Surgical treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms

Distal basilar aneurysms appear to produce symptoms from hemorrhage or enlargement at least as frequently as their anterior circulation counterparts. Once giant size has been reached, the future of the patient is indeed bleak. The diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic strategy to successfully combat these lesions requires thoughtful interaction between the neurosurgeon, the neuroradiologist, and medical and critical care physicians. In my opinion, patients are best served by referral to centers equipped for these complex and dangerous procedures.