Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
Microsurgical Clip Obliteration of Middle Cerebral Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Flow Assessment
Published on: September 25, 2009
Prospective Study of Early MRI Appearances following Flow-Diverting Stent Placement for Intracranial Aneurysms
B J McGuinness1, S Memon2, J K Hope3
1From the Department of Radiology (B.J.M., J.K.H.), Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand benmcg@gmail.com.
Background And Purpose:
MR imaging findings of aneurysm enlargement, aneurysm wall enhancement, perianeurysmal edema, and embolic phenomena following deployment of flow-diverting stents may be relevant to those patients who subsequently experience procedure-related intracranial hemorrhage. We sought to document the routine early postoperative MR imaging findings following flow-diverting stent insertion.
Materials And Methods:
Patients requiring flow-diverting stent placement for treatment or retreatment of cerebral aneurysms were prospectively included in the study during a 26-month period. Early postprocedural MR imaging studies were obtained and compared with preoperative imaging. Patient clinical outcome data were also collected.
Results:
There were 34 stent-placement procedures during the study period. Aneurysm mural enhancement and mild new perianeurysmal edema were present in 50% and 14%, respectively. Any DWI lesion was present in 57% of cases. New or possibly new foci of susceptibility effect were found ipsilateral to the stent and not associated with diffusion restriction in 66% of cases. There were 2 cases (6%) of parenchymal hemorrhage and 2 major clinical complications (6%) causing permanent morbidity.
Conclusions:
Asymptomatic aneurysm mural enhancement is frequently seen following flow-diverting stent placement and should not necessarily be interpreted as a sign of impending aneurysm rupture. This finding often persists despite complete aneurysm occlusion. New small brain parenchymal susceptibility foci following stent placement have not previously been reported, to our knowledge, but were common in our series.
Insights
Post-flow-diverting stent placement, common MR imaging findings like aneurysm enhancement and small brain lesions are often asymptomatic. These findings do not necessarily indicate aneurysm rupture or predict complications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Interventional Neurology
- Cerebrovascular Imaging
Background:
- Flow-diverting stents (FDS) are used for cerebral aneurysms.
- Post-FDS placement, MR imaging may show aneurysm enlargement, wall enhancement, edema, and emboli.
- These findings are relevant to understanding procedure-related intracranial hemorrhage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document routine early postoperative MR imaging findings after flow-diverting stent insertion.
- To correlate imaging findings with clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of patients undergoing FDS placement for cerebral aneurysms over 26 months.
- Comparison of early postprocedural MR imaging with preoperative scans.
- Collection of patient clinical outcome data.
Main Results:
- Aneurysm mural enhancement (50%) and mild perianeurysmal edema (14%) were common.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions were present in 57% of cases.
- New susceptibility foci ipsilateral to the stent were found in 66% of cases; 6% experienced parenchymal hemorrhage.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic aneurysm mural enhancement post-FDS is frequent and not necessarily indicative of rupture.
- New small brain parenchymal susceptibility foci are common after FDS placement.
- These imaging findings require careful interpretation in the context of clinical outcomes.
More Related Videos
11:00Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flow Structures Downstream of a Model Type IV Stent Failure in a 180° Curved Artery Test Section
Published on: July 19, 2016
09:36A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
Published on: August 12, 2025
