A case report of a pediatric traumatic aneurysm with arteriovenous (A-V) fistula CASE-BASED UPDATE

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms (TICAs) are rare, representing less than 5 % of all intracranial aneurysms. Most TICAs are located within the anterior circulation, and less than 10 % of TICAs occur in the posterior circulation. Histopathologically, most TICAs are false aneurysms and have a high risk of rupture or re-bleeding. When they are discovered, careful observation or treatment may be required. Once they are enlarged, they have a high risk of rupture, and immediate treatment is essential.

For the first time in the literature, we report a rare case of an 8-year-old boy with a TICA in anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and arteriovenous (A-V) fistula after severe head trauma. Trapping of AICA and resection of the aneurysm was performed. Postoperatively, he has peripheral facial palsy but is otherwise neurologically normal.

Surgical treatment for traumatic aneurysms is challenging because most of TICAs are histopathologically pseudoaneurysms. It may be technically difficult to perform direct surgery of aneurysms especially located in the posterior circulation, but when the treatment is successful, the outcome was favorable.