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Published on: June 18, 2021
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.
Background:
Patients harboring an unruptured cerebral aneurysm may present with ischemic events. The goal of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological characteristics and the outcome following treatment of these patients.
Methods:
The study population included 463 patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated between January 2000 and November 2006. Patients with aneurysms manifesting with ischemic events were included. Outcome was assessed 12 months following aneurysm treatment using the modified Rankin scale.
Results:
Eleven patients were included in this series. An acute ischemic lesion in the symptomatic territory was demonstrated in six patients. The aneurysms were located on the internal carotid artery (n=4), middle cerebral artery (n=4), superior cerebellar artery (n=2) and basilar artery (n=1). They measured 10 mm or less (n=7); 11-20 mm (n=2); more than 21 mm (n=2). Five aneurysms were partially thrombosed on imaging. Five patients were referred for coiling. Of these, one patient had an unsuccessful coiling attempt, one had a residual neck, and three presented an aneurysm recurrence. Six patients were treated surgically. Symptomatic thromboembolism occurred after surgery in three patients. Complete aneurysm exclusion was documented in five of six operated patients. Nine of the ten treated patients had a favorable outcome.
Conclusion:
Even though aneurysms presenting with ischemic events are often small and located on the anterior circulation, in this series the risk of thromboembolic events following aneurysm treatment is noteworthy. This information is relevant given the possible benign natural history in terms of stroke and risk of bleeding for some of these aneurysms.
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