Ruptured Distal Superior Cerebellar Artery Dissecting Aneurysm Treated with a Flow-diverting Device: Case Report and Review of Literature

Dissecting and fusiform aneurysms of the superior cerebellar artery: anatomy, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes

The management of superior cerebellar aneurysms is still controversial. Although several techniques are available, the deep localization of the lesion and the limited number of cases increase the complexity of decision-making for optimal treatment. Only a few cases of dissecting and fusiform aneurysms of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) are described in the literature, many of which are without long follow-ups. The study aims to offer an exhaustive retrospective analysis of patients affected by SCA fusiform and dissecting aneurysms treated at our institution from 2008 to 2023, highlighting outcomes and complications. Moreover, a comprehensive narrative review was performed. A total of seven patients were treated at our institution. After a title and abstract screen, fifty-five papers met the criteria for inclusion in the review. In our case series, conservative treatment was proposed as the first therapeutic option in four cases (57.1%), while endovascular treatment (EVT) was in three cases (42.9%). A good recovery was observed in 66% of patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), while every patient without SAH achieved a good clinical outcome. A poor outcome was observed only in one patient with a dissecting aneurysm causing SAH, who also suffered a pontine infarction. In the literature review, conservative treatment was proposed as a first therapeutic option in eleven cases (16.6%), open microsurgical techniques in 19 patients (28.8%), and EVT in 31 patients (46.9%). Fatal outcome was documented in five patients (7.5%), all characterized by the rupture of the vascular lesion, while 6.1% of cases had non-fatal poor outcomes.

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.

Fusiform superior cerebellar artery aneurysm treated with flow diversion: A case report

Background:

Fusiform aneurysms of the distal superior cerebellar artery are rare and challenging to treat. Due to the rarity of these lesions, there is little consensus regarding their management. Treatment options have traditionally included parent artery sacrifice with either an endovascular approach or microsurgical clipping. Given the small diameter of the superior cerebellar artery, flow diversion has not been typically considered as a viable treatment option for these aneurysms.

Case Description:

A 67-year-old female presented complaining of severe sudden onset headache. Noncontrast head CT demonstrated no intracranial hemorrhage. Head CT angiogram demonstrated a 4.2 mm fusiform aneurysm in the distal right superior cerebellar artery. The patient underwent treatment with the Pipeline embolization device which was deployed in the right superior cerebellar artery covering the aneurysm. Six-month posttreatment follow-up angiogram demonstrated resolution of the aneurysm with patency of the parent vessel.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm treated with the Pipeline embolization device. The use of a Pipeline stent to create flow diversion should be considered in a case of a fusiform aneurysm of the right superior cerebellar artery. Treatment with flow diversion may allow for the treatment of the aneurysm while preserving patency of the parent vessel.