Intraoperative factors associated with surgical outcome in patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms: the experience of a single surgeon

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur A. Grigorian ◽  
Alvin Marcovici ◽  
Eugene S. Flamm

Object. Some well-known predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with ruptured aneurysms are not useful for forecasting outcome in patients with unruptured aneurysms. The goal of this study was to analyze outcomes in patients harboring unruptured cerebral aneurysms in different locations and to create a predictive tool for assessing both favorable outcome and morbidity in a large series of unruptured aneurysms. Methods. The authors analyzed data from 387 patients with nonruptured intracranial cerebral aneurysms who underwent surgery for clip placement. Intraoperative data were reviewed and seven factors that might influence outcomes were identified. These included the following: 1) aneurysm size larger than 10 mm; 2) presence of a broad aneurysm neck; 3) presence of plaque calcification near the aneurysm neck; 4) application of clips to more than one aneurysm during the same surgery; 5) temporary occlusion; 6) multiple clip applications and repositioning; and 7) use of multiple clips. The entire group of patients with unruptured aneurysms was divided into two subgroups on the basis of outcome. Each patient was subsequently assessed to formulate the factor accumulation index (FAI), the sum of different factors observed in a given patient. The subgroup of patients with expected outcomes was composed of 312 patients, whereas the subgroup of unexpected outcomes consisted of 31 patients. Depending on the anatomical locations of the aneurysms, the combined mortality—morbidity rate ranged from 5.7 to 25%, with the best results for patients harboring ophthalmic artery aneurysms and the worst results for those with vertebrobasilar system (VBS) aneurysms. The majority of patients with expected outcomes who harbored aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery, the internal carotid artery, and the VBS had a lower FAI, whereas the majority of patients with unexpected outcomes had a higher FAI. Conclusions. It is possible to predict outcomes in patients with unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms by calculating the FAI. The rate of postoperative morbidity increases with the FAI within the range of three to four factors.

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Richard Winn ◽  
John A. Jane ◽  
James Taylor ◽  
Donald Kaiser ◽  
Gavin W. Britz

Object. The prevalence of unruptured cerebral aneurysms is unknown, but is estimated to be as high as 5%. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic incidental aneurysms. Methods. The authors studied all cerebral arteriography reports produced at a single institution, the University of Virginia, between April 1969 and January 1980. A review of 3684 arteriograms demonstrated 24 cases of asymptomatic aneurysms, yielding a prevalence rate of 0.65%. The majority (67%) of the 24 patients harboring unruptured aneurysms were women. More than 90% of the unruptured aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation and in locations similar to those found in patients with ruptured aneurysms. Nearly 80% of the aneurysms were smaller than 1 cm in their greatest diameter. The frequency of asymmetrical unruptured aneurysms (0.6–1.5%) was constant throughout all relevant age ranges (35–84 years). Conclusions. While keeping in mind appropriate caveats in extrapolating from these data, the prevalence rate of asymptomatic unruptured aneurysms found in the present study allows an estimation of the yearly rate of rupture of these lesions. The authors suggest that this yearly rate of rupture falls within the range of 1 to 2%.


1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syoji Asari ◽  
Toru Satoh ◽  
Masaru Sakurai ◽  
Yuji Yamamoto ◽  
Kazuhiko Sadamoto

✓ Unruptured aneurysms were diagnosed in 15 of 86 patients with cerebral aneurysms during 2 years beginning in April, 1979. One patient with severe head injury was excluded from the series. Fifteen aneurysms in the other 14 patients were first detected by computerized angiotomography. Six aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral artery, three in the upper half of the basilar artery, two in the anterior communicating artery, two in the posterior cerebral artery, and two at the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery junction (both in the same patient). Three were smaller than 5 mm, eight were between 6 and 10 mm, and four were larger than 10 mm. The noncontrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) findings associated with 15 aneurysms were as follows: five showed defects in the basal cistern or Sylvian fissure, four were calcified or high-density masses, and in six instances there was no evidence of an aneurysm. Unruptured aneurysms may be suggested by a well demarcated, round, isodense mass which forms a defect in the basal cistern or Sylvian fissure on a plain CT image, and are highly and homogeneously enhanced by computerized angiotomography. A carotid artery blood iodine level of 15 mg/ml is required to obtain clear images. The authors conclude that computerized angiotomography is useful in the delineation of unruptured aneurysms.


2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce Weir ◽  
Lew Disney ◽  
Theodore Karrison

Object. The authors explore the risk of rupture in aneurysms categorized by size. Methods. A computerized database of 945 patients with aneurysms treated between 1967 and 1987 was retrospectively established. All available clinical and radiological studies were abstracted. Because of the recent interest in the size of intracranial aneurysms in relation to their likelihood of rupture, the database was searched with respect to this parameter. In 390 patients representing 41% of all cases, aneurysms were measured by neuroradiologists at the time of diagnosis. In 78% of the 945 patients there was only one aneurysm, and of the 507 aneurysms that were measured, 60% were solitary. Of all patients, 86% had ruptured aneurysms. The average age of all patients was 47 years, and for those with ruptured aneurysms it was 46 years. Of the ruptured aneurysms, 77% were 10 mm or smaller, compared with 85% of the unruptured aneurysms. It was found that 40.3% of the ruptured aneurysms were on the anterior cerebral artery or anterior communicating artery, compared with 13% of the unruptured aneurysms. None of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms were ruptured and 65% of the ophthalmic artery (OphA) aneurysms were. Of the unruptured aneurysms, 15% were located in the cavernous ICA or the OphA. Of the ruptured aneurysms, 29% were on the middle cerebral artery, compared with 36% of the unruptured aneurysms. The mean size of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms showed no statistically significant increase with patient age, although the difference in size between the ruptured and unruptured aneurysms decreased with increasing age. The mean size of all ruptured aneurysms (10.8 mm) was significantly larger than the mean size of all unruptured aneurysms (7.8 mm, p < 0.001); the median sizes were 10 mm and 5 mm, respectively. The size of ruptured aneurysms in patients who died in the hospital was significantly larger than those in the patients who survived (12 mm compared with 9.9 mm, p = 0.004). Symptomatic unruptured aneurysms were significantly larger than incidental unruptured aneurysms (14.6 mm compared with 6.9 mm, p = 0.032), which were, in turn, larger than aneurysms that were unruptured and part of a multiple aneurysm constellation. Both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were larger in male than in female patients, but not significantly. Conclusions. Site and patient age, as well as lesion size, may affect the chance of rupture.


1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant Sinson ◽  
Matthew F. Philips ◽  
Eugene S. Flamm

✓ The application of a number of procedures that can be considered intraoperative endovascular neurosurgery has enhanced our ability to treat cerebral aneurysms from the abluminal surface. This study identifies a role for these techniques in the management of difficult aneurysms. A review of the last 1202 aneurysms undergoing direct clipping by the authors disclosed that these methods were used in 62 cases. Of these aneurysms, 36 arose from the internal carotid artery, 12 from the middle cerebral artery, eight from the vertebrobasilar distribution, and six from the anterior cerebral artery. The indications for applying these methods were large size (12–60 mm), intraluminal thrombus, broad neck, plaque at the neck, the potential compromise of branches at the base of the aneurysm, or a combination of these problems. The most frequently chosen intraoperative technique was suction decompression with direct removal of plaque and thrombus using suction, dissection, and/or ultrasonic aspiration. The application of temporary clips was required in all cases in which the aneurysm was opened before definitive clipping. No special pharmacological cerebral protective regimen was used. In one case in which a greater occlusion time was anticipated, cardiopulmonary bypass with profound hypothermia was performed. A favorable outcome was achieved in 73% of these difficult cases. An increased neurological deficit after surgery was seen in 11%, and the mortality rate was 8%. These methods should be considered and can be anticipated before surgery for unusual aneurysms. Many cases now being considered for embolization may be more suitable for definitive surgical obliteration.


1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Nakagawa ◽  
Kazuo Hashi

✓ The importance of early detection by various radiological techniques of asymptomatic, unruptured aneurysms as a means of preventing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is discussed in this report. Four hundred volunteers underwent clinical and radiological evaluations between March, 1988, and September, 1992. Studies included a neurological examination as well as digital subtraction cerebral angiography via a femoral arterial catheter, computerized tomography, T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the whole brain, and MR angiography. The evaluation revealed 27 asymptomatic, unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 26 volunteers, for an incidence of 6.5%. The subjects ranged in age from 39 to 71 years, with an average of 55 years. The aneurysms were located on the internal carotid artery in 13 cases (48%), the anterior communicating artery in six (22%), the middle cerebral artery in six (22%), and the basilar artery in two (7%). Aneurysms ranged in size from 5 mm or less in 16 cases, 6 to 10 mm in nine, and 11 to 15 mm in one; one aneurysm was more than 15 mm, with a maximum diameter of 2 cm. Volunteers with a family history of SAH within the second degree of consanguinity showed a higher incidence of aneurysms (17.9%). Aneurysm clipping was performed on 20 of the 26 cases with no significant morbidity or mortality. These findings support the contention that aggressive early detection of unruptured aneurysms may improve the outcome in patients harboring cerebral aneurysms by preventing the devastating effects of SAH.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Thorell ◽  
Michael M. Chow ◽  
Richard A. Prayson ◽  
Mark A. Shure ◽  
Sung W. Jeon ◽  
...  

Object. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage affects approximately 10/100,000 people per year. Endovascular coil embolization is used increasingly to treat cerebral aneurysms and its safety and durability is rapidly developing. The long-term durability of coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms remains in question; patients treated using this modality require multiple follow-up angiography studies and occasional repeated treatments. Methods. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging imaging modality that uses backscattered light to produce high-resolution tomography of optically accessible biological tissues such as the eye, luminal surface of blood vessels, and gastrointestinal tract. Vascular OCT probes in the form of imaging microwires are presently available—although not Food and Drug Administration—approved—and may be adapted for use in the cerebral circulation. In this study the authors describe the initial use of OCT to make visible the neck of aneurysms created in a canine model and treated with coil embolization. Optical coherence tomography images demonstrate changes that correlate with the histological findings of healing at the aneurysm neck and thus may be capable of demonstrating human cerebral aneurysm healing. Conclusions. Optical coherence tomography may obviate the need for subsequent follow-up angiography studies as well as aid in the understanding of endovascular tissue healing. Data in this study demonstrate that further investigation of in vivo imaging with such probes is warranted.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuo Tsutsumi ◽  
Keisuke Ueki ◽  
Akio Morita ◽  
Takaaki Kirino

Object. Controversy still exists about the risk estimation for rupture of untreated saccular aneurysms presenting for causes other than subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The object of this study was to address this issue.Methods. Between January 1976 and December 1997 in the Aizu Chuou Hospital, 62 patients underwent observation for more than 6 months for saccular, nonthrombotic, noncalcified unruptured aneurysms at locations not related to the cavernous sinus, which were detected in cerebral angiography studies performed for causes other than SAH. Clinical follow-up data in those 62 patients were reviewed to identify the risk of SAH.All patients were followed until July 1998, with the observation period ranging from 6 months to 17 years (mean 4.3 years). Seven patients (11.3%) developed SAH confirmed on computerized tomography (CT) scanning at a mean interval of 4.8 years, six of whom died and one of whom recovered with a major deficit. In addition, one patient died of the mass effect of the aneurysm, and another after sudden onset of headache and vomiting. The 5- and 10-year cumulative risks of CT-confirmed SAH calculated by the Kaplan—Meier method were 7.5% and 22.1%, respectively, for total cases, 33.5% and 55.9%, respectively, for large (> 10 mm) aneurysms, and 4.5% and 13.9%, respectively, for small (< 10 mm) aneurysms.Conclusions. Although based on a relatively small, single-institution series, our data indicated that the risk of rupture from incidental, intradural, saccular aneurysms was higher than previously reported, and may support preventive surgical treatment of incidental aneurysms, considering the fatality rate of SAH.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiro Suzuki ◽  
Takashi Yoshimoto ◽  
Takamasa Kayama

✓ The authors report their experience with the surgical therapy of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms in 413 cases, and describe their technique. After the M1 portion of the MCA is identified, the Sylvian fissure is opened. During the administration of 20% mannitol, temporary occluding clips are applied to the feeding and draining vessels of the aneurysm. The aneurysm is freed from all surrounding tissue, and the aneurysm neck is treated by ligation, clipping, or wrapping. Analysis of surgical results in 91 cases operated on after the surgical approach had become standardized indicates that more than 94% of patients have returned to useful social lives by the time of follow-up evaluation. Twenty-four percent of these patients were operated on within 48 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Soo Chang ◽  
Takanori Fukushima ◽  
Shinichiro Miyazaki ◽  
Teruaki Tamagawa

✓ A case of a ruptured fusiform aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery is reported. The aneurysm was excised and end-to-end anastomosis was carried out between the two ends of the posterior cerebral artery. There is no previous report of a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm treated with this technique. The pertinent literature is reviewed and the significance of this technique in the treatment of unclippable cerebral aneurysms is discussed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 891-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gádor Cantón ◽  
David I. Levy ◽  
Juan C. Lasheras ◽  
Peter K. Nelson

Object. The goal of this study was to quantify the reduction in velocity, vorticity, and shear stresses resulting from the sequential placement of stents across the neck of sidewall cerebral aneurysms. Methods. A digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) system was used to measure the pulsatile velocity field within a flexible silicone sidewall intracranial aneurysm model and at the aneurysm neck–parent artery interface in this model. The DPIV system is capable of providing an instantaneous, quantitative two-dimensional measurement of the velocity vector field of “blood” flow inside the aneurysm pouch and the parent vessel, and its changes at varying stages of the cardiac cycle. The corresponding vorticity and shear stress fields are then computed from the velocity field data. Three Neuroform stents (Boston Scientific/Target), each with a strut thickness between 60 and 65 µm, were subsequently placed across the neck of the aneurysm model and measurements were obtained after each stent had been placed. The authors measured a consistent decrease in the values of the maximal averaged velocity, vorticity, and shear stress after placing one, two, and three stents. Measurements of the circulation inside the sac demonstrated a systematic reduction in the strength of the vortex due to the stent placement. The decrease in the magnitude of the aforementioned quantities after the first stent was placed was remarkable. Placement of two or three stents led to a less significant reduction than placement of the first stent. Conclusions. The use of multiple flexible intravascular stents effectively reduces the strength of the vortex forming in an aneurysm sac and results in a decrease in the magnitude of stresses acting on the aneurysm wall.


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