J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2012 Sep;52(3):243-245.

Spontaneous Regression of an Unruptured and Non-Giant Intracranial Aneurysm

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Korea. cychoi@paik.ac.kr

Abstract

It is well known that spontaneous thrombosis in giant cerebral aneurysm is common. However, spontaneous obliteration of a non-giant and unruptured cerebral aneurysm has been reported to be rare and its pathogenic mechanism is not clear. We describe a case with rare vascular phenomenon and review the relevant literatures.

Keyword

Non-giant cerebral aneurysm; Spontaneous thrombosis; Unruptured cerebral aneurysm

MeSH Terms

Intracranial Aneurysm
Thrombosis

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A : Computed tomography angiogram shows an unruptured, small, saccular aneurysm (white arrow) which is located at the left middle cerebral artery trifurcation. Aneurysm has a relatively long and narrow neck. Aneurysm size, aspect ratio, and aneurysm angle are 4.5 mm, 3, and 90 degrees respectively. B : Small saccular aneurysm (white arrow) in the left sylvian fissure is seen on enhanced axial CT image.

  • Fig. 2 magnetic resonance angiogram performed at 1 year follow-up shows no interval changes of aneurysm size and shape.

  • Fig. 3 A : Computed tomography angiogram performed at 3-year follow-up shows a near total obliteration of cerebral aneurysm with small residual neck remnant (white arrow). B : There is no high density lesion suggesting of intra-aneurysmal thrombus and small residual neck remnant (white arrow) are seen on enhanced axial CT image.


Reference

1. Batjer HH, Purdy PD. Enlarging thrombosed aneurysm of the distal basilar artery. Neurosurgery. 1990; 26:695–699. discussion 699-700. PMID: 2330095.
Article
2. Brownlee RD, Tranmer BI, Sevick RJ, Karmy G, Curry BJ. Spontaneous thrombosis of an unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. An unusual cause of ischemic stroke. Stroke. 1995; 26:1945–1949. PMID: 7570753.
Article
3. Cohen JE, Itshayek E, Gomori JM, Grigoriadis S, Raphaeli G, Spektor S, et al. Spontaneous thrombosis of cerebral aneurysms presenting with ischemic stroke. J Neurol Sci. 2007; 254:95–98. PMID: 17258773.
Article
4. Cohen JE, Rajz G, Umansky F, Spektor S. Thrombosis and recanalization of symptomatic nongiant saccular aneurysm. Neurol Res. 2003; 25:857–859. PMID: 14669530.
Article
5. Dhar S, Tremmel M, Mocco J, Kim M, Yamamoto J, Siddiqui AH, et al. Morphology parameters for intracranial aneurysm rupture risk assessment. Neurosurgery. 2008; 63:185–196. discussion 196-197. PMID: 18797347.
Article
6. Fisher M, Davidson RI, Marcus EM. Transient focal cerebral ischemia as a presenting manifestation of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Ann Neurol. 1980; 8:367–372. PMID: 7436381.
Article
7. Fodstad H, Liliequist B. Spontaneous thrombosis of ruptured intracranial aneurysms during treatment with tranexamic acid (AMCA). Report of three cases. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1979; 49:129–144. PMID: 517175.
Article
8. Hamilton MG, Dold ON. Spontaneous disappearance of an intracranial aneurysm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Can J Neurol Sci. 1992; 19:389–391. PMID: 1393850.
Article
9. Hans FJ, Krings T, Reinges MH, Mull M. Spontaneous regression of two supraophthalmic internal cerebral artery aneurysms following flow pattern alteration. Neuroradiology. 2004; 46:469–473. PMID: 15150678.
Article
10. Hoffman WF, Wilson CB, Townsend JJ. Recurrent transient ischemic attacks secondary to an embolizing saccular middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Case report. J Neurosurg. 1979; 51:103–106. PMID: 448403.
Article
11. Lee KC, Joo JY, Lee KS, Shin YS. Recanalization of completely thrombosed giant aneurysm : case report. Surg Neurol. 1999; 51:94–98. PMID: 9952130.
12. Ohta H, Sakai N, Nagata I, Sakai H, Shindo A, Kikuchi H. Spontaneous total thrombosis of distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2001; 143:837–842. discussion 842-843. PMID: 11678406.
Article
13. Schaller B, Lyrer P. Focal neurological deficits following spontaneous thrombosis of unruptured giant aneurysms. Eur Neurol. 2002; 47:175–182. PMID: 11914557.
Article
14. Whittle IR, Dorsch NW, Besser M. Spontaneous thrombosis in giant intracranial aneurysms. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1982; 45:1040–1047. PMID: 7175528.
Article
15. Yeh H, Tomsick TA. Obliteration of a giant carotid aneurysm after extracranial-to-intracranial bypass surgery : case report. Surg Neurol. 1997; 48:473–476. PMID: 9352811.
Article
Full Text Links
  • JKNS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr