The objective of this study was to carry out a detailed investigation
of the neurological, neuropsychological, and return-to-work status of
treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). A prospective
design was used to evaluate the outcome of UIA treatment in a group of 26
UIA patients. Over a 24-month period UIA patients were assessed prior to
treatment, during hospitalization, at three months and at six months
following treatment. Their performance was compared to a group of 20
matched controls. Neurological morbidity as a result of the UIA treatment
was 5%, as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) or Rankin at 3
months. The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) proved to be
unreliable as a measure of cognitive change. Reliability of change
analysis was more sensitive than group analysis, and revealed a pattern of
cognitive deficits in 10% of patients as a result of the UIA treatment. In
addition, 25% of patients reported a change in work role as a result of
the UIA treatment. While 10% of patients sustained mild to moderate
neurological and cognitive impairments 3 to 6 months following UIA
treatment, their deficits were not as wide-ranging nor as severe as those
sustained by patients who survive a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
(JINS, 2005, 11, 522–534.)