TREATMENT OF A RARE CASE OF GIANT VERTEBRAL EXTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM.

ABSTRACT

Extracranial vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms are extremely rare and are usually associated with trauma or dissection. Primary extracranial VA aneurysms are far less common. They may be of mycotic origin or associated with systemic diseases such as neurofibromatosis. The presentation and natural history remains idiopathic, and operative management can be often difficult. Angiography remains the gold standard in diagnosis and characterisation of these lesions. We hereby present a case of a primary aneurysm of the extracranial portion of the vertebral artery and its surgical management, which implied an initial endosvacular approach followed by a two-step surgery in order to resect the aneurysm and stabilise the spine.