Controlateral cavernous syndrome, brainstem congestion and posterior fossa venous thrombosis with cerebellar hematoma related to a ruptured intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm.

Intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms (ICCAs) are rarely associated with life-threatening complications. We describe a 55-year-old woman who, after the rupture of an intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm, presented with a contralateral cavernous sinus syndrome and severe posterior fossa and spinal cord symptoms. Following parent artery occlusion, thrombosis of the posterior fossa and spinal cord veins caused a progressive worsening of the neurological status to a "locked-in" state. The patient fully recovered with anticoagulation therapy. Comprehension of the pathophysiological mechanism associated with the rupture of ICCA and early diagnosis of the related symptoms are essential in order to plan a correct treatment that includes the management of the aneurysm rupture and of possible complications related to venous thrombosis.

Therapeutic management of intracranial dural arteriovenous shunts with leptomeningeal venous drainage: report of 53 consecutive patients with emphasis on transarterial embolization with acrylic glue.

OBJECT: There is a strong correlation between the venous drainage pattern of intracranial dural arteriovenous shunts (ICDAVSs) and the affected patients' clinical presentation. The ICDAVSs that have cortical venous reflux (CVR) (retrograde leptomeningeal drainage: Borden Type 2 and 3 lesions) are very aggressive and have a poor natural history. Although the necessity of treatment remains debatable in ICDAVSs that drain exclusively into a sinus (Borden Type 1), lesions with CVR must be treated because of the negative effects of the retrograde venous drainage. Surgery, radiosurgery, and embolization have been proposed for management of these lesions, but endovascular therapy is considered the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in ICDAVSs. New embolic materials, such as Onyx, have been recently developed and are considered to represent a kind of "gold standard" for embolization of these lesions. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of transarterial embolization using acrylic glue in the therapeutic management of ICDAVSs with CVR, and to compare the results the authors obtained using this treatment with those reported in the literature for Onyx treatment of the same type of dural shunts. METHODS: The clinical and radiological records of 53 consecutive patients suffering from ICDAVSs with CVR (Borden Types 2 or 3) were reviewed. All cases were managed with the same angiographic and therapeutic protocol. Localization of the lesions, their clinical symptoms, their angioarchitecture, their therapeutic management, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen ICDAVSs were located at the superior sagittal sinus and/or convexity veins, 13 at the transverse and sigmoid sinuses, 10 at the tentorium, 5 in the anterior cranial fossa, 4 at the foramen magnum, 3 at the torcula, 2 at the straight sinus, and 1 at the vein of Galen. One patient presented with an infantile form of ICDAVS with multiple shunts. Hemorrhage had occurred in 36% of cases. Forty-three patients underwent transarterial embolization (42 with acrylic glue). Complete closure of the fistula was obtained in 34 patients. Suppression of the CVR with partial occlusion of the main shunt was achieved in all other cases. No mortality or permanent morbidity was observed in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial dural arteriovenous shunts can be safely managed by transarterial embolization, which can be considered in most instances as an effective first-intention treatment. Acrylic glue still allows a cheap, fast, and effective treatment with high rates of cures that compare favorably to those obtained with new embolic materials.

Endoscopic removal of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst: an anatomical study with special reference to skull base.

BACKGROUND: Suprasellar arachnoid cysts are rare entities in adults, representing 10% of all cysts. Endoscopic treatment is now preferred for this pathology, allowing a new anatomical approach to skull base structures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to present the relevant anatomy of the skull base viewed during an endoscopic procedure for a suprasellar arachnoid cyst. METHOD: A 77-year-old man with 6 months history of walking disorder was referred for neurosurgical evaluation. Physical examination did not show any oculomotor or endocrine disorder. Sagittal T1-weighted MRI demonstrated a large suprasellar arachnoid cyst. The patient underwent a ventriculocystocisternostomy without complications. Postoperative neurologic examination showed an initial improvement of walking disorders. Cerebral CT scan showed a slight reduction in cyst dimensions. RESULTS: During the endoscopic procedure, the anatomical view of the skull base was demonstrative. From the interior of the cyst we were able to identify the following structures: the clivus, pituitary stalk, pituitary gland, basilar artery, posterior cerebral arteries, posterior communicating arteries, oculomotor nerves and the superior wall of cavernous sinus. We identified a slit valve mechanism in the arachnoid next to the basilar artery. CONCLUSION: Ventriculocystocisternostomy is a useful procedure in treating arachnoid cyst. Moreover, during this procedure, the endoscope allows for better and safer visualization of skull base structures.