Treatment of an Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm With Microsurgical Trapping and In Situ Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery to Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Bypass: Case Report

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan S Lee ◽  
Alex M Witek ◽  
Nina Z Moore ◽  
Mark D Bain

Abstract BACKGROUND Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare lesions whose treatment can involve microsurgical and/or endovascular techniques. Such treatment can be challenging and may carry a significant risk of neurological morbidity. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate a case involving a complex AICA aneurysm that was treated with a unique microsurgical approach involving trapping the aneurysm and performing in Situ bypass from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) to the distal AICA. The nuances of AICA aneurysms and revascularization strategies are discussed. METHODS The aneurysm and the distal segments of AICA and PICA were exposed with a retrosigmoid and far lateral approach. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the adjacent caudal loops of PICA and AICA. The AICA aneurysm was then treated by trapping the aneurysm-bearing segment of the parent vessel between 2 clips. RESULTS A postoperative angiogram demonstrated a patent PICA-AICA bypass and complete occlusion of the AICA aneurysm. There were no complications, and the patient made an excellent recovery. CONCLUSION The combination of parent vessel sacrifice and bypass remains an excellent option for certain difficult-to-treat aneurysms. This case involving PICA-AICA bypass to treat an AICA aneurysm serves as an example of the neurosurgeon's ability to develop unique solutions that take advantage of individual anatomy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. E311-E312
Author(s):  
Justin R Mascitelli ◽  
Sirin Gandhi ◽  
Jacob F Baranoski ◽  
Michael J Lang ◽  
Michael T Lawton

Abstract In situ bypasses to the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are unusual because, with only one artery in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), no natural intracranial donors parallel its course. In rare cases, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) may have the tortuosity or redundancy to be mobilized to the AICA to serve as a donor. This video demonstrates this p3 PICA-to-a3 AICA in situ side-to-side bypass. A 75-yr-old woman presented with ataxia and hemiparesis from a large thrombotic right AICA aneurysm compressing the brainstem. Strategy consisted of bypass, trapping, and brainstem decompression. Written informed consent for surgery was obtained from the patient. A hockey-stick incision was made to harvest the occipital artery as a backup donor, but its diminutive caliber precluded its use. The bypass was performed through an extended retrosigmoid craniotomy. The aneurysm was trapped completely and thrombectomized to relieve the pontine mass effect. Indocyanine green videoangiography confirmed patency of the bypass, retrograde filling of the AICA to supply pontine perforators, and no residual aneurysmal filling. This unusual in situ bypass is possible when redundancy of the AICA and PICA allow their approximation in the CPA. The anastomosis is performed lateral to the lower cranial nerves in a relatively open and superficial plane. The extended retrosigmoid approach provides adequate exposure for both the bypass and aneurysm trapping. In situ AICA-PICA bypass enables anterograde and retrograde AICA revascularization with side-to-side anastomosis. The occipital artery-to-AICA bypass and the V3 vertebral artery-to-AICA interpositional bypass are alternatives when intracranial anatomy is unfavorable for this in situ bypass.1–6 Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. E111-E111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin K Hendricks ◽  
Robert F Spetzler

Abstract Aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare and require a considerate approach to facilitate successful and safe clipping. Surgical approaches vary and are dependent on the relation of the aneurysm to the internal acoustic meatus. An anterior approach should be considered for lesions medial to the meatus. Lesions adjacent to the meatus can be approached via a retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach. Lesions lateral to the meatus can be approached via a retrosigmoid or far lateral approach. This patient had a previously ruptured AICA aneurysm in the meatal region for which a retrosigmoid approach was selected. The approach involved locating the AICA distally and tracking it proximally to the origin off the basilar artery. A clip was applied across the aneurysm neck to facilitate occlusion while preserving parent vessel flow. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.


2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taryn McFadden Bragg ◽  
Edward A. M. Duckworth

Numerous nuanced approaches have been used to access posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms for microsurgical clipping. The authors report the case of a patient with a right vertebral artery (VA)–PICA aneurysm that was reached via a contralateral far-lateral approach. The wide-necked saccular/fusiform aneurysm arose from the lateral aspect of the right V4 segment just proximal to the PICA origin, anterior to the jugular tubercle at the level of the hypoglossal canal. Computed tomography angiograms demonstrated the size and configuration of the aneurysm, and 3D reconstructions revealed the tortuosity of the right VA, defining its location just left of the midline adjacent to the lower clivus. A contralateral far-lateral approach to VA–PICA aneurysms should be considered when aneurysms cross the midline. Computed tomography angiography with volume rendering and interactive software capabilities can help identify the relationship of such an aneurysm to an individual's particular skull base osseous anatomy and is paramount in selecting the optimal microsurgical approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S343-S343
Author(s):  
Jaafar Basma ◽  
Vincent N. Nguyen ◽  
William M. Mangham ◽  
Nickalus R. Khan ◽  
Jeffrey Sorenson ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To describe a far lateral approach for microsurgical clipping of a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm involving the hypoglossal nerve, with emphasis on the microsurgical anatomy, and technique. Design A far lateral craniotomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position and the transverse and sigmoid sinuses were exposed. After opening the dura, sutures are placed to allow gentle mobilization of the sinuses. The ipsilateral cerebellar tonsil is mobilized and the PICA is followed to its junction with the vertebral artery. Hypoglossal nerve rootlets are draped over the dome of the aneurysm. Mobilization of the PICA and the hypoglossal nerve away from the lateral medulla allows microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm neck. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The senior authors performed the surgery. The video was edited by Drs. V.N. and J.B. Chart review and literature review were performed by Drs. W.M. and J.B. Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed with successful clip occlusion and postoperative neurological function. Results There was complete clip occlusion of the PICA aneurysm with no postoperative neurological deficits. The patient was discharged home after an uneventful hospital course. Conclusion The far lateral approach provides an adequate corridor to the ventrolateral brainstem for microsurgical treatment of PICA aneurysms. An adequate understanding of the relevant microsurgical anatomy is the key to safe and effective clipping in this region.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/yhjKRIG5H74.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oded Goren ◽  
Raghuram Sampath ◽  
Akshal S Patel ◽  
Christoph J Griessenauer ◽  
Clemens M Schirmer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE The Coupler microanastomotic device (Medical Companies Alliance, Birmingham, Alabama) aims at facilitating safe and efficient end-to-end reconstruction of the native vessel ends following resection of intracranial aneurysms. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We report the first case of the Coupler device used to treat a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm. Following aneurysmal trapping and excision, the native parent vessel ends were connected in an end-to-end fashion. CONCLUSION The microanastomotic Coupler device is an acceptable option for end-to-end anastomosis and was successfully applied in the management of a ruptured fusiform PICA aneurysm.


2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 634-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Fukuda ◽  
Alexander I. Evins ◽  
Koichi Iwasaki ◽  
Itaro Hattori ◽  
Kenichi Murao ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Occipital artery–posterior inferior cerebellar artery (OA-PICA) bypass is a technically challenging procedure for posterior fossa revascularization. The caudal loop of the PICA is considered the optimal site for OA-PICA anastomosis, however its absence can increase the technical difficulty associated with this procedure. The use of the far-lateral approach for accessing alternative anastomosis sites in OA-PICA bypass in patients with absent or unavailable caudal loops of PICA is evaluated. METHODS A morphometric analysis of OA-PICA bypass with anastomosis on each segment of the PICA was performed on 5 cadaveric specimens through the conventional midline foramen magnum and far-lateral approaches. The difficulty level associated with anastomoses at each segment was qualitatively assessed in each approach for exposure and maneuverability by multiple surgeons. A series of 8 patients who underwent OA-PICA bypass for hemodynamic ischemia or ruptured dissecting posterior fossa aneurysms are additionally reviewed and described, and the clinical significance of the caudal loop of PICA is discussed. RESULTS Anastomosis on the caudal loop could be performed more superficially than on any other segment (p < 0.001). A far-lateral approach up to the medial border of the posterior condylar canal provided a 13.5 ± 2.2–mm wider corridor than the conventional midline foramen magnum approach, facilitating access to alternative anastomosis sites. The far-lateral approach was successfully used for OA-PICA bypass in 3 clinical cases whose caudal loops were absent, whereas the midline foramen magnum approach provided sufficient exposure for caudal loop bypass in the remaining 5 cases. CONCLUSIONS The absence of the caudal loop of the PICA is a major contributing factor to the technical difficulty of OA-PICA bypass. The far-lateral approach is a useful surgical option for OA-PICA bypass when the caudal loop of the PICA is unavailable.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Michael Lemole ◽  
Jeffrey Henn ◽  
Sam Javedan ◽  
Vivek Deshmukh ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

✓ Cerebral revascularization is often required for the surgical treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. In certain anatomical locations, vascular anatomy and redundancy make in situ bypass possible. The authors present four patients who underwent revascularization performed using the rarely reported posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)—PICA in situ bypass after their aneurysms had been trapped. At Barrow Neurological Institute, between 1991 and the present, four male patients underwent PICA—PICA bypasses to treat aneurysms involving the vertebral artery, the PICA, or both. The mean age of these patients was 34 years (range 5–49 years). Follow-up studies revealed patent bypasses and no evidence of infarction. Patient outcomes were excellent or good. Multiple surgical techniques have been described for revascularization of at-risk cerebral territories. Often, the blood supply must be derived from extracranial sources through a mobilized pedicle or interposited graft. Certain anatomical locations such as the vertebrobasilar junction, the anterior circle of Willis, and the middle cerebral artery bifurcation are amenable to in situ bypass because there is vessel redundancy or proximity to the contralateral analogous vessel. The advantages of an in situ bypass include one suture line, a short bypass distance, and a close match with the caliber of the recipient graft. Although technically challenging, this technique can be successful and should be considered for appropriate candidates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaojue Huang ◽  
Shixing Qin ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yongjia Yu

Background: Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are relatively rare in clinical practice, accounting for &lt;1% of all intracranial arteries. After the diagnosis and location are confirmed by angiography, magnetic resonance, and other imaging examinations, interventional, or surgical treatment is often used, but some complex aneurysms require reconstructive surgery.Case Description: An 8-year-old male child was admitted to the hospital due to sudden disturbance of consciousness for 2 weeks. The head CT showed hematocele in the ventricular system with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basilar cistern and annular cistern. On admission, he was conscious, answered correctly, had a soft neck, limb muscle strength was normal, and had no cranial nerves or nervous system abnormalities. A preoperative examination showed the right side of the anterior distal arteries class under the circular wide neck aneurysm, the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery supplying a wide range of blood to the cerebellum, the ipsilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery absent, and the aneurysm close to the VII, VIII nerves. The aneurysm was successfully treated by aneurysm resection and intracranial artery anastomosis in situ of a2 AICA-a2 AICA.Conclusions: AICA aneurysms are relatively rare; in this case, a complex wide-necked aneurysm was successfully treated by aneurysm resection and anastomosis in situ of a2 AICA-a2 AICA. This case can provide a reference for the surgical treatment of complex anterior cerebellar aneurysms.


2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (videosuppl1) ◽  
pp. Video10 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
Jayson A. Neil

Ruptured fusiform posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms can be technically challenging lesions. Surgeons must be ready to employ a variety of strategies in the successful treatment of these aneurysms. Strategies include complex clip techniques including clip-wrapping or trapping and revascularization. The case presented here is of a man with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a fusiform ruptured PICA aneurysm. The technique demonstrated is a far-lateral approach and a clip-wrap technique using muslin gauze. The patient was given aspirin preoperatively in preparation for possible occipital–PICA bypass if direct repair was not feasible. It is the authors' preference to perform direct vessel repair as a primary goal and use bypass techniques when this is not possible. Vessel patency was evaluated after clip-wrapping using intraoperative Doppler. Intraoperative somatosensory and motor evoked potential monitoring is used in such cases. The patient recovered well.The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/iwLqufH47Ds.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. E818-E819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. Chang ◽  
Udaya K. Kakarla ◽  
Giriraj K. Sharma ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

Abstract OBJECTIVE This is the first report of a ruptured aneurysm involving a collateral branch to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in a patient who had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 56-year-old man initially presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent 2 catheter-based 4-vessel angiograms with negative results. A delayed angiogram 4 weeks later revealed a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior meningeal artery, a branch of the vertebral artery. INTERVENTION A 3-dimensional reconstruction of the vertebral angiogram showed proximal occlusion of the proximal left PICA and distal filling via a collateral branch from the posterior meningeal artery. A far-lateral approach was used for this patient. The aneurysm was found along the course of the collateral posterior meningeal artery and was clipped successfully. CONCLUSION Aneurysms involving collateral branches of the PICA are rare. It is important to recognize such collateral flow preoperatively because inadvertent sacrifice of these vessels during a surgical approach could lead to stroke and neurological deficits of the PICA territory.


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