scholarly journals Vessel wall enhancement of intracranial aneurysms: fact or artifact?

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. E18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart M. W. Cornelissen ◽  
Eva L. Leemans ◽  
Cornelis H. Slump ◽  
Henk A. Marquering ◽  
Charles B. L. M. Majoie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysm ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Luminal Diameter ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Contrast Enhanced

OBJECTIVEFor patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and multiple intracranial aneurysms, it is often challenging to identify the ruptured aneurysm. Some investigators have asserted that vessel wall imaging (VWI) can be used to identify the ruptured aneurysm since wall enhancement after contrast agent injection is presumably related to inflammation in unstable and ruptured aneurysms. The aim of this study was to determine whether additional factors contribute to aneurysm wall enhancement by assessing imaging data in a series of patients.METHODSPatients with symptoms of SAH who subsequently underwent VWI in the period between January 2017 and September 2018 were eligible for study inclusion. Three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequences with motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium preparation pulses were acquired using a 3-T MRI scanner to visualize the aneurysm wall. Identification of the ruptured aneurysm was based on aneurysm characteristics and hemorrhage distributions on MRI. Complementary imaging data (CT, DSA, MRI) were used to assess potential underlying enhancement mechanisms. Additionally, aneurysm luminal diameter measurements on MRA were compared with those on contrast-enhanced VWI to assess the intraluminal contribution to aneurysm enhancement.RESULTSSix patients with 14 aneurysms were included in this series. The mean aneurysm size was 5.8 mm (range 1.1–16.9 mm). A total of 10 aneurysms showed enhancement on VWI; 5 ruptured aneurysms showed enhancement, and 1 unruptured but symptomatic aneurysm showed enhancement on VWI and ruptured 1 day later. Four unruptured aneurysms showed enhancement. In 6 (60%) of the 10 enhanced aneurysms, intraluminal diameters appeared notably smaller (≥ 0.8 mm smaller) on contrast-enhanced VWI compared to their appearance on multiple overlapping thin slab acquisition time of flight (MOTSA-TOF) MRA and/or precontrast VWI, suggesting that enhancement was at least partially in the aneurysm lumen itself.CONCLUSIONSSeveral factors other than the hypothesized inflammatory response contribute to aneurysm wall enhancement. In 60% of the cases in this study, enhancement was at least partially caused by slow intraaneurysmal flow, leading to pseudo-enhancement of the aneurysm wall. Notwithstanding, there seems to be clinical value in differentiating ruptured from unruptured aneurysms using VWI, but the hypothesis that we image the inflammatory cell infiltration in the aneurysm wall is not yet confirmed.

scholarly journals Circumferential wall enhancement in evolving intracranial aneurysms on magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 1262-1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Omodaka ◽  
Hidenori Endo ◽  
Kuniyasu Niizuma ◽  
Miki Fujimura ◽  
Takashi Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Contrast Ratio ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Vessel Wall Imaging ◽  
Fast Spin Echo ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Wall Imaging

OBJECTIVERecent MR vessel wall imaging studies have indicated intracranial aneurysms in the active state could show circumferential enhancement along the aneurysm wall (CEAW). While ruptured aneurysms frequently show CEAW, CEAW in unruptured aneurysms at the evolving state (i.e., growing or symptomatic) has not been studied in detail. The authors quantitatively assessed the degree of CEAW in evolving unruptured aneurysms by comparing it separately to that in stable unruptured and ruptured aneurysms.METHODSA quantitative analysis of CEAW was performed in 26 consecutive evolving aneurysms using MR vessel wall imaging. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin echo sequences were obtained before and after contrast media injection, and the contrast ratio of the aneurysm wall against the pituitary stalk (CRstalk) was calculated as the indicator of CEAW. Aneurysm characteristics of evolving aneurysms were compared with those of 69 stable unruptured and 67 ruptured aneurysms.RESULTSThe CRstalk values in evolving aneurysms were significantly higher than those in stable aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.34, p < 0.0001), and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.83, p < 0.0002). In multivariable analysis, CRstalk remained significant when comparing evolving with stable aneurysms (odds ratio [OR] 12.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.53–42.41), and with ruptured aneurysms (OR 0.083, 95% CI 0.022–0.310).CONCLUSIONSThe CEAW in evolving aneurysms was higher than those in stable aneurysms, and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms. The degree of CEAW may indicate the process leading to rupture of intracranial aneurysms, which can be useful additional information to determine an indication for surgical treatment of unruptured aneurysms.

Role of apoptosis in intracranial aneurysm rupture

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1018-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Pentimalli ◽  
Andrea Modesti ◽  
Andrea Vignati ◽  
Enrico Marchese ◽  
Alessio Albanese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Superficial Temporal Artery ◽  
Aneurysm Rupture ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Fine Print

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.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Artery ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Anterior Communicating Artery ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Multivariable Analyses ◽  
Different Characteristics

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.

scholarly journals Role of magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in detecting and managing ruptured aneurysms among multiple intracranial aneurysms

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Kohei Yoshikawa ◽  
Junta Moroi ◽  
Kohei Kokubun ◽  
Nobuharu Furuya ◽  
Yasuyuki Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Vessel Wall Imaging ◽  
Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Multiple Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Rupture Site ◽  
Wall Imaging

Background: Wall enhancement of intracranial saccular aneurysms in high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) might indicate a ruptured aneurysm. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability of wall enhancement to detect the ruptured aneurysms among multiple aneurysms. Methods: Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and multiple intracranial aneurysms who underwent MR-VWI before craniotomy and clipping were included in the study. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequences were obtained before and after gadolinium injection. Aneurysm rupture was estimated based on the subarachnoid clot distribution, aneurysmal contours, and MR-VWI findings. We selectively performed surgical clipping and confirmed the rupture site intraoperatively. Results: Thirteen patients with SAH with 13 ruptured and 17 unruptured aneurysms were treated at out facility. The accuracy rate of rupture site diagnosis using MR-VWI was 69.2% (9/13 cases). Each unruptured aneurysm was equally or more strongly enhanced in the other four cases than the ruptured aneurysms. In three of the four unruptured aneurysms with positive MR-VWI findings, atherosclerosis of the aneurysmal wall was observed during simultaneous or elective clipping surgery. Further, clipping surgery was performed without intraoperative rupture in two cases with the help of MR-VWI findings. Conclusion: Correct diagnosis of the rupture site using MR-VWI alone was unreliable due to false positives caused by the wall enhancement of unruptured aneurysms with atherosclerosis. Therefore, ruptured aneurysms should be detected using more information in addition to MR-VWI images. MR-VWI may be advantageous to determine surgical strategies when managing patients with SAH and multiple aneurysms.

scholarly journals Wall Enhancement in Evolving Cerebral Aneurysms on Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Omodaka ◽  
Hidenori Endo ◽  
Kuniyasu Niizuma ◽  
Miki Fujimura ◽  
Takashi Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Vessel Wall Imaging ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Wall Imaging

Abstract INTRODUCTION Recent magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging studies have indicated cerebral aneurysms in the active state could show wall enhancement along the aneurysm wall (CEAW). While ruptured aneurysms frequently show CEAW, CEAW in the unruptured aneurysms at evolving state, ie growing or symptomatic, has not been studied in detail. We assessed the degree of CEAW in evolving unruptured aneurysms by comparing separately with each of those in stable unruptured aneurysms and ruptured aneurysms. METHODS We performed quantitative analyses of CEAW in consecutive 26 evolving aneurysms using MR vessel wall imaging. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequence was obtained before and after contrast media injection, and the contrast ratio of aneurysm wall against the pituitary stalk (CRstalk) was calculated as the indicator of CEAW. We compared aneurysm characteristics of evolving aneurysms with those of 69 stable unruptured and 67 ruptured aneurysms. RESULTS The CRstalk in evolving aneurysms was significantly higher than those in stable aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.34; P < .0001), and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms (0.54 vs 0.83; P < .0002). In multivariable analysis, CRstalk remained significant in comparing evolving with stable aneurysms (odds ratio, 12.23; 95% confidence interval, 3.53-42.41), and with ruptured aneurysms (odds ratio, 0.083; 95% confidence interval, 0.022-0.310). CONCLUSION The CEAW in evolving aneurysms was higher than those in stable aneurysms, and lower than those in ruptured aneurysms.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Small Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Łukasz Zwarzany ◽  
Ernest Tyburski ◽  
Wojciech Poncyljusz
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Rupture ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Conventional Risk Factors

Background: We decided to investigate whether aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) on high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HR VW-MRI) coexists with the conventional risk factors for aneurysm rupture. Methods: We performed HR VW-MRI in 46 patients with 64 unruptured small intracranial aneurysms. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. The PHASES score was calculated for each aneurysm. Results: Of the 64 aneurysms, 15 (23.4%) showed wall enhancement on post-contrast HR VW-MRI. Aneurysms with wall enhancement had significantly larger size (p = 0.001), higher dome-to-neck ratio (p = 0.024), and a more irregular shape (p = 0.003) than aneurysms without wall enhancement. The proportion of aneurysms with wall enhancement was significantly higher in older patients (p = 0.011), and those with a history of prior aneurysmal SAH. The mean PHASES score was significantly higher in aneurysms with wall enhancement (p < 0.000). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that aneurysm irregularity and the PHASES score are independently associated with the presence of AWE. Conclusions: Aneurysm wall enhancement on HR VW-MRI coexists with the conventional risk factors for aneurysm rupture.

scholarly journals Peri-Procedural Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Stent-Assisted Coiling for Intracranial Aneurysms

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wang ◽  
Y. Sun ◽  
A-M. Li
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Stent Migration ◽  
Aneurysm Rupture ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Attractive Option ◽  
Technological Improvements

Despite experience and technological improvements, stent-assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysms still has inherent risks. We evaluated peri-procedural morbidity and mortality associated with stent-assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysms. Patients with cerebral aneurysms that were broad-based (>4 mm) or had unfavorable dome/neck ratios (<1.5) were enrolled in this study between February and November 2011 at our center. Aneurysms were treated with the self-expanding neurovascular stents with adjunctive coil embolization. Seventy-two consecutive patients (27 men and 45 women; 22–78 years of age; mean age, 52.8 years) underwent 13 procedures for 13 ruptured aneurysms and 64 procedures for 73 unruptured aneurysms. Nine [11.7%, 95% CI(4.5%–18.9%)] procedure-related complications occurred: one and eight with initial embolization of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, respectively. Complications included six acute in-stent thromboses, one spontaneous stent migration, one post-procedural aneurysm rupture, and one perforator occlusion. Three complications had no neurologic consequences. Two caused transient neurologic morbidity, two persistent neurologic morbidity, and two death. Procedure-related neurologic morbidity and mortality rates, respectively, were as follows: overall, 5.2% (95%CI, 0.2%–10.2%) and 2.6% (95%CI, 0%–6.2%); ruptured aneurysms, 7.7% (95%CI, 0%–36%) and 0% (95%CI, 0%–25%); unruptured aneurysms, 4.7% (95%CI, 0%–9.9%) and 3.1% (95%CI, 0%–7.3%). Combined procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were 7.7% (95%CI, 1.7%–13.7%) and 7.8% (95%CI, 1.8%–13.8%), respectively. Stent-assisted coiling is an attractive option for intracranial aneurysms. However, stent-assisted coiling for unruptured aneurysms is controversial for its comparable risk to natural history.

scholarly journals Long-Term Follow-up Study of Endovascularly Treated Intracranial Aneurysms

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Pyysalo ◽  
L.H. Keski-Nisula ◽  
T.T. Niskakangas ◽  
V.J. Kähärä ◽  
J.E. Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Bleeding Rate ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Rebleeding Rate

Long-term follow-up studies after endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysm are still rare and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with endovascularly treated aneurysms. The clinical outcome of all 185 patients with endovascularly treated aneurysms were analyzed and 77 out of 122 surviving patients were examined with MRI and MRA nine to 16 years (mean 11 years) after the initial endovascular treatment. Sixty-three patients were deceased at the time of follow-up. The cause of death was aneurysm-related in 34 (54%) patients. The annual rebleeding rate from the treated aneurysms was 1.3% in the ruptured group and 0.1% in the unruptured group. In long-term follow-up MRA 18 aneurysms (53%) were graded as complete, 11 aneurysms (32%) had neck remnants and five aneurysms (15%) were incompletely occluded in the ruptured group. The occlusion grade was lower in the unruptured group with 20 aneurysms (41%) graded as complete, 11 (22%) had neck remnants and 18 (37%) were incomplete. However, only three aneurysms were unstable during the follow-up period and needed retreatment. Endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms showed incomplete angiographic outcome in 37% of cases. However, the annual bleeding rate was as low as 0.1%. Endovascular treatment of ruptured aneurysms showed incomplete angiographic outcome in 15% of cases and the annual rebleeding rate was 1,3%.

scholarly journals Vessel wall imaging in intracranial aneurysms

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1105-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar A Samaniego ◽  
Jorge A Roa ◽  
David Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Vessel Wall Imaging ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Brain Aneurysms ◽  
Wall Imaging

High-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is becoming a useful tool in the characterization and identification of unstable unruptured brain aneurysms. However, it has not been validated for clinical use. The current evidence on HR-VWI techniques for characterization of brain aneurysms is described in this review. Specific imaging approaches such as aneurysm wall contrast enhancement, MRI-quantitative susceptibility mapping, and 7T MRI are described in detail.

Association of Hemodynamic Factors With Intracranial Aneurysm Formation and Rupture

Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Can ◽  
Rose Du
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Formation ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Shear Area ◽  
Dynamics Models ◽  
Low Shear

Abstract BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests a link between the magnitude and distribution of hemodynamic factors and the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. However, there are many conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of hemodynamic factors on aneurysm formation and their association with ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis through October 2014. Analysis of the effects of hemodynamic factors on aneurysm formation was performed by pooling the results of studies that compared geometrical models of intracranial aneurysms and “preaneurysm” models where the aneurysm was artificially removed. Furthermore, we calculated pooled standardized mean differences between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms to quantify the association of hemodynamic factors with ruptured aneurysms. Standard PRISMA guidelines were followed. RESULTS: The hemodynamic factors that showed high positive correlations with location of aneurysm formation were high wall shear stress (WSS) and high gradient oscillatory number, with pooled proportions of 78.8% and 85.7%, respectively. Positive correlations were largely seen in bifurcation aneurysms, whereas negative correlations were seen in sidewall aneurysms. Mean and normalized WSS were significantly lower and low shear area significantly higher in ruptured aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Pooled analyses of computational fluid dynamics models suggest that an increase in WSS and gradient oscillatory number may contribute to aneurysm formation, whereas low WSS is associated with ruptured aneurysms. The location of the aneurysm at the bifurcation or sidewall may influence the correlation of these hemodynamic factors.

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