Variant PTA Terminating in Cerebellar Artery, Associated with Multiple Aneurysms

Ruptured Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm From a Persistent Trigeminal Artery: A Case Report

Persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is the most common remnant of the primitive carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses, which typically form and obliterate during the early stages of human embryonic development. While PTA can be non-pathologic and is usually an incidental finding, it is also associated with various other vascular abnormalities, such as arteriovenous malformations and fistulae, but most commonly cerebral aneurysms. In these cases, aneurysms are usually reported in the anterior cerebral circulation or in the PTA trunk itself; to date, only one report exists of an associated aneurysm in the posterior circulation (basilar artery). These associated vascular pathologies are not only a source of morbidity and mortality but can also complicate subsequent endovascular treatment due to different flow patterns and increased vessel tortuosity. In this case report, we present the first reported case of PTA-associated aneurysm in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and its resulting impact on the endovascular treatment of this aneurysm.

Coil embolisation of multiple cerebral aneurysms with lateral type I persistent primitive trigeminal artery: A case report and literature review

The primitive trigeminal artery is an anastomotic vessel of the carotid-basilar artery system that occurs only transiently during the embryonic period. Persistent primitive trigeminal artery occurs in approximately 0.1-0.6% of the population. Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old woman with Fisher II grade subarachnoid haemorrhage. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a lateral, Saltzman type I persistent primitive trigeminal artery with three cerebral aneurysms, including one anterior communicating artery aneurysm, one suspicious right anterior choroidal artery aneurysm and one distal basilar artery aneurysm supplied by the persistent primitive trigeminal artery. All three aneurysms were treated with coil embolisation. At the 8-month follow-up, the anterior communicating artery aneurysm had a neck remnant, the other two aneurysms exhibited complete occlusion. Persistent primitive trigeminal artery with multiple cerebral aneurysms is extremely rare, and only seven cases of persistent primitive trigeminal artery with multiple cerebral aneurysms have previously been reported in publications that included information on treatment. Most aneurysms were treated by open surgery. This is the first report of coil embolisation treatment of multiple aneurysms in persistent primitive trigeminal artery patients with follow-up results, and provides relevant and valuable information about the persistent primitive trigeminal artery and the endovascular treatment of multiple aneurysms in persistent primitive trigeminal artery patients.

Carotid Endarterectomy in a Patient with Severe Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis with Persistent Trigeminal Artery and Ischemia of the Anterior and Posterior Circulation

Occurrence of cerebral ischemia in the posterior circulation as a result of severe internal carotid artery disease and persistent trigeminal artery is rare. An 81-year-old man with medical history of hypertension and ischemic stroke presented with dizziness, nausea, and mild dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed acute infarcts in the left internal carotid artery territory. CT angiogram revealed a persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) and severe atherosclerosis. The patient developed new neurological symptoms and repeat imaging revealed new acute infarcts in the PTA distribution. After undergoing a left carotid endarterectomy with no complications, the patient was discharged to a skilled nursing facility with no recurrence of ischemic stroke. This case adds a rare complication of an infrequent vascular anomaly to the limited body of the literature.