Kang Ss

Association between Internal Carotid Artery Morphometry and Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

Purpose The goal of this study was to directly measure the association between the internal carotid artery (ICA) morphometry and the presence of ICA-posterior communicating artery (PCOM) aneurysm. Materials and Methods The authors intraoperatively measured the length of the supraclinoid ICA because it is impossible to radiologically determine the exact location of the anterior clinoid process. We used an image analyzer with a CT angiogram to measure the angle between the skull midline and the terminal segment of the ICA (ICA angle), as well as the diameter of the ICA. The lengths and diameters of the supraclinoid ICA and the ICA angle were compared among PCOM aneurysms, anterior communicating artery (ACOM) aneurysms, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms (n = 27 each). Additionally, the lengths and the diameters of M1 and A1 were compared for each aneurysm. Results The lengths of the supraclinoid ICA were 11.9 ± 2.3mm. The lengths of the supraclinoid ICA in patients with ICA-PCOM aneurysms (9.7 ± 2.8mm) were shorter than those of patients with ACOM aneurysms (13.8 ± 2.2mm, Students t-test, p < 0.001) and with MCA bifurcation aneurysms (12.2 ± 1.9 mm, Students t-test, p < 0.001). The diameters of the supraclinoid ICA and A1 in patients with ACOM aneurysms were larger than those in patients with MCA bifurcation aneurysms (Students t-test, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the lengths of M1 and A1, ICA angle, or diameter of M1 for each aneurysm. Conclusion These results suggest that the relatively shorter length of the supraclinoid ICA may be a novel risk factor for the development of ICA-PCOM aneurysm with higher hemodynamic stress.

Pterional craniotomy without keyhole to supratentorial cerebral aneurysms: technical note.

Abstract Background Patients who have pterional craniotomy occasionally complain of scalp deformity at the frontotemporal area because of craniotomy site. Especially, this occurs as a result of inappropriate repair of the bony defect at the keyhole with the complex curvature of the surrounding bone, although burr holes buttons are used. The author presents results of pterional craniotomy that is performed without keyhole to supratentorial cerebral aneurysms. Methods The temporal muscle was incised a few millimeters before its insertion at the superior temporal line, leaving a small fascial cuff for anatomic reattachment during closure. Only one burr hole was placed on the superior temporal line 3 to 4 cm posteriorly from the frontal base. After clipping of aneurysm, the bone flap was fixed using a titanium clamp (CranioFix) for a burr hole and 2 miniplates. Results Postoperative three-dimensional computerized tomography scans and photographs reveal excellent cosmetic results with the smooth cranial surface without scalp deformity at 6-month follow-up. Dural laceration developed in two cases, but there was no cerebral spinal fluid leakage after repair. Conclusion Our technique offers good cosmetic results and less risk of disaster by intraoperative rupture of aneurysm than the keyhole surgery.

Rupture of Very Small Intracranial Aneurysms: Incidence and Clinical Characteristics.

Objective Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are now being detected with increasing frequency in clinical practice. Results of the largest studies, including those of the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms, indicate that surgical and endovascular treatments are rarely justified in small aneurysms. However, we have encountered several cases of rupture of small and very small aneurysms in our clinical practice. This retrospective study analyzed the incidence and clinical characteristics of very small ruptured aneurysms. Materials and Methods A total of 200 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage between January 2012 and December 2014 were reviewed. Various factors were analyzed, including the aneurysm location and size as well as the associated risk factors. Results The mean age of patients was 56.31 ± 13.78 (range, 25-89) years, and the male to female ratio was 1:2.1. There were 94 (47%) small-sized (< 5 mm), 91 (45.5%) medium-sized (5-9.9 mm), and 15 large-sized (> 10 mm) aneurysms. Of these, 30 (15%) aneurysms were very small-sized (< 3 mm). The most frequent site of aneurysms was the anterior communicating artery (ACoA). However, the proportion of aneurysms at the ACoA was significantly high in very small aneurysms (53.3%, p = 0.013). Hypertension was a significant risk factor for rupture of very small aneurysms (p < 0.001). Conclusion About half of our cases of ruptured aneurysms involved the rupture of small and very small aneurysms. The most common site of rupture of very small aneurysm was the ACoA. Rupture of small and very small aneurysms is unpredictable, and treatment may be considered in selected high-risk patients according to factors such as young age, ACoA location, and hypertension.

Emergency microsurgical embolectomy for the treatment of acute intracranial artery occlusion: report of two cases.

Background The main treatment for acute arterial ischemic stroke is intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis within a particular time window. Endovascular mechanical embolectomy is another treatment option in the case of major artery occlusion. Endovascular mechanical embolectomy is a useful technique for restoring blood flow in patients with large-vessel occlusion, and especially in those who are contraindicated for thrombolytics or in whom thrombolytic therapy has failed. Case Report We report herein two cases of emergency microsurgical embolectomy for the treatment of acute middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery occlusion as an alternative treatment for major artery occlusion. Conclusions Emergency microsurgical mechanical embolectomy may be an alternative treatment option for restoring blood flow in selected patients with large-vessel acute ischemic stroke.

In situ floating resin cranioplasty for cerebral decompression.

The purpose of this report is to describe our surgical experiences in the treatment of cerebral decompression with in situ floating resin cranioplasty. We included in this retrospective study 7 patients who underwent in situ floating resin cranioplasty for cerebral decompression between December 2006 and March 2008. Of these patients, 3 patients had traumatic brain injury, 3 cerebral infarction, and one subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture. In situ floating resin cranioplasty for cerebral decompression can reduce complications related to the absence of a bone flap and allow reconstruction by secondary cranioplasty without difficulty. Furthermore, it provides cerebral protection and selectively eliminates the need for secondary cranioplasty in elderly patients or patients who have experienced unfavorable outcome.

Usefulness of Plaque Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Identifying High-Risk Carotid Plaques Irrespective of the Degree of Stenosis

Objective Measurement of the degree of stenosis is not enough to decide on the treatment strategy for patients with carotid stenosis. Plaque morphology examination is needed for such a decision-making. Thus, we evaluated the usefulness of plaque magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to decide on the modality of treatment for patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Materials and Methods Fifteen patients presenting with carotid stenosis between 2014 and 2016 were included. They underwent angiography for measurement of the degree of stenosis. Carotid plaques were visualized using MRI. Results There were six (40%) stable and nine (60%) unstable plaques. Seven symptomatic patients (77.7%) had unstable lesions and two symptomatic patients (33.3%) had stable lesions (p = 0.096). There were six (40%) intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) cases. There were six symptomatic patients (100%) in the IPH group and three symptomatic patients (33.3%) in the non-IPH group (p = 0.013). The mean stenosis degree was 58.9% in the IPH group and 70.4% in the non-IPH group (p = 0.094). Symptoms occurred irrespective of the degree of the stenosis in the IPH groups. In the IPH group, the recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular event rate was 33.3%. Particularly, the recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular event rate was 66.7% in the IPH group with mild stenosis treated with medications. Conclusion IPH in plaque MRI is significantly associated with ischemic symptoms and has a high risk for subsequent ischemic cerebrovascular events irrespective of the degree of stenosis. Plaque MRI is a useful tool in predicting symptomatic risks for carotid stenosis irrespective of the degree of such stenosis.

Emergency microsurgical embolectomy in acute ischemic stroke with diffusion-negative MRI

Although diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of acute ischemic injury, there are increasing reports that it may fail to demonstrate an acute stroke. Here, we present a case involving an acute ischemic stroke with a false-negative DWI in a 64-year-old woman who had undergone an emergency microsurgical embolectomy for an occluded middle cerebral artery (MCA). Although the endovascular mechanical embolectomy failed in treating the occluded MCA, we were able to successfully treat our patient with the second treatment option of a microsurgical embolectomy. Microsurgical embolectomy might be the treatment of choice, especially if the mechanical catheter is expected to not be able to access the target artery due to tortuous vascular structures.

Delayed Rebleeding of Cerebral Aneurysm Misdiagnosed as Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

An intracranial saccular aneurysm is uncommonly diagnosed in a patient with closed head trauma. We herein present a patient with delayed rebleeding of a cerebral aneurysm misdiagnosed as traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 26-year-old female visited our emergency department because of headache after a motorcycle accident. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed a right-side dominant SAH in Sylvian fissure. Although traumatic SAH was strongly suggested because of the history of head trauma, we performed a CT angiogram to exclude any vascular abnormalities. The CT angiogram showed no vascular abnormality. She was discharged after conservative treatment. One day after discharge, she returned to the emergency department because of mental deterioration. Brain CT showed diffuse SAH, which was dominant in the right Sylvian fissure. The CT angiogram revealed a right middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm. During operation, a non-traumatic true saccular aneurysm was found. The patient recovered fully after successful clipping of the aneurysm and was discharged without neurologic deficit. Normal findings on a CT angiogram do not always exclude aneurysmal SAH. Follow-up vascular study should be considered in trauma patients who are highly suspicious of aneurysmal rupture.

Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Three-year Experience

Objective The cause of severe clinical vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains unknown, despite extensive research over the past 30 years. However, the intra-arterial administration of vasodilating agents and balloon angioplasty have been successfully used in severe refractory cerebral vasospasm. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 233 patients admitted to our institute with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) over the past 3 years. Results Of these, 27 (10.6%) developed severe symptomatic vasospasm, requiring endovascular therapy. Vasospasm occurred at an average of 5.3 days after SAH. A total of 46 endovascular procedures were performed in 27 patients. Endovascular therapy was performed once in 18 (66.7%) patients, 2 times in 4 (14.8%) patients, 3 or more times in 5 (18.5%) patients. Intra-arterial vasodilating agents were used in 44 procedures (27 with nimodipine infusion, 17 with nicardipine infusion). Balloon angioplasty was performed in only 2 (7.4%) patients. The Average nimodipine infusion volume was 2.47 mg, and nicardipine was 3.78 mg. Most patients recovered after the initial emergency room visit. Two patients (7.4%) worsened, but there were no deaths. Conclusion With advances in endovascular techniques, administration of vasodilating agents and balloon angioplasty reduces the morbidity and mortality of vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH.

Change of management results in good-grade aneurysm patients

Background The present study attempts to address the results of the changes in management over time during the past 13 years in goodgrade patients with intracranial aneurysms.