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Saccular cerebral aneurysms in young adults
H Kamitani1, H Masuzawa, I Kanazawa
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kanto Teishin Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Surgical Neurology
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Cerebral aneurysms in young adults tend to grow with age and rupture in specific locations. Surgery outcomes vary, with vasospasm significantly impacting results in older patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture remain debated topics.
- This study examines aneurysm characteristics in young adults to clarify their nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the size and location of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in young adults (20-39 years).
- Evaluate surgical outcomes for these aneurysms.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 37 patients (35 ruptured, 2 unruptured aneurysms).
- Determined aneurysm size (maximal inner diameter) and location via angiography.
- Performed direct surgery on 35 patients.
Main Results:
- Ruptured aneurysms increased in size with age in young adults.
- Aneurysms >3.5 mm in the internal carotid artery and in the anterior communicating artery showed a tendency to rupture.
- Surgery yielded excellent results for grades I-III (Hunt and Kosnik), but poor results for grade IV due to vasospasm (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Aneurysms may originate in childhood/adolescence, rupturing later in life.
- Aneurysm formation linked to arterial wall fragility; rupture may relate to aging factors (hypertension, atherosclerosis).
- Vasospasm negatively impacts surgical outcomes in young adults.