CircumferentialWall Enhancement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging is Useful to Identify Rupture Site in Patients with Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms

Neurosurgery 82:638–644, 2018

Identification of rupture sites in patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms is largely based on aneurysm size, location, and shape. Finding circumferential enhancement along the aneurysm wall (CEAW) on magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging was recently shown to be indicative of ruptured aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that a higher degree of CEAW would identify the site of rupture in patients with multiple aneurysms.

METHODS: We prospectively performed quantitative analysis of CEAW in consecutive patients with both aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple aneurysms (26 patientswith a total of 62 aneurysms), usingMR vesselwall imaging. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequenceswere obtained before and after injection of contrast media, and the wall enhancement index (WEI) was calculated. Aneurysm characteristics (size, location, irregular shape, aspect ratio [neck-to-dome length/neck width], and WEI) were compared between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for ruptures were calculated with conditional univariable logistic regression analysis. Analyses were repeated after adjustment for aneurysm size.

RESULTS: Large aneurysm size, high aspect ratio, WEI (above the median values), and irregular shape were significantly associated with aneurysm rupture. After adjustment for aneurysm size, WEI (adjusted odds ratio: 8.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-72.6) as well as irregular shape and aspect ratio showed a strong association with rupture.

CONCLUSION: CEAW is associated with rupture of intracranial aneurysm independent of aneurysm size and patient characteristics. Contrast-enhanced MR vessel wall imaging helps to identify the site of rupture in patients with multiple aneurysms.

Circumferential Wall Enhancement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging is Useful to Identify Rupture Site in Patients with Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms

Neurosurgery 82:638–644, 2018

Identification of rupture sites in patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms is largely based on aneurysmsize, location, and shape. Finding circumferential enhancement along the aneurysm wall (CEAW) on magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging was recently shown to be indicative of ruptured aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that a higher degree of CEAW would identify the site of rupture in patients with multiple aneurysms.

METHODS: We prospectively performed quantitative analysis of CEAW in consecutive patients with both aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple aneurysms (26 patientswith a total of 62 aneurysms), usingMR vesselwall imaging. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequenceswere obtained before and after injection of contrast media, and the wall enhancement index (WEI) was calculated. Aneurysm characteristics (size, location, irregular shape, aspect ratio [neck-to-dome length/neck width], and WEI) were compared between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for ruptures were calculated with conditional univariable logistic regression analysis. Analyses were repeated after adjustment for aneurysm size.

RESULTS: Large aneurysm size, high aspect ratio, WEI (above the median values), and irregular shape were significantly associated with aneurysm rupture. After adjustment for aneurysm size, WEI (adjusted odds ratio: 8.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-72.6) as well as irregular shape and aspect ratio showed a strong association with rupture.

CONCLUSION: CEAW is associated with rupture of intracranial aneurysm independent of aneurysm size and patient characteristics. Contrast-enhanced MR vessel wall imaging helps to identify the site of rupture in patients with multiple aneurysms.

 

Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging Identifies the Site of Rupture in Patients With Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Vessel_Wall_Magnetic_Resonance_Imaging_Identifies

Neurosurgery 72:492–496, 2013

High-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) is increasingly used to study steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disease, but has not yet been applied to patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

OBJECTIVE: To study the ability of high-resolution MR-VWI to determine the site of rupture in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

METHODS: Medical records of patients admitted with aneurysmal SAH between December 2011 and May 2012 were reviewed. MR-VWI was routinely performed for patients treated in the IMRIS Neurovascular Suite immediately before definitive treatment of the ruptured aneurysm.

RESULTS: We report for the first time high-resolution MR-VWI in 5 patients with aneurysmal SAH. Three patients harbored multiple intracranial aneurysms. The ruptured aneurysms demonstrated thick vessel wall enhancement in all cases. None of the associated unruptured aneurysms demonstrated this MR imaging finding.

CONCLUSION: High-resolution MR-VWI identified the site of rupture in patients with aneurysmal SAH, including those patients harboring multiple intracranial aneurysms. It may represent a useful tool in the investigation of aneurysmal SAH.