Unruptured cerebral aneurysms presenting with ischemic events

Nancy McLaughlin1, Michel W Bojanowski

  • 1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal-Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Insights

Unruptured cerebral aneurysms causing ischemic events pose treatment risks. This study found a noteworthy risk of thromboembolic events after treating these aneurysms, impacting patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Unruptured cerebral aneurysms can manifest with ischemic symptoms.
  • Assessing clinical and radiological features is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms presenting with ischemic events.
  • To assess the outcomes following treatment for these specific aneurysms.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 463 patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated between 2000 and 2006.
  • Inclusion criteria: aneurysms presenting with ischemic events.
  • Outcome assessment at 12 months using the modified Rankin scale.

Main Results:

  • Eleven patients with ischemic events due to unruptured aneurysms were included.
  • Six patients showed acute ischemic lesions in the symptomatic territory.
  • Treatment outcomes varied: coiling had complications (unsuccessful attempt, residual neck, recurrence), and surgery led to thromboembolism in 3/6 patients, though 5/6 achieved complete exclusion. Nine of ten treated patients had favorable outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Aneurysms presenting with ischemic events are often small and anteriorly located.
  • Treatment of these aneurysms carries a significant risk of thromboembolic events.
  • The findings are important considering the potential natural history of these aneurysms regarding stroke and bleeding risk.
Abstract

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