Cooperative study of ruptured vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms in the Tohoku district in Japan

Global Disparities in the Presentation and Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Review and Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with high mortality rates. There is a significant gap in the literature describing global disparities in demographics, management, and outcomes among patients with aSAH. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess global disparities in aSAH presentation and management.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase databases were queried from earliest records to November 2022 for aSAH literature. Presentation, demographics, comorbidities, treatment methods, and outcomes data were collected. Articles that did not report aSAH-specific patient management and outcomes were excluded. Pooled weighted prevalence rates were calculated. Random effects model rates were reported.

RESULTS

After screening, 33 articles representing 10,553 patients were included. The prevalence of Fisher grade 3 or 4 aSAH in high- and lower-income countries (HIC and LIC), respectively, was 79.8% (P < 0.01) and 84.1 (P < 0.01). Prevalence of male aSAH patients in HIC and LIC, respectively, was 35.8% (P < 0.01) and 45.0% (P < 0.01). Prevalence of treatment in aSAH patients was 99.5% (P < 0.01) and 99.4% (P = 0.16) in HIC and LIC, respectively. In HIC, 35% (P < 0.01) of aneurysms in aSAH patients were treated with coiling. No LIC reported coiling for aSAH treatment; LIC only reported rates of surgical clipping, with a total prevalence of 92.4% (P < 0.01) versus 65.6% (P < 0.01) in HIC.

CONCLUSION

In this analysis, we found similar rates of high-grade SAH hemorrhages in HIC and LIC but a lack of endovascular coil embolization treatments reported in LIC. Additional research and discussion are needed to identify reasons for treatment disparities and intervenable societal factors to improve aSAH outcomes worldwide.

Anatomic Risk Factors for S1 Segment Superior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm Rupture: A Radiologic Study on 81 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND

Due to treatment associated risks, it is still debatable which unruptured aneurysm should be treated. Anatomic and morphologic characteristics may aid to predict the rupture risk of superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysm and possibly support in decision- making during treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To identify morphologic characteristics that could predict the rupture of SCA aneurysms.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of computed tomography angiography images of 81 consecutive patients harboring SCA aneurysm who were treated between 1980 to 2014 at Helsinki University Hospital was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 81 analyzed SCA aneurysms, 30 (37%) were unruptured and remaining 51 (63%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The mean ± SD size of unruptured SCA aneurysms was 6.2 ± 6.3 mm; mean size of ruptured SCA aneurysms was 5.9 ± 5.4 mm. The mean ± SD aspect ratio was 0.9 ± 0.3 in unruptured and 1.14 ± 0.44 in ruptured SCA aneurysms. The mean ± SD degree angle between basilar artery and aneurysm was 74.7 ± 24.4 in unruptured and 65.9 ± 23 ruptured SCA aneurysms. Patients with ruptured SCA aneurysm showed significantly higher aspect ratio (Mann-Whitney U, P = 0.01) and smaller aneurysm to basilar artery angle (Mann-Whitney U, P = 0.039). Aspect ratio >1.1 had 2.3 times higher risk of rupture (odds ration [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-6.34). An aneurysm to basilar angle <70 degrees had 2.8 times higher risk of rupture (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.086-6.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Ruptured SCA aneurysms are usually small in size. Higher aspect ratio and smaller angle between SCA aneurysm and basilar artery had significantly higher risk of SCA (S1 segment) aneurysm rupture.

Ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms: epidemiology, patterns of care, and outcomes from the Swiss SOS national registry

BACKGROUND

The treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms remains challenging despite progresses in the endovascular and neurosurgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE

To provide epidemiological characterization of subjects presenting with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms in Switzerland and thereby assessing the treatment patterns and neurological outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of the Swiss SOS registry for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients were divided in 3 groups (upper, lower, and middle third) according to aneurysm location. Clinical, radiological, and treatment-related variables were identified and their impact on the neurological outcome was determined.

RESULTS

From 2009 to 2014, we included 264 patients with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms. Endovascular occlusion was the most common treatment in all 3 groups (72% in the upper third, 68% in the middle third, and 58.8% in the lower third). Surgical treatment was performed in 11.3%. Favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 3) was found in 56% at discharge and 65.7% at 1 year. No significant difference in the neurological outcome were found among the three groups, in terms of mRS at discharge (p = 0.20) and at 1 year (p = 0.18). High WFNS grade, high Fisher grade at presentation, and rebleeding before aneurysm occlusion (p = 0.001) were all correlated with the risk of unfavorable neurological outcome (or death) at discharge and at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, endovascular occlusion was the principal treatment, with a favorable outcome for two-thirds of patients at discharge and at long term. These results are similar to high volume neurovascular centers worldwide, reflecting the importance of centralized care at specialized neurovascular centers.

Risk Factors Affecting Clinical Outcome of Ruptured Vertebrobasilar Saccular Aneurysms

Objective

Ruptured vertebrobasilar (VB) saccular aneurysm is a difficult lesion to treat, and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors associated with the clinical outcome of ruptured VB aneurysms.

Methods

A retrospective review of 29 patients with ruptured VB saccular aneurysms between 2002 and 2010 was conducted between Jan 2002 and Dec 2010. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for determination of the statistical significance of the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at three months, according to age, initial Hunt-Hess grade, the presence of acute hydrocephalus, and treatment modality.

Results

The study included 24 (82.7%) females and five (17.3%) males, with a mean age of 59 years (range, 22-78 years). Seventeen patients were treated with surgical clipping and 12 patients were treated with endovascular coil embolization. No statistical significance was observed between clinical outcome and treatment modalities (clipping or coiling; p = 0.803). Seventeen (58.6%) patients achieved favorable outcome, defined as GOS score of 4-5, at 3 months. Procedure-related complications occurred in seven patients (24.1%). Results of multivariate analysis indicated that initial Hunt-Hess grade and the presence of acute hydrocephalus were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome, defined as GOS score of 1-3 (Odds ratio (OR) = 8.63, Confidence interval (CI) [95%] 1.11-66.84, p = 0.039 and OR = 36.64, CI [95%] 2.23-599.54, p = 0.012, respectively).

Conclusion

The present study suggests that the clinical outcomes are related to the initial Hunt-Hess grade and the presence of acute hydrocephalus in ruptured saccular VB aneurysms.

Use of the sole stenting technique for the management of aneurysms in the posterior circulation in a prospective series of 20 patients

Object

The use of intracranial stents in stent-assisted coil embolization is now a current neurosurgical practice worldwide. The clinical utility of these stents in the sole stenting (SS) technique, however, has not been thoroughly described, and the published reports of this experience are scarce. This study was designed to evaluate SS treatment of dissecting and nondissecting aneurysms of the posterior circulation.

Methods

This prospective and descriptive study was conducted in 20 consecutive patients who harbored single aneurysms of the posterior circulation and who were treated using the SS approach in the last 3 years. The clinical and radiological assessment and follow-up of the patients were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale as well as with computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography at discharge and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Eleven of the 20 patients had subarachnoid hemorrhages, 3 presented with ischemia, 1 presented with brainstem compression, and the remaining 5 patients had incidentally discovered, asymptomatic lesions. Only 1 patient had a complication (occipital infarction) attributable to the SS procedure. One patient died of rebleeding 2 weeks after the procedure. At 1 month, 40% of the patients had a subtotal or total occlusion, which increased to 55% at 3 months and 85% at 6 months, with a final subtotal or total occlusion rate of 80% at 1 year. The SS procedure in 1 case was considered a failure at 6 months because no change had been noted since the 1-month follow-up. One case showed partial occlusion and 1 case showed recanalization.

Conclusions

Use of SS for aneurysms in the posterior circulation complex is a safe and effective technique, demonstrating an occlusion rate of 80% at the 1-year follow up.