Anterior communicating artery aneurysm in early childhood. Report of a case

A case of an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery in a 13-month-old child is presented. Sixty-six cases of cerebral saccular aneurysm in children under the age of 2 years found in the literature were analyzed. The characteristics that define this group of patients are a high frequency of large or giant aneurysms, a large proportion of aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery and the posterior circulation, and the frequent location at the peripheral site. Only three cases of anterior communicating artery aneurysm were reported in the literature. The authors discuss these characteristics on the basis of development of fetal cerebral vessels.     

Intracranial aneurysms: Characteristics of aneurysms by site,with special reference to anterior communicating artery aneurysms

Data are presented from an unselected series of 212 aneurysm patients for aneurysms at three major sites: the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery junction, the anterior communicating artery, and the middle cerebral artery. More than 70% of the anterior communicating artery aneurysms occurred as single aneurysms; less than 30% of the middle cerebral artery aneurysms were single. Anterior communicating artery aneurysms showed a right-side predominance in males but not in females. Both males and females had significantly higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures for left-side anterior communicating artery aneurysms than for right-side aneurysms. A brief review of factors relevant to anterior communicating artery aneurysms is presented.     

Multiple intracranial aneurysms in elderly patients

Summary The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms were studied. A total of 481 patients, in whom the exact location of their ruptured aneurysms could be confirmed, were classified into two age groups, that is, those aged 59 years or younger (group 1: 247 cases, 51%) and those aged 60 years or older (group 2: 234 cases, 49%). The incidences of multiple aneurysms were 30% for group 1 and 27% for group 2. This difference is statistically not significant. The rate of multiple aneurysms was less frequent in males than in females in group 2, whereas no difference could be found in group 1. The age distribution of patients with multiple aneurysms was basically similar to that of patients with single aneurysms. While the highest rupture rate was observed in the anterior communicating artery aneurysms of both groups, this tendency was more prominent in group 2(79%) than in group 1 (59%). The rupture rates for other sites in group 2 were 50% for distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 40% for internal carotid artery aneurysms and 28% for middle cerebral artery aneurysms. The pattern of surgical outcome showed no major differences between multiple and single aneurysms in either group 1 or 2. However, group 1 had better surgical results than group 2.Even though the surgical outcome for multiple aneurysms in elderly patients was satisfactory, awareness of the probability of rupture at each site is helpful, especially when it is necessary to decide whether unruptured aneurysms should be operated on or not.     

Endovascular treatment of primitive persistent trigeminal artery aneurysm associated with middle cerebral artery aneurysm

We report the case of a primitive trigeminal artery aneurysm associated with an ipsilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysm. A 64-year-old Caucasian woman suffered from a severe acute headache. A head CT scan displayed subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent cerebral angiography showed right, wide-necked persistent trigeminal artery and ipsilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysms. The patient underwent embolization of both aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils. The association of a PPTA aneurysm and an ipsilateral MCA aneurysm has not been reported in the English literature.     

大脑中动脉瘤的显微外科治疗

目的：报道３４例大脑中动脉瘤显微外科手术的经验。方法：３４中１例有２个动脉瘤，共计３５个动脉瘤，其中大和巨型动脉瘤１４个（４０％），除２个大脑中动脉主干棱形动脉瘤行动脉瘤包裹，２个巨型动脉瘤行Ｍ１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。结果：无手术死亡，２例术后发生神经缺失。平均随访６年，优良率达９３．８％。结论：显微外科手术治疗大脑中动脉瘤，成功率高，效果好，该项技术值得推广应用。     

大脑中动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗

【摘要】〓大脑中动脉瘤是常见的颅内动脉瘤,大脑中动脉解剖关系特殊,其动脉瘤破裂较其他幕上动脉瘤产生的临床症状更加严重,预后更差。随着介入治疗技术的不断发展,世界上很多医疗中心已经将介入栓塞治疗作为动脉瘤的首选治疗方式。然而,大脑中动脉动脉瘤治疗方式尚存争议,选择合适的病例进行治疗是首要的问题。     

Bilateral angiographic vasoconstriction of the middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries after subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with and without aneurysms

Summary A retrospective study of cerebral angiographies from 173 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were investigated and divided into three groups. The diameters of the middle cerebral artery and the internal carotid artery were measured and correlated with time elapsing between the onset of SAH and the angiographic study. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in vascular diameter was found at all levels of intraas well as extradural parts of the internal carotid artery in patients with aneurysms (group I). Also, bilateral angiographic investigation from 70 patients showed a significant (p<0.001) reduction at all levels on both sides, regardless of whether aneurysms were present (group II) or not (group III). Moreover, the reduction in vascular diameter was more pronounced in patients with than in patients without aneurysms. The most pronounced reduction in vascular diameter was found in one of the extradural parts of the internal carotid artery in both group II and III. However, reduction in vascular diamter did not correlate significantly with the cerebral circulation time despite a tendency towards it. On the other hand, layering of the contrast medium along the posterior wall of the internal carotid artery was more often found in patients with prolongation in cerebral circulation time suggesting a reduced cerebral blood flow in these patients. It is suggested that the significant reduction in vascular diameter of intra-as well as extradural parts of the internal carotid artery, might reflect an adaptation to altered cerebral metabolism after SAH.     

Bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms associated with polycystic kidney and liver disease; a case report]

A patient who had bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms and a right middle cerebral artery aneurysm in association with polycystic kidney and liver disease is reported. A 57-year-old woman was referred to our center with headache and disturbance of consciousness. On admission, her level of consciousness as evaluated by the Japan Coma Scale was 10. CT revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially in the interhemispheric fissures. Right carotid angiography demonstrated bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms and a right middle cerebral artery aneurysm. All three aneurysms were clipped in a one-stage procedure. The patient was discharged without any neurological deficits two weeks after the operation. Bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms are extremely rare. This is the first report of such aneurysms and a right middle cerebral artery aneurysm in association with polycystic kidney and liver disease. The etiology of these aneurysms is discussed.     

Elective neck clipping for unruptured aneurysms in elderly patients

BACKGROUND: With the recent advancements of neuroimaging techniques, the number of unruptured aneurysms diagnosed in elderly patients has increased. However, the surgical indications in this special subgroup have not been studied critically. The purposes of this study were to analyze the results of elective neck clipping surgery for unruptured aneurysms in the elderly and to elucidate the surgical indications. METHODS: From 1985 to 1997, 96 patients, aged 70 years or older, with 103 unruptured cerebral aneurysms underwent elective neck clipping. There were 67 females and 29 males. Their ages ranged from 70 to 86, with a mean of 73.3 years. Seventy-five aneurysms were asymptomatic and 28 were symptomatic. The aneurysms were located on the internal carotid artery (46.6%), middle cerebral artery (35.9%), anterior cerebral artery (16.5%), and basilar artery (1.0%). RESULTS: The surgical outcome was a good recovery in 75 patients (78.1%), mild deficits in 12 (12.5%), severe deficits in 4 (4.2%), and death in 5 (5.2%). Recovery from preoperative symptoms with improved quality of life was seen in 22 (78.6%) of the 28 symptomatic cases. Multiple regression analysis showed that increase in the size of aneurysms and location on the middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery were significantly related to a poor outcome. The causes of the five deaths were hemorrhagic infarction, systemic infection, and myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Surgery for elective neck clipping of unruptured aneurysms in the elderly should be considered in symptomatic patients with simple aneurysms that can be clipped without the use of temporary clips.     

Multiple intracranial aneurysms: determining the site of rupture

A retrospective hospital chart and radiograph review was performed of all patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms seen over a 52-month period. Sixty-nine patients with a total of 205 aneurysms were studied. Among the patients with aneurysms, the incidence of multiple aneurysms was 33.5%. Multiple aneurysms were much more common in women, with a female to male ratio of 5:1 for all patients and 11:1 for patients with three or more aneurysms. Common locations for multiple aneurysms were the posterior communicating artery (22%), middle cerebral artery (21.5%), anterior communicating artery (12%), and ophthalmic artery (11%). However, locations with the highest probability of rupture were the anterior communicating artery (62%), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (50%), and basilar artery summit (50%). The middle cerebral artery was the least likely site for rupture. In contrast to previous studies, in this series irregularity of contour was more important than size in identifying the site of rupture. Using a simple algorithm outlined in the text, it was possible to identify the site of aneurysm rupture in 97.5% of cases.     

Bypass – Surgery and Coil – Embolisation in the Treatment of Cerebral Giant Aneurysms

Summary  Objective. Operative clipping is the most effective method in the treatment of cerebral giant aneurysms. But about 50% of all giant aneurysms are treatable this way. We want to report about eight patients with giant cerebral aneurysms, which were in our opinion “unclippable” without causing ischaemia in depending brain areas.  Methods. We describe eight cases of giant aneurysms of the pericallosal artery (n=1), the middle cerebral artery (n=3), the basilar tip (n=3) and of the upper part of the basilar artery (n=1). One patient with an aneurysm of the pericallosal artery was treated with an extra-intracranial saphenous vein bypass saphenous bypass, in three cases of middle cerebral artery aneurysms an extra-intracranial bypass was also done combined with a resection of the aneurysm. The four patients suffering from an aneurysm of the basilar artery got an extra intracranial bypass too followed by an occlusion of the aneurysm with GD-Coils.  Results. There was no peri-operative mortality and no severe peri- or postoperative complication. The neurological symptoms of all patients were unchanged after the operation. An angiographic controll showed a complete obliteration of the aneurysm and a free running bypass in all cases.  Conclusion. Bypass surgery and combined bypass surgery and coil embolisation are effective methods in the treatment of giant cerebral aneurysms, which can not be treated by clipping alone.     

Is the aspect ratio a reliable index for predicting the rupture of a saccular aneurysm?

OBJECTIVE: The present retrospective study was undertaken to prove the reliability of the aspect ratio (aneurysm depth to aneurysm neck width) for predicting an aneurysmal rupture. The aspect ratio is considered a better geometric index than aneurysm size for determining the intra-aneurysmal blood flow. METHODS: We measured the aspect ratios and the sizes of aneurysms, as determined by examining angiographic films magnified 1.4x, in 129 patients with ruptured aneurysms and in 72 patients with 78 unruptured aneurysms. After categorizing the aneurysms into four groups on the basis of their locations (aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery, middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery [ICA-PComA], and other aneurysms), a statistical analysis of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms was performed. RESULTS: The mean aneurysm size was found to be statistically significant in the aneurysms at the ICA-PComA and in locations excluding the anterior communicating artery, the middle cerebral artery, and the ICA-PComA. However, the mean aspect ratio was statistically significant at all four locations. In patients with ruptured aneurysms, no ruptured aneurysms with an aspect ratio of less than 1.0 were found. The distribution of the ruptured group versus the unruptured group with an aspect ratio of less than 1.6 at each location was 13 versus 79%, respectively, at the anterior communicating artery, 11 versus 58% at the middle cerebral artery, 11% versus 85% at the ICA-PComA, and 7 versus 81% at other locations. CONCLUSION: The aspect ratio between ruptured aneurysms and unruptured aneurysms was found to be statistically significant, and almost 80% of the ruptured aneurysms showed an aspect ratio of more than 1.6, whereas almost 90% of the unruptured aneurysms showed an aspect ratio of less than 1.6. This study therefore suggests that the aspect ratio may be useful in predicting imminent aneurysmal ruptures.     

Multifactorial analysis of surgical outcome in patients with unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: To build a predictive tool for assessing both favorable outcome and morbidity in a large series of unruptured aneurysms. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Some well-known predictors of clinical outcome for patients with ruptured aneurysms are not useful in forecasting outcome for patients with unruptured aneurysms. METHODS: The authors analyzed 93 patients with a total of 101 unruptured middle cerebral aneurysms who underwent surgical clipping. Intraoperative data was reviewed and seven factors that might influence outcome were identified: 1) aneurysm size > 10 mm, 2) presence of a broad neck, 3) presence of intraaneurysmal plaque, 4) clipping of more than one aneurysm during the same surgery, 5) temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, 6) multiple clip applications and repositionings, and 7) use of multiple clips. The entire group of unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms was divided into two subgroups on the basis of outcome. Each patient was subsequently analyzed for the Factor Accumulation Index (FAI), the sum of different factors observed in a given patient. RESULTS: The expected outcome subgroup was represented by 86 patients, with a total of 92 aneurysms, and demonstrated the following results: no factors were found in six patients; FAI of 1: 24 patients; FAI of 2: 23 patients; FAI of 3: 12 patients; FAI of 4: 11 patients; FAI of 5: 8 patients; FAI of 6: one patient; FAI of 7: one patient. Seven patients represented the subgroup of unexpected outcomes with total morbidity of 7.5%. There were no deaths. None of the patients in this subgroup accumulated FAI of 0, 1, 2, or 5; otherwise: FAI of 3: two patients; FAI of 4: two patients; FAI of 6: one patient; FAI of 7: two patients. CONCLUSION: It is possible to predict outcome in patients with unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm by calculating FAI. The postoperative morbidity increases with an FAI within a range of 3 to 4.     

Traumatic middle cerebral artery aneurysm: case report and review of the literature

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare. A case of traumatic middle cerebral artery aneurysm was presented. A 66-year-old man sustained a severe head injury in a bicycle accident. Serial computed tomography and angiography showed the delayed intracerebral hemorrhage caused by the traumatic middle cerebral artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was trapped and removed. Histological examination clearly revealed the pseudoaneurysm. Traumatic middle cerebral aneurysms were reviewed.     

Surgical treatment and radiological consideration of supergiant cerebral aneurysms

We have collected four cases of supergiant cerebral aneurysm, each greater than 6.0 cm in diameter. Two of these cases were saccular aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery and middle cerebral artery, of which the necks were clipped with resection of the aneurysms. Another patient had a fusiform aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery, which was resected accompanied by a reconstructive procedure of cerebral blood flow. The last patient had a fusiform aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Following internal carotid artery occlusion surgery with superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis, the aneurysm completely disappeared radiologically within several months.     

Clinical and anatomic outcomes after endovascular coiling of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: report on 30 treated aneurysms and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms has not been extensively studied. We report our experience on a select group of patients that underwent coil embolization of an MCA bifurcation aneurysm. METHODS: From August 1999 to January 2005, 29 patients harboring 30 MCA aneurysms were treated with coil embolization. These patients were felt to have favorable characteristics for endovascular therapy including absence of thrombus in the aneurysm, absence of an efferent artery off of the aneurysm, and ability to reconstruct the wide neck with stent reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed their records and angiographic images to evaluate for technical result and complications. RESULTS: The mean age of our cohort was 59 +/- 13 years with 19 patients presenting with a ruptured aneurysm. Complete obliteration was achieved in 24 (80%) of 30 of aneurysms on postprocedural angiography and no patient showed aneurysm regrowth at 6-month follow-up. Twenty-seven (93%) of 29 patients had no change in baseline neurological function post-embolization. There were two procedural-related complications: one intraprocedural rupture of an aneurysm and one thromboembolic stroke in the ipsilateral MCA territory. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization of MCA bifurcation aneurysms has a high rate of complete obliteration with acceptable morbidity in our selected group of patients.     

大脑中动脉巨大型动脉瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨大脑中动脉巨大型动脉瘤的手术治疗方法.方法 回顾性分析2001年1月至2008年3月17例颅内大脑中动脉巨大型动脉瘤患者的手术方法和疗效.术前采用CT、CTA、MR、MRA、DSA及三维DSA检查,以了解动脉瘤的部位、大小,形状以及侧支代偿情况,制定个体化治疗方案.在手术入路上多采用改良翼点入路,其中行动脉瘤瘤颈直接或塑形夹闭者4例,动脉瘤孤立或孤立后切除4例,动脉瘤切除或孤立后血管重建7例,动脉瘤包裹2例.结果 CT和MRI能清楚地显示动脉瘤的形状、大小.DSA及三维DSA能显示瘤颈以及与附近血管和骨质的关系.根据格拉斯骨预后评分表评分,出院时恢复优良者12例,中度病残4例,重度病残1例,无死亡病例.结论 术前有必要进行详细的影像学检查,有助于术者规划手术方法,制定个体化治疗方案,采用不同术式取得良好预后.载瘤动脉暂时性阻断、动脉瘤切开血栓清除均有助于瘤颈夹闭.血管重建技术为大脑中动脉巨大型动脉瘤的手术治疗开辟了新途径,明显改善了手术效果.     

Bypass-surgery and coil-embolisation in the treatment of cerebral giant aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: Operative clipping is the most effective method in the treatment of cerebral giant aneurysms. But about 50% of all giant aneurysms are treatable this way. We want to report about eight patients with giant cerebral aneurysms, which were in our opinion "unclippable" without causing ischaemia in depending brain areas. METHODS: We describe eight cases of giant aneurysms of the pericallosal artery (n = 1) the middle cerebral artery (n = 3), the basilar tip (n = 3) and of the upper part of the basilar artery (n = 1). One patient with an aneurysm of the pericallosal artery was treated with an extra-intracranial saphenous vein bypass saphenous bypass, in three cases of middle cerebral artery aneurysms an extra-intracranial bypass was also done combined with a resection of the aneurysm. The four patients suffering from an aneurysm of the basilar artery got an extra intracranial bypass too followed by an occlusion of the aneurysm with GD-Coils. RESULTS: There was no peri-operative mortality and no severe peri- or postoperative complication. The neurological symptoms of all patients were unchanged after the operation. An angiographic control showed a complete obliteration of the aneurysm and a free running bypass in all cases. CONCLUSION: Bypass surgery and combined bypass surgery and coil embolisation are effective methods in the treatment of giant cerebral aneurysms, which can not be treated by clipping alone.     

Spontaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion leading to moyamoya phenomenon and aneurysm formation on collateral arteries

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion associated with moyamoya phenomenon is distinct from moyamoya disease. The hemodynamic stress on the collateral channel occasionally leads to aneurysm formation, which may manifest as hemorrhage. The etiology of this disease has not been fully understood. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 63-year-old woman presented with left putaminal hemorrhage. The cerebral angiogram revealed a significant stenosis in the proximal segment of the left middle cerebral artery. Collateral arteries originating from the horizontal segment of the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery and the ambient segment of the ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery supplied the middle cerebral artery distal to the stenosis. Both of the collateral channels had associated aneurysms that were surgically obliterated. The aneurysm on the collateral artery from the posterior cerebral artery was responsible for the putaminal hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion may lead to focal moyamoya phenomenon and aneurysmal intracerebral, intraventricular, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. The presence of a co-existing anomalous collateral artery in the present case suggests a congenital etiology of the focal middle cerebral artery occlusion.     

Prevalence of cerebral aneurysms in patients with persistent primitive trigeminal artery

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cerebral saccular aneurysms in patients with persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA). The prevalence of cerebral saccular aneurysms in patients with PPTA previously has been reported to be 14 to 32%, but this rate range is unreliable because it is based on collections of published case reports rather than a series of patients chosen in an unbiased manner. METHODS: The authors retrospectively evaluated their own series of 34 patients with PPTA to determine the prevalence of cerebral aneurysms in this population. The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in patients with PPTA was approximately 3% (95% confidence interval 0-9%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in patients with PPTA is no greater than the prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in the general population.