Nontraumatic Intracranial Dissecting Aneurysm of Vertebral Artery: Case Report

We present two cases with dissecting aneurysm of intracranial vertebral artery. One of them had brain stem infarction and the other one developed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiogram revealed fusiform dilatation with proximal and distal narrowing of the affected vessel. Magnetic resonance imaging showed subacute blood clot inthe right vertebral artery which suggested dissection. Differentiation from vasospasm and from atherosclerosis is critical. At surgical exposure, the aneurysms were appeared as dark-purplish sausage like masses. The proximal portions of the intracranial vertebral arteries were clipped. The post-operative courses were benign and at present they regained their normal daily lives.