大脑后动脉远端动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗

目的 探讨大脑后动脉远端动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗方法及特点.方法 10例动脉瘤,P2段6例(囊状2例、梭形2例、夹层2例)、P2-P3交界处1例(夹层)、P3段3例(夹层).对于囊状动脉瘤采用弹簧圈栓塞并保留载瘤动脉的方法;梭形动脉瘤采用支架重建瘤腔的方法;P2段及P2-P3交界夹层动脉瘤采用弹簧圈栓塞并闭塞载瘤动脉的方法;P3段夹层动脉瘤采用Glubran胶栓塞并闭塞载瘤动脉的方法.结果 随访半年至1年,预后良好.DSA复查9例,未见动脉瘤复发.结论 对于大脑后动脉远端动脉瘤,根据动脉瘤的类型及部位采用不同的血管内介入治疗方法,短期随访可以获得较好的疗效.     

Endovascular treatments for posterior cerebral artery aneurysms and vascular insufficiency of fetal-type circulation after parent artery occlusion

We present a retrospective analysis of endovascular treatments for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms and discuss the susceptibility of a fetal-type PCA to vascular insufficiency after parent artery occlusion. Among 1207 aneurysms treated with endovascular therapy between March 1997 and March 2013 in our institution, 10 patients (0.8%) presented PCA aneurysms. The principal strategy was to employ selective coil embolization for the aneurysm. However, in certain cases of fusiform or dissecting aneurysms, we performed parent artery occlusion with coils. Clinical and radiological data were collected from hospital charts and evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 52.7 ± 15.6 years (range, 12–65 years). Five patients (50%) were admitted with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and one patient presented with slowly developing paralysis. The remaining four patients were diagnosed incidentally. Five patients underwent selective coil embolization, and five patients underwent parent artery occlusion. All endovascular therapies were successfully performed. However, two patients in the parent artery occlusion group suffered cerebral infarction, and both patients exhibited a fetal-type PCA. The remaining three patients in the parent artery occlusion group exhibited an adult-type PCA and did not suffer a cerebral infarction. Endovascular treatment with either selective coil embolization or parent artery occlusion is safe and effective as the long as the anatomical type of the PCA is considered. Patients with a fetal-type PCA may develop vascular insufficiency upon parent artery occlusion. Neurosurgeons should attempt to preserve the parent artery using a flow-diverting stent or stent-assisted technique for a fetal-type PCA aneurysm.     

破裂颅内椎动脉动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗

目的 探讨血管内介入治疗在破裂颅内椎动脉夹层及梭形动脉瘤中的应用.方法 回顾性分析21例血管内介入治疗的颅内椎动脉夹层及梭形动脉瘤患者,其中8例采用微弹簧圈或球囊进行载瘤动脉闭塞术,13例应用支架辅助弹簧圈进行栓塞治疗.结果 8例载瘤动脉闭塞的患者,载瘤动脉完全闭塞,小脑后下动脉保持通畅;随访3-12个月,未遗留明显的神经功能障碍.13例支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞的患者,术中1例因再出血死亡;余12例中,致密栓塞10例,接近完全栓塞2例.9例患者(包括接近完全闭塞的2例患者)有效造影随访3-11个月,致密栓塞的患者中动脉瘤无复发,载瘤动脉及PICA保持通畅;接近完全闭塞的2例患者中有1例部分复发,给予再次致密栓塞,另1例达稳定状态;另3例电话随访,未发现遗留明显的神经功能障碍.结论 载瘤动脉闭塞术治疗破裂的椎动脉梭形及夹层动脉瘤效果肯定,但有潜在缺血的风险;支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞术近期效果较好,但远期疗效有待长期随访的验证.     

The clinical features and treatment of pediatric intracranial aneurysm

Purpose  Intracranial aneurysms are relatively rare in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to highlight the clinical and radiological features and the therapeutic outcome and clarify the choice of therapeutic strategies for pediatric intracranial aneurysms. Materials and methods  Twenty-four consecutive children (age ≤14 years) who were diagnosed and treated for intracranial aneurysms in our institute in the last 23 years were included in this study. Results  There were nine (36%) patients with posterior circulation aneurysms and eight (32%) with giant aneurysms. Eleven (46%) patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Fifteen patients underwent endovascular treatment, and four received microsurgical therapy. Five patients were treated conservatively. Ninety-two percent (n = 22) of the patients showed favorable outcomes. Conclusions  Pediatric intracranial aneurysms differ in many ways from those in adults: male predominance; high incidence of giant, dissecting, and fusiform aneurysms; high incidence of aneurysms in the posterior circulation; high incidence of spontaneous thrombosis; better Hunt–Hess grades at presentation; and better therapeutic outcome. For children with intracranial aneurysms, both microsurgical approaches and endovascular treatment were effective. For many complex aneurysms, endovascular therapy was the best choice.     

覆膜支架血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤:附九例报告

目的探讨覆膜支架治疗颅内动脉瘤的适应证和临床疗效。方法经脑血管造影检查明确诊断的9例颅内动脉瘤患者(4例颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈动脉瘤未破裂、5例椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下隙出血),动脉瘤直径4～16mm,均接受Jostent覆膜支架治疗。结果共计植入9枚Jostent覆膜支架,均获技术成功,支架顺利到达病变部位且释放后动脉瘤颈即刻覆盖完全,动脉瘤不显影,载瘤动脉血流通畅,达到即刻影像学满意效果。随访9～24个月,5例患者(2例颈内动脉、3例椎动脉)脑血管造影检查颈内动脉支架段血流通畅、无狭窄(2例),椎动脉支架段血管呈无症状性闭塞(2例)或支架内轻度狭窄(1例),动脉瘤均未显影;其余4例未行脑血管造影患者门诊随访。9例患者手术后均恢复正常生活与工作,无一例死亡或永久性病残。结论覆膜支架治疗颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈大动脉瘤、椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤疗效较好,值得在有手术适应证的患者中推荐使用。     

Lvis支架在颅内宽颈动脉瘤栓塞中的应用

目的 探讨Lvis支架在颅内宽颈动脉瘤栓塞术中的应用效果。方法 对2014年7月至2015年12月应用Lvis支架辅助栓塞治疗的15例宽颈动脉瘤的临床资料进行回顾性分析,评估其疗效。结果 15例中,Raymond Ⅰ级栓塞11例,Ⅱ级3例,Ⅲ级1例;有效栓塞率93.3%。栓塞过程中未发生动脉瘤破裂。术中发生1例血栓事件,经立即溶栓等处理后闭塞动脉再通,但该病人术后1周死于心肌梗死。术后2例出现对侧肢体活动障碍并意识障碍,经肝素化及加大替罗非班用量后好转。所有存活病人术后随访3个月均恢复良好,复查DSA证实动脉瘤均无复发,载瘤动脉通畅。结论 Lvis支架操作简单,各种型号齐全,适合颅内大多数瘤动脉,各项性能均表现良好,适合颅内宽颈动脉瘤的栓塞治疗,但致栓性较强,需重视。     

Treatment of ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms by endovascular approach: a single-center experience

Purpose: The optimal treatment modalities of ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm are still controversial. The objective of this study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms treated by endovascular coiling. Materials and methods: From October 2011 to October 2015, 67 patients with 71 ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms received endovascular coiling in our hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiologic records and outcomes. Results: Of all the 71 aneurysms (67 patients), 42 were treated by coil embolization merely, 27 by stent-assisted coiling and 2 unruptured aneurysms in patients with bilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysms without receiving treatment. Complete occlusion was achieved in 82.6% (57/69) of all the procedures. Each of incomplete and partial occlusion rates was 8.7% (6/69). Intraoperative rupture of aneurysms occurred in two procedures (2.9%). Thrombogenesis occurred in eight procedures (11.6%). Brain infarction occurred in eight patients (11.9%). Post-operative rebleeding occurred in seven patients (10.4%). Sixty-three patients were followed at a mean follow-up of 8.24 ± 7.16 months. The mortality and good outcome rate were 3.2% and 90.5%, respectively. Aneurysm recurrence occurred in 6 (13.3%) of the 45 aneurysms at a mean follow-up of 8.44 ± 7.83 months. Conclusions: Endovascular coiling is effective for patients with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Individualized treatment should be assessed by experienced specialist. It is essential to perform randomized large trials to confirm the efficiency of endovascular coiling.     

Single-centre comparison of procedural complications,clinical outcome,and angiographic follow-up between coiling and stent-assisted coiling for posterior communicating artery aneurysms

Aneurysm recurrence is a principle limitation of endovascular coiling procedures, especially in posterior communicating artery aneurysms, with reported recurrence rates of >30%. The adjunctive use of self-expandable stents has revolutionised the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, especially for complex morphologies, wide necks, or unfavourable dome-to-neck ratios. However, there are limited data concerning a direct comparison between simple coiling and stent-assisted coiling in posterior communicating artery aneurysms. This study aimed to compare the durability and outcomes of coiling versus stent-assisted coiling procedures. Imaging data of patients with posterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with coiling or stent-assisted coiling between January 2008 and October 2012 were retrospectively analysed. The initial angiographic results, procedural complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed at discharge. Imaging follow-up was performed with cerebral angiography. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved on initial angiography in 23/56 (41.1%) stent and 83/235 (35.3%) non-stent patients. At the latest follow-up (mean follow-up 14.3 ± 10.4 months for stent and 13.2 ± 9.5 months for non-stent patients), aneurysms had recurred in 5/47 (10.6%) stent and 57/203 (28.1%) non-stent patients (p = 0.014). Procedural complications occurred in 6/56 (10.7%) stent and 27/235 (11.5%) non-stent aneurysms. No rebleeding occurred during clinical follow-up (mean duration, 46.7 months). Recurrence rates at the latest follow-up were significantly lower in patients undergoing stent-assisted coiling than those undergoing simple coiling. Thus, use of the stent-assisted neck remodelling technique in the treatment of wide-necked posterior communicating artery intracranial aneurysms appears to improve the long-term clinical outcome.     

Result of Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery in the Treatment of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms : Outcomes in 15 Cases

Objective

The standard treatment strategy of intracranial aneurysms includes either endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping. In certain situations such as in giant or dissecting aneurysms, bypass surgery followed by proximal occlusion or trapping of parent artery is required.

Methods

The authors assessed the result of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms in one institute between 2003 and 2007 retrospectively to propose its role as treatment modality. The outcomes of 15 patients with complex aneurysms treated during the last 5 years were reviewed. Six male and 9 female patients, aged 14 to 76 years, presented with symptoms related to hemorrhage in 6 cases, transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 2 unruptured cases, and permanent infarction in one, and compressive symptoms in 3 cases. Aneurysms were mainly in the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 11 cases, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 2, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in one and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in one case.

Results

The types of aneurysms were 8 cases of large to giant size aneurysms, 5 cases of ICA blood blister-like aneurysms, one dissecting aneurysm, and one pseudoaneurysm related to trauma. High-flow bypass surgery was done in 6 cases with radial artery graft (RAG) in five and saphenous vein graft (SVG) in one. Low-flow bypass was done in nine cases using superficial temporal artery (STA) in eight and occipital artery (OA) in one case. Parent artery occlusion was performed with clipping in 9 patients, with coiling in 4, and with balloon plus coil in 1. Direct aneurysm clip was done in one case. The follow up period ranged from 2 to 48 months (mean 15.0 months). There was no mortality case. The long-term clinical outcome measured by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) showed good or excellent outcome in 13/15. The overall surgery related morbidity was 20% (3/15) including 2 emergency bypass surgeries due to unexpected parent artery occlusion during direct clipping procedure. The short-term postoperative bypass graft patency rates were 100% but the long-term bypass patency rates were 86.7% (13/15). Nonetheless, there was no bypass surgery related morbidity due to occlusion of the graft.

Conclusion

Revascularization technique is a pivotal armament in managing complex aneurysms and scrupulous prior planning is essential to successful outcomes.     

覆膜支架血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤：附九例报告

目的探讨覆膜支架治疗颅内动脉瘤的适应证和临床疗效。方法经脑血管造影检查明确诊断的9例颅内动脉瘤患者（4例颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈动脉瘤未破裂、5例椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下隙出血）,动脉瘤直径4～16mm,均接受Jostent覆膜支架治疗。结果共计植入9枚Jostent覆膜支架,均获技术成功,支架顺利到达病变部位且释放后动脉瘤颈即刻覆盖完全,动脉瘤不思影,载瘤动脉血流通畅,达到即刻影像学满意效果。随访9～24个月,5例患者（2例颈内动脉、3例椎动脉）脑血管造影检查颈内动脉支架段血流通畅、无狭窄（2例）,椎动脉支架段血管呈无症状性闭塞（2例）或支架内轻度狭窄（1例）,动脉瘤均未显影;其余4例未行脑血管造影患者门诊随访。9例患者手术后均恢复正常生活与工作,无一例死亡或永久性病残。结论覆膜支架治疗颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈大动脉瘤、椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤疗效较好,值得在有手术适应证韵患者中推荐使用。     

Vertebrobasilar dissections: Case series comparing patients with and without dissecting aneurysms

Vertebrobasilar dissections are being increasingly diagnosed due to better awareness and increased availability of modern imaging techniques of the intracranial and extracranial arteries. The clinical presentation and outcome in patients with vertebrobasilar dissections may be complicated by dissecting aneurysms. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical profile of patients with vertebrobasilar dissections with and without dissecting aneurysms, and to determine predisposing factors to the development of aneurysms. Thirty patients (19 [63%] male; median age 44.5 years) were identified. The patients were divided into two groups, an aneurysmal dissection group with seven patients and a non-aneurysmal dissection group with 23 patients. Eight (27%) patients presented with dissection after trivial trauma, three (10%) following high-speed vehicular trauma, two (7%) were associated with infection, but most (57%) were apparently spontaneous. Migraine with aura (p = 0.008) and female sex (p = 0.03) were observed more frequently in the aneurysmal dissection group. Though vascular risk factors other than hypertension and atrial fibrillation were seen in a greater percentage of patients in the non-aneurysmal dissection group, this was not statistically significant. Patients were treated with antiplatelet agents (n = 8) or warfarin (n = 13) or underwent an endovascular intervention (n = 6). Post-discharge data were available in 19 patients, of whom 14 (74%) were independent at a median follow-up of 4 months. Female sex and migraine with aura may predispose to the formation of acute dissecting aneurysms and this requires further research. Larger, prospective studies are required to ascertain epidemiologic and etiologic factors predisposing patients to the development of both intracranial and extracranial dissecting aneurysms in the vertebrobasilar circulation.     

脑动脉瘤手术中穿通支的损伤及其并发症

目的研究脑动脉瘤夹闭术中载瘤动脉及穿通支损伤对脑动脉瘤预后的影响,探讨减少并发症的方法。方法以施行开颅脑动脉瘤夹闭术治疗的52例病人为研究对象,分析术中载瘤动脉及其穿通支损伤与术后并发症的关系。结果发现脑动脉瘤57个。有载瘤动脉及穿通支损伤9例,其中术中破裂4例。大脑前动脉穿通支损伤4例,引起失语、偏瘫,出现严重的脑水肿、脑疝;大脑中动脉穿通支损伤3例,引起肢体活动不灵;前脉络膜动脉损伤2例,引起下肢为重的偏瘫、失语和意识障碍。结论脑动脉瘤开颅夹闭术中易引起载瘤动脉及其穿通支的损伤,应在显微镜下充分解剖蛛网膜下腔,避免在解剖关系不清的状态下盲目操作。     

微血管多普勒超声在颅内动脉瘤手术中的应用

目的探讨微血管多普勒(microvascular Doppler,MVD)在颅内动脉瘤手术中的作用。方法应用MVD对20例颅内动脉瘤患者(共计21个动脉瘤)进行动脉瘤夹闭前后监测,记录动脉瘤、载瘤动脉及分支的血流速度和频谱,根据MVD检查结果重新调整瘤夹。结果所有动脉瘤患者均探及瘤体内呈毛刺样、涡流样杂音频谱。15例动脉瘤夹闭的患者中,3例因载瘤动脉或分支血管狭窄而调整动脉瘤夹位置;动脉瘤夹闭术后,瘤体内均未探及血流信号,无音频和频谱显示,证实已被完全夹闭,而载瘤动脉及分支血流频谱波动性良好;8例动脉瘤患者术中运用MVD协助区分巨大动脉瘤和载瘤动脉走行。结论动脉瘤夹闭术中运用MVD同步进行动脉瘤及载瘤动脉血流动力学监测,可根据检查结果调整动脉瘤夹位置,具有无创、简单易行,安全的特点。建议MVD作为颅内动脉瘤手术的常规监测方法,尤其对瘤颈粗、甚至无明显瘤颈的巨大动脉瘤手术具有指导意义。     

大脑中动脉瘤的显微外科治疗

报告34例大脑中动脉瘤显微外科手术的经验,其中1例有2个动脉瘤,共计35个动脉瘤.本组中大型和巨型动脉瘤14个(40%).除2个大脑中动脉主干梭形动脉瘤行动脉瘤包囊,2个巨型动脉瘤行M_1阻断伴颅内外动脉吻合外,其余(88%)均做动脉瘤颈夹闭或动脉瘤切除.无手术死亡,2例术后发生神经功能缺失.平均随访6年,优良率达93.8%.对手术入路、手术方法加以讨论.     

颅内后循环远端动脉瘤的介入治疗

目的回顾性分析20例以电熔断解脱弹簧圈栓塞的后循环远端动脉瘤的治疗结果,探讨颅内动脉后循环远端动脉瘤的介入治疗方法与安全性。方法20例患者(其中18例以自发性蛛网膜下腔出血起病,2例以头痛起病)经造影证实大脑后动脉、小脑上动脉、小脑前下动脉、小脑后下动脉之远端动脉瘤分别为2例、4例、4例、10例。其中小脑上动脉供血之动静脉畸形1例,伴有血流相关破裂动脉瘤。小脑后下动脉远端多发动脉瘤1例。所有动脉瘤均采用GDC、EDC或Matrix弹簧圈栓塞。其中单纯栓塞动脉瘤2例;栓塞动脉瘤同时栓塞载瘤动脉18例。结果所有病例栓塞操作均顺利完成,无手术相关的死亡,术后出现一过性功能障碍2例;载瘤动脉栓塞后多数可见侧支供血,未见叫显的小脑供血减少。结论后循环远端动脉瘤由于动脉瘤特性、载瘤动脉细小、动脉瘤与载瘤动脉比例等因素,多需要闭塞载瘤动脉。为避免可能造成的侧支血管的闭塞,建议用弹簧圈栓塞。     

椎基底动脉瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨手术治疗椎基底动脉瘤的方法.方法 26例28个椎基底动脉瘤患者.动脉瘤破裂出血9例;16例基底动脉瘤,10例椎动脉瘤.5例基底动脉顶部动脉瘤经翼点入路,5例基底动脉顶部和2例基底动脉上段动脉瘤用额颞颧(切断颧弓、扩大中颅窝底)入路,4例基底动脉中段动脉瘤采用乙状窦前(岩骨)和远外侧联合入路.10例椎动脉瘤中,4例椎动脉瘤采用乙状窦前(岩骨)和岩骨联合入路,6例取用远外侧-枕骨髁联合入路.11例术中临时阻断血管时间延长或可能影响开通血管患者行血管搭桥术,其中颈内动脉大脑后动脉P2段移植搭桥2例,颈外动脉与大脑后动脉P2段移植搭桥4例,椎动脉移植搭桥2例,枕动脉与小脑后下动脉搭桥3例.结果 术后恢复正常工作,无神经功能障碍者:基底动脉顶端动脉瘤9例,基底动脉干动脉瘤5例,椎动脉瘤10例,良好率为92%.1例基底动脉顶端动脉瘤患者术后有严重神经功能缺失,生活不能自理;1例基底动脉主干动脉瘤术后穿通动脉闭塞引起中脑缺血,术后20 d死亡.结论 选择适合的颅底手术入路有利于术中获得充分的手术操作空间.对于单纯手术夹闭困难的动脉瘤,用血管移植搭桥的方法,可以避免因夹闭动脉瘤和临时阻断载瘤动脉出现术后脑缺血.     

自膨式支架治疗椎-基底动脉巨大夹层动脉瘤

目的探讨自膨式支架治疗椎-基底动脉巨大夹层动脉瘤的方法及效果。方法10例椎-基底动脉巨大夹层动脉瘤均行血管内治疗并随访。结果术后即刻造影显示6例支架植入处血流发生明显改变,夹层扩张处缩小,4例无明显改变。术中无血栓事件及动脉瘤破裂出血,1例出现严重血管痉挛,应用罂粟碱后迅速缓解。临床随访3～30个月,8例头晕病例中有7例症状消失或减轻;7例术前饮水呛咳病例症状消失4例,减轻2例,1例无变化。造影随访10例,其中1例单支架治疗的患者五个月后夹层动脉瘤复发,球囊闭塞椎动脉,8个月后死于脑干衰竭。结论对于椎-基底动脉巨大夹层动脉瘤,采用单支架治疗效果不佳,多支架技术可以缓解症状并可能修复夹层,但其长期疗效有待进一步随访。     

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage from a Dissecting Aneurysm of the Posterior Cerebral Artery in a Child : Rebleeding after Stent-Assisted Coiling Followed by Stent-Within-Stent Technique

Pediatric patients with dissecting aneurysms usually present with ischemia rather than bleeding. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) presenting with hemorrhage. He was first treated with stent-assisted coil embolization, in an attempt to avoid trapping of the PCA and preserve the perforators. After the procedure, he recovered well from general anesthesia, but rebleeding occurred from the same lesion 6 hours after the procedure, therefore endovascular segmental occlusion of the parent artery was performed secondarily. Apparently, a reconstructive method of stent-assisted coiling is worth trying to preserve the parent vessel and perforators, but it is not always efficient and durable for dissecting aneurysms.     

三维CT血管造影对颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后的评价意义

目的 探索颅内动脉瘤夹闭术后方便、安全、可靠的评价方法 ,研究三维CT血管造影(3D-CTA)对术后评价的临床意义. 方法 回顾性分析我院自2006年1月至2007年3月收治颅内动脉瘤患者120例,显微手术夹闭52例,术后采用3D-CTA随访手术患者20例,其中多发动脉瘤1例,动脉瘤数21个(前交通动脉瘤11个,后交通动脉瘤7个,大脑中动脉M3段1个,脉络膜前动脉1个,大脑前动脉A1段起始部1个),随访2～38周,平均(15±11)周,观察术后瘤夹位置,载瘤动脉近段与远段通畅情况,瘤体及瘤颈残留等. 结果 3D-CTA显示动脉瘤夹位置良好19例,瘤央冈合并弹簧圈放射状伪影难以准确显示1例:载瘤动脉近段及远段通畅良好20例,可清楚分辨出瘤夹与载瘤动脉之间关系,未发现动脉瘤体残留. 结论 3D-CTA可作为动脉瘤夹闭术后随访评价的重要方法 ,具有重要的临床应用价值.     

Giant aneurysms: surgical treatment

We have reviewed our experience with the surgical management of giant aneurysms of the cerebral circulation. Patients with aneurysms at the base of the skull, below the subarachnoid space, were treated by proximal ligation and arterial bypass with trapping intracranially if necessary. Patients harboring giant aneurysms located on arteries within the subarachnoid space were treated by direct attack on the aneurysm aided by hypothermia and elective circulatory arrest. Elective circulatory arrest allows the surgeon more control in dissecting out and obliterating giant aneurysms. We were able to exclude these lesions from the circulation without sacrificing the parent artery. There was no mortality and morbidity seems acceptably low.