Complete Obliteration Of Aneurysm Research Articles

くも膜下出血急性期にｈｉｇｈ ｆｌｏｗ ｂｙｐａｓｓを行った破裂内頚動脈瘤の手術―特に内頚背側型動脈瘤の治療について―

We report our preliminary experience using radial artery graft bypass in patients with ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm. The following types of 12 ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysms were treated: dorsomedial aneurysms with ill-defined necks (in 8 patients); tiny paraclinoid aneurysms projected in the superior (n=1) and ventral (n=1) direction; fusiform aneurysm (n=1) located between the C1 segment and M1 segment; and an IC-PC aneurysm (n=1) previously clipped 15 years before. Bypass procedures employed were EC-radial artery-M2 bypass in 6, and temporary using RA-M2 bypass (i.e., forearm vascular pedicle) in 6. Complete obliteration of aneurysms with no ischemic complication was achieved in all dorsomedial internal carotid aneurysms. Graft failure occurred in 1 case. Our experience emphasizes the importance of achieving vascular anastomosis in various clinical settings. We also describe a proposed strategy to obliterate blister aneurysm.

A misleading distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm

Background:Aneurysmal rupture causing pure acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) is rare. In the four previously reported cases of distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm resulting in pure aSDH, blood distribution in the interhemispheric (IH) space has systematically incriminated the distal ACA as the source of rupture. We present a misleading case of a distal ACA rupture resulting in convexity aSDH with minimal IH blood.Case Description:A 51-year-old patient presented in coma with decerebrate posturing and a blown left pupil from a left convexity acute hemispheric subdural hematoma. She underwent urgent left craniectomy and subdural hematoma evacuation. Given the absence of identifiable etiology, including trauma, we performed an immediate postoperative Computed tomography-angiography (CTA) in order to rule out an underlying cause. The CTA revealed an aneurysm originating from the callosomarginal artery branch of the ACA. Although the minimal amount of IH blood and the remote distance of convexity blood from the aneurysm suggested that it may be a fortuitous finding, we considered the possibility that the two might be related. The patient underwent surgical aneurysm clipping, confirming that it had ruptured and allowing complete aneurysm obliteration. Following the procedure, the patient’s neurological and functional status gradually improved.Conclusion:Ruptured distal ACA aneurysms may present with convexity isolated aSDH with minimal IH blood. Quantity and distribution of isolated aSDH can be misleading and is not always a reliable predictor of aneurysm location. Misinterpretation of the aneurysm as an incidental finding would lead to improper management with potentially serious consequences.

Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes in 200 Consecutive Patients with Cerebral Aneurysm Treated with Hydrogel-Coated Coils

Denser coil packing in intracranial aneurysms is believed to result in lower recanalization rates. Hydrogel-coated expandable coils (HydroCoil) improve volumetric packing of aneurysms in animal models and clinical studies, but data from large clinical series are limited. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to analyze immediate and follow-up angiographic results as well as complications in a large consecutive series of patients treated with HydroCoils at a single institution. Retrospective analysis was performed of periprocedural complications, immediate and follow-up angiograms, and retreatments of the first 200 consecutive intracranial aneurysms treated at Emory University Hospital. One hundred eighty-seven patients with 200 intracranial aneurysms were treated with HydroCoils during a 3-year period. Immediate angiograms showed complete aneurysmal obliteration in 58.4% of small aneurysms and 42.7% of large aneurysms. Periprocedural complications included early rebleeding and thromboembolic events resulting in permanent neurologic morbidity and mortality in 6% of cases. Follow-up angiography during an average of 16.3 months demonstrated recanalization in 17.7% of small aneurysms and 28.6% of large aneurysms, requiring retreatment in 6.3% and 19.0% of cases, respectively. During the same time period, there was delayed angiographic improvement in aneurysm obliteration in 26.6% of small aneurysms and 26.2% of large aneurysms. First-generation HydroCoil treatment of intracranial aneurysms has a favorable rate of recanalization compared with most large series of pure platinum coils with similar complication rates.

Results of surgical management for posterior cerebral artery aneurysms: 7-year experience in the endovascular era

Unlike most posterior circulation aneurysms, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms can be surgically approached, we believe, without significant technical difficulty or procedural morbidity. We report our recent experience to assess procedural complications and clinical outcomes for PCA aneurysms. In our retrospective review of 15 consecutive patients with PCA aneurysms, six patients underwent surgical treatment, six patients had endovascular coiling, (three patients from the endovascular group also underwent surgical revascularization), and three patients were treated conservatively (medical or observation) (2001-2007). Clinical records were reviewed for: patient demographics; clinical presentation; aneurysm location, size, and morphology; treatment; procedural complications; outcome (clinical and angiographic). Complete aneurysm obliteration with parent vessel or bypass patency was demonstrated by intraoperative angiography in all patients. One patient died and two patients suffered procedure-related permanent neurologic injury. Considering both surgical end endovascular treatment modalities, mortality was 8.3% and permanent morbidity was 16.6%. At mean clinical follow-up of 2-96 months (15.8 +/- 10.5 months), nine of ten patients had a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 or 5. In patients who underwent bypass procedures, computed tomographic (CT) angiography or cerebral angiography demonstrated a patent functional bypass before the PCA occlusion. Our findings for these 15 patients suggest the value of a multimodality of treatments for PCA aneurysms. Revascularization of the PCA can be performed with favorable technical results and clinical outcomes when the patency of the PCA cannot be preserved.

A Long-Term View at Clipping Versus Coiling for Ruptured Aneurysm

The results of the long-term follow-up of the ISAT patients are mostly confirmatory [1]. ISAT remains the most influential trial comparing clipping versus coiling of ruptured aneurysms. Only cases that fulfilled the condition of clinical equipoise were enrolled. In other words, only patients who were considered adequate candidates for clipping and for coiling were randomized. The initial report of the results of the study indicated that coiling was associated with a relative reduction in the risk of death and dependency at 1 year of 23.9% compared with clipping (absolute risk reduction 7.4%) [2]. During the first year after treatment, coiled patients had a slightly higher incidence of rebleeding from the treated aneurysm and required re-treatment (typically additional coiling) 6.9 times more often than clipped patients [2, 3]. However, there were concerns about the durability of coiling in patients who are often quite young at the time of their subarachnoid hemorrhage. During a mean follow-up of 9 years (range 6‐14 years), the risk of rebleeding from the treated aneurysm remained low in both groups, although it was higher in the coiling group (the difference was actually significant in the per protocol analysis, which accounted for a patient assigned to the clipping group who requested to be coiled instead and later rebled). It is possible that current risk of aneurysm rebleeding after coiling could be lower than those seen in ISAT because technological improvement now allows higher rates of complete aneurysm obliteration, but this possibility remains to be proven. There were no differences in fatal cases of rebleeding between the two groups. Clipping did not eliminate the risk of late rebleeding from the treated aneurysm. Bleeding could also occur from another previously known but untreated aneurysm or from aneurysms which formed de novo after enrollment in the trial. Table 1 shows the distribution of cases of rebleeding according to bleeding source and treatment arm.

Recurrent Subarachnoid Hemorrhage after Complete Obliteration of Intracranial Aneurysm

The authors report a case of recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after complete occlusion of an intracranial aneurysm. It is known that regrowth of an aneurysm after the complete clipping is a rare event. For detection of recurrence, however, it may be necessary to follow up with the patient regularly after the initial operation for intracranial aneurysms, because re-rupture of an aneurysm can cause a fatal result, and the cumulative risk of a recurrent SAH is thought to be not low over time.

Fronto-temporo-orbitozygomatic craniotomy and "half-and-half" approach for basilar apex aneurysms

Basilar apex aneurysms (BAA) are located in interpeduncular cistern surrounded by eloquent neurovascular structures. Surgical access is difficult due to narrow surgical corridors and requires traversing through a depth of 6-8 cm of subarachnoid space. Surgical management of BAAs clipped using frontotemporal craniotomy, orbitozygomatic osteotomy with combined subtemporal and transylvian (half and half) approach is discussed. Tertiary care referral institute; prospective study. Five patients with BAA rupture causing subarachnoid hemorrhage presented in modified Hunt and Hess (Hand H) grades II (n=1), III (n=1) and IV (n=3), respectively. In 4 patients, the aneurysms were 0.8-1.2 cm in diameter, situated 7 mm-1 cm above dorsum sellae. Two of them had posteriorly projecting aneurysms. One patient had a giant, high BAA with a left parietooccipital arteriovenous malformation. Vasospasm of posterior cerebral/proximal basilar artery was seen in 2 patients. In one patient, internal carotid artery was mobilized by intradural anterior clinoid drilling with carotid collar division. Triple-H therapy was administered following surgery. There was no intraoperative rupture or temporary clipping. Follow up angiography showed complete aneurysmal obliteration with preservation of posterior cerebral and superior cerebellar arteries. Follow up (mean: 8.7+/-3.5 months) H and H grades were II (n=2) and III (n=3), respectively. The morbidity include caudate and thalamic region infarct, transient III rd nerve palsy and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea (n=1, respectively). This simple approach provides a wide surgical corridor from 5 mm below to greater than 1 cm above dorsum sellae with adequate proximal control of basilar artery. It is an option to endovascular embolization especially with large and giant, or wide-necked BAA, vertebrobasilar tortuosity, coil compaction or postcoiling re-rupture and an associated large haematoma.

IMMEDIATE AND MIDTERM OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS TREATED WITH MATRIX1 AND MATRIX2 COILS

Recanalization after coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms remains a limitation of this progressively accepted modality. The Matrix detachable bioabsorbable coil (Boston Scientific Neurovascular, Natick, MA) was developed to overcome this limitation. We report a single-center experience using first- and second-generation Matrix coils. Immediate and midterm angiographic outcomes of 235 consecutive patients with 250 aneurysms treated with Matrix coils were reviewed retrospectively. The first 16 aneurysms included in the postmarket Acceleration of Connective Tissue Formation in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (ACTIVE) study were treated exclusively with the Matrix coil, as per protocol. The next 234 aneurysms were treated in combination with bare platinum coils, stents, and the balloon-assisted technique. First-generation Matrix coils were used in 155 aneurysms (Matrix1 group) and second-generation Matrix coils were used in 79 aneurysms (Matrix2 group). Outcomes of the 3 groups were compared. Immediate complete obliteration was achieved in 12.5% of the ACTIVE group aneurysms, 32.9% of the Matrix1 group, and 43.0% of the Matrix2 group. Overall, 87 (34.8%) aneurysms were completely occluded acutely. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 2.4 and 0%, respectively. Follow-up (median, 7.9 months) angiograms were obtained for 186 (74.4%) aneurysms. Complete obliteration of aneurysms was confirmed in 26.7% of the ACTIVE group, 53.4% of the Matrix1 group, and 64.2% of the Matrix2 group. Recanalization was observed in 33.3% of the ACTIVE group, 16.9% of the Matrix1 group, and 9.4% of the Matrix2 group. The overall recanalization rate was 16.1%. Use of Matrix2 coils resulted in improved mechanical performance and anatomic outcome compared with Matrix1 coils. However, practitioners must be familiar with the mechanical characteristics of the Matrix coils, which are different from those of bare platinum coils.

Management of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

See related article, pages 899–904 . In the retrospective analysis of their experience in treating 173 patients with 202 unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) with endosaccular coiling over a 12 year span from 1992 through August 2004, Standhardt et al1 document treatment outcomes with low morbidity and mortality but highly variable efficacy relative to durable, complete aneurysm obliteration. Such has been the experience of other investigators.2 Although the reported data are of interest, numerous questions remain, including the comprehensive postprocedure assessment of morbidity and mortality, and risk of adverse outcomes compared to natural history. In this series 48% of the aneurysms were incidentally discovered, and approximately 30% were “other” aneurysms in patients having experienced hemorrhage from another aneurysm, so-called Group II patients in the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA),3 and 14% were symptomatic due to mass effect (typically larger aneurysms). Nearly 44% of these aneurysms were small in size (<7 mm diameter), 37% of medium size (7 to 12 mm) and nearly 20% large to giant in dimension. About half of the aneurysms had a small neck (<4 mm in breadth) which is commonly regarded as optimal for endosaccular coiling assuming no complicating anatomy such as branches arising from the aneurysm base or conditions such as existence of intraluminal thrombus. Relative to procedural risk, particularly as compared to those of craniotomy and aneurysm clipping, the results which these operators have achieved are excellent—mortality in 0.5% …

Complete Obliteration of a Basilar Artery Aneurysm after Insertion of a Self-Expandable Leo Stent into the Basilar Artery without Coil Embolization

We report a case of a 45-year-old man who underwent endovascular treatment in the acute setting of a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of a wide-necked basilar trunk aneurysm. The patient was treated with stent implantation without coiling. A control angiographic scan obtained immediately after the procedure revealed significantly decreased intraaneurysmal flow. Follow-up angiography performed after one month demonstrated total aneurysm occlusion.

Intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion of a complex anterior communicating artery aneurysm

The combination of surgical and endovascular treatment for complex intracranial aneurysms has previously been used in a staged fashion. To perfect the clipping process of a complex anterior communicating artery aneurysm and to avoid a second staged procedure, the authors used a method of direct intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion of the aneurysm. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time direct intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion has been reported. It should be kept in mind as one of the options to help in complete obliteration of complex intracranial aneurysms.

Efficacy of a direct puncture approach for anterior circulation aneurysms using a newly developed guiding catheter—especially for geriatric patients

Background Endovascular surgery is being increasingly used as an alternative to craniotomy clipping surgery, especially for aged patients and complicated cases. However, tortuous atherosclerotic arteries sometimes interfere with advancement of catheters so that direct puncture may be necessary. Short guiding catheters for use with this approach have been newly developed, as discussed in this article. Methods One hundred twenty three anterior circulation aneurysms in 121 patients were consecutively treated by endovascular coil embolization, of which 42 (34%) were older than 70 years. Results With 21 aneurysms, coil embolization via the transfemoral approach failed, but all could be successfully treated with the direct puncture approach with minor complications such as 1 transient ischemic attack and 1 nonsymptomatic minor leakage. In the aged patients, the direct puncture approach with short guiding catheter resulted in complete obliteration of aneurysms in 20 (71%) of 28 with follow-up angiography. Conclusion Direct puncture using newly developed short guiding catheters is an alternative to femoral approaches for patients with anterior circulation aneurysm with tortuous arteries and obvious atherosclerotic change at bifurcations of the common carotid artery.

Long-term Histological and Scanning Electron Microscopy Results of Endovascular and Operative Treatments of Experimentally Induced Aneurysms in the Rabbit

Treatment strategies of cerebral aneurysms include surgical clipping and endovascular therapies. To determine the long-term results of these therapeutic strategies, the vessel wall reaction close to the former aneurysm was studied according to the assumption that an intact endothelial layer over the former aneurysm neck constitutes complete vessel wall reconstruction and stable aneurysm obliteration. Aneurysms were created in 40 rabbits by intraluminal elastase incubation of the common carotid artery. Five animals each were assigned to the following groups: untreated, porous stents, polyurethane covered stentgrafts, porous stents with subsequent coiling. Ten animals were treated with coils alone, 10 with clips. After 6 months, angiography, histology, and scanning electron microscopy was performed. Porous stents did not obliterate the aneurysm, whereas stentgrafts did; in-stent stenosis of up to 60% was present because of neointimal multilayer proliferation. After coiling, the aneurysm dome was occluded with fibrinous and collagenous material, whereas the aneurysm neck was not covered by an endothelial lining. Coil loops lay bare within the vessel, with fresh thrombus material on their surface. After clipping, a thin layer of endothelial lining bridging the two attached vessel walls was present, thereby completely obliterating the aneurysm and reconstructing the vessel wall. This study demonstrates complete and stable aneurysm obliteration with vessel wall reconstruction after clipping, a sufficient obliteration of the aneurysm dome using endovascular techniques, but a failed healing response of the aneurysm neck that might correlate to its associated higher risk of rebleed. Whether or not this is counterbalanced by the better immediate outcome after endovascular treatment remains a matter of debate.

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms: durability of treatment following microsurgical and endovascular management

Longer life expectancies and differences in the underlying disease in children with aneurysms raise important issues concerning the choice of microsurgical or endovascular therapy. The authors reviewed their experience at one institution regarding patients treated between 1977 and 2003, focusing on the issue of treatment durability.Forty-three aneurysms in 32 pediatric patients were identified. The patients ranged in age from 2 months to 18 years (mean 11.7 years). Only seven patients (22%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and in nine patients (28%) significant medical comorbidities were present. Aneurysm locations included the internal carotid artery (13 lesions), middle cerebral artery (11 lesions), and the basilar artery/vertebrobasilar junction (six lesions). Of the 43 lesions, 17 (40%) were giant aneurysms and 22 (51%) exhibited fusiform/dolichoectatic morphological features. Thirteen patients underwent microsurgery, 16 endovascular treatment, and three observation. Complete aneurysm obliteration rates were 94 and 82% in the microsurgical and endovascular groups, respectively. There were no deaths in either group, and neurological morbidity rates were comparable. Over time, 14% of endovascularly treated aneurysms recurred, and in 19% of these patients de novo aneurysms developed (mean follow-up duration 5.7 years). In contrast, there were no recurrences in the microsurgically treated aneurysms and only one de novo aneurysm (6%).Both microsurgical and endovascular therapies can be conducted safely to treat pediatric aneurysms. Microsurgery may be more efficacious in completely eliminating the aneurysm and its effects more durable over the extended lifetime of these patients. Parental biases toward nonoperative therapy should be thoroughly addressed before ultimately selecting a treatment strategy.

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms: a different perspective

In this retrospective study, Sanai and colleagues address the important issues of efficacy and durability of aneurysm obliteration after the treatment of pediatric intracranial aneurysms. The authors compare the results of microsurgery and endovascular therapy after the treatment of 43 aneurysms in 32 pediatric patients. The most significant findings of this study are as follows: 1) the reported superiority of microsurgery (rate of complete aneurysm obliteration, 94%) compared with endovascular treatment (rate of complete obliteration, 82%); and 2) the durability of treatment assessed in terms of aneurysm recurrence rate after microsurgery and endovascular treatment (0 and 14%, respectively). Compared with the adult population, the incidence of aneurysms in the pediatric population is low; 6‐8 however, the unique morphological characteristics of these lesions and the delicate intracranial anatomy and physiology of children with small blood vessels, infants in particular, present a management challenge to the involved surgeons. Unlike those in adults, aneurysms in children usually become symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. 1‐4,9 In terms of location, pediatric aneurysms have a predilection for the

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms: durability of treatment following microsurgical and endovascular management

Longer life expectancies and differences in the underlying disease in children with aneurysms raise important issues concerning the choice of microsurgical or endovascular therapy. The authors reviewed their experience at one institution regarding patients treated between 1977 and 2003, focusing on the issue of treatment durability. Forty-three aneurysms in 32 pediatric patients were identified. The patients ranged in age from 2 months to 18 years (mean 11.7 years). Only seven patients (22%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and in nine patients (28%) significant medical comorbidities were present. Aneurysm locations included the internal carotid artery (13 lesions), middle cerebral artery (11 lesions), and the basilar artery/vertebrobasilar junction (six lesions). Of the 43 lesions, 17 (40%) were giant aneurysms and 22 (51%) exhibited fusiform/dolichoectatic morphological features. Thirteen patients underwent microsurgery, 16 endovascular treatment, and three observation. Complete aneurysm obliteration rates were 94 and 82% in the microsurgical and endovascular groups, respectively. There were no deaths in either group, and neurological morbidity rates were comparable. Over time, 14% of endovascularly treated aneurysms recurred, and in 19% of these patients de novo aneurysms developed (mean follow-up duration 5.7 years). In contrast, there were no recurrences in the microsurgically treated aneurysms and only one de novo aneurysm (6%). Both microsurgical and endovascular therapies can be conducted safely to treat pediatric aneurysms. Microsurgery may be more efficacious in completely eliminating the aneurysm and its effects more durable over the extended lifetime of these patients. Parental biases toward nonoperative therapy should be thoroughly addressed before ultimately selecting a treatment strategy.

Endovascular Treatment of an Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm Using a Nitinol Vascular Occlusion Plug

To report endovascular occlusion of an internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. A 71-year-old asymptomatic man who had previously undergone open aortic aneurysm repair presented for annual follow-up. A bifurcated Dacron graft had been inserted 12 years ago from the infrarenal aorta to the left common femoral artery and the right common iliac artery. The left common iliac artery was ligated proximally, and the left external iliac artery (EIA) provided retrograde flow into the IIA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 7.4-cm aneurysm of the left IIA. After transfemoral calibrated catheter angiography was performed, the proximal EIA was occluded with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. In addition, microcoils were placed distal to the vascular plug to achieve complete thrombosis of the vessel. One day after treatment, the patient was discharged free of symptoms after MRI had shown complete obliteration of the IIA aneurysm. At 6 months, the patient was free from symptoms, and angiography confirmed exclusion of the IIA aneurysm. This case illustrates the technical feasibility and successful short-term follow-up of a novel embolization approach to IIA aneurysms in patients with an aortofemoral graft.

Intraoperative Awakening for Vision Examination during Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm Clipping: Technical Case Report

We present a case of a patient with an ophthalmic artery aneurysm in which the ophthalmic artery originated from the body of the aneurysm, requiring sacrifice of the ophthalmic artery to achieve complete aneurysm obliteration. We awakened the patient intraoperatively to assess optic nerve function after clipping and were able to confirm optic nerve function. Controlled intraoperative awakening proved a valuable adjunct to intraoperative angiography in determining the immediate consequences of sacrifice of the ophthalmic artery. The patient was a 55-year-old right-handed woman with a 3-month history of episodic blurriness in her left eye; imaging demonstrated an unruptured 5-mm left ophthalmic artery aneurysm in which the ophthalmic artery originated from the body of the aneurysm. Complete obliteration of the aneurysm required clip placement across the neck of the aneurysm, incorporating not only the aneurysm but also the ophthalmic artery. Aware that sacrifice of the ophthalmic artery was likely, we awakened the patient after clipping and before dural closure to evaluate her optic nerve function. Once fully awake, the patient was able to execute simple commands and conclusively confirm light perception in both of her eyes. She was then reanesthetized, and intraoperative angiography showed successful aneurysm obliteration and parent artery patency. The ophthalmic artery can be sacrificed during aneurysm clipping without loss of vision in many cases, most likely because of adequate collateral filling from the external carotid artery. Certainty about the visual consequences of sacrifice of the ophthalmic artery, however, is difficult to obtain preoperatively or intraoperatively. Intraoperative awakening for evaluation of optic nerve function served as a useful technique to assess the acute results of interruption of ophthalmic artery flow in this case.

Morphologic changes in neo-intimal proliferation in an experimental aneurysm after coil embolization: effect of factor XIII administration

We investigated histological changes in aneurysmal orifices after embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) and determined the effects of the wound-healing factor, factor XIII, on promoting intimal proliferation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). GDC embolization was performed in an experimental model of aneurysm in swine. In the control group (17 aneurysms), the aneurysms were resected immediately after surgery, at 1 and 3 weeks after the procedure. In the factor XIII-administered group (13 aneurysms), the swine received factor XIII postoperatively, and the aneurysms were excised at 1 and 3 weeks. The endothelial cell proliferation changes in the aneurysm orifices in both groups were evaluated by SEM. The histological changes at the orifices began immediately after the procedure, and endothelialization was observed at 1 week. One week after the procedure, the rate of endothelial cell proliferation was significantly higher in the factor XIII group (P<0.05). But no difference was observed at 3 weeks, when endothelialization of the orifices was essentially completed. The process of intimal proliferation after coil embolization was similar to the wound-healing process after vascular intimal injury. Administration of the wound-healing factor, factor XIII, would contribute rapid intimal proliferation and may be effective to facilitate complete obliteration of aneurysms after coil embolization.

The endovascular management of superior cerebellar artery aneurysms.

Superior cerebellar artery aneurysms are rare. We present a clinical series of twelve of these aneurysms that were treated exclusively with endovascular coils. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of cerebral aneurysms treated with coil embolization was performed. Clinical notes and radiological images were reviewed. Twelve superior cerebellar artery aneurysms were treated in eleven patients between 1992 and 2001. Seven patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, two with neurologic deficit, and two had asymptomatic aneurysms. Coiling resulted in complete aneurysm obliteration in six patients and incomplete obliteration in the other six. No subsequent hemorrhage occurred with follow-up between 6 and 119 months (mean follow-up 50 months). Procedural morbidity was one superior cerebellar artery infarct with good recovery. Management morbidity was one middle cerebral artery embolus during a follow-up angiogram that required thrombolysis with a good clinical result. Nine out of 11 patients on follow-up were performing at Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 5. One patient with GOS 3 presented with a poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhage and the other patient with GOS 4 presented with a parenchymal hemorrhage due to an arteriovenous malformation. Endovascular treatment of superior cerebellar artery aneurysms is an effective treatment strategy with low morbidity.