Clinical Features and Treatment of Distal Intracranial Aneurysms

To analyze the clinical characteristics, therapies, and outcomes of distal intracranial aneurysms, the authors retrospectively studied the clinical and imaging data of 18 patients with distal intracranial aneurysms. There were 10 males and 8 females, aged from 11 months to 59 years (mean, 40.4 +/- 11.4 years). All patients were diagnosed by digital subtract angiography. Aneurysm locations were as follows: distal anterior cerebral artery (n = 5), distal middle cerebral artery (n = 2), distal posterior cerebral artery (n = 6), distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n = 3), distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (n = 1), and distal superior cerebellar artery (n = 1). Endovascular embolization was performed on 16 patients, including coil embolization on 10 patients and embolization using Glubran 2 surgical glue on 6 patients, and 7 of the 16 patients also underwent parent artery occlusion. Aneurysms were all completely embolized at the first phase for these 16 patients. The other 2 patients underwent craniotomy with hematoma evacuation and complete aneurysm clipping. Postoperatively, 14 patients showed a good recovery, 2 patients had neurological deficits, 1 patient had seizures and was managed with drugs, 1 patient developed hydrocephalus, and a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was performed. Follow-up angiographies showed no aneurysm recurrence. Clinical manifestations of distal intracranial aneurysms are varied. Their treatment should follow the principle of individual choice. Endovascular embolization is an effective way to treat distal intracranial aneurysms; and for those with intracranial hematoma, craniotomy with hematoma evacuation and aneurysm clipping may be a feasible treatment.