Microsurgical Clip Placement for a Giant Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm With Intraluminal Thrombus: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Selective clipping of giant anterior communicating artery aneurysms remains a reliable therapeutic option

BACKGROUND

Giant anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysm represent a significant surgical challenge. Our study aimed to discuss the therapeutic strategy in patients with a giant AcomA aneurysm treated by selective neck clipping through a pterional approach.

METHODS

Among all operated patients from an intracranial aneurysm between January 2015 and January 2022 (n = 726) in our institution, three patients with a giant AcomA aneurysm treated by neck clipping were included. Early (<7days) outcome was noted. Early postoperative CT scan was performed in all patients to detect any complications. Early DSA was also performed to confirm giant AcomA aneurysm exclusion. The mRS score was recorded 3 months after treatment. The mRS≤ 2 was considered as a good functional outcome. Control DSA was performed one year after treatment.

RESULTS

In the three patients, after a large frontopterional approach, a selective exclusion of their giant AcomA aneurysm was obtained after a partial pars orbitalis of the inferior frontal gyrus resection. Ischemic lesion was noted in 1 patient and chronic hydrocephalus in 2 patients with ruptured aneurysm. The mRS score after 3 months was good in 2 patients. Long term complete occlusion of the aneurysm were noted in the three patients.

CONCLUSION

Selective clipping of a giant AcomA aneurysm is a reliable therapeutic option after a careful evaluation of local vascular anatomy. An adequate surgical exposure is frequently obtained through an enlarged pterional approach with an anterior basifrontal lobe resection, especially in an emergency situation and/or in case of high position of anterior communicating artery.

Endoscopic brainwash after clipping a ruptured aneurysm of the communicating segment of the intracranial carotid artery

Background:

Intracranial aneurysms are common vascular malformation occurring in 1-2% of the population and accounting for 80–85% of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages. About 10% of the ruptured aneurysm causing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SHA) develop intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). In this scenario, the external ventricular drain (EVD) is a usual treatment for IVH. To reduce the time for the clot absorption, the neuroendoscopy with clot removal and ventricular irrigation is a feasible option, although not routinely used.

Case Description:

This 2D video shows a case of a 60-year-old female, with sudden headache associated with nausea and vomit. The brain angiotomography revealed aneurysm in the communicating segment of the left internal carotid artery, with 10.5 mm of diameter; also showed intraparenchymal, subarachnoid, and IVH, with a Fisher Modified Grade of 4 and a prompt aneurysm clipping and EVD were performed. Two days after the first surgical procedure, a neuroendoscopy was performed to remove the ventricular clots and improve the patient outcomes.

Conclusion:

In the presented case, at the 6^th postoperative month, the patient was Grade 1 in the Rankin Modified Scale and without hydrocephalus. This procedure can be used routinely as an additional tool to microsurgical clipping to improve patients outcome.

Interhemispheric transcallosal transforaminal approach for decompression of a giant superior cerebellar artery thrombosed aneurysm: Three-dimensional operative video

Background:

Giant brain aneurysms account for approximately 5% of all intracranial aneurysms, often presenting with intraluminal thrombosis that causes a mass effect in surrounding neural structures. Although its exact growing mechanism remains unknown, they have to be treated. Despite the most recent advances in neurosurgical fields, the best treatment modality remains unknown and surgery of giant superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysms still is a challenge even for the most experienced neurosurgeons, due to their deep location, surrounding perforating vessels, and intraluminal thrombosis.

Case Description:

In this video, we present the case of a 65-year-old woman with progressive hemiparesis and paresis of low cranial nerves. The symptoms were caused by a giant aneurysm located in the origin of the SCA. Despite endovascular embolization of the aneurysm and placement of a flow diverter stent, the aneurysm increased in size causing symptoms progression. In that scenario, we decided to perform a microsurgical decompression of the aneurysm thrombus and coagulation of the vasa vasorum, to reduce the mass effect and prevent the aneurysm from keep growing.

Conclusion:

Through an extensive description of the surgical anatomy, we illustrate an interhemispheric transcallosal transforaminal approach, with the removal of anterior thalamic tubercle to widely expose the aneurysm dome. The surgery was successfully performed, and the patient symptoms improved. The patient signed the Institutional Consent Form, which allows the use of her images and videos for any type of medical publications in conferences and/or scientific articles.