Single-stage endovascular treatment in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage with multiple intracranial aneurysms: Systematic review of the literature and multicentric retrospective experience

Abstract

Objectives The presence of multiple intracranial aneurysms in patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage is a condition with no evidence of optimal treatment strategy, especially in case of uncertain haemorrhage patterns on cumputed tomography. The aim of this study was to analyse the safety and efficacy profile of single-stage endovascular treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the literature and in a retrospective case series. Materials and methods A systematic review of the present literature was conducted to identify studies related to single-stage endovascular treatment for ≥2 aneurysms; in addition, a retrospective multicentric review was performed. Data on clinical presentation, aneurysm size and location, occlusion rates, intracranial complications and clinical outcome were recorded. Results Thirteen articles were identified (all little case series) reporting 189 patients harbouring 389 aneurysms. And 85.6% presented with a Hunt-Hess scale 1–3, and 14.4% 4–5. Intracranial complications rate was 11.5%. Baseline and follow-up (20.5 months) occlusion rates were adequate (Raymond-Roy occlusion scale I-II) in 93% and 96.2%, respectively. 81% of patients had favourable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2; Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) 5–4) and 19% poor (mRS 3–6; GOS 3–1). The retrospective database identified 53 patients with 115 aneurysms. Clinical presentation was Hunt-Hess (HH) 1–3/WNFS 1–2 75% and HH 4–5/WNFS 3–5 25%. Intracranial complication rate was 24.5%. Occlusion rate RROC I-II was 78.7% at baseline and 15 months and 90.2% at follow up. Clinical outcome at 3 months was mRS ≤2 68.6% and mRS 3–6 31.4%. Conclusions Single-staged endovascular treatment can be feasible, although a higher risk of intraprocedural complications, with clinical presentation being the major factor to influence the outcome.