Dissecting Fusiform PICA Aneurysm Repair With Trapping and an Unconventional End-to-Side Reanastomosis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio A Frisoli ◽  
Joshua S Catapano ◽  
Rohin Singh ◽  
Michael T Lawton

Abstract Dissecting fusiform posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are rare and challenging.1,2 One common treatment is occlusion of the aneurysm and parent artery via an endovascular approach without revascularization.3 Revascularization of the artery requires an open microsurgical bypass or endovascular placement of a newer-generation flow diverter.4 We present an end-to-side reanastomosis of the PICA for treatment of a dissecting fusiform left PICA aneurysm with anatomy deemed unfavorable for endovascular treatment in a 62-yr-old man with subarachnoid hemorrhage. After discussions regarding risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure, the family consented to surgical treatment.  A far-lateral craniotomy was performed, with partial condylectomy to widen the exposure. The cisterna magna was opened, and the dentate ligament was cut to visualize the vertebral artery. The PICA was identified and traced distally to the aneurysmal segment, which was circumferentially diseased. Perforators were noted immediately distal to the aneurysm. The aneurysm was then trapped, and the afferent artery was transected and brought to the sidewall of the distal artery. The recipient site was trapped with temporary clips, and a linear arteriotomy was made. An end-to-side reanastomosis was performed, temporary clips were removed, and hemostasis was achieved. Postoperative angiography confirmed bypass patency and preservation of the PICA perforators.  Conventional reanastomosis of the parent artery after aneurysm excision is achieved by end-to-end reanastomosis. In contrast, we performed an unconventional end-to-side reanastomosis to revascularize the PICA while leaving the efferent artery in situ to protect its medullary perforators. This bypass is an example of a fourth-generation bypass.5,6 Used with permission from the Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Bonda ◽  
Mohamad Labib ◽  
Jeffrey M. Katz ◽  
Rafael A. Ortiz ◽  
David Chalif ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: For some posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms, there is no constructive endovascular or direct surgical clipping option. Intracranial bypass is an alternative to a deconstructive technique. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, surgical techniques, and outcome of PICA aneurysms treated with bypass and obliteration of the diseased segment. METHODS: Retrospective review of PICA aneurysms treated via intracranial bypass was performed. Outcome measurements included postoperative stroke, cranial nerve deficits, gastrostomy/tracheostomy requirement, bypass patency, modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge, and mRS at 6 mo. RESULTS: Seven patients with PICA aneurysms treated with intracranial bypass were identified. Five had fusiform aneurysms (4 ruptured, 1 unruptured), 1 had a giant partially thrombosed saccular aneurysm (unruptured), and 1 had a dissecting traumatic aneurysm (ruptured). Two aneurysms were at the anteromedullary segment, 4 at the lateral medullary segment, and 1 at the tonsillomedullary segment. Three patients underwent PICA-to-PICA side to side anastomoses, 2 PICA-to-PICA reanastomosis, 1 vertebral artery-to-PICA bypass, and 1 occipital artery-PICA bypass. Six out of 7 aneurysms were obliterated surgically and 1 with additional endovascular occlusion after the bypass. All bypasses were patent intraoperatively; 2 were later demonstrated occluded without radiological signs or symptoms of stroke. No patients had new cranial nerve deficit postoperatively. With the exception of 1 death due to pulmonary emboli 3 mo postoperatively, all others remain at a mRS ≤ 2. CONCLUSION: Constructive bypass and aneurysm obliteration remains a viable alternative for treatment of PICA aneurysms not amenable to direct surgical clipping or to a vessel-preserving endovascular option.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Xu ◽  
Yong Hong ◽  
Yongtao Zheng ◽  
Qiang Xu ◽  
Bing Leng

AimTo report our experience with endovascular treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms.MethodsBetween January 2007 and December 2014, 40 patients with 42 PICA aneurysms were treated with endovascular embolization at our institution. Twenty-eight patients had 29 saccular aneurysms and 12 patients had 13 fusiform/dissecting aneurysms. The endovascular modalities were: (1) selective occlusion of the aneurysm with or without stent assistance (n=19); (2) occlusion of the aneurysm and the parent artery (n=22); and (3) occlusion of the aneurysm including the vertebral artery and PICA origin (n=1). Specifically, selective embolization was performed in 93.3% of aneurysms (14/15) proximal to the telovelotonsillary segment.ResultsImmediate angiographic results included 31 complete occlusions (74%), 3 nearly complete occlusions (7%), and 8 incomplete occlusions (19%). Mean follow-up of 20 months in 31 aneurysms showed 27 stable results, 3 further thromoboses, and 1 recurrence. Final results included 27 complete occlusions (87.1%) and 4 incomplete occlusions (12.9%). There were 5 overall procedural-related complications (12.5%), including 1 infarction (2.5%) and 4 intraprocedural ruptures (10.0%). Procedure-related morbidity and morbidity was 5.0% (2/40) and 2.5% (1/40), respectively. Clinical outcome was excellent (Glasgow Outcome Scale 5 in 31 of 33 patients at long-term follow-up).ConclusionsPICA aneurysms may be effectively treated by different endovascular approaches with favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes. Further studies are required to compare the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment with open surgery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Matsushima ◽  
Satoshi Matsuo ◽  
Noritaka Komune ◽  
Michihiro Kohno ◽  
J Richard Lister

Abstract BACKGROUND Advances in diagnosis of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms have revealed the high frequency of distal and/or dissecting PICA aneurysms. Surgical treatment of such aneurysms often requires revascularization of the PICA including but not limited to its caudal loop. OBJECTIVE To examine the microsurgical anatomy involved in occipital artery (OA)-PICA anastomosis at various anatomic segments of the PICA. METHODS Twenty-eight PICAs in 15 cadaveric heads were examined with the operating microscope to take morphometric measurements and explore the specific anatomy of bypass procedures. RESULTS OA bypass to the p2, p3, p4, or p5 segment was feasible with a recipient vessel of sufficient diameter. The loop wandering near the jugular foramen in the p2 segment provided sufficient length without requiring cauterization of any perforating arteries to the brainstem. Wide dissection of the cerebellomedullary fissure provided sufficient exposure for the examination of some p3 segments and all p4 segments hidden by the tonsil. OA-p5 bypass was placed at the main trunk before the bifurcation in 5 hemispheres and at the larger hemispheric trunk in others. CONCLUSION Understanding the possible variations of OA-PICA bypass may enable revascularization of the appropriate portion of the PICA when the parent artery must be occluded. A detailed anatomic understanding of each segment clarifies important technical nuances for the bypass on each segment. Dissection of the cerebellomedullary fissure helps to achieve sufficient exposure for the bypass procedures on most of the segments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler T Lazaro ◽  
Visish M Srinivasan ◽  
Patrick C Cotton ◽  
Jacob Cherian ◽  
Jeremiah N Johnson

Abstract Aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) represent the second most common posterior circulation aneurysm and commonly have complex morphology. Various bypass options exist for PICA aneurysms,1-6 depending on their location relative to brainstem perforators and the vertebral artery, and the presence of nearby donor arteries. We present a case of a man in his late 40s who presented with 3 d of severe headache. He was found to have a fusiform right P2-segment PICA aneurysm. Preoperative angiogram demonstrated the aneurysm and a redundant P3 caudal loop that came in close proximity to the healthy P2 segment proximal to the aneurysm. The risks and benefits of the procedure were discussed with the patient, and they consented for a right far lateral approach craniotomy with partial condylectomy for trapping of the aneurysm with bypass. The aneurysm was trapped proximally and distally. The P3 was transected just distal to the aneurysm and brought toward the proximal P2 segment, facilitated by a lack of perforators on this redundant distal artery. An end-to-side anastomosis was performed. Postoperative angiogram demonstrated exclusion of the aneurysm and patent bypass. The patient recovered well and remained without any neurological deficit at 6-mo follow-up.  This case demonstrates the use of a “fourth-generation”5,7,8 bypass technique. These techniques represent the next innovation beyond third-generation intracranial-intracranial bypass. In this type 4B reanastomosis bypass, an unconventional orientation of the arteries was used. Whereas reanastomosis is typically performed end-to-end, the natural course of these arteries and the relatively less-mobile proximal P2 segment made end-to-side the preferred option in this case. Fourth-generation bypass techniques open up more configurations for reanastomosis, using the local anatomy to the surgeon's advantage.  The patient consented to the described procedure and consented to the publication of their image.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Şükrü Oğuz ◽  
Hasan Dinc

Introduction The effectiveness and reliability of flow-diverter stents, which are commonly used in aneurysms of the anterior circulation, have been demonstrated previously. However, the use of these devices is associated with higher rates of perforator and branch ischemia following the treatment of aneurysms of the posterior circulation. Methods This work involved a single-center; retrospective study reviewing eight patients who had aneurysms related to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and who were treated with flow-diverter stents from September 2013 to May 2017. Results The mean aneurysm diameter was 7.6 mm (range, 5 to 11 mm). The types of aneurysm included five aneurysms that were saccular, two that were fusiform, and one that was dissecting. All saccular aneurysms in the neck involved the PICA origin, and one dissecting aneurysm was localized in the proximal part of the PICA. Procedural success was 100% (8/8), and there were no ischemic complications. One patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage died because of rebleeding (modified Rankin Scale (mRS), 6). Other than this patient all of the patients’ mRS scores were zero at discharge and at the clinical follow-up period (mean, 2.5 years). All of the aneurysms were completely occluded according to the latest angiographic controls (mean follow-up period of 19.5 months). Conclusions Treatment of PICA aneurysms with flow-diverter stents showed positive results with a high rate of technical success and low complication and mortality rates. The use of flow-diverter stents in the treatment of PICA aneurysms should be considered a safe and effective endovascular treatment option.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit S Puri ◽  
Francesco Massari ◽  
Samuel Y Hou ◽  
Juan Diego Lozano ◽  
Mary Howk ◽  
...  

BackgroundDissecting aneurysms located along the distal segments of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are extremely rare, accounting for only 0.5–0.7% of all intracranial aneurysms. Treatment of these aneurysms is challenging, both surgically and endovascularly. We present our preliminary experience and clinical data utilizing Onyx as an embolization agent in the treatment of these lesions with proximal parent artery preservation.Methods7 consecutive ruptured peripheral PICA aneurysms, in 7 patients, were treated with superselective Onyx embolization at our institutions. According to the anatomical classification of Lister et al, these aneurysms were located in the lateral medullary segment (n=1), tonsillomedullary segment (n=1), and the telovelotonsillary segment (n=5) of the PICA. Technical feasibility, procedure related complications, angiographic results, follow-up diagnostic imaging, and clinical outcome were evaluated.ResultsIn all cases, endovascular treatment was successful, with complete occlusion of the aneurysm with proximal parent artery preservation at the final postprocedural angiogram. Procedure related complications were not observed. One patient with a poor clinical condition at admission died during the initial hospital stay due to extensive subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage. No rebleeding or recanalization was noted during follow-up. Two patients had a residual moderate to severe disability at follow-up. Favorable outcomes, with no or mild disability, were observed in four of the surviving patients.ConclusionsAngiographic, diagnostic imaging, and clinical results of our small series indicate that Onyx embolization of dissecting distal PICA aneurysms with parent artery preservation is an effective option with acceptable morbidity and mortality rate, in those cases in which surgical clipping or endovascular coiling of the aneurysmal sac is not suitable.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Mericle ◽  
Adam S. Reig ◽  
Matthew V. Burry ◽  
Eric Eskioglu ◽  
Christopher S. Firment ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms represent a subset of posterior circulation aneurysms that can be routinely treated with either clipping or coiling. The literature contains limited numbers of patients with proximal PICA aneurysms treated with endovascular surgery. We report our experience with endovascular surgery of proximal PICA aneurysms with emphasis on patients with poor Hunt-Hess grades. METHODS: We reviewed 31 consecutive patients with proximal PICA aneurysms who were treated with endovascular surgery. The following data were analyzed: age, sex, size of aneurysm, Hunt-Hess grade at presentation, Fisher grade at presentation, angiographic result after embolization, complications, number of days hospitalized, duration of follow-up, angiographic follow-up results, and Glasgow Outcome Score at follow-up. RESULTS: Excellent angiographic occlusion was achieved in 30 of 31 (97%) patients. Clinical follow-up with Glasgow Outcome Score was performed on every patient an average of 10 months later. Twenty-one of 31 (68%) patients had good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Score I or II) at follow-up. Of the patients who presented with a favorable clinical grade (Hunt-Hess 0–III), 13 of 15 (87%) had good outcomes at follow-up. Of the patients who presented with a poor clinical grade (Hunt-Hess Grade IV or higher), 8 of 16 (50%) had good outcomes at follow-up. CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates the safety and efficacy of endovascular surgery for proximal PICA aneurysms. Many patients with poor Hunt-Hess grades from ruptured PICA aneurysms ultimately had a good outcome. This could be secondary to early, aggressive treatment of hydrocephalus and the minimally invasive nature of the endovascular approach.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lishan Cui ◽  
Qiang Peng ◽  
Wenbo Ha ◽  
Dexiang Zhou ◽  
Yang Xu

Peripheral cerebral aneurysms are difficult to treat with preservation of the parent arteries. We report the clinical and angiographic outcome of 12 patients with cerebral aneurysms located peripherally. In the past five years, 12 patients, six females and six males, presented at our institution with intracranial aneurysms distal to the circle of Willis and were treated endovascularly. The age of our patients ranged from four to 58 years with a mean age of 37 years. Seven of the 12 patients had subarachnoid and/or intracerebral hemorrhage upon presentation. Two patients with P2 dissecting aneurysms presented with mild hemiparesis and hypoesthesia, one patient with a large dissecting aneurysm complained of headaches and two patients with M3 dissecting aneurysms had mild hemiparesis and hypoesthesia of the right arm. Locations of the aneurysms were as follows: posterior cerebral artery in seven patients, anterior inferior cerebellar artery in two, posterior inferior cerebellar artery in one, middle cerebral artery in two. Twelve patients with peripheral cerebral aneurysms underwent parent artery occlusion (PAO). PAO was performed with detachable coils. No patient developed neurologic deficits. Distally located cerebral aneurysms can be treated with parent artery occlusion when selective embolization of the aneurysmal sac with detachable platinum coils or surgical clipping cannot be achieved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. E122-E129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peyton L Nisson ◽  
Xinmin Ding ◽  
Ali Tayebi Meybodi ◽  
Ryan Palsma ◽  
Arnau Benet ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Revascularization of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is typically performed with the occipital artery (OA) as an extracranial donor. The p3 segment is the most accessible recipient site for OA-PICA bypass at its caudal loop inferior to the cerebellar tonsil, but this site may be absent or hidden due to a high-riding location. OBJECTIVE To test our hypothesis that freeing p1 PICA from its origin, transposing the recipient into a shallower position, and performing OA-p1 PICA bypass with an end-to-end anastomosis would facilitate this bypass. METHODS The OA was harvested, and a far lateral craniotomy was performed in 16 cadaveric specimens. PICA caliber and number of perforators were measured at p1 and p3 segments. OA-p3 PICA end-to-side and OA-p1 PICA end-to-end bypasses were compared. RESULTS OA-p1 PICA bypass with end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 16 specimens; whereas, OA-p3 PICA bypass with end-to-side anastomosis was performed in 11. Mean distance from OA at the occipital groove to the anastomosis site was shorter for p1 than p3 segments (30.2 vs 48.5 mm; P < .001). Median number of perforators on p1 was 1, and on p3, it was 4 (P < .001). CONCLUSION Although most OA-PICA bypasses can be performed using the p3 segment as the recipient site for an end-to-side anastomosis, a more feasible alternative to conventional OA-p3 PICA bypass in cases of high-riding caudal loops or aberrant anatomy is to free the p1 PICA, transpose it away from the lower cranial nerves, and perform an end-to-end OA-p1 PICA bypass instead.


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