Superior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms Causing Facial Pain: A Comprehensive Review

Trigeminal neuralgia caused by superior cerebellar artery aneurysms (TGN-SCAAs) is a rare event without previous analysis.

To describe the features of TGN-SCAA based on 8 cases (7 from literature +1 illustrative case).

All cases were thoroughly studied with gathering of their epidemiological, radiological, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data.

The mean age at diagnosis was 61 yr. Gender distribution showed a female predominance (M: F = 2:6). Side distribution had a left dominance (75%). The aneurysms mean size was 15.4 mm (range: 5-27). All 5 proximal SCAAs (SCA-Basilar junction) presented a lateral-posterior projection, while all 3 distal SCAAs (s2 segment) had variable projections but constant direct trigeminal nerve (TN) contact. No hemorrhage occurred. TGN was the clinical onset in all 8 cases. The most frequent pain distribution was V1-2-3 (n = 3), followed by V1-2 (n = 1) and V1 alone (n = 1). Proximal SCAAs caused TGN through direct TN compression (n = 1), third nerve compression (n = 1), cavernous sinus compression (n = 1), or a combination thereof (n = 2). However, all distal SCAAs caused TGN by direct TN compression (n = 3). Two different treatment options were used: clipping (n = 4) and coiling (n = 4). The post-treatment Barrow Neurological Institute score for pain control was I in all cases (100%). The mRS score was 0 in 75% of cases.

TGN-SCAAs are infrequent lesions, characterized by large size, variable TGN mechanisms depending on their anatomic location, and mostly affecting the first and second trigeminal divisions. Both SCAA clipping and coiling were used equally, providing good neurological and pain relief results.