Midterm clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up of large and giant carotid artery aneurysms after therapeutic carotid artery occlusion

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Current Evidence and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with an unacceptably high mortality and chronic disability in survivors, underscoring a need to validate new approaches for treatment and prognosis. The use of advanced imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in particular, could help address this gap given its versatile capacity to quantitatively evaluate and map changes in brain anatomy, physiology and functional activation. Yet there is uncertainty about the real value of brain MRI in the clinical setting of aSAH.

METHODS

In this review, we discuss current and emerging MRI research in aSAH. PubMed was searched from inception to June 2017, and additional studies were then chosen on the basis of relevance to the topics covered in this review.

RESULTS

Available studies suggest that brain MRI is a feasible, safe, and valuable testing modality. MRI detects brain abnormalities associated with neurologic examination, outcomes, and aneurysm treatment and thus has the potential to increase knowledge of aSAH pathophysiology as well as to guide management and outcome prediction. Newer pulse sequences have the potential to reveal structural and physiological changes that could also improve management of aSAH.

CONCLUSION

Research is needed to confirm the value of MRI-based biomarkers in clinical practice and as endpoints in clinical trials, with the goal of improving outcome for patients with aSAH.

Therapeutic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion for Large and Giant Aneurysms: A Single Center Cohort of 146 Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

At our institution, patients with large or giant ICA aneurysms are preferably treated with endovascular ICA balloon occlusion. Alternative treatment or conservative treatment is offered only for patients who cannot tolerate permanent ICA occlusion. In this observational study, we report the clinical and imaging results of ICA occlusion for aneurysms in a large single-center patient cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1995 and January 2015, occlusion of the ICA was considered in 146 patients with large or giant ICA aneurysms. Ninety-six patients (66%) passed the angiographic test occlusion, and, in 88 of these 96 patients (92%), the ICA was permanently occluded. In 11 of 88 patients with angiographic tolerance, ICA occlusion was performed with the patient under general anesthesia without clinical testing.

RESULTS

There was 1 hypoperfusion infarction after hypovolemic shock from a large retroperitoneal hematoma (complication rate 1.1% [95% CI, 1%-6.8%]). The mean imaging and clinical follow-up was 35 months (median 18 months; range, 3-180 months). On the latest MR imaging, 87 of 88 aneurysms (99%) were completely occluded and 61 of 80 aneurysms (76%) were decreased in size or completely obliterated. Of 62 patients who presented with cranial nerve dysfunction by mass effect of the aneurysm, 30 (48%) were cured, 25 (40%) improved, 6 (10%) were unchanged, and 1 patient (2%) was hemiplegic after a complication.

CONCLUSIONS

ICA occlusion for large and giant aneurysms after angiographic test occlusion was safe and effective. Two-thirds of eligible patients passed the angiographic test. Most aneurysms shrunk, and most cranial nerve dysfunctions were cured or improved.

Endovascular internal carotid artery trapping for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms: long-term results from a single centre

INTRODUCTION

Endovascular internal carotid artery (ICA) trapping was performed to treat ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural risks and long-term follow-up results.

METHODS

The records of 11 consecutive patients with BBAs who underwent endovascular ICA trapping between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.

RESULTS

Endovascular ICA trapping was performed in 11 patients as either the primary treatment (7 patients) or the secondary treatment (4 patients) after the patient underwent other treatments. Three patients underwent superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass when balloon test occlusion (BTO) revealed inadequate collateral circulation. In the primary ICA trapping group (seven patients), six patients had good outcomes (mRS 0 in five, mRS 1 in one), and one patient had a poor outcome (mRS 6: dead). In the secondary ICA trapping group (four patients), two patients had good outcomes (mRS 0), and two patients had poor outcomes (mRS 4, 5). All ten of the surviving patients were clinically stable during the follow-up period (mean 39 months). A radiological follow-up of nine patients (mean 22 months) demonstrated stable occlusion, with the exception of one reopening of the ICA because of coil migration. Perfusion studies of nine patients (mean: 23 months) demonstrated no perfusion decrease.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular ICA trapping is an effective and durable treatment for BBAs.

Intracranial aneurysms in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion: management and outcome in 22 cases

BACKGROUND

There is little information about clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of patients with intracranial aneurysms and internal carotid artery occlusion. We will describe clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with coexistent internal carotid artery occlusion and intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 22 patients (eight males and 14 females) with coexistent internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and intracranial aneurysms.

RESULTS

This series includes 14 females and eight males with a mean age of 63 years (range, 49 to 80). These patients harbored a total of 35 aneurysms, which were located on the same side of the ICA occlusion in five cases, on the contralateral side in 20 cases, while in ten cases the aneurysm had a midline location (AcomA 9, Basilar tip 1). Treatment consisted of surgery for eight aneurysms and endovascular embolization for 13 aneurysms. No invasive treatment was recommended for 14 aneurysms (eight patients with single aneurysm). No permanent perioperative or periprocedural complications occurred in the selected group of patients undergoing invasive treatment. At a mean follow-up of 57 months (range, 3-203), no patient had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and three patients had died of causes not related to the aneurysm.

CONCLUSION

Surgical and endovascular treatment can be accomplished safely in selected patients with coexistent ICA occlusion and intracranial aneurysms. Conservative treatment is a valid alternative, especially in elderly patients or in patients with very small aneurysms, especially if not located along the collateral pathway.

Resolution of mass effect and compression symptoms following endoluminal flow diversion for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Alleviation of aneurysm induced mass effect has been difficult with both conventional endovascular and surgical techniques. Our aim was to study the efficacy of endovascular flow modification on aneurysm-induced mass effect and compression syndrome, as demonstrated by cross-sectional imaging studies and clinical follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty aneurysms larger than 10 mm were treated by flow diversion alone and previously had undergone pre- and posttreatment cross-sectional imaging. Pretreatment MR imaging or contrast CT, follow-up angiography at 6 months, and follow-up MR imaging studies between 6 and 18 months were retrospectively analyzed. The neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic statuses of all patients were recorded before treatment and at the time of follow-up cross-sectional imaging.

RESULTS

At 6 months, 28 aneurysms were completely occluded, 1 had a neck remnant, and 1 had residual filling on angiography. Between 6 and 18 months, 3 aneurysms decreased in size and 27 completely collapsed as demonstrated on MR imaging. Before treatment, 6 patients had vision loss, 10 had double vision due to a third or sixth nerve palsy or both, and 1 had hemiparesis due to brain stem compression. On MR imaging follow-up, vision loss had either improved or resolved in all except 1 patient, double vision had resolved completely (7/10) or partially (3/10), and the patient with brain stem compression became asymptomatic. There was no bleeding observed in this series. One parent artery thrombosis resulted in a major infarct.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular flow diversion is a highly effective technique for resolving radiologic mass effect and clinical compression syndromes.

Giant extracranial aneurysm of the internal carotid artery in neurofibromatosis type 1. A case report and review of the literature

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by cutaneous pigmentations, neurofibromas, Lisch nodules and neuroectodermal tumors. Supra-aortic vessel aneurysms may affect patients with NF-1 and can be associated with rupture, ischemic complications and compression symptoms. We describe a 48-year-old woman with NF-1 and an extracranial 3×5 cm right internal carotid artery aneurysm. After balloon test occlusion the patient was treated with parent artery sacrifice which led to significant shrinkage on follow-up MR and reduction of compression symptoms. The literature concerning internal carotid artery aneurysms associated with NF-1 is reviewed evaluating the possible therapeutic options.

Endovascular treatment of cavernous sinus aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Aneurysms of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery generally exhibit a benign clinical course, with mass effect on cranial nerves. Rupture generally leads to carotid cavernous fistula and, rarely, to subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this study we report results of treatment in 85 patients with 86 cavernous sinus aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a 15-year period, 85 patients with 86 cavernous sinus aneurysms were treated. There were 77 women (91%) and 8 men, with a mean age of 55.5 years (range 26-78 years). Presentation was cranial neuropathy in 56, carotid cavernous fistula in 8, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 1 patient. Twenty-one aneurysms were asymptomatic. Treatment was selective coiling in 31 aneurysms and carotid artery occlusion in 55 aneurysms, 5 after bypass surgery.

RESULTS

All 8 cavernous sinus fistulas were closed with coils. There were no complications of coiling and 1 patient had a permanent neurologic complication after carotid artery occlusion (morbidity 1.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 6.9%). Clinical and MR imaging follow-up ranged from 3 months to 12 years. In 52 of 56 (93%) patients presenting with symptoms of mass effect, symptoms either were cured (n = 23) or improved (n = 29). All aneurysms were thrombosed after carotid artery occlusion and at latest MR imaging, 34 of 50 aneurysms (68%) were substantially decreased in size or completely obliterated.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, for patients with cavernous sinus aneurysms, a treatment strategy including selective coiling and carotid artery occlusion was safe and effective. Most symptomatic patients (93%) were improved or cured, and most aneurysms (68%) shrank on follow-up.

Intentional sparing of daughter sac from coil packing in the embolization of aneurysms causing the third cranial nerve palsy : initial clinical and radiological results

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral aneurysms which cause oculomotor nerve [cranial nerve (CN) III] palsy, are frequently found with a daughter sac of the aneurysm dome. We assumed that CN III might be compressed by the daughter sac and it would be more helpful not to fill the daughter sac with coils than vice versa during endosaccular embolization for recovering from CN III palsy, because it may give a greater chance for the daughter sac to shrink by itself later. We reviewed the initial results of our experiences of such cases.

METHODS

Among 9 aneurysms accompanied by CN III palsy, 7 (6 unruptured, 1 ruptured) showed a daughter sac. We tried to fill the main dome completely and spare the daughter sac from coil filling to increase the possibility of decompression. We evaluated the short-term effectiveness of this concept using medical records and angiograms.

RESULTS

After initial embolization, all of CN III palsy caused by unruptured aneurysms (6/6) resolved completely after various periods (3-90 days) of time. No adverse effects were noted during and after the procedures except for one case of harmless coil stretching during coil filling using double microcatheter.

CONCLUSION

During the coil embolization of the cerebral aneurysm causing CN III palsy, sparing the daughter sac from coil packing while tightly packing the main dome, can be helpful in increasing the effectiveness of decompression. However, a long-term follow-up will be required.

Partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms presenting with mass effect: long-term clinical and imaging follow-up after endovascular treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Partially thrombosed aneurysms as a distinct entity form a diverse collection of complex aneurysms characterized by organized intraluminal thrombus and solid mass. Endovascular treatment options are PVO or selective coil occlusion of the remaining lumen. We present long-term clinical and angiographic results of endovascular treatment of unruptured partially thrombosed aneurysms that presented with symptoms of mass effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1994 and 2008, 30 partially thrombosed aneurysms were treated by selective coiling and 26 by PVO. Of 56 aneurysms, 53 (95%) were large or giant. Neurologic recovery during a mean clinical follow-up of 42.7 months was established. Evolution of aneurysm size during a mean follow-up of 26.6 months in 46 patients was assessed with MR imaging.

RESULTS

Seventeen of 56 patients (30%) fully recovered, 22 patients (39%) partially recovered, 11 patients (20%) were unchanged, and 6 patients (11%) died. Complete recovery more often occurred after PVO than after coiling (12 of 26 versus 5 of 30, P = .02). Aneurysm size reduction occurred more often after PVO (17 of 18 versus 2 of 28, P < .001). Five aneurysms continued to grow after coiling, resulting in death in 3. During follow-up, 27 additional treatments were performed in 19 patients, all treated with coiling.

CONCLUSIONS

In partially thrombosed aneurysms presenting with mass effect, the results of PVO are much better than those of selective coiling. After coiling, additional treatments are often needed, and some aneurysms keep growing. When PVO is not tolerated or not possible, surgical options should be considered before proceeding with coiling.

Massive epistaxis from a thrombosed intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm 2 years after the initial diagnosis--case report

A 77-year-old woman presented with a rare case of nontraumatic intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm causing epistaxis. The thrombosed aneurysm was discovered incidentally, and was not treated. However, she suffered massive nasal bleeding 22 months after the initial diagnosis. The lesion was successfully treated by endovascular coil embolization. The present case shows that thrombosed intracavernous ICA aneurysm may still carry the risk of rupture. Radiological evidence of erosion of the sphenoid sinus wall and repeated minor bleeding may be important predicting signs for massive nasal bleeding. Parent artery occlusion including the aneurysm may be the best treatment for intracavernous ICA aneurysms if sufficient collateral blood flow to the territory of the affected ICA is expected.

Development of cranial nerve palsy shortly after endosaccular embolization for asymptomatic cerebral aneurysm: report of two cases and literature review

CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

We report two cases of asymptomatic cerebral aneurysm in which cranial nerve palsy (CNP) developed shortly after symbolization. The CNP occurred immediately in case 1, but case 2 showed the CNP 30 h after symbolization. Although both aneurysms had increased in size on follow-up angiography, case 2 who showed dome re canalization resulted in progressive CNP deterioration.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the CNP may result not only from mechanical compression by coils but also from inflammation induced by perpendicular thrombosis, and that the prognosis of the CNP may be influenced by dome re canalization. This complication should be kept in mind in treatment for asymptomatic aneurysms adjacent to the cranial nerves.

Endovascular treatment of large and giant aneurysms

Very large and giant (> or =15 mm) cerebral aneurysms have a poor natural history, with high risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage or progressive symptoms of mass effect. Several endovascular techniques may be applied for treatment, depending on location, size, anatomy and presence of collateral circulation. The authors reviewed their clinical experience in endovascular treatment of 232 very large and giant aneurysms and present their perspective on the present state of the art in endovascular therapy for these aneurysms.

Unruptured large and giant carotid artery aneurysms presenting with cranial nerve palsy: comparison of clinical recovery after selective aneurysm coiling and therapeutic carotid artery occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms may present with cranial nerve dysfunction. Therapeutic ICA occlusion, when tolerated, is an effective treatment resulting in improvement or cure of symptoms in most patients. When ICA occlusion is not tolerated, selective endovascular aneurysm occlusion can be considered. We compare recovery of cranial nerve dysfunction in patients treated with selective coil occlusion and with therapeutic ICA occlusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 16 patients with 17 large or giant (11-45 mm) unruptured ICA aneurysms presenting with dysfunction of cranial nerves (CN) II, III, IV, or VI, selective coil occlusion was performed. From a cohort of 39 patients with ICA aneurysms treated with ICA occlusion and long-term follow-up, we selected 31 patients with aneurysms presenting with cranial nerve dysfunction. Clinical recovery at follow-up from oculomotor dysfunction and visual symptoms was compared for both treatment modalities.

RESULTS

Of 17 aneurysms treated with selective coiling, symptoms of cranial nerve dysfunction resolved in 3, improved in 10, and remained unchanged in 4. In 9 of 17 patients, additional coiling during follow-up was required. Of 31 aneurysms treated with carotid artery occlusion, cranial nerve dysfunction resolved in 19, improved in 9, and remained unchanged in 3. These differences were not significant. There were no complications of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Recovery of ICA aneurysm-induced cranial nerve dysfunction occurs in most patients, both after ICA occlusion and after selective coiling. In patients who cannot tolerate ICA occlusion, selective aneurysmal occlusion with coils is a valuable alternative.