Management of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (Literature Review)

Abstract

Abstract

Objective The aim of the thesis is to summarize and analyze current research and guidelines regarding management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. UIAs are more and more commonly diagnosed due to incidental findings when patient complains about symptoms that could have an intracranial etiology.

Methodology The thesis uses PubMed as a foundation for collecting evidence and information regarding UIAs. Through search and manually filtering for documents relative to the topic, and preferring articles published 2017 and more recent, the search ended with 26 documents that laid a basis for collecting information and evidence.

Results UIAs are more frequently diagnosed, due to incidental findings. They can be treated several ways, such as microsurgical clipping, endovascular coiling, bypass procedures, flow diversion, or conservatively with regular follow-up. The main results of this thesis were that microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling are the two most preferable methods, if the risk of intervention is weighed up to the risk of aneurysm rupture, and aneurysm repair is favored. For follow-up in conservatively treated patients, MRI is the most suitable method of imaging. To sum up, endovascular coiling had fewer short-term complications and provided with better outcomes than microsurgical clipping.

Conclusion The conclusion of this thesis is that if the UIA is decided to be treated actively, the most preferred method is endovascular coiling. Although, there are some risks to the procedure, it provides opportunities for future innovations.