Microsurgical treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysm:analysis of 35 cases / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize the experiences of microsurgery for treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAA). Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with MCAA treated by microsurgery in General Hospital of PLA from 2004 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Of them there were 20 males and 15 females, aged 18 to 72 years with a mean of 40 years. Of the 35 patients, subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred formerly in 22, intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 11 and subdural hematoma in one patient. The MCAA located in the middle cerebral artery trunk in 10 patients, at the bifurcation in 20 patients (including one patient with 2 MCAAs), and in the distal segment in 5 patients. MCAA located on the left side in 13 and on right side in 22 patients. There were 7 patients with giant aneurysms, 11 with large aneurysms and 17 with small aneurysms. Microneurosurgery was performed in all cases, and different approaches were taken according to the locations of aneurysms. Superior temporal gyrus approach was conducted in 3 patients with giant intracerebral hematoma. Bypass of superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery was performed before occlusion of the afferent artery in one patient with giant aneurysm. Bypass with saphenous vein to middle cerebral artery was performed in another patient with giant aneurysm. Results The giant and large MCAAs consisted of 51.4% of all cases. Excellent outcomes were achieved in 20 patients, no marked change in 12 patients, and post-operative complications were observed in 3 patients. No perioperative death occurred. Conclusions Giant and large aneurysms are more common in middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Proper surgical approaches based on different situations during operation should be considered to achieve satisfactory outcome.