Endovascular glue embolization of dissecting aneurysm of type-3 accessory middle cerebral artery: A contralateral approach

The Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Considerations for Intracranial Aneurysms Associated With Middle Cerebral Artery Anomalies: A Systematic Review

Background: As a result of their low incidence, most of the studies on intracranial aneurysms associated with middle cerebral artery (MCA) anomalies were presented as case reports or small case series. No systematic review on this specific entity has been conducted.

Methods: A PubMed search of the published studies was performed on April 6th, 2019 for patients who had intracranial aneurysms associated with MCA anomalies. The languages included in this study were English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Results: Finally, 58 articles reporting of 67 patients including 1 case in our center were included. The identified patients (37 females, 55.2%) aged from 4 to 81 (49.85 ± 15.22) years old. 50 (50/67, 74.6%) patients presented with hemorrhagic stroke either from the MCA anomalies associated aneurysms or other sources. 63 aneurysms (63/67, 94.0%) were saccular, 3 (4.5%) were dissecting or fusiform, and 1 (1.5%) was pseudoaneurysm. 32 (32/65, 49.2%) patients had other concurrent cerebrovascular anomalies. 56 (83.6%) patients underwent open surgeries, 8 (11.9%) patients underwent endovascular treatment, and 3 (4.5%) patients were conservatively managed. 56 (56/61, 91.8%) patients achieved a good recovery.

Conclusions: The pathophysiological genesis of intracranial aneurysms associated with MCA anomalies is still obscure. The inflicted patients tend to have other concurrent cerebrovascular anomalies, which denotes that congenital defect in cerebrovascular development might play a role in this process. Most of the affected patients could experience a good recovery after treatment.

Acute middle cerebral artery stroke in a patient with a patent middle cerebral artery

Purpose of review

Knowledge of cerebrovascular anatomical variants is vital for clinicians working with patients presenting with signs and symptoms of cerebral infarction, particularly in the era of endovascular clot retrieval.

Recent findings

We provide an overview of a cerebrovascular anatomical variation and detail a patient presenting with cerebral infarction secondary to occlusion of their anomalous vessel who underwent successful endovascular clot retrieval with excellent functional outcome. We also include technical descriptions.

Summary

Given the clinical importance of the areas supplied by the accessory middle cerebral artery, knowledge of this vessel is not only important for diagnosis but also for neurosurgical or endovascular management of patients with this variant.

Hybrid surgery for an arteriovenous malformation fed by an accessory middle cerebral artery and drained by a developmental venous anomaly: A case report and literature review

An accessory middle cerebral artery (AMCA), which mainly acts in the collateral circulation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), is a rare anatomic malformation. Similar to other intracranial vessels, cerebrovascular disease can occur in the AMCA. However, the development of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the AMCA is very rare, especially in conjuction with developmental venous anomalies (DVAs). Here, a rare case of an AMCA combined with an AVM and a DVA was reported. The patient was a 47-year-old female with intracranial hemorrhage at symptom onset. CT and MRI showed lesions in the left Sylvian fissure and insula accompanied by hemorrhage. DSA suggested a left AMCA; an AVM of the AMCA was located in the deep Sylvian fissure. The AVM was diffusely developed and drained into the DVA. The operation was performed in a hybrid operating room. The major feeding artery of the AVM, which was derived from the AMCA, was clipped, then the AVM and DVA were subsequently removed. Intraoperative DSA showed that the AVM and DVA were radically removed. A pathological examination confirmed the presence of an AVM. The patient recovered well and was discharged. Therefore, as highlighted in this case report, rare AVMs can be found in AMCAs and can even occur simultaneously with a DVA. Hybrid surgical treatment can be used to remove AVMs and can lead to an improved prognosis.

Duplicated middle cerebral artery origin with an aneurysm

RATIONALE

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) anomalies are relatively rare and often related to aneurysms. Familiarity with these anomalies is important in resolving problems that arise in the complex angioarchitecture. Reports often describe that aneurysms that are related to accessory or duplicated MCA are often located at its origin.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 59-year-old man presented with a headache for 10 days, without nausea and vomiting. The physical examination was negative.

DIAGNOSIS

A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an intracerebral hematoma in the deep right frontal lobe, near the caudate nucleus. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed an anomalous duplicated origin of the right MCA, with occlusion of the main MCA trunk as well as twisting and dilation of the accessory MCA trunk. A wide-necked aneurysm was located at a sharp curve of the tortuous accessory MCA trunk. A ruptured aneurysm related to a duplicated MCA origin was diagnosed.

INTERVENTIONS

Open surgery was rejected by the patient; hence, palliative endovascular coil embolization of the larger daughter sac was performed.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative course was uneventful. There was no rebleeding at 8-months follow-up.

LESSONS

MCA anomalies are relatively rare and often related to aneurysms. It is important to be familiar with these anomalies as related lesions often manifest within a complex angioarchitecture. Aneurysms at the trunk of an anomalous MCA are a rare entity and open surgery may be recommended.

Pediatric Intracranial Aneurysms: Considerations and Recommendations for Follow-Up Imaging

BACKGROUND

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are rare. Compared with adult IAs, they are more commonly giant, fusiform, or dissecting. Treatment often proves more complex, and recurrence rate and de novo aneurysmogenesis incidence are higher. A consensus regarding the most appropriate algorithm for following pediatric IAs is lacking.

METHODS

We sought to generate recommendations based on the reported experience in the literature with pediatric IAs through a thorough review of the PubMed database, discussion with experienced neurointerventionalists, and our own experience.

RESULTS

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was utilized immediately post-operatively for microsurgically-clipped and endovascularly-treated IAs, at 6-12 months postoperatively for endovascularly-treated IAs, and in cases of aneurysmal recurrence or de novo aneurysmogenesis discovered by non-invasive imaging modalities. Computed tomographic angiography was the preferred imaging modality for long-term follow-up of microsurgically clipped IAs. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was the preferred modality for following IAs that were untreated, endovascularly-treated, or microsurgically-treated in a manner other than clipping.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose incidental untreated IAs to be followed by magnetic resonance angiography without contrast enhancement. Follow-up modality and interval for treated pediatric IAs is determined by initial aneurysmal complexity, treatment modality, and degree of posttreatment obliteration. Recurrence or de novo aneurysmogenesis requiring treatment should be followed by digital subtraction angiography and appropriate retreatment. Computed tomography angiography is preferred for clipped IAs, whereas contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography is preferred for lesions treated endovascularly with coil embolization and lesions treated microsurgically in a manner other than clipping.