An understimated maneuver for oculomotor nerve palsy due to posterior communicating artery aneurysm: the opening of the anterior petroclinoid ligament. A technical note

Posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PcomAs) present with oculomotor nerve (OMN) palsy in 20-30% of cases, and the sudden onset of OMN palsy has to raise the suspicion of rupture, until proven otherwise. The surgical technique is described in a stepwise fashion. An illustrative case is reported: a 57-year-old female was admitted to our department with the diagnosis of a right sided-PcomA. Three months before the admission, when she harbored with the acute onset of complete ptosis, diplopia, orbital pain, impairment of the medial, upward, and downward gaze, with no pupil dysfunction. The origin of the Pcom and the neck of the aneurysm were easily identified and the aneurysm was clipped. Then, we followed the OMN and cut for less than 4 mm the above-lying anterior petroclinoid ligament (APL) to obtain nerve release. Although few cases are described in the literature, and ours represents a single case, we support that this maneuver should be introduced in the clinical practice of expert neurosurgeons dealing with vascular pathologies, such as the opening of the falciform ligament occurs for the decompression of the optical nerve.

Recovery of Oculomotor Nerve Palsy After Surgical and Endovascular Repair of Unruptured Internal Carotid-Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

Unruptured posterior communicating artery (Pcom) aneurysms cause oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP). However, the time course of recovery after aneurysm repair remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the ONP course after clipping and coiling for unruptured Pcom aneurysms.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 25 consecutive patients with ONP due to unruptured Pcom aneurysms, undergoing aneurysm repair at our institution during 2010-2022. We analyzed the clinical data, angiographic results, and surgical complications. The time to ONP recovery was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

This study included 14 patients undergoing surgical clipping and 11 undergoing endovascular coiling. The two groups exhibited no significant differences in complete or partial ONP percentage or in symptom presentation (ptosis, diplopia, ocular paralysis, pupillary light reflex disorder, or mydriasis). All patients achieved complete or partial recovery during the follow-up period. The median time to partial or complete improvement in ONP was significantly shorter for clipping compared to coiling (2 days vs. 33 days; P = 0.009). Preoperative partial and complete ONP were stratified; clipping improved significantly earlier than coiling in the complete ONP group (P = 0.010). In the early treatment group (based on the median duration of treatment), clipping resulted in earlier improvement than coiling (P = 0.014). In the small aneurysm group (based on the median of the aneurysm maximum diameter), clipping resulted in earlier improvement than coiling (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

In ONP caused by an unruptured Pcom aneurysm, clipping may provide faster recovery than coiling, particularly in cases of early onset, complete palsy, and small aneurysms.

Factors affecting resolution of oculomotor nerve palsy following endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery aneurysms

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery (Pcom) aneurysms on concomitant oculomotor nerve palsy (OMNP) and factors affecting the effect of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with the Pcom aneurysms concomitant with OMNP were retrospectively enrolled for endovascular treatment of the aneurysms. All patients had the endovascular management. The clinical effect, degree of OMNP, size of the aneurysm, type of treatment, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and time from onset to treatment were analyzed on the resolution of OMNP.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients with 99 Pcom aneurysms were enrolled and treated endovascularly, with the success rate of 100%. Immediately after endovascular treatment, 75 aneurysms (75.75%) got complete occlusion, and 24 (24.24%) nearly complete occlusion. Followed up for 3-18 (mean 8.52±0.56) months, complete resolution of the OMNP was achieved in 63 patients (65.63%), partial resolution in 21 (21.88%), and non-recovery in the other 12 (12.50%). The degree of OMNP at onset, SAH, and time from onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the resolution of OMNP. Univariate analysis revealed that younger age of the patient, degree of OMNP at onset, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and time from disease onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the recovery of OMNP. Multivariate analysis revealed that the younger age, degree of OMNP at onset, and time from disease onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the recovery of OMNP.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular embolization of Pcom aneurysms concomitant with OMNP can effectively improve the OMNP symptoms, especially for patients with moderate and a shorter history of OMNP. Younger age, degree of oculomotor nerve palsy at onset, and time from onset to treatment may significantly affect recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy.

Trends in the Age of Patients Treated for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms from 1990 to 2020

BACKGROUND

The decision for treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is often difficult. Innovation in endovascular devices have improved the benefit-to-risk profile especially for elderly patients; however, the treatment guidelines from the past decade often recommend conservative management. It is unknown how these changes have affected the overall age of the patients selected for treatment. Herein, we aimed to study potential changes in the average age of the patients that are being treated over time.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify all studies describing the age of the UIAs that were treated by any modality. Scatter diagrams with trend lines were used to plot the age of the patients treated over time and assess the presence of a potential significant trend via statistical correlation tests.

RESULTS

A total of 280 studies including 83,437 UIAs treated between 1987 and 2021 met all eligibility criteria and were entered in the analysis. Mean age of the patients was 55.5 years, and 70.7% were female. There was a significant increasing trend in the age of the treated patients over time (Spearman r: 0.250; P < 0.001), with a 1-year increase in the average age of the treated patients every 5 years since 1987.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates that based on the treated UIA patient data published in the literature, older UIAs are being treated over time. This trend is likely driven by safer treatments while suggesting that re-evaluation of certain UIA treatment decision scores may be of great interest.

Risks for Oculomotor Nerve Palsy and Time to Recovery After Surgical Clipping of Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Aneurysms of the posterior communicating segment of carotid artery (PcomA) have a high risk of rupture; when these nonruptured aneurysms are associated with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP), the risk of rupture increases compared with asymptomatic nonruptured PcomA.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively analyze the risk factors involved in ONP secondary to PcomA aneurysm and to study the factors involved in the recovery time of ONP once it is established.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients from 10 neurosurgery centers from October 2008 to December 2020. We analyzed age at diagnosis, presence of compressive neuropathy of the oculomotor nerve, presence of aneurysm rupture, largest aneurysm diameter, aneurysm projection, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, time between diagnosis and surgical treatment, as well as the outcome.

RESULTS

Approximately 1 in 5 patients (119/511 23.3%) with a PcomA presented with ONP. We found that patients with aneurysms measuring greater than or equal to 7.5 mm were 1.6 times more likely to have ONP than those with aneurysms smaller than 7.5 mm. In our study, the prevalence of smoking in the PcomA + ONP group was 57.76%, and we also found that smokers were 2.51 times more likely to develop ONP. A total of 80.7% showed some degree of improvement, and 45.4% showed complete improvement with a median recovery time of 90 days.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that 80.7% of patients with PcomA aneurysms undergoing surgical treatment with aneurysm clipping showed some degree of improvement of the ONP, with a median time to recovery between 90 and 120 days.

Stent-assisted coiling using the Neuroform Atlas stent for treatment of aneurysms that recur after coil embolization

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) using the Neuroform Atlas stent for aneurysms that recur after coil embolization.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent SAC using the Neuroform Atlas stent to treat aneurysms that recurred after coil embolization from November 2020 to November 2021. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, complications, and angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Eleven patients with 11 recurrent aneurysms were included for analysis. Atlas stent deployment was successful in all cases. Angiography immediately after the SAC procedure and at last follow-up showed complete occlusion in 10 patients (90.9%) and a residual neck in one (9.1%). Mean angiographic and clinical follow-ups were 9.2 and 10 months, respectively. A single procedure-related complication occurred, mildly blurred vision in the left eye, which recovered completely. No permanent morbidity or mortality occurred.

Conclusion

SAC using the Atlas stent to treat aneurysms that recur after coil embolization is safe and effective. Large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm our results.

Efficacy and long-term results of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms complicated with oculomotor nerve palsy

to investigate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for patients with posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms (PcomAs) concomitant with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP). No significant (P > .05) difference existed in the age, gender, proportion of complete ONP, and size of eye fissure and pupil before treatment between 2 groups. After compared with before treatment, the eye fissure was widened significantly (P < .05) and the pupil narrowed significantly (P < .05), but no significant (P > .05) differences existed between the 2 groups. Complete ONP recovery was observed in 32 (80%) patients in the embolization group and 31 (77.5%) in the microsurgical group, partial ONP recovery occurred in 6 (15%) in the embolization group and 8 (20%) in the microsurgical group. The recovery rate was 95% in the embolization group and 97.5% in the microsurgical group, with no significant (P > .05) difference between 2 groups. The recovery rate of the ONP was significantly (P < .01) greater in the microsurgical group than that in the embolization group at follow-up of 1 month, 3 months, six and 12 months, respectively. At 18 months, the ONP recovery rate was not significantly different between 2 groups (95% vs 97.5%) Surgical clipping may have a faster effect on the recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy than endovascular embolization for patients with posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms complicated with oculomotor nerve palsy, but both approaches may result in a similar effect on the nerve recovery in the long run.Eighty patients treated with endovascular embolization or surgical clipping were retrospectively enrolled into the endovascular embolization group or surgical clipping and analyzed.

Factors affecting resolution of oculomotor nerve palsy following endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery aneurysms

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of endovascular embolization of posterior communicating artery (Pcom) aneurysms on concomitant oculomotor nerve palsy (OMNP) and factors affecting the effect of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with the Pcom aneurysms concomitant with OMNP were retrospectively enrolled for endovascular treatment of the aneurysms. All patients had the endovascular management. The clinical effect, degree of OMNP, size of the aneurysm, type of treatment, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and time from onset to treatment were analyzed on the resolution of OMNP.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients with 99 Pcom aneurysms were enrolled and treated endovascularly, with the success rate of 100%. Immediately after endovascular treatment, 75 aneurysms (75.75%) got complete occlusion, and 24 (24.24%) nearly complete occlusion. Followed up for 3-18 (mean 8.52±0.56) months, complete resolution of the OMNP was achieved in 63 patients (65.63%), partial resolution in 21 (21.88%), and non-recovery in the other 12 (12.50%). The degree of OMNP at onset, SAH, and time from onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the resolution of OMNP. Univariate analysis revealed that younger age of the patient, degree of OMNP at onset, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and time from disease onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the recovery of OMNP. Multivariate analysis revealed that the younger age, degree of OMNP at onset, and time from disease onset to treatment were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the recovery of OMNP.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular embolization of Pcom aneurysms concomitant with OMNP can effectively improve the OMNP symptoms, especially for patients with moderate and a shorter history of OMNP. Younger age, degree of oculomotor nerve palsy at onset, and time from onset to treatment may significantly affect recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy.

Third Nerve Palsy Due to Intracranial Aneurysms and Recovery after Endovascular Coiling

INTRODUCTION

The modality of treatment of third nerve palsy (TNP) associated with intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. While treatment varies with the location of the aneurysm, microsurgical clipping of PComm aneurysms has generally been the traditional choice, with endovascular coiling emerging as a reasonable alternative.

METHODS

Patients with TNP due to an intracranial aneurysm who subsequently underwent treatment at a mid-sized Canadian neurosurgical center over a 15-year period (2003-2018) were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 616 intracranial aneurysms in 538 patients were treated; the majority underwent endovascular coiling with only 24 patients treated with surgical clipping. Only 37 patients (6.9%) presented with either a partial or complete TNP and underwent endovascular embolization; of these, 17 presented with a SAH secondary to intracranial aneurysm rupture. Aneurysms associated with TNP included PComm (64.9%), terminal ICA (29.7%), proximal MCA (2.7%), and basilar tip (2.7%) aneurysms. In general, smaller aneurysms and earlier treatment were provided for patients for ruptured aneurysms with a shorter mean interval to TNP recovery. In the endovascularly treated cohort initially presenting with TNP, seven presented with a complete TNP and the remaining were partial TNPs. TNP resolved completely in 20 patients (55.1%) and partially in 10 patients (27.0%). Neither time to coiling nor SAH at presentation were significantly associated with the recovery status of TNP.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular coil embolization is a viable treatment modality for patients presenting with an associated cranial nerve palsy.

Clipping versus coiling in the treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy induced by unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Although the superiority of clipping compared to coiling on the oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) recovery for ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PcomAAs) has been widely accepted, which treatment modality is better in the treatment of ONP induced by unruptured PcomAAs still remains unclear.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of studies that compared clipping with coiling was performed after a literature search. Perioperative data and clinical outcome were extracted. Analysis on the effect of the two treatment modalities was then performed.

RESULTS

Nine eligible studies with a total of 136 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant difference in the total efficiency (any degree of improvement) on ONP favoring clipping [RR= 1.21, 95%CI (1.01, 1.44), p = 0.04], the effect was most notable for complete recovery of ONP after having suffered preoperative partial palsy [RR= 0.72, 95%CI (0.55, 0.95), p = 0.02]. There was neither a significant difference regarding the complete recovery of ONP [RR= 1.11, 95%CI (0.77, 1.61), p = 0.58] nor the frequency of complications [RR= 0.07, 95%CI (0.00, 1.10), p = 0.06]. Also when subdividing there was no significant difference in complete recovery of ONP in patients who had initially suffered a complete ONP [RR= 0.79, 95%CI (0.38, 1.64), p = 0.53] and partial ONP [RR= 1.16, 95%CI (0.65, 2.08), p = 0.61] between clipping and coiling.

CONCLUSIONS

A superiority of clipping over coiling for the improvement of ONP secondary to unruptured PcomAAs was found. Patients with partial ONP were more likely to attain a complete resolution of ONP, as compared to complete ONP.

Oculomotor nerve palsy due to posterior communicating artery aneurysm: Clipping vs coiling

OBJECTIVE

Posterior communicating artery aneurysms (PCoAA) usually present with brain hemorrhage, but they might present with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) in about one out of five patients. Treatment options include endovascular coiling and surgical clipping. The present analysis aims to compare the two treatment options for ONP due to PCoAA in terms of complete recovery and related parameters.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed for studies published between 2000 and 2019 on ONP due to PCoAA. The included studies were divided into two categories-surgical clipping (group A) and endovascular coiling (group B). The collected data were statistically processed with SPSS version 25.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding complete recovery of ONP (P<0.001), suggesting superiority of the surgical clipping. The correlation analysis showed no correlations for group A. Group B had negative and positive correlations, showing that endovascular coiling results in higher rates of complete ONP recovery for elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

Surgical clipping is superior to endovascular coiling in terms of complete recovery among patients with ONP due to PCoAAs. Endovascular coiling seems to benefit older patients. While no recommendations exist for the treatment of ONP due to intracranial aneurysms, an increasing number of studies imply the superiority of operative clipping.

Treatment for Hemifacial Spasm Associated with a Dissecting Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Requiring Microvascular Decompression in Addition to Endovascular Trapping: A Case Report with Literature Review

BACKGROUND

 The treatment protocol for hemifacial spasm (HFS) associated with dissecting vertebral artery aneurysm (DVAA) has not been established.

CASE DESCRIPTION

 A-42-year-old man with left HFS underwent endovascular trapping for a DVAA that was identified on brain imaging. Although the dissecting segment was treated successfully, the HFS persisted for 3 months, and subsequently microvascular decompression (MVD) was needed. The posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was found to be interposed between the root exit zone of the facial nerve and DVAA during surgery. After pulling out the PICA, the HFS ceased immediately.

CONCLUSION

 HFS associated with DVAA should be considered carefully before formulating a treatment strategy. Moreover, the cause of pulsatile compression may not be visible on brain imaging, and MVD surgery may be indicated in such cases.

Comparison of surgical clipping and endovascular coiling in the treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy caused by posterior communicating artery aneurysm

Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) caused by posterior communicating aneurysm (PcomAA) is mainly treated by surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. However, there are still some controversies about which treatment method could provide the more beneficial prognosis. This study aimed to compare ONP recovery rate between surgical clipping and endovascular coiling in patients diagnosed as PcomAA combined with ONP, and explore the potential risk factors of ONP recovery.The clinical data of 152 patients with ONP caused by PcomAA were retrospectively analyzed. Diameter of aneurysm, different treatment methods (surgical clipping or endovascular coiling), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), degree of preoperative ONP, time from ONP onset to treatment, as well as degree of ONP symptom recovery were collected from medical records. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year.One hundred twelve patients underwent surgical clipping and 40 patients received endovascular coiling. There were no significant differences in age, gender, aneurysm diameter, hypertension, dyslipidemia, time from ONP symptom onset to treatment, SAH, and preoperative ONP degree between the 2 groups (all P > .05). Time to complete or partial recovery was 86.7 ± 35.7 days for patients receiving surgical clipping and 132.6 ± 37.5 days for patients receiving endovascular coiling, respectively (Log rank test, P < .001). The recovery rate was 94.6% in the surgical clipping group and 65.0% in the endovascular coiling group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < .001). Postoperative ONP recovery in the surgical clipping group was significantly superior to that of patients in the endovascular coiling group (HR, 2.625; 95% CI: 1.423-4.841; P = .002). Time from ONP symptom onset to treatment exerted the obvious effect on the ONP prognosis (HR, 0.572; 95% CI: 0.384-0.852; P = .006). In addition, the ONP recovery in patients with SAH before surgery was also independently associated with ONP prognosis (HR, 1.276; 95% CI, 1.043-1.562; P = .018). There was no treatment-related death in either group, and postoperative complications were within the manageable range.The recovery rate and recovery degree of ONP after surgical clipping was significantly better than that of endovascular coiling in PcomAA patients combined with ONP. The postoperative ONP recovery was associated with preoperative spontaneous SAH and time from ONP onset to treatment.

Recovery of posterior communicating artery aneurysm induced oculomotor nerve palsy: a comparison between surgical clipping and endovascular embolization

BACKGROUND

Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is a common symptom of posterior communicating artery aneurysm (PcomAA) that can lead to impaired eye movement and pupil dilation. Currently, surgical clipping and endovascular embolization are the two most popular treatment methods for PcomAA-induced ONP; however, the recovery outcome between the two methods remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

In the present study, we thoroughly compared the pretreatment factors and recovery outcome of the two treatments on 70 patients with PcomAA-induced ONP. The patients were separated into two groups based on the treatment that was received. Pretreatment factors, including age, sex, time period between ONP onset and treatment, ONP type, aneurysm diameter, status of subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture were recorded for each individual patient. Recovery outcome of the patients was assessed over a 12-month period.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in any of the analyzed factors. Importantly, we revealed a significantly higher full recovery rate for the patients receiving the surgical clipping treatment than the ones that received the endovascular embolization treatment. In addition, we showed that patients' age was negatively correlated with the recovery extent in both treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of our study suggests that surgical clipping might be a better option to treat PcomAA-induced ONP.

Endovascular Treatment of Patients with Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Induced by Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms

Objective

Whether coiling is the best treatment option for oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) induced by posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms remains controversial. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the recovery of ONP caused by PComA aneurysms.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2019, 8 patients with PComA aneurysms and ONP underwent coiling at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed ONP recovery, duration from onset of ONP to treatment, and complications of procedures.

Results

At the last available clinical follow-up, ONP recovery was complete in 4 patients (50%) and partial in 4 patients (50%). Patients with partial recovery of ONP had sequelae of eye movement impairment that did not affect daily life. In 1 patient, hemiplegia developed due to cerebral infarction of the corona radiata the day after coiling, but it fully recovered 1 year after operation. The delay from the onset of ONP to coiling was significantly related to partial ONP recovery (r = -0.83, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment is a relatively safe and satisfactory treatment for PComA aneurysms with ONP.

Endovascular versus surgical treatment for improvement of oculomotor nerve palsy caused by unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms

Background

There is no consensus regarding the best treatment option for unruptured aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery (PCom) presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP). We aimed to assess predictors of ONP recovery in a multicenter series of consecutive patients.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of prospective databases in three tertiary neurosurgical centers was carried out, selecting patients with ONP caused by unruptured PCom aneurysms, treated by surgical clipping or embolization, between January 2006 and December 2013. Patient files and imaging studies were used to extract ophthalmological assessments, treatment outcomes, and follow-up data. Predictors of ONP recovery during follow-up were explored using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

We identified 55 patients with a median ONP duration before treatment of 11 days (IQR 4.5–18); the deficit was complete in 27 (49.1%) and incomplete in 28 (50.9%) cases. Median aneurysm size was 7 mm (IQR 5–9). Twenty-four (43.6%) patients underwent surgical clipping and 31 (56.4%) embolization as the primary treatment. Overall, ONP improved in 40 (72.7%) patients and persisted/recurred in 15 (27.3 %). Surgery, interval to complete treatment <4 weeks, aneurysm recurrence during follow-up, and retreatment during follow-up were significantly correlated with ONP outcome in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of ONP improvement were interval to complete treatment <4 weeks (OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.37 to 23.71, p=0.015) and aneurysm recurrence during follow-up (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.47, p=0.003).

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in ONP recovery between surgical clipping and embolization. The best predictor for ONP recovery was timely, complete, and durable aneurysm exclusion.

Endovascular Flow Diversion for Hemifacial Spasm Induced by a Vertebral Artery Aneurysm: First Experience

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Flow diversion for the treatment of aneurysm-induced hemifacial spasm (HFS) has not been previously described.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

The authors present the case of a 60-yr-old woman who presented with 1 yr of progressive left HFS secondary to a vertebral artery aneurysm compressing the root entry zone of cranial nerve VII. The patient's aneurysm was successfully treated with a flow diverting stent.

CONCLUSION

In the immediate postoperative period, the patient had near complete resolution of her HFS symptoms. At her 6-mo follow-up the patient had no angiographic filling of the aneurysm and her HFS symptoms had completely resolved.

Third nerve decompression by anterior petroclinoid ligament opening after clipping of posterior communicating artery aneurysm-How I do it

BACKGROUND

Posterior communicating artery aneurysms sometimes present with partial or complete oculomotor nerve palsy, due to direct oculomotor nerve compression, irritation by subarachnoid blood, or both. Superiority of surgical clipping over endovascular coiling in terms of postoperative outcome is still controversial.

METHOD

Direct oculomotor nerve decompression by opening of the anterior petroclinoid ligament during aneurysm clipping is performed as a simple and feasible surgical maneuver which allows to improve the decompression effect obtained by aneurysm exclusion.

CONCLUSION

Anterior petroclinoid ligament opening permits to achieve a better oculomotor nerve decompression. Its efficiency on the recovery of the deficit needs to be proved by larger series.

Intracranial Aneurysms of Neuro-Ophthalmologic Relevance

BACKGROUND

Intracranial saccular aneurysms are acquired lesions that often present with neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms and signs. Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques, endovascular treatments, and neurocritical care have improved the optimal management of symptomatic unruptured aneurysms, but whether the chosen treatment has an impact on neuro-ophthalmologic outcomes remains debated.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A review of the literature focused on neuro-ophthalmic manifestations and treatment of intracranial aneurysms with specific relevance to neuro-ophthalmologic outcomes was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Cavernous sinus aneurysms were not included in this review.

RESULTS

Surgical clipping vs endovascular coiling for aneurysms causing third nerve palsies was compared in 13 retrospective studies representing 447 patients. Complete recovery was achieved in 78% of surgical patients compared with 44% of patients treated with endovascular coiling. However, the complication rate, hospital costs, and days spent in intensive care were reported as higher in surgically treated patients. Retrospective reviews of surgical clipping and endovascular coiling for all ocular motor nerve palsies (third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerves) revealed similar results of complete resolution in 76% and 49%, respectively. Improvement in visual deficits related to aneurysmal compression of the anterior visual pathways was also better among patients treated with clipping than with coiling. The time to treatment from onset of visual symptoms was a predictive factor of visual recovery in several studies. Few reports have specifically assessed the improvement of visual deficits after treatment with flow diverters.

CONCLUSIONS

Decisions regarding the choice of therapy for intracranial aneurysms causing neuro-ophthalmologic signs ideally should be made at high-volume centers with access to both surgical and endovascular treatments. The status of the patient, location of the aneurysm, and experience of the treating physicians are important factors to consider. Although a higher rate of visual recovery was reported with neurosurgical clipping, this must be weighed against the potentially longer intensive care stays and increased early morbidity.

A Single Center Experience with Coil Embolization for Cerebral Aneurysms Greater than 10 mm in the Internal Carotid Artery

We investigated endovascular treatment for 10 mm or larger aneurysms in the internal carotid artery (IC), including the cavernous portion, the paraclinoid portion, and the posterior communication artery (PC). Between 2011 and 2014 at our hospital, there were 35 cases of aneurysms that were 10 mm or larger in the carotid artery. We analyzed these 35 cases retrospectively based on the size and location of the aneurysms, method of treatment, number of coils implanted, use of a stent, complications, rupture after treatment, ophthalmologic symptoms, and need for re-treatment. There was no bleeding after treatment. Of the 35 cases, four cases (11%) had permanent complications. Re-treatment was indicated in 11 cases (31%), including eight cases localized in the paraclinoid portion, two cases in the IC-PC, and one case in the cavernous portion. Among these re-treatment cases, two cases required a third treatment. Of the 16 cases with paraclinoid aneurysms, half required re-treatment. Of the 12 cases with ophthalmologic symptoms prior to treatment, 9 (75%) improved or had no change and 3 (25%) became worse. There were no complications in the 13 re-treatment procedures. Re-treatment is not uncommon, and a scheduled follow-up is needed. Coil embolization has been one of the main options for aneurysms that are 10 mm or larger in the IC. In the future, these large aneurysms will be treated with a flow diverter stent (FD).