Cases Of Intracranial Aneurysms Research Articles

Abstract TMP8: The Feasibility Of Machine Learning In Predicting Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture Risk

Background: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is one of the most common causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Predicting aneurysms’ rupture risk has been an ongoing challenge clinically. The objective of this study is to utilize machine learning algorithms to predict IA’s rupture status based on simple parameters that can be measured in the daily clinical setting. Methods: A total of 448 IA cases with known rupture status (228 unruptured and 220 ruptured) were collected across three tertiary hospitals between November 2017 and November 2020. Twelve demographic and morphological parameters were obtained from all cases. Six machine learning models, namely Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine, K-Nearest Neighbours, Gradient Boosting, Decision tree and Random Forest algorithms were applied to the dataset. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each model was calculated along with Area Under the Curve (AUC) and F1 score. Furthermore, the relevant importance of all 12 variables was assessed. Results: Gradient Boosting and Random Forest algorithms were the ML algorithms with the highest AUC of 0.69, followed by Naive Bayes (AUC=0.66). Overall, Random Forest algorithm was the best-formed model with 67% sensitivity and 63% specificity. Support Vector Machine model gave the lowest favorable AUC of 0.45 with 45% sensitivity and 48% specificity. The most significant variable was the aneurysm neck width, followed by the parent artery diameter. Conclusions: Machine learning has the potential to assist with the IA’s rupture prediction by using simple variables that can be easily obtained in clinical practice. Further research, especially a larger sample size is required to improve diagnostic accuracy before its clinical translation.

Abstract TMP10: Patient-specific Analyses Reveal Differences In Hemodynamic And Morphological Parameters Between Growing And Stable Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Introduction: Although image-derived parameters such as wall shear stress (WSS), flow rate (FR), aspect ratio (AR), size ratio (SR), and non-sphericity index (NSI) were previously linked to risks of intracranial aneurysm (IA) growth, findings across studies have been inconsistent. Here, we revisit existing hemodynamic and morphological metrics and compare them between stable and growing IAs. We hypothesize that some may differentiate growing and stable trajectories of IAs. Methods: Unruptured IA cases between 2018-2020 were identified from UCLA Medical Center electronic medical records, with follow-up data used to determine growth status. From CTA/MRA images, models of 16 stable and 20 growing unruptured IA cases were reconstructed. Aneurysm diameter, height, neck width, surface area, volume, parent artery diameter, AR, SR, NSI, volume ratio, and surface area ratio were calculated. With data from hemodynamic simulations, we also measured FR and WSS. To capture spatial variations in hemodynamics, we calculated location-dependent mean deviation of WSS and FR at 3 locations within an aneurysm: neck, body, and dome. Pearson chi-square tests were used to compare background variables between groups. MANOVA was employed to compare the index values between stable and growing IAs. Results: Variables including location, diameter, race, history of smoking, and SAH were not significantly different between groups (p>>.05). Gender (p=0.06) and multiplicity (p=0.06) approached significance. Among the size-related and morphological parameters described above, only IA height (3.07±1.94mm vs. 5.49±3.61mm, p=0.03), neck width (4.93±1.42mm vs. 7.14±3.78mm, p=0.04), and size ratio (1.40±0.62 vs. 2.27±1.27, p =0.02) were significantly different (stable vs. growing, respectively). Growing IA had significantly higher FR spatial variation (0.43±0.35 vs. 0.75±0.44; p=0.03) and WSS spatial variations (0.24±0.20 vs. 0.49±0.28; p=0.008). Conclusions: Our findings support that location-dependent hemodynamic variations and SR may be potential risk factors of IA growth. Upon validation in larger studies, these parameters may aid in early identification of incidentally found IAs’ trajectories.

Microsurgery for Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Background: A total of 23 patients with 52 aneurysms were surgically treated in single surgery at a Neurosurgical Service of the Health Service of the State of São Paulo from 2009 to 2011. Method: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing clipping of two or more cerebral aneurysms in a single stage, from January 2007 to July 2012. Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent two or more clipping cerebral aneurysms in a single surgery – 28 with a single craniotomy and one through two craniotomies. Of these, 20, 7, 1 and 1 were submitted to the clipping of 2, 3, 4 and 5 cerebral aneurysms, respectively. Five were male and 24 were female, and the age range was 40 to 66-years-old. Eight left craniotomies were performed to approach 17 lateralized brain aneurysms to the left and five to the right, as well as three anterior communicating complex aneurysms. Twelve craniotomies were performed on the right to approach 23 intracranial aneurysms lateralized to the right and six on the left, as well as 15 anterior communicating artery complex aneurysms and 1 on the basilar artery. Of the 29 patients, 28 evolved with 1-3 pts and only one with 4-5 pts on the Rankin scale, six months after surgery. Conclusion: We advocate microsurgical approach for most of the cases of multiple intracranial aneurysms aiming the microsurgical clipping of all intracranial aneurysms if feasible through a single stage and a single craniotomy.

PPIL4 is essential for brain angiogenesis and implicated in intracranial aneurysms in humans.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage, a sudden-onset disease that often causes death or severe disability. Although genome-wide association studies have identified common genetic variants that increase IA risk moderately, the contribution of variants with large effect remains poorly defined. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified significant enrichment of rare, deleterious mutations in PPIL4, encoding peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase-like 4, in both familial and index IA cases. Ppil4 depletion in vertebrate models causes intracerebral hemorrhage, defects in cerebrovascular morphology and impaired Wnt signaling. Wild-type, but not IA-mutant, PPIL4 potentiates Wnt signaling by binding JMJD6, a known angiogenesis regulator and Wnt activator. These findings identify a novel PPIL4-dependent Wnt signaling mechanism involved in brain-specific angiogenesis and maintenance of cerebrovascular integrity and implicate PPIL4 gene mutations in the pathogenesis of IA.

Abstract 1122‐000060: Endovascular Treatment of Large Intracranial Aneurysms Using Large Volume Coils: Safety and Efficacy

Introduction : Large volume coils in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms have demonstrated better packing density, shorter operative times, less number of coils per aneurysm and better cost‐effectiveness. However, most of the studies evaluated these coils in small or medium sized aneurysms. Therefore, our study aimed to determine our experience using large volume coils in the treatment of large intracranial aneurysms and determine its safety and efficacy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases of intracranial aneurysms treated with Penumbra Coils 400 (PC400) at our institution between May 2016 and September 2019. Aneurysms > 12 mm in maximal diameter were selected according to the ISUIA trial. Clinical and radiological variables were collected. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to determine the clinical outcome and was dichotomized (good clinical outcome: mRS £2; poor clinical outcome: mRS >2). The Raymond Roy occlusion classification (RROC) was used to determine obliterations rates. An adequate obliteration was defined as RROC 1 or 2. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation. Stata v14 software was used for the analysis. Results : Eighteen patients harboring 18 intracranial aneurysms were treated. The mean age was 55 ± 12 years and 14 patients (78%) were women. A good preoperative clinical condition was found in 13 patients (72%). Ten aneurysms were unruptured (56%) and eight were dysplastic (44%). Paraclinoid aneurysms were the most frequently treated (61%). The mean number of coils were 6.2/aneurysm. The mean maximal diameter and neck were 18.9 ± 4.3 mm, and 5.7 ± 2.6 mm, respectively. The mean aspect ratio (AR) was 4 ± 1.9. Coiling was used in 10 cases (56%) followed by stent‐assisted coiling in 7 cases (39%) and balloon‐assisted coiling in 1 case. An immediate adequate obliteration rate was found in 8 cases (44%). Intraoperative complications occurred in two patients in which a coil loop migrated to the parent artery and a stent was placed without clinical consequences. In twelve patients (67%), angiographic follow‐up was performed. The mean follow‐up duration was 9.7 months. Nine patients (75%) showed a complete obliteration (RROC 1), whereas in three patients a residual aneurysm was still present. A good postoperative clinical outcome at discharge was found in 14 patients (78%). Procedure‐related morbidity and mortality were not reported. Conclusions : Embolization with large volume coils is a safe and effective alternative to conventional coils, with high obliteration rates at mid‐term follow‐up. Longer duration of angiographic follow‐up are needed in order to confirm the results presented here.

Procedural complications in patients undergoing microsurgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a single-center experience with 1923 aneurysms

With the growing use of endovascular therapy (EVT) to manage unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs), detailed information regarding periprocedural complication rates of microsurgical clipping and EVT becomes increasingly important in determining the optimal treatment for individual cases. We report the complication rates associated with open microsurgery in a large series of unruptured IAs and highlight the importance of maintaining surgical skill in the EVT era. We reviewed all cases of unruptured IAs treated with open microsurgery by a single neurosurgeon between July 1997 and June 2019. We analyzed surgical complications, deaths, and patient-reported outcomes. A total of 1923 unruptured IAs in 1750 patients (mean age 44 [range: 6-84], 62.0% [1085/1750] female) were treated surgically during the study period. Of the aneurysms treated, 84.9% (1632/1923) were small, 11.1% (213/1923) were large, and 4.1% (78/1923) were giant. Aneurysm locations included the middle cerebral artery (44.2% [850/1923]), internal carotid artery (29.1% [560/1923]), anterior cerebral artery (21.0% [404/1923]), and vertebrobasilar system (5.7% [109/1923]). The overall mortality rate was 0.3% (5/1750). Surgical complications occurred in 7.4% (129/1750) of patients, but only 0.4% (7/1750) experienced permanent disability. The majority of patients were able to return to their preoperative lifestyles with no modifications (95.9% [1678/1750]). At a high-volume, multidisciplinary center, open microsurgery in carefully selected patients with unruptured IAs yields favorable clinical outcomes with low complication rates. The improvement of EVT techniques and the ability to refer cases for EVT when a high complication rate with open microsurgery was expected have contributed to an overall decrease in surgical complication rates. These results may serve as a useful point of reference for physicians involved in treatment decision-making for patients with unruptured IAs.

Low Carotid Flow Pulsatility Index Correlates With the Presence of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

BackgroundWe assessed cases of incidental unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) discovered on screening magnetic resonance angiography to identify hemodynamic and atherosclerotic risk factors.Methods and ResultsThe data of 1376 healthy older subjects (age range, 31–91 years) without cerebro‐ or cardiovascular diseases who underwent brain magnetic resonance angiography as part of a medical checkup program at a health screening center were examined retrospectively. We looked for an increase in classical risk factors for UIAs (age, sex, hypertension, and smoking) and laboratory data related to lifestyle diseases among subjects with UIAs. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity, central systolic blood pressure, radial augmentation index, and carotid flow pulsatility index were also compared between those with and without UIAs. We found UIAs in 79 (5.7%) of the subjects. Mean age was 67.1±9.0 years, and 55 (70%) were women. Of the 79 aneurysms, 75 (95%) were in the anterior circulation, with a mean diameter of 3.1 mm (range, 2.0–8.0 mm). Subjects with UIAs were significantly older and had more severe hypertension. The carotid flow pulsatility index was significantly lower in subjects with UIAs and negatively and independently correlated with UIAs. Tertile analysis stratified by carotid flow pulsatility index revealed that subjects with lower indices had higher levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.ConclusionsThe presence of UIAs correlated with lower carotid flow pulsatility index and elevated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in the data from a population of healthy older volunteers. A reduced carotid flow pulsatility index may affect low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol elevation by some molecular pathways and influence the development of cerebral aneurysms. This may guide aneurysm screening indications for institutions where magnetic resonance angiography is not routine.

The outcomes of recurrent wide-necked intracranial aneurysms treated with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB): A retrospective bicenter study

BackgroundThe Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is a device for the treatment of intracranial wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. The safety and effectiveness of WEB for intracranial aneurysms have both been evaluated in previous trials. Our aim was to study the outcomes of recurrent intracranial aneurysms (IAs) treated with WEB. MethodsClinical and radiological outcomes of patients with a wide-necked aneurysm recurrence, which was treated with WEB device, were assessed. Imaging follow-up was performed with digital subtraction angiography and/or magnetic resonance angiography. Aneurysm occlusion was determined using by the Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC). RROC 1 and RROC 2 were considered as adequate radiological outcome. ResultsTwenty-two patients with 23 recurrent IAs were treated with WEB. Of which, 17 of recurrent IAs (74%) previously treated by coiling, three (13%) by clipping and three (13%) by WEB. The most common location of the recurrent IA was the middle cerebral artery (n = 10, 43%). Endovascular treatment with WEB alone was suitable for 20 recurrent IAs (87%). Ancillary devices were also used: coils in two (9%), and a stent in one (4%). Radiological follow-up results available for all patients (range: 3–60 months; median 24 months). Adequate occlusion (RROC I and II) was achieved in 20 recurrent IAs (87%). A hemorrhagic complication occurred 2 weeks post treatment in one patient (5%). ConclusionsWEB could be an effective treatment with low rates of complications for challenging cases of recurrent wide-necked IAs.

Non-Newtonian Blood Modeling in Intracranial Aneurysm Hemodynamics: Impact on the Wall Shear Stress and Oscillatory Shear Index Metrics for Ruptured and Unruptured Cases.

When simulating blood flow in intracranial aneurysms (IAs), the Newtonian model seems to be ubiquitous. However, analyzing the results from the few studies on this subject, the doubt remains on whether it is necessary to use non-Newtonian models in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of cerebral vascular flows. The objective of this study is to investigate whether different rheology models would influence the hemodynamic parameters related to the wall shear stress (WSS) for ruptured and unruptured IA cases, especially because ruptured aneurysms normally have morphological features, such as lobular regions and blebs, that could trigger non-Newtonian phenomena in the blood flow due to low shear rates. Using CFD in an open-source framework, we simulated four ruptured and four unruptured patient-specific aneurysms to assess the influence of the blood modeling on the main hemodynamic variables associated with aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture. Results for WSS and oscillatory shear index (OSI) and their metrics were obtained using Casson and Carreau-Yasuda non-Newtonian models and were compared with those obtained using the Newtonian model. We found that all differences between non-Newtonian and the Newtonian models were consistent among all cases irrespective of their rupture status. We further found that the WSS at peak systole is overestimated by more than 50% by using the non-Newtonian models, but its metrics based on time and surface averaged values are less affected-the maximum relative difference among the cases is 7% for the Casson model. On the other hand, the surface-averaged OSI is underestimated by more than 30% by the non-Newtonian models. These results suggest that it is recommended to investigate different blood rheology models in IAs simulations when specific parameters to characterize the flow are needed, such as peak-systole WSS and OSI.

Morphological Irregularity of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms is More Related with Aneurysm Size Rather Than Cerebrovascular Atherosclerosis: A Case-Control Study.

ObjectiveIt remains unclear whether irregular morphological features of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are associated with atherosclerosis. We investigated the effect of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis stenosis (CAS) on irregular morphology of IAs.Patients and MethodsThis single-center case-control study included consecutive patients with IAs at our institution from September 2011 to September 2018. Cases were patients with irregular IAs, and age- and location-matched controls were patients with regular IAs. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between angiographic variables of CAS and aneurysmal irregularity.ResultsA total of 140 cases of irregular IAs and 140 controls were included in the analysis. Sixteen patients with irregular IAs (11.4%) and eleven patients with regular IAs (7.9%) had >50% parent artery stenosis; however, the differences were not statistically significant between these two groups. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed in distributions of the cerebrovascular stenosis, number of arterial stenoses, and location of the stenosis. In the final adjusted conditional logistic regression model, only aneurysm size (≥7 mm) was significantly associated with irregular IA morphology (P = 0.022). Moreover, 89 cases of irregular IAs and 89 controls were included in the analysis of unruptured IAs (UIAs). In the final adjusted conditional logistic regression model, only aneurysm size (≥7 mm) was significantly associated with irregular UIA morphology (P = 0.020).ConclusionOur findings indicate that the morphological irregularity of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is more related with aneurysm size rather than cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to use prospective data to identify causative factors responsible for aneurysmal irregularity.

Peptidomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid from patients with intracranial saccular aneurysms

Intracranial saccular aneurysms (ISA) represent 90%–95% of all intracranial aneurysm cases, characterizing abnormal pockets at arterial branch points. Ruptures lead to subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) and poor prognoses. We applied mass spectrometry-based peptidomics to investigate the peptidome of twelve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from eleven patients diagnosed with ISA. For peptide profile analyses, participants were classified into: 1) ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms (RIA), 2) unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms (UIA), and late-ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms (LRIA). Altogether, a total of 2199 peptides were detected by both Mascot and Peaks software, from which 484 (22.0%) were unique peptides. All unique peptides presented conserved chains, domains, regions of protein modulation and/or post-translational modification sites related to human diseases. Gene Ontology (GO) analyses of peptide precursor proteins showed that 42% are involved in binding, 56% in cellular anatomical entities, and 39% in intercellular signaling molecules. Unique peptides identified in patients diagnosed with RIA have a larger molecular weight and a distinctive developmental process compared to UIA and LRIA (P ≤ 0.05). Continued investigations will allow the characterization of the biological and clinical significance of the peptides identified in the present study, as well as identify prototypes for peptide-based pharmacological therapies to treat ISA. Significance•Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are arterial dilations that occur due to weakness in the media layer of the arterial wall. Due to lack of symptoms, IAs are usually found incidentally when the rupture occurs. The mechanism that causes vasospasms are not completely understood.•Here, twelve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from eleven patients diagnosed with IAs were investigated by mass spectrometry-based peptidomics.•2199 peptides were identified by both Mascot and Peaks software, from which 484 (22.0%) were unique peptides.•Even considering the relatively low number of patients enrolled in this seminal study, all unique peptides presented conserved chains, domains, regions of protein modulation and/or post-translational modification sites related to human diseases.•Gene Ontology (GO) analyses of peptide precursor proteins showed that 42% are involved in binding, 56% in cellular anatomical entities, and 39% in intercellular signaling molecules.•Unique peptides identified in patients diagnosed with RIA have a larger molecular weight and a distinctive developmental process compared to UIA and LRIA (P ≤ 0.05).•These results suggest peptides as novel ISA markers.•Continued investigations will allow the undoubted characterization of specific peptides that can be used as prototypes for peptide-based diagnostics and pharmacological therapies, to predict, prevent and/or treat ISA.

ANGPTL6 Genetic Variants Are an Underlying Cause of Familial Intracranial Aneurysms.

PurposeTo understand the role of the angiopoietin-like 6 gene (ANGPTL6) in intracranial aneurysms (IAs), we investigated its role in a large cohort of familial IAs.MethodsIndividuals with family history of IA were recruited to the Genetic and Observational Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (GOSH) study. The ANGPTL6 gene was sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Identified genetic variants were compared to a control population.ResultsWe found 6 rare ANGPTL6 genetic variants in 9/275 individuals with a family history of IA (3.3%) (5 missense mutations and 1 nonsense mutation leading to a premature stop codon), none present in controls. One of these had been previously reported: c.392A>T (p.Glu131Val) on exon 2; another was very close: c.332G>A (p.Arg111His). Two further genetic variants lie within the fibrinogen-like domain of the ANGPTL6 gene, which may influence function or level of the ANGPTL6 protein. The last 2 missense mutations lie within the coiled-coil domain of the ANGPTL6 protein. All genetic variants were well conserved across species.ConclusionANGPTL6 genetic variants are an important cause of IA. Defective or lack of ANGPTL6 protein is therefore an important factor in blood vessel proliferation leading to IA; dysfunction of this protein is likely to cause abnormal proliferation or weakness of vessel walls. With these data, not only do we emphasize the importance of screening familial IA cases for ANGPTL6 and other genes involved in IA, but also highlight the ANGPTL6 pathway as a potential therapeutic target.Classification of EvidenceThis is a Class III study showing some specificity of presence of the ANGPTL6 gene variant as a marker of familial intracranial aneurysms in a small subset of individuals with familial aneurysms.

Analysis of the Surgical Outcome of Unruptured Intracranial Saccular Aneurysms in Octogenarians (80-89 Years).

Background:The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is increasing in elderly population in Japan. Octogenarians (80–89 years) are more prone to complications due to increased age, comorbidities, increased risk of vasospasm, and treatment risks.Aim:The aim is to study the surgical outcome of unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms in elderly patients aged between 80 and 89 years.Patients and Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving all the cases of unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms operated surgically in elderly patients aged between 80 and 89 years. All the cases operated between January 2017 and October 2019 were included in the study. The preoperative neurological status was assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The comorbidities and risk factors involved were assessed. Postoperative neurological status was assessed by (1) postoperative GCS score and by the (2) presence or absence of the motor weakness of limbs.Results:Thirty-three aneurysms were operated in 27 patients. Two patients were operated two times at separate occasions for different aneurysms during the study period and hence making a total of 29 surgeries. The age range was 80–88 years, with a mean of 82.4 years ± 2.64 standard deviation (SD). There were 7 (24.1%) males and 22 (75.86%) females. All the patients had a preoperative GCS score of 15/15 without focal neurological deficit. The mean size (mm) of the aneurysms was 6.57 ± 4.04 SD. There were 31 (93.94%) aneurysms in the anterior circulation and 2 (6.06%) aneurysms in the posterior circulation. The comorbidities and risk factors were analyzed and found to be not influencing the outcome of the patients. Clipping was done in 32 aneurysms. One case of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm underwent occipital artery to PICA bypass surgery. The postoperative complications include chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) in 7 (24.13%) patients, extradural hematoma in 1 (3.4%), meningitis in 1 (3.4%), and lower cranial nerve palsy in 1 (3.4%) patient. All the patients were discharged with GCS score 15/15 without motor weakness of the limbs. The mean duration of stay was 16.62 days ± 9.98 SD.Conclusion:Surgery for unruptured saccular aneurysms in octogenarians has got a good result in the tertiary care facility. Advanced age alone should not be considered for preferring coiling over clipping. Octogenarians are more prone to developing postoperative CSDH.

The p48 MW flow modulation device for treatment of unruptured, saccular intracranial aneurysms: a single center experience from 77 consecutive aneurysms

BackgroundThe p48 MW Flow Modulation Device (phenox, Bochum Germany) is a low profile flow diverter stent (FDS), designed for implantation into intracranial arteries with a diameter of less than 3.5 mm.ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the p48 MW FDS in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms located at intracranial arteries with less than 3.5 mm diameter based on a retrospective analysis from a single tertiary neurovascular center.MethodsA prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify all cases of intracranial saccular aneurysms treated electively with the p48 MW device. Records were made of basic demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, interventional procedures, adverse events, clinical outcomes and occlusion rates on angiographic follow-ups.ResultsA total of 77 aneurysms and 74 patients were included. The mean size of the treated aneurysms was 3.5 ± 2.4 mm and the mean aspect ratio was 1.3 ± 0.4. A total of 80 endovascular procedures were performed with a total of 12 (15%) adverse events leading to two (2.5%) permanent morbidities/mortalities. Technical issues were encountered in 3 (3.9%) cases. Adequate occlusion of the treated aneurysm was recorded in 55.6% and 63.9% on the first and latest available DSA follow-ups, respectively. There were no cases of side-branch occlusion.ConclusionsThe p48 MW is an easy-to-use implant with very good safety margins. Side branch occlusion and significant in-stent stenosis are infrequently encountered. The time from implantation to sufficient aneurysm occlusion takes longer than with FDS with lower porosity.

Nuisance bleeding complications in patients with cerebral aneurysm treated with Pipeline embolization device

BackgroundPatients with cerebral aneurysms treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) are maintained on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to prevent thromboembolic complications. Rates of minor, “nuisance” bleeding in these patients...

Connective Tissue Abnormalities in Patients with Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and No Known Systemic Connective Tissue Disorder

Defect in internal elastic lamina, defect in tunica media, and the amount of collagen and elastin play a role in vessel wall weakening leading to aneurysm formation. A similar picture may be found in connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), neurofibromatosis type 1, and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), where there is a predominant disorder of collagen formation/maturation. Histopathology of skin and the superficial temporal artery (STA) was done. All specimens were obtained during craniotomy for ruptured aneurysm clipping or other indicated procedures (for control subjects). Parameters in skin biopsy seen were epithelial thickness, dermal collagen thickness, and so forth. For the STA, parameters such as intimal thickness, intimal proliferation, thickness of media, and so forth were studied. Twenty cases and twenty control subjects were studied. The mean age of the study population was 40.5 years. Salient findings on skin biopsy in patients of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) (cases) were haphazard orientation of collagen, inflammation in the subepidermal layer, increased dermal collagen thickness, and reduced and/or fragmented elastic fibers. Prominent findings on vessel wall biopsy were intimal proliferation, reduplication of internal elastic lamina, reduced and/or fragmented elastin, and vacuolation of smooth muscle cells. The average number of aberrations per patient was significantly higher in cases than control subjects. The histologic changes seen in skin and the STA in cases of IAs signify a weak connective tissue. Some of these findings are also seen in known connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, EDS, neurofibromatosis type 1, and LDS. The connective tissue abnormalities found in patients with IAs may be congenital, which gets further accentuated by known risk factors leading to weak vessel wall and subsequent aneurysm formation.

Technical aspects of web device in aneurysm treatment

Wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) make up 26–36% of all brain aneurysms. Intrasaccular flow disruption is an innovative technique for the treatment of WNBAs. The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device (Sequent Medical,...

Timing of Thrombosis in Embolization of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms : Tirofiban as Rescue Treatment.

Thrombosis is one of the main complications of endovascular treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). This article reports the timing and initial location of thrombosis and prognosis after the use of tirofiban for performing coil embolization for UIA. This study retrospectively collected 1686 cases of intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization from January 2013 to February 2018. Ruptured cases were excluded. The presumed causes and timing of thrombosis, the response after tirofiban administration and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 3months were reviewed. Of the 26patients 76% were female and middle cerebral artery and basilar artery aneurysms accounted for 7cases. The initial location of thrombosis was related to the stent (n = 14, 53.8%) or coil (n = 12, 46.2%). Of the patients 19 (73.1%) developed thrombosis during the procedure, and 5 patients (19.2%) developed it within 1 day of the procedure. Median duration between the thrombotic procedure and initial thrombosis was 38.5 min, 12 patients were symptomatic but more than half completely recovered after using tirofiban. Good clinical outcome (mRS 0-2) was seen in 92.3%. In the subgroup analysis, median time from the first thrombotic procedure to initial thrombosis within 1 day was 38.0 min (stent-related group) and 35.0 min (coil-related group, p = 0.651). In most cases of embolization for UIA, thrombosis requiring the use of tirofiban occurs intraprocedurally or on the first day after the procedure. Careful observation of thrombosis during the procedure is important and tirofiban should be used for abetter outcome even if the infarction progresses.

Giant intracranial aneurysm following radiation therapy: literature review with a novel case discussion.

Background:The aim of this paper is to report the results of our review of the literature of published cases of intracranial aneurysms appearing after radiotherapy, and to present our case to add it to the current literature, in order to discuss the role of inflammation.Methods:We searched the PubMed database using combinations of the following MeSH terms: intracranial aneurysm, radiosurgery, radiotherapy, inflammatory changes in aneurysmal walls from 1967 to 2019.Results:51 studies, for a total cohort of 60 patients, are described. The median latency between the radiation treatment and the diagnosis was 9,83 years, ranging from a minimum of 0,33 to a maximum of 33. The modality of rays’ administration was variable, and the dosage ranged from a minimum of 12 grays to a maximum of 177,2 grays. The anterior circulation appeared to be more frequently involved, and the most compromised vessel was the internal carotid artery. Radiation-induced vascular diseases have already been described in literature as well as RT-induced cellular and structural changes such as necrosis, macrophage or mononuclear cell infiltration, and several data support the role of inflammation in the development and remodelling of intracranial aneurysms, that, on one hand, favours them and, on the other, is necessary to their healing after endovascular treatment.Conclusions:Our team suggested a new insight in the management of these vascular lesions, which corresponds to a lower threshold when deciding whether or not to treat, and a longer and stricter follow-up.

Treatment of traumatic intracranial aneurysm: Experiences at a single center

ObjectiveTo report the treatment and outcome of traumatic intracranial aneurysm (TICA) cases at the Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University in China. Patients and methodsAll patients diagnosed with TICA at our institution from January 1, 1977, to October 31, 2018, and meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the study. Cases were reported separately for those diagnosed before 1998 and those after 1998. ResultsA total of 25 patients were included in the study. Ten were diagnosed with TICA prior to 1998. Seven of these 10 patients were treated surgically with parent artery sacrificed, including aneurysmectomy, trapping, and bypass. The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score for the 7 patients with surgical treatment was 3.1. Three of the 10 patients died of severe complications, including intracranial infection, delayed bleeding, and deadly injury. After 1998, 15 patients were diagnosed with TICA. Thirteen presented with head trauma and two with iatrogenic TICA following ventricle drainage or sphenoid ridge meningioma resection. Thirteen were treated with endovascular treatment, including coil alone, glue, coil-associated glue, stent alone, stent-assisted coil embolization, one with clipping, and one with conservative treatment. The 13 patients with endovascular treatment achieved a mean GOS score of 4.5. Among the 13 patients, one died from intracranial infection, one suffered recurrence, and one had intraoperative rupture. ConclusionAlthough the treatment of TICA has traditionally been surgical, endovascular treatment with different techniques, such as endovascular patch, provides a valuable alternative. Currently, the flow diverter is a popular embolization device and may represent another valid treatment option for TICA.