Microsurgical Treatment of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: An Analysis of 74 Consecutive Cases. Approach Side Choice and Outcome Considerations / Tratamento microcirúrgico de aneurismas da artéria comunicante anterior: Uma análise de 74 casos consecutivos. Escolha da abordagem e considerações sobre resultados

Introduction Anterior communicating artery aneurysms (ACoAAs) are intracranial aneurysms whose treatment is still considered a challenging task. Materials and Methods Altogether, 74 patients were included in this study. The variables included age, sex, comorbidities, incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the Fisher, Hunt-Hess, and WFNS scores, approach side, length of hospital stay, and mortality. We also investigate A1/A2 dimensions, association with approach side choice and the influence of surgeon's experience on the outcome. Results There were 61 patients (82.2%) admitted with SAH and 13 were treated for unruptured aneurysms. The A1 and A2 branches were larger ipsilaterally to the selected approach side (p < 0,001). No deaths occurred in the unruptured aneurysm group. In the SAH group, mortality was strongly correlated with the Hunt-Hess score (p < 0.001), Fisher grade (p < 0.001), and WFNS score (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in mortality between the right-side and the left-side approaches (p » 0.253). A significant survival difference was identified on the group operated by the senior surgeon versus the non-senior group (p » 0.048). Discussion and Conclusion A1 dominance was identified as a factor associated to the approach side for SAH cases at our center. Understanding the factors involved in brain aneurysm surgery remains a relevant and underexplored subject. Further studies involving larger case series and multicenter collaborations are necessary to elucidate these factors and to determine the external validity of our findings.

Introdução Os aneurismas da artéria comunicante anterior (ACoAA) são aneurismas intracranianos cujo tratamento ainda é considerado uma tarefa desafiadora. Materiais e Métodos Ao todo, 74 pacientes foram incluídos neste estudo. As variáveis incluíram idade, sexo, comorbidades, incidência de hemorragia subaracnóidea (HAS), escala de Fisher, Hunt-Hess e WFNS, lado de abordagem, tempo de internação e mortalidade. Também investigamos as dimensões A1/A2, a associação com a escolha do lado de abordagem e a influência da experiência do cirurgião no resultado. Resultados Foram admitidos 61 pacientes (82,2%) com HAS e 13 foram tratados por aneurismas não rotos. Os ramos A1 e A2 foram maiores ipsilateralmente ao lado de abordagem selecionada (p < 0,001). Nenhuma morte ocorreu no grupo de aneurismas não rotos. No grupo HAS, a mortalidade esteve fortemente correlacionada com a escala de Hunt-Hess (p < 0,001), pontuação de Fisher (p < 0,001) e pontuação WFNS (p < 0,001). Não foi encontrada diferença significativa na mortalidade entre as abordagens direita e esquerda (p » 0,253). Foi identificada diferença significativa de sobrevida no grupo operado pelo cirurgião sênior versus o grupo não sênior (p » 0,048). Discussão e Conclusão A dominância A1 foi identificada como fator associado ao lado de abordagem dos casos de HAS em nosso centro. A compreensão dos fatores envolvidos na cirurgia de aneurisma cerebral permanece um assunto relevante e pouco explorado. Mais estudos envolvendo séries de casos maiores e colaborações multicêntricas são necessários para elucidar esses fatores e para determinar a validade externa de nossas descobertas.

Tips and Tricks in Microsurgical Treatment for Previously Embolized Aneurysms-Three-Dimensional Video.

One of the most popular treatment strategies for complex cerebral aneurysms with wide necks is stent-assisted coiling.1 Although it is a minimally invasive technique, it is associated with higher recurrence rates (approximately 20%) compared with surgical clipping.2 Recanalization is more common principally in ruptured aneurysms as well as in giant aneurysms, aneurysms located in the posterior circulation, aneurysms with a relatively wide neck morphology, and aneurysms followed for >1 year.2-6 Tirakotai et al. classified the indications for surgical treatment after coiling into 3 groups: 1) surgery of incompletely coiled aneurysms; 2) surgery for mass effects on neural structures; 3) surgery for vascular complications.7 Recanalization, if significant, often requires retreatment. Retreating with additional coils fails in perhaps 50% of cases.3 On the other hand, surgical clipping is complicated and difficult to perform. Recanalized aneurysms are categorized into 3 types: type I, coils are compressed; type II, coils are migrated; type III, coils are migrated, and multiple coils fill its neck or the parent artery. Direct clipping can be applied to types I and II, whereas trapping, wrapping, or auxiliary revascularization is required in type III.2 Coil extraction should not be attempted regularly because it is associated with high morbidity.8 In this three-dimensional video, we present the microsurgical treatment of a type I recanalized anterior communicating artery aneurysm, which in serial digital subtraction angiography control scans showed residual patency, progressive growth, and changes in its hemodynamic behavior (Video).

Clinical and morphological profile of aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery treated at a neurosurgical service in Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to characterize the clinical profile of patients with anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms and examine potential correlations between clinical findings, aneurysm morphology, and outcome. METHODS: A review of medical records and diagnostic neuroimaging reports of patients treated at a neurosurgical service in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between August 2008 and January 2015 was performed. RESULTS: During the period, 100 patients underwent surgery for ACoA aneurysms. Fifteen had unruptured aneurysms and 85 had ruptured aneurysms. Ruptured aneurysms had a higher aspect ratio than unruptured ones (2.37 ± 0.71 vs. 1.93 ± 0.51, P = 0.02). Intraoperative rupture occurred in 3%, and temporary clipping was performed in 15%. Clinical vasospasm occurred in 43 patients with ruptured aneurysms (50.6%). Overall, mortality was 26%; 25 patients in the ruptured group (29.4%) and one in the unruptured group (6%). The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was favorable (GOS 4 or 5) in 54% of patients, significantly more so in those with unruptured aneurysms (P = 0.01). In patients with ruptured aneurysms, mortality was associated with preoperative Hunt and Hess (HH) score (P < 0.001), hydrocephalus (P < 0.001), and clinical complications (P < 0.001). Unfavorable outcomes were associated with HH score (P < 0.001), Fisher grade (P = 0.015), clinical vasospasm (P = 0.012), external ventricular drain (P = 0.015), hydrocephalus (P < 0.001), and presence of clinical complications (P = 0.001). In patients with unruptured aneurysms, presence of clinical complications was the only factor associated with mortality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite advances in the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage and surgical treatment of aneurysms, mortality is still high, especially due to clinical complications.