Clinical characteristics associated with sentinel headache in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms

2020 ◽  
pp. 159101992097197
Author(s):  
Zheng Wan ◽  
Hao Meng ◽  
Ning Xu ◽  
Tianyi Liu ◽  
Zhongping Chen ◽  
...  

Objective Sentinel headache (SH) is considered as a signal of the impending rupture of an aneurysm. However, it is difficult to diagnose whether the headaches of patients are associated with unstable aneurysms. Therefore, there is some doubt about the importance of headaches in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). This study was performed to explore the existence and clinical characteristics of SH associated with aneurysms. Methods Thirty-six patients with a single UIA were collected in this study. Patients were symptomatically categorized into two groups: SH and non-SH. The PHASES scores and patient and aneurysm characteristics were analyzed. Two independent MRI experts who were blinded to the patients’ clinical history conducted the analysis of the SWI results. Results There were 15 patients with sentinel headache. No significant difference was found in patient’s basic information and history. The SH group had a higher PHASES score than the non-SH group (P < 0.05). In univariable analysis, abnormal SWI signals were significantly more frequent in the SH group (P < 0.01) and the inflow angle was significantly lower in the non-SH group (P < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, abnormal signals in SWI were an independent factor associated with SH (P < 0.01). Conclusions SH exists in patients with UIAs and may indicate a high risk of aneurysm rupture. Abnormal signals on SWI may serve as a clinical feature to identify aneurysm-related SH and be helpful for the formulation of therapeutic strategy. Aneurysm geometry may also be related to SH but need further studies in the future.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-387
Author(s):  
Ximeng Yang ◽  
Jun Lu ◽  
Peng Qi ◽  
Junjie Wang ◽  
Shen Hu ◽  
...  

Introduction: Safety of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients having carotid stenosis with coexistent unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is rarely reported. Thus, we studied the 3-month outcome of CAS in the presence of coexistent UIAs in our institution. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients receiving CAS at our institution from September 2011 to December 2019 was carried out. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: group of CAS with UIAs (CAS-UIA) and group of CAS without UIAs (CAS). The main complications within 3 months after stenting were TIA, ischemic stroke, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), rupture of UIAs, and death. The baseline characteristics and complications of the 2 groups were compared. Results: Five hundred fifty-six patients (CAS, n = 468; CAS-UIA, n = 88) were included and 604 stenting procedures were performed. More patients had hypertension in the CAS-UIA group (87.5 vs. 73.7%, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in TIAs, ischemic stroke, sICH, and death within 3 months after stenting between the CAS and CAS-UIA groups. None of the 113 coexistent UIAs detected in 88 patients had aneurysm rupture within 3 months after CAS. Conclusions: In our large cohort of CAS patients, coexistent UIAs are not uncommon. Stenting of a carotid artery in the presence of coexistent UIAs could be conducted safely. Together with 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy, CAS did not increase the rupture risk of the coexistent UIAs within 3 months.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Noah Hong ◽  
Won-Sang Cho ◽  
Chang Hwan Pang ◽  
Young Hoon Choi ◽  
Jin Woo Bae ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Complete exclusion of multiple unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in one session of intervention may be ideal. However, such situations are not always feasible in terms of treatment modalities and outcomes. The authors aimed to analyze their experience with 1-stage clipping of multiple UIAs. METHODS Medical records between March 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, and 111 1-stage keyhole approaches in 110 patients with 261 multiple UIAs were ultimately included in this study. Clinical and radiological outcomes were analyzed, as well as postoperative complications up to 1 month after the surgery and their risk factors. RESULTS Keyhole approaches included unilateral supraorbital in 87 operations (78.4%), bilateral supraorbital in 12 (10.8%), and others in 12. The mean operative duration was 169.6 minutes (range 80–490 minutes). The highest numbers of aneurysms clipped at once were 2 (73.9%) and 3 (18.9%). Complete exclusion and residual neck of the clipped aneurysms were achieved in 89.3% and 7.3%, respectively. There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative 1-month neurological states (p = 0.14). The permanent morbidity rate was 1.8% (n = 2), and there were no deaths. Postoperative transient neurological deterioration (TND) with no radiological and electrophysiological abnormalities occurred in 8 operations (7.2%). Hypertension was the only significant risk factor for postoperative TND (adjusted odds ratio 17.03, 95% confidence interval 1.99–2232.24, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS One-stage clipping of multiple UIAs via keyhole approaches showed satisfactory treatment outcomes with a low permanent morbidity. Patients with chronic hypertension had a high risk of postoperative TND.


2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziano Tallarita ◽  
Thomas J. Sorenson ◽  
Lorenzo Rinaldo ◽  
Gustavo S. Oderich ◽  
Thomas C. Bower ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEConcomitant unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are present in patients with carotid artery stenosis not infrequently and result in unique management challenges. Thus, we investigated the risk of rupture of an aneurysm after revascularization of a carotid artery in a contemporary consecutive series of patients seen at our institution.METHODSData from patients who underwent a carotid revascularization in the presence of at least one concomitant UIA at our institution from 1991 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated for the incidence of aneurysm rupture within 30 days (early period) and after 30 days (late period) of carotid revascularization, as well as for the incidence of periprocedural complications from the treatment of carotid stenosis and/or UIA.RESULTSOur study included 53 patients with 63 concomitant UIAs. There was no rupture within 30 days of carotid revascularization. The overall risk of rupture was 0.87% per patient-year. Treatment (coiling or clipping) of a concomitant UIA, if pursued, could be performed successfully after carotid revascularization.CONCLUSIONSCarotid artery revascularization in the setting of a concomitant UIA can be performed safely without an increased 30-day or late-term risk of rupture. If indicated, treatment of the UIA can take place after the patient recovers from the carotid procedure.


2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seppo Juvela ◽  
Matti Porras ◽  
Kristiina Poussa

Object The authors conducted a study to investigate the long-term natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms and the predictive risk factors determining subsequent rupture in a patient population in which surgical selection of cases was not performed. Methods One hundred forty-two patients with 181 unruptured aneurysms were followed from the 1950s until death or the occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage or until the years 1997 to 1998. The annual and cumulative incidence of aneurysm rupture as well as several potential risk factors predictive of rupture were studied using life-table analyses and Cox's proportional hazards regression models including time-dependent covariates. The median follow-up time was 19.7 years (range 0.8–38.9 years). During 2575 person-years of follow up, there were 33 first-time episodes of hemorrhage from previously unruptured aneurysms, for an average annual incidence of 1.3%. In 17 patients, hemorrhage led to death. The cumulative rate of bleeding was 10.5% at 10 years, 23% at 20 years, and 30.3% at 30 years after diagnosis. The diameter of the unruptured aneurysm (relative risk [RR] 1.11 per mm in diameter, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1–1.23, p = 0.05) and patient age at diagnosis inversely (RR 0.97 per year, 95% CI 0.93–1, p = 0.05) were significant independent predictors for a subsequent aneurysm rupture after adjustment for sex, hypertension, and aneurysm group. Active smoking status at the time of diagnosis was a significant risk factor for aneurysm rupture (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04–2.06, p = 0.033) after adjustment for size of the aneurysm, patient age, sex, presence of hypertension, and aneurysm group. Active smoking status as a time-dependent covariate was an even more significant risk factor for aneurysm rupture (adjusted RR 3.04, 95% CI 1.21–7.66, p = 0.02). Conclusions Cigarette smoking, size of the unruptured intracranial aneurysm, and age, inversely, are important factors determining risk for subsequent aneurysm rupture. The authors conclude that such unruptured aneurysms should be surgically treated regardless of their size and of a patient's smoking status, especially in young and middle-aged adults, if this is technically possible and if the patient's concurrent diseases are not contraindications. Cessation of smoking may also be a good alternative to surgery in older patients with small-sized aneurysms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Guan ◽  
Michael Karsy ◽  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
Richard H. Schmidt ◽  
Philipp Taussky ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe choice between treating and observing unruptured intracranial aneurysms is often difficult, with little guidance on which variables should influence decision making on a patient-by-patient basis. Here, the authors compared demographic variables, aneurysm-related variables, and comorbidities in patients who received microsurgical or endovascular treatment and those who were conservatively managed to determine which factors push the surgeon toward recommending treatment.METHODSA retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients diagnosed with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm at their institution between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2016. These patients were dichotomized based on whether their aneurysm was treated. Demographic, geographic, socioeconomic, comorbidity, and aneurysm-related information was analyzed to assess which factors were associated with the decision to treat.RESULTSA total of 424 patients were identified, 163 who were treated surgically or endovascularly and 261 who were managed conservatively. In a multivariable model, an age < 65 years (OR 2.913, 95% CI 1.298–6.541, p = 0.010), a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.536, 95% CI 1.274–1.855, p < 0.001), a larger aneurysm size (OR 1.176, 95% CI 1.100–1.257, p < 0.001), multiple aneurysms (OR 2.093, 95% CI 1.121–3.907, p = 0.020), a white race (OR 2.288, 95% CI 1.245–4.204, p = 0.008), and living further from the medical center (OR 2.125, 95% CI 1.281–3.522, p = 0.003) were all associated with the decision to treat rather than observe.CONCLUSIONSWhereas several factors were expected to be considered in the decision to treat unruptured intracranial aneurysms, including age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, aneurysm size, and multiple aneurysms, other factors such as race and proximity to the medical center were unanticipated. Further studies are needed to identify such biases in patient treatment and improve treatment delineation based on patient-specific aneurysm rupture risk.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 638-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Hun Kang ◽  
Yang-Ha Hwang ◽  
Yong-Sun Kim ◽  
Geum Ye Bae ◽  
Seung Jae Lee

Abstract BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic events are the most common complication after coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). However, it remains unclear whether these clinically silent ischemic lesions (CSILs) have any clinical significance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cognitive outcome after coil embolization of asymptomatic UIAs and its relationship with CSILs after the procedure. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 40 UIA patients who showed no new focal neurological deficit after coil embolization. CSILs were assessed with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) within 1 day after the procedure. A battery of neuropsychological tests was performed 3 times: preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 and 4 weeks after coil embolization. RESULTS: The incidence of cognitive impairment after coiling in patients with UIAs was 44% (17 of 39) at 1 week and 19% (7 of 37) at 4 weeks after coil embolization. DWI within 1 day after coil embolization revealed that 60% of patients (24 of 40) showed CSILs. However, no significant difference was found in any mean cognitive scores or in the number of cognitively impaired variables between patients with and without CSILs at weeks 1 and 4. Additional correlation analysis revealed no correlations between the number of CSILs on DWI and the cognitive sum z score at both 1 and 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Exhaustive neuropsychological evaluation of UIA patients who underwent coil embolization demonstrated recovery or improvements from baseline cognitive function after 4 weeks, although some patients still showed cognitive deficits at 4 weeks after the procedure. However, we found no statistically significant relationship between the presence and number of CSILs on DWI and cognitive changes after the procedure.


2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1018-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Pentimalli ◽  
Andrea Modesti ◽  
Andrea Vignati ◽  
Enrico Marchese ◽  
Alessio Albanese ◽  
...  

Object. Mechanisms involved in the rupture of intracranial aneurysms remain unclear, and the literature on apoptosis in these lesions is extremely limited. The hypothesis that apoptosis may reduce aneurysm wall resistance, thus contributing to its rupture, warrants investigation. The authors in this study focused on the comparative evaluation of apoptosis in ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Peripheral arteries in patients harboring the aneurysms and in a group of controls were also analyzed. Methods. Between September 1999 and February 2002, specimens from 27 intracranial aneurysms were studied. In 13 of these patients apoptosis was also evaluated in specimens of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and the superficial temporal artery (STA). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase—mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling technique was used to study apoptosis via optical microscopy; electron microscopy evaluation was performed as well. Apoptotic cell levels were related to patient age and sex, aneurysm volume and shape, and surgical timing. Significant differences in apoptosis were observed when comparing ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. High levels of apoptosis were found in 88% of ruptured aneurysms and in only 10% of unruptured lesions (p < 0.001). Elevated apoptosis levels were also detected in all MMA and STA specimens obtained in patients harboring ruptured aneurysms, whereas absent or very low apoptosis levels were observed in MMA and STA specimens from patients with unruptured aneurysms. A significant correlation between aneurysm shape and apoptosis was found. Conclusions. In this series, aneurysm rupture appeared to be more related to elevated apoptosis levels than to the volume of the aneurysm sac. Data in this study could open the field to investigations clarifying the causes of aneurysm enlargement and rupture.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens J Froelich ◽  
Nicholas Cheung ◽  
Johan AB de Lange ◽  
Jessica Monkhorst ◽  
Michael W Carr ◽  
...  

Objective Incomplete aneurysm occlusions and re-treatment rates of 52 and 10–30%, respectively, have been reported following endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, raising clinical concerns regarding procedural efficacy. We compare residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates subject to different endovascular techniques in both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms at a comprehensive state-wide tertiary neurovascular centre in Australia. Methods Medical records, procedural and follow-up imaging studies of all patients who underwent endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms between July 2010 and July 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Residuals, recurrences and re-treatment rates were assessed regarding initial aneurysm rupture status and applied endovascular technique: primary coiling, balloon- and stent-assisted coiling and flow diversion. Results Among 233 aneurysms, residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates were 27, 11.2 and 9.4%, respectively. Compared with unruptured aneurysms, similar residual and recurrence (p > .05), but higher re-treatment rates (4.5% vs. 19%; p < .001) were found for ruptured aneurysms. Residual, recurrence and re-treatment rates were: 13.3, 16 and 12% for primary coiling; 12, 12 and 10.7% for balloon-assisted coiling; 14.9, 7.5 and 4.5% for stent-assisted coiling; 91.9, 0 and 5.4% for flow diversion. Stent-assistance and flow-diversion were associated with lower recurrence and re-treatment rates, when compared with primary- and balloon-assisted coiling (p < .05). Conclusions Residuals and recurrences after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms are less common than previously reported. Stent assistance and flow diversion seem associated with reduced recurrence- and re-treatment rates, when compared with primary- and balloon-assisted coiling. Restrained use of stents in ruptured aneurysms may be a contributing factor for higher recurrence/retreatment rates compared to unruptured aneurysms.


2021 ◽  
pp. 159101992110399
Author(s):  
Daizo Ishii ◽  
Mario Zanaty ◽  
Jorge A Roa ◽  
Luyuan Li ◽  
Yongjun Lu ◽  
...  

Objective Post operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has been widely observed after major surgery, particularly in elderly patients with general anesthesia (GA). However, a specific unanswered question is whether different approaches to anesthetic managements are associated with different cognitive outcomes after endovascular treatments for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation of POCD with GA versus monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Methods We performed a pragmatic, prospective study to assess the association between different anesthetic approaches and POCD. We compared the pre- and post-procedural Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores in patients with normal cognition who underwent treatments of UIAs with various endovascular methods, using either GA or MAC. Results A total of 23 patients with UIAs were enrolled in the study. Seven (30.4%) and sixteen (69.6%) UIAs were treated without perioperative complications under GA or MAC, respectively. There was a significant decline in the post-procedural MoCA score under GA (mean difference  =  1.14; 95% confidence interval  =  [0.42–1.87], P < 0.01). By contrast, there was no significant difference of MoCA score between pre- and post-procedure under MAC (mean difference  =  0.19; 95% confidence interval  =  [−0.29–0.67], P  =  0.59). Conclusions Treating UIAs using MAC was associated with a decrease in POCD as compared to GA in patients undergoing endovascular treatments for UIAs with normal cognition. Larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.


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