Vertebral artery—posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass with a superficial temporal artery graft to treat aneurysms involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichiro Hamada ◽  
Tatemi Todaka ◽  
Shigetoshi Yano ◽  
Yutaka Kai ◽  
Motohiro Morioka ◽  
...  

Object. In patients with aneurysms that require occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), revascularization of this artery should be performed. A novel surgical method for revascularization of the PICA is presented. Methods. After a segment of the superficial temporal artery (STA) was harvested, the aneurysm was treated by trapping, followed by placement of a vertebral artery (VA)—PICA bypass in which the STA segment was used as a graft. When the length of the proximal PICA was inadequate, the distal end of the STA was anastomosed to the proximal PICA in an end-to-side fashion. When the length of the proximal PICA was adequate, the STA was anastomosed to the proximal PICA in an end-to-end fashion. In either case, the proximal end of the STA was anastomosed to the VA in an end-to-side fashion. This procedure was used in nine patients whose aneurysms involved the PICA. Although partial lateral medullary syndrome developed in one of them, follow-up evaluation revealed graft patency in all patients. There were no instances of recurrent hemorrhage or ischemia. Conclusions. Although this procedure requires harvesting of an STA graft and two anastomoses, it facilitates anterograde flow to the PICA territory. It also involves minimal mobilization of brainstem perforating vessels and the proximal PICA.

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Youl Lee ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar

✓ The authors report three cases of ruptured, large or giant aneurysms that were treated by excision or trapping, followed by revascularization of distal vessels by means of arterial reimplantation or superficial temporal artery interpositional grafting. In the first case, a large serpentine aneurysm arising from the anterior temporal branch of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) was excised and the distal segment of the anterior temporal artery was reimplanted into one of the branches of the MCA. In the second case, a giant aneurysm, fusiform in shape, arose from the rolandic branch of the MCA. This aneurysm was totally excised and the M3 branch in which it had been contained was reconstructed with an arterial interpositional graft. In the third case the patient, who presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, had a dissecting aneurysm that involved the distal portion of the left vertebral artery. In this case the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) arose from the wall of the aneurysm and coursed onward to supply the brainstem. This aneurysm was managed by trapping and the PICA was reimplanted into the ipsilateral large anterior inferior cerebellar artery. None of the patients suffered a postoperative stroke and all recovered to a good or excellent postoperative condition. These techniques allowed complete isolation of the aneurysm from the normal blood circulation and preserved the blood flow through the distal vessel that came out of the aneurysm. These techniques should be considered as alternatives when traditional means of cerebral revascularization are not feasible.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
James I. Ausman ◽  
Fernando G. Diaz ◽  
Balaji Sadasivan ◽  
Manuel Dujovny

Abstract Intracranial vertebral endarterectomy was performed on six patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency in whom medical therapy failed. The patients underwent operations for stenotic plaque in the intracranial vertebral artery with the opposite vertebral artery being occluded, hypoplastic, or severely stenosed. In four of the patients, the stenosis was mainly proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). In this group, after endarterectomy, the vertebral artery was patent in two patients, and their symptoms resolved: in one patient the endarterectomy occluded, but the patient's symptoms improved; and in one patient the endarterectomy was unsuccessful, and he continued to have symptoms. In one patient, the plaque was at the origin of the PICA. The operation appeared technically to be successful, but the patient developed a cerebellar infarction and died. In one patient the stenosis was distal to the PICA. During endarterectomy, the plaque was found to invade the posterior wall of the vertebral artery. The vertebral artery was ligated, and the patient developed a Wallenburg syndrome. The results of superficial temporal artery to superior cerebellar artery anastomosis are better than those for intracranial vertebral endarterectomy for patients with symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery stenosis. The use of intracranial vertebral endarterectomy should be limited to patients who have disabling symptoms despite medical therapy, a focal lesion proximal to the PICA, and a patent posterior circulation collateral or bypass.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Michael Lemole ◽  
Jeffrey Henn ◽  
Sam Javedan ◽  
Vivek Deshmukh ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

✓ Cerebral revascularization is often required for the surgical treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. In certain anatomical locations, vascular anatomy and redundancy make in situ bypass possible. The authors present four patients who underwent revascularization performed using the rarely reported posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)—PICA in situ bypass after their aneurysms had been trapped. At Barrow Neurological Institute, between 1991 and the present, four male patients underwent PICA—PICA bypasses to treat aneurysms involving the vertebral artery, the PICA, or both. The mean age of these patients was 34 years (range 5–49 years). Follow-up studies revealed patent bypasses and no evidence of infarction. Patient outcomes were excellent or good. Multiple surgical techniques have been described for revascularization of at-risk cerebral territories. Often, the blood supply must be derived from extracranial sources through a mobilized pedicle or interposited graft. Certain anatomical locations such as the vertebrobasilar junction, the anterior circle of Willis, and the middle cerebral artery bifurcation are amenable to in situ bypass because there is vessel redundancy or proximity to the contralateral analogous vessel. The advantages of an in situ bypass include one suture line, a short bypass distance, and a close match with the caliber of the recipient graft. Although technically challenging, this technique can be successful and should be considered for appropriate candidates.


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.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Fine ◽  
Alberto Cardoso ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton

Object. The authors describe the microsurgical anatomy of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) with an extradural origin and discuss its importance as a common variation.Methods. The microsurgical anatomy of paired PICAs with an extradural origin were examined.Conclusions. Five to 20% of PICAs have an extradural origin. In the case described, both PICAs arose extradurally from the third segment of the vertebral artery (VA). Both origins were less than 1 cm proximal to the site at which the VA penetrated the dura, and neither PICA gave rise to extradural branches. Extradurally, the PICAs coursed parallel to the VA and the C-1 nerve and the three structures penetrated the dura together. Intradurally, the PICAs remained lateral and posterior to the brainstem, whereas, in the common PICA configuration, the first segment of the PICA courses anterior to the medulla. Neither PICA sent branches to the anterior brainstem, which is commonly found in PICAs with an intradural origin. There were no soft-tissue or bone anomalies.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 960-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichiro Hamada ◽  
Yutaka Kai ◽  
Motohiro Morioka ◽  
Shigetoshi Yano ◽  
Tatemi Todaka ◽  
...  

Object. The goal of this study was to implement an algorithm for and assess the multimodal (endovascular and microsurgical) treatment of patients with ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) during the acute stage. Methods. During a 4-year period, the authors treated 19 ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the VA during the acute stage, within 3 days after the hemorrhage. Factors guiding management decisions were tolerance of the test occlusion and the site of the dissection. The algorithm takes into account these factors to select among treatment options, that is, trapping of the VA with Guglielmi Detachable Coils (GDCs); trapping of the VA and revascularization of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA); trapping of the VA and VA—posterior cerebral artery (PCA) anastomosis; and trapping of the VA, VA—PCA anastomosis, and revascularization of the PICA. Of the 15 aneurysms without PICA involvement, 14 were treated by trapping of the VA with GDCs and one by trapping of the VA and a VA—PCA bypass. The other four aneurysms with PICA involvement were treated by VA trapping and PICA revascularization. There was no episode of recurrent hemorrhage or ischemia during the posttreatment follow-up period. Although lateral medullary syndrome developed as a permanent complication in one patient, a good recovery was made by the other 18 patients by 6 months after the ictus. Conclusions. The factors that determine the appropriate treatment for ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the VA are tolerance of a test occlusion and the site of dissection. Favorable patient outcomes can be achieved when this algorithm is used.


1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
James I. Ausman ◽  
Fernando G. Diaz ◽  
Sean Mullan ◽  
Randy Gehring ◽  
Balaji Sadasivan ◽  
...  

✓ A case is presented in which a giant intracranial vertebral artery aneurysm gave rise to an associated ipsilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) from its waist. Proximal vertebral artery ligation at C-1 was achieved. The aneurysm filled from the opposite vertebrobasilar junction. Direct intracranial trapping of the right vertebral aneurysm was followed by successful anastomosis of the proximally sectioned right PICA to the adjacent left PICA in an end-to-end fashion.


1997 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Lawton ◽  
Joseph E. Heiserman ◽  
Stephen W. Coons ◽  
Bruce D. Ragsdale ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

✓ Juvenile active ossifying fibroma is a rare lesion seldom seen by neurosurgeons. It originates in the paranasal sinuses during childhood, grows slowly, and encroaches on adjacent orbital and cranial compartments. In the past 3 years, four patients with this lesion were seen (three men and one woman; mean age 28 years). The clinical presentations were different with each patient: sinusitis, meningitis, periorbital pain, and a unique case of a juvenile active ossifying fibroma presenting with high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis and ischemic symptoms. Three patients were treated by transfacial approaches: two with a transfrontal—nasal approach and one with a transfrontal—nasoorbital approach. Two open resections resulted in gross-total excision and no recurrence as of the 2-year follow-up review. In the third patient, the tumor-encased carotid artery was preserved at the expense of a complete resection; that patient underwent superficial temporal artery—middle cerebral artery bypass and remains without ischemic symptoms or tumor recurrence at 2 years. The fourth patient underwent three subtotal endoscopic resections and is also without symptomatic recurrence at 2 years. Three points must be made concerning these lesions. First, the clinical and radiographic characteristics of juvenile active ossifying fibroma may not be easily recognized by neurosurgeons, which could lead to misdiagnosis and mismanagement of these lesions. Second, this tumor can encase the carotid artery and cause severe stenosis or occlusion. Third, complete resection of the tumor is required to effect a cure, and transfacial approaches, which give wide exposure of the sinuses, appear to yield better, more radical resections than endoscopic procedures.


1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin J. Durward

✓ The author presents the case of a patient with a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm in which the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) arose from the wall of the aneurysm. The aneurysm was treated by trapping and the PICA was anastomosed to the vertebral artery proximal to the dissection. This technique allows intraoperative obliteration of the aneurysm while maintaining normal blood flow to the PICA.


1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Ichiro Hamada ◽  
Shinji Nagahiro ◽  
Chikara Mimata ◽  
Takayuki Kaku ◽  
Yukitaka Ushio

✓ Two techniques of revascularizing the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) during aneurysm surgery are presented. One involves transposition of the PICA to the vertebral artery proximal to the aneurysm using a superior temporal artery (STA) as a graft. This is used in cases in which the PICA has branched off from the wall of the giant vertebral artery aneurysm. The other technique involves end-to-end anastomosis of the PICA after excision of a giant distal PICA aneurysm located at the cranial loop near the roof of the fourth ventricle. The reconstructions of the PICA described here are surgical procedures designed to preserve normal blood flow in the PICA in patients treated for giant aneurysms involving that artery.


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