Aneurysm wall enhancement, atherosclerotic proteins, and aneurysm size may be related in unruptured intracranial fusiform aneurysms.
Eur Radiol 2023:10.1007/s00330-023-09456-9. [PMID:
36840766 DOI:
10.1007/s00330-023-09456-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE), atherosclerotic protein levels, and aneurysm size in unruptured intracranial fusiform aneurysms (IFAs).
METHODS
Patients with IFAs underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) and atherosclerotic protein examinations from May 2015 to December 2021 were collected. A CRstalk (signal intensity [SI] of IFA wall/SI of pituitary stalk) > 0.60 was considered to indicate AWE. Atherosclerotic protein data was obtained from the peripheral blood. Aneurysmal characteristics included the maximal diameter of the cross-section (Dmax), location, type of IFA, presence of mural thrombus, and mural clots. Statistical analyses were performed with univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation coefficient.
RESULTS
Seventy-one IFAs from 71 patients were included in the study. Multivariate analysis revealed statin use (OR = 0.189, p = 0.026) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) level (OR = 6.019, p = 0.026) were the independent predictors of AWE in IFAs. In addition, statin use (OR = 0.813, p = 0.036) and Apo-B level (OR = 1.610, p = 0.003) were also the independent predictors of CRstalk. Additionally, we found that CRstalk and AWE were significantly positively associated with Dmax (rs = 0.409 and 0.349, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
There may be correlations between AWE, atherosclerotic protein levels, and aneurysm size in patients with IFAs. Apo-B and statin use were independent predictors of AWE in IFAs, which have the potential to be new therapeutic targets for IFAs.
KEY POINTS
• There may be correlations between aneurysm wall enhancement, atherosclerotic protein levels in the peripheral blood, and aneurysm size in patients with intracranial fusiform aneurysms. • Apolipoprotein B and statin use were independent predictors of aneurysm wall enhancement in intracranial fusiform aneurysms.
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