C (11.8%). The rebleeding rate was 9.7% (6/62 patients) in groups A and B after embolization and only 0.3% (1/346 patients) in aneurysms with total or subtotal occlusion. Of these three groups of patients, 69.7% in group A, 58.7% in group B, and 76.3% in group C achieved Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 5 or modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0– to 1 at discharge. A significant difference (p < 0.05) existed in the clinical outcome between the three groups. The percentages of patients without deficits (GOS 5 or mRS 0–1) and slight disability (mRS 2) were 80.2% in group A, 81.2% in group B, and 96.7% in group C. The mortality rate was 4.3% (12/277 patients) in group A and 7.2% (10/138 patients) in group B with no significant (p = 0.21) difference. Follow-up was performed at 3 to 54 months (mean 23.2), and the recanalization rate was 28.6% (32/112 patients) in group A, 22.4% (11/49 patients) in group B, and 28.6% (16/56 patients) in group C, with no significant differences (p = 0.15). Hydrocephalus occurred in 30.5% (39/128 patients) in group B, which was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than that in group A (9.4%) or group C (2.2%). Conclusion Early embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms within 72 hours of rupture is safe and effective and can significantly decrease periprocedural complications compared with management beyond 72 hours. Timely management of cisternal and ventricular blood can reduce hydrocephalus incidence and improve prognosis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan R. Lall ◽  
Christopher S. Eddleman ◽  
Bernard R. Bendok ◽  
H. Hunt Batjer

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage continues to have high rates of morbidity and mortality for patients despite optimal medical and surgical management. Due to the fact that aneurysmal rupture can be such a catastrophic event, preventive treatment is desirable for high-risk lesions. Given the variability of the literature evaluating unruptured aneurysms regarding basic patient population, clinical practice, and aneurysm characteristics studied, such as size, location, aspect ratio, relationship to the surrounding vasculature, and the aneurysm hemodynamics, a metaanalysis is nearly impossible to perform. This review will instead focus on the various anatomical and morphological characteristics of aneurysms reported in the literature with an attempt to draw broad inferences and serve to highlight pressing questions for the future in our continued effort to improve clinical management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.


1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent L. Clyde ◽  
Andrew D. Firlik ◽  
Anthony M. Kaufmann ◽  
MichaelP. Spearman ◽  
Howard Yonas

✓ Reports of intraarterial papaverine infusion as treatment for cerebral vasospasm are few and documented complications are uncommon. The authors report the case of a patient with paradoxical aggravation of cerebral arterial narrowing during selective intraarterial papaverine infusion intended to treat vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 48-year-old man presented to the authors' service with symptomatic vasospasm 10 days after experiencing an SAH. The ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was surgically obliterated the following day, and thereafter maximum hypervolemic and hypertensive therapies were used. However, the patient remained lethargic, and a stable xenon—computerized tomography (CT) cerebral blood flow (CBF) study revealed CBF to be 15 cc/100 g/minute in the left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and 25 cc/100 g/minute in the right ACA territories. Cerebral arteriography demonstrated diffuse severe left ACA and mild left middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasospasm. In response intraarterial papaverine was infused into the internal carotid artery just proximal to the ophthalmic artery. During the infusion the patient became aphasic and exhibited right hemiplegia. Arteriography performed immediately after the intraarterial papaverine infusion revealed diffuse exacerbation of vasospasm in the distal ACA and MCA territories. A repeat xenon—CT CBF study showed that CBF in the left ACA and the MCA had drastically decreased (2 cc/100 g/minute and 10 cc/100 g/minute, respectively). Despite aggressive management, infarction ultimately developed. This is the first clinical case to illustrate a paradoxical effect of intraarterial papaverine treatment for vasospasm following aneurysmal SAH. The possible mechanisms of this paradoxical response and potential therapeutic reactions are reviewed.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 692-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Bender ◽  
Haley Wendt ◽  
Thomas Monarch ◽  
Narlin Beaty ◽  
Li-Mei Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Prospective studies of unruptured aneurysms have shown very low rates of rupture for small aneurysms (&lt;10 mm) and suggested that the risk of treatment outweighs benefit. However, common clinical practice shows that patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) frequently have small aneurysms. OBJECTIVE To investigate trends in size and location of ruptured aneurysms over a 25-yr period. METHODS A prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved database of all patients presenting to our institution with aSAH from 1991 to 2016 was analyzed. Cerebral angiography identified the source of hemorrhage. Patients with nonaneurysmal etiologies were excluded. RESULTS Complete data were available for 1306/1562 patients (84%) with aSAH from 1991 to 2016. The average age was 53 yr and 72% of patients were female. The average size of ruptured aneurysms over 25 yr was 8.0 mm. The average size of ruptured aneurysms decreased steadily with each 5-yr interval from 10.1 mm (1991-1996) to 6.6 mm (2012-2016; P &lt; .001). Overall, very small aneurysms (&lt;5 mm) were responsible for aSAH in 41% of patients. The percentage of very small ruptured aneurysms rose from 29% during the initial 5-yr period (1991-1996) to 50% in the most recent period. Likewise, the percentage of ruptured aneurysms that were 5 to 9 mm rose from 26% to 34% (P &lt; .001). In the past 5 yr, aneurysms &lt;10 mm accounted for 84% of aSAH. Vessel of origin (P = .097) and aneurysm location (P = .322) did not vary with time. CONCLUSION Ruptured small and very small aneurysms represent a majority and increasing share of aSAH. Identification and prophylactic treatment of these aneurysms remains an important clinical role for cerebrovascular neurosurgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 3966
Author(s):  
Wojciech Poncyljusz ◽  
Kinga Kubiak

Background: Over the years, a variety of intracranial stents have been developed, which has expanded the therapy options available for cerebral aneurysms. The Low profile visible intraluminal support (LVIS) EVO stents are new devices, which officially appeared on the market in 2020. The purpose of the study is to report the initial technical and clinical experience with the new stent in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Between February and September 2020, 30 patients with 35 intracranial aneurysms (29 unruptured and 6 ruptured) were treated using the LVIS EVO stent in our department. The aneurysms were located within internal carotid artery (ICA) (42.9%), middle cerebral artery (MCA) (31.4%), anterior communicating artery (AComA) (11.4%), basilar artery (BA) (11.4%) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) (2.9%). Stent-assisted coil embolization was performed in all cases. Results: All stents were deployed successfully in the desired position. Immediate complete occlusion of the treated aneurysms, described as Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (RROC) class 1, was achieved in all cases. No technical complications were observed. One thromboembolic complication occurred in the group of unruptured aneurysms and one patient died due to cerebral edema from aneurysms rupture group. Conclusion: In our observation, the showed a satisfactory safety profile LVIS EVO stents seem to be very flexible, can be safely maneuvered and deployed in tortuous vessels. They showed a good initial occlusion rate when used for treating intracranial aneurysms with SAC (stent-assisted coiling).


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