Revascularization of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Using the Occipital Artery: A Cadaveric Study Comparing the p3 and p1 Recipient Sites

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. E122-E129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peyton L Nisson ◽  
Xinmin Ding ◽  
Ali Tayebi Meybodi ◽  
Ryan Palsma ◽  
Arnau Benet ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Revascularization of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is typically performed with the occipital artery (OA) as an extracranial donor. The p3 segment is the most accessible recipient site for OA-PICA bypass at its caudal loop inferior to the cerebellar tonsil, but this site may be absent or hidden due to a high-riding location. OBJECTIVE To test our hypothesis that freeing p1 PICA from its origin, transposing the recipient into a shallower position, and performing OA-p1 PICA bypass with an end-to-end anastomosis would facilitate this bypass. METHODS The OA was harvested, and a far lateral craniotomy was performed in 16 cadaveric specimens. PICA caliber and number of perforators were measured at p1 and p3 segments. OA-p3 PICA end-to-side and OA-p1 PICA end-to-end bypasses were compared. RESULTS OA-p1 PICA bypass with end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 16 specimens; whereas, OA-p3 PICA bypass with end-to-side anastomosis was performed in 11. Mean distance from OA at the occipital groove to the anastomosis site was shorter for p1 than p3 segments (30.2 vs 48.5 mm; P < .001). Median number of perforators on p1 was 1, and on p3, it was 4 (P < .001). CONCLUSION Although most OA-PICA bypasses can be performed using the p3 segment as the recipient site for an end-to-side anastomosis, a more feasible alternative to conventional OA-p3 PICA bypass in cases of high-riding caudal loops or aberrant anatomy is to free the p1 PICA, transpose it away from the lower cranial nerves, and perform an end-to-end OA-p1 PICA bypass instead.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. E311-E312
Author(s):  
Justin R Mascitelli ◽  
Sirin Gandhi ◽  
Jacob F Baranoski ◽  
Michael J Lang ◽  
Michael T Lawton

Abstract In situ bypasses to the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are unusual because, with only one artery in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), no natural intracranial donors parallel its course. In rare cases, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) may have the tortuosity or redundancy to be mobilized to the AICA to serve as a donor. This video demonstrates this p3 PICA-to-a3 AICA in situ side-to-side bypass. A 75-yr-old woman presented with ataxia and hemiparesis from a large thrombotic right AICA aneurysm compressing the brainstem. Strategy consisted of bypass, trapping, and brainstem decompression. Written informed consent for surgery was obtained from the patient. A hockey-stick incision was made to harvest the occipital artery as a backup donor, but its diminutive caliber precluded its use. The bypass was performed through an extended retrosigmoid craniotomy. The aneurysm was trapped completely and thrombectomized to relieve the pontine mass effect. Indocyanine green videoangiography confirmed patency of the bypass, retrograde filling of the AICA to supply pontine perforators, and no residual aneurysmal filling. This unusual in situ bypass is possible when redundancy of the AICA and PICA allow their approximation in the CPA. The anastomosis is performed lateral to the lower cranial nerves in a relatively open and superficial plane. The extended retrosigmoid approach provides adequate exposure for both the bypass and aneurysm trapping. In situ AICA-PICA bypass enables anterograde and retrograde AICA revascularization with side-to-side anastomosis. The occipital artery-to-AICA bypass and the V3 vertebral artery-to-AICA interpositional bypass are alternatives when intracranial anatomy is unfavorable for this in situ bypass.1–6 Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. V14
Author(s):  
Ezequiel Goldschmidt ◽  
Philippe Lavigne ◽  
Carl Snyderman ◽  
Paul A. Gardner

This video depicts the case of a 59-year-old woman that presented to the emergency department with the worst headache of her life. CT showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and digital subtraction angiogram demonstrated a right-side posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm. Given the medial and ventral position of the aneurysm, deep to the lower cranial nerves, which obviated distal control from an open approach, and the absence of an endovascular option able to reliably preserve the PICA, an endonasal approach was offered. A far medial approach was performed, and the aneurysm was successfully clipped. The patient developed a postoperative CSF leak with persistent posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus treated with reexploration and an eventual ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The patient was discharged without neurological deficits.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/_9hsM2CaMow.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Ibn Essayed ◽  
Emad Aboud ◽  
Ossama Al-Mefty

Abstract Ventral foramen magnum meningiomas are a forbidding lesion. The stake is so high with a risk of devastating paralysis and respiratory failure. Careful preoperative clinical and radiological evaluation is necessary to implement the best treatment plan. Successful surgical intervention depends on paying high attention to minute details throughout the case, from intratracheal intubation to extubation. The neural head-on-neck position is critical to avoid further medullary compression at intubation and positioning.1 Extensive neurophysiological monitoring, including somatosensory, motor, brainstem evoked potential, and cranial nerves, during the positioning and throughout the case, is extremely helpful to detect early signs of dysfunction.1 To expose and access ventral tumors, partial condyle resection and vertebral artery transposition are invaluable techniques.2,3 Preservation and minute manipulation of the vital neurovascular structures at this junction that includes the medullar, anterior spinal artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery, vertebral junction perforators, and lower cranial nerves are essential for good outcomes. This is achieved by microsurgical intra-arachnoidal dissection under high magnification and after debulking the tumor to establish that plane.1,3,4 The demonstration of this technique is the purpose of this article. We demonstrate these surgical tenets applied to the resection of a large ventral foramen magnum meningioma extending from the midclivus to the C3 vertebral body level in a 54-yr-old female presenting with swallowing difficulties. The patient consented to the surgical intervention and the publication of her images. Image at 1:38 reprinted with permission from Al-Mefty O, Operative Atlas of Meningiomas. Vol 1, © LWW, 1998.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. E58-E59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Mascitelli ◽  
Sirin Gandhi ◽  
Claudio Cavallo ◽  
Jacob Baranoski ◽  
Ali Tayebi Meybodi ◽  
...  

Abstract Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare lesions with a predisposition for distal location and non-saccular morphology.1,2 These aneurysms are less amenable to clipping and may instead require aneurysm trapping with bypass.3 This video reports a novel bypass for a ruptured, fusiform distal AICA aneurysm. A 51-yr-old woman with newly diagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented to the hospital with meningitis and experienced an acute neurological decline while admitted. Neuroimaging revealed a fusiform left a2-AICA aneurysm, thought to be mycotic with diffuse subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess Grade-IV). The occipital artery was harvested as an alternative donor in the myocutaneous flap using a hockey-stick incision. An extended retrosigmoid approach exposed the infectious aneurysm. After aneurysm excision, an a2-AICA-a2-AICA end-to-end reanastomosis was performed in between and deep to the vestibulocochlear nerves superiorly and the glossopharyngeal nerve inferiorly. Indocyanine green videoangiography and postoperative angiogram confirmed bypass patency. Postoperatively, she developed epidural and subdural hematomas due to human immunodeficiency virus-associated coagulopathy and/or increased aspirin sensitivity, requiring reoperation. The patient made a complete recovery at late follow-up. AICA reanastomosis is an elegant intracranial-intracranial bypass for treating distal AICA aneurysms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AICA reanastomosis in the proximal a2-AICA (lateral pontine) segment. This technique has been reported in the literature for distally located aneurysms (a3-AICA).4 Microanastomosis for more medial AICA aneurysms must be performed deep to the lower cranial nerves. OA to a3-AICA bypass is an alternative in cases where primary reanastomosis is not technically feasible. (Published with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute).


2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (videosuppl1) ◽  
pp. Video12
Author(s):  
M. Yashar S. Kalani ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
Joseph M. Zabramski ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

Posterior circulation aneurysms are commonly treated with endovascular techniques. In select cases, microsurgery remains an essential tool for treating these lesions. We present a case of a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm approached via a craniotomy. Given the labyrinth of neurovascular bundles present in the posterior fossa, surgical exposure of PICA aneurysms can be challenging. This video demonstrates the steps of the craniotomy, subarachnoid dissection, mobilization of the vertebral artery and lower cranial nerves, and clipping of the aneurysm.The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/fQSxQj7oL0U.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oded Goren ◽  
Raghuram Sampath ◽  
Akshal S Patel ◽  
Christoph J Griessenauer ◽  
Clemens M Schirmer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE The Coupler microanastomotic device (Medical Companies Alliance, Birmingham, Alabama) aims at facilitating safe and efficient end-to-end reconstruction of the native vessel ends following resection of intracranial aneurysms. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We report the first case of the Coupler device used to treat a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm. Following aneurysmal trapping and excision, the native parent vessel ends were connected in an end-to-end fashion. CONCLUSION The microanastomotic Coupler device is an acceptable option for end-to-end anastomosis and was successfully applied in the management of a ruptured fusiform PICA aneurysm.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 482-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yashar S. Kalani ◽  
Wyatt Ramey ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
Cameron G. McDougall ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Given advances in endovascular technique, the indications for revascularization in aneurysm surgery have declined. OBJECTIVE: We sought to define indications, outline technical strategies, and evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with bypass in the endovascular era. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all aneurysms treated between September 2006 and February 2013. RESULTS: We identified 54 consecutive patients (16 males and 39 females) with 56 aneurysms. Aneurysms were located along the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) (n = 1), petrous/cavernous ICA (n = 1), cavernous ICA (n = 16), supraclinoid ICA (n = 7), posterior communicating artery (n = 2), anterior cerebral artery (n = 4), middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 13), posterior cerebral artery (PCA) (n = 3), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n = 4), and vertebrobasilar arteries (n = 5). Revascularization was performed with superficial temporal artery (STA) to MCA bypass (n = 25), STA to superior cerebellar artery (SCA) (n = 3), STA to PCA (n = 1), STA-SCA/STA-PCA (n = 1), occipital artery (OA) to PCA (n = 2), external carotid artery/ICA to MCA (n = 15), OA to MCA (n = 1), OA to posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n = 1), and in situ bypasses (n = 8). At a mean clinical follow-up of 18.5 months, 45 patients (81.8%) had a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 or 5). There were 7 cases of mortality (12.7%) and an additional 9 cases of morbidity (15.8%). At a mean angiographic follow-up of 17.8 months, 14 bypasses were occluded. Excluding the 7 cases of mortality, the majority of aneurysms (n = 42) were obliterated. We identified 7 cases of residual aneurysm and recurrence in 6 patients at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Given current limitations with existing treatments, cerebral revascularization remains an essential technique for aneurysm surgery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Bonda ◽  
Mohamad Labib ◽  
Jeffrey M. Katz ◽  
Rafael A. Ortiz ◽  
David Chalif ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: For some posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms, there is no constructive endovascular or direct surgical clipping option. Intracranial bypass is an alternative to a deconstructive technique. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, surgical techniques, and outcome of PICA aneurysms treated with bypass and obliteration of the diseased segment. METHODS: Retrospective review of PICA aneurysms treated via intracranial bypass was performed. Outcome measurements included postoperative stroke, cranial nerve deficits, gastrostomy/tracheostomy requirement, bypass patency, modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge, and mRS at 6 mo. RESULTS: Seven patients with PICA aneurysms treated with intracranial bypass were identified. Five had fusiform aneurysms (4 ruptured, 1 unruptured), 1 had a giant partially thrombosed saccular aneurysm (unruptured), and 1 had a dissecting traumatic aneurysm (ruptured). Two aneurysms were at the anteromedullary segment, 4 at the lateral medullary segment, and 1 at the tonsillomedullary segment. Three patients underwent PICA-to-PICA side to side anastomoses, 2 PICA-to-PICA reanastomosis, 1 vertebral artery-to-PICA bypass, and 1 occipital artery-PICA bypass. Six out of 7 aneurysms were obliterated surgically and 1 with additional endovascular occlusion after the bypass. All bypasses were patent intraoperatively; 2 were later demonstrated occluded without radiological signs or symptoms of stroke. No patients had new cranial nerve deficit postoperatively. With the exception of 1 death due to pulmonary emboli 3 mo postoperatively, all others remain at a mRS ≤ 2. CONCLUSION: Constructive bypass and aneurysm obliteration remains a viable alternative for treatment of PICA aneurysms not amenable to direct surgical clipping or to a vessel-preserving endovascular option.


1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Nagahiro ◽  
Akira Takada ◽  
Yasuhiko Matsukado ◽  
Yukitaka Ushio

✓ To determine the causative factors of unsuccessful microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm, the follow-up results in 53 patients were assessed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 36 months. There were 32 patients who had compression of the seventh cranial nerve ventrocaudally by an anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or a posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Of these 32 patients, 30 (94%) had excellent postoperative results. Of 14 patients with more severe compression by the vertebral artery, nine (64%) had excellent results, three (21%) had good results, and two (14%) had poor results; in this group, three patients with excellent results experienced transient spasm recurrence. There were seven patients in whom the meatal branch of the AICA coursed between the seventh and eighth cranial nerves and compressed the dorsal aspect of the seventh nerve; this was usually associated with another artery compressing the ventral aspect of the nerve (“sandwich-type” compression). Of these seven patients, five (71%) had poor results including operative failure in one and recurrence of spasm in four. The authors conclude that the clinical outcome was closely related to the patterns of vascular compression.


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