A case of vertebral dissecting aneurysm manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage following nuchal pain]

We report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from vertebral dissecting aneurysm 4 days after first nuchal pain. The patient was a 46-year-old man with a sudden onset of nuchal pain. There were no obvious abnormalities detected on MR images in another hospital. Four days later, however, he was admitted to our hospital because of severe re-attack of nuchal pain. CT demonstrated moderate SAH and cerebral angiograms revealed right vertebral dissecting aneurysm. Proximal occlusion of the vertebral artery including its aneurysmal dilatation was performed using detachable coils. We strongly suspected that his initial symptom of nuchal pain was due to dissection of the vertebral artery itself, since the aneurysmal dilatation accompanied by intramural hematoma had been observed retrospectively in the initial MR imaging. The incidence of the vertebral dissecting aneurysm presenting with nuchal pain alone due to dissection is reported to be 7% in the literature. The prognosis of non-hemorrhagic vertebral dissecting aneurysm followed by delayed SAH is considered to be fatal. Therefore, careful investigations for differential diagnosis should be taken into account since the diagnostic possibility exists that non-hemorrhagic vertebral dissecting aneurysm would be manifested by a symptom of headache/nuchal pain alone.     

Churg-Strauss syndrome presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) represents a rare systemic vasculitis that is almost invariably accompanied by bronchial asthma and eosinophilia. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman with previously diagnosed CSS presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from dissecting aneurysm in a vertebral artery (VA). Two months before onset of SAH, the patient had presented with numbness on her right lower leg due to peripheral neuropathy. On admission, angiography revealed dissecting aneurysm of the right intracranial VA and stenosis of the basilar artery. Hematological examination revealed an increased percentage of eosinophils. Ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial VA was diagnosed. Emergent coil embolization of the dissecting aneurysm and occlusion of the parent artery was performed to prevent repeated hemorrhage from the dissecting aneurysm. Then pharmacotherapy with prednisone was initiated for CSS. The patient recovered well and was discharged without any neurological deficit. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of CSS presented with SAH from dissecting aneurysm on posterior circulation.     

Rebleeding of intracranial dissecting aneurysm in the vertebral artery following proximal clipping

Abstract

We describe a case of rebleeding from an intracranial vertebral dissecting aneurysm following proximal clipping. This case suggests that proximal clipping alone may not be an adequate surgical procedure to prevent rebleeding. Surgical treatment of intracranial dissecting aneurysms in the vertebral artery presenting as subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is discussed. [Neurol Res 1994; 16: 141-144]     

Childhood subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with fibromuscular dysplasia

A rare case of childhood subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is reported. A 5-year-old boy presented with SAH. A cerebral angiogram showed obstruction of the first segment of the left anterior cerebral artery (A1). The A1 was surgically trapped to prevent rebleeding. Proliferation of myofibroblasts was revealed in the intima of the A1. Cerebral infarction appeared in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) on day 2 after onset of SAH, and the patient suffered a second SAH on day 26. The second angiogram showed stenosis and a saccular aneurysm in the left MCA. A second surgery, neck clipping of the aneurysm, was needed. The multiple arterial lesions and histological findings indicated that the SAHs and the infarction were caused by the dissecting aneurysm affected with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Intracranial FMD is mainly detected in children and causes cerebral ischemia and bleeding. Surgical treatment of childhood SAH should be discretely chosen with due consideration for FMD.     

Solitary Ruptured Aneurysm of the Spinal Artery of Adamkiewicz with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare. A 45-year-old female patient visited the emergency department with severe headache and back pain. Imaging studies showed cerebral SAH in parietal lobe and spinal SAH in thoracolumbar level. Spinal angiography revealed a small pearl and string-like aneurysm of the Adamkiewicz artery at the T12 level. One month after onset, her back pain aggravated, and follow-up imaging study showed arachnoiditis. Two months after onset, her symptoms improved, and follow-up imaging study showed resolution of SAH. The present case of spinal SAH due to rupture of dissecting aneurysm of the Adamkiewicz artery underwent subsequent spontaneous resolution, indicating that the wait-and-see strategy may provide adequate treatment option.     

Two cases of dissecting aneurysm of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery: possible involvement of segmental mediolytic arteriopathy in the pathogenesis

BACKGROUND: Dissecting aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) uninvolved with the vertebral artery is rare. The exact pathohistological diagnosis might result in 'unknown' because the underlying pathoanatomical features are, for a variety of reasons, not always identified. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report herein two cases of dissecting aneurysm harbored in different segments of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery. In our cases, after trapping the PICA at both just proximal and distal to the aneurysm, the abnormal portion was successfully resected with/without an end-to-end anastomosis. The first patient made a good recovery, while the other died 2 days after the surgery. Although its pathogenetic etiology was unidentified in the second case, the formation of dissecting aneurysm had resulted from a segmental mediolytic arteriopathy in the first case. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a segmental mediolytic arteriopathy possibly being identified as causing an isolated dissecting aneurysm at this site.     

Lateral bulbar infarction due to intracranial dissection and subarachnoid haemorrhage

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms are a recognized cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage and the hemorrhagic recurrence risk after a first rupture of the dissecting aneurysm is high and of poor prognosis. However, when the dissection is discovered in a patient with vertebrobasilar territory ischemia, little is known about the risk of hemorrhagic rupture risk and there is no consensus on management. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 49-year-old man who developed subarachnoid hemorrhage 48 hours after the occurrence of a latero-bulbar syndrome caused by a spontaneous dissection with occlusion of the right vertebral artery. The subsequent angiography showed a V4 dissecting aneurysm of the right vertebral artery which was treated by stenting and coiling without any complications. CONCLUSION: This case underlines the hemorrhagic risk of an intradural vertebral artery dissection and its possible progression to aneurysm. Subsequent angiographic imaging must be carefully examined to search for aneurysms which may require early specific treatment because of the high risk of recurrent bleeding.     

Rebleeding from intracranial dissecting aneurysm in the vertebral artery

We describe two patients with rebleeding from intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms during the acute stage. One patient had excellent results after emergency surgery. A review of recent reports including 60 patients with this disorder revealed a rebleeding rate of 30%, mostly during the acute stage. This suggests that a ruptured dissecting aneurysm in the vertebral artery is at risk for rebleeding during the acute stage, similar to a saccular aneurysm in the same location.     

Antegrade recanalization of parent artery after internal trapping of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm

We report a patient with a ruptured vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysm that was treated by internal trapping of the aneurysm and parent artery using detachable coils with subsequent antegrade recanalization of occluded vertebral artery during the follow-up period. A 38-year-old man was admitted with a ruptured right VA dissecting aneurysm just distal to origin of right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The dissected segment of the VA was occluded by coil embolization. The 14 months follow-up angiography showed that dissected aneurysm was completely occluded, but the parent artery was recanalized in an antegrade fashion. Based on this unique case, the authors suggest that careful angiographic follow-up of dissecting aneurysm is required, even in patients successfully treated with endovascular occlusion of the affected artery and aneurysm.     

Postpartum dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery.

Intracranial dissecting aneurysm may cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or infarction, and postpartum dissecting aneurysm is rare. A 30-year-old 6 days postpartum woman presented with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) dissection evolving dramatically over a short period. She had been well until 6 days after delivery when she suffered sudden onset of headache, vomiting, and unconsciousness. CT scan demonstrated SAH and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a fusiform dilatation of the left PCA (P3/P4 segment). The initial diagnosis was ruptured dissecting aneurysm, and conservative management was recommended in the acute period. DSA showed smoothening of the vascular wall 6 days after onset, and obliteration of the left P3/P4 segment was observed 13 days after onset. She was discharged without neurological deficits 26 days after onset. Postpartum SAH due to dissecting aneurysm of the PCA is rare, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postpartum headache.     

Bilateral spontaneous dissection of extracranial vertebral arteries

Summary A previously healthy 35-year-old man suddenly developed vertebrobasilar ischaemia while playing tennis. Cerebral arteriography revealed a dissecting aneurysm of the cervical portion of both vertebral arteries. The neurological deficit and the angiographic features resolved with anticoagulant treatment alone. Only 15 patients with non-traumatic extracranial vertebral artery dissection have been previously reported. It is necessary to recognize the condition very quickly, because the authors consider that anticoagulation is required as an emergency.     

椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的影像诊断与血管内治疗

目的总结椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的影像学诊断和血管内治疗经验。方法回顾性分析18例椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的磁共振成像和血管造影影像学特点和血管内治疗经过。结果影像特点为MR内膜瓣与壁间血肿,DSA珠线征,双腔征等。12例支架治疗中4例单纯支架后造影复查不显影,8例支架联合弹簧圈栓塞7例造影复查不显影;6例载瘤动脉闭塞4例造影复查不显影,全部病人临床随访症状消失。15例DSA复查随访,夹层动脉瘤不显影,无复发。结论DSA及MR检查对椎动脉夹层动脉瘤具有诊断价值;血管内治疗如支架技术（单纯置入或联合弹簧圈栓塞）以及载瘤动脉闭塞是椎动脉夹层动脉瘤安全、有效的选择。     

椎动脉颅内段夹层动脉瘤的个体化治疗

目的 探讨椎动脉颅内段夹层动脉瘤的个体化治疗策略.方法 分别采用微弹簧圈闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉、支架辅助微弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤、单纯支架植入、手术直接夹闭动脉瘤,以及枕动脉-小脑后下动脉血管吻合术辅助微弹簧圈闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉等方法 治疗18例椎动脉颅内段夹层动脉瘤患者.结果 18例患者中5例采用微弹簧圈闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉,5例行支架辅助微弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤(3例基本致密栓塞、2例非致密栓塞),4例行单纯支架植入术(术后3例动脉瘤血流动力学改善),3例经远外侧入路手术直接夹闭动脉瘤,1例行枕动脉.小脑后下动脉血管吻合术辅助微弹簧圈闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉.其中2例术中动脉瘤破裂出血,1例死亡、1例中残;I例闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉患者,术后出现短暂性吞咽困难和偏侧肢体麻木,其余患者术后平稳.17例获得1个月至3年随访,无一例动脉瘤复发或进展.结论 用于治疗椎动脉颅内段夹层动脉瘤的方法 有多种,选择治疗方案时需考虑动脉瘤是否破裂出血或引起脑梗死,以及动脉瘤形态(如局限性偏侧型)、是否位于优势侧、是否累及小脑后下动脉等因素,根据患者具体情况制定个体化治疗方案.     

Two autopsy cases with ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery

Two autopsy cases with ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial portion of the vertebral artery are reported. Both patients developed subarachnoid hemorrhage and died within 9 days after onset. Autopsy disclosed dissecting aneurysms symmetrically on the bilateral vertebral arteries but there was no evidence of underlying vasculopathy in either patient. The etiology of the dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery is obscure, but the repeated minor trauma associated with head movement is considered as an important factor.     

Dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebellar artery

Dissecting aneurysms affecting exclusively to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are rare entities. Depending on the dissecting plane of the arterial wall, the clinical manifestations are subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to rupture or ischemia caused by stenosis or occlusion. Angiographic findings are fusiform dilatation with a narrowing of various degrees proximal to and distal to the fusiform lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be useful demonstrating the intramural hematoma. We report a 47-year-old man who suffered from SAH. He was neurologicaly intact and vertebral angiography demonstrated and fusiform aneurysm at the origin of the left PICA. He was operated by trapping of the dissecting segment. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful despite of severe vasospasm showed in follow up angiography. Aggressive treatment has been recommended for dissecting aneurysms of the PICA and specially for those presenting with SAH. Both the surgical and endovascular procedures are effective and with good results.     

Treatment of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with progressive myelopathy

Two patients with vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm are presented in which the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) arose from the wall of the aneurysm. The patients presented with progressive myelopathy due to mass effect on the medulla. One patient was treated with proximal occlusion of the vertebral artery using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). The other patient underwent complete excision of the aneurysm, with reimplantation of the PICA into the vertebral artery proximal to the dissecting aneurysm. We obtained good results with improvement of myelopathy in both patients, but the patient who underwent bypass surgery suffered longstanding palsy of the lower cranial nerves. This report emphasizes that complete aneurysm clipping or excision for such patients is the gold standard of treatment, but preservation of PICA flow may require technically sophisticated surgical techniques. However, even if the aneurysm is not completely eliminated, the myelopathy can be dramatically improved with conservative endovascular treatment with proximal occlusion. Therefore, the choices for treatment in such lesions varies with the angiographic findings, degrees of mass effect on the brainstem, and the patient's physical condition.     

Obliteration of bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral arteries following repeated subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case report

A 51-year-old man presented with loss of consciousness when he underwent urological examination at another hospital. CT scans showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral angiography showed bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral arteries. Following ventricular drainage, the lesion was managed conservatively with blood pressure control but again ruptured on day 8. Cerebral angiography revealed narrowing of both the dissecting aneurysms. On day 11, the right vertebral artery had been spontaneously obliterated and the right dissecting aneurysm was filled in a retrograde fashion via the left vertebral artery. Proximal occlusion of the right vertebral artery was performed to prevent recanalization. Two months later, cerebral angiography revealed that both vertebral arteries were obliterated and the basilar artery and right posterior inferior cerebellar artery were filled via the right posterior communicating artery. The present case demonstrated that the hemodynamic status of bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery changed variably indicating the necessity of careful angiographic observation.     

Fenestration of the Double Origin of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Associated with a Contralateral Vertebral Artery Dissection

Double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is an infrequent developmental anomaly predisposing an individual to intracranial aneurysm formation. Fenestration of the PICA is extremely rare, and furthermore, fenestration of the double origin of the PICA in association with an intracranial aneurysm is unique. We present the first reported case of fenestration of the double origin of the PICA associated with a dissecting aneurysm of the contralateral vertebral artery (VA) that healed spontaneously after medical observation.     

Obliteration of bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral arteries following repeated subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

Abstract

A 51-year-old man presented with loss of consciousness when he underwent urological examination at another hospital. CT scans showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral angiography showed bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral arteries. Following ventricular drainage, the lesion was managed conservatively with blood pressure control but again ruptured on day 8. Cerebral angiography revealed narrowing of both the dissecting aneurysms. On day 11, the right vertebral artery had been spontaneously obliterated and the right dissecting aneurysm was filled in a retrograde fashion via the left vertebral artery. Proximal occlusion of the right vertebral artery was performed to prevent recanalization. Two months later, cerebral angiography revealed that both vertebral arteries were obliterated and the basilar artery and right posterior inferior cerebellar artery were filled via the right posterior communicating artery. The present case demonstrated that the hemodynamic status of bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery changed variably indicating the necessity of careful angiographic observation.     

Ruptured aneurysm of distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery located at caudal loop]

We report an unusual case of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysm originating at the caudal loop of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). The patient was a 77-year-old female presented with a sudden onset of headache and vomiting. Initial CT scan demonstrated a SAH with thick hematoma mainly in the cisterna magna. Vertebral angiogram revealed a saccular aneurysm arising from the tonsillomedullary segment of the left PICA, and communicating artery with supplying a territory of contralateral vermis as an anastmotic vessel. At surgery, no vessel branches were confirmed in the vicinity of the aneurysm, and this aneurysm was successfully clipped. In the fetus, numerous basilar and vertebral arteries are organized in plexiform formations around the brain stem. It has been suggested that the pathogenesis of such aneurysm or communicating artery could be related with a remnant of a primitive vertebrobasilar anastomosis. Based on these considerations, congenital vessel-wall weakness and hemodynamic stress associated with communicating artery may contribute to the development of distal PICA aneurysms.