OBJECTIVE: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is known to have a high mortality rate and increase incidence by aging process. To old aged patients, treatment of cerebral aneurysm is controversial due to multiple factors, regarding underlying disease, life expectancy and treatment risk. We reviewed treatment outcome of the patients older than 65 years who had cerebral aneurysm (s) by using endovascular technique. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2009, 177 patients who aged over 65 years were treated by endovascular management. Among them, 116 patients were presented with SAH and 61 patients were unruptured aneurysm. In SAH group, treatment outcome was evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months. In unruptured aneurysm group, procedure complication and recurrence of the cerebral aneurysm were evaluated. RESULTS: 177 patients harbored 209 aneurysms in total. GOS for the patients with SAH at discharge was good recovery (n=82, 71%), mild disability (n=7, 6%), severe disability (n=18, 15%), vegetative (n=3, 3%) and death (n=6, 5%). Three months mRS was good condition (mRS 0-2) in 83 patients, poor condition (mRS 3-5) in 26 and death in 1. Regarding the factors related with good recovery in SAH groups, initial Hunt and Hess grade showed statistical significance. In the group of unruptured aneurysm, only 1 patient (1.6%) had a procedure rupture and related in symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Based upon our data, coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm was relatively safe and effective to older patients.
Aged ; Aging ; Aneurysm ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Life Expectancy ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are relatively uncommon and surgical management presents some unique technical difficulties. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 35 DACA aneurysm cases, their clinical features and treatment outcomes to assess the characteristics and treatment outcomes of DACA aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 33 patients with 35 ruptured and unruptured DACA aneurysms were reviewed. Of these, 29 had undergone surgery and four were treated by coil embolization at our institution between September 1992 and January 2010. The clinical presentation, radiologic features and surgical and endovascular treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: In our series, the incidence of DACA aneurysms was 35 of 1106 (3.1%) aneurysms. The most common location of these 35 aneurysms was the bifurcation of the pericallosal and callosomarginal arteries (51%). Multiple aneurysms were found in nine patients (27%) and associated vascular anomalies such as azygous anterior cerebral artery and Moyamoya disease were found in six patients (18%). Ninety four percent of the aneurysms were less than 10 mm in diameter. Twenty nine patients were treated by surgical clipping and four patients were treated by coil embolization. Premature rupture of aneurysms and mortality or morbidity directly related to the aneurysmal surgery or endovascular treatments were not observed. CONCLUSION: DACA aneurysms have a tendency to rupture before becoming large or giant in size. We achieved favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale <4) in 29 of the 33 patients with a tailored surgical approach and coil embolization. Therefore, DACA aneurysms should be treated aggressively even if they are <10 mm in diameter and early surgery can reduce the rate of rebleeding.
Aneurysm ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Arteries ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Medical Records ; Moyamoya Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Surgical Instruments

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in the elderly is increasing. However, most treatment strategies for the elderly is controversial and related research in the elderly has been insufficient. METHODS: Eighty-four patients > 65 years of age with intracranial aneurysms who received definitive treatment at our hospital between March 2007 and June 2010 were subjected to this study. Thirty-seven patients who had undergone endovascular treatment (EVT) were categorized into group I, while 47 patients who had undergone microsurgical treatment (MST) were categorized into group II. RESULTS: When the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score, which was independent to rupture, was evaluated at the time of discharge there was a trend of acquiring much better GOS scores (GOS> or =4) when the Hunt-Hess grade (HHG) is good (HHG< or =2) and the size of the aneurysm is small (<10 mm; p=0.001 [HHG] and p=0.000 [aneurysm size]). In the two groups in which EVT and MST were performed, the average values of the GOS scores by Student's t-test displayed a significant difference (4.54 [EVT] and 4.13 [MST], respectively, p=0.046). However, univariate and multivariate analyses were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: If the clinical results are similar in the EVT and MST for intracranial aneurysms, then EVT is less invasive with less post-procedural complications would be considered with priority in elderly patients.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Rupture

A fluid-blood level is rarely seen on computed tomography (CT) studies of intracerebral hematomas (ICHs). The CT appearance of a fluid-blood level in an ICH has been associated with intratumoral bleeding, subdural hematomas, anti-coagulation and ruptured arteriovenous malformations. When fluid-blood levels are located around a hematoma with significant peri-hematoma edema, the fluid-blood level may merely indicate bleeding of recent origin. A fluid-blood could also represent a coagulopathy when the fluid-blood level is located in the center of a hematoma with less peri-hematoma edema. We report four cases of acute intracerebral hematomas in which fluid levels were noted on CT scans with a review of previous reports.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Edema ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is one of the most frequently performed operative procedures in neurosurgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent EVD to determine the incidence rate of post-procedural intracranial hemorrhage and to identify underlying risk factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent EVD between January 2003 and January 2011 were selected. Catheter-induced hemorrhage (CIH) was defined as any evidence of new hemorrhage on the post-procedural computerized tomography (CT) scan obtained within 24 hours of catheter insertion. The rate of hemorrhage was calculated, and the possible risk factors were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The data of 229 patients were analyzed. Twenty-one patients developed CIH, for an incidence rate of 9.17%. The factors that increased the rate of CIH were age > or =60 years, bilateral catheter insertion, and pre-existing heart disease. The patients > or =60 years of age had a 2.8-fold increased risk of CIH. A history of heart disease contributed to a 20-fold increased risk of CIH (p < 0.001). Those three parameters were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis and patients who had all three risk factors were 18 times more likely to have CIH than patients with no factors. CONCLUSION: CIH is a frequent complication that cannot be over looked in patients who undergo EVD insertions. Age > or =60 years, bilateral catheter insertion, and a history of heart disease are the three most significant risk factors for CIH. Since these risk factors are not modifiable, all possible contributors should be considered to minimize the risk such as skilled maneuvers and techniques or high blood pressure.
Catheters ; Drainage ; Heart Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Logistic Models ; Neurosurgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

OBJECTIVE: It has been known that the prognosis of aneurysm rupture is depend on the preoperative clinical state, presence of rebleeding, vasospasm, hydrocephalus, but the direction of aneurysm might be one of the important prognostic factors in the anterior communicating artery (ACOM) aneurysm. METHODS: One hundred forty three cases of ACOM aneurysms, operated from 1996 to 2005, were analysed retrospectively according to the surgical outcomes and directions of aneurysms. RESULT: The results of analysis were summarized as follows 1) The direction of ACOM aneurysms were as follows; anterior-superior direction in 33.6%, anterior-inferior 30.1%, posterior-superior 10.5%, anterior 7.7%, superior 7.0%, inferior 7.0% and posterior-inferior in 4.2%. 2) There was no significant relationship between the direction of aneurysm and the preopertive clinical state, but the incidence of Hunt-Hess grade IV and V was high in the posterior-superior and anterior-superior direction groups. 3) Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was accompanied in 28.7%. In posterior-superior and anterior-superior direction group, there is statistically significance between direction and IVH or ICH (p < 0.05). 4) Vasospasm was observed in 23.8% and cerebral infarction in 17.5%. The incidence was increased in the posterior-superior group. 5) Superior and posterior-superior direction group showed high mortality rate (20.0%). CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistic significance, we found that the direction of aneurysm might affect the clinical characteristics and prognosis in the patients underwent clipping surgery of ACOM aneurysm. Especially, posterior-superior and anterior-superior direction groups revealed the high incidence of ICH, IVH, vasospasm and cerebral infarction. Therefore, we should pay more careful attention to the patients with the superiorly directed ACOM aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture

OBJECTIVES: In vascular neurosurgery, the pterional approach has primarily been used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. However, there has been an increasing interest in minimally invasive procedures or keyhole approaches for treating cerebral aneurysms. We report our experience with a neuronavigation-guided keyhole approach in the treatments of various intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Between December 2008 and December 2010, 32 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms were treated by direct surgical neck clipping through the neuronavigation-guided keyhole approach. A 4 to 5 cm-sized skin incision and a small 2.5 x 4 cm craniotomy was performed around the sylvian fissure. The remainder of the aneurysm surgery was performed using conventional microsurgical techniques. RESULTS: The enrolled patients comprised 15 men and 17 women, with a mean age of 63.06 years (range, 47 to 79 years). Of these, 21 aneurysms were in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation; 3, in the M1; 5, in the posterior communicating artery segment; 2, in the anterior communicating artery; and 1, in the anterior choroidal artery segment. The size of the aneurysms ranged from 3.5 to 4.8 mm. Mean operation time was 2.19 hours (range, 100 to 150 minutes). All patients were clipped successfully. There were no procedure related complications. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the navigation-guided keyhole approach is useful for the treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms in selected cases. It has the advantages of less operative time, fewer days of hospitalization, and cosmetic results.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Choroid ; Cosmetics ; Craniotomy ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Neck ; Neuronavigation ; Neurosurgery ; Operative Time ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: Elevation of serum S100B protein has been reported after cerebral ischemic strokes. Previous studies had revealed the positive correlation between peak concentration of serum S100B protein and extent of ischemic stroke. However its peak level usually reaches at 48~72 hours from stroke onset time. We evaluate the usefulness of serum S100B protein during hyperacute stage in the patients with ischemic stroke as a marker for expecting clinical severity and prognosis. METHODS: Total 67 patients who arrived in the Emergency Department within 6 hours from ischemic stroke onset were retrospectively recruited. Subjects were grouped according to the level of serum S100B protein (normal vs elevated group). We analyzed the differences of clinical (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS), laboratory (initial serum glucose, initial systolic blood pressure, lipid profiles, homocysteine) and radiologic (visible lesion in the initial MRI) data between those two groups. RESULTS: Mean serum S100B protein was normal in 27 patients and elevated in 40 patients. Infarction sizes, cortical lesions and level of serum triglyceride (TG) were significantly different between two groups. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, stroke etiology, initial NIHSS, initial serum glucose, blood pressure and other lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum S100B protein in the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke was correlated with infarction extent, cortical involvement and lower serum TG level. Serum S100B protein may be used as an easily assessable and inexpensive marker for predicting infarction size and cortical involvement during hyperacute stage in patients with ischemic stroke regardless of other clinical factors.
Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Infarction ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare titanium and cobalt alloy clip induced artifacts in 16- and 64-row multislice computed tomography angiograms. METHODS: A total of 40 intracranial aneurysms in 37 patients treated using titanium or cobalt-alloy clips were enrolled in this study. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed using a 16-row (12 aneurysms; cobalt-alloy clips in 8 and titanium clips in 4) or 64-row (28 aneurysms; cobalt-alloy clips in 14 and titanium clips in 14) multislice CT machine after surgical clipping. Clip-induced artifacts were divided into white and black components, and artifact sizes were quantified by measuring the areas of these components. RESULTS: The titanium clips (634.9 +/- 308.44 mm2) produced smaller artifacts than cobalt alloy clips (2,797.4 +/- 3,121.98 mm2) by CTA (p=0.006), but the mean size of titanium clip induced artifacts was smaller for 64-row (544.0 +/- 68.77 mm2) than for 16-row (953.3 +/- 279.95 mm2) multislice CTA (p=0.026). On the other hand, cobalt alloy clip related artifacts were similarly sized (64-row, 2,191.5 +/- 2,072.86 mm2 versus 16-row, 3,857.6 +/- 4,386.56 mm2, p=0.246). CONCLUSION: Titanium clips produce smaller artifacts than cobalt-alloy clips and 64-row multislice CTA reduced titanium clip-induced artifacts as compared with 16-row multislice CTA. However, cobalt-alloy clip artifacts were huge and were not reduced by the higher row CTA unit.
Alloys ; Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Artifacts ; Cobalt ; Hand ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Surgical Instruments ; Titanium

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is one of the most frequently performed operative procedures in neurosurgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent EVD to determine the incidence rate of post-procedural intracranial hemorrhage and to identify underlying risk factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent EVD between January 2003 and January 2011 were selected. Catheter-induced hemorrhage (CIH) was defined as any evidence of new hemorrhage on the post-procedural computerized tomography (CT) scan obtained within 24 hours of catheter insertion. The rate of hemorrhage was calculated, and the possible risk factors were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The data of 229 patients were analyzed. Twenty-one patients developed CIH, for an incidence rate of 9.17%. The factors that increased the rate of CIH were age > or =60 years, bilateral catheter insertion, and pre-existing heart disease. The patients > or =60 years of age had a 2.8-fold increased risk of CIH. A history of heart disease contributed to a 20-fold increased risk of CIH (p < 0.001). Those three parameters were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis and patients who had all three risk factors were 18 times more likely to have CIH than patients with no factors. CONCLUSION: CIH is a frequent complication that cannot be over looked in patients who undergo EVD insertions. Age > or =60 years, bilateral catheter insertion, and a history of heart disease are the three most significant risk factors for CIH. Since these risk factors are not modifiable, all possible contributors should be considered to minimize the risk such as skilled maneuvers and techniques or high blood pressure.
Catheters ; Drainage ; Heart Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Logistic Models ; Neurosurgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Procedures, Operative