多层螺旋CT血管成像评估颅内单发囊状动脉瘤破裂风险

目的采用多层螺旋CT血管成像技术(MSCTA)评估颅内单发囊状动脉瘤破裂风险。方法收集100例颅内单发囊状动脉瘤患者的MSCTA及临床资料,对比分析破裂组与未破裂组动脉瘤患者发病年龄、性别、动脉瘤位置及动脉瘤与载瘤动脉空间构象的差异、并进行破裂风险评估。结果男、女性动脉瘤破裂情况的差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.017,P=0.896);破裂组中,女性发病年龄大于男性(F=15.829,P0.001);后交通动脉起始处动脉瘤与前交通动脉瘤破裂情况的差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.667,P=0.197),破裂率均高于颈内动脉虹吸段(χ2=9.982,P=0.002;χ2=16.226,P0.001);Ⅱ类与Ⅲ类单发囊状动脉瘤破裂情况的差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.040,P=0.0841),均高于Ⅰ类(χ2=7.592,P=0.006;χ2=17.477,P0.001)。结论颅内单发囊状动脉瘤破裂与发病年龄、性别、动脉瘤位置及空间构象存在一定相关性。     

支架辅助栓塞未破裂颅内动脉瘤术后颅内微缺血危险因素

目的分析支架辅助栓塞(SAE)治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤后发生颅内微缺血(IMI)的危险因素。方法回顾性分析236例接受SAE治疗的未破裂颅内动脉瘤患者,根据术后3天内头部MR弥散加权成像(DWI)检查结果判断是否发生IMI;采用单因素分析和多因素Logistic回归分析筛选IMI危险因素。结果 236例中,97例(97/236, 41.10%)发生IMI(IMI组),139例未发生IMI(非IMI组,n=139)。2组间合并糖尿病、缺血性卒中病史、血小板抑制不足、前交通动脉瘤、伴瘤内附壁血栓、支架贴壁不良及微弹簧圈襻疝出瘤囊差异有统计学意义(P均0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,血小板抑制不足、前交通动脉瘤、伴瘤内附壁血栓、支架贴壁不良及微弹簧圈襻疝出瘤囊是IMI的独立危险因素(P均0.05)。结论 SAE治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤后可发生IMI;血小板抑制不足、前交通动脉瘤、伴瘤内附壁血栓、支架贴壁不良及微弹簧圈襻疝出瘤囊促进IMI发生。     

血管内皮细胞间连接蛋白VE-cadherin和β-连环蛋白在颅内动脉瘤中的表达

目的 观察血管内皮钙黏蛋白(VE-cadherin)和β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)在SD大鼠和人颅内动脉瘤壁中的表达,探讨血管内皮细胞连接受损与颅内动脉瘤形成的关系.方法 建立肾性高血压诱导的SD大鼠颅内动脉瘤模型,获取8个SD大鼠颅内动脉瘤.另取15例颅内动脉瘤组织标本,应用免疫组织化学方法检测VE-cadherin在大鼠脑动脉瘤壁中的表达,以及VE-cadherin和β-catenin在人脑动脉瘤壁的表达.按照Martina的方法对血管内皮层免疫反应强度进行评分.结果 正常SD大鼠和人的脑动脉血管壁上内皮层完整,VE-cadherin呈棕褐色线样均匀表达.SD大鼠颅内动脉瘤壁上VE-cadherin表达减少,呈间断性非均匀分布.正常SD大鼠脑动脉血管壁和颅内动脉瘤壁免疫反应强度评分分别为2.40 ±0.55和1.38±0.51,两组间差异有统计学意义(t=3.41,P＜0.01).人颅内动脉瘤壁内皮排列紊乱,VE-cadherin和β-catenin表达也明显减少,分布不均匀或表达缺失.正常脑动脉与颅内动脉瘤VE-cadherin和β-catenin免疫反应强度评分分别为2.60±0.54/1.33±0.49和2.80±0.45/1.33±0.49,VE-cadherin和β-catenin在两者间差异均有统计学意义(t分别为4.88和5.91;P＜0.01).结论 颅内动脉瘤的形成过程中存在内皮细胞连接受损.

Abstract：

Objective To verify whether vascular endothelial intercellular gap injury takes part in the formation of intracranial aneurysms by assaying the expression of vascular endothelial intercellular gap proteins VE-cadherin and β-catenin in the rat experimental intracranial aneurysms and human intracranial aneurysms. Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were used for establishing a model of hypertension-induced experimental intracranial aneurysm. Eight aneurysmal changes were found in the junction of the anterior cerebralartery (ACA) and the olfactort artery (OA) of rats, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression level of VE-cadherin. The expression of VE-cadherin and β-catenin was also assayed by using immunohistochemistry in fifteen human intracranial aneurysms. Results The VE-cadherin expression was reduced obviously in the intracranial aneurysms of rats as compared with the nomal cerebral artery ( 1.38 ±0. 51 vs 2.40 ±0. 55 ,P ＜0. 01 ). In human intracranial aneurysms, the expression of VE-cadherin was lower than that in the human superficial temporal artery ( 1.33 ± 0. 49 vs 2. 60 ± 0. 54, P ＜0. 01 ). And the expression of β-catenin was also reduced obviously as compared with the controls ( 1.33 ±0. 49 vs 2. 80 ± 0. 45 ,P ＜0. 01 ). Conclusion Vascular endothelial intercellular gap injury may involve in the formation of intracranial aneurysms.     

血管内治疗外伤性颈内动脉眼动脉段假性动脉瘤1例

颅内假性动脉瘤在动脉瘤中相当少见．是由于外伤、感染等原因引起血管壁全层损伤，导致血管破口处形成动脉瘤。因其不具有完整的动脉瘤壁结构，手术风险很高。外伤性假性动脉瘤多由颅底骨折碎片损伤颈内动脉引起，好发于颈内动脉海绵窦段．常伴有颈内动脉海绵窦瘘。但颈内动脉眼动脉段少见。本文对1例颈内动脉眼动脉段假性动脉瘤采用栓塞载瘤动脉方法治疗，效果满意。结合文献复习，报告如下。     

高分辨MRI评估单发未破裂颅内动脉瘤稳定性

目的观察高分辨MRI(HR-MRI)评估单发未破裂颅内动脉瘤(IA)稳定性的价值。方法回顾性分析63例单发未破裂IA患者,其中稳定组32例及不稳定组31例,均接受平扫及增强HR-MR检查。对比2组一般资料及MRI所示动脉瘤位置、形态、强化形式和强化指数,绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,评估相关参数鉴别不稳定与稳定IA的效能。结果稳定组与不稳定组患者年龄、性别、既往史差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05);组间IA形态、是否为分叉动脉瘤及强化指数差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01),而位置、瘤颈宽度、瘤体深度和宽度、强化形式差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,强化指数鉴别稳定与不稳定IA的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.82,敏感度81.7%,特异度71.9%。结论 HR-MRI可用于评估未破裂IA的稳定性。     

CT三维血管造影诊断出血动脉瘤

目的 评价CT血管造影(CTA)在颅内动脉瘤破裂后蛛网膜下腔出血诊断中的价值及手术指导意义。方法 对63例急性蛛网膜下腔出血病人急诊行螺旋CT扫描,然后行脑血管三维成像。结果 发现颅内动脉瘤24例。有1例阴性经全脑血管造影(DSA)发现存在动脉瘤。诊断均以手术证实。结论 CTA对动脉瘤蛛网膜下腔出血是一种微创、快速、准确的诊断技术,对于急诊或危重病人应为首选。     

显微手术治疗破裂颅内动脉瘤155例

目的 通过总结颅内动脉瘤破裂的显微手术治疗,探讨颅内动脉瘤破裂的手术时机、手术技巧对术后疗效的影响.方法 系统总结2004年10月至2007年10月经手术治疗的155例破裂颅内动脉瘤的临床情况,以GOS计分评价患者出院时转归,比较不同手术时机对预后的影响.结果 155例中发现162个动脉瘤,单纯夹闭149个,夹闭加包裹4个,包裹6个.手术时间在发病72 h之内(包括72 h)79例,3～14 d(包括14 d)65例,14 d以上11例.术后恢复良好140例(90.3%),一般11例(7.1%),植物生存3例(1.94%),死亡1例(0.65%).不同手术时期患者出院时GOS评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 显微手术治疗破裂的颅内动脉瘤可取得满意疗效.     

支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞在急诊栓塞颅内宽颈微小动脉瘤破裂中的应用

目的探讨支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞在治疗急诊治疗颅内破裂宽颈微小动脉瘤(最大径≤3mm)中的操作技巧及临床疗效。方法回顾急诊支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗的7例颅内破裂宽颈微小动脉瘤患者资料,分析治疗方法、疗效、并发症、预后及6~12个月随访结果,评价支架技术的安全性、有效性及操作技巧。结果术后即刻造影显示,完全栓塞5例,次全栓塞1例,单纯植入支架1例;未发生破裂出血及血栓栓塞事件。术后3个月改良式格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)结果显示,6例恢复正常,1例恢复良好。6~12个月随访未发现动脉瘤再破裂出血。结论支架辅助弹簧圈急诊栓塞治疗颅内破裂宽颈微小动脉瘤安全有效。     

颅内多发动脉瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨颅内多发动脉瘤的手术策略并分析临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2013年12月手术治疗49例颅内多发动脉瘤患者的临床资料.49例患者中,男性12例,女性37例;平均年龄(49±11)岁;35例动脉瘤破裂,14例未破裂;治疗策略有一期手术(一侧入路夹闭所有动脉瘤),二期治疗(分期处理所有动脉瘤)和部分治疗(只处理责任动脉瘤).随访中复查脑CT血管造影(CTA)或数字减影血管造影(DSA),用格拉斯哥预后量表(GOS)评估预后.结果 一期手术32例(65.3％),二期治疗9例(18.4％),部分治疗8例(16.3％).47例随访4 ～ 49个月,平均(22 ±7)个月.术后CTA或DSA均未见动脉瘤复发.根据GOS评分,患者预后良好(4～5分)41例(83.7％),残疾(2～3分)6例(12.2％),死亡(1分)2例(4.1％).结论 在具有娴熟手术技术的前提下选择合适的患者,根据动脉瘤和患者的特征制定个性化的手术策略,能提高颅内多发动脉瘤的手术疗效.     

开颅手术夹闭与血管内介入栓塞治疗破裂颅内动脉瘤疗效比较

目的对比开颅手术夹闭与血管内介入栓塞治疗破裂颅内动脉瘤疗效。方法破裂颅内动脉瘤患者68例采用随机平行对照法将其分为两组,A组给予开颅夹闭,B组给予血管内栓塞。结果 B组患者手术耗时、术中出血量、住院时间均优于A组,数据对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而B组患者平均费用高于A组,数据对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组治疗良好率差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.469,P=0.693);A组术后并发症发生率为24.24%(8/33)、复发率为9.09%(3/33),B组分别为6.06%(2/33)、30.30%(10/33),两组比较差异均有统计学意义(χ2=4.243、4.694,P=0.039、0.030)。结论对破裂颅内动脉瘤患者,给予血管内介入栓塞治疗具有创伤小、术后恢复快等优点,但是其复发率及花费较高,临床上需要结合患者实际情况有针对性的选择手术方式。     

Patient-specific hemodynamic analysis of small internal carotid artery-ophthalmic artery aneurysms

BackgroundProphylactic treatment of unruptured small brain aneurysms is still controversial due to the low risk of rupture. Distinguishing which small aneurysms are at risk for rupture has become important for treatment. Previous studies have indicated a variety of hemodynamic properties that may influence aneurysm rupture. This study uses hemodynamic principles to evaluate these in the context of ruptured and unruptured small aneurysms in a single location.MethodsEight small internal carotid artery-ophthalmic artery (ICA-Oph) aneurysms (<10 mm) were selected from the University of California, Los Angeles, database. We analyzed rupture-related hemodynamic characteristics including flow patterns, wall shear stress (WSS), and flow impingement using previously developed patient-specific computational fluid dynamics software.ResultsMost ruptured aneurysms had complicated flow patterns in the aneurysm domes, but all of the unruptured cases showed a simple vortex. A reduction in flow velocity between the parent artery and the aneurysm sac was found in all the cases. Inside the aneurysms, the highest flow velocities were found either at the apex or neck. We also observed a trend of higher and more inhomogeneous WSS distribution within ruptured aneurysms (10.66 ± 5.99 Pa) in comparison with the unruptured ones (6.31 ± 6.47 Pa) (P < .01).ConclusionA comparison of hemodynamic properties between ruptured and unruptured small ICA-Oph aneurysms found that some hemodynamic properties vary between small aneurysms although they are similar in size and share the same anatomical location. In particular, WSS may be a useful hemodynamic factor for studying small aneurysm rupture.     

Outcome for unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm treatment: surgical and endovascular approach in a single center

The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). To prevent SAH, unruptured lesions can be treated by either endovascular or microsurgical approach. Due to their complex anatomy, middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms represent a unique subgroup of intracranial aneurysms. Primary objective was to determine radiological and clinical outcomes in patients with middle cerebral artery aneurysms who were interdisciplinary treated by either endovascular or microsurgical approach in a single center. Secondary objective was to determine the impact of the lesions’ angiographic characteristics on treatment outcome. Clinical and radiological data of 103 patients interdisciplinary treated for unruptured MCA aneurysms over a 5-year period were analyzed in endovascular (n?=?16) and microsurgical (n?=?87) cohorts. Overall morbidity (Glasgow Outcome Score <5) after 12-month follow-up was 9 %. There was no significant difference between the two cohorts. Complete or “near complete” aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 97 and 75 % in the microsurgical, respective endovascular cohort. A “complex” aneurysm configuration had a significant impact on complete aneurysm occlusion in both cohorts, however, not on clinical outcome. Treatment of unruptured MCA aneurysms can be performed with a low risk of repair using both approaches. However, the risk for incomplete occlusion was higher for the endovascular approach in this series.     

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene [G894T] polymorphism as a possible risk factor in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

Summary Background. The exact aetiology, growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms is unclear. In this study we investigated a possible association between intracranial aneurysm rupture and polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene G894T. Methods. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism of 53 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms and 60 control subjects were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm and healthy subjects were compared. Findings. The homozygous (TT) genotype frequency was significantly higher in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. It was also found that the presence of eNOS 894TT genotype was significantly associated with the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Polymorphism in exon 7 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene G894T seems to be a possible risk factor for intracranial aneurysm rupture. Correspondence: ünal ?züm, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery. Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas, Turkey.     

Risk factors for the formation and rupture of intracranial saccular aneurysms in Shimane,Japan

BackgroundPrevention of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can be achieved by reducing risk factors, which include those for aneurysm formation and aneurysm rupture. However, neither of these 2 factors has been discussed separately so far. A case control study was undertaken in Shimane, Japan, to identify modifiable risk factors for the formation and rupture of aneurysms.MethodsThis study included 858 patients with ruptured aneurysms, 285 patients with unruptured aneurysms without a history of SAH, and 798 control subjects. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption were assessed as risk factors by using conditional logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjustment for other risk factors, hypertension was the most powerful risk factor for aneurysm formation, regardless of age and sex, followed by hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, and cigarette smoking, whereas diabetes mellitus and daily drinking were insignificant for aneurysm formation. Hypertension and daily drinking were not related to the risk of aneurysm rupture, regardless of age and sex, whereas cigarette smoking was associated with an increased risk of aneurysm rupture in patients 60 years or older and in men. In contrast, hypercholesterolemia was strongly associated with a decreased risk of rupture, regardless of age and sex, and in patients with small aneurysms (<5 mm). Diabetes mellitus and heart disease were also related to a decreased risk of rupture in patients 60 years or older and in women.ConclusionIdentification of risk factors for aneurysm formation and rupture separately seems to be pivotal for reducing the incidence of SAH.     

Natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: probability of and risk factors for aneurysm rupture

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.     

Natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: probability of and risk factors for aneurysm rupture

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 lifetable 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.     

A proposed parent vessel geometry-based categorization of saccular intracranial aneurysms: computational flow dynamics analysis of the risk factors for lesion rupture

OBJECT: The authors created a simple, broadly applicable classification of saccular intracranial aneurysms into three categories: sidewall (SW), sidewall with branching vessel (SWBV), and endwall (EW) according to the angiographically documented patterns of their parent arteries. Using computational flow dynamics analysis (CFDA) of simple models representing the three aneurysm categories, the authors analyzed geometry-related risk factors such as neck width, parent artery curvature, and angulation of the branching vessels. METHODS: The authors performed CFDAs of 68 aneurysmal geometric formations documented on angiograms that had been obtained in patients with 45 ruptured and 23 unruptured lesions. In successfully studied CFDA cases, the wall shear stress, blood velocity, and pressure maps were examined and correlated with aneurysm rupture points. Statistical analysis of the cases involving aneurysm rupture revealed a statistically significant correlation between aneurysm depth and both neck size (p < 0.0001) and caliber of draining arteries (p < 0.0001). Wider-necked aneurysms or those with wider-caliber draining vessels were found to be high-flow lesions that tended to rupture at larger sizes. Smaller-necked aneurysms or those with smaller-caliber draining vessels were found to be low-flow lesions that tended to rupture at smaller sizes. The incidence of ruptured aneurysms with an aspect ratio (depth/neck) exceeding 1.6 was 100% in the SW and SWBV categories, whereas the incidence was only 28.75% for the EW aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: The application of standardized categories enables the comparison of results for various aneurysms' geometric formations, thus assisting in their management. The proposed classification system may provide a promising means of understanding the natural history of saccular intracranial aneurysms.     

Risk perception of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Object

Recent prospective studies have shown that the rupture rate of small unruptured intracranial aneurysms is very low. However, awareness of harboring an aneurysm often provokes anxiety and depression, which may reduce the quality of life (QOL).

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 52 patients who had previously been notified of the presence of untreated unruptured aneurysms. A Markov model was constructed to simulate the natural history over time, and the age- and size-specific loss of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) caused by the aneurysms was calculated. Preference-based subjective QALY losses (P_SG and P_TTO) were assessed using the standard gamble (SG) and time trade-off (TTO) according to patient’s own perceptions.

Results

Calculated theoretical QALY losses were relatively small with median values of 0.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.1–1.0 years) and 1.9 % (IQR 1.1–3.7 %) of expected lifetime. The median values of P_SG and P_TTO were 10.0 % (IQR 5.0–14.3 %) and 19.5 % (IQR 9.0–25.0 %), respectively. Although theoretical QALY losses were smaller in the patients with small aneurysms (<5 mm) than in patients with medium?～?large aneurysms (≥5 mm), the P_SG and P_TTO were almost the same in both groups. The discrepancy between theoretical and subjective QALY losses was prominent in patients with small aneurysms.

Conclusions

Notification of unruptured aneurysms exerts a significant psychological burden, and excessively reduces the QOL relative to the theoretical risks. The present study suggests that neurosurgeons should reconsider the method used to inform patients of small lesions with low risk of severe consequences.