Middle cerebral artery dissection causing subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral infarction: Trapping with high-flow bypass preserving the lenticulostriate artery

Various treatment modalities for isolated intracranial middle cerebral arterial dissection with progressive ischemic symptoms: 2 case reports of endovascular stent and bypass surgery

Isolated middle cerebral artery dissection (MCAD) is rare but increasingly recognized as a significant clinical entity, particularly in younger adults. Ischemic stroke is the most common manifestation in symptomatic cases but symptoms can vary in severity from headaches to severe neurologic deficits. Due to its rarity and unpredictable clinical course, there is no established treatment strategy for isolated MCAD. Through two case reports, we reviewed the post-operative clinical course of MCAD under different treatment modalities. Case 1 was a 21-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with headaches and left-side hemiparesis. Isolated MCAD was diagnosed and she was successfully treated with the placement of a self-expandable stent and subsequent chemical angioplasty for post-stent vasospasm. Case 2 was a 35-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with left-side hemiparesis and dysarthria. Isolated MCAD was diagnosed and she was successfully treated with superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis.

Cerebrovascular bypass for ruptured aneurysms: A case series

In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) unfavorable for endovascular or traditional open surgical techniques, surgical revascularization strategies comprise one of remaining limited options. There is nonetheless a paucity of data on the safety and efficacy of bypass in aSAH. In this study, we aimed to investigate complications and outcomes in a cohort of patients with aSAH treated with bypass. A prospective single-surgeon database of consecutive patients treated for aSAH between 2013 and 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. Complications and functional status at discharge were recorded and analyzed for the patients that underwent bypass surgery. Forty patients with aSAH were treated with bypass surgery (23 extracranial-intracranial; 17 intracranial-intracranial). All-cause perioperative mortality was 13% (6 patients). At discharge and at mean 14-month follow up, respectively, 16/40 (40%) and 16/25 (64%) of patients achieved a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4-5. All-cause, in-hospital complications occurred in 28 patients (70%), of which any ischemic complication occurred in 20 patients (50%), 7 (18%) being open surgical complications. This work represents the largest modern series of bypass for aSAH to date. In cases of aSAH unfavorable for endovascular intervention or traditional open surgical techniques, bypass remains a viable option in this complex group of patients.

Middle cerebral artery fenestration: Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications

Cerebral artery fenestrations are rare anatomical variants usually detected incidentally on cross-sectional imaging or cerebral angiography. Although considered benign findings, many reports have described their association with vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations, and to a lesser extent with ischemic or hemorrhagic complications. We report a case of middle cerebral artery fenestration associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and middle cerebral artery thrombosis. To our knowledge, there has been no prior report of middle cerebral artery fenestration with a similar presentation.

Recurrent Embolic Stroke Caused by Large Cavernous Carotid Aneurysm: Stroke Recurrence Prevention with High-Flow Bypass Followed by Proximal Occlusion

Intracranial aneurysms may cause embolic stroke. Medical or surgical management is selected on an individual basis, as the optimal treatment strategy has not been established. A 79-year-old woman with a large cavernous carotid aneurysm suffered repeated embolic stroke after enlargement and partial thrombosis of the aneurysm, in spite of antiplatelet therapy. Coil embolization of the primitive trigeminal artery and ligation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the cervical portion followed by high-flow bypass from the cervical external carotid artery to the middle cerebral artery were performed. The aneurysm was thrombosed, and prevention of further stroke was achieved. Acute enlargement and thrombosis of large or giant cavernous carotid aneurysm may cause repeated embolic stroke, and requires emergent exclusion of the aneurysm from circulation by proximal ICA occlusion together with distal revascularization before devastating embolic stroke occurs.

Coil and Single-Stent Placement for Ruptured Dissecting Aneurysm of Middle Cerebral Artery: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Ruptured dissecting aneurysms located at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are rare, and their standard treatment has not been defined. Furthermore, lenticulostriate artery involvement in the dissecting segment makes treatment extremely difficult, and no previous reports have described successful treatment for such conditions.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We herein report the case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with sudden severe headache from subarachnoid hemorrhage due to dissection in the proximal M1 segment of left MCA involving lenticulostriate arteries. Digital subtraction angiography on day 6 showed that the dissecting aneurysm had enlarged despite strict blood pressure control. On day 8, the patient was treated successfully with a self-expanding closed cell stent and coil embolization, preserving blood flow in the lenticulostriate arteries as well as the MCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Follow-up digital subtraction angiography performed 5 weeks after endovascular therapy showed healing of the dissecting lesion, and the patient was discharged neurologically intact.

High-flow bypass with radial artery graft followed by internal carotid artery ligation for large or giant aneurysms of cavernous or cervical portion: clinical results and cognitive performance

High-flow bypass followed by ligation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an effective treatment, but the impact of abrupt occlusion of the ICA is unpredictable, especially on postoperative cognitive function. The present study evaluated the clinical results as well as cognitive performances after high-flow bypass using radial artery graft (RAG) with supportive superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass, followed by ICA ligation. Ten consecutive patients underwent high-flow bypass surgery for large or giant ICA aneurysms of cavernous or cervical portion. Demographics, clinical information, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials, neuropsychological examinations including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), and follow-up data were analyzed. The aneurysm was located on the cavernous segment in eight cases and cervical segment in two cases, and mean aneurysm size was 27.9 mm. Postoperative DSA demonstrated robust bypass flow from the external carotid artery to MCA via the RAG, and no anterograde flow into the aneurysm. No patient showed new symptoms after the operation. Follow-up clinical study and MR imaging were performed in nine patients and showed no additional ischemic lesion compared with preoperative imaging. Seven patients completed neuropsychological examinations before and after surgery. All postoperative scores except WMS-R composite memory score slightly improved. High-flow bypass followed by ICA ligation can achieve good clinical outcomes. Successful high-flow bypass using RAG with supportive STA-MCA bypass and ICA ligation does not adversely affect postoperative cognitive function.

Giant cavernous carotid aneurysm causing pituitary dysfunction: Pituitary function recovery with high-flow bypass

Background:

Giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms extending into the sellar region, mimicking pituitary tumors, and causing pituitary dysfunction are relatively rare. Open surgery or endovascular treatment can treat these aneurysms, but achieving recovery of endocrine function is difficult.

Case Description:

A 56-year-old man presented with giant aneurysm of the ICA causing pituitary impairment, leading to disturbance of consciousness due to hyponatremia. High-flow bypass from the cervical external carotid artery to the middle cerebral artery and ligation of the ICA at the cervical portion were performed. One year after the operation, his pituitary function recovered well; he was followed up as an outpatient without hormonal replacement therapy for 8 years after the operation.

Conclusion:

Giant ICA aneurysm causing pituitary dysfunction is relatively rare, but it is important to consider in the differential diagnosis for hypopituitarism. Treatment with high-flow bypass using radial artery graft can achieve both prevention of aneurysm rupture and recovery of pituitary function.