"Kissing aneurysms" of the anterior communicating artery treated with coil embolization.

PURPOSE: To present a case of kissing aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery treated with endovascular coil embolization and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technique compared with neck clipping. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old man became drowsy and was admitted to the hospital; he had right hemiparesis and aphasia. Computed tomography revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage; diagnostic angiography identified an aneurysm at the left A1-A2 junction of the anterior communicating artery and another in the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Endovascular coil embolization was performed on the same day. During the procedure, the 3-mm-diameter junctional aneurysm was successfully packed with coils, but an additional aneurysm was suspected; right carotid angiography following embolization of the left aneurysm clearly showed a mirror image aneurysm of the right A1-A2 junction. The right aneurysm was treated using the same technique. The broad-necked ACA aneurysm was unsuitable for embolization, so neck clipping was performed 5 weeks later. The patient was discharged to his home following complete recovery 7 weeks after the coil embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Kissing aneurysms are a rare and specific type of multiple aneurysms that require caution in diagnosis and surgical management. Endovascular treatment may be suitable because it does not involve dissection around the aneurysms.