Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant intracranial aneurysm and ipsilateral internal carotid artery. Case report

Computerized tomography revealed a thrombosed giant intracavernous carotid aneurysm in a man who presented with ophthalmoplegia and headache. Angiography confirmed complete aneurysmal thrombosis and also revealed complete occlusion of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. Aneurysmotomy and thrombectomy produced substantial reduction in mass effect, with symptomatic improvement. The spontaneous thrombosis of giant intracranial aneurysms is discussed.     

Neurofibromatosis with occlusion of the internal carotid artery: case report

Vascular lesions of the central nervous system in neurofibromatosis (NF) are uncommon. Cerebral arterial occlusive diseases in NF have been documented in only 29 patients. This paper reports a case of a 16-year-old male having occlusion of the right internal carotid artery with NF. He was admitted with an episode of clonic convulsion and left hemiparesis at the age of five years. On admission, he had multiple café-au-lait spots, depigmentation and fibroma molle throughout his body. Neurological examination revealed left hemiparesis with hypereflexia and pathological reflex on the left side. CT scan showed brain atrophy of the right hemisphere and low density area in the white matter of the right frontal lobe. Cerebral angiography showed occlusion at the extracranial portion of the right internal carotid artery. He underwent STA-MCA bypass on the right side. On histological examination of a section of STA, the intimal layer was thickened by elastofibrosis. The mechanisms of arterial occlusion in patients with NF are discussed with review of the literature.     

Brain abscess (Part 5)--Brain abscess following internal carotid occlusion (author's transl)]

Three cases of brain abscess following an occlusion of the internal carotid artery were reported. Case 1: A 6-year-old girl with congenital heart disease was admitted with headache, disturbance of consciousness and left hemiparesis. Right carotid angiography revealed an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery. After 6 months, she was readmitted with high fever. CT scan revealed a low density area and a ring-like shadow at the same site of cerebral infarction. Case 2: A 69-year-old man was admitted in semicoma and with right hemiplegia. Left angiography revealed an occlusion of the left internal carotid artery. After 2 months, a brain abscess was noted in the infarcted area. Case 3: A 20-year-old man with congenital heart disease, was admitted due to headache, vomiting and high fever. CT scan revealed a brain abscess in the right frontal lobe. Carotid angiography showed bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. We concluded that diminution of cerebral oxygen and encephalomalacia are predisposing factors to the evolution of brain abscess.     

A case of radiation induced aneurysm of extracranial carotid artery

An unusual case of post-irradiation aneurysm of extracranial internal carotid artery is presented. A 70-year-old man, complaining of left cervical throbbing mass with focal pain, was admitted on February 8, 1985. It was noted, from his past history, that he had had surgery of the removal of cervical lymph-nodes and that unknown dosage of irradiation had been added to the cervical region 30 years before. Left carotid angiography (on admission) demonstrated a giant aneurysm in the cervical portion of internal carotid artery. Right carotid angiography with compression of left carotid artery revealed good cross filling through anterior communicating artery. Computed tomography with contrast media showed a ring like enhanced mass, which was thought to showed a ring like enhanced mass, which was thought to suggest that a large part of the aneurysm was filled with intraluminal thrombosis. During 30 days of evaluation, the aneurysm grew larger and his cervical pain became untolerable. Operation, the resection of the aneurysm and the reconstruction (of circulation) with vein graft, was challenged n March 12. It was so difficult with meticulous work that the ligation of left common carotid artery was performed after all. Seven days after the operation, he suffered from the gastrointestinal bleeding, which was enough to lead him to hypovolemic shock. Thereafter, right hemiparesis and aphasia were brought about. Two months later, he die of pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa associated with occlusion of the internal carotid artery: a case report]

We reported a case with dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) of the anterior cranial fossa associated with occlusion of the left cervical internal carotid artery. A 73-year-old man was admitted with total aphasia and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography showed an ischemic lesion of the left cerebral hemisphere and old infarction of the left occipital lobe. Angiography revealed occlusion of the left cervical internal carotid artery and dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa, fed by the left middle meningeal and the right anterior ethmoidal artery. Follow-up angiography revealed spontaneous recanalization and severe arteriosclerosis of the left internal carotid artery. After marked improvement of neurological deficits, the patient underwent surgical clipping of the draining veins to occlude the dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa. We speculated that marked development of the collateral circulation from the external carotid system might result in the occurrence of dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa.     

Successful intra-arterial fibrinolysis of the anterior choroidal artery in the acute stage of internal carotid artery occlusion: Case report

A 27-year-old man was admitted to our institution with the sudden development of right hemiparesis and dysarthria beginning an hour after the onset of symptoms on August 9, 1992. The patient was found on admission to have right hemiparesis (2/5), hemihypesthesia, hemianopia, dysarthria; he had transient atrial fibrillation. No abnormalities were detected on computed tomography (CT) scans, and cerebral blood flow studies undertaken following conventional CT scans revealed no low flow regions in the left cerebral hemisphere. But cerebral angiography disclosed an occlusion of the left internal carotid artery with well-developed cross-circulation via the anterior communicating artery and embolus lodged at the level of the anterior choroidal artery. Superselective fibrinolysis using Tracker-18 and 420,000 units of urokinase resulting in complete recanalization of the left anterior choroidal artery without distal migration of the embolus. Immediately after the procedure, his neurologic disturbance underwent complete resolution.

In summary, fibrinolysis could be performed but limited to anterior choroidal artery in a case with an occlusion of the internal carotid artery with well-developed cross-flow via the anterior communicating artery; the patient's neurologic condition may deteriorate suddenly if fibrinolysis is incomplete and the embolus migrates to the internal carotid artery.     

Villaret's syndrome due to extra-cranial internal carotid aneurysm: a case report

A 69 year-old male was admitted to our clinic with the chief complaint of hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing. These symptoms occurred about 5 months after penetrating neck injury. Neurological examination revealed right ninth to twelfth cranial nerves palsy and Horner's syndrome. Plain skull X-P demonstrated two broken pieces of glass below the right mastoid processus. The right carotid angiogram showed a 45 x 25 mm aneurysm originated from the right internal carotid artery just below the carotid canal. As the first operation, gradual occlusion of right internal carotid artery combined with the right STA-MCA anastomosis was performed. But two days after complete occlusion, left hemiparesis and pseudobulbar palsy appeared. Two months after such episode, aneurysm and the pieces of glass were removed. He discharged on foot with the improvement of the symptoms of lower cranial nerves. Villaret's syndrome caused by the traumatic aneurysm of extracranial internal carotid artery is rare. This case seems to be the first report in Japan.     

Ipsilateral hyperperfusion after neck clipping of a giant internal carotid artery aneurysm. Case report

A 48-year-old woman exhibited hyperperfusion soon after undergoing a successful clip operation involving multiple clip placement for a giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a left paraclinoid giant aneurysm. Multiple clips were placed to obliterate the aneurysm during a 7-minute temporary ICA occlusion. Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound flowmetry showed that the blood flow through the ICA distal to the aneurysm increased from 71.6 ml/minute before clipping to 123.3 ml/minute after. The patient exhibited right hemiparesis and motor aphasia after the operation. Postoperative imaging studies revealed an increase in perfusion and diffuse edema in the left cerebral cortex. The symptoms and diffuse brain edema gradually resolved. In this case, increase in blood flow through the ICA distal to the aneurysm may have played an important role in the circulatory disturbance.     

Autopsied case of an extracranial internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysm

An autopsy case of extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) dissecting aneurysm due to atherosclerosis was reported. A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaints of hoarseness and a pulsatile mass below the left mandibular angle. Neurological examination showed no obvious deficits except left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Angiography revealed narrowing of the original segment of left ICA with dissection and aneurysmal dilation at the level of C3 vertebra. Seven days after admission, the patient had a sudden onset of consciousness disturbance. The second angiography showed no obvious changes compared with the first findings except slight narrowing in the distal portion above the aneurysmal dilation. The possible mechanism was thought to be recanalization following transient occlusion of the left ICA caused by extension of dissection or intracranial embolism due to a thrombus within the aneurysm. He was managed conservatively, but unfortunately he died of pneumonia. Macroscopic autopsy showed that the aneurysm was fusiform. Histologically, it demonstrated dissection of the hematoma between the media and adventitia layer. Hemorrhage in the atheromatous plaque with disruption of the elastic lamina were observed along with severe degenerative changes of the intima, media and, in part, adventitia layer due to atherosclerosis. In addition, a dissecting aneurysm of the right iliac artery and severe arteriosclerosis were observed in the systemic arteries. On the basis of these findings, the dissecting aneurysm presumably developed after disruption of a weak portion of the atherosclerotic wall, where intraplaque hemorrhage occurred earlier. We suggest that atherosclerosis be regarded as one of the pathogenic factors capable of causing dissecting aneurysm of the extracranial ICA in elderly patients.     

A case of emergency carotid endarterectomy for severe stenosis of the cervical internal carotid artery presenting with progressing stroke: importance of managing blood pressure postoperatively

We report a case treated successfully by emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for progressing stroke resulting from pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). A 67-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with dysarthria. Neurological examination on admission revealed mild left-sided motor weakness and dysarthria. Computed tomography (CT) showed cerebral infarction in the territory of the perforating artery of right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging indicated similar findings and cervical MR angiography revealed occlusion of right cervical ICA. Cerebral conventional angiography and CT angiography revealed pseudo-occlusion of the right ICA. ECD-single photon emission tomography (SPECT) indicated low perfusion in the territory of the right ICA. Conservative therapy was performed using free radical scavengers and antiplatelet drugs, but neurological signs deteriorated. Revascularization using CEA was therefore performed. After surgery, the patient was restless with neurological abnormalities, and trans-cranial Doppler (TCD), INVOS-3100 and MRA revealed hyperperfusion. Strict control of blood pressure under propofol anesthesia allowed effective management of hyperperfusion syndrome. After a 1-month follow-up period, the patient was discharged with only mild left hemiparesis.     

The combination of STA-MCA anastomosis with another operation for the occlusive cerebrovascular disease (author's transl)

Case 1. A 65 year old male had left hemiparesis with sudden onset since 8 years ago, which gradually aggravated for these 2 years. On Sept. 27, 1973, he was admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Kitano Hospital. There was left spastic hemiparesis with hemisensory disturbance and he could not walk without help for the maked spasticity. Left carotid angiogram revealed the complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery and marked stenosis of the external carotid artery at the common carotid bifurcation. External carotid endarterectomy was performed on Nov. 19, 1973, which was followed by STA-MCA anastomosis 2 months later. The spasticity of extremities and left hemisparesis were gradually improved and he was able to walk without help. Case 2. On Apr. 14, 1974, a 63 year old female developed complete stroke with right hemiparesis and speech disturbance after transient ischemic attacks of 5 days duration. On Aug. 9, he was admitted and had emotional incontinence, right hemiparesis, Gerstmann's syndrome and motor aphasia. Left carotid angiogram revealed a saccular aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery and the occlusion of the distal middle cerebral arterys. These findings suggested that the occlusion was caused by embolus from the middle cerebral aneurysm, and the combined surgery with STA-MCA anastomosis and operation for the aneurysm was planned. On Aug. 30, 1974, under left frontotemporal craniotomy, aneurysmal neck clipping and aneurysmectomy were performed and thereafter, STA-MCA double anastomosis was done. One week after operation, the gradual improvement of pre-operative symptomes was noted. Recently, STA-MCA anatomosis is well known to be one of the effective operative methods for the occlusive methods for the occlusive cerebrovascular diseases and in addition, we found that the combination of STA-MCA anastomosis with other operations was effective for unusual cases presenting in this report. Furthermore, except for the occlusive cerebrovascular diseases, we usually plan STA-MCA anastomosis for the cases of 1) carotid ligation or trapping for carotid-cavernous sinus fistula and some internal carotid aneurysms, 2) some intracranial tumors with the danger involving the main cerebral arteries by operation to protect the cerebrovascular insufficiency.     

Rupture of previously unruptured giant carotid aneurysm after superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass and internal carotid occlusion

A 51-year-old woman with an unruptured giant aneurysm of the internal carotid artery was treated by gradual occlusion of the internal carotid artery in the neck combined with a superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass graft. Visual field defects improved after the operation, and thrombosis of the aneurysm was confirmed by angiography and computed tomography. Nevertheless, a fatal hemorrhage occurred 34 days after the final turn of the Selverstone clamp. The possible mechanism of rupture of the apparently thrombosed aneurysm is discussed. There is a risk of rupture of the aneurysm as long as the aneurysmal lumen remains after proximal ligation, no matter how small it may be.     

Pituitary apoplexy causing internal carotid artery occlusion--case report

A 50-year-old man presented with pituitary apoplexy resulting in internal carotid artery occlusion manifesting as sudden onset of severe headache, right ptosis, and left hemiparesis, associated with visual impairment. Computed tomography showed a nodular mass, located in the sellar and suprasellar regions with early signs of acute cerebral ischemia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging indicated that the mass compressed the bilateral cavernous sinuses, resulting in obliteration of the cavernous portion of the right internal carotid artery. Right middle cerebral artery territory infarction was also found. Conservative therapy with steroids was given in the acute stage and repeated MR imaging showed recanalization of the internal carotid artery with reduction of the tumor size. The tumor was removed through the transsphenoidal approach to obtain a definitive diagnosis in the chronic stage. The histological diagnosis was consistent with non-functioning pituitary adenoma. Eye movement of this patient showed full recovery after the operation. Pituitary apoplexy resulting in internal carotid artery occlusion is rare. Surgical decompression through the transsphenoidal approach is appropriate, but the optimal timing should consider severe disturbance of visual acuity and visual field in the acute stage.     

Spontaneous thrombosis of intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm and parent artery occlusion in patients with positive balloon test occlusion--two case reports

Two patients with giant intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms were intolerant to balloon test occlusion of the ICA, and later developed spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm and the parent ICA without ischemic sequelae. Case 1: A 60-year-old female with a giant right intracavernous ICA aneurysm presented with right abducens nerve paresis. An unsuccessful extracranial-to-intracranial bypass graft operation was complicated by transient postoperative ophthalmoplegia. The patient did not tolerate balloon test occlusion of the right ICA after attempted bypass surgery, and was treated conservatively. The patient presented with acute onset of headache 3 years later. Case 2: A 50-year-old female with a giant right intracavernous ICA aneurysm presented with right abducens nerve paresis. The patient was managed conservatively after a positive balloon test occlusion of the right ICA. The patient suffered transient hypopituitarism and acute onset of headache 2 years later. Spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysms and occlusion of the parent ICA were found in both patients. Neither had major hemispheric infarcts, but the first patient had asymptomatic infarcts, which were presumed to be thromboembolic in nature. Patients with intracavernous ICA aneurysms who have positive balloon test occlusions appear to develop tolerance to spontaneous and gradual occlusion of the ICA without significant sequelae. However, these patients have an increased risk of developing embolic infarctions. The role for anticoagulation and repeat hemodynamic tests remains unclear.     

A successful treatment of giant carotid artery aneurysm by a detachable balloon technic; a child case

For the treatment of unclippable giant carotid artery aneurysms, proximal occlusion of the carotid artery is still an accepted treatment by surgical ligation, Selverstone clamp, or detachable balloon. However, proximal artery occlusion should be avoided as far as possible. Use of detachable balloons for proximal artery occlusion in the treatment of giant intracranial aneurysm in children has been reported by several authors, but no report of successfully treated cases of occlusion of the aneurysm without occlusion of the parent artery can be found. On January 1st, 1987, a-5-year old girl was admitted to our clinic with chief complaints of exophthalmos and loss of vision in her left eye. On admission, neurological examination showed palsies of the left oculomotor and abducens nerve and left internal carotid angiogram visualized a giant aneurysm in the cavernous portion. A balloon catheter procedure was carried out under general anesthesia using an intra-arterial catheter technique. A No. 9 French introducer catheter was placed through the femoral artery sheath. No filling of aneurysm without occlusion of the parent artery could be confirmed by angiogram. No. 12 Debrun detachable balloon was then detached. Postoperative course was uneventful. Subsequently, her oculomotor and abducens nerve palsies disappeared. Digital subtraction angiography taken about three months after the procedure showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm. The authors emphasized that the occlusion of the aneurysm using a detachable balloon was also the ideal method for the treatment of the children's giant aneurysm.     

Extracranial internal carotid occlusion and coexisting ipsilateral intracranial internal carotid aneurysm

A rare case of extracranial internal carotid occlusion with a coexisting ipsilateral internal carotid aneurysm is reported. A 50-year-old male had a sudden onset of severe headache, vomiting and right motor weakness on May 14, 1984. Two days later the patient was transferred to our hospital. On admission he was alert but presented with nuchal rigidity and right moderate hemiparesis. He had an episode of a blunt head injury 12 years previously, but no history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or cerebral stroke. A computed tomography revealed mild subarachnoid hemorrhage and mild ventricular dilatation. A cerebral angiography did not demonstrate any aneurysms but it revealed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery at the cervical bifurcation. The repeated angiography on May 31 disclosed a saccular aneurysm arising anteromedially at the level of the junction of the right posterior communicating artery and the internal carotid artery. The cervical internal carotid artery remained occluded at the same site. The middle cerebral artery was supplied through the well-developed posterior communicating artery, and the right anterior cerebral artery was supplied through the anterior communicating artery. Clipping of the aneurysm was attempted but it was forcibly trapped because of premature bleeding on June 5. The right V-P shunt was performed for the progressive ventricular dilatation on June 12. The patient was discharged with no paresis on June 20. It has been well known that the uni- or bilateral carotid occlusion, whatever the origins are, are often associated with cerebral aneurysms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spontaneous intracranial internal carotid artery dissection treated by intra-arterial thrombolysis and superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis in the acute stage--case report--

A 22-year-old man presented with sudden onset of right retro-orbital headache followed by left hemiparesis. Right carotid angiography demonstrated almost total occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) and severe stenosis of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), presumably caused by arterial dissection. Local arterial injection of urokinase was performed 2 hours after onset. The ICA became patent, but the M2 portion of the MCA was still occluded, and the left hemiparesis did not improve. Superficial temporal artery-MCA anastomosis was immediately performed. The left hemiparesis disappeared completely 6 days after this procedure. Angiography 2 weeks after the onset revealed occlusion of the ICA, and maintenance of blood flow to the right cerebral hemisphere via the anastomosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed small infarcts in the right cerebral cortex. Repeat angiography after 5 months showed recanalization of the right ICA and the right MCA. Combination of thrombolytic therapy and bypass surgery may be a useful treatment option for patients with sudden occlusion of the intracranial artery caused by dissection.     

Systemic multiple aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery, intracranial vertebral artery, and visceral arteries: case report.

A rare case of systemic multiple aneurysms located in the extracranial internal carotid artery, intracranial vertebral artery, and intraperitonial arteries is described. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with suspected rupture of an aneurysm of the right extracranial internal carotid artery. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a giant aneurysm in the right extracranial internal carotid artery and an aneurysm of fusiform type of the left intracranial vertebral artery. The extracranial carotid artery aneurysm was successfully resected, with end-to-end anastomosis of the internal carotid artery, preserving the cranial nerves. Five days later, an aneurysm of the left hepatic artery ruptured unexpectedly and was treated with emergency surgery. Other aneurysms in the liver and spleen were identified on postoperative celiac angiography. The patient subsequently underwent an operation for a left intracranial vertebral artery aneurysm by proximal clipping.     

Treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms with saphenous vein extracranial-to-intracranial bypass grafting: indications,operative technique,and results in 29 patients

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms is a challenge because of the limitations and difficulty of direct surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. We describe the indications, surgical technique, and complications of saphenous vein extracranial-to-intracranial bypass grafting followed by acute parent vessel occlusion in the management of these difficult lesions. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 1999, 29 patients with giant intracranial aneurysms underwent 30 saphenous vein bypass grafts followed by immediate parent vessel occlusion. There were 11 men and 18 women with a mean follow-up period of 62 months. Twenty-five patients harbored aneurysms involving the internal carotid artery, 2 had middle cerebral artery aneurysms, and 2 had aneurysms in the basilar artery. Serial cerebral or magnetic resonance angiograms were obtained to assess graft patency and aneurysm obliteration. RESULTS: All 30 aneurysms were excluded from the cerebral circulation, with 28 vein grafts remaining patent. Two patients had graft occlusions: one because of poor runoff and the other because of misplacement of a cranial pin during a bypass procedure on the contralateral side. Other surgical complications included one death from a large cerebral infarction, homonymous hemianopsia from thrombosis of an anterior choroidal artery after internal carotid artery occlusion, and temporary hemiparesis from a presumed perforator thrombosis adjacent to a basilar aneurysm. CONCLUSION: With appropriate attention to surgical technique, a saphenous vein extracranial-to-intracranial bypass followed by acute parent vessel occlusion is a safe and effective method of treating giant intracranial aneurysms. A high rate of graft patency and adequate cerebral blood flow can be achieved. Thrombosis of perforating arteries caused by altered blood flow hemodynamics after parent vessel occlusion may be a continuing source of complications.     

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.