Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery aneurysm--case report

The aneurysm arising from a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PHA) is rare, and only 13 such cases have been reported in literature. We present a 62-year-old woman with an aneurysm of PHA at its junction with the basilar artery. The patient consulted our hospital for a transient loss of consciousness and headaches. No neurological deficit was found, but MRI and MRA showed an aneurysm of the vertebrobasilar junction. Cerebral angiogram after admission showed the aneurysm of PHA at its junction with the basilar artery. Perspective 3D-CTA and 3D-T2 weighted MR images were composed to simulate the condition and aneurysmal surgery via the transcondylar approach was carried out. The aneurysm was successfully clipped and the patient was discharged with no neurological deficits. Perspective 3 D-CTA and MRI simulation were very useful for this operation.