Dissecting aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage

A 73-year-old male with known hypertension presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. Angiography showed a dilatation with proximal and distal narrowing of the right middle cerebral artery. Conservative treatment resulted in almost complete resolution of the angiographic abnormalities 6 months later. Dissecting aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery with haemorrhagic manifestations are extremely rare and are not generally recognized as a cause of subarachnoid haemorrhage. If angiography fails to demonstrate a saccular aneurysm in a patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage, a ruptured dissecting aneurysm may be a possible cause. Repeat angiography should be performed for definitive diagnosis. More knowledge about the natural course is essential before determining whether surgical treatment is always necessary.     

Cerebral aneurysms in childhood

Objects: The aim of this work was to ascertain any clinical and anatomical factors allowing differentiation between aneurysms of childhood and those occurring in adults by comparing both groups. Methods: Results obtained in a total of 17 children and adolescents aged up to 18 who had been operated on for cerebral aneurysm in our department from 1989 to 1997 (3% of all patients treated for subarachnoid haemorrhage resulting from ruptured cerebral aneurysm in this period) were compared with those in the adult group operated on in our department. In contrast to the situation in adults, there was a male predominance in our population. In children we found only 1 case of middle cerebral aneurysm and 1 case of multiple aneurysms. We also found a high rate of rebleeding in the paediatric group. Conclusions: We suggest that the very good outcome (100% very good results in patients operated on early) obtained and the high risk of rebleeding in children with cerebral aneurysm allow the recommendation of early surgery in children with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Received: 12 July 1999, Revised: 7 July 2000     

Vertebro-basilar aneurysms. 23 cases observed in a neurology department

Twenty-three cases of vertebro-basilar aneurysms observed in a neurology department are reported. Ten were located on the basilar artery (7 at the basilar bifurcation), 5 on the postero-inferior cerebellar arteries, 4 on the superior cerebellar arteries, 3 on the vertebro-basilar junction and 1 on the anteroinferior cerebellar artery. There were 6 fusiform and giant aneurysms, others were sacciform. In 5 cases, there was no clear relationship between the clinical data and the aneurysm, which was discovered by chance at angiography or MRI. One giant aneurysm of the basilar artery was mimicking a tumor of the posterior cerebral fossa. Two other cases were revealed by brain stem ischaemia. Aneurysmal rupture was present in 15 cases: there were signs of meningeal haemorrhage in all cases and clinical signs of posterior cerebral fossa involvement in 7 cases. CT scan, performed in 8 cases, showed in all of them a meningeal haemorrhage, with a brain stem haematoma in 3 cases. All the aneurysms were shown by angiography; 7 were associated with a vasospasm. Five patients were not operated upon; all died. In one case, clipping the aneurysm was impossible, but there was a good recovery with a 12 year follow-up. Nine patients were operated, 3 recovered completely, 2 had neurological sequelae, 1 a late worsening; 3 patients died of brain stem ischaemia.     

The surgical management of contralateral anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms.

This study reviews the surgical management of contralateral anterior circulation aneurysms in patients with bilateral intracranial aneurysms repaired following a unilateral craniotomy. Between 1993 and 1999, 27 patients had 88 intracranial aneurysms repaired. Eleven patients presented following subarachnoid haemorrhage. Excluding midline aneurysms, 31 anterior circulation aneurysms were contralateral to the craniotomy and all were repaired at the same time that ipsilateral or midline aneurysms were repaired. Morbidity included one death and one case of loss of unilateral vision directly attributable to surgery and two cases of cerebral infarction due to vasospasm. No new neurological deficit or mortality could be directly attributed to the repair of a contralateral aneurysm. The repair of all accessible aneurysms, including those contralateral to the craniotomy, during one session avoids the risk of haemorrhage from incidental or unrecognised ruptured aneurysms (particularly during the aggressive treatment of vasospasm), avoids a second craniotomy, decreases overall hospitalisation and can improve visualisation of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms.     

Clinical analysis of vitreous hemorrhage combined with ruptured aneurysm

Eight cases of vitreous hemorrhage with ruptured intracranial aneurysm (Terson's syndrome) were experienced in our clinic from April, 1978 to April, 1983. They consisted of five males and three famales between 45 and 69 years old. All cases had unconscious attacks and three of them experienced repeated episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage within 24 hours. CT scan, performed 24 hours within the attack, revealed remarkable high density areas at prepontine and suprasellar cisterns, interhemispheric and sylvian fissures. Ruptured aneurysms, confirmed by cerebral angiography and operative findings, were three anterior communicating artery aneurysms, three internal cerebral artery aneurysms, one middle cerebral artery aneurysm and one anterior cerebral artery aneurysm. We performed radical operation for the ruptured aneurysm, six cases at acute atage, one at 11 days and one at 18 days after the attack. Postoperative courses were all good. Five cases had bilateral vitreous hemorrhages and three had unilateral ones. At first they were treated conservatively. Visual acuity of six cases, 13 eyes improved gradually, but three cases, four eyes did not improve after four or five months after the attack. So we let ophthalmologist to perform vitrectomy, which showed effective results. Vitreous hemorrhage following a ruptured intracranial aneurysm is not a so rare complication than has been assumed and also its prognosis is not so poor. In most cases vitreous hemorrhage following a ruptured intracranial aneurysm should be treated conservatively, but in selected cases effective results would be given by vitrectomy.     

Effect of elimination of supratentorial aneurysms by micro- surgical method on early structural and functional changes near the operation site]

On the basis of neurological, psychological and computed tomographic studies of the head early consequences of microsurgical elimination of supratentorial brain aneurysms were analysed in a group of 37 patients. It was shown that this method of aneurysm treatment may lead to brain oedema near the operation site. Oedema development was observed most frequently in cases of prolonged pressure exerted by spatulae on the brain tissue during the operation, aneurysm location in the anterior cerebral artery system and in cases operated on from 4 to 10 days after subarachnoid haemorrhage.     

Cerebral aneurysms: assessment of 377 cases (1956-1982)

A review of 177 patients with cerebral aneurysms is made, out of whom 106 with ruptured aneurysms were examined, whose operational timing and prognostic chances were well documented (group B, 1979-1982) and in part updated to 1984. Furthermore, relevant data of a previous series of 200 cases of cerebral aneurysm, treated between 1956-1978 were used (group A). The patients were graded according to Hunt and Hess, assessing the risks involved. The percentages of recurrent bleeding were in group A 36.5% and 28% in group B. The incidence of vasospasm (as seen in angiography) was in group B 39.6% (42/106 patients). The highest rate of vasospasm in the spasm group division B was found to occur in the second and third week after subarachnoid haemorrhage and amounted to 64.7% and 62.5%. A pre-operatively present vasospasm had no negative effects on the mortality rate, but influenced the outcome for the survivors effectively. The total mortality in group A was 22.5% and in group B 11.7%. Timing of the operation among patients in Hunt and Hess-grades I and II needs to discussion. The surgical position of patients in grade V is also certain. What remains to be discussed and needs attention is grade III and patients in grade IVa. Here the time of operative intervention must be planned individually depending on the course of the neurological status.     

Analysis of reruptured cerebral aneurysms and the prophylactic effects of barbiturate therapy on the early stage

During the past seven years, we have studied 661 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Rebleeding occurred in 65 cases (10%) and, within this group, 43 cases (70%) rebled within the first 6 hours after initial subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Analysis of these 43 cases led to the following conclusions: 22 patients incurred rebleeding from causes such as transfer (6 cases), neuroradiological examinations (13 cases), and tracheal intubation during anaesthesia etc. (3 cases), while no special causative factors were discovered in the other 21 cases. Rebleeding occurred in 19 patients even while on absolute bed rest and in 11 patients who had induced systemic arterial hypotension (under 140 mmHg) through treatment. Six cases experienced rebleeding while undergoing angiography within 6 hours after the first subarachnoid haemorrhage. Eight of 17 reruptured anterior cerebral complex (Acom) aneurysm cases and 8 of 11 reruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm cases had an intracerebral haematoma on initial CT-scan following the first attack, demonstrating that the risk of rebleeding was very high in cases of intracerebral haematoma. The mortality rate for these rebleeding cases was high i.e. 65%. Therefore, because the time factor could precipitate rebleeding, early transfer and operation was considered optimal for minimizing rebleeding soon after an aneurysm rupture, even though angiography within 6 hours of the first SAH was a serious risk. Barbiturate therapy, performed as early as possible for serious cases, was considered to be effective in preventing rebleeding.     

Intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage in children and adolescents

Thirty-eight cases of symptomatic cerebral aneurysms or spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in children and adolescents were observed from 1965 to 1984; 33 cases were treated from 1970 to date. This group represents 2.6% of the total number of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at our institute in the same period. The cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage was unknown in 7 cases; an intracranial aneurysm had ruptured in 29 cases, and was unruptured but symptomatic in 2 remaining cases. Three aneurysms were mycotic. The most frequent aneurysmal locations were the internal carotid bifurcation and the anterior communicating artery; peripheral branches of the middle cerebral artery were also a relatively common location. Four patients were 3 years of age or younger: each presented peculiar clinical features, and 3 of the 4 had middle cerebral artery aneurysms. The remaining 34 patients were all above 9 years of age. Two groups were identified: (a) in 14 patients between 10 and 15 years of age, the aneurysm was most commonly at the internal carotid bifurcation (37%), and an intracerebral hematoma was observed in 50% of these cases; (b) in 20 patients between 16 and 20 years of age, the most common aneurysmal location was the anterior communicating artery (35%), and intracerebral hematomas were rare (10% of cases). Among patients with aneurysms, 19 underwent surgical exclusion by clip, with 10% morbidity and 5% mortality; 5 patients in moribund conditions were not operated on; 5 patients were conservatively treated; in 2 patients the aneurysm had disappeared at a second angiography. Ischemic deterioration from vasospasm was observed only in 3 patients, all above 17 years of age, and with a consistent or thick subarachnoid blood deposition on early CT scan. Hydrocephalus was also rarely observed (13% of cases), requiring a shunt in only 3 patients. Overall management results were significantly better than in adult patients, with 73% good results and 21% deaths. The better prognosis in the group under 20 years of age is probably accounted for (a) by the frequently observed reversibility of neural injury in young patients and (b) the very low incidence of ischemic disturbances in this age group.     

动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下腔出血24 h内微弹簧圈栓塞干预的预后分析

目的分析动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下腔出血24 h内行微弹簧圈栓塞干预的预后。 方法纳入2014年1月至2017年6月黄冈市中心医院神经外科收治的127例动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下腔出血患者进行回顾性分析,将24 h内接受微弹簧圈栓塞患者纳为超早期组（71例）,将≥24 h患者纳为非超早期组（56例）。对比2组患者围手术期疗效及术后6个月的预后。 结果超早期组术前再出血、术后脑梗死及脑积水发生率均明显低于非超早期组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。2组患者院内死亡率对比,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。2组患者术后6个月的改良Rankin量表评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论对动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下腔出血患者在24 h内开展微弹簧圈栓塞术治疗,虽然能够减少术前再出血风险和术后并发症发生率,但对显著提升患者预后并无明显作用。     

Endovascular treatment of posterior cerebral aneurysm associated with Moyamoya disease

PURPOSE: A patient with moyamoya disease associated with a ruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm treated by endovascular embolization is presented. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old woman was admitted with severe headache to our hospital. Computed tomography demonstrated subarachnoid haemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed evidence of moyamoya disease and a saccular aneurysm at the P1 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization was performed using Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC), and the aneurysm was completely occluded with preservation of the parent artery. Endovascular treatment using GDC seems comparatively safe and effective for the treatment of cerebral saccular aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease.     

Early surgery of ruptured anterior circulation aneurysm based on multislice helical computerised tomography angiography

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) as the primary diagnostic investigation in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from anterior circulation aneurysms, and to correlate the results with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and intraoperative findings. From May 2005 to May 2007 a total of 38 consecutive patients admitted for SAH, suspicious for ruptured anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm, underwent 3D-CTA. Inclusion criteria were a SAH confirmed by a non-contrast head computed tomographic scan or by lumbar puncture. Exclusion criteria were: previous DSA, severe contrast medium allergy and severe renal failure. All patients underwent early surgical clipping of the aneurysm. The mean time between SAH onset and surgery was 43.6 h (range, 14–74 h). The 3D-CTA was performed in all cases; and in 13 out of 38 patients (34%) represented the only preoperative exam. In all patients that underwent surgery with the sole 3D-CTA, the images collected allowed a good visualisation of the morphology of aneurysms and of the anatomical relationship with the vascular structures. 3D-CTA allows accurate diagnosis with an excellent visualisation of ruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation. Our results suggest that, in selected cases, ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms could be successfully treated on the basis of 3D-CTA alone.     

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage and ruptured aneurysm

One hundred consecutive patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage were investigated by computed tomography (CT) within five days of the bleeding. In 19 cases CT indicated other sources than a ruptured aneurysm, most often a cerebellar haematoma. The other 81 patients did not all undergo angiography. It could be estimated by extrapolation that an aneurysm would be demonstrated in 66 of the 68 patients in whom CST showed extravasated blood in the basal cisterns, and in only five of the remaining 13 patients. In a consecutive series of 50 patients with bleeding from a verified aneurysm, CT showed some extravasated blood in all cases and a haematoma in half of these. In 74% the site of the haemorrhage correctly predicted the site of the ruptured aneurysm. Intravenous contrast medium visualized the aneurysm on CT in 15 of 25 cases; this can improve the identification of the bleeding aneurysm to 88%. Rebleeding occurred in 21 patients, and was obvious in Ct in 19. If available, CT should be the first investigation in patients with first and recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage.     

The diagnosis and treatment of cerebral mycotic aneurysms

Seventeen patients were treated for 28 documented cerebral mycotic aneurysms. Initial neurological symptoms were attributable to aneurysm rupture in only 7 patients, and in 3 of them symptoms did not suggest subarachnoid hemorrhage. Six patients presented with embolic infarction and 1 with meningitis; in 3 patients it was uncertain if aneurysm rupture occurred. Four patients had rupture of at least one aneurysm while receiving appropriate antibiotic treatment and another had rupture at the conclusion of therapy. Of 20 aneurysms followed angiographically or with computed tomography during medical treatment, 10 became smaller or disappeared and 10 remained unchanged or enlarged, 1 with fatal rupture. Eight ruptured aneurysms were surgically excised; 2 of the patients with ruptured aneurysms died and 2 had residual aphasia or cognitive impairment. All 4 patients whose only surgery was for an unruptured aneurysm made uneventful recoveries. Recognizing the retrospective and anecdotal nature of our data and the differing views of previous investigators, we recommend: (1) that careful neurological examination, computed tomography, and (unless contraindicated) lumbar puncture be performed on any patient with endocarditis; (2) that those with neurological abnormalities not attributable to systemic toxicity, including pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid or apparent infarction on computed tomographic scans, undergo four-vessel cerebral angiography; (3) that single accessible mycotic aneurysms in medically stable patients be promptly excised, with individualization of multiple or proximal aneurysms; and (4) that repeat angiography be performed at the conclusion of antibiotic therapy in patients requiring long-term anticoagulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

CT血管造影诊断破裂脑动脉瘤

目的探讨运用CTA诊断破裂脑动脉瘤。方法对怀疑颅内动脉瘤破裂的40例病人施行CTA检查,采用Philips Tomoscan AVP1螺旋CT机,数据经计算机工作站处理后以最大密度投影重建(MIP)和表面遮盖法重建(SSD)法显示,由放射科医师和神经外科医师共同阅片。结果本组40例病人共检出25例28个动脉瘤,其中前交通动脉瘤13例,颈内动脉颅内段动脉瘤3例,后交通动脉瘤2例,大脑中动脉瘤2例,眼动脉瘤1例,基底动脉梭形动脉瘤1例,左侧大脑中动脉瘤破裂合并右侧颈内动脉瘤1例,后交通动脉瘤合并同侧颈内动脉床突周围段芽孢状微小动脉瘤2例。20例脑动脉瘤做了开颅手术治疗,其中15例单纯根据CTA检查结果手术,术中证实诊断。结论CTA具有快速、简便、安全、可靠的优点,可作为破裂脑动脉瘤和急诊手术前首选的检查。     

Treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial aneurysm with tranexamic acid: a double-blind clinical trial.

A double-blind clinical trial of tranexamic acid was carried out on 39 patients with fresh subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm. Twenty patients received tranexamic acid, 6 gm daily for 14 to 21 days, while 19 patients received conventional therapy of bedrest and dexamethasone when cerebral edema developed, plus isotonic saline. Rebleeding and mortality were reduced by one-fourth and one-fifth, respectively (p less than 0.001). No side-effects were observed. Tranexamic acid is valuable in the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysms.     

Subarachnoid haemorrhage associated with infectious endocarditis: case report and literature review

Cases of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) as a presenting feature or soon after initiation of antibiotics in infectious endocarditis (IE) have been reported. However, most had documented mycotic aneurysms as the source of haemorrhage. Reports of IE associated with SAH of unclear source are rare. A case of SAH associated with IE is reported. We also reviewed our data set on neurological complications of IE at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1980 to 1996 for additional cases. In addition to the index case, we identified seven cases of SAH amongst 489 patients (1%) with IE for a total of eight cases. In six patients, initial cerebral angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or autopsy did not show aneurysm or other aetiology for the SAH. A mycotic aneurysm was noted in one case and the other patient had an unruptured mycotic aneurysm of the tip of basilar artery. SAH was located in the basal cistern in two patients, sylvian fissure in three, and hemispheric sulci in three. SAH is an uncommon complication of IE, and in the setting of IE a specific cause, such as mycotic aneurysm, may not be identified.     

Ruptured fusiform cerebral aneurysm in a neonate

An 11-day-old male infant presented with subarachnoid and intraventricular haemorrhage caused by a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Magnetic resonance (MR) angiogram and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a fusiform aneurysm 10 mm in diameter supplied by the proximal segment of the anterior cerebral artery (A1), with both distal segments (A2) arising from the aneurysm. The right A1 was aplastic. There have been 13 previous case reports of neonatal cerebral artery aneurysms, but only 1 of these has been fusiform. None of the earlier reports has mentioned dysplastic segments or other anomalies of the circle of Willis.

     

Various problems related to the occurrence of hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm]

A CT scan done on admission showed widening of the ventricular system in 56 (34%) out of 164 patients with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. 82% of the patients were admitted within 5 days after the bleeding. Those with hydrocephalus were often in a poor clinical condition (grades 3-5 Hunt and Hess, p less than 0.01) with up-going plantars twice as frequently encountered as in the remaining group. Widening of the ventricles adversely affected the prognosis. With hydrocephalus rebleeding was more frequent (p less than 0.02) and so was the ischaemic neurological deficit, whereas long-term treatment results were worse (p less than 0.01) with a double mortality rate (p less than 0.02). Hydrocephalus was more frequent in older patients (p less than 0.001 and in those with posterior fossa aneurysms (p less than 0.005). It was also promoted by diffuse and extensive bleeding into the subarachnoid space (p less than 0.01) and by intraventricular haemorrhage (p less than 0.0001). Three patients were treated with ventricular drainage.     

Recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage from a de novo basilar bifurcation aneurysm: a case report.

Well documented cases of posterior circulation de novo aneurysms are rare. We report a patient who recently presented following a third episode of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Subsequent cerebral angiography revealed a basilar bifurcation aneurysm. This was absent on previous angiographic studies. The current literature on de novo aneurysms is reviewed. The implications for screening are considered.