Search Results (301)

Background/Objectives: Early functional status at hospital discharge is a clinically relevant outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but early prognostic assessment remains challenging. We evaluated whether admission inflammatory blood cell ratios were associated with discharge independence and added prognostic information beyond established neurological severity scales. Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 252 consecutive adults with aSAH were screened, and 144 endovascularly treated patients with available admission complete blood count with differential were included. Discharge independence was defined as a Barthel Index score ≥60 at hospital discharge. A clinical reference model included age, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade, and Hunt–Hess grade. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between inflammatory ratios and discharge independence. Discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis with DeLong’s test, and the final model was internally validated by bootstrap resampling. Results: Forty-one patients (28.5%) achieved discharge independence. Higher admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was independently associated with lower odds of discharge independence (adjusted odds ratio 0.47 per interquartile range increase, 95% CI 0.24–0.90; p = 0.022). Adding NLR to the clinical reference model improved discrimination (AUC 0.790 vs. 0.737; p = 0.039), with an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.767 after bootstrap validation. Other inflammatory indices did not significantly improve discrimination. Conclusions: In this single-center retrospective cohort of endovascularly treated patients with aSAH, admission NLR was independently associated with discharge independence and provided modest incremental prognostic information beyond established neurological severity scales. Full article

Intraprocedural rupture (IPR) during stent-assisted coiling (SAC) after stent deployment can create a narrow and rapidly changing management problem: hemorrhage control, anticoagulation reversal, acute thrombotic occlusion, and postprocedural cerebrospinal fluid diversion may all become urgent within the same clinical sequence. We report a fatal IPR during SAC of an unruptured anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysm and use the case as an anchor for a targeted case-based narrative review. A 71-year-old woman underwent SAC for a 5.1-mm posteriorly directed AComA aneurysm with a bleb after treatment for vertebrobasilar ischemia. Fourth-coil insertion produced tactile resistance and contrast extravasation. Protamine reversal and temporary A1 flow control reduced the leak, but filling defects then developed from the internal carotid artery terminus to the A1 and M1 segments, requiring rescue thrombectomy. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage; same-day progression with hydrocephalus required bilateral external ventricular drainage. The patient died on postoperative day 7. This case highlights IPR during SAC as a time-dependent hemorrhagic–thrombotic escalation rather than a single technical event. We propose a staged assistant–operator communication model for risk mapping, rupture recognition, hemostatic-route preservation, thrombotic surveillance, and transition to computed tomography, external ventricular drainage, and intensive care. Full article

Background/Objectives: The optimal upfront modality selection for real-world aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains uncertain. We evaluated outcomes after an institutional change from an endovascular treatment (EVT)-first default to a modality-neutral individualized pathway. Methods: This single-center retrospective before-and-after cohort study included consecutive patients with aSAH who underwent aneurysm securing during two fixed time periods (pre-change: 1 May 2023 to 31 July 2024; post-change: 1 August 2024 to 31 October 2025). The primary outcome was a favorable 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2. The primary analysis used Firth penalized logistic regression adjusted for age, pre-morbid mRS ≥ 2, and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade IV–V. Conventional logistic regression and ordinal mRS shift analysis were performed as sensitivity analyses. Results: A total of 104 patients were included (pre-change, n = 48; post-change, n = 56). EVT decreased from 79.2% to 37.5%, and microsurgery increased from 20.8% to 62.5% (p < 0.001). Favorable outcomes occurred in 25/48 patients (52.1%) in the pre-change period and 36/56 patients (64.3%) in the post-change period (p = 0.235). In adjusted analyses, the post-change period was associated with favorable outcome (aOR 3.82; 95% CI, 1.31–12.79; p = 0.009), consistent with the sensitivity analysis (aOR, 4.41; 95% CI, 1.43–15.95; p = 0.009). Shift analysis also favored the post-change period (adjusted common OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.15–4.91; p = 0.021). Secondary outcomes and procedure-related complications were similar between the two periods. Conclusions: A shift from an EVT-first default to a modality-neutral individualized pathway was associated with more favorable adjusted 90-day functional outcomes. Multicenter confirmation is warranted. Full article

Background and Objectives: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has previously been identified as a biomarker for early ischemia, rapidly formed by acidosis and free radical modification of the N-terminus of human serum albumin. This study aimed to compare albumin and IMA levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 30 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and 15 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) at a single center between 2021 and 2022. Materials and methods: This prospective study included 30 patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), confirmed radiologically, who were admitted to the Health Sciences University İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital and constituted the study group. The control group consisted of 15 patients diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) without a history or radiological evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage or any other intracranial hemorrhagic pathology. In the control group, no pathological findings suggestive of hemorrhage or inflammation were detected in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses. Blood and CSF samples were collected simultaneously from all participants, and albumin and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels were measured. Serum and CSF albumin and IMA levels were compared between the study and control groups. Results: Of the 30 patients included in the study, 19 (63.3%) were male and 11 (36.7%) were female. The albumin level was lower in the patient group compared to the NPH group (3.8 g/dL [1.8–4.7] vs. 4.3 g/dL [3.2–5.0], respectively, p = 0.008). The serum IMA level was higher in the patient group compared to the NPH group (0.36 ABSU [0.30–0.65] vs. 0.25 ABSU [0.05–0.32], respectively, p = 0.010). The serum IMA level was higher in the vasospasm group compared to the group without vasospasm. Conclusions: In patients with SAH, a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, modified albumin levels were found to be significantly higher in both CSF and blood compared to the NPH group. IMA may be a potential biomarker associated with SAH and vasospasm; however, further large-scale studies with multivariable analysis and external validation are required to confirm its diagnostic and prognostic utility. Full article

Intracranial aneurysms are common vascular lesions with a highly variable natural history. While most unruptured intracranial aneurysms remain stable throughout life, a biologically aggressive subset progresses to growth and rupture, resulting in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with substantial morbidity and mortality. Contemporary evidence demonstrates that aneurysm behavior is dynamic rather than static and reflects the interaction of hemodynamic forces, inflammatory vascular remodeling, genetic susceptibility, and environmental risk factors. Rupture risk is not constant over time and may be highest early after aneurysm formation, followed by a period of relative quiescence in selected lesions. Traditional population-based risk estimates have therefore evolved toward individualized risk stratification incorporating aneurysm size, location, morphology, growth, patient-specific factors, and emerging imaging and computational biomarkers. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, pathobiology, growth patterns, and rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms, integrating foundational observational studies with recent advances in genetics, vessel wall imaging, and predictive modeling. Understanding the natural history of brain aneurysms is essential for balancing the risks of observation against intervention and for guiding future innovations in aneurysm management. Full article

Background: Nimodipine is routinely used in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but the optimal route of administration remains uncertain. Intravenous and enteral delivery differ in pharmacokinetics, yet the clinical relevance of these differences is unclear. This scoping review aimed to map evidence on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of intravenous and enteral nimodipine and their relationship with clinical outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from 1982 to March 2026. Studies in adult aSAH patients reporting PK and/or PD outcomes after intravenous or enteral nimodipine were included. Data were synthesized qualitatively. Results: Twenty studies were included. Intravenous administration provided higher and more consistent systemic exposure, whereas enteral administration showed low and highly variable bioavailability, particularly via nasogastric tubes. Despite these differences, pharmacodynamic effects were not clearly related to systemic concentrations, and hypotension occurred similarly across routes. Evidence on cerebral physiology was limited. Randomized studies showed no significant differences in delayed cerebral ischemia, infarction, or functional outcomes between routes. Conclusions: Pharmacokinetic advantages of intravenous nimodipine do not consistently translate into pharmacodynamic or clinical benefits, although available evidence is limited and heterogeneous. The PK–PD relationship appears weak, and further research is needed to guide optimized administration strategies. Full article

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), strongly associated with neurological deterioration and poor outcomes. Its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood and involves multiple interacting processes. Increasing evidence highlights the role of redox imbalance triggered by hemoglobin breakdown and the subsequent generation of reactive species, leading to vascular dysfunction, impaired nitric oxide signaling, and inflammatory activation This review aims to summarize current knowledge on redox-related mechanisms involved in DCI and to explore the potential role of the peroxiredoxin (PRDX) family in this setting. A narrative review of experimental and preclinical studies was performed, focusing on molecular pathways associated with vascular regulation, cellular injury, and antioxidant defense. Particular attention was given to the distribution and biological functions of PRDX isoforms within the central nervous system. This work addresses a topic not previously systematically discussed, the potential involvement of PRDX proteins in aSAH-related complications. By integrating available data, it provides a conceptual framework linking PRDX to mechanisms relevant for DCI. The manuscript serves as a starting point for future research, particularly translational and clinical studies in humans, which are necessary to verify the relevance of these findings and to better understand their potential clinical implications. Full article

Background: Temporary arterial occlusion (TAO) is a key adjunct in microsurgical clipping of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms, but its safe duration and impact on perioperative ischemia—particularly in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)—remain uncertain. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 245 patients undergoing microsurgical clipping of MCA aneurysms (154 incidental, 91 SAH) at a tertiary neurovascular center (2010–2020) was analyzed. TAO use, cumulative duration (>5, >8, >10, >15 min), number of applications, and occlusion site were extracted alongside clinical, radiographic, and outcome data. The primary endpoint was perioperative ischemia within 48 h; secondary endpoints included clinically relevant cerebral vasospasm (CVS), intraoperative rupture, and functional outcome (mRS) at discharge and 6 months. Multivariable logistic and ordinal regression models adjusted for demographic, aneurysmal, and treatment covariates. Results: TAO was used in 134 cases (54.7%; mean total duration 10.4 ± 8.7 min). In the overall cohort, TAO (presence or duration) was not independently associated with perioperative ischemia or CVS. In the SAH subgroup, cumulative TAO > 5 min conferred an approximately sixfold higher odds of ischemia (p = 0.012; OR 6.33), whereas no threshold was significant in incidental aneurysms. Female sex, M2 location, SAH at admission, and initial GCS < 9 independently predicted ischemia; female sex, higher ASA grade, larger size, irregular morphology, and SAH predicted CVS. SAH and aneurysm wall calcification were associated with worse 6-month mRS. Conclusions: TAO appears safe in elective clipping of incidental MCA aneurysms when applied judiciously, but cumulative durations beyond 5 min substantially increase ischemia risk in SAH patients. TAO management should therefore be individualized by rupture status, neurological grade, and aneurysm morphology rather than a single universal time limit. Full article

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity among survivors. Emerging evidence suggests that acute biochemical hypothalamic–pituitary axis disturbances, resulting from disruption of neuroendocrine regulation, are an underrecognized complication in the acute phase of aSAH. However, its correlation with clinical severity remains insufficiently explored. To investigate whether clinical severity of aSAH predicts acute biochemical pituitary-axis abnormalities and identify which hormonal axes are most affected in the acute phase. A prospective observational study was conducted at The National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, Bucharest (October 2024–March 2025) on 38 patients confirmed aSAH admitted within 48 h of symptom onset, of which 20 patients were included. Hormonal panels assessing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) were obtained prior to surgical intervention. Clinical severity was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Hunt and Hess (HH) scale, and the Modified Fisher Scale. Correlations between hormonal deficiencies and severity scores were analyzed using the Spearman correlation. Biochemical abnormality of the ACTH axis was most prevalent (75%), followed by ADH (50%) and TSH (40%), while GH deficiency was rare (5%). ACTH-axis biochemical abnormality correlated significantly with lower GCS (ρ = −0.61, p = 0.004) and higher HH scores (ρ = 0.59, p = 0.006). Multiple-axis abnormalities demonstrated the strongest correlations with all severity metrics (GCS: ρ = −0.68, p = 0.001; HH: ρ = 0.72, p < 0.001; Fisher: ρ = 0.57, p = 0.009). Greater clinical severity in aSAH is associated with a higher prevalence of acute biochemical endocrine abnormalities, particularly involving the ACTH axis and multiple hormonal pathways. These findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Early hormonal assessment in patients with severe aSAH may help identify individuals at risk for acute endocrine abnormality, but validation in larger prospective studies is required before influencing clinical practice. Full article

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains a devastating cerebrovascular disorder with high morbidity and mortality, despite advances in aneurysm securing and neurocritical care. Clinical outcomes are determined by early brain injury (EBI), delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), hydrocephalus, and long-term cognitive impairment, extending beyond the traditional focus on large-vessel vasospasm alone. Emerging evidence identifies the dysfunction of the glymphatic system and meningeal lymphatic pathway, the brain’s primary clearance pathways, as a central and unifying mechanism linking acute hemorrhagic injury to delayed and chronic neurological sequelae. Following SAH, acute intracranial pressure elevation, subarachnoid blood clot burden, loss of arterial pulsatility, venous congestion, astrocytic aquaporin-4 perivascular depolarization, and neuroinflammation converge to suppress cerebrospinal fluid–interstitial fluid exchange and outflow in glymphatic system and subsequent meningeal lymphatic drainage. Persistent clearance failure promotes the retention of blood breakdown products, inflammatory mediators, and metabolic waste, amplifying microvascular dysfunction, cortical spreading depolarizations, blood–brain barrier disruption, and secondary ischemic injury. Importantly, accumulating data highlight venous pathology and meningeal lymphatic impairment as critical, yet underappreciated, contributors to delayed injury and post-SAH hydrocephalus. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge of the physiological organization of glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic systems, delineate the mechanistic and molecular drivers of their dysfunction after SAH, and discuss clinical implications for EBI, DCI, hydrocephalus, and long-term cognitive outcomes. We further outline future directions, including translational imaging, biomarker development, and therapeutic strategies targeting clearance pathways, to advance disease-modifying approaches in SAH. Full article

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) during pregnancy is rare, occurring in approximately 0.01–0.05% of pregnancies, most commonly in the third trimester. Its management is particularly challenging, requiring careful consideration of both maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: We report the case of a 32-year-old woman at 31 weeks of gestation who presented with severe headache and left third cranial nerve palsy. Imaging revealed diffuse SAH with significant obstructive hydrocephalus and a 5 mm left posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Following multidisciplinary discussion, surgical clipping was performed while preserving the pregnancy to allow for fetal lung maturation. On postoperative day 8, the patient developed right-sided weakness and aphasia secondary to severe vasospasm. Initial management with catecholamine-induced hypertension resulted in increased uterine contractions and fetal distress. Subsequent intra-arterial administration of nimodipine effectively resolved the vasospasm, enabling cessation of vasopressor therapy. After achieving fetal lung maturity, cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks, followed by ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement for communicating hydrocephalus. Due to sustained shunt failure, the distal catheter was finally inserted into the superior vena cava at the junction of the atrium. Results: The patient showed gradual neurological recovery with complete resolution of third cranial nerve palsy, and both mother and infant were discharged without complications. Conclusions: This case highlights that while standard vasospasm therapies can be implemented during pregnancy, hemodynamic approaches may provoke maternal and fetal complications. Endovascular rescue strategies should be promptly considered for severe vasospasm, and ventriculo-atrial shunting for complex communicating hydrocephalus may serve as a viable alternative option in post-cesarean patients. Full article

Background: Contemporary aneurysm surgery increasingly requires the management of complex lesions with limited physiological reserve. A growing “physiology-first” paradigm emphasizes that optimizing cerebrovascular dynamics during aneurysm treatment is essential for favorable neurological outcomes. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives on cerebrovascular physiology relevant to aneurysm surgery, including cerebral perfusion, autoregulation, ischemia tolerance, neuroprotection, and intraoperative monitoring. Results: Key themes include individualized blood pressure management, recognition of impaired autoregulation—particularly after subarachnoid hemorrhage—safe application of temporary arterial occlusion, and the use of multimodal neuromonitoring to detect ischemia in real time. The strengths and limitations of neuroprotective adjuncts are critically discussed in the context of available clinical evidence. Conclusions: Integrating cerebrovascular physiology into aneurysm surgery supports informed intraoperative decision-making, minimizes ischemic injury, and enhances patient outcomes. A physiology-first approach complements technical expertise and represents a cornerstone of modern neurovascular practice. Full article

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare consequences of blunt or penetrating head injury, carrying significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 33-year-old male who sustained severe head trauma with base of skull fracture and subarachnoid hemorrhage following a motor vehicle accident. He underwent craniotomy with evacuation of an intracerebral hematoma and fixation of depressed fracture segments. During the third week, he deteriorated due to a re-bleed at the operated site. Cerebral digital subtraction angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm from the proximal A2 segment of the left anterior cerebral artery, prompting re-exploration. This case highlights the importance of considering post-traumatic aneurysm in patients with delayed neurological decline after head injury associated with skull bone fracture and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Full article

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains a devastating neurological condition, with patients presenting with poor-grade aSAH having a particularly limited potential for recovery. Data on outcome trajectories after microsurgical clipping in this subgroup are scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the functional outcomes in patients with poor-grade aSAH treated with microsurgical clipping, and to identify clinical factors associated with recovery. Methods: This retrospective study included 38 patients (median age 55 years; 60.5% female) with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grades 4–5, who underwent microsurgical clipping at a single tertiary care centre between 2016 and 2023. Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at hospital discharge and 6 months follow-up, and functional outcome was analyzed in relation to clinical variables (delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), initial seizures, the need for decompressive craniectomy) using correlation and group comparison analyses. Results: The indication for microsurgical clipping was primarily driven by the need for ICH evacuation (50%) or by aneurysm configuration (47.5%). Microsurgical aneurysm clipping was performed on the day of hemorrhage in 25 patients (65.8%), with 16 patients (42.1%) undergoing immediate surgery following direct transfer from the emergency department to the operating theatre. ICH was present in 60.5% and IVH in 92.1%. Decompressive craniectomy was performed in 42.1%. DCI occurred in 21.6% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 15.8%, increasing to 22.6% at 6 months follow-up. Good functional outcome (mRS 0–2) was observed in 10.5% of patients at discharge and improved to 25.8% at 6 months. At hospital discharge, higher mRS scores were associated with the need for immediate aneurysm repair (p = 0.04), primary decompressive craniectomy (p = 0.02), and DCI (p = 0.006). Primary decompressive craniectomy (p = 0.04), reflecting greater disease severity, and DCI (p = 0.002) remained associated with worse functional outcome at 6 months. Conclusions: In poor-grade aSAH patients undergoing microsurgical clipping, mortality remains substantial; however, functional recovery may extend beyond hospital discharge. The need for immediate surgical intervention and primary decompressive craniectomy likely reflects a particularly severe hemorrhagic burden in patients and is associated with worse early functional outcomes, whereas DCI remains an important factor in overall functional recovery. Full article

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are focal dilatations of cerebral arteries that carry a significant risk of rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Advances in basic science have improved understanding of vascular wall biology, hemodynamic stress, inflammation, and genetic contribution to aneurysm rupture. Rapid progress in neurovascular therapeutics highlights the need to evaluate emerging molecular and pharmacologic strategies targeting IAs. Methodology: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 2015 to 2025 on the cellular, molecular, and biomechanical mechanisms underlying IA pathophysiology. A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase identified studies examining molecular pathways, genetic determinants, and therapeutic approaches. Discussion: Aneurysm initiation involves endothelial responses to abnormal shear stress, activating NF-κB, MAPK, and calcium-dependent pathways that promote inflammation, smooth-muscle cell apoptosis, and extracellular matrix degradation. Pharmacologic candidates including MCP-1 antagonists, PPARγ agonists, and IL-6/STAT3 inhibitors reduce inflammatory remodeling, while doxycycline and cathepsin inhibitors preserve matrix integrity. Emerging strategies like microRNA modulation, tyrosine-kinase inhibition, and gene-based delivery offer potential for localized, durable stabilization with minimal systemic toxicity. Conclusions: Integrating surgical and biologic therapies may shift IA management from reactive repair to rupture prevention. Full article