Feasibility, Safety, and Efficacy of Endovascular vs. Surgical Treatment of Unruptured Multi-Sac Intracranial Aneurysms in a Single-Center Retrospective Series.

PURPOSE: Multi-sac aneurysms (MSAs) are not uncommon, but studies on their management are scarce. This study aims to evaluate and compare the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of MSAs treated with either clipping or coiling after interdisciplinary case discussion at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MSAs treated by microsurgical clipping, coiling, or stent-assisted coiling (SAC). Treatment modalities, complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Major neurological events were defined as a safety endpoint and complete occlusion as an efficacy endpoint. RESULTS: Ninety patients (mean age, 53.2±11.0 years; 73 [81.1%] females) with MSAs met our inclusion criteria (clipping, 50; coiling, 19; SAC, 21). Most aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral artery (48.9%). All clipping procedures were technically successful, but endovascular treatment failed in 1 coiling case, and a switch from coiling to SAC was required in 2 cases. The major event rates were 4.0% after clipping (1 major stroke and 1 intracranial hemorrhage) and 0% after endovascular therapy (P=0.667). At mid-term angiographic follow-up (mean 12.0±8.9 months), all 37 followed clipped aneurysms were completely occluded, compared to 8/17 (41.7%) after coiling and 11/15 (73.3%) after SAC (P<0.001). Coiling was significantly associated with incomplete occlusion in the adjusted analysis (odds ratio, 11.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.7-52.6; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Both endovascular and surgical treatment were feasible and safe for MSAs. As coiling was associated with comparatively high recanalization rates, endovascular treatment may be preferred with stent support.

Duration of spreading depression is the electrophysiological correlate of infarct growth in malignant hemispheric stroke.

Spreading depolarizations (SD) contribute to lesion progression after experimental focal cerebral ischemia while such correlation has never been shown in stroke patients. In this prospective, diagnostic study, we investigate the association of SDs and secondary infarct progression after malignant hemispheric stroke. SDs were continuously monitored for 3-9 days with electrocorticography after decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant hemispheric stroke. To ensure valid detection and analysis of SDs, a threshold based on the electrocorticographic baseline activity was calculated to identify valid electrocorticographic recordings. Subsequently SD characteristics were analyzed in association to infarct progression based on serial MRI. Overall, 62 patients with a mean stroke volume of 289.6 ± 68 cm3 were included. Valid electrocorticographic recordings were found in 44/62 patients with a mean recording duration of 139.6 ± 26.5 hours and 52.5 ± 39.5 SDs per patient. Infarct progression of more than 5% was found in 21/44 patients. While the number of SDs was similar between patients with and without infarct progression, the SD-induced depression duration per day was significantly longer in patients with infarct progression (593.8 vs. 314.1 minutes; *p = 0.046). Therefore, infarct progression is associated with a prolonged SD-induced depression duration. Real-time analysis of electrocorticographic recordings may identify secondary stroke progression and help implementing targeted management strategies.

First clinical experience with the Derivo 2heal embolization device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The development of new flow-diverting devices with antithrombotic coatings may result in an improved safety profile, particularly a reduction in ischaemic stroke rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate our initial experience with the recently introduced coated Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device (Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany). METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-centre analysis of patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device treatment. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural parameters, complications, and degree of initial and short-term aneurysm occlusion were evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 16 unruptured aneurysms in 9 patients were treated with the Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device in 10 treatment sessions. In one case the Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device could not be deployed due to severe friction in the microcatheter. In all successful cases, one Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device was sufficient to treat the target aneurysm and no additional coiling was performed. In-stent balloon angioplasty was performed in one procedure (10%) to improve vessel wall apposition. Twelve arterial side branches were covered in 9 procedures and all were patent at the end of the procedure. There were no clinical complications and no thromboembolic events during treatment. At the end of the procedure, contrast retention was observed in 13/16 (81%) aneurysms and at short-term follow-up, 6/9 (67%) were completely occluded. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of the new Derivo® 2heal® Embolization Device appear promising and warrant further evaluation by multicentre studies with long-term follow-up.

Spreading depolarizations in ischaemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage, a diagnostic phase III study.

Focal brain damage after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage predominantly results from intracerebral haemorrhage, and early and delayed cerebral ischaemia. The prospective, observational, multicentre, cohort, diagnostic phase III trial, DISCHARGE-1, primarily investigated whether the peak total spreading depolarization-induced depression duration of a recording day during delayed neuromonitoring (delayed depression duration) indicates delayed ipsilateral infarction. Consecutive patients (n = 205) who required neurosurgery were enrolled in six university hospitals from September 2009 to April 2018. Subdural electrodes for electrocorticography were implanted. Participants were excluded on the basis of exclusion criteria, technical problems in data quality, missing neuroimages or patient withdrawal (n = 25). Evaluators were blinded to other measures. Longitudinal MRI, and CT studies if clinically indicated, revealed that 162/180 patients developed focal brain damage during the first 2 weeks. During 4.5 years of cumulative recording, 6777 spreading depolarizations occurred in 161/180 patients and 238 electrographic seizures in 14/180. Ten patients died early; 90/170 developed delayed infarction ipsilateral to the electrodes. Primary objective was to investigate whether a 60-min delayed depression duration cut-off in a 24-h window predicts delayed infarction with >0.60 sensitivity and >0.80 specificity, and to estimate a new cut-off. The 60-min cut-off was too short. Sensitivity was sufficient [= 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.65-0.84), P = 0.0014] but specificity was 0.59 (0.47-0.70), i.e. <0.80 (P < 0.0001). Nevertheless, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of delayed depression duration was 0.76 (0.69-0.83, P < 0.0001) for delayed infarction and 0.88 (0.81-0.94, P < 0.0001) for delayed ischaemia (reversible delayed neurological deficit or infarction). In secondary analysis, a new 180-min cut-off indicated delayed infarction with a targeted 0.62 sensitivity and 0.83 specificity. In awake patients, the AUROC curve of delayed depression duration was 0.84 (0.70-0.97, P = 0.001) and the prespecified 60-min cut-off showed 0.71 sensitivity and 0.82 specificity for reversible neurological deficits. In multivariate analysis, delayed depression duration (ß = 0.474, P < 0.001), delayed median Glasgow Coma Score (ß = -0.201, P = 0.005) and peak transcranial Doppler (ß = 0.169, P = 0.016) explained 35% of variance in delayed infarction. Another key finding was that spreading depolarization-variables were included in every multiple regression model of early, delayed and total brain damage, patient outcome and death, strongly suggesting that they are an independent biomarker of progressive brain injury. While the 60-min cut-off of cumulative depression in a 24-h window indicated reversible delayed neurological deficit, only a 180-min cut-off indicated new infarction with >0.60 sensitivity and >0.80 specificity. Although spontaneous resolution of the neurological deficit is still possible, we recommend initiating rescue treatment at the 60-min rather than the 180-min cut-off if progression of injury to infarction is to be prevented.

Impact of aneurysm morphology on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage severity, cerebral infarction and functional outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with high morbidity. The objective was to evaluate, whether specific morphological aneurysm characteristics could serve as predictive values for aSAH severity, disease-related complications and clinical outcome. METHODS: A total of 453 aSAH patients (mean age: 54.9 ±â€¯13.8 years, mean aneurysm size: 7.5 ±â€¯3.6 mm) treated at a single center were retrospectively included. A morphometric analysis was performed based on angiographic image sets, determining aneurysm location, aneurysm size, neck width, aneurysm size ratios, aneurysm morphology and vessel size. The following outcome measures were defined: World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade 4 and 5, Fisher grade 4, vasospasm, cerebral infarction and unfavorable functional outcome. RESULTS: Regarding morphology parameters, aneurysm neck width was an independent predictor for Fisher 4 hemorrhage (OR: 1.1, 95%CI: 1.0-1.3, p = 0.048), while dome width (OR: 0.92, 95%CI: 0.86-0.97, p = 0.005) and internal carotid artery location (OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.1-4.2, p = 0.028) predicted vasospasm. None of the analyzed morphological characteristics prognosticated functional outcome. Patient age (OR: 0.95, 95%CI: 0.93-0.96, p < 0.001), WFNS score (OR: 4.8, 95%CI: 2.9-8.0, p < 0.001), Fisher score (OR: 2.3, 95%CI: 1.4-3.7, p < 0.001) and cerebral infarction (OR: 4.5, 95%CI: 2.7-7.8, p < 0.001) were independently associated with unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a correlation between aneurysm morphology, Fisher grade and vasospasm. Further studies will be required to reveal an independent association of aneurysm morphology with cerebral infarction and functional outcome.

Microsurgical Clipping versus Advanced Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms After a "Coil-First" Policy.

OBJECTIVE: Although intracranial aneurysms are increasingly treated endovascularly, microsurgical clipping has been the standard approach for middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. We compared microsurgical clipping and state-of-the-art endovascular treatment of unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysms treated at a neurovascular center following a "coil-first" policy. METHODS: This single-center study included 148 patients treated for 160 unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysms. Technical success, complications, clinical outcome, and angiographic results were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: Microsurgical clipping was performed for 120 MCA aneurysms (75%) and endovascular treatment for 40 (25%; conventional coiling: 8, stent-assisted coiling: 16, balloon-assisted coiling: 3, and flow-disruption: 13). Technical treatment success was higher in the clipping group (100%) than in the endovascular group (92.5%, P = 0.015). Overall, complications occurred in 16.7% for clipping and in 20.0% for endovascular treatment (P = 0.631). Major ischemic stroke rates were 4.2% in the clipping group and 7.5% in the endovascular group (P = 0.414). At 6 months, a favorable outcome was obtained by 99.2% after clipping and 95.0% after endovascular treatment (P = 0.154). The 6-month complete aneurysm occlusion rates were by trend higher in the clipping group (89.2%) than in the endovascular group (75.9%, P = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical clipping was associated with a higher technical success rate and tendentially higher complete occlusion than endovascular treatment, with no additional morbidity and similar clinical outcome. On the basis of these results, clipping proves to be the standard treatment option for MCA bifurcation aneurysms. However, endovascular treatment represents a safe and efficient alternative treatment option for patients.

Impact of the weekend effect on outcome after microsurgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The "weekend effect" describes the assumption that weekend and/or on-call duty admission of emergency patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. For aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, we investigated, whether presentation out of regular working hours and microsurgical clipping at nighttime correlates with worse patient outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of consecutive patients that underwent microsurgical clipping of an acutely ruptured aneurysm at our institution between 2010 and 2019. Patients admitted during (1) regular working hours (Monday-Friday, 08:00-17:59) and (2) on-call duty and microsurgical clipping performed during (a) daytime (Monday-Sunday, 08:00-17:59) and (b) nighttime were compared regarding the following outcome parameters: operation time, treatment-related complications, vasospasm, functional outcome, and angiographic results. RESULTS: Among 157 enrolled patients, 104 patients (66.2%) were admitted during on-call duty and 48 operations (30.6%) were performed at nighttime. Admission out of regular hours did not affect cerebral infarction (p = 0.545), mortality (p = 0.343), functional outcome (p = 0.178), and aneurysm occlusion (p = 0.689). Microsurgical clipping at nighttime carried higher odds of unfavorable outcome at discharge (OR: 2.3, 95%CI: 1.0-5.1, p = 0.039); however, there were no significant differences regarding the remaining outcome parameters. After multivariable adjustment, clipping at nighttime did not remain as independent prognosticator of short-term outcome (OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 0.7-6.2, p = 0.169). CONCLUSIONS: Admission out of regular working hours and clipping at nighttime were not independently associated with poor outcome. The adherence to standardized treatment protocols might mitigate the "weekend effect."

Woven Endobridge Embolization Versus Microsurgical Clipping for Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms: A Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intrasaccular flow-disruption represents a new paradigm in endovascular treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare Woven Endobridge (WEB) embolization with microsurgical clipping for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms using propensity score adjustment. METHODS: A total of 63 patients treated with WEB and 103 patients treated with clipping were compared based on the intention-to-treat principle. The primary outcome measures were immediate technical treatment success, major adverse events, and 6-mo complete aneurysm occlusion. RESULTS: The technical success rates were 83% for WEB and 100% for clipping. Procedure-related complications occurred more often in the clipping group (13%) than the WEB group (6%, adjusted P < .01). However, the rates of major adverse events were comparable in both groups (WEB: 3%, clip: 4%, adjusted P = .53). At the 6-mo follow-up, favorable functional outcomes were achieved in 98% of the WEB embolization group and 99% of the clipping group (adjusted P = .19). Six-month complete aneurysm occlusion was obtained in 75% of the WEB group and 94% of the clipping group (adjusted P < .01). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical clipping was associated with higher technical success and complete occlusion rates, whereas WEB had a lower complication rate. Favorable functional outcomes were achieved in ≥98% of both groups. The decision to use a specific treatment modality should be made on an individual basis and in accordance with the patient's preferences.

Cerebrospinal fluid pulse wave velocity measurements: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel multiband cine phase-contrast MRI sequence.

PURPOSE: Intracranial and intraspinal compliance are parameters of interest in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment outcome in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus and other forms of communicating hydrocephalus. A noninvasive method to estimate the spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a measure of compliance was developed using a multiband cine phase-contrast MRI sequence and a foot-to-foot algorithm. METHODS: We used computational simulations to estimate the accuracy of the MRI acquisition and transit-time algorithm. In vitro measurements were performed to investigate the reproducibility and accuracy of the measurements under controlled conditions. In vivo measurements in 20 healthy subjects and 2 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus were acquired to show the technical feasibility in a clinical setting. RESULTS: Simulations showed a mean deviation of the calculated CSF PWV of 3.41% ± 2.68%. In vitro results were in line with theory, showing a square-root relation between PWV and transmural pressure and a good reproducibility with SDs of repeated measurements below 5%. Mean CSF PWV over all healthy subjects was 5.83 ± 3.36 m/s. The CSF PWV measurements in the patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus were distinctly higher before CSF shunt surgery (33.80 ± 6.75 m/s and 31.31 ± 7.82 m/s), with a decrease 5 days after CSF shunt surgery (15.69 ± 3.37 m/s). CONCLUSION: This study evaluates the feasibility of CSF PWV measurements using a multiband cine phase-contrast MRI sequence. In vitro and in vivo measurements showed that this method is a potential tool for the noninvasive estimation of intraspinal compliance.

Delayed hospital admission of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Timely aneurysm occlusion and neurointensive care treatment are key principles in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) to prevent secondary brain injury. Patients with early (EHA) and delayed hospital admission (DHA) were compared in terms of clinical presentation, treatment strategies, aSAH-related complications, and outcome. METHODS: In this retrospective study, consecutive aSAH patients were treated at a single neurovascular center between 2009 and 2019. Propensity score matching was performed to account for divergent baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Among 509 included patients, 55 were admitted more than 48 hours after ictus (DHA group). DHA patients were significantly younger (52 ± 11 vs 56 ± 14 years, p = 0.03) and had lower World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scores (p < 0.01) than EHA patients. In 54.5% of the cases, DHA patients presented with neurological deterioration or aggravated symptoms. Propensity score matching revealed a higher vasospastic infarction rate in the DHA group (41.5%) than in the EHA group (22.6%) (p = 0.04). A similar portion of patients in both groups achieved favorable outcome at midterm follow-up (77.3% vs 73.6%, p = 0.87). DHA patients (62.3%) received conventional coiling more often than EHA patients (41.5%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: DHA patients are at an increased risk of cerebral infarction. Nevertheless, state-of-the-art neurointensive care treatment can result in a good clinical outcome.

Penumbral Salvage by Delayed Clip Reposition 19 Hours After Cerebral Aneurysm Clipping-Induced Ischemia Results in Neurologic Restitution-Correlation with Indocyanine Green Videoangiography and FLOW 800 Measurements.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral infarction because of parent artery stenosis represents a potential complication of microsurgical aneurysm clipping. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 60-year-old woman that developed left-sided hemiparesis and aphasia 9 hours after clipping of an unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm with heavy calcification of the aneurysm neck. Angiographic workup revealed a marked parent artery stenosis, which occurred presumably because of thrombus generation at the reconstructed aneurysm neck. Revision surgery with relocation of the aneurysm clip was ultimately performed 19 hours after symptom onset. Although follow-up computed tomography scan showed a small cerebral infarction, the patient recovered fully from surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows that relocation of the aneurysm clip in case of vessel stenosis can lead to penumbral salvage, even when performed more than 6 hours after symptom onset.

Identifying Predictors for Aneurysm Remnants After Clipping by Morphometric Analysis and Proposal of a Novel Risk Score.

OBJECTIVE: Although the risk of aneurysm remnants after microsurgical clipping is generally low, complete aneurysm occlusion is not always guaranteed. We performed a morphometric analysis of intracranial aneurysms to identify predictors for aneurysm remnants and to propose a novel risk score. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of consecutive patients with ruptured and unruptured aneurysms who underwent microsurgical clipping and postoperative digital subtraction angiography between 2010 and 2018. Based on preoperative rotational angiography, distinct morphologic aneurysm characteristics were determined and correlated with postoperative angiographic results. Factors predictive in the univariate and multivariate analyses were determined to establish a risk score for postoperative remnants after aneurysm clipping. RESULTS: Among 140 patients with 166 clipped aneurysms, aneurysm remnants were present in 19.9%. In the multivariate analysis, ruptured aneurysm status (odds ratio [OR], 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-36; P < 0.01) and increased aspect ratio (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-4.0; P = 0.07) were associated with postoperative aneurysm remnants. Anterior communicating artery location (P = 0.02), internal carotid artery location (P = 0.06), increased aneurysm inclination angle (P < 0.01), and irregular aneurysm shape (P = 0.07) were further predictors for aneurysm remnants in the univariate analysis. These factors were weighted and included into a risk sum score for postoperative aneurysm remnants (range, 0-8 points), which performed with good accuracy (area under the curve = 0.807). CONCLUSIONS: After external validation of the proposed risk score, it could help identify cases requiring angiographic control after aneurysm surgery.

Impact of aneurysm shape and neck configuration on cerebral infarction during microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral infarction is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality related to microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of aneurysm shape and neck configuration on cerebral infarction after aneurysm surgery. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms treated with microsurgical clipping at their institution between 2010 and 2018. Three-dimensional reconstructions from preoperative computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography were used to determine aneurysm shape (regular/complex) and neck configuration (regular/irregular). Morphological and procedure-related risk factors for cerebral infarction were identified using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: Among 243 patients with 252 aneurysms (148 ruptured, 104 unruptured), the overall cerebral infarction rate was 17.1%. Infarction tended to occur more often in aneurysms with complex shape (p = 0.084). Likewise, aneurysms with an irregular neck had a significantly higher rate of infarction (37.5%) than aneurysms with regular neck configuration (10.1%, p < 0.001). Aneurysms with an irregular neck were associated with a higher rate of intraoperative rupture (p = 0.003) and temporary parent artery occlusion (p = 0.037). In the multivariate analysis, irregular neck configuration was identified as an independent risk factor for infarction (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.4, p < 0.001), whereas the association between aneurysm shape and infarction was not significant (p = 0.966). CONCLUSIONS: Irregular aneurysm neck configuration represents an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction during microsurgical clipping of both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms.

Angiographic Characteristics of Lobulated Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have indicated that lobulated aneurysms are more susceptible to rupture than are single-sac aneurysms. We aimed to determine the angiographic characteristics related to the lobulated shape of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) and ruptured (RIAs) intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with UIAs (n = 143) and RIAs (n = 190) who underwent digital subtraction angiography at our institution between 2010 and 2017. Patient and aneurysm characteristics were compared between lobulated and regular single-sac aneurysms. RESULTS: Patients with lobulated UIAs were significantly older than were patients with regular aneurysms (56.5 ± 10.7 years vs. 49.3 ± 13.0 years; P = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, lobulated morphology was significantly related to bifurcation location (69.5% vs. 27.3%; odds ratio [OR], 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-7.5; P = 0.019), aneurysm size (8.1 ± 3.2 mm vs. 4.9 ± 3.0 mm; OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.7-17.8; P = 0.005), and inflow angle (145 ± 27° vs. 114 ± 27°; OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.2; P = 0.031). Bifurcation location (P = 0.031) and larger aneurysm size (P < 0.001) were confirmed as independent characteristics for lobulation in the RIA group. Compared with regular aneurysms, lobulated UIAs were more often allocated to treatment (86.6% vs. 60.3%; P < 0.001) and treated by microsurgical clipping (39.4% vs. 16.4%; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Bifurcation location, an increased aneurysm size, and a straighter aneurysm inflow angle are independently associated with lobulated aneurysms.

Application of Intraoperative FLOW 800 Indocyanine Green Videoangiography Color-Coded Maps for Microsurgical Clipping of Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography (VAG) is an established method for assessment of cerebral blood flow during microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms. FLOW 800 is a surgical microscope-integrated software program that shows the cerebral blood flow in color-coded maps, thus providing semi-quantitative and real-time analysis of ICG data. We aimed to establish reference values for FLOW 800 parameters before and after microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms and to evaluate the potential of FLOW 800 to guide intraoperative decisions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients (mean age, 53.6 ± 11.6 years) who underwent microsurgical clipping for 60 aneurysms and intraoperative evaluation of ICG fluorescence dynamics using FLOW 800 color-coded maps. FLOW 800 data were correlated with patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and intraoperative decision making. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in FLOW 800 data between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms (P > 0.05). Likewise, the hemodynamic parameters were not significantly different before and after definite clip placement (P > 0.05). However, in 2 cases, analysis of transit times by FLOW 800 analysis showed a hemodynamically significant clip stenosis that might have been missed by conventional ICG-VAG and resulted in adjustment of the clip position. Overall, there was 1 cerebral infarction, which was not related to clip placement. CONCLUSIONS: FLOW 800 is a useful adjunct to ICG-VAG for intraoperative assessment of cerebral perfusion and may help to identify hemodynamically relevant clip stenosis. The beneficial impact of FLOW 800 on clinical outcome after microsurgical clipping needs to be confirmed by comparative studies.

Elective Treatment of Additional and Recurrent Aneurysms in Patients with a Previous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Single-Center Analysis of Complications and Clinical Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can be associated with a degree of resulting brain damage and subsequent reorganization of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate complication rates and clinical outcome in patients with a previous SAH who were treated for a recurrent or an additional, initially unruptured aneurysm. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted for patients who underwent elective treatment by surgical or endovascular means between 2010 and 2018. We compared patients with a previous SAH and without history of SAH in terms of complication rates and functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 337 patients (non-SAH, 270; SAH, 67) who underwent 390 elective procedures for treatment of 443 aneurysms. Procedure-related complications occurred in 13.5% of patients with a previous SAH and in 13.3% of patients without SAH (P = 1.0). At the 6-month follow-up, the morbidity (defined as any increase on the mRS) was comparable between the SAH group (6.7%) and the non-SAH group (7.6%; P = 0.5). Overall favorable outcome (mRS score ≤2) was achieved by 96.6% in the SAH group and 97.3% in the non-SAH group (P = 1.0). Also, in patients with a previous SAH, the choice of clipping or endovascular treatment did not have a significant impact on clinical outcome at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of recurrent or additional aneurysms in patients with a previous SAH can be performed with acceptable complication rates and morbidity by either surgical or endovascular means.

Impact of aneurysm shape on morbidity after clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Complex aneurysm shape is a predominant risk factor for aneurysm rupture but its impact on clinical outcome after clipping remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to compare complications and morbidity after clipping of unruptured single-sac aneurysms (SSAs) and aneurysms with multiple sacs (MSAs). METHODS: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted for patients that were treated between 2010 and 2018. We analyzed surgical parameters, treatment-related complications, and morbidity, defined as any increase in the modified Rankin scale at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 101 patients (mean age: 52.9 ± 10.5 years) that underwent clipping for 57 SSAs and 44 MSAs. The two groups were comparable regarding aneurysm size and neck width. Clipping of MSAs was associated with a longer operation time (p = 0.008) and increased use of intraoperative indocyanine green (p = 0.016) than SSAs. Complications occurred more often in the MSA group (29.5%) than in the SSA group (14.0%; p = 0.057). Morbidity was significantly higher in the MSA group (20.5%) than in the SSA group (3.5%, p = 0.009). In the univariate analysis, the odds of morbidity were 7.1 times greater for MSAs than for SSAs (95% CI 1.4-34.7). CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity after microsurgical clipping is significantly increased in MSAs as compared to SSAs. This may be attributed to a more difficult clip placement with stronger manipulation of the aneurysm dome and the surrounding brain tissue.

Preoperative Three-Dimensional Angiography May Reduce Ischemic Complications During Clipping of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Microsurgical clipping of aneurysms demands precise spatial understanding of aneurysm morphology and vascular geometry. We analyzed the impact of preoperative three-dimensional (3D) angiographic imaging on clinical and angiographic outcome after clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical clipping during the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2010 and 2017. Surgical planning was made based on two-dimensional (2D) or 3D angiographic images. We retrospectively compared complication rates, morbidity, and angiographic outcome between these 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients (mean age: 54.8 ± 13.1 years) were included in the study. Preoperative 3D angiographic imaging was available for 117 cases. The rate of procedure-related ischemia was significantly lower in the 3D group (16.2%) than in the 2D group (35.0%; P = 0.013). In the multivariate analysis, 2D imaging alone remained as independent factor for subsequent brain ischemia (odds ratio: 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.6; P = 0.018). Favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale ≤2) was more often attained in the 3D group (70.0%) than in the 2D group (41.9%; P = 0.002). The rate of complete aneurysm occlusion was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.967). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, accurate operation planning using 3D angiography was associated with a lower ischemic complication rate after clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, which may potentially influence clinical outcome.

Impact of Aneurysm Shape on Intraoperative Rupture During Clipping of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Irregular shape is a known risk factor of intracranial aneurysm rupture causing subarachnoid hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of aneurysm shape on intraoperative rupture (IOR) during microsurgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center study of consecutive patients that underwent clipping between 2010 and 2017. Based on 3-dimensional reconstructions from preoperative computed tomography scan and digital subtraction angiography, aneurysm shape was classified as regular aneurysm (RA) or irregular aneurysm (IRA). Risk factors for IOR were identified using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients with 32 RAs and 102 IRAs were included in the analysis. IRAs had a larger size than RAs (8.3 ± 3.5 vs. 4.6 ± 2.3 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). There were 36 instances of IOR (26.1%). The IOR rate was greater in IRAs than in RAs (31.1% vs. 9.4%, respectively; P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, IRA shape was the only significant independent risk factor for IOR (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-14.6; P = 0.047). Unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score greater than 2) was not significantly associated with aneurysm shape (P = 0.998) and IOR (P = 0.260). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that IRA shape is an independent risk factor for IOR. In the analyzed patient cohort, aneurysm shape and IOR had no significant impact on patient prognosis.

Is clipping better than coiling in the treatment of patients with oculomotor nerve palsies induced by posterior communicating artery aneurysms? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PcomAAs) are the second most common aneurysm, accounting for 25% of all aneurysms and 50% of internal carotid artery aneurysms. It has been estimated that oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) occurs in up to one-third of patients with posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms. Recent research showed a better outcome of ONP in patients with PcomAA after surgical clipping when compared to endovascular coiling. We compared the effect of clipping and coiling on recovery of ONP in the management of patients with PcomAAs. METHODS: A meta-analysis of studies that compared surgical clipping with endovascular coiling was conducted by searching the literature via Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases without restricting the publication year. We extracted the following information: author names and publication year; clinical outcome (number of complete and incomplete recovery of ONP); perioperative data (number of pre-operatively complete or incomplete ONP, subarachnoid hemorrhage or not, number of complications (hydrocephalus, recurrence of PcomAA)). Except for author names and publication year, the data was pooled to perform a mean effect size estimate. The effects of two treatment modalities were then analyzed. RESULTS: Nine published reports of eligible studies involving 297 participants met the inclusion criteria. Overall, compared with endovascular coiling, surgical clipping had no statistically significant difference on the complete recovery of ONP, although there was an obvious trend in favor of clipping [RR=1.48, 95%CI (0.95, 2.29), p=0.08]. There was no significant difference in the total efficiency (any degree of change) on ONP [RR=1.08, 95%CI (0.94, 1.25), p>0.05], the overall complications [RR=0.60, 95%CI (0.33, 1.10), p>0.05], the efficacy on the complete recovery of ONP in patients without SAH [RR=0.83, 95%CI (0.53, 1.31), p>0.05], the effect on the complete recovery of ONP in patients with pre-operatively complete or incomplete ONP [RR=1.12, 95%CI (0.68, 1.85), p>0.05], [RR=1.12, 95%CI (0.79, 1.59), p>0.05]. In a comparison of a small cohort of patients that had suffered an SAH (17 vs. 22) there was a significant difference on the effect on complete recovery of ONP between clipping and coiling [RR=1.70, 95%CI (1.08, 2.67), p<0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: A superiority of clipping over coiling for the complete recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy in patients that had suffered an SAH from a ruptured aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery was found in the present meta-analysis. Limited by the relatively small sample sizes included, there were no significant differences observed in the clinical outcome between coiling and clipping in the treatment of unruptured PcomAA causing ONP. More evidence from advanced multi-center studies of large scale is needed to provide insight into the optimal treatment for outcome of ONP caused by PcomAAs.