Diagnoses and treatments of pediatric intracranial aneurysms: a clinical analysis of 16 cases

Objective To investigate the clinical features, treatments and prognoses of pediatric intracranial aneurysms. Methods The clinical and follow-up data of 16 consecutive patients with pediatric intracranial aneurysms (≤16 years), admitted to our hospital from January 2003 to December 2014, were analyzed retrospectively. Results Pediatric intracranial aneurysms in this study accounted for 0.78% of all intracranial aneurysms. Of the 16 children, 14 were male, 2 were female. There were 12 anterior circulation aneurysms and 5 posterior circulation aneurysms; there were 4 large aneurysms (diameter 11-25 mm) and 2 giant aneurysms (diameter≥25 mm); there were 14 complex aneurysms. At a mean follow-up duration of 16.8 months, no death was noted. Of the 12 patients received microsurgical therapy, 10 patients had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0-1) and 2 patients had some sequelae: different degrees of disability (mRS 2-4). Of the 4 patients received endovascular therapy, 3 patients had favorable outcomes (mRS 0-1) and one patient had hemiparesis (mRS 2). Conclusions Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are different from adult intracranial aneurysms. The treatment effects and prognosis are relatively well when we select individualized treatment mode according to the clinical features of pediatric intracranial aneurysms. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm; Child; Diagnosis; Therapy; Prognosis