Microsurgery of residual or recurrent complex intracranial aneurysms after coil embolization - a quest for the ultimate therapy

Dolenc approach for clipping of giant C6 and C7 segment aneurysms of the internal carotid artery

Objective

Surgical treatment for giant aneurysms of the ICA-ophthalmic segment (C6) and communicating artery segment (C7) is a challenge for neurosurgeons because of their high risks and poor outcomes. We aim to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Dolenc approach in the treatment of giant C6-C7 segment aneurysms.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 13 cases with giant C6 aneurysms and 4 cases with giant C7 aneurysms treated with the Dolenc approach.

Results

All 17 cases of aneurysms were clipped successfully using the Dolenc approach, of which, 1 case with ipsilateral MCA occlusion underwent extracranial-intracranial artery bypass after the aneurysm clipping. Regarding clinical outcomes, six out of nine cases with preoperative visual impairment improved after surgery, two cases saw no change, and one case deteriorated. Of all the cases, one had new-onset vision loss, four had new-onset oculomotor paralysis, three had surgical side cerebral infarction, and two had diabetes insipidus. DSA or CTA examination within 2 weeks after surgery showed that all aneurysms were completely clipped without residual. After a follow-up of 9-12 months, 17 patients were evaluated based on GOS and CTA examination. A total of 14 cases had GOS 5 scores, 2 cases had GOS 4 scores, 1 case had GOS 2 scores, and no cases had death. None of the patients had recurrence based on CTA examinations.

Conclusion

Through the Dolenc approach, we could achieve more operation space and expose clinoid segments for temporary occlusion. Therefore, the Dolenc approach was shown to be a safe, effective, and feasible treatment for giant C6-C7 aneurysms.

Microsurgical Treatment of Previously Coiled Giant Aneurysms: Experience with 6 Cases and Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

Surgical treatment of insufficiently embolized (coiled) or recurrent giant aneurysms has not been well established in the literature. The aim of this study is to bring up the surgical difficulties of these rare aneurysms and to offer solutions.

METHODS

A database was queried for giant aneurysms that had been previously embolized and subsequently required surgical treatment. We only found 29 aneurysms in the literature and here, we report 6 more surgical cases with patient characteristics, radiological studies, applied surgical techniques, and outcomes which were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Four females and 2 males, with a mean age of 45.6 years took part in the study. The most common aneurysm location was the middle cerebral artery. While 5 aneurysms were successfully clipped, 1 was excised and the neck was closed with micro sutures. The coils were compulsorily removed in 3 patients. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography confirmed total occlusion of the aneurysms in all cases. Overall morbidity was 16.6%. There was no mortality. No recurrence was observed in the angiographic follow-up (mean 22.6 months, range 7-47 months). The literature review also determined that 97.1% of 35 previously coiled giant aneurysms (including ours) were occluded using various surgical techniques, with 82.8% good outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical clipping is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of insufficiently embolized or recurrent giant aneurysms after coiling. If possible, the coils should not be removed. However, if safe clipping is not possible due to the coils, the removal of the coils should not be avoided.

[Microsurgical and endovascular treatment of residual and recurrent cerebral aneurysms]

Cerebral aneurysms are characterized by high risk of adverse outcome due to severe intracranial hemorrhages and their consequences. Aneurysm remnants after incomplete exclusion can cause hemorrhage. Filling of these fragments immediately after surgery is usually defined as residual aneurysms. Recurrent aneurysms develop in the area of excluded aneurysm in long-term period after surgery. The authors analyze foreign and national literature data on the diagnosis and management of residual and recurrent aneurysms. Risk factors, the most common classifications, diagnostic methods and surgical treatment are presented.