Personality change after 'flow diverter implantation' for intracranial aneurysm in a patient with stroke: A case report

Brain Inj. 2023 Sep 19;37(11):1231-1234. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2237866. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to present a patient with psychiatric symptoms that occur after flow diverter stent placement in a posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysm in a patient.

Design: A case study.

Method: We performed cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography, neuropsychological tests, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), and a 25-item version of the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25). The patient's recent MRI was compared with previous MRIs. Neuropsychological testing consisted of a clinical interview, clinical assessment of frontal lobe syndrome, and tests evaluating the prefrontal cortex functions (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-128 card version and Iowa Gambling Test).

Results: Our results showed that the patient's personality change and psychiatric symptoms occurred after the stent placement. Symptoms were still present at evaluation two and a half years after stent placement.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates personality changes and psychiatric symptoms that might occur as complications following the placement of a flow diverter for incidentally detected aneurysm.

Keywords: Flow diverter stent; aneurysm treatment; frontal lobe syndrome; orbitofrontal cortex; personality change.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / complications
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Personality
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Stroke* / complications
  • Stroke* / diagnostic imaging