Abstract

Background:Ischemic stroke is a well-described but less frequent consequence of ruptured or unruptured intracranial aneurysms. To date, the optimal form of treatment for patients with a thrombosed cerebral aneurysm has not yet been well-defined.

Case Description:Here, we report a case of a 68-year-old female patient presenting with cerebral stroke. Five days poststroke multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography were performed for the evaluation of clinical deterioration, showing a left M2 middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Having in mind the high mortality and morbidity rates after a re-rupture, as well as the digital subtraction angiography features of the aneurysm, urgent surgery was performed consisting of aneurysm trapping and superficial temporal artery (STA) to M3 MCA segment end-to-side anastomosis. The surgery and early postoperative period proceeded uneventfully and the patient gradually recovered from the previously diagnosed expressive dysphasia and cranial and extremity motor deficit.

Conclusion:Our case describes a complex aneurysm treatment that consisted of aneurysm trapping, thrombus removal and an STA-M3 MCA branch bypass creation for the protection of the patent M3 insular MCA branch and prevention of further ischemia. This procedure rewarded us with an excellent clinical result.

Keywords: Cerebral ischemia, intracranial aneurysm, stroke

INTRODUCTION

Ischemic stroke is a well-described but less frequent consequence of ruptured or unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Thrombus formation linked to transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and ischemic stroke has been reported in giant and fusiform as well as in small aneurysms. The reported prevalence rates of cerebral ischemia directly associated with intracranial aneurysm vary from 0.6% to 11%.[ 16 20 ]

We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient diagnosed with a cerebral stroke. Five days poststroke native head multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography (MSCTA) were performed for the evaluation of clinical deterioration. Studies revealed a left M2 middle cerebral artery (MCA), bifurcation aneurysm, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Surgical treatment consisted of aneurysm trapping and superficial temporal artery (STA) to M3 MCA segment end-to-side anastomosis.

CASE REPORT

Preoperative course

This 68-year-old female patient presented with right-sided supranuclear facial palsy and right-sided extremity palsy. The symptoms were of sudden onset with no accompanying headaches or vomiting, or a history of recent trauma. The initial head MSCT showed no obvious signs of cerebral ischemia [ Figure 1 ]. The patient was admitted to the Department of Neurology for symptomatic treatment of an ischemic stroke. Percutaneous transarterial thrombolysis was not performed because the time interval from the onset of the symptoms and hospitalization exceed 4.5 h, in addition to the fact that there were no signs of cerebral ischemia on the MSCT scan.

Figure 1

Initial native multislice computed tomography showing no obvious signs of cerebral ischemia

The patient's medical history revealed chronic diseases which included arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic gastritis, as well as surgical and oncological treatment for an invasive intraductal breast carcinoma.

Four days after an uneventful stay at the Department of Neurology, the patient experienced a severe headache followed by vomiting and dysphasia, as well as deterioration of consciousness, thus becoming somnolent. Urgent MSCT revealed a demarcated ischemic area in the left frontal opercular region and an SAH in the left sylvian fissure, as well as the presence of blood in the IV ventricle. MSCTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed an aneurysm on the left second M2 MCA branch bifurcation, 5 mm from the primary MCA bifurcation. The absence of blood flow was noticed in the “smaller” frontal opercular M3 segment, implying thrombosis. Filiform blood flow was noticed in the “larger” insular M3 segment, resembling partial vessel thrombosis. The aneurysm seemed to be fusiform, just at the second bifurcation, with full thrombosis of the frontal opercular branch. There were no radiological signs of vasospasm. By comparing the DSA and MSCT scans, it could be concluded that the fully thrombosed frontal M3 branch was the cause of the cerebral ischemia and that the second opercular M3 branch was in peril due to partial thrombosis [ Figure 2 ].

Figure 2

(a) Native multislice computed tomography showing left-side fronto-opercular cerebral ischemia and subarachnoid hemorrhage. (b) Multislice computed tomography angiography showing an aneurysm on the left M2 middle cerebral artery branch 5 mm from the M1 middle cerebral artery branch bifurcation. Digital subtraction angiography, lateral (c) and anteroposterior (d) view showing an M2 branch bifurcation aneurysm, absence of blood flow in the “smaller” frontal opercular M3 segment implying thrombosis and filiform blood flow in the “larger” insular M3 segment resembling partial vessel thrombosis

The left P1 segment was hypoplastic, and the posterior cerebral arteries on both sides were dominantly supplied by the posterior communicating artery. The right vertebral artery showed to be hypoplastic. There were no signs of the presence of other saccular aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.

As the shown aneurysm was favorable for surgical management, urgent surgery was indicated.

Operation

Surgery objectives

As DSA revealed a fusiform-shaped aneurysm at the left M2 MCA bifurcation on the superior M2 branch with signs of postaneurysm thrombosis, the plan was to prepare the STA for a possible bypass.

Left osteoplastic frontotemporal craniotomy with the preparation of the frontal STA branch was performed under general anesthesia and in the supine position, with the head rotated to the right and positioned in a Mayfield holder. After the removal of the bone, the dura was opened and suspended downward. The left sylvian fissure was widely opened and a fusiform aneurysm at the superior M2 bifurcation, including two M3 branches 5 mm from the M1 MCA segment bifurcation was intraoperatively verified. The flow in both M3 branches was checked by micro-Doppler, revealing the absence of flow and verifying a thrombosed frontal opercular M3 vessel irrigating the already ischemic part of the frontal operculum. The larger insular M3 MCA branch showed no flow on Doppler analysis, as compared to the visible filiform flow shown on the previous DSA. Bearing in mind the clearly ischemic portion of the frontal operculum irrigated by the smaller upper M3 branch, as shown by DSA and micro-Doppler, as well as the fact that the whole circumference of the vessel wall was evidently changed into a fusiform aneurysm, the permanent solution was complete M2 occlusion by placing a clip proximally to the aneurysm [ Figure 3 ].

Figure 3

(a) Intraoperative picture showing fusiform aneurysm on the M2 middle cerebral artery branch, encircled. Smaller upper M3 branch is marked with a yellow arrow and lower larger M3 middle cerebral artery branch is marked with a black arrow. A temporary clip has been placed on the M2 while aneurysm preparation is performed. (b) Intraoperative picture showing definite clip placement on the M2 middle cerebral artery branch for definite occlusion

The postaneurysm part of the lower larger M3 MCA branch was opened with a small linear incision confirming the thrombus within it. After the thrombus evacuation and verified backflow, we decided to protect this vessel by creating an STA-MCA bypass [ Figure 4 ].

Figure 4

Intraoperative picture showing: (a) Thrombus removal from the “larger” insular M3 middle cerebral artery branch after a small linear vessel incision, (b) backflow verification after thrombus removal

As a preparation for the bypass procedure, the patient was given a loading dose of 300 mg of clopidogrel and 300 mg of aspirin. The STA was prepared with a fish-mouth opening and sutured with 10-0 prolene to the recipient vessel by end-to-side anastomosis [ Figure 5 ].

Figure 5

Intraoperative picture showing superficial temporal artery to M3 middle cerebral artery branch end-to-side anastomosis, encircled

After the bypass procedure, back-bleeding from the aneurysm occurred. This bleeding was successfully stopped by placing another clip distal to the aneurysm and in front of the bypass on the lower larger M3 MCA branch, thus creating a definite aneurysm trapping [ Figure 6 ].

Figure 6

Intraoperative picture showing the final clip placed right before the anastomosis, encircled, thus creating aneurysm trapping

A second bypass or vessel occlusion by clipping was not performed on the upper smaller branch that irrigated the already ischemic part of the frontal operculum.

A micro Doppler was used to check the bypass patency, and upon patency confirmation, the wound was closed in the usual manner. A notch was created on the bone flap to protect the STA vessel.

Postoperative course

On the second postoperative day, DSA showed a patent bypass [ Figure 7 ]. The ischemic region on the MSCT scan remained unchanged. The patency of the bypass was regularly checked by micro-Doppler. The patient gradually recovered from the previously diagnosed expressive dysphasia and cranial and extremity motor deficit.

Figure 7

Postoperative digital subtraction angiography and multislice computed tomography on the day of discharge, anastomosis is marked by arrow

DISCUSSION

As shown in previous studies, TIAs and cerebral infarctions are associated with intracranial aneurysms. It is clear that an aneurysm sac can act as a source of distal embolization. Reported prevalence rates of cerebral ischemia directly linked to intracranial aneurysm vary from 0.6% to 11%.[ 16 20 ] Thrombosis of unruptured aneurysms has been associated with the calcified atherosclerotic walls of giant saccular and fusiform aneurysms together with the combined action of turbulent and “stagnant-zone” flow of blood.[ 3 19 ] Clinical studies showed that smaller aneurysms are also linked to TIAs and ischemic strokes.[ 1 6 7 9 ] Thromboembolism from small clot-containing aneurysms has been reported to occur in 5–59% of patients.[ 24 25 ] However, TIAs or strokes from small aneurysms are not frequently reported.[ 7 10 17 21 ]

Nagashima et al. observed that surgical treatment of aneurysms in the presence of cerebral infarctions represented high-risk procedures, and because of the high morbidity and mortality rates in such cases they recommended a conservative approach for most of these patients.[ 15 ] Later, clinical studies have implied that surgery could provide better results by lowering the recurrent rate of cerebral ischemia though this benefit is obscured by postoperative complications.[ 16 20 ] Furthermore, as it has been reported, an intra-aneurysmal clot does not protect against aneurysm rupture,[ 25 ] and TIAs and ischemic strokes may precede SAH.[ 7 ] Thus, nonoperative treatment of unruptured aneurysms with TIA or stroke is questionable.[ 2 3 7 9 18 ] To date, the optimal form of treatment for patients with a thrombosed cerebral aneurysm has not yet been well-defined. In our case, the ischemic event followed by SAH revealed the presence of a previously unruptured aneurysm, and having in mind the high mortality and morbidity rates after re-rupture, as well as the DSA features of the aneurysm, urgent surgery was vitally indicated.

Aneurysm thromboses after SAH have been infrequently reported with an incidence of 1–2%.[ 4 5 8 11 14 22 23 ] In our case, it is possible that the thrombus formation in the lower larger insular M3 MCA branch was facilitated by the events after the SAH, but it is impossible for the thrombus formation to be exclusively linked to the aneurysm rupture, in view of the complete thrombosis in the adjacent fronto-opercular M3 MCA branch.

Today, in the advanced endovascular era, the need for intracranial bypass surgery has dramatically decreased, and it is only recommended for selected cases where endovascular intervention is not feasible. According to Kalani et al., the most frequent indications for intracranial bypass surgery in the modern era are complex aneurysms, moyamoya disease, and vascular occlusive disease.[ 13 ] In the previously mentioned study, complex aneurysms represent the largest indication group for bypass surgery with a favorable outcome. Bypass surgery for vascular occlusive disease represents a small indication group recommended for patients who remain refractory to maximal medical management.[ 12 13 ] Our case describes a complex aneurysm treatment that consisted of aneurysm trapping, thrombus removal, and an STA-M3 MCA branch bypass creation for the protection of the patent M3 insular MCA branch and prevention of further ischemia. This procedure rewarded us with an excellent clinical result.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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