Cerebral vasospasm in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms

A Case of Severe Delayed Vasospasm after Clipping Surgery for an Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

Delayed ischemic stroke associated with intractable vasospasm after clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) has been rarely reported. We report a patient with delayed ischemic stroke associated with intractable vasospasm following UIA clipping. A middle-aged female underwent surgery for unruptured middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms. The patient tolerated the neurosurgical procedure well. Seven days postoperatively, the headache was unbearable; a postcraniotomy headache persisted and abruptly presented with global aphasia and right-sided hemiplegia after a nap. Emergency digital subtraction angiography showed severe luminal narrowing with segmental vasoconstriction, consistent with severe vasospasm. The patient's neurological deficit improved after chemical angioplasty. Neurosurgeons should pay close attention to this treatable/preventive entity after neurological deterioration following UIA clipping, even in patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Incidence and Outcome of Peri-interventional Vasospasm During Endovascular or Microsurgical Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Peri-interventional vasospasm (PIVS) is associated with high risk of delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS), delayed cerebral ischemia, and poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, the incidence rate associated with treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To define the incidence and clinical significance of PIVS in UIA repair based on intraoperative/peri-interventional digital subtraction angiography.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 205 patients who underwent UIA treatment by means of microsurgical clipping (n = 109) or endovascular coil embolization (n = 96) was assessed for the occurrence of PIVS. In all cases, PIVS was detected, measured, and classified using intraoperative/peri-interventional digital subtraction angiography. Severity of PIVS, association of PIVS with the development of DCVS, and neurological outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

Intraoperative PIVS was present in n = 14/109 (13%) patients with microsurgical clipping. Of these, caliber irregularities were mild (n = 10), moderate (n = 3), and severe (n = 1). In endovascularly treated patients, 6/96 (6%) developed PIVS, which were either mild (n = 3) or moderate (n = 3). Management in all cases included immediate intensive blood pressure management and application of topical papaverine or intra-arterial nimodipine immediately on detection of PIVS. No patient developed DCVS or lasting neurological deficits attributable to PIVS.

CONCLUSION

This series revealed a relatively high overall incidence of PIVS (10%). However, no association of PIVS with the development of DCVS or poor outcome was found. In contrast to ruptured intracranial aneurysms, PIVS in unruptured intracranial aneurysms-if immediately and adequately addressed-seems to be benign and without sequelae for patient's functional outcome.

Cerebral vasospasm after coil embolization for unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Compared with several reports of cerebral vasospasm after clipping for unruptured cerebral aneurysm, only one study to date has reported cerebral vasospasm after coil embolization. Herein, the authors report a rare case of cerebral vasospasm after coil embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysm.

OBSERVATIONS

A 58-year-old woman with an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was referred to our department. Stent-assisted coil embolization was performed for the aneurysm, and no obvious adverse events were observed on cerebral angiography obtained immediately after the operation. However, the patient developed mild headache and slight restlessness soon after the operation and new-onset disorientation, left hemispatial neglect, and left hemiplegia the day after the operation. Emergency brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography indicated vasospasm in the right middle cerebral artery, and intra-arterial injection of fasudil hydrochloride hydrate was performed to dilate the middle cerebral artery. Blood flow in the middle cerebral artery immediately improved, and she was discharged without neurological deficits 8 days after the operation.

LESSONS

Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent cerebral infarction in patients with cerebral vasospasm, which may occur even after coil embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysm.

Cerebral Vasospasm with Delayed Ischemic Neurologic Deficit after Unruptured Aneurysm Surgery : Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) after unruptured aneurysm surgery are extremely rare. Its onset timing is variable, and its mechanisms are unclear. We report two cases of CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery and review the literature regarding potential mechanisms. The first case is a 51-year-old woman with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm after unruptured left anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery. She presented with delayed vasospasm on postoperative day 14. The second case is a 45-year-old woman who suffered from oculomotor nerve palsy caused by an unruptured posterior communicatig artery (PCoA) aneurysm. DIND with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm developed on postoperative day 12. To our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic CVS with oculomotor nerve palsy following unruptured PCoA aneurysm surgery. CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery is very rare and can be triggered by multiple mechanisms, such as hemorrhage, mechanical stress to the arterial wall, or the trigemino-cerebrovascular system. For unruptured aneurysm surgery, although it is rare, careful observation and treatments can be needed for postoperative CVS with DIND.

Unruptured aneurysmal clipping complicated by delayed and refractory vasospasm: case report

Background

Delayed symptomatic vasospasm is a rare complication following clipping of an unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm. There have been ten reported cases of delayed symptomatic vasospasm and only two of these occurred after 2 weeks from initial intervention. Our case is the first to document the refractory nature of such vasospasm despite aggressive first line therapy.

Case presentation

Here, we present a 67-year-old female who had surgical clipping of a 10x7mm right middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm. Her surgery and initial postoperative course were uncomplicated, but she presented with acute left hemiparesis, dysarthria, headache and vomiting on post-op day 29 secondary to vasospasm of M2. She was initially stabilized with intra-arterial verapamil then managed with volume expansion, permissive hypertension, and nimodipine. She developed recurrent vasospasm of M2 the following day and was again treated with intra-arterial verapamil. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed an infarction involving the right basal ganglia, frontal lobe, and parietal lobe and her hospital course was complicated by super-refractory status epilepticus. At her follow up appointment she displayed continued left lower extremity weakness, left visual field defect, and left-sided neglect.

Conclusions

Overall, cerebral vasospasms associated with unruptured aneurysms remain rare complications and are not often monitored for after initial recovery. Reviewing the documented cases highlights the unpredictability of when these events occur with our current knowledge. Current hypotheses for the mechanisms responsible for delayed and refractory vasospasms include: blood-derived breakdown products, mechanically induced vasospastic responses, and delayed reactions from the trigemino-cerebrovascular system (TCVS). The uncertainly of these events warrants further research and supports a strong argument for monitoring patients with initial surgical clipping up to a month out from their initial procedure.

Delayed Ischemic Neurological Deficit after Uneventful Elective Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Cerebral vasospasm and subsequent delayed ischemic neurological deficit is a typical sequela of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage after aneurysm rupture. The occurrence of vasospasms after uncomplicated surgery of an unruptured aneurysm without history of suspected rupture is extremely rare. The pathogenesis and severity of cerebral vasospasms is typically correlated with the amount of blood breakdown products extravasated during subarachnoid hemorrhage. In rare cases, where vasospasms occur after unruptured aneurysm surgery, the pathogenesis is most likely multifactorial and unclear. We present two cases of vasospasms following uncomplicated clipping of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms and a review of literature. Early diagnosis and therapy of this rare complication are necessary to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Recurrent Cerebral Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Weeks Subsequent to Elective Clipping of an Unruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischemic neurologic deficits are well-known clinical aftereffects of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. However, vasospasm with consequential ischemia after clipping of an unruptured aneurysm is an exceedingly rare sequela encountered in the reported neurosurgical literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 53-year-old woman had presented for elective craniotomy with microsurgical clipping of an unruptured left middle cerebral artery bifurcation saccular aneurysm, which was successfully treated without complications. Despite an initially benign clinical course, she experienced diffuse vasospasm with profound ischemic neurologic deficits on postoperative day 13 with a left middle cerebral artery distribution ischemic infarct. Moreover, she developed recurrent delayed spasm of the right posterior cerebral artery on postoperative day 26 and, consequentially, a left homonymous hemianopsia despite treatment with intra-arterial verapamil infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, we have reported the first case of recurrent cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischemia neurologic deficits weeks subsequent to clipping of an unruptured aneurysm. The findings from the present case highlight the importance of considering delayed vasospasm as a cause of acute onset neurologic symptoms for patients who have recently undergone elective aneurysm surgery. We also reviewed the current data regarding the epidemiology, surgical factors, and proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms related to vasospasm after elective cases.

Contralateral Vasospasm in an Uncomplicated Elective Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Clipping

BACKGROUND

Cerebral vasospasm following clipping of an unruptured aneurysm is a rare phenomenon. When it does occur, cerebral vasospasm usually occurs on the side ipsilateral to the surgical intervention.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 68-year-old man underwent right-sided pterional craniotomy for clipping of an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm and experienced contralateral vasospasm 5 days later.

CONCLUSIONS

We further discuss the pathophysiology underlying vasospasm after uncomplicated craniotomy and nonhemorrhagic aneurysm clipping.

Vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after uneventful clipping of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm - a case report

Background

Due to improvements in both the quality and availability of intracranial imaging as well as the evolution of surgical and endovascular techniques during the last decade, the number of treatments of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) has increased steadily. However, it is not generally known that vasospasm can arise after an uneventful clipping.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 69-year-old woman who suffered from vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia that occurred after an uneventful clipping of a UIA.

The aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery was found incidentally via magnetic resonance imaging ordered after the patient complained of a short period of slight gait disturbances. To avoid a subarachnoid hemorrhage and consecutive complications like vasospasms, the patient elected microsurgical treatment. Clipping was managed by keyhole approach. Temporal clipping of the M1 was not necessary. After clip placement, appropriate flow in all distal segments was confirmed by indocyanine green video-angiography and micro-Doppler. The patient was discharged seven days after surgery without neurological deficits.

After 12 days, the patient developed at home a sudden drooping on the left side of the face. Upon admission to the emergency room, the patient was alert but slightly confused. Neurological examination revealed a left-sided hemiparesis and motor speech disorder. In contrast to the preoperative transfemoral catheter angiography, the subsequent right internal carotid angiogram showed clear signs of vasospasm along the M1 and M2 segments of the right middle cerebral artery.

Antithrombotic treatment with acetylsalicylic acid was begun. In accordance with guidelines for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage and vasospasm, nimodipine was added. After 11 days the patient was discharged with no symptoms.

Conclusion

Cerebral vasospasm as a cause of ischemic stroke after uneventful surgery for a UIA seems to be a rare but possibly underestimated etiology that demands particular attention with respect to providing appropriate treatment. In future, it may be prudent to perform follow-up transcranial ultrasonography testing after the clipping of a UIA, especially considering the availability of potentially neuroprotective medications like nimodipine.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on cerebral vasospasm and biomarkers of cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ERVAS): A protocol for a randomized, controlled pilot trial

INTRODUCTION:

Cerebral vasospasm is a dreaded complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) predisposing to delayed cerebral ischemia. We intend to study the cerebroprotective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in patients with aSAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a single-center, prospective, parallel group, randomized, pilot trial, approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Patients with aSAH admitted to our hospital for surgical clipping; fulfilling the trial inclusion criteria will be randomized to true RIPC (n = 12) (inflating upper extremity blood pressure cuff thrice for 5 min to 30 mmHg above systolic blood pressure) or sham RIPC (n = 12) (inflating blood pressure cuff thrice for 5 min to 30 mmHg) in 1:1 allocation ratio using a computerized random allocation sequence and block randomization.

RESULTS:

Our primary outcome measure is vasospasm on cerebral angiography and transcranial Doppler study, and concentration of serum S100B and neuron-specific enolase at 24 h after RIPC and on day 7 of ictus. Our secondary outcomes are safety of RIPC, cerebral oxygen saturation, and Glasgow coma score, and extended Glasgow outcome scale scores at discharge and at 1, 3, and 6 months following discharge. Outcome measures will be assessed by an observer blinded to the study intervention.

CONCLUSION:

If our preliminary results demonstrate a beneficial effect of RIPC, this would serve as a clinically applicable and safe preemptive method of protection against cerebral ischemia.

Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture During Microsurgical Clipping: Risk Re-evaluation in the Post-International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial Era

OBJECTIVES

Intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IOAR) is a common complication during intracranial aneurysm (IA) surgery. In light of the paradigm shift regarding IA selected for clipping in the post-International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) era, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors and effects of IOAR in an institutional series of clipped ruptured IA (RIA) and unruptured IA (UIA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All IAs treated with microsurgical clipping at our institution between 2003 and 2016 were eligible for this study. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors were correlated with occurrence of IOAR in univariate and multivariate analyses. The effect on outcome was analyzed for RIA and UIA separately.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and three clipped IAs were included in the final analysis (538 UIA and 365 RIA). IOAR occurred in 163 cases (18.1%), mostly during clipping of RIA (37.5% vs. 4.8%) In multivariate analysis, ruptured status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.46; P < 0.001), sack size (aOR, 1.05 per mm increase; P = 0.038) and IA location in the anterior communicating artery (aOR, 2.31; P < 0.001) independently predicted IOAR. For RIA cases, IOAR was also independently predicted by rebleeding before therapy (aOR, 3.11; P = 0.033) and clinical severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (aOR, 1.18 per WFNS grade increase; P = 0.049). IOAR independently predicted poor outcome (aOR, 1.83; P = 0.042) after RIA surgery. In turn, IOAR affected only the risk for cerebral infarct (OR, 3.75; P = 0.003) and incomplete IA occlusion (OR, 3.45; P = 0.003) for UIA cases, but not the outcome (P = 0.263).

CONCLUSIONS

IOAR was independently predicted by the ruptured status, location, and size of IA and by initial severity of aneurysmal bleeding and pretreatment rebleeding. The influence of IOAR differed between RIA and UIA cases.

Evaluation of Enterprise Stent-Assisted Coiling and Telescoping Stent Technique as Treatment of Supraclinoid Blister Aneurysms of the Internal Carotid Artery

BACKGROUND

Supraclinoid blister aneurysms (BAs) of the internal carotid artery are uncommon and deadly, and appropriate treatment is controversial. Endovascular reconstruction may allow treatment through aneurysm isolation. We report a single-institution experience in the use of Enterprise stent-assisted coiling (ESAC) for treating BAs to appraise the safety and efficacy of this technique.

METHODS

Patients treated with ESAC for a BA at our institution between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively included in this study. Patients' aneurysm characteristics, progression status, aneurysm occlusion on follow-up angiography, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were recorded and analyzed. Occlusion rates and neurologic outcomes were compared between patients treated with a single stent and those treated with multiple telescoping stents.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were included (17 males; average age, 47.3 years), and ESAC was successfully performed in all patients. Immediate postprocedure angiography revealed complete occlusion in 23 patients (52.3%), residual neck in 15 (34.1%), and residual aneurysm in 6 (13.6%). Twenty patients (45.5%) suffered perioperative cerebral vasospasm, and 3 (6.8%) died of secondary ischemic stroke. The duration of follow-up ranged from 2.5 to 27 months (mean, 11.59 ± 5.76 months). One patient with recurrence was treated with additional coiling, and another patient was treated with a covered stent. The use of telescoping stents was associated with a better complete aneurysm occlusion rate compared with the use of single stents (84.4% [27 of 34] vs. 44.4% [4 of 9]; P = 0.04). Follow-up mRS score was ≤1 for 32 of 41 patients (78.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

ESAC to treat BAs is safe, effective, and provides good clinical outcomes. ESAC with telescoping stents has a higher follow-up complete occlusion rate compared with ESAC with single stents.

Cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischaemic deficit following elective aneurysm clipping

Although common after subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed ischaemic neurological deficit (DIND) rarely occur following elective clipping of unruptured aneurysms. The onset of this complication is variable and its pathophysiology is poorly understood. We report two patients with CVS associated with DIND following unruptured aneurysmal clipping. The literature is reviewed and the potential mechanisms in the context of patient presentations are discussed. A woman aged 53 and a man aged 70 were treated with elective clipping of unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms, the older patient also having an anterior communicating artery aneurysm clipped. The operations were uncomplicated with no intra-operative bleeding, no retraction, no contusion, no middle cerebral artery (MCA) temporary clipping, and no intra-operative rupture. Routine post-operative CT scan and CT angiogram showed that in both patients the aneurysms were excluded from the circulation and there was no perioperative subarachnoid blood. Both patients had no neurological deficit post-operatively, but on day 2 developed DIND and vasospasm of the MCA. Both patients had angiographic improvement with intra-arterial verapamil treatment. In one patient, this was done promptly and the patient made a complete recovery, but in the other, the diagnosis was delayed for more than 24hours and the patient had residual hemiparesis and dysphasia due to MCA territory infarction. CVS and DIND following treatment of unruptured aneurysms is a very rare event. However, clinicians should be vigilant as prompt diagnosis and management is required to minimise the risk of cerebral infarction and poor outcome.

A Case of Unexpected Symptomatic Vasospasm after Clipping Surgery for an Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

Delayed symptomatic vasospasm after clipping surgery for unruptured aneurysm is rarely reported. We report a case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with symptomatic vasospasm 11 days after clipping surgery for an unruptured aneurysm. We could not predict the existence of vasospasm until ischemic symptoms developed. We retrospectively found mild vasospasm in the computed tomography angiogram taken 8 days after the operation. The patient complained of a prolonged unexpected headache 1 week after the operation. We should recognize prolonged unexpected headache as a warning sign of vasospasm.

The role of unenhanced CT alone for the management of headache in an emergency department. A feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether unenhanced CT alone could be sufficient for the screening of patients admitted with a suspicion of secondary headache in an emergency center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A feasibility study including consecutive patients admitted to our emergency department for acute non-traumatic headache, in whom a brain CT was required by the emergency physician, was conducted over a 3-month period of time. Patients with a suspicion of intracranial pathology, which can only be depicted by i.v. images (arterial dissection, venous thrombosis, or postoperative complication) were recorded but excluded from analysis. All patients underwent both unenhanced and i.v. enhanced cerebral CT, including CT angiography. Unenhanced CTs were reviewed by two radiologists, blinded to the clinical data, to the radiological reports and to the i.v. enhanced images. Unenhanced CT were sorted by the radiologists into three groups: (1) normal CT, (2) benign finding that could explain headache without need of injection of contrast media, (3) evidence of an intracranial pathology, requiring further imaging. Results were compared to i.v. enhanced CT images.

RESULTS

A brain CT was required in 105 patients (34 males, 71 females) during the study period, 74 (70%) of them met our inclusion criteria. Fifty-nine (80%) were sorted in group 1 (normal), four (5%) in group 2, 11 (15%) in group 3. No further finding that could explain acute headache was found on i.v. CT images in patients of group 1 or 2. A significant pathology was confirmed by i.v. CT in all patients of group 3.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study suggests that a normal unenhanced CT might be sufficient to exclude the cause of headache in the initial screening of a selected group of patients admitted with cephalalgia. It compels researchers to perform further prospective studies to confirm the current data on a larger amount of patients.

New concepts regarding cerebral vasospasm: glial-centric mechanisms

PURPOSE

Poor outcome in patients with cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage remains a serious clinical problem. The current management with focus on the cerebrovascular constriction accounts for the use of "triple-H" therapy (hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution) to enhance cerebral blood flow through constricted vessels. Recent work suggests that spreading depression (a stereotypical response of cerebral cortical tissue to noxious stimuli with subsequent oligemic blood flow) occurs in patients with cerebral vasospasm. A narrative review was conducted to examine the relationship between spreading depression and subarachnoid hemorrhage and to identify the anesthetic effects on the propagation of spreading depression.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Following review of the literature, an underlying mechanism is advanced that cerebral vasospasm is not primarily a problem of the cerebral vasculature but a consequence of glial cell dysfunction following spreading depression - a glial-centric cause for vasospasm. Such a mechanism for vasospasm becomes manifest when spreading depression waves transition to peri-infarct depolarization waves - with protracted ischemic blood flow in compromised tissue. The extracellular microenvironment with high potassium and low nitric oxide tension can account for conducting vessel narrowing.

CONCLUSIONS

The implication for clinical management is discussed supposing glial cell dysfunction is an underlying mechanism responsible for the vascular spasm.

Thunderclap headache without subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with regrowth of previously coil-occluded aneurysms

Thunderclap headache is a sudden, high-intensity headache often associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured intracerebral aneurysm. A variety of less common causes have now been described. This report presents the cases of 2 patients who experienced thunderclap headache after regrowth of an aneurysm, without hemorrhage of previously coiled aneurysms. Thunderclap headache after endovascular occlusion of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm may be a symptom of aneurysm regrowth and may warrant angiographic investigation.