Pericallosal artery aneurysms: an evidence-based analysis of clinical presentations, therapeutic approaches, and outcome.

Abstract

Pericallosal artery aneurysms (PCAA) are relatively rare intracranial aneurysms that present unique challenges in diagnosis and management. This study provides a comprehensive review of the literature to assess demographic patterns, risk factors, treatment approaches, and complications associated with PCAA. Data from 23 studies were analyzed using Python with libraries such as Pandas and Matplotlib. Descriptive statistics and crosstabulations explored the relationships between treatment modalities (microsurgical, endovascular, combined) and complications, including hydrocephalus, vasospasms, and intraprocedural ruptures. Visualizations were employed to depict the prevalence and impact of various outcomes. Analysis revealed a notable gender disparity, with females constituting 70.47% of the study population. The average age was 49.93 years, and the average aneurysm size was 6.34 mm. A majority of aneurysms were ruptured (542 ruptured vs. 251 unruptured). Risk factors like smoking were prevalent, and radiological features such as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were commonly reported. Endovascular treatment was slightly more frequent (86.96%) than microsurgical treatment (73.91%). Vasospasm was the most reported complication (56.5%), followed by hydrocephalus and intraprocedural rupture. The analysis of the distribution of studies reporting complication for each treatment modality showed that endovascular treatment studies reported higher rates of vasospasms, hydrocephalus and intraprocedural rupture. The mortality rate was 6.52%, with a mean follow-up duration of 20.77 months. This review reveals that PCAAs predominantly affect females, with an average patient age of 49.93 years. Aneurysms averaged 6.34 mm and often caused SAH. Endovascular treatments were more common but had higher complication rates than microsurgical methods, which also carried risks. The mortality rate was 6.52%.