Gender-Based Differences in Aneurysm Characteristics Among Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Multidetector CT Angiography Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening neurovascular emergency. Gender-related variations in aneurysm characteristics may influence clinical presentation, imaging findings, and management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency distribution and gender-based differences in aneurysm characteristics among patients with aSAH using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography.

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sriram Chandra Bhanj Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack, a tertiary care hospital in the eastern region of India. A total of 111 patients with MDCT angiography-confirmed aSAH were included. Aneurysm features such as size, shape, multiplicity, and location were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and Z-test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 111 patients, 73 were female and 38 male (female-to-male ratio: 1.9:1). Female patients were significantly older than male patients (mean age: 56.11 versus 49.95 years; p = 0.020). Multiple aneurysms were more common in female patients (19.18%) than in male patients (5.3%; p = 0.0518). Aneurysms < 6 mm were more frequent in female patients (66.67%), while larger aneurysms (>10 mm) were more prevalent in male patients (20%; p = 0.0285). Fusiform aneurysms were significantly more common in male patients (15% versus 3.5%; p = 0.0273). Anterior circulation was involved in 92.22% of cases. Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms predominated in female patients (48.27%), whereas anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysms were more common in male patients (42.5%; p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Gender-based differences in aneurysm characteristics, including age at presentation, size, shape, and location, were evident in patients with aSAH. Awareness of these variations is essential for accurate diagnosis, individualized risk assessment, and development of tailored management strategies.