Understanding flow patterns and inflammatory status in intracranial aneurysms: Towards a personalized medicine

J Neuroradiol. 2016 Mar;43(2):141-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neurad.2015.09.005. Epub 2015 Nov 14.

Abstract

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are frequently and incidentally discovered with noninvasive imaging and the decision for preventive treatment is supported by epidemiologic and statistics data, lacking personalized argumentation about individual aneurysm behavior and inflammatory status of its wall. After a review of hemodynamic forces leading to aneurysm genesis and interaction with inflammation onset within aneurysmal wall, we will successively detail routine imaging methods for the aneurysmal wall and their respective contribution. Then, we will draw up the inventory of different experimental imaging and in vitro methods for future investigation of the aneurysmal wall. We emphasize the need for cooperation with various specialties: histopathology, genetics, and immunology in order to understand the natural history of the aneurysmal sac leading most often to stability but elsewhere to aneurysmal growth, thrombosis or rupture. A description of a research protocol devoted to aneurysmal wall inflammation and recently accepted in our university is introduced.

Keywords: Endovascular treatment; Inflammation; Interventional neuroradiology; Intracranial aneurysm; Personalized medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arteries / pathology
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / pathology
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Thrombosis / pathology