Cortical aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery: A review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms constitute from 18-40% of all intracranial aneurysms. They are mainly found in the proximal and bifurcation tracts and only in the 1.1-1.7% of cases they are located in the distal segment. The authors report a case of a ruptured saccular cortical MCA aneurysm with unknown etiology. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 53-year-old female was admitted with a sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and a slight left hemiparesis. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the left sylvian fissure and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the left posterior parietal area. The CT angiography (CTA) reconstructed with 3D imaging showed a small saccular aneurysm in the M4 segment in proximity of the angular area. A left parieto-temporal craniotomy was performed, the aneurysm was clipped and the ICH evacuated. The motor deficit was progressively recovered. At 3-month follow-up examination, the patient was asymptomatic and feeling well. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, surgery is the best choice for the treatment of ruptured M4 aneurysms with ICH, because it allows to evacuate the hematoma and to exclude the aneurysm from the intracranial circulation. In addition, we suggest both the use of the neuronavigation technique and of the indocyanine green videoangiography (ICGV) for the aneurismal surgery.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and entrapment of the ulnar nerve.

BACKGROUND: The angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is a sporadic vasoproliferative lesion of uncertain etiology involving the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. Occasionally, it involves also the large arteries compressing the near nerves. ALHE is commonly confused with Kimura's disease because of their clinical and histological similarities. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 52-year-old female suffering from a 6-month pain and paresthesias in the fourth and fifth finger of the right hand. The angiography showed a pseudoaneurysm in the proximal third of the right ulnar artery. A complete surgical excision of the vascular lesion was undertaken. The lesion forced the right ulnar nerve. The histopathological diagnosis deposed for ALHE. CONCLUSION: Up to now, literature has described 8 cases of ALHE involving the arteries, and only one case originating from the ulnar nerve. The authors report a case of a female with ALHE involving the ulnar artery that compressed the ulnar nerve. Clinical aspects, radiological features, surgical treatment, and operative findings are discussed reviewing the pertinent literature.