Treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: A comparative study and proposed treatment algorithm.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare outcomes of patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms treated by either microsurgical clipping or endovascular therapy and provide a treatment algorithm based on available evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 77 patients with 95 MCA aneurysms. Demographic, clinical, and aneurysm morphological variables were collected. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the received treatment. Clinical and radiological outcomes were collected at the end of a 1-year follow-up period and compared between both treatment groups. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.4 years. Fifty patients (65%) underwent microsurgical clipping and 27 (35%) were treated by endovascular therapy. Fifty-four patients (70%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, while 23 (30%) were treated for unruptured aneurysms. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were more frequently treated by microsurgical clipping than patients with unruptured aneurysms. Clinical outcomes, including functional status, were similar between treatment groups after 1-year follow-up even when adjusting for clinical presentation. Residual aneurysms were found less frequently in the microsurgical group (OR = 0.09; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MCA aneurysms, clinical outcomes at 1 year are similar between microsurgical clipping and endovascular therapy. However, microsurgery is associated with a lower risk of residual aneurysms.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar desenlaces de pacientes con aneurismas de arteria cerebral media (ACM) tratados mediante clipaje microquirúrgico o terapia endovascular, y proponer un algoritmo de tratamiento basado en evidencia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de 77 pacientes con 95 aneurismas de ACM. Se recabaron variables demográficas, clínicas y morfológicas de los aneurismas tratados. Se dividieron a los pacientes en dos grupos dependiendo del tratamiento recibido y se compararon los desenlaces clínicos y radiológicos al final del seguimiento a un año entre ambos grupos. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue 51.4 años. 50 pacientes (65%) fueron sometidos a clipaje microquirúrgico y 27 (35%) a terapia endovascular. 54 pacientes (70%) presentaron hemorragia subaracnoidea, quienes fueron tratados mediante microcirugía en mayor proporción que aquellos con aneurismas no rotos. Los desenlaces clínicos, incluyendo el estado funcional, fueron similares entre ambos grupos al año de seguimiento, aún tras ajustar el análisis por presentación clínica. El grupo de microcirugía presentó una menor proporción de aneurismas residuales (OR = 0.09; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con aneurismas de ACM, los desenlaces clínicos a un año son similares entre clipaje microquirúrgico y terapia endovascular. Sin embargo, la microcirugía se asocia a un menor riesgo de aneurismas residuales.

Resection of a Dumbbell Skull Base Meningioma by a Combined Two-Staged Retrosigmoid and Transzygomatic Transcavernous Approach.

This case describes a 32-year-old male with 2 months of headache accompanied with slight right-hand hemiparesis. During a physical examination, he was also detected left facial hypoesthesia. An enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large size lesion on the region of the left cerebellopontine angle, with large displacement of the brainstem and cerebellum. The tumor extended to the cavum of Meckel, displacing and pushing the left cavernous sinus upward. After analyzing the anatomical characteristics of the tumor, surgery was decided in two steps. Since the symptoms were mostly produced by the tumor part located in the posterior fossa, a decision was made to first resect that part of the tumor. With the patient in a semisitting position, we performed a left retrosigmoid craniotomy, exposing the transverse and sigmoid sinus edges. Using microsurgical technique, and ultrasonic aspirator, the complete removal of the lesion located in the posterior fossa was achieved. The patient presented a very good postoperative period, without a new neurological deficit. A month after the surgery, the patient no longer suffered from headaches or hemiparesis, but continued the left facial hypoesthesia. The pathology reported clear cell meningioma. Another month later, a transcygomatic approach plus peeling of the cavernous sinus was performed with the patient in the supine position and head rotated to the right side. Spinal drainage was previously placed. The total resection of the tumor was achieved without any surgical complication. The patient presented an excellent postoperative condition without new neurological deficit. The pathologist confirmed the diagnosis of clear cell meningioma. The link to the Video can be found at: https://youtu.be/SmRy5HiJYJI .

Embolización preoperatoria con Onyx en tumores cuya irrigación principal proviene de la arteria cerebelosa superior. Reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Preoperative embolization with Onyx in tumors whose main supply comes from the superior cerebellar artery. Report of two cases and review of the literature

Introducción : Los hemangioblastomas y los meningiomas son neoplasias intracraneales frecuentes en las cuales la resección quirúrgica total es el tratamiento indicado. En algunas situaciones, son lesiones altamente vascularizadas, por lo cual es de utilidad la embolización preoperatoria. Descripción de los casos : Caso 1: paciente mujer de 42 años de edad, que consultó por cuadro de hipertensión endocraneana y ataxia de tipo cerebeloso. Se realizó resonancia magnética, la cual mostró un proceso expansivo en la parte superior del vermis cerebeloso. La angiografía cerebral demostró un tumor muy vascularizado, a expensas de la arteria cerebelosa superior. Previo a la cirugía se realizó una embolización con Onyx. Dos días después del procedimiento endovascular, se realizó la exéresis completa del tumor. La anatomía patológica informó hemangioblastoma. Caso 2: paciente mujer de 34 años de edad, que consultó por cuadro de cefalea intensa. La resonancia magnética mostró un tumor tentorial izquierdo, con crecimiento hacia arriba. Se realizó angiografía cerebral, la cual mostró que la irrigación principal del tumor provenía de la arteria cerebelosa superior. Se realizó una embolización preoperatoria del tumor con Onyx. Tres días después del tratamiento endovascular, se realizó la exéresis completa de la lesión. La anatomía patológica informó meningioma transicional. Discusión: La recomendación de embolización preoperatoria sería en pacientes con hemangioblastomas sólidos, de gran tamaño, irrigados por vasos que no puedan ser manipulados inmediatamente durante la resección. Algo similar sucede con los meningiomas. Sin embargo, es necesario evaluar caso por caso, ya que la embolización per se implica un riesgo para el paciente. Conclusión: Cuando es necesario, se puede realizar en forma segura y efectiva la embolización con Onyx a través de la arteria cerebelosa superior, de un tumor cuya irrigación principal está dada por dicha arteria y su acceso en una etapa temprana de la cirugía es difícil.

Introduction: Hemangioblastomas and meningiomas are frequent intracranial neoplasms in which gross total resection is the indicated treatment. In some situations, they are highly vascularized lesions, and preoperative embolization is useful. Description of the cases : Case 1: a 42-year-old female patient who consulted due to intracranial hypertension and cerebellar ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed an expansive process in the upper part of the cerebellar vermis. Cerebral angiography showed a highly vascularized tumor, at the expense of the superior cerebellar artery. Prior to surgery, Onyx embolization was performed. Two days after the endovascular procedure, gross total resection of the tumor was performed. The pathology reported hemangioblastoma. Case 2: a 34-year-old female patient who consulted due to severe headache. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a left tentorial tumor, with upward growth. Cerebral angiography was performed, which showed that the main irrigation of the tumor came from the superior cerebellar artery. A preoperative embolization of the tumor with Onyx was performed. Three days after endovascular treatment, gross total resection of the tumor was performed. The pathology reported transitional meningioma. Discussion : The recommendation of preoperative embolization would be in patients with solid hemangioblastomas, irrigated by vessels that cannot be manipulated immediately during resection. Something similar happens with meningiomas. However, it is necessary to evaluate case by case, since embolization per se implies a risk for the patient. Conclusion : When necessary, embolization with Onyx, through the superior cerebellar artery, of a tumor whose main irrigation is given by that artery and tis access at an early stage of surgery is difficult, can be performed safely and effectively.