Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms Research Articles

Advantages of computed tomography-based navigation in clipping distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: a retrospective cohort study.

The occurrence rate of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms is relatively low, primarily due to their deep-seated location, which makes surgical clamping challenging. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT) navigation-assisted clipping of DACA aneurysms compared to traditional clipping without navigation. A retrospective cohort study involving retrospective data collection was performed. The retrospective analysis was conducted on 139 patients with ruptured DACA aneurysms who underwent clipping. From January 2013 to November 2021, 164 patients were retrieved at the Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with DACA aneurysms via CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA), those with complete clinical data, and those who underwent craniotomy for aneurysm clipping. Meanwhile, the exclusion criteria were as follows: aneurysm recurrence, traumatic brain injury or surgery history, blood disorders or recent anticoagulant use, and severe organ dysfunction. Data on gender, age, Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, aneurysm location, hospitalization time, aneurysm found time (the duration from incision to aneurysm discovery), and intraoperative bleeding volume were collected from medical records and neurosurgical databases. Patients were followed up in the clinic or by telephone in May 2022. All patients were divided into a navigation group or a traditional group for statistical analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed in age, sex, Fisher grade, Hunt-Hess grade, hospitalization time, or aneurysm site between the navigation group and traditional group (P>0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was lower in the navigation group than in the traditional group {370 [280-460] vs. 430 [310-610] mL, P=0.045}. Patients in the traditional group had a shorter aneurysm found time than did those in the navigation group {49 [42-53] vs. 79 [63-84] min, P<0.001}. There was no significant difference in the mRS score at hospital discharge (P=0.336) or follow-up (P=0.157) between the two groups. CT neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery for clipping DACA aneurysms may improve surgical accuracy, shorten the time to locate aneurysms, and reduce intraoperative blood loss. Although no significant difference in prognosis was observed, this technique shows promise as a safe and effective alternative to traditional clipping without navigation.

Factors Affecting the Outcome after Surgical Clipping of Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery (DACA) Aneurysms.

Objective The purpose of this study is to assess demographic, clinical, and unique morphological characteristics of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysm. The relation of outcome included Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) using various independent variables, Hunt and Hess clinical grade (H&H), Miller Fischer grade, intraoperative rupture, and comparison of outcomes at discharge and last follow-up. Methods Demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, and treatment outcomes were evaluated in 28 ruptured DACA aneurysms operated over a period of 13 years. Association between independent variables and dependent variables (GOS) at discharge and at last follow-up (13 years) was analyzed, and the interrelationship between these factors and outcome was evaluated. GOS was used to assess functional outcomes. Results Over a period of 13 years, 500 patients harboring ruptured intracranial aneurysms were surgically clipped, and out of them 28 patients (5.6%) had ruptured DACA aneurysms. In this series, 20 (71.4%) patients had low grade and 8 (28.6%) had high grade H&H. Out of the 28 patients, 19 (67.8%) had good recovery, 6 (21.5%) were severely disabled, and 3 (10.7%) died at the time of discharge. On the last follow-up (13 years), smoking ( p -value 0.03) and use of temporary clip ( p -value 0.00) were significant predictors for unfavorable outcome. Conclusion The results of our case series show that even with ruptured aneurysm excellent overall outcome after microsurgical clipping can be achieved, even though among cerebral aneurysms, DACA aneurysm is considered to have less favorable outcome. Alcohol consumption and use of temporary clip were the predictors for unfavorable outcome at the time of discharge. On the last follow-up, smoking and use of temporary clip were found to be the risk factors for unfavorable outcome. Although the small sample size of this study is a limitation, smoking and use of temporary clip play an important role on the overall outcome. The aim of this study was to analyze data to determine factors which may influence outcome after surgical clipping of ruptured DACA aneurysms.

126 Neurosurgical Clipping Versus Endovascular Coiling for Unruptured and Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Aim To assess outcomes after clipping or coiling of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms via a meta-analysis. Method Systematic searches of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central were undertaken from 1st January 1973 until 1st May 2020 for published studies reporting microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling of DACA aneurysms. Primary outcome measure was independent functional outcome (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2, or Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 4–5). Secondary outcomes were poor clinical outcome and mortality, perioperative complications, aneurysm occlusion rates, rebleeding and recurrence. Results 938 and 223 patients with ruptured and unruptured DACA aneurysms, respectively, were reported across 28 studies. Pooled rate of procedure-related morbidity was 6.8% (95%CI: 3.2 – 11.2) and 1.3% (95%CI: 0.0 – 9.1) for clipped and coiling ruptured DACA aneurysms respectively. Pooled rate of intraoperative rupture for clipped and coiled ruptured DACA aneurysms was 10.0% (95%CI: 2.5 – 20.6) and 5.7% (95%CI: 1.1 – 12.5) respectively. Pooled rate of acute hydrocephalus for clipped and coiled ruptured DACA aneurysms was 7.8% (95%CI: 0.5 – 19.7) and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.0 – 11.3) respectively. Pooled rate of perioperative mortality was 0.002% (95% CI: 0.0 – 0.7) ruptured DACA aneurysms treated by clipping. For clipped unruptured DACA aneurysms, pooled rates of procedure-related morbidity, intraoperative rupture, acute hydrocephalus were 2.5% (95%CI: 0.0 – 7.5), 0.002% (95%CI: 0.0 – 3.1) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.0 – 5.1) respectively. Conclusions Clipping results in poorer short-term outcomes when compared to coiling. However, the final decision-making should be shared with the patient and be performed on a selective, case-by-case basis in order to maximize patient benefits.

Single center experience and technical nuances in the treatment of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms

AbstractObjective: This study presents the experience of one neurosurgical center in the treatment of 18 consecutive patients with distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms during a 10 years period. Our aim was to compare treatment outcomes of these lesions with intracranial aneurysms in general, and to present technical nuances in surgical treatment.Methods: We analyzed the clinical and radiological data of 18 patients treated between 2005 and 2015. All patients were treated surgically using the microscope. No patients were lost to follow-up. We compared treatment and outcome of ruptured DACA aneurysms (n 18) with all consecutive ruptured aneurysms treated in our clinic during the same period (n 446).Results: DACA aneurysms accounted for 4% of all intracranial aneurysms. They were smaller (median, 5,5 versus 9 mm) We found only one case with associated aneurysms (5,5%). DACA aneurysms presented more often with intracerebral hematomas (39% versus 26%) than ruptured aneurysms in general. Their microsurgical treatment showed the same complication rates (treatment morbidity, 15%) as for other ruptured aneurysms in literature. Their mortality rate was lower (11% versus 24%).Conclusion: Despite their specific anatomic features, and particular surgical technique, with modern treatment methods, ruptured DACA aneurysms have the same favorable outcome and lower mortality as ruptured aneurysms in general.

Diagnostic dyspraxia by disrupted fiber connections of the posterior corpus callosum after distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm rupture

Dear Editor, We would like to report a well-documented case of diagnostic dyspraxia as a consequence of a ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysm. Radiological findings on tractography permit a better understanding of the physiopathology and anatomo-clinical correlations between diagnostic dyspraxia and intracranial hemorrhage secondary to a DACA aneurysm rupture. A right-handed patient presented with brutal onset of left temporal headache. Clinical examination revealed a Glasgow Coma Scale of 14 with a right crural hemiparesis. The cerebral CT scan showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage Fisher grade IV (Fig. 1a), with the majority of the blood in the pericallosal cistern. The angio-CT demonstrated a right A2 aneurysm at the pericallosal—callosomarginal junction; this was treated immediately by urgent endovascular coiling with no periprocedural complications. On day 1, the patient complained about the feeling of oppositional behavior from his non-dominant hand against his dominant hand. The left hand-dissociative movements were triggered by voluntary activities of his right hand: when we asked the patient to take an object with his right hand, his left hand seized the object before the right hand had time to reach it. The patient never doubted that the left hand was part of his own body, and he had no left/right hand confusion, but he felt that his left hand had its own will. No frontal release signs such as grasping or perseverance were observed. Neuropsychological testing showed language difficulties and clinical signs of callosal disconnection (bilateral taping disturbance, interdigital transfer difficulties, left tactile extinction) associated with executive dysfunction. In the subacute phase, T2and DWI-weightedMRI images showed involvement of the body and splenium of the corpus callosum with residual blood in the pericallosal cistern (Fig. 1b). The tractographic analysis confirmed the interhemispheric disconnection at the posterior third of the corpus callosum with a complete interruption of the commissural fibers (Fig. 1c, d). The patient underwent a specialized rehabilitation and had a good recovery with a complete return to autonomous daily life activities. DACA aneurysms account for about 3 to 7 % of intracranial aneurysms, most of which commonly arise at the bifurcation of the pericallosal and calloso-marginal arteries [3]. Ruptured DACA aneurysms are smaller than in other sites and are associated with more frequent intracerebral hematomas [4]. The Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS) was first described by Goldstein as a variety of clinical conditions whose common characteristic is the uncontrolled behavior or the feeling of strangeness of one extremity, most frequently involving the left hand [1, 2]. The common classification distinguishes between the posterior, or sensory form, of AHS and the anterior, or motor form, of this condition. To explain inconsistencies such as the phenomenon of diagonistic dyspraxia, Aboitiz (2003) proposed the distinction of five classes of AHS with peculiar clinical manifestations and specific anatomical substrates [1]. G. Cossu (*) :M. Messerer : R. T. Daniel Departement des Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurochirurgie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Universite de Medecine et Biologie de Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland e-mail: giulia.cossu@chuv.ch

The Role of Endovascular Treatment for Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms: Comparison with Microsurgical Clipping

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and treatment-related complications between coiling and clipping for ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms. Eighty-four consecutive patients (M:F = 36:48; mean 53.8 years) with ruptured DACA aneurysms were treated by either clipping (n = 46, 54.8%) or coiling (n = 38, 45.2%). The clinical outcomes and procedure-related complications were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Procedure-related complications tend to occur more frequently in the clipping (n = 6, 13.0%) than coiling group (n = 1, 2.6%) (P = .121). At discharge, 51 patients (60.7%) had favorable outcomes (Glasgow outcome scale [GOS], 4 or 5). There was no significant difference between the two groups in favorable outcome (63.2% vs. 58.7%; P = .677). Hunt and Hess (HH) grade (P < .001; 95% CI, 3.354-29.609) and treatment modality (P = .044; 95% CI, 1.039-16.325) were independent risk factors for poor outcome (GOS, 1-3). Coiling was more favorable to clipping in clinical outcomes and incidence of treatment-related complications for ruptured DACA aneurysms.

Abstract TP428: Microsurgical and Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms

Introduction: Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are less common and surgical morbidity has been reported relatively high due to intraoperative rupture and narrow surgical field. Endovascular treatment can be alternative to surgery. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of endovascular coiling for ruptured DACA aneurysms comparing with microsurgical clipping. Patients and Methods: Between January 1999 and March 2012, consecutive 94 patients with ruptured DACA aneurysm were treated by surgical clipping (n=52, 55.3%) and endovascular coiling (n=42, 44.7%) in five institutions including only 2 cases of recurrence (2.1%, 1 in clip and 1 in coil). The clinical outcomes of patients and procedure-related complications (intraprocedural rupture and any infarction) were evaluated and compared between two groups. Results: There were 38 males and 56 females (mean age; 55.1 years). Initial Hunt-Hess grade was GII in 25 patients (37.2%), GIII in 36 patients (38.3%), GIV in 12 patients (12.8%), and GV in 11 patients (11.7%), which was significantly higher in coil group (2.77 in clip vs 3.26 in coil, p=0.016). Initial CT scanning showed ruptured DACA aneurysm with ICH (n=35; 37.2%) and hydrocephalus (n=25; 26.6%). Maximal diameter of aneurysm was less than 5mm in 36 (38.3%), 5~10mm in 53 (56.4%), and 10mm and more than in 5 (5.3%). Technical success rate was 100% and complete occlusion or neck remnant of aneurysm was achieved in 87 [92.6%, 49 (96.1%) in clip vs 38 (90.5%) in coil, p=0.404] and incomplete in 6 (6.4%). At discharge, favorable outcome (modified GOS; good and fair) was obtained in 70 [77.8%, 44 (84.6%) in clip vs 26 (68.4%) in coil, p=0.078]. Intraprocedural rupture occurred only in clipping group [6 cases (11.5%), p=0.031]. Any procedure-related infarction occurred in 7 [7.4%, 6 (11.5%) in clip vs 1 (2.4%) in coil, p=0.126]. Intraprocedural thrombus was detected in 5 cases of coil group and most of them were restored by thrombolytic therapy. There was one case of acute rebleeding in coiling group and this patient died. Conclusions: Endovascular coiling was comparable treatment with clipping for ruptured DACA aneurysms.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Endovascular Therapy for Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms

Surgical clipping has been the primary treatment option for ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms. Therefore, the literature on endovascular therapy is sparse. The present study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of endovascular therapy for ruptured DACA aneurysms in 31 patients, 26 females and 5 males (mean age 63.2 ± 12.6 years). Mean aneurysm size and neck width were 4.8 ± 2.3 mm and 2.2 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. The Hunt and Hess (H/H) grades just prior to the treatment were scored as H/H grades 1-3 in 20 patients and H/H grades 4-5 in 11 patients. Fifteen patients had an intraparenchymal hematoma (IPH) surrounding the ruptured aneurysm on the initial computed tomography. Overall, 22 patients had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-2 and 9 had a mRS score of 3-6 at discharge. H/H grade was closely related to the clinical outcomes, whereas the presence of IPH was not. Overall immediate angiographic outcomes were complete occlusion in 15, residual neck in 11, and residual aneurysm in 5. The overall recurrence rate was 35.3%. Complications including posttreatment rebleeding occurred in 5 patients. Symptomatic vasospasm occurred in 1 of the 18 patients with H/H grades 1-3. Endovascular therapy of ruptured DACA aneurysms is feasible and effective. However, the risks of recurrence and posttreatment bleeding remain to be resolved.

Surgical strategies and outcomes for distal anterior cerebral arteries aneurysms

Background:Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are rare and their surgical treatment presents some unique difficulties. In this report, we present our experience of cases with DACA aneurysms.Materials and Methods:Among 80 patents with cerebral aneurysm operated on in the three-year period, 15 patients (18.75%) had DACA aneurysms, who were studied retrospectively. We analyze the specific clinical and radiological features, surgical strategies and prognostic factors affecting the surgical outcomes of these DACA aneurysms.Results:There were 10 male and 5 female patients harboring 16 DACA aneurysms. All patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, 11 patients (73%) had intracerebral hematoma in their initial CT scan and four of them had associated intraventricular hemorrhage. Thirteen of the ruptured DACA aneurysms (86%) were small in size (less than 7 mm in diameter). Three patients (20%) had other associate aneurysms. In 14 patients (93%), a unilateral interhemispheric approach was used in their treatment, while pterional approach was used in one patient. Eleven patients (73%) had favorable outcomes and only one patient (7%) died. The follow-up data suggested that poor admission grade and initial Intracerebral hematoma (ICH) on brain scan portend an unfavorable prognosis.Conclusions:DACA aneurysms are usually small even when ruptured, they are usually associated with ICH more frequently than intracranial aneurysms in other locations. They should be aggressively treated even if very small because of their tendency to early rupture.

DISTAL ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY ANEURYSMS

This study presents the combined experience of two Finnish neurosurgical centers in the treatment of 501 consecutive patients with distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms. Our aim was to compare treatment outcomes of these lesions with intracranial aneurysms in general and to identify factors predicting the outcome.We analyzed the clinical and radiological data of all 501 patients and focused on the 427 patients treated between 1980 and 2005, the era of microsurgery and computed tomographic imaging. No patients were lost to follow-up. We compared treatment and outcome of ruptured DACA aneurysms (n = 277) with all consecutive ruptured aneurysms from the Kuopio Cerebral Aneurysm Database (n = 2243) and used multivariate analysis to identify factors predicting 1-year outcome.DACA aneurysms accounted for 6% of all intracranial aneurysms. They were smaller (median, 6 versus 8 mm), more frequently associated with multiple aneurysms (35 versus 18%), and presented more often with intracerebral hematomas (53 versus 26%) than ruptured aneurysms in general. Their microsurgical treatment showed the same complication rates (treatment morbidity, 15%; treatment mortality, 0.4%) as for other ruptured aneurysms. At 1 year after subarachnoid hemorrhage, they had similar favorable outcome (Glasgow Coma Scale score >or=4) as other ruptured aneurysms (74 versus 69%), but their mortality rate was lower (13 versus 24%). Factors predicting unfavorable outcome for ruptured DACA aneurysms were advanced age, Hunt and Hess grade greater than or equal to III, rebleeding before treatment, intracerebral hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, and severe preoperative hydrocephalus.Despite their specific features, with modern treatment methods, ruptured DACA aneurysms have the same favorable outcome and lower mortality at 1 year as ruptured aneurysms in general.

ANEURYSMS OF THE DISTAL ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY

Abstract OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to present the clinical and radiological characteristics, surgical management, and outcome in a large series of patients with aneurysms of the distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) managed in the microsurgical era. METHODS The records of 1109 patients with anterior circulation aneurysms managed at the authors' institution between 1970 and 1998 were reviewed. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients (5.3%) were identified with 67 DACA aneurysms. Seventy-three percent of the patients were women. The mean age of all patients was 47 years. Multiple aneurysms were identified in 51% of all patients, most commonly on the middle cerebral artery. Thirty-six patients had ruptured DACA aneurysms and 23 had unruptured aneurysms. In those with ruptured aneurysms, the admission grade was Grade I in 10 patients (27.8%), Grade II in three patients (8.3%), Grade III in 10 patients (27.8%), Grade IV in seven patients (19.4%), and Grade V in six patients (16.7%). Frontal lobe hematomas occurred in 28% of the patients with ruptured aneurysms and carried a poor prognosis. In those with unruptured aneurysms, 11 were incidental and 12 were identified after a subarachnoid hemorrhage from another aneurysm. The mean diameter was 10 mm in ruptured aneurysms and 5.8 mm in unruptured aneurysms. Fifty-eight patients underwent surgery and one patient was treated with endovascular coiling. Six patients, all with ruptured aneurysms, died. Seventy percent of survivors with ruptured aneurysms had a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION DACA aneurysms possess a number of characteristics that distinguish them from the more common intracranial aneurysms. With modern neurosurgical and endovascular techniques, an acceptable operative morbidity and mortality can be achieved.

NO LONG-TERM EXCESS MORTALITY IN 280 PATIENTS WITH RUPTURED DISTAL ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY ANEURYSMS

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term excess mortality after the rupture of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms compared with that of a matched general Finnish population in an unselected, population-based series. We identified 280 consecutive patients (119 men, 161 women) treated for ruptured DACA aneurysms (clipped, 262; coiled, 10; no intervention, 8) at two neurosurgical centers serving solely the southern and eastern parts of Finland from 1976 to 2003. All patients were followed from subarachnoid hemorrhage until death or the end of 2004. No patients were lost to follow-up. Long-term excess mortality was estimated using the annual relative survival ratio compared with the general Finnish population matched by age, sex, and calendar time. The median follow-up period was 9.6 years (range, 0.1-29 yr). The 3-year cumulative relative survival ratio was 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.88), implying 16% excess mortality in the patient group during the first 3 years after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The annual relative survival ratio attained 1.0 at the fourth year of follow-up, indicating no excess mortality thereafter. There were four episodes of recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage and only one from a treated DACA aneurysm, with a 10-year cumulative risk of 1.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-3.0). Cardiovascular disease and cancer were the leading causes of death after 10 years of follow-up. After surviving 3 years after the rupture of a DACA aneurysm, the patients' long-term survival became similar to that of the matched general population. Rebleeding of treated DACA aneurysm was rare.

Surgical Experience of the Ruptured Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms

Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are fragile and known to have high risks for intraoperative premature rupture and a relatively high associated morbidity. To improve surgical outcomes of DACA aneurysms, we reviewed our surgical strategy and its results postoperatively. A total of 845 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms were operated in our hospital from January 1991 to December 2005. Twenty-three of 845 patients had ruptured DACA aneurysms which were operated on according to our surgical strategy. Our surgical strategy was as follows; early surgery, appropriate releasing of CSF, appropriate surgical approach, using neuronavigating system, securing the bridging veins, using temporary clipping and/or tentative clipping, meticulous manipulation of aneurysm, and using micro-Doppler flow probe. Twenty of 23 patients who had complete medical records were studied retrospectively. We observed the postoperative radiographic findings and checked Glasgow Outcome Scale score sixth months after the operation. Nineteen DACA aneurysms were clipped through a unilateral interhemispheric approach and one DACA aneurysm was clipped through a pterional approach. Postoperative radiographic findings revealed complete clipping of aneurysmal neck without stenosis or occlusion of parent arteries. In two patients, a residual neck of aneurysm was visualized. Seventeen patients showed good recovery, one patient resulted in moderate disability, while 2 patients died. With our surgical strategy it was possible to achieve acceptable surgical morbidity and mortality rates in patients with DACA aneurysms. Appropriate use of tentative clipping, temporary clipping and neuro-navigating systems can give great help for safe approach and clipping of DACA aneurysm.

Distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: a clinical series

Thirty patients with distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms were seen at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the period 1970-1996. There were seven males (23%) and twenty three females (77%) with a mean age of 50 years. The average follow up was 5 years. Multiple aneurysms were present in seven cases (23%). The mean size of aneurysms was 5 mm. There were two post-traumatic aneurysms and one mycotic aneurysm. Out of the 30 cases, 19 presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage from ruptured DACA aneurysms. Eight (42%) of them were in good clinical grade (I or II). Operations were carried out in 25 (83%) patients. All five cases with unruptured aneurysms and the eight patients with good clinical grade had good recovery. In contrast, only six (55%) out of 11 patients with poor clinical grade had good outcome. The overall management mortality for the 19 cases with ruptured aneurysms was 16%. Postoperative complication occurred in two cases (8%), one patient developed deep vein thrombosis and seizures, the other patient had transient upper limb weakness. Although there is a definite trend towards better management outcome in the published series ofDACA aneurysmsoverthe years,there isstillsignificantmortality and morbidity in the poor grade patients.Early surgery will prevent the deaths from rebleeding and may allow optimal management of vasospasm.

Outcome in 43 patients with distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms.

The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the outcome of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms and to determine the incidence, causes, and consequences of unfavorable outcomes. 43 patients with 50 DACA aneurysms (27 females and 16 males, mean age 49 years) were studied retrospectively. Forty-four DACA aneurysms were treated surgically (83% with an interhemispheric approach), and 2 were embolized. At postoperative day 10, all patients underwent routine angiography. The outcome at 6 to 12 months was scored according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). 35 DACA aneurysms were ruptured. Among the 26 "good"-grade patients (Hunt and Hess grades I through III), 18 (69.2%) were in GOS 1, 2 in GOS 2 (7.7%), 2 in GOS 3 (7.7%), and 4 in GOS 5 (15.4%); among the 9 "poor"-grade patients (Hunt and Hess grades IV and V), 1 (11.1%) was in GOS 1, 2 in GOS 2 (22.2%), 2 in GOS 3 (22.2%), and 4 in GOS 5 (44.5%). The initial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (40%) induced neurological aftereffects in 8 patients. An operative rupture occurred in 40%, with a temporary occlusion in 28.6% that was responsible for mediocre results in 3 patients (8.7%). A postoperative thrombosis was observed in 4 patients (11.4%) and an aneurysmal remnant in 1 (2.8%). Ten DACA unruptured aneurysms were clipped without operative rupture or thrombosis. The authors suggest that the proportion of ruptured DACA aneurysms evolving to a GOS 1 or 2 was similar to that of aneurysms found in other locations, after early surgery. Endovascular treatment should be considered in the management of uncommon ruptured fusiform DACA aneurysms.