Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. A case report

Outcomes following surgical and endovascular treatment of extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms (VAA): a systematic evaluation of the literature

Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms are rare complications resulting from trauma and multiple different diseases. However, the difference between clinical and surgical profiles is well understood. To investigate the clinical and interventional outcomes following extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms (VAA) treatment through a systematic review of the literature to date, an electronic database search for full-text English articles was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The search yielded results on clinical and surgical outcomes for extracranial VAAs. These results included patient-specific risk factors, indications, and techniques. Our literature search resulted in 561 articles, of which 36 studies were qualified to be included in the analysis. A total of 55 patients with multiple various extracranial VAA incidents were included. The mean age of subjects was 42 years (ranging from 13.0 to 76.0 years), and the majority of patients were males (71%, n =39). Blunt trauma was the most frequent risk factor for extracranial VAA formation (35%, n = 19). The majority of aneurysms (60%) were dissected in nature. The most common form of treatment for extracranial VAAs was the use of a flow diverter (24%, n=13). Overall, five (9%) patients had long-term adverse neurological complications following intervention with 5% (n=3) mortality, 2% (n=1) resulting in unilateral vocal cord paralysis, and 2% (n=1) resulted in a positive Romberg sign. The mortality rate is 15.7% in the surgical group, whereas the endovascular treatment did not result in any mortality. The endovascular approach is a safe and effective treatment of extracranial VAAs due to its relatively low overall complication rate and lack of resulting mortality. This is in contrast to the surgical approach which results in a higher rate of complications, recurrence, and mortality outcomes. An understanding of the factors and clinical outcomes associated with the incidence of extracranial VAAs is essential for the future improvement of patient outcomes.

Successful Endovascular Trapping for Symptomatic Thrombosed Giant Unruptured Aneurysms of the V1 and V2 Segments of the Vertebral Artery: Case Report and Literature Review

A thrombosed giant aneurysm of the V1 and V2 segments of the vertebral artery (VA) is rare. Therefore, there is controversy regarding its optimal treatment. A case of a symptomatic giant VA aneurysm located in the V1 to V2 segments on the left treated successfully by endovascular trapping of the VA is reported. A 68-year-old woman presented with swelling in the left anterior neck. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a giant aneurysm measuring 47 × 58 × 47 mm³ in the left neck. Ten days after her first visit, she presented with sudden onset of left anterior neck pain. Repeated CTA showed a partial thrombus in the aneurysm. Angiography showed two thrombosed giant aneurysms located in the V1 to V2 segments of the left VA. After endovascular trapping for the aneurysms, the anterior neck pain resolved and the aneurysm gradually shrank. This case demonstrates that endovascular surgery is better than open surgery because it is less invasive. When performing endovascular treatment, trapping will be an alternative strategy for a symptomatic giant thrombotic aneurysm of the V1 and V2 segments of the VA if the patient can tolerate ischemia.

Chronic fusiform extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm with recurrent posterior circulation emboli: Case report and review of the literature

We report a case of a 64-year-old man with a fusiform right extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm, spanning over half the extra-cranial V2 (foraminal) segment, presenting with recurrent multi-focal posterior circulation embolic ischaemic stroke. The patient was treated with endovascular embolisation of the right vertebral artery to prevent further thrombo-embolic events. Distal and proximal occlusion of the aneurysmal vertebral artery was performed with a micro-vascular plug with partial aneurysm sack embolisation to aid thrombosis and reduce the risk of recanalisation. Two months post procedure MR angiography confirmed successful aneurysm occlusion with no post-procedural complication. The patient returned to his normal independent life. Endovascular treatment with vessel sacrifice is an effective treatment with low morbidity and we believe the MVP device to be a efficacious option in the vertebral artery.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Extracranial Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Complicated by Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula After Rupture: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm related to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is rare. Aneurysmal rupture typically induces such symptoms as cervical hematoma, hemothorax, and hypotension. Here we report a case of ruptured extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm in a patient with NF1 who, rather than cervical hematoma, hemothorax, or hypotension, developed a vertebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after aneurysm rupture.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 35-year-old woman with a family history of NF1 presented with sudden-onset right neck and shoulder pain. Computed tomography angiography showed a right extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm. She had neither a cervical hematoma nor hypotension; however, angiography showed an AVF secondary to aneurysmal rupture. The patient was treated with endovascular coil embolization to prevent re-rupture. Postoperatively, her right neck and shoulder pain improved, and she was discharged without further neurologic deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

This patient's clinical course suggests that if there is minimal bleeding from an NF1-associated ruptured extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm, then typical symptoms, such as cervical hematoma, hemothorax, and hypotension, may be absent. Thus, ruptured extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with NF1 with sudden-onset radiculopathy, even in the absence of typical symptoms. The detection of a vertebral AVF provides a useful clue to the diagnosis of aneurysm rupture in such cases.

Ruptured extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Case report

A 31-year-old man presented with a ruptured right extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, manifesting as acute onset of right neck and shoulder pain, and right supraclavicular mass. Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography showed a large aneurysm involving the right extracranial vertebral artery associated with a pseudoaneurysm. The aneurysm was successfully treated by transarterial endovascular trapping with detachable coils. Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm is rare, but the mortality of ruptured cases is extremely high, so early diagnosis and early treatment are important. The present case shows that endovascular treatment was very effective.