A Case of Thrombosed Giant Aneurysm of the Azygos Anterior Cerebral Artery: Clipping under Monitoring of Motor Evoked Potentials of the Lower Extremities

Giant aneurysms of the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA), especially the azygos ACA, are rare. We treated a patient with giant aneurysm of the azygos ACA who underwent aspiration of thrombus and clipping under monitoring of motor evoked potentials of the lower extremities (L-MEPs), resulting in remarkable recovery of motor and intellectual function. A 72-year-old male was admitted with left motor weakness persisting for 2 weeks. Neurologically, disorientation and intellectual impairment were also noted. Imaging disclosed a 60-mm diameter aneurysm with heterochronous thrombi arising from the distal bifurcation of the azygos ACA. One month after the onset, radical surgery was scheduled. The azygos ACA was secured and the aneurysm was dissected, and the distal parts of the azygos ACA were confirmed. After removal of the thrombus, the neck was reconstructed with eight clips. L-MEPs disappeared due to occlusion of the azygos ACA for 20 minutes but reappeared after 22 minutes and normalized 78 minutes after reperfusion. Motor weakness improved entirely with mini-mental state examination score of 29 points at 1 month after surgery. One year later, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised scores reached normal levels. Review of reported cases found this aneurysm tends to occur in males in their 50s to 70s presenting with mass sign. Decompression of the aneurysm in the frontal lobe and monitoring of L-MEPs during temporary occlusion of the ACA are important.     

Middle cerebral-anterior cerebral-radial artery interposition graft bypass for proximal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm

A 74-year-old man underwent pterional craniotomy to treat a left proximal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm. The orifice of the aneurysm was located at the origin of the proximal segment of the ACA, and the right A(1) segment of ACA was hypoplastic. After failed attempts at neck plasty with fenestrated clips, trapping and bypass were performed. Superficial temporal to left frontopolar artery bypass was performed to secure minimal blood supply. The radial artery (RA) was then harvested, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) to A(1) segment of the ACA bypass was performed using the RA interposition graft. Trapping of the aneurysm was successfully achieved without ischemic event. Intracranial-intracranial bypass has been employed in the treatment of complex cerebral aneurysm in an increasing number of selected patients. The present case shows that MCA-ACA-RA interposition graft bypass is an effective procedure to provide blood supply to the ACA territory if a proximal A(1) lesion requires trapping with incompetent contralateral A(1).     

Traumatic aneurysm occurring after surgical procedure of large cerebral aneurysm

A case of intracranial traumatic aneurysms occurring after surgical treatment of a large cerebral aneurysm is reported. A 56-year-old man was admitted to our department with complaints of headache, nuchal pain and nausea. Left carotid angiography (Lt-CAG) revealed a large aneurysm, measuring 20 mm in maximum diameter, of the azygos anterior cerebral artery. Successful clipping operation was performed on day 17 of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unfortunately, small cortical branches were pulled out during the procedure from the right pericallosal artery. The postoperative Lt-CAG showed formation of two other aneurysms. Second operation was done on day 28 after the first operation. These aneurysms were located at the previously injured sites on the right pericallosal artery. From the history sited above, we diagnosed them as traumatic aneurysms. The second operation resulted in successful obliteration of these two traumatic aneurysms. Literature review yielded 25 similar cases, and the authors discuss the etiologic factors of the traumatic aneurysm due to surgical procedure.     

Fusiform aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery (A1 segment)--a case report

A very rare case of fusiform aneurysm of A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery is reported. A 54-year-old man was admitted with dull headache and speech disturbance for 6 days before admission. CT scan revealed hypertensive subcortical small hemorrhage in the left temporal lobe. Angiography showed no vascular lesion concerning to the subcortical hemorrhage in the left temporal lobe, but showed a spherical aneurysmal dilatation in the left A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery. At operation a fusiform aneurysm of the left A1 segment was confirmed. The aneurysm was obliterated, and new parent artery was reconstructed using a curved and a straight Yasargil aneurysm clips. The postoperative course was uneventful. Surgical treatment should be directed toward exclusion of large fusiform aneurysm and arteriosclerotic saccular aneurysm from cerebral circulation.     

Giant aneurysm arising from the anterior cerebral artery and causing an isolated homonymous hemianopsia

A case of a giant aneurysm arising from the anterior cerebral artery and producing a left homonymous hemianopsia is presented. The aneurysm caused lateral compression of the posterior part of the optic chiasm. After preoperative dynamic assessment of the circle of Willis by angiography and by electroencephalographic recording during carotid artery compression, the aneurysm was trapped with microclips on the anterior cerebral artery proximal and distal to it. Visual field examination 6 months postoperatively showed complete visual field recovery. This is the first case of homonymous hemianopsia caused by an angiographically proven giant aneurysm of the ACA.     

Coil embolization of a traumatic intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos anterior cerebral artery followed up for 4 years

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare, usually occur as a result of traffic accidents, and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. A 12-year-old boy was admitted for treatment of cerebral hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe, 3 months after a traffic accident. Angiography revealed an intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The maximum size of this aneurysm was 9.5 mm. Coil embolization was successfully performed with preservation of the parent arteries. Angiography performed at the 4-year follow-up examination revealed no abnormalities. The present case showed that primary coiling may allow aneurysm occlusion along with parent vessel preservation in selected cases of traumatic intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos ACA.     

Trapping and vascular reconstruction for ruptured fusiform aneurysm in the proximal A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery

A 65-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Angiography detected a small bulge in the A1 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The patient was managed conservatively. Ten days after the initial SAH, the patient suffered a second SAH. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a fusiform aneurysm in the right A1 segment and vasospasm in the left A1 segment. The aneurysm of the right A1 segment was trapped and the right superficial temporal artery (STA) was end-to-end anastomosed to the distal portion of the right A1 segment. The patient had no postoperative cerebral ischemic events. Postoperative cerebral angiography revealed that the bypass flow through the right STA perfused the right ACA territories. STA-A1 end-to-end anastomosis can prevent cerebral ischemic events following parent vessel occlusion or microsurgical trapping for fusiform cerebral aneurysms in the A1 segment without sufficient collateral flow to the ipsilateral ACA territory from the contralateral ACA.     

Rupture of anterior communicating artery aneurysm during transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma

The case of a 55-year-old man with a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma associated with an anterior communicating artery aneurysm that ruptured during transsphenoidal surgery is presented. This small aneurysm was not detected on bilateral angiography of the carotid artery before surgery. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed the pituitary adenoma extending to the suprasellar region and the sphenoid sinus. After intracapsular removal of the tumor, cerebrospinal fluid from an intraspinal catheter became bloody and CT scans disclosed massive subarachnoid hemorrhage. Repeated angiography revealed a tiny anterior communicating artery aneurysm, which was clipped on the 37th day after the operation. Risk factors in the procedure of transsphenoidal surgery, especially of a pituitary adenoma with suprasellar extension, are discussed.     

Ruptured cerebral aneurysm of the median artery of the corpus callosum (accessory anterior cerebral artery): case report

A rare case of ruptured cerebral aneurysm of median artery of corpus callosum (accessory anterior cerebral artery: Acc ACA) is reported. A 66-year-old hypertensive female suddenly lost consciousness for 5 minutes and later complained of severe headache. On admission, the next day, consciousness was clear and she showed no neurological deficit except for right motor weakness. CT scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage, and carotid angiography showed triplicated anterior cerebral artery with a saccular aneurysm on the Acc ACA. Twenty hours after the onset, an operation was performed to clip the aneurysm neck. Post-operative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 25th postoperative day without neurological deficits. When the median artery of corpus callosum(MACC), a branch of anterior communicating artery distributes to one or to both hemispheres, it is called Acc ACA. It is thought to be a vascular anomaly and which has an incidence of 20%. However, cases of aneurysm of MACC (or Acc ACA) have not been reported and our case is considered to be the first.     

Fatal bleeding from arterial dissection after clipping of a ruptured aneurysm--case report

A 67-year-old man died of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) resulting from dissection of the distal part of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). A saccular aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery had ruptured and was successfully clipped on Day 0. The patient recovered consciousness after surgery but his condition deteriorated due to another SAH on Day 1. A second surgical procedure disclosed bleeding from a laceration in the opposite wall of the ACA distal to the clipped aneurysm. Histological examination of the autopsy specimens revealed damage to the internal elastic lamina and inflammatory infiltration of leukocytes. The fatal dissection may have resulted from atherosclerosis, hemodynamic stress caused by hypertension, or trauma due to surgical manipulation.     

Dissecting aneurysms at the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery--two case reports

Two rare cases of dissections which involve the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) are reported. A 58-year-old woman presented with a ruptured dissecting aneurysm manifesting as sudden onset of severe headache and consciousness disturbance followed by aphasia, right hemiparesis, paresis of the left lower extremity, and choreoathetotic movements of the upper arms and face. Computed tomography and angiography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a dissecting aneurysm at the left A1 segment. The dissecting aneurysm was trapped surgically on the day of onset. Her neurological deficits disappeared within a month. A 39-year-old woman experienced continuous dull headache from the day before onset, and then suffered right hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed cerebral infarction at the left globus pallidus. Angiography and MR imaging revealed a dissecting aneurysm at the left A1 segment and occlusion of the left Heubner's artery. She received conservative treatment and her neurological findings were improved. Dissections or dissecting aneurysms involving the ACA can be classified into three types: Extension of a dissection to the ACA from the internal carotid artery, dissection at the A1 segment, and dissection at the A2-A4 segments. These types of dissection have distinct uniform clinical features.     

Post-atherectomy coronary artery aneurysm.

A 52-year-old man underwent an uneventful directional atherectomy of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Four months after the procedure unstable angina developed and on angiogram an aneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery was noted. The patient underwent bypass of the left anterior descending coronary artery. An attempt to exclude the aneurysm resulted in hemodynamic compromise and was discontinued. Follow-up angiogram 2 months after operation showed the aneurysm to be smaller. The patient is doing well 6 months after operation.     

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm combined with multiple cerebral vessel anomalies; a case report

We report a very rare case of subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), the accessory middle cerebral artery (A-MCA) and the duplication of the middle cerebral artery (D-MCA). It seems that this is the first report of these combined intracranial vascular anomalies, although many authors have reported each anomaly in isolation. A 50-year-old male visited a local physician complaining of the sudden onset of a severe pulsating headache. A lumbar puncture showed bloody cerebrospinal fluid, and he was transferred to our institution. An emergency CT scan showed no apparent subarachnoid hemorrhage, but the left internal carotid angiography showed a saccular aneurysm at the origin of the D-MCA. Other anomalies, such as the fenestration of the ACA and the A-MCA, were also apparent during angiography. The ruptured aneurysm was safely clipped on the next day and the patient was discharged with no neurological deficits three weeks after the operation. The incidence of fenestration of the ACA is 0.2% in the angiographic series, and 0.1-7.2% at autopsy. Fenestration of the ACA is thought to be less than that of the vertebral artery. Ever since it was proposed by Teal et al, the term A-MCA has been restricted to an artery that arises from the ACA, and a branch arising from the internal carotid artery has been termed as the D-MCA. These anomalous vessels supply the cortex in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery. The angiographic incidence of A-MCA is about 4%, and six cases of aneurysm located at the origin of the A-MCA have been reported so far.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Patch closure and patch angioplasty for a coronary aneurysm after percutaneous coronary intervention

The patient was a 67-year-old man who complained of shortness of breath. Coronary angiography showed 90% stenosis in proximal left anterior descending (LAD). He therefore underwent a directional coronary atherectomy (DCA). During the procedure, coronary artery perforation occurred at the origin of the LAD, which caused cardiac tamponade. Surgical pericardial drainage was done. Though bleeding was successfully controlled and his general condition improved, coronary angiography showed a coronary aneurysm at the site of the perforation 2 weeks later. Patch closure of the coronary aneurysm and patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery were performed. Distal LAD was bypassed with the left internal thoracic artery in case of acute thrombosis. He recovered uneventfully and was discharged 14 days after operation.     

Traumatic anterior cerebral artery aneurysms--experiences in 4 cases and review of the literature

Five cases of traumatic anterior cerebral artery aneurysms are reported with special emphasis on the initial CT findings of these cases. One case was already reported by Endo (1974). The cases are three in children and two in adults, male four cases and female one case. Four cases had closed head injury, one open. Consciousness level on admission were diversely from clear to semicomatose. Three cases experienced rupture of aneurysms. Time of diagnosis from trauma was from two days to 34 days. Location of aneurysms were near the junction of callosomarginal artery three cases, frontopolar artery one case, and A1-A2 junction one case. Operation was performed in four cases. Results were good in three cases and fair in a case. A case of no operation had fracture of anterior skull base and died from massive nasal and oral bleeding. Autopsy showed an aneurysm of A1-A2 junction, extending to sphenoid sinus. Histological findings of aneurysmal walls were pseudoaneurysm in all cases. There were 48 cases of traumatic anterior cerebral artery aneurysms in the literature. Most of cases are near the junction of callosomarginal artery. As the etiology of the aneurysm it is said that falx cerebri damages the arterial wall. We consider tear of junction of callosomarginal artery is a important factor, since the brain can easily move at the anterior portion of falx. It is very difficult to diagnosis traumatic aneurysms before rupture. But in our three cases of traumatic anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, computed tomographies of very early stage of trauma showed interhemispherical high density area, hematoma and hemorrhage of corpus callosum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diffuse axonal injury associated with multiple traumatic aneurysms of the distal anterior cerebral artery--case report.

A rare case of multiple traumatic aneurysms, arising from the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA), associated with a diffuse axonal injury is presented. An 18-year-old male sustained a frontal impact injury in a traffic accident on February 19, 1988. He immediately lost consciousness and was transported to a local hospital where his Glasgow Coma Scale score was 6. A computed tomographic scan showed a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage extending from the corpus callosum to the left parietal lobe. With conservative treatment, he gradually regained consciousness and was referred to our hospital 12 days later. Skull x-rays revealed no fracture. A right common carotid angiogram revealed multiple aneurysmal dilatations on the right distal ACA. A left frontoparietal craniotomy was then performed to determine the nature of the aneurysmal dilatation, and to evacuate the intracerebral hematoma because his right hemiparesis persisted. Two aneurysmal dilatations on the distal ACA were tightly surrounded by clots and a hematoma extended from the corpus callosum to the parietal lobe. The ACA was trapped proximal and distal to the aneurysmal dilatations. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the cortical artery associated with chronic subdural hematoma--a consideration on traumatic middle cerebral artery aneurysm

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital, since chronic subdural hematoma was showed after he complained of mild headache and nausea. Two years ago he had head trauma at the left parietal region after drinking. On admission there was no paresis and mild choked disc is detected. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement showed abnormal enhancement and left chronic subdural hematoma. Cerebral angiography showed an aneurysm of the angular artery. Operation was done and the aneurysm was trapped. Aneurysmal wall was histologically a pseudoaneurysm. Post-operative result was good. We considered the relationship between the cortical pseudoaneurysm and chronic subdural hematoma. We reviewed the traumatic middle cerebral artery aneurysm in the literature, 56 cases.     

Ruptured aneurysm arising from the proximal end of an azygos anterior cerebral artery--case report

A 59-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conventional angiography and three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) angiography showed a saccular aneurysm at the junction of the azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and the left A1 segment. This aneurysm was associated with a fenestration of the right hypoplastic A1 segment. The aneurysm neck was completely clipped, preserving the azygos ACA and other perforators. Aneurysm of the azygos ACA is almost always located at the distal bifurcation, and rarely at the proximal end. Proximal azygos ACA aneurysm can mimic anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Therefore, accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical using 3-D CT angiography as well as conventional angiography, and close follow up of patient is necessary to monitor for development of a de novo aneurysm at the distal bifurcation of the azygos ACA.     

Observation of de novo formation and growth of an intracranial aneurysm: a case report

We observed a de novo formation and growth of an aneurysm in a 43-year-old woman who was followed up after treatment of a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In 2002, the patient, whose mother had a history of SAH, presented with SAH at the age of 36. Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) and digital subtraction angiography showed an aneurysm in the right internal carotid-posterior communicating artery. The aneurysm was clipped and postoperative course was uneventful without neurological deficit. The patient was followed up by 3D-CTA and magnetic resonance angiography every 6 months, because of an untreated small aneurysm, 3 mm in diameter, in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). The MCA aneurysm remained unchanged but a de novo aneurysm, 1.5 mm in diameter, developed in the right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) 6 years after the first surgery. The ACA aneurysm grew to 4 mm in diameter during the following 10 months but the MCA aneurysm remained unchanged. Both aneurysms were clipped in one session. The MCA aneurysm had a smooth wall but the ACA aneurysm had an irregular and thin wall. The postoperative course was uneventful. Young female patients who have developed SAH with familial history, like this case, should receive long-term follow up to check whether a de novo aneurysm has developed.     

Serial angiography and endovascular treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the anterior cerebral and vertebral arteries. Case report.

This 47-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with disturbance of consciousness due to subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the left anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Conservative treatment resulted in improvement in the patient's consciousness; however, repeated rupture occurred during the chronic stage. Endovascular coil embolization of the parent artery was successful. Serial angiography demonstrated all stages in the development of the aneurysm. Follow-up angiography demonstrated an incidental dissecting aneurysm of the right vertebral artery. This aneurysm was also treated by endovascular embolization. No new neurological deficit appeared during or after the treatment. Multiple dissecting aneurysms are rare, especially those involving both supra- and infratentorial regions. A ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the ACA is also an uncommon vascular disorder. This case shows that rebleeding may occur, even during the chronic stage, and thus appropriate treatment for the prevention of subsequent bleeding is essential. Incidental dissecting aneurysms can be treated using the endovascular technique, but further study is necessary.