Characteristics Of Intracranial Aneurysms Research Articles

Prevalence and Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

The association between hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. This study evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of intracranial aneurysms in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with brain vascular malformations. Between 2007 and 2021, patients enrolled in the Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium with definite hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, the presence of brain vascular malformations, and available angiographic studies of the brain were retrospectively reviewed. Angiographic features of intracranial aneurysms and their relationship to coexisting brain vascular malformations were analyzed. We also examined the association between baseline clinical features and the presence of intracranial aneurysms. One hundred eighty patients were included. A total of 14 intracranial aneurysms were found in 9 (5%) patients, and 4 intracranial aneurysms were considered flow-related aneurysms. Patients with intracranial aneurysms were significantly older than patients without intracranial aneurysms (mean, 48.1 [SD, 18.2] years versus 33.5 [SD, 21.0] years; P = .042). If we excluded flow-related intracranial aneurysms, the prevalence of intracranial aneurysms was 3.3%. All intracranial aneurysms were in the anterior circulation, were unruptured, and had an average maximal diameter of 3.9 (SD, 1.5) mm. No intracranial aneurysms were found in pediatric patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. No statistically significant correlation was observed among other baseline demographics, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia features, and the presence of intracranial aneurysms. The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in this large cohort study is comparable with that in the general population and might be increased slightly due to hemodynamic factors associated with shunting brain vascular malformations.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms and Cerebral Hemorrhage in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in the Japanese Nationwide Database

Prevalence and Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms and Cerebral Hemorrhage in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in the Japanese Nationwide Database

A Study of the Association Between Carotid Artery Curvature and Intracranial Aneurysms.

Carotid artery curvature is considered a sign of a weak vessel wall, and we hypothesize that a weak vascular wall under the effect of hemodynamics may cause intracranial aneurysms. The general data of 534 patients with aneurysms and 473 control patients were retrospectively analyzed in a case-control study. Carotid artery curvature was characterized as none, tortuosity, kinking, and coiling by computed tomography angiography images. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the degree of carotid artery tortuosity and to analyze the general data between the aneurysm group and the control group, and then, multivariate statistical logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the statistical significance of the univariate analysis. Finally, the correlation between aneurysm-related features and carotid artery curvature was analyzed. Univariate analysis showed that kinking was significantly related to the occurrence of intracranial aneurysms (P=0.009). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that kinking was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of aneurysms (odds ratio: 1.942; 95% confidence interval: 1.387-2.720 for model 1; odds ratio: 1.995; 95% confidence interval: 1.419-2.805 for model 2). In the analysis of the correlation between the characteristics of intracranial aneurysms and the curvature of the internal carotid artery, there was no correlation between the curvature of the internal carotid artery and the size, location or number of aneurysms, or whether the intracranial aneurysm was ruptured. Intracranial aneurysms are associated with carotid artery curvature. Kinking of the internal carotid artery may indicate a higher risk for aneurysm formation.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Numerical Simulation of Intracranial Aneurysm for Sectional Anatomy Based on Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective: The mortality of rebleeding after ruptured intracranial aneurysms was more than 40%. It is essential to identify the intracranial artery in sectional anatomy. However, it is difficult for students to understand the intracranial artery in the section. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the application effect of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and numerical simulation of intracranial aneurysm for sectional anatomy based on computed tomography angiography (CTA). Method: Sixty students in medical imaging specialty of our university were divided into two groups. The control group was taught with conventional sectional anatomy and CT images, while the observation group was taught with 3D reconstruction and numerical simulation of intracranial aneurysm. The teaching characteristics and teaching effects were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Result: The 3D reconstruction can accurately express the size, direction, and adjacent relationship of aneurysms. Through rotation of the 3D image, students can easily understand the name and location of cerebral arteries. Combined with the function of 3D positioning, each blood vessel can automatically and accurately locate in the transverse, coronal, and sagittal plane. Abnormal wall shear stress was easily found in the intersection of cerebral artery circle, which was the physiological basis for the occurrence of aneurysms. There was a high shear zone in the root of an aneurysm, which was the physiological factor of rupture. The scores of sectional specimen identification, drawing examination, and theoretical assessment in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The 3D reconstruction and numerical simulation can directly display the 3D morphological and physiological characteristics of intracranial aneurysms, which is convenient for students to understand and memorize. It can reach a good teaching effect in sectional anatomy.

Age and morphology of posterior communicating artery aneurysms

Risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture could be affected by geometric features of intracranial aneurysms and the surrounding vasculature in a location specific manner. Our goal is to investigate the morphological characteristics associated with ruptured posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms, as well as patient factors associated with the morphological parameters.Three-dimensional morphological parameters in 409 patients with 432 PCoA aneurysms diagnosed at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital between 1990 and 2016 who had available CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were evaluated. Morphological parameters examined included aneurysm wall irregularity, presence of a daughter dome, presence of hypoplastic or aplastic A1 arteries and hypoplastic or fetal PCoA, perpendicular height, width, neck diameter, aspect and size ratio, height/width ratio, and diameters and angles of surrounding parent and daughter vessels. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to determine the association of morphological parameters with rupture of PCoA aneurysms. Additional analyses were performed to determine the association of patient factors with the morphological parameters. Irregular, multilobed PCoA aneurysms with larger height/width ratios and larger flow angles were associated with ruptured PCoA aneurysms, whereas perpendicular height was inversely associated with rupture in a multivariable model. Older age was associated with lower aspect ratio, with a trend towards lower height/width ratio and smaller flow angle, features that are associated with a lower rupture risk. Morphological parameters are easy to assess and could help in risk stratification in patients with unruptured PCoA aneurysms. PCoA aneurysms diagnosed at older age have morphological features associated with lower risk.

Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms According to Levels of Coronary Artery Calcium.

Background and Purpose- Several vascular risk factors are known to be associated with the occurrence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Coronary artery calcium (CAC), which reflects the atherosclerotic burden of the coronary arteries, is a known predictor of cardiovascular events and stroke. We investigated the relationship between IA and CAC. Methods- We retrospectively enrolled Korean subjects at a single university hospital who had both brain magnetic resonance angiography and cardiac computed tomography as part of health examinations from January 2010 to July 2017. Subjects were categorized into 4 groups according to CAC score as assessed by cardiac computed tomography: zero (0), low (1-99), intermediate (100-399), or high (≥400). Then, the prevalence of IA in each CAC score group was assessed. We also performed subgroup analysis by age, sex, and location of IA. Results- A total of 4934 subjects (mean age, 54.1±9.8 years; %women, 42.2%) were included for analysis. IAs were detected in 258 subjects (5.23%). The prevalence of IA significantly increased as the CAC score increased (4.8%, 5.4%, 6.4%, and 11.1%, respectively; P for trend, 0.004). In subjects over the age of 50 years, this correlation was more prominent in women than in men (7.1% versus 3.7%, 8.8% versus 4.4%, 8.6% versus 6.3%, and 21.1% versus 10.0%, respectively). Subgroup analysis for the aneurysm location showed that nonbifurcation aneurysm was associated with a high CAC score but bifurcation aneurysm was not. Multivariate logistic regression showed high CAC score was an independent risk factor for the presence of IA compared with zero CAC score (adjusted odds ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.18-3.95). Conclusions- A high CAC score was associated with the presence of IA. This relationship was more prominent in females and nonbifurcation aneurysms.

Intracranial aneurysms in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: a systematic review.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem genetic disease. Arterial wall developmental disorders, such as aneurysms, in association with TSC have been well described for extracranial vasculature. The characteristics of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in TSC have not previously been addressed in the literature. This systematic review was performed to identify and assess the distinct characteristics of IAs in patients with TSC. The authors searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications describing cases of TSC and IA reported before August 7, 2018. They also report 2 cases of IAs in TSC patients treated at their own institution. Thirty-three TSC patients with a total of 42 IAs were included in this review. Three individuals presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The IAs were large or giant in 57.1% and fusiform in 45.2% of the cases. Most of the IAs (61.9%, 26 of 42) originated from the internal carotid artery. There was a higher prevalence of pediatric cases (66.7%) and male patients (63.6%, 21 of 32 individuals with known sex) among the collected series. TSC patients with IAs are characterized with a higher proportion of large/giant and fusiform IAs and young age, suggesting rapid aneurysmal growth. Furthermore, there is a distinct location pattern of IAs and an inverse sex ratio than in the healthy population. Large population-based patient registers are required to improve the understanding of epidemiology and pathophysiology of IA formation in TSC.

Relationship between intracranial aneurysms and the severity of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary kidney disease characterized by the progressive enlargement of innumerable renal cysts. Although the association of intracranial aneurysms (ICANs) with ADPKD is well known, the relationship between the ICAN and the disease severity including total kidney volume (TKV) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is poorly understood. We screened 265 patients with ADPKD (mean age, 48.8years; range, 14.9-88.3years) with MR angiography. The patients with a past history related to ICANs were excluded from the study. The incidence and characteristics of ICAN in patients with ADPKD were evaluated. TKV was measured by volumetric analyses of MR imaging. We detected 65 ICANs in 49 patients (37 women and 12 men, mean age, 52.7years; range, 20.4-86years). The incidence of ICANs was 18.5% and female patients had was higher incidence (23.1%) than male patients (11.4%) (p=0.02). An age of those with ICANs was significantly higher than those without (p=0.006), and the cumulative risk of diagnosis of ICANs increased with age. TKV was significantly larger in those with ICANs than those without (p=0.001), but eGFR was not different between two groups (p=0.07). By multivariate analyses, only TKV was significantly related to the development of ICANs (p=0.02). The incidence of ICANs increased with age, was higher in females, and correlated with kidney enlargement in patients with ADPKD. Necessity of screening ICANs would be particularly high in elderly women with large kidneys.

Clinical analysis of neuro-ophthalmological features in 45 patients with intracranial aneurysm

Objective To observe the neuro-ophthalmological features of intracranial aneurysm. Methods 169 patients with intracranial aneurysm were retrospectively studied. 45 patients, including 18 men and 27 women, had neuro-ophthalmological symptoms or signs. Their average age was (56.21±16.11) years and 32 (71.11%)patients' age was more than 50 years. The onset time ranged from 30 minutes to 20 years. 20 (44.44%) patients' onset time was among 24 hours. CT, CT angiography, MRI, MRI angiography and cerebral digital subtraction angiography were performed alone or combined in all 45 patients. Visual acuity, pupil reflex and eye movement were examined. Clinical data including general condition, initial symptoms, neuro-ophthalmological changes, imaging data and treatment effects were recorded. Results 26.63% of the 169 patients had neuro-ophthalmological symptoms or signs. There were 6 patients (13.33%) with neuro-ophthalmological changes as their first manifestation and 39 patients (86.67%) with neurologic changes as first manifestation. Neuro-ophthalmological symptoms included vision loss (10 patients, 22.22%), diplopia (4 patients, 8.89%) and ocular pain (2 patients, 4.44%). The most common neuro-ophthalmological sign was pupil abnormality which was found in 31 patients (68.89%). The second most common sign was eye movement disorder (16 patients, 35.56%). The other signs included ptosis (8 patients, 17.78%), nystagmus (2 patients, 4.44%), exophthalmos (1 patient, 2.22%) and disappeared corneal reflection (1 patient, 2.22%). Imaging examination indicated that intracranial hemorrhage happened in 29 patients (64.44%). The most common neuro-ophthalmological features were pupil abnormality, eye movement disorder and vision loss in both patients with or without intracranial hemorrhage. The incidence of pupil abnormality was higher in patients with intracranial hemorrhage than that without intracranial hemorrhage, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=7.321, P=0.007). Pupil abnormality and vision loss were common in patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm, and eye movement disorder was common in patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm and posterior communicating aneurysms. Conclusions Patients with intracranial aneurysm have different neuro-ophthalmological features. The most common features are pupil abnormality, eye movement disorder and vision loss. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm/complications; Pupil disorders/etiology; Oculomotor nerve diseases/etiology

Aneurysm Inclination Angle as the Predisposing Factor for the Occurrence of Rupture

Introduction Natural course of aneurysms that occur on blood vessels of the brain singles out the need for understanding the mechanism of the occurrence of aneurysm wall rupture and identification of anatomic characteristics as predictive factors for hemorrhage to occur. Aim In this study, we comparatively present results of our researches and experimental models on animals. Material and Methods We made a comparative analysis of anatomical characteristics of blood vessels of the brain and aneurysms obtained on the basis of digital subtraction angiography and intraoperative finding. In this article, we review recent research in the anatomic characteristics of intracranial aneurysms and parent blood vessels. Results We present a series of 185 aneurysms (ruptured and unruptured) dissected at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Inclination angle may be considered as the vital predisposing factor for intracranial aneurysm rupture. In aneurysms that ruptured, it was 139.748 ± 27.242 degrees, while in unruptured aneurysms it was considerably smaller and amounted to 100.882 ± 22.001 degrees (p < 0.01). Conclusion Inclination angle may be regarded as the vital predisposing factor because it differs considerably in unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysms with blood stream angle smaller than 115 degrees have very small probability of rupture, while blood stream angle bigger than 150 degrees presents a high risk of rupture. Keywords intracranial aneurysm; inclination angle; rupture

Comparative analysis of the animal model and results of the clinical research of the aneurysm inclination angle as the predisposing factor for the occurrence of rupture

Natural course of aneurysms that occur on blood vessels of the brain singles out the need for understanding the mechanism of the occurrence of aneurysm wall rupture and identification of anatomic characteristics as predictive factors for hemorrhage to occur. In this study we comparatively present results of our researches and experimental models on animals. We made a comparative analysis of anatomical characteristics of blood vessels of the brain and aneurysms obtained on the basis of digital subtraction angiography and intraoperative finding. In this article we review recent research in the anatomic characteristics of intracranial aneurysms and parent blood vessels. We present a series of 185 aneurysms (ruptured and unruptured) dissected at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Inclination angle may be considered as the vital predesposing factor for intracranial aneurysm rupture. In aneurysms that ruptured it was 139.748+/-27.242 degrees, while in unruptured aneurysms it was considerably smaller and amounted to 100.882+/-22.001 degrees (p<0.01). Inclination angle may be regarded as the vital predisposing factor since it differs considerably in unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysms with blood stream angle smaller than 115 degrees have very small probability of rupture, while blood stream angle bigger than 150 degrees presents a high risk of rupture.

Microsurgerical treatment of PCA aneurysms via subtemporal approach monitored by microvascular doppler(10 cases report)

Objective To summarize the clinical features of intracranial aneurysms of posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and the surgical approaches and operative skills to treat them. Method The aneurysms arose from the P1 segment in 3 patients, the P2 segment in 5 patients and the P3 segment in 2 patients. Aneurysms on P1 segment were surgically treated via subtemporal associated pterional approach. Aneurysms on P2 and P3 segment were surgically treated via subtemporal approach. 7 aneurysms were successfully treated by clipping the aneurysmal neck,2 aneurysms were shaped and 1 aneurysm was isolated. 3 giant aneurysms were resected. Microvascular Doppler was conducted to examine the blood flow of aneurysms and parent arteries. Results 6 of 10 patients had postoperative good recovery. Temporal oculomotor palsy occurred in 2 patients, syntropic hemiablepsia occurred in 1 patients,light hemiplegia in 1 patient. All these patients were recovery with treatment. 1 oculomotor palsy and 1 syntropic hemiablepsia preoperation recovered postoperation after three months. Conclusions The microsurgery is one of the major methods for treating aneurysm of PCA. The subtemporal approach in treating aneurysm of PCA is simple,safe and good exposure. Microvascular doppler is a feasible, safe, and very reliable technique in aneurysm surgery. Key words: Posterior cerebral artery; Intracranial aneurysm; Microsurgery; Microvascular doppler

Screening for Intracranial Aneurysm in 355 Patients With Autosomal-Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

the association of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with intracranial aneurysm (ICAN) is well known but little is known about the characteristics of ICAN in ADPKD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of ICAN in ADPKD. we screened 355 patients with ADPKD (mean age, 46.5 ± 13.2 years; range, 7 to 87 years) with 3-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography. Size, location, and morphology of aneurysms were assessed. The prevalence and characteristics of ICAN in patients with ADPKD were evaluated. Patients with ICAN found by MR angiography and moderate renal function subsequently were recommended to undergo digital subtraction angiography for comparison. the prevalence of ICAN in ADPKD was 12.4% (95% CI, 8.95% to 15.82%) with an equal gender distribution. The prevalence increased as age increased, reaching a peak value of 23.3% (95% CI, 16.85 to 29.75%) in the 60- to 69-year age group. The prevalence of ICAN in patients with ADPKD with a positive family history of hemorrhagic stroke or ICAN was higher than patients with ADPKD lacking such family history (relative risk, 1.968; 95% CI, 1.57 to 2.67). The mean diameter of ICAN was 3.85 ± 3.25 mm. The most frequent site of ICAN was the internal carotid artery. The result of digital subtraction angiography of 15 patients with 18 ICANs and moderate renal function corresponded to the detection of MR angiography. the characteristics of ICAN in patients with ADPKD were different from some previous reports. Systematic screening of ICAN with 3-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography is recommended for patients with ADPKD, particularly for adult patients (≧30 years) or patients with a positive family history of hemorrhagic stroke or ICAN.

VEGF receptor 2 blockade leads to renal cyst formation in mice

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is associated with mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 and vascular abnormalities. The links between the epithelial and vascular defects, however, are poorly understood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be critical for normal kidney development. In animal models, blockade of VEGF in the perinatal period can lead to abnormal glomerular development, impaired nephrogenesis, proteinuria, and renal failure. We hypothesized that brief blockade of VEGF signaling during early postnatal kidney development can lead to renal cyst development. On days 2 and 4 of life, CD-1 mice were treated with antibodies generated against the extracellular portion of the VEGF receptor 2 (DC101), the area of the receptor where VEGF binding occurs. Mice developed renal cysts between 2 and 3 weeks. The DC101-treated mice also had increased cell proliferation in the renal tubule epithelium. In addition, mice receiving DC101 developed abnormal glomeruli, proteinuria, and patchy cellular infiltrates. Early disruption of VEGFR-2 signaling during the perinatal period results in renal cyst formation, impaired glomerulogenesis, and inflammation. VEGF could be a key link between vascular and cystic changes in kidney cyst formation.

Characteristics of intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with polycystic kidney disease.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage is a common cause of death in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), but little is known about specific characteristics of subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracranial aneurysms in this group of patients. We performed a systematic review on site, size and number of aneurysms, age at time of rupture, gender, and family history in patients with ADPKD and intracranial aneurysms. We also studied the frequency of ADPKD in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage treated in our hospital. We performed a MEDLINE search and checked the reference lists of all relevant publications to identify all articles published from 1980 to 2000 on intracranial aneurysms or subarachnoid haemorrhage in ADPKD. We studied our database of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage treated between 1978 and 1999 for the presence of ADPKD. We included 53 articles on 369 ADPKD patients (139 [54 %] women) with 462 intracranial aneurysms. Of the 273 aneurysms with specified locations 105 (38 %) were located on the middle cerebral artery in and on the anterior communicating artery in 83 patients (30 %). In 253 patients with data about relatives, the family history was positive for intracranial aneurysms or subarachnoid haemorrhage in 102 (40 %). The average age at which subarachnoid haemorrhage had occurred in 258 was 41 years; of 158 in whom the gender was given; 96 (52 %) were women. Of the 160 patients with data on outcome, 69 (43 %) had died as the result of the subarachnoid haemorrhage. Of the 1147 patients treated for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in our institution (mean age 53 years; 65.5 % women), 5 (0.44 %) had ADPKD. Compared with data on patients without ADPKD, subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with ADPKD occurs not only often in a familial setting of subarachnoid haemorrhage, but also at an earlier age and more often in men. In patients with ADPKD, the most frequent site of aneurysms is the middle cerebral artery. The proportion of patients with ADPKD among all patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage is very small.