[Analysis of the therapeutic effect of stent-assisted embolization and surgical clipping for the treatment of middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms].

Objective To compare the clinical effects of stent-assisted embolization and surgical clipping in the treatment of middle cerebral artery bifurcation wide-necked aneurysms. Methods From July 2014 to March 2017, the clinical and imaging data of 45 patients with Hunt-Hess 0-Ⅲ grade middle cerebral artery bifurcation wide-necked aneurysms were divided into stent-assisted embolization group (20 patients from PLA Rocktet Army Hospital) and surgical clipping group (25 patients from Peking University International Hospital). The total occlusion rates of aneurysm, operation-related adverse events, clinical outcomes, and results of follow-up imaging from the two groups were compared. Results The total occlusion rates in the stent-assisted embolization group and surgical clipping group were 90.0% (18/20) and 92.0% (23/25), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.815). The favorable six-month postoperative outcomes defined as the modified Rankin Scale ≤2 were 94.7% (18/19) in the stent-assisted embolization group and 91.3% (21/23) in the surgical clipping group (P=0.667). Fewer patients experienced the operation-related adverse events in the stent-assisted embolization group (15.0%, 3/20), as compared to that of the surgical clipping group (24.0%, 6/25), but the difference were not significant (P=0.453). After 2-24 months (median 7 months) of the operation, the follow-up imaging indicated that in the stent-assisted embolization group, 2 out of the 19 patients had residual or recurrent aneurysms.While in the surgical clipping group, residual or recurrent aneurysms were identified in 2 out of the 23 patients 2-14 months (median 3 months) after the surgery; the frequency was not statistically different between the two groups (P=0.841). Conclusion Stent assisted embolization is a safe and effective treatment for the low grade middle cerebral artery bifurcation wide-necked aneurysms. Key words: Middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms; Stent-assisted embolization; Surgical clipping