Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic radiculomedullary artery with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Repeated Retching and Vomiting in the Pathophysiology of Isolated Spinal Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Rupture of spinal aneurysms is a rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. These aneurysms are often associated with a variety of vascular malformations that increase blood flow in the spinal circulation or with disorders that compromise the vessel wall. However, spinal aneurysms may be isolated, not associated with any known predisposing condition. The objective of this study is to explore the possible mechanisms associated with the formation and rupture of isolated spinal aneurysms (ISAs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a series of consecutive patients admitted for a ruptured ISA. In all cases, spinal angiography confirmed the presence of a spinal aneurysm responsible for the bleeding. Particular attention was paid to medical history and symptoms before bleeding, for potential factors predisposing to their formation and rupture.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2020, ten cases of spinal aneurysms were seen at our institution including 4 cases of ISA. All patients with ISA were female, and in 3 cases the aneurysm involved the territory of the posterior spinal artery. In 3 of these 4 (75%) ISA cases, there was a strikingly similar history of retching and vomiting preceding the thunderclap headache. In 1 patient, the aneurysm was surgically resected; pathologic analysis revealed a fusiform dissecting aneurysm. All 4 patients had a favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the straining during prolonged retching and vomiting plays a role in the formation and rupture of some ISAs, possibly because of pressure spikes, increased transmural arterial pressure, and increased wall shear stress during straining.

Intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm at the thoracic spinal region: case report and literature review

Background: The most common cause of intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an intracranial aneurysm or other vascular lesion; however, spinal lesions have also been implicated. Furthermore, vascular lesions rarely occur in the thoracolumbar region. We herein presented a case of intracranial SAH caused by an isolated aneurysm in the thoracic spinal artery.Case presentation: A 79-year-old woman developed the sudden onset of headaches in the parietal and occipital regions followed by vomiting. Head computed tomography (CT) scans showed SAH in the basal cistern and around the parietal lobe cortex. Cerebral angiography detected no aneurysm or vascular malformation. Spinal CT on day 1 showed extensive SAH at the posterior surface of the spinal cord, which was the most prominent at the level of T9/10, and spinal angiography subsequently revealed an aneurysm fed by the T10 radicular artery. The aneurysm was resected by T8-10 laminectomy, and the patient recovered with no long-term neurological deficit.Conclusions: A literature review revealed 17 cases of intracranial SAH from thoracolumbar vascular lesions. Most cases resulted in poor functional outcomes, which occurred in the later phase of the disease and may have been avoided with earlier diagnoses and interventions. We suggest whole spine CT as a useful tool for rapid screening of this rare lesion, and is recommended when an initial survey for intracranial lesions does not detect any likely lesions. Furthermore, ventricular reflux on head CT may lead to an accurate diagnosis in the absence of spinal symptoms.

Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Caused by a Mycotic Aneurysm of the Radiculomedullary Artery: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a case of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by rupture of a mycotic anerurysm. A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a sudden onset of headache and tetraparesis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain revealed SAH, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine showed an acute intradural hematoma. On angiogram, a saccular aneurysm was found on the C5 radiculomedullary artery, which arose from the left ascending cervical artery. Subsequently, her consciousness status deteriorated due to rebleeding, and she was brought to surgery. An aneurysm was found at the cephalad aspect of the left C5 root. On histological examination, it showed typical characteristics of mycotic aneurysms. Spinal mycotic aneurysm is a very rare entity with scant description in the literature. It can be extremely brittle and therefore warrants expeditious surgical treatment. When encountering spinal origin of subarachnoid hemorrhage, it should be included in the differential diagnosis

Ruptured isolated spinal artery aneurysms. Report of two cases and review of the literature

Isolated spinal artery aneurysms are exceedingly rare vascular lesions thought to be related to dissection of the arterial wall. We describe two cases presenting with spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage that underwent conservative management. In the first patient the radiculomedullary branch involved was feeding the anterior spinal artery at the level of D3 and thus, neither endovascular nor surgical approach was employed. Control angiography was performed at seven days and at three months, demonstrating complete resolution of the lesion. In our second case, neither the anterior spinal artery or the artery of Adamkiewicz could be identified during angiography, thus endovascular management was deemed contraindicated. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a stable lesion in the second patient. No rebleeding or other complications were seen. In comparison to intracranial aneurysms, spinal artery aneurysms tend to display a fusiform appearance and lack a clear neck in relation to the likely dissecting nature of the lesions. Due to the small number of cases reported, the natural history of these lesions is not well known making it difficult to establish the optimal treatment approach. Various management strategies may be supported, including surgical and endovascular treatment, but It would seem that a wait and see approach is also viable, with control angiogram and treatment decisions based on the evolution of the lesion.

Dissection aneurysm of the radiculomedullary branch of the artery of Adamkiewicz with subarachnoid hemorrhage

A 60-year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe headache and back pain, followed by nausea. The initial head computed tomography (CT) scan revealed posterior fossa subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Spinal T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated SAH, and a homogeneous and slightly low signal intensity mass at T11. Spinal angiography in the early arterial phase revealed a small pearl and string-like aneurysm of the proximal radiculomedullary artery on the left side at the T12 level. Forty days after the onset of SAH, CT angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the dissecting aneurysm and the preserved anterior spinal artery. The present case of ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the radiculomedullary branch of the artery of Adamkiewicz with SAH underwent subsequent spontaneous occlusion, indicating that the wait-and-see strategy may be justified and will provide adequate treatment.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from a thoracic radicular artery pseudoaneurysm after methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoid abuse: case report

Background Context Isolated spinal artery aneurysms not associated with vascular malformations are exceedingly rare. Purpose To present a rare case of subarachnoid hemorrhage after thoracic radiculomedullary artery pseudoaneurysm rupture in a patient who abused synthetic cannabinoids and methamphetamines. Study Design Case report. Methods A 41-year-old man with a history of polysubstance abuse presented with acute-onset headache, back pain, and transient bilateral lower-extremity numbness. He reported daily use of the synthetic cannabinoid "Spice." He denied use of other illegal drugs, but laboratory testing was positive for methamphetamines. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a focal hematoma at T2-3, and spinal angiography was negative for vascular abnormalities; however, a follow-up angiogram 6 days later revealed interval development of an irregular dilation of the left T3 radiculomedullary artery originating from the left supreme intercostal artery. Results Surgical trapping and resection of the lesion yielded a good clinical outcome. Conclusions Although two previous case reports have described patients with thoracic radiculomedullary pseudoaneurysm causing spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), this is the first reported case associated with synthetic cannabinoids and methamphetamine abuse. Although this diagnosis is exceptionally rare, clinical presentation of SAH with associated back pain and lower-extremity symptoms warrants an aggressive imaging workup. Even in the setting of negative angiography, repeat cerebral and spinal angiograms may be necessary to identify a potentially treatable cause of spinal SAH.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage following posterior spinal artery aneurysm. A case report and review of the literature

Isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysms are rare vascular lesions. We describe the case of a 43-year-old man presenting with spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage after a minor trauma who was found to have a dissecting aneurysm of a posterior spinal artery originating from the right T4 level. Endovascular treatment was not contemplated because of the small size of the feeding artery, whereas surgical resection was deemed more appropriate because of the posterolateral perimedullary location that was well appreciated on CT angiography. After surgical resection of the aneurysm the patient had a complete neurological recovery. In comparison to anterior spinal artery aneurysms whose pathogenesis is diverse, posterior spinal aneurysms are most often secondary to a dissection and represent false or spurious aneurysms. Although the definite diagnosis still requires spinal angiography, MRI and CT may better delineate the relationship of the aneurysm to the spinal cord in order to determine the best treatment method. Prompt treatment is recommended as they have high rebleeding and mortality rates.