Middle cerebral artery aneurysm associated with Behçet's disease--case report

A 37-year-old man with Beh?et's disease suffered secondary subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hematoma in the right temporal lobe caused by a ruptured aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery. The aneurysm was successfully clipped. Aneurysm formation is common in the visceral arteries in Beh?et's disease, but extremely rare in the intracranial arteries. Vasculitis may be involved in the etiology of intracranial aneurysms in patients with Beh?et's disease.     

Endurance of aneurysm clips: mechanical endurance of Yaşargil and Spetzler titanium aneurysm clips

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether repeated use weakens titanium aneurysm clips, making them unsafe for clinical use. METHODS: Nine Ya?argil (titanium alloy) and five Spetzler (pure titanium) clips were subjected to clinically relevant maneuvers, and the effects on the closing force were assessed. Clips were considered unsafe if 1) the blades crossed, 2) the clips failed to close completely, or 3) the blood pressure could open them. RESULTS: Ya?argil and Spetzler clips significantly (P < 0.01 for both) weakened, by 18.9% and 26.1%, respectively, after 10 minutes of sustained maximal opening. After 100 open-close cycles, Spetzler clips showed no change in closing force, but the closing force of Ya?argil clips decreased significantly (P < 0.01), by a further 12.0%. CONCLUSION: Repeated use weakens Spetzler and Ya?argil clips. All Spetzler and all but one Ya?argil clips were deemed safe for clinical use at the end of the experiments.     

Inter–rater reliability of the simplified Modified Rankin Scale as an outcome measure for treated cerebral aneurysm patients

BackgroundThe modified Rankin scale (mRS) is commonly used as a clinical outcome measure in aneurysm trials, but inter–observer reliability in treated patients has not been tested.MethodsWe reviewed the literature on inter–observer reliability studies of the mRS. Sixty patients with ruptured (n = 47) or unruptured (n = 13) aneurysms treated with endovascular methods (n = 34) or surgical clipping (n = 26) were independently evaluated by a neurosurgeon, a stroke neurologist, and a novice research assistant, and a simplified mRS score assigned. Results were analyzed using Gwet's AC_1/2 reliability coefficients (K_G).ResultsNo previous reports validating the reliability of the mRS in treated aneurysm patients were identified. Using the mRS 0–5, inter–rater agreement was almost perfect (K_G = 0.89 [0.86–0.93]). Agreement between raters remained almost perfect regardless of the rater's expertise. Agreement was almost perfect (K_G = 0.87 [0.77–0.96] when the mRS was dichotomized 0–2 vs 3–5, but fell to moderate when dichotomized 0–1 vs 2–5 (K_G = 0.59 (0.42–0.75). Agreement using the 0–2 vs 3–5 dichotomized mRS remained almost perfect for coiled (K_G = 0.90), clipped (K_G = 0.82), ruptured (K_G = 0.84), and unruptured (K_G = 0.95) aneurysms. Dichotomization of results at 0–1 vs 2–5 would have resulted in an (undesirable) significant difference in good outcomes between raters (P = .003), but not at 0–2 vs 3–5 (P = .52).ConclusionThe simplified mRS appears to be a reliable clinical outcome measure for treated cerebral aneurysm patients. When needed, dichotomization is more reliable at mRS 0–2 vs 3–5 than at 0–1 vs 2–5. The simplified mRS is a promising tool in the functional assessment of aneurysm patients recruited in pragmatic care trials.     

Intracranial pseudoaneurysm due to rupture of a saccular aneurysm mimicking a large partially thrombosed aneurysm (“ghost aneurysm”)

Intracranial pseudoaneurysm formation due to ruptured non-traumatic saccular aneurysm is extremely rare. We experienced two cases of large pseudoaneurysm formation due to rupture of a saccular aneurysm. The neuroradiological ghost-like appearance of the aneurysms led to misdiagnoses as large partially thrombosed aneurysm. Two cases of large intracranial pseudoaneurysm formation due to rupture of a saccular aneurysm occurred in a 77-year-old comatose woman with an aneurysm on the anterior wall of the internal carotid artery and a 73-year-old comatose woman with an anterior cerebral artery (azygos) aneurysm. Both patients suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with intracerebral and intraventricular hematomas. Angiography showed peculiar ghost-like appearance of the aneurysm including delayed filling, changing shape, retention of the contrast material after the venous phase, and unclear location of neck. Neck clipping surgeries were performed, but were difficult because of the preoperative misdiagnosis as large partially thrombosed aneurysm. The entity of ghost aneurysm caused by rupture of a saccular aneurysm should be considered in the clinical diagnosis.     

Delayed diagnosis of a post-traumatic ventricular aneurysm?

A 52-year-old man was developed pleural effusion and congestive heart failure after a routine orthopedic operation. A compression of atrium and right ventricle, by a calcified mass was discovered. The patient remembered having a blunt chest trauma 34 years before. We believe that the mass, an old hematoma, which was resected, was the result of on occult post-traumatic ventricular aneurysm.     

Diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm and outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair: does size matter? A report from EUROSTAR

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the preoperative diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms on the midterm outcome after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHOD: The data for 4392 patients who had undergone EVAR were analyzed. Patients were enrolled over 6 years to June 2002 in the EUROSTAR database. Outcomes were compared between three groups defined by the preoperative diameter of the aneurysm: group A (n = 1962), 4.0 to 5.4 cm; group B (n = 1528), 5.5 to 6.4 cm; and group C (n = 902), 6.5 cm or larger. Patient characteristics, details of aortoiliac anatomy, operative procedures, old or current device generation, and postoperative complications in the three patient groups were compared. Outcome events included aneurysm-related death, unrelated death, conversion, and post-EVAR rupture of the aneurysm. Life table analysis and log-rank tests were used to compare outcome in the three study groups. Multivariate Cox models were used to determine whether baseline and follow-up variables were independently associated with adverse outcome events. RESULTS: Patients in group C were significantly older than patients in groups A and B (73 years vs 70 and 72 years, respectively; P =.003 - P <.0001 for different group comparisons), and more frequently were at higher operative risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists classification >or=3; 63% vs 48% and 54%; P =.0002-P <.0001). Device-related (type I) endoleaks were more frequently observed at early postoperative arteriography in group C compared with groups A and B (9.9% vs 3.7% and 6.8%; P =.01-P <.0001). Postoperatively systemic complications were more frequently present in group C (17.4% vs 12.0% in group A and 12.6% in group B; P <.0001 and.001). The first-month mortality was approximately twice as high in group C compared with the other groups combined (4.1% vs 2.1%; P <.0001). Late rupture was most frequent in group C. Follow-up results at midterm were less favorable in groups C and B compared with group A (freedom from rupture, 90%, 98%, and 98% at 4 years in groups C, B, and A, respectively; P <.0001 for group C vs groups A and B). Aneurysm-related death was highest in group C (88% freedom at 4 years, compared with 95% in group B and 97% in A; P =.001 and P <.0001, respectively; group B vs A, P =.004). The annual rate of aneurysm-related death in group C was 1% in the first 3 years, but accelerated to 8.0% in the fourth year. Incidence of unrelated death also was higher in groups C and B than in group A (76% and 82% freedom at 4 years vs 87%; P <.0001 for both comparisons). Ratio of aneurysm-related to unrelated death was 23%, 21%, and 50% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Cox models demonstrated that the correlation between large aneurysms (group C) and all assessed outcome events was independent and highly significant. Older generation devices had an independent association with aneurysm-related and unrelated deaths (P =.02 and P =.04, respectively). However, this correlation was less strong than large aneurysm diameter (P =.0001 and P =.0009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The midterm outcome of large aneurysms after EVAR was associated with increased rates of aneurysm-related death, unrelated death, and rupture. Reports of EVAR should stratify their outcomes according to the diameter of the aneurysm. Large aneurysms need a more rigorous post-EVAR surveillance schedule than do smaller aneurysms. In small aneurysms EVAR was associated with excellent outcome. This finding may justify reappraisal of currently accepted management strategies.     

Surgical treatment of complicated traumatic aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula

Objective: To evaluate the surgical methods and the outcome of management for traumatic arterial aneurysm(TAA) and traumatic arteriovenous fistula (TAVF). Methods : A total of 121 patients with TAA or TAVF were treated by surgery. Clinical, operative and postoperative data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results : The surgical techniques included aneurysmectomy and arterial end-to-end anastomosis or vascular grafting or artery ligation, aneurysm ligation and bypass, vascular repair, fistula excision and vascular ligation or vascular grafting or repair and so on. One patient died (0.83%). The follow-up rates of TAA and TAVF were 65.7% and 60% respectively. Conclusions: Complicated TAA and TAVF in different sites should be treated with different methods.     

Results of endoaneurysmorrhaphy: does the location of the aneurysm matter?

Endoaneurysmorrhaphy is mostly performed on anterior-septal left ventricular (LV) aneurysms. It may also be applied to posterior aneurysms, which is technically more challenging. Whether the surgical risk is the same, irrespective of the location of the aneurysm, has not been studied before. We reviewed our experience with 158 patients (62+/-9 years, 72% male) undergoing endoaneurysmorrhaphy. Eleven patients (7%) had posterior LV aneurysms. Perioperative mortality was 5.7%. Of all preoperative and surgical variables tested, the presence of a posterior LV aneurysm (p=0.017), concomitant mitral valve surgery (p=0.008) and duration of extracorporal circulation (p=0.001) were significantly associated with higher perioperative mortality. However, patients with posterior LV aneurysms had more severe heart failure (p=0.0061) and a higher LV end diastolic volume index (138+/-38 vs. 102+/-41 ml/kg body weight; p=0.040) than patients with antero-septal LV aneurysms. Further studies are needed to determine whether the location of the aneurysm is a risk factor for mortality irrespective of the clinical presentation.     

To what extent has endovascular aneurysm repair influenced abdominal aortic aneurysm management in the state of Illinois?

PURPOSE: This study was performed using population-based data to determine the changing trends in the techniques for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in the state of Illinois during the past 9 years and to examine the extent to which endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has influenced overall AAA management. METHODS: All records of patients who underwent AAA repair (1995 to 2003 inclusive) were retrieved from the Illinois Hospital Association COMPdata database. The outcome as determined by in-hospital mortality was analyzed according to intervention type (open vs EVAR) and indication (elective repair vs ruptured AAA). Data were stratified by age, gender, and hospital type (university vs community setting) and then analyzed using both univariate (chi 2 , t tests) and multivariate (stepwise logistic regression) techniques. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2003, 14,517 patients underwent AAA repair (85% for elective and 15% for ruptured AAA). The average age was 71.4 +/- 7.9 years, and 76% were men. For elective cases, open repair was performed in 86% and EVAR in 14%; and for ruptured cases, open repair in 97% and EVAR in 3%. Elective EVAR was associated with lower in-hospital mortality compared with open repair regardless of age. No differences were observed with age after either type of repair for a ruptured aneurysm. Men had a lower in-hospital mortality compared with women for open repair of both elective and ruptured aneurysms. For EVAR, the mortality of an elective repair was lower in men, but there was no difference after a ruptured AAA. In men, the difference in mortality between elective open repair and EVAR was significant; the type of institution did not influence outcome. Patients >80 years of age had a higher mortality after open repair for both elective and ruptured AAA and after EVAR of a ruptured AAA. The average length of stay was 9.9 days for open elective repair, 13.1 days after open repair of a ruptured AAA, and 3.6 days for EVAR. The independent predictors of higher in-hospital mortality were female gender, age >80 years, diagnosis (ruptured vs open), and procedure (open vs EVAR). The year of the procedure and type of hospital (university vs community) were not predictive of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR has had a significant impact on AAA management in Illinois over a relatively short time period. In this population-based review, EVAR was associated with a significantly decreased in-hospital mortality and length of stay. Octogenarians had higher mortality after both types of repair, with the exception of elective EVAR.     

Endovascular aneurysm repair: Treatment of choice for abdominal aortic aneurysm coincident with horseshoe kidney? Three case reports and review of literature

There is still controversy as to which surgical method is the most suitable for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant horseshoe kidney (AAA-HSK). We report three cases of AAA-HSK treated with endovascular aneurysm repair. In one of these patients we sacrificed the accessory renal artery by applying coils before the operation. Renal infarction, hypertension, or elevated serum creatinine level was not observed in any of our patients. If the blood supply to the kidneys is taken into consideration, endovascular aneurysm repair is our preferred surgical method for repair of AAA-HSK when anatomic conditions are suitable for stent-graft application and kidney function is normal.     

Does the timing of aneurysm surgery neglect the real problems of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Summary In 1984, in connection with the introduction of the calcium antagonist nimodipine, a new strategy for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysm was developed in our hospital. With no rigid regard to timing all patients undergo surgery as soon as possible. The only exception being those in Hunt and Hess grades IV and V without space-occupying intracranial haemorrhage and those bearing aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar circulation that are difficult of access. As soon as the risk of rebleeding has been eliminated surgically an active therapy against the possible consequences of SAH—cerebral vasospasm and simultaneous disturbances of autoregulation—is started. It consists in lowering the increased intracranial pressure, raising of mean arterial pressure and improving of rheological properties of the blood in order to prevent delayed build-up of neurological deficit due to ischaemia. It goes without saying that calcium antagonists are given from the very beginning of the patient's treatment even before operation.The advantages of this therapeutic concept are demonstrated by two series of non-selected consecutive patient material. The first series (A; n=135) was treated between 1981 and 1984 before the change in treatment strategy, the second (B; n=183) from 1984 to 1986 after that change. The overall mortality in series A was 27%, that in series B 20%. Operative mortality could be reduced from 22% to 16% in patients having undergone early operation and from 6% to 2% in patients with late surgery. Development of permanent neurological deficits following early surgical intervention was seen in 4 out of 29 grade I–III patients (14%) in series A and in 5 out of 94 of such patients (5%) in series B.     

Aneurysm morphology as a predictor of endoleak following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: do smaller aneurysm have better outcomes?

Since the Food and Drug Administrations' approval of endovascular devices for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, clinicians have been relaxing the strict inclusion criteria present during the clinical trials. Although the long-term natural history of endoleaks remains unclear, attachment site leaks (type I) are believed to represent an ongoing risk for future rupture. We reviewed our experience with endovascular AAA repair to elucidate factors that predispose toward the development of endoleaks and found that larger AAAs are significantly more likely to have a short proximal neck and severe proximal angulation. These factors likely contribute to the significantly increased rate of type I endoleaks that occurred after endovascular repair of large AAAs. Small AAAs (<5) had the lowest rate of endoleaks overall (8.3%) and of type I endoleaks in particular (0%). We conclude that AAA size and morphology can be used to predict which aneurysms will experience attachment site endoleaks in their course; AAAs from 4.5 to 5 cm in diameter may be particularly well suited for endovascular repair in this regard.     

Does ASA classification impact success rates of endovascular aneurysm repairs?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical success, clinical success, postoperative complication rate, need for a secondary procedure, and mortality rate with endovascular aneurysm repair (EAR), based on the physical status classification scheme advocated by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). At a single institution 167 patients underwent attempted EAR. Query of a prospectively maintained database supplemented with a retrospective review of medical records was used to gather statistics pertaining to patient demographics and outcome. In patients selected for EAR on the basis of acceptable anatomy, technical and clinical success rates were not significantly different among the different ASA classifications. Importantly, postoperative complication and 30-day mortality rates do not appear to significantly differ among the different ASA classifications in this patient population.     

Is aspect ratio a reliable predictor of intracranial aneurysm rupture?

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the reliability of the aspect ratio (AR) (i.e., aneurysm depth to aneurysm neck) in predicting aneurysm rupture. It has been shown that the AR is a key factor in predicting intraaneurysmal blood flow and aneurysm rupture. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple aneurysms were studied. The sizes of the aneurysms and their ARs were determined by examining the angiographic films. By comparing the difference between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms in the same individual, each patient in effect served as his or her own control. Each ruptured aneurysm was confirmed during surgery. RESULTS: There were 75 ruptured and 107 unruptured aneurysms. The mean AR was 2.70 for ruptured aneurysms, compared with 1.8 for unruptured aneurysms. This difference between the ARs was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The difference in aneurysm sizes in the two groups also was significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: AR on its own is as reliable a variable as the size of the aneurysm for predicting aneurysm rupture.