J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2011 Jun;49(6):329-333. 10.3340/jkns.2011.49.6.329.

Surgical Results of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in the Elderly : Single Center Experience in the Past Ten Years

• Jung YJ
• Ahn JS
• Park ES
• Kwon DH
• Kwun BD
• Kim CJ

• KMID: 2066829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2011.49.6.329

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
As medical advances have increased life expectancy, it has become imperative to develop specific treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms in the elderly. We therefore analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients older than 70 years.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and results of neuroimaging modalities on 54 aneurysms of 48 consecutive patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms. (mean+/-SD age, 72.11+/-1.96 years; range, 70-78 years) who underwent surgical clipping over 10 years (May 1999 to June 2010).
RESULTS
Of the 54 aneurysms, 22 were located in the internal carotid artery, 19 in the middle cerebral artery, 12 in the anterior cerebral artery, and 1 in the superior cerebellar artery. Six patients had multiple aneurysms. Aneurysm size ranged from 3 mm to 17 mm (mean+/-SD, 6.82+/-3.07 mm). Fifty of the 54 aneurysms (92.6%) were completely clipped. Three-month outcomes were excellent in 50 (92.6%) aneurysms and good and poor in 2 each (3.7%), with 1 death (2.0%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 7 aneurysms (13.0%), with 2 (3.7%) resulting in permanent neurological deficits, including death. No postoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred during follow-up. The cumulative rates of stroke- or death-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 100% and 78%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in elderly group could get it as a favorable outcome in well selected cases.

Keyword

Unruptured intracranial aneurysm; Surgical clipping; Elderly; Outcome

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aneurysm
Anterior Cerebral Artery
Arteries
Carotid Artery, Internal
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Intracranial Aneurysm
Life Expectancy
Medical Records
Middle Cerebral Artery
Neuroimaging
Retrospective Studies
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Surgical Instruments