Woven Endobridge Embolization Versus Microsurgical Clipping for Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

Neurosurgery 88:779–784, 2021

Intrasaccular flow-disruption represents a new paradigmin 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% forWEB 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.

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

J Neurosurg 132:1539–1547, 2020

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.

Effect of body mass index on outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated with clipping versus coiling

J Neurosurg 129:658–669, 2018

It has been suggested that increased body mass index (BMI) may confer a protective effect on patients who suffer from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Whether the modality of aneurysm occlusion influences the effect of BMI on patient outcomes is not well understood. The authors aimed to compare the effect of BMI on outcomes for patients with aSAH treated with surgical clipping versus endovascular coiling.

METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the outcomes for patients admitted to their institution for the management of aSAH treated with either clipping or coiling. BMI at the time of admission was recorded and used to assign patients to a group according to low or high BMI. Cutoff values for BMI were determined by classification and regression tree analysis. Predictors of poor functional outcome (defined as modified Rankin Scale score > 2 measured ≥ 90 days after the ictus) and posttreatment cerebral hypodensities detected during admission were then determined separately for patients treated with clipping or coiling using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS Of the 469 patients admitted to the authors’ institution with aSAH who met the study’s inclusion criteria, 144 were treated with clipping and 325 were treated with coiling. In the clipping group, the frequency of poor functional outcome was higher in patients with BMI ≥ 32.3 kg/m2 (47.6% vs 19.0%; p = 0.007). In contrast, in the coiling group, patients with BMI ≥ 32.3 kg/m2 had a lower frequency of poor functional outcome at ≥ 90 days (5.8% vs 30.9%; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, high BMI was independently associated with an increased (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.20–13.41; p = 0.024) and decreased (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.40; p < 0.001) likelihood of poor functional outcome for patients treated with clipping and coiling, respectively. For patients in the surgical group, BMI ≥ 28.4 kg/m2 was independently associated with incidence of cerebral hypodensities during admission (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.16–5.25; p = 0.018) on multivariate analysis. For patients treated with coiling, BMI ≥ 33.2 kg/m2 was independently associated with reduced odds of hypodensities (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21–0.89; p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that BMI may differentially affect functional outcomes after aSAH, depending on treatment modality. These findings may aid in treatment selection for patients with aSAH.