Intra-aneurysmal superselective pharmacologic testing in a child

Treatment options for complex intracranial aneurysms with branch vessels originating from the fundus or neck are limited, because these arteries frequently supply eloquent brain territory. A 9-year-old boy presented with a recurrent proximal middle cerebral artery intracranial aneurysm. Sodium amobarbital was slowly injected through a microcatheter directly into the aneurysm fundus and an incorporated prominent lenticulostriate vessel for provocative functional testing. Serial neurologic examinations identified no new neurologic deficit. We proceeded with endovascular coiling of the aneurysm and inevitable sacrifice of the perforator vessel. The patient remained free of new neurologic symptoms with no angiographic evidence of aneurysm recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient with a proximal intracranial aneurysm who has undergone superselective intra-aneurysmal provocative testing and subsequent successful endovascular treatment.     

Fusiform aneurysm of a persistent trigeminal artery.

OBJECTIVE: Fusiform aneurysms of the persistent trigeminal artery are rare and endovascular treatment of these aneurysms has not been attempted previously. We describe a case of persistent trigeminal artery with a fusiform aneurysm in its middle third, managed using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC). CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old, diabetic and hypertensive patient presented with sudden onset headache and neck stiffness. On examination, she was conscious but disoriented, without cranial nerve or sensorimotor deficits. Four-vessel cerebral digital subtraction angiography revealed a fusiform aneurysm of the middle third of a persistent trigeminal artery on the left side with adult type posterior cerebral arteries. INTERVENTION: Guglielmi detachable coils were used for occlusion of the persistent trigeminal artery. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated but delayed ischemic neurological deficits developed due to vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: (1) In spite of angiographically documented independence of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, occlusion of a persistent trigeminal artery using endovascular techniques may result in posterior circulation stroke due to a number of factors, including occlusion of brainstem perforators taking origin from the persistent trigeminal artery or vasospasm. (2) The timing for endovascular intervention following aneurysmal rupture remains poorly defined.     

Microsurgical clipping of an unruptured lenticulostriate aneurysm

Aneurysms of the lenticulostriate artery have been associated with hypertension, vasculopathy, tumors, and arteriovenous malformations. Although several cases of microsurgical treatment of ruptured lenticulostriate artery aneurysms have been reported, to our knowledge there is no published case of microsurgical treatment of an unruptured lenticulostriate artery aneurysm. We report a 66-year-old woman with a history of moyamoya disease, previously treated with a right-sided middle cerebral artery-to-superficial temporal artery bypass who presented with an unruptured aneurysm of a lenticulostriate artery. We report successful microsurgical treatment of this rare lesion and discuss the rationale for our treatment strategy.     

Spontaneous resolution of an aneurysm arising from a penetrating branch of the middle cerebral artery

Aneurysms of the penetrating branches of the middle cerebral artery are rare. Previous reports have concentrated on aneurysms that arise from the distal lenticulostriate artery where the natural history is unclear. Here, we report a case of a ruptured aneurysm located at the insular penetrating branch of the right middle cerebral artery, which was associated with an external capsular haematoma. The aneurysm persisted as shown by angiography at one month and the patient refused surgical treatment at that stage. Follow-up angiography two years later showed resolution of the aneurysm. The aetiologies and treatment options are reviewed.     

Intraaneurysmal embolization of an unruptured basilar tip aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease.

We describe a patient with moyamoya disease associated with an unruptured basilar tip aneurysm which was treated by endovascular embolization using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). A 53-year-old man presented with left hemiparesis persisting for 3 mon ths before admission. Cerebral angiography revealed occlusion of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries and the left anterior cerebral artery, stenosis of the right anterior cerebral artery, and basal moyamoya vessels. In addition, a saccular small aneurysm was seen at the top of the basilar artery. The aneurysm was completely embolized by intraaneurysmal GDCs. Direct surgical clipping is often selected for the treatment of posterior fossa aneurysms in moyamoya disease. However, complete clipping is usually difficult due to the difficulties in operative technique associated with moyamoya disease. We suggest that the endovascular treatment using GDCs is comparatively safe and effective for the treatment of surgically difficult aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease.     

The large striatocapsular infarct. A clinical and pathophysiological entity

We examined 29 patients with strictly subcortical large striatocapsular infarctions. Eight of them had aphasia or neglect. All patients underwent transcranial Doppler ultrasonography or selective carotid angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and single photon emission tomography for assessment of cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and cerebral perfusion reserve. The signs were compatible with cortical territorial infarctions rather than lacunes. On both magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic scans, the lesions corresponded to the territories of the medial and lateral group of the lenticulostriate arteries, Heubner's artery, or the anterior choroidal artery. The infarctions were either due to cerebral embolization into the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery or due to stenosis at the same site, ie, lesions that acutely and simultaneously occluded the orifices of the lenticulostriate or neighboring arteries. Persistent occlusion of the middle cerebral arteries and a decrease of cortical regional cerebral blood flow were only found in patients with aphasia or neglect. All patients without aphasia or neglect showed a rapid recanalization of the middle cerebral artery occlusion or a stenosis of the M1 segment and no cortical regional cerebral blood flow decrease. Large striatocapsular infarctions occur due to occlusive disease of the middle cerebral artery (large-vessel disease) and not due to a disseminated in situ occlusion of the long penetrating arteries (small-vessel disease), as in lacunes. Neuropsychological deficits can be explained by decreased cortical blood flow due to a persistent occlusive lesion of the middle cerebral artery.     

Simultaneous microsurgical and endovascular management of multiple cerebral aneurysms in acute subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Most aneurysms can be effectively managed using endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping, but in an acute subarachnoid haemorrhage where there are multiple aneurysms identified, a sequential multimodal approach may prove more beneficial. This report involves a 31-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of severe headache and photophobia. A computed tomography brain scan revealed a diffuse grade II subarachnoid haemorrhagic pattern, and four-vessel angiography revealed two aneurysms: a right middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm measuring 12 x 8 mm and a 4-mm basilar artery aneurysm associated with a fenestration at the confluence of the vertebral arteries. It was not possible to determine which aneurysm or aneurysms were responsible for the haemorrhage using the customary criteria. The patient underwent sequential endovascular coiling of the vertebrobasilar aneurysm without delay, followed immediately by microsurgical clipping of the right middle cerebral artery aneurysm, under a single anaesthetic. The postoperative course was uneventful. This method is a treatment option for acute subarachnoid haemorrhage where there are multiple aneurysms. It is a logical progression of management that could be employed at any experienced neurovascular centre; the employment of a sequential multimodal approach from the integration of these techniques is beneficial to the patient because it decreases morbidity and mortality.     

颅内动脉瘤的血管内栓塞治疗

目的探讨应用电解可脱性弹簧圈（GDC）栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤的临床效果。方法采用GDC栓塞23例患者共动脉瘤25个，其中17个为后交通动脉瘤，4个为前交通动脉瘤，4个为大脑中动脉瘤；Hunt—Hess分级：I级2例，II级17例，III2例，IV级2例。结果25个动脉瘤全部成功栓塞，随访3～30个月无再出血。结论GIDC栓塞颅内动脉瘤是安全、有效和微创的治疗手段。     

Microsurgical glue embolectomy of the middle cerebral artery following embolization of a maxillofacial arteriovenous malformation

With increasing application of endovascular therapies worldwide, the management of procedure-related complications has become increasingly important. Of particular interest is the surgical management of complications refractory to endovascular recanalization. Here, we present the unique surgical management of an inadvertent intracranial glue embolus following urgent glue embolization of a maxillofacial arteriovenous malformation. This is the first report to document management of this complication. An arteriotomy was performed and the glue, despite being adhered to the vessel intima, was retrieved in its entirety from the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Following the procedure, the patient developed a new thrombus at the previous glue site, likely related to endothelial injury. With post-operative heparin therapy, the patient recovered to baseline neurological state. This report demonstrates that microsurgical arteriotomy and glue embolectomy of the MCA is feasible, safe and may be useful in the management of complications of inadvertent intracranial glue embolization.     

Deep Intracerebral Hemorrhage Caused by Rupture of Distal Lenticulostriate Artery Aneurysm : A Report of Two Cases and a Literature Review

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is common among various types of storkes; however, it is rare in young patients and patients who do not have any risk factors. In such cases, ICH is generally caused by vascular malformations, tumors, vasculitis, or drug abuse. Basal ganglia ICH is rarely related with distal lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysm. Since the 1960s, a total of 29 distal LSA aneurysm cases causing ICH have been reported in the English literature. Despite of the small number of cases, various treatment methods have been attempted : surgical clipping, endovascular treatment, conservative treatment, superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis, and gamma-knife radiosurgery. Here, we report two additional cases and review the literature. Thereupon, we discerned that young patients with deep ICH are in need of conventional cerebral angiography. Moreover, initial conservative treatment with follow-up cerebral angiography might be a good treatment option except for cases with a large amount of hematoma that necessitates emergency evacuation. If the LSA aneurysm still persists or enlarges on follow-up angiography, it should be treated surgically or endovascularly.     

Removal of multiple intracranial meningiomas preceded by intravascular embolization in a Jehovah's witness patient. Case report

The paper presents a case of a Jehovah's Witness, 64-year-old woman harboring multiple meningiomas in the right cerebral hemisphere. As the first stage of her treatment endovascular embolization of the tumor vascular bed was performed. Through the middle cerebral artery Ivalon particles and acrylic glue were injected. Four days later the patient underwent craniotomy and four intracranial meningiomas were removed. Intraoperative blood loss was minimal and the patient was discharged with no neurological sequelae and without anemia. The authors emphasize benefits that endovascular embolization may bring, especially as regards improvement of neurosurgical treatment safety in Jehovah's Witnesses.     

表现为侧裂区血肿的颅内动脉瘤的诊断和治疗

目的探讨颅内动脉瘤破裂导致侧裂区血肿的诊断和处理原则。方法本组男7例,女5例,年龄18～63岁,平均49岁。12例侧裂区血肿均经脑血管造影（DSA）或CT脑血管造影（CTA）检查确诊,其中大脑中动脉瘤9例,后交通动脉瘤2例,后交通动脉瘤合并大脑中动脉瘤1例。本研究对其临床表现、影像学特点及处理原则分别进行了分析。结果12例患者中有10例经开颅动脉瘤夹闭及血肿清除术,1例行经股动脉穿刺血管内弹簧圈栓塞治疗,1例经DSA检查明确动脉瘤后术前准备时再出血,抢救无效死亡。术后1例患者出现脑梗死,经对症治疗好转,3例遗留神经功能障碍,其余病人恢复良好。结论表现为侧裂区的自发性脑内血肿,很有可能是动脉瘤破裂出血所致,需尽早行DSA或CTA检查明确诊断,治疗以手术为首选,术中夹闭动脉瘤并将血肿清除。     

破裂性大脑中动脉瘤开颅夹闭与血管内栓塞的对比研究

目的评价开颅夹闭与血管内栓塞治疗破裂性大脑中动脉瘤的早期疗效。方法对我科收治的破裂性大脑中动脉瘤患者,随机分为两组,A组(21例)予开颅夹闭术,B组(17例)予血管内栓塞术;比较两组的早期疗效。结果两组术前Hunt-Hess分级、年龄、性别无明显差异(P0.05)。住院时间、术后脑梗死发生率、死亡率无明显差异(P0.05);术后一月改良Rankin评分差异显著(P0.05)。A组无死亡病例;B组1例血管内栓塞术中动脉瘤破裂死亡,1例术后大面积脑梗死死亡。结论破裂性大脑中动脉瘤开颅动脉瘤夹闭术后早期患者的症状改善状况优于血管内栓塞术,考虑原因为开颅夹闭术清除了动脉瘤周围的血肿,持续外引流蛛网膜下腔的积血及血性脑脊液。     

烟雾病合并动脉瘤的临床诊治探讨

目的探讨烟雾病合并动脉瘤的临床特点及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析10例经全脑血管造影证实的烟雾病合并动脉瘤患者的临床资料。结果10例患者巾9例表现为颅内出血，1例表现为脑缺血。烟雾病合并的动脉瘤9例位于Willis动脉环附近，为主要动脉型动脉瘤。其中5例行动脉瘤夹闭术，3例行血管内栓塞治疗，均恢复良好；1例基底动脉梭形动脉瘤和1例脉络膜前动脉动脉瘤（外周动脉型动脉瘤）无法手术。结论烟雾病合并动脉瘤可导致不同类型的颅内出血，对主要动脉型动脉瘤可进行外科手术治疗，对外周动脉型动脉瘤目前尚无理想治疗方法，可予以对症保守治疗。     

Operative open intra-aneurysmal thrombectomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysm and peripheral ischemia associated with vasospasm

The endovascular approach has become the standard treatment for ruptured aneurysms during the vasospasm risk period following subarachnoid hemorrhage; however, it may be disadvantageous under certain conditions. We report a patient with a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm with severe vasospasm and thrombosis within the aneurysm immediately after angiography. Emergent operative open thrombectomy of the intra-aneurysmal thrombus restored blood flow to the ischemic penumbra territory demonstrated by single photon emission CT scan and diffusion-weighted MRI.     

Endovascular Embolization of a Ruptured Distal Lenticulostriate Artery Aneurysm in Patients with Moyamoya Disease

A ruptured distal lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysm is detected occasionally in moyamoya disease (MMD) patients presented with intracerebral hemorrhage. If the aneurysm is detected in hemorrhage site on angiographic evaluation, its obliteration could be considered, because it rebleeds frequently, and is associated with poorer outcome and mortality in MMD related hemorrhage. In this case report, the authors present two MMD cases with ruptured distal LSA aneurysm treated by endovascular embolization.     

Coil embolization of an incidental posterior cerebral artery aneurysm after initial OA-PCA bypass surgery

Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are rare and imply a variety of treatment modalities. We present a case of an incidental, nonruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm, which was successfully occluded by coil embolization after a bypass between the occipital artery and the distal posterior cerebral artery was created. MR imaging in a neurologically normal 26-year-old man, performed in the course of a work-up for nonrelated symptoms, incidentally revealed a partially thrombosed and calcified aneurysm of the left posterior cerebral artery (P2 segment). This was confirmed by angiography. Due to aneurysm configuration and localization in the asymptomatic patient, primary clipping or endovascular occlusion was considered to be too hazardous. Four weeks after successful microvascular connection of the left occipital artery to the distal posterior cerebral artery, the PCA was occluded at the level of the aneurysm with a detachable coil. The patient remained asymptomatic, without visual field defects. The above presented combined microvascular (bypass) and endovascular (coil embolization) treatment with excellent result should be considered as alternative in patients with nonruptured, asymptomatic P2 aneurysms, which are high risk for primary clipping or endovascular occlusion.     

Giant fusiform aneurysm with dissection in the middle cerebral artery: a case report]

A rare case of a giant fusiform aneurysm with dissection in the middle cerebral artery is reported. A 37-year-old man was referred to our hospital for severe headache and left retrobulbar pain. MRI and angiography showed a giant aneurysm in the temporal branch(M 2) of the left middle cerebral artery. We supposed that dissection had occurred from a giant fusiform aneurysm in the middle cerebral artery judging from presentation, MRI findings, angiography findings, and operative findings. Giant fusiform aneurysms in the middle cerebral artery(MCA) are uncommon cerebral aneurysms. The surgical approach or endovascular treatment to giant fusiform aneurysms in the MCA is technically difficult, so some patients are treated conservativery. However they have a poor natural history that differs from that of typical saccular aneurysms. And they have character of weakness in the internal elastic lamina, and therefore have the potential to dissect. We suggest that appropriate therapy including conservative therapy and surgical techniques is necessary for giant fusiform aneurysms even if they are found incidentally.     

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.     

Glue Embolization of Ruptured Anterior Thalamoperforating Artery Aneurysm in Patient with Both Internal Carotid Arteries Occlusion

Thalamoperforating artery aneurysms are rarely reported in the literature. We report an extremely rare case of ruptured distal anterior thalamoperforating artery aneurysm which was treated by endovascular obliteration in a patient with occlusion of both the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) : A 72-year-old woman presented with severe headache and loss of consciousness. Initial level of consciousness at the time of admission was drowsy and the Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan was performed which revealed intracerebral hemorrhage in right basal ganglia, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage. The location of the aneurysm was identified as within the globus pallidus on CT angiogram. Conventional cerebral angiogram demonstrated occlusion of both the ICAs just distal to the fetal type of posterior communicating artery and the aneurysm was arising from right anterior thalamoperforating artery (ATPA). A microcatheter was navigated into ATPA and the ATPA proximal to aneurysm was embolized with 20% glue. Post-procedural ICA angiogram demonstrated no contrast filling of the aneurysm sac. The patient was discharged without any neurologic deficit. Endovascular treatment of ATPA aneurysm is probably a more feasible and safe treatment modality than surgical clipping because of the deep seated location of aneurysm and the possibility of brain retraction injury during surgical operation.