Dominique Anel, John Hunter, and the Eponymous Hunterian Ligation of Aneurysms: Conception to Current Practice.

The contributions of both Dominique Anel and John Hunter in the development of the eponymous Hunterian ligation of aneurysms are presented. John Hunter, the "father of scientific surgery" lent his name to the eponymous practice of applying ligatures to aneurysmal dilatation of arteries. However, evidence suggests that the operation might antedate him by decades. Dominique Anel was a surgeon in the time of Louis XIV who, after his initial apprenticeships in Toulouse and Montpellier, subsequently served in the French navy. He famously described the lacrimal syringe that bears his name but was also interested in diseases of the bones and arteries. Anel described his technique of ligating an aneurysm of the brachial artery in the winter of 1709-1710 in Turin. His description of ligating just the upper end of the aneurysm without touching the sac was described in his collected works in 1714. This technique was exactly the same as that used by Hunter. However, Hunter had based his decision not to excise the sac on his own research. Hunterian ligation was used routinely before endoaneurysmorrhaphy, after which its popularity declined. Hunterian ligation has been superseded by development of surgical clips and endovascular techniques for intracranial aneurysms. However, the technique is still described occasionally in vascular and neurosurgical literature in the context of treating large aneurysms not amenable to traditional treatment modalities.

On Aneurysmal Rupture and Rerupture.

A warning leak is a curious phenomenon attributed to cerebral aneurysms. Once the leak occurs, it has been postulated it could lead to a more catastrophic rebleeding. The designation "warning leak" trickled into neurosurgery vocabulary as early as the 1950s. The phenomenon has been poorly understood and characterized, but its presence spurs emergency physicians and neurointensivists to take action to secure the aneurysm. Rapid treatment of a recently discovered aneurysm is now commonplace, but it has not always been so. Antifibrinolytic agents spawned particular interest in the late 1970s, when many neurosurgeons postponed surgery after a recent hemorrhage. This historical vignette reviews the early views on aneurysmal rupture, rerupture, and the role of fibrinolysis.

Dr. Norman Chater and Chater's Point.

Dr. Norman Chater, a University of California San Francisco-trained microvascular neurosurgeon, dedicated his career to the development of surgical bypass techniques. His work contributed to advancements in microvascular anatomy and the development of cerebral revascularization techniques. He identified Chater's point, an extracranial landmark that marks the posterior extent of the Sylvian fissure, which on craniectomy reliably exposes vessels of the angular gyrus, the vasculature found to be most appropriate for bypass procedures owing to its accessibility and vascular diameter. This surgical landmark continues to be essential for the successful execution of bypass surgeries to this day.

History, Evolution, and Continuing Innovations of Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery.

Evolution in the surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is driven by the need to refine and innovate. From an early application of the Hunterian carotid ligation to modern-day sophisticated aneurysm clip designs, progress has been made through dedication and technical maturation of cerebrovascular neurosurgeons to overcome challenges in their practices. The global expansion of endovascular services has challenged the existence of aneurysm surgery, changing the complexity of the aneurysm case mix and volume that are referred for surgical repair. Concepts of how to best treat intracranial aneurysms have evolved over generations and will continue to do so with further technological innovations. As with the evolution of any type of surgery, innovations frequently arise from the criticism of current techniques.

Historical Landmarks in the Management of Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations of the Central Nervous System.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the history of vascular and endovascular neurosurgery. METHODS: A literature research was conducted including historical events from 2000 bc to the twenty-first century ad, and a timetable was filled with information regarding the most representative historical landmarks regarding vascular and endovascular neurosurgery. RESULTS: Starting from approaches limited to the cervical carotid artery, vascular neurosurgery gained its way through the intracranial and finally endovascular space thanks to the introduction of both innovative and progressively less invasive procedures. With the invention of cerebral angiography in 1927, Egas Moniz paved the way for modern endovascular neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous pioneers have been described through this historical reconstruction. Their genius, effort, dedication, and passion brought a massive contribution to vascular and endovascular neurosurgery as we know it today.

The ventral route to intracranial aneurysm: from the origin towards modern transsphenoidal surgery. An historical review and current perspective.

OBJECTIVE: A review of the main studies that have explored the use of the ventral pathway for treatment of intracranial aneurysms,including the recent reported extended transsphenoidal approaches. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed using the PubMed database. We recovered 48 cases of cerebral aneurysms, approached via the transcervical-transclival, transoral-transclival, transfacial-transclival ventral pathways and the extended transsphenoidal route. The overall rates of complications and surgical success were evaluated and compared for both traditional ventral and transsphenoidal approaches. RESULTS: For traditional routes, the overall complications and surgical success rates were 74% (26/35) and 87% (13115), respectively.For extended transsphenoidal approaches were 44% (4/9) and 78% (7 /9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our paper is a reconnaissance of what has been done via "the anterior route" and a notification of the existence of this "surgical window': Present and future of cerebral aneurysm treatment is represented by the endovascular technique. A few selected cases in specialized centers, where transsphenoidal approaches with the aid of the endoscope are routinely performed,may be treated with such techniques alone or in combination with other different procedures. Further studies in large numbers of patients will be required to validate the full benefit of this approach.

Cardiac standstill and circulatory flow arrest in surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a historical review.

Since the first surgery for an intracranial aneurysm in 1931, neurological surgeons have long strived to determine the optimal methods of surgical correction. Significant challenges of aneurysm clipping include intraoperative rupture and complex dome morphology. Hypothermia, cardiopulmonary bypass, pharmacologically induced hypotension, and cardiac standstill are a few of the methodologies historically and currently employed in the management of these issues. In the 1980s, significant advances in pharmacology and anesthesiology led to the use of agents such as adenosine for chemically induced hypotension and eventually complete circulatory arrest. Since the institution of the use of these agents, the traditional methods of circulatory arrest under conditions of hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass have fallen out of favor. However, there still exists a subset of technically difficult aneurysms for which cardiac standstill, both chemical and hypothermic, remains a viable therapeutic option. In this paper, the authors describe the history of cardiac standstill by both hypothermic and chemically induced means as well as provide examples in which these techniques are still necessary.

A history of detachable coils: 1987-2012.

BACKGROUND: The development of detachable coils is one of the most pivotal developments in neurointervention, providing a tool that could be used to treat a wide variety of hemorrhagic stroke. From the original Guglielmi detachable coil, a number of different coil designs and delivery designs have evolved. This article reviews the history of commercially available detachable coils. METHODS: A timeline of detachable coils was constructed and coil design philosophies were reviewed. RESULTS: A complete list of commercially available coils is presented in a timeline format. CONCLUSIONS: Detachable coil technology continues to evolve. Advances in construction and design have yielded products which may benefit patients in terms of safety, radiation dose reduction and cost of treatment. Continued evolution is expected, irrespective of competing disruptive technologies.

A case of basilar artery aneurysm rupture from 1836: lessons in clinical observation and the natural history of the disease.

Although credit is given to Sir William Gull for highlighting the clinical picture of subarachnoid hemorrhage in 1859, we discuss a case presented by Mr. Egerton A. Jennings, Fellow of the Linnaean Society, published 23 years earlier in the 1836 edition of the Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association. This case, probably the first reported in the English language of a basilar aneurysm rupture, is of medico-historical interest. Jennings provided a remarkably accurate and detailed description of the patient, who experienced coma as a result of the severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The detailed clinical observations on initial assessment and the description of the patient's deterioration to the time of death are a succinct representation of the natural history of this disease. The author's discussion provides evidence of a philosophy committed to medical education and progress at the time based on principles of rational observation, meticulous clinical acumen, insight into experimental physiology, and the awareness of ethical boundaries. In provincial 1836 England, similar to most of Europe, cerebral localization was elementary. Nonetheless, this case report highlights the attempt at linking structure to function by means of observation on the effects of lesioning. It provides evidence of an established thought process already in progress in England in the 19th century. It is characteristic that this thought process came from a surgical practitioner. The cultivation of practical observation in British surgical culture would allow the late 19th century surgeon scientists to match the contributions of British neurologists with landmark steps in the development and establishment of neurosurgery.

Petrosal approaches to posterior circulation aneurysms.

Complex posterior circulation aneurysms are formidable lesions with an abysmal natural history. Their management continues to present a challenge to both endovascular and open microsurgical approaches. Affording an expansive, combined supra- and infratentorial exposure, the petrosal approaches are well suited for these challenging lesions when located along the basilar trunk or at a low-lying basilar apex. This report evaluates the evolution and application of petrosal approaches to these lesions. Excluding transsigmoid, infratentorial, or labyrinth-sacrificing approaches, the authors found 23 reports with 61 posterior circulation aneurysms treated via a petrosal approach. Although early morbidity was not negligible, rates of aneurysm occlusion (95% overall) and long-term outcome were quite laudable in light of the challenge posed by these lesions. Moreover, with accumulating experience with petrosal approaches, rates of complications are likely to wane, as neurosurgeons capitalize on the expansive exposure afforded by these indispensable approaches.

Kenneth Grant Jamieson (1925-1976): his life and contributions to neurosurgery.

Manuscript submitted May 23, 2011. Accepted September 25, 2011. Kenneth Grant Jamieson is celebrated as one of Australia's top neurosurgeons. His most notable contributions to neurosurgery included novel treatments of aneurysms and pineal tumors and studies of head injury. Jamieson was also an innovator for the development of new neurosurgical instruments and renowned for his teaching abilities, prolificacy, and mentorship. This preeminent neurosurgeon's life was cut short at the age of 51. Our current understanding and knowledge of treatments of various neurosurgical diseases is based on pioneers such as Kenneth Grant Jamieson.

A view on the current and future therapy of brain aneurysms.

While in clinical practice the use of endovascular and microsurgical methods retained relative levels by 2010, since 2008 the research activity has lagged behind that in other medical disciplines. Particularly research on neuroprotection, such as hypothermia and pharmacological measures, has lost impetus, and clinical applications of specific neuroprotective interventions have been largely abandoned. The last substantial advancement for aneurysm surgery was the introduction of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. The technical evolution of endovascular therapy has been somewhat more active than that of microsurgery. It is our conviction that microsurgical methods need to develop a focus particularly on minimal invasiveness and also cosmetic aspects. Teaching remains an important consideration. It appears that an explicit framework is necessary in order to communicate the specific do's, don'ts and hows of aneurysm surgery, i.e., a set of rules addressing general perioperative management, principles of exposure and dissection of the typical configurations, clipping technique and the specific issues concerning very small and very large aneurysms. Quality management has become an unconditional requirement also in neurovascular surgery. At our department we have established a system of identification of complications and monthly case analysis. Despite these efforts combined management morbidity and mortality for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms remains around 10%, which appears to be the achievable degree of safety in unselected patients with the current technology.

One of the giants of neurological surgery left us more than a decade ago, and neurosurgical literature did not show much interest.

One of the giants of neurological surgery left us over a decade ago. Charles George Drake died September 15, 1998 in London, Ontario after an extended bout with lung cancer. Although he will always be identified with taking posterior fossa aneurysm surgery from the realm of the daring to the domain of the routine, his contributions were much broader. Clinical neurosciences have been blessed in the past century by the life and works of Drake. In the neurosurgical world, the achievements of Drake are very well known and have been well recorded. Unfortunately, in the past decade since his passing, only one paper has been published about him and his contributions to neurosurgery. This is a historical paper regarding Charles George Drake that attempts to (1) remember Drake as a pioneer; (2) to evaluate lessons that we have learned from him; and (3) to address the question 'What made him great?'. As per Drake's teachings, this paper is meant to articulate the unique perspectives Charlie provided with respect to how we learn our craft, maintain the integrity of reporting, and implement suggestions as to how we may progress into the future. In conclusion, it is our hope that this paper will bring to life the unique character of Drake and his unprecedented blend of genius, creativity, technical skill, introspection, and ever-present humility for all international neurosurgeons to appreciate.

Self-closing aneurysm clip: a historical review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the self-closing aneurysm clip historical evolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the self-closing aneurysm clip's 50-year history. Major neurosurgical books, journals, testimonials, authors' personal experience, and scientific databases were analysed. RESULTS: Self-closing aneurysm clip malfunction was found to be related to different clip strengths (too strong or too weak) and clip's corrosion or fracture due to diverse stainless steel biocompatibility issues. It was found that 301, 401, 402, 58, and 17-7 PH alloys were not suitable for human implantation due to high risk of corrosion. In counterpart, 316MOSS, Elgiloy, Phynox, and titanium alloys were more biocompatible and less prone to corrosion. The last group showed no motion on the magnetic field. Titanium clip has shown to be artifact free on computerized tomography followed by high-grade cobalt-chromium clip all the other aneurysms clip present a significant artifact. The Federal Drugs and Administration/American Society of Testing and Materials (FDA/ASTM) was a major contributor on safety development of self-closing aneurysm clip. CONCLUSION: Our 36-year self-closing aneurysm clip experience is reported.

Walter E. Dandy's contributions to vascular neurosurgery.

Although Walter E. Dandy (1886-1946) is appropriately credited with the first surgical clipping of an intracranial aneurysm in 1937--a procedure that established the modern field of vascular neurosurgery--his numerous other contributions to this specialty are not as well known. Dandy can be credited with the first detailed description of the vein of Galen malformation, the first description of x-ray visualization of an intracranial aneurysm, the first characterization of basilar artery dolichoectasia, and the publication of the first comprehensive operative case series of arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and developmental venous anomalies. In addition, Dandy performed the first surgical trapping of a cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm by clipping the supraclinoid ICA and ligating the cervical ICA, and he also executed the first intracranial surgical clipping of the ICA to treat a carotid-cavernous fistula. In this article the authors describe Dandy's contributions to the field of vascular neurosurgery.