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Aneurysm treatment in Europe 2010: an internet survey

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Abstract

Background

Aneurysm (AN) treatment appears to differ from country to country and even from centre to centre. Therefore we decided to conduct a survey in order to better understand the “state of the art” in aneurysm treatment in Europe. The primary aim was to understand the roles of clipping and coiling in aneurysm treatment.

Methods

An interactive form was sent to major European neurosurgical centres. The responses relating to AN location, status (ruptured/unruptured) and treatment modality were divided with regard to the volume of cases and the centre’s geographical location.

Results

Responses were received from 96 European centres. The main finding was that clipping was used significantly more often in Eastern Europe than in the rest of Europe to treat ruptured ANs of the anterior circulation. Almost all ruptured ANs across all locations are treated actively. The treatment of unruptured aneurysms of the anterior circulation is similar. The median relating to observed unruptured ANs across the Europe was 10 %. Posterior circulation ANs are treated predominantly by coiling, regardless of aneurysm status or geographical location. The average number of coilers versus surgeons per centre was 2.5:3.0 in Western, 1.9:3.6 in Southern, 1.9:4.3 in Eastern and 2.7:3.1 in Northern Europe.

Conclusions

The way in which intracranial aneurysms are treated appears to correlate with the economic development of European countries. It is probably also affected by the lack of experienced coilers in Eastern Europe.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by IGA MZ ČR 6940 – 4.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Central Military Hospital and Charles University, U Vojenske Nemocnice 1200, 16902, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    Ondrej Bradac & Vladimir Benes

  2. The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS), Nailsworth, UK

    Susie Hide

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    David A. Mendelow

Authors
  1. Ondrej Bradac
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  2. Susie Hide
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  3. David A. Mendelow
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  4. Vladimir Benes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ondrej Bradac.

Additional information

Comment

This manuscript describes the moods and opinions of European neurosurgeons who have participated in an online survey about aneurysm treatment in Europe.

I think there are some added values to this investigation, besides the somehow not unexpected scientific results, which should be emphasised.

First, the feasibility and the importance of conducting this kind of study as representative of the current standards of treatment achieved by the European neurosurgical community. Second, the demonstration that EANS, our transnational society, may play the role of the promoter and executer of this scientific role, also adding this aspect to its multifaceted mission.

The authors are to be commended for their efforts in setting the basis for further more comprehensive European transnational investigations based on the EANS organisation.

Domenico d’Avella

Padova, Italy

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Bradac, O., Hide, S., Mendelow, D.A. et al. Aneurysm treatment in Europe 2010: an internet survey. Acta Neurochir 154, 971–978 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1340-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1340-2

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