Safety Profile and Factors Associated With Good Outcome for Endovascularly Treated Infectious Intracranial Aneurysms

Neurosurgery. 2022 Feb 1;90(2):233-239. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000001785.

Abstract

Background: Infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs), or mycotic aneurysms, are infectious inflammatory lesions that can cause devastating neurological damage or death. Recent systemic reviews have suggested endovascular treatment to be efficacious for IIA management.

Objective: To compare the safety profile of different endovascular methods for treating ruptured and unruptured IIAs and factors associated with good clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single study of endovascularly treated ruptured and unruptured IIAs between 2003 and 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to study patient presentation, endovascular treatments used, and clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Results: Thirty-eight patients with ruptured (n = 20) and unruptured (n = 18) IIAs treated with endovascular methods were included. One patient required retreatment after aneurysm recanalization, and 2 patients demonstrated new infarcts after embolization. There was no postprocedural radiographic hemorrhage or infarct and no difference in clinical and radiographic outcomes comparing treatment modality. Hypertension was associated with ruptured IIA status and worse clinical outcome at 6 mo (odds ratio: 0.03 [95% confidence interval: 0.002-0.52]).

Conclusion: In this study, the largest single-center series to date, we showed that endovascular intervention is a safe and effective strategy for both ruptured and unruptured IIAs. Hypertension was associated with ruptured status and worse clinical outcome. Procedures are generally well-tolerated and safe, with good outcomes for patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, Infected* / complications
  • Aneurysm, Infected* / therapy
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured* / surgery
  • Embolization, Therapeutic* / adverse effects
  • Endovascular Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome