Hemorrhagic cerebral dissecting aneurysms: surgical treatments and results

Cerebral dissecting aneurysms are an increasingly recognized etiology of subarachnoid hemorrhage SAH and cerebral stroke. Hemorrhagic dissecting aneurysms of the anterior circulation have been considered to be somewhat different to those of the posterior circulation not only in terms of their pathophysiology, but also in terms of their management. Herewith our series of hemorrhagic dissecting aneurysms of the internal carotid artery ICA, vertebral artery VA, basilar artery BA and some of those of distal cerebral arteries is presented and compared to the series reported in the literature. Therapeutic consideration in the light of our experiences emphasizing the significance of aneurysm entrapment in combination with bypass surgery is presented.

During the last 13 years over 1000 patients with cerebral aneurysms were treated surgically in our department. Hemorrhagic dissecting aneurysms were diagnosed in 26 patients. Diagnosis was based on neuroradiological findings as well as intraoperative findings. All patients underwent surgical intervention. Clinical findings of these patients were analysed retrospectively. Follow-up outcomes were evaluated according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale GOS at 3 months after treatments.

Location of 26 dissecting aneurysms was: ICA 11 cases (42%), VA 9 cases (35%), BA 3 cases, MCA 2 cases and PCA (P1 segment) one case. Primary surgical treatments were performed on day 3.7 of SAH on average. Clinical manifestation of dissecting aneurysms of the ICA and their outcome was more severe compared with those of the VA (p < 0.01): WNFS grade 3.1 vs 2.4 and GOS score 3.4 vs 4.3. As a conventional neck clipping procedure was problematic or impossible (aneurysm recurrence after clipping, premature rupture at the time of exposure or clipping), entrapment (or proximal ligation) plus EC-IC bypass procedure was the most frequent final definitive method of surgical treatment (9/26 35%: ICA 6/11, VA 1/9 and MCA 2/2) followed by proximal ligation or trapping only 7/26, neck clipping 7/26 and coating 4/26.

Hemorrhagic dissecting aneurysms still remain problematic in their diagnosis and treatment. One has to be aware of the diagnostic possibility of dissecting aneurysms as an etiology of SAH. Neurosurgeons have to be prepared to be able to manage complex surgical situations also by the use of EC-IC bypass, as its combination with entrapment procedure can be the final treatment of choice. Less invasive endovascular technique is in evolution but its availability and superiority are still to be settled.