Comparison of surgical and endovascular treatments for fusiform intracranial aneurysms: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

Systematic review and comparative analysis of endovascular and microsurgical management of giant ruptured fusiform mca aneurysms with illustrative cases

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in neurosurgical techniques and technology, the management of ruptured giant fusiform MCA aneurysms remains challenging. In the literature, microsurgical intervention is the most commonly described approach. However, recent advancements in endovascular techniques have expanded therapeutic options and as a result there is no consensus on the optimal management of these aneurysms.

METHODS

A literature search was performed through the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases, for surgical and endovascular management of ruptured giant fusiform MCA aneurysms. Inclusion criteria included: fusiform morphology, hemorrhage, major diameter greater than 2.5 cm and located along the MCA.

RESULTS

Literature review yielded 21 studies published from 1981 to 2023 and a total of 32 patients ages 33.40 ± 18.28. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The average Hunt and Hess score upon presentation in the total population was 2.78 ± 1.48, and the average pre-operative mRS of the total population was 2.75 ± 1.83. The average major diameter was 3.80 ± 1.85 cm. Average follow-up was 8.9 ± 9.74 months. There was no statistical difference in age (p = 0.5609), pre-operative mRS (p = 0.2355), Hunt and Hess scale (p = 0.183), aneurysm major diameter (p = 0.594) or follow-up (0.8922) between the two modalities. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between microsurgical and endovascular intervention, nor was there a significant difference when stratified according to sex, major diameter, or location along the MCA. Two case examples are presented after management with cerebral revascularization.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis underscores the absence of statistical differences in clinical outcomes between microsurgical and endovascular strategies for ruptured giant fusiform MCA aneurysms, which highlights the need for complex surgical revascularization as represented on the illustrative cases where no endovascular option was available.

Neuropsychological outcomes in patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated by clipping versus coiling: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms are frequently associated with neuropsychological deficits. This review aims to compare neuropsychological outcomes between surgical and endovascular approaches to ACoA. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies comparing the endovascular and surgical approaches to ruptured ACoA aneurysms. Outcomes of interest were the cognitive function, covered by memory, attention, intelligence, executive, and language domains, as well as motor and visual functions. Nine studies, comprising 524 patients were included. Endovascularly-treated patients showed better memory than those treated surgically (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = -2; 95% CI: -3.40 to -0.61; p < 0.01). Surgically clipped patients had poorer motor ability than those with coiling embolization (p = 0.01). Executive function (SMD = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.47 to 0.88; p = 0.55), language (SMD = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.95 to 0.30; p = 0.30), visuospatial function (SMD = -1.12; 95% CI: -2.79 to 0.56; p = 0.19), attention (SMD = -0.94; 95% CI: -2.79to 0.91; p = 0.32), intelligence (SMD = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.73 to 0.22; p = 0.30), and self-reported cognitive status (SMD = -0.51; 95% CI: -1.38 to 0.35; p = 0.25) revealed parity between groups. Patients with ACoA treated endovascularly had superior memory and motor abilities. Other cognitive domains, including executive function, language, visuospatial function, attention, intelligence and self-reported cognitive status revealed no statistically significant differences between the two approaches. Trial Registration PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) CRD42023461283; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=461283.

Fusiform versus Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms-Hemodynamic Evaluation of the Pre-Aneurysmal, Pathological, and Post-Interventional State

Minimally-invasive therapies are well-established treatment methods for saccular intracranial aneurysms (SIAs). Knowledge concerning fusiform IAs (FIAs) is low, due to their wide and alternating lumen and their infrequent occurrence. However, FIAs carry risks like ischemia and thus require further in-depth investigation. Six patient-specific IAs, comprising three position-identical FIAs and SIAs, with the FIAs showing a non-typical FIA shape, were compared, respectively. For each model, a healthy counterpart and a treated version with a flow diverting stent were created. Eighteen time-dependent simulations were performed to analyze morphological and hemodynamic parameters focusing on the treatment effect (TE). The stent expansion is higher for FIAs than SIAs. For FIAs, the reduction in vorticity is higher (Δ35-75% case 2/3) and the reduction in the oscillatory velocity index is lower (Δ15-68% case 2/3). Velocity is reduced equally for FIAs and SIAs with a TE of 37-60% in FIAs and of 41-72% in SIAs. Time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) is less reduced within FIAs than SIAs (Δ30-105%). Within this study, the positive TE of FDS deployed in FIAs is shown and a similarity in parameters found due to the non-typical FIA shape. Despite the higher stent expansion, velocity and vorticity are equally reduced compared to identically located SIAs.

The risk factors of postoperative infarction after surgical clipping of unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms: anatomical consideration and infarction territory

PURPOSE

An anterior communicating artery is a common location for both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms, and microsurgery is sometimes necessary for their successful treatment. However, postoperative infarction should be considered during clipping due to the complex surrounding structures of anterior communicating artery aneurysms. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of postoperative infarction after surgical clipping of unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms and its clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The data of patients who underwent microsurgical clipping of an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' demographic data, anatomical features of the anterior communicating artery complex and aneurysm, surgical technique, characteristics of postoperative infarction, and its clinical course were evaluated.

RESULTS

Notably, among 848 patients, 66 (7.8%) and 34 (4%) patients had radiologic and symptomatic infarctions, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that hypertension (odds ratio (OR), 1.99; [Formula: see text]), previous stroke (OR, 3.89; [Formula: see text]), posterior projection (OR, 5.58; [Formula: see text]), aneurysm size (OR, 1.17; optimal cut-off value, 6.14 mm; [Formula: see text]), and skull base-to-aneurysm distance (OR, 1.15; optimal cut-off value, 11.09 mm; [Formula: see text]) were associated with postoperative infarction. In the pterional approach, a closed A2 plane was an additional risk factor (OR, 1.88; [Formula: see text]). Infarction of the subcallosal and hypothalamic branches was significantly associated with symptomatic infarction ([Formula: see text]).

CONCLUSION

Hypertension, previous stroke, posteriorly projecting aneurysms, aneurysm size, and highly positioned aneurysms are independent risk factors for postoperative infarction during surgical clipping of an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Additionally, a closed A2 plane is an additional risk factor of postoperative infarction in patients undergoing clipping via the pterional approach.

Dolichoectasia: a brain arterial disease with an elusive treatment

INTRODUCTION

Dolichoectasia is a form of brain large artery disease associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. Progressive enlargement of arterial size is a predictor of mortality, but there are no specific treatments for arresting or slowing down dilatation. Additionally, dilated brain arteries can cause flow stagnation, which can trigger thrombosis and cause stroke. Pathology and genetic studies indicate a possible role for increased matrix metalloproteinase activation in arterial dilatation and thus in the pathophysiology of dolichoectasia. Therefore, therapeutic interventions aimed at slowing down arterial dilatation and preventing thrombosis could hypothetically play a role in treating patients with dolichoectasia.

METHODS

We present four patients with dolichoectasia that exemplify therapeutic challenges worth discussing in the context of the current literature. Two patients were treated off-label with doxycycline (based on its antiMMP properties) and with apixaban, one patient was put on warfarin and later switched to aspirin, and the fourth patient underwent endovascular treatment.

RESULTS

We report four cases, all men 50 years or older. Of the two patients treated with doxycycline, we noted a slowdown of the basilar artery (BA) growth, but the BA continued to grow in the other patient. Of the two patients who received apixaban, none had a subsequent stroke in 5 and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. One patient was admitted with a fatal BA thrombosis and rupture, and pathological examination of the brain arteries demonstrated advanced arterial wall degeneration but no atherosclerosis.

DISCUSSION

These cases exemplify the challenges of treating people with dolichoectasia and highlight the need for better evidence regarding the best possible treatment for this population.

Giant Aneurysm Management

The treatment of giant aneurysms has always been a challenge in the field of neurovascular disease. Giant aneurysms are larger in size and are associated with thrombosis development and the calcification of the aneurysmal wall and neck, which often interfere with direct clipping. Most giant aneurysms have a wide neck with an incomplete thrombus, making complete embolization almost impossible. Giant aneurysms of different sites have entirely different hemodynamic characteristics. Moreover, aneurysms at the same site may exhibit very different hemodynamics among different individuals. Therefore, careful assessment of each case is required before and during treatment to develop and carry out an individualized treatment plan.

Intracranial Fusiform and Circumferential Aneurysms of the Main Trunk: Therapeutic Dilemmas and Prospects

Intracranial fusiform and circumferential aneurysms (IFCAs), especially those located on the main trunk, are uncommon and difficult to manage. Currently, literature focused on IFCAs on the main trunk of cerebral arteries is lacking. The treatment of IFCAs is still under debate. Therefore, in this review, we further explore the treatment of this complicated entity. In addition, we also present some interesting cases. Based on the literature review and our experience, we found that IFCAs are often located in the vertebrobasilar system and that ruptured or large symptomatic IFCAs are associated with increased mortality and higher rebleeding rates. The treatment strategies for IFCAs can be classified as deconstructive and reconstructive methods via open surgery and/or endovascular treatment (EVT). Currently, EVT is a popular method and the main therapeutic choice. In particular, flow diversion has revolutionized the treatment of IFCAs. Parent artery occlusion (PAO) with or without revascularization may still be considered a suitable choice. Complex IFCAs that cannot be resolved by EVT can also be treated via open surgery with or without extracranial–intracranial bypass. Targeted embolization for the weak points of IFCAs is a temporary or palliative choice that is rarely used. In summary, despite complications, both surgical treatment and EVT are effective options for appropriately selected cases. Due to the development of endovascular implants, EVT will have better prospects in the future.

To clip or to coil for unruptured intracranial aneurysm?: A protocol of randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling are the main methods against unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). The craniotomy of surgical clipping may increase the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection, damage the brain tissue, produce excessive stimulation to the nerves and blood vessels around the aneurysm, and cause the corresponding neurological deficit. Endovascular coiling could significantly reduce the mortality and disability rate than surgical clipping technique, which made endovascular coiling to become the first choice for the treatment of UIA. However, the long-term results showed attenuated favorable outcomes of coiling over clipping, so it is still in debate whether to clip or to coil. Therefore, we try to conduct a randomized, controlled, prospective trial to assess the long term safety of endovascular coiling therapy against UIA compared with microsurgical clipping technique.

METHODS

Parallel-group randomization (1:1) is generated through the random number generator in Microsoft Excel 2010. In this trial, blinding to patients, physicians, and outcome assessors is not possible. Endovascular coiling or surgical clipping will be performed once for each patient in treatment group or control group, respectively. The mRS, overall mortality rate, disability rate, morbidity rate, and occurrence of a major aneurysm recurrence measured at 6 month and 1 year will be recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings will be helpful for the choice of endovascular coiling or surgical clipping by assessing the long term efficacy and safety of both operations against UIA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

OSF Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QYE9F.