Preoperative Considerations in Occipital Artery-high-riding Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Bypass: A Report of Two Cases and a Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (05) ◽  
pp. 399-403
Author(s):  
Yeong-Jin Kim ◽  
Jae-Young Kim ◽  
Yong-Hwan Cho ◽  
You-Sub Kim ◽  
Tae-Sun Kim ◽  
...  

AbstractNonsaccular vertebral artery aneurysms involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are rare. Treatment is considered a significant challenge because of their angiographic and anatomical features, especially in high-riding PICA. Therefore, meticulous preoperative angiographic and anatomical evaluation is necessary. Moreover, consideration of the distance between the cerebellar skull base and caudal loop of the PICA is important. We present two cases of occipital artery-high-riding PICA bypass and discuss important preoperative technical considerations.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. E779-E781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Starke ◽  
Mark Chwajol ◽  
Daniel Lefton ◽  
Chandranath Sen ◽  
Alejandro Berenstein ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE Patients with partial or complete bilateral vertebral artery occlusion often present with signs and symptoms of transient ischemic attacks or infarction. Advances in phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging have led to noninvasive assessment of volumetric blood flow rates and direction that help in the workup and management of these patients. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We present the case of a patient with symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency without previous transient ischemic attacks or stroke. Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA) demonstrated bilateral vertebral artery occlusion with reversal of flow in the basilar and vertebral arteries to the level of the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries bilaterally. A prominent right posterior communicating artery filled the basilar artery and proximal vertebral arteries. INTERVENTION The presence of reversal and diminished flow in the basilar and vertebral arteries suggested that occipital artery-to-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass would improve posterior circulation, relieve symptoms, and reduce the risk of infarction. Postoperative QMRA and angiography confirmed revascularization, and QMRA confirmed correction of blood flow direction. CONCLUSION This case illustrates the potential of QMRA as part of a comprehensive cerebrovascular assessment, operative planning, and follow-up of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. E19 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Webster Crowley ◽  
Ricky Medel ◽  
Aaron S. Dumont

Occipital artery to posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypasses remain an important tool for cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, particularly in the management of complex aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery requiring proximal occlusion or trapping. The procedure requires meticulous technique and attention to detail. The authors outline their technique for accomplishing this bypass emphasizing nuances for complication avoidance.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Pritz ◽  
William F. Chandler ◽  
Glenn W. Kindt

Abstract The neuroradiological evaluation, perioperative medical management, and microsurgical treatment of variously located vertebral artery lesions are presented. Four types of surgical procedures were undertaken: proximal vertebral artery to common carotid artery end-to-side anastomosis; external carotid artery to midcervical vertebral artery end-to-side anastomosis; external carotid artery to distal cervical vertebral artery end-to-end anastomosis; and occipital artery to posterior inferior cerebellar artery end-to-side anastomosis. Each case is used to demonstrate the evaluation and management involved, the type of and rationale for the surgical procedure selected, and the patency of the anastomosis performed. Two points are emphasized. One is that, after careful angiographic evaluation and improved perioperative medical management, lesions of the vertebral artery are indeed amenable to microsurgical intervention with relatively low risk to the patient. The other is that, whenever possible, anastomosis of the largest caliber of vessels with the least number of suture lines is the surgical treatment of choice.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Matsushima ◽  
Koichiro Matsukado ◽  
Yoshihiro Natori ◽  
Takanori Inamura ◽  
Tsutomu Hitotsumatsu ◽  
...  

Object. The authors report on the surgical results they achieved in caring for patients with vertebral artery—posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA—PICA) saccular aneurysms that were treated via either the transcondylar fossa (supracondylar transjugular tubercle) approach or the transcondylar approach. In this report they clarify the characteristics of and differences between these two lateral skull base approaches. They also present the techniques they used in performing the transcondylar fossa approach, especially the maneuver used to remove the jugular tubercle extradurally without injuring the atlantooccipital joint. Methods. Eight patients underwent surgery for VA—PICA saccular aneurysms (six ruptured and two unruptured ones) during which one of the two approaches was performed. Clinical data including neurological and radiological findings and reports of the operative procedures were analyzed. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to estimate the activities of daily living experienced by the patients. In all cases the aneurysm was successfully clipped and no permanent neurological deficits remained, except for one case of severe vasospasm. In seven of the eight patients, the transcondylar fossa approach provided a sufficient operative field for clipping the aneurysm without difficulty. In the remaining patient, in whom the aneurysm was located at the midline on the clivus at the level of the hypoglossal canal, the aneurysm could not be found by using the transcondylar fossa approach; thus, the route was changed to the transcondylar approach, and clipping was performed below the hypoglossal nerve rootlets. Conclusions. Both approaches offer excellent visualization and a wide working field, with ready access to the lesion. This remarkably reduces the risk of development of postoperative deficits. These approaches should be used properly: the transcondylar fossa approach is indicated for aneurysms located above the hypoglossal canal and the transcondylar approach is indicated for those located below it.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Roski ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler ◽  
Leo N. Hopkins

Abstract Fourteen patients who underwent occipital to posterior inferior cerebellar arterial bypass are reviewed. All of the patients were treated for severe vertebrobasilar ischemia secondary to lesions of the distal vertebral artery. There was no operative death or permanent postoperative morbidity. On follow-up evaluation (averaging 13 months after operation), there has been 100% graft patency and a noticeable improvement in the neurological function in all patients. Operating with the patient in the prone position and avoiding intraoperative hypotension help to minimize the operative morbidity from this procedure.


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