Vertebral artery occlusion after subarachnoid hemorrhage from a dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery: case report

Dissection of the Vertebral Artery Fenestration Limb Presenting with Occlusion After Rupture

BACKGROUND

Dissection of a vertebral artery (VA) fenestration is extremely rare. We herein present the first case of a patient who presented with the dissection of a VA fenestration limb accompanied by occlusion after rupture, who was treated with internal trapping of the dissected limb and the parent artery proximal to the fenestration.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 55-year-old man presented with sudden headache and altered consciousness. Computed tomography at admission showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography showed occlusion of the inner limb of the vertebrobasilar junction fenestration, and the occluded ends had a tapered shape, suggesting the occlusion of the dissection of the inner limb after rupture. Angiography immediately before embolization revealed inner limb recanalization with an irregular string sign; thus only the inner limb was embolized. Angiography after embolization showed near-complete suppression of the blood flow in the inner limb; however, a slight antegrade flow through the coil mass was observed in the late phase. The procedure was finished with the expectation of complete occlusion over time with natural heparin reversal. Angiography 8 days after embolization revealed a significant increase in antegrade blood flow through the coil mass within the inner limb. Therefore additional embolization of the parent artery proximal to the fenestration was performed, which achieved complete occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The embolization length was limited and the antegrade blood flow through the other limb remained during internal trapping for the dissected VA fenestration limb; therefore careful observation of the blood flow to the dissected segment after embolization is necessary.

Recanalisation of spontaneously occluded vertebral artery dissection after subarachnoid haemorrhage

Spontaneous occlusion is a rare manifestation of ruptured vertebral artery dissection (VAD). Its natural history and treatment strategy have yet to be established due to its rarity. Here, we report five lesions involving spontaneous occlusion of VAD after subarachnoid haemorrhage, among which three lesions showed recanalisation. Based on our experience and previous reports, spontaneous occlusion of ruptured VAD can be classified into two groups-one group with occlusion in the acute stage with a high incidence of recanalisation and another group with occlusion in the chronic stage with a relatively low incidence of recanalisation. The underlying mechanism is likely different in each group, and treatment strategies should also be tailored depending on the pathophysiology.

Uncommon course for a vertebral artery dissection: rupture, occlusion and recanalization

Intracranial arterial dissections of the vertebrobasilar system are recognized as a cause of stroke. Although the pathogenic mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unknown, in some cases the stroke originates from subarachnoid hemorrhage, while in others ischemia is the cause. In cases where hemorrhage occurs, occlusion of the lesion is effective in reducing the risk of re-bleeding. However, deciding on treatment is difficult in uncommon cases in which occlusion occurs immediately after hemorrhage. Intracranial arterial dissections of the vertebrobasilar system often present as subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the most appropriate surgical treatment remains controversial. In this report, we describe a rare case of vertebral artery dissection in which occlusion occurred immediately after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Serial angiography revealed spontaneous recanalization of the right vertebral artery dissection, as well as enlargement. The progressive angiographic changes of the ruptured vertebral artery dissection and the endovascular treatment of such arterial dissections are discussed.

Ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm followed by spontaneous acute occlusion and early recanalization: case report

A 47-year-old man presented with a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage followed by acute occlusion and early recanalization of the affected artery. Cerebral angiography 2 hours after the onset of the symptom showed pearl-and-string sign in the right vertebral artery. Serial angiography showed that the affected artery was occluded at 12 hours but was recanalized on the 4th day. The dissecting aneurysm was resected with side-to-side anastomosis between the bilateral posterior inferior cerebellar arteries. Postoperative cerebral angiography demonstrated disappearance of the lesion and patency of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery via the anastomosis. Histological examination of the lesion showed hematoma between the media and adventitia, disrupting the internal elastica and intima. Acute occlusion and early recanalization of the affected artery may occur in ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms. Serial neurological and neuroradiological examinations are essential to decide the timing and method of treatment.

Ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm associated with parent artery occlusion

A 63-year-old hypertensive man presented with vertebral artery (VA) dissection manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage located mainly in the posterior fossa. Left vertebral angiography on the day of hemorrhage showed complete occlusion of the left VA. Right vertebral angiography showed retrograde filling of the distal portion of the left VA and the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and a "double lumen"-like finding in the left VA. He was managed conservatively. Follow-up angiography on Day 29 showed spontaneous recanalization of the occlusive lesion and an almost normal arterial configuration. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on Day 45 revealed multiple infarctions in the brainstem. T1-weighted MR imaging showed a high intensity area, suggestive of intramural hematoma, in the left VA. He was transferred to another hospital in a persistent vegetative state.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery. Description of 2 cases and review of the literature]

OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis and natural history of intracranial vertebral artery dissection remain uncertain up to now due in part to its relative rarity. In this article we review the state of the art of this process and remark the good outcome obtained with embolization using Guglielmi detachable coiling (GDC).

METHODS

Two cases with subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to rupture of a vertebral dissection aneurysms are described. The first patient initially suffered brain stem infarction, followed by a subarachnoid hemorrhage a year later. The second patient who had a severe subarachnoid hemorrhage with two early rebleedings was successfully treated with embolization using GDC.

CONCLUSIONS

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of vertebral dissecting aneurysm is a relatively unknown disease with some important aspects that should be known. The high incidence of early rebleeding (up to 60%), makes early diagnosis and treatment important goals. Classically the preferred treatment has been proximal vertebral artery occlusion. However, the recent introduction of embolization with GDC has made possible the occlusion of the dissection with very good final outcome.

Intracranial vertebral artery dissection presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage: successful endovascular treatment

INTRODUCTION

Intracranial vertebral artery dissection is a rare condition which may present as subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this situation, treatment is controversial.

CASE REPORT

A case of intracranial right vertebral artery dissection in a 55-year-old woman presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage is reported. The patient underwent therapeutic occlusion of the dissected artery through microcatheterization using pushing detachable platinum microcoils and had a good outcome. At this moment, the patient has a normal neurologic examination and a control digital subtraction angiography 1 year after the procedure showed an occluded right vertebral artery at V3; there was retrograde flow in the right intracranial vertebral artery up to the origin of a meningeal branch; the artery was thin and had mural irregularities, without any evidence of aneurismatic dilatation.

DISCUSSION

We review the literature and discuss the role of endovascular therapy and other therapeutic options in the treatment of this condition.

Spontaneous occlusion of ruptured vertebral artery dissection at the extradural fenestration associated with extradural origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery--case report

A 69-year-old female suffered from sudden onset of severe headache. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage primarily located in the posterior fossa. Initial angiography demonstrated a fenestration of the vertebral artery and an extracranial origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. However, no bleeding points could be clearly detected. The operative findings revealed a massive clot in subarachnoid space, but no bleeding point. Serial angiography demonstrated dissection in one of the limbs of the fenestrated vertebral artery on the 25th day after the onset. On the 100th day, the lesion was spontaneously occluded. The patient is presently doing well at 8 years after surgery.