[Surgical treatment of anterior circulation aneurysm via pterion keyhole approach].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of pterion keyhole approach with minimal invasion for treatment of the anterior circulation aneurysm.


METHODS
Aneurysm clipping through the pterion keyhole approach was performed in patients with anterior circulation aneurysms, including 9 with posterior communication artery aneurysms, 3 with middle cerebral artery aneurysms and 6 with anterior communication artery aneurysms, who were in stages I to III according to Hunt-Hess scale.


RESULTS
All the aneurysms were clipped successfully. One patient with a left posterior communication artery aneurysm developed transient sensory aphasia and motor aphasia after surgery due to intraoperative aneurysm rupture. No facial paralysis occurred due to damage of the facial nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
The pterion keyhole approach is a very useful surgical approach for treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms on the basis of cautious determination of indications and careful operation planning.
Feng
Wen-feng
WF
Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Qi
Song-tao
ST
Huang
Sheng-ping
SP
Huang
Li-jin
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002941:Circle of Willis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods