Infectious aneurysms of the cavernous carotid artery

We describe 3 patients who developed infectious aneurysms of the cavernous carotid artery. The aneurysms were due to sphenoidal sinusitis in two patients and due to endocarditis in one. The acute and septic onset of the cavernous sinus syndrome, suggested thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus in all 3 patients. The diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. Therapeutic internal carotid artery occlusion was indicated for a fissuration of their aneurysm manifested (n=3) by an episode of epistaxis (n=2) and blood in sphenoid sinus (depicted by MRI) in one case. We discuss the pathophysiology and management of bacterial aneurysms of the cavernous carotid artery. Close clinical and imaging follow-up should be performed for patients under antibiotherapy. Selective angiography with therapeutic occlusion of the carotid artery is discussed in patients with persistence of symptoms or if clinical findings are suggestive of fissuration or if aneurysmal sac diameter increases on follow-up imaging studies.     

Persistent primitive trigeminal artery associated with aneurysm: report of two cases and review of the literature

We present two cases of persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) associated with a giant aneurysm originating at the opening of the PPTA on the internal carotid artery (ICA). In one case, opening of the PPTA occurred 4 months after balloon occlusion of the ICA, when a giant aneurysm located at the cavernous segment of the ICA was being treated. The PPTA was occluded successfully using a Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC). A vertebral artery approach was taken. This is the first report of the opening of a PPTA associated with contrast filling of the aneurysm after balloon occlusion of the parent artery. The possibility of contrast filling of the aneurysm via potential PPTA should therefore be considered in the event of an ICA aneurysm with parent artery occlusion.     

Development of a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm subsequent to occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery for giant cavernous aneurysm

We report a case of a patient who developed a left posterior cerebral artery aneurysm 5 years after balloon occlusion of the right internal carotid artery for a giant cavernous aneurysm. The location of the new aneurysm was outside of the primary collateral pathways to the contralateral, proximally occluded, anterior circulation, illustrating the complexity of hemodynamic factors contributing to the development of intracranial saccular aneurysms. The appearance of an aneurysm in this setting supports the hypothesis that degenerative factors and hemodynamic stresses are important in the etiology of intracranial aneurysms.     

Bilateral cavernous carotid artery aneurysms in a 4-year-old child: endovascular treatment with mechanically detachable coils

We present a 4-year-old child who suffered bilateral third nerve palsies secondary to bilateral giant saccular cavernous carotid artery aneurysms. Endovascular treatment was performed by means of direct endosaccular aneurysm occlusion on the right side and parent vessel occlusion on the left, using mechanically detachable coils. No complication occurred during or after the procedure. The bilateral third nerve palsies resolved over 3 months. Follow-up angiography at 1 year is presented. Received: 13 May 1996 Accepted: 9 August 1996     

Ruptured aneurysm of the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from internal carotid artery presenting with carotid cavernous fistula: a case report

We report a case of a ruptured aneurysm of the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from internal carotid artery presenting with a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). An initial angiogram showed the typical appearance of a CCF with a direct fistulous tract with focal aneurysmal dilation from the ascending cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery. A postembolization angiogram of the right internal carotid disclosed the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from the fistula point of the internal carotid artery.     

MR demonstration of a giant cavernous carotid aneurysm with occlusion of the contralateral intracranial carotid artery: an unusual complication of cavernous sinus thrombosis

We present an unusual combination of vascular complications of cavernous sinus thrombosis in a 7-year-old girl. MRI and MR angiography showed occlusion of the intracranial portion of the left internal carotid artery and a contralateral giant cavernous carotid aneurysm. This combination of vascular findings may influence the management in such cases. Received: 1 April 1997 Accepted: 13 August 1997     

Direct puncture of the proximally occluded internal carotid artery for treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas

Three patients with symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) characterized by complete occlusion of the proximal internal carotid artery were treated by percutaneous puncture and embolization. Two patients had CCFs associated with traumatic dissections of the internal carotid artery and were treated initially with trapping procedures. Both patients had persistent symptoms related to the CCF and underwent additional surgical procedures (ophthalmic artery ligation and intraoperative embolization) without improvement. The third patient had traumatic occlusion of the internal carotid artery. After direct percutaneous puncture of the carotid artery above the occlusion, a catheter was advanced into the petrous internal carotid artery. Balloons (one case) or coil emboli (two cases) were placed into the cavernous sinus to produce CCF closure. There were no complications from this procedure. Direct puncture of the carotid artery is an alternative treatment for patients lacking safe access for CCF embolization.     

Giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: endovascular treatment and long-term follow-up

We report the long-term follow-up of 18 patients with giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) referred for endovascular occlusion of the parent vessel. There were 10 aneurysms involving the infra- and/or supraclinoid cavernous segment, six the ophthalmic segment, one the petrous segment and one the bifurcation. One patient who did not tolerate test occlusion was treated medically. Clinical and imaging follow-up were obtained in 16 patients for a mean of 30 months, range 6–80 months. Endovascular treatment led to excellent clinical outcome in 16 patients. One 34-year-old woman, who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), died from bilateral middle cerebral artery infarcts due to severe vasospasm 4 days after treatment. The patient treated medically died from SAH. Long-term imaging follow-up in 16 patients revealed a markedly smaller aneurysm sac in all cases.     

Direct caroticocavernous fistula and traumatic dissection of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery: endovascular treatment

After severe craniocerebral trauma a 14-year-old boy developed progressive exophthalmos with venous congestion and chemosis, due to a direct caroticocavernous fistula. Angiography revealed traumatic occlusion of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery and absence of the inferior petrosal sinus. After failure of an approach via the anterior and posterior communicating arteries, the cavernous sinus was successfully catheterised through the occluded internal carotid artery, and embolisation performed with coils. Received: 21 July 1998/Accepted: 5 April 1999     

Extracranial internal carotid artery Salmonella mycotic aneurysm complicated by occlusion of the internal carotid artery: depiction by Color Doppler sonography,CT and DSA

Mycotic aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare. Seventy-four cases have been described in the medical literature and only eight secondary to Salmonella infection. To our knowledge, color Doppler sonography, computed tomography (CT), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings relating to the diagnosis and follow-up of extracranial internal carotid artery mycotic aneurysm complicated by occlusion have not previously been described in the literature. We present a report of color Doppler sonography, CT, and DSA findings of a mycotic aneurysm of the right extracranial internal carotid artery due to Salmonella associated with occlusion of the internal carotid artery, promptly diagnosed and followed up using these imaging modalities.     

Spontaneous regression of two supraophthalmic internal cerebral artery aneurysms following flow pattern alteration

We report on a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia who presented with a right-sided giant calcified cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm and two additional supraophthalmic ICA aneurysms. Endovascular closure of the right ICA using detachable balloons was performed with collateralisation of the right hemisphere via the right-sided posterior communicating and the anterior communicating arteries. Repeat angiography after 6 months demonstrated spontaneous complete regression of the two supraophthalmic aneurysms, although the parent vessel was still perfused. In comparison to the former angiography, the flow within the parent vessel was reversed due to the proximal ICA balloon occlusion. MRI demonstrated that the aneurysms were not obliterated by thrombosis alone, but showed a real regression in size. This case report demonstrates that changes in cerebral hemodynamics potentially lead to plastic changes in the vessel architecture in adults and that aneurysms can be flow-related, even if not associated with high flow fistulas or arteriovenous malformations, especially in cases with an arterial wall disease.     

Ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing carotid cavernous fistula: incidence, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study, we present our experience with 11 patients with ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs), to assess the incidence of ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing CCFs and evaluate clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 10-year period, 10 of 689 (1.5%) endovascular-treated ruptured aneurysms were ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing CCF. One additional patient with a CCF died shortly before treatment of intracranial hemorrhage. All patients had audible pulsatile bruit. Exophthalmus, ocular motor palsy, and decreased vision correlated with venous drainage to the superior ophthalmic veins and intracerebral hemorrhage was associated with major cortical venous drainage in 2 patients. RESULTS: Two low-flow CCFs closed spontaneously before treatment with resolution of symptoms; the aneurysms were subsequently treated. Eight CCFs were successfully occluded, 5 by coil occlusion of the aneurysm, one by occlusion of the aneurysm with a balloon, and 2 by simultaneous coil occlusion of the aneurysm and internal carotid artery. There were no complications of treatment. Visual acuity returned to normal in all but one patient, and ophthalmoplegia was cured in 6 of 8 patients. In 2 patients, a remaining abducens palsy was surgically corrected. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CCF by a ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysm was 1.5%. CCF was the presenting symptom in 24.4% of treated symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms. Clinical symptoms correlate with venous drainage. Drainage to cortical veins may lead to intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment with coils is effective in occluding the fistula.     

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus hypoplasia with contralateral cavernous sinus meningioma

We report a cavernous sinus meningioma encasing the cavernous internal carotid artery in a patient with congenital agenesis of the contralateral internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus hypoplasia.     

Brain image manifestation in the patient with cavernous sinus occlusion.

Radionuclide findings in a case of cavernous sinus occlusion by an intracavernous aneurysm are described. A brain image obtained 10 minutes after injection of 99Tc pertechnetate shows diminished activity in the area of the right cavernous sinus and increased activity in the area of the right sylvian veins; these are attributed to abnormal venous blood flow and may serve as a sign of cavernous sinus occlusion.     

Vascular plug for ICA occlusion in cavernous carotid aneurysms: technical note

INTRODUCTION: Large, symptomatic aneurysms of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) can be successfully treated by a combination of aneurysm coiling and occlusion of the parent vessel. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the use of an Amplatzer (AGA medical corporation, Plymouth, MA, USA) detachable nitinol vascular plug to occlude the ICA in four patients with symptomatic cavernous ICA aneurysms.     

Traumatic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery: a late finding presenting as a mass in the sphenoid sinus.

We describe a case of a traumatic aneurysm of the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery in a patient who had had craniofacial trauma 12 years before. MR and CT revealed a mass in the sphenoid sinus thought to be unrelated to the patient''s symptoms. Carotid angiography gave the correct diagnosis.     

Basilar bifurcation aneurysm associated with bilateral internal carotid occlusion

Summary A case of subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysm of the basilar bifurcation associated with occlusions of both internal carotid arteries at the neck is presented. Each internal carotid artery mainly received collateral flow at the cavernous portion from the internal maxillary artery through anastomotic artery of the foramen rotundum. Posterior circulation also supplied collateral blood flow via the right posterior communicating artery. This case report suggests that hemodynamic stress may be regarded as an important factor in the formation or development of cerebral aneurysm.     

Serial MRI of a mycotic aneurysm of the cavernous carotid artery

Cerebral mycotic or infective aneurysms are a rare complication of infectious illness, and such aneurysms of the intracavernous portion of the internal carotid artery are rare. They have been described as a consequence of cavernous sinus infection in an immunocompromised host, but not previously in a renal transplant recipient. We present such a case with serial MRI showing progression from arterial narrowing to aneurysm formation. Transcranial Doppler sonography of the middle cerebral artery showed distal asymptomatic embolisation from the aneurysm.     

Transarterial balloon-assisted n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transarterial detachable balloon embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) has become an optimal treatment. In a few cases, the parent artery has to be sacrificed to achieve morphologic cure. We present our experience with transarterial balloon-assisted n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) embolization of DCCFs in which there was failure to achieve angiographic cure and preservation of parent arteries. METHODS: Of 141 patients with traumatic DCCFs who had been treated by transarterial embolization with occlusion of the fistula and parent artery preservation, 18 received transarterial balloon-assisted n-BCA embolization-6 for residual fistula after the balloons detached, 7 for recurrent fistula because of premature balloon deflation or migration, and 5 for repeated puncture of the detachable balloon by the bony fragment at the cavernous sinus. A total of 27 procedures were performed with an average 1.5 attempts per patient, and the volume of the n-BCA mixture varied from 0.5 to 2.3 mL with a mean of 0.83 mL. RESULTS: All DCCFs were successfully occluded by the n-BCA mixture with preservation of parent arteries. One patient with a giant cavernous sinus varix had a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. One had a recurrence and was treated by internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Five had asymptomatic pseudoaneurysms at the parent artery. There was no adhesion of the n-BCA mixture to the protective balloon or the microcatheter or n-BCA reflux into the parent arteries. CONCLUSION: Transarterial balloon-assisted n-BCA embolization is a feasible, efficient, and safe treatment for DCCFs when angiographic cure and ICA preservation are not achieved by transarterial detachable balloon embolization.     

Stenotic kinking of the cavernous internal carotid artery with a giant intra-cavernous aneurysm: case report

We report a giant aneurysm of the cavernous internal carotid artery with proximal internal carotid stenosis. The stenosis showed two typical features: a kink at the stenosis and location at the exit from the carotid canal. We believe that the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery is compressed medially by the giant aneurysm and a kink occurs at the point where the artery leaves the bony carotid canal.