De novo and recurrent aneurysms in pediatric patients with cerebral aneurysms

Long-term angiographic follow-up studies on pediatric aneurysm patients are scarce.

We gathered long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up data on all pediatric aneurysm patients (≤ 18 years at diagnosis) treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, between 1937 and 2009.

Fifty-nine patients with cerebral aneurysms in childhood had long-term clinical and radiological follow-up (median, 34 years; range, 4-56 years). Twenty-four patients (41%) were diagnosed with altogether 25 de novo and 11 recurrent aneurysms, with 9 (25%) of the aneurysms being symptomatic. New subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in 7 patients; 4 of these patients died. Eight patients (33%) had multiple new aneurysms. The annual rate of hemorrhage was 0.4%, and the annual rate for the development of de novo or recurrent aneurysm was 1.9%. There were no de novo aneurysms in 7 patients with previously unruptured aneurysms. However, 1 recurrent aneurysm was diagnosed. Current and previous smoking (risk ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-5.55) was the only statistically significant risk factor for de novo and recurrent aneurysm formation in patients with previous subarachnoid hemorrhage, whereas hypertension, sex, or age at onset had no statistically significant effect. Smoking was also a statistically significant risk factor for new subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms in childhood have a high risk for new aneurysms and new subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially if they start to smoke as adults. Life-long angiographic follow-up is mandatory.