Xiaolong Wen

Aneurysm Characteristics Associated with the Rupture Risk of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Self-Controlled Study

This study analyzed the rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) according to aneurysm characteristics by comparing the differences between two aneurysms in different locations within the same patient. We utilized this self-controlled model to exclude potential interference from all demographic factors to study the risk factors related to IA rupture. A total of 103 patients were diagnosed with IAs between January 2011 and April 2015 and were enrolled in this study. All enrolled patients had two IAs. One IA (the case) was ruptured, and the other (the control) was unruptured. Aneurysm characteristics, including the presence of a daughter sac, the aneurysm neck, the parent artery diameter, the maximum aneurysm height, the maximum aneurysm width, the location, the aspect ratio (AR, maximum perpendicular height/average neck diameter), the size ratio (SR, maximum aneurysm height/average parent diameter) and the width/height ratio (WH ratio, maximum aneurysm width/maximum aneurysm height), were collected and analyzed to evaluate the rupture risks of the two IAs within each patient and to identify the independent risk factors associated with IA rupture. Multivariate, conditional, backward, stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors associated with IA rupture. The multivariate analysis identified the presence of a daughter sac (odds ratio [OR], 13.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–115.87), a maximum aneurysm height ≥7 mm (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.21–18.98), location on the posterior communicating artery (PCOM) or anterior communicating artery (ACOM; OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.34–7.11) and SR (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.16–3.91) as factors that were significantly associated with IA rupture. The presence of a daughter sac, the maximum aneurysm height, PCOM or ACOM locations and SR (>1.5±0.7) of unruptured IAs were significantly associated with IA rupture.

Stent-assisted coiling of very small wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: Complications, anatomical results and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Treatment of very small (≤3mm) wide-necked intracranial aneurysms remains controversial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of stent-assisted coiling of such aneurysms. METHODS From September 2008 to December 2012, 112 very small wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in 108 patients were embolized with stent-assisted coiling. We assessed the initial neurological conditions, complications and anatomic results. The follow-up results were evaluated with DSA and mRS. RESULTS Stent deployment was successful in 104 of 108 procedures (96.3%). 11 complications (10.2%) occurred during procedures, including 5 events of aneurysm rupture, 3 events of thromboembolism. The rate of complication, rupture and thromboembolism was not statistically different between the ruptured and unruptured patients (P=0.452, P=0.369, P=1.000, respectively). The initial aneurysmal occlusion was Raymond scale (RS) 1 in 34 patients (31.5%), RS2 in 53 patients (49.1%), and RS3 in 21 patients (19.4%). 79 aneurysms were available for anatomic follow-up of 12-47 months, stable occlusion in 45 aneurysms (57.0%), progressive complete occlusion in 34 aneurysms (43.0%). 95 patients(88.0%) were available for a clinical follow-up of 12-52 months, 92 patients (96.8%) had favorable clinical outcomes (mRS ≤2), 3 patients (3.2%) had morbidity (mRS: 3-5). The morbidity was not statistically different between the ruptured and unruptured patients (P=1.000). CONCLUSIONS Stent-assisted coiling of very small wide-necked intracranial aneurysms may be effective and safe. Because of low risk of rupture in such aneurysms, the coiling of unruptured such aneurysms must be selective. The long-term efficacy and safety of coiling such aneurysms remains to be determined in larger prospective series.

Number of Cigarettes Smoked Per Day, Smoking Index and Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture: A Case-Control Study

Background and purpose We aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture (IAR), specifically relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) or smoking index and the risk of IAR. Methods We performed a single-center case–control study of consecutive patients evaluated or treated for IA at our institution from June 2015 to July 2016. Cases were patients with a ruptured IA. Two age- and sex-matched controls with an unruptured IA were included per case. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between both the CPD and smoking index (CPD × years of smoking) and IAR. Results The study population included 127 cases of IAR and 254 controls. The higher IAR risk was associated with cigarette smoking (both current and former) (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1–4.8; P = 0.029). Our subgroup analysis of smokers revealed a significant association between IAR risk and current smoking (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2–6.3; P = 0.012), current heavy smoking (CPD ≥ 20) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.4–11.0; P = 0.007), and a smoking index ≥800 (OR, 11.4; 95% CI, 2.3–24.5; P = 0.003). Former smoking was not significantly associated with IAR (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.3–4.0; P = 0.929). Conclusion A dose–response relationship has been noted for intensity and duration of smoking consumption and increased risk of IAR. As smoking is modifiable, this finding is important to managing patients with IAs to quit or reduce smoking prior to life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The Siesta Habit is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms

Background Previous studies have examined an association between the siesta habit and hypertension, as well as coronary heart disease. However, the relationship between a siesta and the risk of rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) has not yet been established. We aimed to investigate the effects of a siesta on the risk of rupture of IAs. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with IAs at our hospital between January 2016 and December 2016. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with IA rupture. Results We studied 581 consecutive patients with 514 unruptured and 120 ruptured aneurysms. Univariate analysis demonstrated that hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, location, size, as well as shape and aspect ratio were associated with the risk of rupture of IAs. Multivariate analysis identified hypertension [odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–2.73], hyperlipidemia (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08–0.72), current cigarette smoking ≥20 cigarettes/day (d) (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.63–7.47), siesta (siesta time <1 h, OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24–0.98 and siesta time ≥1 h, OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.19–0.57), location of largest aneurysm on the anterior communicating and internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (PCOM) (anterior communicating artery OR 16.27, 95% CI 7.40–35.79 and PCOM OR 11.21, 95% CI 5.15–24.43), and size of aneurysm ≥7 mm (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.21–3.97) as independent strong risk factors associated with risk of aneurysm rupture. Conclusion In the present study, we found that a habitual siesta is a new predictive factor to assess the risk of rupture of an IA. We found the siesta habit may reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture. We also found that hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, location, and size of aneurysm were associated with the risk of rupture of IAs.

Dissecting aneurysms of the distal segment of the posterior cerebral artery: clinical presentation and endovascular management

BackgroudWe aimed to evaluate the clinical presentations and report the acceptable clinical and angiographic outcome of the distal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) dissecting aneurysms with parent artery occlusion (PAO).MethodsFrom June 2006 to July 2013, 26 patients with PCA dissecting aneurysms were planned to be treated via endovascular PAO in our institution. Fourteen patients had ruptured aneurysms, and twelve patients had unruptured aneurysms. The endovascular modalities were the following: 1) PAO (n = 19), 2) palliative embolization (n = 5), and 3) proximal PAO (n = 2). Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess the clinical outcome.ResultsThe procedure was technically successful in all cases. In the PAO and proximal PAO group, all of the immediate angiography showed occlusion of the parent vessel, and follow-up imaging showed no recurrence of the aneurysms. In the palliative embolization group, one of five patients was died of rebleeding after the procedure, and follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed the other four aneurysms recurred. Five procedure related complications occurred totally: rebleeding (n = 1), hemiparesis (n = 2), and hemianopsia (n = 2).ConclusionDissecting aneurysms are dynamic lesions with variable and unpredictable evolution and a thorough treatment is warranted. Sacrificing the parent artery appears to be well tolerated for distal segment of PCA. We propose that this technique could be the first treatment option in treating dissecting aneurysms in this location. However, palliative occlusion of distal PCA dissecting aneurysms is not an advisable treatment option.