Fusiform aneurysms of anterior cerebral artery: center experience and systematic literature review

Fusiform aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) are uncommon, and the natural history of this entity is poorly characterized. Along with our center experience, we conducted a systematic literature review to help shed light on the clinical course of ACA fusiform aneurysms. We queried our institutional database to identify cases with fusiform aneurysms of ACA. In addition, following the PRISMA algorithm, we identified all reported cases published in the English literature from the inception of PubMed until December 2022. We categorized clinical presentations into three categories: (i) traumatic/iatrogenic, (ii) spontaneous symptomatic ruptured/unruptured, and (iii) spontaneous asymptomatic aneurysms. We utilized descriptive statistics. We identified seven cases from our center along with 235 patients from published literature. Blunt trauma was responsible for the development of 19 aneurysms. Sixty-three percent of these aneurysms tend to rupture within 2 weeks from the initial trauma, and despite treatment, only 74% of these patients had good clinical outcomes. Spontaneous symptomatic presentation occurred in 207 patients and was often associated with previous/concomitant ACA dissection. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysms was the most common presentation. Spontaneous symptomatic fusiform aneurysm is rapidly evolving lesions, and treatment is necessary. Three of our own cases were treated with an endovascular flow diverter (pipeline) stenting with good outcomes. Spontaneous asymptomatic aneurysms were reported in nine patients. These lesions are often associated with other vascular abnormalities. Treatment included surgical clipping with good clinical outcomes. Instead, four patients from our center database were managed conservatively with equally good outcomes. Our study demonstrates good clinical outcomes when fusiform aneurysms of ACA, especially when symptomatic, are treated promptly with either reconstructive or deconstructive therapies.

Fatal Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage- A Report of Three Unusual Causes

PURPOSE

To report three rare causes of fatal spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and to discuss the clinical presentations, neuroimaging findings of the patients, and a brief review of the literature on these unusual causes of SAH.

CASE REPORTS

Anomalous branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are remarkably rare and multiple aneurysms associated with these aberrant arteries a rarer phenomenon still. A case of multiple proximal and distal aneurysms of the main trunk of an aberrant ICA branch, which resulted in a World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade V SAH, was presented. This abnormal vessel had an arterial fenestration, another rare occurrence. The second patient had a craniocervical junction (CCJ) arteriovenous fistula, which was associated with a distal aneurysm extending to the upper cervical spinal canal. The patient presented with recurrent SAH which had been misdiagnosed multiple times in the past. The third case presentation is that of a WFNS grade IV SAH, which occurred secondary to a ruptured giant fusiform aneurysm of the supraclinoid segment of the left ICA. The first two cases manifested with multiple episodes of Fisher grade IV SAH, and all cases proved fatal.

CONCLUSION

It is crucial for clinicians to ensure prompt angiographic studies in patients presenting with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrrhage, as delay in the definitive diagnosis/intervention can be lethal. In particular, a high index of suspicion for a vascular brain lesion should be entertained in cases of repetitive SAH.

Giant Fusiform and Dolichoectatic Aneurysms of the Basilar Trunk and Vertebrobasilar Junction-Clinicopathological and Surgical Outcome

BACKGROUND

Giant fusiform and dolichoectatic aneurysms of the basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction (BTVBJ-GFDA) are extremely difficult to treat.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate factors influencing survival and outcome of BTVBJ-GFDA by performing a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 32 patients with BTVBJ-GFDA were included in this study. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment measures, and outcomes were collected from medical records and imaging studies. Autopsy and histological findings of the aneurysm and adjacent brain tissue were also obtained in 9 cases.

RESULTS

A total of 11 patients did not undergo surgery, of whom 10 died; 3 from progressive brainstem compression, 4 from subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2 from brainstem infarction, and 1 from associated atherosclerotic disease. The remaining 21 patients underwent a surgical treatment, consisting of immediately proximal parent artery occlusion, remotely proximal parent artery occlusion, clip reconstruction, and distal bypass and achieved significantly longer overall survival compared with those who received conservative therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 1.508, 95% CI 1.058-2.148, P = .02). Histological examination of the aneurysms demonstrated staged clots, open lumen, and intrathrombotic channels with endothelial lining. The patients younger than 45 yr of age showed statistically longer survival than those equal and older than 45 yr (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention achieved greater survival than conservative management in BTVBJ-GFDA. Narrow ideal treatment window of the blood flow within the aneurysm to maintain sufficient but not excess supply should be targeted based on the hemodynamics of both the posterior communicating arteries and perforating vessel collaterals.

Repeated Retching and Vomiting in the Pathophysiology of Isolated Spinal Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Rupture of spinal aneurysms is a rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. These aneurysms are often associated with a variety of vascular malformations that increase blood flow in the spinal circulation or with disorders that compromise the vessel wall. However, spinal aneurysms may be isolated, not associated with any known predisposing condition. The objective of this study is to explore the possible mechanisms associated with the formation and rupture of isolated spinal aneurysms (ISAs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a series of consecutive patients admitted for a ruptured ISA. In all cases, spinal angiography confirmed the presence of a spinal aneurysm responsible for the bleeding. Particular attention was paid to medical history and symptoms before bleeding, for potential factors predisposing to their formation and rupture.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2020, ten cases of spinal aneurysms were seen at our institution including 4 cases of ISA. All patients with ISA were female, and in 3 cases the aneurysm involved the territory of the posterior spinal artery. In 3 of these 4 (75%) ISA cases, there was a strikingly similar history of retching and vomiting preceding the thunderclap headache. In 1 patient, the aneurysm was surgically resected; pathologic analysis revealed a fusiform dissecting aneurysm. All 4 patients had a favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the straining during prolonged retching and vomiting plays a role in the formation and rupture of some ISAs, possibly because of pressure spikes, increased transmural arterial pressure, and increased wall shear stress during straining.