Aneurysm risk metrics and hemodynamics are associated with greater vessel wall enhancement in intracranial aneurysms

Vessel wall enhancement (VWE) in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potential biomarker for intracranial aneurysm (IA) risk stratification. In this study, we investigated the relationship between VWE features, risk metrics, morphology and hemodynamics in 41 unruptured aneurysms. We reconstructed the IA geometries from MR angiography and mapped pituitary stalk-normalized MRI intensity on the aneurysm surface using an in-house tool. For each case, we calculated the maximum intensity (CRstalk) and IA risk (via size and the rupture resemblance score (RRS)). We performed correlation analysis to assess relationships between CRstalk and IA risk metrics (size and RRS), as well as each parameter encompassed in RRS, i.e. aneurysmal size ratio (SR), normalized wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index. We found that CRstalk had a strong correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient, PCC = 0.630) with size and a moderate correlation (PCC = 0.472) with RRS, indicating an association between VWE and IA risk. Furthermore, CRstalk had a weak negative correlation with normalized WSS (PCC = -0.320) and a weak positive correlation with SR (PCC = 0.390). Local voxel-based analysis showed only a weak negative correlation between normalized WSS and contrast-enhanced MRI signal intensity (PCC = -0.240), suggesting that if low-normalized WSS induces enhancement-associated pathobiology, the effect is not localized.

Automated summary

Vessel wall enhancement (VWE) in unruptured intracranial aneurysms has been found to be associated with aneurysm risk, with strong correlations between CRstalk and size, and moderate correlation with rupture resemblance score (RRS). Additionally, CRstalk showed weak negative correlation with normalized wall shear stress (WSS) and weak positive correlation with size ratio (SR). Local voxel-based analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between WSS and contrast-enhanced MRI signal intensity, suggesting potential non-localized effects of low-normalized WSS on enhancement-associated pathobiology.