Ipsilateral Internal Carotid Artery Bifurcation Aneurysm and Contralateral Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Clipping:...

Contralateral clipping of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm is challenging but possible with favorable anatomy. This patient had bilateral aneurysms, an ipsilateral internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm and a contralateral MCA aneurysm. The surgical goal was to clip both aneurysms if possible. After opening the ipsilateral sylvian fissure, the arachnoid planes were opened along the anterior cerebral arteries to the contralateral sylvian fissure. The arachnoid planes within the sylvian fissure were dissected to permit visualization of the contralateral proximal MCA and anatomy, which permitted the MCA to be followed to the aneurysm. If adequate proximal and distal control is present, the aneurysm is clipped. The surgeon needs to be comfortable in backing out if the exposure is too limited. The sequence of clipping should be to clip the contralateral aneurysm first to avoid inadvertent manipulation of the ipsilateral clip during the contralateral procedure. Postoperative angiography demonstrated that the bilateral aneurysms were clipped and that all vessels were patent. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.