[Infectious endocarditis complicated with preoperative cerebral infarction and rupture of infectious intracranial aneurysm]

A surgically treated case of infectious endocarditis (IE) complicated with preoperative cerebral infarction and rupture of mycotic intracranial aneurysm was reported. A 66-year-old male was admitted with the diagnosis of active IE due to Streptococcus sanguis, complicated with cerebral infarction 17 days previously. Preoperative echocardiography showed mobile vegetations both on the aortic and the mitral leaflet, sizes of which were 12.6 and 25 mm. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a subarachnoid homorrhage due to the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, and was treated surgically. The bacteriological study of the resected aneurysm showed Streptococcus sanguis. Eleven days after the operation, both the aortic and the mitral valve replacement were performed. There were mobile vegetations on the aortic and the mitral leaflet. There were no new neurological findings after operation. The duration between the cranial surgery and the cardiac surgery was thought to be important to prevent the new neurological complication.

Aneurysmal Rupture During Coiling: Low Incidence and Good Outcomes at a Single Large Volume Center

OBJECTIVE:

To study the incidence and clinical outcomes of intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IOR) during endovascular coil embolization at a single large volume center and to review the literature on this subject to determine whether IOR rupture rate and mortality correlate with volume of aneurysms treated at a given center and years since the institution of Guglielmi detachable coils as a treatment modality.

METHODS:

We reviewed the aneurysm database at the Center for Endovascular Surgery since its inception (1997–2003) and reviewed 600 consecutively treated intracranial aneurysms in which coiling was attempted. All patients who sustained an IOR were studied. Procedural and follow-up angiograms as well as clinical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. A literature review was conducted.

RESULTS:

Six patients (1.0%) experienced IOR (1.4% in acutely ruptured lesions, 0% in unruptured). All six had presented with diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher Grade 3) and in good clinical grade (Hunt & Hess Grades 1–3). One patient was rendered permanently disabled secondary to delay in controlling the IOR. All others were neurologically unchanged. A review of the literature revealed a trend in correlation between volume of aneurysms treated and IOR rate; no statistically significant correlation was found between volume of aneurysms treated or years since the introduction of GDC technology and IOR rates or mortality.

CONCLUSION:

IOR remains a serious risk of endosaccular coiling of intracranial aneurysms, with aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage at greater risk for this complication. This risk can be minimized with very low associated morbidity and mortality (incidence 1%, 17% morbidity, 0% mortality at our institution).

Angiographic and clinical results in 316 coil-treated basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms

Object. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the endovascular treatment of basilar artery (BA) bifurcation aneurysms and to compare the results with those published by other neuroendovascular teams.

Methods. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 316 aneurysms of the BA bifurcation that had been treated using endovascular coil occlusion between November 6, 1992, and February 12, 2005. After the initial embolization procedure, a 90 to 100% occlusion rate was achieved in 86% of the aneurysms. No complication was evident in 80% of the lesions, although periprocedural aneurysm rupture (3.2%) and thromboembolic events (12.3%) were the most frequent complications. Clinical outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was a score of 5 or 4 in 77%, 3 in 11%, 2 in 5%, and 1 in 7% of patients. Initial follow-up angiography studies were obtained in 56% of patients at a mean of 19 months posttreatment and demonstrated a 90 to 100% occlusion rate in 70%. No recurrence was seen on 65% of the aneurysms. Coil compaction was evident on 24% of the follow-up angiograms.

A second treatment was performed on 48 aneurysms (15%) a mean of 27 months after the first therapeutic session and resulted in 90 to 100% occlusion in 83% of the lesions. Complications were encountered in 19% of the aneurysms. Rupture did not occur during any of the procedures. Clinical outcome was rated as GOS Score 5 or 4 in 83% of the patients and Grade 3 in 17%.

During a cumulative clinical follow up of 821 years in 237 patients, 182 patients (81%) were independent (GOS Score 5 or 4), 33 (14%) were dependent (GOS Score 3), eight (3%) were in a vegetative state, and two (1%) had died. Clinical outcome was significantly worse after previous aneurysm rupture and following procedural complications.

Conclusions. These results are within the range of published data for coil treatment of BA tip aneurysms and confirm both the safety and efficacy of this endovascular treatment method.

Review of the literature regarding the relationship of rebleeding and external ventricular drainage in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage of aneurysmal origin

Acute hydrocephalus is a well-documented complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The insertion of external ventricular drainage (EVD) has been the standard of care in the management of this complication, aiming primarily at immediate improvement of the clinical condition of these patients, making them more suitable candidates for surgical or endovascular intervention. In our current communication, we review the pertinent literature regarding the relationship of rebleeding and EVD. Several studies have implicated a significantly increased risk of rebleeding in patients with EVD, compared with patients without it. Abrupt lowering of the intracranial pressure could lead to rebleeding due to decreased transmural pressure or removal of the clot sealing the previously ruptured aneurysm. However, a variety of parameters that could affect the rebleeding rate, such as the timing of surgery, the timing and duration of drainage, the size of the aneurysm, as well as the severity of the initial hemorrhage, do not seem to have been adequately explored in the majority of these studies. In addition, a number of clinical trials have failed to provide evidence for the negative role of EVD in the development of rebleeding. Conclusively, further long-term multi-center studies are required in order to establish the exact nature of the relationship between EVD and rebleeding after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

High re-bleeding rate in young adults after subarachnoid haemorrhage from giant aneurysms

Low re-bleeding rates within the first 14 days of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage are reported in young patients. Furthermore, re-bleeding rate for giant aneurysms does not exceed 20% according to the literature. Our own clinical impression is that the re-bleeding rate seems to be much higher in giant aneurysms than reported, particularly in young patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate re-bleeding rate after subarachnoid haemorrhage following rupture of giant aneurysms in a younger population. We reviewed records of 23 patients who were treated in our institution for subarachnoid haemorrhage from giant aneurysms between 1994 and 2003. By definition, the aneurysms were larger than 25 mm in diameter. Five patients were younger than 40 years of age at the time of the aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. All younger patients (<40 years of age) showed re-bleeding after the first subarachnoid haemorrhage within the first 14 days of the initial event. In four patients (20%) older than 40 years at the time of the haemorrhage re-bleeding could be observed within the first 14 days of subarachnoid haemorrhage. We can confirm the re-bleeding rate of approximately 20% in patients suffering from subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in the group of patients older than 40 years of age. However, younger patients seem to be at much higher risk of re-bleeding from giant aneurysms.

Churg-Strauss syndrome presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) represents a rare systemic vasculitis that is almost invariably accompanied by bronchial asthma and eosinophilia. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman with previously diagnosed CSS presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from dissecting aneurysm in a vertebral artery (VA). Two months before onset of SAH, the patient had presented with numbness on her right lower leg due to peripheral neuropathy. On admission, angiography revealed dissecting aneurysm of the right intracranial VA and stenosis of the basilar artery. Hematological examination revealed an increased percentage of eosinophils. Ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial VA was diagnosed. Emergent coil embolization of the dissecting aneurysm and occlusion of the parent artery was performed to prevent repeated hemorrhage from the dissecting aneurysm. Then pharmacotherapy with prednisone was initiated for CSS. The patient recovered well and was discharged without any neurological deficit. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of CSS presented with SAH from dissecting aneurysm on posterior circulation.

Use of Stent Grafts to Repair Hemodialysis Graft–related Pseudoaneurysms

PURPOSE

To review the author's early experience with stent grafts to repair hemodialysis graft-related pseudoaneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients had undergone insertion of a stent graft to repair a pseudoaneurysm arising from a PTFE hemodialysis graft. The study group consists of seven women and four men with a mean age of 50.7 years. The primary indications for stent graft placement were: rapid enlargement of a pseudoaneurysm in four patients, difficulty with cannulating the graft in two patients, high risk of acute rupture in three patients, persistent bleeding from the pseudoaneurysm in one patient, and one was incidentally discovered during diagnostic fistulography. In 10 of the 11 patients, the pseudoaneurysm arose from the arterial limb of a loop-configuration graft. A stent graft was successfully deployed in all patients. The radiological and surgical records were reviewed.

RESULTS

The Viabahn endoprosthesis was successfully inserted and deployed in all 11 patients. Six patients underwent subsequent interventions, which ended primary patency at 39 days, 40 days, 63 days, 104 days, 120 days, and 327 days after insertion of the stent graft. However, no additional interventions have been performed in five patients and primary patency continues. In these five patients the interval of continuing primary patency is 55 days, 92 days, 103 days, 139 days, and 196 days. In this small group of patients the primary patency rate is 71% at 3 months and 20% at 6 months.

DISCUSSION

Early experience has demonstrated that a stent graft can successfully exclude a pseudoaneurysm from a hemodialysis graft and may prevent further enlargement and decrease the likelihood of rupture. However, in two of these 11 patients, the large pseudoaneurysm remained problematic and required subsequent surgical repair.

A ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm originating from the site of anastomosis 20 years after extracranial-intracranial bypass for moyamoya disease: case report

BACKGROUND

Direct revascularization through a superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass is often performed to prevent ischemic or hemorrhagic attack in patients with moyamoya disease. This is the first reported case of aneurysm formation and rupture due to an STA-MCA bypass in a patient with moyamoya disease.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 52-year-old man who had undergone bilateral STA-MCA bypass for caudate hemorrhage due to moyamoya disease 20 years previously suffered from sudden-onset unconsciousness. Computed tomography revealed a massive intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in the left frontoparietal region. Angiography showed good patency of the anastomoses and stage IV moyamoya disease. However, no other abnormality was found. Emergency evacuation of the hematoma was performed. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, but consciousness disturbance of sudden onset occurred 1 month later. Computed tomography showed a hematoma in the lateral ventricle and acute hydrocephalus. Repeat angiography revealed an aneurysm on the left side of the anastomosis. Bilateral ventricle drainage tubes were inserted, and the aneurysm was clipped. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was later performed.

CONCLUSION

In patients with moyamoya disease who have undergone extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery, progressive hemodynamic stress may cause the formation of de novo aneurysms after a postoperative period of several decades. Imaging examinations should therefore be performed periodically for follow-up, and a de novo aneurysm should be suspected in a patient who has an unusual ICH.

[Silent left ventricular pseudoaneurysm and rupture to a second pseudoaneurysm]

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is usually associated with myocardial infarction and ventricular wall rupture, although it can also be associated with other pathological conditions. Rupture causes shock, and death if not repaired urgently. We report the very rare case of a man with coronary lesions that resulted in a silent myocardial infarction with rupture of the myocardial wall and the subsequent development of a large, posterolateral, left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. This was followed by rupture of the primary pseudoaneurysm and the consequent creation of a second pseudoaneurysm, which finally resulted in shock and death.

An unusual mid term complication of coronary rupture

A 55-year-old man was admitted with a four-month history of lethargy, dyspnea and ascites. An idiopathic liver cirrhosis was suspected to be responsible for these symptoms and for elevated hepatic enzymes on blood tests. A few months before he had an angioplasty on the left anterior descending artery for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The intervention was complicated by coronary perforation which required the implantation of a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered (PTFE) stent to seal the rupture. On admission, pressure measurements during cardiac catheterism revealed a typical right ventricular dip-plateau consistent with the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (CP). Magnetic resonance imaging (RMI) showed localized pericardial thickening next to the right ventricle. We suspect hemopericardium, due to coronary perforation, is responsible for constrictive pericarditis. This mid-term complication of coronary rupture has not been reported before and should be suspected in this particular clinical setting.

VEGF plasma levels in non-ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Aneurysm growth appears to be associated with an increased risk of rupture. Therefore, it may be of interest to identify mechanisms contributing to aneurysm growth. Angiogenic factors, particularly vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis and growth of cerebrovascular malformations. We aimed to study systemic VEGF levels as a potential systemic marker in patients with non-ruptured intracranial aneurysms compared with healthy controls. Mean VEGF plasma concentrations were found to be increased in patients with non-ruptured intracranial aneurysms compared with healthy controls (85.2 pg/ml versus 44.1 pg/ml). This difference did not reach significance in the analyzed study cohort (p=0.05) but only when the analysis was restricted to male patients (p=0.04). Female patients and controls demonstrated significantly increased VEGF plasma levels only on correlation with age but not with the presence of aneurysms. Neither the presence of multiple aneurysms nor aneurysm location were correlated with VEGF levels. Although overall VEGF plasma difference was not statistically significant, we found significantly increased levels in male patients. Furthermore, we identified a distinct group of female patients with intracranial aneurysms who presented excessively increased VEGF plasma levels to an amount that was not observed in the controls. Further studies may clarify the relationship of aneurysm growth and VEGF.

Rupture of an aortic dissection into the right atrium in a patient with a previous aortic valve replacement: a case report

We report the case of a 73-year-old man with a history of previous aortic valve replacement in 1990 and rupture of an aortic dissection into the right atrium. The patient was admitted to the emergency room because of chest pain, stopped not long after. The electrocardiogram did not show any signs of ischemia and myocardial enzymes were not increased. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed aortic root dilation (maximum diameter 60 mm) extended to the aortic arch, and the presence of a flow from the ascending aorta to the right atrium (evocative of a fistula between the two chambers). The aortic valvular prosthesis function was good. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed an aorta-right atrium fistula. Cardiac catheterization did not show any luminal obstructions in the coronary arteries; there was a small shunt from the aorta to the right atrium. The ascending aorta and the aortic root were replaced with a Dacron graft. Right and left sinuses were reimplanted to the graft. The fistula was repaired with 4-0 pledgeted Prolene sutures. The surgeon's diagnosis was "type A aortic dissection in a patient with an ascending aorta aneurysm and an old ascending aorta-right atrium fistula".

Rerupture of cerebral aneurysms during angiography--a retrospective study of 13 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE, BACKGROUND: Cerebral angiography, performed within 24 hr of aneurysmal rupture, carries an increased risk of rebleeding. We have investigated the rerupture rate during angiography procedures under deep general anesthesia and the factors that contribute to rebleeding.

METHODS

We divided 69 patients who had experienced aneurysmal rerupture into 2 groups. Group I (n = 13) suffered rebleeding during cerebral angiography and group II (n = 56) who rebled at a different time. We assessed the effects on rebleeding of the (1) time between the first insult and angiography, (2) WFNS clinical grade on admission, (3) blood pressure during angiography, (4) age and sex, (5) Fisher classification on admission, (6) aneurysmal site, and (7) Glasgow outcome score (GOS).

RESULTS

Factors that had a statistically relevant effect on rebleeding during cerebral angiography (Group I) were the performance of angiography within 3 hr of the initial insult, the admission grade, and the aneurysmal site. Especially, the rerupture events during cerebral angiography were concentrated within 3 hr of the initial insult; the rate was 23.9% when angiograms were obtained within 3 hr of onset. Group I patients manifested a worse clinical grade and middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms were prevalent in this group. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to blood pressure, age, sex, Fisher classification, and GOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral angiography at ultra-early timing (within 3 hr of the insult) carries a high risk of aneurysmal rerupture, even if the procedure is performed under deep anesthesia and normotensive blood pressure. Cerebral angiography during that period should be avoided.

The Isolated Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm—A Review

BACKGROUND

The isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIIAA) is rare but rupture has a high mortality rate. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the epidemiology, aetiology, natural history, diagnosis and management with a focus on aneurysms of atherosclerotic origin.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using internet databases PubMed, Medline and Medscape followed by manual cross referencing of relevant articles. Data were retrieved from the papers, tabulated and analysed to form a review of atherosclerotic IIIAA.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy-two papers were found relating to internal iliac artery aneurysms in general and 82 were directly relevant to this paper, reporting 94 cases of atherosclerotic IIIAA. For atherosclerotic aneurysms, the median (range) age was 71.9 (47-89) years and 95% were male. The natural history is unclear but is probably one of increasing size, with corresponding increased risk of rupture. Presentation was with rupture in 40%, leading to rapid death if untreated. The death rate in the group as a whole was 31%. The median (range) size of aneurysms at diagnosis was 7.7 (2-13) cm and death was significantly associated with rupture (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.327, p=0.007). Symptoms included abdominal pain (31.7%), urological symptoms (28.3%), neurological symptoms (18.3%), groin pain (11.7%), hip or buttock pain (8.3%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (8.3%). Diagnosis may also be coincidental as a result of investigation for other conditions. Of particular use in diagnosis and assessment are ultrasound, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance angiography. Surgical treatment is difficult but can be achieved by ligation, excision or endoanneurysmorrhaphy. More recently, radiological treatments include coil embolisation and endoluminal stenting (often in combination) with the established advantages of endovascular repair have yielded promising short term results, although long term follow-up is required to assess complications and the durability of the devices.

CONCLUSIONS

Atherosclerotic IIIAA is a rare condition and if undiagnosed is often fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality particularly with the advent of endovascular techniques.

Endovascular Repair of an Aorto–Left Renal Vein Fistula Due to a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm After EVAR

PURPOSE

To report an unusual late complication of endovascular aneurysm repair: an arteriovenous fistula between the aneurysm sac and a retro-aortic left renal vein following sac expansion due to a type III endoleak.

CASE REPORT

A 79-year-old man developed an arteriovenous fistula between the aneurysm sac and a retro-aortic left renal vein 67 months after endovascular aneurysm exclusion (EVAR). Aneurysm rupture was due to disconnection between the right iliac limb and an extender cuff. The problem was repaired percutaneously with another endograft bridging the two prostheses. At 16 months, the aneurysm sac diameter was decreased; there was no evidence of the AV fistula, and the patient was free from any complication related to the EVAR.

CONCLUSIONS

This case emphasizes the need of close surveillance even in the late postoperative course of these patients. Moreover, this rare event confirmed that endovascular techniques can play an important role in treating emergent complications.

Follow-up screening after subarachnoid haemorrhage: frequency and determinants of new aneurysms and enlargement of existing aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms have long been considered a once in a lifetime event. Nevertheless, patients who survive after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) may be at risk for new aneurysms. In a cohort of patients with clipped aneurysms, we studied the yield of screening in the years after the SAH and we tried to identify risk factors for formation of new aneurysms as well as for enlargement of aneurysms that were already present at the time of the SAH. We screened 610 patients who had been admitted between 1985 and 2001 for SAH by means of CT-angiography. Risk factors were evaluated by Cox regression analyses. With screening we detected 129 aneurysms in 96 (16%) patients, after a mean interval of 8.9 years. Of these, 24 (19%) were located at the site of the previously ruptured and clipped aneurysm and 105 (81%) at a site remote from the clip site. Of the aneurysms at a remote site 59 could be compared with the initial (CT)-angiogram. Of these, 19 were truly de novo (32%) and 40 (68%) were already visible in retrospect. Of the 53 aneurysms that were followed over time 13 (25%) had enlarged. Risk factors for aneurysm formation and growth were presence of multiple aneurysms at time of SAH (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-8.6), current smoking (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.4) and hypertension (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.9). These results suggest that intracranial aneurysms should not be considered as a single event in a lifetime but rather as a continuous process. Patients with a previous SAH have a substantial risk for new aneurysm formation and enlargement of untreated aneurysms. Screening these patients might be beneficial, especially in patients with multiple aneurysms, hypertension and a history of smoking. The risks and benefits of screening, however, should be carefully weighed, for example, in a decision model.

Postoperative rupture of an untreated aneurysm on the 3rd day after subarachnoid hemorrhage surgery

A 58-year-old male presented with severe consciousness disturbance and left hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and acute subdural hematoma caused by a ruptured right middle cerebral artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was clipped and the hematoma was evacuated. The patient had almost recovered without new neurological deficits on the next day. Arterial systolic blood pressure was postoperatively controlled within 120 to 150 mmHg. Continuous ventricular and cisternal drainage from the level 10 cm above the external auditory meatus was performed to drain bloody cerebrospinal fluid and prevent vasospasm. Three days after surgery, the patient suddenly lapsed into a coma. CT demonstrated diffuse SAH and bilateral intraventricular hemorrhage caused by rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Neck clipping was performed immediately. Unfortunately, the patient died of primary damage due to SAH 3 days after the second surgery. In this case, cisternal drainage was probably important in the aneurysm rupture because of decreased intracranial pressure and change in the perianeurysm environment. Postoperative management of patients with residual untreated aneurysms must consider the possibility that cisternal drainage may result in higher transmural pressure, leading to rupture of the untreated aneurysms.

Inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm: case report and literature review

A 70 year old man presented with retrosternal and epigastric pain. He was in shock. The diagnosis on admission was acute myocardial infarction. CT scan of the abdomen showed coeliac and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion. In addition there appeared to be large collateral from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) with a retroperitoneal collection. He underwent emergency laparotomy and a ruptured IMA aneurysm was detected. The aneurysm was excised and the IMA was ligated. He developed progressive multi-system organ failure post operatively. We discuss the aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of IMA aneurysms.

Effect of the Neurosurgeon's Surgical Experience on Outcomes from Intraoperative Aneurysmal Rupture

OBJECTIVE

The neurosurgeon's surgical experience is one of the most important and least studied factors affecting a patient's outcome after an intraoperative rupture of an aneurysm. Therefore, this analysis was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the neurosurgeon's experience on the management of this catastrophe in a consecutive series of patients treated microsurgically.

METHODS

The neurosurgeon's surgical experience was analyzed in terms of annual aneurysm case volume and duration. Management of intraoperative aneurysmal rupture was analyzed in terms of timing of rupture, duration of temporary clipping, and neurological outcomes using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. During a 7-year period in which 1038 aneurysms were treated microsurgically in 838 patients, 68 (6.6%) ruptured intraoperatively.

RESULTS

The neurosurgeon's annual aneurysm case volume increased by 35% over this period, and mean case duration decreased by 31%. The annual frequency of intraoperative ruptures fluctuated, with most (88%) occurring with previously ruptured aneurysms in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. With increasing surgical experience, the number of ruptures during predissection and clip application, the mean duration of temporary clipping, and the surgical mortality rate all declined, whereas the number of patients experiencing a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 5 or 4) increased.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative rupture is an unavoidable danger in aneurysm surgery that does not diminish with increasing surgical experience of the neurosurgeon performing the operation. However, experience did improve the neurosurgeon's response to aneurysm rupture and the patients' outcomes. Mental anticipation and technical repetition over time transform into efficiency, confidence, and insight in the management of this distressing intraoperative event.

Carotid ophthalmic aneurysm rupture after parent vessel occlusion

We report causes leading to and rupture of a carotid ophthalmic aneurysm after treatment by parent vessel occlusion. The aneurysm was initially symptomatic but unruptured.

Embolization of a Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm With Massive Hemorrhage Following Pancreas Transplantation: A Case Report

Pseudoaneurysm associated with an arterioenteric fistula is rare, but its clinical manifestations may represent a dramatic event that involves diagnostic and therapeutic problems. We report a case of an arterioduodenal fistula related to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage treated by embolization of the Y graft. A 51-year-old man with type I diabetes and end-stage renal disease underwent SPK. No rejection episodes were documented; the patient was discharged with normal pancreatic and renal function. Two months later the patient was readmitted for an episode of massive lower digestive bleeding and hypotension. The Y-graft was embolized in order to obtain a prompt arrest of the bleeding. The procedure was successful and the patient progressively recovered. Once the hypovolemia was completely corrected, the graft was removed. An arterioenteric fistula between donor mesenteric artery and duodenum was confirmed. Few reports exist in the literature regarding the development of a pseudoaneurysm after pancreas transplantation. To our best knowledge only one case of pseudoaneurysm rupture into donor duodenum has been recently published. In our case angiography recognized the site of the pseudoaneurysm and its rupture into donor duodenum. Embolization of the Y-graft appeared the most rapid, simple, and safe approach to obtain the prompt arrest of the massive bleeding. Embolization of the Y-graft may represent a valid option in the presence of life-threatening hemorrhage.