Endovascular treatment of ruptured lobulated anterior communicating artery aneurysms: A retrospective study of 24 patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Lobulated intracranial aneurysm is a special type of aneurysm with at least one additional cyst in the neck or body of the aneurysm. Lobulated intracranial aneurysm is a complex aneurysm with complex morphology and structure and weak tumor wall, which is an independent risk factor for rupture and hemorrhage. Lobular aneurysms located in the anterior communicating artery complex account for 36.9% of all intracranial lobular aneurysms. Due to its special anatomical structure, both craniotomy and endovascular treatment are more difficult. Compared with single-capsule aneurysms, craniotomy for lobular intracranial aneurysms has a higher risk and complication rate.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment for ruptured lobulated anterior communicating artery aneurysm (ACoAA).

METHODS

Patients with ruptured lobulated ACoAA received endovascular treatment in Sanming First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively included. Their demographic, clinical and imaging characteristics, endovascular treatment methods and follow-up results were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients with ruptured lobulated ACoAA were included, including 9 males (37.5%) and 15 females (62.5%). Their age was 56.2 ± 8.9 years old (range 39-74). The time from rupture to endovascular treatment was 10.9 ± 12.5 h. The maximum diameter of the aneurysms was 5.1 ± 1.0 mm and neck width were 3.0 ± 0.7 mm. Nineteen patients (79.2%) were double-lobed and 5 (20.8%) were multilobed. Fisher's grade: Grade 2 in 16 cases (66.7%), grade 3 in 6 cases (25%), and grade 4 in 2 cases (8.3%). Hunt-Hess grade: Grade 0-2 in 5 cases (20.8%), grade 3-5 in 19 cases (79.2%). Glasgow Coma Scale score: 9-12 in 14 cases (58.3%), 13-15 in 10 cases (41.7%). Immediately postprocedural Raymond-Roy grade: grade 1 in 23 cases (95. 8%), grade 2 in 1 case (4.2%). Raymond-Roy grade in imaging follow-up for 2 wk to 3 months: grade 1 in 23 cases (95.8%), grade 2 in 1 case (4.2%). Follow-up for 2 to 12 months showed that 21 patients (87.5%) had good functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2), and there were no deaths.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment is a safe and effective treatment for ruptured lobulated AcoAA.

Keywords: Intracranial aneurysm; Anterior cerebral artery; Endovascular surgery; Embolism; Treatment outcome

Core Tip: For ruptured lobulated anterior communicating artery aneurysm, preoperative angiography was used to fully evaluate the lobulated aneurysm, neck of the tumor and segment A and 1 vessels, to grasp reasonable operation timing, and to minimize the use of multiple or simplified systems for endovascular treatment during the operation, which was conducive to surgical safety and to reduce postoperative complications.