Combined endovascular/neurosurgical therapy of blister-like distal internal carotid aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of "blister-like" aneurysms of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA). Direct surgical treatments of these fragile lesions have been associated with generally poor outcomes.


METHODS
Two consecutive patients presenting with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage from "blister-like" aneurysms were treated with preliminary balloon occlusion of the ICA, followed by surgical trapping of the ICA beyond the aneurysm.


RESULTS
The treatment resulted in complete thrombosis of both aneurysms with no clinical complications.


CONCLUSIONS
This combined endovascular-neurosurgical approach offers a controlled, safer alternative to primary surgical therapy of "blister-like" aneurysms.
Pelz
D M
DM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Ferguson
G G
GG
Lownie
S P
SP
Kachur
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures