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.     

弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤及载瘤动脉治疗出血性椎动脉夹层动脉瘤

目的探讨采用弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤及载瘤动脉治疗出血性椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的疗效及并发症。方法收集经颅脑CT及全脑DSA确诊的椎动脉夹层动脉瘤破裂出血患者17例,采用弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤及载瘤动脉,观察疗效及并发症。结果 17例动脉瘤及载瘤动脉均完全闭塞,无死亡病例。术后当天1例发生Wallenberg综合征,恢复良好;1例术后3个月出现脑积水,行侧脑室-腹腔分流术后遗留轻度残疾;随访2~36个月,无再出血病例。术后6个月12例接受DSA复查,动脉瘤完全不显影,载瘤动脉未发生再通。结论应用弹簧圈栓塞夹层动脉瘤及载瘤动脉治疗出血性椎动脉夹层动脉瘤疗效确切,具有一定应用价值。     

Serial angiography in a spontaneous dissecting anterior cerebral artery aneurysm

Intracranial dissecting aneurysms are uncommon, and little is known concerning the natural history of these lesions. In this paper we present a rare case of dissecting aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery in which a true diagnostic sign of "double lumen" was demonstrated. Sequential changes in angiographic features shown on serial angiographic studies are described, and diagnosis is briefly discussed.     

Treatment for the ruptured bilateral vertebral dissecting aneurysms

We report a case of a bilateral vertebral dissecting aneurysm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Proximal ligation of the vertebral artery on the ruptured side combined with wrapping of the contralateral dissection failed to prevent fatal rebleeding. Since enlargement of the contralateral dissection was observed by postoperative angiography, rupture of the growing contralateral dissecting aneurysm may have caused rebleeding. Hemodynamic changes following the occlusion of one vertebral artery might have led to enlargement and subsequent rupture of the contralateral dissection. Direct wrapping was unable to prevent enlargement of the dissection, so radical surgery including bilateral vertebral artery occlusion combined with vascular reconstruction may be the treatment of choice for this type of lesion.     

Multiple "mirror" aneurysms involving intracavernous carotid arteries and vertebral arteries: case report

BACKGROUND: Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are rare. Moreover, the proportion of vertebrobasilar aneurysms in association with multiple aneurysms is extremely low. We describe a rare case of "mirror" aneurysms on the bilateral intracavernous carotid and bilateral vertebral arteries. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old male suffered from ophthalmic pain and oculomotor palsy on the left side. Cerebral angiography disclosed a giant left cavernous aneurysm and large asymptomatic aneurysms on the right intracavernous carotid artery and bilateral vertebral arteries. The cavernous sinus syndrome on the left side was successfully treated by left carotid artery ligation. However, 2 years later, severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) occurred. Computed tomography revealed thick clots densely distributed in the basal cisterns and third and fourth ventricles, indicating that the SAH originated from one of the vertebral artery aneurysms. Consciousness disturbance progressed rapidly, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest. CONCLUSION: The literature contains no case of mirror intracranial aneurysms involving both intracavernous carotid and vertebral arteries. Multi-staged surgical techniques with optimal combinations of direct clipping, ligation or trapping, and endovascular embolization may be essential for patients with multiple aneurysms to avoid SAH.     

Histological study of the normal vertebral artery--etiology of dissecting aneurysms

Histological evaluation of dissecting aneurysms of the cerebral arteries has suggested that defects in the internal elastic lamina (IEL) induce dissection of the arterial wall. Dissecting aneurysms occur most frequently in the vertebral artery (VA). The present study examined sections of the normal VA to elucidate the mechanisms of arterial dissection. Bilateral VAs (20 vessels) were obtained from 10 patients who died of causes other than intracranial lesions. The VAs were detached from the VA union to the site 10 mm proximal from the point penetrating the dura mater. The VAs were cut at 5-mm intervals, and each segment was observed using modified Masson's trichrome staining for elastic fibers. The thickness of the media and adventitia significantly thinned after the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). IEL defects were observed at 35 sites in 11 vessels from six subjects. There was a high incidence of IEL defects in the extradural portion and near the origin of the PICA, areas frequently involved in arterial dissection. There was a high incidence of intimal thinning at areas of IEL defects (19 of 35), and thinning was particularly marked distal to the origin of the PICA. In the absence of intimal thickening, the vascular strength at the site of IEL defects may be reduced, which would promote the occurrence and progression of arterial dissection.     

A clinicopathological study of dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery

Five autopsied cases of dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are reported and the literature is reviewed to clarify the clinicopathological correlations. In an autopsy series of 110 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the incidence of this entity was 4.5%, with all five cases progressing rapidly to death from massive SAH. Cases of intracranial vertebral dissection can be divided clearly into two groups based on the clinical and pathological features. In the first group, the dissection is confined to the vertebral artery and a massive SAH develops caused by the rupture of the arterial wall. The plane of dissection is mainly subadventitial. In the second group, brain-stem infarction develops resulting from luminal occlusion by intramural hematoma. The plane of dissection is mainly subintimal, with the dissection extending to the basilar artery. The condition in the second group affects patients at a younger age. If the lesion is localized within the vertebral artery and does not extend to the basilar artery, the disease seems not to be fatal. The clinical features of the vertebral dissection are largely determined by the plane and extension of dissection. Vertebral artery dissection is due to many causative factors including hypertension, congenital or degenerative changes in the arterial wall, and anatomical and pathological characteristics of the vertebral artery.     

血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的临床研究

目的 探讨血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的安全性与有效性.方法 回顾性分析30例患者30个夹层动脉瘤行血管内介入治疗的临床资料,其中8例单纯弹簧圈栓塞,10例支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞,3例单支架置入,9例载瘤动脉闭塞.结果 术后对30例中的22例进行随访脑血管造影,随访时间为1～8个月,平均6个月.其中17例完全栓塞患者无复发;近完全栓塞3例中2例动脉瘤稍增大,部分栓塞2例动脉瘤复发,这4例患者均行二次手术,其中3例行支架置入,1例行动脉瘤栓塞.结论 血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤是一种安全有效的方法.     

Surgery of extracranial aneurysms of the carotid and vertebral arteries

An analysis of the literature and personal observations of 27 patients with extracranial aneurysms of the arteries enabled the authors to determine clinical symptoms, methods of diagnosis and surgical treatment of the disease. Resection of the aneurysm with suturing the artery defect is recommended as optimal techniques of the operation for posttraumatic aneurysms, resection with the end-to-end anastomosis being proposed for a true aneurysm of the aorta arch branches.     

椎动脉-小脑后下动脉梭形动脉瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨手术治疗椎动脉-小脑后下动脉梭形动脉瘤的方法.方法 回顾性分析2007年12月至2010年2月收治的5例椎动脉-小脑后下动脉梭形动脉瘤患者的临床特点、手术方法及疗效.5例患者均为男性,年龄40～55岁,平均47岁.其中动脉瘤破裂出血4例,1例表现为后枕部阵发性头痛.所有患者均采用远外侧入路,翻开皮肌瓣后,先于枕部肌群内分离枕动脉,开颅后显露同侧小脑后下动脉尾襻,并于此处行枕动脉-小脑后下动脉吻合重建小脑后下动脉血流,再行动脉瘤孤立术或切除术.术后进行随访,观察疗效.结果 5例患者术后1例无神经功能缺失;3例有后组脑神经功能障碍;1例出现颅内血肿,二次手术后并发对侧肢体偏瘫.行数字减影血管造影或CT血管造影检查,吻合口通畅,动脉瘤不显影.随访2～29个月,平均18个月,4例预后良好,1例对侧肢体轻偏瘫.结论 枕动脉-小脑后下动脉搭桥+动脉瘤孤立或切除术是治疗椎动脉-小脑后下动脉梭形动脉瘤的有效方法,但需结合实际情况,选择个体化的治疗方案.     

Surgical approaches to aneurysms of the vertebral and basilar arteries

This report details the surgical treatment of 44 patients with aneurysms of the vertebral and basilar arteries. Three different surgical approaches were utilized depending on the location of the aneurysm. These were an anterior supratentorial approach, a lateral suboccipital approach, and a combined supratentorial and infratentorial approach along the petrous apex, with section of the lateral sinus and the tentorium. Using these operative exposures, aneurysms located anywhere on the vertebral-basilar arteries may be safely visualized and clipped. In this series, 1 patient died, 4 other patients had significant, long-lasting morbidity as a result of operation, and 32 patients returned to work and a normal life-style. These data support operative intervention under proper conditions and with selection of the correct exposures for the treatment of vertebral-basilar aneurysms.     

血管内介入治疗大脑后动脉夹层动脉瘤

目的观察血管内介入治疗大脑后动脉夹层动脉瘤的效果。方法回顾性分析12例接受血管内介入治疗的大脑后动脉夹层动脉瘤患者,评价治疗效果。结果12例大脑后动脉夹层动脉瘤中,P1段2例,P1-P2段2例,P2段6例,P3段2例,均成功实施栓塞治疗;对其中2例单纯以弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤,8例以弹簧圈闭塞载瘤动脉,2例植入支架。术后即刻行复查造影显示Raymond分级1级10例,2级2例。术后4例诉头痛,经对症治疗后2周内好转;未见动脉瘤破裂出血及脑梗死。随访期间影像学检查均未见动脉瘤复发,无新发神经功能障碍及颅内再次出血;末次随访时改良Rankin量表0分10例,1分1例,2分1例。结论血管内介入治疗大脑后动脉夹层动脉瘤效果较好,且安全性较高。     

Pathological mechanism and three-dimensional structure of cerebral dissecting aneurysms

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to investigate the pathological mechanism and precise three-dimensional (3D) structure of cerebral dissecting aneurysms in association with their clinical course. METHODS: Nine aneurysm specimens were excised from eight patients. Of the nine aneurysms, seven arose from the vertebral artery, one from the anterior cerebral artery, and one from the superior cerebellar artery. Eight aneurysms were accompanied with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and one with infarction. Seven aneurysms were obtained at autopsy and two were obtained during surgery (trapping and bypass). All nine aneurysms were sectioned into serial axial slices measuring 5 to 10 microm in thickness. Taking each slice as an element, we reconstructed the 3D structure of the aneurysm. The true lumen communicated with a pseudolumen through the disrupted portion of the internal elastic lamina (IEL) in all nine aneurysms. The ruptured portion was located just above the disrupted IEL. Two aneurysms had an exit back into the true lumen. but the other seven had no such exit. CONCLUSIONS: The primary mechanism by which a cerebral dissecting aneurysm is created is by the sudden disruption of the IEL. The plane of dissection extends through the media. The majority of aneurysms have one entrance into the pseudolumen (entry-only type). This type is associated with an unstable clinical course. Some cerebral dissecting aneurysms have both an entrance and exit (entry-exit type). This type of aneurysm occasionally contains a constant flow of blood through the pseudolumen and is clinically more stable than entry-only aneurysms.     

Distal anterior cerebral artery mirror aneurysms and middle cerebral artery aneurysms

A 52-year-old woman presented with bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) mirror aneurysms, in addition to two right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. The left distal ACA and right MCA aneurysms were clipped through right interhemispheric and right pterional craniotomies. The right distal ACA aneurysm was thrombosed. Distal ACA aneurysms tend to be multiple, but mirror aneurysms are rare, especially in the absence of congenital vascular anomaly. Single stage unilateral craniotomy is recommended for surgical treatment.