Spontaneous giant pseudoaneurysm of right occipital artery: a case report

Occipital artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare entity and few cases have been reported worldwide. Here, we are presenting a case of 32-year young lady with headache and a large swelling on the right side of the neck, without any history of trauma. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram revealed pseudoaneurysm of third part of the occipital artery. Excision of the pseudoaneurysm was performed with ligation of the occipital artery.     

Multiple intracranial mycotic aneurysm. Report of a case (author's transl)]

A case of intracranial mycotic aneurysm was reported, in whom repeated cerebral angiographies demonstrated the seccessive appearance of multiple aneurysms in a short term after the septic cerebral infection, and the importance of repeated angiography in the treatment of the intracranial mycotic aneurysm was stressed. A 44-year old male who had heart failure developed suddenly a left hemiparesis with irritable meningial signs on Nov. 3, 1973. The right carotid angiography carried out on Nov. 16 in an admitted hospital showed partial obliteration of cortical branches of the middle cerebral shift of the anterior cerebral artery due to the cerebral infarction. No aneurysm was demonstrated in the angiogram. The second angiography of the right carotid and vertebral artery was done on the admission of Dec. 18. The previously shown contralateral shift of the anterior cerebral artery was remarkably decreased, and an aneurysm of 3 mm in diameter was recognized at the cortical branch of the right middle cerebral artery on the parietal region. Any aneurysm was not revealed by the vertebral angiography. The third angiography of bilateral carotid and vertebral artery was performed on Dec. 25. The previously revealed aneurysm increased in size. Multiple aneurysms was demonstrated at the anterior branches of the insular artery. The vertebral angiography demonstrated multiple aneurysms at the peripheral portion of the bilateral posterior cerebral arteries. The patient was improved neurologically after the administration of antibiotics, and was discharged on Dec. 27 on the convenience of his family and would be followed in conservative cares.     

Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm after Gamma Knife Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma

Ruptured aneurysms of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) after radiotherapy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) are rare, and no definite treatment has been established for distal AICA pseudoaneurysms. We describe a 61-year-old man who underwent Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for left VS. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed partial regression of the tumor. Twelve years after GKS, he suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Initial angiogram showed no vascular lesions; second left vertebral angiogram, 10 days after admission, demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm in the lateral pontine segment of the left AICA. The proximal portion of the AICA was occluded by a coil. Postoperative MRI revealed an infarction on the left side of the pons and brachium pontis. Although the patient suffered from mild postoperative cerebellar ataxia and facial and abducens nerve palsy, he was discharged 1 month postoperatively requiring no assistance with activities of daily living. Twelve months later, he recovered satisfactorily with a modified Rankin Scale grade of 1, and no recanalization of the aneurysm was found on MR angiography. Endovascular parent artery occlusion for ruptured aneurysms at distal AICA carries the risk of brain stem infarction, but should be considered when no other option is available such as after radiotherapy for VS.     

Mycotic aneurysm of the carotid bifurcation in the neck: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Mycotic aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare and difficult to diagnose. A search of the world literature published since 1966 reveals at least six cases of mycotic carotid aneurysms due to a Salmonella septicemia. We present an exceptional case of mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the bifurcation of the carotid artery due to Salmonella septicemia and discuss the pathogenesis as well as various aspects of the diagnosis and surgical management. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old man presented in Poland with Salmonella sepsis; 1 month later, he was admitted to the emergency department of the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital in Montreal with a bulky and pulsatile right cervical mass. An angiogram and a computed tomographic scan revealed a voluminous and partially thrombosed aneurysm the size of a tangerine originating from the posterior aspect of the carotid junction. INTERVENTION: Balloon trapping was attempted at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. Subsequently, the patient developed a significant neurological deficit, which was quickly reversed by the administration of hypertensive, hypervolemic, and hemodilution therapy. Thereafter, the pseudoaneurysm was resected surgically, and the internal and external carotid arteries were sacrificed. Pathological examination of the excised specimen of the carotid junction revealed a pseudoaneurysm. Bacterial culture of the lesion showed growth of Salmonella. CONCLUSION: The postoperative course was satisfactory except for laryngeal paralysis due to involvement of the vagus nerve. Four months later, a computed tomographic scan showed only small lacunae in both centra semiovale.     

Non-infected carotid artery pseudoaneurysm 29 years after endarterectomy, endovascular management with covered stent

Pseudoaneurysm formation is a rare complication following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Arterial pseudoaneurysms lack all three layers of the arterial wall that include the intima, media and adventitia. Pseudoaneurysms are most commonly seen after injuries to the artery in the form of blunt trauma and puncture, and are less common after surgeries such as carotid endarterectomy. These lesions present most frequently as enlarging, pulsatile, expandable masses associated with swelling and pain. Management of this complication is challenging. Traditionally, open surgical repair has been the preferred treatment. Recently, endovascular techniques using stent graft implantation alone or combined graft and coil embolization have offered a less invasive approach for the management of this lesion. Pseudoaneurysm development has been described within hours to several years after initial arterial injury, normally presenting within 5 years. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of pseudoaneurysm formation in a patient presenting 29 years after a carotid endarterectomy; during that time the patient remained completely asymptomatic until 2 months prior to his admission. The patient is an 84-year-old male with a history of stroke which prompted a left carotid endarterectomy in 1981. Twenty-nine years post procedure it was noted that the patient had a lump that was progressively enlarging on the left side of his neck, zone 1. It was pulsatile on examination. MRI/A imaging suggested a left carotid bulb aneurysm. The consulting vascular surgeon felt the patient would not be a good surgical candidate and so stenting was considered. Carotid and cerebral angiogram demonstrated a large 6 cm left carotid pseudoaneurysm off the carotid bulb. The diagnostic procedure was followed by a successful placement of an 8 x 10 cm Viabahn covered stent from the left common carotid artery to the left internal carotid artery. Following the procedure, the carotid artery was patent and there was minimal to no further residual filling of the pseudoaneurysm. Poststenting, the patient remained at his neurological baseline. This case demonstrates that pseudoaneurysm formation can occur as a long term complication after carotid endarterectomy. It may present as a rapidly expandable, pulsatile, vascular lesion in the absence of clinical and sub-clinical infection. Placement of an endovascular stent graft may be a safe and effective option for treatment of infected and non-infected carotid pseudoaneurysm.     

A case of giant common carotid artery aneurysm associated with vascular Behçet disease: successfully treated with a covered stent

BACKGROUND: A carotid artery aneurysm associated with vascular Beh?et disease is extremely rare and often difficult to treat. In this article, we explore a definitive therapeutic strategy for pseudoaneurysm with vascular Beh?et disease. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 56-year-old man presented with swelling and a pulsatile subcutaneous mass of the left neck over a 6-month period. The diagnosis of vascular Beh?et disease had already been established from the history of right subclavian artery aneurysm, oral ulcerations, and inflammatory skin lesions. Radiologic examination revealed a giant left CCA aneurysm (6.5 x 5.5 cm) with partial thrombosis. Another asymptomatic aneurysm was found in the right ICA. Because mass effects due to aneurysmal rupture and growth rapidly progressed, we decided on radical treatment. The endovascular reconstruction of the carotid artery was selected instead of direct surgery because of skin and connective tissue disorders at the regional site. A covered stent (8 x 60 mm, Passager, Boston Scientific, Fremont, CA) was placed from the CCA to the ICA, covering the whole aneurysmal portion. Postoperatively, the cervical mass remarkably reduced in size, and the patient's symptoms dramatically improved. The left carotid artery was patent at 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A covered stent is very useful in repairing arteries with pseudoaneurysm, particularly in cases unsuitable for direct surgery with parent artery occlusion. The influence of the foreign body at the inflammatory lesion and long-term patency of covered stents should be discussed.     

A case of external carotid artery pseudoaneurysm from hyoid bone fracture

Carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are detected most commonly after acute traumatic injuries to the head and neck. Pseudoaneurysms of the carotid artery are rare after blunt trauma. The most common site of injury occurs in the internal carotid artery with greater than 70 per cent of those injuries resulting from motor vehicle collisions. We report a case of external carotid artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to chronic arterial trauma. The patient presented with a one-week history of left ear pain and a pulsatile left neck mass. Radiologic studies revealed a 2.8-cm neck mass compatible with a pseudoaneurysm of the external carotid artery. Primary repair of the aneurysm was performed. Exploration of the pseudoaneurysm cavity at the time of surgery revealed a fracture of the hyoid bone. We believe this to be the contributing factor to the formation of a pseudoaneurysm in this patient. This is the first reported case of external carotid pseudoaneurysm caused by chronic arterial injury secondary to hyoid bone fracture.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the extracranial vertebral artery; a case report

Traumatic injury of the vertebral artery is rare and only a few reports have been presented. We treated a case of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the extracranial vertebral artery. A 65-year-old man complained of headache and had a pulsating mass in the soft tissue of the neck which had continued for one month after evacuation of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. The left VAG revealed a large pseudoaneurysm at the third portion of the vertebral artery and the right retrograde VAG revealed agenesis of the vertebral artery. To select the proper treatment was a dilemma. This case was treated by embolization using an occluding spring embolus with direct transcutaneous puncture of pseudoaneurysm. Following this treatment, the mass and associated symptoms resolved without neurological deficit.     

Severe obstruction of the left main coronary artery by mycotic aortic psuedoaneurysm following orthotopic heart transplantation.

Mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication following orthotopic heart transplantation. This article describes a case of mycotic pseudoaneurysm caused by Candida albicans that developed shortly after orthotopic heart transplantation. The pseudoaneurysm compressed the left main coronary artery, which led to the development of congestive heart failure symptoms mimicking sub-acute transplant rejection. The heart failure signs and symptoms resolved completely with resection of the aneurysm. This case reiterates that early diagnosis and complete resection of the aneurysm is associated with good prognosis.     

Growing aneurysm presenting with Weber's syndrome and obstructive hydrocephalus--a case report

A case with two cerebral aneurysms, in which one at the origin of the left superior cerebellar artery (SCA) grew and presented with Weber's syndrome and obstructive hydrocephalus, is reported. The patient was a 69-year-old female, who had severe headache and vomited. On admission, neck stiffness was recognized. CT scan showed findings of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiograms demonstrated two saccular aneurysms at the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation and at the origin of the left SCA. Craniotomy and neck clipping of the aneurysm at the right MCA was performed. After discharge, left oculomotor palsy appeared and gradually progressed. Severe headache and right hemiparesis suddenly occurred two years after the first attack. On the second admission, CT scan revealed high density on the brain surface and a well enhanced round lesion at the left ambient cistern. Left vertebral angiogram demonstrated increase in size of the aneurysm at the left SCA. The patient was discharged after conservative therapy. Drowsiness and urinary incontinence appeared, and she was admitted for the third time three years after the first admission. CT scan showed an enhancing mass lesion sized 25 X 30 mm beside the left midbrain and obstructive hydrocephalus. The aneurysm at the SCA no longer seen on the left vertebral angiogram. V-P shunt was performed. Both Weber's syndrome and obstructive hydrocephalus in this case indicate an aneurysmal natural history, in which aneurysm becomes gigantic and thrombosed spontaneously.     

Intraaneurysmal embolization and parent artery trapping to treat a giant partial thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysm after surgical proximal clipping

We encountered a case with a giant partially-thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysm successfully treated by endovascular trapping following a surgical parent artery clipping two years previously. The patient complained only of headache on her admission. Initial CT showed no subarachnoid hemorrhage, and MRI of the left anterior aspect of the pons showed flow void and hematoma. The angiogram showed fusiform dilatation of the left vertebral artery just proximal to the vertebral union. At first, the patient was treated by surgical proximal clipping of the left vertebral artery, under a diagnosis of arterial dissection. Her symptom improved and the angiogram showed a slight retrograde aneurysmal filling after the operation. Two years later, she complained of dysphasia, right hemiparesis, and hemidysesthesia caused by the compression of the brain stem. On MRI study, a partially-thrombosed giant aneurysm was detected in the left anterior aspect of the brain stem. The retrograde filling did not change remarkably on the angiogram. We performed the GDC embolization of the left distal vertebral artery and non-thrombosed residual neck with an assisting balloon positioned through the right vertebral artery to the basilar artery. After the embolization, the patient's neurological deficits caused by the compression of the brain stem disappeared. MRI study showed the mass volume reducing gradually over a two-years follow-up period. Treatment for a partially-thrombosed giant vertebral artery aneurysm is difficult and controversial. It is necessary to shut off the blood flow into the aneurysm completely, so we consider that endovascular trapping with intraaneurysmal embolization is the most effective procedure.     

Endovascular treatment of large petrous internal carotid artery aneurysm associated with chronic otitis media: case report

Aneurysms of the petrous internal carotid artery are rare, and surgical treatment of the aneurysm in the petrous bone carries high risk with procedure. We report a case of large petrous internal carotid artery aneurysm associated with otitis media. A 58-year-old female was admitted to our institution with left hearing loss and facial palsy. She had 4-year history of left exudative otitis media. Imaging studies demonstrated a 17 mm left petrous internal carotid artery aneurysm, destroying osseous partition between carotid canal and Eustachian tube, and protruding into left middle cranial fossa. Endosaccular coil embolization with balloon assist technique was performed successfully without neurological deficit. Follow up magnetic resonance angiogram demonstrated complete obliteration of the aneurysm without parent artery occlusion. Traumatic, mycotic, radiation, and congenital origin have been implicated for petrous internal carotid artery aneurysm. In a review of the literature, 11 cases of mycotic aneurysms in this location were reported and all of them were complicated with chronic otitis media. Because of its close proximity of middle ear and Eustachian tube, adventitial infection of the artery weakens the arterial wall, and gives rise to formation of aneurysm. We conclude that our case is of mycotic origin, and endosaccular coil embolization is effective and less invasive treatment.     

A case of bacterial aneurysm that occurred in the external carotid artery

Occurrence of a mycotic aneurysm extracranially is extremely rare. We report our experience with a case of mycotic aneurysm that occurred in the external carotid artery accompanying infectious endocarditis. The case was a 33-year-old male. He visited our hospital with principal complaints of weakness in the lower left side and visual difficulty. Multiple cerebral infarctions were noted in a head MRI. In addition, vegetation was noted on the mitral valve in an echocardiogram, and the patient was admitted to cardiology for infectious endocarditis. Aneurysms were noted in the external carotid artery and the posterior cerebral artery in a cerebral angiogram performed before valve replacement. After administration of antibiotics for 5 weeks, radical surgery was performed for the external carotid artery aneurysm that had remained unchanged. With a satisfactory postoperative course, the patient was able to walk independently after mitral valve replacement and was discharged. We have scoured the literature with regard to mycotic aneurysm occurring extracranially and have studied this case because of this characteristic. When performing cerebral angiography to search for a mycotic aneurysm, the area outside the cranium as well as inside must be closely examined.     

Spontaneous angiographical disappearance of an unruptured giant aneurysm of the basilar top demonstrated by a sequential series of angiograms. A case report

One of the case of the angiographically disappeared giant aneurysm is reported, which was arising from the top of the basilar artery. A 52-year-old man was admitted in April, 1978. He had developed a recent memory disturbance, tremor in the both upper extremities, the rigidity of the four extremities, an ataxic gait and urinary incontinence. Enhanced CT scan on admission demonstrated a large oval mass in the suprasellar region indenting nearly total third ventricle. Bilateral lateral ventricles were significantly dilated. The initial vertebral angiogram shortly after the admission revealed an oval-shaped aneurysm, 27 mm in the longest diameter, arising from the top of the basilar artery. The aneurysm was considered to be inaccessible due to its anatomical location and size. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed, which alleviated clinical symptoms and signs immediately. However, a vertebral angiogram 1 year following the initial angiogram showed significant enlargement of the aneurysm, in spite of hypotensive and coagulant drugs which had been administered, then the administration of hypotensive drugs was ceased. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was replaced by ventriculo-atrial shunt in Sep. 1980. Left vertebral angiogram in May, 1981, 3 years after the initial angiogram, demonstrated the aneurysm had completely disappeared. He has been followed-up by the repetitive angiography up to the present, which proved the aneurysm has not reappeared. The occurrence of a spontaneous angiographical disappearance of an intracranial aneurysm is relatively uncommon, especially of a giant aneurysm. A rare case of spontaneous angiographical disappearance of a giant aneurysm was presented in this report.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Valve replacement in infective endocarditis with mycotic cerebral aneurysm. Report of a case with successful operation

A 49 year-old woman was hospitalized with headache and left-sided weakness. Computed tomographic scan and carotid angiogram revealed mycotic aneurysms of the bilateral middle cerebral artery with intracranial bleeding. Although all blood cultures were sterile, her physical examination suspected mitral regurgitation due to infective endocarditis and mycotic cerebral aneurysms. Severe congestive heart failure developed immediately after successful clipping for ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery and then mitral valve replacement with prosthetic valve was performed 3 months after craniotomy. At operation, infective endocarditis on the mitral valve was confirmed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and the second craniotomy for aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery has been planning.     

Recurrence of a vertebral artery dissecting pseudoaneurysm after successful stent-supported coil embolization: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are increasingly recognized as a cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present a case involving technical success of the stent-supported coil embolization but with recurrence of the dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery. The implications for the endovascular management of ruptured dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are discussed. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old man with a remote history of head injury had recovered functionally to the point of independent living. He experienced the spontaneous onset of severe head and neck pain, which progressed rapidly to obtundation. A computed tomographic scan of the head revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage centered in the posterior fossa. The patient underwent cerebral angiography, which revealed dilation of the distal left vertebral artery consistent with a dissecting pseudoaneurysm. INTERVENTION: Transfemoral access was achieved under general anesthesia, and two overlapping stents (3 mm in diameter and 14 mm long) were placed to cover the entire dissected segment. Follow-up angiography of the left vertebral artery showed the placement of the stents across the neck of the aneurysm; coil placement was satisfactory, with no residual aneurysm filling. Approximately 6 weeks after the patient's initial presentation, he developed the sudden onset of severe neck pain. A computed tomographic scan showed no subarachnoid hemorrhage, but computed tomographic angiography revealed that the previously treated left vertebral artery aneurysm had recurred. Angiography confirmed a recurrent pseudoaneurysm around the previously placed Guglielmi detachable coils. A test balloon occlusion was performed for 30 minutes. The patient's neurological examination was stable throughout the test occlusion period. Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of the left vertebral artery was then performed, sacrificing the artery at the level of the dissection. After the procedure was completed, no new neurological deficits occurred. On the second day after the procedure, the patient was discharged from the hospital. He was alert, oriented, and able to walk. CONCLUSION: We appreciate the value of preserving a parent vessel when a dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery ruptures in patients with inadequate collateral blood flow, in patients with disease involving the contralateral vertebral artery, or in patients with both. However, our case represents a cautionary note that patients treated in this fashion require close clinical follow-up. We suggest that parent vessel occlusion be considered the first option for treatment in patients who will tolerate sacrifice of the parent vessel along its diseased segment. In the future, covered stent technology may resolve this dilemma for many of these patients.     

Stenosis of the posterior cerebral artery (P1) discovered at the time of a meningeal hemorrhage and simulating an arterial aneurysm

A case is reported, in which a patient 54 years old, was admitted after a SAH. The CT Scan (D1) demonstrated blood in the peri-peduncular cisterns. A first angiogram through femoral route was performed at D1. There was no vascular malformation on both carotid territories. An arterial ectasia was demonstrated on the basilar artery, arising at the origin of the left superior cerebellar artery. The left posterior cerebral artery was supplied only by the left carotid artery through a dilated posterior communicating artery. A second left vertebral angiogram was performed at D8, to make sure whether this ectasia was an aneurysm or a non aneurysmal dysplasia, but failed to provide certainty. The patient was operated upon at D17, with the diagnosis of possible aneurysm at the origin of the left superior cerebellar artery. Through a pterional route the posterior communicating artery was approached, no blood was found in the area of the upper basilar artery; there was an abnormal posterior circle of Willis, the superior cerebellar artery arising with a common trunk from the upper basilar artery; distal to this common trunk, the P1 segment was normal on the first three fourths of its course; the last fourth of the P1 segment was highly narrowed, the outer diameter of the narrowed P1 segment was approximately one third of the normal P1 segment, and was located at the junction with the complex posterior communicating artery-P2 segment. This narrowed part of the P1 segment showed evidence of an atheromatous plaque on its wall. No aneurysm was found in this area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A ruptured distal aneurysm, thought to be a mycotic aneurysm, associated with acute subdural hematoma: case report and review of the literature

A case is described of a ruptured intracranial mycotic aneurysm in the distal middle cerebral artery associated with an acute subdural hematoma. A 55-year-old woman, with a history of tuberculous meningitis at the age of 7, presented left hemiparesis. She was in a state of semi-coma. Computed tomography scan showed a right acute subdural hematoma. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed no cerebral aneurysm. Emergency external decompression was performed and a distal central artery aneurysm was found and was resected during the operation. Numerous areas of hemosiderin pigmentation were recognized around the aneurysm and in the subarachnoid space. Microscopic examination of the aneurysmal sections showed neither elastic lamina nor membranous structures and no infiltration of any inflammatory cells. We think this aneurysm is a pseudoaneurysm. The incidence of ruptured mycotic aneurysms presenting with acute subdural hematoma is extremely low. There have been only four previously reported cases as far as I can ascertain. This case and a review of the literature are discussed.     

Bilateral mycotic aneurysms of the intracavernous carotid artery

A rare case of bilateral intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysms is presented. The clinical and laboratory data strongly suggested the mycotic nature of the aneurysms. Internal carotid artery ligation was performed because of clinical evidence of progressive enlargement of the right-sided aneurysm. The left-sided aneurysm was managed medically. It remained asymptomatic and, 14 months later, a control angiogram showed no significant change in its size and configuration.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the medial inferior genicular artery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of surgery or trauma around the knee. A 30-year-old man presented 10 days following anterior cruciate ligament repair with a 2 cm pulsatile swelling on the medial side of the knee. Angiography demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm of the medial inferior genicular artery. Surgical exploration and ligation of the feeding vessel to the aneurysm was performed and the patient made a full recovery. Vascular injury must be suspected in patients presenting with a haemarthrosis or pulsatile swelling following surgery on the knee.