Intracranial aneurysm calcification - A narrative review

Authors

Redi Rahmani, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Jacob F. Baranoski, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.Follow
Felipe C. Albuquerque, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.Follow
Michael T. Lawton, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.Follow
Tomoki Hashimoto, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Electronic address: tomoki.hashimoto@barrowneuro.org.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Calcification of intracranial aneurysms is a well-known phenomenon. Whether microsurgical or endovascular techniques are used, calcifications may increase the difficulty of treatment. However, the implications of calcification on aneurysm biology and stability have received little attention. We review both investigational and clinical methods that are used to detect aneurysmal calcification. We also discuss the pathophysiology of aneurysm calcification, specifically the role that inflammation and smooth muscle cells play. We finally turn our attention to the clinical implications of aneurysm calcification including rupture risk and treatment considerations. Calcification may represent an important feature in the life cycle of an aneurysm and as imaging methods continue to improve, we may yet discover a biomarker for this process.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Publication Date

7-1-2022

Publication Title

Experimental neurology

E-ISSN

1090-2430

Volume

353

First Page

114052

PubMed ID

35346670

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114052

Recommended Citation

Rahmani, Redi; Baranoski, Jacob F.; Albuquerque, Felipe C.; Lawton, Michael T.; and Hashimoto, Tomoki, "Intracranial aneurysm calcification - A narrative review" (2022). Neurosurgery. 1580.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/1580