Recurrence of Small Cerebral Aneurysms (< 4 mm) Treated Endovascularly Using Target® Nano™ Coils

OBJECTIVE: In our series, endovascular coiling with Target® Nano™ coils (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA, USA) with diameters of 1 or 1.5 mm exhibited favorable technical feasibility in the treatment of small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm). However, little is known about the recurrence of small cerebral aneurysms treated using Target® Nano™ coils. We investigated recurrence following the treatment of small cerebral aneurysms using Target® Nano™ coils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and November 2013, 143 patients with 148 small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm) were included our study. A total of 135 cerebral aneurysms (91.2%) were unruptured; 45 cerebral aneurysms (30.4%) were treated by endovascular coiling using Target® Nano™ coils. Follow-up radiological images were obtained for 132 cerebral aneurysms (89.2%) over a range of 3 to 58 months (mean, 34.3 months; standard deviation, 14.2). RESULTS: In the group treated with Target® Nano™ coils, radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 33 (73.3%), residual necks in eight (17.8%), and residual sacs in four (8.9%) cases. Follow-up radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 35 (77.8%) and residual necks in four (8.9%) cases that exhibited stable coil masses. In the group that was not treated with Target® Nano™ coils, radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 69 (67%), residual necks in 18 (17.5%), and residual sacs in 16 (15.5%) cases. Follow-up radiological outcomes revealed complete occlusion in 87 (84.5%) and residual necks (5.8%) in six cases that exhibited stable coil masses. No significant differences were observed in the radiological outcomes or follow-up radiological outcomes between the two groups. No recurrences or retreatments occurred in our series. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment using Target® Nano™ coils may be a robust treatment option for small cerebral aneurysms (< 4 mm).

Tratamiento quirúrgico de aneurismas cerebrales en pacientes en la 8va y 9na década de vida / Surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms in patients in the 8th and 9th years of life

La hemorragia subarcnoidea por sangrado de aneurismas sigue siendo una enfermedad con una elevada mortalidad y morbilidad. Los avances en microcirugía y en terapia endovascular, no han logrado abatir los altos porcentajes de mala evolución. Por su parte, el tratamiento de los aneurismas no rotos se vuelve cada vez más rutinario, dados los buenos resultados. Un capítulo aparte es el tratamiento o no de aneurismas cerebrales con o sin hemorragia subaracnoidea en pacientes añosos (mayores de 70 años). Hay publicaciones al respecto. Los autores hacen una revisión retrospectiva de 179 pacientes mayores de 70 años portadores de aneurismas cerebrales, con o sin sangrado subaracnoideo. Todos fueron sometidos a cirugía. Se analizan los resultados, los que muestran que la morbimortalidad en este grupo etario no difiere sustancialmente de los que se dan en menores de 70 años.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage due to bleeding of cerebral aneurysms remains a disease with high mortality and morbidity. Advances in microsurgery and endovascular therapy have failed to reduce the high percentages of poor outcome. The treatment of unruptured aneurysms, on the other hand, becomes more and more routinary, given the good results. A separate chapter is the treatment or not of cerebral aneurysms with or without subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients (older than 70 years). There are several publications about it. The authors make a retrospective review of 179 patients older than 70 years with cerebral aneurysms, with or without subarachnoid bleeding.All were submitted to surgery. We analyze the results, which show that morbidity and mortality in this age group do not differ substantially from those occurring under 70 years of age.

Keyhole Approach and Neuroendoscopy for Cerebral Aneurysms

Treating diseases in the field of neurosurgery has progressed concomitantly with technical advances. Here, as a surgical armamentarium for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, the history and present status of the keyhole approach and the use of neuroendoscopy are reviewed, including our clinical data. The major significance of keyhole approach is to expose an essential space toward a target, and to minimize brain exposure and retraction. Among several kinds of keyhole approaches, representative keyhole approaches for anterior circulation aneurysms include superciliary and lateral supraorbital, frontolateral, mini-pterional and mini-interhemispheric approaches. Because only a fixed and limited approach angle toward a target is permitted via the keyhole, however, specialized surgical devices and preoperative planning are very important. Neuroendoscopy has helped to widen the indications of keyhole approaches because it can supply illumination and visualization of structures beyond the straight line of microscopic view. In addition, endoscopic indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is useful to detect and correct any compromise of the perforators and parent arteries, and incomplete clipping. The authors think that keyhole approach and neuroendoscopy are just an intermediate step and robotic neurosurgery would be realized in the near future.

Relation between Changing ECG and Location of Aneurysm in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Introduction: ECG changes are presented in about 90% of patients with cerebral aneurysm that results subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The most common site of these lesions among the cerebral arteries is anterior cerebral artery which supplies Autonomic cardiovascular centers. However it seems that the location of aneurysm influences critically on changes of ECG, which has not been studied grossly in literatures and there is no definite data to mention that. Materials and Methods: Here, a cross sectional, retrospective study was done on 500 patients presenting SAH due to cerebral aneurysm which patient´s angiography detected the location of pathology. ECG of these patients was taken two times, one on admission and other on discharge after 3rd week of admission. Results: The mean age of patients was 57.3 years old and this group included 271 male and 229 females. 388 cases had ECG changes; some of them had more than one changed factor. QRS changes were seen in 18 cases on the day of admission, QTc changes were observed in 258 cases, and changes of ST distance were observed in 126 cases. Among all of them, the location of the aneurysm was in Anterior cerebral artery in 142 cases, in communicating arteries in 84 cases, in Middle cerebral artery 64 in cases, in ICA in 36 cases and in Posterior cerebral artery in 52 cases. Conclusion: In cases which their brain angiography showed cerebral aneurysm, the frequency of ECG changes was more seen. Patients with the anterior cerebral artery aneurysms had more ECG changes. According to the obtained results, ECG of patients with SAH could be a recognized as a factor to understand better the situation of brain after SAH and be useful for managing and treating patients with SAH.

Remisión de aneurisma luego de exéresis de MAV con aparición de síndrome del acento extranjero / Aneurysm remission after MAV surgery with appearance of foreign accent syndrome

Introducción: Los aneurismas asociados a malformaciones arteriovenosas (MAV) son lesiones vasculares que suelen encontrarse hasta en el 15% de los casos, incrementando el riesgo global de hemorragia. La conducta frente a los aneurismas asociados es dicotómica en la literatura, mientras existen reportes de la desaparición de los mismos luego de la exéresis de la MAV, otros artículos enfatizan su tratamiento precoz. El síndrome del acento extranjero es un raro trastorno neurológico en el que el paciente habla su lengua materna como lo haría una persona extranjera y suena con “acento” extranjero a oídos de los oyentes nativos. Objetivo: Presentar un paciente que desarrolla el síndrome del acento extranjero posterior a la exéresis de una MAV y la evolución de un aneurisma asociado. Presentación de caso: Paciente pediátrico que luego de la exéresis de una MAV fronto-opercular posterior izquierda remite por completo un aneurisma de hiperflujo asociado, presentando en el postquirúrgico el síndrome del acento extranjero.Conclusión: Queda reportado el caso de este raro síndrome y la resolución espontánea de un aneurisma proximal luego de la exéresis de una MAV.

Introduction: The aneurysms associated with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are vascular lesions that are usually found in up to 15% of cases, increasing the overall risk of bleeding. The behavior against associated aneurysms is dichotomous while there are reports of the disappearance of the same after the removal of the AVM, other items emphasize early treatment. Foreign accent syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the patient speaks his mother language as you would a foreigner and sounds with foreign "accent" to native listeners.Objective: To report a patient who developed foreign accent syndrome after excision of an AVM and the evolution of an associated aneurysm.Case presentation: pediatric patient that after a resection of fronto-opercular AVM refers back completely on an aneurysm associated hyper flow, presenting postsurgical foreign accent syndrome.Conclusion: the case of this rare syndrome and spontaneous resolution of a proximal aneurysm after excision of an AVM is hereby reported.

Enlarged Parent Artery Lumen at Aneurysmal-Neck Segment in Wide-Necked Distal Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: Hypothesizing that the parent artery (PA) diameter of the aneurysm-neck segment is larger than those of normal segments, especially in wide-necked aneurysm cases, we conducted 3D angiographic analyses in wide-necked aneurysm cases focusing on the luminal morphologic change of the PA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under the approval of local IRB, we enrolled 26 patients with distal internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms, which were treated with stent assisted coiling. The PA diameters along the centerline were measured at 6 points with built-in software by two observers. Those 6 points were P1 and P2 proximally, P3 and P4 at the aneurysm ostium margins, and P5 and P6 distally. We performed an ANOVA test and a Bonferroni method for post hoc analyses. Linear regression analysis was performed to find any morphologic influencing factors. RESULTS: There were 20 distal ICA aneurysms out of 26 consecutive cases after exclusion. The differences in diameter at each point were statistically significant (p<0.0001). On post hoc analyses, the difference between P4 and P5 was significant both in maximum and mean PA diameters (p<0.0001 and p<0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses failed to reveal any morphological influencing factor. CONCLUSION: PAs harboring a wide-necked aneurysm requiring stent assistance for coiling showed significant enlargement of the lumen, especially at the distal transition segment of the aneurysm ostium and the PA.

Experience of diagnosis of 56 cerebral aneurysms cases by 16-slice spiral CTA / 中国医学装备

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of 16-slice spiral CTA and methods of diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms.Methods: Fifty six cases of cerebral aneurysms with CTA image data were retrospectively analyzed from July 2012 to July 2014. Omnipaque (350 mgI/100 ml) as contrast agent was used in all cases with injection speed of 4.0 mL/s. The methods of VR, SSD, MIP, MPR, CPR and VE were involved in CTA images reconstruction and processing were implemented with workstation ADW4.2. The diagnosis value of cerebral aneurysms with different methods of vessel reconstruction was analyzed.Results: The location and the size of intracranial aneurysms could be clearly showed with 16-slice spiral CTA. The diagnosis time of methods VR and MIP was shortest and the mean time was 4.3 minutes and 5.1 minutes respectively. There was significant difference between the image and actual size in berry aneurysms with SSD method.Conclusion: The synthetic application of multimethod can improve the diagnostic value of 16-slice spiral CTA in cerebral aneurysms.

Atención a pacientes con "grados buenos" de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en la unidad de ictus / Care for patients with \" good grades \" of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the stroke unit

Objetivo: estimar el impacto de la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio prospectivo y descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A ingresados en la Unidad de Ictus Agudo del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, durante el período octubre, 2005-diciembre, 2009. La información fue procesada de forma automatizada (SPSS versión 11.5). Resultados: se estudiaron 165 pacientes con edad media de 49,7 años y predominio femenino (66,7 por ciento). Se logró aislar el aneurisma cerebral en 141, en 131 por cirugía y en 10, por vía endovascular. El tratamiento fue realizado antes del tercer día de evolución en 21 casos. Las principales complicaciones observadas fueron: resangrado (18,8 por ciento), vasospasmo sintomático (15,2 por ciento), hidrocefalia (23 por ciento), hiponatremia (11,5 por ciento) y neumonía (10,3 por ciento). El promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue 17,1 d. Egresaron con secuelas discapacitantes 20 pacientes y fallecieron 27. Las variables relacionadas con malos resultados en el momento del egreso fueron: intensidad de las manifestaciones clínicas al ingreso, magnitud del sangrado en la TAC, resangrado, vasospasmo sintomático y neumonía. Conclusiones: la atención especializada centrada en la Unidad de Ictus, parece ser una organización asistencial apropiada para la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A...

Objective: estimate the impact of care to patients with good grades of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A) . Methods: a prospective descriptive study was conducted of a cohort of patients with good grades of ASH-A admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Data was processed with the statistical software SPSS version 15.0. Results: 165 patients were studied. Mean age was 49.7 and female sex predominated (66.7 percent). The cerebral aneurysm could be isolated in 141 cases: 131 by surgery and 10 by endovascular procedure. In 21 cases treatment was performed before the third day of evolution. The main complications observed were rebleeding (18.8 percent), symptomatic vasospasm (15.2 percent), hydrocephaly (23 percent), hyponatremia (11.5 percent) and pneumonia (10.3 percent). Average hospital stay was 17.1 days. 20 patients were discharged with disabling sequelae; 27 died. The variables associated with a bad outcome at discharge were intensity of clinical manifestations at admission, magnitude of bleeding on CT brain scans, rebleeding, symptomatic vasospasm and pneumonia. Conclusions: stroke Unit specialized care seems to be appropriate for patients with good grades of ASH-A...

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no aneurismática / Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en serie prospectiva de 204 pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea admitidos de forma consecutiva en la Unidad de Ictus del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, entre octubre de 2005 y diciembre de 2009. Resultados: 165 pacientes tenían aneurismas cerebrales, 157 identificados por angiografía (155 en primer estudio y 2, en segundo) y 8 por necropsia. En 39 casos la causa fue no aneurismática. En 8 pacientes se reconocieron las causas: moya moya (2 casos), angioma venoso cerebral (2 casos), malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) espinal, MAV dural, disección arterial del sistema vertebro-basilar y apoplejía pituitaria. En 31 enfermos (15,2 por ciento) la hemorragia fue criptogénica, se encontraron variantes anómalas de drenaje venoso en 4 de ellos. La HSA-NA se asoció a menor frecuencia de hipertensión (p= 0,029) y tabaquismo (p= 0,025). Se observó vasospasmo angiográfico en 55 casos (33,3 por ciento) con aneurismas y en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p< 0,001), vasospasmo sintomático en 25 casos con aneurismas (15,2 por ciento) y en ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,063). Hubo resangrado en 31 casos (18,8 por ciento) con HSA-A y solo en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p= 0,024). El resultado final al egreso medido por la escala de Rankin modificada fue mejor en la HSA-NA (p= 0,002). Hubo 25 fallecidos (15,2 por ciento) con aneurismas y ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,02). Conclusiones: la HSA-NA tiene buen pronóstico. Las investigaciones neurovasculares no permiten identificar su causa en la mayoría de los casos...

Objective: determine the clinical characteristics of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A). Methods: a descriptive study was conducted of a prospective series of 204 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage consecutively admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Results: 165 patients had cerebral aneurysms, of which 157 were identified by angiography (155 in the first study and 2 in the second), and 8 by necropsy. In 39 cases the cause was non-aneurysmatic. The following causes were identified in 8 patients: moyamoya disease (2 cases), cerebral venous angioma (2 cases), spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), dural AVM, artery dissection of the vertebrobasilar system and pituitary apoplexy. 31 patients (15.2 percent) had cryptogenic hemorrhage, and four presented anomalous venous drainage. NA-SAH was associated with a lower frequency of hypertension (p= 0.029) and smoking (p= 0.025). Angiographic vasospasm was observed in 55 cases with aneurysms (33.3 percent) and in one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p< 0.001). Symptomatic vasospasm was observed in 25 cases with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and in none with NA-SAH (p= 0.063). There was rebleeding in 31 cases with A-SAH (18.8 percent) and in only one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p= 0.024). The final outcome at discharge measured with the modified Rankin scale was better for NA-SAH (p= 0.002). There were 25 deaths with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and none with NA-SAH (p= 0.02). Conclusions: NA-SAH has a good prognosis. In most cases neurovascular research is unable to identify its cause...

Aneurysm Coil Embolization Using a 1.5-Fr Distal Outer Diameter Microcatheter / 신경중재치료의학

The current assortment of microcatheters widely used for aneurysm coil embolization may not be well suited for several anatomic variants, including excessive vascular tortuosity and small aneurysms less than 3 mm. Longer microcatheters designed with a smaller caliber that can accommodate and deliver coils may be of use in these situations. This case series and literature review illustrates the advantages and limitations of the Marathon microcatheter (Covidien, Irvine, CA, USA) when used for coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Despite some technical compromises including the distal marker, length, and the risk of buckling, the Marathon microcatheter was able to adequately deliver coils to achieve satisfactory occlusion of cerebral aneurysms. We found unique advantages with regards to length and smaller distal outer diameter (OD). These results may serve as a guide for the further development of a microcatheter used for coil embolization that has the features of a smaller distal OD and longer length.

A Comparative Review of the Hemodynamics and Pathogenesis of Cerebral and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Lessons to Learn From Each Other

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral aneurysms (CAs) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are degenerative vascular pathologies that manifest as abnormal dilations of the arterial wall. They arise with different morphologies in different types of blood vessels under different hemodynamic conditions. Although treated as different pathologies, we examine common pathways in their hemodynamic pathogenesis in order to elucidate mechanisms of formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. Current concepts on pathogenesis and hemodynamics were collected and compared. RESULTS: CAs arise as saccular dilations on the cerebral arteries of the circle of Willis under high blood flow, high wall shear stress (WSS), and high wall shear stress gradient (WSSG) conditions. AAAs arise as fusiform dilations on the infrarenal aorta under low blood flow, low, oscillating WSS, and high WSSG conditions. While at opposite ends of the WSS spectrum, they share high WSSG, a critical factor in arterial remodeling. This alone may not be enough to initiate aneurysm formation, but may ignite a cascade of downstream events that leads to aneurysm development. Despite differences in morphology and the structure, CAs and AAAs share many histopathological and biomechanical characteristics. Endothelial cell damage, loss of elastin, and smooth muscle cell loss are universal findings in CAs and AAAs. Increased matrix metalloproteinases and other proteinases, reactive oxygen species, and inflammation also contribute to the pathogenesis of both aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Our review revealed similar pathways in seemingly different pathologies. We also highlight the need for cross-disciplinary studies to aid in finding similarities between pathologies.

Long-Term Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes of Wrap-Clipping Strategies for Unclippable Cerebral Aneurysms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and stability of the wrap-clipping methods as a reconstructive strategy in the treatment of unclippable cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four patients who had undergone wrap-clipping microsurgery were retrospectively reviewed. Type and morphology of the treated aneurysm, utilized technique for wrap-clip procedure, and clinical outcome with angiographic results at their last follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 24 patients, eleven patients had internal carotid artery (ICA) blister-like aneurysms, three had dissecting type aneurysms, and ten had fusiform aneurysms. The follow-up period for the late clinical and angiographic results ranged from 10 to 75 months (mean 35 months). Wrap-clipping was performed in eleven, wrap-holding clipping was in ten, and combination of wrap-clip and wrap-holding clip was in three cases. At the last angiographic follow-up study, twelve aneurysms (50%) were found to have completely healed, and nine aneurysms (38%) were at least stable. However, wrap-holding clip for the elongated blister type of ICA aneurysm was found failed, leading to fatal rebleeding in one case, and two cases of combination of wrap-clip-wrap-holding clip revealed delayed branch occlusion and marked regrowing, respectively. CONCLUSION: Wrap-clipping strategy could be an easy and safe alternative for unclippable aneurysms. The wrapped aneurysm mostly disappeared, or at least remained stationary, after a long-term period. However, surgeons should be aware of that the wrapped aneurysm might become worse. Therefore, follow-up surveillance for an extended period should be mandatory.

The diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography for intracranial aneurysms in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage:a Meta-analysis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of CT Angiography (CTA)in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms in patients with a-cute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH )with Meta analysis.Methods A systematic search in PubMed,MEDLINE,EMBASE, CNKI,CBM,WANFANG databases was performed.Criteria for inclusion were established based on validity criteria for diagnostic research published by the Cochrane Methods Group on Screening and Diagnostic.The methodological quality of each study was eval-uated by QUADAS.Meta-Disc Version 1.4 software were used for heterogeneity test and the pooled weighted sensitivity,specifici-ty,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated,receiver operating characteristic (SROC)and area under the curve(AUC)were obtained with random-effects models.Stata12.0 was used for the funnel plot to ana-lyze publication bias.Results Fourteen studies were included with a total of 1 332 patients and 1 149 ruptured cerebral aneurysms. The pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity of CTA with 95% confidence interval was 0.96(0.95-0.97)and 0.99(0.97-1.00) respectively.The AUC and the Q value of SROC was 0.99 and 0.958 4 respectively.Conclusion CTA has high sensitivity and spe-cificity in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms in patients with SAH,can be proposed as an important imaging diagnostic method.

Significance of C-Reactive Protein and Transcranial Doppler in Cerebral Vasospasm Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral vasospasm is a common and potentially devastating complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Inflammatory processes seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. C-reactive protein (CRP) constitutes a highly sensitive inflammatory marker. Elevation of serum CRP levels has been demonstrated in patients with aSAH. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possible relationship between CRP levels in the serum and transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the development of vasospasm in patients with aSAH. METHODS: A total of 61 adult patients in whom aSAH was diagnosed were included in the study from November 2008 to May 2011. The patients' demographics, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies, and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 and TCD was measured on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. All patients underwent either surgical or endovascular treatment within 24 hours of their hemorrhagic attacks. RESULTS: Serum CRP levels peaked on the 3rd postoperative day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 3rd day in the mean middle cerebral artery velocities on TCD. CONCLUSION: Patients with high levels of CRP on the 1st postoperative day and high velocity of mean TCD on the 3rd postoperative day may require closer observation to monitor for the development of vasospasm.

The results of treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms with keyhole approaches / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

IntroductionA cerebral aneurysm has been surgically treated since the early twentieth century. Since then, numerous new surgical methods and technologies have been developed in neurosurgical practice to improve outcome of the neurosurgical treatments. In fall of 1980, the very first aneurysm surgery was successfully performed in Mongolia. Until 2011, the bitemporal and pterional approaches had been used as the main treatment option for anterior circulation aneurysms in Mongolian neurosurgicalpractice. The keyhole approach, cultivated by German neurosurgeon A.Perneczky, was introduced to Mongolian neurosurgical practice in 2011 as another threatment option for the anterior circulation aneurysmGoalThis study aimed to design new key hole surgical techniques with four small burr holes, based on the method of German neurosurgeon A. Perneczky for treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms and decrease the rate of surgically related complications.Materials and MethodsBetween January 2011 and March 2012, in the neurosurgical department of Third State Central Hospital 259 patients were treated with anterior circulation aneurysms. 103 of them treated with key hole approaches (as the study groupe), while 55 were treated with pterional approaches. We choose 103 patients reports (as the control groupe), who were treated with traditional approaches and studied the results retrospectively, which were compared with the results of the new techniquesof surgical treatment. We compared the outcomes of the new keyhole surgical approach with the outcomes of traditional approaches based on the severity of after surgery complications, focal neurological deficits, postoperative mental changes and functional impairments, and duration of hospital stay (recovery period). The skin incision begins laterally from the supraorbital incisura and is made within the eyebrow. Posterior to the temporal line at the level just above the zygomatic arch we drilled two small (0.5 cm) burr holes, and two more burr holes above the orbital rim. Quadrangle shaped bone flap is cut with the angle 45o, and removed, after which drill of the inner edge of the bone above the orbital rim. Inner edge of the other side is not drilled off. After intradural procedure, we fixed bone flap using the inner edge, which was not drilled off.ResultsFrom Jan, 2011 to Dec, 2012, 235 patients received surgical treatment (78 women and 79 men, median age, 46.3±2.3 yo). The lesions included 9 anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 6 in posterior communicating artery, 35 in middle cerebral artery, 34 in anterior communicating artery, 1 in ophthalmic artery, and 18 in internal carotid artery aneurysms. The ratio of men and women with aneurysmal SAH was 1:1, which demonstrated different results comparing with the countries such as Japan, Austria and Canada. Two patients died after operation due to cerebral vasospasm, who were admitted to our hospital with the WFNS grade III-IV after SAH. The postoperative hemiparesis accounts 4.8% (5 cases). After short-term observations (3 months) 4 of these patients showed a good recovery of paralyzed extremities. One patient missed out of follow up. Surgically related complications like mental change, temporal muscle atrophy were about 4%-8%. (The difference between two methods is P<0,009). The average duration of hospital stay was 8.2 ±2. ConclusionsSubtemporal, subfrontal, and paranasal key hole with pterional approaches have several advantages over the traditional craniotomies, including minor tissue damage, less brain retraction, a superior cosmetic results, and shorter duration of surgery and hospital stay. The operative field becomes wider in the deep area, providing sufficient space for microscope-assisted surgeries without need of highly specialized instruments.

In-Stent Stenosis of Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization of the Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm

The intracranial stent functions primarily to prevent protrusion of coils into the parent vessel during the embolization of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms and might also reduce aneurysm recanalization rate. In spite of these advantages, little is known about the long-term interaction of the stent with the parent vessel wall. We present a rare case of severe in-stent stenosis occurring as a delayed complication of Neuroform stent-assisted coil embolization of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

A Comparative Study of Microsurgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling in the Treatment of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Recently the treatment of endovascular coil embolization is gradually increasing compared to the traditional method of microsurgical clipping. However, both methods carry certain risks. The aim of this study was to compare each method's morbidity and complications in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: We investigated patients who underwent surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to cerebral aneurysm rupture between January 2007 to December 2009 in our hospital. Patients' medical records and radiologic images were referenced and initial grade, location and size of aneurysm, treatment method, complications, prognosis, hospital stay and the cost were retrospectively investigated. We divided the patients into two groups according to surgical METHODS: clipping group and coiling group. Treatment results were evaluated using Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). RESULTS: Total 187 aneurysms were treated in 149 patients. Sixty-five and 84 patients were classified as clipping group and coiling group, respectively. The ratio of patients with good outcome in clipping vs. coiling was 83.6% vs. 80.8%. The incidence of vasospasm was significantly lower in the coiling group compared to the clipping group. The length of hospitalization was shorter in the coiling group. The cost and operation time was also less in the coiling group. However, higher numbers of remnant sac and coil compaction were observed in the coiling group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil embolization for ruptured cerebral aneurysms had fewer vasospasms and complications. Also, it reduced the hospital stay, operation time, and cost compared with the clipping group. So, in addition to traditional microsurgical neck clipping, we think that endovascular coiling is a good alternative method to treat ruptured aneurysms.

Determination of the localization of rupture aneurysms in patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms and spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage / 中国综合临床

Objective To discuss the reasons of false judgments of localization of the rupture aneurysms and find the way to fix this problem in patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms. Methods The clinical data of 25 consecutive patients, who presented with their first spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and had multiple intracranial aneurysms from 2003 to 2009 in our hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. The rupture aneurysms were determined according to Nehls' method that reported before, and the supposed responsible rupture aneurysms w0ere clipped within 48 hours after hemorrhage in all patients. More aneurysms that could not be accessed in the same surgical session were surgically terated later. Results The location of the rupture aneurysm was verified at the time of surgery in all 25 patients. The concordance rate of the prediction and the reality of the rupture aneurysm was 80% (20/25). Four patients ( 16% ) ,in whom the ruptured aneurysm was not correctly identified,rebled after surgery,and 2 patients died as a result of the rebleeding One patients had no clear diagnosis at the end. Conclusion In the reported cases, about 80% rupture aneurysms could be correctly diagnosed before treatment according to the CT and DSA examinations. If clear diagnosis couldn't be made,additional examinations should be considered, such as CTA or MRI. Rupture aneurysms must be confirmed during the operation and the other aneurysms should be checked to exclude additional responsible aneurysms in all cases.

Five - year Trends of Cerebrovascular Surgery in a Neurosurgical Department with a Small Volume of Practice at a Single Institute with Reference to the Endovascular Treatment / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, the neurosurgeon's role in managing cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) has becomes rapidly challenged and overlapped with other specialists. Furthermore, the patterns of CVD and patient recruitment have also changed. We conducted a retrospective study regarding the practical trends of CVD with reference to the management paradigms at our institute. METHOD: We reviewed all the available data, including the annual reports, the daily department records, the medical records and the radiographic films of the CVD patients who had been admitted to our Neurosurgery Department during the five years between Jan. 2004 and Dec. 2008. RESULTS: The total numbers of CVD operations showed a slight initial increase, but then they remained steady for the latter 3 years. The number of cases of non-angiomatous hemorrhage has been relatively steady, regardless of surgery. The total numbers of treated aneurysms increased, but the main body of this increment was attributed to the initiation of endovascular treatment and increased identification of unruptured vascular lesions. Vascular malformations were sustained with a small number of cases due to referring them to other institutes for radiosurgery, except for the cases that required urgent hemorrhagic evacuation. CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic CVDs tended to decrease either due to increasing identification before rupture or shifting such patients into a large volume hospital. The increasing awareness of ischemic CVD, the early detection of unruptured aneurysms, and the separation of medical responsibilities from neurologists have all pushed neurosurgeons to make treatment plans in a more cooperative fashion, instead of a competitive way. Neurosurgeons should be furnished with several revolutionary surgical options to widen their scope of managing patients with CVD.