Multi-Modality Treatment for Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation Associated with Arterial Aneurysm

Objective

Intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) associated with aneurysm has been infrequently encountered and the treatment for this malady is challenging. We report here on our clinical experience with AVMs associated with arterial aneurysms that were managed by multimodality treatments, including clipping of the aneurysm, microsurgery, Gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKS) and Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization.

Methods

We reviewed the treatment plans, radiological findings and clinical courses of 21 patients who were treated with GKS for AVM associated with aneurysm.

Results

Twenty-seven aneurysms in 21 patients with AVMs were enrolled in this study. Hemorrhage was the most frequent presenting symptom (17 patients : 80.9%). Bleeding was caused by an AVM nidus in 11 cases, aneurysm rupture in 5 and an undetermined origin in 1. Five patients were treated for associated aneurysm with clipping followed by GKS for the AVM and 11 patients were treated with GDC embolization combined with GKS for an AVM. Although 11 associated aneurysms remained untreated after GKS, none of them ruptured and 4 aneurysms regressed during the follow up period. Two aneurysms increased in size despite the disappearance of the AVM nidus after GKS and then these aneurysms were treated with GDC embolization.

Conclusion

If combined treatment using microsurgery, GKS and endovascular treatment can be adequately used for these patients, a better prognosis can be obtained. In particular, GKS and GDC embolization are considered to have significant roles to minimize neurologic injury.     

Angiographic Follow-Up for Small Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Treated by Endovascular Treatment : Follow-Up Plan and Long-Term Follow-Up Results

ObjectiveAlthough endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms is considered effective and safe, its durability is still debated. Also, few studies have described angiographic follow-up plan after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm, especially in ruptured cases. Hence, we report the long-term results of follow-up angiography protocol. MethodsRadiological records of 639 cases of coil embolization with ruptured aneurysms from March 2003 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received treatment of a saccular aneurysm less than 7 mm resulted with near complete occlusion were included. Two hundred thirty-eight aneuryms which received the follow-up angiography at least once were enrolled. We classified four periods of follow-up as follows : post-treatment 1 year (defined as the first period), from 1 to 2 years (the second period), 2 to 5 years (the third period), and over 5 years (long-term). ResultsWe identified 14 cases (6.4%) of recurrence from 218 aneurysms in follow-up angiography in the first period. Among 143 aneurysms in the second period, five cases (3.5%) of recurrence were identified. There were no findings suspicious of recanalization in 97 patients in the third period. Of the total 238 cases, there were 19 recurrences, for a recurrence rate of 8.0%. Six (31.6%) out of 19 recurrences showed a tendency toward repeat recurrences even after additional treatment. Twenty-eight received long-term follow-up over 5 years and there was no recurrence. ConclusionMost of the recurrence were found during the first and the second year. We suggest that at least one digital subtraction angiography examination may be necessary around post-treatment 2 years, especially in ruptured cases. If the angiographic results are favorable at 2 years post-treatment, long-term result should be favorable.     

烟雾病合并动脉瘤的诊疗

烟雾病合并动脉瘤的形成可能与血流动力学改变相关,临床上多表现为不同类型的颅内出血,也可表现为脑缺血,主要依靠数字减影血管造影（digital subtraction angiography,DSA）、计算机断层扫描血管成像（computed tomography angiography,CTA）等诊断。根据动脉瘤的部位不同可分别采取外科手术或血管内栓塞等治疗方法,其长期疗效仍需探讨。本文就烟雾病合并动脉瘤形成的可能原因、临床特征及诊疗策略加以阐述,以期增加对MMD合并动脉瘤的进一步了解。     

Multimodal Treatment for Complex Intracranial Aneurysms: Clinical Research

Objective

For patients with giant or dissecting aneurysm, multimodal treatment consisting extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery plus clip or coil for parent artery occlusion may be necessary. In this study, the safety and efficacy of multimodal treatment in 15 patients with complex aneurysms were evaluated retrospectively.

Methods

From January 1995 to June 2007, the authors treated 15 complex aneurysms that were unable to be clipped or coiled. Among them, nine patitents had unruptured aneurysms and 6 had ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysms were located in the internal cerebral artery (ICA) in 11 patients (4 in the dorsal wall, 4 in the terminal ICA, 1 in the paraclinoid, and 2 in the cavernous ICA), in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 2, and in the posterior circulation in two patients

Results

Fifteen patients with complex aneurysms were treated with bypass surgery previously. Thirteen patients were treated with external carotid middle cerebral artery (ECA-MCA) anastomosis, and one patient with superficial temporal to posterior cerebral artery (STA-PCA) and another patient with occipital artery to posterior inferior cerebellar artery (OA-PICA) anastomosis. Parent artery occlusion was then performed with a clip in 9 patients, with a coil in 4, with balloon plus coil in one patient. All 15 aneurysms were successfully treated with clip or coil combined with bypass surgery. Follow-up angiograms showed good patency of anastomotic site in 10 out of 11 patients, and perfusion study showed sufficient perfusion in 6 out of 9 patients.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that for patients with complex aneurysms, clip or coil for parent vessel occlusion with additive bypass surgery can successfully exclude the aneurysm from the neurovascular circulatory system.     

高压氧治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死疗效及影响因素分析

目的 探讨高压氧治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死疗效及影响因素。 方法 回顾性纳入未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死患者,根据是否进行高压氧治疗（压力 0.2 Mpa,稳压60 min,每日1次）分为高压氧组和对照组。应用NIHSS评分评估患者出院时神经功能缺 损程度,观察高压氧治疗是否有效。将出院NIHSS评分较脑梗死发病24 h内评分下降≥4分作为治疗显 效的标准,应用多因素Logistic回归分析,探讨术后脑梗死疗效的影响因素。 结果 共纳入56例患者,平均年龄53.63±11.02岁,其中男性24例（42.9%）。高压氧组41例,对照 组15例。高压氧组出院NIHSS评分低于对照组[6（4～8）分 vs 12（7～15）分,P =0.001]。纳入患者中治 疗显效22例（39.3%）,多因素Logistic回归分析显示,脑梗死发病24 h内NIHSS评分高（OR 1.411,95%CI 1.134～1.756,P =0.002）是未破裂动脉瘤术后脑梗死治疗显效的独立影响因素;与未行高压氧治 疗对比,高压氧治疗1～5次（OR 16.454,95%CI 1.326～204.191,P =0.029）,高压氧治疗6～9次（OR 20.966,95%CI 1.996～220.253,P =0.011）,高压氧治疗≥10次（OR 47.026,95%CI 3.651～605.774, P =0.003）与术后脑梗死治疗显效呈独立正相关。 结论 高压氧治疗颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死有效,脑梗死发病24 h内NIHSS评分及高压氧治疗是 未破裂颅内动脉瘤术后脑梗死治疗显效独立影响因素。     

高压氧治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死疗效及影响因素分析

目的 探讨高压氧治疗未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死疗效及影响因素。
方法 回顾性纳入未破裂颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死患者，根据是否进行高压氧治疗（压力
0.2 Mpa，稳压60 min，每日1次）分为高压氧组和对照组。应用NIHSS评分评估患者出院时神经功能缺
损程度，观察高压氧治疗是否有效。将出院NIHSS评分较脑梗死发病24 h内评分下降≥4分作为治疗显
效的标准，应用多因素Logistic回归分析，探讨术后脑梗死疗效的影响因素。
结果 共纳入56例患者，平均年龄53.63±11.02岁，其中男性24例（42.9%）。高压氧组41例，对照
组15例。高压氧组出院NIHSS评分低于对照组[6（4～8）分 vs 12（7～15）分，P =0.001]。纳入患者中治
疗显效22例（39.3%），多因素Logistic回归分析显示，脑梗死发病24 h内NIHSS评分高（OR 1.411，95%CI
1.134～1.756，P =0.002）是未破裂动脉瘤术后脑梗死治疗显效的独立影响因素；与未行高压氧治
疗对比，高压氧治疗1～5次（OR 16.454，95%CI 1.326～204.191，P =0.029），高压氧治疗6～9次（OR
20.966，95%CI 1.996～220.253，P =0.011），高压氧治疗≥10次（OR 47.026，95%CI 3.651～605.774，
P =0.003）与术后脑梗死治疗显效呈独立正相关。
结论 高压氧治疗颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后脑梗死有效，脑梗死发病24 h内NIHSS评分及高压氧治疗是
未破裂颅内动脉瘤术后脑梗死治疗显效独立影响因素。     

Clinical and Angiographic Results of Dilatation Procedures for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors determined the technical success and the clinical and angiographic results of angioplasty and/or stent placement for intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) at a tertiary-care referral hospital. METHODS: Angiographic and clinical outcomes occurring within the 1-month follow-up interval were recorded. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 20.5 +/- 9.2 months, and a neurovascular imaging study was performed in 18 of the 21 patients alive after a mean period of 19.7 +/- 9.2 months. Stroke-free survival and ipsilateral stroke-prevention rates were estimated using Kaplan Meier analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (mean age = 61.0 +/- 13.5 years; 15 were men) underwent 30 procedures for treatment of ICAD. The procedures included angioplasty (n = 18) and attempted primary stent placement (n = 14). In 2 procedures, angioplasty was performed in the same session after unsuccessful stent placement. There was immediate stenosis reduction (mean +/- SD) from 84% +/- 17% to 27% +/- 21%. The overall 1-month composite rate of major stroke, death, and major bleeding complications was 7% for the 30 procedures. Overall stroke-free survival at 36 months was estimated as 79% (95% confidence interval, 57%-91%), and the ipsilateral stroke-prevention rate was estimated to be 87% (95% confidence interval, 65%-95%). Among the 15 patients who underwent repeat angiography, restenosis requiring second intervention was observed in 1 patient. No restenosis could be identified in 3 patients who underwent computed tomographic or magnetic resonance angiography. CONCLUSION: This single-center study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness (for secondary stroke prevention) of angioplasty and/or stent placement for treatment of ICAD.     

High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Intracranial Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm for Planning of Endovascular Treatment

The equipment and techniques associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have rapidly evolved. The development of 3.0 Tesla MRI has enabled high-resolution imaging of the intracranial vessel wall. High-resolution MRI (HRMRI) can yield excellent visualization of both the arterial wall and lumen, thus facilitating the detection of the primary and secondary features of intracranial arterial dissection. In the present report, we describe the manner in which HRMRI affected our endovascular treatment planning strategy in 2 cases with unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissection aneurysm. HRMRI provides further information about the vessel wall and the lumen of the unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm, which was treated by an endovascular approach in the 2 current cases.     

烟雾病合并动脉瘤的临床诊治探讨

目的探讨烟雾病合并动脉瘤的临床特点及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析10例经全脑血管造影证实的烟雾病合并动脉瘤患者的临床资料。结果10例患者巾9例表现为颅内出血，1例表现为脑缺血。烟雾病合并的动脉瘤9例位于Willis动脉环附近，为主要动脉型动脉瘤。其中5例行动脉瘤夹闭术，3例行血管内栓塞治疗，均恢复良好；1例基底动脉梭形动脉瘤和1例脉络膜前动脉动脉瘤（外周动脉型动脉瘤）无法手术。结论烟雾病合并动脉瘤可导致不同类型的颅内出血，对主要动脉型动脉瘤可进行外科手术治疗，对外周动脉型动脉瘤目前尚无理想治疗方法，可予以对症保守治疗。     

Endovascular Treatment of Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms Using Balloon-Assisted Technique with HyperForm Balloon

Objective

To assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the balloon-assisted technique with HyperForm balloon in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

A total of 34 patients with 34 wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated with endovascular coil embolization using balloon-assisted technique with Hyperform balloon. Twenty-nine aneurysms (85.3%) were located in the anterior circulation. The group of patients was comprised of 16 men and 18 women, aged 33 to 72 years (mean : 60.6 years). The size of aneurysms was in the range of 2.0 to 22.0 mm (mean 5.5 mm) and one of neck was 2.0 to 11.9 mm (mean 3.8 mm). The dome to neck ratio was ranged from 0.83 to 1.43 (1.15). Sixteen patients were treated for unruptured aneurysms and the remaining 18 presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Results

In the 34 aneurysms treated by the remodeling technique with HyperForm balloon, immediate angiographic results consisted of total occlusion in 31 cases (91.2%) and partial occlusion in three cases (8.8%). There were five procedure-related complications (14.7%), including two coil protrusions and three thromboembolisms; Except one patient, all were successfully resolved without permanent neurologic deficit. No new bleeding occurred during the follow-up. Twenty patients (59%) underwent angiographic follow-up from 2 to 33 months (mean 9.2 months) after treatment. Focal recanalization with coil compaction of the neck portion was observed in 5 cases (25%). Only one case showed major recanalization and underwent stent-assisted coil embolization.

Conclusion

The balloon-assisted technique with Hyperform balloon is a feasible, safe, and effective endovascular treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms.     

Serious Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption after Coil Embolization of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm : Report of Two Cases and Role of Immediate Postembolization CT Scan

Abnormal contrast enhancement on brain computed tomography (CT) scan after diagnostic or interventional angiography is not rare, and has known to be induced by temporary blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption from contrast media. Furthermore, it has been regarded as clinically subtle, but reported to have no symptom or mild transient symptoms. However, we recently experienced two cases of serious BBB disruption during the acute period after coiling of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm. One patient presented with an unruptured paraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm on the right and the other with an unruptured right supraclinoid ICA aneurysm. Both patients showed similar findings on immediate postembolization CT scan and clinical courses after coiling. Typical radiological, clinical characteristics of BBB disruption were described. In addition, the role of immediate postembolization CT scan are also discussed.     

Combined Endovascular and Microsurgical Procedures as Complementary Approaches in the Treatment of a Single Intracranial Aneurysm

Objective

Both endovascular coil embolization and microsurgical clipping are now firmly established as treatment options for the management of cerebral aneurysms. Moreover, they are sometimes used as complementary approaches each other. This study retrospectively analyzed our experience with endovascular and microsurgical procedures as complementary approaches in treating a single aneurysm.

Methods

Nineteen patients with intracranial aneurysm were managed with both endovascular and microsurgical treatments. All of the aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation. Eighteen patients presented with SAH, and 14 aneurysms had diameters of less than 10 mm, and five had diameters of 10-25 mm.

Results

Thirteen of the 19 patients were initially treated with endovascular coil embolization, followed by microsurgical management. Of the 13 patients, 9 patients had intraprocedural complications during coil embolization (intraprocedural rupture, coil protrusion, coil migration), rebleeding with regrowth of aneurysm in two patients, residual sac in one patient, and coil compaction in one patient. Six patients who had undergone microsurgical clipping were followed by coil embolization because of a residual aneurysm sac in four patients, and regrowth in two patients.

Conclusion

In intracranial aneurysms involving procedural endovascular complications or incomplete coil embolization and failed microsurgical clipping, because of anatomical and/or technical difficulties, the combined and complementary therapy with endovascular coiling and microsurgical clipping are valuable in providing the best outcome.     

Temporary Semi-Jailing Technique for Coil Embolization of Wide-Neck Aneurysm with Small Caliber Parent Artery Following Incomplete Clipping

The authors describe the use of a self-expandable stent in a temporary deployment for treatment of a very wide-neck A1 segment of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm following incomplete clipping. A 39-year-old hypertensive man presenting with seizure-like movement underwent computed tomography, which showed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and an A1 segment of ACA aneurysm with superior and inferior projection. He underwent surgical clipping of the aneurysm, but superior and posterior portion of wide-neck aneurysm remained. We decided to treat the remnant aneurysm using an endovascular modality. After selection of the aneurysm, coil packing was performed assisted by the temporary semi-jailing technique. The Enterprise stent (Cordis Neurovascular, Miami, FL, USA) was deployed and recaptured repeatedly for angiography to ensure safety of the small caliber parent artery. Successful semi-deployment and recapture of the stent allowed subtotal coil occlusion of the aneurysm with good anatomic and clinical results. No complications were encountered. The stent could be recaptured up to the point where the proximal end of the stent marker was aligned with distal marker band of the microcatheter, approximately 70% of the stent length. The temporary semi-jailing technique is feasible for wide-neck aneurysm with small caliber parent artery.     

Simulation to Locate Burr Hole Sites in a Patient for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery and Clipping of Intracranial Aneurysm

Background and Objective: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) candidates with neurologic diseases such as unruptured aneurysm present additional challenges to neurosurgeons when craniotomy must precede DBS surgery. Such craniotomy may potentially overlap with intended burr hole sites for the later insertion of DBS electrodes, and the skin incision for craniotomy may lie very close to or intersect with that for the burr holes. We report here a case of forehead craniotomy prior to DBS surgery in which we employed a neuronavigation system to simulate locations for the craniotomy and burr holes. Method: A 62‐year‐old male patient with Parkinson's disease was a candidate for DBS. He also had an aneurysm and was planned first to undergo frontal craniotomy for clipping before the DBS surgery. The locations of the craniotomy, burr holes, and skin incisions were therefore simulated using a neuronavigation system during craniotomy. Results: Two weeks after the craniotomy, the patient underwent DBS surgery. Planning software confirmed the absence of cortical veins beneath the entry points of tentative burr holes and aided trajectory planning. The DBS surgery was performed without the interference of the burr holes and head pins and the craniotomy. Conclusion: Simulation of the locations of craniotomy and burr holes using a neuronavigation system proved valuable in the present case of frontal craniotomy before DBS surgery.     

Comparison of Long-Term Angiographic Results of Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms : Endovascular Treatment with Single-Microcatheter Coiling,Double-Microcatheter Coiling,and Stent-Assisted Coiling

ObjectiveEndovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is challenging in case of wide-necked aneurysms because coils are prone to herniate into the parent artery, causing thromboembolic events or vessel occlusion. This study aims to compare long-term angiographic results of wide-necked aneurysms treated by stent-assisted, double-microcatheter, or single-microcatheter groups. MethodsBetween January 2003 and October 2016, 108 aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coil embolization with a neck size wider than 4 mm and a follow-up period of more than 3 years were selected. We performed coil embolization with single-microcatheter, double-microcatheter, and stent-assisted techniques. Angiographic results were evaluated using the Raymond-Roy occlusion classification (RROC). All medical and angiographic records were reviewed retrospectively. ResultsClinical and angiographic analyses were conducted in 108 wide-necked aneurysms. The immediate post-procedural results revealed RROC class I (complete occlusion) in 66 cases (61.1%), class II (residual neck) in 36 cases (33.3%), and class III (residual sac) in six cases (5.6%). The final follow-up results revealed class I in 48 cases (44.4%), class II in 49 cases (45.4%), and class III in 11 cases (10.2%). Of a total of 45 (41.6%) radiologic recurrences, there were 21 cases (19.4%) of major recurrence that required additional treatment, and 24 cases (22.2%) of minor recurrence. The final follow-up angiographic results showed statistically significant differences between the stent-assisted group and the others (p<0.01). ConclusionLong-term follow-up angiography demonstrated that the stent-assisted technique had a better complete occlusion rate than the other two techniques.     

Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms with Oculomotor Nerve Palsy : Clinical Outcome between Surgical Clipping and Coil Embolization

Objective

To evaluate the clinical outcome of coil embolization for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) compared with surgical clipping.

Methods

A total of 19 patients presented with ONP caused by UIAs between Jan 2004 and June 2008. Ten patients underwent coil embolization and nine patients surgical clipping. The following parameters were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the differences in clinical outcome observed in both coil embolization and surgical clipping : 1) gender, 2) age, 3) location of the aneurysm, 4) duration of the symptom, and 5) degree of ONP.

Results

Following treatment, complete symptomatic recovery or partial relief from ONP was observed in 15 patients. Seven of the ten patients were treated by coil embolization, compared to eight of the nine patients treated by surgical clipping (p = 0.582). Patient''s gender, age, location of the aneurysm, size of the aneurysm, duration of symptom, and degree of the ONP did not statistically correlate with recovery of symptoms between the two groups. No significant differences were observed in mean improvement time in either group (55 days in coil embolization and 60 days in surgical clipping).

Conclusion

This study indicates that no significant differences were observed in the clinical outcome between coil embolization and surgical clipping techniques in the treatment of aneurysms causing ONP. Coil embolization seems to be more feasible and safe treatment modality for the relief and recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy.     

Assessing the Hemodynamics in Residual Cavities of Intracranial Aneurysm after Coil Embolization with Combined Computational Flow Dynamics and Silent Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Background and PurposeMetal artifacts limit computational fluid dynamics analysis after coil embolization. Silent magnetic resonance angiography reduces metal artifacts and improves visualization of the residual cavity of coil-embolized aneurysms. This study investigated the flow dynamics of the residual cavity after coil embolization using silent magnetic resonance angiography and computational fluid dynamics to elucidate the hemodynamic characteristics of recanalization.MethodsTwenty internal carotid-posterior communicating aneurysm cases treated with coil embolization and without stent assistance were followed up (mean±standard deviation, 13.0±6.1 months) and assessed using silent magnetic resonance angiography. The hemodynamic characteristics of the residual cavities in both types of aneurysms were compared between neck remnants, which persisted for >12 months (NR group), and those treated with coil compaction-induced body filling (BF group). Computational fluid dynamics analysis of each aneurysm was performed using morphological data obtained from silent magnetic resonance angiography. Pressure, pressure difference, normalized wall shear stress, and flow velocity were measured.ResultsThe residual cavity was well-visualized using silent magnetic resonance angiography and compared with those imaged using conventional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, and eight internal carotid-posterior communicating aneurysms with neck remnants and body filling were investigated. The maximum pressure area was localized to the aneurysm wall in the NR group (n=4) and to sides of the coil surface in the BF group (n=4). No significant differences were observed for each hemodynamic parameter.ConclusionsCombination of silent magnetic resonance angiography and computational fluid dynamics helps to understand the hemodynamic characteristics of residual cavity in coil- embolized aneurysms. The flow-impingement zone at the coil surface (maximum pressure area) may influence the risk for future coil compaction.     

Treatment with Epidural Blood Patch for Iatrogenic Intracranial Hypotension after Spine Surgery

Intracranial hypotension syndrome typically occurs spontaneously or iatrogenically. It can be associated with headache, drowsy mentality and intracranial heamorrhage. Iatrogenic intracranial hypotension can occur due to dural pucture, trauma and spine surgery. Treatment may include conservative therapy and operation. We report a case of a 54-year-old man who was successfully treated with epidural blood patches for intracranial hypotension due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage into the lumbosacral area after spine surgery.