Wall enhancement ratio determined by vessel wall MRI associated with symptomatic intracranial aneurysms

To study the association of the enhancement ratio (ER) of aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE) with symptomatic intracranial aneurysms (IAs), we hypothesized that the ER of AWE would be stronger in symptomatic IAs than in asymptomatic IAs, as assessed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI).

Between February 2016 and February 2018, 80 consecutive patients with 89 unruptured IAs were reviewed. Patients and IAs were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. In addition to the clinical characteristics, the IA features (e.g., size, shape) were evaluated via computed tomography angiography, while the ER and enhanced patterns were evaluated by HRMRI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for symptomatic IAs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used for the final model to obtain the optimal thresholds.

Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that only the ER was associated with symptomatic IAs. The threshold value of the ER was 60.5%.

A higher ER was more frequently identified in symptomatic IAs. More attention should be paid to this factor in the management of IAs.