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    To investigate the effect of endovascular treatment on posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysm.The clinical data of 21 patients with PCA aneurysm, 12 males and 9 females, aged 3 - 60, totally 22 aneurysms, 3 located in the P1 segment, 16 (in 15 patients) on the P2 segment, and 3 being serpentine aneurysms and involving P2-3 segment, were analyzed. One patients gave up treatment, 6 patients, with 7 aneurysms, underwent aneurysm sac occlusion, and 14 patients underwent parent vessel occlusion.Complete aneurysm sac occlusion was achieved in 5 patients with 6 aneurysms, and incomplete occlusion was achieved in 1 patient who died of bleeding of aneurysm the next day after the operation. All 14 patients undergoing parent vessel occlusion survived without aneurysm detected by angiography, among which 3 presented hemianesthesia of the contralateral side and 2 recovered completely.Endovascular treatment is safe and effective for PCA aneurysm.
    Posterior cerebral artery
    Posterior communicating artery
    Citations (4)
    The dual-layer Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device (WEB II) is designed to improve the performance of the first-generation WEB device. This study was performed to evaluate the acute and chronic performance of WEB II for aneurysm occlusion in an elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits. We implanted WEB II devices in 36 elastase-induced aneurysms and followed up for one, three, six, and 12 months. Degree of aneurysm occlusion at follow-up was graded on the Web Occlusion Scale (WOS): Grade A, complete aneurysm occlusion; Grade B, complete occlusion with recess filling; Grade C, residual neck filling; and Grade D, residual aneurysm filling. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for histological assessment of aneurysm healing. Grades A, B, C, and D aneurysm occlusion at one-month follow-up were noted in three (17%), three (17%), eight (44%), and four (22%) of 18 cases, respectively. At the three-month time point Grades A, B, C, and D were shown in two (33%), two (33%), one (17%), and one (17%) aneurysms. Six months after treatment, one (17%), two (33%), two (33%), and one (17%) cases demonstrated Grades A, B, C, and D occlusion. At the 12-month time point, Grades B, C, and D were shown in three (50%), two (33%), and one (17%) aneurysms. Histologic evaluation showed progressive thrombus organization within aneurysm lumen from one to 12 months. These results indicated that the WEB II device can achieve high rates of aneurysm occlusion over time in experimental aneurysms.
    Lumen (anatomy)
    Citations (13)
    Background Woven EndoBridge (WEB) devices are becoming a reliable option for the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, but clear predictive factors are still missing to understand the one in five aneurysm remnant rate. Objective To evaluate occlusion outcomes after WEB treatment to identify potential determinants of aneurysm occlusion. Methods A single-center database with consecutive aneurysms treated with WEB between July 2012 and October 2021 was reviewed for potential determinants of aneurysm adequate occlusion (defined as a Bicêtre Occlusion Scale Score (BOSS) of 0, 0’, 1 or 2), through univariate and multivariable analysis. Patients without angiographic follow-up were excluded. Results 215 of 247 individual aneurysms were included in the final analysis, of which 59 (27%) were ruptured. Mean age of patients was 56 years (range 23–90 years) and 65% were female. Mean angiographic follow-up was at 18 months (range 3–97 months). Adequate and complete occlusion were achieved in 171/215 (79.5%) and 135/215 (62.8%) of cases, respectively. Aneurysm irregular shape (aOR=0.42, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.88; p=0.02), aneurysm height (aOR=0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.94; p<0.01), and WEB shape modification (aOR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.00; p=0.02) were all independent predictors of aneurysm recurrence, whereas the WEB oversizing ratio (WEB width/aneurysm mean width) (aOR=16.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 266.7; p=0.04) was an independent predictor of adequate occlusion. Conclusion In this study we demonstrated that a width oversizing strategy of the WEB device was an independent predictor of aneurysm angiographic occlusion. Conversely, aneurysm height, irregular aneurysm, and WEB shape modification were all independent determinants of angiographic aneurysm remnant. These results may help to select aneurysms suitable for the WEB device and WEB sizing.

    Introduction

    About 85% of the non-traumatic SAH are caused by ruptured aneurysms1. Identifying those aneurysms as the bleeding cause is essential for further therapy.

    Aim of study

    The study evaluates the detection of cerebral aneurysm in unenhanced CT images of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage by a relative hypodense structure in the hyperdense bleeding, the sparing aneurysm sign (SAS).

    Methods

    Three neuroradiologic experienced radiologists rated the aneurysm location and size by applying the SAS in 50 CT-examinations of patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent an initial CT scan followed by a DSA. The results were analyzed for correlations between aneurysm location, aneurysm size, Fisher-score and the detectability of a SAS. Further a quantitative analysis of the average HU of the aneurysm and the SAH was performed.

    Results

    In 75% of the cases the aneurysm was identified correctly just using the SAS, influenced significant by aneurysm location (p=0.019), Fisher-Score (p=0.008) and aneurysm size (p=0.017). The highest rate of aneurysm detection was given for MCA- (90%) and BA-aneurysms (90%), followed by ACOM- (80%) and ACA-aneurysm (80%). The measured aneurysm size in the correctly identified aneurysm significantly corelates to the size measured in the DSA (p<0.001) and a cut point of 51 HU discriminates aneurysm from SAH with a specificity of 92% and a sensitivity of 86% (Youden´s index 0.78).

    Conclusions

    The aneurysm location and size can be determined in unenhanced CT images in many cases using the new SAS (sparing aneurysm sign). Whereas quantitative measurements of HU can support the aneurysm detection.

    References

    Connolly ES, Rabinstein AA, Carhuapoma JR, et al. Guidelines for the Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Stroke. 2012;43.

    Do you have any conflict of interest to declare?: No
    Some believe that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for carotid near occlusion is a necessary emergency procedure while others call it dangerous. We used the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) data to perform an observational study to examine the safety and benefit of CEA for carotid near occlusion. We divided the data of 659 patients into stenosis groups: 70 to 79%, 80 to 89%, 90 to 94%, and near occlusion. The 106 carotid-near-occlusion patients were subdivided into those with a string-like lumen (n = 29) and those without a string-like lumen (n = 77). Of the 48 patients with near occlusion treated with CEA, 3 (6.3%) had perioperative strokes, similar to the 70-94% stenosis group. Only 1 of 58 patients (1.7%) with near occlusion treated medically had a stroke in the first month, suggesting that CEA is not needed on an emergency basis in this circumstance. For medically treated patients, the 1-year risk of stroke increases with escalating degrees of carotid stenosis, where the risk is 35.1% for patients with 90-94% stenosis. For patients with near occlusion, the 1-year stroke risk diminishes to 11.1%, which approximates the risk for patients with 70-89% stenosis. A comparison of treatment differences indicates that surgery reduces the risk of stroke at 1 year by approximately one-half (p < 0.001), regardless of the degree of stenosis or the subcategory of carotid near occlusion (p = 0.89). Our data suggest that CEA is beneficial for near occlusion and not more dangerous than in patients with 70-94% stenosis, provided that the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon with a low complication rate.
    Stroke
    Endarterectomy
    Lumen (anatomy)
    Citations (259)
    OBJECTIVE: To objectively compare computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection and anatomic definition of intracranial aneurysms, particularly in the setting of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: In a blinded prospective study, 40 patients with known or suspected intracranial saccular aneurysms underwent both CTA and DSA, including 32 consecutive patients with SAH in whom CTA was performed after CT images were obtained diagnostic for SAH. The CT angiograms were interpreted for the presence, location, and size of the aneurysms, and anatomic features, such as the number of aneurysm lobes, aneurysm neck size (≤ 4 mm), and the number of adjacent arterial branches were assessed. The images obtained with CTA were then compared with the images obtained with DSA, with the latter images serving as controls. RESULTS: DSA revealed 43 aneurysms in 30 patients and ruled out intracranial aneurysms in the remaining 10 patients. For aneurysm presence alone, the sensitivity and specificity for CTA was 86 and 90%, respectively. For the presence of an aneurysm, six CT angiograms showed false negative results and one CT angiogram showed a false positive result. False negative results were usually caused by technical problems with the image, tiny aneurysm domes(<3 mm), and unusual aneurysm locations (i.e., intracavernous carotid or posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms). The results obtained with CTA were, compared with the results obtained with DSA, more than 95% accurate in determining dome and neck size of aneurysm, aneurysm lobularity, and the presence and number of adjacent arterial branches. In addition, CTA provided a three-dimensional representation of the aneurysmal lesion, which was considered useful for surgical planning. CONCLUSION: CTA is useful for rapid and relatively noninvasive detection of aneurysms in common locations, and the anatomic information provided in images showing positive results is at least equivalent to that provided by DSA. In cases of SAH in which the nonaugmented CT and CTA results indicate a clear source of bleeding and provide adequate anatomic detail, we think it is possible to forego DSA before urgent early aneurysm surgery. In all other cases, DSA is indicated.
    Digital subtraction angiography
    Computed tomographic angiography
    Image subtraction
    OBJECTIVE: To objectively compare computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection and anatomic definition of intracranial aneurysms, particularly in the setting of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: In a blinded prospective study, 40 patients with known or suspected intracranial saccular aneurysms underwent both CTA and DSA, including 32 consecutive patients with SAH in whom CTA was performed after CT images were obtained diagnostic for SAH. The CT angiograms were interpreted for the presence, location, and size of the aneurysms, and anatomic features, such as the number of aneurysm lobes, aneurysm neck size (≤ 4 mm), and the number of adjacent arterial branches were assessed. The images obtained with CTA were then compared with the images obtained with DSA, with the latter images serving as controls. RESULTS: DSA revealed 43 aneurysms in 30 patients and ruled out intracranial aneurysms in the remaining 10 patients. For aneurysm presence alone, the sensitivity and specificity for CTA was 86 and 90%, respectively. For the presence of an aneurysm, six CT angiograms showed false negative results and one CT angiogram showed a false positive result. False negative results were usually caused by technical problems with the image, tiny aneurysm domes(<3 mm), and unusual aneurysm locations (i.e., intracavernous carotid or posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms). The results obtained with CTA were, compared with the results obtained with DSA, more than 95% accurate in determining dome and neck size of aneurysm, aneurysm lobularity, and the presence and number of adjacent arterial branches. In addition, CTA provided a three-dimensional representation of the aneurysmal lesion, which was considered useful for surgical planning. CONCLUSION: CTA is useful for rapid and relatively noninvasive detection of aneurysms in common locations, and the anatomic information provided in images showing positive results is at least equivalent to that provided by DSA. In cases of SAH in which the nonaugmented CT and CTA results indicate a clear source of bleeding and provide adequate anatomic detail, we think it is possible to forego DSA before urgent early aneurysm surgery. In all other cases, DSA is indicated.
    Digital subtraction angiography
    Computed tomographic angiography
    Image subtraction
    Identification of the source of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) can be a challenge in the presence of multiple aneurysms. This study was carried out to assess whether radioanatomical features on noncontrast enhanced computerised tomography (CT) scans may be of value in localizing ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The diagnostic CT scans of 56 consecutive patients, investigated for SAH with cerebral angiography, over a period of six months were available for review. Various radioanatomical features were assessed: (1) pattern of subarachnoid blood (e.g. predominant site and location near major vessel bifurcation), (2) presence of intraparenchymal haematoma, (3) presence of aneurysm contour and (4) hydrocephalus. On the basis of the findings an estimation of the anatomical location of the source of bleeding was made and then compared with the angiogram findings to which the reviewer was blinded. The location of the aneurysm was correctly identified in 89.5% of cases. Careful analysis of the pattern of bleeding was essential for the successful localization of the aneurysm in all these cases. The presence of an aneurysm contour was also associated with correct identification of the source of bleeding (chi(2) = 6.067, P = 0.02). Our findings suggest that radioanatomical features on CT scans in SAH can be a valuable aid in the correct identification of the location of the ruptured aneurysm. This would be of particular significance in the presence of multiple intracranial aneurysms.
    Subarachnoid haemorrhage
    Citations (9)
    We report a case of unruptured “true posterior communicating artery” (Pcom) aneurysm associated with ruptured internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (IC-PC) aneurysm in a 72-year-old woman, treated successfully by direct surgery. Left internal carotid angiography and three-dimensional CT angiography revealed an IC-PC aneurysm 8 mm in maximum diameter protruding inferolaterally, with a small bulge on the Pcom side which was regarded as part of the IC-PC aneurysm. Intraoperative inspection revealed that the prominence initially thought to be part of the IC-PC aneurysm was a true Pcom aneurysm forming a kissing aneurysm pair with the IC-PC aneurysm. The 2 aneurysms were completely dissected and both were clipped. This is the first reported case of kissing aneurysms of the IC-PC aneurysm and true Pcom aneurysm. A true Pcom aneurysm forming kissing aneurysms with IC-PC aneurysm, as in the present case, may be difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Careful intraoperative observation and complete dissection are therefore important for a good outcome.
    Posterior communicating artery
    Citations (5)
    ABSTRACT: Background: Symptomatic carotid near-occlusion is often described as rare. Recent studies have shown that near-occlusions are overlooked, especially near-occlusion without full collapse (with a small but normal-appearing distal internal carotid artery). Objective: To assess the prevalence of near-occlusion among symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis, incidence of symptomatic near-occlusion, and review the literature. Methods: Prospective controlled single-center cross-sectional study. Consecutive cases with symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis were examined with computed tomography angiography (CTA). The CTAs were assessed for near-occlusion by two observers. A systematic literature review was performed with emphasis on how study design affects prevalence estimate. Results: Totally, 186 patients with symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis were included, 34% ( n = 63, 95% CI 27, 41) had near-occlusion. The incidence of symptomatic near-occlusion was 3.4 (95% CI 2.5, 4.2) per 100,000 person-years. Inter-rater κ was 0.71. The average prevalence of near-occlusion among symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis was higher in studies with good design (30%, range 27%–34%) than studies without good design (9%, range 2%–10%). Conclusions: Near-occlusion is common variant of symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis, both in the current study and in all previous studies of good design. Studies that suggest that near-occlusion is rare have had methodological issues.
    Computed Tomography Angiography
    Single Center
    Citations (13)