Giant posterior communicating artery aneurysm presenting as third ventricle mass with obstructive hydrocephalus. Case report.
The case of a giant posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm is reported in which the initial presentation was coma secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus. The primary radiological diagnosis was a probable craniopharyngioma. A cerebral angiogram revealed a partially thrombosed giant PCoA aneurysm on the right side. The patient underwent pterional craniotomy with aneurysm clipping and thrombectomy to relieve mass effect, and has made a good recovery. Review of the literature documents that giant PCoA aneurysms are rare. This is believed to be the first reported case of a PCoA aneurysm presenting as a third ventricle mass with obstructive hydrocephalus. The magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of those third ventricle masses that mandate vascular workup are discussed.
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
K A
KA
Smith
G E
GE
Kraus
B A
BA
Johnson
R F
RF
Spetzler
D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged