The Nationwide Surveillance on the Dorsal Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery Part 2: Study on the Surgical Treatment in Hemorrhagic Cases

Endovascular Trapping for Ruptured Blood Blister-Like Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective

Rupture of blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) may result in fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Open surgery including bypass surgery has been performed to treat the aneurysm. Recently, endovascular treatment is developing for the treatment of cerebral aneurysm. Here, we report a case of ruptured BBA of the ICA, treated by endovascular trapping and review the literatures.

Case Presentation

A 37-year-old woman was brought to our hospital to treat SAH. Computed tomography (CT) angiography showed no apparent cause of the hemorrhage except for the minor dilation of the C2 portion of the left ICA. After 3 days, the CT angiography demonstrated progression of the dilation with the formation of a bleb. Evaluating collateral circulation through anterior communicating artery, endovascular trapping of the ICA was performed. Although she suffered minor ischemic stroke postoperatively, the symptoms recovered completely and discharged without neurological deficit.

Review of Literatures

we reviewed the 11 cases of ruptured BBA treated by endovascular trapping. The results of ICA occlusion based on the evaluation of collateral circulation were satisfactory because rebleeding as well as regrowth of the aneurysm were prevented. However, hemodynamic compromise and treatment for vasospasm following SAH are considered.

Conclusion

Rebleeding from BBA of the ICA should be prevented first and ischemic complication is avoided secondary. Endovascular trapping following evaluation of the collateral circulation is definitive treatment of BBA of the ICA.

The role of EC-IC bypass in ICA blood blister aneurysms-a systematic review

To perform a systematic review of extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery with parent vessel trapping for blood blister–like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) according to PRISMA guidelines. Search of PubMed using “bypass” [all fields] and “ICA” [all fields] or “internal carotid artery” [all fields] and (“blood blister–like aneurysm” [MeSH terms]. Thirty-four original articles were identified, of which 21 were excluded (treatment not including bypass or insufficient details on complications or clinical outcomes). Thirteen articles published between 2008 and 2019 were included, totaling 98 patients, with a median of 7.5 patients per article (range 1–17). Mean age was 53.3 years (range 23–80). The main techniques were external carotid artery to middle cerebral artery (ECA-MCA) in 81% and superficial temporal artery to MCA (STA-MCA) in 19%. The most common grafts were radial artery (74%) and STA (19%). The risk of intraoperative rupture varied from 0 to 75%, with a mean of 12%. With respect to clinical outcomes, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was not stated in 30% of the cases. When stated, mRS was ≤ 2 in 79%, mRS was 3–5 in 10%, and 4% had mRS 6 (death). We identified only 13 articles, with no prospective studies. Outcomes were better than generally reported for ruptured aneurysms, both with respect to poor outcome (mRS > 2) and in-hospital mortality, perhaps reflecting a selection bias. In general, the data reporting quality was low, precluding any firm conclusions, but EC-IC bypass with ICA trapping may be a valid treatment option for ruptured ICA BBAs.

Surgical Management of Intracranial Artery Dissection

Intracranial artery dissection (IAD) is a relatively rare cause of stroke, but it has been recognized increasingly with recent advances of the neuroimaging technique. Since rebleeding occurs frequently in the acute stage in the ruptured IAD, urgent surgical treatment should be performed to prevent rebleeding. On the other hand, surgical treatment for unruptured IAD is controversial because it has little risk for bleeding. However, surgical treatment for unruptured IAD may be considered if the formation or enlargement of the aneurysmal dilatation has been confirmed. Since there are several proposed surgical strategies for IAD, it is important to select an appropriate strategy on a case-by-case basis. If the risk of infarction due to vessel occlusion is high, combined bypass surgery should be considered.

Changing Treatment Strategy From Clipping to Radial Artery Graft Bypass and Parent Artery Sacrifice in Patients With Ruptured Blister-Like Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms

BACKGROUND:

Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) are aneurysms with ill-defined fragile necks arising from an internal carotid artery (ICA) and associated with high mortality.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe strategies and outcomes in patients in whom radial artery (RA) graft bypass with ICA sacrifice was considered as the primary treatment during the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS:

The authors analyzed the clinical records of 20 patients who were treated between 2004 and 2011 at their hospital and affiliate institutions.

RESULTS:

A majority of the patients were treated during the acute phase (<24 hours, n = 15). A favorable outcome was achieved in 18 (90%) patients. The treatment strategies used were as follows: (1) ICA trapping/external carotid artery (ECA)-RA-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass (n = 13), (2) ICA trapping/superficial temporal artery-MCA bypass (n = 2), (3) aneurysm clipping with RA-MCA temporary bypass (n = 3), (3) aneurysm clipping with proximal ICA ligation and ECA-RA-MCA bypass (n = 1), and (4) direct clipping (n = 1). Postoperative infarction was observed in 6 patients and was ascribed to vasospasm (n = 1), retrograde thrombosis associated with trapping (n = 2), and reasons unrelated to the surgical procedures (n = 3).

CONCLUSION:

Trapping with RA graft bypass demonstrated favorable results in patients with internal carotid BBAs. Although trapping/RA graft bypass is a definitive treatment for BBAs located proximal to the origin of the posterior communicating artery, some distal BBAs preclude ICA trapping to spare the perforating arteries.