Gadolinium Enhancement of the Aneurysm Wall in Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms.

Background And Purpose: The natural history and optimal treatment of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are unknown. Gadolinium enhancement of the aneurysm wall may reflect aneurysm wall inflammation and instability. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of extracranial carotid artery aneurysm wall imaging and explored a potential relationship of aneurysm wall enhancement with aneurysm growth and the presence of (silent) brain infarcts and white matter lesions.

Co-prevalence of extracranial carotid aneurysms differs between European intracranial aneurysm cohorts.

Background And Purpose: Previously, we showed that co-prevalence of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) in patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) was 2% in a Dutch cohort. In order to obtain more precise estimates and discover potential predictors of ECAA co-prevalence in the European population, we retrospectively compared differences and similarities of our Dutch cohort with a Finnish cohort using protocolled imaging of the cerebrovascular tree.

Methods: IA patients within the prospective database of the Kuopio University Hospital were eligible for this study (n = 1,118).

Comparability of semiautomatic tortuosity measurements in the carotid artery.

Purpose: Increased arterial tortuosity has been suggested as a predisposing factor for carotid artery dissection, which is an important risk factor for development of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA). Prior to comparison with non-ECAA controls, the optimal measurement technique should be defined. This study describes the difference between software packages in terms of reproducibility and absolute outcome of arterial tortuosity measurements in ECAA patients.

Experience of a single center in the conservative approach of 20 consecutive cases of asymptomatic extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Background And Purpose: The clinical course and optimal treatment strategy for asymptomatic extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) are unknown. We report our single-center experience with conservative management of patients with an asymptomatic ECAA.

Methods: A search in our hospital records from 1998 to 2013 revealed 20 patients [mean age 52 (SD 12.