Management of incidental unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Abstract

The widespread use of MR has led to the increasingly frequent diagnosis of unruptured incidental intracranial aneurysms. Most are small (<7 mm diameter) and will never rupture. Yet, their recognition causes much anxiety, and their optimal management remains controversial. This review addresses the difficulties in managing incidental unruptured saccular intracranial aneurysms. Note that our conclusions and recommendations do not apply to symptomatic unruptured aneurysms or to fusiform, dissecting, mycotic, traumatic and paediatric aneurysms, each of which has a different natural history.