Treatment selection for ruptured aneurysm and outcomes: clipping or coil embolization

The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial has shown that coil embolization achieves a better outcome for aneurysms treatable by either clipping or coil embolization. However, many ruptured aneurysms are hardly treatable by either clipping or coil embolization. Selection of either clipping or coil embolization will affect the treatment outcome for ruptured aneurysms. The relationship between patient selection and treatment outcome in a so-called "regional center hospital" in Japan must be clarified. This study included 113 patients with ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms measuring less than 10 mm. Selection criteria for coil embolization were principally paraclinoid or posterior circulation aneurysm, Hunt and Hess grade IV or over, and patient age 75 years or older. Other aneurysms were principally treated by clipping. Aneurysms with a dome/neck ratio of less than 1.5, distorted aneurysms, Hunt and Hess grades I-III, patient age 74 years or younger, and middle cerebral artery aneurysm were actively treated by clipping. A few exceptional indications were considered in detail. Low invasiveness coil embolization is better than clipping to obtain good neurological outcome for patients with perforators difficult to dissect, aneurysms difficult to dissect due to previous open surgery, and aneurysms requiring bilateral open surgery, despite the slightly higher rebleeding rate in coil embolization. Overall outcomes were modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 in 82 of 113 patients (73%) and mRS 3-6 in 31 (27%). Appropriate selection of clipping or coil embolization can achieve acceptable treatment outcomes for ruptured aneurysm.     

126例颅内动脉瘤破裂的早期显微外科治疗

目的探讨早期显微外科手术治疗颅内动脉瘤破裂的疗效。方法126例颅内动脉瘤破裂患者根据Hunt—Hess分级，Ⅰ级20例、Ⅱ级37例、Ⅲ级42例、Ⅳ级18例、Ⅴ级9例。126例患者第一次手术均在出血后72h内，13例颅内多发动脉瘤患者进行了二次手术，所有患者术后用格拉斯哥评分表（GOS）随访1—3年。结果恢复良好98例；中度病残，但生活自理18例；重度病残，生活不能自理4例；植物生存1例；死亡5例。结论早期显微外科手术是治疗颅内动脉瘤破裂的有效方法，能改善动脉瘤患者的生存质量。     

Subdural hematoma due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm.

Subdural hematoma (SDH) was observed in 15 of 484 cases of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There were four males and 11 females, with ages ranging from 39 to 75 years. The clinical grades (Hunt and Hess) on admission were 11 in three cases, III in two, IV in four, and V in six. The ruptured aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in six cases, anterior communicating artery in three, internal carotid artery in two, and distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in two, with two cases unconfirmed. A high proportion of aneurysms occurred in the MCA and distal ACA. Aneurysmal neck clipping and removal of SDH were performed in the acute stage of seven cases, without intraoperative rerupture. The outcomes 1 year after SAH of the seven patients undergoing surgery were good recovery in five, but in two, vegetative state due to preoperative rerupture or medical complications. All eight patients without surgical intervention died. A good prognosis for patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms accompanied by SDH can be expected with direct surgical intervention in the acute stage, even if the clinical grade on admission is poor.     

Treatment of ruptured lenticulostriate artery aneurysms

OBJECT: Lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysms are rarely reported in the literature, making management decisions challenging. Conservative, endovascular, and surgical treatments have been described primarily through case reports and reports of individual authors' experiences. The purpose of this study is to report neurological outcomes in a single-institution experience of ruptured lenticulostriate aneurysms treated surgically. METHODS: The authors have conducted a retrospective review of all cases involving patients with ruptured LSA aneurysms who presented to the Mt. Sinai Hospital neurosurgical service between September 2001 and January 2007. RESULTS: Over 5.4 years, the authors treated 6 patients with 7 LSA aneurysms-6 ruptured and 1 unruptured. The Hunt and Hess grade on admission ranged from I to IV, with subarachnoid hemorrhage in 5 of the 6 patients. Catheter angiography confirmed the presence of the aneurysms, and all patients underwent a pterional craniotomy and clipping or resection of the aneurysm, performed by a single surgeon. Associated risk factors in our series of patients included hypertension, cocaine abuse, and intracranial occlusive disease suggestive of moyamoya disease. Two types of LSA aneurysms were identified. The mean size of the 6 ruptured aneurysms was 3.2 mm. The LSA was preserved in 3 of 6 patients, but LSA preservation did not correlate with development of a postoperative infarct, clinically or radiologically. In patients with ruptured aneurysms, the mean modified Rankin Scale score at discharge was 1.7. The 3 patients in whom the LSA was sacrificed had good outcomes, suggesting that loss of the artery is clinically well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates that surgical treatment of ruptured LSA aneurysms can be an appropriate, effective, and safe therapy.     

Pure surgical treatment of 109 aneurysms

AIM: Target of this study was to investigate outcomes after pure surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Patients with intracranial supratentorial circle aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed between July 1994 and October 1998. Studied cases were admitted at the Department of Neurosurgery of S. Maria-Hospital, Terni, a Government supported General Hospital. One hundred and nine Hunt and Hess Grade 0 to III patients with supratentorial circle aneurysms was studied in order to determine whether advances in the surgical management of intracranial aneurysms have improved surgical outcomes and which factors may predict outcome. All patients were managed only with standard neurosurgical aneurysms clipping procedures. Outcomes evaluation was made at patients' discharge and classified on the base of the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Surgical timing, SAH grading, pre and post surgical symptomatic vasospasm, temporary clipping, and intraoperative aneurysm rupture were correlated with outcomes. RESULTS: Surgical results showed a 75% excellent outcome. Mortality rate was 3%. Hunt and Hess grade 0 highly influenced outcome. Differences in outcomes among grades I to III were not significant. No differences in outcomes related to temporary clipping were noted. A low rate of intraoperative aneurysm rupture is reported: 5 out of 109 cases. In all these cases outcome was good, with neither mortality or morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate a progressive improvement in surgical outcomes, suggesting that there still exist margins for improvements in pure surgical management of intracranial aneurysms.     

Influence of cocaine on ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a case control study of poor prognostic indicators

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cocaine use is a significant prognostic factor for outcome measures such as Hunt and Hess grade and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score among patients presenting with ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs). METHODS: The authors performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search for cases of ruptured IAs associated with cocaine use. Fourteen cases from the authors' experience were combined with 50 from a literature review, for a total of 64 cases associated with cocaine use. These 64 cases were compared with 65 cases without cocaine use (controls), which had been obtained from an aneurysm database. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant prognostic factors for a poor Hunt and Hess grade and a poor GOS score, and a general linear model was applied to identify significant factors for these measures among cocaine users. RESULTS: There were 40 women in each group. The mean age was 32.3 +/- 8.1 years in the cocaine group and 49.7 +/- 10.6 years in the control group; thus, patients in the cocaine group were significantly younger (p < 0.01). Cocaine was snorted in 21% of cases, smoked in 55%, and intravenously injected or taken in through a combination of routes in 24%. Fifty-one percent of cocaine users and 7.7% of nonusers presented with a poor GOS score (p < 0.01). Fifty-six percent had ictus during cocaine abuse. At the end of a 30-day follow-up, 51% of the patients in the cocaine group had a good GOS score compared with 92% in the control group (p < 0.01). Controlling for the effects of other significant factors, cocaine use had a significant effect on Hunt and Hess grade (p < 0.03) and GOS score (p < 0.01). The odds of having a poor Hunt and Hess grade among cocaine users were 4.2 times greater than those in nonusers, and the odds of having a poor GOS score among cocaine users were 38.8 times greater. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysms were significantly smaller and ruptured at a younger age among cocaine users compared with nonusers. Although the poor clinical grade was not significantly different between the 2 groups, outcome was significantly worse in cocaine users.     

Endovascular management of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage in the elderly

The objective of this study was to analyse the technical and clinical outcome in elderly patients receiving endovascular treatment for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The case notes and angiograms of 14 patients over the age of 69 years undergoing endovascular treatment for subarachnoid haemorrhage within the Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, Royal Perth Hospital over a period of 6 years were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of angiographic occlusion achieved, and periprocedural, short-term and long-term clinical outcome were retrospectively assessed. Greater than 90% occlusion was obtained in 92% of cases. 82% of patients with Hunt and Hess grade I and II had an excellent clinical outcome. We conclude that endovascular coiling is an effective means of treating acute subarachnoid haemorrhage in grade I and II elderly patients.     

Analysis of 223 cases of intracranial aneurysms--with special reference to re-rupture of the intracranial aneurysms

Reviewing 223 cases of intracranial ruptured aneurysms including 46 cases of re-ruptured aneurysms, the following results were obtained. 1) The outcome of the re-rupture aneurysms was more miserable than that of the first rupture. Even low grade cases (Hunt and Hess 0-II) of re-rupture showed no better outcome than high grade cases (Hunt and Hess IV) of first rupture. 2) Re-rupture most often occurred on the 12th (11.6 +/- 6.7) day after the first attack of the subarachnoid hemorrhage. Re-rupture more often occurred in the vertebrobasilar system. In the internal carotid artery and its branches, aneurysms with daughter or bleb tended to rupture again. Aneurysms with daughter, regardless of these location, showed greater incidence of re-rupture than those without daughter. Also rupture often occurred in the cases of lower grade with less vasospasm and with the acute hydrocephalus. 3) It was suggested that the sequential changes of some factors of both the coagulating system and fibrinolytic system might forecast the vasospasm, infarction, re-rupture and prognosis of the patient of intracranial ruptured aneurysms. And therefore, in the cases in which re-rupture is likely, operation should be performed as early as possible, except in those showing diffuse vasospasm or clinical down hill course or in grade V.     

Clinical and radiographic outcome in the management of posterior circulation aneurysms by use of direct surgical or endovascular techniques

OBJECTIVE: Posterior circulation aneurysms can be difficult lesions to treat surgically, and they have potential for high morbidity and mortality, particularly in elderly patients or those in poor neurological condition. In an effort to improve outcomes, our combined neurosurgical and neuroendovascular unit has used both surgical clipping and endovascular coiling techniques to treat posterior circulation aneurysms. Patients considered at high risk for surgery were managed with endovascular treatment. METHODS: From 1990 to 1998, 197 posterior circulation aneurysms in 189 patients were treated in our combined neurovascular unit. Of these aneurysms, 128 were ruptured, 63 were unruptured, and 6 had a distant history of rupture in patients who came to our center for delayed or repeat treatment. A total of 132 aneurysms were treated with surgical clipping (85 ruptured, 46 unruptured, and 1 with distant history of rupture) and 65 aneurysms were treated with endovascular coiling (43 ruptured, 17 unruptured, and 5 with distant history of rupture). Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral or posteroinferior cerebellar arteries or aneurysms treated with proximal (Hunterian) occlusion were excluded from this analysis. Surgical risk was assessed using a previously described system (Massachusetts General Hospital [MGH] grade), which incorporates age, Hunt and Hess grade, size of lesion, and Fisher grade. RESULTS: Overall clinical outcomes at 1 year of follow-up were 77.2% excellent or good, 10.2% fair, 4.1% poor, and 8.6% dead. Surgical treatment resulted in 95.6% complete aneurysm occlusion and 4.4% with residual aneurysm after surgical treatment, whereas endovascular treatment resulted in 32.3% complete occlusion, 26.2% with residual aneurysm, and 41.5% with partial occlusion. In most cases, however, treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) was performed for palliation rather than complete radiographic occlusion. Outcome was closely associated with MGH grade with either treatment modality. Excellent/good outcomes were achieved in 96, 92.3, 82.9, 46.2, and 0% of surgically treated patients with MGH Grades of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In comparison, excellent/good outcomes were achieved in 100, 84.2, 61.9, 0, and 50% of endovascularly treated patients with MGH Grades of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. CONCLUSION: A combined surgical and endovascular approach to posterior circulation aneurysms can achieve good outcomes in high-risk surgical patients treated by use of coiling techniques.     

Cooperative study of ruptured vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms in the Tohoku district in Japan

A multicenter study investigated the clinical characteristics and overall outcome of 342 cases of ruptured vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms among 6783 ruptured intracranial berry aneurysms in 73 hospitals across the Tohoku district in Japan between 1992 and 1996. The incidence of ruptured vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms was less frequent than previously reported. The incidence was 5% among all intracranial berry aneurysms. One hundred eleven patients had aneurysms of the basilar artery bifurcation, 98 had vertebral-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms, 44 had basilar-superior cerebellar artery aneurysms, and 28 had distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms. Aneurysm clipping was performed in 238 cases (70%), intravascular treatment in 22 (6%), drainage in 22 (6%), and conservative treatment in 60 (18%). Approximately 50% of patients were in good condition at admission. At 3-month follow up, 46% had good recovery, 14% had moderate disability, 10% had severe disability, 4% were vegetative state, and 27% died. Vertebral artery aneurysms showed favorable outcomes compared to basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms. Surgical results in the 238 operated cases were good recovery in 60%, moderate disability in 18%, severe disability in 10%, vegetative state in 2%, and death in 11% of cases. Worse postoperative outcomes were observed in patients with high preoperative Hunt and Kosnik grades or aneurysms larger than 10 mm, and in patients over 70 years of age.     

Pediatric cerebral aneurysms

OBJECT: The exceptional pediatric aneurysm can be distinguished from its adult counterpart by its location and size; however, patient outcomes remain difficult to evaluate based on the published literature. METHODS: Twenty-two children, all consecutively treated in three neurosurgery departments, were included in this study. Each patient's preoperative status was determined according to the Hunt and Hess classification. Routine computerized tomography scanning and angiography were performed in all children on the 10th postoperative day. Each patient's clinical status was evaluated 2 to 10 years postoperatively by applying the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Twenty-one children presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and one child harbored an asymptomatic giant aneurysm. Thirteen patients were in good preoperative grade (Hunt and Hess Grades I to III) and eight in poor preoperative grade (Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V). The symptomatic aneurysms were located on the internal carotid artery bifurcation (36.4%); middle cerebral artery (36.4%), half of which were found on the distal portion; anterior communicating artery (18.2%); and within the vertebrobasilar system (9.1%). A giant aneurysm was observed in 14% of patients. Overall outcome was favorable (GOS Score 5) in 14 children (63.6%) and death occurred in five (22.7%). Causes of unfavorable outcome included the initial SAH in four children, a complication in procedure in three children, and edema in one child. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric aneurysms have a specific distribution unlike that of aneurysms in the adult population. The incidence of giant aneurysms and outcomes were similar to those in the adult population. The major cause of poor outcome was the initial SAH, in particular, the high proportion of rebleeding possibly due to a delay in diagnosis.     

Comparison of late and early stage surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Surgical indications and timing in serious cases (Hunt and Hess grades 4 and 5) of intracranial aneurysms were investigated. The outcomes in early surgery were compared to the clinical courses of cases intended for late surgery. The survival rate of early surgery patients was 64.4%, better than the total of improved (28.3%) and survived (6.5%) patients for late surgery. There were 28.8% good outcomes in the early surgery group, compared to 2.2% in those treated late. Both of these figures are statistically significant. We consider that early surgery is indicated for serious cases, but not for grade 5 patients with hematoma.     

Contribution of endovascular therapy to the management of poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Clinical and angiographic outcomes

OBJECT: Treatment of patients presenting with poor-grade (Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is controversial. Endovascular coil embolization has been considered a valuable therapeutic alternative to surgical clip placement for this kind of patient. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immediate and long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with poor-grade SAH treated by endovascular embolization. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V SAH were treated with endovascular embolization at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center between October 1990 and December 2004. Eighty patients harbored Grade IV hemorrhages and 31 patients had Grade V ones. Immediate and long-term anatomical and clinical outcomes were evaluated in all patients. Long-term clinical outcome assessments were based on follow-up data obtained over an average of 32 months posttherapy. Technical complications occurred in 15 patients (13.5%). Immediate complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 51.4% of aneurysms. Angiographic, long-term follow-up review revealed aneurysm recanalization in 16.2% of cases. Thirty-nine patients (35.1%) demonstrated a favorable long-term clinical outcome. The overall mortality rate in this patient series was 32.4%. The mortality rate associated with vasospasm was significantly higher in patients with Grade IV SAHs than in those with Grade V hemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate a valuable contribution of endovascular therapy of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V SAH. This technique was successful in decreasing repeated aneurysm rupture and in enabling aggressive medical management during the acute phase of SAH. This is particularly important in patients with Grade IV SAH because of their potential for obtaining higher physical and functional recoveries.     

Relation among aneurysm size, amount of subarachnoid blood, and clinical outcome

OBJECT: The authors of recent reports have suggested that smaller aneurysms are associated with more extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which could potentially presage poor outcome in patients harboring these lesions. The authors reviewed their clinical experience to determine if this theory has a basis in truth. METHODS: The authors undertook a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with aneurysmal SAH. Computed tomography scans and angiograms were studied to establish SAH scores and aneurysm size. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three patients were treated during a 2-year period (January 2003-December 2004). There were 101 female and 32 male patients whose mean age was 56.7 years. The location distribution of aneurysms that bled was as follows: anterior communicating artery (56 cases), posterior communicating artery (34 cases), middle cerebral artery (21 cases), posterior circulation (16 cases), and paraclinoid region (six cases). The mean aneurysm size was 6.2 mm (range 2-26 mm). The mean SAH score was 18.3 (not normally distributed, p < 0.01, D'Agostino-Pearson test). One hundred three patients underwent surgical exploration and placement of an aneurysm clip, 21 underwent deployment of a coil, and two underwent both therapies; seven patients died prior to intervention. No correlation was found between aneurysm size and SAH score (r(s) = -0.023, p = 0.8) or between small aneurysm size and poor Glasgow Outcome Scale score (p = 0.13). In fact, the trend was the opposite. The SAH score did, however, correspond strongly with the admission Hunt and Hess grade (p < 0.0001), indicating the strong correlation between grade and volume of intracranial blood. Outcome was best explained in the multivariate analysis by the following factors: admission Hunt and Hess grade, age, and clinical vasospasm (p < 0.0001) with the proportion of cases correctly classified as 79.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the results in the present clinical series suggests that there is no relation between aneurysm size and volume of subarachnoid blood. The volume of cisternal blood correlates with Hunt and Hess grade but is not an independent determinant of outcome. Outcome is related to the following triad of well-established clinical factors: Hunt and Hess grade, age, and clinical vasospasm.     

Endovascular embolization vs surgical clipping in treatment of cerebral aneurysms: morbidity and mortality with short-term outcome

BACKGROUND: Endovascular embolization of cerebral aneurysms has evolved rapidly worldwide within the last years, and has gained more popularity at the expense of surgical clipping; however, both regimens have inherent risks. This study was undertaken to asses the cerebral complications associated with both modalities of cerebral aneurysm treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts, operative and embolization reports, and imaging of patients who underwent surgical clipping or embolization for cerebral aneurysms at our institution between October 2001 and October 2004. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A, patients who had confirmed subarachnoid hemorrhage; group B, patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Patients belonging to group A were evaluated according to the Hunt and Hess scale with their computed tomography scan evaluated according to Fisher scale. Short-term outcome was measured with Glasgow Outcome Scale for both groups. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three patients with 168 aneurysms were treated; 95 (71.4%) were women and 38 (28.6%) men; mean age was 60.28 years. Hypertension (29.6%) was the most commonly encountered risk factor; average size of aneurysms treated was 7.21 mm; 53 patients belonged to group A. Seven patients were Hunt and Hess grade I, 23 grade II, 11 grade III, 7 grade IV, and 5 grade V. Eighty patients belonged to group B; for both groups, the periprocedural technical complication rate associated with coiling was 8.4% vs 19.35% with clipping. Follow-up angiographic results were better with clipping, as total aneurysm occlusion was 81.4% vs 57.5% with coiling. In group A, the incidence of angiographic vasospasm was 17.4% vs 45.4% with coiling vs clipping, whereas the incidence of shunt-dependant hydrocephalus was comparable with embolization and clipping. In group A, excellent outcome was achieved in 62% vs 44% (endovascular vs surgical) of subgroups, whereas in group B, it was 93% vs 81%, respectively. CONCLUSION: With rapidly evolving technology of endovascular embolization, accumulated experience, and good selection of patients with optimum angioanatomical criteria and endovascular accessibility, our results of morbidity and mortality associated with both modalities of cerebral aneurysm treatment with short-term outcome show that endovascular embolization of cerebral aneurysms is a safe alternative to surgical clipping in the treatment of both ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms; however, long-term outcome needs to be evaluated.     

Is eyebrow approach suitable for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms on early stage: a prospective study at a single institute

Objective  A prospective study was underway to evaluate the outcome of eyebrow keyhole approach for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms on early stage. Methods  In the past 4 years, 88 patients with ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms, were operated on early stage by an experienced neurosurgical team through eyebrow craniotomy. The clinical data were analyzed. Results  Patients with Hunt and Hess Grade I–II (85.2%) or III (14.8%) were selected for eyebrow approach on early stage. All aneurysms were small (20.5%) or middle (79.5%) in size. All but seven (92.0%) aneurysms were clipped successfully. The opening of frontal sinus occurred in 11(12.5%) cases through eyebrow approach. Of all, 78 (88.6%) patients achieved favorable outcomes. Conclusions  Eyebrow keyhole approach for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms on early stage might be in particular selected according to the Hunt and Hess Scale, the projection of aneurysm, the length of M1 segment, the location of cerebral hematoma, the size and complexity of aneurysm, as well as the preference and experience of the neurosurgical team.     

Flow-related intracranial aneurysms associated with unfused arterial twigs relevant to different vascular anomalies: embryologic and hemodynamic considerations

Object

Cerebrovascular anomalies resulting from the persistence of unfused embryonic twig-like vessels are associated with intracranial aneurysms. All records of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated at our institution were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of aneurysm-associated, unfused, twig-like vessels in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Such vessels were recorded as twig-like MCA (T-MCA) or twig-like networks of an anomalous collateral artery (T-NACA). Additionally, we sought to characterize vulnerable intracranial aneurysms associated with those vascular anomalies.

Methods

A total of 442 ruptured aneurysms were treated from June 2006 to November 2013; of these, 4 ruptured aneurysms exhibited the presence of ipsilateral, unfused, twig-like vessels. Computed tomography (CT) scans, three-dimensional CT angiography, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were performed immediately after the initial ictus. Data analysis included age, sex, Hunt and Hess grade (HHG), Fisher grade (FG), medical risk factors, angiographic architecture, operative methods and findings, radiologic outcomes, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). The average follow-up period was 26 months.

Results

Patient ages ranged from 26 to 49 years with a mean age of 41; there were two females and two males. All four patients showed FG IV, and three patients had unfavorable HHG (IV in 2 and V in one) at admission. An M₁ segmental occlusion and an adjacent small aneurysmal pouch were detected with three-dimensional CT angiography in three patients. Hypertension was recorded in all patients. The initial DSA revealed T-MCA in one patient and T-NACA in three patients. Six aneurysms in all, including two unruptured aneurysms, were found; three ruptured aneurysms existed inside of the twigs. All but one patient required diverse treatment modalities, and four of the five aneurysms were completely occluded after treatment. The remaining aneurysm, treated only with gluing, disappeared during follow-up. In two of the three patients with T-NACA, atresia of the M₁ segment was confirmed intraoperatively. The GOS during follow-up was recorded as favorable (good recovery) in two patients and unfavorable (severe disability and permanent vegetative state) in two patients.

Conclusions

These unique vascular anomalies, T-MCA and T-NACA, which are caused by heterogeneous maldevelopment of the primitive cerebral vessels, are not benign because of their frequent association with flow-related aneurysms, which are vulnerable to rupture. Microsurgical or endovascular treatments for this type of flow-related aneurysm associated with twigs are mandatory to prevent fatal rebleeding, and more attention has to be given when physicians encounter steno-occlusive MCA lesions in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage to detect any vulnerable aneurysms associated with twig-like vessels.     

Disturbed cerebrospinal fluid circulation after subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute aneurysm surgery

In 138 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms operated on within 48 to 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage, an external ventricular drainage catheter was inserted before craniotomy and was used intermittently during the first week after surgery. In 51 patients, intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured intraoperatively. The majority of patients showed increased ICP intraoperatively irrespective of the preoperative Hunt and Hess grade and the amount of subarachnoid blood accumulation or intraventricular blood clot. Intraoperative drainage of cerebrospinal fluid allowed easy access for aneurysm dissection by making the brain slack in more than 90% of patients. Postoperative ICP measurements revealed that significant brain swelling did not occur in the majority of patients. In 7 patients, persistently elevated ICP (greater than 20 mm Hg) was recorded. Nine patients (8%) developed shunt-dependent hydrocephalus; all of these patients had suffered an intraventricular hemorrhage. Measurements of the volumes of cerebrospinal fluid drained did not allow prediction of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus.     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms using platinum coils in patients over 80 years of age

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using plantinum coils was performed in 10 patients over 80 years of age. The patients ranged in age from 81 to 96 years. Preoperative Hunt and Kosnik grading revealed one patient in grade I, 4 in grade II, 3 in grade III, and 2 in grade IV. The aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery in 6 patients, in the anterior communicating artery in 1, and in the middle cerebral artery in 3 respectively. Intra-aneurysmal occlusion was accomplished in 8 patients with total or subtotal occlusion in 6 and partial occlusion in 2. In one patient with a peripheral middle cerebral artery aneurysm, the parent artery was occluded just proximal to the aneurysm. In the remaining one patient in grade III, an aneurysm associated with wide neck could not be occluded because of coil protrusion into the parent artery. In 9 patients who were successfully treated, all five patients in grade I or II and one in grade III resulted in good outcome, but the other three patients in grade III and IV showed poor outcome. No evidence of recurrent hemorrhage was noted during the follow-up period ranging from 2 months to 4 years. Endovascular coil embolization is a useful therapeutic alternative for treating ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients over 80 years of age, especially those in Grade I or II.     

Treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms with a telescoping stent technique

Background and Object Complex intracranial aneurysms present a treatment challenge for both open and endovascular modalities of treatment. This report seeks to illustrate a series of patients with aneurysms treated with telescoping stents as a method of flow diversion for small and fusiform intracranial aneurysms.Material and Methods A retrospective evaluation of six patients treated with a telescoping stent technique utilizing available stents (at that time before the pipeline era) for complex cerebral aneurysms between January 2009 and January 2010 was performed. Five patients had dissecting aneurysms and one patient had a small superior hypophyseal artery aneurysm. One of the patients was treated in the setting of a Hunt and Hess grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage. Follow-up cerebral angiography was performed postprocedure at 6 months.Results At a mean follow-up period of 9 months, all the patients experienced complete or near-complete occlusion (>95%). No periprocedural complications were noted in this series. No episodes of hemorrhage or thromboembolic complications occurred.Conclusions Overlapping Neuroform and Enterprise stents may induce complete thrombosis of intracranial aneurysms and facilitate parent artery remodeling. The use of self-expanding stents is still an adequate treatment modality, especially if there is a need for vessel wall stabilization rather than flow diversion. The technique is also a sufficient alternative in small intracranial aneurysms not readily amenable to open surgical treatment or traditional endovascular coil embolization.