Posterior Circulation Aneurysms Overview

POSTERIOR CIRCULATION
ANEURYSMS
 
Introduction
15 % of all intracranial aneurysms
Technically difficult to tackle
Present in the fifth and sixth decades of life,
Most often in females.
Saccular, fusiform or dissecting.
 
Saccular aneurysms of posterior circulation
most often occur at the basilar apex(45-55%)
origins of SCA,  PICA and PICA-VA junction,
PCA,  lower third basilar artery, VBJ and AICA.
 
Fusiform aneurysms of vertebrobasilar system
occur with  intracranial atherosclerosis
Dissecting aneurysms 31% of the vertebral
artery lesions ,found in young males
Dolichoectic aneurysms of vertebral and
basilar arteries result from dissections that
produce fusiform degeneration
Anomalies associated with aneurysm
Hypoplastic or fetal PCAs,  persistent carotid-
to-basilar anastomosis arteriovenous
malformation in the occipital lobes or
cerebellum
Connective tissue disorders(e.g. Polycystic
kidney disease, Marfan’s syndrome, Ehlers-
Danlos syndrome)
Anatomy
Three vascular territories
Basilar apex –
 Basilar artery(BA) bifurcation,
 Posterior cerebral artery(PCA),
 Superior cerebellar artery(SCA),
 BA-SCA junction,
 Upper basilar artery.
Anatomy
Basilar trunk 
-
Midbasilar artery,
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery(AICA).
The vertebral trunk
Vertebral artery(VA),
 Posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA),
 VA-PICA junction,
 Vertebro-basilar junction(VBJ).
Clinical presentation
Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage
Intraventricular haemorrhage
Obstructive hydrocephalus
Clinical presentation
Cranial nerve deficit
Occulomotor paresis   aneurysms of basilar apex,
upper basilar artery and superior cerebellar
artery
Abducens dysfunction  aneurysms of
vertebrobasilar junction and lower basilar trunk
VII and VIII cranial nerve involvement(AICA)
IX,X,XI(PICA)
 XII nerve  PICA and vertebral artery aneurysm.
 
Giant aneurysms
 of the vertebrobasilar
system present with mass effect on adjacent
cranial nerves and brainstem
Dissecting aneurysms
 SAH non-hemorrhagic
infarction of thalamus, brainstem or
cerebellum signs of cerebral thrombosis;
occulomotor palsy  Horner’s syndrome
Diagnostic studies
Computed tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Four-vessel digital subtraction angiography
Management Options
Clipping
Endovascular
Bypass procedures
Others
Surgical indications
Complex aneurysms
Vasospasm of parent vessel
Aberrant anatomy of vessels making
Negotiations difficult
Patients choice
Basilar apex
Basilar trunk- lateral
Vertebral trunk
Subtemporal approach
• Supine position with head tilted.
• Temporal craniotomy
• Temporal lobe retracted upwards till cerebral
peduncles
• Field centered on third nerve
• Temporal lobe resection indicated if required
Advantages
Proximal control is ease
Excellent visualization and easy dissection of
perforators
 Anteriorly and Posteriorly directed aneurysms
can be tackled easily.
 Fenestrated clips can be placed well
Disadvantages
Field is narrow
 Access to contralateral P1 is difficult
 Temporal lobe damage
 Intraoperative bleeding is difficult to control
 III nerve palsy is very common
Transylvian approach
 Pterional craniotomy
 OZ osteotomy to improve superior view
 Bone removal (if required)
     sphenoid ridge
     anterior clinoids
     dorsum sellae
     clivus
     medial petrous apex
Advantages
Familiarity with approach
 Proximal control is straight forward
 Wide exposure is possible
 Both P1 can be exposed
Disadvantages
Exposure of posteriorly located perforators is
difficult
 Distal clip blade is difficult to visualize
 Anteriorly or posteriorly directed aneurysms
difficult to tackle
Orbitozygomatic and Extended
Orbitozygomatic approach
Extends the pterional approach  by removing
the superior and lateral portions of the orbit
Higher view of basilar apex above the
posterior clinoid process.
Inferior exposure by removing three intradural
bony obstacles-the anterior clinoid process,
the posterior clinoid process and the dorsum
sellae.
Drilling the clivus opens a window to the
anterior surface of the basilar artery
Transpetrosal approach 
Retrolabyrinthine, translabyrinthine and
transcochlear
Approach the basilar trunk from lateral side
ENT surgeon's assistance is required
 
 Retrolabyrinthine exposure
 
 bone posterior to semicircular canals is removed.
hearing is preserved
 Translabyrinthine exposure
 
   semicircular canals are removed
 
   hearing is sacrificed
 
   seventh nerve is preserved
 Transcochlear
 
    hearing and seventh nerve both are sacrificed
 
    maximum bone is removed
Extended middle fossa approach
Popularized by Kawase
Temporal craniotomy
Extradural mobilization of temporal lobe
Anterior petrous apex drilling of KAWASE'S
triangle
Approach the aneurysm from superior and
anterior trajectory
 Hearing preservation
Far lateral approach
Lateral suboccipital approach, extreme lateral
approach, extreme lateral inferior
transcondylar exposure(ELITE)
Most common approach to aneurysms of the
vertebral trunk
 
Position
    lateral decubitus with neck flexion and rotation
and ipsilateral neck flexion
Hockey stick or S shaped incision
•  Bone removed
   paramedian suboccipital craniotomy
   half to two third of condoyle
   posterior arch of C1
   rim of foramen magnum
 
Extended far lateral approach
   Superior occipital bone is removed
   Transverse- sigmoid junction is exposed
   CPA is entered
Combined supra-infra tentorial app
    Two maneuvers -
 Posterior mobilization of sigmoid sinus
 Division of tentorium
 Superior petrosal sinus divided
 Vein of Labbe preserved
 Minimal brain retraction
Midline Suboccipital craniotomy
Indications
I.
 bilateral vertebral aneurysm
II.
 distal PICA aneurysms
III.
 bypass procedures
Alternative surgical techniques
Parent artery occlusion
Wrapping   
methyl methacrylate silicone,
polyvinyl and temporalis fascia
  to induce fibrosis in the wall of the aneurysm
Trapping of distal aneurysms  
distal PICA
aneurysms
Ligation
When both Pcom are large in size,
 When balloon occlusion suggests good
collateral circulation
 Gradual compression can be used
 Vertebral artery tolerate ligation very well if
opposite
Vertebral is not aberrant.
Cardiac bypass with hypothermic
circulatory arrest
 Giant and complex posterior circulation
aneurysms
 24 degree Celsius core cooling, the brain will
be protected for 1 hour of complete
circulatory arrest.
Associated with significant morbidity and
mortality rates
Endovascular management
Basilar bifurcation
 Lower basilar trunk
 Vertebrobasilar junction
Patients choice
 
Endovascular obliteration
Detachable balloons 
Silicone balloons filled with iso-
osmolar contrast medium (Iohexol)  solidification agent
like HEMA, latex balloons filled with iohexol or silicone
Detachable coils
Free pushable coils (Cook)
         MDC – Mechanically Detachable Coils (Balt, France)
         IDC – Interlocking Detachable Coils (Japan)
         GDC – Guglielmi electrically Detachable Coils (USA)
 
Factors that limit successful endovascular
aneurysm occlusion
 dome-to-neck ratio less than 2 neck
width greater than 4 mm,
 inadequate endovascular access,
unstable intraluminal thrombus
 if any arterial branch is incorporated in neck
Stents can be used for these aneurysm
 
Thank you
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Posterior circulation aneurysms account for 15% of intracranial aneurysms, primarily affecting females in their fifth and sixth decades of life. They can manifest as saccular, fusiform, or dissecting types, with common locations including the basilar apex, origins of various arteries, and the basilar trunk. Associated anomalies may involve vascular malformations or connective tissue disorders. Clinical presentations range from subarachnoid hemorrhage to cranial nerve deficits. Understanding the anatomy and clinical implications of these aneurysms is crucial for effective management and treatment strategies.

  • Aneurysms
  • Intracranial
  • Posterior Circulation
  • Clinical Presentation
  • Vascular Territories

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  1. POSTERIOR CIRCULATION ANEURYSMS

  2. Introduction 15 % of all intracranial aneurysms Technically difficult to tackle Present in the fifth and sixth decades of life, Most often in females. Saccular, fusiform or dissecting.

  3. Saccular aneurysms of posterior circulation most often occur at the basilar apex(45-55%) origins of SCA, PICA and PICA-VA junction, PCA, lower third basilar artery, VBJ and AICA.

  4. Fusiform aneurysms of vertebrobasilar system occur with intracranial atherosclerosis Dissecting aneurysms 31% of the vertebral artery lesions ,found in young males Dolichoectic aneurysms of vertebral and basilar arteries result from dissections that produce fusiform degeneration

  5. Anomalies associated with aneurysm Hypoplastic or fetal PCAs, persistent carotid- to-basilar anastomosis arteriovenous malformation in the occipital lobes or cerebellum Connective tissue disorders(e.g. Polycystic kidney disease, Marfan s syndrome, Ehlers- Danlos syndrome)

  6. Anatomy Three vascular territories Basilar apex Basilar artery(BA) bifurcation, Posterior cerebral artery(PCA), Superior cerebellar artery(SCA), BA-SCA junction, Upper basilar artery.

  7. Anatomy Basilar trunk - Midbasilar artery, Anterior inferior cerebellar artery(AICA). The vertebral trunk Vertebral artery(VA), Posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA), VA-PICA junction, Vertebro-basilar junction(VBJ).

  8. Clinical presentation Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage Intraventricular haemorrhage Obstructive hydrocephalus

  9. Clinical presentation Cranial nerve deficit Occulomotor paresis aneurysms of basilar apex, upper basilar artery and superior cerebellar artery Abducens dysfunction aneurysms of vertebrobasilar junction and lower basilar trunk VII and VIII cranial nerve involvement(AICA) IX,X,XI(PICA) XII nerve PICA and vertebral artery aneurysm.

  10. Giant aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system present with mass effect on adjacent cranial nerves and brainstem Dissecting aneurysms SAH non-hemorrhagic infarction of thalamus, brainstem or cerebellum signs of cerebral thrombosis; occulomotor palsy Horner s syndrome

  11. Diagnostic studies Computed tomography Magnetic Resonance Imaging Four-vessel digital subtraction angiography

  12. Management Options Clipping Endovascular Bypass procedures Others

  13. Surgical indications Complex aneurysms Vasospasm of parent vessel Aberrant anatomy of vessels making Negotiations difficult Patients choice

  14. Basilar apex Trajectory Aneurysms Approach Basilar top Anterosuperior Subtemporal PCA Pterional transsylvian SCA Transsylvian Upper basilar artery Modified pterional transcavernous transsellar Middle subtemporal transtentorial Orbitozygomatic Extended orbitozygomatic approach

  15. Basilar trunk- lateral Aneurysms Trajectory Approach Midbasilar artery Lateral Transpetrosal (Kawase) AICA Transtemporal (Sekhar) Retrolabyrinthine transsigmoid Combined supra- and infratentorial approach Transoral transclival approach Transoral transclival with Le Fort I maxillotomy( Extended middle fossa approach

  16. Vertebral trunk Aneurysms Trajectory Approach VA, Posteroinferior Midline suboccipital PICA, Paramedian suboccipital VBJ Far lateral approach Extended far-lateral approach

  17. Subtemporal approach Supine position with head tilted. Temporal craniotomy Temporal lobe retracted upwards till cerebral peduncles Field centered on third nerve Temporal lobe resection indicated if required

  18. Advantages Proximal control is ease Excellent visualization and easy dissection of perforators Anteriorly and Posteriorly directed aneurysms can be tackled easily. Fenestrated clips can be placed well

  19. Disadvantages Field is narrow Access to contralateral P1 is difficult Temporal lobe damage Intraoperative bleeding is difficult to control III nerve palsy is very common

  20. Transylvian approach Pterional craniotomy OZ osteotomy to improve superior view Bone removal (if required) sphenoid ridge anterior clinoids dorsum sellae clivus medial petrous apex

  21. Advantages Familiarity with approach Proximal control is straight forward Wide exposure is possible Both P1 can be exposed

  22. Disadvantages Exposure of posteriorly located perforators is difficult Distal clip blade is difficult to visualize Anteriorly or posteriorly directed aneurysms difficult to tackle

  23. Orbitozygomatic and Extended Orbitozygomatic approach Extends the pterional approach by removing the superior and lateral portions of the orbit Higher view of basilar apex above the posterior clinoid process. Inferior exposure by removing three intradural bony obstacles-the anterior clinoid process, the posterior clinoid process and the dorsum sellae. Drilling the clivus opens a window to the anterior surface of the basilar artery

  24. Transpetrosal approach Retrolabyrinthine, translabyrinthine and transcochlear Approach the basilar trunk from lateral side ENT surgeon's assistance is required

  25. Retrolabyrinthine exposure bone posterior to semicircular canals is removed. hearing is preserved Translabyrinthine exposure semicircular canals are removed hearing is sacrificed seventh nerve is preserved Transcochlear hearing and seventh nerve both are sacrificed maximum bone is removed

  26. Extended middle fossa approach Popularized by Kawase Temporal craniotomy Extradural mobilization of temporal lobe Anterior petrous apex drilling of KAWASE'S triangle Approach the aneurysm from superior and anterior trajectory Hearing preservation

  27. Far lateral approach Lateral suboccipital approach, extreme lateral approach, extreme lateral inferior transcondylar exposure(ELITE) Most common approach to aneurysms of the vertebral trunk

  28. Position lateral decubitus with neck flexion and rotation and ipsilateral neck flexion Hockey stick or S shaped incision Bone removed paramedian suboccipital craniotomy half to two third of condoyle posterior arch of C1 rim of foramen magnum

  29. Extended far lateral approach Superior occipital bone is removed Transverse- sigmoid junction is exposed CPA is entered

  30. Combined supra-infra tentorial app Two maneuvers - Posterior mobilization of sigmoid sinus Division of tentorium Superior petrosal sinus divided Vein of Labbe preserved Minimal brain retraction

  31. Midline Suboccipital craniotomy Indications I. bilateral vertebral aneurysm II. distal PICA aneurysms III. bypass procedures

  32. Alternative surgical techniques Parent artery occlusion Wrapping methyl methacrylate silicone, polyvinyl and temporalis fascia to induce fibrosis in the wall of the aneurysm Trapping of distal aneurysms distal PICA aneurysms

  33. Ligation When both Pcom are large in size, When balloon occlusion suggests good collateral circulation Gradual compression can be used Vertebral artery tolerate ligation very well if opposite Vertebral is not aberrant.

  34. Cardiac bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest Giant and complex posterior circulation aneurysms 24 degree Celsius core cooling, the brain will be protected for 1 hour of complete circulatory arrest. Associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates

  35. Endovascular management Basilar bifurcation Lower basilar trunk Vertebrobasilar junction Patients choice

  36. Endovascular obliteration Detachable balloons Silicone balloons filled with iso- osmolar contrast medium (Iohexol) solidification agent like HEMA, latex balloons filled with iohexol or silicone Detachable coils Free pushable coils (Cook) MDC Mechanically Detachable Coils (Balt, France) IDC Interlocking Detachable Coils (Japan) GDC Guglielmi electrically Detachable Coils (USA)

  37. Factors that limit successful endovascular aneurysm occlusion dome-to-neck ratio less than 2 neck width greater than 4 mm, inadequate endovascular access, unstable intraluminal thrombus if any arterial branch is incorporated in neck Stents can be used for these aneurysm

  38. Thank you

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