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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Comparing outcomes between endovascular aneurysm coiling trials can be difficult because of heterogeneity in patients and end points. We sought to understand the impact of geography on aneurysm retreatment in patients enrolled in the Matrix and Platinum Science Trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post hoc analysis was performed on data from the Matrix and Platinum Science trial. Patients were stratified as either North American or international. Baseline patient demographics, comorbidities, aneurysm characteristics, procedural complications, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: We evaluated 407 patients from 28 North American sites and 219 patients from 15 international sites. Patient demographics differed significantly between North American and international sites. Aneurysms were well occluded postprocedure more often at international than North American sites ( P < .001). Stents were used significantly more often at North American sites (32.7% [133 of 407]) compared with international sites (10.0% [22 of 219]; P < .001). At 455 days, there was no difference in the proportion of patients alive and free of disability ( P = .56) or with residual aneurysm filling ( P = .10). Ruptured aneurysms were significantly more likely to have been retreated at North American sites within the first year ( P < .001) and at 2 years ( P < .001). Among all patients for whom the treating physician believed there to be Raymond 3 aneurysm filling at follow-up, absolute rates of retreatment at international and North American sites were similar by 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the Matrix and Platinum Science Trial demonstrate that aneurysm retreatment occurs with different frequency and at different times in different regions of the world. This trend has critical value when interpreting trials reporting short-term outcomes, especially when judgment-based metrics such as retreatment are primary end points that may or may not take place within the defined study follow-up period. Though these variations can be controlled for and balanced within a given randomized trial, such differences in practice patterns must be accounted for in any attempt to compare outcomes between different trials. Despite these differences, endovascular-treated intracranial aneurysms around the world have similar clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children with brain aneurysms may be at higher risk than adults to develop new or enlarging aneurysms in a relatively short time. We sought to identify comorbidities and angiographic features in children that predict new aneurysm formation or enlargement of untreated aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the University of California–San Francisco Pediatric Aneurysm Cohort data base including medical records and imaging studies was performed. RESULTS: Of 83 patients harboring 114 intracranial aneurysms not associated with brain arteriovenous malformations or intracranial arteriovenous fistulas, 9 (8.4%) developed new or enlarging brain aneurysms an average of 4.2 years after initial presentation. Comorbidities that may be related to aneurysm formation were significantly higher in patients who developed new aneurysms (89%) as opposed to patients who did not develop new or enlarging aneurysms (41%; RR, 9.5; 95% CI, 1.9%–48%; P = .0099). Patients with multiple aneurysms at initial presentation were more likely than patients with a single aneurysm at presentation to develop a new or enlarging aneurysm (RR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.1%–185; P = .0058). Patients who initially presented with at least 1 fusiform aneurysm were more likely to develop a new or enlarging aneurysm than patients who did not present with a fusiform aneurysm (RR, 22; 95% CI, 3.6%–68%; P = .00050). Index aneurysm treatment with parent artery occlusion also was associated with higher risk of new aneurysm formation (RR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.3%–13%; P = .024). New aneurysms did not necessarily arise near index aneurysms. The only fatality in the series was due to subarachnoid hemorrhage from a new posterior circulation aneurysm arising 20 months after index anterior circulation aneurysm treatment in an immunosuppressed patient. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who presented with a fusiform aneurysm had a significantly greater incidence of developing a new aneurysm or enlargement of an index aneurysm than did those who presented with a saccular aneurysm. In our patient cohort, 8 of the 9 children who eventually developed new or enlarging brain aneurysms initially presented with fusiform aneurysm morphology. Other comorbidities or multiple aneurysms were also common in these patients at initial presentation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The natural history of PMAVFs, also known as type IV spinal cord AVFs, is incompletely understood. Both open surgical and endovascular approaches have been described as treatment modalities for this disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with PMAVFs treated at a single tertiary care institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 32 patients with PMAVFs, evaluated between 1983 and 2009. Data were gathered by reviewing outpatient clinic notes, operative and radiologic reports, and spinal angiograms. The PMAVFs were categorized into 1 of 3 types based on the angiographic imaging criteria. Pretreatment and posttreatment ambulation and micturition symptoms were quantified by using the ALS. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent corrective procedures, 4 by embolization alone, 11 by surgery alone, and 15 with a combination of the 2. Twenty-eight patients underwent follow-up spinal angiography, with residual shunt noted in 6 patients. The mean follow-up period was 54 months (range, 1–228 months). Analysis of the ALS scores revealed that treatment of PMAVFs, independent of technique, resulted in significant improvement in ambulation but inconsistent changes in micturition. In addition, residual fistula at the time of the follow-up angiogram was associated with worsened neurologic status or lack of improvement. Outcome analysis based on fistula type showed dramatic improvement in ALS ambulation scores (62%) for type 3 fistulas, compared with types 1 and 2 (26% and 27%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in ambulation but in not micturition was observed following treatment. Residual fistula on follow-up angiography was associated with progressive worsening or lack of improvement in neurologic function. Patients with type 3 fistulas were shown to benefit most from treatment, with marked improvement in posttreatment ambulation scores. As endovascular and surgical techniques continue to evolve, further studies are warranted.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CV following aneurysmal SAH is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We review our experiences using PTA and IA verapamil infusion for treating medically refractory cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with SAH admitted from July 2003 to January 2008. RESULTS: Of 546 patients admitted within 72 hours of symptom onset, 231 patients (42%) developed symptomatic CV and 189 patients (35%) required endovascular therapy. A total of 346 endovascular sessions were performed consisting of 1 single angioplasty, 286 IA verapamil infusions, and 59 combined treatments. PTA was performed on 151 vessel segments, and IA verapamil was infused in 720 vessel segments. IA verapamil doses ranged from 2.0 to 30.0 mg per vessel segment and from 3.0 to 55.0 mg per treatment session. Repeat treatments were necessary in 102 patients (54%) for persistent, recurrent, or worsening CV. There were 6 treatment-related complications, of which 2 resulted in clinical worsening. No deaths were attributable to endovascular therapy. At follow-up, 115 patients (61%) had a good outcome and 55 patients (29%) had a poor outcome. Sixteen patients died from causes related to SAH, while 3 died from other medical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatments are an integral part of managing patients with medically refractory CV. In our experience, PTA and IA verapamil are safe, with a low complication rate, but further studies are required to determine appropriate patient selection and treatment efficacy.