Blister aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: Surgical treatment and management outcome from a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare entities, but clinically important cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Several surgical and endovascular strategies have been attempted for these heterogeneous lesions. In this study, the authors analyzed the treatment strategy and outcomes in a series of cases of ICA blister aneurysms treated microsurgically. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 15 consecutive cases of patients harboring ruptured BBAs, microsurgically treated at our institution between 2014 and 2018. We performed an analysis of the clinical and surgical aspects, as well as post-operative angiograms and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were identified; 9 (60%) were female. The mean age of presentation was 43,8 years. Most patients presented in good clinical conditions (Hunt-Hess 1-3 = 86%). The most common Fisher grade at presentation was 3 (60% of cases). All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), revealing broad-based aneurysms at non-branching sites on the dorsal wall of the ICA. Intraoperatively, BBAs were confirmed in all cases. The lesions were approached through pterional (11-73%) or lateral supraorbital (4-27%) craniotomy. Direct clipping was performed in all but one lesion, in which case the clip-wrapping technique was used. Final angiographic control revealed complete occlusion in 14 cases. One patient required reoperation due to residual aneurysm filling. At discharge, a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] 4 or 5) was observed in 12 (80%) patients. Three patients were discharged with a GOS of 3. CONCLUSION: Blood-blister-type aneurysms are rare and challenging lesions. Preoperative knowledge and careful surgical planning can prevent poor clinical outcomes. Surgical treatment remains an effective and safe option in this context.

Regional Myocardial Perfusion Disturbance in Experimental Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Altered myocardial perfusion is a common finding in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), but its underlying histologic changes have not been elucidated. We investigated the occurrence of myocardial perfusion defects (MPDs) and the correlated regional changes to histology in an experimental model of CCC in hamsters. Methods: Female Syrian hamsters (n = 34) were infected with 3.5 × 104 to 105 trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, Y strain, and 6-10 mo afterward underwent in vivo imaging including resting 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT, segmental and global left ventricular function assessment using 2-dimensional echocardiography, and 18F-FDG PET for evaluation of myocardial viability. Histologic analysis included quantification of fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and the diameter and density of myocardial microcirculation. Results: MPDs were present in 17 (50%) of the infected animals. Histologic analysis revealed no transmural scar in segments with an MPD, and normal or mildly reduced 18F-FDG uptake, indicating viable myocardium. Infected animals with an MPD, in comparison to infected animals without an MPD and control animals, showed a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.012), a higher wall motion score index (P = 0.004), and a higher extent of inflammatory infiltration (P = 0.018) but a similar extent of fibrosis (P = 0.15) and similar microvascular diameter and density (P > 0.05). Segments with an MPD (n = 65), as compared with normally perfused regions in the same animal (n = 156), showed a higher wall motion score index (P = 0.005) but a similar extent of inflammatory infiltration, a similar extent of fibrosis, and a similar microvascular diameter and density. Conclusion: Resting MPDs are frequent in experimental CCC and are associated with myocardial inflammation but do not designate scar tissue, corresponding to regions with metabolically viable myocardium.