Aneurysm Clipping and Outcome for Hunt & Hess Grade 4 , 5 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage — A Literature Review

“Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is non-traumatic nasty bleeding into the subarachnoid area, the territory between the arachnoid and the piamater of the central nervous system showing prompt developing signs of neurological sequelae”. It is one among the neurological emergencies which is a very distressing cerebrovascular disease with complicated mechanisms that risks brain perfusion and its function, having higher morbidity and mortality rates. Its mortality rate is still ranged between 8.3% and 66.7%, with noticeable regional variations, beside recent advances in treatment approaches. The incidence of SAH among the population of 2 22.5/100,000 was reported with a minimum of 60% of aneurysm ruptures occurring amid ages of 40 and 60 years with 3:2 male:female ratio. The rupture risks for unruptured aneurysms are increased by the issues like present smokers, larger size of aneurysm, and amid young population. The surgical treatment decision should be contemplated upon factors such as aneurysm’s size, aneurysm’s location, patient’s illness history, and surgeon’s operative experiences. Latest technical progresses in imaging techniques, increased consideration of illness history, more awareness of incidences of aneurysms and use of micro neurosurgery, have raised the chance for detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and possible better outcomes with surgical management. Factors that may affect outcome include age, size and site of aneurysm, interval between ictus and surgery, CT Fisher Grade & Hunt and Hess Grading earlier to surgery, & Glasgow Coma Scale at the while of discharge. The studies here support the wide spread concept that surgical clipping of SAH for Hunt and Hess Grade 4, 5 SAH, which is also How to cite this paper: Shah, K.B., Chen, L.K., Qian, L.B., Shrestha, S. and Jaiswal, S.K. (2018) Aneurysm Clipping and Outcome for Hunt & Hess Grade 4, 5 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage—A Literature Review. Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 8, 215-232. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmn.2018.82018 Received: March 13, 2018 Accepted: April 9, 2018 Published: April 12, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access


Introduction 1.Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
SAH is a very distressing cerebrovascular disease among neurological emergencies with complicated mechanisms which risks brain perfusion and its function, having higher morbidity and mortality rates [1] [2] [3] [4].The recent updated definition of a SAH states that "it is non-traumatic nasty bleeding into the subarachnoid area, the territory between the arachnoid and the piamater of the central nervous system showing prompt developing signs of neurological sequelae" [5].Mortality rate is still ranged between 8.3% and 66.7%, with noticeable regional variations, beside recent advances in treatment approaches [6] [7].The incidence of SAH among the population of 2 -22.5/100,000 was reported with a minimum of 60% of aneurysm ruptures occurring amid ages of 40 and 60 years with 3:2 male:female ratio [4] [8] [9].80% -90% of aneurysms are situated in the anterior cerebral circulation, middle cerebral arteries and anterior & posterior communicating arteries [10].The rest 10% -20% aneurysms are situated in the posterior cerebral circulation [10].As the prognosis is poor, case fatality by 1-month is as high as 35% [2].Among those who survive, one-third of them need lifetime care, with remaining third shows cognitive impairment and dysfunctional state affecting the quality of life [11].Ruptured aneurysms in the basal cerebral arteries has roughly 85% of non-traumatic SAH, with 45% mortality rate and 25% morbidity rate within 30 days [4] [5] [6].
The classical presentation of acute aneurysmal rupture is the prompt arrival of a severe headache, often explained as the "worst headache of my life", by preceding nausea, vomiting, syncope and slow deterioration in the level of consciousness [12] [13].The risk factors for developing aneurysms are HTN (Hypertension), cigarette smoking, atherosclerosis, family history of CVD (Cerebrovascular Diseases), it is more predominant among females, and postmenopausal women [14].The rupture risks for unruptured aneurysms are increased by the issues like present smokers, larger size of aneurysm, and amid young population [15].Primarily the ruptured aneurysms deposit blood into the subarachnoid space between arachnoid and piamater, but after RBC (Red Blood Cells) breakdown and further degradation it deposits hemoglobin.RBC breakdown products such as methemoglobin, heme and hemin triggers Toll Like Receptors 4 that indicates inflammatory cascades which damages the brain [16] [17].Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery Hunt and Hess Grade 4 & 5 SAH patients involve 20% to 30% of population having SAH [8] [18]- [23].If SAH patients are presented with rebleeding, intracerebral hematoma, and Severe vasospasm of cerebral arteries which primes to further more grave consequences like DCI (delayed cerebral ischemia) leading to Delayed ischemic neurologic deficit [24] [25].So, timely diagnosis and early surgical treatment further preventing complications are the predictors of better outcome.Here, we will focus more on earlier surgical treatment i.e.Aneurysm

Methods
Relevant studies focusing Subarachnoid hemorrhage's surgical treatment and its outcomes were searched on online databases: PubMed, EBSCO and Scopus, using key words "Subarachnoid hemorrhage", "Aneurysm", "Clipping", "Surgery", "Outcome" and "Hunt and Hess" in various combinations, such as "Aneurysm clipping", "Surgical outcome", "Outcome for Hunt and Hess grading", "Subarachnoid hemorrhage's outcome".In this review article, we have tried to review & compile the clinical outcome of Aneurysm Clipping for Hunt and Hess 4, 5 Subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are considered to be Poor grades.Keywords being used in this review article to find this article and also the abbreviations used are provided within the article.

Aneurysm Clipping
The clipping across aneurysm neck to exclude from systemic circulation is ration for aneurysm surgery.The first surgery on brain aneurysm was performed by Norman Dott in 1933 [26].In 1937 Walter Dandy applied silver clip for posterior communicating artery, and is still considered Gold standard for both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms [27].With advent of new technologies i.e. operative microscope, development of the newer versions of Aneurysm Clips modified to present days' titanium clips, clips with springs which were more effective for the aneurysm surgery outcomes.The choice of a particular clip is centered on the size and where the aneurysm is located.Usually surgical clipping relates to the exposure of the aneurysm neck through craniotomy and excluding all abnormal vascular wall from the circulation by single or multiple clips.Basic principles of Aneurysm clippings are isolation of the Aneurysm from active circulation and maintaining parent vessel's veracity and patency.The base of Aneurysm clipping surgeries depends upon proper aneurysmal neck exposure [28].

Glasgow Coma Scale
The assessment of coma in neurological patients is performed by Glasgow coma Eye opening response points in details are as follows; one point is given for no eye opening at all, two points are given for pain stimuli eye opening, three points are given for eye opening to speech and four points for natural eye opening.
Verbal response points in details are as follows: one point is given for no verbal response at all, two points are given for incomprehensible sound, three points are given for inappropriate words and four points for confused state and five points for fully oriented patients.
Motor response points for eliciting are as follows in details: one point is given for no motor response at all, two points are given for Decerebrate posturing, three points are given for Decorticate posturing, four points for Withdrawal from pain stimuli, five points for Localization to pain, and six points for the patients who fully obeys given commands [29].

CT Fischer Grading (Table 1)
The Fisher grade was established in 1980 and is applied in predicting the risks of onset of vasospasm after SAH on the foundation of quantity of blood seen on CT scan [30].

Computed Tomography (CT)
As hyperdense signal on CT scan suggests extravagated blood in subarachnoid space, hence CT scanning is considered choice of Investigation.And the bleed, its spread often advises the position & extent of hemorrhage in ruptured aneurysms.CT studies can often show negative in ~2% of the patients having SAH, so, it's possible for a false-negative SAH diagnosis on CT [31].

Indication for Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Among patients with a definite clinical history and suggestive negative brain imaging advocates need for lumbar puncture.Which when performed after at least 12 h of clinical presentation provides CSF a yellow tinge known as X anthochromia after centrifugation with spectrophotometry, resulted from hemoglobin breakdown products [32].

CT Angiography (CTA) (Figure 1)
Since CT Angiography is an investigation of higher sensitivity and near accuracy it gives better description of the morphology, orientation, neck size, adjacent vessels, and any additional aneurysms, if done quickly provides with better diagnosis of SAH which guides towards decision making for further management.

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)
In the cases when CTA not able to detect the origin of SAH, then DSA (Digital subtraction angiography) is indicated, as CTA limits detection of small SAH and those adjoining the skull base [35] [36].AHA/ASA (American Heart Association/American Stroke Association) guidelines for managing aneurysmal SAH advocates DSA as first choice of Investigation [37].

Surgical Indication
Diagnosed cases of SAH with deterioration by lower points on Glasgow Coma Scale & Lower CT Fischer scores [25] [26].

Hunt and Hess Grading Scale Hunt & Hess Scale
The Hunt and Hess scale was established in 1968 as a grading system to forecast clinically the prognosis and outcome among patients having SAH.A higher grade foresees a lowly outcome and less possibility of survival among SAH population.

Clinical Outcome
Glasgow Outcome scale is a grading system for severity of disability descripted in the context of recovery from certain brain injuries (both traumatic and non-traumatic i.e.

SAH). It was first mentioned by Jennett & Bond in 1975.
There are five categories of the Glasgow coma scale which permits forecasting rehabilitation on a long-term course of the illness [40].irrespective of the period of follow up [42].
Retrospective study on outcome based on GOS for H & H Grade 4, 5 SAH with intracerebral hematoma was done by Chen et al. [43].Total number of patients was 18 & GOS assessment was done by postoperative follow-up for 6 -36 months'.Out of 18 total patients, 12 patients were of H and H grade 4 and 6 patients were of grade 5. Fifteen cases were operated within 24 hours of onset of SAH and three cases were operated after 24 hours, who had poor outcomes.The final outcome shows, four case out of Eighteen patients were found with favorable outcomes (GOS 4, 5), four case who were severely disabled (GOS 3), six case were in vegetative state (GOS 2), and Four cases were dead (GOS 1).Chen et al.'s study suggests that H & H 4, 5 Grade SAH patients along with Intracerebral hematoma, that if surgery is done within first 24 hours of onset of SAH may progress better prognosis [43].

Complications
Pre-surgical complications of SAH are, increased Intracranial Pressure, Intracranial Hematoma, Mass effect, Brain herniation's, Hydrocephalus, seizures and cerebral vasospasm with Hyponatremia as a major post-surgical complication.
Few of them are discussed here below: and those seizure events were rather associated to unusual posturing [64], raised intracranial pressure or herniation rather than real seizures [65] [66].Patients after treated for SAH with surgical clipping presents with up to 26% of late seizures which had been reported from previous studies [67].
CV is a grave complication of SAH experienced by SAH survivors which is the "narrowing of arteries within the subarachnoid space of the brain" [68] [69] [70].If it persists, less blood flows in troubled areas of the brain, leading to delayed cerebral ischemia [71].CV is portrayed by gradual spasm of cerebral arteries commencing no prior to day three succeeding hemorrhage and reaching peak at a week [72].Among 20% -30% of patients, CV primes to infarction and delayed cerebral ischemia [73].Though the exact etiology of CV remains unknown, spasm causing and neuro inflammatory substances being produced from the blood breakdown in subarachnoid space are believed to initiate the course [74].Triple-H Therapy i.e. therapy for Hypertension, Hypervolemia and Hemodilution stays the utmost effective regime for avoidance and management of ischemic neurological deficits caused by cerebral vasospasm.
SAH Patients with larger aneurysms (>10 mm) have a higher jeopardy of rebleeding before Surgery [78].Few studies show that early rebleeding happensmainly within first 24 hour of SAH occurrence, especially in the initial 6 -12 hour i.e. also called ultra-early, when utmost danger of rebleeding is present [79] [80] [81].To evade high mortality and rebleeding before aneurysm surgery, assertive and ultra-early Clipping surgery among patients with lower grade SAH is recommended [82] [83] [84].
Hyponatremia is common among SAH patients, as several studies suggest its incidence of more than 50% of total SAH [85] [86].It is an electrolyte disturbance related to numerous neurologic sequelae, i.e. seizures, altered mental status and coma.Common reasons of hyponatremia after SAH are SIADH (Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion) & CSWS (Cerebral salt wasting syndrome).The control protocol for SIADH is fluid limitation whereas in CSWS fluid is given [87].In hyponatremia, the abnormal osmotic equilibrium triggers plasma to move towards the interstitial space from blood vessels causing cellular edema and reduced cell functioning [88] [89] [90] [91].Increased intracranial pressure and brain edema usually occurs when Serum Sodium Level is acutely decreased to (<125 mEq/L) causing severe hyponatremia initiating a life threatening neurological sequelae [92] [93].As Fast correction of hyponatremia may prime to CPM (central pontine myelinolysis), a cautious management of hyponatremia is therefore required [94].

Conclusion
The Clipping and its outcome.The objective of this review is to study the outcome of Aneurysm clipping for Hunt & Hess grade 4, 5 subarachnoid Hemorrhages which are considered as poor Grades for early micro neurosurgery and comparing different studies with both 4, 5 Hunt & Hess Grading of SAH.
scale.It was formulated by Graham Teasdale and Bryan J. Jennett, both Neurosurgery professors from Institute of neurological Sciences, University of Glasgow published the Glasgow coma scale in 1974 [29].It focuses on an unfailing and unbiased method of assessment of level of consciousness till date.It consists of three basic components of response of consciousness and is based on eye opening, verbal and motor responses.A total of 15 points is advocated out of them four points were given for eye response, five points for verbal response & six points for motor responses each, with a maximum score of 15 and a minimum score of 3.
Detailed interpretation of clinical signs & symptoms, CT, CTA, DSA are evaluated for no. of aneurysm, location and size.Additional factors like hematoma formation, mass effect, brain herniation, hydrocephalus, vasospasms & rupture of aneurysms are also assessed.Thereby allowing surgeons to further plan surgery as for proper approaches for incision, craniotomy & precautions to be taken during surgery.Prioritizing measures should be taken for clipping ruptured aneurysm, doing surgery for already ruptured, larger aneurysm & irregular aneurysms.Craniotomies are mostly done at the similar side of ruptured aneurysm.After general anesthesia, cases are positioned supine with head held in Mayfield at proper angle.Bolus mannitol infusion of 8 -12 mg/kg is given before incision, to access more subarachnoid space easing the surgery.Lumbar drainage of CSF is also used for brain relaxation before beginning surgery.After relevant craniotomy for particular type of aneurysm & by location, bone drilling is performed using a 5-mm burr of high-speed drills with adequate irrigation & bone removal which minimizes retraction.Surgicel is applied between cottonoid and brain to prevent the cottonoid sticking the brain which might contribute to contusion of the cortex and also hydrocephalus which may occur after SAH while cotton removal.surgery is then proceeded after opening dura and reaching further and exposing the aneurysm and clipping it, before doing so temporary clip is applied which aid permanent aneurysm clipping, which can only be kept for a maximum of 3 minutes.Lamina terminalis is opened in almost all cases of SAH before dissecting aneurysm with the target to relax brain tissue and further providing more space for efficient maneuver.If gyrus rectus resection is a must, utmost attention should be given not to expand into the contralateral gyrus rectus as it may relate to memory loss.Intraoperative micro-Doppler probe is used in most of the cases.After clipping is done the vault of already clipped aneurysm is pierced with a needle to check if the dome is excluded from the circulation.Papaverine is added to irrigate since the start of the surgery and is also applied to Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery the exposed arteries after clipping is done.Small aneurysms which cannot be clipped are wrapped with thin cottonoid arranged like cadger to permit fibrosis (Figure2Shows Aneurysm Clipping).

4
and Sixty-Six patients were in Grade 5 with percentage of patients in H & H Grade 4 to be 60% & H & H Grade 5 to be 40%.Long-term results were limited only to 39 patients as the patient's data for rest were not obtainable in random follow-ups.The long-term outcome was assessed by GOS for a period of Eight to Ninety-Two months' range and the outcomes are detailed as follows.H & H Grade 4 (Twenty-Seven Patients): GOS 5 score-Twelve patients, 4 Score-Four patients, 3 Score-Ten patients, 2 Score-Zero patient, 1 score-One patient; H & H Grade 5 (Twelve patients): GOS Score5-Five patients, Score 4-Six patients, score 3, 2-Zero patient & Score 1-one patient respectively.Total patients-Thirty Nine (for both H & H Grade 4, 5): GOS Grades: Grade 5-Seventeen patients (43.6%),Grade 4-Ten patients (25.6%),Grade 3-Ten patients, Grade 2-Zero patient, Grade 1-Two patients (5.1%).The authors found significant near normal recovery among patients with Grade 4, 5 SAH in long-term follow-up which suggests that surgery must not be avoided in those patients just as because of more surgical complications among H & H Grade 4, 5 SAH because better outcomes among those patients with clipping was reported in their research [41].Prospective study by Gupta et al. 2014 [42] on aneurysm clipping in a Long-term outcome for the Survived patients.They took 61 total patients for Hunt & Hess 4, 5 Grades with a follow-up of Twelve months for Outcome Analysis.

Table 3 .
GCOS (Glasgow coma outcome scale).state (Lack of cortical functions) 3 Severe Disability (Always need assistance with daily activities) Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery GOS Grade 4, 5 patients i.e. good outcome patients were further followed up post operatively after six to Twenty-four months.Amongtotal of H & H Grade 4, 5 patients, there were Forty-seven patients for H & H Grade 4, and Fourteen patients for H & H Grade 5.The final outcome was based on GOS and their Outcome Analysis are as follows: H & H Grade 4-Forty-seven patients were found to be GOS (4, 5)-Thirty-six patients, GOS (2, 3)-Eleven patients.H & H Grade 5-Fourteen patients: GOS (4, 5)-Fourteen patients, GOS (2, 3)-Four patients.Which reveals a good outcome (GOS 4 and 5) being seen in majority of the cases of H & H Grade 4, 5 and strongly correlates with the GOS at discharge present study endorses several indicators for an outcome of Hunt & Hess Grade 4, 5 SAH patients being treated with surgical clipping.Treatment of patients with Hunt & Hess Grade 4, 5 SAH should be conceded promptly and uncompromisingly to evade further complications of SAH like rebleeding, seizure, ICH (Intracranial Hematoma), Cerebral Vasospasm and a probability of negative outcome.Careful detailed patient assessment workup and surgical treatment are indispensable for each patient for positive outcome.

Table 1 )
, CTA, LP is opted for negative CT scan & false-positive clinical signs.DSA is further done if aneurysms are small & deep located which are difficult to detect on CT or CTA.The Glasgow coma scale, CT and LP are

Table 2 .
[41] and hess grading.Outcome is mainly based upon GOS (short term Outcome) as the neurological outcome is regarded bestowing to it.GOS Score of 4, 5 is considered good outcome & score of 2, 3 is regarded as poor outcomes.Retrospective study of 1196 patients undergoing Surgical clipping by Gupta et al. 2011, out of the total, only 165 patients were placed in poor grade[41].Among 165 patients in poor grade, Ninety-Nine patients were in H and H Grade *Serious systemic illness such as severe atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, and severe vasospasm found on CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography), marks in placing the patient in the next less favorable category.Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery

Table 4
illustrates summary of results for aneurysm clipping outcome by various authors.

Table 4 .
Table Showing compilation of few previous studies on Hunt & Hess Grade 4, 5 Subarachnoid hemorrhages.