Transoral transclival approach for intradural lesions using a protective bone baffle to block cerebrospinal fluid pulse energy--two case reports

The transoral transclival approach for the treatment of intradural lesions of the clivus is often associated with serious complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and meningitis. CSF pulse energy may be the most significant factor in CSF leakage and meningitis, but a bone baffle can block such CSF pulse energy. A 64-year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe headache. She had subarachnoidal hemorrhage due to a rupture of the vertebral-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm. A 66-year-old female complaining of occipitalgia and numbness of the extremities had a foramen magnum meningioma. Both patients were treated via the transoral transclival route with a protective bone baffle, obtained from the iliac bone, securely fixed in the bone window to protect the repaired dura from injury by CSF pulse energy. Neither patient showed CSF leakage or meningitis, and the period of continuous lumbar CSF drainage was only 7 days. The transoral transclival approach with a bone baffle is still very effective in selected cases.     

Giant fusiform aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery treated with extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass and Drake tourniquet

A giant fusiform aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery was treated with extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass followed by controlled occlusion of the proximal parent artery using a Drake tourniquet. Thrombosis of the aneurysm is documented, with the distal extremity of the lesion being smoothly contrasted in a retrograde fashion by the hypertrophied bypass. The low risk as well as effectiveness of this combined approach to inaccessible intracranial aneurysms is confirmed.     

Subtemporal suboccipital transpetrosal transsigmoidal approach to aneurysm of the basilar artery fenestration

The aneurysm arising from the lower third of a basilar artery fenestration is a rare event. The traditional suboccipital or subtentorial transtentorial or transoral approach to this vascular malformation can be problematic. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who suffered a Grade 4 subarachnoid hemorrhage from an aneurysm located at a fenestration of the proximal third of the basilar artery. This aneurysm was successfully clipped through a left subtemporal suboccipital translabyrinthine transsigmoidal approach. In the aneurysms of the proximal third of the basilar artery the transpetrosal approach with its variants (translabyrinthine and transsigmoidal) related to patient's clinical condition can be useful with undoubted advantages.     

Transoral repair of a rare basioccipital meningocele in a neonate: case report

An extremely rare case of a basioccipital meningocele causing obstruction of the upper airway in a neonate is described. A transoral approach was used to remove the meningocele and repair the dural fistula. Bilateral posterior lateral pharyngeal releasing incisions were made to allow mucosal and muscle coverage over the dural repair. This report demonstrates and emphasizes the use of lateral pharyngeal releasing incisions to cover midline full thickness defects in the posterior oropharyngeal wall that might be encountered during transoral transclival operations.     

Transoral transpalatal removal of a giant premesencephalic clivus chordoma

Summary Due to their surgical inaccessibility and resistance to radiotherapy, clivus chordomas represent a formidable therapeutic challenge. The transoral approach to chordomas of the clivus has been usually restricted to relatively small or midsized neoplasms, located at the lower end of the clivus or at the anterior clival-cervical junction. In this report the transoral transpalatal transclival removal of a giant recurrent chordoma occupying the whole length of the clivus with considerable premesencephalic extension and brain stem compression is described. Regression of preoperative symtoms without additional postoperative morbidity could be achieved by radical transoral tumour extirpation documented by magnetic resonance imaging.     

Antegrade recanalization of completely embolized internal carotid artery after treatment of a giant intracavernous aneurysm: a case report

BACKGROUND: Parent artery occlusion is one of the traditional methods of treatment for unclippable aneurysms. However, parent artery occlusion may not result in permanent exclusion of the aneurysm from the systemic circulation. We present a case of cerebral aneurysm treated by proximal embolization of the parent artery, which recanalized during the follow-up period. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 69-year-old woman presented with a right blepharoptosis and diplopia. A large aneurysm arising from the cavernous portion of the right internal carotid artery was found and endovascularly excluded from the cerebral circulation by proximal internal carotid artery occlusion with balloons. Eleven days after treatment, occlusion of the parent artery and obliteration of the aneurysm were angiographically confirmed. However, the parent artery was found to be recanalized with nearly total obliteration of the aneurysm at the follow-up 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Angiography suggested that recanalization took place through the vaso vasorum. We believe that recanalization was induced by marginal cerebral blood flow in the ipsilateral hemisphere.     

Dejerine-Roussy syndrome following endovascular parent artery occlusion for an unruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm (P2 segment): case report

A right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) fusiform aneurysm was incidentally discovered in a 53-year-old man. Although the aneurysm was asymptomatic, treatment of the aneurysm was indicated to avoid possible hemorrhage and/or mass effect. Since the patient tolerated temporary balloon occlusion of the right PCA at P1-P2 segments and sufficient collateral flow to the right temporo-occipital region was observed during such occlusion, parent artery occlusion as well as intraluminal occlusion of the aneurysm was performed with Guglielmi detachable coils. The patient did not develop neurological deficit immediately after embolization. However, he subsequently developed Dejerine-Roussy syndrome due to an infarction in the territory of the thalamogeniculate artery. Parent artery occlusion together with intraluminal aneurysmal obliteration is an useful treatment for a fusiform aneurysm of the PCA. However, ischemic complication in the territory of the perforating artery can not be predicted.     

Occipital artery-anterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass with microsurgical trapping for exclusively intra-meatal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report

A 77-year-old woman presented with an extremely rare exclusively intra-meatal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysm manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage. The aneurysm was located at a non-branching site of its meatal loop, deeply inside the internal auditory canal. The ipsilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery was hypoplastic and the affected AICA supplied a wide vascular territory in the right cerebellum. The patient underwent microsurgical trapping of the distal AICA aneurysm in the acute stage. Collateral back flow to the parent artery was poor, so right occipital artery (OA)-AICA anastomosis was performed prior to aneurysm trapping. The postoperative course was uneventful, and magnetic resonance imaging after surgery did not demonstrate any ischemic change. Postoperative angiography showed complete disappearance of the AICA aneurysm and the apparently patent OA-AICA bypass. She did not suffer neurological deficit except for right incomplete hearing disturbance, and postoperative single photon emission computed tomography demonstrated absence of hemodynamic compromise in the cerebellum. OA-AICA anastomosis with aneurysm trapping could be the optimal surgical management of the AICA aneurysm located exclusively inside the internal auditory canal, especially if the parent artery supplies a wide vascular territory.     

Contralateral pterional approach to a giant internal carotid-ophthalmic artery aneruysm: technical case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The contralateral approach to internal carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysms has been used in selected cases but has rarely been described for a giant internal carotid artery aneurysm. We report a case of giant aneurysm that was successfully clipped via the contralateral pterional approach. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman was found to have two aneurysms: a small aneurysm at the left internal carotid-posterior communicating artery and a giant aneurysm at the right internal carotid-ophthalmic artery. INTERVENTION: A direct clipping operation was performed via the left pterional approach. After the small left internal carotid artery aneurysm was clipped, the contralateral giant aneurysm was further exposed and successfully clipped by use of the same approach via the prechiasmatic space. CONCLUSION: The contralateral pterional approach can be applied even for a giant aneurysm of the carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysm when the neck of the aneurysm is small and when there is a space between the anterior wall of the aneurysm and the tuberculum sellae. Furthermore, such a giant aneurysm can be clipped more easily and safely via the contralateral approach without compromising visual functions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a giant internal carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysm approached contralaterally. The feasibility of this approach can be assessed preoperatively by three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography as well as by conventional cerebral angiography.     

A ruptured choroidal artery aneurysm of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery obliterated via the endovascular approach: case report

Intraventricular aneurysms associated with fourth ventricular hemorrhage are rare. A case of a ruptured aneurysm in a choroidal branch of the right anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is reported here. A 56-year-old man presented with sudden onset of vertigo and nausea. CT scan showed an intraventricular hemorrhage within the fourth ventricle. Cerebellar angiography showed an aneurysm at the choroidal artery branching from the right AICA. The patient rejected both general anesthesia and craniotomy, so endovascular embolization under local anesthesia was performed using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) and a fibered platinum coil. The distal portion of the right AICA and the aneurysm were obliterated. His postoperative course was fairly satisfactory. He suffered from a minimal gait disturbance caused by truncal ataxia for several days after the operation. He was discharged from hospital without neurological deficit. There have been only a few articles about choroidal artery aneurysms. As treatment, direct surgery has been recommended in past cases, but endovascular embolization of the parent artery was successfully performed in this case. Not only direct surgery but also endovascular surgery may be regarded as the treatments of choice for intraventricular aneurysms, depending on the size of the parent artery.     

P3 portion aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery; a case report

A case was reported of surgically treated saccular aneurysm located at the right posterior temporoparietooccipital artery junction (P3 portion of PCA). An aneurysm of this portion is said to be rare, and only 7 cases have been described so far. A 74-year-old female was transferred to our clinic, after 3, 5 months of sustaining aneurysmal rupture, for surgical treatment. The patient had been treated conservatively because of her severe condition in the early stage. She was in nearly apallic state with left hemiparesis at the time of admission to our clinic. During the acute stage of her illness, moderate hematoma in the right ambient cistern without hydrocephalus, and an aneurysm at P3 portion of the right posterior cerebral artery with marked arteriosclerosis were delineated by CT, and by right vertebral angiography respectively. However, in the CT taken 3, 5 months after the onset, moderate hydrocephalus and a low density area in the right internal capsule were detected. Aneurysmal neck clipping was performed using the right posterior subtemporal approach, without any deformity of the parent arteries. Occlusion of the right parietooccipital artery occurred, however, probably on the 2nd postoperative day. Despite the newly developed left homonymous hemianopsia, general condition, including consciousness level, improved postoperatively particularly after the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was carried out.     

Aneurysm in the penetrating artery of the distal middle cerebral artery presenting as intracerebral haemorrhage

Summary We are recording the first reported case of a 20-year-old man with an intracerebral haemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm, which arose from a penetrating artery of the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA; M₄ segment). Excision of the aneurysm was successfully achieved via a right pterional approach. The follow-up angiogram demonstrated filling of the parent vessel and no residual aneurysm. This report illustrates the angiographical finding of a penetrating artery aneurysm of the distal MCA and summarizes the previous reports to discuss their pathological and clinical characteristics.     

Endovascular coil transfixing a cranial nerve five years after embolisation

Summary  After endovascular coiling, several authors have reported refilling of the aneurysm, appearance of a mass effect, coils protruding into the parent artery, migration of coils into parent artery or through aneurysm wall, and compression of the parent artery by coil impaction. This is the first report of an endovascular coil transfixing a cranial nerve. We present a 59 year old man who presented with a symptomatic bilobulated aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery. The aneurysm was embolised by endovascular coiling. Angiographic follow up showed occlusion of the aneurysm. Five years later, the patient complained of progressive diplopia with ptosis. Follow-up angiography showed renewed filling of the aneurysm at its neck. The aneurysm was clipped surgically. At operation, a coil mass effect was noted and one coil penetrated the fibres of the right oculomotor nerve. Correspondence: Arnaud Dagain, Department of Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, 1 rue Cabanis 75674 Paris, France.     

Transoral transclival clipping of anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm using new rotating applier. Technical note

A large, partly calcified aneurysm buried in the pons and arising from the junction of the basilar artery and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery was successfully occluded using a variangle aneurysm clip with a new rotating pistol-grip applier which allowed transoral access. The authors believe that the new applier, used in association with the current techniques for dural closure, allows for safe transoral surgery for basilar aneurysms.     

Giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm with parent artery occlusion--case report.

A 54-year-old female was admitted with consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis. Computed tomographic (CT) scans and angiograms revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, a partially thrombosed, giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm (5 x 5 x 4 cm), and occlusion of the parent artery at the aneurysm site. Despite conservative treatment, a generalized convulsion occurred. Emergency CT scans revealed irregular enlargement of the left temporal high-density mass and severe mass effect due to cerebral infarction. Barbiturate coma therapy was administered, but she did not recover and died 9 days after admission. Only two cases of ruptured aneurysm with simultaneous occlusion of the major cerebral vessels have been reported, both with poor outcome. In this case, the mechanism of parent artery occlusion is unclear, but thrombus protrusion from the giant aneurysm into the parent artery may have been involved.     

A ruptured aneurysm at the peripheral collateral circulation of the anterior choroidal artery in a patient with moyamoya disease: a case report]

This 42-year-old man experienced a sudden onset of occipital headache. Neurological examination revealed a moderately disturbed consciousness and a moderate left hemiparesis. CT scan disclosed a hugh hematoma in the right temporo parietal lobe without intraventricular hemorrhage. A cerebral angiography demonstrated typical findings of moyamoya disease and a small saccular aneurysm at the peripheral portion of the right anterior choroidal artery, which was dilated at the collateral circulation to the parietal lobe. The hematoma was removed at once by a craniotomy. He became alert but mild hemiparesis persisted. MRI disclosed a small signal-void lesion lateral to the trigone of the right lateral ventricle. The angiography repeated three weeks after the removal of the hematoma showed the unchanged size of the aneurysm. Direct surgery for the aneurysm was performed via the right parietal transcortical approach. The aneurysm was reached under the guidance of the intraoperative angiography. Trapping of the parent artery and the excision of the aneurysm were performed. On the basis of the presence of an internal elastic lamina at the neck of the aneurysm, the surgical specimen was histologically verified to be a true aneurysm. Since the collateral circulation was well preserved during surgery, no worsening of the neurological manifestation was observed. In view of the unfavorable prognosis for a moyamoya patient with this type of the aneurysm, which often results in a massive ventricular or intracerebral hemorrhage, surgery directed to the aneurysm itself should be considered.     

Usefulness of V3-Radial Artery Graft-V4 Bypass in Bilateral Fusiform Aneurysms of Vertebral Artery: Case Report

A 55-year-old woman with bilateral vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms was transferred to our hospital. She suffered from a minor stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the stroke incidentally revealed bilateral VA aneurysms. Due to its size, more observation was recommended, and the patient was found eager to be treated. Both side surgeries were found inappropriate because of severe lower cranial nerve disturbances. The right aneurysm involved the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and the V4 segment was deviated to the right side. Therefore, the smaller right aneurysm was treated first with an occipital artery (OA)-PICA bypass and a V3-radial artery graft (RAG)-V4 bypass followed by proximal clipping of the PICA and the right VA. The right VA was successfully remade by RAG and the right aneurysm was not revealed on postoperative examination. By doing so, the opposite aneurysm was able to be eliminated by the parent artery occlusion even by using an interventional radiology (IVR). The V3-RAG-V4 bypass is a useful method for treating bilateral VA aneurysms. This is a new bypass which has not been reported so far to the best of our knowledge.     

Spontaneous thrombosis of a fusiform aneurysm arising from the distal posterior cerebral artery: case report

A 58-year-old woman complaining of a mild headache was admitted to our hospital. MRI 3 months before admission revealed a round lesion at the right quadrigeminal cistern. Cerebral angiograms demonstrated a fusiform aneurysm arising from the parietooccipital artery, which is the distal branch of the right posterior cerebral artery. Repeated MRI and cerebral angiograms performed on admission demonstrated complete thrombosis of an aneurysm and the parent artery without any clinical symptoms. This is the first case of complete spontaneous thrombosis of an aneurysm of the distal posterior cerebral artery. The mechanism of its development and spontaneous thrombosis in a fusiform aneurysm is discussed.     

Transoral transclival removal of anteriorly placed meningiomas at the foramen magnum

Anteriorly placed meningiomas at the level of the foramen magnum are rare, are difficult to diagnose, and present technical problems for a conventional posterior fossa removal. The authors describe the successful transoral transclival excision of two such tumors. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula can be avoided by dural repair using a thrombin glue and long term CSF diversion. This modification enables the transoral route to be considered for anteriorly placed intradural lesions.