Three-Dimensional Morphological Change of Intracranial Aneurysms Before and Around Rupture

Neurosurgery 94:1211–1217, 2024

Patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm often undergo periodic imaging to detect potential aneurysm growth, which is associated with an increased rupture risk. Because prediction of rupture based on growth is moderate, morphological changes have gained interest as a risk factor for rupture. We studied 3-dimensionalquantified morphological changes over time during radiological monitoring before rupture and around rupture.

METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we identified aneurysms that ruptured during follow-up, with imaging available for at least 2 time points before rupture and one after rupture. For each time point, we obtained 8 morphological parameters: 2-dimensional size, volume, surface area, compactness 1 and 2, sphericity, elongation, and flatness. Morphological changes before rupture and around rupture were log-transformed, scaled, and analyzed with linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS: We included 16 aneurysms in 16 patients who were imaged between 2004 and 2021. In the time period before rupture (median follow-up duration 1200 days, IQR 736-1340), 3 size-related morphological parameters increased: 2-dimensional size (estimated mean change 0.44, 95% CI 0.24-0.65), volume (estimated mean change 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.56), and surface area (0.33, 95% CI 0.11-0.54). In the period around rupture (median follow-up duration 407 days, IQR 148-719), these parameters further increased. In addition, 5 morphological parameters (compactness 1 and 2, sphericity, elongation, and flatness) decreased around rupture but not before rupture.

CONCLUSION: Change in aneurysm volume and surface area may be novel risk factors for rupture. Because most morphological parameters changed around but not before rupture, morphological changes during these 2 periods should be regarded as different processes. This implies that postrupture morphology should not be used as a surrogate for prerupture morphology in rupture prediction models.

 

Stereoelectroencephalography Using Magnetic Resonance Angiography for Avascular Trajectory Planning

Neurosurgery 81:688–695, 2017

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) requires high-quality angiographic studies because avascular trajectory planning is a prerequisite for the safety of this procedure. Some epilepsy surgery groups have begun to use computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance T1-weighted sequence with contrast enhancement for this purpose.

OBJECTIVE: To present the first series of patients with avascular trajectory planning of SEEG based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

METHODS: Thirty-six SEEG explorations for drug-resistant focal epilepsy were performed from January 2013 to December 2015. A retrospective analysis of this consecutive surgical series was then performed. Magnetic resonance imaging included MRA with a modified contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venography (MRV) protocol with a short acquisition delay, which allowed simultaneous arterial and venous visualization. Our criteria for satisfactoryMRAwere the visualization of at least first-order branches of the angular artery, paracentral and calcarine artery, and third-order tributaries of the superficial Sylvian vein, vein of Labbe, and vein of Trolard.

RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent 36 SEEG explorations with 369 electrodes carrying 4321 contacts. Contrast-enhanced MRA using the MRV protocol was judged satisfactory for SEEG planning in all explorations. Postoperative complications were not observed in our series of 36 SEEG explorations, which included 50 transopercular insular trajectories.

CONCLUSION: MRA using an MRV protocol may be applied for avascular trajectory planning during SEEG procedures. This technique provides a simultaneous visualization of cortical arteries and veins without the need for additional radiation exposure or intraarterial catheter placement.

 

Yield of CTA in catheter angiography–negative SAH

J Neurosurg 117:309–315, 2012

The yield of CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who have a negative initial catheter angiogram is currently not well understood. This study aims to determine the yield of CTA and MRA in a prospective cohort of patients with SAH and a negative initial catheter angiogram.

Methods. From January 1, 2005, until September 1, 2010, the authors instituted a prospective protocol in which patients with SAH—as documented by noncontrast CT or CSF xanthochromia and a negative initial catheter angiogram— were evaluated using CTA and MRA to assess for causative cerebral aneurysms. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated the noncontrast CT scans to determine the SAH pattern (perimesencephalic or not) and the CT and MR angiograms to assess for causative cerebral aneurysms.

Results. Seventy-seven patients were included, with a mean age of 52.8 years (median 54 years, range 19–88 years). Fifty patients were female (64.9%) and 27 male (35.1%). Forty-three patients had nonperimesencephalic SAH (55.8%), 29 patients had perimesencephalic SAH (37.7%), and 5 patients had CSF xanthochromia (6.5%). Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a causative cerebral aneurysm in 4 patients (5.2% yield), all of whom had nonperimesencephalic SAH (9.3% yield). Mean aneurysm size was 2.6 mm (range 2.1–3.3 mm). Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated only 1 of these aneurysms. No causative cerebral aneurysms were found in patients with perimesencephalic SAH or CSF xanthochromia.

Conclusions. Computed tomography angiography is a valuable adjunct in the evaluation of patients with nonperimesencephalic SAH who have a negative initial catheter angiogram, demonstrating a causative cerebral aneurysm in 9.3% of patients.

Annual rupture risk of growing unruptured cerebral aneurysms detected by magnetic resonance angiography

J Neurosurg 117:20–25, 2012

In this paper, the authors’ goals were to clarify the characteristics of growing unruptured cerebral aneurysms detected by serial MR angiography and to establish the recommended follow-up interval.

Methods. A total of 1002 patients with 1325 unruptured cerebral aneurysms were retrospectively identified. These patients had undergone follow-up evaluation at least twice. Aneurysm growth was defined as an increase in maximum aneurysm diameter by 1.5 times or the appearance of a bleb.

Results. Aneurysm growth was observed in 18 patients during the period of this study (1.8%/person-year). The annual rupture risk after growth was 18.5%/person-year. The proportion of females among patients with growing aneurysms was significantly larger than those without growing aneurysms (p = 0.0281). The aneurysm wall was reddish, thin, and fragile on intraoperative findings. Frequent follow-up examination is recommended to detect aneurysm growth before rupture.

Conclusions. Despite the relatively short period, the annual rupture risk of growing unruptured cerebral aneurysms detected by MR angiography was not as low as previously reported. Surgical or endovascular treatment can be considered if aneurysm growth is detected during the follow-up period.