Development of cranial nerve palsy shortly after endosaccular embolization for asymptomatic cerebral aneurysm: report of two cases and literature review

Trigeminal nerve palsy associated with intracranial aneurysms: Scoping review

Background

Trigeminal nerve palsy (TNP) in patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) results from the disease process or its treatment. We systematically reviewed the literature on trigeminal palsy in patients with IAs.

Methods

PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science were searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to preestablished guidelines.

Results

Twenty studies were included, yielding 69 patients with TNP and IAs. The mean age was 56.9 years and females accounted for 76%. Among the total cases, a cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm was found in the vast majority (93%), followed by 7% of aneurysms in the basilar artery-superior cerebellar artery, posterior communicating artery, and anterior communicating artery. 96% of the aneurysms were classified as large to giant-sized. Out of the total number of cases, the majority (90%) exhibited trigeminal palsy at the time of their initial presentation. Only a small proportion (n = 7, 10%) developed fifth nerve palsy subsequent to the treatment of their aneurysms. Concurrent versus isolated TNP were exhibited in 79.7% and 20.3% of the cases, respectively. Finally, in terms of outcome, complete recovery from trigeminal palsy was achieved in 76.7% (26/34), with a duration of resolution of <6 months in 77.3% (17/22).

Conclusion

Trigeminal nerve palsies are correlated with IAs, and this correlation depends mainly on the location and size of the aneurysms.

Analyzing the relationship between cerebral aneurysms and Non-oculomotor cranial nerve palsies: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association between intracerebral aneurysms and cranial nerve (CN) palsies, focusing on nerves other than the oculomotor nerve. It sought to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of these nerve palsies and compare the effectiveness of microsurgical clipping versus endovascular coiling in restoring nerve function.

METHODOLOGY

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering studies from 1975 to April 2024. The inclusion criteria targeted patients with non-oculomotor nerve palsies diagnosed with cerebral aneurysms. Studies published before 1975 and non-English studies were excluded. Data extraction included study design, patient characteristics, and intervention outcomes. The Joanna Briggs Institute and Newcastle-Ottawa scales were used to assess study quality. Data were synthesized narratively and statistically analysed using SPSS v27.

RESULTS

The analysis included 47 patients (53.2% female, mean age 44.8 years). The internal carotid artery (ICA) was the most common aneurysm site (44.7%), and the abducent nerve (CN VI) was most frequently affected. Ruptured aneurysms had better recovery outcomes (88.9%) than unruptured ones (66.7%). Hypertension was present in 9.2%. Unilateral aneurysms were seen in 80.9%, with 76.6% having a single nerve palsy. Non-ruptured aneurysms accounted for 58.1%, and ruptured for 41.9% of associated cranial nerve palsies. Treatment included microsurgical approaches (42.6%), endovascular approaches (34%), combined approaches (6.4%), and conservative management (17%). Recovery of the palsy was observed in 75.6%, with endovascular procedures showing higher recovery (93.3%) compared to conservative treatment (28.6%).

CONCLUSION

Intracerebral aneurysms are significantly associated with non-oculomotor CN palsies. Endovascular procedures yield higher recovery rates than conservative management, particularly in ruptured aneurysms. Timely and appropriate treatment is crucial for improving nerve function recovery in these patients.

Intracranial aneurysms and abducent nerve palsy

Background

Cranial nerve (CN) palsy may manifest as an initial presentation of intracranial aneurysms or due to the treatment. The literature reveals a paucity of studies addressing the involvement of the 6th CN in the presentation of cerebral aneurysms.

Methods

Clinical patient data, aneurysmal characteristics, and CN 6th palsy outcome were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results

Out of 1311 cases analyzed, a total of 12 cases were identified as having CN 6th palsy at the presentation. Eight out of the 12 were found in the unruptured aneurysm in the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The other four cases of CN 6th palsy were found in association with ruptured aneurysms located exclusively at the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). For the full functional recovery of the CN 6th palsy, there was 50% documented full recovery in the eight cases of the unruptured cavernous ICA aneurysm. On the other hand, all four patients with ruptured PICA aneurysms have a full recovery of CN 6th palsy. The duration for recovery for CN palsy ranges from 1 to 5 months.

Conclusion

The association between intracranial aneurysms and CN 6th palsy at presentation may suggest distinct patterns related to aneurysmal location and size. The abducent nerve palsy can be linked to unruptured cavernous ICA and ruptured PICA aneurysms. The recovery of CN 6th palsy may be influenced by aneurysm size, rupture status, location, and treatment modality.

Treatment of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula using different surgical approaches: Analysis of 32 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE

Transarterial and transvenous embolization methods are considered effective and safe approaches for the treatment of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF). Here., we report the angioarchitectural features and clinical outcomes of CSDAVF in patients treated with either the inferior arterial approach (IAA) or the inferior petrosal sinus approach (IPSA).

METHODS

The clinical data of 32 patients with CSDAVF treated at our institution from May 2008 to May 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent routine diagnostic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before surgery. Embolization was performed using the IPSA through the internal jugular vein or IAA, based on angioarchitectural features.

RESULTS

Of the 32 patients with CSDAVF, 24 underwent embolization treatment through the internal jugular vein-IPSA and 8 patients underwent treatment through IAA. Nineteen patients in the IPSA group experienced mild headache, which improved after specific treatment. The immediate postembolization angiographic results revealed complete occlusion in 26 cases (18 IPSA and 8 IAA) and almost complete occlusion in 6 cases (IPSA). Complications that occurred during the procedure included abducens nerve palsy (n = 1, IPSA) and prosopoplegia (n = 1, IAA). One patient developed tinnitus, which was diagnosed as anterior cranial fossa new-onset dural arteriovenous fistula on DSA, whereas the symptoms of other patients all improved with no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the angioarchitectural features of CSDAVF, IAA can be considered the primary treatment when the blood-supplying artery and fistula are relatively singular, and when the microcatheter can easily reach the fistula through the artery. The venous approach should be selected as the primary approach when the fistula is indistinguishable and blood is supplied by multiple arteries through small plexiform vessels. Choosing the optimal surgical approach may increase the success rate of intravascular CSDAVF surgery and may help avoid complications.

Analysis of risk factors for perifocal oedema after endovascular embolization of unruptured intracranial arterial aneurysms

Background

Endovascular embolization is a treatment of choice for the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, but sometimes is complicated with perianeurysmal oedema. The aim of our study was to establish incidence and outcomes of perianeurysmal oedema after endovascular coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, and to reveal possible risk factors for development of this potentially serious complication.

Methods

In total 119 adult patients with endovascular embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (performed at Department for Interventional Neuroradiology, Clinical Center, Kragujevac, Serbia) were included in our study. The embolizations were made by electrolite-detachable platinum coils: pure platinum, hydrophilic and combination of platinum and hydrophilic coils. Primary outcome variable was perianeurysmal oedema visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 7, 30 and 90 days after the embolization.

Results

The perianurysmal oedema appeared in 47.6% of patients treated with hydrophilic coils, in 21.6% of patients treated with platinum coils, and in 53.8% of those treated with mixed type of the coils. The multivariate logistic regression showed that variables associated with occurrence of perianeurysmal oedema are volume of the aneurysm, hypertension, diabetes and smoking habit. Hypertension is the most important independent predictor of the perianeurysmal oedema, followed by smoking and diabetes.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that older patients with larger unruptured intracranial aneurysms, who suffer from diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and have the smoking habit, are under much higher risk of having perianeurysmal oedema after endovascular coiling.