Mycotic intracavernous carotid aneurysm.

Intracavernous carotid mycotic aneurysms are rare and management is dictated by clinical presentation. This case involved a patient presenting with a symptomatic expanding proximal internal carotid artery aneurysm treated with antibiotics and balloon occlusion but with thromboembolic complications resulting in a fatal outcome. Points of discussion include difficulties faced in reaching a diagnosis, management options for mycotic aneurysms and the rationale in this case for choosing endovascular rather than surgical treatment. The use and limitations of trial balloon occlusion are discussed as well as complications of vessel occlusion, in particular thromboembolism. Also discussed is the importance of surveillance imaging and the impact of sepsis on overall management.     

Bilateral anterior cerebral artery aneurysm due to mucormycosis

True mycotic aneurysms are extremely rare cerebrovascular lesions with a dismal prognosis. They mostly follow fungal meningitis or septicaemia and herald their presence with the development of subarachnoid haemorrhage. The authors report an extremely rare occurrence of bilateral anterior cerebral artery aneurysms caused by mucormycosis. The infection was diagnosed after investigation of prolonged fever following transsphenoidal surgery. The aneurysm was diagnosed after a subarachnoid haemorrhage and the patient finally died. The present case highlights an atypical presentation of fungal infection that can perplex the best of clinicians and thus delay diagnosis. As subarachnoid haemorrhage due to true mycotic aneurysmal rupture is uniformly associated with a fatal outcome, the authors speculate that a high index of suspicion should be maintained when a neurosurgical patient is predisposed to fungal infection. This approach, combined with the empirical institution of antifungal drugs, provides the only chance of survival.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms—clinical characteristics and outcome of surgical treatment

Object Intracranial aneurysms are rare in children and have different epidemiological, clinical, and morphological characteristics and outcome from those in adults. Materials and methods We analyzed demographic, clinical, radiologic features, treatment, and outcome in 55 patients <18 years of age, treated from Jan 1995 through December 2005. Results Intracranial aneurysms in children below 18 years constituted 4% of all intracranial aneurysms. Internal Carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation was the commonest location. About half of the aneurysms were complex. Three-fourth of the patients required surgical treatment. Two patients died, constituting 5% mortality. Two patients (5%) had poor outcome, whereas the majority (90%) had a favorable outcome. Conclusions Pediatric aneurysms have male predominance, higher incidence of clinical features of mass effect or seizures, high incidence of large, traumatic/mycotic aneurysms, associated illnesses and ICH/IVH and hydrocephalus, better Hunt and Hess grades at presentation, ICA bifurcation as the commonest site, and better outcome than their adult counterparts.     

Surgical management of vertebrobasilar aneurysms

This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 50 patients who had 55 posterior circulation aneurysms treated surgically. Twenty-four patients presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Thirty-three of the lesions involved the basilar artery, predominantly at its bifurcation. There were 13 giant aneurysms in the series, 3 false aneurysms, 1 mycotic aneurysm and 3 associated with arteriovenous malformations. Forty-nine aneurysms (89%) were able to be treated surgically and 38 (69%) of these were directly clipped. Neurological assessment at discharge indicated that 38 patients (76%) had a good outcome. Moderate disability occurred in 7 patients (14%). Four patients (8%) were left severely disabled or vegetative. There was a single death in the series (2%).     

Intracavernous internal carotid artery mycotic aneurysms: Comprehensive review and evaluation of the role of endovascular treatment

Mycotic aneurysms may arise in the setting of many local or systemic infections. Those of the intracranial circulation are especially worrisome due to their potential to compress vital neural structures and their propensity for rupture with consequent hemorrhage. Mycotic aneurysms of the intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) represent an exceedingly rare clinical entity, described in less than fifty published cases. Typically presenting as a cavernous sinus syndrome with signs and symptoms of the underlying infection, they are often missed initially, with diagnosis and treatment commencing for the triggering infection or confused with cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis, which may be additionally coexistent, confounding timely diagnosis of the aneurysmal disease. Compared to non-mycotic aneurysms of the intracavernous ICA, which typically have a benign course, the infectious etiology of the mycotic variety increases their tendency to rupture, precludes surgical clipping as a viable treatment option, and requires institution of prolonged antibiotic therapy prior to definitive intervention. Their critical location, friability, and propensity to occur bilaterally result in an unpredictable risk of rapid neurological decline and death, making the timing and specific nature of treatment a unique dilemma facing the treating physician. This review seeks to discuss the natural history of and management strategies for mycotic aneurysms of the intracavernous ICA with special emphasis on the role, safety, and efficacy of endovascular therapies.     

Pediatric endocarditis and stroke: a single-center retrospective review of seven cases

The acute management of strokes in children with infective endocarditis is limited by the paucity of published data on their clinical course and outcomes. Our retrospective study at an urban tertiary-care academic center characterized the clinical course of seven pediatric patients with endocarditis and subsequent cerebral infarcts. Among 115 patients with endocarditis, a stroke occurred in seven. Four patients manifested congenital heart disease. In six patients, the stroke occurred in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery, with no preference for the left or right hemisphere. The most common presenting sign was focal weakness. Three patients manifested mycotic aneurysms, all of which were successfully repaired. Two patients received aspirin therapy, with no adverse effects. All patients survived, but neurologic recovery was variable. The two youngest patients (aged 3 and 14 weeks) demonstrated the longest periods of hospitalization, with the most severe neurologic impairment. These findings suggest that children may have better outcomes than adults after a stroke secondary to bacterial endocarditis. Routine surveillance for mycotic aneurysms in patients with new neurologic deficits, and the use of aspirin, should be considered in the medical management.     

Is cerebral angiography indicated in infective endocarditis?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with infective endocarditis may develop intracranial mycotic aneurysms. Whether these patients should undergo cerebral angiography followed by prophylactic surgery if an aneurysm is detected is an unresolved question. METHODS: We estimated the probability of survival 12 weeks after the diagnosis of infective endocarditis on the basis of data available in the literature. RESULTS: For a 40-year-old female patient with right-sided hemiplegia, the 12-week survival is estimated to be 83.75% without angiography and 83.65% with angiography; the specific mortality of intracranial mycotic aneurysms is relatively small but increases by 40% (from 0.25% to 0.35%) if angiography is performed. The risk of aneurysm rupture in infective endocarditis and the mortality from rupture appear to be the most important factors that affect the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral angiography should not be performed routinely in patients with infective endocarditis. Specific subgroups in whom such a policy might be beneficial have not yet been identified.     

Natural history and management of mycotic intracranial aneurysm

INTRODUCTION: mycotic intracranial aneurysms are a rare complication of infectious endocarditis. We report four cases of patients with endocarditis, complicated by an acute stroke, revealing a mycotic intracranial aneurysm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: four men (aged range 24 to 63 year old) were admitted for endocarditis, complicated by ischemic stroke in two cases and hemorrhagic stroke in the two other cases, including one with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neuroimaging disclosed a mycotic cerebral aneurysm in all four cases. DISCUSSION: we will discuss the natural history and the management of mycotic intracranial aneurysm based on a review of the literature and our experience. Three therapeutic options are possible: medical treatment, surgery and endovascular embolisation. CONCLUSION: management of mycotic intracranial aneurysms is still controversial, frequently requiring a multidisciplinary strategy with priority given to endovascular interventions.     

3D-DSA在颅内动脉瘤诊疗中的临床应用

目的 根据临床体会探讨3D-DSA在颅内动脉瘤诊断和治疗中的应用价值。方法 采用3D-DSA脑血管造影检查疑似颅内动脉瘤的患者56例，根据造影结果决定下一步治疗方案。结果 共发现32人37个颅内动脉瘤，分别采取了血管内治疗、手术夹闭等不同的治疗方案。结论 3D-DSA极大提高了脑血管造影检查的准确性和可靠性，也为动脉瘤的栓塞治疗、手术夹闭提供了可靠保障。具有准确、安全和操作方便的特点，有很高的临床实用价值。     

Clinical and radiological findings and surgical management of ruptured aneurysms at the non-branching sites of the internal carotid artery

Ruptured aneurysms located at the non-branching sites of the internal carotid artery, including blister-like aneurysms, possess unique clinical and technical features. This report presents nine consecutively managed patients with these types of aneurysm, detailing the clinical and radiological characteristics and surgical outcomes. The initial angiography identified aneurysmal lesions in six of the nine patients with two of these patients requiring additional three-dimensional (3D) angiography. In three patients the aneurysm was only diagnosed on second or third angiograms. Six patients had blister-like aneurysms, and two had saccular-shaped aneurysms diagnosed on the basis of intraoperative findings. One patient with a saccular aneurysm died without surgery. Eight patients underwent a microsurgical procedure: clipping in five, clipping on wrapping with suturing in two and trapping in one. Three of these eight patients had an intraoperative rupture. A favorable outcome was obtained in seven patients. Advances in microsurgical techniques to prevent premature rupture and 3D radiological diagnosis with careful pre-operative consideration of the surgical strategies will be required for a further improvement of the clinical outcome.     

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms—our experience and review of literature

Purpose

Intracranial aneurysms in children are not as common as in adults and there are many differences in the etiology, demographic variables, aneurysm location, aneurysm morphological characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcome in pediatric and adult intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

All children (≤18 years) suffering from intracranial aneurysm managed at our center from July 2001 through June 2013 were included in the study, and the details of these patients were retrieved from the computerized database of our hospital.

Observations

A total of 62 pediatric patients were treated for 74 aneurysms during the study period and constituted 2.3 % of all intracranial aneurysms treated during the same period. The mean age at presentation was 13.5 years. Headache (82 %) was the commonest presenting feature; other symptoms included seizures (21 %), ictal loss of consciousness (27 %), and motor/cranial nerve deficits (22.6 %). Computed tomogram revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in 58 % of patients. Eighty-two percent of aneurysms were in anterior circulation. Sixty-seven percent of aneurysms were complex aneurysms. Fifty-eight percent of patients underwent surgical intervention while 30 % underwent endovascular procedures. Twenty-one percent of the patients developed vasospasm. There was no postoperative mortality. Favorable outcome was seen in 72 % of the patients.

Conclusions

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are uncommon as compared to in adult patients. Seizures and cranial nerve involvement are seen more often as the presenting features in children. Posterior circulation aneurysms are more common in children, as are the internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysms. There is high incidence of giant, posttraumatic, and mycotic aneurysms in children.     

Mycotic Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery in an Unusual Intra-cranial Location

A child is reported who developed a mycotic aneurysm of the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery following staphylococcal cellulitis and septicemia. The unique feature of this case was the conspicuous absence of clinical or arteriographic evidence of carvernous sinus thrombosis. The pathogenesis of mycotic aneurysms is discussed.     

创伤性大脑前动脉瘤的早期诊断和治疗

目的探讨早期诊断和治疗创伤性大脑前动脉瘤的临床意义。方法回顾性分析9例创伤性大脑前动脉瘤患者的临床资料,分析其受伤机制、临床表现及头颅CT或MRI的特征性表现。患者早期行CTA或DSA检查,早期手术治疗,术后随访,并进行格拉斯哥预后量表(GOS)评分。结果 9例患者的动脉瘤均位于大脑前动脉分支,7例患者在动脉瘤破裂之前行手术治疗,2例患者在动脉瘤破裂后手术治疗。随访12个月,7例患者GOS评分5分,1例患者GOS评分4分,1例患者GOS评分3分。术后复查CTA,均无复发。结论对于高度怀疑创伤性大脑前动脉瘤的患者,应早期行CTA或DSA检查,早诊断、早治疗,手术治疗是其有效的治疗方法。     

Multiple intracranial mycotic aneurysms. Case report

The case of a 31 years old woman with multiple intracranial mycotic aneurysms in association with subacute bacterial endocarditis is reported. The authors discuss the clinical and pathological aspects of such lesions. The complete regression of all the aneurysms after antibiotic therapy favours an approach aiming at adequate control of the infection prior to any consideration of surgical treatment.     

Mycotic aneurysm on posterior cerebral artery: resolution with medical therapy

Mycotic aneurysms on the branches of vertebro basilar artery are rare. A patient of infective endocarditis with mycotic aneurysm on the posterior cerebral artery is described. The aneurysm resolved with medical therapy. Controversies regarding the management of mycotic aneurysms are discussed.     

Radiological Evaluation of Cerebral Aneurysms in Selected Clinical Presentations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral aneurysms have different presenting features and, to some extent, a variable clinical course based on the pattern of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the circumstance of their discovery, and the anatomy. Thus, the neuroimaging workup must be tailored accordingly to provide accurate diagnosis and optimal follow-up. METHOD: The authors suggest neuroradiological evaluation of patients in the emergency room and in cases of perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysmal pattern of subarachnoid hemorrhage with normal angiography, vascular infundibula, unruptured/incidental aneurysms, infectious aneurysms, dissecting aneurysms, dolichoectatic/fusiform aneurysms, intracavernous aneurysms, and traumatic aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Recent neuroimaging advances have contributed to improvement in diagnostic safety and accuracy, allowing a more diligent patient follow-up, improved patient outcome, and enhanced physician perception and clinical judgment.     

彩色多普勒超声经颅成像与数字减影脑血管造影对颅内动脉瘤检测的比较分析

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声经颅成像（TCI）无创诊断颅内动脉瘤的临床应用价值。方法采用TCI探测已确诊或根据临床症状怀疑颅内动脉瘤的患者120例,与数字减影血管造影（DSA）比较分析。结果与DSA比较,TCI总检出率为71%,直径0.5-1.0cm的动脉瘤,TCI检出率为82%;直径〉1.0cm的动脉瘤,TCI检出率为100%。结论TCI对较大颅内动脉瘤,尤其对直径〉1.0cm动脉瘤的探测有其特征性表现;对较小颅内动脉瘤（直径〈0.5cm）探测,TCI无诊断价值,但可提供颅内血流动力学信息。     

显微手术治疗大脑中动脉分叉部动脉瘤

目的 探讨大脑中动脉(MCA)分叉部动脉瘤的解剖特点、临床特征、影像学表现、显微手术技巧及临床疗效.方法 回顾分析41 例MCA 分叉部动脉瘤显微外科治疗患者的临床资料,39 例有动脉瘤破裂出血的临床表现,按Hunt-Hess 分级:0～Ⅰ级5 例,Ⅱ级15 例,Ⅲ级11 例,Ⅳ级9 例,Ⅴ级1 例.64 排螺旋CT 血管造影(CTA)确诊.41 例均行显微手术治疗,手术入路为翼点入路或扩大翼点入路.对多发动脉瘤采取早期与择期、一期与分期相结合的方法处理动脉瘤,原则是先处理破裂动脉瘤,再处理未破裂动脉瘤.结果 动脉瘤夹闭38 例,动脉瘤夹闭+包裹2 例,夹闭一侧动脉瘤,另一侧动脉瘤未处理1 例.依据GOS 判断:优良31 例,轻残6 例,重残2 例,死亡2 例.结论 显微外科手术治疗MCA 分叉部动脉瘤效果显著.熟悉MCA 分叉部动脉瘤的解剖特征有助于减少术中血管损伤和术后神经功能障碍;对合并脑内血肿的MCA 分叉部动脉瘤,应急诊手术清除血肿并夹闭动脉瘤.     

Efficacy of clip-wrapping in treatment of complex pediatric aneurysms

Purpose

Pediatric aneurysms (PAs) are distinct from their adult counterparts with respect to typical location, aneurysm type, and known predisposing risk factors. Many strategies have been employed to treat PAs, but although it has been used frequently in adults, clip wrapping in pediatric patients has only been reported once. We present a series of pediatric patients that underwent clip wrapping and discuss this strategy as an effective means of treating unclippable PAs.

Methods

Pediatric patients with clip-wrapped aneurysms over a 5-year period were retrospectively identified. Clinical presentation, surgical management, and clinical and radiological outcome of the patients were evaluated.

Results

Five pediatric patients with aneurysms were treated with clip wrapping during the specified period. Three had traumatic pseudoaneurysms, with two subarachnoid hemorrhages from aneurysm rupture. One patient presented with mycotic pseudoaneurysm rupture causing a large intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Another patient had a dissecting complex saccular lenticulostriate aneurysm with four perforating vessels arising from the dome. Four patients had good clinical results, with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores of 5 after at least 1-year follow-up (mean 24.2); one patient had a GOS score of 5 at discharge, but no additional follow-up. Postoperative neuroimaging demonstrated vessel patency after clip wrapping with no recurrent hemorrhages or increase in aneurysm size; however, one had progressive occlusion of the artery in a delayed fashion and had a small clinical ischemic event from which she fully recovered.

Conclusions

Clip wrapping appears to be an effective underutilized technique for treatment of pediatric complex aneurysms that cannot be treated with conventional methods.     

The diagnosis and treatment of cerebral mycotic aneurysms

Seventeen patients were treated for 28 documented cerebral mycotic aneurysms. Initial neurological symptoms were attributable to aneurysm rupture in only 7 patients, and in 3 of them symptoms did not suggest subarachnoid hemorrhage. Six patients presented with embolic infarction and 1 with meningitis; in 3 patients it was uncertain if aneurysm rupture occurred. Four patients had rupture of at least one aneurysm while receiving appropriate antibiotic treatment and another had rupture at the conclusion of therapy. Of 20 aneurysms followed angiographically or with computed tomography during medical treatment, 10 became smaller or disappeared and 10 remained unchanged or enlarged, 1 with fatal rupture. Eight ruptured aneurysms were surgically excised; 2 of the patients with ruptured aneurysms died and 2 had residual aphasia or cognitive impairment. All 4 patients whose only surgery was for an unruptured aneurysm made uneventful recoveries. Recognizing the retrospective and anecdotal nature of our data and the differing views of previous investigators, we recommend: (1) that careful neurological examination, computed tomography, and (unless contraindicated) lumbar puncture be performed on any patient with endocarditis; (2) that those with neurological abnormalities not attributable to systemic toxicity, including pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid or apparent infarction on computed tomographic scans, undergo four-vessel cerebral angiography; (3) that single accessible mycotic aneurysms in medically stable patients be promptly excised, with individualization of multiple or proximal aneurysms; and (4) that repeat angiography be performed at the conclusion of antibiotic therapy in patients requiring long-term anticoagulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)