Aneurysm of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery--case report

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms: a radiological study of 15 consecutive patients

Introduction

The aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare lesions of the posterior circulation and to treat them is challenging. We aim to present anatomical and morphological characteristics of AICA aneurysms in a series of 15 patients.

Method

The DSA and CT angiography images of AICA aneurysms in 15 consecutive patients were analyzed retrospectively. Different anatomical characteristics were quantified, including morphology, location, width, neck width, length, bottleneck factor, and aspect ratio.

Results

Eighty percent of the patients were females. The age was 52.4 ± 9.6 (mean ± SD) years. 11 patients were smokers. Ten patients had a saccular aneurysm and five patients had a fusiform aneurysm. Aneurysm in 10 patients were located in the proximal segment, in three patients in the meatal segment, and in two patients in the distal segment. Ten out of 15 patients presented with a ruptured aneurysm. The size of AICA aneurysms was 14.8 ± 18.9 mm (mean ± SD). The aspect ratio was 0.92 ± 0.47 (mean ± SD) and bottleneck factor was 1.66 ± 1.65 (mean ± SD).

Conclusion

AICA aneurysms are rare lesions of posterior circulation predominantly found in females, present predominantly with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and are mostly large in size.

Treatment and Outcome of Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA) Aneurysms: Helsinki Series of 15 Consecutive Patients

Objective Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare posterior circulation lesions that are challenging to treat. This article presents the treatment and clinical outcome of AICA aneurysms in an unselected cohort of patients.

Methods A retrospective analysis of patient record files, digital subtraction angiography, and computed tomography angiography images of 15 consecutive patients harboring AICA aneurysms treated between 1968 and 2017.

Results Of the 15 AICA aneurysm patients reviewed, 12 (80%) were females. Twenty percent had intracerebral hemorrhage and 40% presented with intraventricular hemorrhage. Eleven out of 15 (73%) patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); 82% of SAH patients had a good-grade SAH (Hunt and Hess grade 1–3). Eleven patients (73%) were treated surgically, three (20%) were treated conservatively, and one (7%) had coil embolization. In 27% of patients, a subtemporal approach with anterior petrosectomy was performed. A retrosigmoid approach was used in the remaining 73%. In 18% of the patients, a parent vessel occlusion was necessary to occlude the aneurysm. Five out of 11 (47%) of the patients developed postoperative cranial nerve deficits. Twenty-seven percent developed shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. All patients who presented with an unruptured AICA aneurysm had good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] 1–2). In patients with SAH, 82% achieved good clinical outcome and 18% had poor clinical outcome (mRS 3–6) after 1 year.

Conclusion Surgical treatment of AICA aneurysms has a high rate of cranial nerve deficits but most of patients have a good long-term clinical outcome.

Spontaneous resolution of ruptured dissecting anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm: A rare case report

Dissecting anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are extremely rare, and only nine cases are reported till date. We are reporting a case of ruptured dissecting distal AICA aneurysm with spontaneous resolution; first of its kind in the indexed literature.

Endovascular treatment for ruptured distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm

A 42-year-old woman presented with Hunt and Hess grade (HHG) III subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by a ruptured left distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysm. Computed tomography showed a thin SAH on the cerebellopontine angle cistern, and small vermian intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage in the fourth ventricle. Digital subtraction angiography revealed the aneurysm on the postmeatal segment of left distal AICA, a branching point of rostrolateral and caudomedial branch of the left distal AICA. Despite thin caliber, tortuous running course and far distal location, the AICA aneurysm was obliterated successfully with endovascular coils without compromising AICA flow. However, the patient developed left side sensorineural hearing loss postoperatively, in spite of definite patency of distal AICA on the final angiogram. She was discharged home without neurologic sequela except hearing loss and tinnitus.

Endovascular treatment of distal AICA aneurysm, beyond the meatal loop, is feasible while preserving the AICA flow. However, because the cochlear hair cell is vulnerable to ischemia, unilateral hearing loss can occur, possibly caused by the temporary occlusion of AICA flow by microcatheter during endovascular treatment.

Clinical presentation and treatment of distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms

Aneurysms located at the distal portion of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare, and their clinical features are not fully understood. We report the clinical features and management of nine distal AICA aneurysms in nine patients treated during the past decade at Kagoshima University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. Our series includes seven women and two men. Of their nine aneurysms, eight were ruptured and one was unruptured; six were saccular and three were dissecting aneurysms. The most prevalent location was the meatal loop (n = 5) followed by the postmeatal (n = 3) and premeatal segment (n = 1) of the AICA, suggesting hemodynamic stress as an etiology of these distal AICA aneurysms. Of the nine patients, five presented with angiographic features suggestive of increased hemodynamic stress to the AICA and the common trunk of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, with vertebral artery stenosis, marked laterality, and a primitive hypoglossal artery. We addressed eight aneurysms (eight patients) surgically; one aneurysm in one patient disappeared in the course of 3 months without surgical treatment. Of the eight surgically treated aneurysms, seven were ruptured and one was unruptured, five were clipped via lateral suboccipital craniotomy, two were trapped via lateral suboccipital craniotomy, and one was embolized. Good outcomes were obtained in six of the eight patients who underwent operation (75 %). We consider increased hemodynamic stress attributable to anatomic variations in the AICA and related posterior circulation to be the predominant contributor to the development of distal AICA aneurysms. Direct clipping and trapping yielded favorable outcomes in our series.

Management of anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: endovascular treatment and clinical outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

AICA aneurysms are rare and a challenge to treat surgically. We present our experience of the angiographic results and the clinical outcomes for 9 AICA aneurysms treated by EVT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1997 and 2009, EVT was attempted for 9 AICA aneurysms. Six patients presented with SAH, and 3 aneurysms were found incidentally. The location of the aneurysms was the proximal AICA in 7 and the distal AICA in 2. Five aneurysms originated from an AICA-PICA variant. Clinical outcomes and procedural complications were evaluated, and angiography was performed 6, 12, and 24 months after embolization to confirm recanalization of the coiled aneurysm.

RESULTS

EVT was technically successful in 7 patients (78%). Surgical trapping was performed in 1 patient after failure of EVT, and another aneurysm occluded spontaneously, along with the parent artery during EVT. In 7 patients, the AICAs had good patency on postoperative angiography. Stent-assisted coiling was performed in 3 patients. Follow-up angiographies were performed in 7 patients and showed no evidence of recanalization or progressive occlusion with further thrombosis except in 1 patient. There was no evidence of aneurysm rupture during the follow-up period, and 8 patients were able to perform all usual activities (mRS score, 0-1).

CONCLUSIONS

EVT may provide a feasible and safe option as an alternative, though a microsurgical option is initially considered for the management of AICA aneurysms. Further follow-up and more experience are also necessary.

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery dissecting aneurysm in a juvenile: case report

A 15-year-old girl presented with a distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) dissecting aneurysm manifesting as sudden onset of general tonic-clonic convulsion while singing a song. Physical and neurological examinations found headache, vomiting, right perceptive deafness, and right cerebellar ataxia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hemorrhagic mass in the brainstem region, and digital subtraction angiography revealed a fusiform dilatation of the anterior pontine segment of the right AICA. The diagnosis was dissecting aneurysm. Endovascular embolization was performed for aneurysm and parent artery occlusion using a Guglielmi detachable coil and 9 TruFill detachable coil systems, respectively, 2 weeks after occipital artery-AICA anastomosis. No ischemic complications were seen, and her neurological deficits completely recovered after the interventional therapy.

Parent artery occlusion for peripheral anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm. A case report and review of the literature

Most cases of aneurysms associated with the distal portion of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery resulted in a hearing disturbance from the surgical procedure, although aneurysms far from the auditory artery had no deficit from trapping. We describe a patient with an aneurysm at the distal segment of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) treated endovascularly by parent artery occlusion.

Intracanalicular aneurysm at the meatal loop of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Distal aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare. Most of the reported cases have been located near the internal auditory meatus. Among these cases, only six located in the internal auditory meatus have been reported in the literature.

METHODS

A 64-year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe headache. Computed tomography (CT) revealed moderate subarachnoid hemorrhage and Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a small high-intensity mass at the right cerebellopontine angle. Although initial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed no vascular abnormalities, repeated DSA disclosed a saccular aneurysm at the top of the meatal loop of the right AICA. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniectomy on the 18th day after the hemorrhage

RESULTS

. In this case, the aneurysm was completely buried in the internal auditory meatus. After unroofing the meatus, the aneurysm was successfully clipped. After 3 months of hospitalization, the patient was discharged with right-sided deafness, partial facial palsy, and no other complications.

CONCLUSIONS

We discuss some of the clinical features and pitfalls in the surgical management of intracanalicular AICA aneurysms and review previous reports of similar cases.

Distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms. Report of four cases

Aneurysms of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare; fewer than 100 cases have been reported. The authors detail their experience with four cases and present endovascular as well as microsurgical management options. The medical records and neuroimaging studies obtained in four patients who were treated at a single institution were reviewed. Clinical presentations, neuroimaging and intraoperative findings, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. There were three men and one woman; their mean age was 43 years. Two patients presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and two presented with ataxia and vertigo (one with tinnitus, the other with hearing loss). Angiographic studies demonstrated aneurysms of the distal segment of the AICA. In one patient with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and multiple cerebellar hemangioblastomas, a feeding artery aneurysm was found on a distal branch of the AICA. Three of the patients underwent successful surgical obliteration of their aneurysms, one by clipping, one by trapping, and one by resection along with the tumor. The fourth patient underwent coil embolization of the distal AICA and the aneurysm. All patients made an excellent neurological recovery. Patients with aneurysms in this location may present with typical features of an acute SAH or with symptoms referable to the cerebellopontine angle. Evaluation with computerized tomography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR angiography, and digital subtraction angiography should be performed. For lesions distal to branches coursing to the brainstem, trapping and aneurysm resection are viable options that do not require bypass. Endovascular obliteration is also a reasonable option, although the possibility of retrograde thrombosis of the AICA is a concern.

Aneurysm of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery at the medial branch: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Distal aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare. Most have been located at the cerebellopontine angle. Only three cases, including ours, located in the medial branch of the AICA have been reported in the literature.

METHODS

A 55-year-old female presented with epilepsy that she experienced for the first time. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no abnormality. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) disclosed a rare aneurysm at the medial branch of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery. In the blood workup on her admission, a mild inflammatory sign was found, and bacterial aneurysm was suggested as the presumptive differential diagnosis. Repeated DSA was performed 3 months after admission, but the aneurysm did not disappear. She then underwent a suboccipital craniotomy in the prone position.

RESULTS

The aneurysm was clipped and partially resected for the pathological examination. Histologic examination revealed a true aneurysm. She was discharged without neurological deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

In this report, we summarize the previous cases and discuss the location and clinical manifestations of aneurysms of the AICA through a review of the literature.

Embolization of a ruptured aneurysm of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Aneurysms of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare and almost all of them have been treated surgically, by wrapping or trapping, in the previous literature. Most cases of aneurysms associated with the auditory artery resulted in a hearing disturbance from the surgical procedure, although aneurysms far from the auditory artery had no deficit from trapping.

METHODS

An 81-year-old woman presented with a ruptured aneurysm of the distal AICA. We planned a delayed treatment with intravascular embolization because of her advanced age and poor clinical status. Embolization of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery using detachable coils remote from the auditory artery was successful.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging after embolization demonstrated no remaining lesion. The patient has been through rehabilitation and has gradually improved.

CONCLUSION

Intravascular treatment of distal AICA aneurysms remote from the auditory artery may be safer and simpler than surgical treatment.