Does the method of treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms influence the incidence and duration of cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcome?

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral vasospasm remains the leading cause of death and permanent disability after subarachnoid haemorrhage. This study determined whether the method of aneurysm treatment plays an important role in determining the incidence of cerebral vasospasm and its clinical consequences. METHODS: Admission data, cranial computed tomography (CT), treatment details, transcranial Doppler (TCD) results, and clinical outcomes of patients who had surgical or endovascular management of their ruptured aneurysm were recorded and subject to multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Between January 1995 and December 1999, 292 eligible patients (206 female, 86 male) had definitive aneurysm treatment at our unit. 212 patients were clipped, 80 coiled. There was no significant difference in patient age, pre-treatment neurological grade, Fisher grade, or timing of treatment in the two groups. 48.3% patients developed TCD detected cerebral vasospasm and 16.1% patients developed permanent ischaemic neurological deficit. At clinical follow up, 84.2% of patients were well (mGOS 1 and 2) with a cumulative death rate of 6.5% from all causes. The only significant predictor of TCD-detected cerebral vasospasm was patient age (inversely, p = 0.004). Increased patient age, vasospasm, poor pre-treatment WFNS, and higher CT Fisher grades correlated with a poor discharge GOS. However, only poor pre-treatment WFNS grade and patient age correlated with poor GOS at follow up (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The treatment method had no influence on the incidence or duration of TCD detected vasospasm and there was no significant difference in outcome at discharge or follow up between those patients who had surgery or endovascular management of their aneurysms.     

Endovascular management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: does outcome justify treatment?

OBJECTIVE: The appropriate management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms depends on a complete understanding of their natural history and on the risks and efficacy of treatment options. There is little current data on the risks of endovascular therapy for these aneurysms. The aim of this study was to assess outcome of endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on all unruptured aneurysms treated by Guglielmi detachable (GD) coils at this institution from 1994 to 2000. RESULTS: Seventy three unruptured aneurysms were treated in 62 patients. There were 52 female and 10 male patients, with a median age of 55.7 years. Clinical background was: subarachnoid haemorrhage due to rupture of an additional aneurysm (40), headache (4), third nerve palsy (four), familial (four), and incidental (10). There were 14 technical failures with no clinical sequelae. Four procedural complications occurred (5.5%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.3% to 10.9%). One patient had temporary clinical sequelae (1.4%, 95% CI 0% to 2.7%); 79% of treated aneurysms had stable occlusions at follow up, 10.5% showed improved occlusion grade, 10.5% showed some recurrence, and three patients have required retreatment. Follow up modified Glasgow outcome scores were grade 1, 71%; grade 2, 18%; grade 3, 3%; grade 4, 3%. There were no deaths or haemorrhages during the follow up period. Two patients died as a result of complications from subarachnoid haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The endovascular treatment of patients with unruptured aneurysms is safe with few clinical or procedural complications. Poor outcomes were only seen in those patients who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to rupture of an aneurysm at another site.     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms during pregnancy: Is this the best way forward? Case report and review of the literature

Objective and importance

Subarachnoid haemorrhage in pregnancy has traditionally been treated by surgical clipping however lately cases of successful coiling have been reported. Nevertheless, the long-term outcome of coiling is not well known in pregnant women. Mortality due to rebleeding of an incompletely treated aneurysm remains high. Only 15 cases of successful endovascular coiling during pregnancy have been reported so far.

Clinical presentation

We report the case of a pregnant woman who presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS Grade III) due to rupture of a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm.

Intervention

The patient underwent endovascular coiling successfully followed by an elective caesarian section and delivery of a healthy baby. However, during the course of a 2-year follow up the patient had suffered two relapses of the coiled aneurysm which required additional treatment. These events have affected her choice of extending her family.

Conclusion

The small risk of recurrence and the potential impact on future pregnancies should be explicitly communicated to patients in cases of endovascular coiling.     

Ruptured intracranial aneurysms: has the incidence of early rebleeding been over-estimated?

Of 110 consecutive patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms, 49 underwent delayed neurological deterioration, involving 57 episodes in all. During the first three weeks after the presenting haemorrhage less than a third of these episodes were due to confirmed rebleeding. Rebleeding episodes were found to have a "flat" distribution in time during this period, but episodes of non-haemorrhagic deterioration "peaked" between days 4-12. This peak coincides with the peak for rebleeding which was described in earlier studies on aneurysms, and it is suggested that confusion between non-haemorrhagic deterioration and rebleeding may have led to a significant over-estimate of the incidence of early rebleeding with important implications for the optimum timing of surgical intervention.     

Outcomes of treatment modalities for ruptured intracranial aneurysms based on age – A meta-analysis

BackgroundData comparing the effect of age on outcomes of patients who underwent either endovascular coiling (EVC) or neurosurgical clipping (NSC) for ruptured intracranial aneurysms remains limited.ObjectiveTo better elucidate the preferred intervention for ruptured aneurysm management by presenting the results of our systematic review of the literature that evaluated the potential advantages of the two interventions between different age groups.MethodsSystematic review of PubMed and Embase was performed (2002 – June 10, 2019) following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2013 guidelines. Median ages of EVC and NSC cohorts were 54 and 56, respectively. Ages below the median were used in our “younger” cohort; ages above the median were used in our “older” cohort.ResultsWe reviewed 13 studies on 7,137 patients. In the younger cohort, there were 2840 (EVC: 1412, NSC: 1428) patients. In the older cohort, there were 4297 (EVC: 2552, NSC: 1745) patients. Overall, there was a significant difference in functionality between EVC (77.70%) and NSC (69.23%) (OR=1.69; 95% C.I.: 1.10-2.60, p = 0.0212). In our younger cohort, functionality was significantly different between EVC (77%) and NSC (69%) (OR=1.54; 95% C.I.: 1.29-1.84, p < 0.001). For the older cohort, there was no significant difference in functionality, complications, or efficacy.ConclusionsWe have highlighted the importance of considering age prior to deciding which intervention is most appropriate for ruptured aneurysms, with higher morbidity and mortality with NSC versus EVC in the younger population.     

Flow diverter stents in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: Where are we?

Flow diverter stents are devices designed to treat complex aneurysms. According to preliminary series published in the literature, treatment of aneurysms with flow diverters is highly efficacious with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Delayed aneurysm ruptures have been reported but mechanisms are actually not completely elucidated. In-stent thrombosis or stenosis was also observed. Indications of flow diverters are complex aneurysms (fusiform, large and giant, wide neck, small aneurysms untreatable by conventional coiling) as well as recurrences. Several randomized studies and registries are actually in progress and will contribute to a more precise knowledge of the place of the flow diverters in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.     

Does the place of treatment influence the quality of life of schizophrenics?

OBJECTIVE: Chronically mentally ill patients in community mental health care report a better quality of life (QOL) than those in long-term hospital care, which suggests that the treatment setting per se influences their QOL. METHOD: In a region where both treatment settings are of a comparable high standard, we assessed the QOL of 96 schizophrenic patients from these two treatment settings, and the factors which most influenced their QOL. RESULTS: Community-care patients reported a better QOL than long-term hospital-care patients. However, when other factors influencing QOL were included in a regression analysis, the place of treatment was no longer significant, but rather the social support, the severity of the illness, educational level and certain illness concepts. CONCLUSION: It is probably not the place per se which influences the QOL, but apart from personal, sociodemographic and illness-related factors, the amount of social support that is provided in different settings.     

Does volume of extradural hematoma influence management strategy and outcome?

AIMS: To evaluate the management strategy of extradural hematomas (EDH), particularly with respect to its volume. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two hundred and three patients with EDH and no other significant intracranial injuries were treated over a period of three years. RESULTS: The factors influencing management strategy and outcome were the Glasgow coma scale (GCS), volume of extradural hematoma (EDHV) and its location. The ultimate clinical outcome was significantly better in patients having EDHV of less than 30 ml. CONCLUSIONS: The key factors influencing the management strategy and clinical outcome are EDHV and GCS at the time of admission. A patient with EDH should not be considered for conservative management if EDHV is more than 30 ml and GCS is 13 or less.     

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms as the first thérapeutic option

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the results of endovascular treatment (EVT) of intracranial aneurysms when it is considered as first-intention treatment. METHODS: From April 2004-October 2006, 167 consecutive patients with 202 aneurysms were treated in our institution. Five patients with a ruptured aneurysm with an associated haematoma were excluded. In 162 patients with 197 aneurysms, EVT was considered as first-intention treatment. RESULTS: Surgical clipping was performed in 25 aneurysms (25/197=12.7%) including 22 aneurysms excluded from EVT and three EVT failures. EVT was thus attempted in 144 patients with 175 aneurysms and successfully performed in 141 patients with 172 aneurysms (172/197=87.3%). EVT failure rate was 1.7%. Clinical outcome according to the modified Glasgow Outcome Scale was: Excellent, 81.5%; Good, 7%; Poor or Fair, 3.5%; Death, 8%. Procedural complications occurred in 17 cases (10%). Balloon- or stent-assisted techniques were used in 60 cases (34.9%) and were not associated with higher complication rate. Overall procedural morbidity and mortality rates were 4.2 and 2.1%. Initially, complete occlusion was obtained in 68%, neck remnant in 23%, and incomplete occlusion in 9% of aneurysms. Follow-up (mean 11 months) was obtained in 119 aneurysms and showed major recanalisation--that required re-treatment--in 13 cases (11%) and minor recanalisation in 17 cases (14.3%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that new endovascular techniques allow proposing EVT as first-intention treatment in 87.3% of patients with intracranial aneurysms. This therapeutic strategy is associated with good clinical results. However, anatomical results are not improved and remain the EVT limiting factor.     

Comparison of management approaches in deep-seated intracranial arteriovenous malformations: Does treatment improve outcome?

Deep-seated intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) represent a subset of AVMs characterized by variably reported outcomes regarding the risk of hemorrhage, microsurgical complications, and response to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). We aimed to compare outcomes of microsurgery, SRS, endovascular therapy, and conservative follow-up in deep-seated AVMs. A prospectively maintained database of AVM patients (1990–2017) was queried to identify patients with ruptured and unruptured deep-seated AVMs (extension into thalamus, basal ganglia, or brainstem). Comparisons of hemorrhage-free survival and poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] > 2) were performed between conservative management, microsurgery (±pre-procedural embolization), SRS (±pre-procedural embolization), and embolization utilizing multivariable Cox and logistic regression analyses controlling for univariable factors with p < 0.05. Of 789 AVM patients, 102 had deep-seated AVMs (conservative: 34; microsurgery: 6; SRS: 54; embolization: 8). Mean follow-up time was 6.1 years and did not differ significantly between management groups (p = 0.393). Complete obliteration was achieved in 49% of SRS patients. Upon multivariable analysis controlling for baseline rupture with conservative management as a reference group, embolization was associated with an increased hazard of hemorrhage (HR = 6.2, 95%CI [1.1–40.0], p = 0.037), while microsurgery (p = 0.118) and SRS (p = 0.167) provided no significant protection from hemorrhage. Controlling for baseline mRS, microsurgery was associated with an increased risk of poor outcome (OR = 9.2[1.2–68.3], p = 0.030), while SRS (p = 0.557) and embolization (p = 0.541) did not differ significantly from conservative management. Deep AVMs harbor a high risk of hemorrhage, but the benefit from intervention Remains uncertain. SRS may be a relatively more effective approach if interventional therapy is indicated.     

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and cerebral vasospasm: A possible mechanism of ischemic encephalopathy?

A 46-year-old woman with a severe polyradiculoneuropathy treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) presented an encephalopathy with increased blood flow velocities of the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies. The similitude between this observation and another case recently reported of a patient suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and cerebral blood flow abnormalities after IVIg treatment prompted us to investigate the responsibility of the IVIg therapy in the genesis of these blood flow alterations. We studied therefore by TCD 10 consecutive patients who underwent this treatment for different reasons. In 1 case we observed an asymptomatic, spontaneously reversible increase in the blood flow velocities of the MCAs consistent with a vasospasm and occurring 3-10 days after completion of the therapy. Stroke and ischemic encephalopathy have been reported as possible complications of IVIg treatment. In the case under discussion, clinical events appeared shortly after the administration of the IVIg therapy and responded favorably to a treatment with nimodipine. Other etiopathogenic mechanisms, in particular a CNS vasculopathic process related to the GBS itself, have to be considered as well. Further studies, with a larger number of patients, are therefore needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of blood flow abnormalities occurring sometimes in GBS patients after IVIg treatment.     

Does parasympathetic modulation prior to ECT treatment influence therapeutic outcome?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment option for major depressive disorder when other treatments have failed. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these therapeutical effects are insufficiently understood to date. Furthermore, treatment outcome is difficult to predict. Recent research suggested an important role of autonomic modulation for successful treatment.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms——clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies

Objective To assess the radiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of intracranial aneurysms in children. Methods From our dedicated neurovascular databank of patients, we reviewed 23 consecutive children who had 24 intracranial aneurysms. There were 14 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 9.09 years ( range 1 - 14 years ). Results Intracranial aneurysms in children ≤ 14 years constituted 1.3% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were the most frequent sites for aneurysms. About 58.3% of the aneurysms were complex, including dissecting, pseudoaneurysm, giant and fusiform aneurysm. 1/3 of all aneurysms were located in posterior circulation. Only 1 case had multiple aneurysms in this case series. Almost half of all cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and others presented with mass effect. 14 cases underwent endovascular treatment. 4 patients received microsurgical therapy. 5 cases did not receive microsurgical or endovascular therapy, 2 of them whose aneurysms spontaneously thrombosed during follow up. One boy with left vertebral artery giant aneurysm died after endovascular therapy owing to gradual thrombosis in basilar artery. Another child had poor outcome because of rerupture of aneurysm before operation. Whereas the majority had a favorable outcome. Conclusions Intracranial aneurysms in children had many clinical and radiological characteristics different from those in adults : ( 1 ) remarkable male predominance; ( 2 ) ICA and MCA were the most common sites for aneurysms; (3) high incidence of large, traumatic, infectious, dissecting and fusiform aneurysms. (4)For pediatric intracranial aneurysms, both microsurgical approaches and endovascular treatment were effective. Endovaacular therapy was the best choice for complex aneurysms.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms——clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies

Objective To assess the radiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of intracranial aneurysms in children. Methods From our dedicated neurovascular databank of patients, we reviewed 23 consecutive children who had 24 intracranial aneurysms. There were 14 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 9.09 years ( range 1 - 14 years ). Results Intracranial aneurysms in children ≤ 14 years constituted 1.3% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were the most frequent sites for aneurysms. About 58.3% of the aneurysms were complex, including dissecting, pseudoaneurysm, giant and fusiform aneurysm. 1/3 of all aneurysms were located in posterior circulation. Only 1 case had multiple aneurysms in this case series. Almost half of all cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and others presented with mass effect. 14 cases underwent endovascular treatment. 4 patients received microsurgical therapy. 5 cases did not receive microsurgical or endovascular therapy, 2 of them whose aneurysms spontaneously thrombosed during follow up. One boy with left vertebral artery giant aneurysm died after endovascular therapy owing to gradual thrombosis in basilar artery. Another child had poor outcome because of rerupture of aneurysm before operation. Whereas the majority had a favorable outcome. Conclusions Intracranial aneurysms in children had many clinical and radiological characteristics different from those in adults : ( 1 ) remarkable male predominance; ( 2 ) ICA and MCA were the most common sites for aneurysms; (3) high incidence of large, traumatic, infectious, dissecting and fusiform aneurysms. (4)For pediatric intracranial aneurysms, both microsurgical approaches and endovascular treatment were effective. Endovaacular therapy was the best choice for complex aneurysms.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms——clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies

Objective To assess the radiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of intracranial aneurysms in children. Methods From our dedicated neurovascular databank of patients, we reviewed 23 consecutive children who had 24 intracranial aneurysms. There were 14 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 9.09 years ( range 1 - 14 years ). Results Intracranial aneurysms in children ≤ 14 years constituted 1.3% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were the most frequent sites for aneurysms. About 58.3% of the aneurysms were complex, including dissecting, pseudoaneurysm, giant and fusiform aneurysm. 1/3 of all aneurysms were located in posterior circulation. Only 1 case had multiple aneurysms in this case series. Almost half of all cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and others presented with mass effect. 14 cases underwent endovascular treatment. 4 patients received microsurgical therapy. 5 cases did not receive microsurgical or endovascular therapy, 2 of them whose aneurysms spontaneously thrombosed during follow up. One boy with left vertebral artery giant aneurysm died after endovascular therapy owing to gradual thrombosis in basilar artery. Another child had poor outcome because of rerupture of aneurysm before operation. Whereas the majority had a favorable outcome. Conclusions Intracranial aneurysms in children had many clinical and radiological characteristics different from those in adults : ( 1 ) remarkable male predominance; ( 2 ) ICA and MCA were the most common sites for aneurysms; (3) high incidence of large, traumatic, infectious, dissecting and fusiform aneurysms. (4)For pediatric intracranial aneurysms, both microsurgical approaches and endovascular treatment were effective. Endovaacular therapy was the best choice for complex aneurysms.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms——clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies

Objective To assess the radiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of intracranial aneurysms in children. Methods From our dedicated neurovascular databank of patients, we reviewed 23 consecutive children who had 24 intracranial aneurysms. There were 14 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 9.09 years ( range 1 - 14 years ). Results Intracranial aneurysms in children ≤ 14 years constituted 1.3% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were the most frequent sites for aneurysms. About 58.3% of the aneurysms were complex, including dissecting, pseudoaneurysm, giant and fusiform aneurysm. 1/3 of all aneurysms were located in posterior circulation. Only 1 case had multiple aneurysms in this case series. Almost half of all cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and others presented with mass effect. 14 cases underwent endovascular treatment. 4 patients received microsurgical therapy. 5 cases did not receive microsurgical or endovascular therapy, 2 of them whose aneurysms spontaneously thrombosed during follow up. One boy with left vertebral artery giant aneurysm died after endovascular therapy owing to gradual thrombosis in basilar artery. Another child had poor outcome because of rerupture of aneurysm before operation. Whereas the majority had a favorable outcome. Conclusions Intracranial aneurysms in children had many clinical and radiological characteristics different from those in adults : ( 1 ) remarkable male predominance; ( 2 ) ICA and MCA were the most common sites for aneurysms; (3) high incidence of large, traumatic, infectious, dissecting and fusiform aneurysms. (4)For pediatric intracranial aneurysms, both microsurgical approaches and endovascular treatment were effective. Endovaacular therapy was the best choice for complex aneurysms.