Surgically treated aneurysm of the trunk of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery--case report

Clinical Importance of the Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery in Vascular Lesions and Its Role in Endovascular Treatment

The persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) extends from the internal carotid artery to the basilar artery between the origins of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and superior cerebellar artery. PPTAs have complex anatomical characteristics. Salas and Saltzman classifications are most often used in PPTAs. The PPTA can play many roles in vascular lesions, including intracranial aneurysms, brain arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal artery-cavernous fistulas, Moyamoya disease, and large vessel occlusion. For these lesions, surgical treatment is difficult due to the deep location and complex anatomy of the PPTA, but endovascular treatment (EVT) has emerged as a good alternative. Currently, a complete review of the clinical importance of the PPTA in terms of its role in the development and EVT of vascular lesions is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a PubMed search, performed a review of the relevant extracted literature and cataloged our experience with PPTAs. By review, we found that a thorough understanding of the anatomical and angiographic features of this PPTA is of utmost importance when making therapeutic decisions for any of these pathological conditions.

Persistent trigeminal artery aneurysms: case report and systematic review

Background

The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is an adult carotid-basilar anastomosis with debated pathologic aspects, such as its association with brain aneurysms. True trigeminal artery aneurysms are rare vascular anomalies, reported in a few case reports.

Objective

To report our experience with a ruptured trigeminal artery aneurysm and to provide a systematic review of the literature in order to analyse potential links between the anatomic configuration of the PTA and PTA aneurysm (PTAA) type, and implications of each PTAA type for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Methods

We reviewed the medical literature on trigeminal artery aneurysms according to the PRISMA guidelines. Population characteristics, aneurysms features, and PTA type and side were assessed.

Results

40 previously published cases of PTAAs were included in the analysis. The mean age of subjects was 55 years, with a strong female predominance (77%). Four PTAAs were accidentally discovered, while 16 caused compressive symptoms and 20 were ruptured. Successful endovascular treatment was performed in 62% of cases.

Conclusions

PTAAs are rare vascular anomalies, underdiagnosed in the presence of a trigemino-cavernous fistula. Parent vessel occlusion seems to be the best therapeutic option for ruptured or symptomatic unruptured PTAAs in Saltzman type II and III PTAs. Patency of the parent vessel is the main target in Saltzman type I PTA.

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.

Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery Associated With Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm and Hypoplastic Vertebral Artery

The persistent trigeminal artery is one of the presegmental arteries in the embryonic period; in some rare cases, it is associated with cerebral aneurysm but as a cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been described in the literature. We report a patient who presented a Fisher IV SAH associated with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. The performed cerebral angiography demonstrated the presence of aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery associated to hypoplastic vertebral artery on the same side. We considered those finding coincidental. The coexistence of saccular aneurysm with anatomical variations in the intracranial vasculature is briefly discussed. It was managed by endovascular embolization. The patient returned to normal activities.

Treatment of Large or Giant Cavernous Aneurysm Associated with Persistent Trigeminal Artery: Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) is the most common anomaly of primitive carotid-basilar anastomosis and is associated with cerebrovascular anomalies, such as aneurysm. Large or giant cavernous aneurysm associated with PTA is rare, and the treatment strategies differ in comparison with large or giant aneurysm without PTA. In this article, we report an unusual case of a giant cavernous aneurysm associated with PTA and review treatment strategies for large or giant cavernous aneurysm associated with PTA.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 38-year-old woman suffered from double vision. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion in the left cavernous sinus, and magnetic resonance angiography showed a giant aneurysm at the cavernous portion of the left internal carotid artery, associated with PTA. Coil embolization, distal to the PTA, was scheduled after high-flow bypass on the same day. Computed tomography scan showed no definite infarction after treatment. A 3-dimensional computed tomography showed disappearance of the aneurysm and good patency of bypass and PTA. The patient experienced improvements in symptoms and was discharged without neurologic deficits (modified Rankin Scale 0).

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment strategy for large or giant cavernous aneurysm associated with PTA is different from strategies used for large or giant cavernous aneurysm without PTA. Simple ligation of internal carotid artery is inadequate because the aneurysm is supplied through the PTA, from the vertebrobasilar system. Furthermore, the treatment strategy has to be revised according to whether the PTA can be occluded. Keeping in mind PTA preservation, an appropriate strategy should be selected.

Dual Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Fusiform Aneurysm Arising From Persistent Trigeminal Artery

Aneurysms of the persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) trunk are exceptionally rare and have a high risk for rupture. Dual stent placement through each internal carotid and basilar artery for endovascular coil embolization of a fusiform aneurysm arising from the PTA has not been described in the literature. A 44-year-old female with a history of chronic headache was identified to have a fusiform aneurysm arising from medially coursing adult type, Saltzman type 3 PTA trunk. Sacrifice of the PTA trunk inclusive of the aneurysm was performed with dual stent placement through each basilar and internal carotid artery across their respective junctions with the PTA. Six-month follow-up angiography showed complete occlusion of the PTA and the aneurysm. The patient's symptoms resolved. Our case demonstrated that the sacrifice of an adult type, Saltzman type 3 PTA inclusive of an associated fusiform aneurysm is feasible with dual stent-assisted coil embolization.

Anatomical features and clinical relevance of a persistent trigeminal artery

Background:

Although persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is uncommonly identified, knowledge of this structure is essential for clinicians who interpret cranial imaging, perform invasive studies of the cerebral vasculature, and operate this region.

Methods:

A review of the medical literature using standard search engines was performed to locate articles regarding the PTA, with special attention with anatomical descriptions.

Results:

Although anatomical reports of PTA anatomy are very scarce, those were analyzed to describe in detail the current knowledge about its anatomical relationships and variants. Additionally, the embryology, classification, clinical implications, and imaging modalities of this vessel are extensively discussed.

Conclusions:

Through a comprehensive review of isolated reports of the PTA, the clinician can better understand and treat patients with such an anatomical derailment.

Trigeminal artery: a review of normal and pathological features

OBJECTS

Carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses-the trigeminal, otic, hypoglossal, and proatlantal intersegmental arteries-serve as transitory channels between primitive internal carotid arteries and bilateral longitudinal neural arterial plexus, which is the precursor of future basilar artery, when the human embryo reaches about 4-mm length.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Normal and/or abnormal morphofunctional aspects of the prenatal and postnatal forms of the trigeminal artery are described according to personal and literature data. Many arteries of similar origin and course are also noted in the differential diagnosis of the trigeminal artery.

CONCLUSIONS

The persistent primitive trigeminal artery, as the most commonly carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis, has a reported incidence of 0.03-2.2% in the literature. There is female sex predilection, and it may be discovered in patients of any age, on either side, and in association with many vascular variants. Although the significance of persistent primitive trigeminal artery regarding the development of an aneurysm or association with another pathological condition may not be clear, its (ab)normal morphology is the inspiration for anatomists, especially for neurosurgeons, before planning diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Basilar artery aneurysm at a persistent trigeminal artery junction. A case report and literature review

The trigeminal artery is an anastomosis between the embryonic precursors of the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems, and may persist into adult life. The association of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) with cerebral aneurysm is well documented in the literature and, in general, aneurysms are located in the anterior circulation. We describe a patient who presented with a panencephalic Fisher III subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Digital arteriography showed a saccular aneurysm in the middle third of the basilar artery, adjacent to the junction with a persistent trigeminal artery. She was submitted to endovascular treatment with embolization of the basilar artery aneurysm with coils. Aneurysms at the PTA junction with the basilar artery are rare. This paper describes a case of PTA associated with an aneurysm in the basilar artery at PTA junction and briefly reviews the literature.

Carotid-cavernous fistula caused by rupture of persistent primitive trigeminal artery trunk aneurysm--case report

A 60-year-old female presented with a carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) manifesting as left abducens nerve palsy. Left internal carotid digital subtraction angiography showed a persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) near the CCF. Super-selective angiography showed direct shunt flow between the PPTA trunk aneurysm and the left cavernous sinus. The aneurysm was successfully occluded with detachable coils. The CCF disappeared and the PPTA was preserved. The abducens nerve paralysis had disappeared 6 months later. CCF caused by a PPTA trunk aneurysm is extremely rare. We speculate that the PPTA trunk aneurysm formed and then ruptured due to hemodynamic stress caused by hypoplasia of the basilar artery.

Rupture of an aneurysm of the persistent trigeminal artery presenting as a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula

A 62-year-old Caucasian female presented with spontaneous right-sided eye pain, chemosis and ophthalmoloplegia. A right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula was discovered and successfully treated with transvenous introduction of Guglielmi detachable coils. In addition to complete fistula occlusion, follow-up angiography 6 weeks post-treatment demonstrated the presence of a patent persistent trigeminal artery previously hidden by the caliber of the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. The spontaneous nature of the presentation and the proximity of the persistent trigeminal artery to the site of coil embolization suggest spontaneous rupture of a persistent trigeminal artery aneurysm as cause of the fistula. Current literature on this finding is discussed here, demonstrating that an aneurysm of the persistent trigeminal artery leading to carotid-cavernous sinus fistula formation is rare. Furthermore, the present case is the first report of its kind in world ophthalmology literature.

Trigeminal fistula treated by combined transvenous and transarterial embolisation

Trigeminal cavernous fistulae are rare, compared to other types of carotid-cavernous fistulae with only about 17 examples previously reported in English literature. The aetiology can be either post-traumatic or spontaneous, and in the latter group either due to a ruptured trigeminal aneurysm or postulated intrinsic weakness of the artery itself. The treatment goal is to close the fistula while preserving the parent artery and this can be done either by surgical or endovascular methods. We present a 35-year-old woman with a spontaneous trigeminal fistula treated by combined trans-venous and trans-arterial embolisation.