[Update on Vessel Wall Imaging of Intracranial Aneurysm].

Abstract

Intracranial aneurysms occur frequently; however, only a few of these rupture to cause subarachnoid hemorrhage. This presents a dilemma regarding the course of appropriate treatment. In the last decade, the wide utilization of magnetic resonance imaging-based vessel wall imaging(VWI) has facilitated the assessment of aneurysm wall enhancement(AWE), which has garnered significant attention. In 2013, initial reports highlighted that AWE was characteristic of ruptured aneurysms whereas, in 2014, AWE was identified as a characteristic feature of unruptured aneurysms with a high risk of rupture. Several studies have supported these findings since then. VWI, a novel modality that visualizes the inflammation of the aneurysmal wall, is considered highly useful for the diagnosis of aneurysms. This review discusses the key literature on AWE. Long-term prospective studies are warranted to determine whether AWE is an independent risk factor for aneurysmal progression.