Long-term follow up of surgical management of blood blister-like aneurysms at non-branching sites of the internal carotid artery.

To describe long-term follow-up of 25 patients who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages due to blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) treated with direct clipping or clip reinforcement with or without direct neck repair. Between June 1993 and July 2009, 25 consecutive patients with ruptured BBAs of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of patients was 39.5 ± 11.3 years. The mean duration of clinical follow-up was 128.9 months (range, 85-196 months). All aneurysms were located in the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery. The mean aneurysm diameter was 4.04 ± 1.3 mm on intra-operative microscopic field. Tearing of the aneurysmal neck during dissection occurred in 8 (32%) patients. Six of 7 patients with neck tearing underwent direct neck repair. Surgeons treated aneurysms via direct clipping with a Bemsheet® in 5 (20%) patients or by clip reinforcement with a silicone sheet in 20 (80%) patients. Clinical outcomes were favorable (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]: 0-2) in 21 (84%) of 25 patients. Four (16%) patients had an unfavorable outcome (mRS: 3-6). The patient with severe disability (mRS: 4) was treated with clip reinforcement and direct neck repair. Mild stenosis, moderate stenosis, and total occlusion of the parent artery were confirmed in 10 (40%) patients, 6 (24%) patients, and 1 (4%) patient, respectively. Although surgical treatment of BBAs was associated with varying degrees of parent vessel patency loss, long-term follow-up results for more than 10 years showed that direct surgical clipping or clip reinforcement with a silicone sheet appeared to be a curative surgery.

Protected carotid artery stenting in patients with severe stenosis.

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and ulcers are the major findings of unstable plaques. In addition, initial symptoms are associated with postprocedural complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety of CAS using an embolic protection device in symptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis and unstable plaques such as IPH and ulcers. This retrospective study included 140 consecutive patients with severe carotid stenosis. These patients underwent preprocedural carotid vessel wall imaging to evaluate the plaque status. We analyzed the incidence of initial clinical symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting, after CAS. The primary outcomes analyzed were the incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 30 days of CAS. Sixty-seven patients (47.9%) had IPH, and 53 (38.9%) had ulcers on carotid wall imaging/angiography. Sixty-three patients (45.0%) had acute neurological symptoms with positive diffusion-weighted image findings. Intraluminal thrombi on initial angiography and flow arrest during CAS were significantly higher in patients with IPH and symptomatic patients. Symptoms were significantly higher in patients with IPH than in those without (63.5% vs 35.1%, P < .001). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms after stenting or in primary outcomes, regardless of IPH, ulcer, or initial symptoms. IPH and plaque ulceration are risk factors in symptomatic carotid stenosis. However, IPH and plaque ulceration were not a significant risk factors for cerebral embolism during protected carotid artery stent placement in patients with carotid stenosis. Protected CAS might be feasible and safe despite the presence of unstable plaques.

Acquired dural arteriovenous fistula after cerebellopontine angle meningioma: A case report.

RATIONALE: Intracranial brain surgeries, including ventriculostomy, burr hole, craniotomy, and craniectomy, are the most common causes of acquired dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). Here we report a case of acquired dAVF after a cerebellopontine angle meningioma surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 51-year-old woman was diagnosed with a 40-mm cerebellopontine angle meningioma. The patient underwent surgery via a retrosigmoid suboccipital approach. A small craniotomy and an additional craniectomy were performed. At 7 months after the surgery, she presented with pulsating tinnitus and headache. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography showed a dAVF that was fed by the occipital artery and drained into transverse and sigmoid sinuses. INTERVENTIONS: We performed Onyx® (Irvine, CA) embolization. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptoms completely improved. LESSONS: Craniectomy defects, partially exposed sinuses, and incomplete cranioplasty might be risk factors for iatrogenic dAVF after a retrosigmoid suboccipital craniotomy or craniectomy. Complete reconstructive cranioplasty is an essential procedure to prevent a direct connection between the venous sinus and the external carotid artery.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to middle cerebral artery dissection mimicking aneurysm - Case report.

We report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a dissecting middle cerebral artery that was misdiagnosed as saccular aneurysm. A 74-years old female patient presented with headache and neck pain for 4 days. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in both Sylvian fissures. A ruptured left middle cerebral artery bifurcation saccular aneurysm and unruptured basilar tip aneurysm were diagnosed. The patient was treated surgically using the transsylvian approach. However, no saccular aneurysm was found during the surgery, and the diagnosis was corrected for middle cerebral artery dissection. We treated the dissected segment of the middle cerebral artery and performed clip reinforcement. We experienced a case of middle cerebral artery dissection with no neurological deficit, which was misdiagnosed as a saccular aneurysm. If the stump of the occlusion is conical, dissection should be suspected. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and angiography should be performed for a differential diagnosis if dissection is suspected.

Acute paraparesis syndrome after ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm.

ABSTRACT: Here, we describe a series of 7 patients who presented with acute paraparesis due to anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture. This study aimed to assess the clinical and radiological factors associated with acute paraparesis syndrome caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Between June 2005 and December 2012, our institution consecutively treated 210 patients with anterior communicating aneurysm rupture within 24 hours after ictus. We divided the patients into 2 groups based on the presence (n = 7) and absence (n = 203) of acute paraparesis after anterior communicating aneurysm rupture.Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed high intensity in the medial aspects of the bilateral frontal lobes in 3 patients. The mean third ventricular distance at the time of admission was 9.2 mm (range, 8-12.5 mm), and the mean bicaudate distance was 33.9 mm (range, 24-39 mm). There was a significant difference in the bicaudate distance (P = .001) and third ventricle distance (P = .001) between the 2 groups. Acute hydrocephalus and global cerebral edema (GCE) were confirmed radiologically in all patients in the acute paraparesis group. The presence of acute hydrocephalus (P = .001) and GCE (P = .003) were significantly different between the groups.Acute paraparesis syndrome after SAH is transient and gradually improves if the patient does not develop severe vasospasm. The present study demonstrates that acute paraparesis after SAH is associated with acute hydrocephalus and GCE.

Endovascular treatment of acute carotid atherosclerotic tandem occlusions: Predictors of clinical outcomes as technical aspects and location of tandem occlusions.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze angiographic and clinical outcomes according to the sequence of treatment (antegrade versus retrograde) in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by tandem extracranial cervical carotid and intracranial large vessel occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All eligible tandem occlusion patients from April 2012 to March 2019 undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) simultaneously with intracranial endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) were retrospectively reviewed. After dividing into 2 groups according to the treatment sequence for tandem lesions (antegrade, CAS first; retrograde, intracranial EVT first), baseline data, immediate angiographic results, and clinical outcome for eligible patients were analyzed and compared. In addition, the same analysis was performed after dividing into 3 groups based on the location of intracranial lesions (T-zone, M1, M2). RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with a tandem occlusion (mean age, 71.7 y± 11.1) were treated with CAS and intracranial EVT. The rate of successful recanalization (TICI 2BC) was 83% (63/76), and favorable functional outcome was achieved in 49% (37/76). When comparing antegrade and retrograde methods, there were no differences in baseline data and angiographic or clinical outcomes. Favorable functional outcome was significantly higher in the M2 occlusion group (P=0.011). In multivariate analysis, baseline NIHSS <15, age <80, and M2 occlusion were revealed as independent predictors of favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Different endovascular sequences for tandem extracranial cervical carotid and intracranial large vessel occlusion do not affect angiographic or functional outcomes. Intracranial M2 occlusion, age, and baseline NIHSS were independent predictors of good clinical outcome at 3 months.

Initial Experience of ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Related to Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Penumbra ACE68 reperfusion catheter is a new large bore aspiration catheter used for reperfusion of large vessel occlusion. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this catheter in comparison to that of previous Penumbra catheters in patients with acute ischemic stroke related to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. METHODS: Data of all eligible patients who received endovascular treatment (EVT) for ICA occlusion using Penumbra aspiration catheters between January 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. After dividing into two groups according to use of penumbra ACE68, baseline characteristics of patients, successful recanalization rate, puncture to recanalization time, and switch to stent base technique rate were assessed. Successful recanalization was defined by a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score ≥2b and favorable functional outcome was defined according to modified Rankin scale (score, 0-2). RESULTS: ACE68 reperfusion catheter was used in 29 of 75 eligible patients (39%). The puncture to recanalization time was significantly shorter (26±18.2 minutes vs. 40±24.9 minutes, p=0.011) and the rate of switch to stent-based retrieval was significantly lower (3% vs. 20%, p=0.046) in ACE68 catheter group. Moreover, although not statistically significant, the successful recanalization rate was higher (83% vs. 76%, p=0.492) in ACE68 catheter group. Favorable functional outcome was observed in 48% of patients treated with ACE68 reperfusion catheter and in 30% of patients treated using other Penumbra systems (p=0.120). Baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores ≥8 (odds ratio [OR], 9.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-54.99; p=0.010) and successful recanalization (OR, 10.20; 95% CI, 1.13-92.46; p=0.039) were independent predictors of favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: EVT using ACE68 reperfusion catheter can be considered a first-line therapy in patients with acute ICA occlusion as it can achieve rapid recanalization and reduce the frequency of conversion to stent-retrieve therapy.

Severe vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause of obstructive hydrocephalus: A case report.

RATIONALE: Dolichoectasia of the vertebrobasilar artery is a vascular anomaly characterized by marked elongating, widening, and tortuosity of the arteries. Although this anomaly is usually asymptomatic, it may present with ischemic symptoms or mass effect involving brainstem or cranial nerves. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old male was admitted with headache and visual field defect. DIAGNOSES: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed noncommunicating hydrocephalus due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent right-side ventriculoperitoneal shunt. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptoms improved gradually, although visual symptoms persisted. LESSONS: Neurosurgeons need to keep in mind vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus for accurate diagnosis and swift treatment.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as an alternative treatment of Barrow type B carotid cavernous fistulas: A case report.

RATIONALE: Barrow type B carotid-cavernous fistulas are dural shunts between the meningeal branches of the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus; these types of dural fistulas can produce specific patterns of symptoms based on the pattern of venous drainage. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSES: A 67-year-old man came to our hospital presenting with acute left orbital pain and double vision in the left eye. The diagnosis was carotid-cavernous fistula fed by the meningohypophyseal trunk and drained to the left superior ophthalmic vein. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: We planned gamma knife radiosurgery for the left cavernous sinus including fistula point as an alternative treatment. The orbital pain disappeared in 2 weeks, and all signs and symptoms in the left eye completely improved within 2 months. LESSONS: Gamma knife radiosurgery may be an alternative treatment for carotid cavernous fistula. Furthermore, in patients with poor vascular access and no fatal presentation, this may be a reasonable first-line treatment option.

Predictive value of CT angiography source image ASPECTS in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke after endovascular treatment: ultimate infarct size and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) source image Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) on clinical outcome and final infarction extent after endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). M: ethods : All eligible patients from January 2014 to March 2018 undergoing EVT due to anterior circulation AIS were retrospectively reviewed. The baseline ASPECTS on initial noncontrast CT (NCCT) and the CTA source image were compared with the follow-up MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) ASPECTS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the predictive value of CTA ASPECTS for prediction of final infarct extent and good clinical outcome. RESULTS: Our sample included a total of 122 eligible patients (64 males, mean age 70 years) with a median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 12. Baseline ASPECTS on the CTA source image correlated with follow-up MR DWI ASPECTS better than NCCT ASPECTS (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed baseline CTA ASPECTS (area under the curve [AUC] =0.74, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.83, P<0.001) can better predict favorable functional outcome than NCCT ASPECTS (AUC=0.64, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.74, P=0.008). Baseline NIHSS score <15, CTA ASPECTS≥8, and successful recanalization were independent predictors of good clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The ASPECTS on the CTA source image provides more information in the prediction of good clinical outcome and final infarction size than NCCT in patients with AIS treated with EVT.

Manual aspiration thrombectomy with a Penumbra catheter for acute anterior cerebral artery occlusion.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to assess the efficacy and safety of manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) using a Penumbra catheter in patients with anterior cerebral artery (ACA) occlusions. Materials and methods From January 2012 to March 2016, 16 patients underwent MAT with Penumbra catheters using a proximal and distal supporting technique to treat ACA occlusions. We evaluated immediate angiographic results and clinical outcomes by reviewing patient electrical medical records. Results Of these patients, 11 had a complete obstruction of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) and five had ACA and middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions. All patients achieved successful recanalization of the distal ICA or MCA (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) grade ≥2b). Overall the recanalization rate for ACA occlusions (TICI grade≥2b) was 93.7% (15/16). The median procedure time was 45 minutes (range: 35-65 minutes). No patients were observed to have a procedure-related subarachnoid hemorrhage. Four patients (25.0%) died during hospitalization because of massive symptomatic hemorrhage, brain edema, or herniation. At discharge, the median NIHSS score for surviving patients was 6 (range: 1-17). Five patients had favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin scale ≤2). Conclusion MAT appears to be safe and successfully achieves recanalization in patients with ACA occlusions.

Inadvertent Complication of a Pipeline Embolization Device for Treatment with Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm : Distal Tip Fracture of Delivery Wire.

Use of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) has increased based on studies about its safety and effectiveness, and new reports that describe peri- or postprocedural complications are now emerging. We report a rare periprocedural device-related complication that occurred during endovascular treatment with the pipeline embolization device for a dissecting aneurysm on the vertebral artery. A 55-year old woman was admitted due to left medullary infarction, and angiography showed a fusiform dilatation in the left vertebral artery that was suspicious for dissecting aneurysm. Endovascular treatment with PED was planned. Under general anesthesia, the procedure was performed without significant problems and a PED was deployed in an appropriate position. However, in the final step of the procedure, the distal tip of the PED delivery wire became engaged within a small branch of the posterior cerebral artery and fractured. Fortunately, imaging studies after the procedure revealed neither hemorrhagic nor ischemic stroke, and the patient recovered without neurological morbidities except initial symptoms.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery in steroid-intolerant Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: case report.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a rare cause of painful ophthalmoplegia due to idiopathic chronic granulomatous inflammation in the cavernous sinus. Usually clinical manifestations are well controlled by corticosteroid therapy, but steroid dependency or resistance is common. We report a case of marked improvement of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome without symptom relapse after Gamma Knife radiosurgery in a patient with steroid intolerance.

Surgery versus Conservative Treatment for Spontaneous Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Spot Sign Positive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: An advantage of surgical treatment over conservative treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is controversial. Recent reports suggest that contrast extravasations on CT angiography (CTA) might serve as a crucial predictor of hematoma expansion and mortality. The purpose of this study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of surgical treatment in patients with spot sign positive ICH. METHODS: We used our institutional medical data search system to identify all adult patients who admitted for treatment of ICH between January 1, 2007 and January 31, 2012. Patients were classified two groups into a surgical group (n=27) and a conservative treatment group (n=28). Admission criteria were the following: age 20-79 years, spontaneous supratentorial ICH, Glasgow Coma Score Ranging from 9 to 14, ICH volume ≥20 mL, and treatment within 24 hours. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the ICU stay between the conservative treatment group (7.36±3.66 days) and the surgical treatment group (6.93±2.20 days; p=0.950). There was a significant difference in the in-hospital stay between the conservative treatment group (13.93±8.87 days) and the surgical treatment group (20.33±6.37 days; p=0.001). Overall mortality at day 90 after ICH was 36.4%; this included 16 of 28 patients (57.1%) in the conservative group and 4 of 27 patients (14.8%) in the surgical group. In univariate analysis, there was a positive effect of the surgical treatment in reducing mortality at 90 days (p=0.002), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 90-day (p=0.006), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90-day (p=0.023). In multivariate logistic analysis, there was a significant difference in mortality (odds ratio, 0.211; 95% confidence interval, 0.049-0.906; p=0.036) between the groups at 90-day follow-up. However, there was no significant difference in GOS (odds ratio, 0.371; 95% confidence interval, 0.031-4.446; p=0.434) and mRS (odds ratio, 1.041; 95% confidence interval, 0.086-12.637; p=0.975) between the groups at 90-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this study of surgical treatment of supratentorial ICH in patients with spot sign positive in CTA was associated with less mortality despite of long duration of in-hospital stay. We failed to show that clinical outcome benefit of surgical treatment compared with conservative treatment in patients with spot sign positive ICH.

Association of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage and territorial acute infarction in patients with acute neurological symptoms using carotid magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess prevalence of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and associations between territorial acute infarction and IPH on magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo (MPRAGE) in patients with acute neurologic symptoms. METHODS: 83 patients with suspected acute neurologic symptoms were evaluated with both brain diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and carotid MPRAGE sequences. Carotid plaque with high signal intensity on MPRAGE of >200% that of adjacent muscle was categorized as IPH. We analyzed the prevalence of IPH and its correlation with territorial acute infarction. RESULTS: Of 166 arteries, 39 had a carotid artery plaque. Of these arteries, 26 had carotid artery stenosis less than 50%. In all carotid arteries, MR-depicted IPH was found in 7.2% (12/166). High-signal intensity on DWI was found in 17.5% (29/166). Combined lesion with ipsilateral high-signal intensity on DWI and IPH on carotid MPRAGE sequence was found in 6 lesions (6/166, 3.6%). Of patients with carotid artery plaque, MR-predicted IPH was found in 30.8% (12/39) and match lesions with high-signal intensity on DWI and MPRAGE was found in 15.4% (6/39). MR-predicted IPH was significantly higher prevalence in high-grade stenosis group (p=0.010). Relative risk between carotid MPRAGE-positive signal and ipsilateral high-signal intensity on DWI in arteries with carotid artery plaques was 6.8 (p=0.010). CONCLUSION: Carotid MPRAGE-positive signal in patients was associated with an increased risk of territorial acute infarction as detected objectively by brain DWI. The relative risk of stroke was increased in high-grade stenosis categories.

Characteristic anatomical conformation of the vertebral artery causing vascular compression against the root exit zone of the facial nerve in patients with hemifacial spasm.

BACKGROUND: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is caused by tortuous offending vessels near the facial nerve root exit zone. However, the definitive mechanism of offending vessel formation remains unclear. We hypothesized that vascular angulation and tortuosity, probably caused by uneven vertebral artery blood flow, result in vascular compression of the facial nerve root exit zone. METHODS: The authors observed two anatomical characteristics of the vertebrobasilar arterial system in 120 subjects in the surgical group and 188 controls. The presence of the dominant vertebral artery (DVA) and laterality of the vertebrobasilar junction (VBJ) were observed. We also analyzed the morphological characteristics of the surgical group showing the presence of DVA. The morphological characteristics were classified into three types: type I had the VBJ and DVA on the same side, type II had the VBJ within 2 mm of the midline, and type III had the VBJ opposite the DVA. RESULT: The DVA was more prevalent in the surgical group than in the control group (71 % versus 54 %, P < 0.05). The surgical group patients with HFS on the left were more likely to have a DVA on the left (P < 0.05) and with HFS on the right were more likely to have a DVA on the right (P < 0.01) compared with controls. The direction of the VBJ was more common on the same side as the DVA, which corresponds with the laterality of the HFS. In the surgical group with the DVA and HFS on the same side, type I was predominant, but in the surgical group with a contralateral DVA and HFS, type III was predominant. CONCLUSION: The presence of a DVA and shifting of the VBJ on the same side plays a role in the angulation and tortuosity of vessels in the perivertebrobasilar junction, resulting in neurovascular compression of the facial nerve root exit zone and thereby causing HFS.

The spot sign predicts hematoma expansion, outcome, and mortality in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review cases of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) medically treated at our institution to determine if the CT angiography (CTA) 'spot sign' predicts in-hospital mortality and clinical outcome at 3 months in patients with spontaneous ICH. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who were admitted to the department of neurosurgery. Clinical data of patients with ICH were collected by 2 neurosurgeons blinded to the radiological data and at the 90-day follow-up. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictors of poor outcome; we found that hematoma location, spot sign, and intraventricular hemorrhage were independent predictors of poor outcome. In-hospital mortality was 57.4% (35 of 61) in the CTA spot-sign positive group versus 7.9% (10 of 126) in the CTA spot-sign negative group. In multivariate logistic analysis, we found that presence of spot sign and presence of volume expansion were independent predictors for the in-hospital mortality of ICH. CONCLUSION: The spot sign is a strong independent predictor of hematoma expansion, mortality, and poor clinical outcome in primary ICH. In this study, we emphasized the importance of hematoma expansion as a therapeutic target in both clinical practice and research.

Cerebral infarction presenting with unilateral isolated foot drop.

Weakness of the dorsiflexor muscles of the ankle or toe, referred to as foot drop, is a relatively common presentation. In most cases, foot drop is caused by a lower motor neuron disease such as peroneal peripheral neuropathy, L4-5 radiculopathic sciatic neuropathy, or polyneuropathy. Although upper motor neuron lesions can present as foot drop, the incidence is very rare. Here, we report an extremely rare case in which foot drop was the only presenting symptom of cerebral infarction.

Surgical recanalization of distal middle cerebral artery occlusion due to a coil migration during endovascular coil embolization: a case report.

Coil migration into the parent artery during endovascular coil embolization is a rare, but life-threatening complication, which can induce thromboembolism and result in poor outcome. A 63-year-old man was referred to Chonbuk National University Hospital emergency center due to migration of a coil for a left middle cerebral artery bifurcation unruptured aneurysm. We performed an emergency craniectomy to remove the coil migrated to the distal M2 branch and thrombus, and aneurysmal neck clipping for his aneurysm. Fortunately, at the six month follow-up, the patient did not show any noticeable neurological sequela. In case of parent artery occlusion due to coil migration an immediate recanalization should be performed by a neurovascular specialist who can provide both surgical treatment and endovascular management in order to prevent severe sequela or even death.

Visualization of a Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm at Internal Carotid Artery Bifurcation due to Blunt Head Injury: A Case Report.

Traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms occurring after blunt head injuries are rare. We report an unusual case of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by rupturing of the traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation that resulted from a non-penetrating injury. In a patient with severe headache and SAH in the right sylvian cistern, which developed within 7 days after a blunt-force head injury, a trans-femoral cerebral angiogram (TFCA) showed aneurysmal sac which was insufficient to confirm the pseudoaneurysm. We obtained a multi-slab image of three dimensional time of flight (TOF) of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The source image of the gadolinium-enhanced MRA revealed an intimal flap within the intracranial ICA bifurcation, providing a clue for the diagnosis of a dissecting pseudoaneurysm at the ICA bifurcation due to blunt head trauma. We performed direct aneurysmal neck clipping, without neurological deficit. A follow-up TFCA did not show either aneurysm sac or luminal narrowing. We suggest that in the patient with a history of blunt head injury with SAH following shortly, multi-slab image of 3D TOF MRA can give visualization of the presence of a pseudoaneurysm.