Extracranial aneurysms of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery: Resection and primary reanastomosis as the preferred management approach.

Background: Extracranial aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are rare, with only 22 reported cases in the English literature. For saccular extracranial distal PICA aneurysms not amenable to coiling, a surgically placed clip is not protected by the cranium postoperatively, and can be subject to movement in the mobile cervical region. Furthermore, fusiform or complex aneurysms cannot be clipped primarily.

Extracranial carotid-vertebral bypass for endovascular access to complex posterior circulation aneurysms: a novel management approach.

Background: Endovascular embolization is a desirable treatment option for complex posterior circulation aneurysms, particularly recurrent aneurysms or those in difficult-to-access surgical locations. However, endovascular access is occasionally prohibited by proximal vertebral artery (VA) occlusion or vessel tortuosity. One strategy in such instances involves creation of an extracranial bypass conduit to the distal VA.

Impact of a protocol for acute antifibrinolytic therapy on aneurysm rebleeding after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: epsilon-Aminocaproic acid (EACA) is an antifibrinolytic agent used to prevent rebleeding in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although studies have found that a decrease in rebleeding with long-term antifibrinolytic therapy is offset by an increase in ischemic deficits, more recent studies have indicated that early, short-term therapy may be beneficial.

Methods: We instituted a protocol for acute EACA administration starting at diagnosis and continued for a maximum duration of 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage onset.

Transarterial embolization of vein of Galen malformations: the use of magnetic resonance imaging noninvasive optimal vessel analysis to quantify shunt reduction. Report of two cases.

In patients with vein of Galen malformations, high-flow shunting decreases cerebral perfusion. By reducing or eliminating these shunts, transarterial embolization can improve cerebral perfusion and clinical outcomes. Quantifying pre- and postembolization shunt blood flow may help determine the optimal timing and efficacy of embolization and may provide prognostic information.