Alcohol flushing syndrome is significantly associated with intracranial aneurysm rupture in the Chinese Han population.

Objective: Although alcohol flushing syndrome (AFS) has been associated with various diseases, its association with intracranial aneurysm rupture (IAR) is unclear. We aimed to examine this association in the Chinese Han population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed Chinese Han patients with intracranial aneurysms who were evaluated and treated at our institution between January 2020 and December 2021. AFS was determined using a semi-structured telephone interview. Clinical data and aneurysm characteristics were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to determine independent factors associated with aneurysmal rupture. Results: A total of 1,170 patients with 1,059 unruptured and 236 ruptured aneurysms were included. The incidence of aneurysm rupture was significantly higher in patients without AFS (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was a significantly difference between the AFS and non-AFS group in habitual alcohol consumption (10.5 vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001). In the univariate analyses, AFS [odds ratio (OR) 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-0.72] was significantly associated with IAR. In the multivariate analysis, AFS was an independent predictor of IAR (OR 0.50; 95%, CI, 0.35-0.71). Multivariate analysis revealed that AFS was an independent predictor of IAR in both habitual (OR 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.45) and non-habitual drinkers (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49-0.96). Conclusion: Alcohol flushing syndrome may be a novel clinical marker to assess the risk of IAR. The association between AFS and IAR exists independently of alcohol consumption. Further single nucleotide polymorphism testing and molecular biology studies are warranted.

Long-term outcomes and dynamic changes of in-stent stenosis after Pipeline embolization device treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Flow diverters have revolutionized the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. However, the delayed complications associated with flow diverter use are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, severity, clinical outcomes, risk factors, and dynamic changes associated with in-stent stenosis (ISS) after treatment with a Pipeline embolization device (PED). METHODS: Patients who underwent PED treatment between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled. The angiographic, clinical, and follow-up data of 459 patients were independently reviewed by four neuroradiologists to identify ISS. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine ISS risk factors, and an ISS-time curve was established to demonstrate dynamic changes in ISS after PED implantation. RESULTS: Of the 459 treated patients, 69 (15.0%) developed ISS. At follow-up, nine patients (2.0%) with ISS demonstrated reversal, while 18 (3.9%) developed parental artery occlusion. A total of 380 patients (82.8%) achieved complete aneurysm occlusion (O'Kelly-Marotta grade D). Patients with posterior-circulation aneurysm (OR=2.895, 95% CI (1.732 to 4.838; P<0.001) or balloon angioplasty (OR=1.992, 95% CI 1.162 to 3.414; P=0.037) were more likely to develop ISS. Patients aged >54 years (OR=0.464, 95% CI 0.274 to 0.785; P=0.006) or with a body mass index of >28 kg/m2 (OR=0.427, 95% CI 0.184 to 0.991; P=0.026) had a lower ISS risk. Intimal hyperplasia initiated by PED placement peaked within 1 year after the procedure, rarely progressed after 12 months, and tended to reverse within 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: ISS is a common, benign, and self-limiting complication of PED implantation in the Chinese population.

Causal relationships between human blood metabolites and intracranial aneurysm and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the causal relationships between blood metabolites and intracranial aneurysm, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Methods: Our exposure sample consisted of 7,824 individuals from a genome-wide association study of human blood metabolites. Our outcome sample consisted of 79,429 individuals (7,495 cases and 71,934 controls) from the International Stroke Genetics Consortium, which conducted a genome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysm, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and unruptured intracranial aneurysm. We identified blood metabolites with a potential causal effect on intracranial aneurysms and conducted sensitivity analyses to validate our findings. Results: After rigorous screening and Mendelian randomization tests, we found four, two, and three serum metabolites causally associated with intracranial aneurysm, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and unruptured intracranial aneurysm, respectively (all P < 0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. Conclusions: Our Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrated causal relationships between human blood metabolites and intracranial aneurysm, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Further research is required to explore the potential of targeting these metabolites in the management of intracranial aneurysm.

Case report: Covered stent placement to treat delayed aneurysmal rupture after flow diverter-assisted coil embolization.

Introduction: Flow diverter (FD) placement is widely accepted as a treatment for large saccular intracranial aneurysms. Delayed aneurysmal rupture (DAR) after FD placement is potentially catastrophic and difficult to treat. To our knowledge, using a Willis covered stent (WCS) to treat DAR after placement of a Pipeline Flex embolization device (PFED) combined with coiling has not been previously reported. Case presentation: A 49-year-old woman with an incidental asymptomatic large right supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm was treated with PFED placement and adjunctive coiling. DAR causing subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred 11 hours after the procedure. Treatment using a WCS was successful and resulted in a favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score 2). Conclusion: DAR after FD implantation requires isolation of the aneurysm from the cerebral circulation as soon as possible. WCS placement can achieve this immediately and occlude the aneurysm. We hope our case could provide new idea for similar cases in the future.

Protocol and Preliminary Results of the Establishment of Intracranial Aneurysm Database for Artificial Intelligence Application Based on CTA Images.

Background and Purpose: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are increasingly being detected in clinical practice. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used to assist diagnostic techniques and shows encouraging prospects. In this study, we reported the protocol and preliminary results of the establishment of an intracranial aneurysm database for AI application based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Methods: Through a review of picture archiving and communication systems, we collected CTA images of patients with aneurysms between January 2010 and March 2021. The radiologists performed manual segmentation of all diagnosed aneurysms on subtraction CTA as the basis for automatic aneurysm segmentation. Then, AI will be applied to two stages of aneurysm treatment, namely, automatic aneurysm detection and segmentation model based on the CTA image and the aneurysm risk prediction model. Results: Three medical centers have been included in this study so far. A total of 3,190 cases of CTA examinations with 4,124 aneurysms were included in the database. All identified aneurysms from CTA images that enrolled in this study were manually segmented on subtraction CTA by six readers. We developed a structure of 3D-Unet for aneurysm detection and segmentation in CTA images. The algorithm was developed and tested using a total of 2,272 head CTAs with 2,938 intracranial aneurysms. The recall and false positives per case (FP/case) of this model for detecting aneurysms were 0.964 and 2.01, and the Dice values for aneurysm segmentation were 0.783. Conclusion: This study introduces the protocol and preliminary results of the establishment of the intracranial aneurysm database for AI applications based on CTA images. The establishment of a multicenter database based on CTA images of intracranial aneurysms is the basis for the application of AI in the diagnosis and treatment of aneurysms. In addition to segmentation, AI should have great potential for aneurysm treatment and management in the future.

Bifurcated Aneurysm Location Predicts In-Stent Stenosis After Neuroform-EZ Stent-Assisted Coiling for Intracranial Aneurysm.

Background and Purpose: The Neuroform EZ stent system (Boston Scientific Corporation, Fremont, CA, United States) is a fourth-generation intracranial aneurysm stent designed specifically for the cerebrovasculature to support aneurysm treatment. In this study, we analyzed our consecutive series of patients with aneurysm treated with the Neuroform EZ stent, with special attention to the occurrence of in-stent stenosis (ISS). Methods: A retrospective review of our center's electronic database was conducted to identify all patients with intracranial aneurysms who underwent aneurysm treatment with the Neuroform EZ stent between January 2016 and October 2018. Patients with at least one digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up in our hospital were enrolled in this study. In-stent stenosis (ISS) was graded as mild (<2-5%), moderate (25-50%), or severe (>50%). Results: The study included 114 patients (78 women, 68.4%; median age 57.2 ± 9 years) with a total of 116 aneurysms. Of the 116 lesions, 20 were identified with ISS (17.2%) at a mean follow-up of 6.9 ± 1.7 months, and ISS was mild in 30% (6/20), moderate in 50% (10/20), and severe in 20% (4/20). No patients were symptomatic or required further intervention. Patients who developed ISS were younger than those without ISS (52.6 ± 7.8 vs. 57.9 ± 9; p = 0.016). The proportion of aneurysms located at the artery bifurcation was significantly higher in patients with stenosis than located at the sidewall artery (37.9 vs. 10.3%; p = 0.002). In the multivariable analysis, the patients' age (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.88-0.998; p = 0.02) and bifurcated aneurysm location (OR = 4.59; 95% CI 1.54-13.67; p = 0.006) were independent predictors of ISS. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, the incidence of ISS after Neuroform EZ stent placement was 17.2%, and all the ISS cases were asymptomatic. Patients with younger age and bifurcated aneurysm location are more likely to develop ISS. Although Neuroform EZ stent is particularly suitable for bifurcated aneurysms, the ISS for this location should be focused upon.

Endovascular Treatment of Large or Giant Basilar Artery Aneurysms Using the Pipeline Embolization Device: Complications and Outcomes.

Background: This study aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic outcomes of Pipeline embolization device (PED) treatment of large or giant basilar artery (BA) aneurysms and examine associated factors. Methods: Clinical and angiographic data of 29 patients (18 men, 11 women) with large or giant BA aneurysms were retrospectively examined. Mean age was 44.1 ± 21.2 years (range, 30-68). Mean aneurysm size was 22.2 ± 8.3 mm (range, 12.0-40.1). Results: Mean angiographic follow-up was 18.3 ± 3.4 months (range, 4.5-60). The rate of adequate aneurysmal occlusion (O'Kelly-Marotta grade C-D) was 87%. The overall complication rate was 44.8%; most complications (84.6%) occurred in the periprocedural period. Univariable comparison of patients who did and did not develop complications showed significant differences in aneurysm size (p < 0.01), intra-aneurysmal thrombus (p = 0.03), and mean number of PEDs used (p = 0.02). Aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.4; p = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for periprocedural complications in multivariable analysis. Mean clinical follow-up was 23.5 ± 3.2 months (range, 0.1-65). Nine patients (31%) had a poor clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≥3) at last follow-up, including 7 patients who died. Univariable comparisons between patients with favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes showed that aneurysm size (p = 0.009) and intra-aneurysmal thrombus (p = 0.04) significantly differed between the groups. Multivariable analysis showed that aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.1; p = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for poor clinical outcome. Conclusion: PED treatment of large or giant BA aneurysms is effective and can achieve a satisfactory long-term occlusion rate. However, the treatment complications are not negligible. Aneurysm size is the strongest predictor of perioperative complications and poor clinical outcome.

Quantitative analysis of unruptured intracranial aneurysm wall thickness and enhancement using 7T high resolution, black blood magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to quantify intracranial aneurysm wall thickness (AWT) and enhancement using 7T MRI, and their relationship with aneurysm size and type. METHODS: 27 patients with 29 intracranial aneurysms were included. Three-dimensional T1 weighted pre- and post-contrast fast spin echo with 0.4 mm isotropic resolution was used. AWT was defined as the full width at half maximum on profiles of signal intensity across the aneurysm wall on pre-contrast images. Enhancement ratio (ER) was defined as the signal intensity of the aneurysm wall over that of the brain parenchyma. The relationships between AWT, ER, and aneurysm size and type were investigated. RESULTS: 7T MRI revealed large variations in AWT (range 0.11-1.24 mm). Large aneurysms (>7 mm) had thicker walls than small aneurysms (≤7 mm) (0.49±0.05 vs 0.41±0.05 mm, p<0.001). AWT was similar between saccular and fusiform aneurysms (p=0.546). Within each aneurysm, a thicker aneurysm wall was associated with increased enhancement in 28 of 29 aneurysms (average r=0.65, p<0.05). Thicker walls were observed in enhanced segments (ER >1) than in non-enhanced segments (0.53±0.09 vs 0.38±0.07 mm, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Improved image quality at 7T allowed quantification of intracranial AWT and enhancement. A thicker aneurysm wall was observed in larger aneurysms and was associated with stronger enhancement.

The influence of hemorrhage presentation on clinical outcomes of curative embolisation in 125 cerebellar arteriovenous malformations.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the influence of periprocedural hemorrhage and clinical outcomes with an endovascular therapeutic strategy for cerebellar arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs). METHODS: From December 2006 to January 2018, 125 cAVMs were classified as types I-IV and received endovascular embolization via Onyx or Glubran 2. The risk factors of hemorrhage were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic analyses. A modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was used to evaluate the neurological function before and 1 year after the operation. Results Of 125 patients, 63 had type I cAVMs, 2 type II cAVMs, 48 type III cAVMs, and 12 type IV cAVMs. A total of 88 (70.4%) patients had clinical manifestations of intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR, 2.276; 95% CI, 1.132 - 5.663), flow-related aneurysm (OR, 2.845; 95% CI, 1.265 - 6.248), lesion size (OR, 3.005; 95% CI, 1.119 - 5.936), and the number of feeding arteries (OR, 0.105; 95% CI, 0.081 - 0.312) were still the significant independent risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage. During a 1-year follow-up, 109 patients (87.2%) had good outcomes (mRS 0 - 2), 12 patients (9.6%) had poor outcomes (mRS 3 - 4), 4 patients (3.2%) died, and 3 patients had intracranial hemorrhage due to the incomplete embolization of cAVMs. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular embolization is a feasible treatment for cAVMs. Age, flow-related aneurysm, lesion size, and the number of feeding arteries are the significant risk factors of periprocedural hemorrhage. Moreover, the lesion characteristics must be given full consideration when using Onyx or Glubran 2 before cAVMs embolization.

Development and validation of an institutional nomogram for aiding aneurysm rupture risk stratification.

Rupture risk stratification is critical for incidentally detected intracranial aneurysms. Here we developed and validated an institutional nomogram to solve this issue. We reviewed the imaging and clinical databases for aneurysms from January 2015 to September 2018. Aneurysms were reconstructed and morphological features were extracted by the Pyradiomics in python. Multiple logistic regression was performed to develop the nomogram. The consistency of the nomogram predicted rupture risks and PHASES scores was assessed. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by the discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA). 719 aneurysms were enrolled in this study. For each aneurysm, twelve morphological and nine clinical features were obtained. After logistic regression, seven features were enrolled in the nomogram, which were SurfaceVolumeRatio, Flatness, Age, Hyperlipemia, Smoker, Multiple aneurysms, and Location of the aneurysm. The nomogram had a positive and close correlation with PHASES score in predicting aneurysm rupture risks. AUCs of the nomogram in discriminating aneurysm rupture status was 0.837 in a separate testing set. The calibration curves fitted well and DCA demonstrated positive net benefits of the nomogram in guiding clinical decisions. In conclusion, Pyradiomics derived morphological features based institutional nomogram was useful for aneurysm rupture risk stratification.

Correlation of periodontal diseases with intracranial aneurysm formation: novel predictive indicators.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether periodontal diseases, specifically, periodontitis and gingivitis, could be risk factors of the incidence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). METHODS: We performed a case-control study to compare the differences in the periodontal disease parameters of 281 cases that were divided into the IAs group and non-IAs group. All cases underwent complete radiographic examination for IAs and examination for periodontal health. RESULTS: Comparing with those in the non-IAs group, the cases in the IAs group were older (53.95 ± 8.56 vs 47.79 ± 12.33, p < 0.001) and had a higher incidence of hypertension (76 vs 34, p = 0.006). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (> 50 years) and hypertension were predictive risk factors of aneurysm formation (odds ratio [OR] 1.047, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.022-1.073, p < 0.001 and OR 2.047, 95% CI 1.232-3.401, p = 0.006). In addition, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the parameters of periodontal diseases, including gingival index, plaque index, clinical attachment loss, and alveolar bone loss, were significantly associated with the occurrence of IAs (all p < 0.05). For further statistical investigation, the parameters of periodontal diseases were divided into four layers based on the quartered data. Poorer periodontal health condition (especially gingival index > 1.1 and plaque index > 1.5) had the correlation with IAs formation (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severe gingivitis or periodontitis, combining with hypertension, is significantly associated with the incidence of IAs.

Treatment of Unruptured Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Involving Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery With Pipeline Embolization Device.

Background: Treatment of unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is challenging. The experience of pipeline embolization device (PED) therapy for these lesions is still limited. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the PED for unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA. Methods: Thirty-two patients with unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA underwent treatment with PED were retrospectively identified. Procedure-related complications, PICA patency, clinical, and angiographic outcomes were analyzed. Results: Thirty-two aneurysms were successfully treated without any procedure-related complications. Images were available in 30 patients (93.8%) during a period of 3-26 months follow-up (average 8.4 months), which confirmed complete occlusion in 17 patients (56.5%), near-complete occlusion in 9 patients (30%), and incomplete occlusion in one patient (3.3%). Parent artery occlusion (PAO) was occurred in 3 patients (10%). Twenty-eight of 30 PICA remained patent. The two occlusions of PICA were secondary to PAO. At a mean of 20.7 months (range 7-50 months) clinical follow-up, all the patients achieved a favorable outcome without any new neurological deficit. Conclusion: PED seems to be a safe and effective alternative endovascular option for patients with unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA.

High Hepatic leukemia factor expression indicates a favorable survival in glioma patients.

ABSTRACT: Hepatic leukemia factor (HLF) is an oncogenic transcript factor, but its role in gliomas is unclear.With the open-access data from the Cancer Genome Atlatls (TCGA), HLF expression was compared between normal and glioma tissues and its correlation to patient survival, age, gender, race, and tumor grade was analyzed. Multivariate Cox regression was adopted to explore the independent risk factors for patient survival. Survivals between high and low HLF expression, and high and low model predicted risk subgroups were compared. 1, 2, 3, and 5-year patient survival were predicted with the Cox regression model. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to predict the potential function of HLF.Expression and clinical data of 5 normal brain samples and 655 glioma samples were obtained from TCGA. HLF expression was downregulated in gliomas than normal brain tissue (P = .007), and negatively related to patient age and advancing tumor grade (P < .001). HLF was a protective factor for patient survival (OR = 0.81, 95%CI 0.67-0.99, P = .035). Patients' survivals were poorer in low HLF expression subgroups and the Cox regression model predicted high-risk subgroups (P < .001). The accuracy of the model in predicting 1, 2, 3, and 5-year patient survival was 0.864, 0.895, 0.907, and 0.893, respectively. GSEA revealed HLF mainly took part in regulating tumor cell metabolism and cell cycle.HLF was downregulated in gliomas than normal tissue, negatively related to patient age and tumor grade, and was an independent protective factor for glioma patients.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment improves rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the meta-analysis was to clarify the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in improving rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to October 2020. A total of nine studies were included for the comparison of RA-related indicator changes between the NSPT group and no treatment (NT) group. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for disease activity score (DAS28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tender joint counts (TJC), swollen joint counts (SJC), visual analogical scale (VAS), morning stiffness (MS), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: NSPT induced significant reductions of DAS28 (MD: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.85, P < 0.001), TJC (MD: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.93, P < 0.001), SJC (MD: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.18, 1.17, P = 0.008), VAS (MD: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.88, P = 0.02), and CRP (MD: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.64, P = 0.01) in RA patients with periodontitis. Other parameters showed a trend toward reduction, but results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that NSPT could improve RA activity as assessed by DAS28, TJC, SJC, VAS, and CRP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results emphasize the effectiveness and need for periodontal diagnosis and periodontal therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients to reduce disease activity.

Ear ischemia induced by endovascular therapy for arteriovenous fistula of the sigmoid sinus: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula of the sigmoid sinus is an abnormal connection of arteries with the sigmoid sinus. Endovascular treatments of such lesions are considered safe and with low rates of complications. CASE SUMMARY: A 62-year-old female patient underwent endovascular treatment of an arteriovenous fistula of the right sigmoid sinus on February 7, 2017, but her tinnitus was not cured. She was admitted to the Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, on March 20, 2017, and her pre-operative diagnosis, by digital subtraction cerebral angiography, was arteriovenous fistula of the sigmoid sinus. She underwent endovascular embolization of the distal occipital artery and posterior auricular artery using Onyx-18. The arteriovenous fistula of the sigmoid sinus was cured, and her tinnitus disappeared, but ischemia of the upper 2/3 of the right auricle occurred without hearing loss. The patient received treatment to improve microcirculation, in addition to fluid supplementation, analgesia, and hyperbaric oxygen, and the swelling due to ischemia in the right auricle did not progress further. The patient reported no tinnitus , and the right auricle had returned to normal 3 years later. CONCLUSION: Ischemic complications of vital organs should be considered when performing embolization procedures for arteriovenous fistulas of cerebral sinuses. Compensation of the organs should be evaluated before the operation, and the related treatment regimens should be planned.

Wall enhancement of intracranial saccular and fusiform aneurysms may differ in intensity and extension: a pilot study using 7-T high-resolution black-blood MRI.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare wall enhancement patterns in saccular and fusiform intracranial aneurysms using high-resolution black-blood MRI at 7 T. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with 32 unruptured intracranial aneurysms (21 saccular and 11 fusiform) underwent 7-T black-blood MRI. Aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) was categorized as follows: no wall enhancement (NWE), focal wall enhancement (FWE), and uniform wall enhancement (UWE). The degree of enhancement was scored as follows: 0 (no enhancement), 1 (signal intensity (SI) of the aneurysm wall less than that of the pituitary infundibulum), and 2 (equal to that of the pituitary infundibulum). The chi-squared test was used to compare the AWE pattern and degree between saccular and fusiform aneurysms. RESULTS: In saccular aneurysms, 12/21 (57%) enhanced. Of these, 9 showed FWE (5 grade 1 and 4 grade 2), and 3 showed UWE (2 grade 1 and 1 grade 2). In fusiform aneurysms, 11/11 (100%) enhanced. Of these, 1 showed FWE and 10 showed UWE. All fusiform aneurysms had grade-2 enhancement. Fusiform aneurysms had more extensive and higher SI AWE than saccular aneurysms (p < 0.01) despite having a similar size (6.9 ± 3.0 mm vs. 8.0 ± 2.9, p = 0.23). For saccular aneurysm, larger aneurysm size was correlated with higher degree of enhancement with Pearson's r = 0.64 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Intracranial fusiform aneurysms had enhancement of higher SI and that covered a more extensive area than saccular aneurysms, which might indicate differences in vessel wall pathology. KEY POINTS: • Intracranial aneurysm wall enhancement can be reliably characterized by 7-T black-blood MRI. • AWE in intracranial fusiform aneurysms presents over a larger surface area and with greater signal intensity as compared with that in saccular aneurysms, which might indicate differences in pathology. • Stronger signal intensity of AWE correlates with the aneurysm size in saccular aneurysms.

Bifurcation Configuration Is an Independent Risk Factor for Aneurysm Rupture Irrespective of Location.

Background: Bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms have different rupture risks, but whether this difference comes from the location of the aneurysm is not clear. The objective of this study is to illustrate the rationality of ranking bifurcation configuration as an independent risk factor for aneurysm rupture. Methods: Morphological features of 719 aneurysms (216 ruptured) were automatically extracted from a consecutive cohort of patients via PyRadiomics. Rupture risks and morphological features were compared between bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms, and lasso regression was applied to explore the morphological determinants for rupture in bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms. Rupture risks and morphological features of bifurcation aneurysms in different locations were analyzed. Multivariate regression was performed to explore the risk factors for aneurysm rupture. Results: Twelve morphological features were automatically extracted from PyRadiomics implemented in Python. The rupture risks were higher in bifurcation aneurysms (P < 0.01), and morphological features Elongation and Flatness were much lower in ruptured bifurcation than sidewall aneurysms (P = 0.036, 0.011, respectively). Elongation and Flatness were the morphological determinants for rupture in bifurcation aneurysms, whereas Elongation and SphericalDisproportion were determinants for sidewall aneurysms. Different rupture risks and morphological features were found between sidewall and bifurcation aneurysms of the same location, and among bifurcation aneurysms of different locations. In multivariate regression, bifurcation configuration was an independent risk factor for aneurysm rupture (OR 3.007, 95% CI 1.752-5.248, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Sidewall and bifurcation aneurysms and bifurcation aneurysms of different locations have different rupture risks and morphological features. Bifurcation configuration is an independent risk factor for aneurysm rupture irrespective of location.

Prediction of Aneurysm Stability Using a Machine Learning Model Based on PyRadiomics-Derived Morphological Features.

Background and Purpose- Discrimination of the stability of intracranial aneurysms is critical for determining the treatment strategy, especially in small aneurysms. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of applying machine learning for predicting aneurysm stability with radiomics-derived morphological features. Methods- Morphological features of 719 aneurysms were extracted from PyRadiomics, of which 420 aneurysms with Maximum3DDiameter ranging from 4 mm to 8 mm were enrolled for analysis. The stability of these aneurysms and other clinical characteristics were reviewed from the medical records. Based on the morphologies with/without clinical features, machine learning models were constructed and compared to define the morphological determinants and screen the optimal model for predicting aneurysm stability. The effect of clinical characteristics on the morphology of unstable aneurysms was analyzed. Results- Twelve morphological features were automatically extracted from PyRadiomics implemented in Python for each aneurysm. Lasso regression defined Flatness as the most important morphological feature to predict aneurysm stability, followed by SphericalDisproportion, Maximum2DDiameterSlice, and SurfaceArea. SurfaceArea (odds ratio [OR], 0.697; 95% CI, 0.476-0.998), SphericalDisproportion (OR, 1.730; 95% CI, 1.143-2.658), Flatness (OR, 0.584; 95% CI, 0.374-0.894), Hyperlipemia (OR, 2.410; 95% CI, 1.029-5.721), Multiplicity (OR, 0.182; 95% CI, 0.082-0.380), Location at middle cerebral artery (OR, 0.359; 95% CI, 0.134-0.902), and internal carotid artery (OR, 0.087; 95% CI, 0.030-0.211) were enrolled into the final prediction model. In terms of performance, the area under curve of the model reached 0.853 (95% CI, 0.767-0.940). For unstable aneurysms, Compactness1 (P=0.035), Compactness2 (P=0.036), Sphericity (P=0.035), and Flatness (P=0.010) were low, whereas SphericalDisproportion (P=0.034) was higher in patients with hypertension. Conclusions- Morphological features extracted from PyRadiomics can be used for aneurysm stratification. Flatness is the most important morphological determinant to predict aneurysm stability. Our model can be used to predict aneurysm stability. Unstable aneurysm is more irregular in patients with hypertension.

Association of Thrombelastographic Parameters with Complications in Patients with Intracranial Aneurysm After Stent Placement.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective trial was conducted to investigate the platelet function and association between thrombelastographic (TEG) parameters and embolic or hemorrhagic complications in patients with intracranial aneurysm undergoing stent treatment. METHODS: Between September 2013 and June 2016, we prospectively recruited patients with intracranial aneurysm who were treated with stent-assisted coiling. TEG parameters were used to assess the platelet function before stenting procedures. The primary study end point was the onset of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or silent ischemic events in the territory of the stented artery within 6 months after the procedure. The secondary end point was assessed by bleeding events. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-one patients with 453 intracranial aneurysms were enrolled. A total of 519 neurovascular stents were implanted. During the follow-up, a total of 70 primary end points (16.2%) and 59 secondary end points (13.7%) were detected. Thromboembolic complications such as symptomatic and slient ischemic complications were more frequently observed in patients with large aneurysms (>10 mm, P = 0.01), lower adenosine diphosphate (ADP) inhibition rate (P < 0.0001), and higher ADP-induced platelet-fibrin clot strength (maximum amplitude of adenosine diphosphate [MA-ADP]) (P < 0.0001). Besides, based on multivariate analysis, a higher ADP inhibition ratio was identified as a significant independent predictor of subsequent bleeding events (P < 0.0001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the safe range of the ADP inhibition ratio and MA-ADP of the TEG analysis were identified as 29.45%-55.4% and <46.15, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ADP inhibition ratio and MA-ADP of TEG analysis were associated with subsequent cerebral ischemic events and intracranial or extracranial bleeding events in patients with intracranial aneurysm after stent treatment.

Efficacy of endovascular intervention in patients with unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm-related oculomotor nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVES: Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is commonly encountered in daily neurosurgical activities. The ONP secondary to un-ruptured PComA aneurysm might be a unique entity that was different in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from its ruptured counterparts. Perhaps as a result of the limitation in sample size, studies that solely focused on factors affecting recovery of ONP in patients with unruptured corresponding PComA aneurysms were scarce. METHODS: In this study, we would like to report a relatively larger case series of patients with un-ruptured PComA aneurysm-related ONP. A retrospective review of medical records of 39 patients with un-ruptured PComA aneurysm-related ONP was performed with endovascular coiling. RESULTS: All 39 consecutive patients underwent endovascular coiling. Eighteen (46%) patients had a complete resolution of ONP, 14 (36%) patients had a partial resolution. Time interval from onset of ONP to endovascular intervention (P=0.004), degree of ONP (P=0.015) and age (P=0.016) were predictors of ONP recovery with statistical significance. Sex, aneurysm size and risk factor exposure (smoking, alcohol abuse and hypertension) were not associated with ONP outcomes. CONCLUSION: ONP secondary to un-ruptured aneurysm should be treated as a unique entity from its ruptured counterparts. A prospective study that contains surgical clipping and endovascular coiling, and comparison between two treatment modalities would be more convincing and is anticipated.