I. Pelissou-Guyotat

Level of Consciousness and Age as Prognostic Factors in Aneurysmal SAH

SummaryThe prognostic value of the level of consciousness and the patients age for the outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is studied in 74 patients admitted on day (D)0 to D3 after aneurysm rupture.For the level of consciousness three groups of patients are compared: grade I+II (alert patients), grade III+IV (drowsy patients), and grade V (comatose patients). For the age, two groups are compared: patients aged under 50, and patients aged 50 and over. The timing of surgery was: D0–D3 51%, D4–D6 20%, D7 and later 18%, and No surgery 11%.The overall management results were: Good (satisfactory result) 43%, Fair (moderately disabled) 18%, Poor (severely disabled+vegetative survival) 19%, and Death 20%. The outcome was strongly related to the level of consciousness, the rates of Good result decreasing from 71% (grades I–II) to 14% (grades III–IV) and to zero (grade V), and the mortality rates increasing respectively from 5% to 14% and 61%.The relationship between outcome and age was less marked: 54% Good result under 50 and 30% over 50. Out of the Grade V group, 56% could be operated upon and 44% died before surgery. No patient from the other two groups died before surgery. The literature concerning the Grading Systems published so far and the various prognostic factors are discussed.

Regrowth of Residual Ruptured Aneurysms Treated by Guglielmi's Detachable Coils Which Demanded Further Treatment by Surgical Clipping: Report of 7 Cases and Review of the Literature

Summary.Summary. Object: The management of intracranial aneurysms has truly evolved after the introduction of endovascular treatment by Guglielmi Detachable Coils (GDC). In our department, for every case (ruptured or unruptured aneurysm) we discuss in the first place endovascular treatment. When coiling is feasible, it is done as a first choice. If not (intracranial compressive haematoma, coiling unfeasible or dangerous), the patient is operated upon. Failure of the endovascular technique, like incomplete treatment and regrowth of the residual sac, becomes a subject of discussion. Some cases need complementary treatment for large or unstable residual aneurysm. Methods: Thus, between 1997 and 2000, 59 ruptured aneurysms were treated using an endovascular method by means of GDC. In 15 of this cases complementary treatment was needed, due to the size or instability of the residual aneurysm. In 8 cases a new embolization was possible and in 7 cases a complementary surgical procedure was needed, due to the impossibility of further endovascular treatment. Results: Out of these 7 cases who were operated upon after coiling, clipping of the residual neck was possible in 4 cases; in 3 cases clipping was impossible due to the partial filling of the aneurysm neck by the coils. In these 3 cases, a ligation of the residual neck, associated with coagulation of the sac was performed. Discussion: The difficulty of the treatment of an residual aneurysm after coiling is discussed as well as those surgical techniques alternative to clipping (wrapping or coagulation of the residual sac).

Management of the ruptured intracranial aneurysm--early surgery, late surgery, or modulated surgery? Personal experience based upon 468 patients admitted in two periods (1972-1984 and 1985-1989).

SummaryThe management of the ruptured intracranial aneurysm is studied in two consecutive series: an earlier series, including 328 patients admitted from 1972 through 1984, for which the general attitude was delayed surgery, and a later series, including 140 patients admitted from 1985 through 1989, in which selected patients were submitted to early surgery and other patients were postponed for delayed surgery, according to two main parameters: the clinical status and the patients age. When we compare both series, the overall management results demonstrate an improvement of 10% of satisfactory results and a decrease of 10% in the death rate in favour of the later series; for the surgical results, the figures are respectively 6% and 5% in favour of the later series. The relationship between age and outcome shows a considerable improvement: over 50 years of age, we observed plus 25% of satisfactory results and minus 22% in death in favour of the later series. Similarly the relationship between state of consciousness and outcome, demonstrated a great improvement; for drowsy and stuporous patients the figures are respectively plus 22% and minus 21% in favour of the later series. When we consider the later series alone, the patients were admitted at 4 intervals of time from SAH (D0-3, D4-6, D7-15, D16 and over). The most favourable outcome was observed for those patients admitted late (after D7) and already stabilized. Patients admitted early (D0-3) were operated on at four intervals of time (D0-3, D4-6, D7-15, D16 and over). The most favourable outcome was observed for those patients operated on early (D0-3) or very late (D16 and over). For patients admitted early and being under 50 years of age, the results were: satisfactory 92%, poor 2.5%, death 5%. The relationship between age and outcome shows a very small difference between patients under or over 50 years of age. The relationship between level of consciousness and outcome still demonstrates an appreciable difference: plus 22% (satisfactory) and minus 7% (death) in favour of alert patients.Rebleeding was the cause of disability or death in 2.8% of the overall later series and 2.7% of patients admitted early; as for vasospasm the figures are respectively 4.2% and 5.4%. These results are presented with reference to those of the Co-operative Study.After this experience, the authors general attitude for the timing of surgery is neither systematic early surgery, nor systematic delayed surgery, but modulated surgery, based upon the evaluation of the operative risk: minor risk, major risk, intermediate risk. Schematically the authors propose: early surgery in alert patients and under 50 years of age (minor risk), late surgery in patients with disturbances of consciousness and over 50 years of age (major risk); preferably early surgery in younger patients even with disturbances of consciousness (intermediate risk); preferably late surgery in older patients, even being alert (intermediate risk).

Prognostic value of the Spetzler's grading system in a series of cerebral AVMs treated by a combined management

SummaryThe prognostic value of the Spetzlers grading system is studied in a series of 52 AVMs treated by a combined management, using one or several of the 3 available techniques: surgical resection, endovascular embolization, radiosurgery.The symptoms at the time of treatment were haemorrhage 50%, seizures 31%, headache and deficit 19%. Three grade groups were considered: I and II (31%), III (33%), IV and V (36%). Overall, AVMs were managed as follows: resection alone 25%, embolization plus resection 23%, embolization alone 23%, radiosurgery with various combinations 29%. According to the grade groups, the most frequently used technique was resection alone for grade I–II AVMs (44%), radiosurgery for grade III AVMs (41%) and embolization alone for grade IV–V AVMs (42%).The clinical outcome was evaluated in terms of deterioration due to treatment. The best results were obtained in grade I–II AVMs (81% with no deterioration) then in grade III AVMs (65%) and in grade IV–V (58%). However, when we consider the outcome in terms of favourable results (no or only minor deterioration) we obtained a similar outcome for grade I–II and grade III AVMs (94% each), and only 79% for grade IV–V malformations. The angiographic outcome showed a better eradication rate in grade III AVMs (88% complete eradication), than in grade I–II AVMs (75%) and in grade IV–V (47%).Our conclusion is that the Spetzlers grading system in this series was well correlated with both the clinical and the angiographic outcome. However, we found no real difference between grade I–II and grade III AVMs. So, in terms of prognostic value, the grade I, II, and III AVMs could be considered together as low-grade malformations, with a better prognosis than the high-grade malformations (grade IV and V).

Recurrent lumbosacral metastases from intracranial meningioma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Summary.We report a case of a 31 year-old woman who in 1991 presented a clinical history of headaches, nausea and vomiting. CT scan showed a right frontotemporal meningioma. The first operation achieved a macroscopically complete resection. The tumour was histologically classified as a transitional meningioma.There were recurrences of the intracranial meningioma in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998. These recurrences were accompanied by differentiation to atypical and anaplastic meningioma. In all of these operations, a macroscopically complete resection of the tumour was performed. In 1996 adjuvant radiation therapy was given. In 1998 therapy with bromocriptine was adopted.In April 1999, the patient presented with lumbosacral pain associated with L5 bilateral sciatica. MRI showed a gadolinium enhancing mass lesion at L5-S1 level. Complete tumour resection was performed. The histological findings were the same as in 1998. In December 1999 the patient presented with perineal pain and MRI showed a L4 and S3 recurrence and the tumour was resected. The histological findings were those of a malignant meningioma.In February 2000 an intracranial recurrence was detected and operated on. The histological diagnosis was malignant meningioma.A review of the literature was undertake and is discussed.

Fenestration of the middle cerebral artery and aneurysm at the site of the fenestration

The authors report the case of a patient who presented a ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery and an unruptured aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery arising at the site of a fenestration of the MCA. The fenestration was undiagnosed on the preoperative angiogram but discovered during the surgery carried out for clipping of the aneurysms. In the literature, cases of fenestration of the MCA are sporadically reported and are incidental findings; an aneurysm may be associated on an artery other than the fenestrated MCA; an aneurysm arising at the site of the MCA fenestration is a very rare occurrence.

Surgical management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Personal experience with 37 cases and discussion of the indications.

SummaryThe authors report a series of 37 cases of unruptured aneurysms, admitted and operated upon over a 5 year period (1985–1990), which represents an incidence of 18% of the total number of aneurysm patients operated upon during this period. These unruptured aneurysms were discovered in 4 types of circumstances: 1) Associated with a ruptured aneurysm but treated in a second procedure (9 cases); 2) After a transient ischaemic attack (6 cases); 3) After a cerebral haemorrhage of a different origin (3 cases), 4) After the onset of various neurological symptoms other than SAH (19 cases). Giant aneurysms (over 2.5 cm in diameter) are excluded from this series. Overall these 37 patients harboured 52 aneurysms, and 1 patient was operated upon on both sides. 27 aneurysms (52%) were located on the right side, 15 (29%) on the left side, and 10 (19%) on the midline. In the immediate post operative period, 1 patient died (2.6%) and 8 patients (21%) presented various complications. The outcome at 6 months was: death 2.6%, moderately disabled 8%, good recovery 89%.The arguments in favour of, or against, the surgical treatment of unruptured aneurysms are discussed in view of the literature. In favour of prophylactic surgery are: 1) The rather poor overall outcome following aneurysm rupture (including deaths before admission); 2) The rather good outcome of surgery in published series of unruptured aneurysms. The data of the natural history of the unruptured aneurysm are more questionable: in this view, surgery seems to be recommended in young patients with an easily accessible aneurysm and being in a good clinical condition. Several contra indications should be strictly accepted: severe associated diseases, age (over 65 and sometimes over 60), patients refusal or reluctance. In cases of unruptured aneurysms to be operated upon in a second procedure after a ruptured aneurysm, the authors usually wait for 2 months or more before the second operation.

The use of Teflon as wrapping material in aneurysm surgery

Even if clipping is the ideal and only complete treatment of the intracranial aneurysm, wrapping is a well-known alternative technique when aneurysm clipping is not feasible, or is not completely satisfactory. We present a technique of wrapping using fibres of Teflon material shaped in strings or in pledgets, arranged on or around the area to be treated and fixed by fibrin glue. This Teflon technique was used during the years 1990 to 1992, in 44 treated aneurysms (33% or all aneurysms treated during the same period), and in 3 situations: 1) to reinforce a residual or additional ectasia next to the clipped aneurysm, usually proximal to the clip (25 cases, i.e., 57%), 2) to treat an arterial ectasia, so called preaneurysmal ectasia, which proved not clippable at surgery (10 cases, 23%) and 3) to protect a nervous or vascular neighbouring structure which was compressed by the clip grip (9 cases, 20%). No complication was noted in relation to this technique. Up to now, no other know wrapping material has received worldwide approval for being completely innocuous and effective. The Teflon material has been widely used in neurosurgical microvascular decompression and in cardiovascular surgery. In these fields, its reliability, safety, and lack of harmful effects have been widely recognized and should also apply in aneurysm surgery. A very long follow-up will be necessary to assess the outcome for this new wrapping technique.

Estudo comparativo entre aneurismas rotos tratados por cirurgia e por via endovascular

The management of intracranial aneurysms has truly evolved after the introduction of the endovascular treatment. In this paper we compare patients that were operated or embolized for intracranial aneurysms. Between 1995 and 1999, 78 grade I to III ruptured aneurysms were treated in our service: 52 patients were operated, 21 were embolized and 5 were submitted to combinated endovascular and surgical treatment. In the surgical group, clinical outcome was very good in 80.8% of cases with 5% of mortality with 96.2% of total exclusion of the aneurysm. In the endovascular group, 95% of cases the clinical outcome was very good with only 42.8% of total exclusion of the aneurysm. By the endovascular method for treatment of aneurysms, we can obtain a good clinical outcome but a poor radiological outcome and sometimes need a complementary surgical procedure to treat residual aneurysm.

Neurocitomas do sistema nervoso central: análise clínico-patológica de três casos

Central nervous system neurocytoma is a rare benign tumor of neuronal origin. Because of some clinical and radiological findings CNS neurocytomas were confused with other intraventricular lesions (ependymomas, choroid plexus papilloma, oligodendrogliomas, subependymal astrocytomas). Pathological diagnosis improved with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies. We present three cases of intraventricular neurocytomas confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. According to the literature clinical signs, radiological features, surgical and pathological findings are discussed.