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Ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysm: a case report
S Kawamura1, T Yoshida, Y Nonoyama
1Department of Surgical Neurology, Research Institute For Brain and Blood Vessels-AKITA, Japan.
Surgical Neurology
|June 16, 1999
Summary
Ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysms are rare. This case highlights how the anterior spinal artery, acting as a vital collateral after vertebral artery occlusion, can develop aneurysms due to hemodynamic stress.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Spinal artery aneurysms are uncommon vascular malformations.
- They are often associated with conditions like arteriovenous malformations or coarctation of the aorta.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old male presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysm.
- Imaging revealed the aneurysm anterior to the upper medulla, with bilateral vertebral artery occlusion.
- The anterior spinal artery, originating from the right subclavian artery, served as the sole perfusion route for distal vertebral and basilar arteries.
Findings:
- Successful surgical clipping of the anterior spinal artery aneurysm was performed.
- The patient recovered with no significant neurological deficits after rehabilitation.
Implications:
- This case suggests that the anterior spinal artery, when acting as a critical collateral pathway, can be subjected to significant hemodynamic stress.
- This stress may lead to the formation and subsequent rupture of aneurysms in this location.