Pericallosal artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to endoscopic-assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Case report

Outcome of Initial 3 Years of Cranial Endoscopy at DG Khan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan

OBJECTIVE

With the evolution of surgical approaches, endoscopic skull base surgery has emerged as a suitable alternative to many other invasive methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and outcome of cranial endoscopy in treating various neurosurgical intracranial pathologies in terms of procedural success and complications.

METHODS

This observational, prospective case series was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery of DG Khan Medical College from November 2017 to October 2020. The study enrolled 74 patients with indications for cranial neuroendoscopy. Clinical examination was performed, and a detailed history of the disease was obtained. Follow-up was conducted in the outpatient department. The collected data were analyzed using statistical analysis software.

RESULTS

Of 77 procedures performed, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, arachnoid cyst fenestration, septostomy, colloid cyst excision, endoscopic assisted ventricular catheter placement, and intraventricular tumor biopsy were performed in 53.3%, 18.2%, 10.4%, 7.8%, 6.5%, and 3.9% of patients. Aqueductal stenosis was identified as the most common cause of obstructive hydrocephalus. Seizures and cerebrospinal fluid leaks were the most commonly reported complications (12% and 8.1%, respectively). The observed mortality rate was 2.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendoscopic surgery has become safe and effective, as surgeon experience and learning have lowered the risk of complications, and offers a low-cost alternative intervention.

Iatrogenic cortical pseudoaneurysm following ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage

Background:

Cerebral pseudoaneurysm formation associated with ventricular catheterization is an exceedingly rare complication that results from direct catheter-induced injury to a vessel. We report a case of intracerebral pseudoaneurysm formation associated with ventricular catheterization in a patient with hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Case Description:

The patient presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent partial endovascular embolization of the offending wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm with the plan for a Stage 2 stent-assisted coiling after initial recovery. Before discharge, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) was placed for postaneurysmal hydrocephalus. Three weeks later, she presented with intraparenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhage. Angiography revealed a cortical aneurysm contiguous to the ventricular catheter of the VPS. She underwent microsurgical excision of the aneurysm, and a new VPS was placed after resolution of the intraventricular hemorrhage. She later underwent the second stage of the treatment and had an excellent neurological recovery to an independent state.

Conclusion:

Iatrogenic intracerebral pseudoaneurysm formation is an exceedingly rare complication of ventricular catheterization but is associated with significant mortality. Identifying a pseudoaneurysm in this context warrants prompt and definitive treatment with microsurgical or endovascular treatment.

Iatrogenic (Traumatic) Occipital Artery Pseudoaneurysm - Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in an Infant: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Although ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the most common procedure performed by pediatric neurosurgeons, it is still associated with frustrating complications, most common of which are obstruction and infection. Traumatic occipital artery pseudoaneurysm is a very rare complication of VPS procedure. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar case reported in the English language literature. A 12-month-old patient suffered posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity, and multiple other complications due to extreme prematurity, including immature lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, bowel perforation, short bowel syndrome resulting in total parenteral nutrition-dependence, and hydrocephalus which was treated by insertion of VPS. Four weeks after the shunt, a slowly enlarging pulsatile swelling distal to the valve under the catheter altering the shunt function was noted. The swelling was diagnosed as a pseudoaneurysm of the occipital artery and treated by excision of the aneurysm. The child developed isolated dilated fourth ventricle, which was treated by endoscopic fourth ventriculostomy. Traumatic occipital artery pseudoaneurysm as a result of tunneling of VPS catheter is a very rare complication of VPS. Clinical and radiological imaging is diagnostic of the aneurysm. Surgical repair should be considered in such cases. This case report is aimed to raise the awareness among physicians about this rare complication.

Endovascular management of external ventricular drain-associated cerebrovascular injuries

Background:

Placement of external ventricular drains (EVDs) is a common, life-saving neurosurgical procedure indicated across a variety of settings. While advances have made the procedure quite safe, the potential for iatrogenic morbidity and mortality continues. We document our experience with the endovascular management of three pseudoaneurysms associated with EVD placement and discuss the endovascular treatment options for EVD-associated cerebrovascular injury.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis to identify all EVDs placed from 2008 through 2013 at our institution. In instances of EVD-associated cerebrovascular injury, all admission and subsequent radiographic studies were reviewed, including cerebral angiograms and computed tomography (CT) scans where available. Angiograms were reviewed to record the extent of vascular injury and outcomes after treatment.

Results:

One female and two male patients (age range, 40-75 years) were found to have developed vascular injuries associated with EVD placement. Three pseudoaneurysms, of the posterior communicating artery (PCOM), pericallosal artery branch, and the middle meningeal artery, respectively, were treated by coil and/or glue embolization.

Conclusions:

Although EVD-associated cerebrovascular injury remains a rare phenomenon, such procedures are not entirely benign. Endovascular repair for such lesions proves a viable, effective option.

Iatrogenic intracranial aneurysms in childhood: case-based update

PURPOSE

Iatrogenic aneurysms are very rare in children. Characteristic clinical manifestations are variable and asymptomatic course is possible especially for fusiform dilatation of internal carotid artery. Even though radiological diagnosis is easy, the management of iatrogenic intracranial aneurysm is still a subject for discussion.

METHODS

Fusiform dilatations of internal carotid artery were diagnosed on three pediatric patients during follow-up imaging after primary surgery for suprasellar-parasellar tumor. All patients were asymptomatic. Conservative treatment was proposed because the lesion did not show any progression in subsequent examinations. Patients are stable under conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Iatrogenic aneurysm may have an unusual presentation and their therapy still remains unclear. Fusiform dilatation of internal carotid artery rarely causes symptoms and there is no published paper of subarachnoid bleeding. Treatment would be difficult, since the main arterial branches arise from the dilated carotid segment. Conservative treatment is a choice only if aneurysm has no progression or in case of spontaneous healing. Intervention should be performed only in case of progression or if the aneurysm becomes symptomatic.

Acute formation of a pseudoaneurysm adjacent to a previously clipped anterior communicating artery aneurysm

Background:

Cerebral pseudoaneurysms, especially of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA), are rare.

Case Description:

Herein, the authors report a 66-year-old patient who underwent successful clip ligation of a small ruptured ACoA aneurysm. Eighteen days after surgery, he suffered from another episode of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of a newly formed pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the previously clipped aneurysm. This pseudoaneurysm was treated through clip ligation as well.

Conclusion:

A pseudoaneurysm may rarely form adjacent to a previously clipped cerebral aneurysm and should be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage. Potential mechanisms of formation and management strategies for this challenging problem will be discussed.