Retrosigmoid Clip Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare and require a considerate approach to facilitate successful and safe clipping. Surgical approaches vary and are dependent on the relation of the aneurysm to the internal acoustic meatus. An anterior approach should be considered for lesions medial to the meatus. Lesions adjacent to the meatus can be approached via a retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach. Lesions lateral to the meatus can be approached via a retrosigmoid or far lateral approach. This patient had a previously ruptured AICA aneurysm in the meatal region for which a retrosigmoid approach was selected. The approach involved locating the AICA distally and tracking it proximally to the origin off the basilar artery. A clip was applied across the aneurysm neck to facilitate occlusion while preserving parent vessel flow. 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.