Giant aneurysm of distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery: a case report and review of the literature

Aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system account for 5% to 10% of all intracranial aneurysms, and, at the level of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery, they are rare, comprising less than 0.5% to 3% [1‐3]. They are referred to as giant aneurysms when they exceed 2.5cm in size. Giant aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are very rarely found in the vertebrobasilar system. Half of all giant aneurysms are thrombosed, but complete obliteration of the aneurysmal sac is uncommon [4‐6].

A 74-year-old Italian woman presented to our institution with complaints of severe headache and dizziness. Her neurological examination showed nuchal rigidity (Glasgow Coma Scale score 15 of 15 and Hunt and Hess grade 2) with gait ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 2.8cm mass in the right cerebellar hemisphere with high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, which were both associated with a peripheral signal void rim and not with peri-lesional edema. A magnetic resonance angiogram revealed aneurysmal dilatation arising from the distal segment of the right PICA and oriented medially with low signal intensity of flow only in part of the lumen and no signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (Figure 1). After endovascular coiling for vasospasm failed, we performed a mid-line suboccipital craniotomy with the patient under general anesthesia. Upon opening the cisterna magna, the cerebellar tonsils and the tonsillar loop of the PICA were exposed. The aneurysmal sac, originating from a loop at the telovelotonsillar segment, was identified and the proximal and distal portions of the parent artery were exposed and clipped for temporary occlusion with two YASARGIL clips (Aesculap, Center Valley, PA, USA). The aneurysm dome was isolated from the surrounding tissue, and, after an incision of the thick wall was made, an intra-aneurysmal thrombus was shaved with the ultrasonic aspirator. The neck of the aneurysm (2.48mm) was identified and clipped. Intra-operative Doppler ultrasonography was used to check preservation of blood flow in the distal PICA. The patient’s post-operative course was uneventful with neurological improvement, except for a transient admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A post-operative computed tomography scan (CT) scan showed no hemorrhage or ischemia in the posterior fossa (Figure 2).

The PICA is the greatest of the branches of the vertebral artery and is the causative vessel for aneurysms in the posterior fossa, which cause cerebral infarction and cranial nerve compression in many patients. The PICA is formed by six segments and two loops. The telovelotonsillar and cortical segments are its distal parts. The bifurcation of the basilar artery and the origin of the PICA are the most common sites from which giant aneurysms arise in the vertebrobasilar system. Other locations within the posterior cranial fossa are much less common. Computed tomography reveals giant aneurysms as oval-shaped lesions with surrounding edema and, frequently, calcification. Contrast enhancement is strictly dependent on intra-aneurysmal thrombosis, but it may not be sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of the nature of the lesion, because it cannot differentiate these lesions from tumors. MRI can demonstrate a well-defined mass, with peripheral signal void rim and no contrast-enhancing components. Angiography is the most important diagnostic modality for revealing the true nature of the lesion, especially when there are no signs or symptoms of subarachnoid bleeding [5‐7]. This exam should scan the presence of a contralateral PICA, the collateral circulatory pattern and the dominance, that are important radiological parameters, while deciding the choice of treatment. Multiple aneurysms can develop in the PICA [1]; they can be accompanied by arteriovenous malformations in rare cases; and they have low incidence of bleeding [2, 3]. Giant intracranial aneurysms can be distinguished when completely thrombosed. They may escape angiographic identification when not thrombosed or partially thrombosed, which are the most common types [4‐6]. The symptoms of ruptured PICA aneurysms are similar to those of subarachnoid hemorrhage Most patients who have unruptured PICA aneurysms present with compressive syndrome because these malformations usually appear clinically as space-occupying lesions and may occasionally be mistaken for tumors [4, 7]. Early aneurysm treatment is necessary in patients presenting with SAH because rebleeding rates may be as high as 78%. The ideal treatment of a saccular lesion is clipping or endovascular obliteration of the aneurysm neck with preservation of the lumen. Giant aneurysms of the distal PICA are rare: to the best of our knowledge, only 14 cases of a total of 17 surgically treated patients have been reported [1‐14]. Surgical treatment of these aneurysms has yielded good results [1, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13], with clinical improvement, and only one patient died after surgery [14] (Table 1). The surgical approach for PICA aneurysms depends on the site of occurrence. For distal PICA aneurysms, suboccipital craniotomy is preferred. A different surgical option must be considered, however, when a dissection is performed, when the neck cannot be clipped without occlusion of the parent vessel or when small arteries arising from this segment pass through the brainstem. Trapping and excision of the aneurysm, as well as arterial reconstruction, performed by direct end-to-end anastomosis or insertion of an interposed arterial graft are possible treatment options [2, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14]. An ultrasonic aspirator should be used for debulking of thrombosed or partially thrombosed aneurysms. Intra-operative fluoroangiography and Doppler ultrasonography can be very useful modalities for visualizing exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation. Mortality can be related more to vasospasm as a result of subarachnoid hemorrhage rather than to technical aspects of surgery [1, 2, 4, 6, 15]. Endovascular treatment of distal PICA aneurysms with parent vessel occlusion may be an option. It has a complication rate as high as 13% due to the extremely variable and tortuous course of the PICA [7, 9].

Giant aneurysms of the distal PICA are very rare and often present together with posterior fossa syndrome. On the basis of reports in the literature, we conclude that, for these aneurysms, the surgical option of direct clipping should be considered the first-line treatment. This option allows definitive obliteration of the aneurysm and possible removal of space-occupying lesions, especially in cases of thrombosed aneurysms. Endovascular treatment involves significant risks of neurological deficit due to the extreme variability and tortuosity of the PICA.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.