Residual lesions in patients who underwent microsurgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms

SUMMARY Microsurgical clipping is currently the main method of treating cerebral aneurysms, even with the improvement of endovascular therapy techniques in recent years. Treatment aims at complete occlusion of the lesion, which is not always feasible. Although appearing superior to endovascular treatment, microsurgical clipping may present varying percentages of incomplete occlusion. Such incidence may be reduced with the use of intraoperative vascular study. Some classifications were elaborated in an attempt to standardize the characteristics of residual lesions, but the classification criteria and terminology used in the studies remain vague and poorly documented, and there is no consensus for a uniform classification. Thus, there is also no agrément on which residual aneurysms should be treated. The aim of this study is to review the literature on residual lesions after microsurgery to treat cerebral aneurysms and how to proceed with them.

RESUMO A clipagem microcirúrgica é, atualmente, o principal método de tratamento dos aneurismas cerebrais, mesmo com o aprimoramento das técnicas de terapia endovascular nos últimos anos. O tratamento visa à oclusão completa da lesão, o que nem sempre é factível. Apesar de parecer superior ao tratamento endovascular, a clipagem microcirúrgica pode apresentar porcentagens variadas de oclusão incompleta. Tal incidência pode ser reduzida com utilização de estudo vascular intraoperatório. Algumas classificações foram elaboradas na tentativa de padronizar as características das lesões residuais, mas os critérios de classificação e a terminologia utilizados nos trabalhos mantêm-se vagos e pobremente documentados, não havendo consenso para uma classificação uniforme. Dessa forma, não há também concordância sobre quais aneurismas residuais devam ser submetidos a tratamento. O objetivo do presente estudo é realizar uma revisão da literatura a respeito das lesões residuais após microcirurgia para tratamento dos aneurismas cerebrais e como proceder diante dessas.

Residual lesions in patients undergoing microsurgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms in a reference university hospital

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the incidence and epidemiological, angiographic, and surgical aspects associated with incomplete clipping of brain aneurysms in a cohort of patients undergoing microsurgical treatment. METHODS: The medical record data of patients who underwent microsurgery for cerebral aneurysm treatment and postoperative digital subtraction angiography, treated at the same teaching hospital between 2014 and 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. The studied variables involved epidemiological and clinical data, as well as neurological status and findings on neuroimaging. The time elapsed between hemorrhage and microsurgical treatment, data on the neurosurgical procedure employed for aneurysm occlusion, and factors associated with the treated aneurysm, specifically location and size, were also evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients were submitted to 139 neurosurgical procedures, in which 167 aneurysms were clipped. The overall rate of residual injury was 23%. Smoking (odds ratio [OR]: 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 1.372-8.300, p=0.008), lesion size >10 mm (OR: 5.136, CI95%: 2.240-11.779, p<0.001) and surgery duration >6 h (OR: 8.667, CI95%: 2.713-27.681, p<0.001) were found to significantly impact incomplete aneurysm occlusion in the univariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Incomplete microsurgical aneurysm occlusion is associated with aneurysm size, complexity, and current smoking status. Currently, there is no consensus on postoperative assessment of clipped aneurysms, hindering the correct assessment of treatment outcomes.

Vitreous Hemorrhage after Aneurismal Rupture: Terson Syndrome

Introduction Terson syndrome is described as an intraocular hemorrhage consequent to a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSAH). In the present article, we describe cases of patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysmat our institution over a period of one year, and who were diagnosed with Terson syndrome. Methods The present study included patients with a diagnosis of SSAH by rupture of a cerebral aneurysm who underwent treatment in our neurosurgical service from December 2009 to December 2010. The patients were followed-up for a minimum of 20 months.We have also performed a literature review and compared the data with those available in the current literature. Results The present study included 34 patients, 18 (53%) of which underwent endovascular treatment, and 16 (47%) who underwent microsurgical clipping. In the sample, the mortality was 14.7% (5 patients), the same percentage of patients who were diagnosed with Terson Syndrome, which is an incidence of 14.7%. Regarding the ophthalmologic evaluation, all patients had vitreous hemorrhage detected by an ultrasound examination, which was unilateral in only two patients. Visual acuity improved in all patients, being incomplete in only one of them. Conclusion Terson syndrome is relatively common and is associated with higher mortality. With the existence of an effective treatment, it should be investigated in all patients with SSAH.

Endovascular Treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Improves Clinical Symptoms and Signs

Introduction New physiopathological concepts regarding idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) recommend the endovascular treatment in refractory patients with transverse sinus stenosis. Objectives To assess the role of the transverse sinus stenting treatment in the symptomatology of patients with IIH. Method Clinically refractory patients with impaired venous drainage of the transverse sinus were submitted to cerebral angiographies. Patients with pre and poststenotic pressure gradients > 8 mmHg were submitted to endovascular treatment. Results Seven patients underwent cerebral angiography with manometry. Stenting was performed in six cases after pressure gradient assessment. All cases showed improvements in headache and resolution of papilledema. Discussion and Conclusion Although the role of endovascular therapy should be further studied, our data suggest it may improve the clinical symptoms and signs of IIH in selected patients.

Introdução Novos conceitos fisiopatológicos a respeito da hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) propõem, em casos refratários, o tratamento endovascular em pacientes com estenose no seio transverso. Objetivos Avaliar o efeito do tratamento endovascular, realizado pela implantação de um stent no seio transverso, em pacientes com HII. Método Pacientes refratários clinicamente com alterações da drenagem venosa no seio transverso foram submetidos a angiografia cerebral. Diante de gradientes pressóricos pré e pós-estenóticos maiores do que 8 mmHg, foi feito o tratamento endovascular. Resultados Sete pacientes realizaram angiografia cerebral com manometria. A colocação de stent foi realizada em seis após avaliação do gradiente pressórico. Todos apresentaram melhora da cefaleia, com resolução do papiledema. Discussão e Conclusão Apesar de o papel do tratamento endovascular para HII necessitar de mais estudos, nossos dados sugerem que ele pode melhorar sinais e sintomas relacionados à HII em pacientes selecionados.

Endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous vascular lesions / Tratamento endovascular das lesões vasculares carótido-cavernosas

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the endovascular treatment of vascular lesions of the cavernous segment of the internal carotidartery (ICA) performed at our institution. Methods: we conducted a descriptive, retrospective and prospective study of patients with aneurysms of the cavernous portion of the ICA or with direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (dCCF) undergoing endovascular treatment. Results: we included 26 patients with intracavernous aneurysms and ten with dCCF. All aneurysms were treated with ICA occlusion. Those with dCCF were treated with occlusion in seven cases and with selective fistula occlusion in the remaining three. There was improvement of pain and ocular proptosis in all patients with dCCF. In patients with intracavernous aneurysms, the incidence of retro-orbital pain fell from 84.6% to 30.8% after treatment. The endovascular treatment decreased the dysfunction of affected cranial nerves in both groups, especially the oculomotor one. Conclusion: the endovascular treatment significantly improved the symptoms in the patients studied, especially those related to pain and oculomotor nerve dysfunction.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o tratamento endovascular de lesões vasculares da artéria carótida interna (ACI), segmento cavernoso, realizado na Santa Casa de São Paulo. Métodos: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e prospectivo, de pacientes com aneurisma da porção cavernosa da ACI ou com fístulas carótido-cavernosas diretas (FCCd) submetidos a tratamento endovascular. Resultados: foram incluídos 26 pacientes com aneurismas intracavernosos e dez com FCCd. Todos os aneurismas foram tratados com oclusão da ACI. Os com FCCd foram tratados com oclusão, em sete casos, e com oclusão seletiva da fístula nos outros três. Houve melhora da dor e proptose ocular em todos os pacientes com FCCd. Nos pacientes com aneurisma intracavernoso, a incidência de dor retro-orbitária caiu de 84,6% para 30,8% após o tratamento. Após o tratamento endovascular houve uma melhora importante da disfunção de nervos cranianos afetados em ambos os grupos, sobretudo no nervo oculomotor. Conclusão: o tratamento endovascular trouxe melhora para os pacientes deste estudo, especialmente nos critérios dor e acometimento do nervo oculomotor.

Advances in the endovascular treatment of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas / Avanços no tratamento endovascular de fístulas carotidocavernosas diretas

SUMMARY Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. They are considered direct when there is a direct connection between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These cases are generally traumatic. Direct CCFs are high-flow lesions, possibly related to intracranial bleeding, visual loss, corneal exposure or even fatal epistaxis. Treatment of such lesions is, thus, always recommended. The ideal treatment for direct CCF is to exclude the fistula from circulation, preserving the carotid flow. This can be attained using diverse endovascular techniques. The objective of the present article is to review the current techniques for treatment of direct CCFs, with special attention to the currently available endovascular treatment options.

RESUMO As fístulas carotidocavernosas (FCC) são comunicações anormais entre a artéria carótida e o seio cavernoso. Elas são consideradas diretas quando há uma comunicação direta entre a artéria carótida interna e o seio cavernoso. Nesses casos, são geralmente traumáticas. As FCC diretas são lesões de alto fluxo, podendo estar relacionadas a sangramento intracraniano, perda visual, exposição corneana ou até mesmo a epistaxe fatal. Seu tratamento é sempre indicado. O tratamento ideal da FCC direta é a exclusão da fístula da circulação, com preservação do fluxo carotídeo. Isso pode ser obtido por meio de técnicas endovasculares diversas. O objetivo do presente artigo é realizar uma revisão sobre as FCC diretas, com especial enfoque nas opções de tratamento endovascular disponíveis na atualidade.

Cerebral aneurysms associated with human immunodeficiency virus in adults: literature review and new perspectives / Aneurismas cerebrais associados ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana em adultos: revisão da literatura e novas perspectivas

SUMMARY Introduction: the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been decreasing patient morbidity and mortality by opportunistic infections and, thus, survival has increased. This new reality has been changing the spectrum of diseases affecting such patients. Objective: to discuss the association between HIV and the emergence of aneurysmal brain injuries. Method: it was performed a literature review using medical database. The following descriptors were searched: "Intracranial Aneurysms and HIV", "Intracranial Aneurysms and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," "aneurysm and brain and HIV". Results: after performed a literature review, it was observed that the relationship between HIV infection and the formation of aneurysms appears to be real, however, it still lacks data to confirm the pathophysiology of this condition and its best treatment. Conclusion: there are new signs and symptoms that should be studied and researched relating HIV with other changes not previously known.

RESUMO Introdução: o tratamento da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) tem diminuído a morbidade e a mortalidade por infecções oportunistas nesses pacientes e, portanto, aumentado a sobrevida. Essa nova realidade tem mudado o espectro de doenças que afetam esses pacientes. Objetivo: discutir a associação entre HIV e ocorrência de aneurismas cerebrais. Método: foi realizada revisão da literatura utilizando bancos de dados médicos. Foram pesquisados os seguintes descritores: "HIV e aneurismas intracranianos", "aneurismas intracranianos e síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida", aneurismas, cérebro e HIV. Resultados: a relação entre a infecção pelo HIV e a formação de aneurismas parece ser real; porém, ainda faltam dados que confirmem a fisiopatologia dessa condição e seu melhor tratamento. Conclusão: existem novos sinais e sintomas, que devem ser estudados e pesquisados, relacionando o HIV com outras alterações previamente desconhecidas.

Aspectos técnicos e funcionais da cateterização dos seios petrosos inferiores na síndrome de Cushing ACTH dependente / Technical and functional aspects of catheterization of inferior petrosal sinuses in ACTH dependent Cushing’s syndrome

Objetivo Descrever e analisar a técnica empregada para a cateterização bilateral dos seios petrosos inferiores (SPI) em nosso serviço, discutindo as dificuldades e as taxas de sucesso encontradas. Sujeitos e métodos Entre 2009 e 2012, foram submetidos ao cateterismo bilateral dos SPI 14 pacientes com suspeita de síndrome de Cushing, sendo descrita a técnica empregada para o cateterismo e para a análise hormonal. Resultados O procedimento foi bem tolerado por todos os pacientes, sendo alcançada a cateterização adequada dos SPI em 92,85% dos casos. O diagnóstico de doença de Cushing foi firmado em 10 casos, sendo o resultado do cateterismo dos SPI após estímulo com CRH coerente em todos, não havendo falso-negativos. Conclusão O cateterismo dos SPI, apesar de ser uma técnica invasiva, é um procedimento seguro. A sua realização pode ser feita de forma adequada na maioria dos casos e, quando bem indicada, permanece como padrão-ouro na distinção da forma hipofisária da ectópica na síndrome de Cushing. .

Objective To describe and analyze technique for bilateral catheterization of inferior petrosal sinus in our service, discussing the difficulties and success rates found. Subjects and methods Fourteen patients with suspected Cushing’s syndrome underwent bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses (IPS) catheterization between 2009 and 2012. The technique for catheterization and for hormone analysis were described. Results The procedure was well tolerated by all patients, and adequate catheterization was achieved in 92.85% of cases. The diagnosis of Cushing’s disease was confirmed in 10 cases. The result of IPS catheterization after CRH infusion was coherent in all cases, without false negatives. Conclusion The catheterization of IPS, despite being an invasive technique, is a safe procedure. The objectives can be done properly in most cases. When well indicated, this procedure remains the gold standard in distinguishing the ectopic form to pituitary source in Cushing’s syndrome. .

Revascularização cerebral na doença de moyamoya / Cerebral revascularization in moyamoya disease

Objetivo: Relatar uma série de casos de doença moyamoya/síndrome de moyamoya (DMM/SMM) tratados por revascularização cerebral no período de 2001 a 2013. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de 12 pacientes portadores de DMM/SMM submetidos à revascularização cerebral. Resultados: Trêspacientes foram operados por meio de by-pass de alto fluxo, três com by-pass de baixo fluxo e seis por revascularização indireta (encefaloarteriossinangiose associada à galeossinangiose). Realizamosdurante o seguimento: análise da ocorrência de novos acidentes vasculares cerebrais (AVC), avaliação funcional (utilizando a Escala de Rankin Modificada) e das complicações cirúrgicas. O tempo de acompanhamento para o grupo de by-pass de alto fluxo foi de quatro a dez anos, para o grupo de baixo fluxo e revascularização indireta de três meses a três anos. Nenhum paciente apresentou outro AVC no hemisfério operado tampouco piora funcional. As taxas de morbimortalidade e de infecção foram nulas. Conclusão: A revascularização cerebral foi efetiva, prevenindo a ocorrência de novos AVC e evitando piora funcional.

Objective: To report a case series of moyamoya disease/moyamoya syndrome (DMM/SMM) treated by cerebral revascularization in the period 2001-2013. Method: Retrospective study of twelve patients with DMM/SMM submitted to cerebral revascularization. Results: Three patients were operated through high-flow by-pass, three with low flow by-pass and six with indirect revascularization (encephaloarterio-sinangiosis associated with galeo-sinangiosis). Analyzed during follow-up: the occurrence of new strokes, functional assessment (using the modified Rankin scale) and surgical complications. The follow up to the group of high-flow by-pass was 4-10 years for the group of low flow and indirect revascularization of three months to three years. No patient had another cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in the hemisphere operated nor functional worsening. Rates of morbidity and mortality and infection were nil. Conclusion: Cerebral revascularization was effective, preventing the occurrence of new strokesand preventing functional deterioration.

Pseudoaneurisma traumático da artéria meníngea média tratado por via endovascular / Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery treated by endovascular intervention

Os pseudoaneurismas traumáticos da artéria meníngea média (AMM) representam lesões raras, correspondendo a menos de 1% dos aneurismas intracranianos. Em geral, estão associados à fratura craniana temporal que cruza o trajeto da AMM. O hematoma extradural (HED) é a apresentação mais comum desse tipo de lesão, podendo apresentar elevada morbimortalidade na maioria dos casos. O diagnóstico dos pseudoaneurismas da AMM pode ser realizado por angiorressonância, angiotomografia e, principalmente, por arteriografia cerebral. Após a confirmação de sua existência, o tratamento é mandatório e deve ser realizado precocemente, por causa do risco potencial de ruptura. Esse tratamento pode ser realizado por craniotomia e coagulação da artéria meníngea média, ou por via endovascular com oclusão do aneurisma. Apresentamos neste relato o caso de paciente vítima de traumatismo craniano atendido em nosso serviço. Os exames de imagem iniciais mostravam fratura temporal, associada à contusão hemorrágica adjacente. O paciente foi submetido à angiografia cerebral, sendo diagnosticado um pseudoaneurisma na artéria meníngea média. Ele foi submetido a procedimento endovascular para embolização do aneurisma, tendo evoluído satisfatoriamente...

The traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) are rare lesions, accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial aneurysms. They are associated mainly to temporal skull fracture that crosses the path of MMA. The epidural hematoma is the most common presentation of this type of injury, and may have high morbidity and mortality in most cases. The diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the MMA can be performed by MRI-angiography, CT-angiography, and mainly by digital cerebral arteriography. After confirming its existence, treatment is mandatory and should be performed early, due to the potential risk of rupture. This treatment can be performed by craniotomy and coagulation of the middle meningeal artery, or by endovascular intervention, with occlusion of the aneurysm. We present here the case of a patient with a head trauma, who was admitted to our service. The initial CT imaging demonstrated a temporal fracture, associated with hemorrhagic contusion adjacent. The patient underwent cerebral angiography, being diagnosed with a middle meningeal artery aneurysm. He was submitted to an endovascular embolization of the aneurysm, having evolved satisfactorily...

Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm and delayed carotid-cavernous fistula following trans-sphenoidal surgery / Tratamiento endovascular de pseudoaneurisma y fístula carótida-cavernosa iatrogénica después de la cirugía trans-esfenoidal

Lesiones accidentales de la arteria carótida son complicaciones poco frecuentes de diversos procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos. Representan una condición grave y potencialmente mortal si el tratamiento no se realiza adecuadamente. Un paciente de sexo femenino, 45 años de edad, que ingresó en el servicio de Otorrinolaringología con queja de la disminución de la agudeza auditiva y acúfenos en el oído izquierdo. La resonancia magnética encefálica mostro una formación expansiva / infiltrativa a comprometer desde la nasofaringe izquierda hasta la base del cráneo, con la participación de la arteria carótida interna (ACI) en el mismo lado en su segmento petroso. Durante el procedimiento de biopsia, se produjo una laceración en la carótida derecha intracavernosa con sangrado abundante. Se realizó un taponamiento local y el paciente fue remitido a la angiografía cerebral que mostró un seudoaneurisma en la arteria carótida interna derecha en su segmento cavernoso. Después de una prueba de oclusión, la ACI derecha fue ocluida por 2 globos. Tres semanas después, el estado del paciente mostró empeoramiento progresivo de la agudeza visual, proptosis ocular, hiperemia conjuntival y la restricción del movimiento ocular en el ojo derecho. Una nueva angiografía fue realizada y mostró la persistencia de la oclusión de la ACI en su origen y un seudoaneurisma asociado con fístula carótido-cavernosa derecha, que se opacificado después de la inyección de contraste en la ACI izquierda, a través de la arteria comunicante anterior. El paciente fue sometido a un nuevo tratamiento endovascular con resolución de la lesión. Laceración de ACI durante la cirugía transesfenoidal es una complicación rara y potencialmente fatal. La prevención es el mejor tratamiento para cualquier lesión accidental. La utilización de técnicas endovasculares ha permitido para el tratamiento satisfactorio de esta condición.

Accidental carotid artery lesions are uncommon complications from diverse diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. It represents a grave and potentially lethal condition if treatment is not adequately performed. A female patient, 45 years old, who was admitted to the Otolaryngology service complaining of diminished auditory acuity and tinnitus in the left ear. The encephalic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an expansive/infiltrative formation compromising the left nasopharynx to the skull base, involving the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) in its petrous segment. During the biopsy procedure, there was a right intracavernous ICA laceration with copious bleeding. A local tamponade was performed and the patient was referred to cerebral angiography (CAG), which showed a right ICA pseudoaneurysm in its intracavernous segment. After a balloon occlusion test, the right ICA was occluded by 2 balloons. Three weeks after, the patient’s condition showed progressive worsening of visual acuity, occular proptosis, conjuctival hyperemia and occular movement restriction in the right eye. A new CAG was performed and showed persistence in the right ICA occlusion in its origin and an intracavernous pseudoaneurysm associated with ipsilateral carotidcavernous fistula, which became opacified after contrast injection in left ICA, through the anterior communicating artery. The patient was submitted to a new endovascular treatment with lesion resolution. ICA laceration during transsphenoidal surgery is a rare and potentially fatal complication. The prevention is the best treatment for any accidental lesion. Utilization of endovascular techniques has allowed for satisfactory treatment of this condition.

Tratamento endovascular de fístula arteriovenosa dural intracraniana através de punção direta do seio transverso: nota técnica e revisão da literatura / Endovascular treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula by direct puncture of transverse sinus: technical note and literature review

As lesões arteriovenosas que envolvem a dura máter e o espaço epidural são chamadas de shunts arteriovenosos durais. Elas representam comunicações diretas anormais, entre artérias durais e veias durais dilatadas, sem um leito capilar entre estas. A fístula arteriovenosa dural corresponde à cerca de 15% de todas as lesões arteriovenosas intracranianas. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente de 31 anos, apresentando crises epilépticas de início aos 14 anos, cuja investigação diagnóstica com exames de imagem mostrou fístula arteriovenosa dural da região da inserção da tenda drenando para os seios transverso e sigmóide direitos, nutrida pelas artérias occipitais, meníngea média direita e tronco meningohipofisário direito. Além das múltiplas aferências arteriais, também havia oclusão das veias jugulares, o que impedia o tratamento pela via venosa. Foi realizado tratamento combinado, com acesso cirúrgico através de trepanação na junção dos seios transverso-sigmoide direitos, com punção do seio transverso e embolização dos mesmos com espiras metálicas e adesivo tissular (cianoacrilato), com oclusão total da lesão. Descrevemos o procedimento e realizamos uma breve revisão da literatura sobre o tema.

Effect of renal embolization with trisacryl and PAVc

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the degree of vascular occlusion, vascular recanalization, and necrosis of the vascular wall caused by polyvinyl alcohol-covered polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) particles compared to trisacryl particles after renal embolization. METHODS: Seventy-nine female albino New Zealand rabbits underwent arterial catheterization of the right kidney. Thirty-three animals were embolized with trisacryl particles, thirty-one with PVAc particles, and fifteen were kept as controls. Four animals were excluded (three trisacryl and one PVAc) due to early death. Five subgroups of six animals were created. The animals in the different groups were sacrificed either 48 hours, 5 days, 10 days, 30 days, or 90 days after embolization. The control group was divided into subgroups of three animals each and kept for the same periods of time. The kidneys were dyed with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome and then examined using optical microscopy. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the degree of vascular occlusion caused by the trisacryl and the PVAc particles between the five-day and the ten-day groups. Additional differences were noted between the five-day and 48-hour groups in regard to the amount of necrosis. For both findings, the PVAc group members showed adequate tissue reaction (ischemia and volumetric reduction) and less recanalization than those treated with trisacryl. CONCLUSION: The use of PVAc as an embolization material exhibited an adequate tissue reaction (ischemia and volumetric reduction), more expressive vascular occlusion and necrosis, and less recanalization than the trisacryl material.

Spontaneous thrombosis of internal carotid artery: a natural history of giant carotid cavernous aneurysms / Trombose espontânea da artéria carótida interna: a história natural dos aneurismas gigantes intracavernosos

OBJECTIVE: To describe five cases of giant carotid cavernous aneurysms which evolved with spontaneous thrombosis of internal carotid artery (STICA), with emphasis at epidemiology, clinical presentation, natural history, related factors and neurological outcome. METHOD: There were 711 consecutives patients with 802 aneurysms with and without surgical treatment during a period of 19 years. We selected 35 patients with 40 carotid cavernous aneurysms (5 percent) of which 20 (50 percent) were giant aneurysms. Among those cases, 5 patients evolved with STICA (25 percent). Symptoms and findings at presentation were recorded and compared with those at outcome. RESULTS: Clinical presentation was commonly related to atherosclerotic factors such as elevated blood pressure (80 percent), diabetes mellitus (40 percent) and dislipidemy (40 percent). All patients presented with hemicranial headache, ophthalmparesy and retro bulbar pain, and after STICA all presented improvement of symptoms. After STICA, 4 patients had regression of deficit, 2 partial and 2 complete. Four patients had sensorial trigeminal neuropathy in V1 and V2 territories, also showing improvement of symptoms after STICA. CONCLUSION: STICA is a common outcome in giant carotid cavernous aneurysms, and is related with significant improvement of symptoms; however, it may be catastrophic for those patients without efficient collateral circulation.

OBJETIVO: Relatar cinco casos de aneurismas gigantes intracavernosos que evoluíram com trombose espontânea da artéria carótida interna (TEACI), estudando-se: prevalência, apresentação clínica, história natural, fatores associados e prognóstico neurológico. MÉTODO: Análise de 711 pacientes consecutivos com diagnóstico de 802 aneurismas cerebrais submetidos a tratamento clínico ou cirúrgico num período de 19 anos. Foram identificados 40 aneurismas intracavernosos, sendo que 20 desses eram gigantes. Dentre esses, 5 pacientes com aneurismas gigantes intracavernosos que evoluíram com TEACI (25 por cento). Os sintomas e sinais neurológicos da apresentação foram registrados e comparados ao término do acompanhamento. RESULTADOS: Todos pacientes apresentavam cefaléia hemicraniana, apresentavam oftalmoplegia e dor retro-orbitária. Freqüentemente estavam associados a fatores ateroscleróticos como HAS (80 por cento), diabetes melito (40 por cento) e dislipidemia (40 por cento) e após a TEACI evoluíram com melhora desses sintomas. Após a TEACI, 4 pacientes tiveram regressão do déficit, sendo que em 2 a regressão do déficit foi total. Quatro pacientes apresentavam hipostesia no território de V1 e V2. Todos apresentaram melhora desse sintoma. CONCLUSÃO: A TEACI é uma evolução comum em aneurismas intracavernosos gigantes, e está associada à melhora importante dos sintomas. No entanto pode ser catastrófica naqueles pacientes sem circulação colateral eficiente.

Presentation and treatment of carotid cavernous aneurysms / Apresentação e tratamento dos aneurismas intracavernosos

We analyzed a group of patients with the diagnosis of internal carotid aneurysms in its intracavernous segment, with emphasis in prevalence, clinical features, treatments, evolution and neurological prognosis. Neurological signs and symptoms at initial presentation were registered and compared with final outcome. Patients were divided into two stratified groups, one with 19 patients which underwent interventionist treatment, and another with 21 patients who were conservatively treated. The present study demonstrated that intervention is significantly correlated with a better prognosis considering evolution of pain symptoms secondary to neurovascular compression (p=0,002). Regarding neurological deficits, an interventionist approach was also significantly correlated with better outcome in comparison with initial presentation (p=0,008). These results indicate that interventionist treatment determines improvement or resolution of pain symptoms in comparison with patients conservatively treated, as well as stabilization or partial improvement of neuro-ophthalmological deficits.

Analisamos um grupo de pacientes com diagnóstico de aneurismas da artéria carótida interna, em sua porção intracavernosa, estudando-se: prevalência, apresentação clínica, formas de tratamento, evolução e prognóstico neurológico. Os sintomas e sinais neurológicos da apresentação foram registrados e comparados ao término do acompanhamento, com um grupo de 21 aneurismas submetidos a tratamento conservador e outro com 19 a tratamento intervencionista. O estudo demonstrou que a intervenção está relacionada a um melhor prognóstico, quanto à evolução do quadro álgico secundário à compressão neurovascular (p=0,002). Em relação ao déficit neurológico, a abordagem intervencionista pôde ser associada com uma melhora do quadro inicial (p=0,008). Estes resultados indicam que o tratamento intervencionista proporcionou melhora ou resolução do sintoma dor em comparação ao grupo de pacientes com tratamento conservador, além de levar a uma estabilização ou melhora parcial dos déficits neuro-oftalmológicos.