Application of zone classification in multiple intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treatment strategies.

Background: The options of surgical approach and treatment stage are two challenging treatment strategy issues with multiple intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (MIA-SAH). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with MIA-SAH who underwent surgery in our center between January 1, 2014 and September 1, 2022. To define "zone classification", the cranial cavity was divided into four zones by the planes of cerebral falx and tentorium cerebelli. Aneurysms isolated to one zone were defined as zone classification I; those crossing two zones were defined as zone classification II; those crossing three zones were defined as zone classification III; and those crossing four zones were defined as zone classification IV. General and aneurysmal-related characteristics of patients with different zone classifications were collected and compared between two surgical approaches. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with multistage treatment options. Results: A total of 226 patients with 523 aneurysms were included. The proportion of patients undergoing endovascular treatment increased with higher zone classification (I: 85.4%; II: 94.0%; III: 100.0%; IV: 100.0%). The proportion of patients receiving one-stage treatment decreased with higher zone classification (I: 60.2%; II: 33.6%; III: 0.0%; IV: 0.0%). Compared with patients undergoing microsurgical clipping, more patients undergoing endovascular treatment had zone classification II-IV (56.9% vs. 31.8%, p = 0.025). Zone classification II-IV (odds ratio [OR] = 3.821, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.041-7.154, p < 0.001), endovascular treatment (OR = 8.756, 95% CI: 2.589-29.609, p < 0.001), and size of all unruptured aneurysms <3 mm (OR = 4.531, 95% CI: 2.315-8.871, p < 0.001) were each independently associated with multistage treatment. Conclusions: Zone classification provides a new idea in MIA-SAH treatment strategies, especially regarding surgical approach and treatment stage options.

Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms Treated by Microsurgical and Endovascular Technique.

Treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms is challenging. Neurologic status, aneurysm morphology, location, ruptured/unruptured status, availability of equipment, and patient preference are among the factors influencing the choice of treatment modality.1 Ideally, a 1-stage procedure is recommended whenever possible.2 However, patients with multiple aneurysms located in both the anterior and posterior circulation are less likely to be treated with a single procedure.3 We present the case of a 52-year-old patient who presented with recurrent headaches and progressive onset of a right eye ptosis evolving for 2 months. Her medical history was significant: an episode of eclampsia 20 years ago and high blood pressure managed with amlodipine. On physical examination, the patient was neurologically intact except for an isolated right eye ptosis. She had a brain angioscanner that revealed 1 right A1 aneurysm, 1 left M1 aneurysm, and 1 vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. After discussion, we proposed a 2-stage procedure including a unilateral right pterional approach for right A1 and left M1 aneurysms and an endovascular treatment for the vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. As illustrated in Video 1, both anterior circulation aneurysms were successfully clipped and the patient was discharged on day 4 with an intact neurologic status. Thirty days later, she underwent an endovascular coiling of the vertebro-basilar junction aneurysm uneventfully. She was able to return to work 2 weeks after discharge. The patient consented to publication of her images.

Timing and outcome of bystanders treatment in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with multiple aneurysms.

In case of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) associated with multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIAs), the main goal of acute treatment is securing the source of bleeding (index aneurysm). Indications and timing of bystanders treatment are instead still debated as the risk of new SAHs in patients harboring MIAs is not yet established. However, even if technically feasible, a simultaneous management of all aneurysms remains questionable, especially for safety issues. We retrospectively reviewed our last 5-year experience with SAH patients harboring MIAs entered in a clinic-radiological monitoring for bystanders follow-up in order to evaluate the occurrence of morphological changes, bleeding events, and safety and efficacy of a delayed treatment. We included 39 patients with mean age of 59.5 ± 12.2 years who survived a SAH. Among them, 14 underwent treatment, whereas 25 continued follow-up. The mean time between index and bystanders treatment was 14.3 ± 19.2 months. Patients undergoing bystanders treatment were mainly female and in general younger than patients undergoing observation. No cases of growth or bleeding were observed among bystanders within the two groups during the follow-up, which was longer than 1 year for the intervention group, and almost 40 months for the observation group. No major complications and mRS modifications were observed after bystanders treatment. Our data seem to suggest that within the short follow-up, intervention and observation seem to be likewise safe for bystander aneurysms, showing at the same time that a delayed management presents a similar risk profile of treating unruptured aneurysms in patients with no previous history of SAH.

Circular RNA expression profile in human primary multiple intracranial aneurysm.

Primary multiple intracranial aneurysm (MIA) is a vascular disease that frequently leads to fatal vascular rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, the epigenetic regulation associated with MIA has remained largely elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve important roles in cardiovascular diseases; however, their association with MIA has remained to be investigated. The present study initially aimed to explore novel mechanisms of MIA through examining circRNA expression profiles. Comprehensive circRNA expression profiles were detected by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The RNA-Seq results were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses suggested the functions of these circRNAs. A competing endogenous RNA network was constructed to reveal the circRNA-microRNA-mRNA relationship. Among the 3,328 differentially expressed circRNAs between the MIA and matched control groups, 60 exhibited significant expression changes (|log2 fold change|≥2; P<0.05). Among these 60 circRNAs, 20 were upregulated, while the other 40 were downregulated. A number of downregulated circRNAs were involved in inflammation. The most significant KEGG pathway was 'leukocyte transendothelial migration'. The circRNAs Homo sapiens (hsa)_circ_0135895, hsa_circ_0000682 and hsa_circ_0000690, which were also associated with the above-mentioned pathway, were indicated to be able to regulate protein tyrosine kinase 2, protein kinase Cß and integrin subunit αL, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to perform a circRNA sequencing analysis of MIA. The results specifically predicted the regulatory role of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of MIA. 'Leukocyte transendothelial migration' may be critical for the pathogenesis of MIA.

Risk Factors for Formation of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: We report the correlation between known risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and formation of multiple intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and outcomes of 524 patients who had undergone aneurysmal operation at our hospital between January 1996 and May 2001. Of 524 patients who had undergone operations with intracranial aneurysm, 130 patients had multiple intracranial aneurysms. The authors examined the correlations between the risk factors(patient age, sex, menopausal state of female patients, hypertension, cigarette smoking) and the presence of multiple intracranial aneurysms by using chi-square test retrospectively. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was about 1 : 2.05(male : female=129 : 265) for patients with single intracranial aneurysm, and male to female was about 1 : 3.06(male : female=32 : 98) for patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms. Among 256 female patients with single intracranial aneurysm, 182 patients(68.9%) were postmenopausal, and, among 98 female patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms, 81 patients(82.6%) were postmenopausal. The mean age of the patients with single intracranial aneurysm was 54 years, and, with multiple intracranial aneurysms, the mean age was 57.8 years. The presence of hypertension was found in 149 patients(37.8%) with single intracranial aneurysm, and, in 55 patinets (42.3%) with multiple intracranial aneurysms. Cigarette smoking was found in 116 patients(29.4%) with single intracranial aneurysm and 47 patients(36.1%) with multiple intracranial aneurysms. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between menopausal state of female patients and presence of multiple intracranial aneurysms. However, gender, hypertension and smoking are not related to multiple intracranial aneurysms.

Clinical Analysis of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysm

A retrospective review was performed of all patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms treated over a 6-year period. Fifty-three patients with a total of 121 aneurysms were included. Of all patients with aneurysms treated in same interval, the incidence of multiple aneurysms was 11.7%. Multiple aneurysms were much more common in women, with a male to female ratio of 1:3.1. The common locations for multiple aneurysms were posterior communicating artery(28.9%), middle cerebral artery(27.3%) and anterior communicating artery(14.0%). However, location with the highest probability of rupture was the anterior communicating artery(64.7%). In identifying the site of rupture, the presence of focal hematoma on brain CT scan, focal vasospasm, irregularity and size of aneurysmal sacs on angiograms were helpful. Direct operations were performed on all cases. Both the ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were treated in 42(79%) 3 cases, and the ruptured aneurysms only in 11(21%). Among 42 cases, treated for both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, one-stage operations were performed in 28 cases, whereas two-stage operations were performed in 14 cases. Surgical outcome was favorable in 87% of the cases and mortality rate was 7.5%. The outcome was influenced by preoperative clinical status of the patients, but not by the locations of aneurysms or operative methods.

Clinical Analysis of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

In this retrospective clinical analysis for 143 patients who underwent operation due to multiple intracranial aneurysms during the last 12 years(1983-1994), we intended to find out the clinical characteristics, the significant signs for the differentiation between ruptured and unruptured aneurysm, and to compare the results of one-stage operations with those of two-stage operations. The results were s follows; Of 864 patients operated on due to intracranial aneurysms, 143 patients(16.6%) had two or more intracranial aneurysms. Multiple aneurysms were more common in females, with a female to male ratio of 2.4 : 1 as compared with 1.3 to 1 for patients with single aneurysm. Common locations of the aneurysms were the middle cerebral artery, and posterior communication artery, anterior communicating artery, and the anterior choroidal artery, in that order. In identifying the site of rupture, the focal hematoma in brain CT scan, segmental vasospasm, irregularity and sizes of aneurysmal sacs on angiograms were helpful. Aneurysms 3mm or less were less prone to rupture. However, for those with a diameter of more than 4mm, the frequency of rupture increased with the size of aneurysm. Eighty eight percent of patients who underwent operations had a favorable outcome and the operation mortality rate was 7.7%. In patients of Grade I and II, surgical results of the one-stage operation group and two-stage operation group did not differ. In Grade III patients, the results were better for the two-stage operation group, without statistical significance. From our studies we have come to the conclusion that incidental aneurysms found in patients with low risk should be treated at the same time when ruptured aneurysms are clipped.

Clinical Analysis of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Author reviewed the 31 cases of multiple intracranial aneurysms clinically from January 1981 to July 1987, at Inje College Busan Paik Hospital. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The incidence of multiple intracranial aneurysm was 7.8%. In most cases(94%), the number of aneurysm was two. 2) Approximately over 70% of patients were 6th and 7th decades, male to female ratio was 1:3.4. 3) The location of multiple intracranial aneurysms was in order, on the opposite side(39%), on the same side(26%), one in the midline and one on the side(29%). The location of indivisual aneurysms was in order, P-com. A(36%), MCA(25%), A-com. A(17%), ICA(13%). 4) The site of the ruptured aneurysm was determined by CT finding(55%), focal mass effect and spasm in angiography(29%), and others. The accurary was 97%. The possibility of rupture at each location was A-com. A(73%), P-com. A(57%), ICA(38%), MCA(31%). 5) 12 cases among them were treated with one-stage operation and 9 cases with two-stage operation. The post-operative favorable outcome was estimated in 13 cases(54%), the surgical mortality was 13%. There was no statistical difference between two groups.

Clinical Analysis of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Author reviewed the 31 cases of multiple intracranial aneurysms clinically from January 1981 to July 1987, at Inje College Busan Paik Hospital. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The incidence of multiple intracranial aneurysm was 7.8%. In most cases(94%), the number of aneurysm was two. 2) Approximately over 70% of patients were 6th and 7th decades, male to female ratio was 1:3.4. 3) The location of multiple intracranial aneurysms was in order, on the opposite side(39%), on the same side(26%), one in the midline and one on the side(29%). The location of indivisual aneurysms was in order, P-com. A(36%), MCA(25%), A-com. A(17%), ICA(13%). 4) The site of the ruptured aneurysm was determined by CT finding(55%), focal mass effect and spasm in angiography(29%), and others. The accurary was 97%. The possibility of rupture at each location was A-com. A(73%), P-com. A(57%), ICA(38%), MCA(31%). 5) 12 cases among them were treated with one-stage operation and 9 cases with two-stage operation. The post-operative favorable outcome was estimated in 13 cases(54%), the surgical mortality was 13%. There was no statistical difference between two groups.