Perangiographic rupture of intracranial aneurysms

Summary The reports of perangiographic rupture of intracranial aneurysm are very few, but the actual incidence is doubtless higher than reported. We could find only 49 cases in the literature, all of which were recognized by extravasation of contrast media. Three of our own cases are documented; in all of them cerebral angiography was carried out soon after subarachnoid hemorrhages. The danger of cerebral angiography in patients with a recently hemorrhaged intracranial aneurysm is stressed.     

颅内动脉瘤的致密栓塞

目的　探讨颅内动脉瘤致密栓塞的技术方法 ,分析不全栓塞的原因。方法　对 5 8例颅内破裂动脉瘤 ,应用GDC ,分别对窄颈动脉瘤和宽颈动脉采用多种栓塞技术 ,明显提高动脉瘤的致密栓塞率。结果　致密栓塞 5 0例 (86 .2 % ) ,95 %栓塞 3例 (5 .2 % ) ,90 %栓塞 3例 (5 .2 % ) ,80 %栓塞 2例 (3.4 % ) ,术后无一例发生再出血。结论　颅内动脉瘤栓塞要尽可能致密。     

Endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms are common, with an overall frequency ranging from 0.8% to 10%. Because prognosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage is still very poor, treatment of unruptured aneurysms, either neurosurgically or endovascularly, has been advocated. However, risk of rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage needs to be considered against the risks of elective treatment. We analyzed the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of endovascular treatment of a consecutive series of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: From July 1997 through December 2000, a total of 76 patients with 82 unruptured cerebral aneurysms were treated at our institution. Endovascular treatment was administered to 39 consecutive patients with a total of 42 unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Thirty-six aneurysms were treated with an endovascular technique; in six patients, the parent artery was occluded to eliminate aneurysmal perfusion. Aneurysms were located either in the anterior (n = 31) or posterior (n = 11) circulation. Eight patients had experienced previous subarachnoid hemorrhage from other aneurysms and were treated electively after complete rehabilitation. Ten patients had neurologic symptoms; in 21 patients, the aneurysm was an incidental finding. Eighteen aneurysms were small (0-5 mm), 11 were medium (6-10 mm), nine were large (11-25 mm), and four were giant (> 25 mm). Occlusion rate was categorized as complete (100%), subtotal (95-99%), and incomplete (< 95%) obliteration. RESULTS: Endovascular treatment was technically feasible for 38 of 42 aneurysms. Complete (100%) or nearly complete (95-99%) occlusion was achieved in 34 of 38 aneurysms. In four aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, only incomplete (< 95%) occlusion was achieved. All patients except one with mild neurologic deficits according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale and one with mild memory dysfunction but no focal neurologic deficit achieved good recovery, resulting in a morbidity rate of 4.8% and a mortality rate of 0%. CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization of unruptured cerebral aneurysms is an effective therapeutic alternative to neurosurgical clipping and is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. For the management of unruptured aneurysms, endovascular treatment should be considered.     

Epidemiology and genetics of intracranial aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms are acquired lesions (5–10% of the population), a fraction of which rupture leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage with devastating consequences.     

Endovascular treatment of bacterial intracranial aneurysms

We report three patients with bacterial intracranial aneurysms treated by the endovascular approach: two presented with sudden severe neurological deficits after a diagnosis of endocarditis; the other had suspected vasculitis. CT showed an intracerebral haematoma in all cases: angiography revealed bacterial aneurysms of distal branches of the middle cerebral artery in two cases and posterior cerebral artery in one. Because of the patients' condition and the location of the aneurysms, endovascular treatment was considered the fastest and safest treatment. Hyperselective catheterisation of the parent branch, close to the aneurysm, was performed with a microcatheter. A small amount of glue was injected to occlude both the aneurysm and a short segment of the diseased vessel. Follow-up angiography revealed occlusion of the aneurysm in all cases. One patient recovered completely; one recovered over some months, with neurological deficit due to the haematoma. The third patient suddenly worsened and died 9 days after treatment for a contralateral haematoma, due to rupture of a new bacterial aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. Endovascular occlusion of the aneurysm and parent vessel may be an alternative to surgery in selected, severe cases of deep or distal bacterial intracranial aneurysms.     

Giant intracranial aneurysms: MR imaging

Fifteen patients with giant intracranial aneurysms were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and angiography. MR imaging revealed a rounded extraaxial mass with evidence of intraluminal blood flow in 12 of the 15 cases. Signal void within the lumen was seen in all 12 of these cases. Other flow effects, such as even-echo rephasing, were seen in some cases. Complete thrombosis was seen in three giant aneurysms in which high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images filled the lumen, and no flow effects were seen. Partial thrombosis was detected in four aneurysms as persistent areas of medium to high signal intensity within the lumen on T1- and T2-weighted images. In five cases, the cause of the intraluminal signal that was present was difficult to determine. The ability of MR to indicate flow within the lumen in 12 of 15 cases provided for greater diagnostic confidence than with CT, which was strongly suggestive of an extraaxial tumor in nine patients. Calcification of the wall of the aneurysm was better detected with CT.     

Endovascular treatment of peripheral intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Distally located cerebral aneurysms are difficult to treat with preservation of the parent vessel. We report the angiographic results and clinical outcome for 27 patients with peripheral cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: From January 2000 to June 2005, 27 patients, 13 female and 14 male, presented to our institution with peripheral intracranial aneurysms and were treated endovascularly. None of these aneurysms were mycotic in origin. The age of our patients ranged from 23 to 76 years with a mean age of 53. Twenty of the 27 patients had subarachnoid and/or intracerebral hemorrhage upon presentation. In 5 patients, the aneurysm was an incidental finding. One patient with a fusiform P2 aneurysm presented with cranial nerve III palsy, and another patient with P4 aneurysm had visual disturbances. Locations of the aneurysms were as follows: posterior cerebral artery in 9 patients, superior cerebellar artery in 5 patients, anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 1 patient, posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 5 patients, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 5 patients, and anterior cerebral artery in 2 patients. RESULTS: Seven patients were treated with selective embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). Nineteen patients with fusiform aneurysms underwent parent artery occlusion (PAO). Fifteen PAOs were performed with coils and 4 with glue. One patient with a MCA aneurysm was found at the time of planned embolization to have spontaneously thrombosed the aneurysm and the distal branch of the MCA, 1 day after the initial diagnostic angiogram. Five patients (5/18 or 27.7%) who underwent PAO developed neurologic deficits. Two patients (2/18 or 11.1%) had permanent neurologic deficits (a visual field defect). CONCLUSION: Our results support that distally located aneurysms can be treated with endovascular PAO in the cases in which selective occlusion of the aneurysmal sac with GDC or surgical clipping cannot be achieved.     

颅内宽颈动脉瘤的血管内治疗33例分析

目的总结应用颅内支架或球囊辅助技术治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的体会。方法应用颅内支架或球囊辅助瘤颈成形术结合Microplex弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内破裂宽颈动脉瘤33例。动脉瘤位于前交通动脉8例,后交通动脉19例,大脑中动脉3例,基底动脉顶端3例。结果以支架辅助治疗的19例动脉瘤中13例完全致密填塞,4例填塞90％以上,2例大部填塞（70％～90％）。以球囊辅助治疗的14例动脉瘤中9例完全致密填塞,3例填塞90％以上,2例大部填塞。结论支架或球囊辅助治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤是安全、有效的方法,两种方法各有优缺点,应根据动脉瘤的具体情况来选择采用支架或球囊治疗。     

Coiling of truly incidental intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report the morbidity, mortality, and angiographic results of coiling of asymptomatic incidental aneurysms and compare the characteristics of these aneurysms with other asymptomatic incidental aneurysms that were not treated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 10-year period, 97 patients without previous subarachnoid hemorrhage, presented with incidentally found intracranial aneurysms. In 48 patients, 58 aneurysms were coiled. The mean size of the 58 coiled incidental aneurysms was 10.9 mm (median, 9 mm; range, 3-40 mm). Twenty-six of 58 coiled aneurysms (44.8%) were > or = 10 mm. RESULTS: Permanent morbidity of coiling was 2.1% (1 of 48), mortality was 0%. Compared with untreated patients with incidental aneurysms, coiled patients were younger and more often had multiple aneurysms. Aneurysms of coiled patients more often had a small neck, were more often located on the carotid artery, and were less often located on the middle cerebral artery. Of 46 aneurysms with angiographic follow up, 45 were completely or near completely occluded. To obtain these results, 3 aneurysms were coiled more than once. Coiled incidental aneurysms did not rupture during a median follow-up period of 28.5 months. Mean hospital stay per patient was 2.5 days. CONCLUSION: Coiling of incidental intracranial aneurysms has a low complication rate in selected aneurysms and patients. Coiling should be the first treatment option in incidental aneurysms suitable for this technique.     

颅内囊状动脉瘤的形态学特征研究

目的 比较颅内动脉瘤破裂与非破裂的形态学,了解破裂动脉瘤的形态学特征.方法 将DSA确诊颅内动脉瘤患者171例分为破裂动脉瘤(指自发性蛛网膜下腔出血)组138例和未破裂动脉瘤组33例,分析两组患者的动脉瘤部位分布、大小及形态.结果 破裂动脉瘤组138例患者共有149枚囊状动脉瘤.115枚(77%)动脉瘤位于前循环,34枚(23%)动脉瘤位于后循环;124枚(83%)为单囊;25枚(17%)远端可见假性动脉瘤形成.未破裂动脉瘤组33例患者,共34枚动脉瘤.29枚(85.3%)动脉瘤位于前循环.5枚(14.7%)动脉瘤位于后循环;32枚(94.1%)动脉瘤为单囊,2枚(5.9%)动脉瘤为不规则形,所有动脉瘤瘤壁均光整,瘤腔内对比剂均匀.结论 破裂动脉瘤常可见典型的表现,包括动脉瘤形态不规则,破13处瘤壁不光整,破口周围易形成假性动脉瘤.     

旋转DSA诊断颅内动脉瘤的价值

目的 研究旋转DSA对颅内动脉瘤的诊断价值。方法 使用荷兰PHILIPS－INTEGRIS V－3000型DSA系统,对20例疑有颅内动脉瘤的蛛网膜下腔出血患者作旋转DSA检查,并与常规DSA检查比较,得到一系列关于动脉瘤的定位,动脉瘤颈的清晰度及血管分支解剖的图象。结果 旋转DSA诊断颅内动脉瘤的20例患者,常规DSA检查发现18例动脉瘤,其中6例（6／18）动脉瘤的载瘤动脉及周围血管解剖关系显示不清,7例（7／18）动脉瘤的颈部显示不清。加摄旋转DSA检查后,动脉瘤的全貌,瘤颈的位置与结构及周围血管分支的解剖关系清晰显示。结论 旋转SA可更好、更清晰的显示动脉瘤的颈部及其周围的血管解剖结构,从而提高了动脉瘤的血管造影诊断价值,为手术提供更为准确的参考价值。     

Endovascular treatment for pediatric intracranial aneurysms

Introduction  

The purpose of this study is to report the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with intracranial aneurysms.     

Nonruptured intracranial aneurysms: therapeutic recommendations

With the development of new diagnostic noninvasive tools an increase in the diagnosis of asymptomatic nonruptured intracranial aneurysms has been shown. Physician and patient now have to decide wether to treat or to follow-up these aneurysms. This paper tries to review and to discuss the literature and to give guidelines for therapeutic decisions. The decision to treat an unruptured intracranial aneurysm must always comprise the individual factors such as age, life prognosis, neurological status, and the advantages and disadvantages of the considered method.