OBJECTIVE: Multidetector-Row computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) is a promising method for detection and surgical planning of intracranial vascular abnormalities. However, there are several problems, such as image degradation due to inevitable patients movement, venous contamination, kissing vessel artifact, demonstration of venous structures mimicking aneurysm and bone artifacts. The purpose of our study is to review our recent experience with false negative or positive cases on MDCTA. METHODS: Between May 2007 and May 2010, 259 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms or other vascular abnormalities by MDCTA, were retrospectively reviewed. Among the 259 patients, 172 patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which was considered as the standard of reference, were included in the study. Two neuroradiologists and two neurosurgeons evaluated independently and separately all of the MDCTA images. RESULTS: A total 26 cases (15.3%) were revealed abnormal vascular findings on MDCTA. There were 11 false negatives on MDCTA including incomplete scanning range of lesion site (n=3), a blood blister aneurysm (n=1), severe vasospasm (n=4) and bone artifacts (n=3). Also there were 15 false positives on MDCTA; venous contamination over the lesion site (n=6), focal dilation of the bifurcation or branching site of major vessels (n=6) and poor quality of the images due to inevitable patients movement (n=3). CONCLUSIONS: MDCTA is clearly not the total answer for aneurysm diagnosis. We recommend that MDCTA scanning range is planned to encompass the whole intracerebral vasculature. Close attention to image acquisition and interpretation are required to reduce errors in MDCTA of intracranial aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Artifacts ; Blister ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: Direct surgical clipping of paraclinoid aneurysms is challenging due to nearby anatomic structures. However, as endovascular techniques advance, endovascular coil embolizations for paraclinoid aneurysms are more frequently performed. We reviewed our experience with endovascular coil embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms to evaluate its safety and efficacy. METHODS: From 2005 to 2011, 78 patients underwent endovascular procedures with detachable coils for 86 paraclinoid aneurysms at our institute. A retrospective review of the medical records was performed. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients with 86 paraclinoid aneurysms were evaluated. Thirteen patients (16.7%) were men and 65 (83.3%) were women. Patient age ranged from 23 to 78 years (mean age, 48 years). Five patients (6.4%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with decreased consciousness and visual field defects. In the 86 treated aneurysms, the immediate post procedural angiogram demonstrated complete occlusion in 73 aneurysms (84.9%), near-complete occlusion in eight aneurysms (9.3%) and partial occlusion in five aneurysms (5.8%). We obtained angiographic follow-up in 46 cases. Minor recanalization occurred in two cases and major recanalization occurred in one case. One thromboembolic complication and one blurred vision occurred among the 78 patients. CONCLUSION: Despite difficulties with surgical approaches for paraclinoid aneurysms, these lesions can be successfully managed by endovascular treatment. Favorable outcomes with a low morbidity suggest endovascular techniques as alternatives to microsurgical therapy for treating paraclinoid aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Consciousness ; Endovascular Procedures ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Surgical Instruments ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Fields

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with detachable coils has proved to be a safe and effective. However, long term result was not satisfactory in less than 30% for regrowth or coil compaction. This paper highlighted the safety and technique of microsurgical clipping and coil removal in previously coiled aneurysms showing recurrence or remnant growth. METHODS: Sixty two patients from 2007 to 2010 were treated by endovascular coiling. Among them, six patients (9.6%) showed recurrence, who had near complete obliteration initially. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and radiographic images of these patients (male 2, female 4, mean age 46.6) who underwent microsurgical clipping with partial (4 cases) or complete (2 cases) coil removal. Computerized tomographic angiogram (CTA) was performed soon after microsurgical clipping for the evaluation. RESULTS: Four aneurysms were located at anterior circulation and two were at the posterior circulation. Four patients were detected by routine followed CTA or angiography and one had recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage and another one had severe eyeball pain. Microsurgical treatment were performed about 12.9 months (range: 2~26) after coiling. Complete coil removal was done in two patients. Complete obliteration was performed in all, which were confirmed by postoperative CTA with less coil artifact. All patients attained the same neurological state presented prior to surgery (the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 4~5). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical clipping and coil removal following a previous endovascular coil embolization are not so common. However, these would be permanent treatment options without any morbidity in properly selected patients. These are challenging and risky procedure, but necessary to avoid postoperative coil artifact on the follow-up radiologic evaluation.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Artifacts ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion is a fatal event, even after intra-arterial thrombectomy and thrombolysis. We are reporting a case of acute vertebral artery (VA) occlusion. A 37-year-old man was admitted with mild dizziness, but cardiopulmonary arrest suddenly developed after eleven hours. We performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately and his mental and vital state was recovered. Thus we performed intra-arterial thrombectomy, thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty for left vertebral artery occlusion. But pre-existing stenosis of VA was revealed during intervention so we inserted a stent to the stenotic area. Conclusively, we obtained the good angiographical and clinical outcomes.
Adult ; Angioplasty ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dizziness ; Emergencies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Stents ; Thrombectomy ; Vertebral Artery

Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) has become increasingly accepted as an alternative therapy to carotid endarterectomy for treatment of carotid artery stenosis. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is one of the diseases presented due to carotid artery stenosis. But CRAO without cerebral ischemia after CAS is uncommon. An 80-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with the right centrum ovale ischemic stroke and right proximal carotid artery stenosis. We performed CAS with a distal protection device after pre-ballooning 3 times, without post-ballooning. Then, 12 hours after the CAS, the patient complained of blindness in the right eye and was diagnosed with CRAO. However, Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) showed no significant findings in the brain. CRAO after CAS without intracranial infarction is a rare complication.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty ; Arteries ; Blindness ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Diffusion ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Eye ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retinal Artery ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; Stents ; Stroke

Intracranial aneurysmal rupture causes subarachnoid hemorrhage which usually leads to fatality or severe disability. Treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) can substantially reduce the risk of rupture and prevent the grave consequences, but the risk of prophylactic treatment cannot be ignored. UIAs have diverse characteristics and management strategy needs to be tailored according to their location, size and clinical status. In the absence of level I evidence, the treatment guidance often relied on expert's opinions and experience. Knowledge of the natural course and management risks of individual aneurysms can help to guide treatment decision, but the natural history is still controversial and risks are not clearly defined. The Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgeons (KSCVS) decided to issue a Korean version of UIA management guideline as a framework for the treatment decision and as a basis for future studies, following 'Guideline Development Manual' of the Clinical Research Center for Stroke (CRCS). The organized committee systematically reviewed relevant literature and major guidelines published between January 2000 and July 2010 and took a developmental strategy of adaptation rather than de novo methods. On the basis of interpretation of the published evidences, recommendations were synthesized, and the level of evidence and the grade of recommendation were determined using the methods adapted from those of the US Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research and CRCS. The current guideline focuses on three domains of natural history, diagnosis and treatment of UIAs. The hierarchy of evidence and the recommendation grading indicate the current level by the literature and do not indicate the necessity or the prohibition of a certain clinical practice. Accordingly, this guideline cannot provide the answer for every clinical situation and should not take precedence over the clinical judgment of responsible physicians for individual patients. The final judgment regarding the care of a particular patient must be made by the physician and patient in light of circumstances specific to that patient. This is the first version of the UIA management guideline in Korea and new evidences will be timely and continuously updated in the future guidelines.
Aneurysm ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Judgment ; Korea ; Light ; Natural History ; Risk Management ; Rupture ; Stroke ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Zinc Oxide

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