Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Premier Pulse May 2021 May 27, 2021

The advancement of imaging technology and techniques has led to a higher detection rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). At one time, surgical clipping of the aneurysm was the only treatment option available. Since then, less invasive treatment options have been found effective in managing UIA. The neurointerventional team at Miami Valley Hospital provides the latest in cerebral vascular imaging, surgical devices, and endovascular techniques to help ensure better outcomes when repairing UIAs. With the high rate of success of endovascular surgery, this method is now more common than open surgery for UIA management due to better outcomes and decreased hospital stays.

Indications for immediate treatment of an UIA should be offered for:

All large and giant aneurysms
All posterior circulation aneurysms
Any aneurysm that is expanding in size
With rare exceptions, all symptomatic unruptured aneurysms should be treated.

Factors to consider in making treatment recommendations include:

The size, location and overall appearance of the aneurysm
Age and general health
Congenital conditions that increase the risk of a ruptured aneurysm
Anatomic variations within brain arteries
Family history/familial aneurysms (two or more first-degree relatives were diagnosed)
Family history of ruptured aneurysm
Presence of multiple aneurysms
Smoking
Drug and alcohol use

Other important factors to consider for treatment of UIA:

Patients younger than 60 years of age with aneurysms larger than 5 mm should be offered treatment.
Large, incidental aneurysm larger than 10 mm should be treated in nearly all patients younger than 70 years of age.

Our team of neurointerventional surgeons are all fellowship trained and board-certified. They provide a complete spectrum of minimally invasive services for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular diseases of the brain and spinal cord. In addition to 24/7/365 emergent care, the team also provides routine office hours and consultations.

Exceptional Accreditations

The neurointerventional program at Miami Valley Hospital is a 24/7 service supported by a high acuity neuro intensive care unit, a Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Comprehensive Stroke Center, neurosurgeons, and an American College of Surgeons Level I Trauma Center designation.

For additional information or to refer new patients, please call toll-free (844) 277-2894(844) 277-2894. EPIC users can refer patients by typing “ neurointerventional.”

Esteban Cheng-Ching, MD