Morphologic assessment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms for endovascular treatment.
BACKGROUND
Aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) trifurcation region are underrepresented in large series of endovascularly treated aneurysms. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence of specific morphologic features of MCA bifurcation aneurysms that may affect suitability for endovascular treatment.


METHODS
We evaluated 53 consecutive patients with 58 bifurcation or trifurcation MCA aneurysms seen for angiographic evaluation during a 4-year period at our institution. All angiograms were reviewed for: aneurysm size (largest dimension, dome and neck size), branch vessels originating from the aneurysm sac, straightening of the aneurysm wall to suggest intramural thrombus, calcification in the region of the aneurysm, stenosis of the parent vessel, and presence of daughter sacs.


RESULTS
Of 58 aneurysms, 51 (88%) had a dome to neck ratio less than 2:1. Branch vessel incorporation in the aneurysm sac was seen in 23/58 (40%), straightening suggestive of thrombus in 14/58 (24%), calcification in 2/58 (3%), parent vessel stenosis in 1/58 (2%), and daughter sacs in 4/58 (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of MCA aneurysms have morphologic features such as a dome to neck ratio less than 2:1 or branch vessel incorporation that may make them unsuitable for endovascular treatment using conventional intra-aneurysmal coiling.
Jayaraman
Mahesh V
MV
Department of Radiology, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA. mjayaraman@lifespan.org
Do
Huy M
HM
Versnick
Eric J
EJ
Steinberg
Gary K
GK
Marks
Michael P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D000075202:Contraindications; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology